First Year of Teaching...Check

So this post should have been written a month ago when I actually finished the school year, but this summer has been one crazy whirlwind of adventure. So as I sit here uploading my pictures from the last month and a day before school starts I began thinking of everything that has happened this last year.

This time last year I had been in the country only a couple of days, I was just figuring out my town and had a tour of my new school. I was on my own in this new adventure, extremely nervous, but prepared (or so I thought) for something exciting. As you all know from reading my previous posts, I went through a series of internal debates last year of whether or not to stay at my school or to even stay in England.

Last October I was ready to go home and wanted to quit. I was not fulfilling the dream I had planned. With simple encouragement from my Aunt saying "Okay, pack your bags" she called my bluff and I knew I was in this for the long haul. Thinking of that moment now, I couldn't even imagine going home. After a month away, I was excited to come back.

This past school year taught me way more about teaching than any other schooling I have participated in. When I first got to the school they said "If you can teach here, you can teach anywhere." At that time, that made me nervous. Now it's more of a challenge and taking pride in all accomplishments made by myself and my students. Although my teaching has reached a new level, what I have learned about myself is unmeasurable. A shy girl from suburbia, has become wandering, city nomad. One of my favourite past times has become getting lost in random cities and exploring. I have become immune to tourist attractions and crave exploring local areas of places and mixing with the culture. I'm no longer afraid of everything (even the fear of dogs is getting better!) and I'm always ready for an adventure.

This year had its many ups and downs both at school and at home, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. My family has become even closer than it was before, I have a nephew joining this world in less than a month, and a new school year ahead of us that is going to bring about much more learning, growing and adventure.

Nothing but Smiles for the Steward 6

Well, it appears to be smiles all around the world for the Steward 6 and I couldn't be more proud of my family. Last week was filled with nothing but cheek to cheek smiles, tears of happiness and congratulations. This is due to three massive events - three graduations.
Eric and Kyle have both worked incredibly hard the last 4 years and have become the newest university graduates of the Steward family. As I watched (online) them walk across the stage all I could think of was how much they have changed and from the maniac fights to the wonderful young men they are today. As much as I wish I could have been there, I'm glad I got to watch you too. Congratulations also goes out to their lovely girlfriends, Marlayna and Kaitlyn as they too graduated. I wish all four of you good luck as you continue your educational journey with your post grad adventures.
These graduations were like the build up to a delicious ice cream sundae, with the cherry on top being my Mum. An absolute super hero, champion, world record holder, strong man competition winner. My Mum had a graduation of her own. She was the next victor, with a knock out in round 12, ringing the chemo bell. That bell was heard all the way on this side of the ocean and the smiles of my Mum and my Auntie as they rang could be seen to the moon and back. The two of them have become quite a powerful twosome, nothing can get in their way. Taking each step as it comes, with some laughs and tears, but moving leaps and bounds.
As my happiness continues to grow here, the smiles continue to shine knowing the happiness of everything at home. These events definitely made me miss home as I would have loved to be there, but my family is getting ready to write the next chapter of their stories just as I have been doing here.
To continue the good news, I have found a new house and will be moving in on the 29th of June. I will be living with 3 friends I have made here and it has a common room! No more staring at 4 beige walls! Things with my photography have also been improving as I had another photo published last week for a travel company in Michigan promoting South Africa travel, as well as Global Dimensions; a UK teacher resource company publishing a picture. That one was truly exciting as it combines two of my passions; teaching and photography.
My summer plans are coming along fabulously as my trip is now paid for and the countdown is on (47 days!!) Some of my dream places are on this tour and I am beyond excited for that, as well as a whole new collection of pictures (advanced warning: be prepared for tons of pictures to be posted in September!)
As foot continue to heals up and football training starts up next week, I also have a pretty big event on 14th July. I will be running in my first 10k. This run is to support my Mum and anyone else fighting cancer. I will be running around Hyde Park wearing my blue (the colon cancer colour). I am raising money in support of cancer research. If you would like donate you can donate online by clicking here. I thank you in advance for your support and will run with all of you in mind. My mum is a firm believer in angels, so I'm sure I'll feel the support of her angel army behind me.
On that note, I should stop procrastinating and get back to work before it's bed time.

Long Overdue...But, Simply Happy.

So clearly my goal of posting bi-weekly has failed and as of late I have been terrible at keeping you all updated. This is due in part to a crazy schedule, but also just being extremely happy with my life over here. As unfortunate as it may be, it seems way easier to write when things aren't going to great.
While I live over here and continue to be successful on my mission of happiness and experience, I am in a constant internal debate of everything I am missing at home. A lot has gone on this year and when you plan to move away for a couple of years you think of the adventures you're going to have and not what will happen with the lives of those you  leave behind.
These thoughts have been very prevalent in my mind as the decision for next year needed to be made. Even with my indecisiveness, thoughts of home, and other factors - a decision has been made and it is official. I am staying for another year and I am staying at the same school!
This year for me has been a year of figuring things out, meeting new people, finding my way on my own. The past couple of months have been some of the best months of my life. My life here is very settled, very adjusted and feels much like home. I love my job, I have great friends and an even better boyfriend!
There were a lot of jokes about me moving here and finding a British boy, or Prince Harry, and then Chuck Bass - but I have indeed found my British boy. He is the most wonderful person who has already done so much for me. Was there for me with the passing of my friend and then an absolute champion taking care of me and my broken foot.
Sticking true to myself, I found a way to get injured. Hobbling a long for a little over a week on a cast and crutches with what was thought to be a broken foot ended up just being a stress fracture. Which although I can walk, I'm not allowed to do anything else, which is definitely not helping my 10k training. On July 14th, my friend and I have signed up for the 10k Cancer Run in Hyde Park, London. The same run is being done in my town on the same day, but Hyde Park seems like a much cooler option!
I am currently on the final half term break of the school year - and then 7 weeks and I am officially done my first year as a teacher. Although the pictures of everyone at their cottage and the sunny skies make me extremely jealous of your summer, my summer trip will soon be here! One of my best friends from home, Ali will be joining me in London for a few days before we take off on a 21 day adventure touring from London to Athens. I could not be more excited for this adventure, with stops in places like Barcelona, Paris, Corfu. Rome, Athens, and much more!
At the beginning of this adventure I thought I made the worst life decision - I know now, without a doubt I have made the best decision. Life has turned out wonderful here and I could not be happier. This gives me hope for my family at home! My Mum has completed round 11 of 12 of her chemo this week. At the beginning of this journey, it seemed like it was going to be a long haul. Instead, my Mum just rolls with the punches and takes each hit like a champion, fighting back twice as hard. Soon she is done, coming back stronger than ever, just in time for her Grandson! My Mum has announced on her blog, and my sister has as well, but here is my official announcement, my sister Hayley and lovely boyfriend Dan are expecting a baby boy in late September/early October. I possibly cannot be more excited to be an Auntie to a wonderful Nephew. I bought my first of many things baby this week!
I wish you all, all the happiness in the world. I will try and get back on track to keep you updated with how the last 7 weeks of school go and my summer adventures. Some big exciting things to come for sure!

Goodbye, My Dear Friend.

Hi everyone, let me begin by apologizing for the delay in my updates. My computer was broken for a couple of weeks, followed by a busy schedule, then travelling and then an even busier schedule.
I set out to write this post a couple of days ago, but have since then been struggling to put the words together and have re-written this post countless times in my head.
Today the sun is shining in England. The last time it was sunny and beautiful was Monday. As I walked home from school on Monday I was happy. I had just gotten back from Spain, had sat on the beach for a week, really enjoy school, have great friends and have even met a wonderful British boy!
However, that smile faded quickly with some saddening news.
Last Saturday I received an e-mail from Peel Police notifying me and asking if I had any information about a missing friend of mine. Oddly enough, this friend's name had popped into my head while I was away - it was time to update her. Unfortunately, I missed that chance. Monday evening I was notified that her body had been found.
So today I write to her, to share our jokes, exchange some advice and enjoy the sun together.
My friend, Cheryl was a second a mother to me. We met when I was sixteen and started working in my Dad's office. I was still very shy when I started at Pillar to Post, but Cheryl helped me break out of that. When I came back at the age of seventeen, Cheryl and I were inseparable. We went out for every lunch together up until this past summer. We often would just go for walks and talk, or sit in the park. Cheryl had a high and strong wall guarding her personal life, but brick by brick she shared stories with me. We have very different perspectives on life, which often made for interesting conversation. But the advice we sought from each other was always very open minded and much appreciated. I could go to Cheryl with anything and everything. We often were asked if we were mother and daughter, or because she's even shorter than I am, if we were sisters.
Cheryl was an absolute lover of the sun, and any chance she had she soaked it up. In a note I wrote to my Dad's office I told them that every time the sun shines, it is just Cheryl saying hello. Being extremely busy this week, the news hasn't even fully sunk in yet. But having a momentary break before the events of this week continue tonight, the sun started to shine and it's warm in England. Cheryl is here with me. I enjoyed the sunshine with a walk with my friend. I updated her on my life here and shared some news that would make her so proud. It was this walk that allowed me to sort out the words I needed for this blog.
At the end of each summer I always wrote Cheryl a note and put it on her desk for her to find the next morning. It was a note to say thank you for the fun this summer, goodbye, keep in touch and I will see you next summer. This is my goodbye note, Cheryl.

