the decade A-Z
A- an ok decade. Ajuda. Amazon.
B- breaking/bboy, the breakdancing decade for me
C- can do it decade
D- dammit- 2.2 at uni, Dominoes Pizza
E- English as a second language
F- foreign language learning
G- Google.
H- heart soups in portugal.
I- Italy 2006 nice holiday
Jake turns 25.
K Kaz, my first real girlfriend
L- love, real love with Zuraida. Lisbon. Leon marries. Learnt to cook. Languages.
M- money, working full time for the first time!
N- Nice getting on with my dad.
O- opportunity to go anywhere and do anything
P portugal 08-09. Poker love started in 2009. Pedro portugal.
Rap and hiphop obsession
S September 11th
T Tescos
U unemployment end of 2009!
W Warren Buffett. Wikipedia.Windmills.
Xrays, a million of them!
Youtube
Z zuraida, my amazing ex-girlfriend of 6.5 years
Monday, 14 December 2009
The decade A-Z
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Notes on unemployment- the ups and the downs
Ordinarily unemployment, at least for me has been more enjoyable than this time round. I would almost be unemployed out of choice, and if it wasn't by choice, it was mildy enjoyable ( I had time to do enjoyable things) and it was temporary.
Zoom forward to 2009. After hearing about rising unemployment, everyday, when I was out in Portugal, I thought I'd never experience it. Tefl would keep me employed, or so I thought.
I guess I'm in quite a dark place at the moment. I'm sitting here trying to figure out how I got here. Sometimes it is hard to work out these things, but I'll give it a go.
After leaving my job, I came home. Financially a decent step, but not in any other way.
Crammed into a study, with a mattress and half a metre's space, living with family and arguments, quizzed on everything and generally annoyed- it wasn't a good start.
Adding to this a breaking up of 6 and a half year relationship and alienation from all of my friends (the consequences in breaking circles of 'leaving' them- going to Portugal) and no place to train. With no money, a serious lack of friends, no girl and the small things that annoy me at home- welcome to my current situation.
The up is I should get some money in in the next few days. The down? An anger I haven't felt before. Application form after application form, cv sent, cv re-worked, cv sent, ignored, too many apologies from underqualfied over-polite annoying recruitment agents.
Days filled up with the habit- online poker.
Joint problems.
So. How to get a u-turn? I'm going to list some bad habits and work round them.
- Over reliance on one or two friends
- Over reliance on one friends car
- Too much online poker
- Too much time online
- Too little reading
Ways to improve
- set a deadline- to leave the country or do something equally dramatic
- final reworkings of the effing cv
- get up earlier
- max. 30 mins of poker a day
- do something creative
- be kinder to people in a vain attempt to feel better about the shitness that is my life.
- rest more, stress less.
Thursday, 19 November 2009
School Phobia bull shit.
A BBC article states kids are scared of going into school and labels seperation anxiety, attached to lovely mommy and daddy as a cause.
My take?
Having been to a 'rough' school I know what it is like to not want to go to school. We, me and my friends, jokingly reffered to our school as a 'prison'. I counted down the days to end of term.
My brother, who is 4.5 years older said 'I only have one term left brother while you have 4 years, good luck!' - that's the kinda place it was.
When there was drugs, kids smoking and drinking at age 12, bullying (broken ribs and arms on a few occasions), fights including headbutts and elbows in the playground (blood everywhere), teachers being beaten up by parents, what did we do?
We went into school. We grew up quickly. What was the alternative? School is school, you do your time whether its a nice school or not a nice one.
I don't regret going to the school in any way, shape or form, in fact it really was a good kind of social education.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Starting my own business
While I'm somewhat used to investing in businesses of other people or transnational businesses, starting my own is a different kettle of fish.
Stocks, tick. Real estate, soon to be tick ( i hope!). My own business? On the internet? Hmmm.
I find it easier to part with money for someone else's. It is managed for me. There is no time investment. In some ways, if investing in solid enterprises, there is less risk. 1 or 2k in a start up? Normally down the drain. Opening my wallet won't be easy, but the road to financial freedom has its' potholes and, taking the visual metaphor a step further, if I never step foot on the road of self employment the road to wealth may as well be forgotten.
Wish me luck.
Wish me luck.
Lifestyle change necessary
Moving into the old house, with the mother was tolerable, for a week or two but it signifies a change in lifestyle far great. Regression and unemployment.
Falling back into addictions. Online poker, at least I'm not wasting money on the thing, it is all free, for now. Facebook controls some of my life as well.
The rest of my day?Well..
One postive side effect of my recent unemployment is a return to training, yesterday for example- I trained in the morning with friends for 90 mins or so, then went out in the evening, totalling at least 5 hours or breaking. Hardcore. I'm feeling it today though...
Friday, 13 November 2009
Sunday, 8 November 2009
On going back to places
I don't often go back to places. I've been told I'm always in different places, which is kind of true, but I hardly ever go back. This year I've done it twice.
I went back to Bournemouth, where I'd done my first tefl job, met some cool people and had a good time. This time round everyone had either swine flu or expected swine flu, no one really clicked and most of the students (who we got on wekl with last time) were just too rich, and unaware of it (always asking us to do things we couldnt afford etc, waving 50s in our faces, that kind of thing).
Portugal round 2, where I'd worked last year.
Weather wasnt as good, though seeing my old house, in Ajuda, going back to Cambridge and training with my old training partner Pedro, were all good.
I have to say I hadn't expected to feel nostalgic or sad, but there were feelings of doubt. Should I be back in Portugal, doing a second year? I did def miss speaking Portuguese, and some of the characters in my old life. I even missed my eccentric landlord.
I'm glad I went back, but resolved to try to carve out a new year, doing different things.
Heck, I can always go back...... another time!
Friday, 30 October 2009
wrist woes
2/3 weeks ago I had problems with my wrist. After training they would click and be painful. Flu, worstened the symptoms so that the tendons also hurt, and it began to hurt to type.
Growing up is about responsibility. Although it is funny to talk about responsibility within a dance/athetic context I wasn't acting responsibly toward my body.
The painful truth is not the physical pain, but the need to restrain, and not train. My week in Portugal, with minimum training. I'm sure I'll be fine,.... in the sun!
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
Thoughts on getting a website
In need of a website, long over due.
Content mainly, though still need to find a designer,.... hmmm....
in reference to: Sidewiki : Troubleshooting - Toolbar Help (view on Google Sidewiki)
www.eurolanguageholidays.com is one of my websites
The other is www.reelfilmproductions.co.uk
Content mainly, though still need to find a designer,.... hmmm....
in reference to: Sidewiki : Troubleshooting - Toolbar Help (view on Google Sidewiki)
www.eurolanguageholidays.com is one of my websites
The other is www.reelfilmproductions.co.uk
Monday, 19 October 2009
Back to P'gal
Booking my coach today.
Plans to go volunteer on a farm stray from my usual desire to earn a bit of money, though should be interesting enough to be sustainable, for a week or so.
Hope to meet up with Maria and Pedro, and my old teaching buddies.
Hope the coaches(to the airport) aren't sold out though!
Saturday, 17 October 2009
The camera that is so good why would you buy a video cam?
After uploading some stuff I thought about writing a post gloryifying the greatness of an old piece of tech I bought a while back (why buy a new gizmo when an old one still kills it!).
I bought my digital camera about 18 months ago, though a similar model was around before it, and possibly one before that.
I wanted a high spec, easy to use camera that had the potential to be a good video camera. I got it.
The Casio Exilim Youtube digital cameras are the s**t if you want a no hassle good quality (mine is 10.1 megapixels, top of the range 18 months ago and still damn good now) digital camera. The added bonus is it is soo good it works very well as a video camera, saving me over 300 odd pounds on buying one of those.
The best shot feature, which adjust settings such as the amount of light let in, shutter speed, flash and colours works very very well. There are settings for parties, outdoor, portraits, autumn leaves, flowers etc.
Cheap as well- I got mine for just over £100!
I very much recommend it!
Comment below about your own digital cameras!
First entry in a loooong time!
First entry in a long time.
Will update further.
