I have been meaning to blog all week, but have been SO busy, that I haven't had the chance until today (Thursday, at work)! To save the rambling, here is the schedule of my week as it appears so far...
Monday
Work 9am- 3pm
Leave the house at 5pm to arrive for babysitting Gabriel @ 5.45-8pm
Arrive home at 8.30pm and have some tea.
BED!
Tuesday
Work 9am-3pm
Leave work, straight to William and Oliver's for babysitting until 6pm
Straight to Ipswich for my first OU Tutorial 7pm-9pm
Arrive home at 9.30pm, eat
BED
Wednesday
Work 9am-3pm
Leave work, straight to William and Oliver's for babysitting until 6pm
Home for half an hour
Meet friends for dinner at 7pm
To my friend's house to organise various weekends we have planned away
Home @ 11.30
BED
Thursday
Work 9am-3pm
Leave work, straight to William and Oliver's for babysitting until 6pm
Straight to Gabriel's again to be there for 6.30pm (Yeah, right!) for stint number 2 of babysitting until 8pm
Home @ 8.30
BED
Friday
Work 9am-3pm
HOME! (Hurrah!)
Study for at least an hour
Out with friends for a much needed drink!
Also, I'm hoping to do some studying on the weekend, as I have done exceptionally badly at it this week!
I have some moer babysitting lined up for Saturday night for a lady called Kerry, who has two daughters (around 8 and 12-ish), who normally go to bed quite early and their parents aren't home until 11.30.
Fingers crossed this means that I can start my essay plan for my first TMA, due in 29th October!
So, as you can see, I had my first ever tutorial for the OU this week, which was exciting! I met some really nice people on my course and it was good to be able to put some faces to names I had been chatting to on Facebook. My tutor is really nice and very reassuring, so I already feel that I can talk to him if I get stuck or have a problem, which may come in handy!
The point that I'm at with the module at this point in time is that I am 2 weeks ahead, as we got our study materials way before the course officially started (Saturday just gone), which I am SO SO SO grateful for, given the distinct lack of studying this week! This means that if I start actually writing my assignment next week (which I don't think will take me a weeks worth of study, as it's only 750 words!) I will be on track, and I may even be able to get slightly ahead for week 4!
I am enjoying the course, and am really getting into the mindset of the Social Scientist again, but I am desperate for week 4 to come along, so that I can move from the Learning Companion and get my teeth stuck into the chunk of textbook that the second part of the course uses. I think this is when the bug will really get me, and I won't be able to keep myself away!
Moving away from the OU, I have been doing a HECK of a lot of babysitting this week, and there have been some changes! Gabriel has changed school! Emma told me before I went on holiday, but didn't go into detail about the reasons why, so when I went over there on Monday, she explained further, and it appears she had something of an epiphany with Gabe's education.
She said that she suddenly realised that the primary school he was previously at was far too small for him (only 4 others in his year group!) and that the method of teaching just wasn't suited to Gabe. I must admit, I did have my reservations about the school, as I had noticed that when he had to learn a list of spellings, for example, all the students would have different lists, so they would not only have to learn the spelling of the word, but also the entire list of words. So, in effect, the teacher would say "Right, now we're having our spelling test!" and just leave them to it! This stressed Gabe out no end! He seems such an easy-going child, but things can really stress him out, and this really did!
I have seen his new folder of work that he has compelted since being at the new school (about 1 week) and the difference is incredible! Everything about his writing has changed- the handwriting, the style, the spelling, EVERYTHING! It was like looking at a different child's work! He also seems happier now to take part in his homework (currently a WW2 project) and actually gets quite excited about it. It is definitely plain to see that Emma has made the right decision moving him again, although I don't think it came lightly, as there was no doubt some upheaval and disruption to his life. In his folder, he wrote a paragraph just about his own thoughts, as Emma often gets him to do just as writing practice and he wrote;
"I've moved school again. I wouldn't recommend it. It's hell!"
As humourous as it is, it obviously reflects some kind of inner upset, but when he talks about his new school his face lights up and he beams proudly, showing me his new uniform and A TIE HE CAN TIE HIMSELF!
I'm off to see Gabe again tonight, so I will check in again on him and see how he's been getting on. I expect he'll have some kind of funny anecdote to make me laugh. :)
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Friday, 5 October 2012
Post-Holiday Blues
I arrived home from my holiday last night, at around 9pm, after a full day of travelling (1 hour drive, 4 hour flight, 3 1/2 drive, and all the waiting in between). Had a nice lay-in today, as thankfully my Auntie had offered to cover me at work for one extra day, so today I could recuperate a bit. I had to take my mum to the garage to pick up her car this morning, but after returning and a spot of lunch, I have been completing my Online Activities for the DD101 Introducing the Social Sciences. I am up-to-date on those now, which is a good weight off my mind, as the module site opened when I was on holiday, so this is the first chance I've had to take a look at it.
