A new School year

My wife was cleaning out a cabinet and stuck my old school stuff in a drawer. I then got thinking I might as well clean it up a bit. And then I saw it. The little cubicle flower box and remembered what was inside it. I opened it up and there inside was all these letters from students that I had kept over my 7 years of teaching. Some were reports on how I could improve on my teaching. Some heart felt messages of sincere gratitude. One was even a letter from my mum speaking about how my brother and I had helped her when she was going through a hard time and how she could see my stress too.(don't know how that got in there) Some photos of ex pupils.

In all of it it made me realise what an impact we each have on each other for good or for bad. Upon reading most of them it gave me a sense of achievement in that I have made a difference for others. It also made me want to get up and find where these kids are now, especially one who talked about her being a dreamer and that she could not stop thinking about other stuff and wanting to do things differently. All I want to do is talk to her and say I am sorry if I did not allow you to be the dreamer you want to be and to say sort of the same thing that one kid wrote " Don't let anyone tell you you are not a good teacher becasue you are"

Sounds stupid I know but it was a very special time rereading the long lost letters. Thank you students. I will keep them for a very long time and not just in the little box. Maybe if you give me permission I can share some of them on my blog. what do you think? Is that a breach of privacy as long as I don't put names?

ACL Knee reconstruction

Next week I am on the operating table for a knee reconstruction (left) had the right one done 2 years ago and for some reason I am more nervous about this one. Perhaps it's because I know how well it went and the rehabilitation went so well that I was back playing soccer within 6 months. I can't get my mind to think that there is no reason the same can't happen this time. At the moment I am just trying to keep away from catching my wifes cold as they may put off the operation. I have had to take a term off school so will miss the beginning year with my class at Deanwell School. They will be in good hands. Maybe some of you guys might want to write on my blog about what you will or are doing at school to keep me up to date so I can catch up when I get there in term two. I'll send the class an e-mail with my blog.

The model railroad empire

Yep I am now definately a railroad geek. It has always been in my blood. Right back when my brother and I took over our parents room and built a 4 by 8 railroad out of an old wooden garage door. After our trip to York England, my son and I began our empire. It has now grown to a 23 foot by 23 foot approx L shape layout that takes over half of our 4 car garage. It has now been walled off. It is nowhere near finished and it has been fun learning and sharing ideas with each other as well as other modellers from our local model railroad club which we are both members of. I have not taken any recent photos of it, but am currently working on a small town scene as all the track is laid and trains are go. We are running it on DCC using digitrax. If you want to know more about that just send us a post about what you want to know. My brother said "oh my God" when he visited over Christmas time from England. Watch this space for photos.

My summer holidays 2009 to 2010

Family is so important and it becomes even more important when some of them are far off in distant lands. My brother arrived for Christmas this year. The first time we have had Christmas for about 10 years since he left to go to London. We talked, we were silent, but most of all I think we enjoyed each others company. I realised how much he and I had relaxed about life. I told him I loved him when he left. It was the right thing and it felt good. See ya bro.

The family holiday was a trip down the East coast and central to south of the North Island, finsihing in the capital city of NZ Wellington. We played card games the favourite being scum. Good game and good for a laugh. I realise and probably have for awhile now that family are people and are to be cherrished, just like our beliefs and loves.