Friday 28 December 2007

Christmas surprise

Santa had a nasty accident on Christmas Eve. This pond is situated on dangerous bend, and he was obviously driving too fast.

The guy looked in a bad way. The pond is normally a haven for wildlife, all scared away by this unprecedented event.

Although the water is not particularly deep, it conceals a waist-thick layer of mud, as perilous as quicksand.

It would be a dangerous task to attempt a rescue. Who knew what other perils of the deep would await an intrepid rescuer?

Fortunately, Jonny, who holds a top life-saving award, was at hand.

He struggled out to poor Santa, who by this time was no longer breathing. Jonny tried everything - CPR, shaking, and a good British, 'Come on, mate, you'll be all right if you can just get on your feet,' but all was in vain.

Abandoning the attempt, he called the rescue services to come and remove the body.

We note the callousness of the onlookers, all of whom had already received their presents. Santa's plight was treated with laughter and a complete lack of compassion. They were obviously unaware of the implications for next Christmas...

Sunday 23 December 2007

Parties

The last few days have been full of parties. We have had the privilege of meeting up with friends every day, just enjoying each others' company.

It leaves me hungry for heaven. For the day when we will all be there, having one huge party together. And it will be far, far better than we can even imagine: the ones here have been pretty good, too. There's no substitute for fun and deep friendship.

Friday 21 December 2007

Christmas Spirit

The dog has already got into the less welcome aspects of the Christmas spirit. I don't know WHAT he ate - or drank - yesterday, but at 3 o'clock this morning he was making vomiting noises outside the bedroom door. He obviously wanted us to share in his discomfort. He then retired to his basket for several hours, nursing what, in a human, would have looked like a hangover.

This is NOT the sort of Christmas spirit we want. I'd rather he would learn to sing carols properly, rather than howling. Or give the postman a kindly greeting rather than a snarling, territorial bark. (The tinsel on the postie's cycling helmet doesn't even help.) A little more goodwill would be good.

Thursday 20 December 2007

Catching up

There is a lot of criticism about the ubiquitous Christmas 'round robin' - and, to be fair, some of them are pretty dreadful ...letters quoting the wonderful achievements of offspring and the incredible holidays to exotic destinations. Some of them do sound unbelievable. I have, in the past, seen letters which make the holiday destination of choice sound previously undiscovered. Such a place has been 'chanced upon' by the extraordinary family who have opened up an unknown island destination for the world. As for success - these people might have invented the word.

It's easy to carp. It's difficult to write a good letter which celebrates achievements - even survival of family tragedy or other personal disasters - without 'showing off'. I always pass mine through the ultra-sensitive filter of my children who sniff out pretention in the first phrase. And always tell me so, straight out. They are my best critics and I hope our Christmas letter is received in the spirit in which it is written - just to let our friends know what has been happening throughout the year.

Yet whatever other people's letters are like, I do love getting them and catching up on all the news. I'd much rather have to trawl through pages of minutiae than receive only a card with a signature.

I'm really interested in my friends' lives. This Christmas season I've laughed and rejoiced, wept and sorrowed... written cards of celebration and letters of condolence... I'm so glad these special people have shared themselves with me. I'm so glad to hear from my friends.

Wednesday 19 December 2007

Recuperation

Any teacher will tell you how exhausted they feel at the end of term. It's not necessarily physical: mental exhaustion forms a large component. A term of giving of oneself, of pouring out into students leaves its toll.

I am always surprised at how long it takes me to 'recover' - even if I don't feel particularly tired. This time, it took the form of indecisiveness. Of course, my Christmas 'to do' list is added to the usual list of end of term tasks - tidying up, essential cleaning that falls by the wayside in the last week of term, and so on. I have found it hard to organise myself - putting off the least attractive of tasks, such as shopping.

I've given myself little 'carrots' in the form of seeing friends: scheduling a meeting ensures that certain tasks get done first. Asking a friend round gets the tidying up and cleaning done, for example. Joy is sure to follow!

Monday 17 December 2007

Home again

The house is relatively quiet again - but only for a few hours. Jonny and Cat arrived home on Saturday evening, and it is so wonderful to be together again as a family. I feel incredibly privileged to have two such wonderful young. Their maturity amazes me - I'm sure I wasn't like that at their age.

It was wonderful, as well, to see the reunions at church last night: many have now returned from uni for the holiday. The 'young' range in age from 13 to over 30, all mixing equally well together. The buzz was inspiring.

I'm so thankful for these great kids - not just ours, but the whole group of their friends.

Today, our two have gone off to work. They both worked in the finance industry to earn money for their gap year travels and their bosses are delighted to have them back every holiday. More reunions at the office!

I'm so glad they're back this evening. Special times.

Saturday 15 December 2007

Different

We got SO excited this morning. We thought we had a rare yellow wagtail in our garden. He hopped around the pond, wagging his tail energetically up and down with each hop. He gave our place a thorough checking out, not knowing that we were doing the same for him. We rushed to the bird book to get a definite identification.

He wasn't a yellow wagtail at all. He was a GREY wagtail. Yet he was still different from the usual pied wagtails we see - sometimes in huge flocks hanging around, of all places, car parks and large buildings. And we were still thrilled to see him.

