Bravo SG! You *look* so happy! :)

Its really great to see the headway you are making, SG. Slow and steady is the ticket. Congratulations on this milestone!

Oh no, now you're part of the system... why you're practically, "The Man". :lol2:
Congratulations though.

So... it sounds like what you're saying is you'll be a one-on-one aide to a mainstreamed kid on the autism spectrum, is that right? Congrats on the job!

SG that is SUCH good news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so pleased for you. Wow. Hugs to you, kid.

great news, Sundae, well done.

I'm happy that your happy SG.

That's what I thought too. A one- on- one.

Bloody hell, that's brilliant news Sundae. Way to go you. You must have seriously impressed the school.

Good going Sundae!
And yes, they all have names.
For six years, I thought my name was "Hey you! Yes you! The young one!"

Thanks to all - yes I did work out that many children have names.

Last week.

I do have trouble learning them though - 60 kids at present and it's driving me crackers - what a relief to just have one (well, plus those in Craft Club, but I know nearly a half of those from last year)

Working with a named child is a way of differentiating from TAs who work with a whole class (as I have as a volunteer). So I'll working one-on-one and technically just responsible for that child, although of course there will be times I'll be asked to help in general activities and like any teacher or TA I'll be expected to uphold general rules of discipline in class and corridors etc. And I'll be much more involved in following a set plan for Educational Needs, recording information and I'll be interacting with specialist workers engaged with the child and also his parents.

I'm not sure if the child is on the autistism spectrum. The school has a specialist language centre with ten staff, so his communication difficulties might be physical, and the social side might stem from that. I have to wait and see. I'll have excellent in-school support anyway, we have a speech therapist on our staff as well as a Specialist Education & Disability Coordinator (SENCO) who was part of the interview panel.

Also it's only 20 hours a week - this must have been decided on via assessment. I know it includes at least some lunchtimes, but I don't think I'll be included in lessons like PE or singing or assemblies - I might be wrong, but those would be the ones I'd expect not to attend. Whereas the Downs Syndrome child in one of the classes I volunteer has a full-time TA, as does a registered blind child in a higher class.

I figure I'll have something to read around anyway. The school chose ME as the best candidate to work with this boy and I take courage from that. I am going to do everything I can to make them glad they did so, as well as the best I can for him.

As well as that, I get to see all the other little others I've already worked with around school. I've never been unpopular at work, but I've never been in an office where someone's face lights up just because they've passed me in the corridor, or where they run up to me outside work to give me a hug and tell me what they're doing. Even the staff came to give me a handshake or a kiss when they heard I had the job. It's just a lovely place.

I am SO happy.
Oh and Bruce, I'm SO not the man. Guess I'll have to prove it at sometime soon :)

Well that was a figure of speech that doesn't match your figure. :lol:

This one-on-one position will result in a lot of emotional involvement, if I know you. That can be stimulating, but also very draining. Adrenaline and endorphins can leave you feeling really low when they wear off, so be aware and don't mistake it for depression, then you'll be ok. :thumb:

I'd been wondering where you'd got to SG. Congrats on the job.

damn, wonderful

I'm going on a sea cruise! :D

Cool. Where does it stop?

Everywhere! Hurtigruten run the delivery boats up and down the Norwegian coast. We hope to see the Aurora Borealis, lots of lovely fjords and, just maybe, a Norwegian Blue parrot!

Hope you get to see the red/purple Aurora.

Limey that's so exciting!
I SO want to see the Northern Lights one day.

Yay limey! sounds wonderful!!!

I had two positive long duration interactions with my sometimes crazy Dad this week.

We had a couple staff out yesterday and had to do some assessments so my supervisor came over to cover for me. Two of the kids whose behaviors are barely manageable blew up on her and got us major kudos for how we've been working the problems.

With those two things off my shoulders my epee fencing was truly creative last night, it is amazing how much impact mental state has on the game.

And how negatively impacted your mental state can be without even realizing it, when you've had problems so long you've become use to them. You've made good progress on the job front this year, Griff, good work. :thumb:

My colonoscopy is now behind me (so to speak).

The natgas drillers I have been building a web application for are pleased with what I've done, and are getting me more hours of work and planning a phase 2. Wheeee self employment!

