Three more days to go...

I haven't blogged for ages... The term is now winding down and I am almost at the end of my first academic year here in St Paul. One thing I need to do is work out what I am doing with my blog. I need to reconnect with my old blog friends and hopefully find some new blog friends -people who are also teaching 'over here' and willing to share their expertise.

In the meantime here are some of my highlights from this year.

1. Most surreal moment - Getting to see a real American High School Homecoming complete with Queens, Kings and decorated thrones.

2. Most enlightening moment -My first American football game. I now understand why it is such a popular social event. The crowd seem to be there to catch up with one another and are only occasionally distracted by what is happening on the field.

3. Favorite moment in class. The students impress me with their wonderful attempt at my accent. My catchphrase which they beg me to say - 'That's brilliant!' (Thaats Brullyunt)

4. Most challenging moment – getting my electronic grade book to make sense.

5. New experience – temperatures are cold enough for a snowman built on Christmas eve to survive -in a slightly stooped form- until March.

6. Unexpectedly gratifying moment - Students graduation ceremony when they all throw their caps in the air. Corny but somehow quite good fun.

7. Most confusion caused to other member of staff. I am asked my weight by school secretary and give it in stones.

8. Annoying Americans by telling them how much gas (petrol) costs in the UK when they are scandalized at the $4 a gallon they are paying this summer.
   

Can't believe how fast the first year of teaching here has gone.