Sunday 19 April 2009

Easter Holidays come to an end.

Well, this evening the Easter holidays come to an end. Not sure if there will be much availability of subsitute work in the initial days of the term so hopefully I'll be able to get some study done. The last assignments are now complete and the last onsite has been attended so its a countdown to the exams, three weeks from tomorrow morning to be precise.

It was a great two weeks, as a family we got a lot done, spent a lot of time together and are a little more relaxed. The weather over the past two or three days has been a bonus, with blue skies and high temperatures.

In my previous post I mentioned my walk with God. Since then God has definitely become more evident in my life, partly due to my own time commitment to Him, but also, I believe, a dry season has come to an end. With God's grace this season will be fruitful!

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Tidying up loose ends

As it's the school holidays I had a chance today to tidy up some loose ends..... The solicitor I went to for advice on how to get the final quarter of my investment in the furniture shop sent me a huge bill last week. I dropped in to complain that it was out of proportion, particularly when every time I asked for a price I had been told not to worry. He told me he didn't really expect me to pay the full amount anyway and would come back to me with a revised bill!! At this point the only hope of getting the money back anyway is out of the goodness of the managing director's heart!

I have one essay left now for the teaching course, plus one on-site lesson and then its plain sailing to the exams in mid-May. Trying to be a supportive and loving husband and father is suffering at this time. Hopefully once the exams are over I can reform.

With the enormous recession Ireland is now having it will be interesting to see how the supplementary budget, which is about to begin (15.45), will effect families, the vulnerable and the public service. Watch this space.

Last night my wife and I discussed how our journey with God was growing and/or suffering. God works in seasons and times and for me this is a season of dryness. I have to keep believing that God is there for me, is perhaps testing me, but always loves me.

Sunday 5 April 2009

Finish line in sight

In only five and a half weeks the time, effort and sacrifice of those around me and myself will reach its climax with my final exams. It has been a varied journey, sometimes rocky, other times smooth but overall a positive one, encouraged by the enjoyment I get from being in the classroom.

Once my final teaching practice finished in February I have been acting as a substitute (relief) teacher in a variety of schools in the area. It has been interesting to teach in straight class and multiclass situations, at both senior and junior ends of the school. I certainly think I prefer the senior classes but am certainly more open to the multiclass idea than I was in the past. Smaller schools, though, don't have the same social interaction among teachers and that is something I think I'd miss.

Two essays, one more day of training and three exams separate me from being qualified - roll on mid-May!