As some of you are aware, one of the things that has been a constant distraction for me in recent times has been my very unsecure work situation and the resulting financial challenges of both that and having many appliances at home break down throughout the year. I started this week determined to get on top of these issues and finished it with a slightly mixed result....
Monday
I'd been looking forward to Monday for awhile, as it involved three performances - helping a school band perform at a morning tea thanks parent helpers, doing a paid gig of my own with a friend playing Finnish community group, then returning to school to walk down to the local supermarket and help my woodwinds students perform Christmas Carols.
I started the day with another favourite breakfast that reappeared on the 12wbt menu plan this week - Banana Bruschetta.
The first school performance was a success and I really enjoyed performing with my friend at the Finnish community lunch. The audience was very appreciative and provided us with a free lunch as well as payment.
I was getting rather warm by the time I got back to school, but my students and I walked to the local supermarket in 36 degree heat anyway and shared our Christmas music - it was such a great opportunity for them all to celebrate their hard work!
I arrived home ready to relax with a cool drink, reflect on a good day and get ready for run group .... and that's when I discovered my fridge had died with ALL my fresh ingredients for the week in it!! The hot weather meant I had to throw most of the food out and start thinking about how to afford to fix it all. A quick discussion with my wonderful parents sorted part of it out - they agreed to help me finance the new fridge and supervise it's delivery later in the week. Feeling a little stressed, I still headed off to run group and managed 6km of jogging/walking, while dinner was basically a salad with the fresh ingredients that had survived.
Leftovers Salad with Avocado,
Cous cous and a boiled egg.
Tuesday
I got up early on Tuesday morning determined to enjoy the fresh air by door my speed interval training and purchased a packet of trail bars for the week's breakfast and some rice crackers and cheese for lunches.
Doing my speed intervals in the fresh air.
My revised breakfast plan for the next few days!
I was pleased to discover that I have a full day of woodwind students at my Tuesday morning school next year, plus some extra work and security at my afternoon school - am going to be able to develop some great programs at both in 2014!
Dinner was salmon and vegies at a local pub with my parents using their membership to get a big discount :).
Wednesday
Wednesday has been a full but satisfying teaching for me for a number of years. When I started working as an instrumental teacher at the school eight years ago I also began slowly developing a classroom program there on a casual basis so that now I take every grade in the school for half an hour in one day - tiring but wonderful to see a musical culture developing!
Unfortunately that led to my second shock of the week. The principal, who is new this year, informed me that she will be turning my work into a two day official position in 2014, but won't be advertising it until February and wouldn't give me any guarantees that my hard work would be rewarded! I must admit I was shocked and my friends on staff were a great support.
My workout was the alternative to my free yoga class at Lululemon - a 5.30 class at Yoga Flame funded by the store - which was perfect and I managed to make a modified version of the pasta on this weeks' menu plan used some tinned ingredients.
Wednesday is also weigh in day and can proudly say I was down another 600 grams despite my modified menu plan.
Thursday
I got up early again and did my twelve minute time trial before work. Mum and Dad were supervising the new fridge delivery in the morning so I arrange to leave school a little early to ensure all was ok.
New fridge did indeed arrive and it felt so good to stock it with fresh food and cool drinks again!!
I also received a call offering me a job interview next Monday for two days of flute teaching at a high school with a great music program next year! It would be a great opportunity, although feel a little sad that I have put priority on that instead of the classroom work I'd been developing.
I decided to fit in a boxing class as Friday was going to be my rest day, then enjoyed getting back cooking nice 12wbt dinners properly :).
Chicken Fajitas with Pineapple
Friday
Friday is generally my rest day, as it's another busy day of great classroom music teaching followed by band rehearsal in the evening. I was able to confirm this work for 2014! Will be great to keep working with these enthusiastic students.
Instead of rehearsal, I went to the end of year staff function for my Tuesday & Friday school and had great time celebrating our hard work for the year. Lots of good company, dancing and meals.
Dinner: Swordfish with rice and Asian slaw
Saturday
This morning I've already been to my local run group and managed completed our 6.2km run at pace close to what I want to keep at the Sussan 10km Women's Run tomorrow morning. I love a run for a great cause and am looking forward to it. This will also be my Week 4 Mini Milestone activity for this round 12wbt.
Beautiful morning for a run along the Maribyrnong!
I've also taken some time to evaluate the ups and downs of the past few weeks in both the 12wbt and my life in general.
Pros Cons
* I have three days of great music teaching * A program I have developed over eight years
confirmed for 2014, a full day of private is changing and am not been supported well
instrumental teaching if I need it, a job to continue in the position.
interview on Monday as well as school * Another unexpected expense came up :(
holiday work at a music camp and using (Although I got through both of these with the
busking licence. help of friends and family)
* I funding to attend a Music Teachers'
Conference in January in lovely Hobart!
* Am back following my 12wbt plan and
have a new fridge!
* I am 500grams off my goal weight for the
end of Week 4.
* Am almost on track to achieve my goal time
at the Sussan Women's Fun tomorrow.
When you look at like that, I'm doing ok :).
Have a great week everyone!
Katherine
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