I just looked at how long it has been from my last entry. I feel a bit bad about that! My time has been being used at full limits. I am working on finishing things up for the year, trying to figure things out for next year, planing my time for when I am back in the states and enjoying the time that I have left this year!
This past weekend I went camping with some of the children that we teach. It was a great experience, not just for me but the children as well. Some of the children have never been out of London, so for some of them this was a big thing. We took the kids to a private school out in Dorest. After a four hour bus journey the kids were very excited to get out and run around in all of the space that they had there. The children took part in African drumming, they got a tour of the school, a trip to the beach, several other things and they got plenty of time to just run around!! It was a great weekend to see some of the children come out of their shells and do more then what they would be doing back home.
I have been talking to my mom back home planing the time that I have when I am back home. It is such an odd feeling that my time is coming to an end for this year. At the beginning I thought that a year would be so much and that I could do so much in a year. As the year is almost past I don't feel that at all. I think that the time has gone by so fast and that I want to spend more time with my children and wanting to see more and do more things. On the other hand I do feel that I have spent my time wisely here. I have seen a lot and made good relationships with people that surround me here. So many of the people here are blessings and I could have not asked for more!!!
God has blessed me thus far and I pray that he will continue to do so!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Just another day at home in London!
A few weeks into the last term of the year. I have put so many thoughts into what I want to be doing with my time left here in the UK. It has made me think about what has meant so much to me in the time that I have been here. I hope that those things that I do value will be here next year as well. It is in God's hands and I just need to keep my faith in him! The people that I have meet and want to do things with have come down to a count down. I don't think that those people really see it that way and to what extent it puts into my life.
My children have been all getting along well with their learning. It is such a beauty of God that he does with me and is able to show me some more great works of his life.
This past week we had some people come down from a private school that we will take some of the children from Springboard to. We showed them around and introduced them to some of the children that will be working with them for that weekend. It was something to show these kids that were 16-17 years old of what some of the children that we work lifestyles. I don't thing that this would have come across their minds as to where the children live and what kind of family that some of the children have. One of the boys that was in my group was really amazed by the fact that the time that we spend with some of our kids is the only one to one time that any of these children get. They are not able to spend quality time with family members or they have to share their room with several other siblings. I think that it will be good for the the two sets of children to see each others worlds.
The children here in year 6 have been taking tests of maths, English and science. I have been reading for maths and science to one of the boys that I use to teach. The testing is called SAT'S test. They are a government issued test. The odd thing is that they don't get the children anywhere. Nowhere, but in a tizzy about the tests. Teachers are working on trying to get rid of the tests, because they have to teach things for these tests that get them nowhere and it takes away time on the things that the children could be learning otherwise.
My children have been all getting along well with their learning. It is such a beauty of God that he does with me and is able to show me some more great works of his life.
This past week we had some people come down from a private school that we will take some of the children from Springboard to. We showed them around and introduced them to some of the children that will be working with them for that weekend. It was something to show these kids that were 16-17 years old of what some of the children that we work lifestyles. I don't thing that this would have come across their minds as to where the children live and what kind of family that some of the children have. One of the boys that was in my group was really amazed by the fact that the time that we spend with some of our kids is the only one to one time that any of these children get. They are not able to spend quality time with family members or they have to share their room with several other siblings. I think that it will be good for the the two sets of children to see each others worlds.
The children here in year 6 have been taking tests of maths, English and science. I have been reading for maths and science to one of the boys that I use to teach. The testing is called SAT'S test. They are a government issued test. The odd thing is that they don't get the children anywhere. Nowhere, but in a tizzy about the tests. Teachers are working on trying to get rid of the tests, because they have to teach things for these tests that get them nowhere and it takes away time on the things that the children could be learning otherwise.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
April 25th 2009
What a great week to start this term off. I was able to teach some of my children this week. We were not able to start teaching until Wednesday this past week. Over the past few weeks that we had off I had been missing my children and it was a great feeling to see them again. There has been some new updates this past week with my teachings and my children.
I will be teaching in another school for this next term and will be getting a few new children there to teach just for this term. At one of the schools that I am currently, a few of my children will be advancing onto the next program that Springboard works with. It is nice to see that my children have been able to move along and are ready to learn new and interesting things.
Today I went to two services. One was this morning and the other one was a church that I am thinking about becoming more involved in. The church members are people that are my age and most have a christian driven life. It is such a wonderful thing to see and the desire to be around people that are my age and have some of the same outlooks on life.
Today the man that talked was the founder of the church. He was wonderful to listen to. He preached on John 2:1-11. This church has a good speakers that have such a way of putting things into a context that you have a good lesson on what happened for Jesus and how we can relate it to our lives today. Through this you are able to take something empowering back from what was talked about. This lesson come down to: "Do what HE says!"
I will be teaching in another school for this next term and will be getting a few new children there to teach just for this term. At one of the schools that I am currently, a few of my children will be advancing onto the next program that Springboard works with. It is nice to see that my children have been able to move along and are ready to learn new and interesting things.
Today I went to two services. One was this morning and the other one was a church that I am thinking about becoming more involved in. The church members are people that are my age and most have a christian driven life. It is such a wonderful thing to see and the desire to be around people that are my age and have some of the same outlooks on life.
