The week that pulled on my emotions

This was the week that I have felt the most emotions. I am loving Australia and the things that we are able to to do and see, but this week was a big one for some reason of missing the things of home. You just miss them no matter how much fun you might be having is what I am discovering. Driving home from work after a long day I would find myself longing for that after school chat about school, my kids or even Matt.  The coffee shop after kid bedtime chats, the girls nights with mom group friends and school friends. Also the playdates with the "girls friends" that really was a chance for me to talk with my friends.  I didn't know how much I would miss home and the verdict this week was ALOT!

I am making friends here and school is making more sense. I have great colleagues at work that are the best thing about the work part of the exchange. My family is closer and we are stronger because of this experience already. Matt has been amazing in supporting my increased at the moment workload and different expectations that are being put on me.

Trip to the conference- very busy

This week I did a lot as well. Had meet the teacher, got training in a new program (both Tuesday) and got to attend the exchange teacher conference with at the other exchange teachers from around the world (Friday).  I am proud to say that I navigated the public transit to and from the conference by myself.

Made it to the conference

Trip home from conference

Exchange teachers eagerly learning

At the exchange conference we learned about alot again. Mostly though that each of us is having much of the same experience. Both the struggles and the successes.  Settling into a new house, community and work environment is both hard and exciting. All could agree that the students are still students, but the job is different and the expectations and routines are varying levels of different from home.

 My family pretty much continued on with their routine:
Monday- groceries and school
Tuesday- Library class and school
Wednesday- Gardening class, school and swim club
Thursday- gymnastics, school
Friday- ultimate frisbee  and school

We did have our first new friend over on Saturday this week for a playdate. Matt met the mom at one of the events in Parramatta before school started and the girl ended up going to the same school as Maëlle.