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April 1999

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Coming Up for air
Saturday, 24 April 1999

Its Saturday afternoon, the first break in a hectic few weeks when I can just sit and relax and be me and do nothing in particular - like write this journal entry.

Our trip to Thailand went fine - plenty to write about, and I will do so when I get the photos developed. All 9 films worth. I managed to keep a daily written journal while travelling, so that will become the basis for my next travel adventure writeup in the next few weeks.

We arrived back in Australia early last Saturday morning - utterly exhausted and a danger to others on the road. I always find it hard to sleep during the day, and so couldn't wait until bed time to drop off to catch up.

Leonie and the kids were so tired they decided to stay on in Perth for the week. Unfortunately, I had to get back to work for a Monday morning class for which I had not prepared. So, early Sunday morning, I loaded up the car and drove back up here to Kalgoorlie.

The rest of the week was no better - I had two days industry training at one of the local mine sites (Black Swan Nickel). They wanted to do MS Project training. I knew a bit about project management, but was pretty green when it came to using the software - but I picked it up sufficient to look like I knew what I was doing.

The Black Swan Nickel mine is about 50km east of Kalgoorlie out a dirt road. They had forgotten to tell me I needed to bring my own lunch. So I arrived out there expecting to find a canteen or something. Fortunately Megan, the receptionist had to go into town in the morning, so while I was busy training the staff, she got me a sandwich. The next day I managed to bring my own lunch!

I also had evening classes Tuesday and Wednesday, and also all day and eveing Thursday. So, there wasn't a great deal of spare time - it was a case of home in the evenings, off to sleep, up early and off to work the next day. Friday gave abit of relief - I had only some admin work to do in the morning, then it was home to clean up the house (I'm not a pig, its just that stuff like the mail was usually just dumped on the kitchen bench when I came home - so it had to be cleared up). Leonie, Kathryn and Thomas arrived home on the train from Perth on Friday afternoon. It was nice to see them again. I noticed how much Thomas had changed, even in a week away. He is now on solids (well, strained and very runny solids - but something other than milk anyway).

This morning was our relaxing time at Basils Cafe, and also dropping in the 9 films to be processed.

Its been a very busy week - I calculated that I have done 30 hours of actual teaching time this week - well above normal. And its still not over. I have been rostered (at my own request I must confess) to do a new Sunday afternoon Internet class - at least it will be fun, and something I know a bit about.

Tomorrow is ANZAC Day - an early start for the Dawn Service and Marches.

Leaving on a jet plane
Friday, 2 April 1999

The Graduation Ceremony last Friday night went OK - a few minor hitches, like half the graduands that I was supposed to announce didn't front, and there were a few cockups with the order of things, but other than that it was fine. It is a nice feeling seeing your former students doing well.

This last week has been a complete shambles as far as getting alot done though. Last week of term before Easter, and all. So much to do, so little time to do it in. Ah, well, at least I will have something to do when I get back!

Get back?, you say? Yes thats right. Today (in a matter of hours in fact), we are off on our holidays. Hopefully with ne'er a thought for work matters

We drive down to Perth to spend Easter with Leonies family. Hopefully they have gotten over that stomach bug that was sweeping around the family recently. Then on Monday morning (very early Monday morning), we fly out to Thailand! I am so looking forward to this trip - we have done a lot of planning, and besides it costs heaps so it better be worth it. *wink* We plan to spend three days at Phuket in the south of Thailand, then fly to Banhkok, and as well as shopping, have planned a trip out to the infamous Bridge On the River Kwai. Then its up north to Chaing Mai for a few days. While we are up there it will be the Thai New Year - apparently Chaing Mai is the best place to be at that time - they take their "Festivals" VERY seriously there - and throw lots of water on perfectly innocent strangers! Lastly it is back to Bangkok again for some more city sights and shopping, then on home - just in time to starte Term 2 back at work.

I've also done some research and there area few cyber-cafe's in Phuket and Bangkok, so there may be notes along the way. In any event, when we get back, there will be a travel write-up and hopefully loads of pictures. We bought a new zoom camera duty free yesterday - so i expect there will be some good pictures.

Thats it for now - have a restful and pleasant Easter everyone - see you when I get back.