Whilst away, I also received my first tutorial date, which is this coming Tuesday (9th October) from 7-9pm in my local town of Ipswich. It means that I'll have to go from work to babysitting until 6pm, then straight to the tutorial, but I think it will be worth it. So far I know that there will be me and two other ladies attending, which sounds like a good amount of people, as we will all be able to have some one-to-one time with the tutor, but it's still enough for a group situation. I am rather looking forward to it, and have decided not to start TMA1 (Tutor-marked assessment) until after the tutorial. It's not due until the 29th October anyway. PLENTY OF TIME :)
My holiday was a rousing success in terms of fun, tan and laziness. We went to the Canary Island of Lanzarote, where I have been a few times before in my childhood, but not recently. The weather was GORGEOUS, and I have got some pretty impressive tan lines/white bits! The landscape is absolutely stunning- the island is purely volcanic, so no grass ANYWHERE. As you can see below, it looks pretty bleak, but I thought that it was amazing!
We visited the National Park of Timanfaya Volcano, which is one the of the biggest on the island and has been converted into a tourist attraction, with a cafe, bus tour, gift shop and the like. They actually had some pretty interesting things going on, like a room where they have dug a hole into the volcano, and to demonstrate the heat, there are various food stuffs cooking over the hole.
There was also another hole, into which a man came and rested a pitch-fork into with hay on the end. The searing heat from inside the hole promptly caused it to dramatically burst into flames.
I had a quick peek in the gift shop on the way out, to find some goodies for William and Oliver, who had asked me to bring back some photos for them to look at. I found a really cool panoramic photo of Timanfaya, as well as a large postcard and a teeny-weeny cactus that you can grow yourself (pictured) Hopefully they will be pleased with them!
I have just this minute received an email from my Tutor (I will all him Mr. M for privacy's sake) introducing himself to me, and clarifying the details of Tuesday's tutorial. Definitely excited now!
Whilst away, I also received my first tutorial date, which is this coming Tuesday (9th October) from 7-9pm in my local town of Ipswich. It means that I'll have to go from work to babysitting until 6pm, then straight to the tutorial, but I think it will be worth it. So far I know that there will be me and two other ladies attending, which sounds like a good amount of people, as we will all be able to have some one-to-one time with the tutor, but it's still enough for a group situation. I am rather looking forward to it, and have decided not to start TMA1 (Tutor-marked assessment) until after the tutorial. It's not due until the 29th October anyway. PLENTY OF TIME :)
My holiday was a rousing success in terms of fun, tan and laziness. We went to the Canary Island of Lanzarote, where I have been a few times before in my childhood, but not recently. The weather was GORGEOUS, and I have got some pretty impressive tan lines/white bits! The landscape is absolutely stunning- the island is purely volcanic, so no grass ANYWHERE. As you can see below, it looks pretty bleak, but I thought that it was amazing!
We visited the National Park of Timanfaya Volcano, which is one the of the biggest on the island and has been converted into a tourist attraction, with a cafe, bus tour, gift shop and the like. They actually had some pretty interesting things going on, like a room where they have dug a hole into the volcano, and to demonstrate the heat, there are various food stuffs cooking over the hole.
There was also another hole, into which a man came and rested a pitch-fork into with hay on the end. The searing heat from inside the hole promptly caused it to dramatically burst into flames.
I had a quick peek in the gift shop on the way out, to find some goodies for William and Oliver, who had asked me to bring back some photos for them to look at. I found a really cool panoramic photo of Timanfaya, as well as a large postcard and a teeny-weeny cactus that you can grow yourself (pictured) Hopefully they will be pleased with them!
I have just this minute received an email from my Tutor (I will all him Mr. M for privacy's sake) introducing himself to me, and clarifying the details of Tuesday's tutorial. Definitely excited now!
Monday, 24 September 2012
3 days to go...
3 days to go until my OU Module website is open. Although it is also only 2 days until I go on holiday.
Slightly more excited about the latter!
Although, still looking forward to going on the Module Website, getting my tutor's details, etc. I have heard that a few people's first tutorials are on the 6th October, which is the Saturday I come back from holiday. And also the night of my boyfriend's best mate's wedding (who is marrying my half-cousin, coincidentally!), but I wont be attending until the night time anyway.
