So, I'm into my second week at my new job and it all went to hell today. It's like the kids came to school and decided that they were going to be bad all at once. Especially in our class. I have definitely had my first 'real' day at school and I'm hoping that the rest of the week goes a little more smoothly. Today, a student pitched a fit TWICE and walked out of class and THEN got into a fight with another student during science. (He didn't start it, but he reacted and we had to break it up. I thought I was going to have a beaker hurled at my face at one point.) My goal is to remain calm and not to cry...man, do I ever need a drink.
I still really like it, though. I just have a lot to learn about how to "diffuse the situation."
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
What they say
I started a new job on Monday at a school for kids with special needs. The kids are all 14 and 15 with various cognitive issues, learning disabilities, and behavior problems (as well as raging hormones). They are pretty great, though, and I'm really enjoying my job so far. I thought it would be fun to post some of the funny comments that they have made to me and will keep posting the higlights as time goes on.
Upon hearing that I don't have a TV, one of my students was flabbergasted. As he was leaving the class on Thursday he said, "Claire, it is SO EMBARASSING that you don't have a TV." He can't fathom what one would do at home without a TV.
ANother student, waxing philosophical on his classmates, who were doing some hard core flirting in the corner and mooning over Zac Efron, star of High School Musical 1 & 2 said with a big sigh and with much longing (because he too would love to have a girlfriend), "These guys...no matter how young they are, they always want to find love." I had to really concentrate to keep from cracking up. He was SO serious. I think I said something like, "Well, I think that EVERYONE wants to be loved."
Anyway, it's a great experience and something I'm really enjoying so hopefully things will continue to go well!
Upon hearing that I don't have a TV, one of my students was flabbergasted. As he was leaving the class on Thursday he said, "Claire, it is SO EMBARASSING that you don't have a TV." He can't fathom what one would do at home without a TV.
ANother student, waxing philosophical on his classmates, who were doing some hard core flirting in the corner and mooning over Zac Efron, star of High School Musical 1 & 2 said with a big sigh and with much longing (because he too would love to have a girlfriend), "These guys...no matter how young they are, they always want to find love." I had to really concentrate to keep from cracking up. He was SO serious. I think I said something like, "Well, I think that EVERYONE wants to be loved."
Anyway, it's a great experience and something I'm really enjoying so hopefully things will continue to go well!
The Arrival of Captain Finchley!
Finchley came home with me on Thursday evening. I got to the shelter early, so we had plenty of time to bond before he had to go into the car sickness inducing cab (I got car sick. He managed just fine.)
Within a couple of hours, Finchley was settled right in:
He was purring and very curious about the house and, especially, the windows. As I type, he's sitting on the window sill with his paws hanging out of the window, watching some pigeons who are roosting in the eaves of the building next door. He has knocked all the pictures off the windowsill and claimed it as his own.
He also has a fascination with the bathroom and, in particular, the shower. He is not into water in the same way that Emma is, but he does like to watch it come out of the spout and stares intensely at the shower nozzle after I finish showering. He also likes to chill in the tub.
Finchley was so brave that he didn't even hide under the bed or in a closet, so we felt like he would be able to handle meeting Spike through the back door. Spike was NOT impressed and threw a major strop at the door, complete with high pitched yowling and failed attempts to attack (glass...what a wonderful and confusing invention.) I'm not sure that the garden is in Finchley's future.
Last night, Finchley broke into the cat food and helped himself. He also snuggled with us for a while and this morning he played with his favorite toy: a string with aluminum foil attached to each end. Finchley gets the string, then carries it back to the bedroom, where he stands over it and yowls. After a few rounds of this game, he gets so excited that he starts panting, so we have to take the string away and hide it in a drawer.
It's so fun having a cat again!
Within a couple of hours, Finchley was settled right in:
He was purring and very curious about the house and, especially, the windows. As I type, he's sitting on the window sill with his paws hanging out of the window, watching some pigeons who are roosting in the eaves of the building next door. He has knocked all the pictures off the windowsill and claimed it as his own.
He also has a fascination with the bathroom and, in particular, the shower. He is not into water in the same way that Emma is, but he does like to watch it come out of the spout and stares intensely at the shower nozzle after I finish showering. He also likes to chill in the tub.
Finchley was so brave that he didn't even hide under the bed or in a closet, so we felt like he would be able to handle meeting Spike through the back door. Spike was NOT impressed and threw a major strop at the door, complete with high pitched yowling and failed attempts to attack (glass...what a wonderful and confusing invention.) I'm not sure that the garden is in Finchley's future.
