I haven’t blogged in a week, and I’m sorry about that, but I’ve either been too busy or too tired or, let’s be frank, procrastinating. Silver lining: because I haven’t blogged for a week, I can give you a blow-by-blow of my entire week, sort of a week in the life type deal. And, as a special gift, I promise to include an interactive game! So here goes.
Wednesday, February 9
Elayne, Brit and I got up early and made a practice run to our practicum school, so that we could make sure we knew which connections to take and how long our morning commute would be. 3 hours later I was back at the flat, where I spent the rest of the day doing terribly exciting things, like laundry and homework.
Elayne, Brit and I got up early and made a practice run to our practicum school, so that we could make sure we knew which connections to take and how long our morning commute would be. 3 hours later I was back at the flat, where I spent the rest of the day doing terribly exciting things, like laundry and homework.
Thursday, February 10
As part of our GST course all about the Thames River, we take fieldtrips on Thursday mornings, and this Thursday we took a 0.8 mile walk along the river. In the rain. Despite the weather, it was still interesting to learn about the historic sites along the banks (we passed the Globe Theatre!) and our guide was very funny. After the walk, a group of us were in desperate need of hot food, so we ended up getting lunch in an old pub (I’m pretty sure it was called the King George or something like that) were I had a delicious bowl of spicy mushroom soup. In the afternoon, we had History, during which the professor dropped this gem “Korea, the Hermit Kingdom, now run by a truculent munchkin.”
As part of our GST course all about the Thames River, we take fieldtrips on Thursday mornings, and this Thursday we took a 0.8 mile walk along the river. In the rain. Despite the weather, it was still interesting to learn about the historic sites along the banks (we passed the Globe Theatre!) and our guide was very funny. After the walk, a group of us were in desperate need of hot food, so we ended up getting lunch in an old pub (I’m pretty sure it was called the King George or something like that) were I had a delicious bowl of spicy mushroom soup. In the afternoon, we had History, during which the professor dropped this gem “Korea, the Hermit Kingdom, now run by a truculent munchkin.”
Friday, February 11
Didn’t really do much Friday, other than a good deal of sleeping and reading.
Didn’t really do much Friday, other than a good deal of sleeping and reading.
Saturday, February 12
Today we spent some time putting together the group report for our walk along the Thames Thursday.
Today we spent some time putting together the group report for our walk along the Thames Thursday.
Sunday, February 13
More resting and homework. I sense a pattern.
More resting and homework. I sense a pattern.
Monday, February 14
This was the first time we got to visit our practicum schools for real, so we got up extra early (around 5:45 am or so), dressed all professional, and joined the madding crowds on the Tube and train. My school is Elmgreen, a Secondary school, and lemme just get this out: it is gorgeous. Holy crap gorgeous. And brand spakin’ new. Go here for proof. It seemed very similar to an American middle school (the older students were off campus doing career prep work). Kids will be kids, and frankly, it reminded me a bit of why I don’t want to work with Middle School. After we got done al Elmgreen, we headed back to Bloomsbury Square (where we have classes) for our Teaching Fellow seminar, were we all came together and talked about our schools and everything we had seen.
This was the first time we got to visit our practicum schools for real, so we got up extra early (around 5:45 am or so), dressed all professional, and joined the madding crowds on the Tube and train. My school is Elmgreen, a Secondary school, and lemme just get this out: it is gorgeous. Holy crap gorgeous. And brand spakin’ new. Go here for proof. It seemed very similar to an American middle school (the older students were off campus doing career prep work). Kids will be kids, and frankly, it reminded me a bit of why I don’t want to work with Middle School. After we got done al Elmgreen, we headed back to Bloomsbury Square (where we have classes) for our Teaching Fellow seminar, were we all came together and talked about our schools and everything we had seen.