Studying last week was fairly good, if tiring. I managed 6 1/2 hours in total. I could've squeezed in more on the weekend, but I ended up going out on Saturday night and having quite a big hangover on Sunday! Also, Warren was out on a stag do in Edinburgh all weekend, and came home on Sunday, so I was quite excited about seeing him for the first time in about 5 days.
I had a chat with Mum on Thursday night and she said that she thinks I have taken on too much, with all this babysitting, working and studying. I can see her point, and to be honest, I don't think I could keep it all up for much longer. We had a lengthy discussion and came to the conclusion that something will have to give sooner or later. I really don't want it to be babysitting, because I really enjoy it, and I get money for it. On the other hand, it does take up a large chunk of my time and does involve a lot of travelling. My main point was that I didn't want to give up babysitting Gabe, because I just simply couldn't. I'm far too attached, and I'd feel like I was letting Emma down. However, I also don't want to give up with William and Oliver because I've only just started, so it would feel like quite a cop out, and I love being around them. Plus it puts an extra £36 a week in my pocket.
In the end, mum said she'd have a chat with Dad to see if I could get my hours cut on a Friday afternoon, which is normally never very busy, from 9am-1pm. This would be SO INCREDIBLY HELPFUL, because it's the only night I don't babysit, so I can come home and just concentrate solely on studying for as many hours as I need to catch up.
I don't think she's had a chat to Dad about it yet, so I'll wait to hear.
Am currently sitting with a face-mask on. Feeling my face get tighter and tighter and more cement-like by the minute.
Best go scrub it off...
Slightly more excited about the latter!
Although, still looking forward to going on the Module Website, getting my tutor's details, etc. I have heard that a few people's first tutorials are on the 6th October, which is the Saturday I come back from holiday. And also the night of my boyfriend's best mate's wedding (who is marrying my half-cousin, coincidentally!), but I wont be attending until the night time anyway.
Studying last week was fairly good, if tiring. I managed 6 1/2 hours in total. I could've squeezed in more on the weekend, but I ended up going out on Saturday night and having quite a big hangover on Sunday! Also, Warren was out on a stag do in Edinburgh all weekend, and came home on Sunday, so I was quite excited about seeing him for the first time in about 5 days.
I had a chat with Mum on Thursday night and she said that she thinks I have taken on too much, with all this babysitting, working and studying. I can see her point, and to be honest, I don't think I could keep it all up for much longer. We had a lengthy discussion and came to the conclusion that something will have to give sooner or later. I really don't want it to be babysitting, because I really enjoy it, and I get money for it. On the other hand, it does take up a large chunk of my time and does involve a lot of travelling. My main point was that I didn't want to give up babysitting Gabe, because I just simply couldn't. I'm far too attached, and I'd feel like I was letting Emma down. However, I also don't want to give up with William and Oliver because I've only just started, so it would feel like quite a cop out, and I love being around them. Plus it puts an extra £36 a week in my pocket.
In the end, mum said she'd have a chat with Dad to see if I could get my hours cut on a Friday afternoon, which is normally never very busy, from 9am-1pm. This would be SO INCREDIBLY HELPFUL, because it's the only night I don't babysit, so I can come home and just concentrate solely on studying for as many hours as I need to catch up.
I don't think she's had a chat to Dad about it yet, so I'll wait to hear.
Am currently sitting with a face-mask on. Feeling my face get tighter and tighter and more cement-like by the minute.
Best go scrub it off...
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Brilliant start to the week!
Really proud of myself so far today- I sacrificed my usual catch-up of Jeremy Kyle before work this morning for a very valuable half an hour study of the Making Social Lives DVD to begin Week 2 of my studies. Although I am technically one day behind, I think I can defiinitely make up for this, as I've also crammed in another half an hour slot during my lunch break.
I also recieved a text from Alison earlier asking if I could be at hers for 4pm today to babysit William and Oliver, instead of 3.30pm. This means I can finish work as usual at 3.00pm and go and hibernate for another half an hour slot of studying before scampering off at 3.30pm. Overall, this takes my daily total of study hours today up to 1 1/2, which I am thrilled at! It doesn't sound like much, but it's three times the time I had predicted I would be able to spend today, which is a massive bonus.
I am finding it already much easier to get my teeth into Week 2 of study. I found Week 1 quite wishy-washy and fairly simple, to be frank. I understand that the OU has to cater for many levels of academic competence, confidence and commitment, but I found that Week 1 was a slight overlap of things that I had already picked up in my A-Level studies of Psychology and Sociology in particular.
