I woke up bright and early this morning, after a weekend of cleaning, loafing, and discovering new crowded shopping centers. I got dressed, got pretty, and made my way across town to a.) get a passport photo (as it was required for registration at this teaching agency I was going to) b.) go to BUNAC and print out a letter of reference (I got there as they were unlocking the door...because the early bird gets the worm) and c.) register at this teaching agency that will not be able to pay me that much money. In this country, only certified teachers are allowed to substitute...for insurance reasons. We don't have that requirement in America and we're still struggling to get people to do it...I wonder what it's like over here...
After finishing up there, I headed back home on the now empty Tube. During rush hour, the cars are full and it doesn't really matter if you don't have anything to hold on to...just lean on someone...or do like I did: cautiously hold on to the folds of some stranger's windbreaker without tugging too much when you lean...just stabilizing. I got back to my station, bought a dodgy (sketchy) SIM card for my phone for 2 pounds (my computer doesn't have the pound symbol...and considering the pound is so darn strong...you'd think It would) and headed back to my house. On the way I saw a man dancing with himself on the sidewalk...like a waltz type dancing...and it made me smile in that innocent "there's no way that guy is crazy, he's just happy" kind of way. Got home to no internet, froze for a few hours, gave in and turned on the heat, fixed the internet, yelled at my dad, battled with my new SIM card, and generally fretted about the future and my money making ability. Does it sound like the trip of a lifetime yet? Tomorrow is phone-call and space heater/slippers buying day. I bet you can't wait to hear about that one. Stay tuned for the awesomeness...
4 comments:
You should send me your address in some non-public way.
Apryl
Do they have holiday themed tri-flavored popcorn tins in England? If not, I know what sommm-body is getting for Christ-maaasss....
Vanessa
I'm supposed to be practicing right now, but instead I have a) written you another response email, b) reread what you wrote in the first place, and c) come to lounge around on your blog for a bit. so thanks a lot. you're saving me from tila tequila.
I've been thinking about this teaching thing and how bogus it all is. here are the real reasons they won't let you: they don't want you teaching their children how to spell things without a u, and they don't want you teaching their children about democracy. they are a constitutional monarchy. (I looked it up on askjeeves.com. I figured jeeves would know. he sounds english.) then there's the metric thing, but I guess that's legit.
it's the same with subbing in Canada. maybe you could find a private school (if that's what they call them) to sub or work for. that's what i did. sure, they don't pay very much, but also the kids don't get into fist fights, either.
Post a Comment