Lirae.co.uk

Myke and I got back from our holiday in Perranporth (Cornwall) last Friday night.

We had an awesome time, despite a few issues we had sharing a bed (for someone who has siblings, I'm really bad at sharing!).

In the weeks before we went, I had both Myke's mum, Hazel, and my supervisor at work torturing me and telling me that, when I get back to the duck pond, Whitey won't be there - he'll have died or something.
Myke was dreading me going to the duck pond, in case Whitey wasn't there; I'd be all sad for the rest of the holiday.
Well, Whitey was there. All alive, kicking, swimming and doing cute-white-ducky-stuff.

While we were there, I got up close and personal with one of the cygnets not once^{^} but twice^{^}! The swans took part in synchronised biting the ground^{^} and the ducks (including Whitey!) did a spot of synchronised dabbling^{^}!

I spent a sickening amount of money and, as a result, am going to be all but broke until my next paycheck.
But it was worth it!

You can read about my time in Perranporth and view the photographs I took while I was away^{^}, if you're interested.

In other news, I went back to work on Monday. I didn't sleep particularly well while I was away and have only just caught up, although I could do with a few more hours...

On Wednesday, I was due to start my key skills tuition. I thought my first session would start with a diagnostic test (a BKSB), telling me what levels I was currently at and then have a tailor-made programme...
Err, no. I walked in and was handed a practice test for Communication level 2. Half an hour later, I handed it back and had it marked - 34/40.
I was then asked if I was up for the Application of Number level 1 practice test and was sent off to do it. A short while later, I handed it back and had it marked - 36/40. I was so sure I would fail this test; I'm a mathephobe.
Since I had good, strong passes for both practice tests, I was asked if I'd like to do the AoN 1 test but I told them I'd prefer to do the Comm. 2 test first.

I took the Comm. 2 test and got 38/40! Once I've got my portfolio done, I'll have the equivalent of an A-C grade at GCSE level (I actually got a B for English Language at GCSE).
Then I went on to do my AoN 1 test (yes - FOUR tests in one day!) and got another 38/40.
So I'm not as useless at maths as I originally thought...

I've still got to do the portfolios for both of these key skills to do (it's kind of like the coursework you do for your GCSEs) but then I'll be doing AoN 2. I have a practice test to do for AoN 2 (the most difficult one they could find) and then - hopefully - I'll do the test.

I'm also working on convincing them to allow me to do level 3 for both Communication and Application of Number - a key skills level 3 is the equivalent of an A Level (I already have one in ICT, so I know they're not that difficult).
I don't think I'll have much trouble with Communication but I will need Myke's (and my tutor's) help with Application of Number.

What has everyone else been up to?