Autobiography: I have to be an adult now *cries*

So, one of the changes of the year I lost to WW2 literature is that I am now a trainee teacher a.k.a I'm repeatedly being told kids will be bored in our subjects and will rebel. Hurray. I am studying french and, having sat through far too many years of English as a foreign language classes contemplating ways of getting out of attending the next one, I am fully aware that I have an uphill struggle ahead. I also know that google translate will no longer be a friend... oh how the tables have turned. Anyway, one of our tasks, in what I assume to be a bid to improve our self reflexive techniques (you don't want to know), was to write an autobiography. I thought I'd share it as I got far too into it. Seriously.

"As a child I had 4 centres of interest: bossing people around, knowing the dance moves and words to every single S  Club 7 Song, making sure to correct anyone who I deemed to be wrong and being first in every spelling test. Regardless of these apparent predispositions to teaching, I spent my teenage years swaying between veterinary science, novelist and professional skier. That is until my last year of high school. Exam year, everyone getting stressed out over their imminent failure in maths (it was always maths), I chose to do extra biology as part of my curriculum and it was arguably the best decision I made during my teenage years of bad hair and non-existing fashion sense. The teacher I had was highly praised by those who had had him previously, and with good reason. He had that rare quality of being able to make even tedious rock studying entertaining, he had that typically British self depreciating humour (unheard of for a Frenchman) that  made us all like him instantly. The most complicated genome work would be explained in ways even the weaker members of the class would understand, he would give up his free periods to give us extra tuition if we were struggling. We asked him why he became a teacher, he explained that he had been part of an award winning medical team researching Parkinson's disease (incidentally they discovered that electroshocking would diminish the symptoms of the disease, but I digress), to which we emphatically asked what he was doing teaching a load of teenagers he replied ‘When you love something, you enjoy something there is nothing better than passing that passion on to others and watching them blossom as a result'. His answer stuck with me and I decided then and there that I wanted to do the same thing.

When the time came to choose a subject at uni, I chose English, I was passionate about books and reading is still my favourite thing to do, books are comforting and no matter what people say fictional characters can be friends. However, the further I got into my degree the more I found myself thinking: ‘I don't want to teach English'. I came to the realisation that I believe that books should be enjoyed as they are, dissecting them and placing meaning on things that, more often than not, wasn't meant to be there diminishes the story.
I moved to France at the ripe old age of 9, due to parents ignoring my full blown tantrum (which included throwing objects and a LOT of screaming) upon being told the news. This move brought me many things amongst which a hatred for the moustached man in a stripey top with a beret and the baguette under his arm whilst riding a bike stereotype and a general annoyance at being told ‘say something in English, go on'. However it gave me a whole new language and a whole new culture and awakened a desire to try new things as challenging and frightening as they may be. I did all my schooling in France and upon starting university in Aberdeen (much to my Dads dismay as ‘I now have to travel an extra day to see you, and well, it's Scotland'), I came to appreciate this aspect of my life a lot more than when I was there. I believe that this experience will help me greatly in all aspects of the course and indeed my teaching career as I have a unique perspective on things as a result.

I have been using the internet and various apps and programs to keep in touch with family and friends for most of my life and through school I have made good (read excessive) use of Microsoft word and powerpoint (don't even get me started) and whilst excel may still be problematic (shout out to my Mum who gifted me an ‘Excel for Dummies' book for Christmas, feeling the love), I am looking forward to learning more about ICT in school and indeed as part of the course, mainly smartboards though because my high school had one and it was uh-mazing. To be honest I could've done with a miniature one when I was tutoring, I would have been the coolest tutor around *sigh*.

Back to the point, there is one thing the French do well, aside from Croissants and very long films, and that is academia. Their high schools and their curriculums are run with near military precision messed up only by the philosophy teachers who go by no one's rules and talk about their depressed cats all day (true story).What they don't do however is provide classes, or training or even information that actually helps in daily life. My mum taught me to write a CV and as for taking a gap year before uni, I thought my teacher might collapse from laughing when I explained I wanted to take one (apparently only uncivilised countries allow such things).

Having gotten over this disappointment, I now find myself raring to go and excited to learn about teaching and indeed how to teach grammar in a way that will not make pupils want to never see my classroom again. Somewhere along the way I hope become more confident in both leading a class and indeed in my capacity to do the job well. Whilst I am genuinely looking forward to the year to come and indeed have given myself a pep-talk so good I am now raring to get to the first placement, even though i have already planned my tally board for the times I shall be mistaken for a pupil, I am worried that I won't live up to my expectations and that somewhere along the way anxiety will mute the enthusiasm that I currently have for both the subject and the profession. Then there is the thought that I may have objects thrown at me on placement, but the chances are slim right? Right!?"