Goodbye my dear friend. I hope you are able to find the happiness you have long been searching for and find comfort in your new home. I know you are sitting somewhere on the beach soaking in all the sun you can get, while you sip on an ice cold beer. The memories I share with you will forever be cherished and your friendship will always be carried in my heart. I hope you can now fully smile and continue to make those around you laugh. I will miss you, but will never forget you. I love you forever and always. Goodbye, keep in touch and I will see you when the sun shines.

- Shelby

Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone

With the impulse purchase of the flight to Venice, I didn't have much time to think about what I was going to be getting myself into, but the more people commented on me travelling alone, and the more time that passed before take off the more nervous I began to get. I kept postponing planning the trip, and delaying research, finding anything else to do instead. There were even a couple moments of "Maybe I just won't go." This was until last Wednesday, when it finally hit that I was leaving for Venice that night. The train ride to Stanstead Airport was when the excitement began to build up. Getting on the plane was fine, getting off the plane was fine. But the moment I stepped foot onto the bus I realized this was real, I was in Venice and there was no backing out now.
I looked around at the people on the bus around me, a threesome and two other couples. Everyone was travelling with someone and here I was on my own, in a place I don't speak the language, at 11:30pm. I kept going over the directions to my hotel in my head, which bus stop, where to get the water bus, which water bus, which stop and where to walk from there. I looked around at the scenery and using a combination of what I remember of French and Spanish trying to translate the words around me. However, because it nearing midnight, the pitch black, rainy skies blocked most of the scenery. This only allowed me to continue to think about what I was doing, and really at that moment, I had become fearful of my decision and just felt like crying.
I made it my bus stop and to the water bus safely. From there I had just kept staring at the cartoon map my hotel had sent me with the directions from the water bus stop to the hotel. It was time to get off the boat and this was my first experience of the narrow alleys - breaking all rules of travelling to a new place - walking down alleys, alone, at night time.
Thursday I still woke up with some hesitation as reality sunk in that I really was in Venice. This was the first time I truly was travelling on my own; wasn't going to meet family, wasn't a part of any group, this trip was just me and my camera.
I spent Thursday exploring. No real plan in mind other than to figure out the areas, check out the scenery and take some pictures. Walking around Venice is like being in a corn maze. Always walking through narrow alleys and picking any possible route - sometimes you end up a dead end that made lead into water, sometimes you walk in a circle and other times you end up where you were eventually hoping to get! This was a unique feeling in that sometimes it really was just you wondering around, all I could hear was the noise of my boots on the cobblestone and the abundance of seagulls and pigeons everywhere. It really was a freeing experience though and removed some of the fears and hesitations I had coming into the trip.
While I was walking through the maze and hunger struck, the uneasy feeling returned. I was going to have to talk to someone and barely anyone speaks English. I passed many delis and restaurants on my journey, looked at menus, then walked away, would stand and look at the place and then walk away again. I had completely reverted back 10 years ago to shy me. Luckily, I was able to come across a sandwich shop that had them displayed and all I had to do was point.
As I made my way up to the top of Campinale Tower, the temperatures began to drop. Campinale Tower gives you a birds' eye view of Venice, showing the different canals, the whole island and surrounding islands. Beautiful view, but absolutely freezing. By the time I had reached the bottom of the tower a blizzard hit Venice. Standing in St. Mark's Square, it was exciting to see everyone's reaction to snow - for most of them, this must have been their first experience to it. This is also when I bought a museum pass and headed for the indoors.
Walking through St. Mark's Church is where you really get a sense of how much Venice is actually sinking. The floor is so wavy, with divots everywhere. Much like how driveways sink, the stunning tile floor is as well.
Friday was spent travelling to two other islands; Murano and Burano. Murano is famous for glass blowing and it's beautiful glass sculptures. The island is filled with little shops, with all sorts of things made from glass. Some of the sculptures were absolutely stunning, unfortunately you couldn't take pictures of them. I also watched a 10 minute glass blowing demonstration where in 10 minutes, the man had made a beautiful vase and horse sculpture. He then threw both objects into a bucket and broke them. The horse sculpture took about 2 minutes to make, inside the show room they had the same one for 350 euros.
The next stop was Burano - one of the fastest sinking islands. What is unique about this island, is that to distinguish property lines the home owners paint their houses bright colours. It reminded me much of Bo Kaap in Cape Town. The houses were hot pink, orange, lime green, purple. It was incredible. My favourite moment was walking through these little alleys, just down a normal street, you turned a corner, came out of the alley and met with a canal and some of the really bright houses. You just had to stand there for a minute and take in the view. That moment was absolutely breathtaking. It was also in that moment where the excitement for what I was doing and crossing another place off the To Go list settled in. Burano is also the island of handmade lace. As it is not a peak tourist time in Venice, a lot of things were still closed. This gave Burano a very ghost town like feel to it. Most shops and restaurants were closed and a lot of residents have moved off of the island. The only shops open were the lace shops. I fell in love with a dress in one of the shops, but wasn't prepared to pay the 260 euros for it (that was more than my trip costed!)
By the time I got back to Venice, it was dinner time and with now feeling at ease, I was prepared for a proper sit down meal. As I was wandering to find somewhere to eat I came across a mass of photographers lined across a bridge. There was nothing in particular that their cameras were aimed up, but with the amount of tripods set up, I knew something had to be coming. I set post with these photographers, waited a few minutes to find out it was rush hour in Venice. The sun was setting, the "street lights" were coming on, and the boats were all travelling down the Grand Canal. Seems like a much better commute than sitting in the traffic on the 403! This was such a cool moment for me. I later bumped into the photographers again, when they noticed my camera - this stuck up conversation. They're a group of professionals travelling the world for the year. Absolutely envious of their life. A couple of them showed me their pictures and I took them through a couple of mine. It was crazy to see how we could shoot the same thing and how different all the pictures could look.
Saturday I spent the morning walking around areas I hadn't been yet. I was able to find more local spots and came across a farmer's market with all fresh fruits and vegetables and some small local, non touristy shops. I also ate the best pizza I've ever had! Which oddly enough, does not come sliced, but served with a fork and steak knife. After the pizza, with the little bit of sun shining, I hopped on the water bus and went once more around the island. Sat out on the front, just snapping away on my camera.
Venice was an incredible trip and having gone and made it back I can't even believe I had reservations or thoughts of not going. However, I am glad I had those feelings. The past couple years have been a lot of progress and moving forward, breaking out of that shell, it was in a unique sort of way kind of nice to know that there are still barriers to break down, there are still personal challenges to face. A friend sent me a card a couple years ago and on it, it said "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." Since the day that card has arrived, I have tried to follow that saying. Alleviating a lot of the fears I once had, but I also started to think because I had so many fears; dogs, animals, heights, being shy, just to name a few that fear was a bad thing. Having that fear of travelling on my own, to Venice, made the trip that much more exciting over coming that fear and because of that will now become a trip I hold onto forever.

You can find my pictures of my trip by clicking here for Flickr or here for Facebook.

