Week 13 | A glimpse of what I will miss most...

It’s hard to believe week 13 has been and gone and that in a matter of weeks I too will have been and gone from this beautiful and wonderful country of Malta! I am embracing every second here and to be honest I don’t ever want to leave.

Goodbye Easter Holidays...Hello University!

With Easter holidays out of the way and everything being back to reality, the hard work begins now with assignments, administrative work, lectures taking place more frequently than before and exams fast approaching. Nonetheless with the warm weather and sun shining, it makes university a little bit easier and makes me feel better knowing that I can enjoy the sunshine, whilst working hard at the same time! Monday and Tuesday were two very long days from 9-5 at university and something that we haven't been used to for quite a while now. On Tuesday evening, Simon, Fergus, Clayton and I all went to Zmerc pub to watch the Champions league football and take a break after a stressful two days back. 

Wednesday was a bright and beautiful day here in Malta with not a cloud in the sky, which of course only calls for one thing...a pool day! With Wednesday off university and no lectures scheduled, we were able to relax by the pool with the majority of other students at residence as we enjoyed each others company, swam in the pool, sunbathed and played fun activities around the pool. Not to mention, we were able to give Gemma a few lessons and tips on how to swim!

Teaching Gemma how to swim!

Miss McKitterick and Miss Hill ready for Sports Day!

Thursday was the day I had been waiting for most after a lot of preparation, anxiousness and excitement, as it was the sports day of St. Joseph’s school! As part of our Mini Games module, we have been divided into groups to organise numerous sports days and so this was the sports day that Yaron, Sean, Gemma and I had organised and had been patiently waiting for with enthusiasm. I couldn’t believe after all our effort, teamwork and preparation that the day was finally here and all our hard work was going to pay off! It was an early start to the morning having to be at the grounds for 7:15 in order to set up the equipment and activities for the day with the kids arriving at 8:45 and sports day commencing at 9am. At first, I wasn’t sure how the day was going to go but it was a huge success with the parents, pupils and staff members all having a great day! My fellow Maltese classmates, Erasmus buddies and myself all had a station each to carry out throughout the day with the pupils and the pupils all had a great day.

Holly and I ready for Sports Day!

The Fantastic Four excited for our Sports Day!

With that in mind, it wasn’t your traditional and typical sports day that you would get back home in Northern Ireland, with kids watching as the P5 children do the egg and spoon race then 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place given. Instead, all the children took part at the same time at different stations playing games; there was no emphasis on competition but rather the day was about having fun and taking part and some stations involved a bouncy castle, go-karts and other inflatables. At the end of the day, all the children received a medal before the mummies and daddies took part in their very own running race with their daughters supporting from the sidelines. All in all, it was a fun day and a great opportunity and experience to be a part of! I am already looking forward to the next upcoming sports day which will be taking place next Thursday.

Movie night with the girls

Friday was another relaxing day by the pool with some of the bestest friends I could have ever dreamed of meeting. Later in the evening, Gemma, Holly and I had a movie night with two of our friends from England: Bethan and Deanna! With lots of munchies, Harry Potter, duvets and wine we were all set for our movie night and had a great laugh together. On Saturday morning, the 5 of us decided to go to Valletta for some shopping in the markets where we bought matching friendship bracelets and matching trousers. Much to our surprise, we were all starving and so decided to stop in Valletta for lunch and cocktails. After Valletta, we went to Sliema for some more shopping before going for dinner and enjoying each other’s company. When we returned back from our shopping spree, we had a beer pong competition with everyone in residence before celebrating three of our friends last night here in Malta! It was a very emotional day for all and no one wanted to say goodbye! It hit me hard just how sad I am going to be at the end of June leaving and saying goodbye to the best bunch of people.

A spot of lunch with these lovely ladies

Did somebody say twins?

Still smiling thanks to Deanna!

Sunday was a more relaxed day with another day by the pool in the scorching heat of 20+ degrees! That said, Sunday evening brought about a second visit to A&E at the Mater Dei hospital with my friend Deanna who pulled ligaments in her thumb and also for myself feeling unwell. Unfortunately Deanna and I had a long wait at the hospital for 6 hours after many tests, scans and results but we made the most of our trip to the hospital entertaining ourselves and making each other laugh to pass the time in! Thankfully, nothing too serious and hopefully I will be feeling better soon but for now I am having the time of my life and I do not want to leave.

