Studying and teaching to no end...
Dec 11, 2009
Just popped in to say hi and I'm frightened to say my most recent posts are from August of this year! 
I'm teaching tomorrow a maths class for gifted children (no, I'm not a gifted teacher, it's only them) and then going to work on my presentation for Monday, and on Monday going to write my assignment for Friday, and on Thursday going to play catch up for Friday too and... well, you get the picture, I'm busy.
I can't believe I'm practically half way through my 2nd year of teaching and hurtling towards the third and final year! It's all a bit mad, really.
Well, better get some 
, or I'd scare the kids in the morning.
Happy Chrimbo to all if I don't post again soon.
Elly.
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Cosmic intervention
Jul 7, 2009
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/8135603.stm
We went to Chester Zoo on Sunday the 5th, and as you can see from the link above, it didn't go very well and we had to leave an hour after we arrived. The children were quite disappointed.
Yesterday Ryan came back from school with a letter saying that his class and one other class had the best attendance record in school and therefore they have won a prize - a trip to Chester Zoo next Monday, 13 July.
Now I don't believe in coincidences anymore, the last 10 years of my life proved the term to be completely void of real meaning. But what is he possibly meant to be in Chester Zoo for? Is he going to be a vet??
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Last week of the year
May 18, 2009
and then 4 months off until the start of the next year.
Lessons have definitely been learned, some were even planned by ME, and over the summer I intend to:
-Visit the holy land (and the holy family)
-Improve my assignment writing skills.
-Boost my CV even further.
-Maybe take some piano lessons?
I just hope this summer is restful and as uneventful as possible.
How is everyone?
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3 weeks?!
Apr 2, 2009
I really have been busy in uni not to be here for 3 weeks!
Well, my last assignment had been handed in today. It was a children's book I wrote and designed as a scrapbook album with the help of Michael's mum. I then had to write 2000 words about it, but that's peanuts in comparison to what I'll have to do next year, apparently. Assignments are going to START at 3000 words next year, or so they tell us.
So tomorrow is my final seminar, then 2 weeks Easter break at home, 4 weeks placement at school, final week in uni and... summer break. Long and well-earned.
I'm so tired.
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Can't be bothered
Feb 24, 2009
I have reached the point of no return. I have this assignement to write and I just can't be bothered with it anymore. I reached the halfway point yesterday evening and now I'm doing everything in my power not to continue writing.
Any ideas what to do, anyone? 
Hurray!
Feb 13, 2009
http://www.michaelmcintyre.co.uk/
A new tour has just been announce, and guess who's going to go and watch him? ME!!
Very excited.And 9 days later we'll go and watch Eddie Izzard. So hurray again!
Going to have a lovely October... 
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Life in Academia
Dec 17, 2008
Yes, it's been the longest 3 months in some time... I'm doing my teaching degree and I feel like I've already served 3 years and then some. I'm even starting to form Teacher Humour, have subscribed with 3 teaching unions and get regular magazines. I find Teachers TV a treat to watch when I have some time (usually between 12.01-12.07 on Thursday afternoon) and I can't wait for my Christmas break which only means doing more work...
I don't have a social life other than with uni friends and I haven't even managed to find the BBC website until now, nevermind post.
So here it is...
Happy Chrimbo everybody!
Elly
Laptop
Aug 16, 2008
I finally got one. I got my stiudent loan and student bank account and went and bought a fancy-scnhmancy laptop today after doing a rather thorough market research. This thing is a 
to type on and it's constantly busy updating itself but it's silver, slim, new, clean and MINE so I don't care. I'm really getting the hang of it and enjoying it.
The last confirmation came through the post and so I'm off to uni in about 4 and a half weeks, which means I'll be handing in my notice this thursday. Never thought I'd see the day 
Going to bed now
Elly.
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Becoming a Student
Jul 29, 2008
I didn't think I'd be in this situation again, but I'll be an official student starting this September.
I'll be studying Teaching Primary School (BA) with Qualified Teacher Status reccomendation (you then need to do an exam and work for a year as a Newly Qualified Teacher) and specialise in Expressive Arts.
It all sounds very pompous and self-important and it's making me very nervous.
Going away again
Jun 12, 2008
Yes, it's that time of year when I pack up my kids and go to see my family in Israel, leaving Michael lonely and distressed at home (Though he will never admit it).
It's the time when people give me their unsolicited opinions and advice and ask if we're ever going to come back and then tell me about all the advantages of living close to my family, which is much bigger and is capable of giving us more support - blah, blah, blah - as if I didn't think about all this over and over when I tried to decide what's best for everyone.
And then I have to argue that financially we're best off in the UK, so I can study and Ryan can go to a school that will meet his needs, and he's our priority now etc, etc...
But this year I have a bit of a bomb to drop, depending on when I feel badgered enough - we won't be coming back next year, as I will only have 6 weeks' holiday in total (3 lots of 2 weeks in December, March and July) and they will have to come and see us! Very possibly this will be the case for the 2 years to follow, too, until I graduate from university.
