I usually only ramble when things are going badly so for a change I'm writing a positive blog as I feel like finally things are going well and heading in the right direction.
Work is good, I've picked up enough hours tutoring, exam marking and teaching down at the reserve over the past few months to be financially stable again. I'm really enjoying the work down at the reserve but the chances of it ever paying enough to meet the visa requirements are slim. However, I have an interview a week on Monday for a great job that I really really want. It's working in Mental Health being a peer supporter, so the idea is I'd run training and awareness for people living with a mental health condition, run therapy groups and have my own clients to support out in the community. A lot of the skills are the same as teaching: communication, presentation, training etc but it would be something in which I would really feel like I could make a difference. In fact today I managed to sneak in on a training course to be a 'dementia friends champion', which is related as the mental health service here covers all adults from 18 upwards so a lot of the elderly care work is with people living with dementia. I absolutely loved it, we had a session on presentation skills, making resources which was very similar to the things I have picked up in teaching and I really can't wait to get started. This is something I can do as a volunteer even if I don't get the official job but I'm hoping I can talk about it in my interview. The other thing I have got involved with is being an online mentor to young people in schools with mental health problems, again things I can carry forward to the interview but also something I'm really enjoying doing and will carry on regardless.
The best thing about the job is that it would be full time, with good mental health support for me and I'd be back above the income threshold for my SO's visa so fingers crossed
Treatment wise I'm much better too, I seem to have found a good medication regime and I'm managing the bipolar symptoms well.
Things with my SO are really great, it's the longest we've been apart so far but we're coping well. We talk everyday and message through the day so communication is good. Of course I wish he were here but he's not yet so there's no point dwelling on it.
My daughter is doing well, she won an event at her sports day which she was proud of - she's the current 'running with a beanbag on her head' champion. Her reading, writing and maths are really coming on too but more importantly she's just the most loving, kind little girl; everyday she makes me proud
I think that's enough positivity for one day......I'll go back to being old and cynical now
Thanks Two three, I think she's wonderful but I'm biased
I loved reading this blog
Only thing missing were some pics of squirrels/birds or the new bean bag champion
Wish I had your enthusiasm to want to do something workwise or even voluntarily. Good job my hols started, maybe I feel enthusiastic again when I return to work