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Having barely had a break for a long, long time – I came straight to Laos after an almost sleepless week finishing off my thesis back in Sydney in May 06 – I had a couple of weeks break back home over the Christmas – New Year period. I had many things to do in that time for work and uni, and wanted to catch up with as many friends and family as I could. But my body had other ideas and I ended up getting a slight sickness but was mainly just very tired – sleeping up to 12 hours a night! So I’m sorry that I didn’t get to catch up with many who I would have like to, and didn’t go out of my way to tell many people that I was even back in Australia.
Tom & Ana’s Wedding
 Tom and Ana Quick visit to UNSW
It was at the wedding on the Sunday evening that I started to feel quite feverish with a stomach bug! Curiously, I had hardly had any stomach problems at all in Laos all year, but got something as soon as I came back to Australia. Anyway, I struggled through a very early Monday morning flight back to Sydney, and went straight to UNSW, where I was to meet with my supervisors at lunch time. In spite of not eating, I picked up enough by lunch time to have a reasonably productive meeting, but alas, my energy was depleted enough for me not to do much more on my thesis for the duration of my time in Australia. We’re still waiting for the final examiners’ report, which is somewhat of an excuse.
It was great to go back to Room 410, however, and see a couple of my friends who were still there. Rest and Catch-up with Family
 The family Christmas gathering at Lake Macquarie
My third and final Sabbath in Australia was spent at Waitara and then the Fountain church in the afternoon. It was really good to be able to catch up with my church ‘family’ there. And on each of the three Sabbaths I was asked to share something about Laos, which I gladly did.The New Year Starts Already!
So the New Year came all too soon, and on New Year’s Day I travelled back to Laos. I stayed in Bangkok the night after the bombings there, though the city seemed its usual self to me. As soon as I arrived in Laos I went straight to the office and did a full day’s work, then worked extra long hours for the remainder of the week. I still do have a lot on my plate, but have made some New Year’s Resolutions which I hope will enable me not to be so fully absorbed in work all the time. I hope to be able to learn the Lao language, finish off my thesis and tie up some associated loose ends, form a workable exercise routine (my knees still complain every time I run – so I’m considering other options) and achieve a better balance in terms of the hours spent at work (especially to ensure my spiritual life does not suffer). I’m sure this will come as I get more accustomed to my position, although I’m hoping and praying the change in Country Director will bring someone as good as our last one, and won’t be too much of an extra strain in the changeover period.
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