It’s been awhile….

I haven’t posted in awhile. I could blame it on having a life but to be fair it would only be a half truth.

The dates on my blog kindly tell me it was sometime in June I last posted. The year….well not sure about that, as I said, it’s been awhile.

To be a proper blogger I think you probably need to maintain some sort of contact with the internet world and I have been somewhat lacking. I’d probably make a terrible pen pal. And I should probably do a lot less aggravated ranting, it just makes me look like a very angry person. I’m not…much. If i have an outlet I tend to expend my energy before I go ‘HULK.’ A rediscovery of the gym has helped, oh and about 5 weeks of glorious school holidays.

That’s right, I am officially a teacher. Of teenagers too!

Surprised?

Most people are and that I have survived for a year.

It’s a very hard job, both frustrating and rewarding and even though I know I shouldn’t yell, I have had those moments when at the end of my rope, I’ve cut it and gone into free fall opening my lungs with great abandon. I only have myself to blame and I feel worse when I think of all the witty retorts and tricks I could have used instead.

And that is one of the things, being able to constantly be challenged and to learn.

Teenagers are masters at distraction and deception, I know, I was one once.

‘Have you finished yet?’

‘Almost miss.’

‘Have you started?’

‘Yes.’

‘Show me.’

‘I can’t, because it’s in my head.’

‘Well until it’s on your paper, you will stay in class, no recess (or lunch).’

This is constant but not pandemic. Most teenagers are fairly well behaved and well mannered and in any case can be motivated (bribed). This is called extrinsic motivation, rewards for work, which most will argue, adults get in the form of a wage or salary. I’d agree with that. I also say to them; ‘Well perhaps but to get a job, some form of education must be completed, whether it be a degree, certificate, apprenticeship, or on the job training and if you don’t do the work expected of you then your pay will never go up or you may be let go.’ Unfortunately they may have already tuned out by then and my self-righteous rant has to end to get on with the business of teaching them.

And I will be returning to it within the week. I am both excited and a bit nervous.

But is that all I have been up to?

Of course not!

A house has been purchased with my SO and other than the massive spiders taking up residence on the porch this summer, I love it! The cats do too, Archie has created little hidey holes under some large plants. Stevie on the other hand has remained inside only venturing outside occasionally to sniff plants and bother Archie.

I am an aunty. I have a beautiful niece who is almost 2. Cutest thing you ever did see, she loves Elmo, Hoot and bubbles. Also food, a child after my own heart.

Friends have been married and there are always babies on the way.

I keep baking and quite possibly may be improving, pictures will follow.

Went on a fantastic holiday to Egypt, Greece and Dubai but that was a few years ago. I love traveling and hope to do more.

Well I am off to have a milo (before Cale eats the whole tin) but I promise I will write soon. Or I’ll try. I should. I will. Maybe. No, I will.