Since Monday was Valentine’s Day, the boys hosted a wine and cheese party over at their flat and invited the whole Elon crowd. It was great to sit and chat with some of the students on the trip who I still don’t know very well. Also, my glass of Chardonnay was the first drink I had in London. I didn’t much care for it, but I may just need to try a different type (or the guys just bought cheap wine). Ethan, one of our TF boys, was a total sweetheart. He surprised all the girl Teaching Fellows with flowers; red tulips for those who had significant others back in the US, and white daisies for the single ladies. Needless to say, he received many hugs in return.
Tuesday, February 15
Another day of classes. In GST, we presented our group projects about the Thames walk. In theatre, we watched Shakespeare in Love. Then came the long midday break, from 12:15 to 3:00. A group of us went to try this a place for lunch called Hummus Bros and instantly fell in love with it. When you order, you get a bowl of hummus, topped with your choice of protein (I got the chicken), and a big warn pita to go with it. It was delicious, reasonably priced, and almost certain of getting a return visit. After lunch, we all went to Starbucks for the comfy couches and free Wifi, were we remained until History class. Sean produced some good lines during that class, but the best I can’t replay for you. He managed to tell the entire story of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand like it was a farcical comedy, á la Oscar Wilde, and not the start of one of the worst wars in world history.
Another day of classes. In GST, we presented our group projects about the Thames walk. In theatre, we watched Shakespeare in Love. Then came the long midday break, from 12:15 to 3:00. A group of us went to try this a place for lunch called Hummus Bros and instantly fell in love with it. When you order, you get a bowl of hummus, topped with your choice of protein (I got the chicken), and a big warn pita to go with it. It was delicious, reasonably priced, and almost certain of getting a return visit. After lunch, we all went to Starbucks for the comfy couches and free Wifi, were we remained until History class. Sean produced some good lines during that class, but the best I can’t replay for you. He managed to tell the entire story of the assassination of Franz Ferdinand like it was a farcical comedy, á la Oscar Wilde, and not the start of one of the worst wars in world history.
Wednesday, February 16
Speaking of Oscar Wilde, the first thing I did this morning was go to the tkts booth in Leicester Square and get a ticket to tonight’s performance of An Ideal Husband. Then, I spent about 5 hours exploring the Museum of Natural History in London. It was fabulous. As I was viewing the collections my brain, odd bundle of neurons that it is, would keep making random remarks like “Oh look! It’s a little Martin the Warrior!” when I saw a mouse specimen (RIP Brian Jacques, author of Redwall). And thus, the game was born. Here are the rules: I will give you a picture of a specimen and a fictional name, referencing a book or movie where the character appeared. You get points for telling me what book or movie I am referencing (no googling!) To be nice, I will also award points if you can correctly name the species the specimen represents. There are ten pics, so there is a maximum of 20 points. If a pic has a black box over part of it, it is covering the species card. A caveat: I do not guarantee these are easy, but I swear they are the first connections my brain made. So if you think like me, you win!
Speaking of Oscar Wilde, the first thing I did this morning was go to the tkts booth in Leicester Square and get a ticket to tonight’s performance of An Ideal Husband. Then, I spent about 5 hours exploring the Museum of Natural History in London. It was fabulous. As I was viewing the collections my brain, odd bundle of neurons that it is, would keep making random remarks like “Oh look! It’s a little Martin the Warrior!” when I saw a mouse specimen (RIP Brian Jacques, author of Redwall). And thus, the game was born. Here are the rules: I will give you a picture of a specimen and a fictional name, referencing a book or movie where the character appeared. You get points for telling me what book or movie I am referencing (no googling!) To be nice, I will also award points if you can correctly name the species the specimen represents. There are ten pics, so there is a maximum of 20 points. If a pic has a black box over part of it, it is covering the species card. A caveat: I do not guarantee these are easy, but I swear they are the first connections my brain made. So if you think like me, you win!
The first 4 are all main characters in their own right in their own specific books and movies.
1. Pumba
2. Kevin
3. Richard Parker
4. Ublaz Mad Eyes
The next 4 are all the pets/companions of human main characters.
5. Hedwig
6. Angus
7. Pickwick
8. Frightful
The last 2 are the hardest. They are the pets/companions of human minor characters.
9. DH82
10. Teddy
Post your answers in the comments!
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