Hello again!

To all my loved ones:

First of all, I'm sorry if my lack of blogging has caused any of you concern or worry. Although I've continued to face new challenges in the past two months, life in Perth has become the full adventure I expected it to be. Unless you've ever moved away from everything you know and love, it's difficult for me to put into words what it's like to start over - or at least begin a second life. The best way I can articulate it is that it's hard to live two separate lives at once. My blog-less weeks, brief email replies, non-Skyping and calling, shortness in IMs, and complete absence on Facebook weren't planned. By becoming more grounded here, I haven't been able to keep one foot on each continent/world/life... I gradually got both feet here, and now I'm off and running. Please know that I still think about all of you - home, friends, family, kitties - each and every day - and that every single thought and message you send my way is received and whole-heartedly appreciated... and for every time I don't respond as quickly as you hope I will, please know that it's because I'm having the time of my life here!

As you might imagine, a lot has happened for me in the past two months. I bought a scooter (red one, slow and easy to ride, her name is Ruby); I moved to a new house (two fun roommates - a gal from Perth and a guy from Southern California - beautiful area with lots of green leaves and clear water); I've been through culture shock and back; I'm learning to sail (I've even been out racing, gotten rope-burn, but not sun-burnt); I've gone on a few dates (don't worry - I'll still be home for Christmas); and it now takes more energy for me to remember the *American* way to spell things! I haven't done any traveling, but there's so much still to see and do here that I've yet to feel restless. My job is becoming more and more of what I love and less headaches and adjustments. I'm meeting some amazing people and earning lots and lots of "it-would-only-happen-to-Macie" stories to share when I get back.

There are so many aspects of my life in Perth that are finally blossoming, but I'm most excited about my work. I truly know that I'm in the right field and that I'm making a significant impact on individuals, classrooms, and teaching/learning pedagogy. I'm making a lot of great contacts, and I've even gotten offers from people who want to give me a significant boost up the ladder whenever I'm ready to take my next step. Next week, I'm starting a course for 7th-10th grade girls called "Digital Storytelling"; I'm going to show them how to use several different programs to make movies, pictures, music, and get their creative genius flowing. Even if I'll never make it as a professional filmmaker, I love being able to incorporate these sorts of passions into my work!

Next on my list are getting my SCUBA certification, learning to surf, and taking some weekend trips through Western Australia. There are a lot of great diving spots and wine regions here - always good motivation to travel! :)

I'm trying not to count down the weeks till Christmas - I can't believe how quickly my first few months here have come and gone! I'll do my best to get back into an email and Skype discipline... even if it's less often than we'd like.

I love you all very much, and will be back before we know it.