The happenings and turns of life

The last couple of weeks have been rather gruelling. I'm on my final prac at Upper Coomera and I've been taking on a full teaching load. Anyone who thinks teaching is an easy job is either misinformed or delusional. Mentally, emotionally, physically and even spiritually draining, this is one profession that truly consumes you...To be honest, I'm not 100% sure if being a classroom teacher is something I want to do for the rest of my life but I know for a fact that I'd always want to be a part of this industry. As negative as I may sound sometimes, my teaching experience so far has been responsible for some of the most rewarding and empowering moments in my life. The college has not made any firm black and white offers of employment yet but everyone in the school including the principal has acknowledged that I would be replacing my supervising teacher next month. So till then, I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

I've driven an awesome amount in the last two months (clocked more than 3000 kilometres). Having a driving license is really liberating. I can finally visit places which are not accessible by public transport, I don't have to wait for nearly an hour in the rain at bus-stops without shelters, I don't need my sister to chauffeur me anymore and I have bid goodbyes to train timetables that used to dictate my life. I've never felt so independent! I just don't understand why I did not do it years earlier. There are set backs of course...I walk a lot less nowadays and I think I'm putting on weight (but then again, looking at how scrawny I am, I doubt that is a very bad thing!)

I will be completing my masters course in less than 3 weeks! I remember a period in my life when I thought I did not even want to go to university because I felt I was not good enough. Now I feel that I will only be satisfied if I finish a PhD. I guess I've come along way... I still get angry when I think of all those people (including several teachers and insecure so called friends) who thought I was not good enough but I'm definitely grateful to those special people who actually believed in me when even I did not believe in myself. I'm thankful now for the times I've screwed up and for the exams I've failed because they have made me a stronger and better person.

Getting permanent residency in Australia is really proving to be a very drawn out and frustrating process. It has been more than 3 months since I started organising my papers and I am still waiting for my lawyers to lodge my application!! Sometimes I wonder if it is all worth it considering the fact that I don't even intend to live here for the next few years...but I've invested so much and come this far it will be silly to give up...let's see what happens.

And for those who do not already know...I will be returning to Singapore in a few weeks (after my final submission and presentation).....to get legally married!!! So yes, after three and a half years of courtship, we've decided to make this big move at the ripe old age of 24. I have had to make several decisions over the last few years which have been life altering but nothing has been as big as this....but strangely I have never been more sure and confident of any of my decisions as this one...from the time I met her, I have always known that she is my spiritual partner and friend and the woman I had to spend the rest of my life with.......On a side note, its been amusing seeing the reactions of friends and family which have ranged from excitement and uncontainable joy to shock, disbelief and amusement! However, support and blessings from our family and people who matter have been overwhelming and I'm beginning to think they are more excited than I am (especially the ladies who are looking forward to a saree wearing opportunity).