The Daily Grind

Alright, okay, I’ll do it. As I sit trapped in this huge metal structure 35,000 feet in the air with 9 more hours till we land I have no more excuses. I have no reason why I shouldn’t use this time to FINALLY write a new post on my blog. I know, I know I’ve been missing in action for quite a while, but I’ve been a busy girl. Of course I have to justify my absence and my excuse is that I have rejoined the land of those receiving paychecks. Vacation mode of living in Sydney has worn off and I’m back to the daily grind. I have been working at my new job for the past four weeks and I LOVE it. It keeps me extremely busy and I’ve embraced the hectic, long days. (My daily public bus commute is a blog in itself.) It’s easy to become immersed in work when you don’t have much of a social life. I’m definitely not complaining though. I’ve got a great job with an awesome office suite (so cool!!) and the best thing about my new job is that I’m already on holiday break. Tough life, right?

I’m working as a School Psychologist in an all-boys private elementary school. I thought I’d miss working with girls more, but when I think about it, most of my students in Dallas were boys as well. I’m sort of a pseudo celebrity at my new school. The boys that I’ve met are often in awe of the fact that I’m from the States. I kind of like my D-list status. One kid I met immediately wanted to know all about the gun laws in the US (a little odd) while others are usually just interested in talking about video games, movies, or TV shows. Some boys have been appalled at my lack of knowledge on rugby, cricket, or other sports and are set on teaching as much as they can. I attempt to listen but most of the time just end up nodding and smiling. Sports just aren’t my thing. (FYI, at the school sport participation is compulsory for ALL boys. I feel bad for the non-coordinated ones.) I enjoy talking to the boys but have to really strain sometimes to understand them. Like all kids, some talk REALLY fast (Yes, I know I’m a fast talker as well.) and I have to listen closely to gather what they’re saying with the accent and all. We’re a pretty diverse campus so I have to listen to much more than an Aussie accent. Just this week I was informed that a bubbler is a water fountain. Cute, right?

Speaking of accents, one of the most common and annoying observations I’ve heard lately is, “Wow, you have an American accent.” or “Has anyone ever told you that you sound like you’re from the States?” I want to respond in a not so nice manner as the comment has become bothersome, but instead I just smile and explain that the reason I have an American accent is because I am American. Funny how those accents work.

I’ve really tried to tone down my use of ya’ll so I don’t sound so foreign or whatever, but it’s hard. One thing I haven’t been able to reduce the use of is “mam and sir”. I use that ALL the time when talking with parents and students and I have for years. It’s automatic regardless of age and I don’t even think about it. Some think it’s cute although I don’t want to be cute in the way I talk. I’d rather be cute in the outfit I’m wearing. Anyway, I have some co-workers who are really intrigued/disturbed by my use of “m’am and sir”. I’ve explained that it’s just a sign of respect and nothing else but they really don’t get it. I’ve become quite sensitive and self-conscious about it and maybe I should try to drop it altogether, but I really just want to be polite. Australia is a much more informal country than the US. For example, as a staff member in schools I would always address teachers by their last name when speaking to them directly and especially in front of students. I would also address parents by Mr. and Mrs. So and so as well. Here everyone is addressed by their first names and it’s quite a transition for me. The students do use last names when addressing teachers but they’re the only ones. Maybe I should just play by their rules, but I’m not ready to give in quite yet.

The school is extremely diverse and many of our students are English Language Learners. The school emphasizes celebrating all nationalities and just last week we had a Greek Day celebration hosted by parents and family members. There were Greek dances and a special lunch was made available for students and staff. For each country’s celebration day they fly that country’s flag alongside the Australian flag. There was a request put out there for an American flag and I immediately volunteered to purchase it. It’s my patriotic duty, right? I don’t know how much time I spent agonizing over which American flag to buy (embroidered, vinyl, cotton, etc.) before I finally purchased one. I didn’t want to go too small or too cheap but nothing better than their Australian flag either. I can’t be completely tacky about it. It really was a difficult decision and a matter of national pride as I alone have to represent the USA at school. I can only imagine what kind of stereotypes I’m reinforcing. I never said that I’d be the best representative, but by default, I’m the only one. Ideally we’d hold our American celebration on the fourth of July, but that’s our winter break and we’re out for holiday. (Yep, I’ve already got that trip planned too. Paul and I are headed to Tasmania for a long weekend to celebrate our first anniversary and his birthday and then I’m off to explore SE Asia . . again. It’s a big area and that’s how I’m justifying traveling there for the 3^rd year in a row.) I’m thinking of maybe doing something in November focusing around Thanksgiving but I haven’t quite made up my mind. It wouldn’t be so bad if I could actually cook and contribute to a Thanksgiving dinner at the school. Unfortunately, I have no cooking skills and no desire to even attempt to acquire some. I still show up at my grandmother’s house every year without having cooked anything (it’s in everyone’s best interest) and with Tupperware to take home leftovers. What could I possibly contribute without literally leaving a bad taste in everyone else’s mouth?? I’m domestically disabled and a lost cause. Anyone have any suggestions for a Thanksgiving type activity for the school or maybe another American holiday we could celebrate?

