Saturday

This is a sneaky post. I need to write my final essay.  Then it is finished!  My Master of Arts, International Relations.

A bit has changed for me in the last six months.  Mainly I left the job I had been doing for 15 years!  I received a lot of satisfaction from what I was doing, but things had shifted in my work environment and not only did I not want to be left "holding the baby" when things went wrong, as I was starting to fear was just around the corner.  It also meant that I started to look more closely at how I had been spending my time, and what my focus had become and where I was going with my life, which wasn't all bad, but I really felt I should have been prioritising other things...

Now, after a year of probably a lot of doubt and some tension, I confidently say "I have a job, not a  career".  And that is ok.

Even so, just when I feel I am comfortable (even relieved) with my choice, an opportunity came up last week to work in the Senate as a researcher for Senate committees, providing information for various Senate enquiries.  While I had that initial thrill thinking of what this may entail I was rerelieve with how comfortable I felt in saying thankyou, but not now.  I have just come out of a place where I have wrestled against what I see as where the need for my attention and focus is to be. 

My former boss called me today.  He has  won a very prestigious international award in our field of expertise, and he was asked to write a guest list.  He wanted to run it by me and started by saying "of course yourself and David..."  He thinks the ceremony will be at the American Embassy.  

I am grateful for the people that have been brought into my life and the value they have added, the inspiration they have been.

There are so many things flooding my mind, that I think this is again going to be a space that I will  record for the sake of remembering, what is important to me in the now.

But, I am supposed to be writing my final essay, so it will have to wait just one more week!  :)

Saturday

Tuesday

Back to basics.  Crayons and paper.  I am looking forward to having time with Maggie and enjoying the little things. 

Friday 15 January

Time is certainly marching on.  I have probably said it before, but it was particularly the case this year.  I had an essay due straight after Christmas and it just felt like I hadn't had a break.  It made thinking of the need for a birthday party around the corner exhausting!

What started as a couple of friends over for a playdate and cake, quickly became 6 friends, cake, chips, lollies, balloons and a party bag.  A party ;) Not  hard at all!

This girl is growing up so much.  I am looking forward to a year with  fewer commitments for me and more time to focus on home and family.

an hour with Maggie

Saturday

Now, 2016.  Our New Years was quiet.  To be honest, I think seeing the new year in quietly at home and then having a lazy New Years Day bbq  on 1 January has become more appealing to me.  Nevertheless, we took the kids, along with David's sister and her family, to the 9pm family friendly fireworks.  Then we walked into the City for ice cream.  Admittedly, by the time we walked back to our parked car and got home, it was 11:45PM.  We gave the kids a slushie as a new years treat and said Happy New Year.  They had their showers and went off to bed, and David and I sat down with a cheese plate to watch Downton Abbey.  I got season 6 for Christmas but we wanted to refresh our minds of how season 5 ended.

Anyway, I get ahead of myself - Christmas Day!  We had a lovely day,  very relaxed.  Great food, and kids having a wonderful time.  The way it should be.