Cinema, food and more shopping

It's been a frustrating week this week but as I look back I can't work out where the frustrations were coming from. The things I had put my mind to worked well and to my advantage, I was formally observed and got amazing positive feedback which is always good to hear, interviews are going well and I felt on top of my game. Maybe it's that time of year joined in with the tiredness I think the cold wet days and the long dark nights don't appeal to all.

We decided mid week that we would go to the cinema, lots of great films out now and coming out in February so I booked up "The Wolf of Wall Street".  Oh boy, did that bring back memories and a light bulb went on about halfway through.  When I was in my previous incarnation I would not suffer fools, but I realised that now working with kids slowly but surely I have become softer, more patient and dare I say it I care more deeply.  It sounds like a good thing and to be honest it is but I need to be aware and not be taken advantage of, not that I think anyone around me can take advantage of me now but I need to be aware that there will be some people who for their own selfish reasons could play on my new softer side.

So before the cinema we went shopping, I needed supplies.  My skin went very dry this week, the cold damp weather has not been helping, I move from warm dry cozy rooms to the cold 6 or so times a day and my skin does not know what way is up.  I decided to leave my skin alone this week, using gentle cleansing methods and my make up consisted of cream products such as MAC cream blush and liquid bronzer.

The first place I headed to was Boots and the Clinique counter, I wanted a tub of Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm I heard some good things about this product and the consistency looked nourishing to me, I used it for the first time last night so it is too early to say whether the product will suit me but I liked how my face felt after using the product.  I also purchased a new Chubby Stick in Broadest Berry, I love these easy to use lip gloss/chap stick they are so moisturizing with a good amount of colour.

Last weeks purchases. MAC studio Sculpt NW20/MAC Cremeblend Blush Ladyblush

Last week whilst on the way to Arsenal I stopped off for my foundation, in my rush to get to the Emirates I forgot to get a new mascara and powder bronzer.  So after seeing the lovely ladies on the Clinique counter I headed to the Boots make up displays and picked 2 mascaras the first was Maybelline big eyes mascara, I liked the fact that it was a double ended mascara, one end for the top lashes and the other for the lower lashes.  The other was from Max Factor Excess Volume Extreme Impact Mascara another double ended mascara but this is one that builds glossy top lashes.  Both mascaras have had good write ups and I am hoping they do live up the hype.  I then went to the Smashbox counter and purchased the lightest bronzer they have, just because I live in Essex does not mean I have to be orange, but I do like to have a little definition to my face and I like having a glow to my face. I purchased the sunkissed bronzer and it looks lovely and subtle on.  I also purchased a lip gloss The O Plump will change colour that is tailored to your own lip colour whilst giving a bit of ommph to the lips.

I moved on to Lush and I purchased a few things for the body and bath plus a face mask to help with dry skin Oatifix smells divine and I did so want to eat it but I hope it does what it says on the tub!

Lush King of Skin/Clinique Chubby Stick/Smashbox bronzer/Smashbox O-Plump/Lush Oatifix/Max Factor Volume Extreme/Maybelline Big Eyes.

After the film (which was very good) we had a late lunch/early dinner at Jamies Italian, amazing food and great service.  I wanted to take a picture of my dinner but I totally got caught up with the yummy smells I tucked right in without a second thought.  I had a burger (no surprise there as I am a burger addit) and and garlic chips.  I was so full I could not finish it off and I wish I had taken it away in a doggy bag.  Mr JAEG had a meatball pizza followed by a lush looking lemon meringue pie.  I would love to go back and try some other things on the menu, it all looked very nice.
Today will be spend clearing out the study in readiness for the surveyor and then a fitted home office.
I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Changing

