Back teaching and feeling the frustrations with the institute again

Last week was getting back in the swing of teaching again and bumping up against the old system that drove me mad before. I marvel at the difference I feel both psychologically and physically this year when I think about or engage in work. I still get exasperated by the snails pace of bureaucracy and the different departments not coordinating properly but I can live with it now. It doesn't make me crazy or stress me. Work has sent out two contracts for me to sign and I have to sign and initial the conditions of work as well as commit to doing the BHI induction program online. It is quite silly but I just go with the flow.It is a great relief to know I can walk anytime.. I am enjoying the research for the topic but I do think selling coffee machines might be easier. I was offered a casual job late last year as a coffe machine sales representative. It could be fun. 

 The fact that I am toying with this probably indicates I still feel like working or rather I fear leaving the workforce completely. I want to get some more savings together so I can feel more comfortable about planning more travel. Saving and spending really don't work together somehow.

All the talk about superannuation and having a million to live comfortably is unsettling. I might live for a very long time and so my super has to last most of my life. Working more means I can add to the kitty rather than take. I realise that I am still not as competent with my finances as I should be too and that disappoints me. So many things to learn. I have been putting off doing a proper budget and that is plain stupid. I have been refraining from spending and felt better for doing so. I feel more in control which is good. Why does it all have to be so complicated?

Last week was a doozy with book club, babysitting Tuesday followed by the sons coming to work at my place and then after teaching in the morning and challenging Pilates session another stint of babysitting till midnight on Wednesday. Art class Thursday followed by a trip to Box Hill to discuss course matters, gym, lecture preparation Fridayfollowed by a movie with friends. 

There was a bit of confusion over the weekend brunch plan. My son Jonathan was telling me I need to slow down and communicate more. Hmm! Probably correct.

My brother-in-law Riger who has relocated to Sydney was down for the weekend and wanted to catch up with everyone so I settled on a brunch at my place. It works well generally with Ziggy and then everyone still has the better part of the afternoon free. I had asked everyone to keep Sunday clear but because I hadn't followed up until this week the sons had organised a shoot for their Tshirt Label in a restaurant for a 12:30 start. Clare is working 6 days a week and woke with a headache, Rebecca had slept in because we had moved brunch an hour earlier so the boys could get to the shoot.

My other brother-in-law and his wife were coming and then their world turned upside down with a robbery at his work and the ongoing extra care his mother in law requires now after a hip operation and a small stroke. It is very hard for the daughters to see their mum deteriorate and they are doing a massive job alternating caring for her.  Anyway I started with 9 people and ended with 4 and Ziggy. 

I like trying new breakfast dishes. This time I did a sweet potato, spinach and leek bake with coconut milk plus pancakes with real maple syrup and strawberries.  It was delicious but while I remembered the no dairy for Roger I forgot he is also on the FODMAP diet and leeks are a no-no. I had done chicken congee as well, mainly for Ziggy but everyone wanted that too. 

I had brought out the boys old toy box and Ziggy and the 'boys' all had a great time playing with them. I even liberated the soft toys from the cage and he was thrilled to find a Goofy amongst them. It was a nice morning and everyone was able to continue with their Sunday plans.  I decided to bake for the hiking weekend  coming up and so spent the rest of the day cooking.  I had made too much quinoa for a recipe when I needed only a little bit so I wanted to use the rest somehow.  I made a sort of bread/pancake which I had for breakfast and have decided it is really tasty and filling. I had a smaller portion too which sustained me far more than muesli! It is a revelation. I had a vaguely unsettled feeling for the rest of the evening. I need to babysit  Monday as well this coming week because the other Grandmother has hurt her back.  Just as well I had done most of the lecture for Wednesday. 

I finished reading my journal from the first Camino. How our memories forget the tough bits.  I was glad to refresh my memories because I had forgotten how anxious Lyn got about accommodation towards the end. There was quite a lot of people vying for beds but we only had to walk on once and we found a magic place so it was a good outcome. Even reading my journal doesn't explain why walking a Camino leaves you feeling so happy. People ask you what you take from the experience and that is the abiding feeling-happiness and a sense of inner peace and the goodness  or godliness (?) of people. It is profound.