Now using sidewiki- seems interesting.
Take care all!
Monday, 6 July 2009
changing places; The ups and downs of moving once, twice, thrice.
Having left Lisbon on a high note I came back to the UK, sunny and rainy- not able to make up its' mind, typically. Odd jobs (of no particular interest to the outside reader) had to be completed. A Saturday with my beautiful girlfriend followed that, and, despite being exhausted from lack of sleep and a pretty horrendious journey back, I was packing up again to venture to summer school once more.
Bournemouth. Ups and downs? Not having accommodation was a downer, though rooming with a mate was good, till I saw the room. Sleep has been an issue.
Highs? Competed in a regional bboy champs, although feeling unprepared, with a lack of sleep and training meant I was pretty mortified by my overall performance. That said, we got to the semi-finals (3 on 3s, no doubt because of the other two bboys I was with).
Other ups? Seeing old faces from last year's been nice. Catching up, or what catching up I've been able to do as yet. A bizarrely positive side effect of a general lack of sleep has meant my average wake up time has slowly come from the Portuguese style 11am/midday, to the slightly earlier time of 6am, or there abouts.
Having come out of my teenage years and into my 20s I've slowly come to recognise the benefits of getting up earlier.
We shall see if I can keep it up,...
Right, its getting on past 7, should get ready for work...
Bournemouth. Ups and downs? Not having accommodation was a downer, though rooming with a mate was good, till I saw the room. Sleep has been an issue.
Highs? Competed in a regional bboy champs, although feeling unprepared, with a lack of sleep and training meant I was pretty mortified by my overall performance. That said, we got to the semi-finals (3 on 3s, no doubt because of the other two bboys I was with).
Other ups? Seeing old faces from last year's been nice. Catching up, or what catching up I've been able to do as yet. A bizarrely positive side effect of a general lack of sleep has meant my average wake up time has slowly come from the Portuguese style 11am/midday, to the slightly earlier time of 6am, or there abouts.
Having come out of my teenage years and into my 20s I've slowly come to recognise the benefits of getting up earlier.
We shall see if I can keep it up,...
Right, its getting on past 7, should get ready for work...
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Being shit at endings
A few weeks ago I was planning good endings, things to say to people, presents to give, things to do, ideas about what places to go to etc.
What happenend? You'll see...
The final week was a haze of things to get sorted. I managed to hit the Barrio Alto, to much dissapointment to the bboy in me ( or have I always wanted to do things? Yep, could never hack the 10 kids in a room round a computer). I did the staff meal. I trained.
But I failed at the endings.
Saying goodbye to people merged into the days normal events. Signing registers, going from classroom to classroom. Like time should have stoppped for the ending, but it didn't, it ploughed on ahead.
Typically afflicted by both being a man- ie not being that able to express myself in tough situations, and being English- so feeling a bit weird about it at the same time. Not good when the seconds are flying past.
Leaves me wishing I could materialise some the of the plans flying around in peaceful times, only to shatter in times of need. Guess no one is perfect.
What happenend? You'll see...
The final week was a haze of things to get sorted. I managed to hit the Barrio Alto, to much dissapointment to the bboy in me ( or have I always wanted to do things? Yep, could never hack the 10 kids in a room round a computer). I did the staff meal. I trained.
But I failed at the endings.
Saying goodbye to people merged into the days normal events. Signing registers, going from classroom to classroom. Like time should have stoppped for the ending, but it didn't, it ploughed on ahead.
Typically afflicted by both being a man- ie not being that able to express myself in tough situations, and being English- so feeling a bit weird about it at the same time. Not good when the seconds are flying past.
Leaves me wishing I could materialise some the of the plans flying around in peaceful times, only to shatter in times of need. Guess no one is perfect.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
How to stop Mosquitos from ripping you to shreds.
Please bear in mind these tips are for stopping mosquitos that are in your house, or trying to get in from outside- not for when chilling outside near a mosquito infested lake or what not. This for the home dweller, which I assume most of my readers are- unless you have magically powered a laptop with bamboo or grass or something...... I digress.
So it took me a few bites here and there to get this guide together. Plus, some of the tips are not mine, and, although they seem bloody obvious, they weren't to me. So, by logical reasoning, unless I am the DUMBEST person alive, which is conceivable, others may benefit from this article.
How to keep them out.
Most people want to keep their rooms cool at night in summer. Here, in this effing hot climate the best way to do this is having shutter control. This was the shizzle I had to be told (by my proud landlord, ever ready to both give advice and critise at the same time- how many people can do that!). Trick is, is to only open your windows early in the morning, and, if it is less than say, 26-28C in the evening(I found opening the windows at night virtually useless when it was 28C in the evening! It blows warm air into your room) leave them shut. Windows should be shut and shutters closed when the sun comes round to face your room. Just remember- windows open when there is shade, closed and shuttered when there is sun.
Noted, all this depends on where you sleep and when the sun hits your windows. I'm lucky that the sun hits mine in the afternoon, so cool morning air can cool my room and I can keep it cool by shutting out the sun all day and night.
But what if it is still hot? Well. There are a number of things you can do.
You can risk opening the windows at night. If you do, do not leave all the lights on- they love lights- your sweat and lights will attract them. If you have to have lights on make sure they don't display or advertise your room from outside- ie produce a shine from the street- lamps are good, big bright overhead ones not so good.
Or, you can buy a fan and try to keep your windows sealed.
Lastly, wetting your face before bed is cool, keeps you cool for a bit. Others have said to wet your clothes, but I haven't yet gone to bed soaking with wet clothes- not sure if I'm going to try that one,...
What to do if they are in your room/house
If they are in your room I have worked out a killa system. Cover yourself as protection (long sleeved shirt etc) and look around the walls and ceilings, they hide high up. If you see them flying around pick up something big and flappy- I used a teeshirt but gravitated to a dressing gown- then, flail big time, hitting in front of you- side to side and behind you- it does not matter if you cant see it- they will flee (if you cant picture this, think POI that circus/hippy thingy with the fire circles OR an English lad/hooligan doing massive circular punching motions in every drunken direction). Then, leave the room and shut the door. They will be panicking and will retreat to the walls or ceilings. Wait a few seconds outside then go back in with the eagle eye, looking for them.
When you find them use something wide and swat the fuckers. It is actually really easy ( they wait on the walls and won't move unless you miss.
This procedure should be followed if you hear them when you get into bed. Just jump out, swipe, go outside, reenter the room, and swat. Takes like 2 mins and you sleep well afterwards.
What to do if they are in the house but not in your room
Just keep your door closed.
Other tips:
-Apparently sugar in your blood attracts them- limit it before bedtime.
-Shower before bed if it hot- this will get rid of sweat that attracts them
- Cover your body, or as much as poss when sleeping- they will hate you for this.
- Fans can be used to cool you AND they fan the fuckers away from you.
You could use those repellants or pills- but personally I am not that into them.
Hope these are decent. One up to the humans.
So it took me a few bites here and there to get this guide together. Plus, some of the tips are not mine, and, although they seem bloody obvious, they weren't to me. So, by logical reasoning, unless I am the DUMBEST person alive, which is conceivable, others may benefit from this article.
How to keep them out.
Most people want to keep their rooms cool at night in summer. Here, in this effing hot climate the best way to do this is having shutter control. This was the shizzle I had to be told (by my proud landlord, ever ready to both give advice and critise at the same time- how many people can do that!). Trick is, is to only open your windows early in the morning, and, if it is less than say, 26-28C in the evening(I found opening the windows at night virtually useless when it was 28C in the evening! It blows warm air into your room) leave them shut. Windows should be shut and shutters closed when the sun comes round to face your room. Just remember- windows open when there is shade, closed and shuttered when there is sun.
Noted, all this depends on where you sleep and when the sun hits your windows. I'm lucky that the sun hits mine in the afternoon, so cool morning air can cool my room and I can keep it cool by shutting out the sun all day and night.
But what if it is still hot? Well. There are a number of things you can do.
