Originally Posted by sonlymewalter

Great update Jen and great to hear you're still enjoying Aus. Hope you enjoy the trip back too:sunglasses:

How's your leg now? Did you ever find out wot bit you

Originally Posted by Jen1977ni

Ok, a bit of an update for those who might want to know...and for those who don't, OOPS SORRY! LOL

Ok so I've been back on Slimming World for 7 weeks and have just reached my first (and only) stone off, only another 9 pounds to go, though I might attempt an additional half stone closer to March so that when I'm back in the UK I can put that additional half stone back on in style! lol

Anyhoo, so there are only 3 weeks left of the academic year, I have nothing sorted for next year yet as we have 6 permanent teachers transferring in, so for those of us on contracts in my current school, it's not looking good! But hey, one just never knows eh!

So I have saved enough to keep us going, comfortably, over the school holidays, but since we have no UK visitors this year I decided it might be an idea to get a wee summer job. So one of my favourite shops is Kathmandu, my local store only opened in April and I love the quality of their stuff, yes it's expensive but the quality is top notch. So anyway, I called in with them, off the cuff, delivered my CV and said if they needed any casuals over the hols to let me know. A month or so later I got a call and had an interview last weekend, come Tuesday, after ten minute interrogations of both of my references, I got the call to say I had the job. I was in for a staff meeting on Thursday night, the girls are all lovely. I am going to do my first 'shift' this coming Saturday, 10 til 3, it's $22 an hour, not sure how that compares with other places, but hey, it's some extra spends for when I go back to the UK in March for a wee holiday!

RE the trip to the UK Dad has come up with the lovely idea that him and my brothers will all chip in, instead of birthday/Christmas pressies (my birthday is in March when I'm home) for a hire car while I'm back, which is really generous and will be a huge help financially!

Simon is currently away on a course in Melbourne for 5 weeks, great timing if I'm honest, as I have so much to do at the moment for work and this allows me to just focus and get it all done.

Derek the Boxer continues to go from strength to strength, literally. He has to wear a Halti so I can control him on the lead, he hates it, and I do too, but it's either that or I go water-skiing on land every time we go walkies. He's been going to Dog Obedience classes since the beginning of October, and he continues to be the d*ckhead of the class, but he is learning, slowly...I think lol He's just over 9 months now and close to 26kg and still has a certain amount of growing to do, hopefully in the brain department too lol

Anyhoo, 21 months on, still loving life here in Australia, no regrets whatsoever. I don't think Toowoomba would've been our first choice but for a first posting climate wise, it's been perfect. We could be reposted in 2012, not sure but the course the OH is on is working towards promotion so. I love the people here, yes, even despite TW being very bogan. I am still quite shocked at how overweight some people are, especially up here on the hill, it's absolutely disgusting. I guess that was the incentive to sign back up to SW online to get myself back into my small clothes. I keep myself fit too, been going to the gym for over a year now though have put my membership on hold until Simon gets back as he normally walks Derek in the am so I've taken over that role and can't do that, get to the gym and be in work before 7.30, it's just not doable!

So...in conclusion, life is good. I love Australia, and I still love NI, I'd just had enough of it's narrow mindedness and 'watching my back', 32 years of doing that was more than enough for anyone. I am really looking forward to my trip back in March, I just hope I don't fall into any feelings of homesickness once I'm back there, but I'd like to think if that was going to happen it would've done so by now!?

Anyhoo, over and out and GOOD LUCK to those yet to join the rest of us, and HOWDY to those already here xo

(PS the ADF are about to commence (28th Nov) their interviews for lateral transfers again, so for those about to embark on the same journey as us, WOO HOO HURRY UP!)

Originally Posted by Jen1977ni

It's grand ta, still no idea, will probably never know eh. It's still a wee bit tender to the touch in the area, but all in all. How was ur trip to the big TW?!

Originally Posted by MrsE

Great update Jen - keep 'em coming! It's good to hear you are still enjoying life out there. We are flying out in March - yippee!!!!

Originally Posted by beachlady

Lovely update, glad you're still loving Aus. I'll be there in January so the stress levels are starting to creep up with all the shipping, house stuff to sort out etc. I keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end. Your update is very encouraging.

Originally Posted by Jen1977ni

And it will be, keep smiling through all the rain, AND SNOW!!! Just think, this will be the last snow you see for sometime! WOO HOO!!!

Originally Posted by beachlady

Yeah, can't wait for some decent weather, but so much to sort in those first few weeks...argghhh. Also that long flight ahead of me...preparing myself to be extremely bored.

Originally Posted by Jen1977ni

GOOD NEWS ALERT!

Just had my contract extended into next year, so that means I'll be paid over the summer holidays and be teaching a Year 3 class next year. Very happy with that as I just LOVE LOVE LOVE my school! Only thing is, I've now got the casual job in the shop, and I'd told them I could work full-time over the hols, that'll no longer be the case - I can only really do 2 to 3 days MAX....will tell them Saturday, let's hope they don't freak out on me. Ideally I'd prefer to leave as I'll be taxed to the hilt and it won't be worth my while, but I'm not in the habit of letting people down, DARNIT LOL

Originally Posted by Jen1977ni

GOOD NEWS ALERT!

Just had my contract extended into next year, so that means I'll be paid over the summer holidays and be teaching a Year 3 class next year. Very happy with that as I just LOVE LOVE LOVE my school! Only thing is, I've now got the casual job in the shop, and I'd told them I could work full-time over the hols, that'll no longer be the case - I can only really do 2 to 3 days MAX....will tell them Saturday, let's hope they don't freak out on me. Ideally I'd prefer to leave as I'll be taxed to the hilt and it won't be worth my while, but I'm not in the habit of letting people down, DARNIT LOL