One Day

After a long week, full of ups and downs, good and bad moods, I had a weekend just to myself. No travel, no meeting friends in London, just a chance to unwind. My weekend was filled with movies, junk food and photo books.
Photo books; if anyone is struggling for a gift for anyone, my Mum bought me gift certificates for these for Christmas. They are amazing! Turning your photos into hard copy books, such a great keep sake. I have ordered one book and half way through making the second. Two books of my time in South Africa. The first book of animals and landscapes, the second of people and faces. I am extremely excited for the faces edition. But, this gave me a wonderful opportunity to slowly go back through the pictures, relive the memories, and reflect on the emotions. Even though I took the pictures, I think my South Africa collection is one of my best. This could be though because of the emotions attached to each picture.
Although looking back was enjoyable, a look to the future was sparked by a certain movie. Although it appeared under the romantic comedy category, it was romantic, but definitely not a comedy, more on the sad side. But, good nonetheless. In this movie, a girl, Em, played by Anne Hathaway, meets, somehow, either in person or via phone, her best friend Dexter (Jim Sturgess) on the same day every year. July 15th.
Another fantastic present from my Mum was a 5 year journal. Everyday it asks a question, a different question. But on that day, for the next 5 years, you will always answer the same question.
As the lives changed of Em and Dexter, I began to think about the journal, my life over the next 5 years. The growth that has happened in the last couple of years, and then comparing that having 5 years of my life documents in a little brown book.
Before bed each day I answer the question. It has become one of my favourite parts of the day. Some of the questions are quite easy, like what did you have for lunch today? Whereas, some of them are quite thought provoking. Looking at my answers from the beginning of January, they tend to be short, not much thought put into them. Now that my trust in the book has been developed, I have opened up.
One of the questions last week was "What do you want to forget?" Immediately, bad memories start rushing to your head. Do I wish to forget that moment, or this person, the heart break or the knee injury? You go through it all. But when it comes down to putting pen on paper, it's almost impossible. Taking a sneak peek at the question for the following day "Who do you want to be?" immediately made the forgetting question that much easier to answer.
Without the madness of the on and off roller coaster, without injuring my knee, without friends passing away, or loved ones being ill, who would I be. Going through struggles, making mistakes and coming out on the positive end of the spectrum is what makes us stronger. An athlete's character isn't determined by how well they win, but by how well they lose and what they do next time.
As I continue to fill out this little book, whether it be the simple questions or challenging questions, I continue to learn and I continue to reflect.
This journal was given to me with such great timing, as I adjust and become more comfortable with my journey in England, for the next year and a half, and then onto another one, who knows where. But when I'm finished this journal, I'll be 28 (terrifying to think about), but exciting to think of everything that will be in this book.
Much as Em and Dexter revisited their lives on the same day each year, embracing the changes, I am excited.
I had a mentor meeting today and we were comparing 4 weeks into last term and 4 weeks into this term and the complete polar opposites of emotions and attitude that I have. Last term, I was ready to pack my bags. This term, I love it. Yes, there are some classes I wish the bell would ring sooner, but there are those that I really do enjoy. I am currently in an internal debate of whether to stay at this school or to find a new one next year. It is not a hidden fact at my indecisiveness with big decisions, so take the answer I give you each day as it comes.
I will be in Venice in 2 and a half weeks and have that all planned out. Looking at an Emirates Stadium tour for the half term week as well. I may also be officially joining the PE team and picking up 4 hours of classes that have now been deemed "Football Wednesdays." My Contiki Tour books have also just arrived today to start putting my summer plans together. Definitely plenty of good things to come and the time is flying by here!
Although contact with home has been way more this week, I've been thinking of you all a lot. I love you all and miss you dearly. Thanks for supporting my adventure through reading my blog and sending all you wonderful words. My Ontario mug sits on my desk (full of pens and pencils since I don't like tea or coffee), but you are all with me everyday. Much love, Shelbs.

Two Weeks Into Term

Last term, two weeks into the term I was ready to pack my bags and come home. I had enough and thought there was no way I could survive working at this school with these students. Two weeks into the new term, I'm still here and couldn't picture myself anywhere else. 

Living in England is no longer something that feels new, something that may be short term, or a big decision to make. Obviously I miss my friends and family at home, but my life is in England now. Coming back from Canada felt like heading back to your University house after Christmas. It felt normal, it felt comfortable. Things aren't new anymore, rather they are a way of life. 

I am now training with a soccer team (will start playing in games once all the paperwork goes through and clearances are made). I am involved in extra curriculars at school with both staff and students. All of which have helped to develop a routine and establish my life here. I am assistant coaching Netball, which I am quite excited for as I have only been involved with Netball once in my life and that was for a university presentation. I am coaching a football team. I am playing on a football team and participating in the staff Badminton or 5-a-side football. A good group of a friends has also developed as pub night Fridays continue and then back again on the weekends to watch the football games.  

My confidence going into this term was much greater than going into last term and I have everything that has happened in the last 5 months to thank for that. The last 5 months have been the biggest and best learning experiences that I have had and that no amount of money could buy. I continue to challenge and figure myself out more and more each day, I continue to try new teaching ideas, as well as seeking assistance for ideas from past teachers and current colleagues. 

This week I had a surprise reunion with my international class via Skype. It was interesting to hear how the past 5 months have changed everyones' lives from many different parts of the world. This conversation had someone from Burlington, Nunavut, London and Stevenage. No one, except for the 4 of us in the class will understand the bond that was made between us, and because of that our conversations are very personal and an excellent support system. Everyone described challenges they have gone through, but only expressed the feeling of happiness. (Also had to laugh at Pete talking about his -40 degree weather and Christine and I mocking our "Snowmageddon" closing schools on Friday and Monday).

Clearly, once a Badger, always a Badger...I was also Skyped into a Brock University, Hamilton Campus class this week. During this class, REd teachers, my agency was presenting to the new teacher candidates about teaching abroad. I found it hard to believe that that was me sitting in that room last year. The teacher candidates looked so eager as I spoke, bright eyed, excited, nervous and whole other mix of emotions. Some of them you could tell were there because they thought it was a cool idea, and others you could tell were there because this is what they want to do. My favourite part for both groups was seeing the excitement in these teacher candidates, seeing them talk to me and realize that this dream can simply become a reality. 

My life here is much more settled, and much more comfortable. The only thing missing is my photography. I have been extremely slacking on my photography course, but have not taken pictures in a while. I am extremely excited though, because, an impulse decision (which normally for me is buying a new dress or purse or shoes) I booked a plane ticket to Venice! I am off to Venice for 3 days in February and ready to dust off my camera. 4 weeks!

Now that everything is checked off my to do list for today, I'm off to build a snowman and some tobogganing! 

A Year in Review

2012 started off simple, quiet, and hanging out with those who are important to me. It also ended much the same way. However, what happened in between that time I don't even know if I have the words to express it. 

2012 was set up with high hopes from the moment I decided I wanted to be a teacher. 2012 meant the year that all my schooling was complete. I crossed that line from student to professional and was presented with that scary thought of entering the real world. 

As the year started, I didn't think too much of it. I was going through my day to day routines, nothing too exciting. But it all started with the acceptance letter for the South Africa practicum, then came the England interview, and then my car spun out on black ice and I crashed into a wall. 

That crash though, was much of a symbol of how my year progressed. And not in a bad way. But more the uncontrollable, adrenalin kind of way. Hitting the wall, my car had a little scrape and a popped out bumper. Nothing too serious, but enough change to be noticeable. 

Most people that meet me now don't believe me when I say I used to be shy, and used to be realllly shy. As I progressed through my placements last year, I could feel myself gain more confidence, and breaking out of that shell I had held onto so tightly for so many years.

Travelling to South Africa was really when I broke through this. Comparing South Africa to El Salvador, the trips were very similar. Same school environments, same student lifestyles, aspect of danger, etc. But comparing who I was when I went to El Salvador in 2010 to who I became in South Africa in 2012 became my own little story. And oddly enough, something that made the changes noticeable was the food. 

2012 definitely became a year of food for me. I ate Ostrich, Springbok, Crocodile, Warthog, Billatong, Haggis, Blood Pudding, and I'm sure there's a couple I'm forgetting. I was trying new things without any hesitation. Something of which used to be very unusual behaviour for me. 

Since my knee injury, I have let that get in the way of a lot of things. But, in Africa, despite my fear of heights and my knee, I climbed Lion's Head mountain.

