Overwhelmed

This week has been my last week of teaching. I teach in a different venue with different children every day and so far this week I have been inundated with gifts and goodbyes. I was amazed when, on Monday, I received numerous boxes of chocolates, cards, money, flowers, cakes and jewellery as a thank you. I was even more astounded when on Tuesday I received more chocolates, cards, money, jewellery and a framed photo of four of my boys.

Needless to say, when this morning's children and parents arrived with chocolates, perfume, flowers and cards my amazement turned to disbelief as it began sinking in that I was really saying goodbye to these parents and their kids - many of whom I have taught from 6 months through to four or five years old. The mums in my last class today arrived with a ginormous bouquet of flowers and a card signed by them all - and planned in advance as one mum had left on holiday two weeks ago.

I have been so blessed over the past four years to teach these lovely children and I am now utterly overwhelmed and bowled over that so many took the time to write or make cards and to get me presents.

They have made me feel very loved and they will be so hugely missed.

Much love,
xx

Supermarket singing

The theme for this year's Holiday Club is Pyramid Rock - the story of Joseph and his technicolour dreamcoat. I am running the music again this year and am relishing the opportunity to play some music from the Joseph musical. I went to see it for my birthday last August and loved it. Well, let's be honest, I loved that Lee Mead was playing the role of Joseph and visibly melted along with some of the other girls I was with, when he began to sing.

That aside, I had forgotten how catchy the songs are. I've been making cuts and re-writing lyrics in order to fit them into the programme, and am finding it annoying amusing that quite often something that somebody says, sparks off a Joseph song in my head. The other day a friend began by saying "A while ago, I..." to which my response was "Way, way back my centuries ago, not long after the Bible began..."

Me continuously singing sections of Joseph songs cannot be fun for the people around me though. If I meet you in the supermarket aisles and I'm humming along to the tunes in my head - my apologies!

Much love,
xx

Leaving

Last Friday night, my two colleagues and I headed into London for my leaving do. They took me out for dinner and then to the Royal Albert Hall to see The King and I. I guess this would be the time to admit that, shame on me, I have never seen the film. However, this proved to be an advantage because I could watch the scenes unfold and hear the music without knowing what was coming next - although someone could have warned me about the ending!

Having produced events at the RAH I noticed various aspects of the production throughout the evening - the entrances and exits, the logistics of set changes and the sound and lighting. And yet, I was still totally entranced with being on the ship, in the palace and by the dock. The stage was set in the centre of the round and there was even water underneath the bridges linking the set to the audience.

It was beautiful and the three of us emerged singing and laughing.

Then it struck me. I've had my leaving do. Now I actually have to leave. Classes finish in three weeks and then I need to say goodbye to over 200 children whom I love, and two colleagues who have been more of a blessing to me than I could ever have wished for.

The next stage of my life is beginning. Somebody please tell me if I'm supposed to be excited or terrified? For now I think I'll opt for the former...

Much love,
xx

Perfect summer

10 Reasons Why I Love Summer:

1. Raspberries
2. Strawberries
3. Pimms
4. Warm evenings sat outside with white wine
   
5. Walking out of an air-conditioned supermarket to fresh air and a warm breeze
6. Ice cold lemonade (or Mountain Dew where possible!) and iced coffee
7. Laughing outside with friends until late, as the sun sets
   
8. Early evening walks
   
9. Thunderstorms - summer rain and the smell of wet pavement on a hot day
10. Holidays - travelling and/or the beach
    

Pictures really cannot capture it, but if they could, this is what my perfect summer would look like.
What have I missed? What would your perfect summer picture look like?

Much love,
xx

Living history

I wasn't going to blog about the news that has gripped the globe since Thursday. I figured it would be covered enough by quite literally millions of others. However, what has struck me once again is how a single event can unite the world.

Whether you're a Jackson fan or not, whether you consider him a genius or a Wacko, or whether you're not fussed either way, there is no way in which the death of Michael Jackson has passed you by. Whether you're grieving a personal loss, gripped by a tragedy or just engrossed in being part of history, there is something addictive about an event which is being watched by the world.

Today's technology allowed news of his death to spread like wildfire. Many search engines were running at half speed as millions of people searched for confirmation of his death. Twitter crashed and within minutes he was the most tweeted topic. It takes a lot to bring the world wide web to a standstill, but the death of an icon managed it.

I wasn't a particular Jackson fan. There is no doubt that he was talented but I've never been one to idolise. I've never related to celebrities as close friends, nor have I ever been an avid "fan" of one. Yet hearing Thriller, Man in the Mirror or any other Jackson hit that I grew up with stirs something in me. It isn't sadness - I'm not grieving - it's an emotion that merges childhood memories, a global sensation and being part of history. It is an indescribable emotion but I can pinpoint three other times in my life when I have felt this way - the death of Diana, September 11th 2001 and July 7th 2005.

Experiencing history is an odd feeling. Knowing that the day you are living will be marked forever is quite a thought.

The world has lost someone irreplaceable. At least his music will always live on.

Much love,
xx

Baby fever

Yesterday I met my friend's newborn son - well, three weeks old now - for the first time. He was beautiful and one of the most peaceful babies I have ever met - and I have met a lot of babies over the last four years of teaching! We sat outside in the shade of their garden. I had the little one nestled in my arms and, although awake, he barely made a sound, he just lay their looking absolutely gorgeous and totally serene.

Clearly when his Daddy was holding him, I was visibly melting. I think it's one of the most perfect scenes in the world to see a father holding his baby. Later when his Mummy took him again, their elder daughter came over and it was such a joy to see them all together - the new four. They are a wonderful family and I'm so thrilled at their enchanting newest addition!

On the way to their house I bumped into one of the mums of a girl I teach who had her two week old daughter with her, who I hadn't yet met. The Photographer also visited a little one yesterday - his 3 month old niece.

It was certainly a day to see babies. But, and I know I'm biased, that tranquil little three week old that I spent the afternoon with was by far the most precious.

I want one!

Much love,
xx

Midsummer's day

About 36,500 people crowded Stonehenge at daybreak this morning to celebrate the Summer Solstice. June 21st marks the longest day of the year and tonight will be the shortest night.

We've been celebrating Father's Day today but other than lunch out and going to see 60163 Tornado at London Victoria tonight, I can't say that I have made productive use of the many hours of daylight today.

So what about tonight? Less time in the dark naturally gives us more time to think with clarity and with greater objectivity. It also tends to make us feel more awake. So why was it that Shakespeare chose the shortest period of darkness to set his play, A Midsummer Night's Dream? The adventures of Hermia, Helena, Lysander, Demetrius and the mischievous Puck are deemed to be a dream when they return home to bed.

Less time in the dark may tend to make us feel more awake but I'm inclined to think that it's merely an illusion, as I'm beginning to feel as though I'm daydreaming through my days at the moment. So much to think about and so much daytime to think about it in.

Anyone else got a similar feeling?

Much love,
xx