This is majorly late in being posted, but alas, I'm changing the date anyway!
This may seem like old news now, but I went to Prague, Czech Republic for half-term. It was a great city, and I would love to go back to it in warmer weather. We had great weather while there though, it wasn't overly cold and it didn't snow or rain while we were there. What can I say, I'm rather talented when it comes to the weather.
What we didn't have as much luck with, however, was health. Sarah was recovering from being sick, Lucy had been battling a cold, and I had no voice for the majority of the trip. I was shouting and all that would come out was a squeak. This made it hard to communicate, obviously, and hard to navigate as I was the only one out who was comfortable with directions. And little Sarah caught the flu while there and was rather ill.
Our health was the only negative part of the vacation.
We arrived in Prague late as our flight had been delayed - this had us worried, as the tube system wasn't running and we weren't sure how to get from the airport into the city centre. We hopped on the bus anyway, and arrived at the closed tube station. Fortunately we were not alone, there was another group of young adults at the station as well. And one of them spoke English, and overheard us trying to sort ouf where the hell we had to go. They were heading in to the city centre as well, so we followed them onto the night tram and got off with them in Wencelas Square. He directed us in the general direction of our hostel and we said thanks and departed.
This was the first encounter with my voice not working when it would have been beneficial. I had a fairly clear idea of where to go as I found where we were on the map, but no one else was able to hear me. They were walking off in the written directions that Lucy had wrote down from the hostel's website which was well enough, but the map was clearly showing me where it would have been a good place to go. We ended up walking in a huge circle that led to the road I had tried to say we should go down anyway. hahahaha. We get there though and promptly fall asleep.
Our room was nice. It was more like a budget hotel than a hostel, as we had our own bathroom and there were no bunkbeds in our 4-bed room. One evening they even gave us a bottle of champagne! Which was nice. The negative part about the hostel though were some of the other occupants who chose to ignore the quiet hours and were banging on each others doors and yelling in the hallway at 4am. Idiots.
Our first morning we headed out and encountered what is currently my favourite building in existence - the Astronomical Clock. I can't really explain how it works as it's complicated, but you should try looking it up. It just amazed me that it was built so very long ago. It's beautiful, and amazes me. Every hour there is a little show it puts on. The 12 Apostles rotate past and there is a skeleton representing Death that rings a bell. Many people are disappointed in the show, but I wasn't. I wasn't disappointed because I couldn't get beyond thinking about how incredibly OLD it is. Around 1410, actually.
After the Clock we went to find the Church Upon Tyn which we could see from Old Town Square. However, what we hadn't remembered reading was that this church is actually surrounded by other buildings, so you can't really see it without seeing other buildings. We ended up on a walk around the area trying to find it before discovering this fact for ourselves.
While in Prague, I have to say that my favourite things were the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge. This bridge, while under construction (disappointing) is still an amazing bridge to stroll across. There are multiple statues that adorn it, and it's just a really lovely atmosphere. I bought a small watercolour of it, as I was unable to really take the sort of pictures I'd like to have due to the construction.
There is in Prague a very delicious pastry, and it is in fact I think my favourite pastry ever. It's called a Tredlnik and it is made by rolling the batter around a stick and baking it over coals. It's amusing to eat as well as delicious. Once I tried one, I then proceeded to have one every day. They were that good.
Prague's Castle is hilarious. This is why: the gate, so the FIRST thing you see about this Castle... has two statues on the gate posts. One of these statues shows a man clubbing someone's head in, and the other has a man with a thin sword stabbing someone else. It's very friendly and inviting. Makes you feel welcome. Well, in actuality it made me laugh. It certainly would have been intimidating back in the day. The inside of the Castle has Golden Lane which I did not pay to go down, but it has Kafka's house on it. I didn't feel the need to see his house as I'd walked past the museum and not gone in - although I had laughed at the hilarious pissing statue. The hips swivel so that the men's 'piss' is more like-like I suppose.
The architecture in Prague is amazing - Prague has been left relatively undamaged, so the old parts of the city maintain a lot more of the architecture than you will find in many other locations. I enjoyed just simply walking around. Although Sarah and I did pay to go on a tour to see the Mirror Chapel (cool but not something I'd pay to see), the Astronomical Tower (do not confuse this with the Astronomical Clock, as this tower is where they did their stargazing and provided a really lovely view of the city) and the Baroque Library (what I had wanted to see, and was disappointed at not being allowed to photograph it).
Little Sarah and I after the Baroque Library had gone back to Prague Castle for take two (even though this involved walking up a huge freaking hill) because we wanted to go see the Lobkowiz collection. It was a nice little museum, and we learned that a lot of Beethoven's works were dedicated to someone in that family who was his patron. That was my favourite part, actually getting to see works by Beethoven and Mozart and being able to view their actual handwriting. Especially as I hadn't been expecting that.
Back to architecutre, however. There is a building in Prague that I had wanted to see, and on our departure day, since I was up hours before everyone else, I went for a walk around Prague alone to find it. It's the Dancing House, which is also called Ginger and Fred after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It's a more modern building, but I thought it looked lovely and wanted to see it. So I had a lovely stroll along the river while going to find it.
An area of Prague that I would have liked to spend more time in but didn't, was the Jewish Quarter. Prague is known for it's Jewish history, and while I'm sure most of you know that I'm not really keen on war-history, there's a very strong presence in this part of the city. It just felt really intriguing and heavy, moreso than the rest of the Old Town.
To contrast the more sombre memorial that is the Jewish Quarter, there is also in the New Town a wall dedicated to John Lennon. It's a wall covered in graffiti, so it's always changing. There's a lot on there and you could spent a rather long time examining it and still miss a lot. We were unfortunately not bright enough to have taken any markers with us, so we didn't contribute anything to the wall and I think we all wish that we had.
Overall, I really just loved being here. I've left out a lot, but I've tried to keep this entry somewhat contained.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The good news: January is over!
Yesterday I said I was going to try to squeeze in my two-entries-per-month I was aiming for.
So today I shall.
Yesterday I focused on the negative aspects of January, so today I will focus on the good.
The students whom I have taught since Christmas have all been quite wonderful - a few exceptions to the rule, but overall they have all been a pleasure. While back with supplying I've returned to schools I've taught at before (actually, my two favourites really) and it made me really happy to be remembered and welcomed back. It means a lot to me when someone remembers me, as I tend to assume that I'll be forgotten after a few weeks. I don't think my brain will ever change in regards to that, but it does allow me to be really pleased and happy to hear things like "welcome back" and "don't go". I even had a student groan when he found out what class I was teaching - not because I was teaching his class and he didn't want me there, but because I was teaching the OTHER year 6 class and he wasn't going to have me as his teacher.
Those sorts of things just make you feel really good inside.
My friends, on both sides of the pond, have kept my sanity this past month.
My flatmates have all been amazing (and hilarious) and are rather lovely people. I went out dancing with Lucy (one of my flatmates, another Canadian, for those of you not in the know) for her birthday with some of her friends. It was rather a fun evening, even if I WAS stressing about work. We went somewhere called the 100 Club and there was a live jazz/swing band playing. I, being the knob that I am, invited some guys to ask Lucy to dance since it was her birthday. It kept me amused, at any rate. Sometimes I baffle myself with just how opposite I am to myself.
My nanolondon crew have been amazingly supportive via twitter, messages, and in person. I don't know what I'd do without them sometimes, as it's so important to me to have friends outside of teaching. Although I am blaming them for an addiction to Twitter that we have all mostly been infected with. But, I suppose as far as addictions go, Twitter is rather harmless. They're just such lovely people, the entire lot of them. I just wish I saw them more often, and hope that my more stress-free life will allow me time to do so! Just need to get my act together and actually invite more of them out places, instead of only going when they invite me out. Cause how is that any fair!
