Well, since my last post I have to tell you that I'm glad that my decision about Munich had become more about location, a better salary and more opportunities and less about Paul because he is now seeing someone in Regensburg. Nothing new yet on the job front in Munich because I still have to go for an interview, but try as I might, I can't help but look forward to a different life in Germany. I've already downloaded a programme onto my computer so that I can refresh my knowledge of German. I'm so ready to leave here.

Don't get me wrong. I've loved it here. It definitely has given me a good grounding in teaching and has helped learn what I can and cannot do in terms of teaching. A lot of the things that have happened here, like everything else, have opened my eyes to who I am and what I am capable of. I'm pretty sure I've become more mature and more assertive as well. I think I've also definitely become more open and approachable - both qualities are expected to be present in a teacher.

On another side, I've lived in a foreign country by myself for 9 months. I've adapted to a new lifestyle, a new language, new food, new people, new surroundings and I've survived. It's strange to think about it. As much as I'm looking forward to going home and being around Glasgow, I haven't missed it all that much. It doesn't seem all that bad that I haven't been home since Christmas. Time has flown and I've grown up and grown used to this weird life.

What I have learned here - other than how to teach and who I am as a teacher (of course there's still much more to learn) - is that I have to make more of an effort to do more. I'll have to join classes and meet people outside of work and outside of my flat. I need to do more. As much as it's been nice here, I've found myself completely bored out of my brains some weekends because my teacher friends are busy or because they're broke or because they're tired. I've also learned to take opportunities when they are presented. Even though I have ended up hurt by Paul, I can honestly say that I don't regret having taken the chance. I will make the effort to travel more and meet more people. Certainly I'm very keen to take a German class when I'm there, so that in itself will give me something outside of work to do.

Though I'm trying not to pin all my hopes on a better life in Germany, I know just from the basics that it will be better. For a start, I'll have more money and I'm sad to say that more money inevitably means more opportunities. But also, the teachers tend to be younger and more outgoing in Germany - though I only know this from Lydia's and Chris's experience, though I doubt that'll change much in the next few months. It certainly has been a very strange mix of people here in Bratislava. It's been to sleepy for me and I'd like to have just that little more fun outside of work.

I don't know. I've been content this year and I don't regret my decision to come here one bit. I'm sure once I get home, all the other things I've learned here will become more apparent, but already I feel like I've learned a lot, improved a lot and grown up a lot. Also, I've learned that it's not all that difficult to live and settle in a new country. It is what you make it and I think that I've made it something good for me. But I am hoping that my interview will go well on 11 July and I will get that job! So pray for me, hope with me and keep your fingers crossed because I am ready to move on to bigger and better things. The world is my oyster and I intend to make the most of it!! :)