THE BLACK HOLE DIDN'T GET ME

Well I haven't fallen into a black hole so I guess it's safe to do another post. I've now had my Uni Induction day and can't wait to get started. Trying to find a part-time job or a lodger. I'm lucky in as much as I get a grant while I'm going to Uni...(an explanation for those who don't know how it works here...I get a means tested grant which is really a loan that's repayable if I get a job when I've qualified and am earning over £15,000 a year). The grant I'm getting though doesn't cover my expenses. As a single mature student with no dependants I'm not entitled to any help with my rent so once I've paid that and my fares to Uni I'm left with £30 a week to pay all my utilities, books, clothes, food and drink. Well £30 will only just cover the water, gas and electric ...hence why I'm looking for a job which will fit around Uni and still allow me time to study, do assignments etc. No so easy at my age!

Is it another sign of being old that Summers used to be so much sunnier? We seem to have had so much rain this year. Admittedly I've not had to do so much watering but with the garden being North facing it needs more sun than it's had this year. The Cannas and Gingers were later than usual flowering....................

And I had quite a surprise when I started to clear out the shed. In the Spring I'd had a pot of indoor Hyacinth bulbs which I'd popped in the shed to die down so I could plant them out in the garden this Autumn. Well look at this!They've started to flower again! One plant that really thrived this year was my neighbours 'bxxxxx' Russian Vine. Yet again no matter how much I keep chopping it back it's still strangling anything it comes into contact with! GRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Well Sophocles and his Three Theban Plays awaits me.........see you again soon.

CATCH UP TIME

Well I really should be doing some housework but I've had quite a few emails and comments asking if I'm back at college yet and, if so, how it is going...so here's an update.

I managed to get all my latest assignments handed in on time. The History has been marked and, thankfully, I passed it. Some of my fellow students had referrals which means they have to work on it further and then resubmit it. We've been warned that we have to "up our game" and that referrals will be more common now...fingers crossed that my Literature and Sociolgy are ok as we'll be starting our NEXT assingnments soon.

We are now into the GENDER module. This means in Sociology we are exploring Feminism and Masculinity. I never knew there were so many different kinds of Feminism and trying to distinguish one from another with all their different concepts is quite difficult. I don't think I'll be doing any of this though...

when I'm doing assignments I'm more likely to be doing this!

In History and Literature we are exploring the IDEALS of the gender during the 18th & 19th century. The Yellow Wallpaper and The Color Purple are the two books we will be covering in Literature.....I think there will be another Compare and Contrast essay for our next assignment! I did enjoy our History lesson this week...we were looking at the way gender was displayed in various 19th century paintings. Really interesting...so much so that during half term myself and my two fellow Sudbury students are hoping to spend a day at some Art Galleries in London.

The after school club I take starts again next Thursday. The aim is to get some of the less able children to Key Stage 2 Level without letting them realise that they are acturally learning Maths! I'll have more children in my group this year (including the VERY disruptive one from last year) so I'll be busy thinking up fun maths games for them to play. I've been over to the school this week to see what resources they have and I think for next week we will play Skittles.

Plenty of counting and adding and lots of fun!

I must admit I've been a bit of a 'fair weather' photographer lately. We've had so much rain and it's been far to dreary to go out walking....I've not walked by the river once this year yet! The only photos I've taken this last week are of indoor Hyacinths and indoor African Violets.

Over eating at Christmas, sitting down at college, sitting down studying and lack of exercise are doing terrible things to my waistline!

Oh well....back to the housework...that should burn up a few calories!