Siggy&Jen and Gareth will get their own little mentions as they're Brits but not part of my London crew at all. But Siggy managed to keep me all relaxed when I was stressing out. This is quite the feat seeing as I spent SEVEN HOURS in the Imperial War Museum with him. It was quite tedious! Informative, and interesting information, but not my cup of tea. I did it solely for him and treated it as research for it my parents ever come over to England. I now know that I could easily abandon my father in there for a few days as he would not get through it in one day, and that if I absolutely must spend the day in there again that I shall most definitely find one of those portable stools to cart around and bring a book. In other news - mom and dad, you would both love the museum. Remind me to ditch you in it when you piss me off and hope you can't find your way home, ok? haha. As to Gareth, he is a friend of Tanis (my sister in law for those of you who have no memories!) and the poor sap has been stuck listening to me moan and complain on and off since I arrived in England. He even manages to snap me out of it by sarcastically insulting me somehow or another. (Do keep in mind, this is ME we are talking about, and I don't believe I've ever been not-amused by sarcasm, so well-done Gareth!)
My Canadaland friends. I haven't really talked to anyone very often, but as I'm doing a few shoutouts I'd like to point out that Ashley and Kristin quite stubburnly insist on having shitty sleeping habits, and thus are always awake when I wake up at 6am and are around to chat with. Even when I'm grumpy or inattentive to the conversations, I do always smile at having messages sat there for me while I've gone to brush my teeth. Sometimes I'm just not with it enough in the morning this past month to remember to respond, and sometimes I'm sure I've been snappish but these ladies put up with my splendidly in the morning when they should be sensible and go to bed. <3 Much love to them!
Peri (who will not read this as he does not have the internet at home as he is a loser and also won't know I called him such but this is purely his own fault) I'm going to give his own little paragraph too. (he also won't know that he's getting a paragraph all to himself! This is what happens when you do not use the internet!) Poor, poor Peri. For those of you who can't recall who Peri is, this is because I've only known him since last year at York. The poor soul was stuck having placement with me, plus a rather horrid Education class that we both despised. This meant that he heard me bitch and moan all year, and somehow had to composure to not kill me where I stood. He even went so far as to drive my sorry ass back home after placement, ditching class to go for beer, taking me to get groceries, coming to say hello after I endured the hell that was Convocation, and then taking me out to play pool before I left for England (we were both equally horrid at it!). Peri has done all of that sort of stuff for me DESPITE all the verbal abuse I've thrown his way (although he's never yet been caught unawares when I ask if I can kick him). He's continued that into this year! What a knob, if he was smarter he would have blocked all contact with me. However, as he has a blackberry, he has been getting routinely spammed on my way home from work or when I am otherwise away from the house and need either a laugh a smile or somewhere to vent. And, to further prove to all of you that I am amazingly lucky in the friends I have acquired over the years... he dutifully messages me back and even told me a story upon demand once.
What amazing friends I have!
So while I really have had very little to post about lately, I think a post primarily dedicated to pointing out just how AMAZING my friends is a good way to write a post. I'm just a lucky one, that's for sure.
So my dear friends, I love you all, please keep putting up with my sorry ass!
PS. If I didn't mention you by name or "grouping", I have not forgotten you. It just means that perhaps in the past month we haven't had much chance to speak! So *coughcough*dropmealine*coughcough*
So today I shall.
Yesterday I focused on the negative aspects of January, so today I will focus on the good.
The students whom I have taught since Christmas have all been quite wonderful - a few exceptions to the rule, but overall they have all been a pleasure. While back with supplying I've returned to schools I've taught at before (actually, my two favourites really) and it made me really happy to be remembered and welcomed back. It means a lot to me when someone remembers me, as I tend to assume that I'll be forgotten after a few weeks. I don't think my brain will ever change in regards to that, but it does allow me to be really pleased and happy to hear things like "welcome back" and "don't go". I even had a student groan when he found out what class I was teaching - not because I was teaching his class and he didn't want me there, but because I was teaching the OTHER year 6 class and he wasn't going to have me as his teacher.
Those sorts of things just make you feel really good inside.
My friends, on both sides of the pond, have kept my sanity this past month.
My flatmates have all been amazing (and hilarious) and are rather lovely people. I went out dancing with Lucy (one of my flatmates, another Canadian, for those of you not in the know) for her birthday with some of her friends. It was rather a fun evening, even if I WAS stressing about work. We went somewhere called the 100 Club and there was a live jazz/swing band playing. I, being the knob that I am, invited some guys to ask Lucy to dance since it was her birthday. It kept me amused, at any rate. Sometimes I baffle myself with just how opposite I am to myself.
My nanolondon crew have been amazingly supportive via twitter, messages, and in person. I don't know what I'd do without them sometimes, as it's so important to me to have friends outside of teaching. Although I am blaming them for an addiction to Twitter that we have all mostly been infected with. But, I suppose as far as addictions go, Twitter is rather harmless. They're just such lovely people, the entire lot of them. I just wish I saw them more often, and hope that my more stress-free life will allow me time to do so! Just need to get my act together and actually invite more of them out places, instead of only going when they invite me out. Cause how is that any fair!
Siggy&Jen and Gareth will get their own little mentions as they're Brits but not part of my London crew at all. But Siggy managed to keep me all relaxed when I was stressing out. This is quite the feat seeing as I spent SEVEN HOURS in the Imperial War Museum with him. It was quite tedious! Informative, and interesting information, but not my cup of tea. I did it solely for him and treated it as research for it my parents ever come over to England. I now know that I could easily abandon my father in there for a few days as he would not get through it in one day, and that if I absolutely must spend the day in there again that I shall most definitely find one of those portable stools to cart around and bring a book. In other news - mom and dad, you would both love the museum. Remind me to ditch you in it when you piss me off and hope you can't find your way home, ok? haha. As to Gareth, he is a friend of Tanis (my sister in law for those of you who have no memories!) and the poor sap has been stuck listening to me moan and complain on and off since I arrived in England. He even manages to snap me out of it by sarcastically insulting me somehow or another. (Do keep in mind, this is ME we are talking about, and I don't believe I've ever been not-amused by sarcasm, so well-done Gareth!)
My Canadaland friends. I haven't really talked to anyone very often, but as I'm doing a few shoutouts I'd like to point out that Ashley and Kristin quite stubburnly insist on having shitty sleeping habits, and thus are always awake when I wake up at 6am and are around to chat with. Even when I'm grumpy or inattentive to the conversations, I do always smile at having messages sat there for me while I've gone to brush my teeth. Sometimes I'm just not with it enough in the morning this past month to remember to respond, and sometimes I'm sure I've been snappish but these ladies put up with my splendidly in the morning when they should be sensible and go to bed. <3 Much love to them!
Peri (who will not read this as he does not have the internet at home as he is a loser and also won't know I called him such but this is purely his own fault) I'm going to give his own little paragraph too. (he also won't know that he's getting a paragraph all to himself! This is what happens when you do not use the internet!) Poor, poor Peri. For those of you who can't recall who Peri is, this is because I've only known him since last year at York. The poor soul was stuck having placement with me, plus a rather horrid Education class that we both despised. This meant that he heard me bitch and moan all year, and somehow had to composure to not kill me where I stood. He even went so far as to drive my sorry ass back home after placement, ditching class to go for beer, taking me to get groceries, coming to say hello after I endured the hell that was Convocation, and then taking me out to play pool before I left for England (we were both equally horrid at it!). Peri has done all of that sort of stuff for me DESPITE all the verbal abuse I've thrown his way (although he's never yet been caught unawares when I ask if I can kick him). He's continued that into this year! What a knob, if he was smarter he would have blocked all contact with me. However, as he has a blackberry, he has been getting routinely spammed on my way home from work or when I am otherwise away from the house and need either a laugh a smile or somewhere to vent. And, to further prove to all of you that I am amazingly lucky in the friends I have acquired over the years... he dutifully messages me back and even told me a story upon demand once.
What amazing friends I have!
So while I really have had very little to post about lately, I think a post primarily dedicated to pointing out just how AMAZING my friends is a good way to write a post. I'm just a lucky one, that's for sure.
So my dear friends, I love you all, please keep putting up with my sorry ass!
PS. If I didn't mention you by name or "grouping", I have not forgotten you. It just means that perhaps in the past month we haven't had much chance to speak! So *coughcough*dropmealine*coughcough*
Saturday, January 30, 2010
January Hell
Salut my friends and family!
