My Graduation

 Last week I graduated from my 4 year teaching degree, it was a really nice day despite it being super hot in the gowns.
We took lots of group photos after the ceremony including many attempts at the 'throwing the mortarboard' photo and also photos of us looking silly with our hoods up!
Afterwards my parents took me to a restaurant for a Bellini and a lovely dinner.

I can't thank my friends and family enough for supporting me through the ups and downs of my degree and I couldn't have done it without them. On to the next challenge, my NQT year!

Life Update....

So I've been pretty busy recently and thought I'd update you on what's going on in my life!

Market Square, Nottingham

Job hunting

As I do a primary teaching course we'll all been applying for jobs for September. Some of my friends are moving back home but I decided I wanted to look in Nottingham, the city I have been at uni at. I love the city and the idea of getting a flat and staying here, living like a proper adult and excited me!

So, I don't know if you know but when applying for teaching jobs it's advised to arrange a visit and look around the school first. So I ended up looking around about 9 or 10 schools and decided a couple weren't for me.

Then there was applications to do, personalising each one to the school.

The whole process was, and still is, pretty stressful as you can't help but compare yourself to friends who seem to be getting jobs and interviews before you. 

Teaching Interviews

Then, when I was lucky enough to be invited to interviews there was the preparing for my lesson and interview in advance. I actually had two interviews and luckily both asked me to teach an English lesson so I could use a similar lesson! I was unsuccessful in the first but knowing what to expect calmed me for the second. On my second interview I also had to prepare a 5 minute presentation about my lesson. The second was actually a really enjoyable day, the staff were lovely and I enjoyed chatting to other candidates. Then there was the nerve wracking wait for the call and I am so excited to say I GOT THE JOB! 

The job

I'm so excited to go into school in July to get acquainted before having my own KS2 class in September. It's a lovely school and I can't wait. I've been addicted to Pinterest, looking at how I'm going to set up my classroom.

University

This week is actually my last ever week at university after 4 years which is very strange! I'm writing an essay that's due in on Wednesday then it's goodbye from the lecturers. On Friday we then have our teachers ball which is very exciting, I have my dress sorted (photos to come after!)

Flat hunting

As I'm now going to be staying in Nottingham and visiting my school in July I need to find a flat to move into before my student house tenancy ends in June. This is very exciting as I've been looking forward to decorating a flat and living alone for a while. It's great that i have friends staying in the area that I can visit too. My parents are coming down to help me flat hunt then July/ August I'll preparing my flat/ buying furniture and preparing my classroom.

Exciting stuff!

Good luck to anyone else graduating this year (mines in July) and job hunting!

Cute little 'getting a job' present from Ellie at Waterproof Lashes

Trip to London

  

Regent Street

I'm back from my trip to London with University, I really enjoyed it. We arrived on Sunday and had a bit of a shop on regent street and in Camden then had a walk to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.

On Monday we had our training at the National Gallery on a project called 'Take One Picture' to use in schools, it was really interesting. 

Lego Kate, Wills and Harry.

Lego Queen in Hamley's Toy Shop

I loved the Lego floor in Hamley's.

Big Ben

Westminster Abbey

One of my favourite shops was also M&M world with 3 floors of M&M's!

On Monday evening we went to the Ice Bar which was amazing, very cold but we got given a thermal cape and gloves. We got our first drink included in an ice glass!

We returned home after Tuesday at the National Gallery, ready for our own beds. We stayed in a hostel with 3 story bunk beds.

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Trip to London

  

Regent Street

I'm back from my trip to London with University, I really enjoyed it. We arrived on Sunday and had a bit of a shop on regent street and in Camden then had a walk to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.

On Monday we had our training at the National Gallery on a project called 'Take One Picture' to use in schools, it was really interesting. 

Lego Kate, Wills and Harry.

Lego Queen in Hamley's Toy Shop

I loved the Lego floor in Hamley's.

Big Ben

Westminster Abbey

One of my favourite shops was also M&M world with 3 floors of M&M's!

On Monday evening we went to the Ice Bar which was amazing, very cold but we got given a thermal cape and gloves. We got our first drink included in an ice glass!

We returned home after Tuesday at the National Gallery, ready for our own beds. We stayed in a hostel with 3 story bunk beds.

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Looking forward to...

I've reached over 10,000 page views!

Anyway, to update you on what i've been doing- I've finished my third year of uni! I handed my last assignment in on Wednesday so now I'm free!

I took a trip to a local cafe on Sunday to break up the assignment writing and had a delicious chicken tikka baguette with Dandelion and Burdock.

I also made delicious brownies (even if I do say so myself!) .

After handing the assignment in some friends were having a 'end of uni' BBQ as most of them are finishing, so that was lovely and the sun came out for us.

Then I went shopping to celebrate and spent lots on summer clothes including shorts and a bikini, so I'm getting excited for summer.

Something I'm excited about is me and a couple of friends have been thinking about going to Disneyland Paris in September so that's a very exciting thought.

Today I baked chocolate brownies and experimented with adding sprinkles before cooking, they worked out quite well. They're for a friend who is coming to visit me tomorrow so that'll be lovely.

Also, I go to London on Sunday for a couple of days of training at the National Gallery then continuing from Wednesday at Nottingham castle. I'm exciting to explore London with the girls and we plan on visiting the ice bar so that should be fun!

Continued birthday celebrations

So last time I updated you was to tell you about the celebrations leading up to my birthday.

My actual birthday was on Monday, I went to uni wearing all my new jewellery and using my new bag. On Monday evening me and 10 friends went to Bella Italia which was lovely, and then to Vodka Revs for a few drinks.

My housemates told me I'd have to wait until my party on Friday for my present but I did get a dinosaur painting set and a card.

I painted on Wednesday.

Last night was my official party night!

We decorated the living room and provided nibbles.

I started the night with cocktails, one of my presents from Mum and Dad.

Then people started to arrive and my friend had made a 'Big Bang Theory' drinking game by re-writing the rules to 'Ring of Fire'. If you already know the rules, they are basically the same but worded in a nerdy way!

After playing I was given my presents-

Some sweeties and a birdcage candle holder with a duck shaped candle! A Disney Wonder room diffuser which is the same scent as my Dumbo teddy. The mini suitcase contains photos and lots of envelopes with letters from all my friends wishing me a happy birthday, a lovely thing to keep.

We then went to the SU and I had an amazing time dancing and I think all of my friends did too.

I woke up with a happy hangover today and can avoid the post birthday blues with sweeties, vouchers and birthday money to continue the spoiling!

All in all- The best 21st I could have wished for from my lovely friends and family!

Back at University

So I'm back in my uni house for a few days of lectures before I head home again for a weekend of birthday celebrations which I'm very excited about!
I had a more sociable, busy time at home than usual because I was working and going out with the girls from work, who I've recently become closer too. I loved being busy and had a lovely time.

Coming back to my uni house was actually rather boring, it was the lack of TV that I noticed (mainly Big Bang Theory). It was nice to see my housemates and uni friends again but I needed to get used to having time to myself again to be productive and occupy myself, I found time for a bath!
Of course I am very very excited about my birthday so I have that to look forward to and a fun filled weekend planned which has made starting my final term a bit less stressful.

I'm also trying to be healthy (with the exception of this weekend of course) and so far , on day 2, It's going well. I feel better for it and am off for a swim tonight so hopefully I'll be all set for summer.

There was time for one huge farewell chocolate fudge cake to share with the girls before I left though! How big is this?!