You can risk opening the windows at night. If you do, do not leave all the lights on- they love lights- your sweat and lights will attract them. If you have to have lights on make sure they don't display or advertise your room from outside- ie produce a shine from the street- lamps are good, big bright overhead ones not so good.
Or, you can buy a fan and try to keep your windows sealed.
Lastly, wetting your face before bed is cool, keeps you cool for a bit. Others have said to wet your clothes, but I haven't yet gone to bed soaking with wet clothes- not sure if I'm going to try that one,...
What to do if they are in your room/house
If they are in your room I have worked out a killa system. Cover yourself as protection (long sleeved shirt etc) and look around the walls and ceilings, they hide high up. If you see them flying around pick up something big and flappy- I used a teeshirt but gravitated to a dressing gown- then, flail big time, hitting in front of you- side to side and behind you- it does not matter if you cant see it- they will flee (if you cant picture this, think POI that circus/hippy thingy with the fire circles OR an English lad/hooligan doing massive circular punching motions in every drunken direction). Then, leave the room and shut the door. They will be panicking and will retreat to the walls or ceilings. Wait a few seconds outside then go back in with the eagle eye, looking for them.
When you find them use something wide and swat the fuckers. It is actually really easy ( they wait on the walls and won't move unless you miss.
This procedure should be followed if you hear them when you get into bed. Just jump out, swipe, go outside, reenter the room, and swat. Takes like 2 mins and you sleep well afterwards.
What to do if they are in the house but not in your room
Just keep your door closed.
Other tips:
-Apparently sugar in your blood attracts them- limit it before bedtime.
-Shower before bed if it hot- this will get rid of sweat that attracts them
- Cover your body, or as much as poss when sleeping- they will hate you for this.
- Fans can be used to cool you AND they fan the fuckers away from you.
You could use those repellants or pills- but personally I am not that into them.
Hope these are decent. One up to the humans.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Things I'll miss and things I won't
Things I'll miss about Portugal
The SUN.
The warm nights.
Damn good soups
The helpfulness of the people, on the most part.
Speaking and hearing Portuguese
Their appropriate dress sense (take a note brits!)
The beach
AJUDA- plants, trees, lizards, people, tranquility etc
The reliable metro
The teachers at my school
Staff room banter
A percentage of my students
My room!
My dope multicoloured plastic mirror things.
My housemates
The cat when it is not running round like a crazy street cat.
Training spots here. Benfica school- their floor is incredible
Helpful bboys here
Maria, Pedro and all the other bboys and bgirls here. Rock the beat yo.
Portuguese soaps, hah.
Fresh food here. It is soooooooooo good.
Lemon trees in my garden.
Lettuce and herbs in my garden, growing at a rate of knotts.
The roof garden.
The view from my room. The sky and the sunsets.
Having free mornings.
Things I will not miss
Baratas!
Some BS at work.
Some students, not naming names.
Finishing late at night, eating most of the time at 11pm or even midnight(dinner that is!)
Speaking English reluctantly with non natives when all I want to do is speak the native tongue here (this is outside of my role as an English monkey)
Correcting people everywhere I go, as the Cambridge ting never wears off.
The mentality that it is OK for others to be late, or not show up.
The all over rain in January. No umbrella can save you from that.
Torrents of neverending criticism from my landlord because 'he likes me'(It'll do you good kinda thing). (housemates keep quiet on this one or I'll get more!)
The imbedded stress that creeps in here.
Overall, quite balanced. I wouldn't regret my time here. I have a good time, though it is my time to move on. No regrets.
The SUN.
The warm nights.
Damn good soups
The helpfulness of the people, on the most part.
Speaking and hearing Portuguese
Their appropriate dress sense (take a note brits!)
The beach
AJUDA- plants, trees, lizards, people, tranquility etc
The reliable metro
The teachers at my school
Staff room banter
A percentage of my students
My room!
My dope multicoloured plastic mirror things.
My housemates
The cat when it is not running round like a crazy street cat.
Training spots here. Benfica school- their floor is incredible
Helpful bboys here
Maria, Pedro and all the other bboys and bgirls here. Rock the beat yo.
Portuguese soaps, hah.
Fresh food here. It is soooooooooo good.
Lemon trees in my garden.
Lettuce and herbs in my garden, growing at a rate of knotts.
The roof garden.
The view from my room. The sky and the sunsets.
Having free mornings.
Things I will not miss
Baratas!
Some BS at work.
Some students, not naming names.
Finishing late at night, eating most of the time at 11pm or even midnight(dinner that is!)
Speaking English reluctantly with non natives when all I want to do is speak the native tongue here (this is outside of my role as an English monkey)
Correcting people everywhere I go, as the Cambridge ting never wears off.
The mentality that it is OK for others to be late, or not show up.
The all over rain in January. No umbrella can save you from that.
Torrents of neverending criticism from my landlord because 'he likes me'(It'll do you good kinda thing). (housemates keep quiet on this one or I'll get more!)
The imbedded stress that creeps in here.
Overall, quite balanced. I wouldn't regret my time here. I have a good time, though it is my time to move on. No regrets.
Saturday, 23 May 2009
Coming to an end.
Coming to an end.
Memory is a funny thing. Chronologically I have been here for well over 6 months, though it doesn't feel that way until I focus on recalling my first few weeks, or Christmas, or other time markers. Instead, it has felt like it has flown by.
I told my landlord I'm leaving. Made up my little mind. My puma shoes are taking me somewhere else.
What now? Who knows, but I am ready for a change. Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Peru, Equador, USA, somewhere in the alps, Oman; they all have their own appeal. I'll apply to all though I'm thinking of either Japan or Korea. My minor addictions of good food, money, bboying, language and addiction to challenging myself exist in both countries. Portugal is not a challenge, it's easy. Too easy. No opportunity to be immersed. To feel confused. To have a learning curve. I like curves. Stocks, ability, progress. Like it all.
Oman scares some people I know. Muslim countries scare people, especially those connected to religion. I don't feel scared. I'm not a daring person, well not really. I'm not a fan of anger or conflict or war. Just of discovery.
Oman has a ring to it. I won't be denouncing anyone or anything. Anyone with more info on Oman please speak up now- (shouts to Aldhelm here). Asia first, if I get my act together.
The future is yet to be discovered.
Memory is a funny thing. Chronologically I have been here for well over 6 months, though it doesn't feel that way until I focus on recalling my first few weeks, or Christmas, or other time markers. Instead, it has felt like it has flown by.
I told my landlord I'm leaving. Made up my little mind. My puma shoes are taking me somewhere else.
What now? Who knows, but I am ready for a change. Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Peru, Equador, USA, somewhere in the alps, Oman; they all have their own appeal. I'll apply to all though I'm thinking of either Japan or Korea. My minor addictions of good food, money, bboying, language and addiction to challenging myself exist in both countries. Portugal is not a challenge, it's easy. Too easy. No opportunity to be immersed. To feel confused. To have a learning curve. I like curves. Stocks, ability, progress. Like it all.
Oman scares some people I know. Muslim countries scare people, especially those connected to religion. I don't feel scared. I'm not a daring person, well not really. I'm not a fan of anger or conflict or war. Just of discovery.
Oman has a ring to it. I won't be denouncing anyone or anything. Anyone with more info on Oman please speak up now- (shouts to Aldhelm here). Asia first, if I get my act together.
The future is yet to be discovered.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
As the school year comes to an end
Realisations from an academic year in Portugal
- Teaching teenagers is a euphorism for babysitting
- Somewhat suprised to tell students that Cambridge school Portugal is not global, despite their lofty assumptions
- Officially a loser to be in on a Thursday night, writing boring tefl related shizzle at 1am
- Cambridge is not the only employer in the world, despite what they tell us
- Portuguese people are on the whole an insular, narrow-minded, sometimes rascist and anti semitic, tanned people that are pleased by football and soaps.
- English people are prone to pudgeon holing and stereotyping (eu tembem)
- Impatient thoughts on leisure time and success are unhealthly distractions
- Being happy consists of colourful lizards, natural fruit and veg, 99 year old neighbours and bboying in a bedroom.
- Audiobooks are king
- Downloading everything(half decent) under the sun is not a means to an end
- Morning is the best time of day (took me 25 years!)
