Posted 4:29 AM by Lodger
Once again I'm stealing a moment at work to blog. Bad.

I think I'm a bit over it all at the moment... we had such a push to get in coursework and year 10 mock exam grades, preparation for the year 9 SATS, year 9 and 10 reports... I'm coasting a bit now, taking a deep breath before the next big push (year 7 and 8 exams, getting caught up on year 10 coursework, marking exercise books that have been neglected). It never seems to end, and there is no recognition that English exams take more than twice as long to mark as other subjects. Arrrgh.

I'm also trying to finalise remaining details about my field trip to Devon this half term. I'm taking 16 students to a writing retreat. I had two student drop out, those places need to be filled. Also sorting out travel arrangements, costs, etc. The teacher who was organising the trip with me and was going to be coming along has now gone into hospital for an operation. Bad, but good in a way, as Emma will now be going instead. She's looking forward to it with some trepidation as she's not an English teacher, but she is keen to check out the beautiful countryside and have some time to relax.

Speaking of Emma, her health problems continue... symptoms are being treated in a band-aid fashion, really strong pain-killers essentially. Appointment with specialists at the hospital yesterday were still somewhat unrevealling, although she's now scheduled for an exploratative surgery. The wheels turn very slowly, and all you can do is wait. Frustration. Helplessness. Anger.

On a cheerier note:

We had our engagement party last weekend and it was a smashing success. Em's parents got the opportunity to meet our friends and colleagues and Mom and Dad also spoke to a few people via phone. The parents have now met by phone... it still remains for Em to meet the Canadian fam and friends.

Lunchtime. Fish and chips. MMMMM. Bye.