One of the things I find most difficult is to relax.
I'm always busy - you might say I'm an active relaxer.... or you might agree with my husband and decide that I just never stop working.
But relaxing is important, and I'm always trying to improve my work/life balance, so I guess I've just got to learn to relax a bit, and stop every once in a while. My husband would say that I should do as I say as I am always reminding him that he should learn to relax.
So today we've had a lazy day. I didn't get out of bed until nearly 9am (extremely unusual for me - 6am is more like it!) and then I enjoyed a long hot bath and a good book (which was about business practices, but at least I relaxed while I read it!)
Then I jumped back into bed for a cuddle with my husband as he woke up - and I dozed off and woke up again at 12.15!
Since then I've been busy but chilled out. I've done some baking, sorted some photos from the in-laws' visit, cooked a roast dinner and done most of the ironing.
It's been a lovely day, warm and sunny, and I've thoroughly enjoyed relaxing - both varieties... lounging around in my pyjamas, and just pottering around.
Permission to relax? I guess I granted it for myself!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Normal service is resumed.
I have spent the day moving back into my bedroom, and rearranging our study back into a useable form.
We have had the pleasure of my in-laws' company for the last 7 weeks, but they returned to the UK on Monday morning. We haven't heard whether they got there or not yet... the snow is causing some problems with flights into Heathrow....
And meanwhile, we have repossessed our bedroom (they get it for the duration of their visit, as it is more comfortable than camping out in our study) and enjoyed a good night's sleep last night!
Things are always a little higgledy piggledy when they come to stay, which happens every other Christmas, but the chance for our boys to renew and grow their relationship with their grandparents is just the most important thing, so we all put up with a little upheaval.
Emigrating 10 years ago has made us appreciate our family life, and our extended family, so much more than I think we did in the UK. We value our little team, and never take it for granted. We make more effort to keep in touch with family and friends from around the UK, and in different parts of the world, and the role of our computers in doing this is invaluable.
I actually see my parents more often now than I did when I lived in Worcester - we have skype so we talk each week on that, and we email and facebook in between. We are truly connected, and I am thankful for the ability to be this way.
Having said that, and re-iterating that it is fantastic that husband's parents visit for extended holidays every 2 years, it is also nice to reclaim our spaces again.
Life is returning to normal!
We have had the pleasure of my in-laws' company for the last 7 weeks, but they returned to the UK on Monday morning. We haven't heard whether they got there or not yet... the snow is causing some problems with flights into Heathrow....
And meanwhile, we have repossessed our bedroom (they get it for the duration of their visit, as it is more comfortable than camping out in our study) and enjoyed a good night's sleep last night!
Things are always a little higgledy piggledy when they come to stay, which happens every other Christmas, but the chance for our boys to renew and grow their relationship with their grandparents is just the most important thing, so we all put up with a little upheaval.
Emigrating 10 years ago has made us appreciate our family life, and our extended family, so much more than I think we did in the UK. We value our little team, and never take it for granted. We make more effort to keep in touch with family and friends from around the UK, and in different parts of the world, and the role of our computers in doing this is invaluable.
I actually see my parents more often now than I did when I lived in Worcester - we have skype so we talk each week on that, and we email and facebook in between. We are truly connected, and I am thankful for the ability to be this way.
Having said that, and re-iterating that it is fantastic that husband's parents visit for extended holidays every 2 years, it is also nice to reclaim our spaces again.
Life is returning to normal!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Challenges and how to get them.
Number one son is frustrated with himself.
As a family, we don't "do" new year's resolutions, but we do mindmap some goals for the year and also review the previous year's goals to see how we did. A little pat on the back is a good way to start off the next round of goal setting!
Number 2 son had achieved many of his goals (they had been associated with starting a new school, and he's had an awesome year there) and could easily set goals for things he wants to achieve during 2013.
Number 1 son had achieved many of his goals, but found setting new ones very difficult - hence the frustration.
I have pondered this for the past couple of weeks, and came to some conclusions:
He did embark (quite of his own accord) to write one when he was 11 or 12 years old, but got a bit bogged down with the complexities of planning and plot development. I've offered to work alongside him on this, and we've crafted an overview together this morning. He's off now to start on Chapter 1, and I've said I'll help with structure and editing.
I'm really excited. It might take us a long time, and even if it goes no further than our computers it will still have been an excellent experience. I'm hoping it provides number one son with the challenge he needs to sustain his academic interest through the year.
