Possum Galore
A life ‘Down Under’!
The Great Escape?
So....over a month ago there was a job advertised for 2 casual librarian posts at the local library.The thought of working in a calm, quiet environment was too much to resist so I applied for it. When I sent in my application I received a reply saying that I should hear if I was successful within 4 weeks( which seemed a long time) but librarians must move slowly like book worms. If I heard nothing in that time I was to assume I was unsuccessful.Of course 4 weeks passed and I heard nothing and so disappointed and a little surprised, as my application was a good one, I assumed I was unsuccessful.On Monday I got a phone call out of the blue asking me for an interview on Wednesday. I was teaching at school and asked if it could be after school. They said 'no'. Librarians can be stubborn like wooden bookends.I had to make arrangements with the school to get my class covered for a 30 minute session while I nipped out for the interview, as it just do happened I also had 60 minutes planning time that day too. The Principal herself kindly took my class while I dashed off.I knew the interview was in Stanthorpe so assumed it was at the library. I got to the library and it was shut. No one had actually told me where the interview was! I ran across to the Council offices and found another locked door before finally finding someone to ask who luckily knew where to take me. It was not a good start to the interview as I arrived a little flustered.I had a 15 minute practical test first. I had to sort some fiction and non fiction books on a bookshelf before and then answer a maths question and an IT question. My Mind went blank at the maths question. I just could not think straight....it was stupid but I was as startled as a librarian in a Belfry. Â I got out my phone to use the calculator but then slipped it away again in case tI was on CCTV being watched by the Library Gestspo. I doubted my maths skills but finally reached an answer I was happy with. (It was right).The interview was pretty standard stuff. There were three interviewers. I think I answered the questions OK. I was told I should hear by the end of next week.I really hope I get it. The hours are less than 10 a fortnight but at least I wouldn't have to rely on teaching so much...and hopefully give it up for good.This last two weeks of full time class work have been hard and I have hated every minute, though you would not know it from my smiling demeanour, but I have cursed and sworn under my breath almost continually.Cross your fingers for my great escape!
Not an English phrase...
So...every morning at school starts with 'Word of the Day'.Once we know the word we have to decide whether it is a verb, a noun or proper noun, an adverb, a pronoun, a preposition, an adjective or a conjunction. Then we have to count the syllables, the sounds and record whether the letters are consonants or vowels and whether the vowels are open or closed. Next we list words that rhyme with the 'Word of the Day' before finally writing the word in a sentence.Our 'Word of the Day' today was 'go'."Can anyone give me a sentence with the word 'go' in it?" I asked.Levi's hand shot up."Yes, Levi?""I go pigging," he smiled."Indeed," I said.It is not a phrase you hear in England.
News from the treadmill.
So...I have survived to 'Tav Night' and I am on the cusp of the weekend and nearly halfway through the first week of my second 'fulltime' fortnight.Monday found me teaching discus throwing to Preppies and Year 1's! I hadn't expected to be doing that when I arrived at the school and certainly would never have predicted it but such is life. Apparently, I suspect I might be doing shot put next Monday!Since Tuesday I have been at the school in town and so far so good. You may remember that after accepting the work I discovered the addition of an extra class member who I witnessed kicking off outside on a previous visit. He has autism and I was told he has one to one support all the time but I have discovered that is not so and there are a couple of 30 minute periods in the day where there is no support for him. So far all has been fine though I did end up having to take him to Parade (assembly) with his box of (paper) snakes, to keep him occupied. He hates to stand and sing the National Anthem and nearly kicked off at that time but spent the rest of the time slouched on my knees with his paper snakes nibbling at my arm.The class have been working well though it would seem when they get outside all hell breaks loose and a few of the Senior Management Team are on break time surveillance watching some of the boys from my class.I know some of them can be a handful but so far in class they have really listened well and been trying their best to please me. There was some incident with two of the girls yesterday that I knew nothing about and at 3.00 pm I had a mother wade in, she looked like she was wearing war paint as she had three blue stripes across each cheek, (It was a State of Origin football match yesterday between Queensland and New South Wales....blue signifies a NSW supporter)...any way in wades war paint woman, like a lioness protecting her wounded cub, spoiling for a fight." Excuse me can you tell me why my daughter has been....""No," I cut her off, " I know nothing about it. It happened at lunchtime so I suggest you go and see someone at the office as they were the ones who have sorted it out."I don't normally care about State of Origin but Queensland beat NSW last night so war woman would have been very disappointed. Ha!I was dreading the computer lesson today from previous experience but it turned out to be far worse than I expected as instead of computers we were doing CLAY!I don't know where I found the strength from to get me through that hellish 45 minutes but I did and I lived to endure another day.4 down, 6 to go. I can't wait to get back to my old routine of pretty much doing what I please for 6 days a week.Oh, I almost forgot...I have something else to look forward to.I have booked my plane tickets for another 'Up Over' visit from the 8th to the 29th September. I am flying alone this time as Will is staying to make cheese. After his month away last time it took ages to get everything back to normal again on his return.I shouldn't complain about the work as that is paying for this second trip this year...but I can't help it....and so I will.