Last night, Finchley broke into the cat food and helped himself. He also snuggled with us for a while and this morning he played with his favorite toy: a string with aluminum foil attached to each end. Finchley gets the string, then carries it back to the bedroom, where he stands over it and yowls. After a few rounds of this game, he gets so excited that he starts panting, so we have to take the string away and hide it in a drawer.
It's so fun having a cat again!
Happy Birthday to Jim!!
Yesterday, Jim turned 32! Here are some pictures of his birthday celebration (a big party with me!)
First, we went for a stroll in Queen Mary's Garden in Regent's Park. The weather was beautiful and Jim looked hamdsome in front of this urban waterfall and then with the beautiful roses, which are in full bloom! There were also some very cute ducklings peeping about and causing much excitement for a small child (and us).
After the roses and ducklings, we explored a few sculpture before having a nice dinner at the Garden Cafe in the park. We could hear the outdoor theatre starting its 8:00 show nearby.
And finally: Birthday Cake! Most of the cake was eaten by my new co-workers today (I'm trying to make friends through baking), but we did enjoy a slice each last night and I saved a big chunk for Jim to eat at his leisure.
Spike came by to give Jim some birthday love. He probably isn't going to be super happy when Finchley moves in.
Happy Birthday Jim!!!!!
First, we went for a stroll in Queen Mary's Garden in Regent's Park. The weather was beautiful and Jim looked hamdsome in front of this urban waterfall and then with the beautiful roses, which are in full bloom! There were also some very cute ducklings peeping about and causing much excitement for a small child (and us).
After the roses and ducklings, we explored a few sculpture before having a nice dinner at the Garden Cafe in the park. We could hear the outdoor theatre starting its 8:00 show nearby.
And finally: Birthday Cake! Most of the cake was eaten by my new co-workers today (I'm trying to make friends through baking), but we did enjoy a slice each last night and I saved a big chunk for Jim to eat at his leisure.
Spike came by to give Jim some birthday love. He probably isn't going to be super happy when Finchley moves in.
Happy Birthday Jim!!!!!
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Captain Finchley-- Jim's Perspective
Pets are interesting. We don't really need them, but they're so damn cute.
Today I woke up happy with everything--my wife, my job, and the number of pets in my household: zero. One of those things would change today. At first, against my will, but then with my consent.
How did this start? Manipulation. Plain and simple.
I was looking forward to a day of fixing up the house. Adding some plants in the corner and framing some pictures...generally a lazy day of self-indulgence. By 10:26 this plan changed drastically. I was on my way to a kitty shelter, to humor my wife. To make her think I was even interested in adopting a cat. As we walked to the cat shelter I was already entwined around her little finger and I didn't even know it. When we entered the cat shelter, my chest puffed out in defiance, I tried to resist. But I already knew the outcome: Jim + Claire + a new fuzzball in London.
We walked down into the bowels of the building, where all the cats were living in kennels. We were let loose to explore all the homeless cats. With so many cats, you would think this would take some time. But, no...as I walked into the first kennel, the cutest orange furball appeared. It was over. That was the cat: Captain Finchley. At one point I considered pretending like we weren't going to get this cat, but I gave up. It wasn't a matter of us picking him. He picked us. (inserted by Claire: Just like EMma and Chowder before him!! It wasn't manipulation!!!)
Today I woke up happy with everything--my wife, my job, and the number of pets in my household: zero. One of those things would change today. At first, against my will, but then with my consent.
How did this start? Manipulation. Plain and simple.
I was looking forward to a day of fixing up the house. Adding some plants in the corner and framing some pictures...generally a lazy day of self-indulgence. By 10:26 this plan changed drastically. I was on my way to a kitty shelter, to humor my wife. To make her think I was even interested in adopting a cat. As we walked to the cat shelter I was already entwined around her little finger and I didn't even know it. When we entered the cat shelter, my chest puffed out in defiance, I tried to resist. But I already knew the outcome: Jim + Claire + a new fuzzball in London.
We walked down into the bowels of the building, where all the cats were living in kennels. We were let loose to explore all the homeless cats. With so many cats, you would think this would take some time. But, no...as I walked into the first kennel, the cutest orange furball appeared. It was over. That was the cat: Captain Finchley. At one point I considered pretending like we weren't going to get this cat, but I gave up. It wasn't a matter of us picking him. He picked us. (inserted by Claire: Just like EMma and Chowder before him!! It wasn't manipulation!!!)
