Quite funny

So I hurried to school today, thinking I would be late again. I came to the classroom and there were only a few students (none from my class) in the computer room. I got in, thinking I got the wrong room. But then the teacher came and it turned out that I was the only student from my class attending this lecture! How lucky am I? I almost died while walking to school and there wasn't even any one here but me!?

Oh well, I guess it gives me time to practice my speech!
Take Care

Wednesday, two days to go!

So far I have spent a lot of time with my family here. They've shown me around town and I've been busy all day, every day. Today I played table tennis with my cousin and then we took a walk down a main street in Birmingham. We've also been to areas where specific cultures rule.
I've been by myself in the centre of Birmingham and tried to find my way. I got lost, but that gave me a chance to see more parts of Birmingham. My camera started whining in the beginning of the day so I didn't take too many pictures.
Tomorrow I will take another walk around the neighbourhood and just spend some time with my family since it's my last day. I am leaving Friday morning at 5:30!! That will give me 1,5 hours to spend on Stansted Airport shopping. Maybe I'll get something from the duty free shop :)

Here you have some photos:

The mother of the family (and me)


Birmingham's Council House

Monday

Yesterday I woke up with a soar throat and swollen tonsils. Today my head hurts and my throat is killing me every time I swallow. So my BIG plans for today is to work further with my observation report and try to write my speech. I want to get as much done as possible since there will be no time to concentrate on school work once I get home.

During last week I took a lot of pictures, here you have some:

Trying out the smart board


My Lunch Break


My Visitors badge at Woodcock Hill


The famous Bull in Birmingham Centre

Seeing England

Today I left the house early with my cousins. We were on our way to Huddersfield but took a detour to Manchester. This wasn't on purpose but at least I got to see more of England.
We are visiting friends of my relatives and we will probably be staying here all day. Tomorrow I will go to Birmingham Centre all by myself. Hopefully I'll find my way and see a lot of the culture in Birmingham.
Hope you're having a nice weekend. 5 days to go!

Thursday

I've finished my fourth day at Woodcock Hill. Today I was with year 5 and they were just lovely. The class was small and a really good group and so was the teacher and his TA. The teacher in year 5 is the only male teacher at the school which was interesting to see. So far this has been my best experience of the English school.

I had coffee today (again) which made me extra happy and cheerful after lunch. The children got to make fruit-faces in clay during their art lesson and I spent time asking them about their work and taking pictures. The day was really lovely and I felt great on my way home. I even dared to ask 2 police officers if I could take a picture of them which I could. I do miss Boras and everybody there, but things are getting better here for sure :)
Take Care

Summary Part 2

We all had to wait at Stansted airport for different buses so we bought some food and sat down to eat. Time flew by since we all had a lot to talk about and before we knew it, it was time for me, Jenny and Malin to go to the bus station. We had a 4 hour trip to Birmingham to look forward to!

The bus was hot and we sat next to the toilet which smelled really bad so out 4 hour trip was a nightmare. We arrived at 21:45 (UK time) and we split up. The girls still had a train to take before they arrived at their destination and I was waiting for my cousins to pick me up. When they came we went to a restaurant and I bought a panpizza. It's one of the best pizzas I've ever eaten, good to know, right?

A summary part 1

On Sunday Jenny and Magnus picked me up. They were really early which we had to deal with on the airport. The trip to Gothenburg City airport went pretty quick and it was hard for Jenny to leave her beloved boyfriend.

We were 8 girls traveling at the same time so no one had to be alone. We had some coffee and laughs together at the airport before heading to the gate. We were early so we got seats next to each other which is really good. You never know where you'll sit when you fly with Ryanair! The flight lasted 1 h 45 min but since I forgot my music at home time went extra slow.

Tuesday the 6th

Today I was in year 6 at my school. 26 pupils and one teacher. She was very grateful to have me to help her. I know I'm supposed to be here to observe, but they want me to chip in so I do my best to help the pupils. I also get more time to practice my English.

The teacher in year 6 was less strict and noisy than the year one teacher. She was more supportive and calm around the pupils, but still very strict. I've noticed that teachers here don't have a problem with singling people out. It's a way of embarrassing the pupils and giving them a lesson. I don't have an opinion about if it#s a good or a bad thing, but it's effective. I know it's frowned upon in Sweden.

Now I have to go off and chill with my cousin. We want ice cream (Ben & Jerry's) :)
More thoughts might come on later. Take Care

Grrr..

It's not hard enough to force myself to write in my blog, but I have to deal with a brittish keyboard!! Argh!

Anyway.. my day has been very tireing. I remember complaining about my AVT/VFU when in Sweden, but I'm ashamed of that after one day in the UK. The teachers are very strict, the classes are too big and there's just no room for making friendships. The teachers only teach the children for one year and they don#t get attached. Not what I am used to..

Have to spend times with my cousin. Hope everyone is doing fine!

A lot of hugs from Birmingham

Everybody

I've gone through everybody's blog now and I felt the urge to write something. The gap between those passionated about blogs and those who aren't, is enormous. I've seen pictures of family members and stories about every day life. And then there are those who really dislike the thought of writing a blog just for our AVT.

I don't mind writing a blog since it's my own thoughts and it can't go wrong. I just hope I'll keep it serious without any details about my private life. I do have a blog that is all about my life outside the school, but I think it's a good idea to keep it hidden from this one!

I'll report more from Birmingham on Sunday. Hope you all do well on your last examinations before AVT and good luck wherever you go! :)