The end of June seems so far away yet so near and already we are discussing how sad we will all be when it comes to leaving: but for now, we don’t want to talk about it and we are looking forward to the upcoming weeks making many more memories and even planning a London trip for a reunion over the summer. The experiences, learning curves, friendships and memories I have made are mind blowing and I will always treasure them in my heart. It’s definitely safe to say that Malta has stolen a part of my heart forever and I will definitely be returning in the future.

Stay tuned for more...

Love, Louise.

Friends or sisters?

Week 12 | Mad Medieval Mdina, Malta adventures

This week was another jam-packed week filled to the brim with activities left, right and centre! Monday morning brought about the first day back to lectures after the Easter holidays with "teaching the fundamentals through mini games" where we were able to discuss the field days we have organised. Having discussed the field days coming up within the next few weeks, it hit me just how close they are with the first field day taking place next week!! It is safe to say that I am looking forward to experiencing the hype and excitement of the entire day and working together with my fellow classmates to arrange a fun day for all the kids.

IPES Sports Fest 2015!

All the girls after the first edition of the IPES Sports Fest

On Tuesday, the Physical Education students from all years at the university of Malta took part in our very own sports day. The sports day was a two-dat sports festival organised by two of the fourth year B.Ed P.E. students to commemorate their love for sports and to serve as an opportunity for prospective P.E. teachers to interact and compete in various sports against each other. The sports fest took place at Marsa sports grounds, where we competed in athletic events and football. It was interesting to take part in a university sports day and is something I would consider looking into and introducing back home at my own university to encourage and inspire future physical education teachers; not to mention give that little bit of a competitive edge! Overall, the IPES Sports Fest 2015 was a huge success with each team getting behind one another to show their support and create an unbelievable atmosphere!

Wednesday brought about a day for relaxing due to no lectures scheduled and with the sun shining it was hard to resist the temptation! Gemma and I booked a game of tennis at the residence before we decided to catch some rays by the pool. Later that evening, Holly, Gemma, Simon, Charlie and I ventured to Sliema for a delicious dinner, where we sat overlooking the sea front indulging in one of the best meals yet with a few cocktails.

Team Olympia lifting the trophy!

Friday brought about the second edition of the IPES Sports Fest 2015 with swimming, basketball and volleyball. As you can imagine, I could not wait to take part in the swimming against my classmates here in Malta and it was a fun day had by all! In the end, it was very close on points with team Olympia coming out on top, closely followed by team Thebes, Athens and Sparta.

Saturday was a beautiful day here in Malta with the sun shining as we took an adventure to Mdina for the Medieval Mdina festival. With stalls lined up, food everywhere and the chance to dress up like a knight, it was a great day had by all with a cheeky visit to our favourite cake shop; Fontanella. Later that evening, I made a trip to Valletta to support two of my friends; Bethan and Deanna in their dance performance for university. The sun was shining and with the temptation of buying cannoli, I could not resist! So off I went, purchased a cannoli and lay in the gardens in Valletta before going to the atrium to watch the dance performance. 

Rachel and I being warriors

Am I a knight yet?

Locked up

Strawberry cupcake...yum!

Sunday was another fun day on the cards with the Strawberry festival being held here in Malta in Mgarr. From strawberries to strawberry cheesecakes, strawberry cannoli and strawberry smoothies it was a fabulous day! As we arrived in Mgarr, the streets were packed with people buying strawberries and indulging in some delicious cakes and cupcakes. The Strawberry festival is one of the best festivals in Malta and its safe to say it did not disappoint! However, with so much hype about the day the only disappointment were the buses which did not arrive on time and resulted in too many people waiting. This caused a little bit of a hassle with not getting on a few buses and having to wait even longer: however when the bus eventually came it was a different story with masses of people gathering on the bus as if to see how many people we could fit on the bus. Back home, you would not be allowed on the bus and would simply be told to get off, however here in Malta everything and anything can happen!

With a fun filled week, I am looking forward to the upcoming weeks and organising numerous sports days for the children. So far, the weather is looking a lot better than it was when we first arrived with barely a cloud in the sky! The next few weeks are going to be jam packed with activities, sunbathing, assignments, revision and university but I am ready to embrace every moment and take each opportunity I get in Malta!