- Getting up early is the only way to be fit, healthy and productive
- The Portuguese have a right to complain about everything. Their wages are SHIT, and everything costs LOADS (My laptop. Price in UK: 390 GBP, here: 590EUROS)
- Writing these things is not only therapeutic, it also fills the void.
- Teaching teenagers is a euphorism for babysitting
- Somewhat suprised to tell students that Cambridge school Portugal is not global, despite their lofty assumptions
- Officially a loser to be in on a Thursday night, writing boring tefl related shizzle at 1am
- Cambridge is not the only employer in the world, despite what they tell us
- Portuguese people are on the whole an insular, narrow-minded, sometimes rascist and anti semitic, tanned people that are pleased by football and soaps.
- English people are prone to pudgeon holing and stereotyping (eu tembem)
- Impatient thoughts on leisure time and success are unhealthly distractions
- Being happy consists of colourful lizards, natural fruit and veg, 99 year old neighbours and bboying in a bedroom.
- Audiobooks are king
- Downloading everything(half decent) under the sun is not a means to an end
- Morning is the best time of day (took me 25 years!)
- Getting up early is the only way to be fit, healthy and productive
- The Portuguese have a right to complain about everything. Their wages are SHIT, and everything costs LOADS (My laptop. Price in UK: 390 GBP, here: 590EUROS)
- Writing these things is not only therapeutic, it also fills the void.
Swine flu hits Portugal
Swine flu hits Portugal
Bad news for some, good for some. If it comes, the student runs. One can hope school closes, jake gets down with bboy poses, sniffing ajuda roses, miraculous like moses!
And although im in the category (young and fit and healthy) to get wiped out, if school closes, all is good.
Bad news for some, good for some. If it comes, the student runs. One can hope school closes, jake gets down with bboy poses, sniffing ajuda roses, miraculous like moses!
And although im in the category (young and fit and healthy) to get wiped out, if school closes, all is good.
Monday, 4 May 2009
The ups and downs of too much sun
Makes people happy, the sun does. Tan skin, it does. Makes emotions run wild, people sleepy, irrate and sometimes a bit crazy, it also does. I got to know this well at the student festival in Coimbra. A wasted day of spent money, dodging mad students trying to soak each other in cheap beer, baked by a 27C sun, frustrated by multifaceted reasons to close to home to publish on the ever growing facebook network.
Recycled thoughts wizzing around the small amount of gray matter upstairs flatteringly labelled the unreliable brain of mine: 'Should've gone to the bboy champs', '...should have gone to Ericeira- the fishing village', '...should have stayed at home.'
However, should haves amount to nothing but a true reflection of a man getting older by the day. Welcome to the mid to late 20s, punk ass Jake.
Recycled thoughts wizzing around the small amount of gray matter upstairs flatteringly labelled the unreliable brain of mine: 'Should've gone to the bboy champs', '...should have gone to Ericeira- the fishing village', '...should have stayed at home.'
However, should haves amount to nothing but a true reflection of a man getting older by the day. Welcome to the mid to late 20s, punk ass Jake.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
The ups and downs of bboying in Calvario, after dark
The ups and downs of bboying in Calvario, after dark
The title might be a bit deceptive, as the following tale will tell.
After work on Mondays and Fridays I have 3 choices. I finish at 10pm, meaning it is late and the normal buses to my neighbourhood don't run. I can take the 24, which goes half way and walk the rest, take the 24 to Calvario then switch or get the metro into the centre then another bus bk up to Ajuda, via a longer route. All three take a bit of time, and all have their ups and downs, but I'll focus on Calvario as that's where the tale happened.
So after hearing that Monte Santo, the massive park that takes up half of greater Lisbon on a map, can be a bit dangerous at night I decide that the 30 min or so walk at 11pm through non light streets parallel to the forest, with deserted roads, might not be such a good idea. I've done the whole mission into town then out of town so I opt for going to Calvario.
To get the record straight I have caught the bus there before, maybe 3 times. First time I got on the transfer bus, the second one, and noticed some dodgy dudes that seemed to be eyeing up my bag. Then I noticed the route and the people, bit more dodgy than normal. I hadn't been bk for a while so decided to go back to the dark streets of Calvario under the idea that my initial suspicions were suspect, misguided and slightly paranoid.
I once read a book on criminals and fear by an expert on predicting human behaviour, I forget the name of it but it is a good book and one that is pretty useful if you want to pretect yourself from the seedier elements in our beautiful world. I read the book and promptly ignored most of the advice about listening to your gut feeling, which he goes on and on about.
Back to Calvario. I get off the bus. Bit tired but James Brown kicks in on my mp4 so I'm rocking it next to the bus station, a bit away from a few people when a group of young kids come over. They propmt be to dance doing some shit 'hiphop' fake style moves. 'Right, I'm on this', I think. I do a few sets on the street, swipes, flare or two etc. They are getting shiftier and start a bit by themselves, sketchy as they come. I put down my teachers pens and they pick them up to start tagging Calvario. 'Yo what the fuck' I say, still in control, but not for long.
They are eyeing up my bag, with my wallet and mp4 in. Meanwhile, other people at the stop have backed away, giving me some hints. They start asking me in English broken questions. They ask about fighting. They mimic some wack elbows, I don't let on I know a bit of muy thai, I stand back. They try some more dancing and I'm starting to regret doing anything with these kids as I see they are skinnier and dirtier than I thought. I didn't really get a good look at them before.
Then one kid looks me in the eye and flicks open a knife. His other mate laughs, these are really young kids, but two are now following me with knives. I'm kinda freaking here as I know I cant hit kids as the dispersed crowd would go mental. The knives are hidden from their view only I saw it, and lucky I did. I decide to back away, or my legs make the choice for me, I do so slowly.
So, luckily, the bus comes within 25 seconds of this. I get on, edging so I am facing them the whole time. With me staring at them they don't advance but are still pestering me with knifes out. As I turn, guard down for a MILLISECOND, they pull my bag and try to pull me back. kcuf, I think. I don't walk down the platform just in case they want to follow and get me from behind. I win. They don't get on. The bus pulls away, they scrape the knife along the bus, as that is the last thing they can do to try to freak me out some more.
All of this happened in like 1 min. So I was more surprised than anything, especially as the group were only like 12 year olds. No one was hurt but I am still not sure how I feel about the whole thing. Calvario has often got some sketchy characters, though through bboying my normal vigilant mental guard was lowered to be taken advantage of by a group of street kids. They were probably just playing, though knives freak me out whoever is holding them at me. Little punks.
Bboying at bus stops and train stations is me, I can't stop, won't stop; I just got to be choosy about where I do it next time!...
As I said the title was deceptive. So far there aren't many ups to Calvario.
The ups and downs of bboying in Calvario, after dark
Share
Yesterday at 12:23am | Edit Note | Delete
The ups and downs of bboying in Calvario, after dark
The title might be a bit deceptive, as the following tale will tell.
After work on Mondays and Fridays I have 3 choices. I finish at 10pm, meaning it is late and the normal buses to my neighbourhood don't run. I can take the 24, which goes half way and walk the rest, take the 24 to Calvario then switch or get the metro into the centre then another bus bk up to Ajuda, via a longer route. All three take a bit of time, and all have their ups and downs, but I'll focus on Calvario as that's where the tale happened.
So after hearing that Monte Santo, the massive park that takes up half of greater Lisbon on a map, can be a bit dangerous at night I decide that the 30 min or so walk at 11pm through non light streets parallel to the forest, with deserted roads, might not be such a good idea. I've done the whole mission into town then out of town so I opt for going to Calvario.
To get the record straight I have caught the bus there before, maybe 3 times. First time I got on the transfer bus, the second one, and noticed some dodgy dudes that seemed to be eyeing up my bag. Then I noticed the route and the people, bit more dodgy than normal. I hadn't been bk for a while so decided to go back to the dark streets of Calvario under the idea that my initial suspicions were suspect, misguided and slightly paranoid.
