A day in the life of a CRT

CRT: Casual Relief Teacher. The note on my desk (once I found it in the mound) said Hi CRT! I scarcely had a chance to glance at it before the students piled into the room. 

Let me rewind. 

The agency through which I'm employed, contacted me thursday for work monday. I carefully planned my route, leaving ample time to get there. But Melbourne city transit is the pitts and everything was late. For the 9 o'clock start, I walked in the door at 8:55 instead of 8:30! 

The day was kicked off with assembly which was basically run by the kids. There were presentations from the compost team, the water team, the sun smart team...Leadership at it's finest and values I could identify with!

Back in the class, students worked on their laptops researching Democracy. I was able to add 2 cents in about Canada and some started to look into that. 

Morning recess was 1/2 an hour! I had a break. Then we peddled away at some math and corrected as we went.   When lunch came, I was on yard duty (but I didn't have a hat!) and ended up with a small crying boy in my care. He held my hand as we walked around in the sun.

We worked for 40 minutes longer after lunch and by 2:45 it was time to pack up! The students had a dance class for the last period every Monday. We learned the Men in Black dance (yes from the Will Smith video) and it was time to go. Let me just say, when it comes to pop culture, Australia is in a bizarre time warp situation!

I think I'm going to like leaving school at 3:30!!

A hair... "raising" experience

When travelling in Oz, (or anywhere for that matter) it is advisable to double and triple check the voltage of all appliances. But more importantly, be sure they are NOT 15 year old pieces of crap. If you can't tell from the photos, I'll be glad to colourfully illustrate:

As I put the curling iron to my hair , I heard a sizzle. I removed it instantly and watched it melt in two as I dropped it to the floor and reached for the outlet!! 

Well the photo tells all...

Surprisingly, no major harm. My hair will grow back, right?

Vegimite

Alone in the dining hall again, (I get free continental breakfast but sadly must eat alone since there is no one on campus!) I have my first Australian encounter with what I believe to be VEGIMITE.  SO salty and surprising (since I thought it was nutella). It turned out for  the best since my bread is in fact mouldy. Phew, good thing I was alone after all!

Feb.3 2010

Leaving was harder than it's ever been. I haven't cried that much in public probably ever! 

1st flight to Denver: 2 hours 35 minutes

The guy beside me was really friendly. He showed me pictures of his grand kids and together, we entertained the 5 year old in the seat in front of us. I read a lot: Bill Bryson's In a Sunburned Country, and we were there. 

At the airport I transferred my bags, went through customs and got immediately on my flight to LA. No time to spare, and I was getting HUNGRY!

2nd flight to Los Angeles: 2 hours

I get stuck in the middle of three seats. The man to my right is.. already asleep?? And I chat with the man to my left for the first half hour. Same old: where you from and where you going. I start to feel sick because I'm so hungry, but who buys a mini can of Pringles for 8$!!!

I turn my attention to an episode of 30 Rock.

3rd flight to Sydney: 14 hours 50 minutes

I am in the middle seat of three.. AGAIN. And this time it's for the long haul. I had time to pick up some food in the airport and we'll be fed supper soon. The man to my right is a retired principal from Fort Saint John's (and originally England) named Bob. The woman to my left sleeps almost the whole way but I find out later she is studying Marine Biology, on her way to Townsville. 

4th flight to Melbourne: 1 hour 15 minutes

Bob and I change gates, head through security (I get randomly selected for a pat down in a small cubicle) and hop on a plane that might as well have been the very same one we just came from only with fewer people. 

Upon arrival in Melbourne it is cloudy and 18 degrees but I am JUMPING! It's hard to think I just left the harshest part of winter back home. 

I drop my things at the International House at the University of Melbourne and head right back out. Time for lunch. 

By 7:00 I am zonked and head to bed.