The door did open, cultural richness and living!

Hi you complete gems

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to do this posting, but I have had trouble with new blog and I have also hurt my right wrist, so had to cut out unnecessary work on the computer.


Congratulations to dear Francesca, my wonderful niece, on passing her driving test and yes dear one I will overlook that nasty comment you made about it would take more than a scarf to make me classy!! Horrid girl and wait until we meet!!


So how did the job interview go? You will have to read on, or skip over to find out! Groan!! Before I tell you, I should add that in February I went to Cambridge to see Claire and after visiting this wonderful coffee shop which serves THE most amazing brownies I have EVER tasted ( think they are honeybunnies), four of us sat in her hot tub with a glass of wine and snacks, looking out at an idealic scene with thatched rooves. I then visited Beth the wondeful ex-student for 2 hours after pretending to play a PURPLE violin ( see picture ) which I found in a music shop.



So on to the job situation. I think I said in a previous blog about the Comfort and Joy candle and feeling like God had said that I would light it in the 6th form lesson as a symbol of hope. I tried to find them on the net (but Christmas stock only) and then John Lewis ( who had about 50 of that firms candles but no C and J). I then thought “Ok Fliss that was simply your imagination, so forget it”. On leaving John Lewis what did I find in the reduced shelf but ONE Comfort and Joy candle with the top missing, so I got it for half price!! Brilliant!! There were so many things leading up to the interview that somehow I felt about 90% that this job was mine, despite there being 3 other candidates.



Curiously I was not nervous at all ( probably because I did not want the job and ONLY thought God wanted me to be obedient! but would ensure I DIDN'T get it!!)The lesson was average using an interactive cat borrowed from a friend’s daughter and real milk to explain a philosophical idea, was brutally honest in the interview about getting my life back and being very choosy about what I would do and no I had no clue about Burma and had been round in circles for months!! I had walked around the school thinking “Lord I do not think this is me” , but felt the interview panal were my fleece so…!! The Head phoned me that night and offered me the job! I had the interview on 1st February and started on 6th February! After I spoke to her, I came off the phone and drank a large glass of wine and ate a big bar of chocolate to commiserate with myself that I HAD GOT THE JOB!!!!Also 29 years of guidance went down the tube too, so that has set me thinking, as I did not have a peace on the day!! Ah well!!!

Four days later on my first day, I felt such an overwhelming joy and peace that I KNEW I was absolutely in the right place. By the end of the day I knew 32 staff by name and face and can still recite them now and have added another 20. I also have a real heart for them after 24 hours and know that when I leave I will be in tears!! How wacky is that after a day! I was completely taken by surprise by how I felt. However I have already upset the apple cart by sending a letter to every member of staff and some of them do not know what to make of me and my strange humour. !! It is so terribly conservative, but I have been overwhelmed by their grace and kindness and boy are they classy!!No FLiss wearing shoes with the heels down!!I really felt God has been saying "Behold I am doing a new thing… do not dwell on the past.. “ from Isaiah and the caption is about waiting on the Lord, renewing our strength and raising up like the eagle.

Since last weekened I have attended a conference on Burma where a 17 year old had us spell bound as she relayed her life in the refugee camps and sobbed throughout, saw the INCREDIBLE impressionist exhibition at the National Gallery, trip to Fortnum and Masons, the Bach B Minor Mass at St Albans with TWO of the dishiest soloists I have ever seen, sitting only 20 yards from me and I have one of them, Robin Blaze, on my cds. Of course I gave them my best smiles and kept waving but to no avail!!!Last night I heard Handel's Coronation Anthems too.

I have also been to Manchester to celebrate dad's birthday and to Liverpool where I saw my wonderful sister and Lizzy, one of my ex-students, who is another gem. All courtesy of the Daily Mail tokens. I also have been to Salisbury for lunch with an old college friend and am due to go again to see the very classy Jan who was the head's former secretary.

So how can I do all this!! YOU HAVE GUESSED IT. I am only working 3 full days and the HOD lives 5 minutes away and the former Head of Science at my old school got a job there 6 months before me so I get lifts there and back 95% of the time. As snow and then half-term came, I had a very easy start. I know, there really is no justice is there!!! HA HA!!

It was great to see dear Anita this month and those who are following the blog closely (sad people!!) will remember that I know Anita from the Burma walk on Remembrance Day. Apologies that those I am supposed to be mentoring have not seen me as our dates do not tie up - a source of frustration.

On 15th FebruralyI phoned Burma at that amazing rate from AOL as it was Thuzar’s birthday. She is leaving the company in Burma and setting up her own with friends so wonder how that will affect trips. I have also spoken to one person who I owe a lot to, i.e. the person who recommended me to the Head 22 years ago, knowing I had no qualification in the subject at all!

To all those I have not seen since returning from Burma, perhaps we can meet up soon.

So at last a door opens and who knows what lies behind it, but it reminds me of a word I received in early 2005 that a door was closed, but it would open and there would be real blessing in that place. Whether this is this school remains to be seen. Time will tell. It is a maternity cover. Wow a salary at last after 16 months and they have offered me supply too. I know “all will be well” as Mother Julian once said! I could, of course, be tearing my hair out next month and resigned or got the sack!!

I HAVE ALSO GIVEN up wine for LENT ( YES REALLY!!) and am giving the money to CSW for the ethnic groups in Burma. So if any of you want to sponser me for that, then let me know. Actually I thought it would be terrible, but has not bothered me at all. Remarkable I know.

Brilliant to see Wendy this week too. Carry on being you. You are great.

I also found this book "Guess how much I love you" which I saw in Burma and loved, so I got a copy in Berkhamsted.

I would definately recommend the Queen DVD. I think the real queen is amazing so .....

There is a busy week coming up with a 6th form parents evening, 2 lunches, school and praying with some of the amazing girls from church, who are nearly always mentioned!!

Lots of love you amazing people. Happy Birthday to the 2 Claire's, Gill, Lea, Lisa and anyone else. Thanks sis for my amazing scarf which I love.

Flissxx

I