Hi there,
Sorry if my last post seemed a bit depressive. That particular post WAS from 2 years ago but the forgiveness every day message was an important one I wanted to remember and to think about again. Things have been a bit crazy in some respects at school and I was feeling myself getting negative about some children- anxiety over their behaviour and how I should respond to it.
Yesterday was a HARD day! Mainly due to Year 1's who are just so distracted and others who are really naughty, year 2's who have really poor listening skills, a year 1 child who held the door against a whole line of children trying to get outside, a whole gamut of children not being where they should etc. I was shattered and disillusioned.
At the end of it, I had to rush up to London to the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the South Bank for my first concert with Kensington Symphony Orchestra. I have been SO excited to be playing with this orchestra, described as...
Waking up this morning, I was exhausted and had a dreadful headache. Knowing I had year 2, including a notoriously awful child whose exploits are very bad this year, I knew it might be a hard day especially after how utterly egregious the 3rd class's behaviour was yesterday. I was constantly thinking on the train and I prayed as I went, "I can't do this in my own strength today. God, please help me."
And, thank God, the day went well. Aforementioned notorious child lasted the entire lesson in the classroom without a single temper tantrum or any cause for me to give him any negative attention (he wasn't perfect, he sat refusing to rehearse with his group for 20minutes but I left him quietly- pick your battles- it was enough that he was sitting there quietly, not breaking anything or hurting anyone- I did say to him, he was welcome to join in with his group's performance, and he did actually join in from behind a chair). The other class, who are usually the most aggravatingly chatty class (to the constant detriment of their work)- actually got on, worked hard and got their work done well. I was SO grateful as I was so tired. Orchestra was also fine at lunchtime and then I had my non-contact time. I returned home making a detour to the parcel office to fetch some parcels, ended up buying some lovely plastic free fruit and veg from the town greengrocer (spinach, beans, mini aubergines, lychees, satsumas, peaches, plums) and having a veg out on the sofa.
I am so glad for this relaxed evening (CBC just made us a dinner of Puy lentils, leeks, tomatoes, aubergines, spinach, beans with lashings of Garlic) as I have a full day tomorrow, going up to London with engineering works on the trainline to rehearse and perform Puccini's opera, Gianni Schicchi with Five Senses Music from morn till eve and then an orchestra rehearsal on Sunday for another orchestra.
I've kept very busy this winter with practices and performances. Sometimes exhausting but good to keep motivated during these cold and gloomy months!
Yes, there are good days and bad days.
x
Sorry if my last post seemed a bit depressive. That particular post WAS from 2 years ago but the forgiveness every day message was an important one I wanted to remember and to think about again. Things have been a bit crazy in some respects at school and I was feeling myself getting negative about some children- anxiety over their behaviour and how I should respond to it.
Yesterday was a HARD day! Mainly due to Year 1's who are just so distracted and others who are really naughty, year 2's who have really poor listening skills, a year 1 child who held the door against a whole line of children trying to get outside, a whole gamut of children not being where they should etc. I was shattered and disillusioned.
At the end of it, I had to rush up to London to the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the South Bank for my first concert with Kensington Symphony Orchestra. I have been SO excited to be playing with this orchestra, described as...
“The most professional-sounding of non-professional orchestras”
The Sunday Telegraph
They are so good. I felt so tired but the concert went really well and it was a wonderful experience to play with them and made a pleasant end to the day. However, by the time we'd had dinner after the concert and made it home it was after 1am and I didn't get to bed till 2am.Waking up this morning, I was exhausted and had a dreadful headache. Knowing I had year 2, including a notoriously awful child whose exploits are very bad this year, I knew it might be a hard day especially after how utterly egregious the 3rd class's behaviour was yesterday. I was constantly thinking on the train and I prayed as I went, "I can't do this in my own strength today. God, please help me."
And, thank God, the day went well. Aforementioned notorious child lasted the entire lesson in the classroom without a single temper tantrum or any cause for me to give him any negative attention (he wasn't perfect, he sat refusing to rehearse with his group for 20minutes but I left him quietly- pick your battles- it was enough that he was sitting there quietly, not breaking anything or hurting anyone- I did say to him, he was welcome to join in with his group's performance, and he did actually join in from behind a chair). The other class, who are usually the most aggravatingly chatty class (to the constant detriment of their work)- actually got on, worked hard and got their work done well. I was SO grateful as I was so tired. Orchestra was also fine at lunchtime and then I had my non-contact time. I returned home making a detour to the parcel office to fetch some parcels, ended up buying some lovely plastic free fruit and veg from the town greengrocer (spinach, beans, mini aubergines, lychees, satsumas, peaches, plums) and having a veg out on the sofa.
I am so glad for this relaxed evening (CBC just made us a dinner of Puy lentils, leeks, tomatoes, aubergines, spinach, beans with lashings of Garlic) as I have a full day tomorrow, going up to London with engineering works on the trainline to rehearse and perform Puccini's opera, Gianni Schicchi with Five Senses Music from morn till eve and then an orchestra rehearsal on Sunday for another orchestra.
I've kept very busy this winter with practices and performances. Sometimes exhausting but good to keep motivated during these cold and gloomy months!
Yes, there are good days and bad days.
x