We just returned from having our first fish and chips, in Ealing (West London). This after a full day of orientation where I received my schedule, met upwards of 50 new colleagues (most of whose names I will forget, because I'm cool like that). The view from my classroom is straight out of a Jane Austen novel.... Still have not received any more specifics on my new math (still having difficulty saying maths, as they do here - why does this need to be pluralized?), but no one seems to be concerned about this, or much of anything.... People are just laid back - they seem to get things done, but there is an amazing lack of urgency when it comes to many of the little things people in the US seem to - not that I ever do that.... So, I'm just going with it and trusting things will fall into place as they need to.
All those I've had direct contact with are so friendly, kind, welcoming, genuine, and helpful - helpful as a way of being, not helpful in the superficial, "I'm obviously going out of my way to help you" kind of way, if that makes any sense. The rioting has calmed to almost nothing, and the people of England seem genuinely embarrassed and appalled at what has gone on here in the last week. The police are still EVERYWHERE though. I still feel completely safe and calm here.... The only other city I have ever felt this way in is San Francisco. Interesting....
I'm so tired I have trouble stringing words together by mid-afternoon, but the complete curiosity and excitement of being here has kept me running. Tomorrow is only a half-day at school, after which we finally get to go look at flats! I pray to get settled into something before school starts - we are currently staying in a dorm at a nearby university, and though I am happy to have a clean room and access to a hot shower, the place leaves a bit to be desired.
Off to bed - hope I sleep more - the time change is definitely messing with my internal clock. I hope Em and I get to play in London and perhaps beyond.
G'night all!
Yaaaay!! I love this blog! I will be a faithful follower of all your exploits. I hope your playing lots of 'Clash' to soundtrack your timely arrival. Love you, JoJo!
ReplyDelete"Maths", I figure, is short for "mathematics", which is, in fact a plural word. As in a larger container holding a group of methodologies: there's addition, and subtraction, and division, and so forth. So, as per usual, the Brits are probably more correct in how they've abbreviated this word than we Amurhacans have been. But, my question is ... what is it about "new maths" that has anything to do with you??? Are you going to be teaching maths (just trying to help you get used to this pluralized version by repeating it as often as possible, Jo...)? Try not to spit when you say it, though ... Bugs Bunny-like.
ReplyDeleteLove your descriptions of people you're encountering through work. May your good opinion of everyone have reason to stick! And, what is the name of the school where you're working? Can we see pics of the place online?
Oh G - Your comments make me miss you!!! I totally "get the whole Maths thing at this point, yet I still have issues saying it - it's as unnatural to me as it is natural to the English and Australian.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the "new" maths - it's kinda all new to me. I will be teaching foundation math(s) - which is totally new, and a challenge - given my background is in English and such. But hell, I need to be more well rounded!
?You can have a look at the school and the campus with this link: www.acs-schools.com, just click on the Hillingdon Campus :). It's an interesting building. Haunted and all....
Big love to you - are you venturing out this way anytime in the next year??
J