It’s been a busy few days. I seem to be saying that a lot recently, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that work has been abundant, to the point where I am able to decide on my own hours and as a result I’ve been able to turn some of it down. I’m still conducting freelance workshops, planning for a big concert with a primary school and doing supply three or four days a week, with the knowledge that at the moment I could do a full five-day week if I wanted. Most supply days are nice and calm, and I’m enjoying spending time with some of my favourite students. For example, today I was covering a Year 10 class, most of whom I have known since they started the school in Year 7. They walked in, smiled and greeted me, picked up their text books, sat down in silence and got on with the work that had been set. Every so often, they would ask me a question if they were confused, and other than an interesting conversation I had with one of them about football as they were packing away, and a ‘bye, enjoy your lunchtime!’ as they left, I didn’t hear a word from them. And I got paid for it. Awesome. However, I’ve been able to take the odd day for myself, during which I’ve done exciting things that I enjoy. Unfortunately, I’ve been full of a stinking cold over the last week, but now my head is a little less fuzzy I can get back to some quality ‘me time,’ and doing so while being able to breathe properly. Yay. Continue reading →
Coffee posts are normally saved for the weekend, but a conversational post is exactly what’s needed today.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I’ve had a busy week. The first part of the Summer Term has started, and the students are now moving into exam mode. If I’m being honest, I was dreading it – the last week before the Easter holidays was challenging as the both the students and staff were tired, and I was expecting frayed tempers and double to usual eye-rolls when we came back as this is the most stressful part of the year for many. However, it’s been calm and relaxed, the students have worked hard, and I’ve been greeted with smiling faces and enquiries about my holiday. I’ve covered a diverse amount of subjects, from maths, science, history and geography, to English, food technology and travel and tourism, and I’ve witnessed a rather surprising amount of highly intelligent conversations amongst them. Within the older classes, I’ve been really impressed by their tolerant opinions, and they’ve taught me a thing or two – not a bad way to spend the week!
However, this has ultimately meant that my blogging activities have decreased, and I am desperately looking forward to making some sort of attempt to catch up on all my favourite blogs and social media link-ups. Indeed, the more time I spend in the blogosphere, the more I see just how much is shared in such a short space of time – it’s fascinating. Continue reading →
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that the positive thoughts appear to be working and this week has proven to be a good one. I’ve found myself responding to The Bloke’s enquiries about my day with stories of good lessons and interactions with students, funny staffroom jokes and little achievements that I’ve accomplished, which is something I haven’t been able to do for a while… and it’s Friday evening. Nothing is ever negative about Friday evenings – I settle down with The Bloke and the cats in a warm, clean pair of jammies, watch some pointless television and get my blog on! I also discovered that I’m destined to inherit a fortune – I was contacted by someone in Burkina Faso who has informed me that she has been left $3.1 million, of which she is willing to share 50% with me! All I need to do is send across my full name, date of birth, occupation, bank account numbers and passport details. Hmm… Maybe not.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I am delighted to hear that the Elvis exhibition has arrived in London – quite fitting during what would have been his 80th birthday year. My mother’s lifelong dream is to visit Memphis, (which my sister went to last year), but as I can’t afford to pay to take us to America, this is the next best thing. She doesn’t know that I’m booking tickets yet, but I can’t wait for her reaction when I tell her. I like doing these sorts of things for her – I took her to Glen Campbell’s final tour after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis and later to see Jack Jones in concert (which had the best seats ever), and last year I surprised her with tickets to see The Commitments musical in London, complete with a meal at The Ivy and a hotel room at Leicester Square. It isn’t much, but these are the sorts of memories I cherish and I enjoy seeing the look on her face – I see them as little thank you’s for being a constant support. I’m very lucky.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that the blog has also been amazing recently too – I’ve written my first guest post in quite a while for my friend Steve, met some lovely new people, indulged in random conversations and have been able to read some wonderful posts. My post on Stumble Upon, ‘The Tale of a Sociopath’ is still going, and another has been picked up and is currently being shared around, although not to the same level – ‘Professional Or Hobbyist?’ is a love it or hate it sort of post that was Freshly Pressed in November 2013 and it incited both positive and highly angry comments throughout, mainly because I believe that many misunderstood the context of which it was written.. or it just pissed them off. Either way, it provoked a discussion, which I always like from blog posts.
Blogging!