These challenges and successes are all very symbolic of the past few years of my life, but in particular this past year. 2012 had very many ups and downs, but also a lot of discovery. 

I graduated teachers college and even Ryan Gosling was so proud he came to watch me walk across the stage (obviously not to watch his Mum), I travelled to South Africa, Amsterdam, Paris, Scotland and I moved to England. 

I have met some really amazing people and made some of the best of friends I have ever had, I also have met some really lame people, and I have rid some really horrible people from my life. All of these people however have had an impact on who I am starting 2013. 

2013 started much like 2012 did, quiet, relaxed, and time well spent with family. All that may have taken place in 2012 though feels much like the calm before the storm. 2013 is starting off right away with it's challenges, but it's also starting off with a lot of excitement. I can only imagine the amount of mountains I am going to have to climb this year. But I can't wait to get over each and every one of them. 

I am now back in England, and started back at school today. Thank goodness for no students because me and jet lag are fighting a vicious battle and well, I'm losing. We've moved into our new school building and it is really amazing. Hard to envision our students working in it, and hard to picture how my classroom is going to work without walls, but time will tell. 

I have soccer try outs tomorrow evening, I am beyond excited to start playing again. As well, I have signed up for a tough mudder in London in June. 

Next on the list is to start planning my trips, first holiday is in 6 weeks!

Having the 4 months away and coming back for the holidays really made me realize who I have become, who my real, great friends are how important my friends and family are. The challenges from last year and the ones I'm about to face this year would not seem so possible without them. As tough as stepping foot back on that plane may have been on Friday, as hard as it was to say goodbye again, I can't wait for everything that is going to happen this year!

Good Life

On my way home from the gym today one of my favourite songs came on shuffle on my iPod; Good Life by One Republic. I have listened to this song many times, belted it out with friends while driving to the beach, or listened to it to turn a frown upside down. But something caught my attention this time - the opening lines...

Woke up in London yesterday

Found myself in a city near Piccadilly 

Don't really know how I got here

I got some pictures on my phone

New names and numbers that I don't know

Addresses to places like Abbey Road

Day turns to night, night turns to whatever we want

We're young enough to say

These words describe everything that has been going on in my life the past three months. Everything has been so new, so different, so challenging, but so fun.

Last week I had one of the most incredible weeks and the happiness and excitement of where I am and what I am doing really clicked. We had our first British snow day, and what a delight that was looking out the window to see roughly an inch of snow, already melting. But the week continued to get better with one of the greatest moments I have had at my school, or probably any teaching experience I've had so far.

10 students out of 23 are away from school ill, it's a revision (studying) lesson, usually something pretty boring. But, given the snow day the day before, the huge lack of a class, I decided to make it a little more exciting. We had a snow ball fight - with paper. I told all students to write a question on their piece of paper, crumple it up into a ball, stand up, spread out, and maybe take cover. I had one student ask "Miss, what if I threw this at you?" To which, my response was "Not yet!" The moment I said "SNOW BALL FIIGHT!" I had thirteen students turn around and throw paper snow balls at me. 

Moments like that one are the moments I have been living for as a teacher. The moments that have been lacking at my school, but also back in September, moments I never thought I would have at this school. 

This week continued with something I have always wanted to do, it was a big dream come true and turned out even more amazing than I ever could have imagined. After all the years of watching the English Premier League on TV, I was finally in a stadium. The stadium to my favourite team; home of the gooners - Emirates Stadium. Being inside that stadium was like nothing I have ever experienced. The stadium was massive, but completely filled with fans and full of song. The constant chanting of "ARR-SEN-ALLL! ARR-SEN-ALLL!" had the same echoing feel as the vuvuzelas in South Africa. The cheers for the goals, the standing ovations for the substitutions. Such pride and a true sense of ownership is taken by the fans developing a complete respect and passion for the team and for the sport. The atmosphere at Toronto FC games may be fun, but most of that atmosphere is a party. The atmosphere here was an environment of passion and love of a sport and a specific team. It was incredible. (As well, the comments from the fans were actually knowledgable suggestions or remarks!) But, this experienced was peaked when Thierry Henry walked through my box. Henry is my all time soccer hero, a true legend and my absolute favourite. I saw him play in the MLS last year, and was lucky enough to see him score in that game. I thought that was an incredible moment. But when he was walking through, he passed me with only the width of the seat behind me, the wind from his walk blew my hair, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. My hero had just walked right beside me. As a friend of my Dad puts it "I went to heaven and saw God."

Life in England has made such a turn around since September, my life has made such a turn around since September. For once in my life I am beyond excited to come home. I have some of the most amazing friends at home and unfortunately it took me moving away to realize how great those friendships really are. But as the song continues...

Oh this has gotta be the good life

This has gotta be the good life

This could really be the good life, good life

Say oh, got this feeling you can't fight

Like this city is on fire tonight

This could really be a good life

A good, good life

Those words define exactly it. "Like this city is on fire tonight." I am travelling, I moved to some where on the other side of the world, doing what I want to do in a city full of excitement. 

To my friends in New York, I say hello

My friends in L.A., they don't know

Where I've been for the past few years or so

From Paris to China to Colorado

Sometimes there's airplanes I can't jump out

Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now

We all got our stories

But tell me what is there to complain about

In September I wasn't sure how long I would stay here for. Some of the fights with "friends" that were triggered by me moving away were heart breaking. Being away from my Mum when she was sick was extremely challenging. But as the song says "We all got our stories, But tell me what is there to complain about." (This is a particularly refreshing lyric, because boy do British people complain, or as they say, "winge")

When you're happy like a fool

Let it take you over

When everything is out

You gotta take it in

This is the good life, and with the holidays quickly approaching I hope everyone realizes that and has very, very happy holidays. Enjoy the music video and listen to rest of the worlds, they truly are great. Thank you to everyone who have been reading my updates at home and all over the world. Enjoy the good life and see you all very soon (9 days!!)

A Walk Along the Ocean

I don't know what it is, but there is just something so relaxing, mind settling, peace keeping about walking along the ocean. And after some crazy couple of weeks, this was perfect. A perfect battery recharge and a final push for the next three weeks before the holidays.
I had Friday off of school, so for my long weekend I visited my godmother, Louise. I spent Friday wandering on my own, walking through many different small towns, up and down the high streets, taking pictures. It was on my way to Banstead that although, not a history buff, one of the things I love most about England is it's hidden treasures. I am came out of a footpath, I was sidetracked by this old church and a graveyard that was full of the above ground graves. As much as cemeteries creep me out, I was awe struck by the history and the beauty of this one. I wandered around looking at the stones, becoming emotional at the age of some of the people or the families buried together.
My godmother and I have a very quiet relationship, in that not much talking goes on, but we both enjoy each others company and the small conversations that do take place. As we walked from one side of the Brighton seaside to the other side, we walked beside each other, pointing out the beautiful buildings and sights, but mostly in silence, taking in each moment and the beautiful surroundings.
Brighton is a gorgeous town, directly on the ocean. It is known as the San Francisco of England, but is nice in that is has a very open culture. Although extremely busy, it also a very calm place, and busy without the hustle and bustle of London. There is so much to do and look at, and although it was absolutely freezing, it was still a beautiful weekend there. However, can't wait to go back in the summer!
As a child I loved the Little Mermaid, and was deeply interested in sea life, particularly Whales and Dolphins. I think in my past life I must have been one of the two because the ocean still holds a heavy portion of my heart. During the stresses of this year it is my whale music that calms me. Maybe an embarrassing fact to share, but there is just something about it that eases me. It is what I listen to when my mind won't stop working. And that is exactly how I felt this weekend. Waves crashing, seagulls chirping, kids laughing - the beach is where I belong and this visit has only just confirmed my plans to move coastal for next year.
While in this state of solitude I started to think about my journey in the past three months. The ups, the downs, the greats and the horribles. I signed up for an adventure, but had no idea what that entailed.
A part of travelling that I love is the changes it leaves on you as a person, the impact a place has on developing you as a character. Heading into El Salvador and South Africa I knew the challenges I was going to be confronted with, I had an expectation of the impact these places would leave on me. I knew my teaching practice would improve and I would learn all kinds about school, but I did not expect such big personal changes in such a short time.
It's hard to believe that in three months, I went from thinking this was the worst life decision I have ever made and wanting to come home, to absolutely loving working at this school, being a maths and science teacher, to a science and cover teacher, to a science, cover and PE teacher and now the most recent science, maths and cover teacher. Being away from my Mum when one minute she's cancer free and the next she has cancer to a one month later when she could possibly be cancer free once again. From the stories I hear of my students, or the craziness of my coworkers. To now getting ready to move an entire school. All of these have become a part of my life story. A story I wanted to write a new chapter by moving here.
Part of my coming here was an escape from my hometown, a runaway from a horrible relationship and a time to figure everything out; myself, who I want to be and what I want to do, and without the suffocating aura of Oakville drama.
Moving here I felt the distance, but immediately something was lifted off of my shoulders. There was no one to impress, no one to pretend to be; it was just me. Some sort of freedom took over and I could breath clear once again. A sense of pride in myself and an invitation to fully express who I am was extended.
At home, everyone has watched me transform from a very timid, young girl to an adventurous, outgoing young lady. But coming to England, I was still very unsure of myself as a person. I knew what I wanted to do, but I didn't know who I wanted to be. I was trapped in this people pleasing body, but not happy about it. For far too long it has lead me to heart break, it has gotten me lost, and resulted in the loss of many good friends.
When I first found out about the day I was coming home I was only telling specific people, only the people I wanted to know and to see. But as I did this, I felt myself slipping back into hiding. I found myself retreating, back to who I was before I came here and letting myself be controlled by Oakville and the people within it once again.
As I walked along the beach in Brighton, I was thinking about this journey and where I have ended up. A sense of confidence in myself took over. A sense of accomplishment brought smiles to my face. I am doing what I want to do, I am where I want to be and I am here for my own reasons, not having some unknown power control me. I am no longer in hiding. I have made it public knowledge when I will be home, and I am not afraid of who knows or who I see when I am home. I finally have a sense of freedom and can breath easy. Enough of the madness, move on, and conquer the world.

