The witterings of an Essex girl

I am training to be a teacher. I have been accepted onto the PGCE course for this Septmeber to train as a teacher. I am really looking forward to it but I know it's going to be a hard year. Not just in terms of the work but the money aspect too. I won't get much less than what I already get in my job but I will be having to spend more on childcare.
I am terrified of failing, especially these skills test we have to take. I am in the middle of revising for the maths and it has made me realise that, although I work in a junior school, I don't use half the maths that I was taught at school. Most of it I don't even remember!!!
I have had loads of experience with teaching, even teaching classes myself but there is still that doubt and fear in the back of my mind. I know I'll be good at it and it's something I love doing. I could never speak to a room of adults but feel completely at ease in front of children. I always miss my class at holiday times and I feel very emotional at the thought of leaving in July.

Wow what a few months I've had.

I have been so busy with finals, dissertations and looking for a job that I haven't had time to myself!

Thankfully it's all finished now. I finished my dissertation (10,039 words in all on the impact of Marie Stopes' libel trial in 1923 on the birth control movement) which i loved writing and researching. The exams have been done (and passed- and quite well too as they bumped my grade up a class!). Uni has ended (with a 2:2 grade (a mark of 57!!!) which I am estatic about) and I found that job after 5 interviews, 4 of which rejected me for a lack of experience. I now start my new job of Teaching Assistant in September when my own children go back to school. I am hoping to do a teaching course next year as I was unlucky this year.

My little girl Lila, my youngest, starts primary school in September. I can't believe my little girl is getting so big. It doesn't seem long ago that she started nursery. She's really looking forward to it and is so excited about her uniform that she keeps trying it on!

I also took both of my children to the cinema the other day (it was the first time Lila had been) and we watched Over the Hedge. They loved it and it was lovely to see them giggling at the film.

My 6 year old boy, Red went swimming in my Aunt's pool a few weeks ago and she gave him a life jacket thing to wear which makes him believe that he can swim without armbands! He took the jacket off at one point and stayed in the shallow end and kept ducking himself under water- he has now convinced himself that he can swim and he wants to go off one of the diving boards at our local pool!!!! Hmm maybe not.

It's been strange having a relaxing summer where I have no work to do, I ahve been catching up on all the reading I missed out on while I studied. I am also trying to learn Albanian as I am going over there in October (it was meant to be this week but red's passport wasn't ready- he needed to re do his photographs!) I know a few words and phrases but I can't string a proper sentence together yet. If anyone knows where I can find a good phrase book I'd be much obliged.

My driving is coming on very well. I drove to Milton Keynes in June to see Take That (wow a fantastic night) and I ahve tried to make myself go new places (I keep a good map with me at all times). The only thing I don't like is parking. I try to park away from other cars as much as possible!

Well, my children are trying to raid the fridge so I better go and see about getting them some food.

Have a great day everyone.

Take care x

Well, I am writing here so either my drive to my parent's house went alright or I chickened out.

It went great. We left about 12ish and there wasn't much traffic on the road. Knowing where I am going helps too. I even ventured out into the middle lane as well. I didn't do over 70mph though.

When we came home (5ish) there was a bit more traffic but still the drive was good. i was more confident in changing lanes this time but still didn't go anywhere near the third lane. I think I would have annoyed many people if I had as most were whizzing past me but I didn't have any need to go on there.

All I need to do now is night driving and then I am set to drive whenever.

I love this driving malarky. It's fantastic.

Hello!

I realised I ahven't written on here for ages so I thought I would get back into it again.

I am half way through my last year at uni and half way through my dissertation. I have just had an email back from my tutor to say it's shaping up nicely which is really encouraging. I have written 4,517 words so far and I'm really enjoying it.

As you will know from my previous blogs I passed my driving test 3 days before christmas. I finally got a car last week, a red astra. It had not tax so I had to wait until I got the insurance forms until I could get the tax. I finally got them last Tuesday- I say finally but they did come down withing 3 days! It's not as if I was waiting ages for them. I went straight to the post office on Wednesday and bought the tax. When I got home I got my daughter ready, got some breakdown cover, and went on my first scary trip to Tesco to get some petrol.

It was fantastic. I didn't feel weird about not having my instructor in the car with me and I knew exactly where I was going which helped. Getting petrol had always been a worry for me as I didn't know what to do but it was very easy. Even I could do it!

I have also bought myself a couple of books (car maintenance for dummies, that kind of thing!) just so I know what the hell is under that thing called a bonnet. I know so little about cars that I felt the need to read up on the subject. this way when I ahve to take the car in to get things done I'll know what the hell the mechanic is talking about and I won't look like another stupid girl (no matter that really I am underneath!)

Today was my second time to drive (the snow scared me enough to not want to take it out yesterday) and I was taking my daughter, my friend and her daughter to nursery. I was a little worried before I got in the car but once I was off I had no trouble. My friend and I also went to Asda to got some shopping and all the way round at intervals I would excitedly say "I drove here"!!! Sad aren't I! We then went to Tesco (just because we could! Actually there were a coulple of things we couldn't get at Asda) and then back to nursery and home finally.

I loved driving today and driving while I had passengers was good too. It has given me the confidence to try the M25 on an early Sunday morning. I have driven on the M1 when I did my pass plus but it's different doing things with an instructor telling you exactly what to do and also looking out for hazards for you.

I am going to pick my son up from school later in the car. He doens't know yet. He hasn't been in the car yet, we were waiting for the tax and then the time I went to get the petrol he was at school. I won't drive him to school (or usually pick him up but this is a special one off) as it's too close so he won't get to go in very much but I know he'll be so excited about it.

I went shopping in my car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See it really is that sad. I also phoned my mum up on wednesday night and said "guess what I just did?"

I also have a drive to Luton looming as I need to see a headmaster about doing a GTP there. Fingers crossed for that please.

Also, one more thing before I go... my brother asked me this and had no clue so I'll ask you and see if you fare better than me......

There are 3 types of people that lift (with your legs... you know the drill) properly do you know who they are?

I'll leave you with that. Have a good weekend and just to warn you- I will be driving on the M25 on Sunday just in case you wanted to steer clear!

Saying that always reminds me of that song- is it by Shakin Stevens or someone?!

Anyway I just thought I would write and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Have a fantastic time and enjoy yourselves.

Love and sunshine,

Laura and family x