Watch out for the imaginatively titled "Dunno yet" an epic adventure of awesomeness written by number one son and his wonderful mum!
As a family, we don't "do" new year's resolutions, but we do mindmap some goals for the year and also review the previous year's goals to see how we did. A little pat on the back is a good way to start off the next round of goal setting!
Number 2 son had achieved many of his goals (they had been associated with starting a new school, and he's had an awesome year there) and could easily set goals for things he wants to achieve during 2013.
Number 1 son had achieved many of his goals, but found setting new ones very difficult - hence the frustration.
I have pondered this for the past couple of weeks, and came to some conclusions:
- Number 1 son is academically very capable, and often finds his school work tedious and unexciting. One exception was last year's maths - he completed the Year 11 work and did most of the Year 12 work as well... the challenge was stimulating.
- If he can't find enough challenge in the quite rigid thinking of the NZ exam system for Year 12 students, he would normally look to his out of school past-times.
- In this case his out-of-school passion is ATC, but sadly the challenges there are quite regimented and time-dependent.
- So to give him a challenge and a focus I decided I would have to create one for him.
He did embark (quite of his own accord) to write one when he was 11 or 12 years old, but got a bit bogged down with the complexities of planning and plot development. I've offered to work alongside him on this, and we've crafted an overview together this morning. He's off now to start on Chapter 1, and I've said I'll help with structure and editing.
I'm really excited. It might take us a long time, and even if it goes no further than our computers it will still have been an excellent experience. I'm hoping it provides number one son with the challenge he needs to sustain his academic interest through the year.
Watch out for the imaginatively titled "Dunno yet" an epic adventure of awesomeness written by number one son and his wonderful mum!
Monday, January 14, 2013
Exam nerves
Not mine, I hasten to add, but number 1 son waiting for his NCEA Level 1 results. They tried to put them out on the website yesterday, but so many students accessed it at once that it crashed.
It's taken him many attempts today, but he finally got through to his results page.
I'm pleased to report that he achieved his Level 1, endorsed with Merit; and also managed an Excellence in Maths. He's as happy as a pig in the proverbial, and is much relieved that the wait is over. Now all he has to do is find out how his friends did... social networking is a wonderful thing. Then he can relax for the last 2 weeks of the long summer holiday, and "look forward" to school at the end of this month.
He finds it hard to believe that we would be proud of him whatever his results were, but of course we would be! He worked hard, and the end results show that. Can't complain about a result that puts him in the top 20% of the country, can we??
I'm always so proud of my boys. But then, I'm a mum - I'm allowed to be!
It's taken him many attempts today, but he finally got through to his results page.
I'm pleased to report that he achieved his Level 1, endorsed with Merit; and also managed an Excellence in Maths. He's as happy as a pig in the proverbial, and is much relieved that the wait is over. Now all he has to do is find out how his friends did... social networking is a wonderful thing. Then he can relax for the last 2 weeks of the long summer holiday, and "look forward" to school at the end of this month.
He finds it hard to believe that we would be proud of him whatever his results were, but of course we would be! He worked hard, and the end results show that. Can't complain about a result that puts him in the top 20% of the country, can we??
I'm always so proud of my boys. But then, I'm a mum - I'm allowed to be!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
5 have an adventure in Wellington
Actually there were 6 of us, but I couldn't pass up the chance to sound like a cheesy Enid Blyton story!
We had to hire a car for the day, as ours only seats 5 and we had the grandparents, hubby and me, and our 2 sons to fit in, but it worked out really well. Used a local company and got great service and a great vehicle. Don't ask me what it was... it was white and it seated all of us comfortably! Father-in-law was astounded that we weren't given a "ding sheet" as we left the dealership, and that when we returned it nobody bothered to do a close inspection to make sure we hadn't damaged it. They even took our word for it that we'd filled it with fuel before returning it. He couldn't get over the level of trust that they showed their customers. Not the same in the UK, apparently. Just another thing about NZ that you've got to love!
We had a super day in Wellington: beautiful weather, not too many other tourists! We had a picnic on the waterfront, took the cable car to the top and strolled back down through the botanic gardens, enjoyed a cup of tea at Smiths the Grocer (fabulous building - repurposed old bank) and generally took in the sights and sounds of "the coolest little capital in the world".
