Sunday morning, woke up early because I was worried about how and when I could get everything done. I am taking 2 courses at UVic, one of them is challenging and thought provoking, the other one is challenging and too difficult. It’s statistics + a programming language called R. I am having a hard time keeping up and it’s only September. Evan and I spent hours/days on homework! I just hope it gets easier once I get the hang of it. I think the only way to somewhat succeed will be to connect with my classmates and work with them on homework.

My new job on the other hand is the best, I am an instructor at the university here and teach one course on Thursday mornings. I am also doing practicum supervision for our students. I love everything about this job, my colleagues, the challenge, the atmosphere, the courses I’m teaching.

Bottom line of the story, I need an extra week every week to be be successful at what I am trying to do here. If you haven’t heard from me in a while, this is why…

Love you and miss you.

Next time we’re definitely going on a honeymoon!

After Karin had to spend an extra day in Munich, she finally arrived last night! We laughed and talked and couldn’t believe that she is really here. Evan cooked us a beautiful dinner, Spiderman came downstairs for a visit, and we laughed some more. This morning we got up extra early and I dropped her off at the airport. Now Karin is on her way up to Prince Rupert to visit Kerstin & the kids for the week. I’m so happy she is here.

I’m playing casual Friday here in my office/ living room, an idea that I got from Evan’s job (the job that is so nice that he absolutely loves going to work). My pyjamas give me some comfort that everything will be okay as I am working away on three of the biggest projects of my life simultaneously. Here I am preparing for my new job as instructor, our long-awaited wedding, and my PhD studies. Olivera would say, “I’m absolutely crrrrrrazy!”

Looks like the first week of September will be quite eventful: I will start teaching on Thursday, get married on Friday, camp all weekend, and then make it just in time for school in Victoria on Monday.

I love every bit of this new adventure!

In my last week at work, Maryam, Joanna, and I put on a workshop on “Yoga and Materials” for all of the educators. It turned out beautifully and was a nice celebration of my time working with everyone. We laughed and had a good time together, and I would say the professional development was a great success.

Last day of work. √

Submit paper by midnight. √

Enjoy a glass of wine or two. √

A few weeks ago I handed in my notice at work. I’ll be at my job in the most beautiful daycare EVER for 2 more weeks. I haven’t learned everything there is to know about being a supervisor, barely scratched the surface. There is no doubt that for the past year I’ve lived a very different experience of childcare, stretching my understanding of what early childhood education can be. Though I struggled in many ways, I feel very fortunate to be part of this centre’s story. In fact, BECAUSE I struggled so much, I feel very fortunate that our paths have crossed.

The parents and my coworkers are very excited about my new academic adventure and understand that I can’t work full-time while I am studying and commuting to Victoria. Needless to say they would prefer to keep me. This morning I talked to a parent at work. He told me that he is friends with a family that knows me from working at Pooh Corner. What a small world. Then he shared another story with me and reminded me that sometimes the stars align for us.

Now I’m sitting at home, reading for school in my comfy chair, trying to trust that the stars will align for me. And so they did: I think I just found myself a new part-time job at a University nearby. I went for this job interview a few weeks ago, didn’t really tell anyone about it, but had such a great time catching up with my old lecturers. I couldn’t be more excited.

Lenni watering the flowers….