Today the man that talked was the founder of the church. He was wonderful to listen to. He preached on John 2:1-11. This church has a good speakers that have such a way of putting things into a context that you have a good lesson on what happened for Jesus and how we can relate it to our lives today. Through this you are able to take something empowering back from what was talked about. This lesson come down to: "Do what HE says!"
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Tuesday April 21, 2009
I am so happy to be back at school. Never thought that I would say that again, but I am! On Sunday I went to a church in the city center. I have been there a few times. I have put a lot of thought into what church I would like to be involved in. Didn't think that it would take me almost a year to do that, but it has. I do attend a church every Sunday some times two, but never really felt comfortable in a church. One of the girls that I work with had invited me along to this church. It is directed to a younger crowd of people more my age. To me this is very powerful to see that there are so many people around my age that are committed Christians. Jane the girl that I work with was telling me about this Alpha course that she was going to the launch for. She had done this course before, but thought that it would be a good idea for me to do. This would help me with getting to know more people in London. So I went to the launch; we were feed and we had a guest speaker that works in the military. I have decided to do this. I think that it will be something good for me to do. Something that is mine and that I can do on my own will. I think that my housemates have become a bit dependent on doing things together.
I started back at school yesterday. We don't start teaching until tomorrow. We have been testing a few children and getting some filling done on children that have graduated this past term or new children that we will be getting this next term.
Today I got everything ready for my children that I will be teaching tomorrow. I have found such a love for teaching my children. I didn't think that I would grow so attached to them as I have. So until tomorrow when I get to see my children and see how much they have remembered over the past two weeks.... Now that's the question!?!?!?!?!
I started back at school yesterday. We don't start teaching until tomorrow. We have been testing a few children and getting some filling done on children that have graduated this past term or new children that we will be getting this next term.
Today I got everything ready for my children that I will be teaching tomorrow. I have found such a love for teaching my children. I didn't think that I would grow so attached to them as I have. So until tomorrow when I get to see my children and see how much they have remembered over the past two weeks.... Now that's the question!?!?!?!?!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
April 19, 2009
The past few days I went on holiday to the Isle of White. I went on this holiday with my two housemates. We decided to stay in Portsmouth, that is very close to the Isle. We were able to see: South sea Castle, Osbourn House and Stonehenge on our way back to London.
The first day that we were in Portsmouth we drooped our bags off at the Bed and Breakfast that we would be staying at. The man there that ran the B&B was wonderful. He was so helpful and had a very positive attitude. From there were did a walk around the pier to see the sea and walk around the place. We did go into the South sea castle that day. It is not hard to spend several hours inside castles. We later walked down the pier and found several little shops that we just nipped our heads into and had a look around. We spend a majority of the day sitting on the rock beach overlooking the sea. It was a very relaxing and wonderful day.
The next day we went to the Ilse and I must say that it is much larger then one would think. We went to another castle there and then to the Osbourn house. There is where Queen Victoria died and lived several of her years. This was such a large thing to see that I think that we could have spent days at this place. The tour through the house took us about two hours and they were only letting people see about a fourth of the house. The property overlooked a small part of the Isle and a distant view of Portsmouth. They had some gardens full with tulips and daffodils. They took very good care of the place so it was in beautiful condition.
The last day of our holiday we spent a few hours in Portsmouth and then traveled to see Stonehenge just out side of Salisbury. In Portsmouth a few hours before our train was going to depart we decided that we would go into the D-day museum that they had there. They had two retired soldiers that took part in D-day. They were very interesting to talk to and were able to talk about what they did to serve their country.
On the journey to Stonehenge I must day that they put this out in the middle of nowhere. The travel to actually get there is an hour from the train station by bus. When we got there you were able to just walk around it. The closest that one would be able to come to it was a good 200 feet. We got audio guide tours. They told us several of the myths and theory's that were behind Stonehenge. It is something to see, but you have to be prepared to do the travel.
Yesterday Judit and I decided to go out and see some charity shops and see if we could find anything that was good. We came across a few things nothing that great, but just had a fun day out and about. We were shopping in the south part of London and later made our way up to the city center. There we found the American Embassy. I was the one that had to go there not her. I wanted to find out some information about my visa and what I should be doing for next year. I was not able to get a lot of information from them, other than a card telling me where I should go and who to call to see someone. I have never liked run around business like that, but I am stuck doing it!! What do you do?? Do it! Once we found out the information about the embassy we went home and had some dinner. I had made some plans to go out with another girl that works for Springboard. We were going to a disco. One thing that I have found it hard to do is that people here in London are not very approachable. Many of the people stick to themselves and don't like to stay away from anything that they don't all ready know. So it was nice to go out and meet some new people. Almost everyone that was in our group of people were from the church that she attends (the girl that works at Springboard). It was a great feeling to go out with a group of people that are Christians and have beliefs along the same line.
