Today so much seems to be repeating, politics, fashion and now tennis! Federer V Nadal and the Williams sisters in the finals of the first grand slam of the year. Against all the odds it would seem – because of course, at over 30 all of them had been written off. Too old to claim the final spots any longer. The passion and the grace with which they contested the titles spoke volumes. The warmth in the speeches, ‘if there could be a draw I would love to share it with Rafa’ (Roger Federer) was amazing between such rivals and if it is the last time they play in the final so what? Every sport needs younger players pushing through the ranks, creating the upsets so that the older players are kept on their toes, it makes the whole sport more exciting. Federer put the cat among the pigeons when he said he hoped to be back next year and that if he wasn’t it had been a great ride and who would blame him if he retired. It would leave a huge hole in tennis but he has a family and a life and has to do what is right for him, as have all our sportsmen and women, no matter how great!
In a week where things have been a bit stressed in all areas of my life the final between Federer and Nadal brought some light. Their achievement demonstrated that hard work, passion and desire can pay off and that if you believe in yourself, and want something enough it can happen. It is true not everyone can win, not everyone can be the manager of a company but perhaps we need to remember that not everyone wants to be. Sometimes all we want is a family to love us, a house to live on or a job – any job to get us out of the house. We need to hold true to our own goals, be a bit nicer to one another and help each other out a bit more not rush past blinkered or build walls to keep people out!
Soon my teaching job will come to an end and I am already sure I’m going to miss the class I have been teaching, of course I’ll keep in touch and see how they progress but one thing has been confirmed to me – I do love teaching, I do look forward to going to work. I do love writing as well but it doesn’t pay the bills Yet!) and sometime wanting something and being good enough at it aren’t the same thing. I take inspiration from stars life Rafa, Roger and so on – and I know I’ll keep trying! Until Pixie goes to senior school in two academic year time logistically working full time is difficult and would cost most of what I could earn. Mr T sometimes works long hours and has to travel – and so my main job at the moment is to look after the children and the dogs, when I can teach without interfering too much with that it is brilliant and I will continue to look for a teaching job that fits in, and I still plan to do my SENCO award.
In the meantime I keep trying with my writing, I enjoy it, it makes me feel like I am doing something useful and you just never know where it will take you. I plan to try and do some shorter pieces and build back up and hopefully intersperse this with some supply work. I guess inspiration is in short supply at the moment, the news seems to be incredibly downbeat, the winter seems to be never ending and the cold seems to eat away at you. We are counting down to our date with Mickey over Easter and Imp is looking forward to and a bit nervous about his first proper trip away from home. He will be journeying to Jersey with school. The itinerary looks exciting and I am sure he’ll enjoy it but at the same time it is a big step!
Hpops as well is making strides in her life. She has decided to audition for the school play and for her this is a big step. She suffers with stage fright but has (IMHO) a fantastic singing voice and can act well. She is worried about the dancing element of it, but at the same time she wants to push her comfort zone, so cast or not I am very proud of her as she is taking hold of opportunities. If I could just convince Pixie to take hold of some of her opportunities rather than spending all her spare time playing games or watching videos then I’d be onto a winner. Recently both Hpops and Imp have been getting on well with their music and really showing me what they can do! I am hoping they are also getting something out of it, the good feedback they get from their teachers and so on should give them more motivation to continue their upwards progress. Hpops has also been given a solo in her upcoming show at a local theatre ands she was really pleased, she is worried she’ll get stage fright but at the same time she knows she can do ti. We all have to take risks to get what we want whether it be submitting a manuscript or auditioning for a part or even having that doctor appointment you’ve been putting off.
We all have to deal with disappointment, distress and not getting our own way but I just hope more people cope with it like Rafa’s quiet dignity that the two year old like tantrums that seem to be happening more often!