Having said this, just reading through and highlighting the first few pages of Week 2 and taking some notes from the DVD, I am already finding this second part much more stimulating!
I would be able to do some more study after babysitting, but I am off to Tesco with my boyfriend to get some last minute holiday supplies for next week, when we are jetting off to Lanzarote with my parents, brother and his girlfriend. SO looking forward to it- we haven't had a family holiday in 6 years, and I have a feeling this will be one of the last, as at the ripe old age of 19, and with my brother closely following at 18, and with our respecitve other halves, we will probably be exploring the world on our own holidays from now on. Plus, it's very expensive for my parents to pay for us all to go on holiday together!
So, the checklist for Tesco will consist of suncream, lots of cute mini toiletries that are ridiculously overprices, but everyone still insists on buying, and a few clothes if I can find anything appropraite and cheap!
Update soon!
xox
I also recieved a text from Alison earlier asking if I could be at hers for 4pm today to babysit William and Oliver, instead of 3.30pm. This means I can finish work as usual at 3.00pm and go and hibernate for another half an hour slot of studying before scampering off at 3.30pm. Overall, this takes my daily total of study hours today up to 1 1/2, which I am thrilled at! It doesn't sound like much, but it's three times the time I had predicted I would be able to spend today, which is a massive bonus.
I am finding it already much easier to get my teeth into Week 2 of study. I found Week 1 quite wishy-washy and fairly simple, to be frank. I understand that the OU has to cater for many levels of academic competence, confidence and commitment, but I found that Week 1 was a slight overlap of things that I had already picked up in my A-Level studies of Psychology and Sociology in particular.
Having said this, just reading through and highlighting the first few pages of Week 2 and taking some notes from the DVD, I am already finding this second part much more stimulating!
I would be able to do some more study after babysitting, but I am off to Tesco with my boyfriend to get some last minute holiday supplies for next week, when we are jetting off to Lanzarote with my parents, brother and his girlfriend. SO looking forward to it- we haven't had a family holiday in 6 years, and I have a feeling this will be one of the last, as at the ripe old age of 19, and with my brother closely following at 18, and with our respecitve other halves, we will probably be exploring the world on our own holidays from now on. Plus, it's very expensive for my parents to pay for us all to go on holiday together!
So, the checklist for Tesco will consist of suncream, lots of cute mini toiletries that are ridiculously overprices, but everyone still insists on buying, and a few clothes if I can find anything appropraite and cheap!
Update soon!
xox
Monday, 17 September 2012
Week One- Complete!
So, I finished Week One of my OU studies today- albeit a day late, but hey- it's done! I'm also very proud to say that I managed to fit in 2 hours of studying today, which is quite a feat when you consider that I've only had 1 hour of spare time so far! I managed to squish an hour or so in at work, as it was a pretty slow day and no one was really around, then I had another hour after work before coming to babysitting, where I am now. I'm sitting Gabriel tonight, who is currently watching The Simpsons in the living room, as I type.
I'm beginning to get a little concerned about this whole fitting-OU-into-my-life thing. This is a rough schedule for my average week, as it stands;
Monday
Work 9-3
Lunchtime Study 1.30-2.00
Study at home 3.30-5
Leave for babysitting at 5.20 to arrive at 5.50
Leave Gabe's at 8.00 to arrive home at 8.30
CHILLLLLLL for a while before bed! Potentially cram in a bit more studying, if possible!
TOTAL 1 1/2 hours of study
Tuesday
Work 9-3
Lunchtime Study 1.30-2.00
Leave work and head straight to babysitting for William and Oliver to arrive at 3.30
Leave William and Oliver's at 6.00 to arrive home at 6.30
EAT.
See boyfriend for the evening (I've got to fit him in somewhere!), although if needs be, I could do a quick bit of studying...
TOTAL 1/2 hour of study :(
Wednesday
I'm beginning to get a little concerned about this whole fitting-OU-into-my-life thing. This is a rough schedule for my average week, as it stands;
Monday
Work 9-3
Lunchtime Study 1.30-2.00
Study at home 3.30-5
Leave for babysitting at 5.20 to arrive at 5.50
Leave Gabe's at 8.00 to arrive home at 8.30
CHILLLLLLL for a while before bed! Potentially cram in a bit more studying, if possible!