We are almost 2 weeks in to 2014 and they have gone by so quick.
I was back to work on Monday, the first day back after the Christmas break is always inset and in my place we use it as a review day of what went well and even better if......
I guess schools are no different to individuals in wanting to reflect back over the past year so see what did work and what could have been improved.
As I was driving into work one morning I suddenly realised how different I was now compared to this time last year.  I was ill in January 2013 and I was struggling to cope with all sorts of issues, anxiety being one of them.  Anxiety came about as I was ill and the doctors could not figure out what was wrong and it took until mid March to get to a point of knowing what was wrong with me and starting to put it right.  I spent the first part of 2013 very unhappy, highly anxious, ill and upset.  Now I feel contentment, I am better with regard to my anxiety and I am on the right track once again.  I don't often want to think about those dark days let alone discuss in the public domain.  However I feel that I wanted to share the message of hope to those who need it, it is the truth when you hear the saying it is always darkest before dawn.  If you are in a bad place there is always hope, the first step on the road to recovery is always the hardest but once you make that first step things do get easier. I am enjoying life once again, singing in the car and looking forward to all the little things in life.  I think the one thing I have taken from the last year is that we cannot change our past as it has happened and we cannot wait for the future but to concentrate on the here and now. I once wanted a tattoo saying "That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger" quoted from Fredrich Nietzsche, who knows I may still go for it to add to my 6 others but for now I am happy enough to just reflect on that.
I know some people keep a happiness journal, others a normal journal but I wanted to start something else off for 2014.  I purchased a book from Amazon called Q & A a day - 365 questions, 5 years, 1825 answers.  It has a fabulous quote in the front by Andy Warhol "they always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself" and I thought this quote summed up perfectly the last year.  This book is great, its not a huge commitment just a few lines each day answering the question of the day and this journal gives you the opportunity to answer that question again over the next 4 years.  It is then a record of how you felt or whatever and you should be able to see the changes over the years.
The question I had to answer yesterday was "write down something that inspired you today."  Working in a school I would have thought that would be an easy question to answer, after all I read fantastic blogs each day, work with brilliant people, I am learning all the time and the students never cease to amaze me I am lucky enough to feel inspiration each and every day, but....this question was tough it was asking for one thing that inspired me, not a list.  I sat and thought about it, reflected and decided that there was a moment in the day that inspired me above all else and that was listening to John Lennon's Imagine during a year 8 Humanities class.  It has always been a lovely song to listen to but hearing with a group of 12/13 year olds it was like hearing it for the first time I could see the message was clear to them as it was to me, live life in peace.  Music plays a big part in my life at work and at home, we are a musical school the students get 2 hours of music lessons a week, music is used in other lessons and I always think a song can change the mood of a lesson or the mood of an individual.
Wow deep I didn't mean for this to be so deep.

So....moving on.
I decided that along with the new year, new term I was going to try out a new routine with regard to beauty.  First off I decided that I will double clean my skin of a night, especially when I have been wearing make up.  I use Liz Earle's Hot Cloth Cleaner first click here for details and wipe clean with a muslin cloth and then I go over with with my clarisonic and Oil of Olay Regenerist Daily Regenerating Cream Wash click here. After cleansing I am now using products from the Medik8 range, including the facial roller.  I will not lie, the roller was painful to start with but it took 2 or 3 days to get used to the sensation and the skin is very red for a while after (which is why the procedure is conducted at night).  Since starting that I have felt my skin really freshen up, and I am am not getting as many dry patches and break outs as I normally do this time of year.  My dental hygiene has also changed, I hate the thought of having bad teeth (or seeing people with bad teeth) I hate the dentist visits too.  So I looked around to what could help on op of the normal brushing twice daily and flossing, a new toothbrush was ordered, as my last one was on its last legs, an Oral B 5000 Trizone and with that I also ordered a Phillips Airflosser.  Since using both my teeth have become whiter, they feel smoother than before and I hope it will keep the dentist visits to the minimum.
I also changed up my work make up.  I moved back to MAC Studio Fix in NW30, I had been using Benefit's Hello Flawless in Ivory but I felt it was too pale for me and the coverage was so so, not sure I would agree with the brightening tag, but you can see I have given it a good try.

I had forgotten how much I love the feel of a MAC foundation on my skin, light, creamy with just the right amount of coverage.  I thought I would give a cream blusher a go, so I moved from Dior to MAC Blush Creme in Brit Wit.

I have a decent amount of make up and I like to change things around to keep things fresh.  With all these changes I wanted to start to keep a log of my make up, what brands, finishes, colours etc I like and what doesn't work well for me and I wondered how other people keep a log of their make up, what they have and what works etc.  I sort of what to keep a note of all my products and also what I want to buy, so I dont buy duplicates when I have no need to, so I know when I go shopping what I do want to purchase and also what works for me what doesn't.  So I am going to end this by asking what do you do to keep track of your make up, do you note your products or just rely of remembering?  It would be good to hear from you.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Maybe this is something I would not have said a while back but I think I am ready to say it now and that is that I am actually looking forward to Christmas, not super excited yet but I am facing the festivities with joy in my heart.
This week at school it has been very festive, lots of Christmas music being played and preparations for our community party were in full swing.  Yesterday was Christmas jumper day and our Christmas dinner.
The week has not been full of cheer though, Monday afternoon revealed a revelation that sent me into a spin and I spend the next few days catching my breath from it.  So it was really lovely to end the week with the Christmas dinner puller crackers and clinking glasses to shouts of cheers with my students whilst we all wore crazy Christmas jumpers.  I decided to go all glittery gold and silver for the Christmas lunch, I had gold and silver MAC pigment on my eyes and an amazing gold glitter polish from OPI "Goldeneye" on my fingernails (click here to buy from Amazon UK).  My Christmas jumper was a silver grey with a beautiful robin from Dorothy Perkins and I decided to wear my very festive red UGG boots.
It is just 5 days until we break for Christmas and boy I really do need the break.  This week really took it out of me but I guess I am lucky to have someone at home to watch out for me and for me to talk to when things get tough.