It is a testament to how insanely busy my January has been that I have not written twice this month. I've tried to write twice a month for the duration of my time in London, and this month I finally failed.
Perhaps I'll do a meme after this, just to make myself better by seeing (2) next to January! Or perhaps I'll split this post into two posts, depending on what I write about. We shall see. Or perhaps I'll just leave it at (1) so that I will always remember the insanity of this month.
We'll let's see. The last time I wrote was before New Years Eve - I spent NYE in my standard fashion - at home on my own! I completely bailed on the plans that I had, as I was just not keen that day on using public transit! I fail, I know, but to be fair, I had an enjoyable evening watching Mr. Bean and chatting with people back in Canada land, and I did indeed stay up until midnight.
My January since then has consisted of teaching and overworking myself. I've barely seen my friends, and I have both cancelled plans and bailed out early on the ones I've attended. Even when Siggy came to visit me from Bristol, the majority of my conversation was stressing out about work as it was all I could really think about. Fortunately Siggy didn't mind, as I DID spent 7 HOURS STRAIGHT in the Imperial War Museum with him. This is quite the feat for me, and I'm rather proud of that accomplishment! I didn't even complain! It was actually a better museum than I thought it would be, it's really well done. Just not my flavour of history.
The year 5 class I spent January teaching are wonderful children. The other teachers in the school are all quite friendly. I was having a hard time with the school since I'm both new to teaching and new to the country, and in three weeks I had 1 prep period. I was barely able to keep up even though I was working through my breaks and lunch breaks, staying at the school until after 5 and often after 5:30, and still working when I was at home.
I'm no longer at that school, and I'm glad of it. There were offers of support, and the year 6 teacher was quite helpful and I'll miss her, but even though support was offered and I said yes I could use help, I never actually got any. I think the school wanted someone with more experience, even though my experience level has always been open. I just don't know if they realized that when saying that were willing to help a teacher get QTS, that it meant a very brand new teacher and I think stuff got confused. Who knows.
I won't really go into details on this blog, as it's public. All I will say, is that I wanted out. So I've spent the last week back to supplying and have had multiple comments on how I seem a lot happier. Cause I am. My stress level is going back down and I've actually got energy again. When I've smiled and laughed this week - they've been real smiles and laughs. I've actually enjoyed the conversations I've had. When I take some time to relax, I don't feel guilty or stressed out because of x,y,z needing to be done. It's great.
The worst part about the whole experience is that it's making me question if I am willing to put up with the education system in this country. I hate that the job made me feel like I owe Ontario's Curriculum a huge apology! I'm not sure how much of it was the way that particular school was, or how much of it is really country-wide. I'm thinking it's a combination.
The education system here seems about ass-backwards or at least a few decades behind Ontario's curriculum. From what I've gathered from this country, their idea of "differentiated learning" is to segregate the students within the classroom, where the 'smart' students are at one table doing activity A, the average lot are doing activity B, and the 'low' group are doing activity C. The students are expected to all progress at the same rate - which means that there is zero scaffolding being done to help bring the lower group closer to the average. It is basically what I've been taught in Ontario is completely wrong.
In Ontario, I'm used to where all the students are doing the same activity - you just provide extra challenge for the higher students when they're finished, and find accommodations for the lower students to help them achieve the same end goal. It's common practice in Ontario to have mixed ability tables, so that the students can actually learn from each other. Here in England... the students are always arranged in ability tables, so the lower ability students cannot usually turn to each other for assistance. There's no student-teaching going on at all in English classrooms, or at least a very minimal amount.
I've also found that homework is given out for homework's sake. This is COMPLETELY frowned upon and discouraged in Ontario - if you give students homework in Ontario you really have to justify it. Usually it's something that the student didn't complete in class (and you have to justify why they didn't finish in class and why you know they can understand it and finish it at home) or is something that the student will NOT need assistance with. Which means homework is sent home rarely in Ontario.
Also, every school here seems to work on some sort of sticker-reward chart. The students want a sticker for EVERYTHING that they do. it's a little sad. I like stickers and all, but it sometimes feels like it's getting ridiculous here!
Ah well.
I hope that the next time I take on a long-term (I definitely need a break from it for now) that I'll be in a more supportive school, and not a single-form school where I'm the only teacher for the grade.
It's just getting really frustrating how everything here is centered on how it looks on paper.... being able to tick off that a classroom has/uses 1,2,3,4,5.... instead of actual student learning or really looking at if what's in the room is actually being used to an advantage. It just needs to be there, to be seen. As long as it looks good on the paper or in a photograph, then it's a-ok in this country.
I hope I'm wrong about it.
It is a testament to how insanely busy my January has been that I have not written twice this month. I've tried to write twice a month for the duration of my time in London, and this month I finally failed.
Perhaps I'll do a meme after this, just to make myself better by seeing (2) next to January! Or perhaps I'll split this post into two posts, depending on what I write about. We shall see. Or perhaps I'll just leave it at (1) so that I will always remember the insanity of this month.
We'll let's see. The last time I wrote was before New Years Eve - I spent NYE in my standard fashion - at home on my own! I completely bailed on the plans that I had, as I was just not keen that day on using public transit! I fail, I know, but to be fair, I had an enjoyable evening watching Mr. Bean and chatting with people back in Canada land, and I did indeed stay up until midnight.
My January since then has consisted of teaching and overworking myself. I've barely seen my friends, and I have both cancelled plans and bailed out early on the ones I've attended. Even when Siggy came to visit me from Bristol, the majority of my conversation was stressing out about work as it was all I could really think about. Fortunately Siggy didn't mind, as I DID spent 7 HOURS STRAIGHT in the Imperial War Museum with him. This is quite the feat for me, and I'm rather proud of that accomplishment! I didn't even complain! It was actually a better museum than I thought it would be, it's really well done. Just not my flavour of history.
The year 5 class I spent January teaching are wonderful children. The other teachers in the school are all quite friendly. I was having a hard time with the school since I'm both new to teaching and new to the country, and in three weeks I had 1 prep period. I was barely able to keep up even though I was working through my breaks and lunch breaks, staying at the school until after 5 and often after 5:30, and still working when I was at home.
I'm no longer at that school, and I'm glad of it. There were offers of support, and the year 6 teacher was quite helpful and I'll miss her, but even though support was offered and I said yes I could use help, I never actually got any. I think the school wanted someone with more experience, even though my experience level has always been open. I just don't know if they realized that when saying that were willing to help a teacher get QTS, that it meant a very brand new teacher and I think stuff got confused. Who knows.
I won't really go into details on this blog, as it's public. All I will say, is that I wanted out. So I've spent the last week back to supplying and have had multiple comments on how I seem a lot happier. Cause I am. My stress level is going back down and I've actually got energy again. When I've smiled and laughed this week - they've been real smiles and laughs. I've actually enjoyed the conversations I've had. When I take some time to relax, I don't feel guilty or stressed out because of x,y,z needing to be done. It's great.
The worst part about the whole experience is that it's making me question if I am willing to put up with the education system in this country. I hate that the job made me feel like I owe Ontario's Curriculum a huge apology! I'm not sure how much of it was the way that particular school was, or how much of it is really country-wide. I'm thinking it's a combination.
The education system here seems about ass-backwards or at least a few decades behind Ontario's curriculum. From what I've gathered from this country, their idea of "differentiated learning" is to segregate the students within the classroom, where the 'smart' students are at one table doing activity A, the average lot are doing activity B, and the 'low' group are doing activity C. The students are expected to all progress at the same rate - which means that there is zero scaffolding being done to help bring the lower group closer to the average. It is basically what I've been taught in Ontario is completely wrong.
In Ontario, I'm used to where all the students are doing the same activity - you just provide extra challenge for the higher students when they're finished, and find accommodations for the lower students to help them achieve the same end goal. It's common practice in Ontario to have mixed ability tables, so that the students can actually learn from each other. Here in England... the students are always arranged in ability tables, so the lower ability students cannot usually turn to each other for assistance. There's no student-teaching going on at all in English classrooms, or at least a very minimal amount.
I've also found that homework is given out for homework's sake. This is COMPLETELY frowned upon and discouraged in Ontario - if you give students homework in Ontario you really have to justify it. Usually it's something that the student didn't complete in class (and you have to justify why they didn't finish in class and why you know they can understand it and finish it at home) or is something that the student will NOT need assistance with. Which means homework is sent home rarely in Ontario.
Also, every school here seems to work on some sort of sticker-reward chart. The students want a sticker for EVERYTHING that they do. it's a little sad. I like stickers and all, but it sometimes feels like it's getting ridiculous here!
Ah well.
I hope that the next time I take on a long-term (I definitely need a break from it for now) that I'll be in a more supportive school, and not a single-form school where I'm the only teacher for the grade.
It's just getting really frustrating how everything here is centered on how it looks on paper.... being able to tick off that a classroom has/uses 1,2,3,4,5.... instead of actual student learning or really looking at if what's in the room is actually being used to an advantage. It just needs to be there, to be seen. As long as it looks good on the paper or in a photograph, then it's a-ok in this country.
I hope I'm wrong about it.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Come on 2010!
Well... it's that time of year again. The time where it ends. Out goes 2009, in comes 2010.
I, however, live with the school-year. For me, my year basically started in September. If this is Frank's #yearotf, then basically my year is always near my birthday, since I'm mid-August.
So far, this year has been great. By that, I mean THIS school year.
2009? Well. 2009 rather stunk, although I'll mix it up with 2008's ending.
My 2008/2009 year: AKA the last year at York University:
- break up with Luke just before the year starts
- York goes on strike for 3 months
- I can barely afford groceries due to said strike as I was laid off for its duration
- Luke and I completely stop talking
- lose touch with more than one rather close friend
- Uni life was very stressful
- crazy drama revolving around my younger brother
+ spent the majority of 3 months with my nieces
+ graduated! I'm now the owner of a Specialized Honours BA, majoring in English. I am also the (much less proud) owner of a Bachelor of Education, specializing in Junior/Intermediate English
+ despite all terror, applied and went through all the red tape to come teach in England!
My 2009/2010 year so far:
+ moved to London England!
+ realized I actually LOVE living in London!
+ wrote 70,000 words in the month of November for Nanowrimo!
+ met some wonderful people through Nano
+ actually enjoyed supply-teaching!
+ got hired for a Year 5 class starting Jan 2010!
+ learned to let myself spend money when it comes to doing what I want
- as such, I'm not QUITE saving as much as I want to be
- worried that some of my friends back in Canada are going to forget about me or just not bother trying to keep in touch
- miss my friends and that back in Canadaland
As you can see, 2009/2010 year is starting off quite wonderfully. I've never been happier.
I don't do New Years Resolutions, but these are my near-future (how close the near-future is is debatable and up for change) goals:
* finish my novel
* save up money and find my own flat (this I think is quite ambitious living in London!)
* pay Siggy back
* keep on top of my student loan
* get the rest of the 2009/2010 year PLANNED thoroughly
* travel somewhere outside of England
* get a new lens for my camera
They won't be done in that order, but those are the goals. Well. The new lens IS the last on the list, but nonetheless, it is a goal that I have in the back of my head.
I, however, live with the school-year. For me, my year basically started in September. If this is Frank's #yearotf, then basically my year is always near my birthday, since I'm mid-August.
So far, this year has been great. By that, I mean THIS school year.
2009? Well. 2009 rather stunk, although I'll mix it up with 2008's ending.
My 2008/2009 year: AKA the last year at York University:
- break up with Luke just before the year starts
- York goes on strike for 3 months
- I can barely afford groceries due to said strike as I was laid off for its duration
- Luke and I completely stop talking
- lose touch with more than one rather close friend
- Uni life was very stressful
- crazy drama revolving around my younger brother
+ spent the majority of 3 months with my nieces
+ graduated! I'm now the owner of a Specialized Honours BA, majoring in English. I am also the (much less proud) owner of a Bachelor of Education, specializing in Junior/Intermediate English
+ despite all terror, applied and went through all the red tape to come teach in England!
My 2009/2010 year so far:
+ moved to London England!
+ realized I actually LOVE living in London!
+ wrote 70,000 words in the month of November for Nanowrimo!
+ met some wonderful people through Nano
+ actually enjoyed supply-teaching!
+ got hired for a Year 5 class starting Jan 2010!
+ learned to let myself spend money when it comes to doing what I want
- as such, I'm not QUITE saving as much as I want to be
- worried that some of my friends back in Canada are going to forget about me or just not bother trying to keep in touch
- miss my friends and that back in Canadaland
As you can see, 2009/2010 year is starting off quite wonderfully. I've never been happier.
I don't do New Years Resolutions, but these are my near-future (how close the near-future is is debatable and up for change) goals:
* finish my novel
* save up money and find my own flat (this I think is quite ambitious living in London!)
* pay Siggy back
* keep on top of my student loan
* get the rest of the 2009/2010 year PLANNED thoroughly
* travel somewhere outside of England
* get a new lens for my camera
They won't be done in that order, but those are the goals. Well. The new lens IS the last on the list, but nonetheless, it is a goal that I have in the back of my head.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas in London
This will be my first Christmas post-university, and although it won't be the first Christmas I've spent by myself, this will be the first Christmas where I've planned and looking forward to spending Christmas all on my own.
A lot of people have seemed to think it's a sad thing, but you know what? Honestly, I'm quite excited for it. I haven't been this much in "the Christmas spirit" for absolutely years. I think being at York might have affected it - was always so busy and stressed out in November and the beginning of December, that by the time Christmas came all I wanted to do was sleep and play video games. Not a bad way to spend the holidays, but for the most part I really had no excitement about the holidays and only thought "thank gawd, no more essays"
This year? For the last few days now I've been listening to Christmas radio when on the computer. That's right. Christmas radio.
I've also bought and set up the most Charlie Brown of Christmas trees. I am working on a small budget so that's alright with me. It looks cute when it's dark, but during the day it's a little sad to look at! Poor thing. I really dislike putting the lights and garland on the tree though. You can sort of tell by looking at it. Dismantling this tree is certainly going to be a challenge!
I've also went through the process of somewhat buying myself Christmas presents (aka, some things I would have bought myself anyway, plus some knick knacks that I wouldn't have, plus the various chocolates that I only ever have at Christmas). Now.... the nerdy and embarassing part: I had no presents to wrap in this country, and after decorating the tree my next favourite thing is wrapping presents. So I wrapped my own presents, because what else was there to wrap! It made me happy, but once they were all wrapped I really felt quite silly for it. I believe I will feel utterly embarassed unwrapping them, but I really just wanted to wrap something.
I started off my Christmas celebrating by going out with some of the #nanolondon crew (Mel, Jay, Claire, Jen, Ben, Chloe and Sarah plus a few of their friends). We went to a traditional German Christmas Market down at Southbank, right where we've been writing for the past month for nano! It was a great evening, which mostly consisted of food. We had mulled wine (Gluwein) and for most of us, it was our first time having it. I thought it was absolutely delicious. Mel and I also bought roasted chestnuts! I've wanted to try roasted chestnuts since I was a little child, so I was quite excited to finally get to! I was not disappointed at all, as I loved them, which was good since the rest of the nano-crew really didn't seem to like them!
It was a lovely evening with them, and felt very Christmasy to me.
In other news, completely unrelated but is basically an awesome Christmas present for me: I've been hired! It's with a year 5 class who are quite lovely children, in a small and really lovely school. I really like how it feels there. I only found out last Thursday (the 10th) so I'm really very excited! The school is willing to get me my QTS which is possibly the best part, as that's at the top of my priority list!
It's really setting up to have 2009 end on a really good foot, which is the exact opposite of how the year started. Last January was not a good time! I've got a lot on the calendar for now though - dinner with Melissa before she heads back to Canada for Christmas, dinner with my flatmates before they head off, Christmas and Birthday drinks for Frank and the nanolondon crew. Cookie baking at Claire and Jen's, kareokee at some point for Claire's and possibly Sarah's birthdays, New Years at Claire and Jen's, a trip to visit Mel and go to Windsor Castle just after New Years... somewhere in there will likely hang out with Tony, and at some point Jay is going to come over for movies in Wanstead... Plus whatever I end up deciding to do all on my own! So I've got lots more to go.
I also yesterday went and spent the day at Jay's, and while he was worried that his flat would be messy, the only things I could possibly give him shit about where 1. he met me WITHOUT A COAT ON!! 2. he needs to get himself FOOD so he can eat and 3. there weren't any pictures of his girlfriend up! All of which are easily remedied, so silly stress-case had nothing to worry about. I had an absolutely lovely time just hanging out and playing games and watching Dr. Who. Seeing as games and watching tv are Christmas traditions for me (being the only time I really have to do either!) it felt a lot like holidays. Plus Jay just started his Christmas holidays a week early so it really IS holiday stuff). It was really nice to have a relaxing social day, since normally I keep myself running around ALL THE TIME.
Anyway!,I hope that everyone back in Canada is having a wonderful start to the Christmas season, and I really hope that 2010 will be wonderful for everyone.... everyone I know has worked so hard that you really deserve to have things going your way! As for me, I really think 2010 is going to be amazing (even if it does get stressful right at the start when I adjust to working full-time as a teacher!) and I am amazed at my luck at having everything go so wonderful already. Of course, I know that most of it has been due to my own hard work and determination and whatnot, but a lot of it has also been luck. For example - yes I made myself go out and do the write-ins for Nanowrimo. But the luck came in when it turned out that everyone at those write-ins was so awesome! What a fun group of friends to have ran into! It was definitely luck. But I'm rather lucky so I'm not all that surprised.
All the best Canada!
PS. Your snowstorms make me smile.
A lot of people have seemed to think it's a sad thing, but you know what? Honestly, I'm quite excited for it. I haven't been this much in "the Christmas spirit" for absolutely years. I think being at York might have affected it - was always so busy and stressed out in November and the beginning of December, that by the time Christmas came all I wanted to do was sleep and play video games. Not a bad way to spend the holidays, but for the most part I really had no excitement about the holidays and only thought "thank gawd, no more essays"
This year? For the last few days now I've been listening to Christmas radio when on the computer. That's right. Christmas radio.
I've also bought and set up the most Charlie Brown of Christmas trees. I am working on a small budget so that's alright with me. It looks cute when it's dark, but during the day it's a little sad to look at! Poor thing. I really dislike putting the lights and garland on the tree though. You can sort of tell by looking at it. Dismantling this tree is certainly going to be a challenge!
I've also went through the process of somewhat buying myself Christmas presents (aka, some things I would have bought myself anyway, plus some knick knacks that I wouldn't have, plus the various chocolates that I only ever have at Christmas). Now.... the nerdy and embarassing part: I had no presents to wrap in this country, and after decorating the tree my next favourite thing is wrapping presents. So I wrapped my own presents, because what else was there to wrap! It made me happy, but once they were all wrapped I really felt quite silly for it. I believe I will feel utterly embarassed unwrapping them, but I really just wanted to wrap something.
I started off my Christmas celebrating by going out with some of the #nanolondon crew (Mel, Jay, Claire, Jen, Ben, Chloe and Sarah plus a few of their friends). We went to a traditional German Christmas Market down at Southbank, right where we've been writing for the past month for nano! It was a great evening, which mostly consisted of food. We had mulled wine (Gluwein) and for most of us, it was our first time having it. I thought it was absolutely delicious. Mel and I also bought roasted chestnuts! I've wanted to try roasted chestnuts since I was a little child, so I was quite excited to finally get to! I was not disappointed at all, as I loved them, which was good since the rest of the nano-crew really didn't seem to like them!
It was a lovely evening with them, and felt very Christmasy to me.
In other news, completely unrelated but is basically an awesome Christmas present for me: I've been hired! It's with a year 5 class who are quite lovely children, in a small and really lovely school. I really like how it feels there. I only found out last Thursday (the 10th) so I'm really very excited! The school is willing to get me my QTS which is possibly the best part, as that's at the top of my priority list!
It's really setting up to have 2009 end on a really good foot, which is the exact opposite of how the year started. Last January was not a good time! I've got a lot on the calendar for now though - dinner with Melissa before she heads back to Canada for Christmas, dinner with my flatmates before they head off, Christmas and Birthday drinks for Frank and the nanolondon crew. Cookie baking at Claire and Jen's, kareokee at some point for Claire's and possibly Sarah's birthdays, New Years at Claire and Jen's, a trip to visit Mel and go to Windsor Castle just after New Years... somewhere in there will likely hang out with Tony, and at some point Jay is going to come over for movies in Wanstead... Plus whatever I end up deciding to do all on my own! So I've got lots more to go.
I also yesterday went and spent the day at Jay's, and while he was worried that his flat would be messy, the only things I could possibly give him shit about where 1. he met me WITHOUT A COAT ON!! 2. he needs to get himself FOOD so he can eat and 3. there weren't any pictures of his girlfriend up! All of which are easily remedied, so silly stress-case had nothing to worry about. I had an absolutely lovely time just hanging out and playing games and watching Dr. Who. Seeing as games and watching tv are Christmas traditions for me (being the only time I really have to do either!) it felt a lot like holidays. Plus Jay just started his Christmas holidays a week early so it really IS holiday stuff). It was really nice to have a relaxing social day, since normally I keep myself running around ALL THE TIME.
Anyway!,I hope that everyone back in Canada is having a wonderful start to the Christmas season, and I really hope that 2010 will be wonderful for everyone.... everyone I know has worked so hard that you really deserve to have things going your way! As for me, I really think 2010 is going to be amazing (even if it does get stressful right at the start when I adjust to working full-time as a teacher!) and I am amazed at my luck at having everything go so wonderful already. Of course, I know that most of it has been due to my own hard work and determination and whatnot, but a lot of it has also been luck. For example - yes I made myself go out and do the write-ins for Nanowrimo. But the luck came in when it turned out that everyone at those write-ins was so awesome! What a fun group of friends to have ran into! It was definitely luck. But I'm rather lucky so I'm not all that surprised.
All the best Canada!
PS. Your snowstorms make me smile.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
A Reflection on Nanowrimo
(most of this was written while running around London with the most amazing group of writers!)
The Nanorilla Reflection
When I was 7, being the practical child that I was, I would have told you that I would have loved to be a writer, but that I wouldn't be. This wasn't because I thought I was horrible, I just 1. knew it wasn't a reliable job and 2. didn't want to do something that I loved so much as a job. So I decided being a farmer was a better choice (I could only think of farmers or vets as options, as I wanted to work with animals and I couldn't bear the thought of cutting an animal open... apparently I hadn't thought of slaughtering the farms animals!).
One of my life goals has always been to write a novel. Not publish one, but write one. I've had it set as “something to do once I was finished with school” since before I was even in highschool.
I am now done with school, having graduated last June. I have now written almost 70,000 words in a novel. During the past month. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is only 76000 words roughly, to give you an idea of how long it is. It will be even longer by the time it is finished. I've left out a lot of probably-needed description in the novel, since I hate writing, so I will need to go back and edit that in at some point (which will make it even longer). I also need to edit it so that the writing quality is of a higher grade that Twilight (that will be easy though, have you READ Twilight?!).
So I've wrote a large part of my novel and I did it in a month. That's right. One month. As part of National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org). I first heard of nanowrimo while I was at York, and I promised myself I would do it when I finished uni. The challenge for nanowrimo is to write 50000 words into a novel in the month of November. I met that challenge on November 16!
Of course, when I first heard of nano I wasn't thinking about moving to London. I knew that was my plan (to move to England) but it wasn't fully real to me at the time. So I move to London at the end of the summer, which is huge and new, lovely and scary. I was finally starting to live the life that I want to live.
