one down

part of the reason i havent written much in the past month is that i have been stuck with three jobs. i was unfortunate, they just happened to all overlap, and i couldnt do much about it, especially as i need the money and experience.
but today i handed in my final grades at ucl, so i am no longer teaching there, and left with only two jobs. thank god. teaching at the university level for the first time was, of course, an important experience adn i learned alot. but i am not really sure this is what i want to do with my life, adn if anything it has motivated me to explore my options in others fields. the kids werent bad kids, they were just very uninformed and unsure what they were doing at university. it seems british kids go to university as it is expected of them, at least if they come from the middle class, which most of them do. they are essentially there cause mummy and daddy would not have allowed anything else, btu that is the only reason. i had a handful who were clearly the first in their families to pursue higher education, adn those kids worked harder than the average. there were also a few who were generally interested in the subject matter....but i think i could count them on one hand.
i will give the english credit for one thing: they can write the most amazing sick notes. for example, i got this letter the last week of term, it was forwarded by the department secretary:

I have come down with a bad case of the flu and wont be attending my
> lectures until Wednesday and would like you to notify my lecturers.
> This is because on Saturday night i collapsed three times and in the
> process badly damaged my front teeth, which now have to be repaired.
> The Dentist also mentioned a form that I should be able to collect
> from university so that i can receive free treatment, if possible
> could you send it via an email?
> Many Thanks, X

amazing, isnt it? another student announced he wouldnt be able to make it in as he "didnt have enough money for the bus ticket." i suggested he start walking early, but he didnt take me up on it.
i am starting to think all first years should be required to take a hard and exhausting gap year prior to commencing study....