J & J report #10

Hello Friends,

from the point of view of the challenge this week hasn't been anything special. No Spend Days 1/7, YTD 22/83. Again I haven't spent money on anything untoward, so all is going well.

I am feeling a bit frustrated about how little non-Uni stuff I am getting done at the moment, even though it is completely understandable when I apply my logical brain and common sense. And focussing on the little things that are coming to fruition (literally) helps. So, although the garden is a mass of weeds and I barely spend any time in it at present, I can celebrate harvesting some apples from our young trees, the fact that there are a number of lemons ready to pick, and that we ate a beautiful dragon fruit (the red, almost purple, centred kind) for dessert this evening - fully ripened on the plant in our own back yard and only picked last night.

 http://www.growables.org/information/TropicalFruit/dragonfruit.htm

I can also celebrate being placed at a very reputable State High School for my teaching placement in May/June. One that is accessible by public transport too. Just what I wanted. I'm very excited.

Further on the topic of focussing on the positives of where you are on your journey, and recognising the positive changes made, rather than continually beating yourself up for not being perfect - I would like to direct you to one of my favourite blogs again "House of Humble" and their post of yesterday "Simple Living Our Own Way". They say it far better than I can (especially when I should either be sleeping or studying right now).

Best wishes for the coming week.

Ravs

J to J report #8 & #9

Well - I missed a week, no major surprise there - the workload from Uni has ramped up pretty quickly with two assignments due at the end of week 5 (just about to start week 4).  I did keep track though, so I can still fill in the update. The data for the previous two weeks are as follows:

Wk 8: 0/7 No spend days, YTD 20/69

Wk 9: 1/7 No spend days, YTD 21/76

As you can see - not so successful this past fortnight in terms of limiting the days I spend. And the main culprit is University. Although I have been taking lunch and coffee most days (I did forget one day, being too intent on getting kids to school on time) I have been finding that one cup of coffee isn't sufficient for a full day of study. If I ignored the days where my only expense was that extra cup then my statistics would be very different (2/7 and 3/7) so I'm not feeling too bad.

I'm still managing well with the Naughty & Nice list, mostly. Another couple of reference books purchased (on sale), and a children's book in support of the charity "Room to Read" that I will donate to the school library. It is a child's version, in rhyme, of how this charity started, with their first delivery of thousands of books to a school in rural Nepal (that only had three books until then, and kept them locked up, they were considered so valuable). Books do seem to be an ongoing theme with me don't they?

We are so fortunate to be able to afford books of our own.

I think I should probably add Charity to the Nice list, it seems selfish not to, and then I don't have to feel guilty about the two charity 'dos' I went to in the last couple of weeks. It is nice to have a night out and support a good cause at the same time, don't you think? We went to a lovely Vietnamese dinner organised by a good friend of ours in support of Room to Read, and specifically girls education in Vietnam (where she comes from), and the next night I went to an International Women's Day event.

The hard part is deciding who to support, there are so many worthwhile causes, but I'm not Bill Gates, and even he couldn't fund them all - so choices have to be made. In the past I have been a regular supporter of the Red Cross, UNHCR, Surf Lifesaving and the Salvation Army. Right now I am supporting The Conversation because independent, intelligent journalism is so thin on the ground in Australia at the moment, yet so essential. Other causes I support on a more 'ad hoc' basis.

How do you decide what Causes to support?

J to J report #7 - And life just got busier

No spend days this week 3/7, YTD 20/62.  My averages are getting better!

I did buy a book for my professional library, not exactly necessary, but of value. Otherwise completely on track this week. Even down to remembering to take along my thermos of coffee and a packed lunch to Uni. So I am pretty happy with myself right now.

I have a very busy month ahead, now that Uni has started back and I have started tutoring a morning a week at the local high school (first day today, loved it!). Unfortunately this means that my blog posts are likely to be short and sweet, starting with this one.

I will say that the decision to change cleaners has been vindicated. The new lady did her first clean here today - everything I asked to a high standard and she took the initiative and cleaned the ceiling fans without being asked. She has even requested I get the step ladder out for next time so she can finish them off properly! I am over the moon.

And with that I am going to have to finish - time to do so preparation for tomorrow.

What went well for you this week?

Ravs