I received my Urban Decay Naked 3 pallet this morning and I am very excited about it.  The colours are very wearable and I cant wait to put a look together with it.

The packaging is in a beautiful rose gold and the pallet itself has a good range of matt and shimmer colours easy to transform a look from day to night and perfect for travelling.
I am also finishing off my eBay run with just a few more items to be added this weekend, then I am all set for Christmas.

The December Glossybox is also very festive.  It arrived in a beautiful red box with the items nestling in green wrapped in candy cane red and white paper.

So here goes, my own reviews on what I have received from Glossybox.
The first thing that really caught my eye was the Wilkinson Sword Intuition razor.  Mainly because it took up half the box.  

Its from their naturals range (click here for more details) and I have used the intuition razors before.  They are really handy for holidays and when in the gym as it has the 'gel' around the blades.  I like this item and I was pleased to see it .
The second item I pulled out was the Maybelline New York color tattoo 24 hour eye shadow in Everlasting Navy available in the UK in Boots.  

I was really chuffed to get this as I wanted to try this product for some time but never got round to buying it.  The colour is like a great denim and very wearable. I cannot wait to try it.
The third item that caught my attention was the nail varnish. As you know I have a number of nail varnishes so at first I thought meh and I put it to one side but then once I put it down the colour really caught my eye.  

The brand is Seche I have never heard of it before but the colour is 'smitten' (click here for more details).  The photos or their own site do not do this colour justice, its a bright vibrant red slightly on the orange side in the bottle but I will post a picture when I have tried it on.
The next item was a lip gloss in a nude shade from beautiful movements cosmetics a lovely shade that will balance out a strong eye during the party season.  

I love the fact that this brand is cruelty free and I certainly will be looking on their site for more of their products.
The last item I received certainly gets a meh from me, its a perfume sample.  Now I like perfume and I like samples  but I think it should never form part of the 5 items in this subscription.  I can go to any store and get a sample to try so why should it be part of this deal.  its from Lipsy and its called 'Glam'.  

First impressions is that it is a fruity fragrance, it is nice and would be lovely for the daytime it sits well on the skin but I am not convinced it is long lasting.  I may get the full size at some point but it is not high on my want list.
On the whole I am 90% pleased with this months Glossybox, it was the perfume sample that let it down, maybe I am not alone in thinking this.

I am off to finish my festivities planning.  I hope you are all set.

The Glossy Wishlist

It's that time of the month when I come home and find my latest Glossy Box waiting for me (see www.glossybox.co.uk for how it works).

This month contained a hand cream from Yves Rocher (Yves-Rocher.co.uk) part if their collection cacao range that smelt like a chocolate orange.  I liked the packaging with this product and it looked as if it should smell of chocolate, I was please it did!

The scent like I say was chocolate orange and although I really like this scent I could see how this could clash with the other scents I choose to wear, it could also become sickly after a while. The texture was nice and my hands did not feel too greasy after use which is a big plus for me when on the go all the time.

The next item I turned my attention to was the elegant touch nail pads I see this range as an 'old school range' I have used these before so before opening the packaging I knew what to expect.  

This is a great item to use when traveling or to keep in the desk drawer at work, I loathe chipped nail varnish and I absolutely hate getting chips when at work.

The third item I looked at was from Gosh Cosmetics (superdrug.com) a lipstick from their velvet touch range in shade 'Sundown'.

I will be honest I saw the colour upon opening and thought OMG when am I going to wear that?However, I swatched it on the back of my hand and it didn't look so scary.  It is orange but fairly sheer and it does feel lovely on the lips.  Not keen on the packaging, it looked cheap and not the normal style of lipstick packaging I go for, maybe better suited to teenagers.

