Sunday, April 26, 2009
P.S....
... By the way, '5A does The Apprentice' was a big success!!!! They were very good. I hired, I fired, I congaed...
Non-fiction surprises.
I am not a big fan of non-fiction. It bores me*. I read extensive non-fiction material for my undergraduate degree and for my PGCE and believe you me, there is NOTHING more dull than reading waffling treatises on Pedagogy (I always do my studying duty), even the word itself makes me glaze over. However, I always persevere, and occasionally, find the occasional gem. At this point, I should ask, if there is anyone out there who can recommend some gripping non-fiction that might serve to change my mind, please drop a line via comments. I live to be surprised!
However, I read 2 really interesting books over the holidays, which were both non-fiction. The first was a book called 'Four gospels, One Jesus?' which I must have picked up in a charity shop at one point when I first became a Christian, as it didn't look like one I would have bought in Wesley Owen (seeeee, Charity shops/2nd hand book shops make us think outside the box!) as it looked to be some sort of academic theological study (In my humble/biased/ignorant opinion, Academic (not theological) being the WORST** kind of non-fiction for me to read, although not as 'WORST'** as celebrity biographies!). Still, I decided that for Holy week, I wanted to look at the gospels etc and so took it off the shelf. It looked at the 4 different approaches to the gospel and how they all portray Jesus in different ways. As the lion (Mark's) with urgency, quickness, extremes, everything happening at break-neck speed, in conflict, with passion and Jesus in his actions ("He's not a tame lion you know, but he's good"). Matthew, the human face- Jesus the loving teacher, teaching extensively, the only gospel which talks of the church, Jesus in control, yet 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, and the cataclysmic natural Earth reactions that follow, and through his human roots, old testament teachings in abundance, . Luke- the Ox- the burden bearer, the sacrificial animal, patiently plodding on through, a slower more detailed gospel, right from the before the birth, Jesus coming out of Israel's history, the importance of the temple/priestship. The human reactions of joy- Mary's magnificat etc (revealing the inclusion of all, gentiles, women, rich and poor, lost, the unacceptable, and all in God's plan), constantly referring to Who is Jesus? The holy Spirit, prayer, joy! The ultimate sacrifice. John - the eagle- the spiritual, the far-sighted, high-flying perspective, gathering under the wings whilst continuing to fly on, 'something in which a child may paddle and yet an elephant may swim' And finally, the Four portraits of the same person- in different roles, yet all in concordance upon Him. For someone who is an academic (Dean of King's college)- it is spiritually and prayerfully sensitive. For someone who doesn't like academic, it is really really approachable and well-written which I have learnt a lot from and enjoyed. I really enjoyed reading it.
The other book I enjoyed was 'Letters to Alice upon first reading Jane Austen' by Fay Weldon. I read this for obvious reasons, it being one of the books I bought in Felixstowe. It takes the form of a series of letters from the author to her niece, who had begun a literature course at University and was most disparaging about reading Jane Austen, and wrote to her black-sheep Aunt in need of help (her being an author of supposedly feminist novels. I think. I haven't read any of them). Ms Weldon, takes us through a beautiful analogy of a city of reading literature, and a surprisingly insightful look at Jane Austen's life and her novels. We learn of the niece's wish to write her own and a lot about being an author (you have to write as a reader, not a writer). This was both witty, amusing and insightful and again, one I would recommend, despite the fact it does reflect its 80's roots.
Ooooh, and most excitingly, I may at last be about to visit Chawton next week, Jane Austen's last abode, where she wrote some of her novels. It is set in rural Hampshire, so I wait for confirmation in high spirits!
More books...
43. Letters to Alice upon first reading Jane Austen – Fay Weldon
44. The spy who loved me - Ian Fleming
45. Blowing it – Judy Astley.
46. Beauty – Sherri Tepper
*With occasional exceptions.
** Worst, a word which here means, following attempts to plough through them, likely to make me want to do marking/cleaning/tidying/voluntarily pick up angry tarantulas, rather than continue to read...