Fish and chips for tea, sitting on the beach at Otaki as the sun dropped lower in the sky, and a clear journey home.
Perfect. We are so lucky to live in a wonderful country like New Zealand.
We had to hire a car for the day, as ours only seats 5 and we had the grandparents, hubby and me, and our 2 sons to fit in, but it worked out really well. Used a local company and got great service and a great vehicle. Don't ask me what it was... it was white and it seated all of us comfortably! Father-in-law was astounded that we weren't given a "ding sheet" as we left the dealership, and that when we returned it nobody bothered to do a close inspection to make sure we hadn't damaged it. They even took our word for it that we'd filled it with fuel before returning it. He couldn't get over the level of trust that they showed their customers. Not the same in the UK, apparently. Just another thing about NZ that you've got to love!
We had a super day in Wellington: beautiful weather, not too many other tourists! We had a picnic on the waterfront, took the cable car to the top and strolled back down through the botanic gardens, enjoyed a cup of tea at Smiths the Grocer (fabulous building - repurposed old bank) and generally took in the sights and sounds of "the coolest little capital in the world".
Fish and chips for tea, sitting on the beach at Otaki as the sun dropped lower in the sky, and a clear journey home.
Perfect. We are so lucky to live in a wonderful country like New Zealand.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Another lovely day in paradise.
Wow! What a great day we've had!
Only the usual - working with my husband in his photography business - but it was a lovely sunny day, we were really productive in our endeavours, we have put together a great plan for the new year... and we got a surprise koha (gift) from a client which paid for us to have lunch together as we did our planning meeting.
We also walked up and down the main street in town, doing various chores, and bumped into so many people that we knew... it took ages to get back to the car because we kept stopping to chat! All good networking, though, and as my husband says "Network, or no work!"
Only the usual - working with my husband in his photography business - but it was a lovely sunny day, we were really productive in our endeavours, we have put together a great plan for the new year... and we got a surprise koha (gift) from a client which paid for us to have lunch together as we did our planning meeting.
We also walked up and down the main street in town, doing various chores, and bumped into so many people that we knew... it took ages to get back to the car because we kept stopping to chat! All good networking, though, and as my husband says "Network, or no work!"
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Heigh ho, heigh ho.
Yes, it's back to work I go.
Not school (although we're on "holiday" I was back in school last week doing curriculum documentation), and not Willow Education (my wonderful business partner, Pauline, returns from various family weddings later on this week so we'll kick back into gear then) but with husband's business.
I love this point of the year - we NEVER make new year resolutions but we DO indulge in mindmapping goals for the coming year. We also begin by checking off all the things we intended to do last year that we achieved. It's a great feeling, knowing that you are working steadily towards the things you really want to do.
So, having mindmapped 2013 and then timelined it into a realistic framework, we are embarking on specific action planning this afternoon.
And then, with our new focus clear in our heads and hearts we're ready to conquer the world! Mwah-ha-ha-haaaaaa (*head thrown back to amplify evil laugh*)
Don't worry though. You're all still safe with us. Just keep a look out for Inshot Photography images once I get going with my cunning marketing plans! :)
Not school (although we're on "holiday" I was back in school last week doing curriculum documentation), and not Willow Education (my wonderful business partner, Pauline, returns from various family weddings later on this week so we'll kick back into gear then) but with husband's business.
I love this point of the year - we NEVER make new year resolutions but we DO indulge in mindmapping goals for the coming year. We also begin by checking off all the things we intended to do last year that we achieved. It's a great feeling, knowing that you are working steadily towards the things you really want to do.
So, having mindmapped 2013 and then timelined it into a realistic framework, we are embarking on specific action planning this afternoon.
And then, with our new focus clear in our heads and hearts we're ready to conquer the world! Mwah-ha-ha-haaaaaa (*head thrown back to amplify evil laugh*)
Don't worry though. You're all still safe with us. Just keep a look out for Inshot Photography images once I get going with my cunning marketing plans! :)
Friday, January 4, 2013
What a ride, what a ride....
Today we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our arrival in New Zealand.
How life has changed for us since we grasped the bull by the horns and emigrated!
It has truly been a bed of roses (thorns and all!) and I look back over the last 10 years in awe and wonder at the amazing people we've met, the fabulous places we've visited, the incredible opportunities we've been given since our arrival.
