Chai And A Chat #50 #ChaiAndAChat

16 Sep 2019 45 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: , , , , ,

Hi All! Week two of school is done… did you get your drink? Right, let’s get going then!

  • If we were sipping chai together I’d start of by letting you know all about school, since that is what has taken over my life right now. Yes, the teacher exhaustion has totally kicked in. I get to 9pm and I cannot contemplate staying up for much longer. Then I have nights where thoughts about school and planning pop into my mind in the middle of the night, keeping we awake for a couple of hours at a time. That does not help the whole exhaustion thing either!
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that on top of general beginning of the year stuff, we have a whole new timetable and plan to work on, as there have been schoolwide changes that impact the way we were learning. This is always fun to work out (read that as a TOTAL NIGHTMARE) and hasn’t been helped by the fact that one of my lovely assistants, who was unwell at the end of last year, was admitted to hospital again last week. Her health is the most important thing. But it does affect our week in school too, juggling staff and having to rejig plans that won’t work with one less person. Thankfully, most of the team are superstars and we all clubbed together to get through. The rest of the next fortnight will be filled with the same team spirit too.
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that this week, my beauts stayed in school until 2pm, which meant their first school lunches with us. Well, that was interesting! Children are entitled to free school dinners until they reach 7 over. However, there are some kids who are just not cut out for school dinners. Some kids are still used to being fed, only eat specific food at home, or like everything slathered in tomato ketchup… And they are the ones that push the funny stuff they are presented with, around on their plates, either just not trying, or crying. That’s not fun. Seriously, if your little one isn’t eating at school, give them a packed lunch! At least you know they have some sustenance, and won’t get too upset. As their teachers, we stay with them for the first week of lunches, to allow the lunchtime supervisors to get to know them, with us there as familiar faces. And we get the added bonus of what is known as a duty lunch aka known as a free school dinner. I took the opportunity to try some of the food every day and even though it might not have been like the school dinners I was given as a child (seriously, I’ll never forget Beryl, our dinner lady, and the amazing food we were given!) they were still wholesome, tasty meals! Check some of them out below, and Maureen and her team, our school dinner ladies!
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d say that week two of secondary appeared to go well too. I got an email inviting us to a parent consultation meeting with Lil Princess’s form tutor, so we could talk about how she is settling in, and tea, coffee and cake with the Senior leadership team. A lovely touch. Something new by the school. With Lil Man there was a Parent’s Evening in October, standard, where you made appointments to talk about her subject learning. So we will still have this to come, but wonderful to know they care about how the kids are settling in!
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you in surprise, that tutoring was actually accepted with positivity on the Tuesday! I was expecting a whole load of complaints, but they came out actually smiling, and did their home work straight away too! (Can’t see this lasting, but I’ll take it while I can!)
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that the weekend arrived and there was crazy busy days, then total relaxation time too! Friday saw me try to be quick at leaving school, but that didn’t happen as there were tweaks to be made to the plans for the following week. Then I had to take Lil Man to a cricket match. His club were playing Lefties vs. Righties! He is a left-handed bowler so was on the Lefties team, and they won! And he got wickets too. Go, Lil Man! But alas, I was unable to watch his match as I had shopping to do, and a house to clean! The next day was another rush around for a while, swimming and then badminton for the kids. Then I crashed and burned. I was shattered! The evening consisted of dozing on the sofa, reading when I woke up. But I did manage to visit the Nail salon, for some new serious, shorter nails, ready for a little typing and writing, because, I may have just signed up for NaNoWriMo… Eeeeek!
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that Sunday was a lovely day for Lil Man. Someone at his cricket club had tickets to The Ashes match at The Kia Oval – England vs. Australia which they couldn’t use so were offering to the first responder. He messaged, and was given the tickets, so Hubby Dearest and Lil Man had a lovely day of bonding watching cricket, and it was beautiful, though maybe a little hot!
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d say that Lil Princess and I had a totally vegged out day while the boys were gone. Apart from dropping them to the train station, and popping out to pick up a new doorbell, because ours had disappeared, I bingewatched Workin’ Moms Series 1 on Netflix at the recommendation of my brother! Such a great series! In fact I even started the second series! Lil Princess watched films, talked to her friends and generally did tween stuff… which involves being in her room a lot. At least I convinced her to keep the door open! I think I needed a day of nothingness to prepare me for what might just be a really manic week…
  • If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I have a Hygienist appointment on Thursday… erm… not looking forward to that one! I have gums that do not like me, despite me being very careful… and hygienists are important, but OUCH!
  • If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that my class and I have our first ever official class photos too, which appear in the local paper in a First Class photo spread of all the reception classes in the area. This’ll be fun…!
  • If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d excitedly tell you that I am so looking forward to a Friday night out with my Tootie Frootie girls! It’s long overdue, and kind of a belated birthday celebration. We are off to a comedy night, and dinner after. I can’t wait for some grown up socialising!

Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.

45 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Rae Reads
    Sep 20, 2019 @ 21:01:36

    Drinking hazlenut coffee with plenty of cream and some sweetner today (Friday of the week of Isidora, a tropical storm that wreaked havoc on nearby towns with flooding and a couple of deaths. Our small town was spared for the most part, but nearby towns, which has just finished up repairs and renovations from Hurricane Harvey got it again! One couple on TV from Kingwood said they had finally finished three weeks ago, and now…
    Reaching for this morning’s baking: pumpkin, walnut, and raisins bread and muffins; and banana and pecan, bread and muffins. Oh my, the muffins are still hot!
    Oh, I remember eating lunch with the kids. I remember when the school district began treating raisins as a fruit serving, and having to patrol the aisles of the tables, being pelted by raisins! We dreaded raisin days!
    I had to cancel my class Wed. because of flooding, and I had such a good lesson day planned…phooey. By the evening before I was getting emails saying my students’ children’s schools/daycares were going to be closed, and I couldn’t see risking the trip for maybe the six or eight who could get through. I would just have to reteach the same stuff the following week anyway.
    Tomorrow I go with a book/film club I recently joined to see The Goldfinch. Of course we will eat out afterwards and discuss the book vs. the movie. I may try to talk My Better Half into a day trip to Needville Sunday to catch the second (think marked down) day of its city-wide garage sale. (The last thing I need is more stuff!)
    Have a good weekend. Mine is looking promising. Pass another muffin, please.
    R.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Colleen M. Chesebro
    Sep 18, 2019 @ 02:39:07

    You’re such a busy lady. Keep finding time to take care of you. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. Marje @ Kyrosmagica
    Sep 17, 2019 @ 06:36:03

    Boy what a busy lady you are! Cant believe you’re signed up to Nanowrimo! Good luck with that. I’m still tinkering with book two, and hoping to go for a couple more anthologies.

    Liked by 2 people

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  4. robbiesinspiration
    Sep 17, 2019 @ 04:57:20

    You had an exhausting but gratifying week, Ritu. I also enjoy my job [most of the time] but get exhausted from the stress and effort. I can’t imagine doing a boring job though. Good like with your commitment to writing in November. I go with the flow as far as writing goes.

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. dearanonymousfriend
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 22:15:40

    I was tired when I started reading this post as hubby and I were out this morning before sunrise for a medical appointment for him at the veteran’s hospital, and didn’t get home until late afternoon, but, now, after reading your post, I think I am ready for bed! Hope you can catch up on your rest soon. The school lunches look so much better than what they have here in the states, but, I guess school lunches are just that…. Thank you for sharing your week. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  6. Erika Kind
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 20:26:16

    Looks like there lies a successful week behind you, sis! Happy Monday!

    Liked by 2 people

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  7. OIKOS™-Publishing
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 19:19:22

    Congratulations to LilMan and his team! Well done! For you the best wishes ever, to manage your schedule(s). Sounds very busy too. Best wishes for you appointment. Michael

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. syl65
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 15:00:55

    I hope the semester continues on a positive note and I’m glad everyone had some quality time to enjoy 💜

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. Jennie
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 12:44:08

    Oh, and the Tootie Frootie ladies! Have a blast!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. Jennie
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 12:43:31

    At pick up time on Friday, every parent who is a teacher looked wiped. Totally exhausted. You are not alone! Sounds like the weekend was good. I hope your assistant teacher is on the mend!

    Liked by 2 people

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  11. joylennick
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 10:59:10

    What would we do without you wonderful teachers, eh?! Little ones can be so demanding…I worked part-time for my local junior school which was an eye-opener. Having three sons myself, i was – sort-of – prepared for some of the behaviour and banter and discovered that little boys in particular are intrigued: especially ten year-olds, by body parts and, ahem, body noises…Carry on with the excellent work, Ritu, and enjoy your Friday night out. xx

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. Image Earth Travel
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 10:17:55

    I’m exhausted just reading about your week Ritu!

    Liked by 2 people

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  13. Mary Smith
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 10:00:31

    Love the nails 🙂 Enjoy your week.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  14. niasunset
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 06:57:21

    Good Morning Dear Ritu, have a nice new week, Thank you, for all your visit you are amazing blogger. Love, nia

    Liked by 2 people

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  15. IreneDesign2011
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 06:12:10

    Busy week for you again, Ritu. It sounds like a good time anyway 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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  16. Rachael Stray | https://rachaelstray.com/
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 06:04:57

    Enjoy your grown up night out! Another hectic week for you. I really like the shorter nails.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  17. meenawalia
    Sep 16, 2019 @ 05:08:53

    Happy for your lil mans success.and ur spending time.woth your lil princess reminded me of my daughter who is in the school right now but cant wait for her to come back later this afternoon to spend some quality time with her.
    Lovely post.thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 2 people

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