However, I read 2 really interesting books over the holidays, which were both non-fiction. The first was a book called 'Four gospels, One Jesus?' which I must have picked up in a charity shop at one point when I first became a Christian, as it didn't look like one I would have bought in Wesley Owen (seeeee, Charity shops/2nd hand book shops make us think outside the box!) as it looked to be some sort of academic theological study (In my humble/biased/ignorant opinion, Academic (not theological) being the WORST** kind of non-fiction for me to read, although not as 'WORST'** as celebrity biographies!). Still, I decided that for Holy week, I wanted to look at the gospels etc and so took it off the shelf. It looked at the 4 different approaches to the gospel and how they all portray Jesus in different ways. As the lion (Mark's) with urgency, quickness, extremes, everything happening at break-neck speed, in conflict, with passion and Jesus in his actions ("He's not a tame lion you know, but he's good"). Matthew, the human face- Jesus the loving teacher, teaching extensively, the only gospel which talks of the church, Jesus in control, yet 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me, and the cataclysmic natural Earth reactions that follow, and through his human roots, old testament teachings in abundance, . Luke- the Ox- the burden bearer, the sacrificial animal, patiently plodding on through, a slower more detailed gospel, right from the before the birth, Jesus coming out of Israel's history, the importance of the temple/priestship. The human reactions of joy- Mary's magnificat etc (revealing the inclusion of all, gentiles, women, rich and poor, lost, the unacceptable, and all in God's plan), constantly referring to Who is Jesus? The holy Spirit, prayer, joy! The ultimate sacrifice. John - the eagle- the spiritual, the far-sighted, high-flying perspective, gathering under the wings whilst continuing to fly on, 'something in which a child may paddle and yet an elephant may swim' And finally, the Four portraits of the same person- in different roles, yet all in concordance upon Him. For someone who is an academic (Dean of King's college)- it is spiritually and prayerfully sensitive. For someone who doesn't like academic, it is really really approachable and well-written which I have learnt a lot from and enjoyed. I really enjoyed reading it.
The other book I enjoyed was 'Letters to Alice upon first reading Jane Austen' by Fay Weldon. I read this for obvious reasons, it being one of the books I bought in Felixstowe. It takes the form of a series of letters from the author to her niece, who had begun a literature course at University and was most disparaging about reading Jane Austen, and wrote to her black-sheep Aunt in need of help (her being an author of supposedly feminist novels. I think. I haven't read any of them). Ms Weldon, takes us through a beautiful analogy of a city of reading literature, and a surprisingly insightful look at Jane Austen's life and her novels. We learn of the niece's wish to write her own and a lot about being an author (you have to write as a reader, not a writer). This was both witty, amusing and insightful and again, one I would recommend, despite the fact it does reflect its 80's roots.
Ooooh, and most excitingly, I may at last be about to visit Chawton next week, Jane Austen's last abode, where she wrote some of her novels. It is set in rural Hampshire, so I wait for confirmation in high spirits!
More books...
43. Letters to Alice upon first reading Jane Austen – Fay Weldon
44. The spy who loved me - Ian Fleming
45. Blowing it – Judy Astley.
46. Beauty – Sherri Tepper
*With occasional exceptions.
** Worst, a word which here means, following attempts to plough through them, likely to make me want to do marking/cleaning/tidying/voluntarily pick up angry tarantulas, rather than continue to read...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Waffles sans maple syrup
I find myself back into the swing of life, panicking to try and get everything crammed into a 5 week half term. Life is manic, but then it usually is, right from the days as a teenager- dog walking, working, music rehearsals galore, oh and school!
The Easter holidays were lovely. Such a refreshment is so necessary- non-teachers find it so hard to understand. Mind you, I was pleased that I did manage to get a fair amount of work done. I levelled all my English assessments (holiday recounts) on the first couple of days of the holidays. The first day of the holidays, I had a lovely time playing a concert in Woking, enjoying some shopping (more books oh dear…) with my dear friend E, despite initial panic at strange hour long train diversion- thank the Lord that I did the unheard of, and left myself an hour and a half extra to travel!
