End of senior school

Last exam today - Physics -said it was 'easy'. Last time ever to wear school uniform - why does that make me feel a bit emotional?

A bit of a long summer ahead, tried to arrange work experience for him but didn't work out. What he'd probably like to do is spend it all playing computer games but no chance. I think it's time to tackle his room - clear it out and decorate it.

It's sort of srange J finishing senior school especially as he'll actually be going back for Sixth Form in September but I feel a sense of achievement as well - in spite of everything we've made it this far.

My brother, whose daughter has just finished her A levels, said he was suddenly struck by the realisation that he'll never again have to tell her to hurry up and get out of bed in time for school.

Next week J has his 'Sixth Form taster day'. Hope he likes it. My problem right now is how to find some smart trousers for him to wear in his size - 32" waist and 36" leg. It's really not easy.

Exams and stuff

This week has been hot which has been nice. J has had a lot of exams which has been a bit stressful but he feels they went ok. P has been busy invigilating as well. P has also been busy marking out the maze. So what have I been doing? Er watching lots of tennis and a bit of football, as well as a bit of tidying up. I've also spent quite a lot of time 'testing' J to help him revise. I was doing Biology with him this afternoon (trying to get my head round stem cells and nanotechnology) and it'll be the last time ever - after tomorrow no more Biology. No more Biology, no more Graphics, German, Art, RE and best of all no more English.

The only way

Yesterday P strained a muscle (not all that badly) while working on the roof. This meant he couldn't sleep in normal position. This meant he snored. This meant I got to sleep about 3.30. Not much fun as had to be welcomer at church this morning and smile and greet people. There's a really nice woman at church called Mary who came and sat in the porch with me for which I was grateful. 

Really powerful time of worship followed by very good talk by visiting speaker about 'The Father's Love and the Orphan Spirit' about whether we really relate to God as our Father - so often our view of Him is coloured by experiences of our earthly parenting. The key to breakthrough is forgiveness - not at all easy but the only way.

Tennis

Friday was J's 3 exam day. Day got off to a difficult start due to traffic jams, delayed buses etc but he got there on time. He had to be supervised durng his breaks as he was taking one exam before everyone else. I really expected that between them both he and the supervisor would have managed to organise some food for him. His lunch was in P's car, J had a set of car keys. He went all day without eating. Sigh.

Yesterday there was a thunder storm. Ater that P and I went to the Old Peope's Home Annual Bazaar. Taled to several people including one couple who used to be on the Unity Committee when I was secretary and had moved down south 8 years ago.

Got some yummy cheese bread and we also bought 10 tombola tickets and won 8 prizes. Wow! Prizes included a large tryptic picture of poppies against a blue sky. Big debate going on as to where to put it. I also bought what I think is a nice handbag for £1!

They also had a performance by local theatrre school which was so good. Woman next to me asked if I'd come to watch my grandchildren perform. Sigh. The reality is though that I am old enough to be a grandmother just somehow I've managed to be the mum of a 16 year old - who should be revising Maths and Chemistry right now.

Have also been watching a lot of tennis, too much really, but has been so good. have watched so much tennis that  have hardly been out in sunshine at all.

MRI and exams

 J had his MRI on Sunday which was ok he said, just a bit hard to stay still and he says it's better not to lie on your arm because it just has to stay squashed for the duration. Won't get result for a few weeks. Today he's working quite hard as has 3 exams tomorrow:  Maths A level module, Additional Maths and Biology (what are the DNA base pairs J?) and doesn't really look all that well and is coughing a bit. Just hope he's ok.

Me to J: 'This Biology module is a bit like falling off a log isn't it?'
J: 'You mean extremely painful?'

English!

For some time a dark cloud has been heading, steadily and inevitably, towards us. Finally on Tuesday it was upon us - in the form of J's English Language exam. Cue lots of prayers for him and others taking it, including our friends' son who is retaking and can't go to college unless he passes. J did try and pull a sickie but he had to admit he was unlikely to get a certificate from the doctor as he wasn't really all that ill. He didn't feel too bad about it afterwards - Question 6 good, Question 5 bad, others ok-ish. We went out for a nice lunch at cafe in farm shop. This was my celebration of what I hope is the end of English forever - yay. Veg soup and cheese scone for me - yum.

As we went round Waitrose J's English tutor texted me to ask how he felt he'd done. I told her and she replied 'The trouble with this exam is they don't really know how they've done until they get the result' which sort of deflated me a bit. The harsh reality is that very strange things can happen with exam marking these days. Anyway it's all in God's hands now and I'm not going to worry.