Isle of Wight

As I am sure most of you know I work at a school in the Operations side of things, so although I have contact with the pupils most days they are slightly removed from my every day role. Last week however I was offered a chance to go on a school trip to the Isle of Wight.

I haven't been on a school trip since I was in secondary school so coming up a good fifteen years, so I jumped at the chance to go on an activities holiday and run around like a big kid!

I have no idea what I was thinking! The difference between being a child on a school trip and being the adult responsible for those children is a whole different matter. I have so much respect for all teachers for having to look after children on a daily basis because it is just exhausting!

You have to be switched on 24/7, as the welfare and safety of the kids is the most important thing. I mean it was just a constant soundtrack of 'Miss Hewitt, Miss Hewitt, Miss Hewitt'. 'Miss Hewitt, how does this work?' 'Miss Hewitt, when is lunch?' 'Miss Hewitt, what time is it?' I fell asleep every night to the white noise of this.

Do you know what though it was really worth it. I now have 11 new best friends, and a whole experience that I wouldn't have dreamed of.

On arrival to our cabins we got straight into the activities, which I continued to take part in over the 3 days we were there.

We went hunting on the beach for crabs and tried to rock climb.....

I took part in the Cat Walk, what felt like a death defying tightrope trip, at some height. My smile here is not genuine....

This one is because I came back down to earth....

I drew the line at the trapeze though, and although I attempted abseiling I just couldn't convince myself that throwing myself backwards over a 35ft drop was a good idea, so I had to climb back down the stairs. You really are fearless when you are younger, but it soon disappears!

The weather was glorious, which was such a relief as the forecast had said rain all week and it's always much nicer outside when you don't end up soggy!

I honestly had the best time despite the fact I was dead on my feet by the end of the week and I love that I had the opportunity to go.

C x

Thanks for the Office, but no thanks

I must be the only person in the whole world who isn't happy about the fact that I now have my own office.

I mean don't get me wrong - it's the dream right? When you finally move into your own office it means you must be important enough to have one. You have all the space to put your own stamp on it and you can get on with your work without office chatter or any distractions.

Which would all be fine apart from the fact that I go crazy if I don't talk to someone at least once an hour. It actually freaks me out. Perhaps I just really like the sound of my own voice but something is wrong with me because I hate being on my own so much that I will call Leigh sometimes, not to say anything, but just so I can assure myself that the world hasn't turned into zombies and I'm the only one still alive.

I think I might have a mild case of Monophobia. Add that to my Ornithophobia (phobia of birds) and I am a bit of a mess in general.

I just love to be around people. This is why I could never go travelling on my own, because the times I'd have to be on my own would be horrific! What on earth would I do? I'd probably start talking to myself and that would be both boring and slightly crazy.

Put me in any social situation and I will thrive, I'm not shy, I will talk to anyone. Leave me in a room on my own for over an hour and I will start to panic. Even now I haven't spoken or seen anyone in about an hour and a half and I'm trying to type this post quickly so I can go and find someone to talk to.    

So whilst it's all fun and games being able to play my music and eat fish without smelling out the shared office, I wish there was someone I could share that with. Not to mention that working at a school in the Summer Holidays is already so quiet and I'm at one end of the school when everyone else is at the other makes me feel quite nervous. Also I swear this school is haunted. Maybe the ghosts can keep me company!

So thanks for my own space, but give me an open plan office any day!

Is it just me that suffers from this? Or is this a common thing?!

Excuse me whilst I go and find someone to talk at.

C xxx