Stay posted for more exciting adventures,

Love, Louise.

Week 11 | Birthday, buns and banter

This week was an unforgettable week spent with loved ones and the people who matter most to me: my family! It was a real blessing to have my family over visiting and even more of a blessing to spend my birthday with them all.

On Monday, we took a quick visit to the National Complex swimming pool where my sister was able to fit in quick 2 hour training session before going to the residence where I was able to show my parents and sister around. It was a beautiful day and so typical of my mum to mention the word “shopping” upon our return back to the hotel. Shopping is definitely a girl’s best friend…my mum could not wait to hit the shops! On our way back to the hotel, we stopped off in Sliema for a surprise early birthday present as my parents bought me a beautiful new Pandora ring! I was ecstatic…just having them over and being there for my birthday was enough without all the surprises. Later that evening, we went to surfside for a delicious meal together and spent some quality time with one another. Time spent with family really is worth every second and I absolutely loved sharing stories with them and hearing stories from back home.

The National Swimming Pool Complex

Tuesday morning was quite a loud and cheerful morning with it being my 20^th birthday! As you can imagine, having a younger sibling she could not wait to wake me up and so proceeded to jump on top of me as my family sang happy birthday. The day had only begun and I already felt like the luckiest girl in the world being treated to presents from my family, birthday donuts for breakfast and opening all my birthday cards from friends and family back home which my parents had brought to Malta with them. We ventured to the pool each day of the week with my little sister Danielle, as she was competing in the Klikk Easter International meet in Malta and so needed to prepare for her races. After my sister trained, we went to Sliema again for a birthday shopping spree where my parents had me spoilt with clothes. In the evening, we went to one of my favourite restaurants in Sliema: Tex Mex for a delightful birthday meal and some cocktails.

Danielle, mum and I ready for some shopping!! 

20th birthday celebrations!

Wednesday was a much more relaxed day as we watched my sister train and prepare for the competition at the weekend. During the day, Danielle and I took advantage of the pool at the hotel, where we went for a swim and relaxed in the hot tub. Thursday was the day I had been patiently waiting for, for 10 days as Holly, Gemma and Simon returned home from Italy. Not having the "strannie grannies" together for 10 days was strange, and I felt like I had lost my right arm. After training, Danielle and I went to the residence for a surprise visit before relaxing by the pool sunbathing and catching up on their trip to Italy! It’s safe to say, my sister loved residence and everyone there that she did not want to leave. Later that evening, my dad treated us all to dinner and cocktails before Simon, Gemma, Holly and I went out for belated birthday celebrations. It was a great evening and I even managed to get a free bottle of champagne since it was my birthday.

Friday and Saturday were spent at the pool as my sister was competing against the Maltese, Polish, English and other countries. As always, me being my sister’s number one fan I could not wait to see her in action. After the two days, I was super proud of my little sister who managed to swim so well receiving 4 gold medals and 1 silver medal…way to go Danielle! It was strange watching the swim meet outside, considering Northern Ireland do not have outdoor swimming pools, but it meant I was able to work on my tan a little bit during the Easter holidays.

Danielle ready to compete!

Women's 50m Butterfly! Go Danielle!

Representing GBR, Danielle Hill...4 Golds and 1 Silver!

Saturday afternoon was the day I said goodbye to my family with my mum not being able to hold back the tears for any longer. A day spent with family is always a day well spent, however a week spent with family is even better! It was so good to see my family over visiting and I enjoyed spending time with them. Later that evening, Simon, Gemma, Holly and I all went to celebrate our classmates 20^th birthday to continue the week of celebrations! It was a great evening and the perfect end to the Easter holidays!

With class just around the corner again on Monday and the sports fest and other sports days lined up, I’m looking forward to getting back and undergoing new experiences of working with the younger students in primary schools. One thing that will open my eyes even more into the world of teaching and will encourage me to learn more about the Maltese culture and teaching style through other teachers as well as my classmates. I’m also intrigued to learn more about myself and transfer my skills into running these sports days, not to mention learn more new skills that will come into practice one day when I have a whistle round my neck teaching a subject I have always loved and competed in with passion and conviction.

Keep in touch to learn more about the Maltese education system!

Best wishes,

Louise.