Update from July 2011 to March 2012

Quick update on my life:
Returned to Australia in August after an extended holiday in the UK, enjoying the sights and sounds that are so familiar to me. Lots of friends to catch up with, lots of leisure cycling with old training friends. Lots of shopping, lots of eating, a fair bit of drinking.
I played the harp with the band Fenech-Soler. We recorded a track and performed on a boat on the Thames. It was fabulous, a day in the life of a rock and roller :)
By the end of August, I was ready to head back and as a newly qualified teacher, it was time for some hard job hunting and WORK.
At first, plenty of CVs flying around the local area - a few volunteering days. Playing on my strengths took me to supply teaching music for a few days. A violin teacher observed me and realised that I was to be the answer to their current dilemma - they had a gap to fill for the rest of the term - 7 weeks of work teaching stringed instruments soon came my way. Right, I'm a harpist, I can deal with the musical aspects of different instruments. Now I was teaching kids how to play the violin, viola, cello and double bass. End of term reports were due - end of term concerts!! It was hectic! But it felt very natural for me and I was soon learning the violin myself so that I could get a firmer grasp of why they were finding certain areas tricky. All ended at the end of term, and it was a great experience. The kids are very lucky to have free music lessons at school!!
Christmas holidays came, as did the sisters. Eilidh brought her family from Singapore, and Kirsty had announced that she was moving to Manly, Sydney. The weather was much better than the previous year. The 5 weeks went extremely quickly!!
Towards the end of my instrumental music contract, I had applied for a job on seek.com - which is just a normal jobs website. I had simply uploaded my CV for a 'primary' position at an Anglican College.
Much to my surprise, I was called for interview and was offered a job teaching year 4 for semester 1 - 2 terms. I was thrilled, but terrified. I've never had my own class before. A huge opportunity and so wonderful that they had the insight to look at my character, my skills and past experiences. In the first weeks it was hectic, but the children are so good - they realise that they are lucky to be at the school, they wholeheartedly believe that they are at the best school in Australia. All the staff are hand-picked, everyone has sport in their background - ex-olympic sprinter, ex-pro ironman triathlete, cage fighter, marathon runners, ultra-marathon runners, ex-elite cyclists......such an interesting staff-room. Because all the students are so good, there is none of the usual whinging and moaning at morning tea time...Everyone love their job, and it is a dream come true really; I love my job. It's extremely hard work, but very rewarding. I now understand why teachers get these holidays - your whole life gets put on hold during term time!!
I had signed up for Ironman Melbourne - March 25th. Was it a good idea with a new job? As it turns out, yes. Although I was super busy, it was achievable and I think it kept a good balance in my life. It's essential to have interests outside school to keep your mind and body healthy!! :)