As the year draws to a close there is a feeling of relief. We made it. I finished my first year (almost) of teaching and am secure in the job for as long as I want it. Luuk has finished full time work at Allied Telesis. Plans for next year are confirmed, with Luuk working three days for the Navigators and two for Allied Telesis, a new flat lease signed for the end of January, and ferry tickets purchased for a road-tripping holiday between now and then.
It has been a hectic year. A wonderful, mad-cap, blessed year. We began in the Waikato with Olie Bollen and flat champagne. January was full of friends and more food than was good for us as we tiki-toured around Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. We returned to the real world – well, Luuk did, while I played house-wife for a month before my final teaching practise began. I was sent to private girls school for the first time ever at age 23. St Margaret’s was a great place for my final teaching training to take place. I was given room to spread my wings and take on responsibilities, and my efforts were appreciated – a great encouragement. I was blessed with a job Thursday, finished teaching practise Friday, and started at Rangiora New Life School on Monday.
During this time Luuk was invited to join he Navigator’s staff and got on board with one of the student cell groups to get to know the students he will be working with come January 2009. All that was needed to ensure he could take on the job was for me to get a job in Christchurch… Rangiora? Close enough.
Both working full time, on my part, for the first time, and on Luuk’s part, adding Navs-related-responsibilities to the recipe has kept us both at capacity since May. We’ve had several weekends and long weekends away. In March we celebrated our 1st anniversary at French Farm – tiny bay on the opposite side of Akaroa harbour. We then visited Hamilton to welcome our niece, Briar, to the family, and the world. In October we were up to Auckland to celebrate my grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary. Later in the month we visited the west coast for Luuk’s birthday. There were a bunch of Navs-related weekends, some of which I absented myself from due to workload, need for time-out, need to see friends.
We’ve both missed friends this year, with many of Luuk’s friends overseas or straits (namely, Cook Strait). Given the commute to Rangiora daily I have joined a carpool of teachers and only drive once or twice a week. This has been great for professional discussion, not to mention saving money and the environment. We have made a habit of working 8 to 5, which means I rarely bring any school work home, but often strikes out the possibility of catching up with friends during the week. Winter makes the evenings here in Christchurch good for hiding out at home with a DVD and curry. So that was what we did.
Our hopes for next year… to play all the board games we got this year, sell all the books Luuk bought in bulk on trademe, fill our bigger house with people… then feed them! So come visit. There will be a spare room, unless too many people take us up on this, and even then there are couches, bean bags (one of which has a beak and feet) and an inflatable mattress. We’ll have slept on it for three weeks so if it’s still inflatable, it’s all yours!
Merry Christmas!
Written by Amy. Authorised by Luuk. Powered by La Mai coffee.