Networks

I've been starring at a blank page for a couple of weeks now, I've written 3 or 4 posts and instead of clicking publish, I click delete. I keep going over the events and the stories since my last update and have no idea where to begin or where I go from there.
I have had these first couple of sentences written for about three hours, write some more and delete it. I don't know if this writer's block is a side effect of exhaustion, or a feeling of helplessness that rests inside me, or a fact that writing something seems to make it more real.
As I've been attempting to write though, I've been talking to friends and family on various social media outlets. This got me thinking about networks and the benefit they can have.
When talking about networks, you typically jump to the ever popular social networking, or next in line, business networking, but what often gets forgotten about is the network of family.
As close as I am with my family, I've never really been a home body, and in this time away, I haven't really missed home. That is until the passed couple of weeks.
November 4th, my life changed when my Mum, my best friend, told me she had cancer. At that moment, life in England came to a stand still, but my Mum's support system grew. It was incredible to watch and be a part of a team that developed over night to support one cause. It's amazing how people rise to an occasion. This support system infused in my Mother a positive attitude and enabled her to go into the surgery strong and come out of the hospital in record time.
As hard as it was for me to be away from this, or have my Mum tell me she's been cooking all week and I wasn't there to help, seeing the support from everyone else, left me knowing that she was in good hands. This moment united my family as one army, and it became a family battle against the cancer.
Being so far away, definitely made me miss home, and miss my friends. For the first time I felt alone here. I had coworkers to talk to, but I didn't have that friend to take you out, or come over with some ice cream.
This had me thinking about my students as well. In the past couple of weeks I have developed bonds with some of my students that I am now their go to person, someone they confide in. Stories I am hearing from students are things I have never ever expected to hear as a teacher, or be trying to handle these specific situations. But it makes me wonder, my Mum has a support team of about 30 people behind her, these students have me. In order for them to be strong, I must remain strong, but I am currently feeling defeated, and completely helpless. I don't know where to go next.
The past couple of weeks for me have been sleepless, had their ups and downs, a little more drama than necessary, and a brain running like a hamster wheel, but in the end everything has worked out.
During my struggles at the beginning of the school year, a good friend sent me an image with a quote on it that read "Like photography, life develops from the negatives."
The storm is over, my Mum is an absolute trooper and on the mend, and my hard work at school has been rewarded. It's time to start looking at the pictures.
I had my second observation this week, and I could not be happier with how it went. After my first one I was prepared to walk out of this school and never look back. I've been working hard, and a set a goal of a mark I wanted and got that goal. For a keener like me, a grade of satisfactory may not seem very good, but, coming from an inadequate, and the conditions in this school, I could not be happier. Ultimately, I want a "good" grade, but it's one level at a time and I have 4 more observations to go for this year.
From this work though, I was praised with a note from agency, passing along a message from my Headmaster who is extremely impressed with my work!
There always is a bright light at the end of every dark tunnel, good things do come. My family is closer than ever, my Mum is doing incredible, and I am home in 4 weeks!
Next step, getting over this road bump in my student's case and figuring out the solution.

Scenery and Stories

There's a difference between travelling and being a tourist and I never really noticed until this past week. My previous journeys, I have travelled in groups and been with like minded people. I have been enveloped in the culture and lifestyle of the places I have gone. But what I was forgetting about those experiences is that my tours were private. I travelled with the group I was with.

I spent the first couple of days of my half term in Edinburgh being a tourist. I went on tours of specific attractions - Loch Lomond and Loch Ness. On these tours I ran into all kinds of people, all kinds of annoying people. Tourists are the most selfish, absorbed in their own world kind of people. 

A couple weeks ago I was having a conversation at work about young people and how they think they're so worldly and cultured. The conversation was started by a coworker saying that I am not like this, but I am someone that rightfully could be. I learned first hand exactly what was meant by this when a fellow tour mate kept talking about the places she has been and the places she wants to go. What she could not tell  you though was what she learned, what she had experienced, what she gained from travelling to those places. 

This particular person made me reflect on how I am on my journeys, am I a tourist or a traveller? 

I think the key difference between the two is the immersement into culture. As a tourist you are there to see the popular sites, take some photographs and on to the next site of popularity. As a traveller you are there to learn and to experience. You take in the culture, try the foods, hear the stories. From this, I can happily say, I consider myself to be a traveller.

When I came back from South Africa, I wrote a reflection piece about story telling. All of my students had stories, good stories, tragic stories, didn't matter what kind, they had stories. I wrote of the importance, particularly as a teacher to hear those stories. But, when I was writing that piece, I wasn't thinking of myself as a person, I was thinking just as a teacher, and I never stopped to think if I had my own stories.

My next few days in Scotland were spent meeting family first the first time. This was a wonderful experience and meant more to me than words can probably express. I got to hear all of the stories of my past. And not just wee ones about who family are, but stories full of history, bringing me back to my roots. Not only did I get to hear these stories, I got to meet the people, see photographs and see the sites. There was so much family history I had no idea about, so many things my roots were involved in developing and creating, things that are still around today. My new favourite candy is something called a Hawick Ball. Hawick is the town my family grew up in, where they still reside and where I visited for a couple of days. A lady by the name of Aggie Lamb created the recipe for these candies, and she is a Great Great Great Granny of mine. 

I had a teacher last year, after her grandmother had passed away, explain to us the wonderful experience she had hearing and recording her grandmother's stories. At that time I didn't fully grasp what she was talking about. Not until I heard the stories of various extensions of family. 

I started my half term meeting family for the first time, knowing very little, and ending it a couple days later feeling like I have known them for years, and can definitely call them family.

By spending time with my family, I was able to experience the traditional culture and food. I tried Haggis and Black Pudding, both of which are absolutely delicious, also drank a lot of Irn Bru. On top of the adventurous foods, I learned a whole new language, from each part of Scotland I visited. 

Overall, I had two absolute favourite parts. The first was stopping at Scott's View. Scott's view was a spot favourited by a famous writer, his thinking spot. As I stood there taking in the scenery, the incredible colours of the Autumn trees, snapping photos, my Uncle began to play the bagpipes. For the first time, I didn't want to take pictures of what I was seeing. Instead, all I could do was sit there and take in the moment, reflect on where I have been and where I am going. Listen to the sounds coming my from Uncle's bagpipes, as well as the sounds of nature. At this moment I was at peace. There was nothing but happiness brought to me, nothing but confirmation that you are in the right place and nothing but solitude. I am a lover of scenery, but of scenery with water in it. Although there lays a small river through Scott's view, this was a view of trees and mountains. A view I became completely enthralled with during my time in Scotland. 

