the end of term

1.
A black cat sits and waits for me to walk past
and then slowly and deliberately walks in front of me.
I feel lucky today.

2.
The chocolate tart at the Department Christmas Lunch
is the lightest of mousse
on top of a thin layer of Florentine.
Delicious.

3.
A small granddaughter arrives for
the Children's Christmas Party.
She sparkles with sequins and smiles.

4.
Why is this student is wearing a long black coat.
And black sunglasses.
And a white, furry hood with earflaps and bobbles?
Think Mafia meets Bugs Bunny.

5.
There is a man outside my office doing T'ai Chi.
It is extraordinary how much he can do
balanced on one leg.

6.
I receive an apology for a missed meeting
"I was queuing at the Libyan Embassy.
They had run out of stickers"

7.
Colleagues email from Venice.
It is flooded and they need a boat
to take them to a restaurant.
Poor things.

8.
What is the correct way to address a student
dressed as a Father Christmas Dog?

9.
I am told that the office doorstop which I inherited
is a chunk of Volcanic Lava from Iceland.
It is, apparently, 'very mobile'.

10.
The December page of the Student Naked Calendar
is slightly too fresh for the Reception
and is covered with strategic Post-It notes.

11.
MrM wins £50 in the Premium Bonds.
He generously agrees to go 'halfy/halfy' with me...
(on the basis that if I win £1 million he wants a share)

12.
Somehow I have made it
to end of the first term
in my new job.
I am exhausted.