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Too cool for school?
24 NovI’ve found a job (yay!!!) teaching English at a language school which is just up the road from a huge bullring, which I’m gruesomely obsessed with – not quite believing bullfighting still exists. Anyway, this post is about my first class which was slightly less gruesome. (I said slightly).
Chaos would be a better word for it. An eight year old TESOL certificate and a few hours of observation don’t quite prepare you for teaching a group of 10 year olds who are all het up after a day at ‘proper’ school with two hours ahead of them learning ‘have to’, practising their likes and making scrap books. Added to that – one child had to prepare for a test on a different subject so I was kind of running two lessons consecutively.
Picture the scene – paper, stickers, pencils, scissors, glue, pens and books strewn across tables. Kids walking about chatting to each other in a language I (still) don’t understand. Me answering a chorus of “teacher” coming from all directions.
I’m not sure what damaged any street-cred I ever had more: trying to hold a lively class together or, during a 20 minute interlude with the wider school, having to sing and do the actions to Christmas songs in preparation for the school concert. Life may never be the same.
But I paint such a grey picture. We finally bonded over Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, Justin Beiber (no taste these kids) and a Spanish crooner I can’t remember the name of – in the name of distinguishing ‘singer’ from ‘song’. Pop music wins again.
For more reasons than a bullring alone, Spain, you’re truly getting me out of my comfort zone.
We need to talk about Rita
25 Sep
If you follow me on Twitter, you may know that I’ve been concerned about Rita Ora for some time. I know I probably have more pressing things to concern myself with but you know, it’s pop culture – it’s what makes the world go round.
Following Rita Ora on Instagram, much like Anna Dello Russo (ADR is definitely worth a follow) is an insight into how high profile, wealthy socialites live their lives. Rita’s meeting a new celeb/best friend every day, her transport of choice is first class or private jet (understandable as she travels endlessly) and she never misses an opportunity to show off the latest attire that various top end designers have lavished upon her.
I’m exhausted just scrolling through her photo stream, exhausted!
You may be thinking – give her a break, she’s young and she can handle her jet setting celebrity status. You’re probably right of course. I appreciate she’s having fun, has a hot new(ish) guy (Calvin Harris) and so she should enjoy it. My worry (my concern has already escalated) is that she’s not yet a true popstar in her own right and if she’s not careful, this will crumble and someone has to pay. (That came out all serious but we all know that this can happen).
Rita Ora has a handful of mediocre/half decent tunes and while she clearly works her pilates toned (she’s photo’d herself working out) arse off, she hasn’t yet produced a tune that has made me need it in my iTunes library. Work harder Ora. Plus, unlike style icons ADR, Victoria Beckham, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, Alexa Chung – the list is endless – her style is becoming a confused mish mash.
Yes she wears nice, expensive clobber but one day it’s a funky baseball T with chunky, white, Stella McCartney mega stomper soles, next it’s home-girl in Jeremy Scott Adidas, next day it’s a pretty but prissy apricot number by Blumarine.
Rita, my advice to you as a life-long pop addict is stick to your ‘urban glam with attitude’ look for a bit. Define it, own it, be it. Then bugger it all and do a Madonna-esque image change to promote new QUALITY pop music.
We need you Rita Ora! Someone keep an eye on her- I can’t do it on my own.
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