Ulog No. 30: "What was my day like in the city?" also, my Monday in Adelaide

What I love and don't love about the city

I don't get to go to the city of Adelaide that often. If it weren't for the Professional Development seminar/workshop that we, teachers, need to attend every year, I won't be able to see much of the city.

Or sometimes when my husband and I would visit his relatives, then I'd be able to come. What I love about the city is the variety of things that you find in their shops. Well, of course, there are lots of shops and malls. Unlike where I live, where there is only one shopping centre, and there are not many clothes shops and boutiques. There are not many restaurants where John and I can have lunch or dinner date when we feel like it.

I don't like shopping for clothes at any clothing store in our town. Why? Because there will be a greater chance that I wear the same clothes or dresses like the other people from my town. It can be a little embarrassing if you go to a public place and you're wearing the same outfit as the other. So, either I buy online or I shop when I get the chance to do some clothes shopping when I'm in the city.

Well, if that's the only drawback of living in a small country town, then, I don't mind it at all. I love living in the rural area. I love the peace and quiet of my surroundings. I love that I can go to places without having to worry about or anticipate a traffic congestion.

I grew up in Manila, Philippines where there is always heavy traffic. Every day, I could waste about 2-4 hours doing nothing because I was stuck in traffic, and that depends on the distance I was travelling. It could be more than that. If my work starts at 7 A.M., I'd give myself 60-75 minutes for travel time. Going home and commuting would always be dreadful. I didn't need to anticipate traffic because there would always be a heavy traffic. I'd be tired from work and I wouldn't dare fall asleep on public transport because I'd have to be alert and mindful of my belongings that no one would "snatch" my purse or my phone.

I also hate air pollution. Who does anyway? Of course, in an urban place with congested traffic and the population of private and public transportation is almost the same as the human population, what do you expect? Ugh! I really don't miss the busyness of the city, and I am happy and content where I am right now.

But I don't mind travelling if it only happens occasionally. I am excited to see what other places have to offer. I want to experience what I have never experienced before. Eat different food that I've never eaten before (but I will still not dare eat exotic food). Visit the zoos and wildlife parks. Go to art museums (just for the sake of going). Watch a theatre or stage play, and concerts, too! It's good and fun to go to the city every now and then.

Talking about going to the city...

So I was in Adelaide from Sunday night until Tuesday morning. I attended the Professional Development Seminar/Workshop on Monday at the Marion campus of the school where I work. I'm blessed to have the privilege to work as a teacher in Australia and therefore when the school leadership requires something of us, we can also enjoy the perks and benefits such as free accommodation and reimbursement of the money for the plane ticket or petrol, that is, if we choose to drive.

On Sunday night, I slept soundly, I guess, I was too tired from the flight and the travel, so as soon as I lay down in bed, I fell asleep pretty much straight away. How could I not? The bed was comfortable. The room was cozy. The warmth in the room was just perfect.

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Monday, 23rd July

I couldn't snooze my alarm. I had to get ready as fast as I could so that the other two teachers and I could all leave the house just before it was 8 A.M. We didn't want to be in traffic as it would be rush hour in the morning, since school started that day, as well as, you know, people wanting to get to their workplace early on time.

The school provided for our morning tea and lunch so we didn't need to go anywhere else to have lunch. I was glad to meet the new Early Learning Centre (ELC) teachers and educators from other campuses and to see those that I have already met before. It was good to collaborate with them and I was able to absorb fresh ideas that would benefit the whole centre. We talked about the research project that we need to finish by the end of the year as part of our continuous learning and professional growth.

Our centre will focus on the "Effective Strategies in Managing Challenging Behaviour of Children under our Care." This should also be in line with our mission and vision statements and Christian philosophies and values. At this stage, I don't know how it will turn out, but if all the teachers and educators work together, we will be able to present this to the leadership and the parents effectively, as we intend to have a "parent info evening" event sometime in Term 4.

The P.D. finished at 4 P.M. Since I didn't have a car, I travelled with my Director everywhere. Besides, we both stayed in the same accommodation and we would travel back to our town together. She would also drop me off at my house the next day. After P.D., we went to Glenelg to attend the staff dinner at Esca Restaurant. But before the dinner, we still had plenty of time to do some shopping and some sightseeing.

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After dinner, we all said our "goodbyes" and "see yous soon" and "safe travels" to each other. Some of the teachers would have to stay for another P.D. day, whilst my Director and I would have to go back to our respective homes the next day, back in our little country town.

This photo on the left is me and the other two teachers trying to get into our house that night. Each one of us tried the keys to open the front door whilst laughing so hysterically because none of the two keys would work. I literally sort of wet my pants from too much laughing. We joked and asked each other if we were drunk (ironically, none of us didn't even have a sip of wine). We decided we should try the back door in case one of the keys was for the sliding door. Finally, and thank God, we were able to get inside only to find out that the front door had a secret inside lock!!!!

What a memorable and a funny end to our P.D. day in Adelaide!

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