transition

The world is an amazing place. There are so many twists and turns that can both delight and daunt you.

If anything in the past fortnight has taught me something - then it is this. Nothing is as it seems. Take nothing for granted and assume that there is always something that you are capable of learning.

Since T's passing, the school has had a different feel. I can't put my finger on what exactly as it is a changeling. All I can say is that I have felt, witnessed and been part of something quite different.

It is not just the school that I have noticed differences - my perceptions of the world seem to be changing. Good. Bad. I have no idea. I feel that I am just more aware of what is going on.

I often don't know what is the 'right' thing to say or do. Often there is no 'right' - just to be. Once upon a time I used to think that I could fix everything. Now I am of the opinion that I can just keep my space that I inhabit in some sort of order. Those that come into my space can work with me or not. I cannot fix what is not mine to fix.

I am feeling very philosophical and cannot go into specifics. One - where do you start and then how do you finish? Two - what is a 'fixable' for me is not something that others need to be part of, and vice versa.

My heart is going out to those family and friends of mine who are facing some challenging and interesting situations at the moment. Some of them didn't sign up for this part of the journey but they are taking the journey because they have been asked. I love them and am here as a witness to their strength and beauty. I have a lot to learn from them.

Its in the cards

I read this on Celticbuffy's site and liked the look of it. I followed the link and had a quick tarot reading......

I had one question - which I think is the question most single people ask themselves...... I clicked and here is the answer....

The OPPORTUNITY		The CHALLENGE
19 - the Sun Radiant joy You have the opportunity to shine in the world. You may find a big smile on your face. With a huge burst of energy, your spirit is shouting out a great big YES! Perhaps you have accomplished a long term goal or are receiving accolades and attention for the good work you have done. You are healthy, energetic and enthusiastic with a warm and generous heart. It's time to celebrate and get out and play in the sunshine. Sing, dance, make love, let your creativity flow. Shine on!		15 - Bindweed Life out of balance You are being challenged to ask yourself what holds you in bondage. What is out of balance in your life — what takes more than its fair share of your attention, energy and life force? When our addictions (whether drugs, alcohol, sugar, shopping, TV or any other drug of choice) run loose in our lives creating chaos, we need to take action to bring our lives back into balance.

The RESOLUTION

14 - Temperance Combining opposites Resolution comes with finding the serenity of the middle way between polarities. You are ready to embrace the different parts of your personality, both light and shadow, that combine to make your own unique self. Your inner, spiritual life harmonizes with your life in the workaday world. You have discovered that your whole life is a work of art. You may be in need of healing on a spiritual or physical level, and the Winged One — a descendant of the ancient Bird Goddesses — is here to facilitate that for you. She may also aid you as you move into the role of healer yourself.

The opportunity is interesting as this is going on at the moment for me, having just been appointed the new head of classroom music at my school.....woo hoot!

The challenge - I have been asking myself what is stopping me from having it all?

And The resolution? Well I have been working on just this.....

All up - interesting!

Try it out and see.

hard

It has been a whirlwind this week emotionally. The year 12s had a festive end to their year - Tuesday dress up day, Wednesday sign the uniforms and valedictory dinner and Thursday - their assembly which was highly entertaining.

I love my year 12s and some are definitely favourites in my world. Others, I am pleased to see the end of - but then you get that with every group of people.

Friday morning the bubble of high energy was burst with the sad news that one of the girls in Year 12 had taken her own life earlier in the week. I didn't personally teach this girl but I knew her through others that I did teach.

Her funeral was today and I found it to be one of the most moving experiences I have been to. I was there to support the kids I teach who knew her and I was struggling with the whole situation.

Frogdancer was one of her teachers and her account is quite moving........

All I have to say is RIP T.

scaredy cat

How do you scare a cat when watching tv?

Watch 'Top Gear' whilst they are reviewing a high-powered engine with an incredibly whiny sound.

Cat jumped off the couch and sat on the floor behind me......I laughed.

Poor cat.

tea for two

Last night I went out for dinner with the social group that I am a member of but it didn't quite work out the way I planned.

This particular group usually book into a particular restaurant but decided to change venues - new place for some variety. I arrived at the venue and saw people I knew at a table so I sat down with them. Another guy arrived in and joined us.

It wasn't until a second guy and girl joined us that I registered that I might not be with the group that I thought I was going to meet - by which stage I had brought a glass of wine and was enjoying a good catch up. This last guy and girl were meeting the other group of people that I thought I was catching up with.

The group I was sitting with had booked into the restaurant and HAD been part of the social group, which was how I had met them all, and they were having a casual catch up which I had stumbled upon. As I know many of these people well I didn't think anything of it! It wasn't until the current social group people showed up that I realised the confusion. It was awkward there for a moment or two.

I moved between the two tables and it was ok......but it was weird.

procastination

Last day of the school holidays and all and I don't think I really remember them going so fast before.....maybe I didn't have as much correction to do before...

I was at dinner last night with a good friend of mine who is a physics/chemistry teacher at her school and both of us agree that this year has been the craziest year for year 12s. We both have felt slightly bombarded with year 12s this year. Same with a music teacher friend of mine from another school.....Might be the year for it.

I am also a little befuddled at the moment......Daylight savings has begun. A couple of years ago they decided to bring forward the starting date of daylight saving, which was after a successful delaying of the end of it. Essentially we have 6 months with and 6 months without. The only way I remember which way my clock goes is through a mantra I got from someone on the internet - thank you.....Spring forward. Fall back. You should have heard me last night with muttering as I changed all the clocks in the house. Perhaps it's best that you didn't.


I do like this particular time of year - each day holds so much promise as you feel like you are getting more into the day. But then I love all times of the year. Winter, when you can snuggle up and watch the tv without feeling like you should be out. Summer - spending long evenings enjoying the warm weather. Autumn with the falling leaves......I love all seasons. I just hate extremely hot days.

I suppose I should finish the corrections.

This is for Frogdancer.....after all the essays she has read with many a mistake in them...

two quotes

I have just heard two quotes that I think I need to make part of my choir rehearsals....

I was watching "Glee" which I think is one of the cheesiest tv shows I have ever viewed.......

My quotes - from a teacher to a student wanting to join the singing group..... "You stuff this up for me and I will shove my fist so far down your throat you'll taste my armpit hairs." I think that this is an inspiring line - one that I am sure I can make work in a choir rehearsal.....

The other from another teacher "I want you to smell your armpits. That's the smell of failure." something to tell a kid when they have no idea how to succeed.

Help me - where can I make these work?