The next item was an eye shadow from Emite Make Up (emitemakeup.com).  A gorgeous black, highly pigmented shadow that felt absolutely lovely on.  

This eye shadow is free from oil, nickel, parabens and perfume.  The packaging is simple in its design, the plastic container thinner than a MAC eyeshadow container but the size of the shadow was about the same size as one from MAC.  I know I will get a lot of use from this shadow over the next few months.

The last item was from Vichy (boots.com) it's their first skin idealiser called Idealia Life Serum, helping to transform the appearance of the skin's quality.  I liked how this had been put together by glossybox 3 small boxes in a pink gauze bag.  

I will be looking forward to using this item over the next few days, hoping for no breakouts.

I must say I like how glossybox are now packaging their boxes, the magazine is just right with a few snippets of information and a card with the details of the products in the box.

I will be honest I have had better months from them with better products, in most cases I have gone out and repurchased the item after using is in the monthly box that to me is what glossybox is all about.

In other make up news I am back using MAC paint pots and loose pigments, now I have reorganized my makeup I have found changing my make up products around far easier and not just sticking to the same old same old.  The MAC Christmas range has been released and I had a good look at their gift products last weekend whilst out Christmas shopping and like every year I could pick out many items I would like to receive this Christmas.

Since getting back to work it has been very busy, we are still waiting for ofsted to come in and we are on tender hooks until they do finally turn up.

I had also been nominated for an award, I was shocked to be nominated but also pleased that my hard work had been recognized.  The school days are long but every day is different, some more challenging than others but I wouldn't swap it for the world.

I also had a house guest for a few days and that can always throw my routine out a bit.

I know it's still mid November but I made a start on the Christmas shopping, I have a lot of people to buy for this year and I can't do it all on 1 pay packet so I made a start at the weekend and I will be honest I feel quite proud of myself as I manged to get a number of key gifts in 1 go. That means the next shopping trip won't be stressful and could even be completed on line.

Have you made a start to your Christmas gift shopping? Or are you a last minute person?  Whatever you are enjoy the build up to the festivities and stay safe.

School's out

For those who read my twitter feed you would have seen that the final days of school was an emotional time for us all.  I think from the staff point of view we had realised how much we had collectively achieved and what a year we had.  The last few days consisted of school trips and on uniform days for the students and high fives (inside joke) with the staff.

The students will need the 6 weeks to recharge before they embark on year 8 and the staff need the time to recover before we greet an ever expanding school in September.

School ended with us staff sending the students off at lunchtime and then going off to have a bbq complete with speeches and some tears followed by a well deserved night out.
As I write this I look back over the months with fondness, I have made some good friends since September and I feel so proud of myself and my new friends.  When I go back in September I now I can deal with whatever is thrown at me, it will never be as harsh as it was in the very early days of the school

In other news, the OU graduation ceremony has been booked along with the gown and the other bits and bobs that go with such a thing.  Again I look back and I feel so proud of what I have achieved with regard to study.  It was not easy but I am the first in my family to have completed a degree and the tears, heartache and sheer hard work has been worth it as its all over now, all that's left is celebration.  I have not got my official result yet but I was urged to book, so book I did.  I have decided that I need to leave the study behind now, I don't need to battle any further and everything have fallen into place, I could not wished for better.

This week sees a royal baby being born to Kate and William, a boy, like last year with the Olympics the country seemed to join together and rejoice.  The excitement from where I was seemed to seep through everything and even the hardest person seemed to soften by this news.

The last few months have been very exciting for me and things continue to be joyful and exciting, I look forward to being able to share some of the good news with you soon but in the meantime lets just enjoy the sunshine.

Being thankful

This past week has been very stressful for my students, the pressure was on with 2 full days of exams.  Some coped better than others and I felt for every single one of them, our results will show what we have completed this year and how good the students are.  The school year is nearly over and as I look back on what has been achieved by both the staff and students alike I am amazed at what has been achieved. it had been tough at times and back in the beginning I felt so lost and isolated.  Looking back it felt that there were some dark days as I and others struggled to get to grips with the huge job that was in front of us.  However as we near July I feel proud, I have made some great friends the students are doing well and I feel part of a wonderful family.
Our school sports day was a total laugh, a riot all day it was brilliant to see the school come together both staff, students and parents alike the weather was brilliant and the PE department did us proud.  Highlight for me was the staff race at the end, too funny for words.
The past 2 weeks I have been visiting the year 6's who will be joining us in September, they are very lucky students and I am excited for them and us. In coming to my school they will get the best education from the best teaching staff that I have ever come across.  They will have endless opportunities available to them from the word go, our track record has started very well with what we have done these last few months and what we continue to do each and every day.
On Monday I am travelling to Cambridge to look at Churchill College with my students, each and every student no matter what level they are can aim high and they will with the support I provide, I cant wait I love Cambridge and it will be good to go back for a visit, its been too long.  I love my job, but looking forward to the break in just over a months time!