Not much was missing in my life. I love London. I love being here, and being free to do what I want with my spare time. I can start pursuing my hobbies, which are all time-consuming and/or expensive. And while I am not fully pursuing all of them, I have at least began to. For September and October I mostly contented myself with exploring the area and hitting up various parks and museums. Which I love doing.
In all of that enjoyment, I totally forgot about Nano over the last few months.
I remembered about it though. Towards the end of October I realized what I was missing (I was starting to notice a downward trend in my moods by this point). I was missing my social life, which I'd always thought was rather tame. I was really starting to miss my friends (and I still do).
So, when I finally remembered about Nanowrimo, I was super excited. Something to do for the month! I joined the site and planned out a memoir (which I changed a few days before it started, and have been writing something that was completely fiction and rather unplanned). Trolling the forums in my pre-nano excitement, I discovered that I could join a region. I joined the London region, and discovered something far more awesome – write-ins and meet-ups! Apparently people actually get together and write! Who'd have thunk it? Who the hell can write WITH someone? I was a bit unsure of that idea. I thought it sounded a little weird.
Ok, so this may or may not sound odd to you, but I'm actually fairly shy. Once I'm in some situation where I have to interact with strangers I'm perfectly fine and overly chatty (to be quite frank, I'm overly chatty BECAUSE I'm shy and nervous at first, and don't want to stop talking so that I can ignore any weird looks and avoid the potential let-down in someone's response... no one notices this because once I'm comfortable I just babble away happily... but when I first start babbling? I'm NOT happy and comfortable. I'm incredibly nervous and self-conscious and end up giving off the worst impression ever and then get right paranoid). But generally, I avoid contact with strangers as I NEVER initiate. I just respond when someone starts a conversation with me. I'd find it rude not too and don't want to start an argument, so it's easier to respond and be polite and friendly and hope it will be over shortly. So meeting people for Nanowrimo didn't seem like a very good idea to me before November started.
If I had still been in Toronto, I can say I wouldn't have gone. I would have been too shy to go without knowing anyone. However, I'm in London. I really DON'T know anyone. I haven't figured out how to actually meet people here, as I normally befriend people through school or work. Hard to do supplying! I wouldn't find it easy to meet people who share similiar interests, as all my happiest activities are very solitary. If I made myself go to the meets, I reasoned, at least I could have some social contact, with the possibility of keeping myself motivated to write the entire month. I wasn't sure at that point if I was going to tell my friends that I was attempting to do this, as I wasn't sure how I felt about being questioned and was worried about embarrassing myself.
The first meet was going to be during half-term, when I didn't have to work. Thinking back, I probably would have chickened out if I had had to work the next day. I decided to cut my stay at Siggy and Jen's in Bristol a bit short to attend. By doing this, I assured my attendance – I HAD to go since I'd cut a visit with one of my best friend's short! I would have been miserable if I left Bristol early for no reason!
So off I went. I can say now that it's probably one of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. I met some fun and crazy people at the meet up, and it gave me the courage to try attending a write-in. So I went to my first write-in in Bethnal Green, and enjoyed myself. I wrote a lot, and it was nice to be with other writers. Reading the forums, I decided that maybe I would try braving one of the central London write-ins, as they seemed to have a larger crowd and a different atmosphere. I was apprehensive about getting there though, as I work in East London and don't usually know exactly when I'll be finished my day. I was worried I'd be late.
Those of you who know me well, should know about my issues with being late (as in, if I'm going to be late, I will likely cancel or not show up), so the prospect of being late combined with being with people I didn't know and the potential of getting lost finding the venue? Led to a stressful debate.
I dragged my laptop with me to the school I was teaching at that day. I ended up finished remarkably early, as the school day at that school was finished at 2:45pm. Wow eh? I made it to the venue at least an hour early. I wasn't sure that I was in the right place until I found the nano-group amassing tables.
Attending that write-in is probably one of the best things I've ever done. It took a huge amount of courage for me to get there, and I was a huge ball of nerves. I think I only loosened up when I recognized @jayintheclouds from the first London meet and Twitter. Yes, I have Twitter to thank. Oh Twitter, how the #nanolondon crew has used you! The difference between Bethnal Green and Southbank was very noticeable to me; there were a lot more people (increasing the intimidation factor) and it was much brighter and I couldn't hide in a corner in a pub. (I will explain a wee bit about myself here and now – I'm GOOD at mingling with strangers as I'm used to having to do it. It doesn't mean I enjoy it or feel comfortable. Just because I seem happy and cheerful, doesn't mean that I am. I just force it and hope it changes. Southbank was one of those times where I managed to actually succeed in feeling comfortable.) The people I met at Southbank were amazing. They were friendly and outrageous, and it was such an interesting mix of personalities that I was hooked.
I began to go to all the downtown write-ins, because I loved the people that were there so much. I eventually concluded that we all had three things in common.
1.we like to write
2.we're all some variety and level of geek
3.we're all a little crazy
Everyone has been so supportive of each other throughout the month, and getting to actually spend time with such people has been such a pleasure. In a way I feel so close to them all and I've only known them for the month. It feels a bit like a frosh week, except so much better. I haven't felt nearly as lonely in London as I had been, and I really feel like I've just started some proper friendships with some really wicked people. Scarier still, I really think that at least some of those friendships will continue after this is all over.
It feels so silly to write that, about making friends, but it's been a very real, and very emotional, experience for me. I knew I would see people at the write-ins for the month, and that it would likely be friendly. But I didn't actually think that I would meet anyone who could stand the idea of seeing me beyond the boundaries of Nanowrimo. And yet, at this moment, I really feel like some of the people I've met actually enjoy my company, and that is why it feels so silly to write that.
We've all gotten along so well that many of us plan to keep writing together afterwards, and that makes me so happy. It really does, and I think it's the first time in my life where I actually feel like I fit IN. Normally I always feel like I'm on the periphery of a group, floating around on the edges and looking in but never actually belonging in it. I'd just wait until it was time to move on or end up excluded. It doesn't feel like that with the nano-group. It's so weird for me, and until they read this (even though right now they are sitting all around me in Covent Garden drinking caffeine or alcohol) they won't know how much of a positive and profound experience this has been for me, and how much it actually means to me to actually feel that way. Lol [Yes, I wrote lol when I was writing on the paper!], I almost cried writing that and I feel mighty silly. Thank gawd I didn't, everyone would have wondered what the hell was going on! I just never imagined I'd feel like I fit in in a group. I gave up years ago, and definitely thought the opportunity for it even being a possibility was long gone now that I'm finished with school. And yet here it went and happened and I have all of these lovely people to thank for giving me that. I just can't get over feeling amazed with everyone.
In a way, for that reason if nothing else, I really love all of these people.
Now as to a recap of our day so far: It's been such an honour today to go traipsing around Central London writing in random locations, getting crazy looks from strangers, and laughing like maniacs. We met at St. Paul's Cathedral and froze while we gathered and wrote on the steps. Jen and Claire (the lovely organizers of the write-ins) had even made cardboard signs for the #nanorilla Twitter group!
After freezing and writing on the steps of St. Paul's, we retreated into the Starbucks that we could see from the steps. Somehow we managed to get enough seats for nearly 20 of us. I had a Black Cherry Mocha and it was delicious (and it did NOT burn my tongue!). We wrote Stick Novels. On the stir-sticks. Mine was about an airplane.
[Henceforth this is what I've typed at home, everything before I wrote while running around in London]
My first Stick-Novel was a memoir on one side, and a story about a Princess (Cleo gave me the topic). I couldn't think about a Princess name and I accidentally called it Jay, so Jay got a bit insulted with what I wrote, naturally. So I gave it to him and no one else has read it. After, Jay told me to write about a plane. So I did, and this was my stick-novel:
“Once upon a time there was an airplane. It really wanted to be a ship so it crashed into the sea. (other side) Once the plane was in the sea all the passengers drowned. The plane regretted its decision.”
Later in the day at the pub, I wrote two more. One was about beet (Jay's topic) and one was about the rain (Melanie's topic). Everyone wrote rather hilarious Stick Novels in my opinion!
