The Saturday Update

So the Easter Holidays are finally here!  And they couldn't have come soon enough.  It has been one hell of a long slog since Christmas - I am considering writing to the council and recommending the introduction of February half term...

It's been a good last week of the term all in all.  Last weekend, we were at Nico's grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary.  I didn't really know what to expect as celebrations are a little different here (sweeping the church steps at 30 and speeches and singing at 70th birthday parties) but anniversary celebrations are changing too apparently.  More couples are deciding to go back to the church they were married for a special mass, and this is how last Saturday started for us.  The service was lovely the couple sat by the alter while the priest told the congregation of all the ups and downs they had experienced over the last 50 years and carried out his service.  They were presented with various gifts and certificates from the church, the diocese and the council.

Afterwards, there was a champagne reception at a little venue in the town followed by a three course meal, which similar to the 70th birthday party we went to earlier in the year, was full of speeches, songs and even a little sketch.  The day was absolutely beautiful and we had several walks around the village in between meals to enjoy the sunshine.  After dinner there was some dancing (which only served to remind me how I need to get some lessons - ballroom dancing is much more popular here and I haven't a clue where to start!)  followed by a gorgeous buffet in the evening.  

The whole day got me to thinking what an amazing achievement 50 years of marriage is.  When I tried to think of couples in my family who have achieved this feat, I could only think of one, my great-grandparents who I wasn't lucky enough to know properly (they passed away the same year I was born within days of each other).  I asked my Gran how they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and discovered that it wasn't really celebrated in a big way.  I think it's something we should be celebrating more - if we're lucky enough to see more couples get to 50 years!

After that indulgent start to the week, I was motivated to be very good this week and it paid off as I have lost three pounds!  We have tried a few new recipes and I am compiling a few photos to share with you.  I haven't upped the exercise as much as planned (with the exception of all that walking last Saturday) but I did invest in some badminton and tennis sets this week so if the weather agrees, we can make the most of those over the next two weeks, especially as Dad is arriving for a visit this afternoon and will no doubt want to make the most of the outdoors and walk our feet off around Bremen over the next few days!

Other highlights of the week include the Spring Concert yesterday where two of my favourite classes were among those performing.  I was very impressed with their English.  They sang some songs, the lyrics of which I have never understood when listening to the normal bands who sing them and now I finally know what they mean (Blur - Song 2 was one example).  The staff band also deserves a mention for the very professional performances of Sex on Fire and Purple Rain.  Anyone with the guts to get up on stage in front of people and sing has my ultimate respect.

Cups!

Both the high point and low point of my working week last week stemmed from a new idea I have been trying out with my year six classes.  In my first school, there was a big focus on Cooperative Learning and one idea was the use of cups.  Classrooms were generally set up in group tables of four and the idea was that three cups were stacked in the middle of each table - red, yellow and green.  At the beginning of the lesson, the green cup is showing and the idea is that as the lesson progresses, pupils can change the order to show how they are understanding the learning of the lesson.  I chose to start this with year six because my best behaved and lovely English class is in year six and my year six Spanish class has only 15 pupils.  

So, first came the Spanish class ... and the low point.  The pupils thought the cups were wonderful - especially when they had a problem as they then placed the whole stack of cups on their heads and made siren noises - fantastic.  They may be my smallest class but it is incredible how much noise 15 pupils can make!  Needless to say that I won't be trying the cups out with them again.  I dread to think what they would have done had I not threatened a one Euro per cup fine for any damages!

Luckily, I still persisted in trying them out with my English group too.  This wasn't exactly problem free - Pupils insisted on putting the red cup foremost even if they weren't completely stuck (the rule was, green when it's all good, yellow if you have a question but can move on to the next exercise, and red if you don't understand at all) and then shouting when I didn't go straight to them and five or six red cups were showing!  However, I think with a bit more training, this will really work with this group...and my highlight?  The weakest pupil in the class coming up to the front after the lesson..."Well done Miss Shires, I think the cups were a really good idea"!

I love my job!