Ah self promotion, you glorious beauty.

 

 

Let's try this again.

I started this blog at the beginning of my last year at uni and, as the posts show, I may or may not have gotten distracted somewhere along the way (its a major flaw). I am going to try it again. This time,I'm determined to not fail. I have a few posts ready to go and I shall prevail!!

Maus by Art Spiegelman

THE BLURB:
As his father grows old, Art Spiegelman asks him to tell him the story of his life during the second world war as he was taken prisoner in the concentration camps for being jewish.

THE OTHER STUFF:
Yes, that is genuinely all there is to it story wise. Yes, you should read it. Yes it is as innovative and heart wrenching as it is said to be. This book is one that I have wanted to read for quite some time due to my interest in WW2 and the literature it produced. It did not disappoint. Whilst it may appear less serious as it is presented as a comic strip, it grips you until the very end when it releases you wiser and more grateful than ever. Maus is the true story of Spiegelman's father during the war. It is a truly remarkable story told in a unique way. If you like studying books then there is plenty to interpret from the change in drawing style to the different representations of well known pictures, events and the symbolism depicted. For example all the jews are mice, all the germans pigs, the nazis are cats, the french frogs etc. It allows you to choose how invested you want to be  yet it is hard not to read this story and not be emotionally invested. If you like historical accounts, then this is right up your street. If you like books which grab you by the heart and never let go then I can honestly say you will not be disappointed.  This book is now one of my favourites, just for the innovative way Spiegelman tells such a sad and traumatic story whilst simultaneously keeping you at arms length and dragging you in. It is ohe that fan't be explained by words, only once you have read it will you understand the sheer sadness and relief that comes with the reading of this story. A definate must read for eveyone.

Milano

I travelled! I actually went somewhere other than home! Granted the trip didn't get off to the best start (we sat on an immobile train for 1h and a half before being told said train would have to return to the station and we would continue by bus)  however by the time we got to the airport  (where we proceded  to get breakfast) none of this mattered as we were finally off. After a standard uneventful flight we arrived in Milan. Now, the thing to know about European cities is that all of us tend to have this romanticised idea of  old buildings everywhere and quaint little side streets. I can 100% assure you that this doesn't happen. No matter where you go there will be modern development. Milan was no exception. We travelled through what felt like street upon street of grubby, graffitied 60s style tower blocks to get to the central station. From there we continued by foot to the Hilton (staff discount obliges). Now I have a thing about decor, ie I like things to look coordinated and modern with a vintage twist (not complicated at all...), whilst the rooms were clean and certainly of high standard it was all a bit dated. So far I felt underwhelmed by the whole experience. Then came the room service, oh my. I have genuinely never been so impressed. A proper table on wheels complete with a hotbox, complimentary bread and breadsticks, completed by some of the best food i have had, fantastic. Needless to say  we went to bed content. The next day we decided to explore the city, find the old buildings we'd read about. We discovered that although the hotel was supposedly central,  a taxi was inevitably necessary unless you already knew your way around (the one time we went without we got lost, awkward). However, once in the centre we found the history we were looking for. The Duomo with all it's imposing turrets, the shopping gallery with it glass roof and haute-couture shops , old buildings still retaining their rustic charm; we had found what we had come for. We visited the duomo and were thouroughly creeped out by the REAL skeleton of a monk, wandered through the gallery  who's architecture was imply stunning, went into prada and swiftly exited, did a 20th Century art museum tour, housed in the building where Mussolini used to make his speeches (for someone interested in WW2 this was vastly more interesting). Each day we would visit a different part of the city. We even did a touristic sighseeing tour. We also went to a designer outlet, now don't be fooled designer outlet means over 1000 quid for a dress ( we most definstely hever have and never will have that much to spend), but left rather quickly. As pretty as the old part of milan was, it was all very compact,ie the historical old buildings were in a very small part of the city and everywhere else was, to be perfectly honest slightly scaffy. After seeing all there was to see in Milan, we decided to go on a roadtrip for our last day of the holiday, we decided to drive to venice. I was the designated driver as I learnt to drive in france and therefore 'knew how to drive on the wrong side of the road'. After 3.5 hours of motorway, we arrived. I can honestly say that while packed with tourists venice was just as old, quaint and picturesque as you would imagine it to be, narrow side streets lined with shops selling every thing from venetian masks to quills (and yes I got one of both), restaurants and hotels, leading to the big cathedral. Now anyone who has read books on  venice (The thief lord by Caroline Funke, author of the Inkheart books, also well worth   a read) will understand how nice it is to finally understand and see for themselves where the caracters go and where tbe places are.  I loved every second of venice and would gladly go again, the tiny canals with their gondolas, front doors opening onto water, tiny streets lined with buildings, it was truly the experience we were expecting from Italy. In short, remember that time has taken it's toll, and left it's mark on every single town and city. It's a shame but that is the way the world goes. It is sad that not more is done to keep  cities from falling into desrepair, it really is. I did my first year of uni in the French city of Grenoble and whilst there too the outskirts are places to avoid, they are kept apart and the city itself is still old and quaint, most of the roads are pedestrianised only used by pedestrians and trams. I think more cities should look into this to preserve their heritage. All in all it was a great holiday due to the company and the various anecdotes that we returned with. I shall however give this advice: remember that cities expand constantly and that the gems are often hidden in places you would not normally go. However, if you wander off the beaten track, you will find authentic cuisine, cobbled streets, tiny shops and welcoming people to guide you on your way and i have to say the two days we just let ourselves get lost within the centre were the times we enjoyed it the most, we found small streets, cafes and shops which really heightened our experience,  on one occasion we ended up wandering through chinatown. Never stick to where the other tourists go. Always take a day to just get Lost in wherever you are going, find your own track. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Ps: we played the Les mis drinking game, it definately works as shown by the multiple pictures of the evening, plus Russell Crowe in a uniform MMMMMM.