We headed towards Tate Modern, deciding that we needed to be indoors (although I did manage to miraculously keep the rain away all day, cause I've got skills like that. You can ask my dad!). Inside Tate Modern we went to see the big old black room. What was it called? Jay had a moment before going inside, so I was basically his guide dog while in there. Yep, I noticed when I said that at Tate that I'd just basically called myself a bitch. Kept Jay safe and made fun of myself for acting like a teacher at the same time. We then sat in Tate and wrote, and I have no idea what people thought of us as I had my back to the crowd. Jon hit 50k while there, so cheers for that!
After Tate we ended up writing on the BlackFriar's bridge. It was a fun, but short, stop! Had a LOT of odd looks for passers-by, and we had someone stop and photograph us for a while. It was quite amusing. What else was amusing was our group conga-line and that that we had going for part of our walk to there.
We then high-tailed it to Covent Garden, as we were cold and hungry. So what did we do? Sat outside at Covent Garden at a cafe and drank caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Somehow we had miraculously got enough seats for all of us, ALL TOGETHER! What the hell are the odds of that one!
We then left to go find a pub. It was dark and we couldn't keep writing. This is when we lost the leaders of our pack, as the walk way was too thin and crowded for such a loud group. No fears though, as we found our way there in the end. And spent the next 3 hours or so in the pub, just hanging out.
My fingers are sore, so I am so not giving the day justice in it's recap, but it was a marvellous day and had many many hilarious moments that perhaps I will add in at some point!
The Nanorilla Reflection
When I was 7, being the practical child that I was, I would have told you that I would have loved to be a writer, but that I wouldn't be. This wasn't because I thought I was horrible, I just 1. knew it wasn't a reliable job and 2. didn't want to do something that I loved so much as a job. So I decided being a farmer was a better choice (I could only think of farmers or vets as options, as I wanted to work with animals and I couldn't bear the thought of cutting an animal open... apparently I hadn't thought of slaughtering the farms animals!).
One of my life goals has always been to write a novel. Not publish one, but write one. I've had it set as “something to do once I was finished with school” since before I was even in highschool.
I am now done with school, having graduated last June. I have now written almost 70,000 words in a novel. During the past month. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is only 76000 words roughly, to give you an idea of how long it is. It will be even longer by the time it is finished. I've left out a lot of probably-needed description in the novel, since I hate writing, so I will need to go back and edit that in at some point (which will make it even longer). I also need to edit it so that the writing quality is of a higher grade that Twilight (that will be easy though, have you READ Twilight?!).
So I've wrote a large part of my novel and I did it in a month. That's right. One month. As part of National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org). I first heard of nanowrimo while I was at York, and I promised myself I would do it when I finished uni. The challenge for nanowrimo is to write 50000 words into a novel in the month of November. I met that challenge on November 16!
Of course, when I first heard of nano I wasn't thinking about moving to London. I knew that was my plan (to move to England) but it wasn't fully real to me at the time. So I move to London at the end of the summer, which is huge and new, lovely and scary. I was finally starting to live the life that I want to live.
Not much was missing in my life. I love London. I love being here, and being free to do what I want with my spare time. I can start pursuing my hobbies, which are all time-consuming and/or expensive. And while I am not fully pursuing all of them, I have at least began to. For September and October I mostly contented myself with exploring the area and hitting up various parks and museums. Which I love doing.
In all of that enjoyment, I totally forgot about Nano over the last few months.
I remembered about it though. Towards the end of October I realized what I was missing (I was starting to notice a downward trend in my moods by this point). I was missing my social life, which I'd always thought was rather tame. I was really starting to miss my friends (and I still do).
So, when I finally remembered about Nanowrimo, I was super excited. Something to do for the month! I joined the site and planned out a memoir (which I changed a few days before it started, and have been writing something that was completely fiction and rather unplanned). Trolling the forums in my pre-nano excitement, I discovered that I could join a region. I joined the London region, and discovered something far more awesome – write-ins and meet-ups! Apparently people actually get together and write! Who'd have thunk it? Who the hell can write WITH someone? I was a bit unsure of that idea. I thought it sounded a little weird.
Ok, so this may or may not sound odd to you, but I'm actually fairly shy. Once I'm in some situation where I have to interact with strangers I'm perfectly fine and overly chatty (to be quite frank, I'm overly chatty BECAUSE I'm shy and nervous at first, and don't want to stop talking so that I can ignore any weird looks and avoid the potential let-down in someone's response... no one notices this because once I'm comfortable I just babble away happily... but when I first start babbling? I'm NOT happy and comfortable. I'm incredibly nervous and self-conscious and end up giving off the worst impression ever and then get right paranoid). But generally, I avoid contact with strangers as I NEVER initiate. I just respond when someone starts a conversation with me. I'd find it rude not too and don't want to start an argument, so it's easier to respond and be polite and friendly and hope it will be over shortly. So meeting people for Nanowrimo didn't seem like a very good idea to me before November started.
If I had still been in Toronto, I can say I wouldn't have gone. I would have been too shy to go without knowing anyone. However, I'm in London. I really DON'T know anyone. I haven't figured out how to actually meet people here, as I normally befriend people through school or work. Hard to do supplying! I wouldn't find it easy to meet people who share similiar interests, as all my happiest activities are very solitary. If I made myself go to the meets, I reasoned, at least I could have some social contact, with the possibility of keeping myself motivated to write the entire month. I wasn't sure at that point if I was going to tell my friends that I was attempting to do this, as I wasn't sure how I felt about being questioned and was worried about embarrassing myself.
The first meet was going to be during half-term, when I didn't have to work. Thinking back, I probably would have chickened out if I had had to work the next day. I decided to cut my stay at Siggy and Jen's in Bristol a bit short to attend. By doing this, I assured my attendance – I HAD to go since I'd cut a visit with one of my best friend's short! I would have been miserable if I left Bristol early for no reason!
So off I went. I can say now that it's probably one of the best decisions I've ever made for myself. I met some fun and crazy people at the meet up, and it gave me the courage to try attending a write-in. So I went to my first write-in in Bethnal Green, and enjoyed myself. I wrote a lot, and it was nice to be with other writers. Reading the forums, I decided that maybe I would try braving one of the central London write-ins, as they seemed to have a larger crowd and a different atmosphere. I was apprehensive about getting there though, as I work in East London and don't usually know exactly when I'll be finished my day. I was worried I'd be late.
Those of you who know me well, should know about my issues with being late (as in, if I'm going to be late, I will likely cancel or not show up), so the prospect of being late combined with being with people I didn't know and the potential of getting lost finding the venue? Led to a stressful debate.
I dragged my laptop with me to the school I was teaching at that day. I ended up finished remarkably early, as the school day at that school was finished at 2:45pm. Wow eh? I made it to the venue at least an hour early. I wasn't sure that I was in the right place until I found the nano-group amassing tables.
Attending that write-in is probably one of the best things I've ever done. It took a huge amount of courage for me to get there, and I was a huge ball of nerves. I think I only loosened up when I recognized @jayintheclouds from the first London meet and Twitter. Yes, I have Twitter to thank. Oh Twitter, how the #nanolondon crew has used you! The difference between Bethnal Green and Southbank was very noticeable to me; there were a lot more people (increasing the intimidation factor) and it was much brighter and I couldn't hide in a corner in a pub. (I will explain a wee bit about myself here and now – I'm GOOD at mingling with strangers as I'm used to having to do it. It doesn't mean I enjoy it or feel comfortable. Just because I seem happy and cheerful, doesn't mean that I am. I just force it and hope it changes. Southbank was one of those times where I managed to actually succeed in feeling comfortable.) The people I met at Southbank were amazing. They were friendly and outrageous, and it was such an interesting mix of personalities that I was hooked.
I began to go to all the downtown write-ins, because I loved the people that were there so much. I eventually concluded that we all had three things in common.
1.we like to write
2.we're all some variety and level of geek
3.we're all a little crazy
Everyone has been so supportive of each other throughout the month, and getting to actually spend time with such people has been such a pleasure. In a way I feel so close to them all and I've only known them for the month. It feels a bit like a frosh week, except so much better. I haven't felt nearly as lonely in London as I had been, and I really feel like I've just started some proper friendships with some really wicked people. Scarier still, I really think that at least some of those friendships will continue after this is all over.