On the Wednesday and Thursday I went to stay with my Uni friend Kath in Oxfordshire, which was an unexpected and happy experience. Kath shares my taste in books and particularly my love of browsing charity shops and second hand bookshops for new books. Don’t tell her boyfriend (or my mum!) that we both managed to buy a significant amount of books in one afternoon! We meandered fields, searched perplexedly for the site of a Medieval village in an old copse. Later, we enjoyed friezes in a tiny rural church and chips in a gastropub. On the second day, it was blowing a hooley (as my Dad says) and we visited the Rollright stones (she counted 60, I counted 67! Tis true- no one counts the same amount!) the whispering knights and the stone King. She met up with a fellow teacher to discuss their musicals concert (she’s a music teacher!) and we ate lunch in a garden centre, where the girl playing piano there played my grade 7 piano pieces!!!!!
Maundy Thursday evening, we had a service at church which was a new experience- foot washing involved, to recall Jesus washing the disciple’s feet- I thought this was lovely, an act of humility and servitude to to others, but since we’d never done it before, and I was the first one asked to come forward, it was a little daunting at first (and I am ticklish, so wore a slightly nervous smile).
On Good Friday, we discovered that my mother and I had both bought Hot X Bunnies, meaning we had a total of 24 for two people! At church, we hosted the local churches united for the service. It was a blessed time, with many followers having followed the cross around our area. I sang the cantor for the trisagion and reproaches which was slightly nerve-racking.
Subsequently, in the afternoon we had a 1 hour meditation, which was a very special time. Rach talked to me about prayer writing a while ago, and I do tend to try and prayer write at times- I tend to find writing poems as a form of praise and worship as part of this, and helps me to focus! I spent some time doing this. After the service, I went for a country walk with my friend Debs and her daughter N plus dalmations, which was a real blessing. I realise that for me, walking, surrounded by nature is such an important need in my life. When I returned home, I wrote some songs.
Saturday was the big spring clean at church. Yes, me and intense chores are antonyms, scrubbing at surfaces fills me with dread but there you are! Oh, and of course, there was no purchase of books in the afternoon (Ahrgh, what’s happened to my nose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
After 2 lovely days at my Dad’s (plus Easter Sunday service), including doing planning, I enjoyed 4 halcyon days in Felixstowe, where I swam, walked extensively and er- bought some books (and started those rascally reports!).
My return to school has been fairly innocuous thus far (whaaaaat, I hear you ask?). I actually experienced not just one, but TWO music composition lessons with my year 3s on Monday that did not result in my wanting to tear my hair, perforated ear drums and a hoarse voice! They worked enthusiastically, sensibly, cooperatively, intelligently and efficiently (whoa, too many adverbs!) and completed the task correctly- tis a rare and beautiful thing! Things took a slightly less positive turn with year 6, who are too big for such a small music room, and are a bit noisy (SATS repression), silly and cock-sure, but it wasn’t too bad- and those children from my class last year who were problematic, were actually mostly fine. I am back with the horrendous year 1s again this half term- they are equally crazy. Transferring them from assembly in the dinner hall to the music room in the main building took 15 minutes- it is like herding a bunch of particularly stubborn. Or that game with the heads that keeps popping up- as soon as one was quiet, another would pipe up, walk at snail pace, start arguing, grab at a display board, sneak a drink from the drink fountain, start a mini-scale war, paint a Van Gogh…
Literacy is great fun at the moment- we are studying persuasive writing, and we’ve been looking at adverts. Science is going to be less painful as we will be covering ‘Keeping healthy’ (although, that said, finding pulses is always challenging!). Today we came up with unique selling points (internet enabled watch for anyone?) and tomorrow, I will assuming the persona of Sir Alan Sugar to present my class with an Apprentice style challenge to come up with a sales pitch for a After school club, and I shall be hiring and firing! They’re very excited!
As I type, I am watching the programme about the 33 stone teenager, Georgia- poor thing, I know lots of people are judgemental on overweight people (and I certainly don’t approve of what a lot of parents feed their children- as someone who was brought up in a house with very little money, despite my middle-class background, I was always made to eat healthy foods, cheap vegetable stews and I worked on the allotment etc) but I really do understand the emotional tug that food has on some people, I feel it myself quite frequently. I am fortunate that I have a high metabolism, walk lots, am often too busy to stuff myself, enjoy breakfast etc, but I am certainly one who eats lots when miserable! It does seem to in the short-term act as a morale-booster. She lost a parent when young, had some social and obviously emotional events have an impact on how our lives shape out . It is amazing that she’s managed to become so heavy though, but I reserve judgement, I don’t think I can judge, she’s encountered a huge amount of grief in her life. I really admire her determination and really hope it works out for her!
