The year commenced solo and quiet as Andrew was isolating in Sydney and I was doing the same at Club Cathy. I certainly hope it is not an indication of the year to come.
I also finally finished my TAFE course, what a haul that was. I have never studied anything so time consuming and soul destroying. I talk to people who have done the same course or know people who have and everyone feels the same. To get through it while working FT and all through COVID is really an undertaking. I feel proud of myself!
And just in the nick of time, as I was offered my first teaching stint! I got to teach a lovely bunch of students Collection Management, my most favourite thing in the library world. It was wonderful and fun, but also exhausting and time consuming. But it all worked out and I feel like I have finally come out of a work stress tunnel, which is a really wonderful thing!
I caught up with Julie and Belinda after a long absence, I love those kind of friends that you might not see for ages, and then you pick up right where you left off as if it was yesterday. Lucky I am to know such beautiful people.
Andrew and I hit Greenpoint for some nature and exercise.
We also checked out the Archibald at Maitland Gallery, with a drive around Morpeth and Hinton.
I had a week off at the end of January, mostly to prep for teaching, and just to have a little relax without study.
I headed to the Civic Theatre with friends for some live music early Feb. The gig had been postponed more times than I can think! You can read about it here.
Andrew and I celebrated Valentine's Day weekend in style but staying at Noah's right on Newcastle Beach. We didn't have time to go far and Andrew wanted calming beach views, it was a great idea of his and we felt just as relaxed and on holidays as if we had travelled far. Noah's holds up after all these years, we had a really lovely room with amazing views, and ate in the restaurant, a really excellent meal. The next day a lovely wander around the beach and up to East End Hub for breakfast, leaving feeling much more relaxed than we had previously.
I also did the usual markets, bookclub and radio spot on ABC1233.
And some extra pics: