... and that's 2010 into 2011

2010 was a really good year. It was hard, and it was definitely challenging, but it was also fun and rewarding too. The goals I set for myself for 2010 were simple, and almost mundane. They fit into the life I was creating for myself, and while I struggled to complete some of the goals, others I had no problem with at all. 


In 2010 I had hoped to:
pass university
Yes! First semester was a struggle after never having done full time university, but by second semester I seemed to hit my stride, and I managed to graduate with a two High Distinctions, and an overall Distinction average (stupid English bringing me down). I graduated the other day, and I am very very proud to tell you that I am now a qualified Drama and English teacher. How's that for a career making year? 

get a paid teaching job
I am still yet to find that elusive teaching job. Having said this I have had nothing but positive experiences during the application/interview process. I'm still hopeful. 

survive the first few months in Perth
While I did survive the first few months in Perth, I did hit a very deep funk in about May. It was a tough month, and I missed home more than anything. But I survived, and am typing this from my Perth home. 

have a happy living environment
Indeed... except when the unspoken "No I wont wash the dishes" monster reared it's head. 

support my Brisbane friends and their endeavours in any way I can
I don't know, you would have to ask them. I tried to be a supportive as I could be from so far away. 

get my first tattoo
Incorrect. I am still a chicken, and this is going on my 2011 list. 

buy a manual focus digital camera
It is not manual focus, but I definitely upgraded from the pocket sized bullet that was my last camera. 

hunt for that vintage dress
Admittedly I did buy a few vintage dresses, and a vintage onesie, but none were designer. I have come to the conclusion that I am of the body shape that will not fit anything designer vintage or otherwise. I'm cool with it. 


***


2011 has started off on uncertain footing, with my home city being drowned, and the emotional toll of being legitimately poor taking it's toll. I know the things that I want to achieve this year, and they are no more important than any other year, and no less achievable. I must admit that I never look back at any of the goals I have set. I set them in order to lay out what I would like my year to be. All are attainable, and all are things I would like to accomplish in my life, it just so happens that they fit within this year of my life. With this said, my 2011 goals are as follows. 

• Get a teaching job. Relief or otherwise
• Downsize my wardrobe and donate what I don't need
• Don't be a chicken and get the tattoo
• Pay back my parents
• Bring back the spice to my relationship
• Cook more creatively
• Swear less
• Strengthen my friendships in Perth so they are as everlasting as the memories will be
• Sing in front of the "scary" WAAPA students
• Be a proud girlfriend in the front row of every show
• Relax into a sense of style
• Maintain the red

I like that I am now a teacher, and I like that I live with my man friend and it is no different to how it was before. I like that I reorganised the living room all by myself, I like that I can start really relaxing into who I am and discover who I am going to be. I like that I am 25, and I like that I still have so much ahead of me. 

E x

... and that's how an assignment is done.

So... I am knee deep in assignments and I am loving it. Weird I know, and yet I can't help but feel good about what I am studying this Semester, and to be a little more precise I am excited about how I get to put my assignments together. They are appropriately 'ME' styled in their capacity for research, and for the content required.


Observe...
Assignment One, for a subject titled 'Becoming and Exemplary Teacher'. 
This assignment is a portfolio of resources. That might sound bland at first but when I say to you that I got to choose which of my subjects, and what topic my portfolio will consist of it may suddenly become more appealing (at least it did to me). My topic/goal is "To get year 10 students to understand and respect Australian theatre as a legitimate form of theatre." The essence of this portfolio is that I need to compile all the resources that I will need in order to achieve my goal. This can be teaching resources specific to the subject, student resources, and wider teaching resources. So I have made it my goal to go into every second hand book store I come across and purchase all the Australian set texts on the WA curriculum for years 11 and 12 (there is about 15 of them that I don't already own). I am loving this assignment because I can see that it would be endlessly useful if I step out into a school and they tell me to teach Australian Drama. Basically... I will have those bitches stunned with my amazing Aus Drama resource pack. 


Assignment Two, for a subject titled 'Teaching in Diverse Australian Schools'.
This assignment is a 15-20minute presentation - already up my alley. Every week this semester in tutes there is 3 or 4 presentations on that week's lecture topic. So we had 10 weeks of lectures to choose a topic from, and find our niche topic that no one else was doing. I am lucky and unlucky (any university student will understand this) that the topic that I am the most interested in is in week 10. I have chosen to do a presentation on the Autism Spectrum and it's challenges for teachers. Since directing Burn My Heart Out, and doing lots of research into people with Aspergers syndrome, I have been intensely interested in the spectrum. I've been faced with students on the spectrum on Prac, in both an English class and a Drama class and the difference in techniques used in each room, I found, made a huge difference to the learning process of the students. I am thinking about doing a masters/postgrad thesis on how Drama techniques could be used in non-drama classrooms to help students on the spectrum to learn more effectively. Needless to say, I have found a topic that I am very passionate about, so much so I am thinking about doing another postgrad course in special education. I will indeed be the eternal student. 


If you have read to this point, I commend you. This is a self centred blog, I know, but I thought it might interest some people. 


Any questions?


I'd also like you all to know that I rearranged our bedroom today, and am feeling an influx of clam thoughts, and the restorative feelings that only a clean and 'new' bedroom can arouse. It will be nice to wake up in a new room with my love, on clean sheets, with the smell of green tea and wasabi floating by. 


Good evening fellow procrastinators. 


E x