I am trialling a new software program. I am such a nerd sometimes lol - I love new applications. I was disappointed that I couldn’t continue using iweb because I decided not to set up a .mac account. This program is called MacJournal, and can be found at at this site
I am trialling the ‘add to blog’ function today.
I had a quiet day at home today. Billy-Joe wasn’t feeling well in the stomach again, so he stayed home. I spent my hours at the computer, finishing my PSE lesson, and reading up about MacJournal. I also went on a long walk, took a huge detour and picked up the kids from school. My legs are aching a big tonight, I may have to have a rest day tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
C25K
Billy-Joe and I are still continuing on with our program. On Saturday we did Week 4, Day 1. I really surprised myself. I managed to just keep plodding along. We started running down the road, and then continued along the creek and finished the run on the oval. We even did about the last two minutes up and down the oval so that we stayed in the shade - I find this helps me a lot. Billy-Joe struggled a few times, so walked a few steps and then fell back in time with me again.
I had considered giving up the jogging. My hips are not good. I reassess each time I run. At this point in time, I am finding my fitness improve, I recover quite quickly - and I am really loathe to give it up. Sometimes the walk home is difficult, but that's mainly because of the wretched hills - if it were flat, it would be so much easier - and given the problem I have, I know that hills aggravate it. When I think about it my legs feel like they have lead in them all the time, it's a wonder I can jog at all - so I am quite proud of myself for persevering. I will see my physio on Thursday - hopefully she won't rouse at me!!
I got my Polar HRM on Mothers Day, and it's so cool, I love it. It's red, which is such a happy colour. I hope to try it out this afternoon, I will go for a 5km walk, taking the long cut to pick up the kids from school.
I had considered giving up the jogging. My hips are not good. I reassess each time I run. At this point in time, I am finding my fitness improve, I recover quite quickly - and I am really loathe to give it up. Sometimes the walk home is difficult, but that's mainly because of the wretched hills - if it were flat, it would be so much easier - and given the problem I have, I know that hills aggravate it. When I think about it my legs feel like they have lead in them all the time, it's a wonder I can jog at all - so I am quite proud of myself for persevering. I will see my physio on Thursday - hopefully she won't rouse at me!!
I got my Polar HRM on Mothers Day, and it's so cool, I love it. It's red, which is such a happy colour. I hope to try it out this afternoon, I will go for a 5km walk, taking the long cut to pick up the kids from school.
The Cohort part of the last post
I never even got back to finishing that last post. When I work everyday, my computer time is severely shortened - understandably so, but I hate it when I don't get to update as often. Life is so busy and I want it captured on my blog, so I can always refer back to it.
We had decided that our kids would go to the local state high school when the time came. Our eldest was not happy about the decision, as his cohort are all going to the Catholic High School, but to his credit, he never complained about it, but we knew it was of concern to him. All the interviews were taking place and dh had seen many parents and kids come through the school for them, and then people started asking him when ours was. The principal was taken aback when Peter said that we had decided to send our kids elsewhere due to the financial constraints. He was very quick in saying that it was always a given that our kids would go there, and that they would help out in any way they can. Peter was very touched by this, and quite humbled as you can imagine. Honestly I hadn't thought too hard about the Catholic High School. When your husband works there for as long as he has, you don't always here the positive side of the story, I only hear him whinging about how much work, etc he has to do. I don't really hear the 'schooling' side of things. I have a friend and sil whose children attended and they too, were always quick to highlight the negatives, so all in all, I wasn't really nonplussed at all that we had chosen the other school.
Having said that though, I don't want my child unhappy. I don't want him dreading entering a huge school where he knows barely no-one. The criterion I based my choosing of their Primary School are still qualities I hold dear. I wanted a small school with a faith based education -and the Catholic High School will continue in that vein. I also wanted the 'feral' element to be as low as possible, so that the chances of him getting into trouble or being led astray were drastically reduced. I know there are bad kids in every school, but there just can't be the same number in a small catholic school as there is in a huge state high. I always wanted to give my kids the best I possibly could - and we believe this school will give us this.
After that initial conversation with the principal, we asked Billy-Joe, if he had a choice what school would he choose. He said, of course St Johns, but I understand why I have to go elsewhere. When we told him that he would most probably go to St Johns - he just flung himself into my arms and he cried. So, that cemented it for me!
