Marching, tennis and school shows

Jessie ready to march

It's been a rapid change of seasons this year, and the days have been much cooler over recent weeks. We've started lighting the fire again at night and are no longer entertaining thoughts of final ocean swims for the season, but rather the approaching winter and the prospect of some time in the snow again. It has also been unseasonably wet over the last month, and the island is starting to look green again which makes a nice change after a long summer.

The weeks are passing quickly as our transition back to Australia in a few months time approaches, but life continues to be as full as ever here. However there is something about an approaching life transition that can prompt a more reflective mindset, and clear perspectives on our journey as a family here in Cyprus. It has not always been easy but we are very thankful for this season of our lives over the past four years. We know that we will miss many things about Cyprus and the community here but are at peace about the timing of the move back to Australia.

A few recent events for the family include:

Jessie marching with her school the American Academy for 'όχι day' or 'No Day', which is a national public holiday to commemorate a Second World War milestone when Greece said 'No' to Mussolini's request to annex Greek territory for the Axis powers. In saying no to Mussolini's request, Greek was drawn into the Second World War against the Italians and Germans. For the όχι day march, thousands of school children from all over Cyprus march in Nicosia through the centre of town and past the President and a large entourage of other dignitaries and Government officials.

Marchers from the American Academy

Anna has been doing tennis lessons for the last few months. She is still keen to be do anything with a ball, and keeps telling us she will be one of those players on the tv one day (as long as she doesn't have to wear a skirt!).  Click here or see the movie box below to see her in action!

Jessie also performed in a high school talent show recently, and the house continues to ring out with songs from different musicals each day. The other focus for Jessie lately has been finishing various oboe and music theory exams. It's been a bit of slog at the end, but she's finished now so happy to take a break for a while. Click here or see the movie box below to watch a clip of her school talent show performance.

The kids also had a mid-term break recently, and enjoyed a quieter week off in Nicosia. I think Sarah was pretty happy to see them back at school after the holiday!  She is away in Crete at the moment with a dear friend of hers from Australia, so they are enjoying a few days break from family and kids. No doubt Sarah will write on this in a future blog.

ps. completely unrelated to this particular blog, but if interested you may enjoy watching this film we just discovered that Jessie made of our summer holiday in the Balkans. We wanted to post it for the sake of posterity. Click here or press play in the box below to watch it.