It's all been going on recently. I was back at work last week, not very effectively, but I was there. I can't seem to get up any enthusiasm for it, perhaps because I know I'm really only going to be here for another couple of weeks... I've been working on the data for my project, and beginning to see patterns in it, which is excellent as I have to talk about it for 10,000 words! I was really getting into it yesterday, as I am finally transcribing it for myself and not just checking another person's. Unfortunately I had to leave early and go to talk to my old folks, so I am hoping that I get back into it on Friday when I'm next in the lab.
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One of my old people has a thing for Tom Jones. She's not very vocal normally, which can cause a few problems, as the point is to create conversation, but when Ross (another volunteer) put on a Tom Jones CD her whole face lit up. It was nice to see her enthusiastic about something, as she has told us on a number of occasions that she is "not interested" in conversing with us. I also have a sneaking suspicion that she fancy Ross - she often comments on his beard and says he would be more handsome without facial hair. He has cottoned on to this now though, as apparently last week he had shaved and she insisted on feeling his face...
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I have a job for next year! I will be working full time at More House which is tremendously exciting. It's a good salary and I get paid holidays and half terms - yay! I am very happy, as it's a lovely school and the staff and the boys are all lovely...though some of the year 10s scare me! Becky, this might make you feel better: year 8 are a nightmare at More House too, so it's not just in your school!
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I'm trying a new diet. Not to lose weight (I managed that easily enough a couple of weeks ago by not being able to eat - now my jeans don't fit me anymore but I refuse to buy a size 6 pair), but to try to sort out my asthma. I'm cutting out dairy from my diet... Hard for someone who loves cheese, chocolate and iced coffee from Starbucks. But, I have discovered a new type of milk which is cows milk with the lactose taken out. It tastes like milk, unlike soya which so doesn't. There is also a dairy free ice cream (well, lactose free) so I'll be ok...I'm really going to miss cheese though!
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Phil and I went to Emsworth on Chichester Harbour this Sunday. It was beautiful and reminded me of Salcombe in Devon, near where I used to live and the home of the best ice-cream ever. Photos are up on flickr now, I'm quite pleased with them.
06 June 2007
Round Up
16 May 2007
SaLT
I don’t know where the time is going at the moment. I’ve almost got a routine, which is nice, but time sure does seem to be flying by (except when I’m at work).
Mondays are school days. I am volunteering at a school in Farnham, More House. It’s an independent Catholic boy’s school for kids with severe speech and language (and other) issues. This week I was in the learning development centre, and also helped in a science class and a maths class. I never thought I’d see the day where I was teaching multiplication (and long multiplication at that) and children would understand me. It amazes me – some of these kids can’t spell their own names (or read it for that matter) and yet when you ask them what is the first stage of the plant life cycle? “Germination Miss”. Some of them are delightful; some of them are little horrors. Each one has their own problems which More House are trying to help them with, whether it’s learning to read at age 16 or knowing that the first question you ask a stranger is not “when were you born?”
Tuesdays are uni days and Stroke Association days. Until recently I’ve been heading off to the library to work on essays, and then going to Archway (N.London) to be a conversation partner (or “Dysphasia Support Worker” to give it it’s official title) to people who have had strokes. This week I was working in the sound lab on my project, where I’ll be until kingdom comes at this stage. I am transcribing conversations between a fluent adult and a stuttering child. It’s long and it’s boring, but there are some interesting patterns in there, so I will have something to write about when it comes to it.
The Stroke Association gig is all in the name of work experience. To support my application for a Speech Therapy degree, I need to show relevant work experience. This can’t be just any work though – it should be with both paeds (paediatrics) and adults. Ideally I need to work in a clinic or a hospital stroke group, but for now, my weekly journey to Archway will do. The same goes for More House, though that is more like what I would be doing as a Speech and Language Therapist. I love it; I enjoy every moment of the school day. It’s hard and it’s challenging, but it has opened my eyes to what SaLT is all about and I’m now sure that this is what I want to do.
Wed, Thur, and Fri are all boring work days. Eventually I’m going to have to give up I think, as a full time MSc and part time work don’t really go together. But the money is good and keeps me ticking over – and will hopefully help me pay for a summer holiday with Phil in June.