I can already hear the cries of dismay at the thought of coming to visit us in the accursed country, but that's just how things are, especially as Uni holidays and school holidays don't match (other than over Chrimbo-New Year, and I'm not flying anywhere then).
Should be an interesting visit, if nothing else...
I hope I get some rest before we need to come back home.
Elly
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Work-work-work
May 14, 2008
Sounds like a sound a pig would make.
We're both working again and the kids are back to full-time in nursery. I go with Maya for her hydrotherapy every friday and it's wonderful. seems to be affecting my chronic fatigue too, as I do get very tired after the session in the water, but feel less tired in general.
It's gloriously beautiful and sunny outside and has been since monday, I'm actually trying hard to find short sleeved shirts or short trousers for the children. Maya gets away with wearing dresses, but poor Ryan is still struggling with the concept of bermuda shorts.
We'll be going to Israel, just the 3 of us again, on 13 of June. I hope it wouldn't be too hard. They're both bloody minded at times so I hope they play nice on the planes.
Elly
permission to moan?
Apr 24, 2008
oooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
I have started a new role in a new team in January of this year. it's great for the most part - the team does home visits to help mental health patients recover and get back on their feet. sadly, this comes with a package deal, and we have the Clinical Placement, or Bed Management office within our area, which also means that I get to cover this office at least once a fortnight.
It's a very busy, pressurised office and is basically incharge of the management of in-patient beds for the WHOLE trust, which stretches across Liverpool, Southport, Speke and parts of Warrington. I'm not supposed to do the clinical side of things, ie actually allocate beds, but since I'm the only one in, I usually get roped in anyway. And all the complaints (there are never any compliments) come to me, as if I had any say in the matter.
I know it's very childish, but it really is unfair, and I even asked for some training, which no one would give me. So I don't know what to do here, but I'm here anyway, doing my little bit and hoping no one notices I'm in or they'll call and shout at me for something. Which I didn't do...
Oh, I suppose...
Apr 14, 2008
...I'd better update somewhat or no one will ever talk to me again.
So we have half the money we had before and that's bad. Michael goes on interviews but nothing so far.
I'm back to working 9-5 most days becasue most of our secretaries are off sick.
My application to study in Uni was accepted, I am now doing work experience in my local primary school and enjoying it very muchly. Year 5 tomorrow.
Ryan is lovely and is learning to talk a bit more, keeps saying "Hello, happy birthday, byeee!" when you hand him the phone to talk to someone. Maya and I went on her first hydrotherapy session last friday and had a great time. She's a natural! There was a bit of spluttering and coughing but she got the hang of it and was happily kicking her little legs while dragging by her rubber ring behind me.
That's more or less it.
Questions?
Interview
Feb 8, 2008
Had my interview on Wednesday with Edge Hill University and I have a good feeling about this. I was confident, demonstrated leadership and listening skills and everyone else were MUCH much younger than me, and it showed. I don't know if I put them off, but other than 1 girl, they were all quite shy and quiet.
If I get in I'll be thrilled- but I won't cry too hard if I don't. I'm finally happy to go to work, as I work with a great team of people and I'm busy all the time, which is all I ever wanted.
Still, in the words of the song - "A change will do you good!"
I also took 2 exams in my word processing course, I'm pretty sure I passed, don't care about distinction, so now I can level my hours and do 9.00am-4.00pm over 4 days, so we won't get home for 6.00pm.
Wish me luck!
Waiting anxiously
Dec 10, 2007
I don't actually know why I'm so anxious, but I sent my UCAS application form on Saturday (great to be able to do this online) and I'm now waiting for a reply. I have a wonderful reference from a colleague and I think my statement is good, my grades should definitely get me there... so not sure why I'm nervous. But I am. Which is good, because it shows I want this.
For my non-UK friends, UCAS in the organisation that takes care of all college and university applications in the UK and transfers them on (if they think they make the grade) to the specific institutions one chooses to study in. 2 institutions in my case.
Elly
One for me
Nov 30, 2007
My love, Yael
She was so very shy
When she saw me come
Over to her parents' home
She ran into the field
And I chased her.
Ay yaya yay Yael
Ay yaya yay Yaela
Ay yaya yay Yael
And I chased her.
My love, Yael
Blushed with embarassment
She refused so to go
Back to her parents' home
That in my own house
She took residence.
Just a song I've been meaning to work on, so this is my reminder to me.
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HELLO
Nov 8, 2007
I'm still hovering about.
Been diagnosed with possible Chronic Fatigue and I'm going to see a specialist team about this on Tuesday. I hope they give me some solution and no further speculations.
Naturally, I'm very tired most of the time and get muscle pains at random intervals. It's all fun and games, really...
