In which I nearly cry with exhaustion

I'm absolutely dying to go to sleep, I have no idea why, it's 8.30, and while I was up at 7, and have been in school all day , and have been to Rainbows, and am stressed about how I'm ever going to get books out of the university Library while they keep closing it at 4pm due to the power cut making them realise that the emergency lighting doesn't work, and I'm in school every day until 4pm, and the essay is due next Friday, and I really need those books.... (are you getting the stress, behind that panckied stream of thought?)

However I need to wash my hair, it has been 3 days since it was last washed, and I can wait no longer, my scalp is itching, and the grease is appearing, yes I am a bit of a minger when it comes to hair washing, I refuse to do it every day, 2 days is the norm, and I'm fine with that thank you, if I'd not told you, you'd never know!

I also need to stop worrying, too much is going on, I'm starting teaching soon, I have coursework due in that I barely have my head round, and my District Commissioner role is starting to stress me out. So much paperwork, and no idea what I need to do with it all, and still no secretary to help out.
I still need to plan an In4mer session for Thursday, I really wish I'd said I couldn't do this, but now I have I'm not going to let them down, but it is turning in to the thing that's pushing me over the edge for this week.
Right shower time, as I can no longer type....

PS. I don't know what's happened to the header, the picture had disappeared so I tried re-uploading it, but that wasn't playing. So I fiddled around with what appear to be some changed settings in blogger, and I can only either have no words and just a picture, or the picture over the top of the words, which means you can't read the words... Help....anyone??

In to the West

All my lesson planning is done, and for the most part I'm pleased with my efforts, but we'll have to see what they're like in practice, for the most part it's the time scales that is terrifying me. Nine lessons is not enough to teach, two Year Seven Biology modules, but as the teacher was away on sick leave before half term, and the class didn't start a new topic when they should we're stuck with it!
Our TV's on the blink, the scart lead at the back is a bit knackered, and doesn't always play with our digi box, so I've been watching DVDs while planning. I couldn't decide what to watch, but in the end went with watching the extras discs from the final Lord of the Rings films. I loved these films, for 3 years it was a Christmas tradition for us to go and watch them. when it cam round to the last one, me and my Mum started crying about 30 minutes from the end, and by the final scene I was positively howling (if you were the people behind me, I apologise now).
Now you'd expect a film to make you cry, but not the extras discs, but these ones are the most beautiful ones you've ever seen. If you have the extended version, and have never watched the extra discs, then you should do, no seriously, right now!
Part of teh extras is a bit of a biography of a young New Zealand lad, who was a film maker, his films are shown as part of the extras, and they are beautiful. He died of Cancer just as the final film was being made, and was the inspiration for the song In to the West, which is sung by Annie Lennox, and even hearing it will start to make me cry!

Neglect

My poor neglected blog, life has got in the way of blogging, in fat I'm only writing this now as a distraction form trying to work out how I'm going to teach the topics I've been given for my Year 7 and 8s. I'm really really snowed under, I have two lots of planning to do, and I'm trying to work out how I have only 2 weeks left to do a major bit of coursework.
Speaking of coursework, I need to start it, I meant to start this weekend but the university is shut due to a major power failure, so I can't get out the books I need....
I also have an In4mers (peer education) session to plan, that I'm really wishing I'd said I couldn't do!

Right, back to work.

First post of November

How has that happened?
Honest it feels like only yesterday since I wrote the last post. Since then I've started my school experience, I teach my first lesson today (gulp), and do my first science practical demo tomorrow! For all my other classes we're working on dates when I can take over.
Guiding stuff has gone nuts, I left the house at 7.45am yesterday and I didn't get home untill 10pm, and yes guiding is to blame. Today I have a staff meeting after school, and then have to dash across town and do one of the stupid numeracy tests the government says all new teachers have to take!
And oh bugger is that the time... must go and throw on some clothes!

Leopard

Normally I'm not one for getting mega enthusiastic about products, I like things that work, and usually only make a fuss when they don't!
However there are a couple of things that I can talk, and talk about...
Both have recently arrived through the post!.

The new Mac Operating system is out, has sold 2million copies since Friday, and is just wonderful. there are a few little niggles, a couple of things I'll be looking out for a hack to change, but apart from that there is so much stuff I've already used. Of particular note is time machine, it automatically backs up your computer, and you can go back to any point in time, so if you delete a file and realise you need it 2 weeks later you can go and find it, and get it back!
I'm also liking Spaces, I've already used it, and I've not even been working on my computer that much, imagine having 4 screens you can move things between, so I actually stand a chance of being organised!

On an organisational note does anyone know if it's possible to convert a microsoft access database in to a format I can actually use.... they don't make access for macs, and I've tried using open office/neo office but they don't open it, and I can convert the files in to excel but then I have to completely recreate the database....
Just throwing it out there, seriously, please help me!

On a pretty girly note my parcel from Lush has arrived, and I love love love Lush, partly as it appeals to my environmental side, of course a solid shampoo not in a bottle, they reckon that your carbon footprint is 1000 times smaller by using solid stuff. The other reason I love it is that it works, and smells delightful, I can still small the parcel that arrived, I'm not going to go in to the contents as they're a present, but they're just gorgeous.

Five reasons why I'm a good writer

This meme comes courtesy of Eliza at Doolittle , and as I can think of nothing to write, I though I may as well. Can I just say I have a little quibble with the title of the meme, I'm really not sure I am a good writer.... however-

1) I type pretty damn quickly, as I have the memory of a goldfish this can be useful, on the rare occasions I have something interesting in my head I can get it down before I forget!

2) I have a browser with a built in spell checker, as I type (quickly), lots of red squiggles are appearing under all the mistakes, if you read the earlier post they're filled with mistakes that are mostly due to my inability to proof read.... God Bless Safari 3!

3) I have interesting friends that do interesting things, every now and again (like this weekend), they do stupid thigs, resulting in us needing the emergency services, or spending the whole night driving. They also teach me new songs, and find me being a bit dense funny (thanks guys!)

4)I've had good teachers, go and read blogs like Niobe , or Cecily, and some of their great writing skills can't help but rub off on you!

5) Errrr, lets just say I know when to stop! Quite often I have nothing to say, so I don't bore you by talking rubbish about nothing!

I don't really have anyone to tag, but if you read this and fancy doing it then consider yourself tagged, and please leave a comment so I can come check it out!

PS, another meme courtesy of Niobe also coming soon, this one involves give aways...check back in a few days.

another weekend away

Firstly, thank you to Niobe for her kind comments on my last 2 posts, it was so nice to get home last night and read them. Niobe, I've sent you an email, but just in case anyone else was wondering, I am ok, I've just got back from a weekend away with my friends, and am feeling much better. I won't deny that sometimes I missed having Lex to keep me company, and just to share the things that went on, but it really was ok!
Of course al this was helped by one of the most epic weekends away in recent history!
The rugby on Saturday night was missed because of a long night spent driving up and down the valley worrying about a group of our climbers who were missing. In the end all was well, but by that point it was nearly 10pm, and we'd well and truly missed the rugby!I even had my own mini accident and if it wasn't for some sharp catching by my brother I might have been in need of mountain rescue myself! We then nearly had a mini panic, as by that point the fuel warning light was on on the minibus. On the Sunday someone else managed to sprain their ankle, and was lucky it wasn't worse!
as for today, I'm so grateful I don't have to be in all day, as i really need to do a bit of catching up!