A Little Bit of a Slacker

But not really. I realize it has been a long while since I have posted anything about my Scottish adventures but, frankly (I threw that word in for those who will miss hearing me say it), I've been busy. Why so busy, you might be asking. Two words: School Started.

I have been warned a million times over that this year will feel awfully reminiscent of my first few years of teaching. The reality is, however, that this IS my first year of teaching. Teaching in the UK that is. Everything is new and different and I'm constantly playing catch-up. It is beyond fascinating to note the differences (and similarities) between my two schools. I'm hesitant to even suggest these are differences between an American education system and Scottish one because I know there are schools in the US I could be teaching at right now that would also feel like a foreign country.

Let's start at the very beginning...last Monday, August 17. And some things never change... For two days, I bonded with my fellow staffers as we sat through the traditional Back-to-School inservices. Yes, I will be careful not to walk on desks while hanging things in my room. I will wear gloves if a kid starts bleeding all over the floor. I will be sure to approach each lesson from an interdisciplinary viewpoint. I sat through mine (all the while wishing for time in my classroom) and very soon, all my dear American friends (and Gillian) will sit through theirs.

Perhaps the saddest thing about those first two days back, is that my room looked (and still looks) so sad compared to everyone else's. I had prepared myself in so many ways for this exchange but I never knew how much I would miss all my stuff. My students and I had a great talk about matter on the second day of school and I desperately wanted to have my cabinet of science goodies to pull out so we could do a spontaneous demonstration or experiment. But I had to redirect the discussion so I could track down supplies for another day. The end of the world? Hardly. But it was an unexpected glich.

As you will learn more about my students in future blogs, just know that our first week and a half together have been interesting but we are definitely on our way to forming a more cohesive classroom environment than existed the first few days of school. I never in a million years thought I would say this but - I miss having constant and expected contact with the parents. It is not the norm for a teacher to call a parent, jot them a quick email about the school day, etc. It definitely changes discipline approaches.

Now I know you are probably dying for me to return to the topic of Fruit Corners from a few weeks ago but you'll have to wait until tomorrow. It is 9:00 here and I'm actually going to go to bed. Exhaustion and a still rather sore shoulder are taking over right now.

Being Busy (and not)

Today was my first day since I've been here where I've had nothing on the agenda. As much as it's nice to have a day to myself, there's part of me that feels a little lonely about that as well. That said, I am frequently guilty of craving a free weekend when in the US only to be bummed that I don't have plans when it finally arrives. Some things never change...

The past few days, however, have been packed with meeting new people and wrapping my mind around what promises to be a very unique year of teaching. On Wednesday, I went to school for the first time, had tea with two of Gillian's good friends, and had dinner with 7 ladies from staff. Thursday was a day of doctors for me as I met with both a doctor about my shoulder and a nurse so I can be registered with the National Health Service (NHS). There's part of me that's curious if I'm currently getting a taste of the health care system Obama has in mind. My day ended with a visit to my physiotherapist. Not sure what I was thinking, I showed up to that appointment with absolutely no painkillers in my system. Ow, ow, ow!!!

Yesterday, Gillian's godfather Ken brought me around Fife for about 8 hours. We stopped by railway stations to get time tables for trips to Edinburgh, had tea and coffee at a local farm stand (by and by, this area is known for their strawberries so I always get them fresh and yummy!), and drove through East Neuk (an area of quaint fishing villages just south of St. Andrew's) where I enjoyed my first real fish and chips experience. Then we headed to Kingbarnes golf course where Ken's daughter Donna works (I can sense Dad just drooling at the mention of Kingbarnes - this is one of the top, if not the top, golf courses in the area) before exploring different gym membership options for me. Needless to say, I cannot afford the gym/superspa at the Old Course Hotel (unless someone is willing to front me about $1700). We ended our adventure at his beautiful house having tea with Ken's delightful wife, Pat. We enjoyed comparing notes on the education systems of the US and UK before Ken drove me back to my flat. I was quite tired from the long day but felt I had met some really wonderful people and, despite the relentless rain yesterday, saw a number of places I'll be sure to visit again (on a nicer day perhaps).

How quickly the rain comes and goes here. I had given up on a decent day today when I woke up, rather late, to fully overcast skies. No blue in sight. But I have just returned from an hour long wander down the lane wondering if I shouldn't have put sunscreen on afterall.

