Hi Lisa
Thank you for all your work to make the reunion fun and for connecting those of us who are too far away to be there . I am enjoying catching up on the news via the website.
Here is my homework - on time!
Possibly too many photos ???
Greetings from Middle Earth! We are still in Auckland, NZ. Please look us up if you visit.
10 years ago, I would have been flat out running around after our 2yr old son and 6yr old daughter. Not much has changed! When Ben started school, I stayed involved with Playcentre (a kindergarten run by the families who attend sessions) I was in a specific need’s role, helping mums with twins and 3 kids under 3 to attend sessions. Crazy and rewarding. PhD in Playdough and Mucky play. Lots of time spent in the sandpit with lovely people.
My life still largely revolves around Hannah (16) and Ben (12). For the last 6 years I have been working 2 days a week at a College as a Speech and Drama teacher (no surprises there!) It's the perfect job for me: flexible hours, school holidays and reading poetry, plays and books all count as "work." Our dress up box is awesome. This weekend I will be watching some students perform in the Auckland Competitions, picking my daughter up from a concert and doing the late pick up from a “party with boys” Tonight I am taking my son to a rock band showcase, tomorrow I will be with him at the Climate Change protest. I am still happily married to Chris and we have a 3rd child - called Sabre cat. We have family in the South Island – so have regular trips to explore the deep south. I think that it we moved anywhere else in the world I would feel homesick for both NZ and SA.
Last year we dodged a renovation, jumped into a new school zone and moved to a new house which means I no longer do the school run! My kids are becoming increasingly independent so it’s time to pick up my old hobbies and interests and dust off the sewing machine. I only get to make costumes for the annual book character Parade or Halloween parties. I think my mid-life crisis will include getting a dog & hosting more fancy dress parties - there needs to be more dancing.
Last time we came out to SA as a family was 3 years ago - so we are long overdue a visit. I had 2 trips back to SA last year as my dad was dying. I am blessed to have been able to take the time off work and leave Chris to hold the fort so that I could just devote myself to be a daughter and sister. Vanessa, Sam and Belinda were able to come to his funeral. I brought my mum back to NZ with me so we could grieve together. In 2017 I managed to get to Johnny Clegg's last concert with Vanessa and Belinda. I catch up with Sheryn (Lister - left St. Mary’s end of STD 5 to go to ballet school.) Last year she met me in Wellington to see “World of Wearable Arts” show, time before that I met her in Melbourne to see “Kinky Boots.” In 2017 we met up with Anne Lencioni (Mack) on the Gold Coast when we were on holiday. Too busy chatting - did not take a single photo! For the record – she has not changed a bit. I feel that with all my friends made at St. Mary’s that we just pick up from where we left off. It’s just a pity that it is not very often.
I hope to make it to at least one reunion.
Next time we write bios - we will possibly be posting photos with adorable grandchildren!
In the next few years – I would like to work with primary school kids again, do some voluntary work and possibly return to Playcentre to work with mums and babies or apply for a job to role play as Professor Trelawney at the gift shop/tearoom at Harry Potter World (would love that)
Enjoy catching up with each other over the weekend.
I will try send through some old school pics
xoxo Cathy (nee Harrison)
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