Indian Summer

Hey everyone!

Sorry it's been so long! It seems that the only free time I have these days is spent running ridiculous amounts on blistery feet. I noticed yesterday, as I was scarfing down a bowl of risotto that someone in the house had the kindness to cook and then share with me, that I have sat down to eat a leisurely meal only ONCE in the past ten days (dinner on Wednesday). Anyway, apologies.

I've been back in London now about three weeks, and it has been an absolutely spectacular three weeks. Basically, I didn't want to be here last year. I wanted to be in Ireland. I could not stay in Ireland (stupid visa), so I vowed to be miserable in London. What a stupid thing to do to myself. I spent so much time complaining about this city, that I rarely genuinely enjoyed it. Point being, this year, I have made a pact with myself to love London. I am going to put a smile on and go out and meet people. I'm not going to say "no" to any opportunities, and I'm going to make an effort to "put myself out there" and be social. I'm going to be the Sarah Hammer that I always have been, that I absolutely REFUSED to be last year in this country. The moral of this mini-diatribe is that, it's working. These three weeks have been some of the best I've had out of the nine months I have lived here.

I got back and tried not to be too bummed that my two closest friends here, Jill and Adam, were both moving back to Ireland. Jill is already gone, and Adam is having his going away party next weekend. I'm staying positive about that, and trying to meet lots more people. The weekend that I got back, I played Dodgeball for charity which was set up by the company of a woman on my hockey team. I THOUGHT that I would get to the pitch and know lots of people...but when I showed up...my dodgeball team was made up almost entirely of people I didn't know! As it turns out, my team was made up of people from the field hockey club that I just didn't know. They kept saying things like, "Really? You played last year? Where have you BEEN?" It was a bitter reminder that I didn't try at all last year to get to know anyone. I think dodgeball was a jumpstart to turning over my new "I love London" leaf, because it was a HUGE amount of fun, and the people on my team were just great. Since then, I have seen them nearly every weekend, either at the hockey club, or out in the city.

We had to "fancy dress." In case you are wondering...we are "No Shit." Clearly, I had no say in the matter.

That following Monday (August 24th), work started. I was unsure what to expect, because I knew that the students weren't coming for another couple of weeks. Basically, we spent the two weeks leading up to school just planning for the year. I have my English lessons planned until the end of the term (in December!!). I will also be teaching Science, but someone else is planning those lessons for me. (Thank goodness, because I'm a science idiot!) I was supposed to be teaching Drama, but no one signed up for it, as it is an elective, so I think I'm going to be helping out in the teaching of P.E! We will see how that goes!

I guess I should give a little bit of background now about the new place that I work, since I haven't really mentioned it to many of you. I am working at a place called The Parent Pupil Partnership (The PPP). The PPP is a non-profit organization that has been around for 14 years. It was created to fill a gap in the London school system that lets "troubled" kids slip through the cracks. Basically, my "school" is for behaviorally and emotionally disturbed 15 and 16 year olds who have been kicked out of school for various reasons. When they get kicked out of school, they get referred to us. The PPP is not just a school. It is actually, primarily, a therapeutic and holistic environment for students with behavioral issues. The staff is made up of Group and Family Workers (social workers), mentors, and teachers. Part of the week the young people spend working out their issues, and part of the week they spend learning. The idea is that they can't really get ahead academically if they are emotionally stilted in some way.

Here is a picture of some of the staff at the residential we had during our second week of planning. (Left to Right-Ketorah, Li-Shan, Eliza, Me, Lisa) We went away to a beautiful hotel in Windsor. We worked really hard, ate really well, and bonded. The bonus was that I got to go running outside of London for a change!

The students started this past Wednesday. I think it is a little bit early for me to attempt to explain my job to you, since it is just getting started, but I will be honest in saying that I was prepared for the absolute worst students ever (in terms of their behavior), and I was pleasantly surprised. Yes, I feel like they will eventually talk back to me and swear and take out their cell phones, etc., but is it anything worse than anything I've already experienced? No, I don't think so. One of our students has already been arrested since the school year started three days ago (for attempted robbery), but, in terms of their behavior actually in the building, I am well pleased. The PPP has 4 different sites around the city, though, and not all of them have fared as well as we have. On the first day at one of the sites, some kids were throwing knives around. So, yea. There is no doubt in my mind that it is going to be tough, but it is also certainly a worthwhile experience (not to mention that fact that having a permanent job here, instead of being a substitute teacher, is REALLY going to improve my quality of life).

Now back to the fun stuff. It would have been hard to hate London these past few weekends (if I had still been trying) because the weather has been absolutely, uncharacteristically beautiful. We are talking sundresses and flip-flops here. For England in early September, this weather is unprecedented. I know global warming is going to kill us all, but I've been thoroughly enjoying soaking up the British sun.

Here I am with Jason and the twins, Michelle and Teresa. We are at Notting Hill Carnival...the biggest street party outside of Rio. The Carnival was complete with scantily clad Brazilian dancers, Capoeira, LOUD music, delicious Caribbean food, and lots and lots of Rum.

I've also been seeing a LOT of free/almost free music. I just discovered The Locke Tavern in Camden, because Chris Richter's friends from Glastonbury, CT were playing there (didn't get to see them cause they went on too late on a school night :( ) Bands play there for free every night of the week. Last Tuesday Eamonn and I went to see Vampire Weekend DJ. They weren't playing a set, but it was cool that they were DJing, for free! I also was recently introduced to The Dublin Castle. I went with some friends from hockey, and the bands there are consistently great. Kate Nash and Blur played there before they were big...to name a few.

Speaking of hockey...the season just started last weekend, and we played our first friendly match yesterday. A loss...but we scored one goal. This one goal is a big deal because it TIES the amount of goals we scored in the ENTIRETY of last season. Yes, we were that bad. I expect bigger things from us this year!

Here's a picture of our first hockey social last weekend. It was Hawaiian themed...clearly. I know I've said this before, but I'm SO happy that I play a sport. If it weren't for the hockey team, I think I would spend a lot of time in this city being very, very bored.

Alright, so, that is the abridged version of what's been going on in London since I've been back.

And now, back with the Top 5--Top 5 upcoming events to look forward to hearing about:
1. Dan (my friend from the Israeli trip) is having a "Double-Denim" fancy-dress housewarming next weekend.
2. Hanne is coming to visit from Norway.
3. School and my crazy kids are getting into full swing.
4. Jaz and I are throwing a 1920's fancy-dress birthday party.
5. 27 is going to be a really, really good year.

Love, Sarah