I once read a book on criminals and fear by an expert on predicting human behaviour, I forget the name of it but it is a good book and one that is pretty useful if you want to pretect yourself from the seedier elements in our beautiful world. I read the book and promptly ignored most of the advice about listening to your gut feeling, which he goes on and on about.
Back to Calvario. I get off the bus. Bit tired but James Brown kicks in on my mp4 so I'm rocking it next to the bus station, a bit away from a few people when a group of young kids come over. They propmt be to dance doing some shit 'hiphop' fake style moves. 'Right, I'm on this', I think. I do a few sets on the street, swipes, flare or two etc. They are getting shiftier and start a bit by themselves, sketchy as they come. I put down my teachers pens and they pick them up to start tagging Calvario. 'Yo what the fuck' I say, still in control, but not for long.
They are eyeing up my bag, with my wallet and mp4 in. Meanwhile, other people at the stop have backed away, giving me some hints. They start asking me in English broken questions. They ask about fighting. They mimic some wack elbows, I don't let on I know a bit of muy thai, I stand back. They try some more dancing and I'm starting to regret doing anything with these kids as I see they are skinnier and dirtier than I thought. I didn't really get a good look at them before.
Then one kid looks me in the eye and flicks open a knife. His other mate laughs, these are really young kids, but two are now following me with knives. I'm kinda freaking here as I know I cant hit kids as the dispersed crowd would go mental. The knives are hidden from their view only I saw it, and lucky I did. I decide to back away, or my legs make the choice for me, I do so slowly.
So, luckily, the bus comes within 25 seconds of this. I get on, edging so I am facing them the whole time. With me staring at them they don't advance but are still pestering me with knifes out. As I turn, guard down for a MILLISECOND, they pull my bag and try to pull me back. kcuf, I think. I don't walk down the platform just in case they want to follow and get me from behind. I win. They don't get on. The bus pulls away, they scrape the knife along the bus, as that is the last thing they can do to try to freak me out some more.
All of this happened in like 1 min. So I was more surprised than anything, especially as the group were only like 12 year olds. No one was hurt but I am still not sure how I feel about the whole thing. Calvario has often got some sketchy characters, though through bboying my normal vigilant mental guard was lowered to be taken advantage of by a group of street kids. They were probably just playing, though knives freak me out whoever is holding them at me. Little punks.
Bboying at bus stops and train stations is me, I can't stop, won't stop; I just got to be choosy about where I do it next time!...
As I said the title was deceptive. So far there aren't many ups to Calvario.
The title might be a bit deceptive, as the following tale will tell.
After work on Mondays and Fridays I have 3 choices. I finish at 10pm, meaning it is late and the normal buses to my neighbourhood don't run. I can take the 24, which goes half way and walk the rest, take the 24 to Calvario then switch or get the metro into the centre then another bus bk up to Ajuda, via a longer route. All three take a bit of time, and all have their ups and downs, but I'll focus on Calvario as that's where the tale happened.
So after hearing that Monte Santo, the massive park that takes up half of greater Lisbon on a map, can be a bit dangerous at night I decide that the 30 min or so walk at 11pm through non light streets parallel to the forest, with deserted roads, might not be such a good idea. I've done the whole mission into town then out of town so I opt for going to Calvario.
To get the record straight I have caught the bus there before, maybe 3 times. First time I got on the transfer bus, the second one, and noticed some dodgy dudes that seemed to be eyeing up my bag. Then I noticed the route and the people, bit more dodgy than normal. I hadn't been bk for a while so decided to go back to the dark streets of Calvario under the idea that my initial suspicions were suspect, misguided and slightly paranoid.
I once read a book on criminals and fear by an expert on predicting human behaviour, I forget the name of it but it is a good book and one that is pretty useful if you want to pretect yourself from the seedier elements in our beautiful world. I read the book and promptly ignored most of the advice about listening to your gut feeling, which he goes on and on about.
Back to Calvario. I get off the bus. Bit tired but James Brown kicks in on my mp4 so I'm rocking it next to the bus station, a bit away from a few people when a group of young kids come over. They propmt be to dance doing some shit 'hiphop' fake style moves. 'Right, I'm on this', I think. I do a few sets on the street, swipes, flare or two etc. They are getting shiftier and start a bit by themselves, sketchy as they come. I put down my teachers pens and they pick them up to start tagging Calvario. 'Yo what the fuck' I say, still in control, but not for long.
They are eyeing up my bag, with my wallet and mp4 in. Meanwhile, other people at the stop have backed away, giving me some hints. They start asking me in English broken questions. They ask about fighting. They mimic some wack elbows, I don't let on I know a bit of muy thai, I stand back. They try some more dancing and I'm starting to regret doing anything with these kids as I see they are skinnier and dirtier than I thought. I didn't really get a good look at them before.
Then one kid looks me in the eye and flicks open a knife. His other mate laughs, these are really young kids, but two are now following me with knives. I'm kinda freaking here as I know I cant hit kids as the dispersed crowd would go mental. The knives are hidden from their view only I saw it, and lucky I did. I decide to back away, or my legs make the choice for me, I do so slowly.
So, luckily, the bus comes within 25 seconds of this. I get on, edging so I am facing them the whole time. With me staring at them they don't advance but are still pestering me with knifes out. As I turn, guard down for a MILLISECOND, they pull my bag and try to pull me back. kcuf, I think. I don't walk down the platform just in case they want to follow and get me from behind. I win. They don't get on. The bus pulls away, they scrape the knife along the bus, as that is the last thing they can do to try to freak me out some more.
All of this happened in like 1 min. So I was more surprised than anything, especially as the group were only like 12 year olds. No one was hurt but I am still not sure how I feel about the whole thing. Calvario has often got some sketchy characters, though through bboying my normal vigilant mental guard was lowered to be taken advantage of by a group of street kids. They were probably just playing, though knives freak me out whoever is holding them at me. Little punks.
Bboying at bus stops and train stations is me, I can't stop, won't stop; I just got to be choosy about where I do it next time!...
As I said the title was deceptive. So far there aren't many ups to Calvario.
The ups and downs of bboying in Calvario, after dark
Share
Yesterday at 12:23am | Edit Note | Delete
The ups and downs of bboying in Calvario, after dark
The title might be a bit deceptive, as the following tale will tell.
After work on Mondays and Fridays I have 3 choices. I finish at 10pm, meaning it is late and the normal buses to my neighbourhood don't run. I can take the 24, which goes half way and walk the rest, take the 24 to Calvario then switch or get the metro into the centre then another bus bk up to Ajuda, via a longer route. All three take a bit of time, and all have their ups and downs, but I'll focus on Calvario as that's where the tale happened.
So after hearing that Monte Santo, the massive park that takes up half of greater Lisbon on a map, can be a bit dangerous at night I decide that the 30 min or so walk at 11pm through non light streets parallel to the forest, with deserted roads, might not be such a good idea. I've done the whole mission into town then out of town so I opt for going to Calvario.
To get the record straight I have caught the bus there before, maybe 3 times. First time I got on the transfer bus, the second one, and noticed some dodgy dudes that seemed to be eyeing up my bag. Then I noticed the route and the people, bit more dodgy than normal. I hadn't been bk for a while so decided to go back to the dark streets of Calvario under the idea that my initial suspicions were suspect, misguided and slightly paranoid.
I once read a book on criminals and fear by an expert on predicting human behaviour, I forget the name of it but it is a good book and one that is pretty useful if you want to pretect yourself from the seedier elements in our beautiful world. I read the book and promptly ignored most of the advice about listening to your gut feeling, which he goes on and on about.
Back to Calvario. I get off the bus. Bit tired but James Brown kicks in on my mp4 so I'm rocking it next to the bus station, a bit away from a few people when a group of young kids come over. They propmt be to dance doing some shit 'hiphop' fake style moves. 'Right, I'm on this', I think. I do a few sets on the street, swipes, flare or two etc. They are getting shiftier and start a bit by themselves, sketchy as they come. I put down my teachers pens and they pick them up to start tagging Calvario. 'Yo what the fuck' I say, still in control, but not for long.