Yesterday we had our interview and Billy-Joe did very well, as we knew he would. He can pave the way for the two munchkins who will follow. He's the type of kid that every teacher wants a class full of. I'm not just saying that because I am his Mum either, because I can just as easily say, 'Look out St Johns when the next two come along!!' Maybe they will have settled down by then, although Sammy will always be quirky, but perhaps may have more self control.
Anyway I digress, as per usual. The decision has been made, the money side of things will be worked out later.
Okay, so that concludes the 'cohort' segment of the previous post. Now Billy-Joe will remain with his cohort.
We had decided that our kids would go to the local state high school when the time came. Our eldest was not happy about the decision, as his cohort are all going to the Catholic High School, but to his credit, he never complained about it, but we knew it was of concern to him. All the interviews were taking place and dh had seen many parents and kids come through the school for them, and then people started asking him when ours was. The principal was taken aback when Peter said that we had decided to send our kids elsewhere due to the financial constraints. He was very quick in saying that it was always a given that our kids would go there, and that they would help out in any way they can. Peter was very touched by this, and quite humbled as you can imagine. Honestly I hadn't thought too hard about the Catholic High School. When your husband works there for as long as he has, you don't always here the positive side of the story, I only hear him whinging about how much work, etc he has to do. I don't really hear the 'schooling' side of things. I have a friend and sil whose children attended and they too, were always quick to highlight the negatives, so all in all, I wasn't really nonplussed at all that we had chosen the other school.
Having said that though, I don't want my child unhappy. I don't want him dreading entering a huge school where he knows barely no-one. The criterion I based my choosing of their Primary School are still qualities I hold dear. I wanted a small school with a faith based education -and the Catholic High School will continue in that vein. I also wanted the 'feral' element to be as low as possible, so that the chances of him getting into trouble or being led astray were drastically reduced. I know there are bad kids in every school, but there just can't be the same number in a small catholic school as there is in a huge state high. I always wanted to give my kids the best I possibly could - and we believe this school will give us this.
After that initial conversation with the principal, we asked Billy-Joe, if he had a choice what school would he choose. He said, of course St Johns, but I understand why I have to go elsewhere. When we told him that he would most probably go to St Johns - he just flung himself into my arms and he cried. So, that cemented it for me!
Yesterday we had our interview and Billy-Joe did very well, as we knew he would. He can pave the way for the two munchkins who will follow. He's the type of kid that every teacher wants a class full of. I'm not just saying that because I am his Mum either, because I can just as easily say, 'Look out St Johns when the next two come along!!' Maybe they will have settled down by then, although Sammy will always be quirky, but perhaps may have more self control.
Anyway I digress, as per usual. The decision has been made, the money side of things will be worked out later.
Okay, so that concludes the 'cohort' segment of the previous post. Now Billy-Joe will remain with his cohort.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Work, Polar and Cohort
After a full on week last week, I was ecstatic that I had no work on this week. Last week was an interesting scenario but a very good one.
I started one morning, with about 50 pairs of expectant eyes upon me: my students, parent helpers and the special needs aide. I was a teacher down and a parent helper down, it it wasn't even 9am!! It's strange how one reacts to situations. I often think of myself as being a bit on the ditzy side, and someone who stresses easily. I am beginning to learn about myself that that is not the case.
I thought, okay, I am a teacher and a parent helper down, this is going to take me a while, but I will get it sorted. The routine of the classroom is a tricky one, and for the newbie - not easy to follow (and at that point, that included me). I'd organized the kids into their reading groups, the principal arrived and informed me that the replacement teacher was on his way. Okay, now I only have to split myself two ways instead of three. I settled down the kids, and started teaching two groups - praise God that I am quite adept at a multi skilled setting, so even though this was pain staking, it was certainly workable. The other teacher arrived, I gave him a quick introduction, told him my name, and said here are your kids. Take over from the principal and we will muddle through the day. He had a glazed look on his face, a look that can only ever be on someone who has been thrown in at the deep end. The first session is over and I learn that the man is on his first day - ever!! It was second break before I realized the poor man hadn't even been for a pee!!! So I directed him to the toilets and talked to him some more. I was on my own. He was another body, that was useful for looking after kids, but wasn't really in a situation to take any weight off my shoulders. When, in mid session the kids didn't rotate as they should have, I realized that I needed to just take over - and just run it my way. I don't like treading on toes - so did this delicately. The next day, I just timetabled the day, told him what he had to do, and we had a good day. By Thursday, we had a few slots unplanned for so I asked him to think of some activities to do, as Anzac Day was approaching, we decided to work with that.