We made this move for our children's sake, and seeing them now as mature, well-adjusted young men (well, 15 and 12 years old!) who make the most of the opportunities that come their way, I just know we did the right thing.
Not the easy thing, but the right thing.
We took a huge gamble 10 years ago, selling up everything and coming half way round the world to a country we'd never been to before, but it's a gamble that definitely paid off.
Bring on the next 10 years - I can't wait to see what you've got in store for us!
How life has changed for us since we grasped the bull by the horns and emigrated!
It has truly been a bed of roses (thorns and all!) and I look back over the last 10 years in awe and wonder at the amazing people we've met, the fabulous places we've visited, the incredible opportunities we've been given since our arrival.
We made this move for our children's sake, and seeing them now as mature, well-adjusted young men (well, 15 and 12 years old!) who make the most of the opportunities that come their way, I just know we did the right thing.
Not the easy thing, but the right thing.
We took a huge gamble 10 years ago, selling up everything and coming half way round the world to a country we'd never been to before, but it's a gamble that definitely paid off.
Bring on the next 10 years - I can't wait to see what you've got in store for us!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Managing my Impulsivity
Grrrrrrr!
This is the sound of a normally rational human being (ie me) being reduced to a state of extreme frustration by bureacracy!
I've been filling in my online enrollment for a Massey University paper, which forms a compulsory part of the Mathematics Support Teacher course I'm undertaking for my school. Over the next 2 years I will do a paper each year which will give me 60 credits towards a PGDipEd (roughly 1/4 of a Masters' degree).
However, the fact that I trained at Cambridge University has caused them some problems as they are not sure whether my training is of a high enough standard to qualify me for their paper.
In fact I have spent 35 minutes on the phone to their helpline, and then a further 45 minutes completing their online enrollment. Not to mention a visit to school to photocopy the required documents and have them verified by my school principal.
Boy, you have to really want to study with them, don't you??!?
However, I've drawn on my Habits of Mind training. I've managed my impulsivity ("What do you mean, you're not sure if the standards at Cambridge are high enough for your course?" did not pass my lips although I was screaming it loudly in my head), I've persisted with their ridiculously complicated online enrollment form, I've paid attention to the details, I've even found humour in the situation (am I the Joanna Lewis who was born in 1921 who previously applied to them? No, I'm not!).
And now all I can do is sit back and wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to turn. And send them the documents they are asking for: birth certificate, passport, residency certificate, change of name documents ie divorce certificate, degree certificate, academic transcript, NZQA assessment of qualifications and a current CV. Oh and the application form and photo for a student ID card. Oh and the payment of $1500 which will be partly be reimbursed by the Government and partly by my school.
I can't wait to see what the paper actually entails- it can't be harder than the enrollment process, can it??!?
This is the sound of a normally rational human being (ie me) being reduced to a state of extreme frustration by bureacracy!
I've been filling in my online enrollment for a Massey University paper, which forms a compulsory part of the Mathematics Support Teacher course I'm undertaking for my school. Over the next 2 years I will do a paper each year which will give me 60 credits towards a PGDipEd (roughly 1/4 of a Masters' degree).
However, the fact that I trained at Cambridge University has caused them some problems as they are not sure whether my training is of a high enough standard to qualify me for their paper.
In fact I have spent 35 minutes on the phone to their helpline, and then a further 45 minutes completing their online enrollment. Not to mention a visit to school to photocopy the required documents and have them verified by my school principal.
Boy, you have to really want to study with them, don't you??!?
However, I've drawn on my Habits of Mind training. I've managed my impulsivity ("What do you mean, you're not sure if the standards at Cambridge are high enough for your course?" did not pass my lips although I was screaming it loudly in my head), I've persisted with their ridiculously complicated online enrollment form, I've paid attention to the details, I've even found humour in the situation (am I the Joanna Lewis who was born in 1921 who previously applied to them? No, I'm not!).
And now all I can do is sit back and wait for the wheels of bureaucracy to turn. And send them the documents they are asking for: birth certificate, passport, residency certificate, change of name documents ie divorce certificate, degree certificate, academic transcript, NZQA assessment of qualifications and a current CV. Oh and the application form and photo for a student ID card. Oh and the payment of $1500 which will be partly be reimbursed by the Government and partly by my school.
I can't wait to see what the paper actually entails- it can't be harder than the enrollment process, can it??!?
Rapido
No, this is not an instruction!
