Never going to complain again ...

I have said this week, and I intend to live by it ... 'I'm never going to complain again'. We have had a health scare with our daughter - thought she had developed Rheumatoid arthritis (My brothers 18 yr old daughter has had it for 8 years and things are a struggle - seems there is some genetic component to it). ANyway the tests have come back and ruled it out for her. Not sure what her problem is but may still be something rheumatology-ish but not the painful yukky one. One day at a time. We cross bridges when we come to them.Anyway ... my revelation this week is that it is very easy to get into a moaning mode when really there is SO much to be thankful for. MY kids smile when they hear me say 'I'm never going to complain again'. Here goes mum and her 'band wagon'

Another day in the life ... of one tired teacher/mother

Great start to the morning. Not. Husband coughed all night for the 6th night in a row, son #1 woke up with conjunctivitis, son #2 up through the night and very tired from asthma - no school for him today, daughter moaning about bung knee. And, ... I'm fine. Got everyone sorted. Got dinner into the slow cooker, casserole out of oven for my friends family (just had surgery). Off to school.

Struggling with disengaged students. Like pulling teeth. Exhausting. Anyway - made it through the day.

Bright spot was 17 yr old student comes up to me during the day asking if I would look at a letter that they are writing applying for scholarship for next year. The letter outlines their dreams and tells their story. Very sad - involving a parent's tragic death when student was little, the extended family trying to look after the 3 little kids (now 19-14). I encouraged student. Will take a look at it and do some homework on who they should apply for scholarship. Seems that there must be lots for maori students. Student is such a positive beautiful polite well-spoken person. They HAVE to get a scholarship. So this will be another job for me for the weekend!!

I'm quite exhausted tonight but still have lots to do this evening to be ready for tomorrow. 5 and half more weeks till the holidays. Can't wait.

Back to work ....

Just another day ...

Have decided to record different events as they happen. Not sure if I have the energy; there would have been a time.

Went into work and got ready for teaching at the College (High School) where I work. Lots of kids didn't show up which the other teacher and I were suspecting. Hard to get the kids talking. Many shy disengaged kids. Anyway - a couple of bright spots and ... somehow we got through the day.

Kids talking about a big fight after school. Seems like it will be continuing again after school today although I heard that the school hasstrategized to stop it happening. Bloods and cribs. So much violence just simmers around the community. Exacerbated by poverty ...

Discovered during in the course of the day -- most of these kids did not do jobs/chores and almost all of them were given phones by their parents and had their phone on-going charges paid for by their parents. Hard to reconcile as few famillies pay subject and school fees.