Hi, it’s me again 👋 How are you?
I know you’ve been waiting patiently all month for this update - it’s a lot of football (soccer), a bit of running and an update on the ever exciting job hunt… and so, here we go…
Football is Life!
Let's dive right into it – The FIFA Women's World Cup. This tournament took everyone by surprise, initially flying under the radar before erupting into a global sensation, rivaling even the Sydney Olympics.
For me, the anticipation had been building for a while. Back when I was with Xero, one of the main sponsors, FIFA Women's World Cup was a frequent topic of conversation. I collected laptop stickers and a Xero football as part of the pre-event excitement. They even had a sleek Xero jersey that I longed for but couldn't get my hands on, unfortunately.
In my household, we've been Matilda's fans for a long time. My wife plays football on weekends, we followed the 2019 World Cup closely, and my kids idolize players like Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter. We had watched the Disney documentary and the friendly match with France just before the opening ceremony – our excitement was through the roof! We expected the Matildas to do well, but their impact on Australian football surpassed our wildest expectations.
Game On!
Initially, we hesitated about attending the games due to job uncertainty and tighter budgets. But when I finally secured a bit of work, we decided to go for it and bought tickets for the Quarter Finals in Sydney. We didn't know which teams would be playing, but we secretly hoped it would be Australia. Even when it turned out to be Colombia vs. England, we were thrilled.
The atmosphere in the stadium was nothing short of electric. The kids were overwhelmed, but their excitement was palpable. We even caught the EPIC penalty shootout between France and Australia on the stadium's televisions, adding to the anticipation.
When Colombia scored their first goal, the stadium erupted in jubilation! It was so intense that poor Ted was taken aback and started crying, wanting to go home. I can't blame him; I don't think I've ever heard a crowd erupt like that before.
It was an unforgettable experience, one that I hope the kids will cherish forever. I know I certainly will!
Soccer Season Wrap Up
As the kids' soccer seasons drew to a close, it was truly awesome to witness the growth of their skills throughout the season. Their passion for the game grew stronger with each match. I gotta admit, even though it took over our entire Saturdays, I loved every moment of watching them play. The emotional investment in their games, from the victories to the heart breaking losses, is something I wouldn't trade for the world.
While it's bittersweet that the season has ended, there's a silver lining in the form of a few quiet weekends on the horizon. It'll be a welcome break before the summer sports kick into high gear. Futsal and summer soccer are the trends this year, which should be fun (I’m secretly thankful that they’re not cricket fans, haha).
Sri Chinmoy 100
I've recently upped my running game in preparation for the Sri Chinmoy 100, happening in less than a week. While I won't be attempting the full 100 kilometers—I'm not that daring (or physically fit!)—I'm excited to be a part of a relay team with me tackling the final leg of the race. It's roughly 25 kilometers, mostly the same route I've recently completed over Mount Majura and Ainslie with a few extra twists and turns. I think I’ve done enough to get me over the line in a decent time just hoping the old legs are up to the distance!
I'm planning to kick off around 4:30 next Sunday, if everything goes to plan, and aiming for a picturesque sunset run. The anticipation is building, and I can’t hardly wait! I love running those trails on those mountains, my fave places to run!
Still in the Hunt
The job front remains relatively unchanged. I find myself in the middle of yet another short-term contract, which is really enjoyable work, but there's definitely a hankering for a bit more stability and longer term projects in my professional life . However, I can't deny that I'm loving this current experience. Spending a few days in a physical office, engaging with people in the flesh, and conducting a series of workshops—it's SO good. I had almost forgotten how invigorating in-person interactions can be. It really lights me up!
I'm maintaining an active pursuit of new opportunities, filling out applications, expanding my network, and throwing my best efforts into every submission. So, if you could send some good job vibes my way, I'd greatly appreciate it!
I’m so grateful for this super Spring weather and looking forward to what September brings; gardening, running, adventures with the fam and hopefully a real job!
Until our next month, stay tuned!
What an amazing experience to be at one of the quarter final games! We loved watching as many WWC games as possible in our house and my kids were even able to listen to their Dad commentate on the radio a few times. Definitely sending good job vibes your way 🫶🏼