Back to skool

Just a quickie to round off the day...
OK so day one of school 2012-2013 is well and truly over and out, and a very good evening it was too.
This evening I've had a couple of advanced classes, and despite my usual pre-term nerves all went well. So far I've some very keen and delightful students.
Tomorrow I'll be doing similar stuff, but with a different class, at a different level.
I am so lucky, and grateful, that I enjoy my job, and fortunately am good at it. 
Lucky, Lucky, Lucky.

Getting Ready....

This morning I attended the first teachers' meeting of the year.  A couple of hours spent with the other teachers in the English department discussing the year ahead and more specifically the first lessons for each course which will take place over the next few days. I also got my timetable for the year, which is still open for changes over the next twenty four hours, but hopefully wont change too much.

After the meeting Julie, Tony and I had lunch in a local restaurant and enjoyed a couple of bottles of wine - a luxury we wont be able to have for the next few weeks- no drinking on school days- at least not before the lessons!

This evening I've been updating the on-line file for 'Take Two' and am almost finished with the edit. Hopefully I shall complete it tomorrow and then upload it soon after... Then I need to get on with some promotion, but without the niche market that 'The Magic of the Camino' has it is more difficult. This is what I have found with promoting 'Winner'.  If you've any bright ideas let me know....

I've also been 'messing about' with my new camera today too -and the animals have been coming in for a lot of attention, but they just wont sit still. However here's a pic of Cuddy that is almost 'good enough'...

I'm now off to do a bit of paper shuffling ready for tomorrow's classes...

Painting and Pasts

Another busy day at Casa TulStig. 

I spent the morning painting the guest room, which included shifting furniture, dusting and cleaning too. BY the mid-afternoon it was all done, and so satisfying to see the finished effect. Just need to sort out which pictures are going to go on the wall eh voila!!

Gosh don't I look like Ralf Harris - Can you see what it is yet? 

This afternoon I even took some time out for myself and met up with Sue (and Lily) and had a walk down the Rambla to the seafront, where I completed a bit of secret squirrel work (Shhh) and we ahd a drink in Cafe Des Arts, where the waiter turned out to be one of my favourite students from my time at OK Idiomes in Sitges. I didn't recognise him at first as he'd grown his hair, but once he spoke  'Do you remember me' I remembered straight away. His name is Victor and he used to have lessons with another student (Gerard) and they were some of the best classes I ever did there -we had a real laugh. Happily he is working at Cafe Des Arts for the summer so we'll be seeing a lot more of him over the next few months, at least till he returns to Uni in September.  Whilst we were sitting enjoying our refreshments my phone rang- It was Bob. He and Tom are cruising round to the Med next week with a stopover in Barcelona next Sunday. We have arranged to meet up and spend the day together which will be great as we haven't seen each other face to face for about 20 years.

Sunday (C-day minus 2)

Yesterday I taught the last of my classes for this year with a hurrah, that's over, and an Ohh that's over feeling.  The holidays have begun...

Returning home I performed the removal of the watch ceremony- During the summer I don't wear a watch, so it sits happily marking time in its own way on the shelf above my desk, whilst I take each minute, hour and day as it comes. Obviously if I have an appointment I can check the wall clocks, or even my phone, but I love the thought that for the next three months time is of no importance. Yet here I am counting down the days to my next adventure....

Wherever I go at the moment, and whomever I am with the topic of conversation invariably turns to the C word! Last night we were out to dinner at Denise and Paolo's (with Nuria and Richie) and of course we talked about walking for some time. I made the desert for the evening, a fruits of the forest flan.

We had a relaxing evening sitting in D&P's garden enjoying the food they'd prepared  (cheesy baked pasta and a Spinach dish) and chatting. hey also had two more kittens (abandoned on their doorstep a couple of weeks ago!) who were delightful. Fortunately they've got a home sorted for them already.

Today I have been making some more preparation- my sleeping bag is on the line to air, and there's a pile of necessities in the guest room ready to go in my rucksack. I bought a box of clear ziplock bags a few weeks back so everything will be carefully compartmentalised and packed on Tuesday... 

I've just spoken to Janey -about yes the Camino- and she's still feeling a little disappointed that she's not joining me this year.  However, like many of you reading this, I will be carrying you with me, and keeping you updated by the marvels of modern technology too

This afternoon we are off to Julie's for lunch- what a fab weekend, little to no cooking for me and feeling gooooood.... 

Farewells

This week is a week of endings for me- great practise at something I am not that good at. What a paradox that I look forward to the end of the school year as the time comes, then feel sad at saying goodbye to my students. I have enjoyed all my classes this year, and will definitely miss evenings and Saturday mornings with them. Well at least till October. This evening I have shared drinks with another couple of groups of students and really enjoyed myself. I enjoy sharing what I know about my language and love that my students enjoy sharing that enjoyment with me. 

Here's one of my groups from this evening before we said goodbye for the year.

Wiped Out

Today has been a bit of a wipe out. After spending so long cooking yesterday, and then partying till the wee hours  not to mention eating out in Sitges Friday night) we were both a bit wan when we got up this morning. Well that was am. After walking the dogs and tidying a bit we retired back to bed until midday. Since then we've finished the washing up and then just lazed around, and yes even took a siesta for an hour this afternoon. But it was all worth it as we had a great time lst night and the food was muich appreciated:

Some of the wares from the days baking

And as a token of that appreciation I was presented with a chef's hat, apron, and knife along with a pair of dazzling glasses.