I see my Zelda entry has been removed and no one's informed me of it. Again. What a surprise! It seems that my yahoo address on my space is invisible to site officials. Ho hum...
Drop me a line if you have time.
Elly
Back from Israel
Sep 20, 2007
...bet you never knew I left.
I went to see my parents and celebrate Rosh HaShana with my mum and her family. It was nice, it was hot, we had sand and sea and sun and I haven't missed work at all.
And now I'm back.
I've only really missed Michael, and he's now getting to stay home with little Maya, who's sick and miserable and has to take yucky antibiotics. At least she seems to relish the challenge of trying to spit as much of the meds into our eyes! I think I'll have to stay with her tomorrow. It will be good for my sanity.
The Elly felt mighty important that day
Aug 15, 2007
... On top of her chair in her office where she...um...sat (can't really say I lay on my chair)
So I'm in the Environmental commitee here at work and have taken it upon myself to compose a short questionnaire and a covering letter explaining that the questionnaire is for the recycling sub-group to get some idea of how much recycling is being done by the trust. The other members of the sub-group and the chair of the General Group were happy with my work and I sent it to Trust wide distribution on Monday.
The response was amazing! We've gone way over a hundred emails (lost count by now) and people volunteered to join either or both groups. The awareness has definitely been increased and heads of directorates and divisions are contacting me for more information. I feel really nice, when I get a chance to, as I'm replying and processing all the returns, and I know that not all credit is due to me, but --- well, it's nice.
Elly
Happy birthday to me!
Aug 3, 2007
Yes, people, I am 30 years and 2 days old today! Not sure why I'm letting everyone know about it, I thought it wasn't advisable for a lady to disclose her age ("where's the lady?" I hear you ask). But it was celebrated over the last few days in bits, and we went on a week's holiday in Wales with the kids and Michael's parents. My mum's planning on a party when I go over to Israel in September, and so far I have accumulated:
Jeans, vest and shoes (my present to myself)
A garnet and topaz in white gold pendant on a white gold chain, from Michael's parents. The chain was then replaced by a silver chain, from Michael, who also bought me the week in the cottage in Wales and Brain Training Academy for the WII. Yay! I received lots of cards and a bottle of wine at work and some cute cards from Michael and the kids and last night he came home with a bunch of yellow roses (my favourite kind!), strawberry and fresh cream scones and lovely danishes for breakfast.
All in all it was a nice birthday. Ryan and I went to a theme park for the day (cost me £5 through the union) and had a nice time playing together and talking to sheep and ponies. He nearly head butted a goat's bum, which was a bit distressing (and very funny!) and was somewhat confused, but he did warm up to it as the day wore on.
That's all I have to report, really!
Elly (older but not wiser)
Work
Jul 4, 2007
I came to work in order to work. Now, the trust wide database is down until friday, I'm covering for a colleague and am waiting for literally hours now for her boss to contact me after 2 unreplied to emails and one phone message with his other secretary. Oh, and I'm waiting for my manager's manager to come here for things I need to give her. And my supervisors are interviewing all day today. I have nothing to do- so why am I here?
GRRRRR....
Bored bored bored.
Elly
Work
Jul 4, 2007
I came to work in order to work. Now, the trust wide database is down until friday, I'm covering for a colleague and am waiting for literally hours now for her boss to contact me after 2 unreplied to emails and one phone message with his other secretary. I have nothing to do- so why am I here?
GRRRRR....
Bored bored bored.
Elly
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School
Jun 8, 2007
I'm going to enrol my son with a local school today. Although we're not in their catchment area, I'm told they should still be able to take him on. He's only going to start attending school in September 2008, but apparently there's a waiting list, so enroling a year in advance is common and recommended. On the other hand, I heard that there's a national shortage in kids of his age, so surely I could enrol him in August 2008 and still have a placement?
C is for Cookie
May 21, 2007
C is for Cookie
That's good enough for me
C is for Cookie
That's good enough for me
C is for Cookie
That's good enough for me, oh!
Cookie-cookie-cookie starts with C.
How come I get obsessed with food, and especially cookies, just as I sort of manage to stick to a diet? I've never done this before, the obsessing, I mean. Food was always just... food. 
was hard to give up on, even had withdrawal symptoms.
But this?
I eat way-out-of-sell-by-date , I think about eating all the time, I feel bad about eating, and about not eating.
GAH! I'd rather be fat and sane then less fat and obsessive.
Rant over.
Dilemma
May 2, 2007
I'm going for a test on Friday for a job in the police which will probably be most interesting and full-time, and pay around £16,000 (I'm currently on 10.5). On the other hand, work are sending me to do word processing qualifications so that the essential requirements for my job description are met (extremely long story, not very interesting), but I'm quite bored and frustrated, and don't really want to stay here if I can go somewhere else. Also, a better salary gives us an option to buy our own house, or have Micahel studying, or both. But that qualification would be useful for any job in the Admin and Clerical world.
So what do I do?
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