Tomorrow, I have the thrilling pleasure of teaching athletics.
Books, books, books...
39. The unknown Ajax - Georgette Heyer
40. A civil contract – Georgette Heyer
41. Four gospels, one Jesus? – Richard Burridge
42. Whizziwig – Malorie Blackman.
The Easter holidays were lovely. Such a refreshment is so necessary- non-teachers find it so hard to understand. Mind you, I was pleased that I did manage to get a fair amount of work done. I levelled all my English assessments (holiday recounts) on the first couple of days of the holidays. The first day of the holidays, I had a lovely time playing a concert in Woking, enjoying some shopping (more books oh dear…) with my dear friend E, despite initial panic at strange hour long train diversion- thank the Lord that I did the unheard of, and left myself an hour and a half extra to travel!
On the Wednesday and Thursday I went to stay with my Uni friend Kath in Oxfordshire, which was an unexpected and happy experience. Kath shares my taste in books and particularly my love of browsing charity shops and second hand bookshops for new books. Don’t tell her boyfriend (or my mum!) that we both managed to buy a significant amount of books in one afternoon! We meandered fields, searched perplexedly for the site of a Medieval village in an old copse. Later, we enjoyed friezes in a tiny rural church and chips in a gastropub. On the second day, it was blowing a hooley (as my Dad says) and we visited the Rollright stones (she counted 60, I counted 67! Tis true- no one counts the same amount!) the whispering knights and the stone King. She met up with a fellow teacher to discuss their musicals concert (she’s a music teacher!) and we ate lunch in a garden centre, where the girl playing piano there played my grade 7 piano pieces!!!!!
Maundy Thursday evening, we had a service at church which was a new experience- foot washing involved, to recall Jesus washing the disciple’s feet- I thought this was lovely, an act of humility and servitude to to others, but since we’d never done it before, and I was the first one asked to come forward, it was a little daunting at first (and I am ticklish, so wore a slightly nervous smile).
On Good Friday, we discovered that my mother and I had both bought Hot X Bunnies, meaning we had a total of 24 for two people! At church, we hosted the local churches united for the service. It was a blessed time, with many followers having followed the cross around our area. I sang the cantor for the trisagion and reproaches which was slightly nerve-racking.
Subsequently, in the afternoon we had a 1 hour meditation, which was a very special time. Rach talked to me about prayer writing a while ago, and I do tend to try and prayer write at times- I tend to find writing poems as a form of praise and worship as part of this, and helps me to focus! I spent some time doing this. After the service, I went for a country walk with my friend Debs and her daughter N plus dalmations, which was a real blessing. I realise that for me, walking, surrounded by nature is such an important need in my life. When I returned home, I wrote some songs.
Saturday was the big spring clean at church. Yes, me and intense chores are antonyms, scrubbing at surfaces fills me with dread but there you are! Oh, and of course, there was no purchase of books in the afternoon (Ahrgh, what’s happened to my nose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
After 2 lovely days at my Dad’s (plus Easter Sunday service), including doing planning, I enjoyed 4 halcyon days in Felixstowe, where I swam, walked extensively and er- bought some books (and started those rascally reports!).
My return to school has been fairly innocuous thus far (whaaaaat, I hear you ask?). I actually experienced not just one, but TWO music composition lessons with my year 3s on Monday that did not result in my wanting to tear my hair, perforated ear drums and a hoarse voice! They worked enthusiastically, sensibly, cooperatively, intelligently and efficiently (whoa, too many adverbs!) and completed the task correctly- tis a rare and beautiful thing! Things took a slightly less positive turn with year 6, who are too big for such a small music room, and are a bit noisy (SATS repression), silly and cock-sure, but it wasn’t too bad- and those children from my class last year who were problematic, were actually mostly fine. I am back with the horrendous year 1s again this half term- they are equally crazy. Transferring them from assembly in the dinner hall to the music room in the main building took 15 minutes- it is like herding a bunch of particularly stubborn. Or that game with the heads that keeps popping up- as soon as one was quiet, another would pipe up, walk at snail pace, start arguing, grab at a display board, sneak a drink from the drink fountain, start a mini-scale war, paint a Van Gogh…
Literacy is great fun at the moment- we are studying persuasive writing, and we’ve been looking at adverts. Science is going to be less painful as we will be covering ‘Keeping healthy’ (although, that said, finding pulses is always challenging!). Today we came up with unique selling points (internet enabled watch for anyone?) and tomorrow, I will assuming the persona of Sir Alan Sugar to present my class with an Apprentice style challenge to come up with a sales pitch for a After school club, and I shall be hiring and firing! They’re very excited!