They are eyeing up my bag, with my wallet and mp4 in. Meanwhile, other people at the stop have backed away, giving me some hints. They start asking me in English broken questions. They ask about fighting. They mimic some wack elbows, I don't let on I know a bit of muy thai, I stand back. They try some more dancing and I'm starting to regret doing anything with these kids as I see they are skinnier and dirtier than I thought. I didn't really get a good look at them before.
Then one kid looks me in the eye and flicks open a knife. His other mate laughs, these are really young kids, but two are now following me with knives. I'm kinda freaking here as I know I cant hit kids as the dispersed crowd would go mental. The knives are hidden from their view only I saw it, and lucky I did. I decide to back away, or my legs make the choice for me, I do so slowly.
So, luckily, the bus comes within 25 seconds of this. I get on, edging so I am facing them the whole time. With me staring at them they don't advance but are still pestering me with knifes out. As I turn, guard down for a MILLISECOND, they pull my bag and try to pull me back. kcuf, I think. I don't walk down the platform just in case they want to follow and get me from behind. I win. They don't get on. The bus pulls away, they scrape the knife along the bus, as that is the last thing they can do to try to freak me out some more.
All of this happened in like 1 min. So I was more surprised than anything, especially as the group were only like 12 year olds. No one was hurt but I am still not sure how I feel about the whole thing. Calvario has often got some sketchy characters, though through bboying my normal vigilant mental guard was lowered to be taken advantage of by a group of street kids. They were probably just playing, though knives freak me out whoever is holding them at me. Little punks.
Bboying at bus stops and train stations is me, I can't stop, won't stop; I just got to be choosy about where I do it next time!...
As I said the title was deceptive. So far there aren't many ups to Calvario.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Late new years resolutions
These are really late, really late. But, better late that never.
A Non exaustive list of new years resolutions
- Get up earlier
- Go to bed on time, no need for late time tv- just a waste of time!
- Stop eating Portuguese cakes!
- Start buying fruit everyday, making soup and making smoothies yo.
- Think about the long term future, expand skills (possibly writing)
- Start learning the piano
- Get full capacity strength back
- Get camera fixed and get taking more pictures
- Make a video trailer, after many years of procrastination
- Save money for the future.
- Look into future tefling opportunities..
- Think long term.
That is it.
Review at the end of the year, I guess. If I remember, of course.
A Non exaustive list of new years resolutions
- Get up earlier
- Go to bed on time, no need for late time tv- just a waste of time!
- Stop eating Portuguese cakes!
- Start buying fruit everyday, making soup and making smoothies yo.
- Think about the long term future, expand skills (possibly writing)
- Start learning the piano
- Get full capacity strength back
- Get camera fixed and get taking more pictures
- Make a video trailer, after many years of procrastination
- Save money for the future.
- Look into future tefling opportunities..
- Think long term.
That is it.
Review at the end of the year, I guess. If I remember, of course.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Questions over a second year
Its nearly February, in two weeks we have the exam mocks, for my exam classes. Then there is feedback, then there is Carnival. After Carnival it will be late Feb when my brother will be here. Then it'll be March, when my mother is coming. After, the weather will be good, one hopes.
Then, it will be April and at the end of April my gorgeous girlfriend is coming here. Then it will be Msy, and the start of the exam period. By that time there will only be weeks left of the job.
All this thinking means I have stumbled upon questions of the future, my own petty future.
A good telf blog I occasionally read, called ' The tefl graveyard' inspired these current thoughts. In a recent article the author wrote about two types of people, Spanners and Planners. He is a spanner.
Spanners find problems, and more problems, and more problem, in everything they do or want to do. They tend to criticize and be generally negative. These type of people. according to the tefl graveyard, are more likely to stay in jobs they dislike. The author's blog is an entertaining rant against the tefl world. He has been in it for 15 years. He is a spanner through and through.
This got me to thinking of my future. I am no spanner. I think ahead, plan and make changes, on the most part, a reality. That said, I have had my fair few ideas, or plans, not happen. (A famous scientist, I forget who, said its better to have 100 ideas and have one work than have no ideas at all- I am with him on that). In the current context, of tefl bumming around the world, I need to think of possible plans for post June.
I compiled a list of options, with some being more realistic and others just thoughts on paper. Though, thoughts on paper have a habit of becoming real if you want it enough.
So,.....
I like Portugal. However my current language lessons are taking the fun out of language learning. There is little spontaneity, it is regimented and I am stuck with Mrs I got money and no brains. Harsh, but true. Further to this my employer, the language giant, has reminded me of their ever generous offer of free language lessons, prodding me to be on time, everyday, despite Mrs slow's sluggish learning speeds. I msut be honest and say that this is not easy for me, the other student or the morning commute.
To better understand my point of view I will jot down my average week, over the past month.
Monday- up at 7 30(If I am lucky), classes from 9 till 11. Possibly lunch with a fellow language learner(not mrs French diplomat aka mrs slow), or home for about an hour, sometimes 90 mins. Then it is the bus, which often takes 45 mins, with the waiting time. 6-10 hours at school, hour back and I'm normally at home between 9 or 10 on early days and 11 or 12 on late days. Dinner and chilling and it is already close to midnight or one in the morning. No time for nada else.
Result? Mediocre achievements in language learning equipt with a healthy contempt for loaded perks (paying customers are never hassled- they are often jobless, partying or 'studying'- for 2 hours per day). Health isn't great. eating poorly. sleeping worse. Sleeping less than 8 hours is not a bad thing, though coupled with days where I am out from 12 to 15 hours it turns into one long week, or rather a somewhat daunghting week.
This leaves me with a monster predicament. Either quit the lessons and never progress at Portuguese, or carry on, have no life but bear the struggle in pursuit of better communicative ability (3 months in lessons and should be good enough).
There would be no contest if it was certain I would stay a second year. I would do the lessons. Though, with the monthly breakdown aforementioned 3 months from now will be close to the end of the 9 months and there is quite alot of things going on in those months. If I don't choose to stay, at this point I am even thinking why bother with 3 months of stress, hassle and sacrifice for no long term gain?
So then there are the other options.
I have applied for summer work in the states, keen to go back with the promise of an EFL camp expereience. No word back from them yet though. Bournemouth is another option for summer as I know I will get treated better, know more people, know where to dance, do gymnastics etc etc Birmingham is also another option. There are a few things going on there as well.
Europe has plenty of camps, and there are even tefly things in Asia.
The non Tefl possibilities include getting work experience in the UK with family and local businessmen, as long term I am going to try my hand at being in business. Property related courses also appeal, as I have felt for many years that my hands are not tough or rough enough, plus it will help enormously when I srape together a deposit for property development.
There was also a vague plan to cycle around Europe with another Tefl bum, though I haven't heard much from him, he is in Columbia( if still alive). Also cycling or traveling sounds fun but doesn't engage my work ethic much- it'll also be expensive...
Along the lines of the future and non jobs there is something I have been thinking about, and want to do some day. That is building in developing countries. It will give me the experience of building and construction necessary for the foundations of property development (or at least a fundamental understanding of it) and, give the right choice, a chance to have an authentic experience, using language skills in a natural environment.
Post Summer, into the next academic year, there are other choices to be made. If I move on where will I go. Possibilities include Japan, Korea, other parts of Europe,.. no idea. The yen is very , very tempting though.
For those of you brave, or bored, enough to have read this far I add a spanner (possibly where he got the planner and spanner thing from!) into the works. All my current thoughts are affected by th mist rain and fog of this time of year. I haven't focused on the positives. *
So there's my ideas, not quite 100, but hopefully one will be good enough.
*The sun might change my mind on all these crazy plans.....
Then, it will be April and at the end of April my gorgeous girlfriend is coming here. Then it will be Msy, and the start of the exam period. By that time there will only be weeks left of the job.
All this thinking means I have stumbled upon questions of the future, my own petty future.
A good telf blog I occasionally read, called ' The tefl graveyard' inspired these current thoughts. In a recent article the author wrote about two types of people, Spanners and Planners. He is a spanner.
