A flurry of news

Last time I posted was the beginning of September so lots of catch up on:

I helped out at the Brisbane Writers Festival again this year (10th - 11th Sept). Two long days of letting people in and out of venues to listen to authors, discussions and to do workshops. I got to sit in on a few, I was on the mic for q&a afterwards - listening to a discussion on patriotism which included Tom Keneally (now considering all those many moons ago I based my degree dissertation on his book Schindlers Arc - it was great to hear him in person) and also a discussion on green power options beyond the greenwashing - everyone one in the room was already on the band wagon so although interesting it missed the mark by not addressing the sceptics - but good luck on that one. A very tiring few days but good and I got home to watch the last bit of Riverfire from the top of a hill with Jim and Jack.

I finished my Microsoft Suite 07 training and MYOB Accounting at Bayside Learning. They were brilliant there - couldn't fault them. I am also helping them out with some adverts and a quarterly e-newsletter.

Jack is on holiday at the moment - he goes back next week. Its been lovely spending this time with him though he hasn't been lumbered with me completely he attended a scouts holiday club last monday (and I had a 2nd interview) and he has gone back today for another fun, filled day of being a boy - getting covered in water, mud and scraped knees - they are gold hunting today. He is doing vacation club at the school on Friday and I am going in to sign the contract for my new job.

Just got word yesterday - Marketing and PR Manager to start in a few weeks. Its going to have a steep learning curve with the products - scanners and inventory systems for warehouses and shops but it is small company in need of marketing and there is lots of potential within it. I must admit I will miss spending so much time with Jack, I think we have all had the benefit of it but we also knew it would come to an end. Jack is pleased to be going back to after-school club - he isn't quite so bothered by the before school club bit but its only for 20-30 mins in the morning anyway.

I think we will both be tired getting used to the longer days again.

But that's not all - we are having some visitors - Jim's Dad is coming over in Dec and he will be taking Jack to Tasmania for a bit - Jim's sis and family is there and then Jim and I will join them for Christmas for a week. Jack will be on his summer holidays so has 6 weeks off so when we get back from Tassie Jimmy will be here for a few more weeks so Jack will have a ball.

And just as Jimmy heads back, my parents have been invited to a friends wedding in Perth in early Jan and they are seriously thinking of coming over - they have yet to book flights but if they do - they will come see us for a few weeks mid/ end Jan. Brilliant- bringing Jack right up to the end of his holidays and into Grade 3.

Phew!!!

So on Friday I get confirmation of my start date at my new job and I can then get as much done of the projects I had planned to do during this time and may not have yet started or finished. Enjoy my extra time with Jack and get my work head back on.... roll on October.

And I nearly forgot the dust storms - not quite as dramatic as the pictures you might have seen from Sydney but we had an orange haze and it caught in your throat - we are still cleaning it up - the dust had gone but it lingers on the floors and the drawers and the cupboards...dusting and sweeping - my fav .... NOT!. It was strangely beautiful the images but just not getting stuck in it - need some rain - thanks.

Dates

Its the 9th day of the 9th month 2009 - thats pretty cool.

Sure it has some significance somewhere....

Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Yesterday I had a job interview in the city, met Jim for lunch and then took 5 minutes out of the 45 allocated to pass my citizenship test so just the paperwork and money to pay and Jack and I will have Australian citizenship - keeping the other passports in tact thank you very much....

It was only 20 questions but I can see how those who have English as a 2nd language would find it difficult - I had to read some questions twice just to be sure.

And today I have reached the grand old age of 37. The lines and wrinkles are really starting to show but Jack I and I went for a walk along the beach after school and he is playing with his friend Kobe for a bit before starting homework, so its not all bad.

As it is my birthday I am making salmon steaks with rice and veggies with strawberries and ice cream for tea - Jack is happy but Jim isnt a huge fan of salmon but tough........ I love it and I am cooking so my choice :-)

Jacks school seems particuarly difficult at the moment - wanting to analyse everything to death but I just spoke to my neighbour whose kid is at a different school and they are trying the same thing - a nanny state and more funding if they can label the kids with something.... in Jacks case its a lot of him being a 7 year old boy and also as he said himself the teacher spends so much time talking about what they are going to do, so they never actually get to do it - so he wriggles about. But we will stay on their side and hope for a more inspiring teacher next year (he doesnt change grades till Jan) He has two weeks left, then two weeks holidays and then only 8 weeks till his big summer (Christmas) holidays.

The joys of parenthood.

I have the writers festival this coming weekend so I am out for both Sat and Sun so thats a good break, hard work but a good laugh so the men can have some bloke time - they did a bit of that last weekend and it was Fathers Day too here so it was a lovely weekend overall.