Master James's Birthday

Today is James’s seventh birthday. He woke up to birthday cards and presents. An intimate party follows this afternoon with the trip to the safari park on Saturday. James’s birthday cakes are monkey faces in keeping with the safari park theme. The lion is for Kai, son of Louise, who is visiting from Australia. (See pictures.) Not to dis Sarah but the monkeys do resemble minstrels, which wouldn’t go over too well in the states. That’s the sort of thing that would kick off a row on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Continuing with my mundane weather reports, today was the first day of rain since I arrived and only lasted part of the morning. The sun is out in full force now at midday. My sympathies to those in the Northeast (U.S.) who are suffering in the heat.

Domestic bliss. Yesterday I cooked dinner for Sarah and James – a simple chicken stirfry with veggies, starring “courgette” (zucchini for Americans) from Sarah’s garden. She’s very proud of her “veggie patch.” I was able to sell this stirfry concoction to James as “Candy Chicken” since I added a special ingredient, maple syrup. He even ate some vegetables and quinoa. I assembled James’s biggest birthday present, his new trampoline. Woody, our neighbor, has not officially been replaced yet as Sarah’s domestic servant though. The passing of the “rods” (plumbing snakes for Americans) the next time the septic backs up in the driveway will make it official.

The trampoline wouldn’t exactly fit in the remote spot in the corner of the yard, as Sarah had desired. Instead, it is in the middle of the yard and provides a backdrop for Sarah’s roses. (See picture.) She is marching around in a “strop” (a snit for Americans). I foresee the trampoline covered with ivy and clematis before long. It will have to be disguised in some manner.

In return for earning my keep, Sarah was more than happy - she would have been anyway - to talk the neighbor, Steve, through the hedge, about golf courses and driving ranges in the area. He belongs to a club and has offered to take me out on the course. I first have to find out if throwing your wedge (it's usually your wedge, isn't it?) is against their club rules.

I am firmly entrenched in British bureaucracy as I search for a job. I’m looking for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) but there is a route for the Overseas Trained Teacher (OTT). But you have to register with the local council which gives you initial provisional certification. At which point the clock starts ticking on the 4 years you have to reach QTS. Before you can register with the local council, you have to have a job. I’m smelling a Catch 22 in the offing. I managed to learn all the above while figuring out how to correctly dial numbers here.

All continues to go well here as we adjust to life together. Sarah had a frightening moment, about the change in her routines and having to renegotiate life, when she realized I could be here for a long, long while. For me, I am gaining independence, familiarity and comfort, but certainly have not attained, and won’t for a while, the sense of belonging that comes with work and friendships. In the meantime, we’re getting the home front settled. Oh, and Master James. He’s happy as long as he can bounce on his trampoline.