TOTAL 1 1/2 hours of study
Tuesday
Work 9-3
Lunchtime Study 1.30-2.00
Leave work and head straight to babysitting for William and Oliver to arrive at 3.30
Leave William and Oliver's at 6.00 to arrive home at 6.30
EAT.
See boyfriend for the evening (I've got to fit him in somewhere!), although if needs be, I could do a quick bit of studying...
TOTAL 1/2 hour of study :(
Wednesday
Work 9-3
Lunchtime Study 1.30-2.00
Leave work and head straight to babysitting for William and Oliver to arrive at 3.30
Leave William and Oliver's at 6.00 to arrive home at 6.30
EAT.
Unlimited studying for the evening, but I would guestimate about 1 1/2 hours
TOTAL 2 hours of study
Thursday
Work 9-3
Lunchtime Study 1.30-2.00
Leave work and head straight to babysitting for William and Oliver to arrive at 3.30
Leave William and Oliver's at 6.00 to arrive home at 6.30
EAT.
Unlimited studying for the evening, but I would guestimate about 1 1/2 hours
TOTAL 2 hours of study
Friday
Work 9-3
Lunchtime Study 1.30-2.00
Leave work and head straight to babysitting for William and Oliver to arrive at 3.30
Leave William and Oliver's at 6.00 to arrive home at 6.30
EAT.
Unlimited studying for the evening, but I would guestimate about 1 1/2 hours (although this may be subject to change if I am going out or actually having a social life GOD FORBID!)
TOTAL 2 hours of study
WEEKLY TOTAL 8 HOURS OF STUDY A WEEK.
That sounds absolutely pitiful, but I can always catch up on weekends, and like today, I managed to catch an extra hour at work, which was really helpful.
Also, with the purchase of ma iMac on the weekend (EEEE!) I got a cloud programme, which means that I can access my documents from any computer in the world, which makes things alot easier.
I guessI just need to stop stressing about this and just see how it goes, but studying is my top priority, and if I can't make it work, then something will have to give. That will most probably have to be babysitting with Gabriel, as much as it pains me to say it. I have looked after him for 5 years now, and have become so attached to him, and his mother has also become a good friend, and I would feel absolutely abhorrent letting them down, but I suppose there just comes a time. I would much rather not sit for William and Oliver and carry on with Gabriel, but the thing is that I will have much more work with them, and therefore more money. Alison already pays me more than Emma (Gabe's mum), and it takes me half an hour to travel to Emma's, whereas Alison's is just on the way home from work.
I dont know, it's a dilemma!
But, we will see what happens, and I will keep you updated!
xox
Saturday, 15 September 2012
iMAC!
SO excited! Went laptop shopping with my Dad today, and came home with a new iMac! I have never used anything like it- So easy to use, brilliant quality, fun and even the keyboard is brilliant! It's such a sexy computer! My Boyfriend is so jealous, hahaaaa!
I have no doubt that it will help me no end with my OU studies. I really feel like I have a proper studying base now that I have a desk, folders, drawer space, a computer, pinboard, and a lamp (all the essentials in life!)
Ahhhh, my life is COMPLETE!
I have no doubt that it will help me no end with my OU studies. I really feel like I have a proper studying base now that I have a desk, folders, drawer space, a computer, pinboard, and a lamp (all the essentials in life!)
Ahhhh, my life is COMPLETE!
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Birthday Cake, Trampoline Tantrums and City Road
KEY; Red = Open University Section Blue = Everyday life
As I signed off Blogger yesterday, I was about to go to see William and Oliver for a couple of hours. I arrived at their house at 3.30pm and immediately I was ordered by them to close my eyes, and they led me by hand, stubbing toes and bumping into walls, into the Playroom. As I was allowed to open my eyes, I could see that Alison and Steve (their parents) had filled their fishtank with some new arrivals! I was introduced formally by William to Bop, Bonnie, Twinkle, Venga, Ceebie and the like, whilst Oliver was in the kitchen with Alison helping to make Steve's Birthday Cake.
During my introduction and a lengthy finger-chasing session with the fish and William, I could hear Oliver crying and whinging in the kitchen with Alison, and he eventually emerged at the door frame, eyes red, with a bowl of cake (Cherry Bakewell- his favourite). I thought that perhaps Oliver had felt left out because I had immediately given all of my attention to William (which is a rare occurance, since due to his Autism he usually enjoys his own space), so I asked them whether they would like to go on the trampoline outside. They both jumped at the chance (no punn intended), and we were in the garden in no time.
