Prayers, thoughts, Well Wishes needed...

Ok. We're off tomorrow night.
We fly to Bahrain for a whole day of interviews, lesson observations and meetings with a prospective new employer followed by a very late night flight to Doha so that the next day, we can do it all again in another school.
Wanna know how I feel? Look above. Yes. Pretty gorgeous huh? Uh huh, I thought you'd agree.
We will be back to Jakarta Tuesday afternoon.
Poor Grandad arrives here on Monday! Afghhhhhhh! Sorry, daddy. We will leave beer and food in the fridge.
Wish us all well in our interviews....please. It's been a long hard slog. Maybe things will be good from here onwards.
We will come back with jobs... We will come back with jobs... We will come back with jobs... We will come back with jobs...We will come back with jobs... We will come back with jobs... We will come back with jobs... We will come back with jobs... We will come back with jobs...
If you can't tell, that's our mantra for the next few days.
In reality, we might have to wait a week or so to hear from both.
Although Bahrain has asked for all our visa documentation and passport photos etc....could just be protocol in the event that we get offered contracts but....
I have to teach a lesson on practical Greek Tragedy. That's a tragedy in itself.
Andrew has to teach about prey and predators. Are we the prey or are we the predators?
Wish us luck. Please.
xxxx

Decisions Decisions Making or Breaking!

So the past few days have been crazy.
Two weeks ago we had a fantastic skype interview with this school in Qatar and then had to wait till today to find out whether we were shortlisted or not. Well, we got the email today asking Andrew to fly THIS weekend (all expenses paid luckily!) to the school for a job interview to meet with the big wigs and owners and board of governors. We're really interested in this school and are very excited. For him though, it's also incredibly nerve wracking as it's for Head of Secondary school. Eeekk! Many prayers needed! It's a 2 year old British school but has 800 + kids already and sounds really exciting.

Then, we get a phone call from a great school in Malawi that is super interested in us too and want an interview (luckily only a skype) for Head of department job for Andrew. For me, there is only part time work in the secondary school, but the Head is trying to arrange possible work for me at its primary feeder schools if he can't squeeze me in to the Secondary school. We will find out more over the next few days.
This is the same school that we were offered jobs at 7 years ago (different head now) and has a great feel about it. We have always wondered whether we should have accepted it instead of Taipei. However. It has come back in our lives....is it a sign?

Then, 5 minutes ago we got a phone call from a great school in Bahrain (the only one you really want to work at) saying they want me and Andrew to fly out there before April 1st for an interview - for plain teaching jobs for us both which isn't ideal, but the school is excellent and offers a great package. However, they will only pay 200 pounds each for the flight - not sure how we could do it with the girls. We can't afford to take them. Can't leave them without one of us. Can't really afford for us to pay the extra costs of flying either. It's a long way to go and money to spend on a 'maybe' we'll get it.
And so.
What should we do?
Wait till after Andrew has gone to Qatar before making any decisions, but that could mean we lose the other two and then if Qatar falls through we have nothing.
Or do Qatar, do Malawi telephone interview and forget Bahrain and hope we are successful with one of the other two?
Or do Qatar, do the Malawi interview, plan the Bahrain trip and just hope it all just comes together?
Answers really needed on a postcard!
Bahrain needs our answer asap.
It's all so confusing. And exciting. And things are finally coming together.

Birthday Fun

We had a wonderful night last night for Andrew's birthday. Our close friends Robyn & Craig and Ricky & Jane & Tyla came over for a dinner party. I cooked all of Andrew's favourite foods (Pumpkin soup, Shepherd's Pie, roasted veggies, followed by a Cold-Stone Creamery Ice cream cake!) It was a lovely, lovely night.
The girls bought Andrew a mini remote control helicopter. Last year, they bought him heaps of spiderman stuff - this year was much better!

Happy Birthday Andrew! & Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy Birthday, Andrew! We love you very, very much.

And Happy St Paddy's!

Irish Blessings to you all!

A Couple of Old Irish Blessings for you...

To all my friends and family spread all over this amazing world....

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind always be at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

I do think of you always. Keep safe until we meet again!

And the old faithful blessing...

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world,

with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons,

bring the best to you and yours!

Have a wonderful St Patrick's day.

And some Irish humour...

Bless your little Irish heart and every little Irish part.

May all who love the Lord, love you and those who don’t love you, may the Lord give them a limp so you can see them coming.

For Andrew...

Here’s to a long life and a merry one.

A quick death and an easy one.

A pretty girl and an honest one.

A cold beer and another one!”

We are ready for partying for Andrew's birthday....bring it on!

More Attitude from 'The Posse'...

Thought this one was rather nice.
Would you believe these nine thugs are actually very gentle, caring teachers?!
I will miss this place at the end of the year...

Guess What Production I'm Directing?!

Answers on a postcard...
Curtains go up Friday 12th.
Some bits are great.
Some not so.
But we have a week tomorrow to get sorted.
Life is crazy busy.
And we're still job hunting.
Still trying to stay positive.
Something WILL come up. I can feel it.