Long Overdue Update

Its been a very long time since I updated my family blog - so thanks to those readers who made the effort to give me a kick and ask what on earth we have been up to..

I think the biggest change to my blogging has been the introduction of our iphones.  As it has a camera inbuilt and the ability to load directly onto facebook, I’ve been recording family moments immediately - tagging the photo with a few notes and posting them directly, always of course meaning to come back to Hamish -  my mac and write about it -but never actually doing so. So apologies…..

I also realise that I have missed my weekly blog posts and updates as it used to be one of my cornerstones of writing - and now I don’t do it - things sort of fall in a heap

I also have to admit that I have not learnt all I can about my mac and am still fumbling round with the photo program - preferring to go back to my old laptop for that… and of course all that takes time… a commodity I seem to have less and less of.

So - with no more pomp and ceremony - heres what has been happening in the last month...

Morgan and Lilly birthdays  - After long deliberations it was decided that the party was to be held the RSL - and unlikely venue I had to admit - but we were so impressed by the set up vibrancy and excitement it had for kids parties - I thought how could you NOT go?  We had discussed a small party at home, pizza parties at Pizza hut, the awful Maccas or Burger King options, interesting bowling parties or swimming parties... but.. this won hands down

Basically they have a kids disco on Sundays for a few hours. A proper DJ, dance floor lights and games. The kids drink and eat as much as they can, have balloons, lollies, cake and icecream. What a hoot!  It reminded me that I love to dance and should go out and do it more.. I need to get onto my other computer to drag photos off and post up of this - so will do so maybe tomorrow….

I guess the biggest news over April and March has been that I decided to go back to work as a teacher. I’ve had steady work now since I started. Some great schools and kids which are local and I’ve found my groove - after being very nervous realising I’d not been in front of a class for nearly 15 years.. eeekk.  I have been very fortunate the last two weeks as I have had a contract at the school Morgan and Lilly go to - though in a different section.  Don;t laugh  but I’ve been a science and maths teacher for two weeks.  I’ve loved the science experiments and procedures we’ve done.  The kids at the school are so great - which has shocked me. My first lesson I was prepared for what I had expected the usual backchat, noise and disinterest and nearly fell over with the silence, the hard work and passion the kids displayed.  Yes I nearly went broke giving out prizes ( icypoles to start with) but how could I not when the behaviour was so exemplary?  ( I am a sucker I know...)

The first few weeks of temp teaching was a bit of a shock - I’d forgotten what it was like - waking up to a phone call asking you to get somewhere quick smart.

Those who know me - know I don’t like to get out of bed and to be taking calls at 7 am was inhuman!! but I’m now sorted, going to bed at midnight so I can at least be aware when the phone goes off. 

It is very different now too - with kids. I’ve always been one to organise their bags and lunches the night before - mainly as I don’t function at all in the mornings - so in the past have just gotten out of bed and taken them to school before I think about starting my day.  But in the past when I have “gotten’ the call - I’ve only hd to worry about myself getting out the door.  Now I have whiny kids who take 45 mins to eat cereal and don’t want to get dressed or find their shoes. Its a painful experience some mornings and I wonder why I bother.

Generally I need to  be out the door by 7.50am. I only teach at school which are 15 mins or so away from home. any of them start classes at 8.30.  I drop my kids at school by 8 and can then shoot off to the school I am teaching at on that day. .  Its a bit of a shuffle at the end of the day - but thankfully many of the schools finishes at 2.30 or 2.45.  My kids drag their feet anyway to get to the pick up zone - so know just to wait for me there.  I’ve got a phone to give to Morgan so I can get a message to him in case I am held up but thankfully haven’t had to use it yet.

Its been great to work and a blessing as Morgans teeth was an unexpected ( huge) bill - but with this - I’ve been able to pay it off.  As much as I am enjoying it - I am not sure if I am ready or willing to go back into teaching full time.  I have come to realsie i am 20 years behind the eightball and teaching, the resources and technology is way ahead of me… Its a sobering thought.

My aim is to have two days a week teaching work - and with this I’d love to use the money for a holiday for our family over Xmas.  We will see how I go…

On the upside, we have decided to get a cleaner in one day a week to help me out with keeping the place tidy and clean.  She’s been wonderful and am glad to have swallowed pride and accepted help.

I really do promise to keep this updated more often - back to weekly.

Just in case you see some photos pop up which are out of date order over the next week or so, I am going to download my photos and pick through them and upload a definitive one for each week I have missed a blog post.

Off to Mum and Dads for Anzac day now….

Buddhist Classes

Today I enrolled - and took the kids in Buddhist classes at the Buddhist Temple over at Springwood.

Its a beautiful setting - with so much extensions happening - so will be exciting when its all finished.

The kids classes start with some chi gung - which made Age and I smile as the old tape he has was brought out and that little chinese voice crackling over the system came out to mark the breathe in and out.  The kids were amazed that we knew the movements..  so this will give us something to practice during the week.

They then go up into the main temple for meditation. Age and I snuck round to see how they were going and were so amazed to see 30 kids in lots position eyes closed and silent.  We then went off to explore the grounds while the kids were split into age groups and undertook their studies.

Next week I will bring in my sketch pad and use the translations room for some silent sketching and practicing of brush strokes.

Morgan was brimming with enthusiasm afterwards as he told us the story of Buddha and of the scrap books he is completing focusing on the virtues of buddhism.  Lilly loved the singing and dancing.. and the cookies..

They've both been asked if they'd like to be involved in the childrens performance at Southbank for the celebrations for Buddhas Birthday - early May - and of course they are in with their boots on!

We are hoping for calmness and focus - mainly for Lilly.  However today - while Age and I had to have an adult discussion and the kids had to wait, Morgan was seen cross legged and eyes closed, shutting out Lillys attempts to be naughty and flap her arms around.

First Teaching Post in......years...

eee Gad!  I have just finished a two day relief teaching post at a local school.  What a blast from the past for me.. Kids haven't changed...

I have to say I was terrified I'd lost it.. or something.. after I realised I hadn't stood formally in front of a class for 14 years.

But - its in the blood... the dark side.... and I really felt I made a difference and got to enjoy my tie there as well.  Sure there were some .. interesting kids there - no doubt with their share of history and excuses....but boy  - there were some real little gems there too. such bright little stars.

I got the call late on Monday - so had some time to prepare a bag of things to take in.  My kids were so good - Lovely neighbour Sandy took them up to school in the morning - as I wasn't sure how far it was to drive to the school or how long it would take.

am looking forward to getting future calls - but really hope not to have them early in the morning for that days work.. thought I know this is the bulk of work which is out there... its a real strain in the mornings to get out in time...