As I unzipped the netting of the trampoline both boys were clambering at my legs, rushing to get up the ladder for a bounce. They were both playing nicely whilst I was chatting to Steve, who was catching up on a bit of gardening, about my Open University studies and the new High School where he has been working as part of his degree in a placement. He is a very nice man, and I admire him for doing what he is with his studying to get back into teaching again. Alison has told me that he usually stays at home and takes care of the boys whilst she works from home, but now the children are both not at home as much (William is in school, and Oliver in nursery), he is taking a top up course at the University of East Anglia (Norwich) so he can be a teacher again. He is very understanding of my studies as a result of this, and said that if the boys were just watching TV, then I could take a book along and read up on a few things for a while, which will no doubt be very helpful.
So, Steve was gardening, Alison was working and the boys were bouncing on the trampoline playing The Red Dinosaur game (No idea!). Oliver got fed up of this and wanted to play The Green Dinosaur Game (?!), but William was in NO way willing to play this game. So, Oliver, who I think was generally already in a grouchy mood and may have been tired from starting Nursery full time recently, began what started with a pout, and then developed into a full- blown Trampoline Tantrum Meltdown. Usually, if William and Oliver have a dispute I hardly have to intervene, as they are very loving boys that come to a truce very quickly, but today Oliver was having NONE of it. So, I suggested that we go inside and play with the fish or do a puzzle, or reading, or TV, or something... ANYTHING!
Oliver refused outright, but William got off the trampoline and for some reason, this enraged Oliver. He began to scream and shout even more, claiming through sobs and garbled cries that he wanted to get off the trampoline first! William was completely oblivious to this and was completely focused on the new task at hand (a trait of autism) and promptly began to march down the garden towards the house, completely ignoring his brother. This further angered Oliver, who was bawling after him "WILLYUM- GET BACK ON!! I WANT TO GET OFF FIRST!"
His demand was so absurd that I wanted to laugh, but managed to coax him off the trampoline in the end. He then began to stomp down the garden, towards the house in classic tantrum style; feet stamping as hard as possible, sobbing and whinging, with arms flailing in desparation, tiny chubby fists clenched in anger. Obviously as soon as he reached the house, he flew straight into Alisons' arms and blurted out William's OUTRAGEOUS act of leaving the trampoline first. Alison was on Skype to her boss, and so quickly consoled him and told him to go and play. After a little while and a quick read of The Cat in the Hat, the tensions between the brothers were resolved, and they were back to normal. PHEW!
We were then promptly called to the kitchen, where Steve's birthday cake awaited us, in its iced, jammy glory. We lit the candles and the boys blew them out after a verse of Happy Birthday, and we all tucked in. William has a very restriced diet and only eats rusks, porridge and certain yoghurts, so he didn't have a slice of cake, but Oliver did- without any icing or jam, of course (the boy doesn't know what he's missing out on!). Then he insisted on showing me how he eats a "nana". Alison handed him a banana and, with his chubby toddler fingers still covered in cake crumbs and dribble, he grappled with the fruit, trying to break the skin in order to peel it. After a breif struggle, he managed to break the skin, and proceeded to stuff the banana into his mouth like nothing had ever seen before. "He's still not worked out that he has to swallow before another mouthful goes in!" explained Steve, as he has to physically remove the "nana" from Oliver whilst he desperately tried to chew an incredible amount of it, some spilling out of his mouth, with his cheeks full to burst!
After the small celebration I left and returned home to study for the evening. I'm currently starting course DD101; Exploring the Social Sciences of my eventual Psychology BSc Degree (Hons)- all with the Open University. I recieved my study materials on Monday, and began studying on Tuesday. I've managed and hour and a half on Tuesday, as well as last night. The first two weeks of the course are designed to ease us in gently, I think, as we don't have to use a textbook, as such- we just have a documentary style DVD to watch and a "Learning Companion" to take notes from. Then, we have our first assessment due at the end of October (the course doesn't officially start until 6th October, but I'm getting ahead). The question is something along the lines of "Using what you have learned from the "Making Social Lives on City Road" DVD and "Learning Companion 1", Outline how material objects on City Road favour the lives of some people over others" (750 words). Now, this is only a short assessment at just 750 words, but it's still important, as it's the first one and I really want to make a good impression on my Tutor (who will mark it), and get back into the essay style of writing.
