Moi et mes amis - grammatically incorrect but lyrically beautiful

June - a notorious month for teachers all around the world as not even the thought of attaching ourselves to a caffeine IV could sustain us.  Yep, we are still in report time.  Time that with a couple weeks of pre-camp stress, a stress-filled camp (not a story for the blog let me assure you!) and a night out at the football the night before and it was a drained E. Haynes that almost couldn't bear the thought of going out Saturday night.  But with one fell swoop, it dawned on me.  THIS IS THE FUN PART!!!  YEAH!!! DINNER CLUB!!!

Ten mesdames et messieurs (down from 12 due to diary error from fellow teacher T. Williamson and husband D. Williamson) met on a mild June night at Breizoz, the creperie on Gertrude Street for what was to be one of the most highly recommended dinner clubs yet!  In a place that is in the words of the French "tres chic" with its homely cupboards of decorations, fireplace and wall art featuring the sterotypical Frenchman in a beret casually hanging off the Eiffel Tower...

Breizoz - A piece of Brittany in Fitzroy.

Breizoz's specials board - stereotype central!

With over 40 crepes and galettes (savoury crepes) on the menu, choices were difficult.  Options that were sampled that night included caramelised onion, goat cheese and ham, ham, cheese and egg and the infamous "boudin" or suspiciously shaped sausage galettes!!!  Wash this all down with some traditional apple cider served in the ever-so-fancy champagne bottles (unfiltered and smokey, not to everyone's tastes but delicious with crepes) and you have a stellar meal. 

Traditional French cider - mmmm.... 

The chef and her crepe-tastic creations!

Brenno enjoying a boudin crepe a little too much... Don't forget to cup the balls...

Boudin = happy Steph, disgusted Vanessa.

Suspiciously good cider - not to all tastes but drinking it from a tea cup makes it far fancier!

Then comes dessert.  Oh God, what to choose.  Unfortunately, all on the menu looked delicious but highlights included the simple "beurre et sucre" (butter and sugar) served with a large dollop of date ice cream as I had.  Then again, the chantilly cream crepe looked and tasted amazing as did crepe flambee as sampled by J. Coleman and S. Porrino (much to the delight of all the pyromaniacs at the table!)

Praline and cointreau crepe flambee - dangerously hot and dangerously alcoholic!

Suprise - more crepe flambee!

After finishing our dessert (limited to one each unfortunately, those crepes are deceptive in their ability to fill a hungry stomach!), the effects of the cider and Cointreau crepe (boy were they strong!) seemed to take effect as the conversation flowed as smoothly as the Seine.

As I always say, a massive thank you to those that joined and those who continue to support dinner club with their attendance at any event  The general consensus was that all would be going back for another sampling of French cuisine soon!

Dinner club #6 attendees - a fine looking bunch really.

Now for my mayoral duties...

Still in the running for dinner club 100% attendance includes:

1. J. Coleman
2. K. Williams
3. M. Read
4. L. Read
5. S. Haughey
6. V. Dennis (special consideration for Soda Rock has officially been approved and special mention of attendance even though and I quote, "I hate crepes and pancakes.")

Though no new members were inducted this month, special mentions to S. Peaple for her 2nd appearance in 2 months all the while looking HOT with the new hairstyle and B. Goodall for his 2nd appearance to dinner club before jetting off to the US of A soon.  Great company and great additions (even if the conversation definitely became more low brow due to discussions of one dinner clubber's love of a certain piece of anatomy and small change...).

Miss P looking hot to trot with the new hairstyle!

Next month sees us travel to the adjoining continent of Asia to the beautifully mysterious island of Japan - land of Teppanyaki.  Hopefully it will cater for a non-seafood eater as much as I hope it will but I'm sure a fine night will be on the cards!!!

In the words of Julia Childs and every French man, woman and child after visiting Breizoz, "Bon Appetit!"

Working Smarter...Not Harder

After an all in all CRAP week (don't worry, we all have them around this time of year as teachers I think - J. Rankine experienced this earlier in the week, S. Haughey the week before, A. Wickerson the week before that), I was craving the weekend.

With a well-needed 'wine time' and 'Fish n' Chip Friday' being combined last night followed by a sleep that hasn't been seen by this poor body of mine in a good week/two weeks, I was motivated to begin a process dreaded by teachers all around the world.

As any teacher's Facebook page will tell you at the moment, we are not alone.  Countless status updates using the key phrases 'procrastination', 'avoiding' as well as general overuse of the phrases 'FML' or 'ughhh' tell you two things are approaching....

1) Exams
2) Reports

Whilst many of us would love to be curling up under our blankets with a good book or enjoying the crisp but clear winter's days of Melbourne before it all turns to shit, most teachers currently look like this (add in a Department of Education provided laptop for full effect)...

Slumped over a laptop until your back hurts and eyes can't focus?  Don't worry, you're just a teacher at report time.

HOWEVER, with a goal to 'work smarter, not harder', I decided to not do what many do and leave it to the last minute.  Instead, I have a mini goal - GET THESE FUCKING REPORTS FINISHED BY FRIDAY!!!  Yes ladies and gentlemen, we are currently on track for 2, count them, 2 long weekends thanks to the Queen's Birthday and Correction Day.

How have I done it you ask???

One of these bad boys...

A comment database - standardising Eloise Haynes' reports since 2008.

So with comments such as "'Little Johnny' (name suppressed for obvious legal reasons) could improve with more focus on tasks during class time.", there you have it!  For those teacher's currently not using a database, get on it.  Yes, it does make them a little less personal.  However, with a little tweaking you can personalise as much as is needed. 

Plus, at the end of the day, we often write the same report 3 or 4 times in each class anyway when you look back.  I am simply following the Accounting principle of consistency...

There you have it.  With an hour spent setting up the database, what was once a half day activity to write a class of comments is now an exercise that takes an hour or less.  Thank you Accelerus.

Now if only I could find a way to mark 50 History essays that efficiently...

xox