The Saturday Update

Some of you may have noticed that I have had a week off these little updates, and some of you may also have realised that I didn't want to get weighed on my birthday last week.  To be honest, I didn't really want to get weighed this morning either after tapas, my birthday and a couple of cheeky ice creams all since my last update.  Given all of this, it's to be expected that I put 3.5lb on over these two weeks but to be honest it could have been worse - it didn't wipe out the efforts of the excellent week I recently had, it could have been worse, it's inspired me to be extra good this week (that and the glorious weather we have been having) and, perhaps most surprising, I'm back into one of my skirts!  Which means that I don't have to wear jeans or jogging bottoms to church later today for Nico's grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. 

I'm off to get ready.  Have a great week!

Turning 26.

Last Saturday was my 26th birthday and I had a brilliant day.  First of all, my best friend Hayley bought me these gorgeous champagne glasses for my birthday when she visited last month and my wonderful boyfriend treated me to a champagne breakfast in bed.

This was followed by a lovely card and unexpected present since I already knew I was being treated to dinner and the theater in the evening.  Here's my cute Little Miss Piggy Bank!

After a lie in, I spoke to almost everyone at home on the phone and got lots of birthday messages and cards - thank you!  At this point we also discovered what a warm, sunny day it was, with temperatures hitting 24 degrees!  After an ice cream on the balcony, we decided to head into town early to make the most of the weather and set off.  Here's the view of the crowds that flocked to the water's edge.

And here's us making the most of it.  My actual blonde comment of the day was "It's just like being abroad"... but you know what I meant.

The meal was delicious and the theater was very good.  Our only complaint was the temperature in there.  The play was set in Africa and the production had decided it was a good idea to warm up the theater to show us how warm it is in Africa!  Still really enjoyed it and thanks to Nico for making it such a special day.

Winding Down for Easter

The worst thing about the German (or Bremen) term times is that there is no February half term.  I really missed it this year, without it the stretch between Christmas and Easter seems to last forever.  Luckily, we have almost made it through and things are starting to ease off.  

First of all, year nine are on work experience for three weeks.  This started last week and will run to the holidays.  It's only one class, and I normally have cover when I should be teaching them but the difference is already noticeable. 

Today, most of the teaches in Bremen are on strike.  My status here means that I'm not part of it but because so few of us were left in school, all pupils were sent home anyway!  And next Tuesday (the last of the term) is pupil meeting day when there will again be no lessons!

Finally, in the count down to Easter, next Friday will see the Spring concert held in the dining room where my favourite class will be involved - lets see if I can manage to stay off the cover list to go and watch them.

Emma

Yesterday I finally finished reading Jane Austin's Emma.  I originally started reading this last year but I was barely getting through ten pages a day at that time and found the style really difficult to follow so I did something which I hate and gave up.  This was the main reason that I put it on my list of 30.  I've never not finished a book and I hate not persevering, usually it is worth it and it proved so this time too.  I picked the book up again a few weeks ago and managed at least 25 pages per day.  Once I got into it again, I could follow the style more easily and was really engaged in the story.  I love the way things were back then.  It's almost like a different world but you still have the same romance, bitchiness and family ties.  It's really a wonderful story and I'm thoroughly looking forward to the next from her collection after a couple of weeks off.  I'd recommend Jane Austin to anyone.

Quarterly Update!

So, it's the first of April...a quarter of the year gone already...  Having survived all of the pranks of both my pupils and even my own laptop today (thank you Wanda the Fish), I thought this would be a good time to reflect on the year so far.

1. I tried Sushi!

2. I tried shooting!

3. I survived the new experience of writing 150 German school reports.

4. I have lost over half a stone (slower progress than expected but better than putting on and here comes the Summer with it's glorious salad and fruit)

5. I went on a date on Valentine's Day!

6. I bought my wonderful Yes and Yes calendar which is keeping me inspired.

7. I had wonderful visits here in Germany from Hayley and Si, and Amira and Marco.

8. I finally wrote the first draft of my literature review.

9. I took up and have stuck to the pedometer challenge (at least healthy every day)

10. I restarted my weekly French class.

Wow, that's a lot more than I thought!

Now for a few targets for the next quarter:

1. Lose a stone.

2. Finish my Literature Review and Methodology section for my dissertation.

3. Complete two more from my 30 things list.

4. Get my year 10s through their school leaving exam.

5. Complete my next French assignment.

6. Start swimming and/or cycling once a week.

7. Take a trip.

8. Find a new flat.

See you again in three months time!