A week and a bit...
Feb. 9th, 2011 11:01 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zcat_abroadWe had a great time in Dunedin for the biennial ANZAMEMS conference. My paper was on the first day, and I was still writing about 2 hours before it was due (owing to the world and its forces conspiring against me - not to mention my own procrastination!!) Once that pain was over, I relaxed and enjoyed myself, although as usual, the balance between supporting friends, and going to papers I really wanted to hear, was not easy. There were at least 6 options for most sessions, and I hate chopping and changing in between. (Not to mention how rude it is.) Did get to hear some interesting papers on Old English.
And one of the days had nothing interesting on, so we hired a van, and skootled out to the Dunedin peninsula, where we looked at the gardens of Larnoch Castle, and then watched albatross (the only mainland colony of Royals) land, before getting to see their nests from inside hides. Also saw seals, looking like badly draped rocks, though I did see, from a cliff-top, one disporting himself in sea. And it was FREEZING! Okay, not US weirdly-cold-winter freezing, but incredibly cold for me. In the middle of one of our hottest summers, I was wearing four layers of clothes on Friday - including a jumper and a jacket. I strenuously object to that. (The day after we left, it was then 35C!)
Since then, I have two new classes to teach - a different balance, with more Japanese and Arabic speakers. This leaves very different cadences in my head at the end of the day - much less annoying than the Korean. Now I just have to deal with classes in which the Saudi boys think that the world revolves around them - each and every one of them! Teaching them how to behave in a classroom with others is a new skill for me to learn. Thus far, I think I've been doing ok.
And I have now worked it so that I can teach the final session of the day from the beginning of semester - thus keeping some income, while tutoring and WRITING ARTICLES. And applying for things.
*headdesk*
*Note to self - a) pad desk. b) apply for things tomorrow. Stop putting it off!*
And one of the days had nothing interesting on, so we hired a van, and skootled out to the Dunedin peninsula, where we looked at the gardens of Larnoch Castle, and then watched albatross (the only mainland colony of Royals) land, before getting to see their nests from inside hides. Also saw seals, looking like badly draped rocks, though I did see, from a cliff-top, one disporting himself in sea. And it was FREEZING! Okay, not US weirdly-cold-winter freezing, but incredibly cold for me. In the middle of one of our hottest summers, I was wearing four layers of clothes on Friday - including a jumper and a jacket. I strenuously object to that. (The day after we left, it was then 35C!)
Since then, I have two new classes to teach - a different balance, with more Japanese and Arabic speakers. This leaves very different cadences in my head at the end of the day - much less annoying than the Korean. Now I just have to deal with classes in which the Saudi boys think that the world revolves around them - each and every one of them! Teaching them how to behave in a classroom with others is a new skill for me to learn. Thus far, I think I've been doing ok.
And I have now worked it so that I can teach the final session of the day from the beginning of semester - thus keeping some income, while tutoring and WRITING ARTICLES. And applying for things.
*headdesk*
*Note to self - a) pad desk. b) apply for things tomorrow. Stop putting it off!*