This feeling of contentness also came about while driving through rolling hills and farmland of the borders. These roads go right through farmers field, are windy and full of sheep, however, they are absolutely stunning. For 99% of the time, it was just us and the sheep on the road, but what ever direction you looked in there was something to see, something to smile about. Mountains, water, sunshine, incredible views. At one point my Uncle said "Just wait until we get around this corner", we turned the corner and there was one of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen. I will never forget what I saw, or the breathtaking feeling it gave me.

From these two experiences, I have learned how to appreciate small things, and it really made me appreciate the view of my cottage, or downtown Oakville with the lake. You forget what you have in your backyard when it's always there, but when you see someone else's and as stunning as it may be, you remember what you get to look at everyday as well. 

This journey was concluded with an adventure on the train home, which for the first time in my life, I did not plan step by step by step, but went with the flow. I loved it. But, as I continued on this journey, and arrived in Stevenage, I grabbed a taxi home, but I still felt like I was travelling, I was just coming to my next stop. Even as I unlocked my front door, came up the stairs and unlocked my bedroom door, I still had a feeling of being on tour, it wasn't until I got into bed at night, I got the feeling of this place being my home.

The Lines of Your Hand

This morning I found myself smiling for no reason at all. As headed on my way to town, running shoes on, music playing, sun not shining, but it wasn't raining - I was in my own little world. I was so much in my own world it took me ten minutes to realize I was going the wrong direction, but once I realized I still didn't care. I was in no rush, I was just walking to town. It was that moment though, realizing I was I was lost, when it hit me. Even though school is hard work, I'm not with my best friends and missing them loads, I am happy. I am enjoying life. I have known for a while that I happy here, I absolutely love being here, but I had never really processed that or thought much about it.
Yesterday I had my palm read and I think that may have something to do with it. As I waited in line to get my palm read I began to get more and more nervous, thinking about where I am now in life, choices I have made, big or small, relationships, my health, everything came rushing back as well as a fear of the future. What if he tells me something I don't want to know? As I sat down in the chair and he said "Give me your right hand" all of that went away. I was committed and there's no going back. He explained all of the lines on my hands through life length and health, love (relationships, marriage and future husband), life goals, personality, everything. A big sigh of relief came from my life line. He said it is very deep, very solid and very long. This means I will have a long healthy life. There are no breaks and no crosses through it. As the time for my next set of tests approaches, my overactive mind does it thing and stirs up a lot of imagination. To hear him say you won't have any health problems seemed much more assuring than my doctors words this summer.
It was rather freaky, but also confirming how accurate he was in terms of lifestyle aspects. He was amazed by how many travel lines I have on my hand. I have 10 and as he repeated numerous times, the average person has 3. So when they say travelling is in my blood, or it is a part of me, it really is and it is something I will continue to do - for a long as my life line runs.
Shockingly enough, and the only point I had doubts was when he said I have lots of luck in terms of love. I asked him if that was "starting now?" But my husband is supposed to be some sort of triple threat. So we'll see. Maybe this chase for Prince Harry will pan out?
I continued my day with a friend from home, just wandering the streets of London. On my way home, and because of specific rail closures, had to make the most convoluted route back to Kings Cross I made friends with people on the underground and really got that feeling of "I am a local, this is where I live and this is my home."
I don't know if having my palm read and having some stranger confirm things I already knew about myself makes things more official, but I feel like a different person today.
I also find myself constantly looking back at the lines and thinking about what this man said to me. Scientifically speaking, the lines on your hand represent your identify, a unique code, but now, more than ever, they truly do represent my life, my personality, my journey.

Right Place

Week one on the "new" job almost complete and what a week it was. Important week for the school in terms of it's development and future, but an exciting, busy, educational week it was for me.

On Wednesday I got to spend the day with a lovely lady who observed a couple of lessons, helped me plan a couple more and then observed again. She was full of positive feedback and great suggestions to make things go even better. Although students are challenging in England (probably a HUGE generalization), the teacher support is phenomenal here. I have a Science specific mentor, I have a professional mentor, I have an overall teaching development mentor, I have a rant buddy in the school, and I also get to be involved in the teacher training program here which means I attend a lot more meetings, but full of excellent professional development. It is a lot of information coming from so many directions, but everyone is more than helpful and it's the support system built that really makes things smooth sailing.

Besides all of that, something great happened this week. With my added role of cover teacher I now get to explore other areas of the school other than just the dungeon of the Science corridor. As I was heading up to one my classes, I noticed something painted on the wall.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" - Lao Tzu

It was that moment that I knew I was in the right place. There is a reason that I was selected to be at this school and it is something much larger than it's a sports school and I like sports. I was brought here to teach and to learn. So far, I have done both and it's only getting better. My bad days at school are now limited. I have had nothing but gratifying comments from my past students in my Maths classes. It may not have seem like they appreciated me or what I had to offer very much, but 5 weeks later, and I'm no longer their teacher, it shows. Everything has come together this week. Everything I was hoping for in the first couple of weeks is now happening. 

I find my confidence coming back daily. I had it, was hit by an unexpected force and now I'm getting back up. The cover lesson provide an exciting experience for a bit of trial and error. I have been given targets of what to work on, being in a cover lesson is a great place to try something new. 

There's been times where some of the advice or feedback I have been given were comments about my personality. However, I really don't think my personality has had a chance to come through. I am fully adjusted, I know what to expect of the students, I know how to react to the students, I have friends at school even to the point of already playing jokes on people. I just feel my personality coming out now. I feel like I am finally experiencing this adventure. I am ready for whatever happens next. 

I have been able to joke around with students in classes, in the corridors, on duty, I have finally been able to laugh and genuinely smile in class. I have had a good time in all of my classes this week and I am excited for next week!

Although unusual coming from an extreme optimist, I do know too, that although this week was great, that drive up the bumpy road is not over yet. There are still more hills to climb over, twists, turns and unstable ground to go over, but in the end, it's all worth it. I can't wait!

As for the personal life, I have signed up for an online photography course, so you all can expect lots more pictures soon! A whole group of mixed groups are going out tomorrow, all people my age too, so that will be nice, I am on the hunt for a football team and planning a trip to Scotland for half term which is in two weeks!

Then and Now

The past few days have come and gone in the blink of an eye. Since Thursday things have been completely non stop, extremely busy, but a great time.
Thursday started off a regular teaching day, but we were finished school at lunch time in order to prepare for open evening. Secondary schools here work much like Universities in that the students choose where they want to go versus being assigned to a school based on residency (because there are so many schools). In the Science department we ran a series of experiments that the prospective year 6s could participate in. I was lighting kids' hands on fire all night. Although that was exciting in itself, I was more enjoyable to see another side of my coworkers. We played music and just made the lonnnnggg night as much fun as we could. I say long because school ended at 1:20, we weren't allowed to leave school in the time between because of set up, and open evening ran from 5:30-9.
We also got a tour of the new building. It is incredible, I love it. So modern, and a real consideration into new pedagogical technologies was really taken into consideration of the design. I am exciting for the opportunities it can bring and really hope that the students rise to the challenge.

Friday I was involved in a science conference for new teachers. It was interesting, however I felt extremely out of place. Science teachers here call themselves scientists and are pretty hard core about their science. Science is their life. I like science, I enjoyed it in high school, but that's also when I stopped it. I found it difficult to talk to others because all they talked about chemical bonding, and other "sciencey" things. Although, I'm sure if it was the reverse and it was a physical education conference and a science teacher were there they'd probably say the same about us. It kind of made me feel bad for my students in a way as well, because all of these other teachers were so passionate about science and I have zero passion for science. Maybe it will develop? Or the biology unit will be way more exciting than the physics and chemistry!