Spanners find problems, and more problems, and more problem, in everything they do or want to do. They tend to criticize and be generally negative. These type of people. according to the tefl graveyard, are more likely to stay in jobs they dislike. The author's blog is an entertaining rant against the tefl world. He has been in it for 15 years. He is a spanner through and through.
This got me to thinking of my future. I am no spanner. I think ahead, plan and make changes, on the most part, a reality. That said, I have had my fair few ideas, or plans, not happen. (A famous scientist, I forget who, said its better to have 100 ideas and have one work than have no ideas at all- I am with him on that). In the current context, of tefl bumming around the world, I need to think of possible plans for post June.
I compiled a list of options, with some being more realistic and others just thoughts on paper. Though, thoughts on paper have a habit of becoming real if you want it enough.
So,.....
I like Portugal. However my current language lessons are taking the fun out of language learning. There is little spontaneity, it is regimented and I am stuck with Mrs I got money and no brains. Harsh, but true. Further to this my employer, the language giant, has reminded me of their ever generous offer of free language lessons, prodding me to be on time, everyday, despite Mrs slow's sluggish learning speeds. I msut be honest and say that this is not easy for me, the other student or the morning commute.
To better understand my point of view I will jot down my average week, over the past month.
Monday- up at 7 30(If I am lucky), classes from 9 till 11. Possibly lunch with a fellow language learner(not mrs French diplomat aka mrs slow), or home for about an hour, sometimes 90 mins. Then it is the bus, which often takes 45 mins, with the waiting time. 6-10 hours at school, hour back and I'm normally at home between 9 or 10 on early days and 11 or 12 on late days. Dinner and chilling and it is already close to midnight or one in the morning. No time for nada else.
Result? Mediocre achievements in language learning equipt with a healthy contempt for loaded perks (paying customers are never hassled- they are often jobless, partying or 'studying'- for 2 hours per day). Health isn't great. eating poorly. sleeping worse. Sleeping less than 8 hours is not a bad thing, though coupled with days where I am out from 12 to 15 hours it turns into one long week, or rather a somewhat daunghting week.
This leaves me with a monster predicament. Either quit the lessons and never progress at Portuguese, or carry on, have no life but bear the struggle in pursuit of better communicative ability (3 months in lessons and should be good enough).
There would be no contest if it was certain I would stay a second year. I would do the lessons. Though, with the monthly breakdown aforementioned 3 months from now will be close to the end of the 9 months and there is quite alot of things going on in those months. If I don't choose to stay, at this point I am even thinking why bother with 3 months of stress, hassle and sacrifice for no long term gain?
So then there are the other options.
I have applied for summer work in the states, keen to go back with the promise of an EFL camp expereience. No word back from them yet though. Bournemouth is another option for summer as I know I will get treated better, know more people, know where to dance, do gymnastics etc etc Birmingham is also another option. There are a few things going on there as well.
Europe has plenty of camps, and there are even tefly things in Asia.
The non Tefl possibilities include getting work experience in the UK with family and local businessmen, as long term I am going to try my hand at being in business. Property related courses also appeal, as I have felt for many years that my hands are not tough or rough enough, plus it will help enormously when I srape together a deposit for property development.
There was also a vague plan to cycle around Europe with another Tefl bum, though I haven't heard much from him, he is in Columbia( if still alive). Also cycling or traveling sounds fun but doesn't engage my work ethic much- it'll also be expensive...
Along the lines of the future and non jobs there is something I have been thinking about, and want to do some day. That is building in developing countries. It will give me the experience of building and construction necessary for the foundations of property development (or at least a fundamental understanding of it) and, give the right choice, a chance to have an authentic experience, using language skills in a natural environment.
Post Summer, into the next academic year, there are other choices to be made. If I move on where will I go. Possibilities include Japan, Korea, other parts of Europe,.. no idea. The yen is very , very tempting though.
For those of you brave, or bored, enough to have read this far I add a spanner (possibly where he got the planner and spanner thing from!) into the works. All my current thoughts are affected by th mist rain and fog of this time of year. I haven't focused on the positives. *
So there's my ideas, not quite 100, but hopefully one will be good enough.
*The sun might change my mind on all these crazy plans.....
Monday, 19 January 2009
Sunday
The morning heralded a new start, getting up at the earlier time of 8ish(7.30 on a good weekday), using this time to finish an autobiographical book by Ernest hall that mildly mirrors my own internal struggles between passions that are wildy different. He liked piano and business, whereas I like dance and business.
With the mist and fog surrounding Ajuda instead of the basketball game me and Conrad had previosuly planned we went swimming instead, Marie came along too.
My stamina for swimming isn't great, but I did a few more lengths than I intended to do, so was reasonably happy with the effort. On arriving home, again in misty rainy fog I resisted the urge to sleep and arranged to meet a fellow teacher. I took a few buses there, missed her stop and got there half an hour late, oops.
At hers we watched a cool film called the bucket list with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicolson all about two cancer patients completing some mad stuff before they kick the bucket. After I went to meet Pedro, a swiss bboying prodigy. We tried in vain to find somewhere to dance. We walked for close to 2 hours looking, in the brolly no good side ways rain. We walked about the investment that both our countries back home puts into aspiring national atheletes and how it isnt matched with bboying. He is going to be an international bboy, closing towards 25 and with my recent year or so with very little training I'm losing any determination that was once there to get there. Dancing for love, not glory.
At the end of the night we wondered into the adidas shop near the Benfica stadium, that we had walked around nearly twice. We walked inside, warmth. So nice. I sat down, or rather collapsed down. Mental and physically tired. We further the chat on how when we are older we are certain we would be able to afford dance studio time, the irony is that there are very few bboys with the ability or the botheredness to want to do it in their 30s. I know I'd much prefer to do it all now, or at least in my twenties.
On the way home I think about the fact that when I am not with driven people, who piss on my own miserable goals, I don't push myself much. Mental note to keep trying in life.
The morning heralded a new start, getting up at the earlier time of 8ish(7.30 on a good weekday), using this time to finish an autobiographical book by Ernest hall that mildly mirrors my own internal struggles between passions that are wildy different. He liked piano and business, whereas I like dance and business.
With the mist and fog surrounding Ajuda instead of the basketball game me and Conrad had previosuly planned we went swimming instead, Marie came along too.
My stamina for swimming isn't great, but I did a few more lengths than I intended to do, so was reasonably happy with the effort. On arriving home, again in misty rainy fog I resisted the urge to sleep and arranged to meet a fellow teacher. I took a few buses there, missed her stop and got there half an hour late, oops.
At hers we watched a cool film called the bucket list with Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicolson all about two cancer patients completing some mad stuff before they kick the bucket. After I went to meet Pedro, a swiss bboying prodigy. We tried in vain to find somewhere to dance. We walked for close to 2 hours looking, in the brolly no good side ways rain. We walked about the investment that both our countries back home puts into aspiring national atheletes and how it isnt matched with bboying. He is going to be an international bboy, closing towards 25 and with my recent year or so with very little training I'm losing any determination that was once there to get there. Dancing for love, not glory.
At the end of the night we wondered into the adidas shop near the Benfica stadium, that we had walked around nearly twice. We walked inside, warmth. So nice. I sat down, or rather collapsed down. Mental and physically tired. We further the chat on how when we are older we are certain we would be able to afford dance studio time, the irony is that there are very few bboys with the ability or the botheredness to want to do it in their 30s. I know I'd much prefer to do it all now, or at least in my twenties.
On the way home I think about the fact that when I am not with driven people, who piss on my own miserable goals, I don't push myself much. Mental note to keep trying in life.
Sunday, 18 January 2009
On the ups and downs of teaching adults
I was dreading my intensive course. Ever since November I was told I would be having another intensive, most likely the same group that showed a mild distaste for the Cambridge methods. I wasn't overly thrilled by the prospect.
Fortunately it has transpired that I wouldn't be given the public humiliation of teaching students that neither like me or respect me. I was given a higher level, and that was that.
Something else that wasn't filling me with joy was the late nights, 8 'til 10pm on Mondays and Fridays, meaning later nights and correspondingly later mornings. When the day came I was mildly nervous. A room full of adults waiting for me. In retrospective terms my nervousness is incomparable to the first few months of teaching. The downfall of any teacher is a loss of confidence, as soon as you show it you are a goner. I'm not a goner so I do no such thing.
