La lecture

I've been ploughing through books at an increased rate lately (to allay the stress of teaching, perhaps?) and am not sure what to read next.

I'm currently eyeing off my neatly shelved French books. Although I am not one to read books for a second time, perhaps I could make an exception seeing as they aren't written in English?

What interesting characters....

This is seriously amazing.

This rich, descriptive text reminds me of some music we're playing in band at the moment.

What are you all reading? Any recommendations for a bibliophile?

Daily Outfit: Onesie Party

On Friday I was lucky enough to have a day off school. Hurray for a sleep-in, reading in bed, family times and naps! Bliss. That night I got a costume together for a Onesie housewarming party at my boyfriend's place.

I'm the one on the right. Yes, with the front wedgie.

Good times.

Daily Outfit: Day Nine, Round Two

Just like last time, I cranked the Sgt Pepper jacket at school.







Those poor tulips have been battered by the incessant rain all weekend!

From the Vault

I miss party times with the girls! We're now spread out across Australia.

I still love dressing up!

Daily Outfit: Day Eight, Round Two

Get reddy.





Intense day at school - four-and-a-half hours of teaching, with my University supervisor attending the last lesson of the day. Didn't get home till 6. At band at 7. Back home by 10.15. Up till 1 planning. Loving life? Yes.


Last term I decided to go the day without wearing red.

Just a Minute in August

I think August just might be the most difficult month of the year in the Southern hemisphere. You're just waiting for winter to end and the rain keeps coming down. I'm thankful that I have wonderful friends and family to keep me smiling through these endless grey days.


Reading... Day of the Triffids (excellent! I love all the different titles my book club chooses), books in bed, endless websites for planning interesting lessons, Russell Brand's autobiography - dull as, my boyfriend's poems (less pretentious than it sounds, promise), French Teacher's conference materials, dinner menus, job vacancies.

Listening... to the endless rain. Over it.

Watching... Sunday night television on the couch with my mom, cheeky episodes of The Amazing Race when I get home from uni, mind-numbingly dull lectures, bands at the Gov, cows on a hill at my beachhouse, (terrifying) federal election results, film adaptations.

Buying... medication and school lunches.

Wanting... more sleep - I'm staying up till 1 or 2 every night planning/marking, nice weather (I get the feeling that I've mentioned how much weather affects my mood on here before..), plans for next year to make themselves clear, Uni to be over for good, some time away with the manfriend.

Making... awesome lesson plans! Progress in my teaching! Friends at work! Ridiculous to-do lists (and crossing them off)! Music at band! Travel plans!

Loving... completing projects, furry times with furry catso, time with my parents, family birthday parties, time with the manfriend, dinners with girlfriends, friday afternoon drinks, warm cinnamon doughnuts, milo in the mornings, the return of spring - now if only nice weather would follow, beautiful tulips outside the kitchen window, the music on TopGear, finding my old CDs, flannel sheets, reading hardcover books, nutritious school lunches, cheese and red wine, flowers in vases all around the house, the countdown till the end of the year.



HURRAH!

Daily Outfit: Day Seven, Round Two

Toning it down.




Oh, won't you look at that? I wore this shirt at the same point last time. Spooky.

Daily Outfit: Day Six, Round Two

I thought if I dressed French I'd trick my students into thinking I was a real French teacher. It worked.







This time four months ago!

Wednesday Wrap-up

I'm so tired I've started falling over when I'm trying to walk. True story. Was up till 3 last night marking, 1 the night before planning and 1 the night before that. It's so hard trying to fit everything in! Combine prac with a nasty uni assignment due last Friday and you have one dirty week.




But I can't complain! As I said to my friend this evening, I'm tired, stressed, but really happy. The weather's been crap and my body is saying no and there's no healthy work-life balance happening, but I'm still smiling. Things are good.



So these days it seems week = work. I don't want to be that person. Hmm.
Does it follow that weekends = play? I had dinner and went dancing with girlfriends on Friday night and gorged on wine and cheese on Saturday night. Then I was very, very naughty and spend all of Sunday with the manfriend instead of doing work. Hence playing catch-up all week.

Snippets

• Making friends with a ginger cat on the walk home
• Eating lots of cakes in the staff room!
• "Restraining" my wardrobe choices - mom's words
• Working my way through uber to-do lists
• Planning creative lessons (and delivering them with panache!)
• Study dates with the manfriend
• The heater being fixed - it's still cold outside!
• Hilarious chats and challenges with girlfriends
• Thinking about next year (and the next few)

YOU GUYS! This time next week it's my birthday! To celebrate? Teaching for five hours and then concert band rehearsal.... Oh. Dear. Hope you're all still smiling through a tiring August. Let's steam towards the end of the year (and summer!)

PS? I keep saying "Tomorrow I'll have time to do a decent blog post", yet every day I'm getting home around 6pm and having some dinner before settling into a night's work. Sigh.

Daily Outfit: Cheese and Wine

The manfriend and I eschewed Saturday night crowds and stayed in instead with smelly cheese and red wine.