Monthly Update November 2012

WHEN I’M STUCK FOR WORDS

It is not often that I am stuck for words. Sometimes when I want a pick-me-up I go to my own website (it’s not as bad as it sounds) and hit refresh a few times to read the various quotes of the day. Here are a few to share with you and just maybe one of these is for your situation this day. From one of my favourite authors and a truth I readily experience:

The soul is healed by being with children. — Fyodor Dostoevsky

For any Swedish friends – or just those who tend to be a bit anxious:

Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. — Swedish Proverb

From another classic author along similar lines:

Our whole life is taken up with anxiety for personal security, with preparations for living, so that we really never live at all. — Leo Tolstoy

Look up some more for yourself right here!

OVERSEAS CONNECTIONS

UKRAINE

I have not heard much from my friends in Ukraine lately.

NEW ZEALAND

The arrival of baby Pirini is imminent, I am guessing before the next monthly update. Please pray for Ruth and Jon as they prepare for their new life of parenthood.

USA

I am off to the USA for Christmas! I leave here on December 16th and return on January 22nd. I will be visiting Marie’s friends in family in Washington State, southwest of Seattle in Shelton, Olympia and surrounds. I am really looking forward to meeting all of her family and seeing the world where she grew up.

ON THE HOME FRONT

CRAZY LITTLE THING

By the time this reaches press, I could be the happiest man on the planet. After an 84 day separation, I will be meeting Marie at Sydney International Airport. She is staying here in Sydney for just 3 weeks and we will include a quick weekend trip to Brisbane during that time. I look forward to showing her around, introducing her to friends, and most of all just being with her again.

SCHOOL DAYS

School is going well; I do feel stretched between time for the job and wanting to spend spare moments with Marie over the next three weeks. I am enjoying my fourth graders and I think they are too.  The good news is that I have a job at PHCS for at least the first six months of next year.

WATHC YA READIN'?

I hang my head in shame and admit that I have not quite finished Crime and Punishment by Dostoyevsky. It will be finished by next month for sure! I have enjoyed some of the children’s books I have been reading to my class. I have pulled out some of the classics I enjoyed as a kid by Bill Peet. Huge Harold was a good one – all you budding school teachers can get on Amazon and have a look for yourselves.

THANKS

Marie for coming to Australia – enough said!