I am so thankful each and every day for what I have, who knew how things were going to turn out.  I am really lucky to have the support I have around me, I am blessed to have such wonderful people around me.

Thank you Michael.

Now moving on

Its been an up and down few weeks, the last two were difficult and in among all the turmoil I had an OU paper to hand in. The fact that I was able to get it in a day before the due date was a feat in itself but it was done. I am up to date with the whole study thing for the first time this year and its a good feeling which means that I have cleared the way for the weekend. Happy days.
I need to let the OU know very soon who I would like at my graduation, I think I am allowed 3 people such a shame as I knew who I wanted to go with me but times have changed now.

I had some good news yesterday, I am being promoted at the end of this school year. Its for a position I had half an idea on and it appealed to me so I have decided to accept it and work on that for the next few years which means that the plans I had put in place for after my study ended mid May have changed. I don't need the second degree or the GTP placement for the moment so I am happy that the study is stopping in less than 2 months. This means I can get on with the other important things in life like having a life!!!!
Normally I would thank the people who have supported me to this point and I would have said that I could not have done it without their help support and understanding over the months and years but unfortunately some of the people I would have thanked could not be bothered to hang about for the good times so alas I cannot express my gratitude.  However, I will thank those who are still around and look forward to the future with them instead.  Exciting times ahead.

Yesterday was also a good day in the sense that 180 students travelled across London by PUBLIC TRANSPORT NO LESS and they all got back all in one piece with no casualties.  More brownie points.

Today is comic relief day and the students are in good spirits along with the staff, money being raised is always a good thing.

One last thing, on line things like facebook, xbox, etc is a wonderful thing for communication and meeting like minded people but it always has a chance to catch up on you if you are doing something wrong!  Always treat others how you expect to be treated yourself! Otherwise you might end up with a moose!!

Overcoming nerves and being busy

Its been a whirlwind two weeks since my last post but I am glad to say that half term is upon me and its time to regroup and recharge.

Since my last post I have been lucky enough to escort the year 7's to see Romeo and Juliet at the Royal Festival Hall with music from London Philharmonic Orchestra, thanks to the BrightSparks series http://www.lpo.org.uk/education/schools_brightsparks.html#ks3.  It was an amazing morning and by and large the students behaved really well considering most have never been to an event like that.  It was a morning that will stay with me for some time as it was captivating to watch and listen to.

I have also had to help lead a CPD session something that I was totally dreading, I hate standing up in front of my peers (who are amazing and well spoken and very clever) and deliver a presentation.  Ever since I had been told I had a strong Essex accent I have hated public speaking.  The session went well and has provided me with grounding for the big one that I have to lead on the 25 February, now if I can combat the nerves for that I can do anything.  I am looking for hints on how to combat nerves and awkwardness when public speaking, its different when in front of a class as I just get on with it but in front of adults feels much harder.  if anyone has any good tips for overcoming nerves I would be grateful.

I also had to cover for one of the PE teachers by accompanying the year 7's to a swim gala.  The pool was where I had first learnt to swim all those years ago and where I did my first mile swim and five mile swim.  I also saw some of my old colleagues and students (who still called me miss).  The girls swam really well and despite it being a very long afternoon they behaved very well and I got extra brownie points for taking them.

Work has been very stressful these past few weeks, it would be a lie if I said otherwise.  The hours are long and although everyone is great some are nicer than others I am finding it hard to ignore the trumpet blowers.  I cannot stand those who feel the need to blow their own trumpet every five minutes or take credit for work they have not done themselves.  That happened to me this week, after working hard to put together a lesson for another member of staff that member of staff took the credit, I wont allow that to happen again.  There are members of staff who are so supportive of me and others are they are fantastic and they don't feel the need to trumpet blow every five minutes and I hope these people get the rewards they deserve.  I was observed this week ofsted style and I passed with an outstanding, but its not easy being watched closely and I do strive to do a good job, I am there for the students and I don't want to let them down.  It is thanks to the supportive staff that I can do my job as best as I can and I know I don't need hand holding.
I was also shadowed for two days this week, something I absolutely hated as it was hard enough to do my job plus look after this person and make sure they were OK.  This person wants a job at my place but I am not sure it would be a good move due to lack of experience but who am I to decide on that??  A nice person but they were not sure what they wanted for a career, until they are sure then surely its best for the students to keep clear until they know?