Friday evening is when the real adventure began though. After the conference I officially started my real travelling. I booked myself a night in a hotel in central London. Which after walking around in circles, getting mixed directions from people and taxi driver telling me he wouldn't drive me because it was across the street, 1.5 hour later I was finally at the hotel. The hotel was not across the street, but a right turn, a left turn, 15 minutes down the street, another right turn and you're there. And it was pouring rain! It was at that point that I decided I would be horrible on the Amazing Race. It was all made worth it though by a nice big comfy bed without springs poking through and a long, hot, powerful shower and a room service dinner. It was tough to leave the next day (especially at 7:20am).

My hotel was the first pick up point, so my day started with a nice tour of London. It was nice at this time, pretty quiet, got to see a whole new side than what I'm used to. The bus slowly became more and more full, until it was completely jam packed. Out of random seating, I ended up finding myself in the middle of three grandmas travelling the world because they're retired TEACHERS. My escape from teaching and I still end up talking about school.

The first stop of the day was Windsor Castle. When I visited England in high school, I had done a tour of Windsor Castle. It was nice to see it again. I'm not a huge history person, and the way this tour was set up was perfect for me. The bus drives you to your locations, tells you when you need to be back on the bus and lets you go free. Our tour price included admission into the state rooms, so although I've seen them, it was nice to go through again. I walked through, at my own pace (much quicker than most), no tour guide, no one talking to me, just going through looking at what I want to. After the rooms, I still had plenty of time and wandered about taking pictures, and going through the little shops, taking in the atmosphere. One of the things I love about travelling is the culture and atmosphere of new places, but soaking that in often gets missed. You get so caught up in seeing the sites that you just look at things, but not really experience them. Although travelling on your own sometimes gets lonely, it is nice to be able to sit there and just take in the moment and really "see" the sites.

Our second stop of the day was the Roman Baths. Our time in Bath was short, enough time to wander the museum and that was about it. The museum was incredible though. We went right into a Roman Bath, saw the hot springs, the pools, etc. They provided the audio phones, which I started listening too, but gave up real quick. I found it much more interesting to walk around and imagine how it was used, what it was like, what it looked like just full of people bathing, what kind of community it created before all of the illness and then after the illnesses. It certain areas, the museum had these projections on the walls of videos that showed you the image. They videos of the people communicating, interacting, in and out of the pools and it really gave you the sense of what really happened. The museum was a lively piece of history. The town of Bath itself looked beautiful, full of cute shops and stories. I only got into two of those shops, an ice cream shop and a jewelry store where I bought my first piece of travel jewelry. Bath is definitely somewhere I will have to go back and visit.

The final stop of the day was Stonehenge. In high school I skipped out on going to Stonehenge, since then I have always wondered what it looked like. After seeing it, I am glad I didn't go 6 years ago. I actually really enjoyed seeing it, but that was the photographer in me coming out. As a tourist 6 years ago I would not have been interested at all and would have then missed out on the opportunities I had yesterday.

Revisiting some of the sites I did 6 years ago has been a great opportunity to look back on how far I have come, what I have done, what I still have yet to do, how much I have changed and how much I have learned. It's been pretty obvious each year through University how much I have changed, I am no longer that shy, quiet girl, scared of everything. Through this travelling and thinking back on the last time I visited these places, and how I see them now really provides some concrete evidence and enlightens me to those facts.

This week I start the new adventure of science only, and embark on a new teaching journey. I am nervous, excited, scared, but ready for the challenge! I really am going to miss some of my students that I will no longer be teaching and there others that I could not jump any higher of joy that I will not be seeing. All of my doubts of my impact were washed away by my year 7s on Thursday when after telling them I won't be their teacher anymore I was attacked in group hug of little kids. It has also confirmed for me the age group I like teaching. At home I am trained in middle school. Here I have been teaching the lower levels of high school. I belong in the middle school world and have started the hunt for a new location and a middle school for next years adventure.

You can find my pictures from Saturday here.

Time for a Change...

So remember when I was comparing working at this school to that old wooden roller coaster, well I've been on a nice steady ride, until yesterday. I got thrown for a loop. A nice big, upside down, backwards, corkscrew kind of loop.
Just as I was getting comfortable in my classroom, getting to know my students a little better, I get told I am getting a completely new schedule. I am being shifted out of the math(s) department and completely into the science department, instead of a being a little bit in each.
The head of science is pregnant and begins her maternity leave next Friday. The original plan was to hire a new teacher. Plan hasn't fully worked out and I will be taking over some of her classes and the TA I had in my math classes will be taking over my classes.
This process all begins on Monday. Monday is also the day of our mock OFSTEAD inspection, so kind of a big day in the school, and probably not the best for all of these changes to go down, especially as we are now officially at the beginning of our strike.
As much as I enjoy teaching math, I see this as a great and exciting opportunity. I will definitely miss some of my classes and some of my students and there are others that I have done a little celebration dance as I walk out of the classroom. My next week if full of me observing lessons, my lessons being observed and a whole bunch of coaching before the head leaves. It's a great time for my own development personally, but also for my belonging in the school. For me, Monday is like the first day of school all over again. New faces, new classrooms, new start, new routines. This is a chance to take that coaching I have received over the past couple of weeks and practice it with a clean slate.
I also found out today that because my schedule will be reduced now with this new timetable I will also be doing some cover lessons. This means, supply work within the school. Which is another opportunity to check out other classrooms and things going on in the school, and maybe even step foot into a gymnasium!
School lately has been great, but I use that term loosely. It's been great compared to what it is and has been. There's not actually a lot great about it, but for me, I have my head back in the right place and it's not such a depressing place to be anymore. I try to enjoy myself much more, and like most things, find the bright side - and there is always one no matter how long and how dark that tunnel may be. I've stopped stressing about changing my personality and other teachers calling me too nice and am just sticking with what I know best and that's how to be me. It may take a little extra longer in terms of the initial behaviour management. But there's a couple of classes with troublesome kids that I have gained a lot more respect in because of the interest I show in them. I can't do this babysitting thing all day, so I am doing what I can to teach these kids a little something.
My true passion is sport for development, which is teaching life skills through sport. Unfortunately I don't have as my vehicle for learning, but I do have the opportunity to help instil those same life skills into these students. Which in reality is something they need most right now.

This past weekend I had some family time and hung out with my Godmother Louise in London, wandering the streets of Covent Garden and walking along the river. This coming weekend I am heading to Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and the Roman Baths. I am very excited to really begin my travels and for the photo opportunities it brings.

It's been a lovely week with a few phone calls home and catching up, school has gone well, and I finally get a tour of the new building tomorrow! Friday I am off for a day development in teaching science, and then ready to begin my lovely weekend with a night in a hotel and a hot, powerful shower!

Will definitely be thinking of everyone at home this weekend as you enjoy your turkey dinners. I have ground turkey, that I will have to cook up and have my own little Thanksgiving dinner!

A Single Step

It seems as though I take one step forwards and two backwards. I had refocused my attentions, gained a new perspective on things and was ready to go into battle. But this week, just as I was ready to charge it felt like I got stiff armed and knocked straight to the ground. I got knocked down hard.

I find myself looking for the small things in particular classes, in the school itself, pinpointing positives out of each day. Some days, sadly enough, even for an optimist like me it is hard. As hard as it may be though it all still comes down to attitude. Attitude can make or break you and the way you live your life. Even in the worst of times a little adjustment and you are bound to find something to smile about. Sometimes you just need a reminder.

Today I was passing along the link to my blog to a former teacher of mine who was asking about my time in England. I don't check the main page too often as most of my time is spent on the composing interface. But when I opened my blog I noticed the quote I have at the top. This has been a favourite quote of mine for a long time, ever since I got it in a fortune cookie.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lao Tzu

When I put that quote on my blog I was thinking of moving to England to teach as my single step to my journey of teaching. What I forgot about was the small trips that need to take place within that journey. Each day, there are baby steps that take place in my classes, that is the single step on my students' journey. Continued professional development is a part of my continued journey. There are single steps being taken everywhere. Somedays you just have to look a little harder for them.

No doubt this is the most challenging experience I have gone through. There has been lots of tears, but there has also been lots of smiles. 

A pedagogical tool often used in teaching, scaffolding, is building up to the bigger picture. It's time I narrow my search, and start scaffolding my dreams. The big picture isn't painted in one night, but in little sections for many nights.

I had a good lesson with one of my most challenging classes today. A lot of other things also went on, but the take home piece is the good lesson. For the rest of the stuff, tomorrow is a new day. 

