When the Cheshire emerges...

You have to risk some feelings of insecurity if you're ever going to learn to walk a tightrope, water-ski, become a writer, start a new business, try out a new recipe, or do anything that requires learning.

 

The second of those affirmations is what tonight's blog addresses. I would say I feel slight insecurity at the moment - but so inspired at the same time! A part of that is because of an amazing language blog I stumbled across last week from a young guy who speaks 11 languages.

 

I'm learning Greek. For real.

 

I decided to take an active stand. I've been saying to people about how I want to do lessons to improve my fluency since returning from Europe - the first time - and various obstacles have stopped me from pursuing it. I had a Lonely Planet audio CD that was only phrases with no explanation, and I found on my road trip home that it wasn't really helpful.

 

However, this one is great. And explaining the gaps that I need to fill in speaking the language well.

 

 

But what's this? Portuguese too?!

 

This was a bit indulgent, but I found it all on sale while I was away over the Easter break... it's forward planning. The idea is that I'll begin learning some Portugese early next year ahead of my planned trip to Brazil (and more of Latin America) for the World Cup. That's still the plan for 2014 at this stage... and it's still too early to book anything, but having taken all of June off work, the wheels have been set in motion.

 

Though, with all of this plus my ongoing shorthand practice (still working on my speeds)... is this is too ambitious?

 

 

OK, so it's really called a cadet induction if you want to get technical.

 

It's a week on the outskirts of Sydney where I, with all these other people, get to be trained in various parts of print and online journalism, complete with sessions on photography and shorthand. It's pretty much the three-year uni course rolled up into five days. And we get the flights and accommodation to do this. Win.

 

Yes, so I'm getting back into shorthand, four years after uni. Pretty handy considering I've let it slide big time. We get a 20-week correspondence course after the camp so we can start using it for real. Huzzah!

I'm lucky enough to be here with two of my colleagues so it's going to be one hell of a party. Well, as much as news gathering and learning about defamation can get our minds dancing!

 

My own party will continue as I stick around Sydney for a few extra days. A concert, hopefully some party times and coffee with friends and other bits and pieces will take up my time nicely.

 

I'm so excited!

 

**While I'm going to be oh-so-busy fraternising and learning, there's still room in my head and heart for you lot. I had some previous ideas already put to paper so you couldn't miss me for too long and they will appear in due course, so look out :)