The weight loss journey is going slowly, I have reached my first mini target this week and it has provided me the push to keep going but it is very hard when having to eat at certain times, not when I am hungry and hard as I HAVE TO eat the school meals as nice as they are they are energy rich.

I am sticking with my Filofax systems for the time being but added to the Arc system at work, I am using 2 A4 pads one leather and one normal and A5 leather.  The three pads are doing a fantastic job and have organised my clubs, day to day, lesson plans and calendar in a way that I can keep up with.  Disc bound systems are amazing and I keep thinking in the back of my mind that's what I should be using instead of a Filofax but I am hanging on with the Filofax system for a while longer as its not actually failing me right me but we are only in month two of the year so it is still early days.  It would not surprise me if Filofax branch into a disc bound system at some point as the Arc seems to have become popular with those who like organisation without the failure.  Youtube show some great sets ups for both Arc and Filofax, worth looking at over the week.  Any comments regarding Arc v Filofax set up would be gratefully received.

Have a great week

Looking forward

Its been a quiet two weeks thankfully, allowing me to focus my time on the things that needed to be focused on right now and to think of tactics for the next few months.  A chance to look forward and keep to goals.

Slimming world is going just fine for me, its slow but sure progress and I think that's the best way.  I am still not well enough to hit the gym, I am still breathless and in the really cold weather my chest still feels tight.  Really annoying as I need to get to the gym, after all its an expense that needs to be dealt with.
I decided to purchase a "colour a month" daily diary from moleskine to use as my food diary.  Great little item that can be slotted into my Filofax for when at work, or on my desk at home.
Each day is split between Breakfast; lunch; dinner and snacks, at the top of the page is a A and B choice in accordance with the slimming world plan and at the bottom is the syns and the total.
Plenty of space on the page to even include a note regarding how I feel should I feel the need.

On the study front since the day school last Saturday I have got my act together, the tutorials were great and I got the gist of where I have been going wrong.  The study still isn't easy but at least I know what to focus on to get the better marks.  I have a phone tutorial today to ensure I am on the right track.  I intend to get to the Saturday tutorials in future, I have been silly enough to neglect them and I need to make the most of the remaining sessions.  I have reread some of my "how to" books such as "how to write essays & assignments" and "study skills for dummies". I thought that although I am nearing the end of this degree I needed to refresh my writing style, especially after the feedback from my last TMA.  Its a scary feeling knowing that I am nearing the end of this degree with only 4 papers left.
I have decided that once I have finished this degree I want to start another one, providing my family agrees too! Yes just for my entertainment and hair pulling ha ha.  I enjoy the focus once I am focused on study and I don't ever want to get stale, the fees have gone up and I am worried I may not be able to afford it but I am looking into it and hoping I can figure out if I can afford it somehow.


I have seen a pair of duo boots I like and I am hoping to get them for work, although they look high they are a platform sole and I need all the height I can get maybe I may get them for my birthday, if I ask nicely. 
Another birthday gift I wouldn't mind would be another customised bag from Rickshaw.  I have the skinny commuter and have recently fell back in love with the versatility of it for work and when I go to tutorials.  I would like another one in a different colour range and full size instead of skinny for the days I need to carry more.  The only downside is the shipping to the UK but maybe if I am good I may get one for my birthday.

Finally, work is going OK, its so busy right now but I am attempting to balance things better whilst there.  Each day is different and although I get down about some things I also know I cannot control certain things and I am slowly learning to let go. I have been at this place 6 months now and I feel confident every day I made the right move to join.  My old place has been in the news recently and it has left me shocked and upset, I can't and wont go into details here but I am so glad I am no longer part of that place and where I am now is different.  I really do feel that I am moving forward, steps in the right direction.

This blog should have been posted two weeks ago just found it in my drafts! D-oh

Flexing my organisational skills

It’s been a manic few weeks hence the silence on blog.

The new job although absolutely amazing is also full on and very tiring and as a result I had been left with little time to do much else.

The school is what I had hoped it would be, fully supportive to the students and staff alike and if I had a child I would want them to go there as the system is so great, everyone gets a chance and no labels! I felt very strongly in the past about a child being labelled throughout their school life, sometimes a student cannot help themselves and will always be off track but others make one mistake and they are labelled for the next 5 or so years.

