Again not all that much has altered since my last post.  I am still at home and still recovering, albeit that I am so so much improved on where I was.  So much so that I am planning my first real thing 'back' which is a trip to Newcastle-upon-Tyne to lead a Friday evening and a Saturday morning Service. I will admit to being actually really really nervous about the whole thing, which I guess is unsurprising as it is my first thing back.
Other than that I have written and handed in one of my last essays, so only one more to go.  As well as my MA thesis, which the college has kindly enough permitted me to put off until after ordination. I am continuing to work with my therapist on all the stuff that has surfaced after what has happened to me, and although its all getting much more manageable, now that I know that its there I feel as if I should do something about it.  In a not unrelated note I am back on Jdate, and actually talking to people this time. So there's a thing.
Rebecca has had her second baby and he is I have to say really really cute.  But then as a proud uncle I would think that wouldn't I.
I am also still waiting on the post because I have two things coming, one is a copy of the Limmud Chrevaruta booklet which I am keen to see and the other is a story book about mental health issues written for children by a friend of mine.
Then after that, and I guess depending on how it goes, i am planning on making a tentative return to college, only a flying visit at the start of February.
So all in things are looking up and I am trying to take away lessons in how to live not putting work commitments first all the time and living.
Anyway I'd better get back to getting ready for my first thing back at work as it were as I want it to go well.

Summer break but thinking about the 5th Year

This is something of a quiet time. After spending July recovering after my seizure. August is also shaping up to be a slow month. During the week I have been down in the flat in London, but I am spending the weekend back home in Stoke, this is more-or-less my plan for the rest of August.

I now have a date for my NMR which is the 17^th of August, so after that I should have a much better idea of what coursed my seizure. I have also made time to go up to Newcastle-upon-Tyne to meet with my 5^th community.

I am also trying to make some headway on High Holy Day stuff and on stuff for my MA, God knows that there is some time pressure on there. But generally I am having a restful time, sleeping more (the no coffee is really helping there). And reading fun and light stuff including Lev Grossman's 'The Magician's Land' which is the third part of 'Magicians' Series. I am really enjoying it and am trying to not read it all at once, I have another fun book on order which is good.

Additionally I am doing some work but lighter than normal reading, so some stuff for my 5^th Year Placement, basically a history of Newcastle and the surrounding region and books of the Apochrapha.

On Thursday I actually got to hang out with Matthew which was fun albeit that his house looked like a bomb had hit it. His house mate is moving out and he is reorganising so boxes everywhere, and lots of dust. One of my aims for next year is somehow get better at staying on contact with my friends despite how pushed for time it is going to be.

Emily is still in Canada, although we are in touch most days via Instant messaging, or via Skype. She seems to be having a good time but its hella hard work for her, albeit that it will be a great experience and something to put on her C.V. But I am really, really missing her :(

Yesterday I got my official Transcripts of my 4^th year and PG.Dip part of my course, all was well and good Pass with Merit in all but one of my courses which is nice. So all that is really left now is my MA (oh and our four extra-classes).

In truth my thoughts have largely turned to life after the college, which is in just 329 days. Yeah but scary. There is still quite a lot standing between me and that though. My Placement, the written work that goes along with it, my MA and the stuff that will go along with the four non-assessed but taught courses.

But I am thinking about it terms of 'markers of year' so induction, and then the High Holy Days, the college open days, then there is winter break, admissions week, Passover, dead-line for my MA thesis, deadline write piece for Practical Rabbinics, final Placement events and then Ordination. The end really feels not exactly in sight but I know its there just beyond the horizon.

I still have to finish off this years Limmud Booklet (shouldn't take too much longer now). However, I am seriously thinking of not going to Limmud this year as I think that I will be just to busy.  

settling into my fourth year

Just the title of this posting is a little scary. But yes it does feel as if this year is settling into place, much faster than usual and although I am academically going to be a lot less busy this year than I was last I think that I will nevertheless be busy enough that I don't know when I get to blog again so this posting might have to do for a bit. (Although I might make a post Birthday blog post in about a week).

So, my classes at LBC look good and the assessments do not look to bad at all, in fact I think that I will enjoy doing some of them. We also have a nice balance between the academic (which is now at MA level) and the practical which is nice.

But additional reasons to be busy, firstly Emily and I are co-chairs of the Student Society, which is more work but hopefully we will be able to do a good job in representing the needs of the student body and in working towards making the college a happier place. Additionally Emily and I are really pushing 'Rabbinic Students for Pro-Zion'. This will be a lot of work but I am really excited and keen about it so this is good.

Then there is Limmud, not the Limmud Chervaruta Project but the conference itself, where I will be presenting sessions. So busy there as well.

One of our classes this semester is on 'research methods', part of which is looking forward to preparing us to write our Rabbinic Thesis. This too is making this year feel both very real and very different from those which have come before. As if, the end is if not in sight then as if it will be insight once we get around this next corner.

Outside of College, I am getting more and more excited about my 4th year placement at KLS. Last Saturday I went down to see how their Saturday Morning services work. And it was a very special occasion, so it will have been both more crowed and livelier than normal. But nevertheless I think that working there is going to be a truly great experience.

Outside of both work and College I am working with a personal trainer (yes I know) so far I have only had one session the aftereffects of which I am really starting to feel. But I think that it is important to do, because my life style hasn't exactly been helping my overall health and in the long run I think it will make me fill a lot better.

So generally I am busy again but its a good kind of busy. And I have definite markers lying ahead so it feels as if I am making progress with the year. Next week my birthday, then a very early Hanukkah, getting ready for Limmud, the end of the school term, Limmud, essays and exams. (By which time we are already into 2014).

The spring semester is always a bit broken up and then the year draws to a close. But I am not thinking about next semester yet. There is a lot to keep me focused on the here and now. But all in all I am stull really happy and enjoying my 4th year.