It feels so silly to write that, about making friends, but it's been a very real, and very emotional, experience for me. I knew I would see people at the write-ins for the month, and that it would likely be friendly. But I didn't actually think that I would meet anyone who could stand the idea of seeing me beyond the boundaries of Nanowrimo. And yet, at this moment, I really feel like some of the people I've met actually enjoy my company, and that is why it feels so silly to write that.
We've all gotten along so well that many of us plan to keep writing together afterwards, and that makes me so happy. It really does, and I think it's the first time in my life where I actually feel like I fit IN. Normally I always feel like I'm on the periphery of a group, floating around on the edges and looking in but never actually belonging in it. I'd just wait until it was time to move on or end up excluded. It doesn't feel like that with the nano-group. It's so weird for me, and until they read this (even though right now they are sitting all around me in Covent Garden drinking caffeine or alcohol) they won't know how much of a positive and profound experience this has been for me, and how much it actually means to me to actually feel that way. Lol [Yes, I wrote lol when I was writing on the paper!], I almost cried writing that and I feel mighty silly. Thank gawd I didn't, everyone would have wondered what the hell was going on! I just never imagined I'd feel like I fit in in a group. I gave up years ago, and definitely thought the opportunity for it even being a possibility was long gone now that I'm finished with school. And yet here it went and happened and I have all of these lovely people to thank for giving me that. I just can't get over feeling amazed with everyone.
In a way, for that reason if nothing else, I really love all of these people.
Now as to a recap of our day so far: It's been such an honour today to go traipsing around Central London writing in random locations, getting crazy looks from strangers, and laughing like maniacs. We met at St. Paul's Cathedral and froze while we gathered and wrote on the steps. Jen and Claire (the lovely organizers of the write-ins) had even made cardboard signs for the #nanorilla Twitter group!
After freezing and writing on the steps of St. Paul's, we retreated into the Starbucks that we could see from the steps. Somehow we managed to get enough seats for nearly 20 of us. I had a Black Cherry Mocha and it was delicious (and it did NOT burn my tongue!). We wrote Stick Novels. On the stir-sticks. Mine was about an airplane.
[Henceforth this is what I've typed at home, everything before I wrote while running around in London]
My first Stick-Novel was a memoir on one side, and a story about a Princess (Cleo gave me the topic). I couldn't think about a Princess name and I accidentally called it Jay, so Jay got a bit insulted with what I wrote, naturally. So I gave it to him and no one else has read it. After, Jay told me to write about a plane. So I did, and this was my stick-novel:
“Once upon a time there was an airplane. It really wanted to be a ship so it crashed into the sea. (other side) Once the plane was in the sea all the passengers drowned. The plane regretted its decision.”
Later in the day at the pub, I wrote two more. One was about beet (Jay's topic) and one was about the rain (Melanie's topic). Everyone wrote rather hilarious Stick Novels in my opinion!
We headed towards Tate Modern, deciding that we needed to be indoors (although I did manage to miraculously keep the rain away all day, cause I've got skills like that. You can ask my dad!). Inside Tate Modern we went to see the big old black room. What was it called? Jay had a moment before going inside, so I was basically his guide dog while in there. Yep, I noticed when I said that at Tate that I'd just basically called myself a bitch. Kept Jay safe and made fun of myself for acting like a teacher at the same time. We then sat in Tate and wrote, and I have no idea what people thought of us as I had my back to the crowd. Jon hit 50k while there, so cheers for that!
After Tate we ended up writing on the BlackFriar's bridge. It was a fun, but short, stop! Had a LOT of odd looks for passers-by, and we had someone stop and photograph us for a while. It was quite amusing. What else was amusing was our group conga-line and that that we had going for part of our walk to there.
We then high-tailed it to Covent Garden, as we were cold and hungry. So what did we do? Sat outside at Covent Garden at a cafe and drank caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. Somehow we had miraculously got enough seats for all of us, ALL TOGETHER! What the hell are the odds of that one!
We then left to go find a pub. It was dark and we couldn't keep writing. This is when we lost the leaders of our pack, as the walk way was too thin and crowded for such a loud group. No fears though, as we found our way there in the end. And spent the next 3 hours or so in the pub, just hanging out.
My fingers are sore, so I am so not giving the day justice in it's recap, but it was a marvellous day and had many many hilarious moments that perhaps I will add in at some point!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bonjour, Blog!
Ok. So it's been a month since I've written.
What have I done in that past month? Umm. I went to Bristol to visit Siggy and his fiance Jen! (Except she wasn't that THEN, but is now, and I knew that was coming! hahaha) and I had a great time, even if I DID spend most of my time there sleeping cause I'd been sick!
So that was that week, and then it was Hallowe'en, and I haven't really done much since then.
Except write 50,000 words. Oh yes. That's what my word count has been on msn.
I decided to take part in www.nanowrimo.org this year. I've wanted to participate for YEARS but knew there was no point while in uni. So I had promised myself I would do it my first year out, and so I did.
And can now say that I've written 50,032 words in SIXTEEN DAYS. AND I've worked! Since it's for the month of November, I'll see where I end up by the time the month is done, cause I'm certainly not done the novel.
It's been an extremely social month for me though. As odd as that might be, since I've spent all my time writing. There's a lot of other people in London taking part in nanowrimo as well, so I've gone to various write-ins and meet-ups. A write-in is when a bunch of us meet up at a certain time, with our laptops, and then we ignore each other for a few hours and write our novels.
So I've been out a lot of those, and it's great. Feels like I have a social life again, as I'm sure most people who will read this have heard me complain that the ONLY time I'm missing from Canada is social-time with my friends. I was getting a bit lonely in October, but Nano's helping with that this month so I've been quite happy.
And no, you may not read the novel. It's not finished, for one. And for two, it's an UNEDITED FIRST DRAFT. Half the time my characters sounds the exact same as each other, and there are large segments of dialogue with VERY little going on in between (the setting doesn't help though). And no, I'm also not going to bother explaining my story, because it's complicated and I can't do it justice. I can babble about it in person, but writing it down doesn't seem to work out quite as well. Ask me again when I start spamming the internet about FINISHING a novel. Then we'll talk.
What have I done in that past month? Umm. I went to Bristol to visit Siggy and his fiance Jen! (Except she wasn't that THEN, but is now, and I knew that was coming! hahaha) and I had a great time, even if I DID spend most of my time there sleeping cause I'd been sick!
So that was that week, and then it was Hallowe'en, and I haven't really done much since then.
Except write 50,000 words. Oh yes. That's what my word count has been on msn.
I decided to take part in www.nanowrimo.org this year. I've wanted to participate for YEARS but knew there was no point while in uni. So I had promised myself I would do it my first year out, and so I did.
And can now say that I've written 50,032 words in SIXTEEN DAYS. AND I've worked! Since it's for the month of November, I'll see where I end up by the time the month is done, cause I'm certainly not done the novel.
It's been an extremely social month for me though. As odd as that might be, since I've spent all my time writing. There's a lot of other people in London taking part in nanowrimo as well, so I've gone to various write-ins and meet-ups. A write-in is when a bunch of us meet up at a certain time, with our laptops, and then we ignore each other for a few hours and write our novels.
So I've been out a lot of those, and it's great. Feels like I have a social life again, as I'm sure most people who will read this have heard me complain that the ONLY time I'm missing from Canada is social-time with my friends. I was getting a bit lonely in October, but Nano's helping with that this month so I've been quite happy.
And no, you may not read the novel. It's not finished, for one. And for two, it's an UNEDITED FIRST DRAFT. Half the time my characters sounds the exact same as each other, and there are large segments of dialogue with VERY little going on in between (the setting doesn't help though). And no, I'm also not going to bother explaining my story, because it's complicated and I can't do it justice. I can babble about it in person, but writing it down doesn't seem to work out quite as well. Ask me again when I start spamming the internet about FINISHING a novel. Then we'll talk.
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