We also have a blackbird who is different. Not unusually, this one is slightly pied. Her neck has a pretty white collar around it, like fine lace, and she has other embellishments of white on her wings and body. She is not the usual, run-of-the-mill, textbook bird.

Different, and accepted by the other birds in the garden. A reminder to accept all those who are different from us. Just as Jesus accepted us. And how different we are to him!

I may look different to Jesus on the outside, but I hope I am becoming more like him on the inside. That's what matters.

Cappuchino catch up

Whoopee - first day of the school holidays. I had a great beginning to the Christmas break - met up with a friend for coffee in our favourite cafe. It was bitterly cold outside, so it was somewhat bizarre to be warm and cosy while we watched white waves whipping up a grey sea.

There is nothing quite as good as catching up over a cappuchino. I am fortunate to have good friends who are both decades younger and older than I am. I value their wisdom and outlook on life. I love to hear their experiences: sometimes these echo my own, sometimes they offer new possibilities. Just an hour with one of these special people enriches my life and reminds me how blessed with friendship I am. Energising, revitalising.

Friday 14 December 2007

Friends

You know how you sometimes want to be in two places at once? I had one of those moments last night.

It was our end of term party at school. Or, more accurately, at an expensive restaurant in town. (This is the downside of teaching, as opposed to working in an office for a large company: we have to pay for all our social functions ourselves!) Plus, a colleague and good friend is leaving to go to another school, so it fulfilled the function of leaving party as well.

At the same time, it was the final meeting of the term for our home group. This group of friends is like family: we share our lives together - joys, concerns - and pray for each other. We have seen God answer our prayers in amazing ways. Our group is a support and a lifeline.

My colleagues at school have also been a wonderful support to me - they are an exceptional staff.

I went to the staff party. It was great fun. But I SO wished I could have been with my 'family' as well. To be in two places at once!

Wednesday 12 December 2007

Friends

Sometimes I'm amazed at how God answers prayer even before I ask.

Whenever we can, my friend Sarah and I meet on a Wednesday after school to chat and pray together. We chat more than we pray, but we know Jesus is listening, a silent third party to our conversation. That's a great thought during the actual prayer times when we forget what we have talked about!

As usual, we prayed this afternoon. By the time I arrived home, I found one of the prayers had already been answered - quite unexpectedly and definitely much earlier than I thought might have happened. If that makes sense?

God knows before we even put our requests into words. That's amazing!

Tuesday 11 December 2007

Relief

My struggles at work have taken a huge turn for the better. I have a game plan for next term, which should make the situation much more manageable, and the support from my managers has been outstanding.

It is a huge relief to know that I am not assailed from all sides. I have more energy and enthusiasm than I have had for weeks. I am smiling at the future. Praise God, who sustains all his creation and hears the prayers of his people - even little me!

Psalm 37: 23 - 24 says:

"If the LORD delights in a woman's way,
he makes her steps firm;
though she stumble,
she will not fall,
for the LORD upholds her with his hand."

Monday 10 December 2007

Photographs

Since our photograph taking turned electronic a few years ago, I've hardly put any photos into albums. We had plenty saved digitally, so a few weeks ago I trawled through the files and selected some -over a hundred, in fact - for printing.

It's been quite a chore to write on the back of each one and then sort the photos into three albums: one for us, and one for each of the kids. A couple of years ago I made them an album each for their eighteenth birthday, so they would have a pictorial record through the years from birth. Now they are complete.

It's wonderful looking through, reviving old memories. I can even be thankful for the more painful times: thankful that God sustained us through them, that he has brought us to a better place, that he loves us whatever happens...so much to be thankful for!

Sunday 9 December 2007

Protected

I've been watching the birds as the storms rage. They try to huddle in the bushes, occasionally venturing out. Seagulls soar overhead, helplessly swept backwards by the howling wind. Even a kestrel skimmed over the hedge, battling against the rain, losing its mastery over the currents.

I feel like those birds. Storms rage over me at work, threatening to engulf me. Every so often there is a lull and I relax: only to find myself increasingly battered on every side.

Yet tonight, at church, I was reminded of some Bible verses from Deuteronomy (Chapter 32:9 - 11, my version of The Message):

He (God) found his people out in the wilderness, in an empty, windswept wasteland. God threw his arms around them, lavished attention on them, guarding them as the apple of his eye. He was like an eagle hovering over its nest, overshadowing its young, then spreading its wings, lifting them into the air, teaching them to fly.

I knew, then, that God was indeed looking after me with tender care. Storms might rage around me, but I do not need to be afraid: God is on the case!

Saturday 8 December 2007

Hope

Only a few more days until the end of term, and I'm looking forward to it. It hasn't been easy, since one of the children has exhibited very challenging behaviour. I'm dispirited by his constant attention seeking and self-centredness, tired of his arrogance. I feel helpless in the face of the poor parenting which has brought all this about.

Yet there are spontaneous acts of kindness, little beacons of light. The child who tidied up someone else's lunchbox; the boy who, when another was upset over the loss of a sweet he had been given, offered his own; the boy who, after the bishop's talk, presented me with £2.5o for the AIDS orphans in Africa; the children who don't just offer to help, but quietly DO small, meaningful tasks, unasked; the lovely, supportive parents who give me a boost just when I need it; my fantastic colleagues who provide me with help, advice, support and love.

