Obrigado, desculpe!

Portugal has offered several opportunities to say "obrigado" (thank you) and "esculpe" (sorry) in the 21 hours I've been here so far with the family.. Mostly due to the fact these are the only words from the Portugese language I know! When travelling I always had a phrase-book for wherever I visited and attempted for at least a few days to learn some of the basics, so that I wasn't instantly recognised as another english person with the expectation everyone speaks my language... Unfortunately though, with school and the crazy past few weeks, this completely slipped my mind and I've arrived only able to thank and apologise to locals! Thanking them for chicken and apologising for not being able to ask properly, mostly. 

2 meals from 2 so far have consisted of peri-peri chicken, one at a beach restaurant in the local town of Albufeirta and one home made by myself on the barbecue… Safe to say Nando's ranks a solid second behind a proper Portuguese restaurant, haven't had chicken that good for as long as I can remember!

Unfortunately, several hours of the trip have been spent navigating in the different hire cars we've had from Faro airport… We've circled Faro numerous times in a blur of arguments and raised voices and a stressed Dad at the wheel, using (no exaggeration) photos from an iPad, live maps on an iPhone, 3 large-scale maps and some instructions written by the villa owner. The main reason for this, the old man argues, is because there was no option for a satnav… What he really meant, was:

• He didn't have an exact address for the villa (not even a street)
• He hadn't payed the fee to use toll roads (Portugese motorways)
• No research had been done whatsoever (difficult for a supposedly organised NQT with OCD tendencies)

This also gave me an opportunity to reflect on how nice it is to live independently and un-hassled by particular siblings… Useful comments from the back such as: "are we there yet?", "do you even know how to read a map?" and a personal favourite of mine: "you're going the wrong way" all helped to reaffirm this, whilst simultaneously raising my Dads stress level.

Happy holidays!

BUT! We are in Portugal, the villa is lovely, the weather is brilliant, the chicken is better and we've settled on surfing tomorrow… Very happy!

All planning at school this week has been successful, leaving a much more confident and excited feeling amongst staff (at least for me!) in anticipation of teaching vikings for 8 weeks! 4 out of 5 weekdays were spent at school and 1 in Betty's in Harrogate with my grandparents, where we planned for their Diamond Wedding Anniversary, an amazing achievement (60 years). Very proud of them and can't wait to return in September to celebrate properly with them.

Sorry this has been a short post, next week I'll post photos and anything noteworthy from the coming week. Hope you're having a good week wherever you're reading from!

Thanks, 

Tom

Hi, I'm Tom

I've always wanted to write my own blog. I have admired others who already do for some time, often reading random posts about something that interests me at a given time, rather than following a certain individual or regular blogger. These interests range from surfing, to teaching, photography and travelling, technology and rugby… I could go on, but as a introduction, these are a few of the things I'd assume define me!

So, back to my reason for writing my own blog. I have spent the past three years at University in York (an AMAZING three years). Here, I have witnessed blogging and its uses and popularity grow, whilst meeting some inspirational people, many of whom blog. Due to a busy university schedule, sporting commitments and various other inexcusable reasons, I have found it difficult to gain regular free time in which I can blog, as well as something focussed that anyone would be remotely interested in reading about!

Hopefully, this is now my chance. I have recently moved into an apartment, accepted my first post as a qualified teacher (NQT) and found some regularity in my days, as ironic as that may seem to anyone else in the teaching profession! This (optimistically) gives me the opportunity to finally write my own blog!

The current concept, is, to write about any significant events or experiences which occur in my life, whilst reaching several goals along the way. At the moment, these are mostly:

• Surviving my first year as a professional and as an NQT - both in and out of school
• Losing weight and getting fitter (a teaching related tale on why, in a post to follow)
• Reading more. I tell the kids to - MUST lead by example!
• Travel to and visit new places…. and surf more when possible

Lastly, and arguably most importantly, seen as you've kindly taken the time to read this:

• Blog more! The aim is, to post at least every sunday. (This means I can blog around Top Gear, and from what I understand in my first 23 years of life, people relax and browse most at this time?!)

I've been informed by my avid blogging housemate, awaywiththefairies-x, that pictures make these things more interesting, so here is a photo of me with my last Uni assignment! I promise they will get better!

Thank you for taking the time to read this, speak soon, Tom.