September 2021 - full week

 I didn't think I'd have as much to say this week .. but well as you can see...

This week has felt so long I was unsure what happened on Saturday. The reason for this may well be that it was my friend Keith's birthday and I attended his party at a local place, Annie's lodge. Old to us and yet new, because they have extended it. It was a lovely evening, mixing with people we've know for a while and new ones, and then the slightly strange knowledge that I've known Abdul for more than 7 years, but when at PV didn't really know him at all. 

I felt very uncomfortable on Sunday, initially I assumed a hangover, but by 3pm I knew it was something more, I had a very uncomfortable belly. As you may know, this is something I have a propensity for, known as stuck bum. 

I wasn't helped by the delicious bread bigA bought on Monday. A truly delicious lunch on Monday. It's a genuine luxury to have such a spread when I go home for my midday break. He also moved our big outdoor table to outside khondi and so we're much more able to eat outside. You'll love it, when you all come back! 

This week all the students came back to school and of course that meant Ayla too. 

I'm not sure if I said but I'm teaching year 7 English, and although the lesson PowerPoints are there and lots of resources, it's hard to know exactly what I'm doing. I'm sure I'll get back in the flow, but it's really taking up my time because I'm not used to planning for it. I taught it for 3 years before but it's been 4 years since then and I'm not any way near as comfortable or confident at it. I feel like a permanent cover teacher. 

Maggie, you know what it's like to not teach your main subject, really hard at first, and no doubt I'll do it for just one year. Well I hope so. But actually really good for me to feel what it's like to not just walk in and get on, it's going to help me see the difficulties of other staff, that's always a good thing for a senior leader to do.

Another first at SAIntS is my new training program for staff who want to develop as a teacher. It was planned initially because we have a new teacher who, if in the UK, would be in a year long training program. They used to be called NQT, newly qualified teacher. That's changed I think. 

Anyway I've called it 

Developing as a SAIntS teacher. 

And I had 18 people turn up to the first session. I was so pleased. It really was great to see so many people wanting to make this progress. 

I've enjoyed meeting my new classes too and the new staff have settled in well. The students here are such a joy. 

The cats seem happy. And come in each night which makes A happy. 

Big A  has been doing even more to the house and looking after the new staff still. We're getting new kitchen tops and I think that will make a big difference. 

A is happy and although gets stressed fairly easily, she does seem more content to me, now she's back at school. Teaching her is interesting, we'll need to readjust because she talks to me a bit too much like her mum, rather than her teacher. We'll see. (I expect a little more respect as a teacher!)

We're hosting a braai today for our old neighbours. It's been very windy so I hope it is warm enough to stay outside. I'm hoping we have a fire at the pit too. 

What had been strange this week is just how much I've been thinking of dad. I played an Eva Cassidy album and it just set me off, I cried big gulping tears and it lasted a good hour or so. Then all week, there have just been moments of utter sadness and each time someone mentions food or music or the word dad, I'm back in it. Probably a good thing, processing. But my god I miss you all and more than just my normal amount of miss you, it's really hurting. I wonder if it's like you said Jo, that with Jessie's news, it's the realisation that life is moving on, but without him. 

I'm pinning my hopes on getting back for Christmas, we get 4 weeks, so if we don't have to isolate when we arrive then it could work, 3 weeks in the UK and the 7 isolation back here... Ummm can't decide but have got the flight money in my UK bank account. 

Have a great week

Love you so so so much