Inoculations part 3

Having arranged a rabies inoculation yesterday (the prescription hadn't got to the chemists in time) I had my first of three rabies inoculations today. It was pink. I've been very tired over the last couple of days and wonder if it is a side effect of the jabs. They do say some have "flu-like" symptoms.

I also picked up my first 100 anti-malarials. I've gone for dioxycycline, the anti-biotic one (which only has diarrhoea, sensitivity to the sun (great in an equatorial region) and having to have it standing or sitting up otherwise you get ulcers in your mouth and oesophagus - as side effects) rather than mefloquine which has a range of psychotic side effects.

I was going to have a Yellow Fever jab today, but that was cancelled this morning. That's two problems in two days! Anyway, I'm on for rabies 2, Yellow Fever and Meningitis next Tuesday. After that, I'll only have a Hep B (number 3) and Rabies (number 3) to go.

All these jabs are going to cost VSO over £200, so if anyone feels like an on-line donation (see right)...

Harry Potter (no spoilers)

Just finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (book 7) after spending most of the day reading from page 200ish to the end (607). Quite exciting finish and I'm glad I read it before I found out what happened from anyone else or the net.

I remember buying Order of the Pheonix (book 5) in a Tescos on the outskirts of Inverness when I was doing my tour around Scotland before I started work at PT school back in 2003. I read it during my tour and finished it just before returning home and visiting the school in July. My favourite reading locations were on the Orkney Isle of Sanday looking out over a huge sand bar, and sitting in the car with a view of a mountain on the Isle of Skye. Half Blood Prince (book 6), I read after breaking up from school two years ago before I went to Ireland for the first time.

Although they're fun and quite exciting, they don't come anywhere near the quality of my favourite story, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials Trilogy (Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.)

"Real" last day of school and inoculations part 2

Spent the whole of today in my classroom, sorting and packing all my gadgets, posters, resources and trinkets (like the "cup of rewards", the "Don Quixote" model, ceramic turtle, nuts and bolts elephant and that that wooden thing that you can make into a spiral.) It was sad when I turned off and unplugged my stereo for the last time, and casting a final eye around the room, remembering where all the pupils had sat.

Still, I didn't have time to get "misty-eyed" as it was straight off to the doctors to get my Hepatitis B 2nd booster and get the prescription for a rabies shot I'm having next week. Also to discuss the anti-malarials I'll be taking (something I'm still not entirely happy about.)

Last Day at School!

Yesterday was my last day at school* after four years of teaching Year 4 and 5. I have mixed feelings, as am excited at what is ahead, but also, I'm sad to leave - remembering the plays, residentials, music, all the children I have taught, and all the children that would've been in my class next year that I will not teach.

The school gave me a DVD and card with messages and pictures from all the children in the school, some of which are really sweet, and some are just plain weird!!!

Thank you to everyone who gave me presents, cards and letters, or wished me good luck. The messages and comments were really moving, thank you. I will remember all of you.

Also, thank you to everyone who donated to VSO. I have updated the total on my fundraising website and you can see how the total is rising towards the target.

In September I plan to visit the school before I go to have a bit of a fund-raising sale, a mini-auction and to have a quick talk to parents and the children about what lies ahead for me.

I also plan to stay in touch with the school during my time in Ethiopia. I have no idea at present what internet facilities there will be, but I will keep the school updated as often as possible, and hope all the children will write to me. I also hope to be able to arrange some Ethiopian Pen Pals at some point as well.

(*with children. I was back in school today clearing out all my gadgets, and also showing my replacement some of the ICT and telling her all about the children she is inheriting - Oh dear some of you!!!! I'm back again for my actual last day tomorrow.)

I have been accepted!

I received an Email from VSO today saying I have been officially accepted by the Ethiopian partner, which is a bit of luck really as I'm all geared up to go now! If only I could find the place on a map!!!

A Midsummer Night's Dream

We have just finished our three performance run of a musical children's version of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It went really well, with some great young actors, amazing costumes, good singing, great sets (with a specially hired "star cloth" backdrop.)

I think it was so good because we all treat it as an adult performance, with the same direction, lighting, sound etc as if it was an adult production. We never say "don't worry, it's only a primary school production."

Now I have to sort all the photos for ordering!!!

Amharic and reports

I'm deep into writing reports for school now. What a nightmare - at least one hour per report. I'm getting off lightly with a smallish class. I feel most sorry for someone else in the school who has about 32 in her class!

Anyway, enough moaning about report writing. I can't say what I really feel as I don't know who's reading this, all I can say is that someone with a name beginning with a letter of the alphabet is going to be grounded for several weeks after their parents get their report!

Amharic CD: I can now recognise the numbers from 0-20!! I can't actually remember them all to say them in order, but I can recognise them when they are spoken!

Parts of the body and colours next...