On the Road Again

On the Road Again

I’m "on the road again"! This time a new career and a new country beckon this kiwi traveller.

I left Sydney in early February. My red suitcase had expanded quite a lot during my 18 months there and so it was time to cull my possessions. I always find culling quite difficult as I only buy the things I like but airline allowances are pitifully small when one wants to pack a yellow leather couch! However, this is one of those things I have to live with while I’m choosing to live this kind of transient lifestyle.

Before leaving Sydney I trained in the CELTA method of teaching English as a second language. This qualification will allow me to work in many countries otherwise unaccessible to me. It was hard, we had to work long hours and although very stressful the course was generally excellent and I learnt a lot. During the course we used the information our trainers crammed into our exhausted brains in the morning and then had to put it into practice in front of 20 willing students in the afternoon!

Before I'd completed the month long course, I had interviews with people from a few countries and opted for a contract with a University in Malaysia. I leave for Malaysia at the end of March and begin work a week later teaching adults which is my preference.

In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying relaxation in NZ and the wonderfully long hot summer which has been truly glorious. The photos of Taupo were taken last winter.

It’s incredibly exciting to be on the road again, living and working in a new country. I will keep you posted from Kuala Lumpur. Do drop me a line.

I'm loving......being back in New Zealand amongst family and friends. I'm also loving this fantastic weather.

I'm reading........I've just finished a Rohinton Mistry book called Family Matters. It's a really great yarn about daily life of an Indian family as they deal with illness, old age, family rifts and growing children. It is beautifully crafted and I recommend it.

I'm looking forward to........a new adventure - new country and new career.

I'm surprised.......by how dry the country is. As I've driven around the North Island of NZ I've been surprised by how brown the countryside is. We badly need rain.