Should I Stay or Should I Go?

[Pete]

Life has dealt me an interesting card. Two weddings: one in Sri Lanka (Sept.)and one in Australia (Dec). Do I pack my job in and go to both and travel after or do I say no to going to both? Please bear in mind teachers have no flexibility for holidays!

[ruthcp]

Life has dealt me an interesting card. Two weddings: one in Sri Lanka (Sept.)and one in Australia (Dec). Do I pack my job in and go to both and travel after or do I say no to going to both? Please bear in mind teachers have no flexibility for holidays!

It very much depends on what other things you have going for you, or in other words, responsibilities. If you don't have the family, kids, etc, bit, then I would say go, because we only get one go at life!!
If your job carries the family income, then it's a different story!
You are no doubt a good teacher, so you'd probably get a job again anyway, either here or, who knows, pastures new? :)

[lane4]

Life has dealt me an interesting card. Two weddings: one in Sri Lanka (Sept.)and one in Australia (Dec). Do I pack my job in and go to both and travel after or do I say no to going to both? Please bear in mind teachers have no flexibility for holidays!

You must do what you feel is right. Nobody here is able to decide for you.

[chlorine_babe]

Could you take a career break for a year aand go to the weddings and do the travelling that way you have the security of a job to come back to. At the end of the year you mightn't want the job back but at least you'd still have that option.

[KatieBun]

Life has dealt me an interesting card. Two weddings: one in Sri Lanka (Sept.)and one in Australia (Dec). Do I pack my job in and go to both and travel after or do I say no to going to both? Please bear in mind teachers have no flexibility for holidays!
Pete,
1. How important to you are the people getting married?
2. Can you afford to take the break without worrying yourself financially?

If the answer to 1. is "very" and the answer to 2. is "yes" there's your decision.

[KatieBun]

You can always take a term out and do supply when you get back!

[Pete]

Let's set the record straight. No family ties! Small mortgage. One wedding (Sri Lanka) is someone who I have seen through really bad times with over the last four years and needs something putting back into their life and has met the right person. Australia is where my eldest nephew (and Godson) is going to get married. I would not be thinking about changing my life if it were not important. So! Your opnions now?

[GettingFaster]

So! Your opnions now?
I think you'll find you've already HAD people's opinions ;) (lane4 excepted) so do let us know what you decide.
In the same circumstances I wouldn't even need to ask anyone's views I'd have booked my ticket and be spending the next 8 months looking forward to it.
Do let us know what you eventually decide, and you might even be able to share any good flight deals you find! :wave:

[mad4it]

pete, get out of here! spread ur wings and fly!grab that oppurtunity, open the door and get going with the rest of your life. its a once in a lifetime chance, you never know who you might meet, next thing you'll be telling us you have got family ties ;):D

[bobby]

I think you'll regret it if you don't go. There's always a swimming club needing coaches, so you are sure to have a job to come back to. Go for it. You might even decide not to come back!

[londoner62]

GO, take a year out, rent out the house to pay the mortgage and drop an occasional line to us. Enjoy your time while you have no ties.

Paul

[Pete]

90% decided. Have informed the Headteacher of my intentions. Everyone is telling me to go. Now it is save some money time!

[KatieBun]

90% decided. Have informed the Headteacher of my intentions. Everyone is telling me to go. Now it is save some money time!
Pete, don't know if you're primary or secondary, but there's always supply, maternity leaves etc, if you're stuck when you come back. :king:

[chris_lamb]

Pete, don't know if you're primary or secondary, but there's always supply, maternity leaves etc, if you're stuck when you come back. :king:

I'm not sure Pete is entitled to maternity leave...

[KatieBun]

I'm not sure Pete is entitled to maternity leave...
Thank you, Chris! ;)

[Pete]

:D Update!
Sri Lanka booked for September :)
Plan for December-March :cool:
Hong Kong
Sydney
Melbourne
Cairns
Aukland
Christchurch
Brisbane
Fiji
LA
Home and very broke :rolleyes: :sleeping: :sleeping:

[Katie]

Wow!!! Sounds great!

[londoner62]

Have a good time and drop us the occasional line on how the swimming is in your new pastures!

[geochuck]

I have never let anything hold me back and fortunately had a wife of 47 years (Chuckie) who went there with me. We never looked back and have been very happy with all of our changes. The only person who can make your decision is you.

Good luck
George

[KatieBun]

:D Update!
Sri Lanka booked for September :)
Plan for December-March :cool:
Hong Kong
Sydney
Melbourne
Cairns
Aukland
Christchurch
Brisbane
Fiji
LA
Home and very broke :rolleyes: :sleeping: :sleeping:
Good on you, Pete. My parents have just discovered travelling, far too late really. Dad is 80 this month, and they keep saying to me, "Why didn't we do this earlier?" I don't have an answer, unfortunately. Just glad they're doing it now. Life really is too short. We're doing Hong Kong, Cairns, Sydney, Ayers Rock, Darwin and Singapore this summer. It'll give the kids a taste. The rest is up to them, when they're old enough to explore in more depth, at their expense.