GREAT! Way to Go Tony!

Max is starting to use his potty! Wooohoooo! Hopefully in another week or two there'll be no more daytime nappies! :) This makes me very happy.

OUTstanding! Congratulations!

Sweet.

Are we allowed to see it?

Obviously you were absent that day, HLJ
Natural gas:
Colorless
Odorless
Tasteless

So, while you may be allowed, you can't.

Unless you light a match.

It will go into a portfolio, eventually.

Awesome, awesomeness Toad! The tide is turning your way I think.

oh and great news on the potty front Ali; and way to go to the Griffster.

What's making me happy today, well, this week in fact, is that I can feel my mental systems starting to kick into gear for my PhD. Had my first supervision meeting last Friday, and attended a training day all day yesterday, called 'Starting your Research Degree'. I thought it would be really dull, given i just did the same training day at the start of last year's MA...but actually it was a lot more interesting this year.

The day went fast; i got to meet a bunch of other research students, which was great. A real mix of fields and specialisms (all from within the Humanities, ESSL and PVAC areas) with some in particular doing research that sounded exciting to me.

Every so often I get a little flutter of nascent panic...but mostly I'm feeling like I can do this. And that I want to do this.

UT's Natural Gas Portfolio being delivered by courier.

(snicker)

Heartfelt congratulations to both Ali and UT re birth and subsequent development of children and ideas.

Message from Limey to say "hello to everyone that knows me!"
She's having a great time and willl put pictures up on Flickr when she gets back - homecoming is this Thursday.

I found my knife. (it was on the floor of the car between the tunnel and the seat.)

I found my camera. (it was in the pocket of my big coat.)

Congrats BigV, I will rejoice with you for you have found what you had lost.

I got my CRB through today.
Unfortunately it was the one submitted at the beginning of Sept, for me to work as a volunteer. But the school secretary seems confident that the Enhanced one, which will allow me to be employed, can't be far behind as the main checks have already been run now.

thank you miss.

They say the wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine.

I think the rube goldberg contraption that is most bureaucracies *may* turn, but don't always produce a recognizable output. I hope you get the clearance you're seeking, and quickly.

Dazza is home after 2 weeks away.

Also, my new shoes.

http://www.ninewest.com.au/www/166/f...c-multi-lg.jpg

That shoe is outrageous!

Keryx asks, why would you want to cripple yourself?

Ali--gorgeous shoes! I have some to share as well.

Why?

I wont. They're surprisingly comfortable. Honestly, I really didn't expect them to feel the way they did on my feet, but I loved the design so tried them on and they just felt so good I had to have them.

I agree Big. :) What size heels do yours have?

I can honestly say that I don't understand high heels.

Edit: But those are cool shoes, Ali.

About your shoes, I like how how the sole turns up, they look like that would make them a lot easier to walk in.

As for my shoes, sorry Ali, I got home late, didn't return to computer and/or camera for shoe pic. I will though, I promise. As for size ... I found this: Heel height. I'll measure them tonight too and post the answer. First estimate: High. hehehehe.....

I love this part from the link:

Please model them for us. Nude, of course.:D

She's married - leave her alone, ya stalker.

Shoes can get married? Oh, you thought I wanted Ali to be nude. You have a dirty mind, what little of it that there is.:stickpoke:D

"Shoes can get married?"
Aren't they always half of a pair?

Come on you guys. Thanks for sticking up for me classic, but really there was no need. I know spex was joking.

All you teetering tarts are crazy, risking your health in the name of fashion.

But looking hot... oh my. ;)

They do make your legs look nice that's for sure, and believe me, my legs need all the help they can get. lol

What a fabulously random selection of good newses while I've been away. I'll fling up some pix of my holiday laterz ...

Whats making me happy today? I got a raise at my work! And in this economy I sure as hell can use it,that freakin rocks!:D

Congrats! way to go!!

Five inches.
Ok.

Forget to return one of those books to the library?
;)

No, I stole it.

A couple friends came over to remove a big Black Walnut stump from my front yard, took down some small trees that were too close to the house, and cleaned up the overgrown flower beds, while I was away for a few days, much to my surprise.