Midway through my first lesson with the new group I realise that my assumption that they would all be working professionals, and they'd be interested in learning more business type English was spot on. I teach an Accenture high flying, over worked mid twenty girl, a chemical analyst for a pharmaceutical firm, a marketing manager for a pharmaceutical, a marketing dirctor of a company that supplies the pharmaceuticals and a business woman who didn't speak a great deal about her role. Either way, they were happy and so was I.
I quite like being around people that want to learn. It makes a change from dealing with ungrateful teenagers, not that they all are, that on the whole waste their parents money and make me feel as if I am wasting my time and more importantly, my energy. * Note that there are exceptions to this in different degrees, however 40 to 50% couldn't give a fogo.
I like the class, though notice immediately the striking disparity between the levels of some of the students. I hope that this will not cause problems. I feel among the impatient to press on, a symptom of a desire to learn, means there may be some kind of intolerance of slower learners. The reason I know this is a distinct possibility is because, in my own tediously slow lessons, I am the student wishing to press on.
I wish myself luck.
I was dreading my intensive course. Ever since November I was told I would be having another intensive, most likely the same group that showed a mild distaste for the Cambridge methods. I wasn't overly thrilled by the prospect.
Fortunately it has transpired that I wouldn't be given the public humiliation of teaching students that neither like me or respect me. I was given a higher level, and that was that.
Something else that wasn't filling me with joy was the late nights, 8 'til 10pm on Mondays and Fridays, meaning later nights and correspondingly later mornings. When the day came I was mildly nervous. A room full of adults waiting for me. In retrospective terms my nervousness is incomparable to the first few months of teaching. The downfall of any teacher is a loss of confidence, as soon as you show it you are a goner. I'm not a goner so I do no such thing.
Midway through my first lesson with the new group I realise that my assumption that they would all be working professionals, and they'd be interested in learning more business type English was spot on. I teach an Accenture high flying, over worked mid twenty girl, a chemical analyst for a pharmaceutical firm, a marketing manager for a pharmaceutical, a marketing dirctor of a company that supplies the pharmaceuticals and a business woman who didn't speak a great deal about her role. Either way, they were happy and so was I.
I quite like being around people that want to learn. It makes a change from dealing with ungrateful teenagers, not that they all are, that on the whole waste their parents money and make me feel as if I am wasting my time and more importantly, my energy. * Note that there are exceptions to this in different degrees, however 40 to 50% couldn't give a fogo.
I like the class, though notice immediately the striking disparity between the levels of some of the students. I hope that this will not cause problems. I feel among the impatient to press on, a symptom of a desire to learn, means there may be some kind of intolerance of slower learners. The reason I know this is a distinct possibility is because, in my own tediously slow lessons, I am the student wishing to press on.
I wish myself luck.
Saturday, 10 January 2009
feeling the frost
In recent days Portugal has become cold. The in-touch of people here, very few people (unless you are talking about Portuguese football gossip), know what is going on outside of Europe.
I did a recent experiemnt, a poll of my teenagers.
I asked them if they thought there was anything interesting or different about what is going on with the weather. They told me about the weather being dangerously cold in Portugal (minus 5). I reiterated, specifying news from ' the outside', about anywhere else, outside of the big P. 3 girls, out of over 30 students knew about Russia, only one knew any detail.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese government is giving out blanks, in a frantic hurry to save their population. Big ups to the populations of the other countries, on 'the outside', who manage to cope with minus 10 or minus 20, without gas.
Reading back over this there is a ' I know lots' kind of tone. I don't wish to portray this, as news to me isn't important. It is just interesting comparing Portuguese teenagers with their UK counterparts, I hope UK teenagers would know about ' the outside', without wanting to sound pompous, I did at their age.
Meanwhile, it is cold, at least for the Portuguese.
I saw people taking photos of the frost on Thursday morning, frantically clicking away while I looked on somewhat bemused. Interesting to see a different perspective.
I did a recent experiemnt, a poll of my teenagers.
I asked them if they thought there was anything interesting or different about what is going on with the weather. They told me about the weather being dangerously cold in Portugal (minus 5). I reiterated, specifying news from ' the outside', about anywhere else, outside of the big P. 3 girls, out of over 30 students knew about Russia, only one knew any detail.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese government is giving out blanks, in a frantic hurry to save their population. Big ups to the populations of the other countries, on 'the outside', who manage to cope with minus 10 or minus 20, without gas.
Reading back over this there is a ' I know lots' kind of tone. I don't wish to portray this, as news to me isn't important. It is just interesting comparing Portuguese teenagers with their UK counterparts, I hope UK teenagers would know about ' the outside', without wanting to sound pompous, I did at their age.
Meanwhile, it is cold, at least for the Portuguese.
I saw people taking photos of the frost on Thursday morning, frantically clicking away while I looked on somewhat bemused. Interesting to see a different perspective.
An up and down week
An up and down week
Arriving into Lisbon I was verging on kissing the pavement, that glad to leave the freezing UK behind my sorry self.. The 20 euro, four times the average price ripoff taxi ride took me back down to earth. Tho, I was back 'home' and could now cook, have nice showers and sleep in a big bed. And, to be fair to the satisfactory nature of my bedroom, break (in my room).
I was still having a good time on Monday, managing to get myself on a Portuguese course with my company, aka the Firm. Nice perk, that said it had been offered way back in September and has only materialised now.
I have been pushed up a class, thankfully skipping the absolute beginners and been put in the second class. My sole classmate is middle aged, from Belgium and struggles greatly with the accent and the ability to speak any of the language without diluting it with her native French, or indeed snippets of Spanish and even English. She is trying, though it can be a little painful being in a class with her. She is also not the sharpish nail in the box, finding it difficult to grasp basic gramamr points (most of which are exactly the same as French, as the teacher points out in her own language teacher outbursts- lets face it, it happens to us all....)
I was quite surprised when I found out that it was only the two of us, and happy about it. It allows extraordinary student speaking time and attention. Free lessons. Lot of attention and help. Any drawbacks? Yes, the time of the classes. 9 till 11. Not a problem if you are a merry kind of chap living on the Great British Isles. Here it means arriving home between 10 and midnight( as English teachers work in the afternoons and evenings), eating and chilling, going to sleep no earlier than 1am and getting up, ideally, around 7.30am the next morning. I am no mathematician but that is not sustainable. I have started going to bed earlier but it aint easy. Classes are great though.
Arriving into Lisbon I was verging on kissing the pavement, that glad to leave the freezing UK behind my sorry self.. The 20 euro, four times the average price ripoff taxi ride took me back down to earth. Tho, I was back 'home' and could now cook, have nice showers and sleep in a big bed. And, to be fair to the satisfactory nature of my bedroom, break (in my room).
I was still having a good time on Monday, managing to get myself on a Portuguese course with my company, aka the Firm. Nice perk, that said it had been offered way back in September and has only materialised now.
I have been pushed up a class, thankfully skipping the absolute beginners and been put in the second class. My sole classmate is middle aged, from Belgium and struggles greatly with the accent and the ability to speak any of the language without diluting it with her native French, or indeed snippets of Spanish and even English. She is trying, though it can be a little painful being in a class with her. She is also not the sharpish nail in the box, finding it difficult to grasp basic gramamr points (most of which are exactly the same as French, as the teacher points out in her own language teacher outbursts- lets face it, it happens to us all....)
I was quite surprised when I found out that it was only the two of us, and happy about it. It allows extraordinary student speaking time and attention. Free lessons. Lot of attention and help. Any drawbacks? Yes, the time of the classes. 9 till 11. Not a problem if you are a merry kind of chap living on the Great British Isles. Here it means arriving home between 10 and midnight( as English teachers work in the afternoons and evenings), eating and chilling, going to sleep no earlier than 1am and getting up, ideally, around 7.30am the next morning. I am no mathematician but that is not sustainable. I have started going to bed earlier but it aint easy. Classes are great though.
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