In my job, the office isn’t always the office. Sometimes its a cinema, a cafe, a sound studio, a winery, a news printer, a gallery, a museum, a bowling alley… I have to admit, teaching English rocks! Check this out for just a few reasons to like work:

• with my previous class, we went out for coffee and yacked about soccer and watched Bend it like Beckham
• in my class at Victoria University we are studying films, so we get to watch movies as part of the course! (Last Friday we saw Gorillas in the mist)
• sometimes we listen to music, like Cat Stevens (unfortunately not his best song)

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• at Melbourne University our class excursion ended up with wine tasting at the Rochford winery
• students brought a rich chocolate cake to class for my birthday last Monday

  

To top it all off, next month I will be taking up an invitation to work in China! Nothing has been confirmed yet but the details so far sound pretty good to me: a free return flight, free travel insurance, free accommodation, 1 week of holidays between the two blocks of 6 weeks. So stay tuned and catch me hanging out in Shandong province . I wonder if I can wear Chacos on hot days…

And whatever you do, don’t work too hard!

Flickr: Tara and James’ wedding is a group for anyone who can contribute or is interested in the photos from Thursday. Let’s go! I swear she’s doing it just for the Canadian permanent resident / citizenship thingo Why not, I would!

What a beautiful day it was. I got a lift with Paul and Karen and we chatted about their past 8 months of world travels. $26 for a tent site was a very cheap start.

All of Tara’s wishes came true on the day: the weather was stunning with blue skies and golden warmth; her dress was amazing; Bill walked her down the aisle; the ceremony went off without a hitch; her husband is a great guy; the venue was just marvellous; the catering was simply to die for; and the most excellent company of family and friends. What more could you ask for?

Here’s a few little video snippets. Enjoy! Congratulations to Tara and James. I wish you all the very best in your future together.

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Hi everyone,
Please remember to bring a plate of yummy food (it can be anything, so long as it tastes good) and whatever you want to drink (we have plenty of water!) Also, the way the weather is looking, it might pay to bring your warm clothes. See you at our house! Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning! Time to open the presents. Kate of course received a game of Postie Kate! Gill received the penguins cup, and I have started wearing my new Union Jack boxers.

Afternoon feasting began shortly after everyone arrived. In a spookily similar fashion to last Christmas, this year we spent the day with international friends and one of Kate’s family members. Last year it was her brother Matthieu, this year it’s 100% Gill, the flamenco dancing, kangaroo-ears wearing, often shopping and always fun loving mum of Kate.

chucking Christmas chocolate on Vimeo

Lots of eating, drinking, talking, playing games and staying in out of the freezing cold wind, hail and rain, filled a wonderful day with cheer, merriness, great company and a good time.