I'm off to go read and write in my journal for a bit before contemplating cooking something for dinner (or I'll just make a sandwich). Eating another Fruit Corner today would seem too indulgent unfortunately. What is a Fruit Corner? Don't worry I have pictures all set for another blog entry so I can properly introduce you to one of my dear, dear friends.

Pictures...Maybe

I did it! Hopefully you can see them on the blog but here are some pictures of my new home and town! Next goal: label each picture NEXT to the picture. That's too hard for me to figure right now. Any advice?

Picture One: I went for a short walk a few days ago along

this pretty country road. My town is to the

left towards the back of the image.

Picture Two: This is my street in Freuchie, Fife. I live on the

right, just past the other road.

Picture Three: The view from my front yard.

Picture Four: View from the Tea Room at the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews - this is the Old Course.

Picture Five: This is the view outside my bedroom window. I love these flowers AND the lilacs that grow right outside my living room window.

A Quick Retraction...

...before bed. The phone situation: So it has been brought to my attention today that I do NOT have to pay when receiving calls on my cell phone. I was misinformed and apologize for any damaging confusion this may have created. You may all get on with your lives in peace. Whew!

A Busy Couple of Days

I love my sleep. I think I'm going to be ready to go for the day after a good 8 hours but not so much... Not sure if this is the jet lag or my body wanting to heal my shoulder but I'm enjoying my cozy new bed immensely.

The last two days have been rather productive for me. Wilma, Gillian's mother, has been the hostess with the mostest. Yesterday she showed me my new school, took me to the local mall for lunch, helped me buy a cell phone (I'll come back to this topic in a moment), brought me to the grocery store, AND to the surgery (doctor's office) so I could register with the National Health Services. Then she braved the passenger seat as I drove myself around in my new car. I think I did quite well - slow but well. Today we went to St. Andrew's where we had tea and coffee overlooking the Old Course in the Old Course Hotel. It was quite a rainy day so we opted to drive around so I could get the lay of the land. I will explore on foot another time.

I also had a great physiotherapy session yesterday with a woman who lives no more than 1/4 of a mile down the road from me. So I rambled through my small village on two percocet - luckily no one tried to strike up a conversation. The new American in town may have earned an interesting reputation if that were the case. I don't know what it is about physiotherapists but I have had two who are wonderful people! Maybe I should consider making that my second profession as some point (you know, so I can become a wonderful person as well).

Finally the sun is breaking through today and I might venture for a wee walk :) before my car guy, Billy, comes by to show me the nuts and bolts of my car (like how to get the speedometer/odometer to work). Tomorrow reality sets in as I head to school to get my classroom set up.

OH! I almost forgot - the cell phones. Cell phones here are SO EXPENSIVE. The phone itself is quite cheap but I am paying about $0.34 a minute to make a call AND to receive calls. That's right - here we are charged everytime someone calls us as well! I think most Americans are lucky that is not the case in the US. We'd all be broke! (or broker)

I'm Here

After one of the craziest months of my life, I have finally arrived in beautiful Fife, Scotland. There are horses in a paddock outside my front door and lush rolling green hills in the distance. To top it off, I also had one of the best flights ever. Namely due to my own personal TV with 40 movie choices. Jen, they had Meet Me St. Louis! Can you think of a better way to kick of a year long adventure in Scotland than watching Meet Me in St. Louis? (though I chose Mary Poppins instead - after watching Star Trek). Go Continental!

My gimp arm left me at the mercy of strangers and every one of them has been super accommodating. I had a porter not only carry all my stuff off the plane, but whisked me to the front of the security line, and lugged all 3 check on bags (50 lbs. each, thank you very much to Jen and Corey) off the belt and through customs for me.

I spent much quality time today with Jane, my headteacher, and Gillian's parents who were amazing. Tomorrow Wilma (Gillian's mom...mum...) is going to brave driving around in my new used Vauxhall station wagon to get groceries, a phone, and doctor. Yup, my arm hurts something awful after this very very long weekend. Beena (my PT) will be happy to know, however, that I remaining vigilant in keeping up with my exercises.

As a final thought, there is a smell to Scotland that is quite comforting and I know I will forever think of Scotland whenever I smell it.