It's the name of the coffee house in Wanganui which is showing some of husband's photographic art.
We approached them about 3 months ago, and they said they'd be in touch... hadn't heard anything so took it to be a big NO.... and then yesterday morning we got a text asking for some pieces. Woo hoo!
So I dashed round there with a panoramic to begin with, and we're going to add 2 or 3 more pieces today (when I've reframed them!)
Just goes to show that patience is a positive value, and that good things come to those who wait!
Today can only get better and better, I think!
It's the name of the coffee house in Wanganui which is showing some of husband's photographic art.
We approached them about 3 months ago, and they said they'd be in touch... hadn't heard anything so took it to be a big NO.... and then yesterday morning we got a text asking for some pieces. Woo hoo!
So I dashed round there with a panoramic to begin with, and we're going to add 2 or 3 more pieces today (when I've reframed them!)
Just goes to show that patience is a positive value, and that good things come to those who wait!
Today can only get better and better, I think!
Out to lunch!
What a nice surprise I got today!
I have been back at school for the last couple of days, helping the boss to put together our curriculum documentation and writing procedures to cover any gaps. It's only half way through our long summer holiday, but that's the best time to get paperwork done - no children around, and no other staff on site to distract us!
We were hard at work this morning, when she suddenly announced that it was time for lunch. We drove into town and she bought me a lovely lunch to thank me for my help outside of normal school duties!
It just goes to show that if you do considerate things for people around you, then nice things happen for you.
And we finished pretty much all our paperwork today as well - double bonus!
I have been back at school for the last couple of days, helping the boss to put together our curriculum documentation and writing procedures to cover any gaps. It's only half way through our long summer holiday, but that's the best time to get paperwork done - no children around, and no other staff on site to distract us!
We were hard at work this morning, when she suddenly announced that it was time for lunch. We drove into town and she bought me a lovely lunch to thank me for my help outside of normal school duties!
It just goes to show that if you do considerate things for people around you, then nice things happen for you.
And we finished pretty much all our paperwork today as well - double bonus!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Thoughtful
I just had some very sad news - the father of one of my best friends died on New Years Eve.
She is in the UK, and has been a close friend of mine for nearly 30 years. His death was not unexpected as he had been ill for some time, but that does not make it any easier.
What I most want to do is hug her and hug her, but cannot do that as she is half the world away. I've had to be content with sending messages via email and social media, but so wish I could afford to just jump on a plane and be with her at this time.
It has made me consider just how lucky I am. I have both my parents, and am fortunate that they are in their mid-late 60s (so not terribly old) and are in good health. Certainly, they are in the UK, but we email each other regularly and skype every week so we see each other.
I also have my loving family around me here. My wonderful husband, who is also my best friend, has walked my path with me for the last 20 years without any cross words passing between us. Our 2 gorgeous sons are growing up into fine young men with whom we share fantastic relationships. My in-laws visit us every other Christmas and spend around 6 weeks living with us and sharing in our lives.
How blessed I feel when I think of these people. Their presence in my life makes my own journey a little easier and a lot more interesting. I value the moments we share and treasure the memories that I have.
My heart is heavy today, thinking of my fabulous friend and the sadness she is going through. Love and hugs go out to her.
Go in peace Des. 1931 - 2012.
She is in the UK, and has been a close friend of mine for nearly 30 years. His death was not unexpected as he had been ill for some time, but that does not make it any easier.
What I most want to do is hug her and hug her, but cannot do that as she is half the world away. I've had to be content with sending messages via email and social media, but so wish I could afford to just jump on a plane and be with her at this time.
It has made me consider just how lucky I am. I have both my parents, and am fortunate that they are in their mid-late 60s (so not terribly old) and are in good health. Certainly, they are in the UK, but we email each other regularly and skype every week so we see each other.
I also have my loving family around me here. My wonderful husband, who is also my best friend, has walked my path with me for the last 20 years without any cross words passing between us. Our 2 gorgeous sons are growing up into fine young men with whom we share fantastic relationships. My in-laws visit us every other Christmas and spend around 6 weeks living with us and sharing in our lives.
How blessed I feel when I think of these people. Their presence in my life makes my own journey a little easier and a lot more interesting. I value the moments we share and treasure the memories that I have.
My heart is heavy today, thinking of my fabulous friend and the sadness she is going through. Love and hugs go out to her.
Go in peace Des. 1931 - 2012.
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