This week has been very up and down. Last weekend, my whole morning was taken over by work with one student, whose parents then wanted to terminate tuition. I found this really upsetting, especially as I had thought our relationship had got to a place of mutual trust and respect, which was diminished by not working as a team at this point, not allowing opportunity for an ending session. Through my training to become a therapist, I’ve learnt even more about how important ending experiences are, especially for people who have negative associations of endings from childhood. I shed a tear for this student, and for myself. Sometimes parents don’t understand the significance of the relationship between tutor and tutee.
I celebrated my friend’s birthday, having helped to organise people for it, and on Sunday I met up with friends who I’d not seen in nearly a year! We went to the tea exhibition at the Horniman Museum, and I brewed some Asian-inspired chai, having had a recipe given at a barbecue the weekend prior. I am really craving a more relaxing weekend this weekend, which should be the case for at least one day as I cancelled volunteering that day.
At the language school, I was told I wasn’t working afternoons part of this week, but then ended up doing some, including a one-to-one lesson and a speaking and listening class. I’ve just found out that I’ve not got any afternoons next week, which was disappointing as it may even be my last week if they can’t offer me more in the summer holidays. I’ll need to think about taking on some kind of shift work to gain some extra income.
Wednesday was particularly stressful. I had an anxious morning worrying about an observation that never ended up happening (which I now have to look forward to the following week). I knew from WhatsApp that there were errors happening with marks for full time students. As there is a marking boycott in response to Goldsmiths’ “Transformation Programme”, I wasn’t expecting any marks as part time. However, was the only part timer that got an email to check marks. I had passed everything EXCEPT MY TWO ASSIGNMENTS! It was absolutely terrifying. I tried to use logic in that I would have had to be told in June if I had to resit, but looking at the marks in black and white: 35 and 45 – I couldn’t keep my cool!
It’s Friday night and having cancelled all plans this weekend, I’m looking forward to resting more… after my 9am lesson in the morning and Zumba class!
Watching: Abbot Elementary, Dead to Me
Reading: The Year of the Butterfly by Abbi Mitchell, Boy Friends by Michael Pedersen, On Learning from the Patient by Patrick Casement, In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust (previously read most books but listening on audio).
Podcasts: Sleepy
Music: Kate Nash, Thirty Seconds to Mars
Again, if you’re able to share or donate to my crowdfund as I train to become an Art Psychotherapist, or buy some books, please do!
Poet on page and stage. Creator of She Grrrowls. Facilitator. Writer. 