Disney in 2009!

Been wanting to say this for a long time...."we're going to Orlando!"
It's now all booked! Hub and I went in 1992 for our honeymoon and I've always wanted to take the kids, especially seeing how much their eyes lit up when we went to Disneyland Paris when Katie was four.
Here's a little trip back down memory lane...

Honeymoon 1992, Orlando, Fl.
Who could ever forget the fairytale castle...



nor just how exhausting it can all be...!


or that in those days, before the kids, you could 'treat yourselves' to a convertible!




Disneyland Paris, 2001
Arriving at International Station in Paris you can just sense their excitement!



Meeting Mickey for the first time...



Never too cool to pose with Disney characters!



"Muuum....I think he might eat my food!" Katie wasn't really sure what to make of Chip...or was it Dale....




How time flies....

You can check out my Orlando holiday planning here

Exam

The questions were pretty nasty. I got three of the themes I'd revised: participation, identity and formal and informal learning, but applying them to the actual questions was hard! Results not due until December so it's sit back and wait time.
In the meantime, on with the Masters. Progress is being recorded here

D'ya think I'd be allowed to take this into my exam as a lucky mascot? :-)
Roll on 1.01pm tomorrow!

Final countdown to the BSc Hons!

Well that's it, U316 project (ECA) is finished and has been sent off. I had hoped that that would see an end to U316, but I have discovered that only part of my final assignment could be seen at the OU's end and that two files were 'missing' so I only got 17%!! Ok, so I was only aiming for 40% but that's not the point! I'm currently chasing the OU to see what has gone wrong and hopefully get a remark.

In the meantime I am trying to revise for my final (as in last ever, hopefully!) exam. I love this course (KE312) and want the satisfaction of doing really well in the exam. I got the final assignment back and got my best score yet for the course: 86% Well chuffed! Go me, I can do this!

Meanwhile, sitting on the conservatory floor there's a nice big box of Masters materials waiting to be loved. The course officially starts in two days time but I may have to play catch-up for week 1's content in week 2 because my exam is in 8 days time and I have lots of lovely students sitting their 11+ exam on the 18th and in need of some help with revision and practice papers that is taking over every evening, Monday to Friday!

Approaching the final hurdle

Well, here I am, almost at the end of another OU year, the year that should secure me a BSc with Honours 2:1 or First (touch wood). It's been a busy old year, particularly from the spring when I started back at work part-time. Juggling the two courses, family and work hasn't been easy! I think it shows in my assignment marks for U316, Environmental Web. Not only have a developed a growing hatred of the course but also a 'can't be bothered, too much else to do' attitude, as demonstrated by my latest assignment grades:
TMA1 85%
TMA2 90%
TMA3 55%
TMA4 66%
TMA5 not submitted!

On the other hand I have enjoyed KE312 Working With Children and Families and that's reflected in my marks:
TMA1 75%
TMA2 82%
TMA3 86%
TMA4 80%
TMA5 82%

I have one assignment for each course due back soon and these will determine my overall assessment score, along with my exam and end of course assessment marks.

All that remains to be done (I use the word 'all' loosely, it's actually pretty daunting!) is a 3000 word webpage, a 1500 word review of my project and a 2000 word essay for U316, and a whole bunch of revision for KE312's exam.

Once that's all out of the way and I have spent a week in recovery it's onward with the Masters. ED840, Child Development in Families, School and Society will be arriving on my doormat shortly, but I won't be tearing open the box until post-exam. Had to sign up for one more under-grad course because I discovered the OU doesn't accept Tesco Deal Tokens for post-grad study, so D270 Family Meanings is also in the running from October.

Now work in the pipeline, other than the odd bit of tutoring here and there, so I have no excuse but to get on with it!

Sunset

Sunset
Originally uploaded by Tina Milledge

Goats at sunset

Goats at sunset
Originally uploaded by Tina Milledge

All is calm....

All is calm....
Originally uploaded by Tina Milledge

Wine at dusk.

Wine at dusk.
Originally uploaded by Tina Milledge

A little something that sums up our holiday in Spain.

I'll huff and I'll puff...

I'll huff and I'll puff...
Originally uploaded by Tina Milledge

40 years young!

Katie, Leah and Jess

Katie, Leah and Jess July 08 leavers BBQ
Originally uploaded by Tina Milledge

Best buddies at the leavers' BBQ

Katie and her 'top banana' teacher

Katie and Miss Strachan
Originally uploaded by Tina Milledge

Katie will really miss Miss Strachan....

Just a sentimental posting!

Katie and Leah
Originally uploaded by Tina Milledge

Last night was Katie's Leavers BBQ at her primary school. She had a great time, and looked very happy to have some time with her friends outside of the classroom, and to be able to hug her teacher. Tuesday is their last day, celebreated with a Leavers Assembly at church and a picnic by the river when school is finished. Tissues at the ready...

Plurking more than Blogging lately...

We did it!

and set ourselves a personal best of 5km in 36 mins, shaving 9 mins off our March training time :-)