What’s next?

Wishing everyone a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you are able to safely enjoy time with family and friends. 

The last 6 months have been quite a journey for most of us and it seems this will continue in 2022. I feel like I am in a state of limbo, yet still have much for which I can be grateful.

After quarantine in Sydney, my transfer to Adelaide went smoothly … except the day of my arrival coincided with new entry rules in South Australia. So, instead of being free to re-enter the community after my negative PCR test, I had to go into another 14 day quarantine at home. Luckily, there was much to keep me busy in the family home which had been empty for the previous 6 months, and the Olympics were on. Needless to say, by the end, I was very ready to get out and about and especially go for a walk.

It was terrific to be reunited with family and friends and much of my first weeks involved setting myself up for life in Australia again - buying a car, insurances, updating details etc, plus going to appointments with my Mum. I also enjoyed reacquainting myself with Adelaide and the beautiful walking locations that are all so close to home.

It took me a while to even consider applying for jobs and at this stage, I can state that I have applied for 8 jobs to no avail. I have had a few very good interviews but the fit has not been right and I must say, I am still considering if I want to go back into school leadership at this stage. At present, I am waiting to hear about a job with Education Department as an Innovation Officer. It looks interesting, but time will tell. I started doing relief (substitute) teaching in October and have certainly had some varied experiences. Some days have been particularly boring and some Kindergarten - Grade 2 classes have been well and truly beyond my comfort zone, but all add to the rich tapestry of life.

The large front and back gardens have also given me purpose when there has been not a lot else to do. I decided to clear the vegetable patch and am currently harvesting tomatoes and cucumbers … the strawberries only looked promising!! The orange tree gave never-ending fruit and the most delicious apricots have come and gone in a week. So, I have been eating, gifting, stewing as well as making cakes and jam. The plums and peaches are yet to ripen!

                                  

In between all this, I have also been a CIS (Council of International Schools) evaluator on a virtual school visit, joined two groups - Women on Boards and She Mentors, become a Board member for WalkSA and begun volunteering for OzHarvest.

So, while it has not all been rosy and I am not living my dream, I am lucky to be in a position to have this time off and I have the flexibility to support and visit my Mum - although her residential home is in lockdown at the moment.

So, here’s to safe. enjoyable and meaningful 2022! Here are some other photos of the last 6 months, plus a video of my local beach.