Week 6: 18 - 24 March

This week was mostly an academic one with little to no social happenings. That makes it a relatively uninteresting week I am afraid. 

Much of the first half of the week was spent preparing for the Afrikaans test on Wednesday morning. The test itself was relatively short in comparison to the amount of content I had to study. I felt confident that I was able to earn enough marks to pass, but beyond that I have not a clue how it went. I don't really want to think to much about it beyond the fact that it is one more thing off my list. 

Other academic happenings include furiously rewriting my entire part of the Teaching Assessment Plan (TAP) because Dr Rock was not quite satisfied with it. In hindsight I entirely agree with her that the second version is more interesting, but it was quite a lot of work and I found myself nearly in tears on Wednesday evening. This may also have to do with my failing an assignment for the first time in my life earlier in the day. I would however rather not discuss the awful Philosophy of Education assignment saga, it is far too anxiety provoking! 

It was very helpful to have Thursday off as a public holiday, however this too was spent in a furious academic scramble. I dedicated the day to starting and completing my half of the English assignment. It took no less than the entire day to complete. I did take a break to go and get an ice cream with Sarah since it was a whopping 35 degrees that day, but other than that, I spent the day in front of my laptop until it was time for dance class at five. 

Having missed Tuesday's class in order to study for Afrikaans, I felt I deserved being able to go to Thursday's class! The two new key steps we learned were how to navigate the corners using a turn when doing the Foxtrot, and the basic steps to the Waltz. I am afraid I am still having difficulties with Waltz, I often forget which foot must lead next and become entirely immobile as I stand there and try to figure it out in a state of internal panic while I watch the line of dancers moving towards me with speed. I have a feeling that the Waltz is somehow similar to learning the directions on the face of a clock or the way the letters b and d face-- something which confused me and took me longer than the average person to learn. This week, I have planned a trip to see the Light Art at Spier which means I will be missing the class and another opportunity to learn the Waltz steps. I only hope I manage to catch on before the medal test! 

The planning of the outing to Spier was a bit of an administrative disaster. So far, although many people were invited, only Liesje, Dana and I are actually going. I don't mind though, I know it will be just as fun with only the three of us! I have invited Dana to have supper with me before we drive through and I am really looking forward to it. If I am lucky, she may read us another chapter of Anne while we microwave the food! 

On Friday, I began working on the presentation for Language of Learning and Teaching. It is quite a lengthy assignment and one which I do not quite understand the purpose of. I spent all of Saturday working on it too, but thankfully I could do that from the comfort of home. The joy of going home for the weekend! Mom had rearranged my room yet again, but each time she does, it looks more and more like MY space if you catch my meaning. Even though I spent most of the time at my desk, it was a thoroughly enjoyable time. We finally watched CODA since we found a version with subtitles. I found the humour and morals a little disappointing, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. Marlee Matlin is a very good actress, but really the main actress was also very impressive. I admire the point the movie was trying to make and it was something I had not thought much about before, which is of course why the film first grabbed my attention. On Sunday, we went with a film of Mom's choosing, which was rather interesting although I did not enjoy the ending. I baked an apple tart for dessert, and was thoroughly impressed with the outcome! I was surprised by how easy it was and plan to make it again. I hope it would work with my tiny oven in Stellies. 

After the service on Sunday, Liesje and I were supposed to join Melinda and the usual group of people at Java. In the end though it seemed we had been left behind and so I invited Liesje to have hot chocolate at the flat instead. We had a really good catch up yet when she left we still had so much to talk about! It is always that way I think. She showed me some beautiful pictures of her uncle's farm and farming equipment. I learned more Afrikaans words for farming machinery than I think I have ever heard in my life; I am only frustrated that I cannot remember more of the terms! 

I do not have any pictures this week since nothing much new occurred, but hopefully I will remember to take more next week!