Survival...meetings...and food

I survived the first day back at work. And what a day it was...

6:30am - woke up for the first time in ages at this time (on purpose at least). Body went into shock. Why am I doing this? Oh, yeah, to be able to live in London...and because I've done it at every other school job I've had. This is normal. This is okay. You've had tons of vacation...it's time to get back into the swing of things. Okay. Shower.

7:30am - catching the train. I forgot about the hussle and bussle of this. I forgot about getting crammed between the guy in his painting clothes that clearly haven't been washed in a while and the businessman who is okay with jamming his briefcase into your right thigh.

7:50am - pull out teacher ID to show to guards at the front. They're still in their "I must be stern" mode. You laugh and say 'hi'. Then they smile.

8:00am - get your cup of tea. You have 1 hour until the first meeting. But you have to pull out all your stuff, organize your desk, remember the password to your voicemail, check emails, etc, etc, etc.

9:00am - you are sitting in the gym. You got there early to get a back of the bleachers seat...cause it's painful otherwise. Woohoo...it worked. But then you have to sit there for 2 hours. They tell us that kids ought not have to sit for a full 80 minute class...why not allow us to at least stretch. I'm losing concentration.

11:00 - next meeting. This one is in the commons. Ahhh...seats with backs. And it only lasts one hour. It's not so bad. But still...it's the first day.

Noon - you are hungry, but know the line in the caf will be huge. So you go up to your office, and do the work that is needed. Typing up lists of kids is so exciting, but necessary. You'll check them over tomorrow for typos and missing kids. Fun, fun.

Next meeting is at 1:30pm, so at 1:00, you are rushing to get a sandwhich (roasted veggie in a wrap), yogurt and apple. Good on you for being healthy.

1:30pm - another 2 HOUR MEETING. This one about retirement. Yes...YAWN! But you realize that you have more knowledge (or at least the ability to make connections) than most of your similar aged colleagues. Hah.

3:30pm - still have work to do. Stay for 1-1/2 more hours to get it done. It's not finished...but you work at a school and so you are used to it...work is NEVER done!

5:00pm - get on tube, then train...run home and grab workout gear. Meet R. at gym. Do a bit of cardio and a bit of weights. Healthy again. Hmmm...is this a trend?

6:30pm - run home after showering...with R's help, finish fixing the fridge. Wait for grocery delivery. Decide that since fridge has no food that you should eat a bowl of Japanese noodels. Mmmm. Oh. Answer door and get delivery of groceries. It's good to have food again...and the simple things, like mustard!

10:00pm - go to bed. You have another big day ahead of you!