Another week…another story

Well, the week is over. I’m officially two weeks into my teaching and I’m tired, but enjoying the experience. This week was busier in terms of the number of classes I taught…I had one day where I taught for almost the entire day, but the planning paid off and my lessons seemed to go well. I taught a lesson on static electricity, complete with balloons and fun experiments, but my class was a little rambunctious and we had tons of delays. Oh the joy of being 11 again. Next week is a little lighter in terms of teaching because I’m expected to go and see other classes in the school, so it should work out ok. I’ll probably spend the week working on my plan for my lesson on the 20th…which is when I will have my first formal evaluation. It might be a little stressful. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how things go.

Otherwise, all my flat mates are now in placement too. This had resulted in a dramatic change in the attitude of our flat. Everyone has taken to planning and working pretty much as soon as they come home from school. In the end, we’ve all become dreadfully boring. No more mid-week parties for us. Thank goodness!

The hockey has resumed. I had last weekend off apparently and it was probably a good thing. I worked like a dog on my lesson plans and I think it has helped me stay on top of my paperwork. However, on Sunday I got a call from the referee in chief over here in Scotland. He was wondering where I was and why I wasn’t in Edinburgh. Apparently I had been assigned a game in the Elite league and was supposed to be in Edinburgh. The only problem with that is that no one told me I was on the game. So, needless to say I didn’t make the game and I’m slightly upset because I would have loved to have had the game. Come on…a pro game…even in the UK would be very cool.

Tonight I went back down to North Ayr to the SNL game. Puck drop was at 5:30 and pitted the hometown North Ayr Bruins (wearing Chicago Blackhawks colours) against the Dundee Stars (wearing blue, white, and red). The game was tight through 2 periods and was pretty chippy. I actually had stuff to break up for the first time all season. However, in the third period Dundee pulled away for the easy 6-2 win. After the game the ref was trying to use my work habits on the ice as motivation for my partner. Apparently the #1 problem facing Scottish linesmen is that they don’t skate enough after the whistle (I could speculate because the games don’t have any intensity to them) and Neil was trying to explain that he wishes all lineys work as I do. Great. Now I’m also a role model. Crap. Not really what I wanted. Oh yeah…check out the rink…small and weird shaped again. I’m still not used to the set up yet. Check out our sweet change room though. Complete with Sauna!! Ha! ODHA simply can't offer that!

Tomorrow I’m off to Dundee. Game time is 6pm and I’ve been told that the rink is very nice. It’s a big game between the Dundee Stars and the Dundee Tigers. These cross town rivals are usually good for a few fights so maybe tomorrow will be interesting. I’ll post some photos of the barn up in Dundee.

Otherwise, that’s life for me over here is Scotland. Not overly exciting, but very busy with school and such. Don’t be afraid to give me a shout if you’ve got some cool news…I haven’t heard much of anything from back home in ages, so an update would be cool. I’ll be home in just about 4 weeks…which means I have loads to do before I come back…and that I’ll be home soon. I’m getting pretty excited.
Anyway, take care and I’ll talk to you all soon. So long from Scotland.

Bruce

p.s. Here are a few more pictures of the folks around these parts. Mark is on the left, Mick (Michael from France...but we get it wrong on purpose) is in the middle, and Jaime and Rob are on the right.