Crazy chef

For more photos of the party check out my facebook pages, or click the photo captions to be taken to my 'Picasa web album for June'

Unfortunately this project - The cooking and the partying - has meant that I have neglected my wiring a little, but no matter I shall be back to the keyboard tomorrow.

Oh and have you seen the ticker at the top right - just NINE days to go till I'm off.. (Arghhh....)

Preparations underway

Over the last couple of days the preparations for our School End of Year Staff party have begun in earnest. I am doing the catering gain and have settled on a menu that seem s to please everyone. MY first job has been to source all the ingredients - so loads of shopping, although the final shop will be done early on Saturday morning (The day of the party) first thing at the town's market. I've also set out a plan for what dishes are to be cooked when and how we are going to store them. This afternoon I need to pop out and get some serving bowls etc, from one of the 'Chinese Bazaars', then I think I'll be all set to start the cooking tomorrow, finishing up on Saturday. Fortunately I enjoy the process of bringing everything together and then watching as people enjoy the efforts of my labours.
So here's Saturday's menu:

Thursday thoughts from your Truly.

I spent the morning shopping today- a trip to Ikea in Barcelona in time for it to open. My first job was to return a small cupboard door I'd bought back in February and wasn't sure if they'd accept it after such a time, but it was no problem. Then to check out a few bargains. With a trolley-full of goodies I arrived at the checkout, armed with a 'gift card' I earned from previous shopping. I had no idea how much money was on the card so when it turned out to be over fifty euros I was thrilled, especially as with the refund for the returned door I only had to pay a very small amount. So you can see just how the law of abundance is always working in my favour- believe and it is YOURS!

Returning home with a couple of storage solutions (yes Janey I just can't resist them) Tony and I packed away the winter clothes making more space in our wardrobes. That felt good, especially as we added some of the clothes to the charity pile for getting rid of.

This afternoon I took part in a spot of sunbathing - ah the luxury of it all, followed by a bit of writing. I'm loving the way the story is coming along. 1650 words later (mas o menos) I left the characters for a while. I've even been writing a few lyrics for them to sing, or are the writing them through me? Once again they are the ones telling the story, and they want to be heard. I love it. Scarily one of them has already suggested a follow up telling their story, so that's another to add to my list...

School is gradually winding down now. For my first class this evening only one student turned up so we had a great game of Scrabble, and yes of course I won! My other class there were enough so I taught them 'The passive tense' passively- They did the work I enjoyed the process, and I'm pretty sure they did too.

MUFFINS

Nothing wrong with today either. The builder man visited and says he can adjust our door sizes without any problem. We're just awaiting a quote from him now.

Made muffins this afternoon after finding blueberries in Lidl during my morning shop. Added seeds to the mix and fresh strawberry icing to the top. Went down well with everyone.

After cooking I spent the afternoon reading a new book I've just picked up and am already gripped by. I'll add it to the side bar tomorrow when I have a bit more time. For now  I'm watching long-lost families on ITV - bit of  a tearjerker as always.

Goiong my way

Wednesday and back to school after a wonderful long weekend (puente).

Today we popped round to the lumberyard- yes you did read that right- the lumberyard - to try and get another quote for replacing our doors. The main problem we are having is that the doors are all different sizes- so far from 'standard'- well of course it is our house. We want to standardise the sizes simply so I don't bash my head intermittently, mainly because I don't have any hair on top for protection or to hide the cuts when I do bash my head! So the upshot of our visit to the lumberyard is that we need to get a paleter (builder) in first to resize the frames. Fortunately the man at the lumberyard (yes I do like that word) has a brother in law who is a builder who can help. We got his number, I called him as soon as we got home and he's coming round tomorrow. Let's hope this is the step forward that we want.

This afternoon I finally got on and designed my t-shirt and cap for this year's Camino. I had been putting it off as, although outwardly I was being brave and saying everything was ok, inwardly I was worried that my back/leg problem would prevent me going. After the weekend's walk I'm confirmed back on my Way. Once the designer-ware arrives I shall model it and post pics.

Later on I started a new private class. It's with a previous student of mine who is taking a University entrance exam in a few weeks and needs a bit of revision. I was a bit worried how the lessons would pan out as it's a one-to-one whereas before we had a whole class. Within minutes I realised everything was okay, and it adds a little more to the coffers.

And the upshot of all this rambling.....well I guess I'm just grateful that things are still so much going my way.

From where I'm sitting, everything in the garden looks rosy - and I mean thgat literally as well as figuratively.

Birthdays, English and doubles

First of all I must give a big shout out to sister in law Janey a it's her birthday today.

Happy Birthday Old Thing.

And here's a pic of the Game bird with another game bird - daughter Amy.

I may not have mentioned this before but I really do love my job, particularity when it challenges my knowledge of my language. Most of my lasses are advanced classes which test me from time to time, as well as a couple of intermediate classes and a proficiency class (high level) which regularly makes em think. Today I've also had parent-meetings, which I don't enjoy as much, but at least they're over for another year.

BTW -how good is your English? How many of you can complete the following within 12minutes (approx time allowed at exam level) You may need to enlarge the piece to read it. (you can do this by right clicking it and saving it to your pc then printing or enlarging the image)

Walking down the Rambla after school this afternoon I was checking out a young man coming my way and was surprised at his likeness to Nick. He was such a doppelgänger that I almost went over and hugged him. The features were so similar right down to the tattoos. It really was one of those surreal- is it- isn't it moments. Texting Nick the details of the encounter afterwards has given us both a few giggles!

The 'real' Nick: