Back in Darwin

Dear All,

This will be just a fairly short blog. I returned today and will share a couple of photos from the air. The one on the left shows a view over Brisbane as we took off. You can actually see the William Taylor Bridge if you look closely for the white pillars at either end. the one on the right shows the view as we came down from across Darwin Harbour over the coast in Darwin. You can almost see the tide flowing - with a 7 metre tidal range at its highest, the tide can be powerful.

Last night - on the actual day and date, Saturday 18th April - Mary and Jim had their Golden Wedding celebration and renewed their vows during Mass. There is one picture I took - a bit fuzzy, but quite a good memory.

The Thesis has been 'put down'! I have withdrawn from the BCT Masters (and thesis) and as soon as I get the official academic transcript will apply to continue with ACU (Australian Catholic University) which has an online Masters of Practical Ministry Course for which I should get most of my BCT subjects credited and then it is all course work and no thesis. I got the idea from talking to Colin, I think, because he was telling me he is completing his Masters (IT of some species) at QUT and it is course work only! I was a bit envious.

Actually, there is the opportunity to do a 'Special Project' subject I believe with the ACU Masters and perhaps I will be able to extract the juice from my retired thesis and do the 5000 or so words in that area. We will see. I will start some subject in Semester 2 and in the meantime will be able to put my energies into completing the assessments for the Certificate IV course which will qualify me to be a VET teacher and which have to be all 'sewed up' by June 30th, and also I will be able to put my mind onto Nungalinya matters. It is a relief to have no thesis consuming my life, although I felt a bit sad when I sorted through my notes because I have had such engagement with the topic and have done so much work.

Anyway, I am back in Darwin. It is hot (surprise) and tomorrow, I front up to work again and it is my turn to cook the tea. Ho hum! Back to 'normal' life. That is what tends to happen. However the stay in Brisbane was excellent. I must also post a picture of the RCIA ceremonies at the Easter Vigil which were beautiful. It was great to be there. You can see everyone who was involved in that RCIA group, including moi!

It was really lovely to be at Corinda where everyone was very kind and welcoming. What is more I had unrestricted (well, almost!) use of my previous car for the time I was there so was able to flit over to Rochedale, to Banyo, to Tricare, to family, to the City etc. The most tricky trip by far was over to Banyo and one day, when I left there to return to Corinda at an 'unsuitable' time (traffic-wise) it took me and hour and a half to get home! Groan!

Love to everyone

Rita