Computer woes...

It would seem logical that this year would be the year that I would most need a computer for essays and my dissertaion, and indeed it is. So of course this is when my computer decides to casually die on me. Fantastic.

My main issue with this is that I can no longer watch netflix in bed.

I will try and post what I can from my tablet until I can get my computer fixed.

I am however close to ticking the travel box of my wishlist, indeed Tuesday morning I leave for Milan. I do not expect this to be cheap, however given that saving and staff discount gave us cheap but  very high quality rooms I expect great things.

I shall of course update you whikst I'm there. My flatmates want me to drive to verona a some point. I shall let you know if we make it in one piece.

I am looking forward to the architecture. Coming from near Bath I used to see the sandstone buildings and the roman baths and think how beautiful they were and I expect even more from Milan. The cathedrals, the galleries, the smaller less used streets. Fun!

Bring me the world and I will travel it!

See ya later ,
Xo

Winter months

I am a winter baby, as such winter is arguably my favourite time of year. Snow, fresh mornings, coats, scarves, boots, I love it all. I especially love christmas, forgive me for the earliness of this but I can't wait. I got a little over excited and bought a whole tacky cheesy cjritsmas outfit at Primark,  complete with jingle earrings (I'm so cool it hurts).

Anyhow whilst in town I bought a few trinkets for my bedroom.
First off some fairylights. I find that fairylights bring a nice charm to any room. The best thing is they come in a variety of colours and shapes do there is something for every one. I put mine on my headboard as it gives a nice gentle light and makes the bed the focal point (which when you're as messy as me is probably a good thing.)
I also bought a couple of tealight holders from the Next home department. Taking me into the next home department is a bad idea as I have a tendency to go overboard. Again lighting candles always cheers me up and candles are great on miserable winter days. I enjoy reading a book bundled in a blanket with a hot chocolate with some candles lit. I often sit behind the Christmas tree when that time comes.
I also went in to this tiny shop which sells things made by artisans and got a cute little photo frame. Anyone who knows me can testify that I love photos. I have 2 wall collages either side of my bed and multiple frames dotted around the room. 

Point of this being that at the same time as I'm hopefully getting myself to where I want to be, I'm also enjoying decorating my room to be a place I want  to be, I have found thatdoing so doesn't necessarily need money, just some creativity. So get creative and make yourself a haven. 

Xo 

<3

Hang in there buddy...

Hey there!

Apologies for the wait, the first week of uni has brought far more reading than I thought (shocking for a literature degree eh...), but fear not I have 3 fully fleshed posts coming your way tomorrow. I have work in 3 hours ahd I'm still up. Oh well...

Hang in there!

<3