I have much to be thankful for: this is what I try to focus on: it all makes my job more worthwhile.

Contrasts in learning

I was privileged to hear the Anglican Bishop of Ngara speak this week, twice - at church, and again at school.

He told us how, as a child, his parents couldn't afford to send him to school. He kept on begging them until, at the age of 13, he was able to go to school. Primary. The lowest class - where our 4 or 5 year olds start. His parents were able to afford the school uniform shirt and a pair of shorts, which had to last for 2 or 3 years. Instead of his own tribal language, he was taught in Swahili.

He then did well enough to go on to secondary school - an achievement equivalent to one of us going to one of the world's top universities. He was twenty. His brother owned two pairs of trousers, so gave him a pair - otherwise he would not have been able to go. A generous brother-in-law bought him his first pair of shoes. The teaching medium in secondary schools in Tanzania is English. The equivalent, for us, of suddenly being taught entirely in French.

Now, decades later, he is pastorally responsible for thousands of people.

He concluded his talk in school with a blessing in Swahili. As soon as I heard the familiar words, I burst - quietly and discreetly so that the children didn't notice - into tears. I had started my life in Africa teaching children desperate to learn. Now I struggle with children who have everything apart from the same hunger for learning.

If only the children I teach now would gain, not only more of an eagerness for learning, but for all the things that money cannot buy. If only they would gain a deep sense of compassion and a willingness to help others. If only.

Wednesday 5 December 2007

Weird times

This time of year is really strange. It's the run up to Christmas, so there is a lot going on at school - performances, parties, decorations... - and it can all get rather hectic. The children become more and more excited.

As in previous years, our classroom has an Advent calendar - with a difference. Rather than 'getting' - a chocolate, sweet or other treat - on opening each day in the calendar. the class are giving. Each day, some of the children bring some money to help support the Tumaini project for AIDS widows and orphans in Tanzania. The children take turns to count and record the total for each day. At the end of term, we'll send the money off. It's a local project, started by some of the doctors here: a married couple who used their sabbatical a few years ago to work in a mission hospital there.

Just £1 is enough to feed, clothe and educate a child for a whole week. Just over £50 for the year. Every penny given goes to Tanzania - the two doctors do all the administration and cover any costs themselves.

Some of the children have really taken to this idea. It is touching to see their interest grow daily. An emphasis away from the 'give me' culture we have here.

Tuesday 4 December 2007

Boys!

Aargh!

A favourite expression at this time of year. Two more weeks before we break up for Christmas, and everyone is becoming over-excited.

That's just the teachers. We stay sane by consuming any chocolate or biscuits which are unfortunate enough to appear in the staffroom.

The children are bouncing off the ceiling.

Calm, calm, calm!

Monday 3 December 2007

Calm in the storm

Yesterday was a day to remember - for various reasons.

Richard went to work, battling with the wind to land the plane safely. At one point - when the wind was gusting in hurricane proportions (literally: 68 knots) - he could no longer taxi after landing. The plane had to sit tight on the runway until it was safe to turn across the wind towards the terminal. I was thankful to see him return home safely.

Meanwhile, I had been out in the car, dodging flying branches and enormous puddles. I went to see a dear friend. Life isn't particularly easy for her at the moment, but you would never know. She radiates love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Once I started listing her attributes, I realised I might as well just quote straight from Galatians Chapter 5: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

She is such an inspiration and encouragement to me. She doesn't see herself this way: it's only apparent to others. I just hope I am, at times, just a teeny bit like that. I wish.

Sunday 2 December 2007

Island Life in the storm

Woke several times in the night to hear the wind lashing the rain against the windows. I lay in the cosy warmth of my bed, thanking God for shelter and comfort. I thought and prayed for those I know who are not so fortunate: Mary, our housekeeper in Kenya, who does not have the luxury of electricity or running water in her house, nor of paved roads and street lighting. The orphans supported by the Tumaini project in Tanzania, some of whom did not even have shelter to live in when they were found. Refugees. The homeless in our world.

Day brought no ease in the weather. Richard has spent the last couple of hours reading the weather charts and checking on the regulated safety limits. He is supposed to fly to Alderney this afternoon: the airstrip there is notorious for awkward cross-winds which make landing difficult.

He doesn't, at the moment, think he'll be going. The wind speed is forecast to go up to 38 knots, gusting to 65 knots - that's approximately 43 mph, with the odd gust of wind to over 75 mph. Or in other words, Force 8 gusting to Force 12 - hurricane force.

With wind of hurricane proportions, he's not going to be going anywhere until this particular storm has passed through. And we're obviously not going to experience the warm weather which often accompanies hurricane-sized wind.

Friday 30 November 2007

School

Friday - I've just got home having stayed four nights - one night to 8.30 pm - out of five this week. Today it was to put Christmas decorations up. Huge fun.

As a staff, we are a little wacky. So the fun today was to see who could put up the tackiest decorations. I think I won, with garlands on all the toilet door handles. We did err slightly in putting up a rather tasteful, natural looking garland all the way up the banisters. No lights - the deputy is planning to sneak in on Sunday and transform it into Santa's grotto. I can't wait.