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that the most surprising thing in my recent blogging activities was the response I received to my advertising promotion at the beginning of the month – inspired by my New Year resolution to ‘take the risk’ I decided to take move onto the next step and offer four advertising spots a month for bloggers and companies wishing to increase their traffic. I assumed that it would take months to get any form of reply, but I was delighted to receive an email within a matter of hours. Over the last week, I’ve gained two sponsors – Jolene at ‘Valley Girl Gone Country’ and Helena Turbridy’s ‘Effective Change For Life’. Both are beautifully written, engaging and interesting and you can find both in the top right corner of my blog – please go and check them both out! However, it hasn’t stopped there – both have seen an immediate increase in their stats (ask them if you wish to find out details). Even more amazing, the Feburary spaces are completely filled already, and I have already had a space reserved for March and another for July. Awesome. If you are interested in reserving a space for March and beyond, visit this post…
If we were having coffee I would tell you that, while it has been a wonderful week in my own life, the world outside has experienced yet more tragedy, the most recent being the awful events in Paris. I’ve attempted to write about it on several occasions, but after realising that my words couldn’t it justice, I have decided to leave you with the most beautiful tribute I have seen. The picture was wrongly attributed to Banksy, but I am glad that his popularity has allowed this gorgeous image to get a large amount of well-deserved publicity. My thought are with the victims, their families and the people of France.
What about you guys? If we were having coffee, what would we talk about?
The ‘If We Were Having Coffee’ conversational posts were created by Part-Time Monster. You may be interested to know that she is doing a coffee blog link up this weekend… Create your own coffee posts and join in over the weekend!
This series of conversational posts was created by Part Time Monster and are normally designed for weekends, but as last weekend was quite busy I thought I would use my day off as an opportunity to update my original post that I had prepared earlier.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I was absolutely delighted with the response I have received on the blog over the last few weeks. I haven’t been able to post as much due to work commitments, but the comments, emails and messages are still coming in! I miss not being able to write when I feel that I need to, and it’s great to know that there are those out there who still think of me when I’m not around. It’s much appreciated. Continue reading →
I wouldn’t be drinking coffee. I’d be thoroughly enjoying the aromas, but as I don’t like the taste I’d be drinking a hot chocolate with lots of whipped cream or a mango and passion fruit smoothie. Oh, and I’d be eating cake. Preferably cake filled with raspberry jam.
If we were having coffee, I would bore you with tales of my running endeavours. I have gone for a run several times in the last week, always in the morning before my neighbours surface, and each time I have improved my distance, my speed and the number of calories I have burned. I hate it, but I always feel really good once I’m done.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I watched Guardians Of The Galaxy the other day, and I thought it was pretty great. It isn’t in the same league as Avengers Assemble (one of my favourite all time films and the only film I have ever wanted to see again immediately after watching it at the cinema), but the characters were good, there was the right amount of tears, laughter and action and it was a nice way to spend the morning. I would also tell you that the actress who played ‘Nebula’ is the Scottish actress who played ‘Amy Pond’ in Doctor Who and that she shaved her beautiful long red hair off for the role.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you about my obsessions with Castle and White Collar, of which I am currently on Season 4 of both. I have developed a little crush on Nathan Fillion (despite hating his character in Season 7 of Buffy) and even though my friends have unwittingly provided me with spoilers I am thoroughly enjoying both programmes.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I’m absolutely obsessed with this song at the minute…
If we were having coffee, I would show you my Facebook newsfeed at the minute, which is full to bursting with pictures of weddings, newborn babies and holidays in exotic places. I would show you this picture of Daisy that I uploaded just to balance it out a bit. Circle of Life, anyone?
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I awoke the other morning and immediately checked my blog, as I do almost every morning. I get a little buzz from reading all the lovely comments that I receive overnight and it always gives me a great start to the day. However, the first comment that I read started with ‘Lol, you’re such a stupid b*tch...’ Apparently, a crazy Justin Bieber fan had stumbled across my anti-Bieber post from a few months ago and decided that I needed to be lectured about how the music industry actually works. I was so grateful for the information. I would tell you that the reason why everyone hates him is that he won’t give up, he won’t break down and he stays strong. Awesome. I had no idea. It must be quite a revelation to live in a world where there is an actual belief that this famous pop star is actually going to marry them someday. Bless. My Trash comments were busier than usual that morning.
And finally, If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I’ve had far more entries than I anticipated for my Summer competition, and so I’ll announce the results in a few days!
I loved this idea, which I saw on the ever fabulous Nerd in the Brain‘s blog, who in turn saw it on the equally fabulous Part Time Monster‘s blog, who found it somewhere else. It’s one of the many reasons why I love the blogging community – they inspire me!
What about you? If we were having coffee, what would we talk about?
You can also find me on Twitter and Tumblr @suzie81blog
Coffee posts are normally saved for the weekend, but a conversational post is exactly what’s needed today.
Suzie Speaks 
You must be logged in to post a comment.