So far, I've watched the first couple of films on the DVD, one of which is an introduction to City Road, Cardiff. It is an urban road that is typical to many in the UK. The second film uses a local poet, Lloyd Robson, to narrate and engage in conversation with many of the locals about City Road- it's past and present. He talks to various shop owners, employees, policemen, an electric board employee, cafe owners and residents, new and old. A few themes are uncovered as we are introuced to the way in which Social Scientists observe and look at everyday life in a different way to ourselves. There are 4 main ways in which they observe;
Directly; by watching people's activites and talking to them
Differences over time; City Road is a different place in the day than it is at night e.g. Women in a cafe at lunch time have different experiences of City Road than those partygoers at night time.
Connections with other times and places; Immigration is obvious in City Road, as many of the shops are run by non-locals. The Car showrooms that dominated the street in the 1960s have been replaced by many takeaway restaurants and ethnic shops such as Sanna Silk Sari Shop and Xquisite Africa.
Relationships between people and the material objects; ie. signage, traffic, etc as well as other unseen things such as the electricity, water and other utility services.
These different observations were then tied in with 3 module wide questions;
How do we as Social Scientists know?; This is linked to the methods of observation above, and explains how Social Scientists go about their research.
How is Society being Made and Repaired?; This has many connections to City Road, as we saw it in the DVD. According to one of the Psychologists in the footage, society is being made and repaired constantly by immigration- something that many residents recognised as being a relatively new factor of City Road. However, in order for City Road to even come into existence, there must have been immigration in the first place, and then even more for it to have turned into the thriving place that it is today. In thise respect, Immigration is a factor that is constantly reparing and remaking society.
I haven't quite finished looking at this second Module- Wide question, and I have yet to start studying the last; How are inequalities and Differences produced?
I aim to complete this last section in the next couple of days, and there will be an update very soon! I hope other OU students on the course DD101 will be able to look at this and find it helpful or reassuring, as I know that independent study can be quite daunting! Any questions you can find me on Facebook!
As I signed off Blogger yesterday, I was about to go to see William and Oliver for a couple of hours. I arrived at their house at 3.30pm and immediately I was ordered by them to close my eyes, and they led me by hand, stubbing toes and bumping into walls, into the Playroom. As I was allowed to open my eyes, I could see that Alison and Steve (their parents) had filled their fishtank with some new arrivals! I was introduced formally by William to Bop, Bonnie, Twinkle, Venga, Ceebie and the like, whilst Oliver was in the kitchen with Alison helping to make Steve's Birthday Cake.
During my introduction and a lengthy finger-chasing session with the fish and William, I could hear Oliver crying and whinging in the kitchen with Alison, and he eventually emerged at the door frame, eyes red, with a bowl of cake (Cherry Bakewell- his favourite). I thought that perhaps Oliver had felt left out because I had immediately given all of my attention to William (which is a rare occurance, since due to his Autism he usually enjoys his own space), so I asked them whether they would like to go on the trampoline outside. They both jumped at the chance (no punn intended), and we were in the garden in no time.
As I unzipped the netting of the trampoline both boys were clambering at my legs, rushing to get up the ladder for a bounce. They were both playing nicely whilst I was chatting to Steve, who was catching up on a bit of gardening, about my Open University studies and the new High School where he has been working as part of his degree in a placement. He is a very nice man, and I admire him for doing what he is with his studying to get back into teaching again. Alison has told me that he usually stays at home and takes care of the boys whilst she works from home, but now the children are both not at home as much (William is in school, and Oliver in nursery), he is taking a top up course at the University of East Anglia (Norwich) so he can be a teacher again. He is very understanding of my studies as a result of this, and said that if the boys were just watching TV, then I could take a book along and read up on a few things for a while, which will no doubt be very helpful.
So, Steve was gardening, Alison was working and the boys were bouncing on the trampoline playing The Red Dinosaur game (No idea!). Oliver got fed up of this and wanted to play The Green Dinosaur Game (?!), but William was in NO way willing to play this game. So, Oliver, who I think was generally already in a grouchy mood and may have been tired from starting Nursery full time recently, began what started with a pout, and then developed into a full- blown Trampoline Tantrum Meltdown. Usually, if William and Oliver have a dispute I hardly have to intervene, as they are very loving boys that come to a truce very quickly, but today Oliver was having NONE of it. So, I suggested that we go inside and play with the fish or do a puzzle, or reading, or TV, or something... ANYTHING!
Oliver refused outright, but William got off the trampoline and for some reason, this enraged Oliver. He began to scream and shout even more, claiming through sobs and garbled cries that he wanted to get off the trampoline first! William was completely oblivious to this and was completely focused on the new task at hand (a trait of autism) and promptly began to march down the garden towards the house, completely ignoring his brother. This further angered Oliver, who was bawling after him "WILLYUM- GET BACK ON!! I WANT TO GET OFF FIRST!"