My penultimate Open University course is now over and I am on the final module with a big sigh of relief as its back to literature now. I have finished reading Harry Potter today and ready to write my first TMA for EA300 and I hope now I have made this good start I can keep it up for the whole course.  I have looked at what to study in the future, fingers crossed this time next year I will have  degree in English Language and Literature but I want to progress on and make sure I don't become stale.  I will want to study for another degree that holds professional interest as well as private like Psychology

I went back to the gym for the first time in a few weeks too, it was hard work and I am so aware (if I wasn’t before) on how I have let things slip so much there. I was slightly annoyed with my gym, nobody’s fault really as such but it has led me to stop my personal training sessions. I liked training with Mike and my stopping my sessions is no reflection on him but a reflection on the expenses heaped on by my gym. The gym without PT sessions is expensive enough and the price increased greatly this year for nothing extra, in fact some things had been taken away from my membership. When I got a text to say that Mikes fees were going to increase I knew I couldn’t go on any more paying these sums of money out. On reflection I did like having a personal training but I can achieve the same results by classes and focus myself. I just need to make sure I factor my gym sessions in with study and work and everything else.

I feel that I have not had a great balance for the last month and I have also allowed other negative things to creep in, but now that stops. These last few weeks I have had numerous headaches and migraines, some so crippling all I can do is crawl to bed. This was a wakeup call to my mental and physical health and has put me back on the right path. I hope that I now become mentally strong and able to hold down my lovely job whilst continuing my studying and physically strong to cope with the day to day trauma my job can bring whilst getting back to the gym.

With everything that’s been going on I have had to review my organisation. I used to use an A5 Domino filofax for work, I have found this to be slightly impractical on a day to day basis in my new role but I have found a saviour, an A5 filofax flex. Who would have thought it?? I was anti flex when it first came out, but looking around for organisation ideas I revisited the flex system and wondered if this could be the answer. Found one in a sale a pink one (although they call it magenta) and I have not looked back since, used daily I make notes with regards to the students or lessons I am in, I slot the lesson plans for the day inside the note book and the calendar is there for the daily briefing. Then once a week if I want to, I move what I need to my Domino. The jot pad is my to do list as well as other things I need to focus on, e.g. book recommendations from the students or ideas for merit giving. It’s slim enough to pop into my resource folder (as I don’t carry my handbag around anymore) but easy to get to when I need it.

I had a major organisational issue with my personal diaries/work diaries/study diaries that cause many an issue for me that took ages to resolve. It was down to an electronic organisation; thank goodness I had my personal Holborn to fall back on. Basically in a nut shell I started to use Google calendar for study as that’s what the OU used for a study diary and decided to use that for the work diary when desk based with the flex as a carry round. Trying to link my Blackberry to the Google diary meant I lost everything everywhere, I was in bits and it took hours to get back. It meant that I realised that no matter what the humble filofax can never be replaced. However, I wanted to embrace new technology, after all I love my Blackberry and Ipad, how to amalgamate them all I wondered? Luckily for me the filofax website had the answer, I saw the Pennybridge A5 it’s the best of all worlds. I collect the parcel from the post office tomorrow so I can’t blog about the set up yet but I have high hopes. At this point I would like to thank Parcelforce for the limited ways of getting my parcel from Filofax. Parcelforce tried to deliver during the week, I wasn’t in (at work) so they took it away instead of trying a neighbour like my postman or yodel do. Parcelforce don’t redeliver if they have taken the parcel at a local post office and the local post office isn’t work hour friendly. It has been rather frustrating getting my parcel and for me to get it tomorrow means I have to leave work early just so I can get there before the post office closes. Annoying and not my fault but I have to take the time out to get something I have paid a lot for. Maybe Parcelforce need to review their delivery options or Filofax UK need to try other methods of delivery.

Back to the Pennybridge, I will have the option of just having the filofax or having the filofax with the Ipad and my phone is always with me anyway, so the best of everything. I cannot wait to set it up properly tomorrow evening. I will be moving from personal size to A5 and I am not sure who that pans out and I love my Holborn and I am very sad that won’t be in action. However, upon reflection the Pennybridge although used day to day could be left at home a fair bit so the Holborn will still be used on the days when I don’t need the Pennybridge. Maybe Filofax need to make a Holborn version that also takes the Ipad, if they every do I will be first in the queue!! I am keen to know of anyone else who has successfully switched from a personal size Filofax to A5 and if it was worth the extra weight and size.