Guernsey is brilliant at Christmas - so many people go to great lengths to transform their houses and gardens. One wealthy family opens up their estate, charging a minimal fee for charity - a good fundraiser and community event as so many people go. Driving or cycling in the dark can be rather hazardous - I'm so busy looking at everything. And it's wonderful flying in at night, seeing all the lights lit.

Wednesday 28 November 2007

Parent teacher meetings

Phew - parents meetings over, bar one.

Actually, I like parent teacher meetings, even if it does mean that I don't get home before 8pm - or later - several nights this week. I like the children I teach and I like meeting and getting to know their parents. They are usually absolutely delightful.

Tonight's parents were no exception. They even made me feel that I am doing a good job with their kids. All were very grateful.

I could have done with these meetings several weeks ago, but better late than never.

Now it's a frantic rush to get all our work done by the end of term!

Tuesday 27 November 2007

Football skills

I was on duty in the playground at lunchtime today.

The school is having astroturf laid down and so the children were confined to the small playground.

130 boys.

There was one football game and various small footie games played with tennis balls.
It was hard to know where to stand without being an inadvertent and unwilling goal post.

Inevitably, my foot met the ball several times.

Last week, in the 'Crossbar Challenge' I spectacularly failed to kick the ball anywhere near the goal crossbar. I WAS wearing high heeled boots at the time, and I DID try and kick the ball backwards - which earned a lot of laughs and a surprising amount of applause.

I managed several gentle kicks and actually connected with various moving objects. Two separate feet and one stomach, to be precise. The stomach was delighted.

School: parent teacher meetings

Parent teacher meetings last night.

I have one or two challenging characters this year - so equally, one or two of the meetings weren't easy. It's hard working with children sometimes - you know what you long for them to be, and they just refuse the help.

Their egos are more important than anything else. I feel sad for them.

The parents, of course, believe that their child cannot do or say anything wrong - and viciously attack anyone who deems otherwise.

Colleagues have marvelled at my patience.

I don't have much natural patience, actually. But I know I can't do anything BUT act patiently. It's the way Jesus was, and he's my role model. It's almost as if I can't help myself - I'm just hanging in there. It's rather like setting the points on a train track so I keep going the right way - once I've done it, there's less chance of ending up as someone I don't want to be.

So I carry on pouring out energy, praying and hoping for the best for the children I teach.

And I'm grateful for all those parents who told me yesterday how happy their children are. Even, that they're really blossoming.

It does make it all worthwhile.

Saturday 24 November 2007

Friends

When I was younger - not so very much younger, actually - I made friends and thought I would keep them for life. Most of them are still my friends.

Some of them have been around for more decades than you can imagine.

But I've moved a lot. And every time I've moved, I've left friends behind - and made new ones.

Now I realise that I do have friends for life - and some of them are on different continents. Nothing would please me more than to be able to spend time with them again. To drop round after work, or meet up for a meal. But practically, I can't. Expensive executive jets are beyond my budget. And in any case, my job wouldn't allow that sort of time off!

So the friends I have coffee with, or chat to, are those who are here with me - now. They are the ones I need and share with.

They are incredibly important to me. Now. Here. In this moment.

Island living

Beautiful cold clear frosty morning. When I went outside to dump the coffee grounds in the compost, my nose started twitching. Sewage. Whoops.

We live in a 'rural' area on Guernsey. Rural means a) that we're not actually in a cluster of houses and even have a field between us and our nearest neighbour and b) that we're not on the main drainage system. So our waste water goes into a cess pit which has to be emptied periodically. Before it overflows, preferably.

I peeped round the corner in the direction of the smell. I knew the tank was full and we had had a lot of rain recently: fields were flooded and the douits - the drainage ditches - had filled up after a very dry autumn. We had ordered the sewage truck to empty the pit but sometimes it would take some days to come, depending on its schedule.

The cover to the pit was open, with a sewage pipe lying next to it. Hence the smell. No sign of the sewage truck. Oh well, it had probably nipped off to empty a load and would, presumably, be back to fill up again and to collect its pipe.

There are many other benefits to living here. This has to be one of my favourites. It reminds me of my life back in Africa. Not taking anything for granted - particularly waste disposal.

Friday 23 November 2007

Nuts

This obsession with nuts is getting ridiculous.

I'm sitting here, typing away, when Mpira comes along and headbutts my leg. Hard. Now he has my attention, he skitters away towards the door.

No, he doesn't want to go outside to chase rabbits.

I wander towards his food bowl. It's empty, so I fill it up with dog biscuits. He looks at me with a disgusted expression on his face and then walks over to where we keep the peanuts for the birds. He looks at the nuts, looks at me, looks at the nuts, looks at me...

I give in.

I go back to the computer, leaving one nut-happy dog behind me.

Thursday 22 November 2007

Mpira

Mamampira might sound a rather strange name, but of course Mpira is the name of our beloved Jack Russell/collie cross. He is named for the bouncy piece of rubber that he has resembled since he was a puppy.

He greets us - whether we have been away five minutes, five hours or five days - with a succession of vertical bounces and ecstatic squeaks and squeals of pleasure. Just like a small furry rubber ball.

