Sour Crepes

[QueenQueenie]

Well someone had to do it....

The stapler as present to avoid yours getting borrowed ploy didn't work with dd. Things just disappear into the black hole in her room and she still requires all my stuff. Lucky that i always have a supply of charcoal, graphite pencils, ink etc otherwise she would have been stuffed for her art exam prep.

Youth theatre has been a huge hit with ds (not free, but v. inexpensive and also run by theatre in ed people). He is also pathologically sociable and collects new friends like the piano collects dust. He is, however, huffing about learning his solo song for the end of year production in June, as it is "too sad".

Gah, quick, I must do more words.

Herbs??? Radio Silence - hope you are OK.

What are these "free youth theatres"? I have been shelling out an eye-watering £400 a term for DD1 and DD2 to attend their drama group. They have decided not to do it this term, and I didn't try particularly hard to persuade them otherwise, as it is such an expense.

Herbs, are you out there.....?

This kind of thing.

Herrrrrbs???? Come and tell us, my lovely, even if it didn't go quite to plan.

sudden vision of Herbs skirt falling off mid interview.
Worried about ye mrs

She might be, you know, out having a life...

< collapses on to keyboard >

So... I didn't sleep a wink, and left the house at 7.30, dropped DS at breakfast club, and was on a bus at 8.10

I got there at 10.45 - only just after another couple of latecomers - and was ushered straight into the presentations. Three of the other four candidates had literacy or ESOL experience, and were all full of pie charts about the number of languages in the class, etc. Made my much more general round-up seem totally amateur. I gabbled, and still ran over time.

Then to a classroom where we had to do the written test. It was SO HARD. A 500-word essay on the role of grammar teaching in Literacy and ESOL, analysing an academic feature about something complex, analysing the difference between written and spoken English, and analysing a letter written by a 'learner', answering six questions about it. All in an hour and a quarter. I had forgotten my glasses.

Every so often one of us was picked out to be interviewed. I had forgotten my notes, and gabbled like a fool, and my mind went black. Though think I did OK on the 'reflective practice' bit.

The whole thing was run by vague yet stern wooly-haired 60-year-old ladies called Irene who had been in academia all their lives.

Didn't finish until 2.15, so had to charge back home to get DS from school. This involved going on HS1 from St Pancras, which was mildly exciting. Late picking DS up, he then dawdled all the way home while I sweated under multiple heavy bags.

One of the worst days of my life. And I don't think I've got in. Or even if I do get in, whether it's the right place.

And, joy of joys, I've got to go into town again tomorrow for an eye appointment for DS. Not sure I can face it.

Oh don't be ridiculous MI!

Herbs
Might not be as bad as you think - after the stress of getting there it was all likely to feel a bit too much....

When do they let you know

I'll know within 10 days, though I almost heard them smirk as I left the room.

I haven't eaten anything all day, apart from a Belvita biscuit on the bus.

Herbs you poor thing. What an horrendous day. Eek that essay- without specs as well.
Can you at the very least get ds's appointment postponed ?
My profoundest sympathy. Look, it ain't over til The fat lady Irene sings.
Apply liberally with gin.

Well, gin and a sandwich if you haven't eaten today obvs.

I am in the middle of making cheescake and wish I could send u a bit.

The next possible appointment for DS is in July, which is too far away. I shall attempt to get on the train tomorrow with him, but if it's going to be as hideous as it was apparently today, I'm not going to put him or myself through it.

I usually drive, but it would take a million years tomorrow.

I have a paella ready meal and some Rioja.

DS is in his sportacus outfit watching Frozen. This is all he does.

Herbs, I'll bet the farm you wrote better than you think you did. You write for a living, and write very clearly.

I think I did OK on the writing bit, though without as much theoretical or practical knowledge as some of the others, OK-ish on the presentation, and pretty cack in the interview.

I would BLOODY LOVE some of your cheesecake crem. It's going to be all I can do to avoid scarfing DS's pizza.

Herbs, what a nightmare day. Crack open that Rioja immediately.

I would echo MI - I bet you did better than you think you did (although if you aren't sure it is right for you, as opposed to the other way round, that's a different matter....).

After a good night's sleep you'll be in a better frame of mind to tackle the trip into town tomorrow. Without the stress of an interview looming I'm sure it won't be so bad. And you'll have company!

Herbs, sounds horrendous, well done on getting through it. I bet you did better than you thought.

MrsS at class rep horror. I have to confess mine was an easy gig by comparison: a small, sensible job to do involving mostly pleasant and sensible people. I was just pants at it - the only bit I was good at was putting lists of names in alphabetical order.

Oh Herbs, your day sounds sorely trying but we all have everything crossed for the old bags interview panel making the right decision. Try to get a decent sleep tonight and get miniHerbs to don his Sportacus outfit and trainers tomorrow!

Yay, go Herbs! Fingers crossed for the right outcome.

Mmm, cheescake...

I quite fancy going to the pub.

I quite fancy the pub too.

In fact anyone in the vague vicinity of Sarfeast Lunnon fancy the pub this Saturday?

Cheescake at the 'wobble' stage.
God I LOVE OTTOLENGHI.
Salted almond brittle Mrs S.

DF still in hospital so am bringing him a slice tonight . He'll need it after the Rabbi this afternoon, who has been lurking menacingly. She doesn't get a lot of work round here.

I have aubergines and tomatoes and two (2, ii) heads of garlic roasting in the oven. God I love Easy Food.

Stir fry here........

Rioja opened, packet of Parma ham being devoured slice by slice, rosacea humming.

I am dead on my feet.

Thanks again for kind crepey words. It's annoying that I didn't get a chance for them to see my 'engaging personality', which is about all I have to offer, it feels.

Other than being able to write pithily on Facebook and other bulletin boards, which I'm not sure is a marketable skill.