New

OK OK I have not kept this updated.  Let me explain why.  The last few weeks (including this week) have been a series of new and fresh starts, as a result I had to focus on these new starts before being in a position to embrace the things I already had in place.

New/fresh starts include:

New job (started Monday)
New school year
New car (collected last Wednesday)
New Uni module EA300

3 days into the new role and I am overwhelmed to say the least and I have to-do lists coming out of my ears.  I have ordered a new pack of A5 filofax to-do lists for my work filofax and they arrived today, so I will amalgamate them into my red Domino tomorrow if I get the chance.  I will then focus on what actually needs to be done over the next two weeks as opposed to the panic "everything needs to be done by tomorrow" approach I appeared to have adopted whilst knowing it all can't be done in an hour or so!

So last week I collected my new car (its a beauty) and basically dashed around knowing I was back in the work place this week.  There was not a chance to relax and enjoy the last moments of August, but I guess that's the same for everyone who works in education and I cant complain as I had a great break at the beginning of the 6 weeks.

The stress leading up to the first day of new job meant cluster headaches and sleepless nights.  I am pleased to report the headaches have since left me but the sleepless nights are still a burden.  I am looking at all this in a positive light, I think this is all very character building and I discovered today that I am not the only one feeling overwhelmed, so its a case that we are "all in it together", I think I will like my new colleagues!  I do feel supported in this new workplace, unlike in my old place (my old department aside) I hope that support continues but I also feel that I am not worthy or good enough for this role.  Right now I have information overload and I am like a fish out of water.
OK OK I am out of my comfort zone and I guess life is about pushing yourself so you find yourself out of your comfort zone more and more to build confidence and provoke resourcefulness in ourselves.  I also have to push the students to be pushing themselves out of their comfort zone too so hey we can all character build together and I hope that creates bonds.  Its the new style of learning that has worked in other schools but I just need to learn and understand it myself. Its all based on The Learning Powered School by Guy Claxton the head is a huge fan and I can see why as the results seem to speak for themselves but I have to see the process in action before I can fully understand it.
The school has high expectations of its staff and students and I just don't want to fail hence the sleepless nights.  We have 14 days of inset before the students start, we are at day 3 so I just have to ride it out and see where the journey takes me.
The school building is a new build and simply a joy to look at, a glistening vision in the early morning sunlight as I drive down the slip road to the beautiful car park (I appreciate school car parks more as its lovely having a space, I didn't in my last place and I wasn't made to feel at all worthy of a space as I was "only support" considering that I carried more stuff to and from work each day I thought it would have been nice to have been offered a space every now and then).  Anyway back to the school building, outside is a gleaming beacon of educational hope and as you go inside its like being hit over the head by a purple and lime baton.  Visually the colours are stimulating and vibrant and as you go around the school there is a sense of understanding why these colours work together and what they mean, a purple door means staff only, a lime door means access to students, it stops the no entry signage that schools use so often.  The corridors are wide and light and currently the space is amazing, the freshness of it all means you want to look after the building that you want to keep it clean and tidy, I hope the students want to follow that too.  The grounds are still being worked on but I can see that once completed they will also be stunning, appealing to be around.
I do feel proud to be part of all this, although right now I am also overwhelmed.  I want to give this position 100%, I want to support my fellow colleagues and the students and I want to prove that I am worthy.

I am looking forward to the weekend but I know I wont have time to rest as I have a Uni paper due and I need to crack on with it.  Even more sleepless nights I fear!

So an update on my gym sessions:

Spin class Wednesday 22 August for an hour, Body Balance had to be cancelled due to car commitments.
Data from Forerunner 910xt as follows:

Time:

1:02:54

Calories:

429

Avg HR:	118 bpm
Max HR:	153 bpm

Thursday 23 August was an hour Zumba
Calories: 420
Avg HR: 131 bpm
Max HR: 158 bpm

I tested the Forerunner footpod with a walk on 27 August and cycling with the cadence later the same day.

Tuesday 28 August was a spin class for an hour, led by a dreadful instructor, a class that I wont book again.
Calories: 460
Avg HR: 132 bpm
Max HR: 157 bpm

Friday was training with Mike and although I have a list of what we covered I just dont have the chance now to record but Garmin data:
Calories:382
Avg HR: 117 bpm
Max HR: 166 bpm

I have had a weekly goal of burning 1000 calories through exercise.
I have set up a new goal of 6000 calories over a month to see if that is achieveable.

Right I am off to calm down, eat, sleep and be ready for tomorrow.  Have a good evening!