As I type, I am watching the programme about the 33 stone teenager, Georgia- poor thing, I know lots of people are judgemental on overweight people (and I certainly don’t approve of what a lot of parents feed their children- as someone who was brought up in a house with very little money, despite my middle-class background, I was always made to eat healthy foods, cheap vegetable stews and I worked on the allotment etc) but I really do understand the emotional tug that food has on some people, I feel it myself quite frequently. I am fortunate that I have a high metabolism, walk lots, am often too busy to stuff myself, enjoy breakfast etc, but I am certainly one who eats lots when miserable! It does seem to in the short-term act as a morale-booster. She lost a parent when young, had some social and obviously emotional events have an impact on how our lives shape out . It is amazing that she’s managed to become so heavy though, but I reserve judgement, I don’t think I can judge, she’s encountered a huge amount of grief in her life. I really admire her determination and really hope it works out for her!
Tomorrow, I have the thrilling pleasure of teaching athletics.
Books, books, books...
39. The unknown Ajax - Georgette Heyer
40. A civil contract – Georgette Heyer
41. Four gospels, one Jesus? – Richard Burridge
42. Whizziwig – Malorie Blackman.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Joy abounding!
I've felt the most overwhelming sense of joy this weekend. Obviously, one of the most obvious reasons is that I am free of my little lovelies for 2 weeks (we were all rather tired and ratty with each other this week) but it's been a lovely day. We had a really worshipful service at church today- it was filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and there was a real feeling of everyone singing their hearts out to God (sometimes, our congregation can be a little reticent in singing out). We started off in the vicarage garden, we sang Hosanna, surrounded by the sounds of trilling finches, the soft rustle of Spring leaves, the fresh smells of greenery and new life, that never-ceases-to-amaze-me chandelier of blossom on the surrounding regal trees. Then we began singing another song 'Make way for Christ the King' as we exited the garden and walked, singing exuberantly around the corner and the gates were 'flung wide' as we entered the church (accompanied by the unexpected and highly amusing accompaniment of a rather excited little boy who pinched my tambourine and then ran up the aisle and banged vigorously on the conga drum and then jammed it with the vicar's guitar whilst we sang 'All glory laud and honour'!). I just felt the real joy, overwhelming joy in worship today!
Then, this afternoon, I enjoyed a lovely relaxed sunny lunch with my friend J. It was a perfect day. After a lovely simple evening service, I then enjoyed a recital by our virtuosic blackbird (he really has to be heard to be believed!) before finding my computer!
Hope your day was equally lovely!
Then, this afternoon, I enjoyed a lovely relaxed sunny lunch with my friend J. It was a perfect day. After a lovely simple evening service, I then enjoyed a recital by our virtuosic blackbird (he really has to be heard to be believed!) before finding my computer!
Hope your day was equally lovely!
More fab books!
37.Sprig Muslin - Georgette Heyer
38. The Hounds of the Morrigan - Pat O'Shea.
I have to say that the Hounds of the Morrigan is one of the most imaginative, beautifully descriptive and beautifully written books I have read in a long time, and still, since being a kid's book, preserves that wonderful sense of innocence- I went off adult fantasy novels a while back, due to there always being some sort of weird things going on. But kids' ones are still fab!
38. The Hounds of the Morrigan - Pat O'Shea.
I have to say that the Hounds of the Morrigan is one of the most imaginative, beautifully descriptive and beautifully written books I have read in a long time, and still, since being a kid's book, preserves that wonderful sense of innocence- I went off adult fantasy novels a while back, due to there always being some sort of weird things going on. But kids' ones are still fab!
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