Well, please excuse me everyone if i don't get out and about much in blogland over the next couple of weeks - I'm feeling back into "real" life with a bit of a vengeance.
Some issues and problems whose memory I'd successfully repressed in the fog of despond that was May and June have returned to bite me in the bum - nothing life-shattering, but niggling yet necessary things to sort out in relation to the start of term and induction of new students. I must have some bad karma to have ended up in charge of this process.
I'm determined not to get submerged in the morass of scheduling, timetable clashes, reluctant and recalcitrant colleagues and room-booking balls-ups, but it will take a certain amount of resolve.
I used to work flat-out for the whole week prior to and during the week of induction and then be totally knackered before we even started teaching.
This WILL NOT happen this year.
I may, however, be a little in retreat and/or going to bed earlier than usual.
It was very bad timing, but the start of our academic year always coincides with LG's birthday.
She will be 13 on Friday.
Friday will be her THIRTEENTH.
This is purely a calendar measurement - she has been emotionally, mentally and hormonally thirteen for quite some time already.
I think I have the job and the daughter of some other much older and more mature, responsible person. And the "life issues" of someone I'd never imagined I might be.
I'm reading - actually, re-reading - a book of wonderful short stories by Miranda July (whose -also wonderful- film 'Me and You and Everyone we Know' I'd recommend you see, if you haven't).
One of her characters (in the book) has a recurring dream which she loves. "That day I carried the dream around like a full glass of water, moving gracefully so I would not lose any of it."
I will be carrying memories of my summer - my holiday and many other things - carefully - gracefully, i hope, despite the bum-biting - and hopefully with not too much speed and lots of pauses to rest.
Click here for more about Miranda July and her book - please please do, it will make you laugh and you will also HAVE to buy the book.
22 comments:
Oh, I think you are quite able to be a parent of a 13 year old, and a GREAT parent at that! I'm going off to have a look at that link now. Have a very stressless time at work and home, Lettie!
ha!
Loved the Miranda July collection when it came my way for review. I took a chance and pushed it on a burgeoning poet and it got her all fluttery and wanting to try her hand at short stories. You nailed it; Miranda rocks! But so do you.
Just love the Miranda July bit - looking forward to reading her stories.
Work eh? It sucks on a Sunday evening, but Monday, mid-morning when you are in the thick of it, it's not THAT bad! 'Keep calm and carry on' as Tat would say!
Hope your week goes well...LG, thirteen!
Have a good break Lettie...we all need it from time to time...heck I think I need it too!
I'll come by and visit from time to time, just in case...
and happy birthday to LG!!
well thanks TT.
Shelly do watch the film if you haven't, it also rocks
thanks for your optimism RW. It might be THAT bad, but i'll think of you and carry on. :o)
bella i'm not dropping out of sight completely (see - here i am!). Hope you are enjoying your change.
The life story graffiti is beautiful! Where did you find these? Wow.
Sorry you're having to shoulder the burdens of mundane life tasks. I hate that. You will prevail, though!!
Hey, I was born on Friday the 13th, so I've always been fond of the connection between the weekday and number. It has always been a lucky day for me. To your daughter: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
And to you, may the force be with you!!
best to you on the start of the new term!
hippo birdie two ewe to LG....magical 13 on a friday!!
thanks for the heads up on the film & book - off to see if the library carries either or better yet both!
love the recent graffiti pics
Start of term is always a ball-ache!
Hope the bite on the bum doesn't mean you won't get to sit down once in a while and write for us.
Happy Birthday to LG - 13 is a funny age! :)
What lovely photos, Letty, and how very apropos! Where DO you find all this wonderful graffiti?
Slog thru all the mundane stuff, but find some quality time for yourself; you deserve it! xx
I would NOT want to be 13 again! :) Nor would I want to me the Mom of one ...
Was going to make up a twinkly-spong poem for your last post but midway thru I lost the rhyme! Maybe I'll try again tomorrow ...
oops...BE the Mom of one I should have typed ...
bum-biting?
i searched hither and thither today for the book, but nay, all gone! so i ordered one. all that extra work is not bad karma, but a nod to your ability, so here's hoping you keep your head above water, and your bod into your nightie at an earlier time than usual
x
bum-biting?
i searched hither and thither today for the book, but nay, all gone! so i ordered one. all that extra work is not bad karma, but a nod to your ability, so here's hoping you keep your head above water, and your bod into your nightie at an earlier time than usual
x
Just remember, Margaret Thatcher was once thirteen!
Hang in there, Lettuce! And I will search out some Miranda July pronto! :)
So now you have your own bona fide TEENAGER in your midst, well, all I can say is Best of British Luck. Teenagers are a marvellous breed, unpredictable, self centered, moody, independant, and wonderfully huggable (if they'll let you) creatures that eventually morph into responsible adults. Hugs to the Birthday Girl (a little late, sorry!)
Fascinating graffiti you have found. There must be graffiti artists out there who lay awake all night (or day) just thinking up meaningful slogans to write on the walls. And probably another mob of graffiti location finders looking for exactly the right walls to show off the work to the best advantage.... whaddya think?
Hi Lettuce,
Got the spong thing now, great word...
Cheers Mark
Take some time for yourself in all this prep. for students!
Great link , I shall hunt the book down in Oz.
I looked at the website and now have to try and find the book. I am going to London tomorrow and it would have been a great read for the train but, alas, no time.
I hope LG enjoys her day, 13, great age.
And Pod! Wasn't he thirteen once? Or did he skip?
I am going through a VERY similiar experience at the moment - trying to hold on to that feeling that came with my visit to Mexico while getting hit with the onslaught of work. Funny, my 'real' job teaching elementary school is such a joy but the college level teaching is chock full of drama and endless strife. OY!
Happy birthday to LG!!!!!!!!
glad you like it Reya, it was in London near the City. (spitalfields) Not feeling the force much at the mo
Thanks Kimy. (will be interested to hear what you think of M.July)
haha Lulu
please please lynne i want to hear your twinky-spong poem!
ta pod. I will surface again
Shelly, did you have to?
do Steve - and get back to me
ta for the luck Shammie. We're doing pretty good so far.
hi Mark. Good, hope you are using it
hhb - isn't it a great link?
chat - in london? without seeing me? pah!
shelly i think he does skip.
gary i sometimes think I'd prefer teaching little people. More grown up and much nicer than some of my colleagues...
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