Christmas 2012

Inspired by a colleague, I've decided to take a different approach to the traditional Christmas round-up letter this year.  In part it's because (yet again) I've not been organised enough to produce the paper form, but also because, let's face it, this type of letter is rather impersonal anyway, so why not blog it?  Anyway, if you don't want to be bored with the "highlights" of my family's year, stop reading now :)

I wouldn't say 2012 has been the brightest year of our lives, but nevertheless has had some highlights.  For me, one was my return to work (albeit part time) after an extended maternity leave after Erin's birth.  I don't regret those two years with her, but I am enjoying being back doing research.  Juggling part time work and family is challenging at times, but both are part of me.  May saw my office shift from the old grimy building in Aytoun Street to a shiny new purpose-built building just off Oxford Road.  You'd think that would be a good thing, right?  I'm not so sure.  Seven of us in an L-shaped office with just one source of natural light, around the corner from my desk.  Sensor controlled lighting and climate leading to headaches and discomfort :(  Oh well, I can work at home at least some of the time...  12 months back on the job (equivalent of 5 full time) and I'm finally getting back  into the swing of things, I think.  The other academic highlight for me this year is that my bound thesis was finally submitted.  Yes, that was a slow process...

Peter's had a tough year, still chasing grants without much success.  The upside is that he's had a chance to do some work on the house.  The downside is that there isn't much money to do it with!  The kids have enjoyed the chance to spend more time with him though.

As for the kids, well, Angus completed his first year (reception, equivalent of prep back in Victoria) at school and then started year 1 in September.  He loves school and his friends there, and has a busier social life than I do.  He loves reading and maths particularly, but really you'd be hard pressed to find something he doesn't enjoy at school.  He also loves swimming, and is starting to get the hang of the "proper" strokes now - he's been confident in the water for quite some time, and will happily dive to the bottom to retrieve items in the deep end of the pool.

Erin wants to be just like her big brother and suffers great frustrations at times when she can't quite do the same things as him yet.  She started pre-school in September (just one morning a week) and adores it.  After the second session, we've had regular tantrums when it's not a pre-school day (because she wants to be there).  She'll do one extra session per week next term, but I suspect that won't be enough to satisfy her.  She's also a water baby, loving the pool and working towards losing her armbands.  She's got a far more volatile temper than her brother, but we manage without too many standoffs.

The other entertainment for me this year has been that I've joined the training band of the local silver band, learning to play flugelhorn (similar to a trumpet...).  After starting in September, we played our first pieces at a concert just before Christmas.  Went surprisingly well!  I'm really enjoying playing, although it's a very different thing to the cello I played at school... It's nice to be doing something that is purely for me, not kids or work.

Anyway, to all my friends, especially those too far to see face-to-face, I wish you and your loved ones joy and peace this Christmas, and a happy and properous year in 2013.