He arrived on Thursday morning with some awesome ideas, and asked me for my help. He knew my organizational skills were strong, and would I co-ordinate the whole thing. I am all for working with one's strengths. I thought it was a great plan.
We had the best day on the Thursday. I put the kids into their groups, gave them their tasks, and we set off on our project. We made a shrine, covered with pictures and coloured in poppies. We also made a wreath, with a 'Lest We Forget' banner across it. The kids were stoked. It was the focal point of our Anzac Day Ceremony which was held at the end of the day. I was exhausted from that week, but felt great that it all came together really well.
Rebel Sports had a 25% off all day sale on Thursday, if you presented an RACQ card. I had to work, so thought I would probably miss out. Thankfully the manager was really helpful and asked that if I faxed down everything he would put the sale through for me. I am the proud new owner of a Polar F4 HRM watch, the red one.....so cool. It's my Mothers Day present, so I am not supposed to know that I am getting it. The store manager on the Friday told me that if I bought other stuff he would give me the 25% off as well. I bought another pair of walking pants and some new tops, and I also got Billy-Joe a really good pair of Fila running shoes.
I will publish this now and then update tomorrow.
I started one morning, with about 50 pairs of expectant eyes upon me: my students, parent helpers and the special needs aide. I was a teacher down and a parent helper down, it it wasn't even 9am!! It's strange how one reacts to situations. I often think of myself as being a bit on the ditzy side, and someone who stresses easily. I am beginning to learn about myself that that is not the case.
I thought, okay, I am a teacher and a parent helper down, this is going to take me a while, but I will get it sorted. The routine of the classroom is a tricky one, and for the newbie - not easy to follow (and at that point, that included me). I'd organized the kids into their reading groups, the principal arrived and informed me that the replacement teacher was on his way. Okay, now I only have to split myself two ways instead of three. I settled down the kids, and started teaching two groups - praise God that I am quite adept at a multi skilled setting, so even though this was pain staking, it was certainly workable. The other teacher arrived, I gave him a quick introduction, told him my name, and said here are your kids. Take over from the principal and we will muddle through the day. He had a glazed look on his face, a look that can only ever be on someone who has been thrown in at the deep end. The first session is over and I learn that the man is on his first day - ever!! It was second break before I realized the poor man hadn't even been for a pee!!! So I directed him to the toilets and talked to him some more. I was on my own. He was another body, that was useful for looking after kids, but wasn't really in a situation to take any weight off my shoulders. When, in mid session the kids didn't rotate as they should have, I realized that I needed to just take over - and just run it my way. I don't like treading on toes - so did this delicately. The next day, I just timetabled the day, told him what he had to do, and we had a good day. By Thursday, we had a few slots unplanned for so I asked him to think of some activities to do, as Anzac Day was approaching, we decided to work with that.
He arrived on Thursday morning with some awesome ideas, and asked me for my help. He knew my organizational skills were strong, and would I co-ordinate the whole thing. I am all for working with one's strengths. I thought it was a great plan.
We had the best day on the Thursday. I put the kids into their groups, gave them their tasks, and we set off on our project. We made a shrine, covered with pictures and coloured in poppies. We also made a wreath, with a 'Lest We Forget' banner across it. The kids were stoked. It was the focal point of our Anzac Day Ceremony which was held at the end of the day. I was exhausted from that week, but felt great that it all came together really well.
Rebel Sports had a 25% off all day sale on Thursday, if you presented an RACQ card. I had to work, so thought I would probably miss out. Thankfully the manager was really helpful and asked that if I faxed down everything he would put the sale through for me. I am the proud new owner of a Polar F4 HRM watch, the red one.....so cool. It's my Mothers Day present, so I am not supposed to know that I am getting it. The store manager on the Friday told me that if I bought other stuff he would give me the 25% off as well. I bought another pair of walking pants and some new tops, and I also got Billy-Joe a really good pair of Fila running shoes.
I will publish this now and then update tomorrow.
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