Today's CBT course was about phobias and how to develop a programme to deal with them - phobias such as arachnaphobia, that is. Relaxation techniques are important when the client becomes stressed (i.e. standing on a chair, screaming.)
This evening, a giant of the species hurtled across the dining area. I screamed.
"Oh, for goodness sake," said Keith, not moving from his laid back position on the sofa, "It's only a spider!"
I was too busy spraying fly spray under the bureau where the monster had taken refuge to respond in an appropriate way ( a good hard clout) and then I was too busy stamping on it when it reappeared.
You should be dealing with this for me, not just sitting there!" I shouted.
"I can't! I can't do any stamping with my feet," he replied. "Anyway, why don't you do your relaxation exercise?"
My response? Unprintable!
But I'll remember...
Arachnids
There was one there again today. They're definitely stalking me, sitting there in the corner of the sink, black, enormous, hairy, threatening, legs splayed, beady eyes (if I were close enough to see) staring at me, willing me to look down and see them before scuttling off to the other corner of the sink while I charge off round the school looking for some kind soul to come and do the necessary.
I know it's a different one each day because I always insist that my rescuer kills the little beast rather than just putting it outside. If you do that, they just wait till your back's turned and sneak back in again. But what I don't understand is why mine is the only sink they gravitate to? Or maybe I do. It's like I said, they're stalking me...
I know it's a different one each day because I always insist that my rescuer kills the little beast rather than just putting it outside. If you do that, they just wait till your back's turned and sneak back in again. But what I don't understand is why mine is the only sink they gravitate to? Or maybe I do. It's like I said, they're stalking me...
Just for Dale
Just for Dale I have made the effort to post today. I realise I have neglected the blog lately but, since starting my new teaching job, I have been struggling to find 26 hours in the day. It's ridiculous really but the job, together with the counselling, placement etc. seems to be taking up every spare minute. (And if anyone makes an age-related comment, I will personally shoot them!)
Although I have only been out of full time teaching for two years and thought I was doing well at keeping up with things via the internet, I am amazed at how things have moved on even in that short time. I sit in the staffroom and listen to conversations punctuated with acronyms and initiatives which mean nothing to me. I cart bags full of unfamiliar resources and CDs home to get to grips with the 'in' things to use in the ICT suite and on the interactive whiteboard. The latter is enormous fun, by the way and I am filled with enthusiam and excitement at things which my blase six year olds just take in their stride.
Oh and last week's faux pas? Writing on the (ordinary) whiteboard in permanent marker. It did come off eventually, with lots of elbow grease.
We're getting there...
Although I have only been out of full time teaching for two years and thought I was doing well at keeping up with things via the internet, I am amazed at how things have moved on even in that short time. I sit in the staffroom and listen to conversations punctuated with acronyms and initiatives which mean nothing to me. I cart bags full of unfamiliar resources and CDs home to get to grips with the 'in' things to use in the ICT suite and on the interactive whiteboard. The latter is enormous fun, by the way and I am filled with enthusiam and excitement at things which my blase six year olds just take in their stride.
Oh and last week's faux pas? Writing on the (ordinary) whiteboard in permanent marker. It did come off eventually, with lots of elbow grease.
We're getting there...
Losing it
It's getting to me already! This morning I dashed out of the house at 7.15, jumped into the car and drove off to work...
About half a mile into my journey, happening to glance down at my feet I noticed that they were still encased in slippers, a dark, discreet navy blue, but slippers nontheless.
A rapid about-turn (no screech of brakes), back to the house, nearly giving Keith a heart attack as I burst in, unannounced and unexpected through the door, a few seconds to change and give him the chance to demonstrate his hysterical amusement and I was off again, but this time, just too late to avoid the worst of the traffic queues.
About half a mile into my journey, happening to glance down at my feet I noticed that they were still encased in slippers, a dark, discreet navy blue, but slippers nontheless.
A rapid about-turn (no screech of brakes), back to the house, nearly giving Keith a heart attack as I burst in, unannounced and unexpected through the door, a few seconds to change and give him the chance to demonstrate his hysterical amusement and I was off again, but this time, just too late to avoid the worst of the traffic queues.
Phew! Back again
Last week was the first of the new term and the first at my new school. As it is probably going to be closed next summer, due to falling rolls, many parents have chosen to vote with their feet and move their children now rather than wait till next year, which is a great pity because it is such a lovely school with a dedicated and talented staff. However, the result is that there are now just over half the original number of pupils in the school, which means that I have a class of 8 Year 2 children.
Sounds great, of course, except that the amount of planning is still the same although the marking load is obviously much lighter. However, as no-one knew at the end of last term how many children would be here this year, I was unable to do any of the planning I would normally do during the holidays, which meant that last week was a bit of a baptism of fire in that I had to sort out what the topics were for this year and get to grips with many resources which are new to me, as well as the delights of the interactive whiteboard. Things have certainly moved on since my last full time teaching job, two years ago!
Anyway, from feeling last week that maybe, with this job plus the demands of the counselling courses and placement, I just might have bitten off a little more than I could chew, I have now moved to the more positive position of feeling that maybe things will sort themselves out and so what if I don't have a social life? So what's new!!
Sounds great, of course, except that the amount of planning is still the same although the marking load is obviously much lighter. However, as no-one knew at the end of last term how many children would be here this year, I was unable to do any of the planning I would normally do during the holidays, which meant that last week was a bit of a baptism of fire in that I had to sort out what the topics were for this year and get to grips with many resources which are new to me, as well as the delights of the interactive whiteboard. Things have certainly moved on since my last full time teaching job, two years ago!
Anyway, from feeling last week that maybe, with this job plus the demands of the counselling courses and placement, I just might have bitten off a little more than I could chew, I have now moved to the more positive position of feeling that maybe things will sort themselves out and so what if I don't have a social life? So what's new!!
Silence
Too little time, too little energy, too little to say.............
Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
B. Terry Aspin (1916-2006)
B. Terry Aspin, who died recently, was a talented and prolific commercial artist and author. He drew for some of my favourite comics back in the late 50's and 60's, notably Bunty and Judy as well as doing artwork over many years for Model Railway magazine.
He also built his own model steam engines and wrote several books on modelling and foundry work and was well known for his belief in making every bit of his models from scratch. To the end of his life, he visited his local model railway club, of which he was a founder member and ran his own engine, although, latterly usually driven by someone else. In the photo, he is standing between the 2 engines, his own being the one on the right.
He also built his own model steam engines and wrote several books on modelling and foundry work and was well known for his belief in making every bit of his models from scratch. To the end of his life, he visited his local model railway club, of which he was a founder member and ran his own engine, although, latterly usually driven by someone else. In the photo, he is standing between the 2 engines, his own being the one on the right.
Today his engine was run in his honour and his ashes were buried at the club. The engine was run by Keith, his son.
R.I.P. Terry.
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