His demand was so absurd that I wanted to laugh, but managed to coax him off the trampoline in the end. He then began to stomp down the garden, towards the house in classic tantrum style; feet stamping as hard as possible, sobbing and whinging, with arms flailing in desparation, tiny chubby fists clenched in anger. Obviously as soon as he reached the house, he flew straight into Alisons' arms and blurted out William's OUTRAGEOUS act of leaving the trampoline first. Alison was on Skype to her boss, and so quickly consoled him and told him to go and play. After a little while and a quick read of The Cat in the Hat, the tensions between the brothers were resolved, and they were back to normal. PHEW!
We were then promptly called to the kitchen, where Steve's birthday cake awaited us, in its iced, jammy glory. We lit the candles and the boys blew them out after a verse of Happy Birthday, and we all tucked in. William has a very restriced diet and only eats rusks, porridge and certain yoghurts, so he didn't have a slice of cake, but Oliver did- without any icing or jam, of course (the boy doesn't know what he's missing out on!). Then he insisted on showing me how he eats a "nana". Alison handed him a banana and, with his chubby toddler fingers still covered in cake crumbs and dribble, he grappled with the fruit, trying to break the skin in order to peel it. After a breif struggle, he managed to break the skin, and proceeded to stuff the banana into his mouth like nothing had ever seen before. "He's still not worked out that he has to swallow before another mouthful goes in!" explained Steve, as he has to physically remove the "nana" from Oliver whilst he desperately tried to chew an incredible amount of it, some spilling out of his mouth, with his cheeks full to burst!
After the small celebration I left and returned home to study for the evening. I'm currently starting course DD101; Exploring the Social Sciences of my eventual Psychology BSc Degree (Hons)- all with the Open University. I recieved my study materials on Monday, and began studying on Tuesday. I've managed and hour and a half on Tuesday, as well as last night. The first two weeks of the course are designed to ease us in gently, I think, as we don't have to use a textbook, as such- we just have a documentary style DVD to watch and a "Learning Companion" to take notes from. Then, we have our first assessment due at the end of October (the course doesn't officially start until 6th October, but I'm getting ahead). The question is something along the lines of "Using what you have learned from the "Making Social Lives on City Road" DVD and "Learning Companion 1", Outline how material objects on City Road favour the lives of some people over others" (750 words). Now, this is only a short assessment at just 750 words, but it's still important, as it's the first one and I really want to make a good impression on my Tutor (who will mark it), and get back into the essay style of writing.
So far, I've watched the first couple of films on the DVD, one of which is an introduction to City Road, Cardiff. It is an urban road that is typical to many in the UK. The second film uses a local poet, Lloyd Robson, to narrate and engage in conversation with many of the locals about City Road- it's past and present. He talks to various shop owners, employees, policemen, an electric board employee, cafe owners and residents, new and old. A few themes are uncovered as we are introuced to the way in which Social Scientists observe and look at everyday life in a different way to ourselves. There are 4 main ways in which they observe;
Directly; by watching people's activites and talking to them
Differences over time; City Road is a different place in the day than it is at night e.g. Women in a cafe at lunch time have different experiences of City Road than those partygoers at night time.
Connections with other times and places; Immigration is obvious in City Road, as many of the shops are run by non-locals. The Car showrooms that dominated the street in the 1960s have been replaced by many takeaway restaurants and ethnic shops such as Sanna Silk Sari Shop and Xquisite Africa.
Relationships between people and the material objects; ie. signage, traffic, etc as well as other unseen things such as the electricity, water and other utility services.
These different observations were then tied in with 3 module wide questions;
How do we as Social Scientists know?; This is linked to the methods of observation above, and explains how Social Scientists go about their research.
How is Society being Made and Repaired?; This has many connections to City Road, as we saw it in the DVD. According to one of the Psychologists in the footage, society is being made and repaired constantly by immigration- something that many residents recognised as being a relatively new factor of City Road. However, in order for City Road to even come into existence, there must have been immigration in the first place, and then even more for it to have turned into the thriving place that it is today. In thise respect, Immigration is a factor that is constantly reparing and remaking society.
I haven't quite finished looking at this second Module- Wide question, and I have yet to start studying the last; How are inequalities and Differences produced?
I aim to complete this last section in the next couple of days, and there will be an update very soon! I hope other OU students on the course DD101 will be able to look at this and find it helpful or reassuring, as I know that independent study can be quite daunting! Any questions you can find me on Facebook!
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