Thursday 26 February 2009

Back Home

Half term has been - and gone. It was interesting.

It was interesting because we went away on holiday. And what interests me is that it really WAS a holiday. Usually, although I like travelling and love seeing new places, it is a major mental effort to get myself onto a plane. Given the choice, I'd just as happily stay at home. After all, Guernsey is a holiday destination: sun, beaches, cliff walks, quaint corners to explore... and, even if I don't go out, I can always find something creative to do here - even if it is just to write this blog!

This week was different.

Different because I didn't stress about travelling. Leaving home is never certain: planes 'go tech', fog closes the airport down, rough seas mean that fast ferries are cancelled. This time, I had no concerns at all that I might not be able to make my connection. An answered prayer: because "who of you by worrying can add a single hour to her life?", let alone worry about making a flight connection.

Different because, once we arrived at our destination, I was able to wind down straight away. I immediately adapted to a more leisurely pace of life, more exercise than I had done in a while, and managed to lay aside all the pressures of school. I still pondered over different issues, but with a sense of peace and purpose, gaining a sense of calm as I mulled over problems and arrived at sensible solutions.

Different because it was ALL completely relaxing. No worries. Just laid back fun.

Thanks, Lord!

Saturday 14 February 2009

Gifts of Time

I had an unexpected gift of time this morning. We are off on holiday to Lanzarote - easier said than done. We have no easy drive or train ride to the airport: instead, we have to hop over to Gatwick from Guernsey and then check in for the flight to Arrecife.

If there are no delays we should make it. No fog, no technical problems on the aircraft, no air traffic hold-ups, no closure of the airport because the firefighters have gone off sick - again.

Travelling from our tiny island is, in many ways, as uncertain in travelling in Africa. Except that I do not fear for my life - only that I can never be sure of the time I will leave, or the time I will arrive.

This morning, we decided to try to get on the earlier flight to make sure we WOULD have plenty of time. Up at 5. Showered and breakfasted. Out to the airport. Then back home again - the flight was too full and our booking was in any case for the second flight of the day.

We were home before 7.

So now I have this unexpected gift of time which I would have spent waiting around at Gatwick. It has been wonderful.
I have skyped Catharine - up, today, as early as us.
I have caught up on friends' blogs.
I have checked my writing blog.
I have enjoyed a leisurely cappuchino.
I have thought about this precious commodity - time - and thanked God for these hours and minutes. I long to fill my thoughts with his goodness during all the time he gives me, not just now. Or then.

Friday 13 February 2009

Appreciation corner

I'm so thankful for so many things this week.
Thankful for my friend Sarah, carving out a precious slot of time for us to meet, drink tea, catch up and pray.
Thankful for Jonny and Cat at the end of the skype line, beavering away at their studies while running a hectic social life.
Thankful for a husband who has vacuumed the house and cleared the kitchen until it is literally sparkling.
Thankful for my little School Council boys: all 20 of them wove and wriggled their way among 60 septuagenarians who had gathered for our 60th birthday celebration at school. Like little moles, the boys burrowed between adults who were totally absorbed in the delights of rediscovery and reminiscence, serving them birthday cake. They even managed to serve the ladies first - a gesture which did not go unnoticed.
Thankful for the prospect of rest over half term.
Thankful even for a long journey ahead of us tomorrow - thankful that we have the opportunity to do this.
Thankful for a church which gathers round those who are sick or in crisis.
And, above all, thankful for our God who listens to and cares for us... a 'thank' which is only the beginning of a multitude of thanks...

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Bone weary and I want to go home

9 o'clock in the morning. A free period and so, because I am not actually teaching, weariness has caught me up. It was a frenetic day yesterday - parents' evenings, then out at a women's meeting: by the time I got home at 10.30 I was too tired to get to sleep.

But parents' evenings are always such fun. I really love talking about the children I teach with their parents, as we mull over their strengths and foibles, working out ways to best realise their potential. Last night was no exception, save that I found myself having to wipe tears of laughter away as I listened to the antics and responses in one family. Huge fun.

As for what is happening in school today - Happy Birthday Beechwood! It was 60 years today that you moved into this site on Queen's Road. 2 buildings, fields and astro turf later and you are home to 137 children.

Celebrations today - music, singing and birthday cake!

Monday 9 February 2009

At school

Phew - what a day! Rain, with gales building. Kids inside ALL DAY. Surprisingly good, and there has been a lot of disruption today with rehearsals for our 60 years' celebration tomorrow and talks about the Guernsey Youth Games (equivalent of mini Olympics for Years 5 and 6).

Meanwhile, my husband is having a day off at home with the Hairy Hot Water Bottle. Cosy.

Tuesday 3 February 2009

Snowy days forever!

Still snowy, so no school again today. We were to have had a theatre performance and should have been halfway through the NFER tests (annual assessments which help us assess our children against national norms).

It is rather strange, but I find myself getting twitchy at the idea of the children 'missing out' on their education. Maybe I am more grown up than I think...?

On the other hand, I shouldn't forget how I danced around the kitchen in jubilation yesterday when the news of another day's school closure was announced. The kids couldn't have been more excited than I was.

Monday 2 February 2009

Colder...

Snow snow snow snow snow! Woke up this morning to a white wilderness. SOOO exciting - and an unexpected gift of time! No school today so, after taking the dog out to experience white coldness, making a few snowballs and building the obligatory snowman, I will be able to catch up on a mountain of paperwork.

Phew - I might begin to feel human again, rather than a teacher. Not that my pupils will necessarily notice the difference...