[Phil Tanner]

It's amazing, I can just about remember my grandfather's brother, who emigrated to Australia in the late 1920s, coming back for a visit when I was about five, around 1960, taking about a month via ship. It was like someone coming back from Mars. Australia is utterly wonderful and if I'm reincarnated that's what I want to come back as.

[KatieBun]

.. if I'm reincarnated that's what I want to come back as.
An Australian or a Martian, Phil? ;)

[ktcute]

I've not been to Australia, but I'm finding it a bit hard to imagine that anyone could like anywhere much more than some of the spots in New Zealand.

My jaw is still dropping at the thought of some of the places I went to, and a lot of it has the sense of something completely surreal about it.

I'd say ... go... if you can handle the travelling, and what you have to return to when you come back. In my experience coming back from travel is not the most enjoyable experience.

[The ROCK]

:D Update!
Sri Lanka booked for September :)
Plan for December-March :cool:
Hong Kong
Sydney
Melbourne
Cairns
Aukland
Christchurch
Brisbane
Fiji
LA
Home and very broke :rolleyes: :sleeping: :sleeping:


Be sure to pop in on Ali Johnson while in Christchurch and give him our regards!!
(Recently departed Scottish Youth Coach)

[Swimmer's ATM]

Pete - GO !

and look forward and "Don't look back"

Have Fun
:cool: :cool: :cool:

[H2o]

But be warned Pete...........

when you do eventually get back here, depression will set in followed by
"wher can I go now?"

[KatieBun]

But be warned Pete...........

when you do eventually get back here, depression will set in followed by
"wher can I go now?"
...let's just start depressing Pete now, shall we? :rolleyes:

[GettingFaster]

Not at all, it's just a little advanced warning so he can be thinking "I wonder where I should go next!" :wave:

[Pete]

Have got my previously booked trips to Greece first. So keeping my feet on the ground until back from those.
I have to refresh the bank balance before any sort of long term travel again. One step at a time. Thanks for all the positive comments.
My sister is now looking forward to see me in Sydney. Will be calling in on an old Swimming, Drinking and Water Polo mates. Friends living in New Zealand have already offered to put me up.
If you are wondering if all I am doing is planning my travels; I'm knackered supervising a student on teaching practice with my class. Plus report writing has started.

[londoner62]

If you are wondering if all I am doing is planning my travels; I'm knackered supervising a student on teaching practice with my class. Plus report writing has started.

It is most unlikely you will get any pity or sympathy!!!!!!!!!!! :p

[KatieBun]

It is most unlikely you will get any pity or sympathy!!!!!!!!!!! :p
On the contrary, report writing will always elicit sympathy. :aarrgghh: Aaaaaargh!

[Pete]

Average 500 words each pupil. 33 in my class. Someone good at Maths?

[KatieBun]

Average 500 words each pupil. 33 in my class. Someone good at Maths?
You have my entire well of sympathy, Pete. Fortunately,I did my last lot, (Class of 35), in 2001 and have only taught part time or supply since. I've even made sure not to take Maternity Leave contracts during the summer term. Reports are horrible. Wouldn't it be great if you could REALLY write what you wanted???? :angel: (only about a few kids, of course!)
Think of what you've got to look forward to. It should make it more bearable.

[GettingFaster]

Unless of course you decide to burn your bridges properly and actually write what you think without the euphemisms.

"Could do better" actually means "lazy little xxx who needs a sharp kick in the pants." What fun if you actually wrote the second rather than the first!

[ruthcp]

"Could do better" actually means "lazy little xxx who needs a sharp kick in the pants." What fun if you actually wrote the second rather than the first!

Crikey, is that what all the teachers meant to say to me all those years ago?!!! :aarrgghh:

[Bazza]

I still get that now!!

[Pete]

My travel itinerary for later this year is now confirmed.
Dec. 4th Four day stop in Hong Kong.
Dec. 9th Hong Kong to Sydney
Jan. 4th 2005 Sydney to Melbourne
18th Jan. Melbourne to Cairns
25th Jan. Cairns to Aukland
8th Feb. Aukland to Christchurch
22nd Feb. Christchurch to Brisbane
1st March Brisbane to Fiji
8th March Fiji to Los Angeles
13th March Los Angeles to London
Now I work on contacts and places to stay and saving money. Shame I don't get paid for my coaching.

[mad4it]

Wow! That looks great Pete. Spending New Year in Sydney should be amazing!

[Pete]

Off to Sri Lanka tomorrow 7th September. Stage 1 underway.

[GettingFaster]

Absolutely the best possible luck and enjoyment Pete, we'll all be there with you in spirit. Hope you'll still be able to log in from time to time and keep us posted (and jealous!)

Have a brilliant time. :wave: :D