Goodbye PNG, Hello Brissie

It was with mixed feelings I left Mt Hagen at the end of last year and transitioned to life back in Brisbane.  On the way home I visit a couple of friends I met in PNG (see travel below).

I had a lovely farewell from all the Baptist Principals and a great day with the school.  We even had a greasy pole, where the kids had to climb a greased pole to reach the prizes at the top.  Teamwork was needed and I love that PNG parents encourage their kids to climb and hoist classmates on their shoulders.

 




I arrived back and my wonderful family helped me move back home with my niece and nephew organising my pantry for me, with all the generous gifts of my friends who threw me a kitchen tea to welcome me home.

It was a bit of a challenge to settle into work where I was no longer casting the vision and leading the team.  This lead me to look for other options.  Next year I have a new job.

I have thoroughly enjoyed being back with family and friends.  Highlights have included picking up Harvey & Olive from school, running in another half marathon & camping with the nieces and nephews.

I haven't committed to any service options at church this year but allowed myself time to resettle in Australia and reconnect with friends and culture here.

Thank you to everyone who supported me while in PNG and my transition back home.  I am blessed beyond measure with cherished friends and family.

Happy Christmas!

Holidays

I took long service leave for term 4 and took some time to visit Mt Hagen.  I was pleased to be able to achieve a goal I hadn't managed to accomplish while living in PNG.

PNG
I made it to the top of Mt Wilhelm, the tallest mountain in PNG at 4509m.  Previously, I had tried but the weather was against us, I was ill and I got altitude sickness.

This time I was healthy and powered up the mountain. While being fit my legs weren't used to climbing and I struggled to walk for a week…but it was worth it.

  






EuropeThis time last year I was in Austria with my friends Melina & Birgit.  It was a marvellous time of catching up, learning about other christmas traditions & enjoying a winter christmas.  Mum met me in Paris in January.  We had the opportunity to visit the grave of my Great, Great Uncle in rural France.

  

 

Looking forward to 2016

After 20 years I am leaving Education Queensland to take up a new role as Head of Intermediate (Years 3-6) at Livingstone Christian College at Ormeau.  I'm looking forward to this new challenge.  It is a 25min drive down the freeway towards the Gold Coast.  I hope I can manage to ride a day or two a week.