The kids and staff at the school are great and I’m really enjoying being an involved member of the campus. I’m working on setting up a pen pal type program with my campus and my niece and nephew’s school in Texas. Hopefully, that’ll all work out because I really do think it’d be a cool opportunity for all the kids involved. Just a little info about the Australian schools: The Australian school year runs the calendar year and its split up into four terms. Basically it’s year round school with 9-10 weeks of school followed by a 2-3 week holiday break in between with 8 weeks off for Summer (in December and January). I get about 15 weeks off a year and that’s perfect since I love to travel so much. The nice thing about this schedule is that you work extremely hard for 9-10 weeks and then you’re rewarded with a substantial break. Gotta love school schedules and I’m sooo glad I’m back in one.

Even though I have these two weeks off I wouldn’t have normally have been able to just hop on a plane and come home. Tickets are just a wee bit expensive. Fortunately, Paul’s company bought our tickets as part of a reward for him exceeding his sales goals this past year. The plane tickets were part of a trip to Cancun. I’ve got to get back to work and won’t be going to Cancun but Paul will attend. Due to our varied work and travel schedules, I’m in Texas on my own for these two weeks and will literally pass Paul in the air on my return to Sydney. He’s flying to Cancun and we’ll reunite at the end of April. Basically we’re spending the month apart. Yes, it’s odd, but it’s nice that we both encourage the other to do what they would like.

I’m a lucky, lucky girl to have a husband like Paul. He completely understands how much I miss my family and friends and what an important role they play in my day to day life. He’s seen and willfully been a part of my repeated efforts to get involved and meet new people in Sydney and although it’s working, it’s a slow process. I know he wants me to be happy so he’s all for my trip home even though it will involve time away from him and a significant amount of shopping. (It’s CRAZY expensive in Australia! Can you blame a girl for wanting a deal when she shops?) Now that I’ve gone back to work I can’t really talk to anyone during the week either. The amount of hours that we’re all awake and available to talk are pretty much non-existent. If we could all talk while we’re at work then it wouldn’t be such a problem, but we can’t and that is what makes it difficult. That pretty much leaves me with Saturday mornings or Sunday mornings to make calls. Unfortunately, Paul and I usually have activities planned for those times as well. The technology is great for cheap calls; however, finding the time is what makes it tough.

As if trying to see family and friends in a two week time span wasn’t stressful enough, I also added a short trip to Costa Rica into the mix. My friends, Brenda and Erik, moved there in December and since I’ve never been I thought it’d be a great adventure to check it out and visit with them while I’m on this side of the world. I realize heading to Costa Rica isn’t exactly a hop, jump, and a skip away, but when you live in Australia it is.

Although I’m VERY excited to be coming home and visiting family and friends I realize that it’s emotionally not in my best interests. I’ve only been in Sydney for 2 months and I was finally getting settled . .working, making friends, finding my way around, and setting up a home as our shipment FINALLY arrived. I’m worried that my return to Sydney won’t be as smooth as a transition as I’d like and I’ll be in a homesick funk since I don’t know when I’ll be home next and that is what really upsets me the most. Luckily, Paul won’t have to listen to me whine about Texas when I get back to Sydney since he won’t be there. The good news is that I’ve got to immediately return to work and with that distraction I hope to be too busy and exhausted to think about anything else. I do like my life in Sydney and am extremely blessed to have this opportunity, but I’ll never stop missing home.

Well, it’s bound to be bed time somewhere in the world so I’m going to attempt to get some sleep. Looking at my insane itinerary over the next two weeks this is probably my only opportunity. I haven’t rebounded back in to my unhealthy relationship with TV so I do have time to write this blog and I’m vowing to do a better job with it. Although my life isn’t crazy exciting I know there are many unique cultural experiences I need to be sharing so expect an update soon.