Wrapping up 2020

 

It's come to the end of year feeling. I can finally take a long deep breath and have the sense of not worrying about the day or week ahead.... only for 7 weeks.. well that's still plenty... 

These last few months it really has been tiresome, busy, on-the-go weeks. It feels like an engine motor on a train that continues to drive without making a stop. Finishing off any topics of English or Mathematics in the tightness of 4-5 weeks, on top of rushing and writing student end of year reports. However, being on the other end now, I can say that the engine is slowing down. I can see the final stop of where the train is heading and I'm able to finally just sit and relax.. 

Something that I've realised through this process is that I wasn't able to self-reflect, and it really has been a struggle to do life. It was as though everything important to me had to be on pause. As I'm processing my thoughts onto paper, this year was a tough year - not only because it was my first year being in full time work, but really what has happened this year in the world. I think that self-reflection is so important - not to just keep you sane or evaluate your skills, but to bring you back to who you are. 

I thought as the days, weeks and months go by, I want to be jotting back my reflections, thoughts, desires and ambitions. Personally, I'm someone that ponders on a lot of things, not sure good or not - I'll let you be the judge. But I thought this reflection could be about what I've been thankful this year at 2020. 

As you might or might not know already, this year I've been working at a new school in the north west of Sydney. At the same time I've been living by myself in Ryde. Initially, moving out of home is a huge commitment and can come with its own challenges - but I loved it. Yes, at times during the night it can get quite lonesome, but learning to be independent and take responsibilities such as meal prepping, washing the clothes/dishes, cleaning the house etc. has taught me not to take things for granted. So if you're still living at home, be thankful! However, as I've mentioned that now its school holidays, I've been really blessed to have such a great staff team. Over the past teaching jobs I've had, I can say this is the best, and its not just because the team is all male. It's not only the dynamics, the banter or the subtle jokes in the staffroom, but really the friendly and down to earth members that look after each other which has been a highlight of my teaching career. In saying that, it's also been a difficult year in terms of my teaching. I really have loved and am excited to be working with these blokes in the new year. 

I hope that in these coming weeks I'll be able to self-reflect more thoughts and re-evaluate what really matters most (hopefully share and delve into my faith as a Christian). 

In the meantime, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope that you spend time with loved ones and hope that just like me, you reflect over the year and maybe even set goals for the next!