The Story of Captain Finchley
Once upon a time, in a land far away from America, in a place called Avantflat, there lived a man and a woman. They were happy people, generally agreeing on most matters and enjoying life on a daily basis. But, despite their happiness in Avantflat, the man and woman knew that something was missing--their pets. In previous years, the man and woman had enjoyed the pitter patter of furry feet and mews and barks and occasional disruptive behaviors of their constant companions Emma, Chowder and Buster. Alas, the rules in Avantflat were strict regarding the furry friends, so despite their best efforts, the man and woman were forced to leave their friends behind (temporarily) on the farm.
Buster: I don't care. I like the farm. They let me eat whatever I want and I can chase squirrels and get to go on nighttime walks. I didn't want to go to Avantflat anyway...and if they think that I'm leaving the farm when they get back, they've got another think coming. I'm living the good life.
Chowder: Everyone love me! Love me love me love me love me!!!! Ahhh......Jim and Claire? Who are those people again?
Emma: Damn you Claire and Jim. I curse you ten times over!
The year went by and the most insistent and passionate pet lover in Avantflat started feeling like the void must be filled. The man, vehemently oppposed to a furry friend, stated many convincing arguments which kept the woman at bay for some time. But then the urge became too strong for the woman and she began to avidly researching the adoption of a retired racing greyhound. Spewing much negative attitude, the man bitterly agreed to walk the greyhounds but later confided to the woman that there was no way in hell he was going to agree to adopt one. (Though he would occasionally go to walk them). Not one to back down, the woman promptly began researching labs, at which point the man got desperate and decided to be a little more leniant on the previously banned subject of getting a cat.
Today Jim and I went to a cat shelter and met Captain Finchley (previously known as Pharoah). Captain Finchley is a long haired yellow cat about 10 months old. Although Jim was dragging his feet, as soon as he met Finchley he fell in love with him (Finchley pulled an Emma and jumped up on Jim's leg, purring manically, which was really all it took for both of us). Finchley came to the shelter because the people who had him before had small children who tortured him. He is a big, long haired, friendly and affectionate cat and we are excited! We went to get his litter box and carrier today and barring any unforseen issues, Finchley will come home on Thursday evening. We'll give him a couple of days before we introduce him to neighbor cat Spike. Here is a picture of Jim with Emma and Chowder's new English brother:
Buster: I don't care. I like the farm. They let me eat whatever I want and I can chase squirrels and get to go on nighttime walks. I didn't want to go to Avantflat anyway...and if they think that I'm leaving the farm when they get back, they've got another think coming. I'm living the good life.
Chowder: Everyone love me! Love me love me love me love me!!!! Ahhh......Jim and Claire? Who are those people again?
Emma: Damn you Claire and Jim. I curse you ten times over!
The year went by and the most insistent and passionate pet lover in Avantflat started feeling like the void must be filled. The man, vehemently oppposed to a furry friend, stated many convincing arguments which kept the woman at bay for some time. But then the urge became too strong for the woman and she began to avidly researching the adoption of a retired racing greyhound. Spewing much negative attitude, the man bitterly agreed to walk the greyhounds but later confided to the woman that there was no way in hell he was going to agree to adopt one. (Though he would occasionally go to walk them). Not one to back down, the woman promptly began researching labs, at which point the man got desperate and decided to be a little more leniant on the previously banned subject of getting a cat.
Today Jim and I went to a cat shelter and met Captain Finchley (previously known as Pharoah). Captain Finchley is a long haired yellow cat about 10 months old. Although Jim was dragging his feet, as soon as he met Finchley he fell in love with him (Finchley pulled an Emma and jumped up on Jim's leg, purring manically, which was really all it took for both of us). Finchley came to the shelter because the people who had him before had small children who tortured him. He is a big, long haired, friendly and affectionate cat and we are excited! We went to get his litter box and carrier today and barring any unforseen issues, Finchley will come home on Thursday evening. We'll give him a couple of days before we introduce him to neighbor cat Spike. Here is a picture of Jim with Emma and Chowder's new English brother:
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Our last day
On our final day in Norway, we packed up our cabin and headed back to Bergen. Our hostess let us stay longer than the original check out time, because the next guests weren't coming until the following afternoon, so we had a chance to take an easy walk through the farm before getting into the car for three hours.
We had to stop for gas and were met some some friendly sheep, who especially liked Jim.
We stopped at this funny place for lunch:
and eventually made it back to the airport. Our flight was easy and, by some miracle, there was no customs line, our baggage came out immediately, and the train was waiting for us. There is something nice about being back in London again, but everyone should visit Norway.
We had to stop for gas and were met some some friendly sheep, who especially liked Jim.
We stopped at this funny place for lunch:
and eventually made it back to the airport. Our flight was easy and, by some miracle, there was no customs line, our baggage came out immediately, and the train was waiting for us. There is something nice about being back in London again, but everyone should visit Norway.
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