It is great to be back after such a long time having not logged any entries. Next year one of my goals is to resume writing blog posts on as regularly a basis as my time will allow. The posts will obviously feature personal news, as well as things I've been learning in terms of language and my relationship with God (and Vanessa), and reviews of books I've read or films that I've watched.
Highs and Lows
Well, another year has flown by and while definitely starting to feel my years catching up with me, I hope my wisdom has also increased. As is usual practice, I will share the main highlights and lowlights.Of the several highlights from this year, three stand out:
- Being a groomsman for the first time. After dating for more than 10 years, my dear church friends Jonathan and Amanda finally tied the knot in May. One Sunday after church earlier in the year Jonathan had pulled me aside and quietly asked if I would like to be one of his groomsmen. My initial reaction was one of surprise, because I felt we weren't that close, but I nonetheless felt greatly honored to play such an important role in his big day. It was a wonderful learning experience for me as I participated in the wedding preparation and experienced a full day as a member of the inner sanctum.
- Completing a CELTA course. In case you don't know, CELTA stands for the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults and is run by Cambridge University. In August, I took time off from work to complete the CELTA in an intensive course at Monash College, which was self-funded. Although I have a Master of Teaching and experience teaching English to adults, I am glad that I did the course. Not only did I make new friends and contacts (one of whom I was later able to help get work at Deakin!), I also got my hands on some valuable techniques and resources that would enhance my teaching and was able to get much-needed feedback on my teaching strengths and areas for improvement.
- News that my sister Elise is expecting her first child. My sister chose a private family gathering (my dad's 70th birthday actually) to announce to us that she was pregnant, which was greeted with joy by all of us, and overwhelmed my youngest brother who, probably more than any of us, is looking forward to playing the role of uncle. We had to wait a couple of months though before my sister chose to make the news public. I of course am also happy for my sister, especially since she and my brother-in-law Tom had been trying for some time.
Amidst the joy of these moments was one lowlight that cast quite a shadow, the unfortunate passing of my classmate Warwick Beattie from cancer in July at the age of 32, leaving behind a wife and young daughter. Of all the people from my year level, I don't think anyone would have guessed that he would be the first of us to pass away. Due to my CELTA course requirements, I was unable to attend his funeral, but heard from other friends who went that it was a fitting send-off for a much-loved guy. The last time I saw Waz was earlier in the year when some of my other classmates organized a prayer service at Donvale Presbyterian when news broke that he had been diagnosed with late stage bowel cancer. Later I talked with another of my classmates who is a close friend of Warwick's older brother and was somewhat relieved to learn that he had returned to faith in Jesus, so I hope to have the chance to catch up with him in heaven!
What's ahead?
2019 is going to be another busy, action-packed year. My choir, the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic, has a number of concerts already scheduled (which reminds me that I need to pay my membership!). Sports-wise, there's the Cricket and Rugby World Cups to look forward to, as well as the Asian Cup and AFL. In terms of work, I will be applying for a contract at Deakin and continuing to look for tutoring opportunities in the meantime. In terms of my relationship with Vanessa, we will be ramping up the search for our first place. And ... stay tuned for some BIG news in the coming months, which some of you might know about. That's all I can say for now without giving too much more away.How about you? What were your highlights for 2018? What are you looking forward to in 2019? Please share in the comments. I look forward to reading them.
God bless and wish you all the best for 2019!
Jeremy