The first day that we were in Portsmouth we drooped our bags off at the Bed and Breakfast that we would be staying at. The man there that ran the B&B was wonderful. He was so helpful and had a very positive attitude. From there were did a walk around the pier to see the sea and walk around the place. We did go into the South sea castle that day. It is not hard to spend several hours inside castles. We later walked down the pier and found several little shops that we just nipped our heads into and had a look around. We spend a majority of the day sitting on the rock beach overlooking the sea. It was a very relaxing and wonderful day.
The next day we went to the Ilse and I must say that it is much larger then one would think. We went to another castle there and then to the Osbourn house. There is where Queen Victoria died and lived several of her years. This was such a large thing to see that I think that we could have spent days at this place. The tour through the house took us about two hours and they were only letting people see about a fourth of the house. The property overlooked a small part of the Isle and a distant view of Portsmouth. They had some gardens full with tulips and daffodils. They took very good care of the place so it was in beautiful condition.
The last day of our holiday we spent a few hours in Portsmouth and then traveled to see Stonehenge just out side of Salisbury. In Portsmouth a few hours before our train was going to depart we decided that we would go into the D-day museum that they had there. They had two retired soldiers that took part in D-day. They were very interesting to talk to and were able to talk about what they did to serve their country.
On the journey to Stonehenge I must day that they put this out in the middle of nowhere. The travel to actually get there is an hour from the train station by bus. When we got there you were able to just walk around it. The closest that one would be able to come to it was a good 200 feet. We got audio guide tours. They told us several of the myths and theory's that were behind Stonehenge. It is something to see, but you have to be prepared to do the travel.
Yesterday Judit and I decided to go out and see some charity shops and see if we could find anything that was good. We came across a few things nothing that great, but just had a fun day out and about. We were shopping in the south part of London and later made our way up to the city center. There we found the American Embassy. I was the one that had to go there not her. I wanted to find out some information about my visa and what I should be doing for next year. I was not able to get a lot of information from them, other than a card telling me where I should go and who to call to see someone. I have never liked run around business like that, but I am stuck doing it!! What do you do?? Do it! Once we found out the information about the embassy we went home and had some dinner. I had made some plans to go out with another girl that works for Springboard. We were going to a disco. One thing that I have found it hard to do is that people here in London are not very approachable. Many of the people stick to themselves and don't like to stay away from anything that they don't all ready know. So it was nice to go out and meet some new people. Almost everyone that was in our group of people were from the church that she attends (the girl that works at Springboard). It was a great feeling to go out with a group of people that are Christians and have beliefs along the same line.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
April 14, 2009
I hate those days that you are set out to get a list of things done and you think that you are going to get all of these things done, and at the end of the day you feel that you really have not done much. Today would be one of those days. I wished that I could have gone out and seen a bit more of London on my holiday. Instead I attempted to sleep in and get some emails done and that was about all of my list of accomplishments for the day. I did go grocery shopping though. I know that these days are well needed, but I just wish that I could have gotten more done.
Lately I have been feeling like I just have not done a lot and that I should be doing more with my days. I need to stop procrastinating and just get up and get everything done. I don't know what will put me in that mood to just have that ambition to get things done and go out and see more.
I don't know if it a point that I want to feel accomplishment or what but just not feeling like what I am doing is enough...??!!.....
Lately I have been feeling like I just have not done a lot and that I should be doing more with my days. I need to stop procrastinating and just get up and get everything done. I don't know what will put me in that mood to just have that ambition to get things done and go out and see more.
I don't know if it a point that I want to feel accomplishment or what but just not feeling like what I am doing is enough...??!!.....
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday April 13, 2009
Today was a good day to see some new things and just to relax. I was able to sleep in, or not set an alarm clock I should say. My housemates and I decided to go to the Rangers House and take a boat trip on the river.
The Rangers House was very interesting. We had a guided tour, as that was the only way that you would be able to go around the house other then Sunday. They do this because of the lighting and how it affects the art and things in the house. This house was used for members of the royal family. They would stay here for longer periods of time when staying in London. In this house they have a very large collection of art and furniture. The tour guide was very interesting and able to answer almost all of the questions, you don't always find that.
The boat tour was about an hour going from Greenwich to Westminster. It took about an hour or so to go from one end of the city to the other. We were able to see the things that we have seen through out the year from a different prospective.
When we finished the boat tour we went back to the supervisors house that we are staying in and watched a movie and then had some dinner. This was just a day to not have to hurry and do anything or go anywhere.
The weather today was a bit of rain and was in the 50's. What seems to be an average London day.
The Rangers House was very interesting. We had a guided tour, as that was the only way that you would be able to go around the house other then Sunday. They do this because of the lighting and how it affects the art and things in the house. This house was used for members of the royal family. They would stay here for longer periods of time when staying in London. In this house they have a very large collection of art and furniture. The tour guide was very interesting and able to answer almost all of the questions, you don't always find that.
The boat tour was about an hour going from Greenwich to Westminster. It took about an hour or so to go from one end of the city to the other. We were able to see the things that we have seen through out the year from a different prospective.
When we finished the boat tour we went back to the supervisors house that we are staying in and watched a movie and then had some dinner. This was just a day to not have to hurry and do anything or go anywhere.
The weather today was a bit of rain and was in the 50's. What seems to be an average London day.
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