He has several passions. The one which is amusing us at the moment is his longing for nuts.

We make our own muesli, putting roasted cashew nuts in it. Occasionally a hot nut slips off the plate onto the floor. Mpira, who has been on the starting blocks since he first heard the rustle of nut packet, dives for the nut with the energy and passion of a forward scoring a try for England.

The nut is VERY hot. It is immediately spat out onto the floor and left to cool. Cooling is assisted by frantic pawing at the floor around the nut - since Mpira now knows that the nut is DEFINITELY too hot to touch. He paws it an average of ten times before he dares touch it with his mouth.

He crunches it up, somewhat slowly. Then sits back and looks at us accusingly. And waits for the next one.

Wednesday 21 November 2007

Weather wonders

What a difference the weather makes.

Yesterday we woke up to grey which quickly turned to rain. It seemed to rain most of the day. The sea still looked spectacular: white foam on a backdrop of greys.

Cycling home was interesting: I tend to whizz too fast, so had a 'skiddy moment' coming down one hill. Fortunately, I didn't panic and jam the brakes on even more but managed to control the bike without coming off it. (I didn't think my nose would be too impressed by a close encounter with wet tarmac.)

Today it is bright sunshine, sparkling sea, and the children I teach are in a much better mood. They're doing great work, creating a simple story book for younger children.

Some of the art work is outstandingly good.

It's great to feel so good about the weather, work, the world... Thank you Lord!

Tuesday 20 November 2007

Confession time

Last night I went to a women's get-together from church. We listened to a talk on CD, challenging us that God was giving each of us a task. This task was like a flatpack which needed to be assembled: we had to unpack it and put it to use.

I was supposed to round the talk up with a short reflection and prayer.

I'd listened to most of the talk once, but should have done so again.

So guess who was busy making notes all the way through?

I didn't need to, though. The gist of the talk was easy to understand. So I just rounded off with a little challenge to take the gift and unwrap it, even if we didn't feel up to the task. No excuses: just get started and everything else will follow...

The words from Philippians 4:16 sprang to mind: "...God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

I couldn't remember the context, but looked it up later.

It was all about how the Philippians supported Paul in his work. What a lovely picture: the way the people of God use gifts to help each other. I hope we all do that in our little corner of this world: just think what a difference it would make if everyone did the same?

And isn't it neat when God encourages us like this?

Monday 19 November 2007

Struggling through

The last few days have been so hectic and complicated! It's not the fault of my schedule - which is normally easily manageable - but of the people and the relationships in my life. Mostly, at the moment, my working life.

That's the trouble - and the joy - with teaching.

The relationships and the development of individuals are what makes it so inspiring and worthwhile. But people are complicated and sometimes it all stops working the way it should.

Spanners in the works.

Spanners are not just people's actions, but events and circumstances too.

I read Psalm 71 this morning.

Some of the words leapt out and grabbed me, shouting: 'Listen to ME. THIS is what I'm telling you. Now LISTEN UP!' Others were for dear friends who are struggling at the moment.

In part, the Psalm says: 'I will keep on expecting you to help me. I praise you more and more....I walk in the strength of the the Lord...'

That's for sure.

Tuesday 13 November 2007

Job description

After a day like today, I need a new job description.

Quality control assessor
Human resources director
Press officer
Catering manager
Detective
Supervisor
Liaison officer
Logistics organizer
Team member
Educator and trainer
Life skills coach
Counsellor
Interviewer
Parenting advisor
Sports coach
Event organiser...

All in the primary school teacher's job description!

Life is crazy

If I were to write down the myriad of annoyances I've had to deal with this past week, I'd be a candidate for some sort of reality TV show.

It would also take me several hours.

At times, it has seemed as if everything is descending into chaos.
If I wasn't a Christian, knowing that I can turn my anxieties over to Jesus, I'd be tempted to despair.

I can't help laughing about it - it's all so crazy and, at times, downright ridiculous.

Yet, as I deal with children, parents, and harrassed staff, a pattern is emerging.

And everything is pointing to a (hopefully) satisfactory solution.

It might still be a rough ride, but at least I'm not on the rollercoaster on my own.

Yay!

Monday 12 November 2007

My bicycle

After weeks of injuries - first my coccyx, then THE NOSE - I'm back on my bicycle.

It's wonderful.

I was off to work at 7.30 this morning. The air was still - unusual for Guernsey - and the sun shone brightly. A low mist clung to the fields.

There didn't even seem to be as much traffic as usual!

It's just such a brilliant way to start the day: a good 25 minutes, which is only 10 minutes more than if I drove, in the knowledge that I only need to freewheel downhill to get home at the end of my long day.

Mmmm.

Sunday 11 November 2007

Waking in the middle of the night.

I can wake in the middle of the night for all sorts of reasons, but last night's call was particularly annoying.

The phone by the bed occasionally 'trills' loudly, for no apparent reason.

This rarely happens during the day.

The last time it did it was at 1.30am this morning!

Aargh!

So then I lay awake for what seemed to be HOURS - and probably was.

I put my little world to rights in my head and STILL couldn't get back to sleep. (I can't remember all the wonderful ideas I had either.)

Then names of people I love started to float down the red carpet of my imagination. As each one appeared, I prayed for them. Then came another, and another...

The last one was was called SLEEP.

Friday 9 November 2007

Kindness

My thoughtful nephew - aged 3 and a half - heard about my mishap with my nose.

First he sent me a hand-crafted get well card.

Then a box of luscious hand-made chocolates arrived by post.

He is so thoughtful. So are his wonderful parents - what a lovely surprise!

Thank you, Matthew, Paula and Henry!

The nose - final report

Took the nose for its MOT today.

The wraps were removed and the interior was inspected and vacuumed clean.

Then it was road-tested - i.e., was it still doing its job of helping me breathe - and pronounced roadworthy once more.

I was, however, told not to get it involved in any more accidents for the next two weeks.

Or ever again, if possible.

I'm quite scared of walking down stairs in high heeled shoes now, for fear of tripping and smashing up the nose again.

I don't like to think what the surgeon would say.

Meanwhile, the trophy plaster sits on the mantelpiece.

conversations

Out to dinner with friends last night.

It turned out to be a surprisingly depressing evening.

We were on our way to putting the world to rights, but didn't quite get there. We just got stuck on what was wrong, and what we WEREN'T doing about it.

Unsatisfactory.

Thursday 8 November 2007

Getting on and falling out

Back to school with a vengeance. A little delegation of boys caught me at lunchtime, asking to move places. Oddly enough (!) I'd just decided it was time for a shake up and was in the process of organising it.

Before I worked in an all boys school, I thought it was girls who mainly fell out.

How wrong I was!

Nevertheless, I asked them - in confidence - who they WOULD want to be with and who they WOULDN'T. Then I created a sociogram - drawing lots of green and red lines, with arrows.

It was fascinating to see who was most popular (the quietest boy in the class) and who was the most disliked.

Now I've just got to sort out who sits with whom.

I don't expect it to be easy!

Wednesday 7 November 2007

Back to school

One of the most interesting things about this experience has been the apparent lack of reaction from others.

I'm used to having a white nose now - but I don't look exactly normal. Nor did I when I had two enormous black eyes.

Yet I have had several conversations with acquaintances and complete strangers, none of whom have let on that they have noticed anything amiss.

(My friends and closer acquaintances couldn't restrain themselves. They wanted to know all the gory details, bit by bit. I've been touched by their care and concern.)

Even the boys back at school haven't commented.

? Polite, or what? Not that I'd be offended anyway...

Tuesday 6 November 2007

Getting There - I think

Back to the doctor again who removed the monstrosity of the plaster cast. He made me look at myself in the mirror - I had no choice. I briefly contemplated keeping my eyes shut but, well, I do have nerves of steel at times.

It didn't look too bad. I'm not sure exactly, because two seconds was all I got to look at it before he slapped the steri strips on again. There are so many I look as if I have a false white nose.

I was told the other day, while my nose was still in plaster, that I looked like Adam Ant - remember him, the pop star who used to wear a white strip of cloth across his face? (I've been compared to him before, au naturel - but that's another story. It was a compliment, may I add - though I've never quite worked out how.)

Now my cheeks, still bright red from the allergic reaction to the sticking plaster, make me look like Pippi Longstocking without the plaits.

Can it get worse?

Monday 5 November 2007

The Broken Nose for the nth time

First the Accident

Then the Bruising and the Black Eyes

Then the Operation

Then the Plaster

Then the Allergy to the Plaster

Now the Piriton Effect...

Still, there must be an end in sight.

Add to that, I feel a bit of a fraud being off work just for the After Effects of a Nose Incident!

I suppose it's a bit like a car having an overhaul - everything has to settle back down and be tested carefully.

Can't wait to be back at full running speed!

Sunday 4 November 2007

The Broken Nose - AGAIN!

You'd think there would be an end to this saga.

The scenario, in my mind, goes like this:

Nose gets broken.
Nose gets fixed.
Nose gets better.
Nose is back to normal.

Still only at stage two - at least, I hope it's fixed. It feels as if it might be.

It's just the getting better bit.

I seem to be allergic to sticking plaster - the good old bright pink stretchy fabric type which is pleasantly plastered (ha ha) horizontally all the way across my face like some sort of tribal face decoration.

My cheeks are bright red, itchy and puffed up.

The plaster has been eased off my face but the skin is still sore.

And, to quote Terry Pratchett: 'Itchy, itchy, itchy...prickle prickle prickle....'

At least my nose isn't. Itchy, that is.

So it must be getting better.

Mustn't it?

Saturday 3 November 2007

Friends

What a gift it is to have friends.

Post broken nose, I have been overwhelmed with messages of concern, emails, texts, visits...

Just for a nose!

One friend, nursing a sore throat, has just dropped in with a goody bag of fresh fruit and a ready cooked chicken. I am so touched by her concern: she should be at home in the warm, not dragging herself round shops.

I feel so blessed.

Friday 2 November 2007

Fixing the broken nose

Back from the hospital after having the nose job. My day went like this:

7.30 arrival and check in to departure lounge - whoops, ward.
7.35 change for the fright experience into amorphous hospital gown and PAPER knickers. It took me several minutes to work out which way round they went.
7.40 started reading trashy magazine.

Digression. The magazines are truly trashy. Those beloved of my teenage years and youth are now 90% celebrity or TV gossip. Totally boring. When did we turn into this 'twitching of the net curtain society' with nothing better to do but peer into other people's lives?

9.40 went to boarding gate for final preparation for the trip. Needles and monitors stuck in and all over me, then that pleasant feeling of drunkenness just before take off...

10.25 woke up just before landing back into the world. Annoyed theatre nurse by asking all sorts of questions about the fright experience as he was trying to deliver me to the ward nurse. I should have obeyed the 'keep mouth fastened until the warning light is switched off' sign on his forehead.

10.45 after fright refreshments. Never has coffee and toast been so welcome. It was at least 12 hours since I'd eaten. I just loved that individual pot of Marmite...

10.50 visit from the chief mechanic. Apparently the damage to the nose was much more extensive than it had first appeared - 'mushy' was the word used. He has pieced it all back together tho, like a jigsaw. He'll take off the scaffolding in a week's time and prepare it for a flight test. I feel like a bumble bee getting ready for a trip to a luscious smelling flower.

11.55 exit to departure lounge, ready to pass through customs. Customs official appeared after one minute, escorted me to the car and drove me home.

Bliss

Thursday 1 November 2007

A Healthy School

I had a meeting with my head teacher yesterday. I’m in charge of an initiative to promote health in the school. This is all aspects: healthy eating; physical health, including exercise and sport; the personal and social aspects of education; and emotional wellbeing.

I’m passionate about this: about helping children become more aware and more CARING about the society they live in.

Maybe we should start an Anti-Selfishness Society!

So I’m excited, but it is a huge undertaking. I need to get at least 8 other people on board to form a team. And I need to present it – in an easily digestible, understandable form – to the rest of the staff.

The head has earmarked a slot for me to do this.

Our last morning of this incredibly busy, incredibly hectic Christmas term. After the staff party the night before!

Wednesday 31 October 2007

Nose jokes

My nose knows no limit, it seems, as a source of inspiration to my sympathetic colleagues.

There is nostopping them.

Yesterday, they suggested that I should be the prime organiser of the Comic Relief Red Nose Day fundraising activities... (such a pity that doesn't come until March... I certainly hope that my nose has recovered by then? )

They've accused me of being a secret rugby player.

They put me forward for the First Aid course - primarily for self-help.

Looking at the enormous purplish-black bruises under my eyes, they've made comments about excessive use of eye make-up. (If only...)

All in the course of one half hour meeting.

I just love them all.

Tuesday 30 October 2007

PS

After we'd read all the 'suggestions', including the one below, the kids asked me how it had really happened.

I told them.

'No way!' some of them said. 'You don't go surfing. What really happened?'

I didn't need to say another word. A furious argument erupted within the class as one faction sought to convince the other that their elderly teacher does, in fact, surf.

A wave of respect seemed to flood the room, and the sea breeze brought admiring whispers with it.

'Cool!'

What really happened to the Nose...

This is what one of the nine year olds wrote:

'Mrs Pollard was walking down the stairs when she tripped flat on her face. It didn't hurt.

She carried on until the door swung open by the wind and hit her in the face. She fell to the floor in agony.

Holding her head in her hands, she screamed at the top of her voice to let the world know she was hurt.

Mr Pollard came running in to see if she was all right.

He was scared to death! "You're not going to school today," he said.

"Well, if I'm not going to school, I might as well have a party," replied Mrs Pollard.'

Some of the other suggestions involved ogres, a visit to Club Penguin (internet chat site for under 11s!) and my deciding not to go to school in favour of consuming large quantities of pizza and drinking umpteen gin and tonics!

Priceless!

The broken nose - cause for more merriment

Back to school, and I'm not looking forward to the comments - least of all from the children.

My husband reckons my cred is going to skyrocket. After all, a surfing accident is much more exciting than falling down stairs or walking into a moving cupboard.

It's going to be the topic of some instant creative writing:

"The hapless prince screamed, struggling against the ropes which tied him, as the fearsome dragon approached. Dodging its fetid breath, Mrs Pollard leapt forward, brandishing her trusty sword Dragonslayer.

Darting between the dragon's enormous legs, she jabbed Dragonslayer upwards, piercing its scaly throat. As soon as the noxious green blood came pouring out, she raced out from underneath the monster.

Quick as she was, she was not quick enough. As she fled to safety, the dragon raked its claws across her face in a last, feeble attempt. She heard the ominous crack of her nose breaking, but she ignored the pain as the dragon crashed to the ground, dead."

Beat that, kids!

Monday 29 October 2007

Broken Nose

5 days into this saga, and the doctor still won't take a look until at least a week has passed and the swelling has gone down. The trouble is, not having experienced this before - I didn't play rugby as a young girl - I'm not sure what to expect. Particularly if, when he 'tweaks' it back into place - just like that - the bruising will start all over again.

It's embarrassing enough as it is. I endured a barrage of laughter and mockery at church last night - the word 'silly' cropped up rather too frequently for my liking.

Until one lovely girl said, 'Well, at least it makes a good story!'

I'm in my fifties - not that I feel like that, obviously - and broke it surfing. A wave tipped me off my surfboard and the board floated away. The next wave came crashing in on the heels of the first, so the surfboard came barrelling back in.

I tried to grab it, and missed. It caught me squarely on the nose. Instant break, lots of blood, quick trip to Accident and Emergency, avoiding the smirks of the medical staff on the way.

Now I look like a sunburnt spectacled bear.

Sunday 28 October 2007

Learning Life Skills

Going off to uni is a big step. It's not so much the being away from home, though that doesn't help: after all, who is going to be around to answer difficult questions like 'How much washing powder do I put into the machine?'

It's finding all those life skills necessary for survival. Food shopping, cooking, washing up, washing, drying....

Of course, you try to train them up. You encourage them to wash up - ACTIVELY. They need the practice. You teach them how to cook - with varying degrees of success. It's amazing how easy it is to learn to cook biscuits and cake, but a main dish is SO complicated and so much trouble. Why bother, when frozen microwaveable meals are so easy to come by? (This attitude changes dramatically once the parents are no longer footing the bill.)

The washing machine... well, I have to admit that I failed there. Although I tried to leave them to do all their own washing, reasons of economy led me to trawl their rooms at times in order to run a full machine.

Then personality comes into it as well. One may be skilled in keeping a bedroom clean and tidy, another might just LOVE ironing. (Such a pity when they leave home...). One might love to cook - another is brilliant at using up all those leftovers in the fridge, especially when there is enough for a second meal for the family.

Trying to teach someone how to do something when it is not in their natural inclination and they know someone else is available to do it for them... well, what's the point? Life is too short to sweat about these things - it will all work out on a 'need to know how' basis later on. As a parent, you can just do your best.

But however well the kids are trained and taught, it's still not easy. There is just so much to learn to do, especially in a strange place with unfamiliar appliances. My two have coped really well... so maybe they were better prepared than I thought...

Saturday 27 October 2007

Contacting The Empty Nest

When the kids go away, of course you want to stay in touch with them. They'd already spent 5 months in Peru and Mozambique respectively, where we could only chat to them every couple of weeks.

That seemed luxurious in itself, remembering my own travels pre-internet, pre-email and pre-Skype.

Now they are at uni, we have the luxury of being able to talk over the Internet any time they are online with Skype. They call us, we call them, almost every day.

So when a few days had gone by without our daughter even appearing on line, and with news of our own to tell them, my husband decided to send a text. She rang up immediately.

It appeared she had been working so hard on an essay that she hadn't even logged in to her internet account. Who says that students just have a good time of partying? At least we had the satisfaction of knowing that the fees weren't going to waste (she is VERY sociable).

So what was the secret? You need a strong hook to catch these busy people, and we had found an effective one. 'Mum has broken her nose surfing.' read the text.

I don't recommend actually doing this, nor pretending that you have done something equally startling - remember the boy who cried wolf? Maybe store up a few of the more dramatic incidents in life for these 'non-contact' occasions.

Nothing ever happens to you, do I hear you say? Time to start! Look at the benefits - your life spiced up and increased communication with your loved ones!

Friday 26 October 2007

Beginnings

We took them over about four weeks ago, helped unpack, find their way to the shops, and so on.

We spent more money on grocery shopping in one go than I have ever done in my entire life, stocking them up with heavy essentials of rice, baked beans and chocolate biscuits. It was incredibly stressful trying to manage four people rushing round a strange supermarket, throwing items apparently randomly - despite my list, torn into shopping-sized pieces - into trolleys.

Which leads me to something I find irritating - going into the same supermarket chain, yet the layout is often completely different. On this occasion, the rice was cosying up to... the cornflakes.

Now where is the logic in that? It's not as if we eat rice for breakfast in this country. Or maybe it was a subversive shelf stacker trying to cause havoc and headaches among the shoppers. (I know, I know... computerization means that such a person would immediately be identified - possibly by their incriminating fingerprints - and loaded onto the exit conveyor belt before he or she could say checkout.)

But why can't supermarket layout be standardized by government directive - we are, after all, heading in the direction of total government control on all aspects of our lives. Obesity, now: why not just put all the fat-laden foods into one aisle and call it that: The Fat Aisle for Irresponsible Citizens. There's an idea: sales would rocket.

There were a few minor errors - my husband bought ONE enormous packet of washing powder which would normally last our whole family several months.

Going by the rate of clothes washing since - coupled with the difficulty of one twin having to negotiate with the other for the powder - this will last them for the whole three years.

Fortunately, I did some stocking up on my own behalf and am now revelling in avoiding the mega shop for a few more weeks. Aah.

Thursday 25 October 2007

The Empty Next

Actually, The Empty Nest. Have just come back from a visit to the kids at uni, four weeks into their first term there and an empty house here.

The Empty Next is more true than Freudian slip, though I'm not really feeling that at the moment. I know that a lot of women feel as if their life has stopped and they face an empty future, but it hasn't hit me like that.

I suppose I know they'll be back for holidays and I'm already used to absences lasting several months: both kids spent time on other continents during their gap years.

But the silence still hits me at times.

I remember the days I longed to be in a silent house, when even the dog had been taken out for a walk. Without him intruding his giant personality encased in a pint-sized terrier body, I could experience the peace of solitude.

Now, I don't like too much of it. Not too much emptiness.