The Darkness

This week we got a rather unpleasant reminder of what winter is like. The sun barely came out at all. Lots of rain and wind. Sure makes the tomatoes unhappy! Me too. Did manage to get a bit of rest though. And I finished writing the novel. I think. Time for some editing again. I gave up on the pond. I think it is leaking due to a bad design on the part of the original builders - something with the connection between the lowest pond and the cistern. I don't want to dig everything out to redo it though. Maybe the best solution is just to divert some rainwater from the roof to make up for the leak.

The girls had their first swimming lesson on Friday. Ninety minutes. They did not do well enough. Apparently to get into the program they need to be able to jump in from the side, dunk their heads under, and float on their backs and their tummies. Would have been nice to know that beforehand. They are given a second chance next Friday because we didn't know, but this weekend we have been practicing. If they still don't get in, we may have to wait until next year, or do some 45 minute lessons on Saturdays. Either way, it will cost us about 1400 euro just to get their first diploma. Then they need a second one. The third is optional, from what I gather.

Work is getting a bit depressing. The management continues to allow chaos to govern the school. Mostly because decisions just don't get made. When they do, they can be a bit strange - like putting the whiteboards in the back of the classrooms. I offered to move one of mine to the front, and was told this wasn't allowed. Why? They also won't put computers in the PBL rooms for the teachers. As if we can do everything with an iPad. What a joke. They also don't want to ban phones from the classroom, but then one team leader went around to different classes, took phones that were out (even some that were being used properly, approved by the teacher) and gave them to the principal, telling the teacher that they had to pick the phone up from the principal, explain why it was out, and return it to the student. They hired a new team leader who will be my boss. We have a negative past history together - she taught at the school in Apeldoorn where Naomi teaches and I used to teach. Naomi is thrilled that she is leaving and I am dreading her arrival.

The girls had a lot of fun playing at a friend's house on Tuesday. One girl is Abigail's best friend, from her class, and the other is a couple years older, but somehow Amélie is friends with her too.

Wiped out after trying their best in the pool.