Rest Up

For those who know me, know I have the worst immune system and get sick quite often. This weekend was well spent wrapped up my Snuggie, bundled in bed, with a couple extra blankets. Didn't see anyone, haven't spoken to anyone (although, even if I wanted to I couldn't. No voice either). 

On Friday I started with somewhat of a voice, sounding like a pre-pubescent thirteen year old boy, to by the end not even having a whisper. Luckily for my maths classes I have a TA that was able to facilitate the lessons for me. However, my science class - with my troublesome 9s was quite interesting. But, I made it through the day and think I may have even broke some ground with a couple of stickler students.

The weather yesterday was beautiful, although a little chilly, very sunny. Instead of my normal weekend explorations though, I enjoyed a couple of movies and catching up on some TV and much needed sleep. The highlight of my day however, was grocery shopping. I was desperate for food, cupboard and fridge were completely empty. I also know my body quite well and knew I needed to get to the health store to restart the vitamin regime I was on before I left. Accept, on the verge of sinus and ear infection with a fever, I was obviously not up for the 45 minute walk to town. Luckily, the only thing technologically advanced in this country - I can grocery shop online. I probably spent 2 hours shopping through a Walmart partner store called ASDA. Looking at groceries, looking at things for my room, school supplies, etc. I got a mattress topper so I don't feel the springs poking me anymore and finally some decent pillows! Exciting weekend, right?!

I really did miss exploring, I look forward to my weekends and planning adventures is my saving grace during the week. However, I know my body pretty well, and with all the health issues I've already had this year, I've finally learned my lesson of when you need to rest. So in my rest, I am now planning a trip to Greece for a week during half term at the end of October. It is somewhere I have always wanted to go, so figured I'd plan it first to make sure I get there. Have also found some great weekend deals on Groupon, like one to Venice, so plenty of exciting times to come!

It's now almost noon on Sunday, my groceries arrived this morning! So I have food, and lots of really delicious foods and great fresh stuff! Tonight for dinner though will be another bowl of chicken noodle soup, or maybe mashed potatoes. So much for the cooking I've been enjoying. I was supposed to play soccer today, but it is now pouring rain outside, so I think it's going to be another day spent in this nice beige box. My voice is back, so that's a step in the right direction and hopefully tomorrow I will be as good as new, just in time for another week ahead.

The Bumpy Road

The more I work at the school, the more accustomed I become to their systems and the way things work (thank goodness!). I see pros and cons to the way things are done, but just find myself acting like a sponge, continually soaking things in.

Coming in as an outsider to anything always provides an opportunity for an interesting perspective. Here, it is a completely new education system, new school managerial system, everything is new. I am continually learning, but also continually comparing. This is why I love teaching abroad so much. There is so much everyone can learn from each other. Having a few vastly different experiences opens my eyes to so many possibilities, so many opportunities, and takes me a wonderful journey of learning. I have seen the good, the bad, the ugly and the wonderful whether it be in Canada, El Salvador, South Africa or England (and growing...).

Being in a place for a short term, such as one year, has provided me with some new opportunities. Opportunities I didn't really realize until this week.

I still have a dream of changing the world, and I am not throwing that out the window, but what I have realized is, is that I am still on the pathway to that dream, I am not there yet. In El Salvador, one of the schools visited we travelled down this dirt road, extremely bumpy, steep hills, only our master driver Pedro could get through there. We were all very nervous in the car, but when we arrived we were showered with joy. I had the vision of that joy coming immediately in my mind. What I was forgetting was the bumpy road it took to get there.

This week I had two observations, one ministry affiliated observer to improve the maths department in the school and one by my mentor in the school. Both lessons went great. All positive feedback. The best part however, is the support these two are offering. They know the challenge of my students and the population I deal with day in and day out. They also understand I am not teaching my subjects, I am learning a new system, and there is a lot going on right now. They are here to coach me through this process.

When I was 10 I moved to Oakville, joined the competitive soccer (football) world and played for a great team, great coaches. The following summer, I got cut from the team. I was shattered. When leaving Brantford everyone told me of the future for soccer it would bring me. That future had been stopped. But only momentarily. This is when I joined the Bryst academy. I trained, and I trained hard. I learned as much as I could and practiced non stop. Eventually, I was brought great success in the soccer world, reaching pinnacle moments I never thought possible. Right now, I am training, I am practicing. With the help of these mentors/coaches I am on the path to becoming that teacher I dream of being. The practice is intense and challenging, but if I had quit when I got cut from the Sting, I would not be standing where I am today.

No doubt these students are hard to handle, no doubt there will be good days and there will be bad days, but I am ready for it. I survived another week, I did hand out my first, second and third detention this week. But I also had a student come to me to ask me to mark his double side page of algebra work he decided to do when he was bored.

Learning is a never ending process. Life as a student may be over, but I am only just beginning my journey of life long learning.

Imagine

This week was like riding one of the wooden roller coasters at Wonderland; a little rocky, a little extra scary, feels like everything might collapse anytime, but really you know you're going to be okay. This week was filled with more emotions than I ever anticipated happening in my first week of teaching. Frustration, sadness, anger were common feelings, but also plenty moments of happiness, achievement, pride. It is just unfortunate that these happier spirits are overshadowed by the negative.

Although I've been complaining about the amount of "me time" available and the harm you can do to yourself when you think too much, "me time" is exactly what I needed this weekend. I needed sometime to reflect on this week, reflect on the path that has brought me here, reflect on my knowledge and confidence as an educator and take the time to gain that all back.

I set out to London, by myself with just me and my camera. My goal for the day was just to get lost and take pictures. I enjoyed small streets, taking convoluted routes to get to places. These streets were much quieter, typically I found just myself walking them. I saw all sorts of eras of architecture, little communities within London, quiet neighbourhoods. As I walked through these streets I enjoyed a small cafe lunch, and came across my first landmark - St. Paul's Cathedral.

In grade 12, I visited London and all of the sites, did all of the touristy things and really had no interest in doing them again. As I approached St. Paul's Cathedral, I saw things a whole new way. Architecture really isn't anything of interest for me, but something was different this time. I immediately grabbed my camera and just got lost in my own world.

As I was at the Cathedral I got approached by one of the Hop On, Hop Off bus tours guys. I went completely against my plan for the day and decided to purchase one the tours. I became curious as to if everything else would have this same feeling of different.

I got on the bus, knowing the places I wanted to hit, planned out my route and my stops. I never got off. As I sat on the top of the bus, sun beating down, wind in my face, the classical music playing through the tour speakers I found myself at a complete peace. I found myself relaxed. I found myself in my own world, just enjoying a new place. A feeling of pure bliss took over as I just explored a new city, taking pictures of whatever caught my eye.

While I was in this state, I wasn't thinking about my students, rather about why I wanted to become a teacher. About my moments in South Africa and El Salvador. An El Salvador student popped into my mind, Roberto, and the impact we left on each others lives. As this moment is bringing my teaching back to life we pass by John Lennon's house. For those of you that don't know, Imagine is my all time favourite song and favourite word. The music played through my head, and I was reminded of all my hopes and dreams I carry for my future students. I left London at peace.

After London, it was time for a night out with the roommates, just me and the guys. They invited some old roommates and friends, so I invited the other Canadians. There was a good mix of people. We started out at the local pub, which to my surprise closes at 12. After that we ventured to a club called Chicagos. They were quite embarrassed about this club, but really it looked no different than any in St. Catharines (but, that could be because the age gap in my house is 21-40). We all had a great time and I really think it broke the ice in our house. Once we got home, we sat in the kitchen and talked. Slowly the numbers dwindled down until it was two of us. This conversation turned onto the education system here and student population. It was at this moment (no matter how many pops we had to drink) that I realized I am making a difference. I am doing what I have a dreamed of. My roommate who has 14 year old daughter, told me how inspired he is by my attitude towards life and education and helping these children. He told me what I do is truly admirable and spoke the impact his teachers had on him who had attitudes like mine. Those words were the icing on the cake after my day in London. This guy has known me two weeks, and we've hung out once, and that is the impression I have left. No matter how difficult these children are, perseverance was created for a reason. One day these students will be remembering me.

Just imagine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCX3ZNDZAwY

Ps. I will post a link to my pictures soon, just sorting and editing them now.