OK - Been slack (again !) in terms of writing an update... and given that I go back to Uni (well...teaching rounds) on Monday thought I better get my act together and write something....

- I managed getting the After-School Care position I applied for. I work one night a week at a school in Parkdale looking after kids who's parents work. It's good fun and I'm sure will be excellent in developing skills before I start teaching full time.

- As a result of getting the After-School Care job, I wasn't able to help out with Youth Week this year, however I did manage to get along to the Youth Expo the team had organised. The Youth Resource Centre also launched its ever so funky new youth bus (although it's more of a semi-trailer). Titled "WHAT ?", the youth centre on wheels provides support, recreational activities, events and outreach services for young people in the area. I happened to be in the right place at the right time talking to the right people and was lucky enough to get a tour inside. I couldn't get over how big it was and how much they had crammed in - a theatrette, a kitchen, a toiletbathroom, a small meeting room and about 4 PC's setup with internet access ! From the quality of the finished product, it is clear that council and the other key stakeholders have invested a great deal financially towards the project, illustrating council's commitment to supporting the needs of young people living within the City of Frankston. This, combined with the level of planning, research and design involved in developing the facility will not only ensure its success, but will make it a program that I am certain other municipalities will be wanting to replicate.

- In other Youth Week news, the team behind the project created a vox pop (I think that's what you call it) asking young people a range of questions about issues such as transport, entertainment, youth participation, etc.... in Frankston. Hope to get a copy of it in the not so distant future and take a look - particularly at the section exploring Community Safety - might get some interesting responses...something I can follow up on.....

- Whilst I'm talking about Community Safety, I went to the launch of the CAR SAFE sticker the day after the Youth Expo. Similar to the Victorian Drive Right initiative, drivers in Frankston who display a CAR SAFE sticker on their car and have taken action to park their car safely and securely will have their rego. recorded and will go in to a drawer to win great prizes for their car.

- The musical is progressing....slowly. We've finished auditions last week and in the process of casting people to various roles. Unfortunately, we didn't have many guys audition and Joseph has quite a few male lead roles so we're tearing out hair out at the moment working out what we're going to do....I'll keep you posted.....

- Work...hmm...let's just say that it's not my favourite place at the moment - those of you I communicate with on here will know what I'm going on about.....I think I'll leave it at that….

- Met up with Simon the other day and chatted about TIG and the project he's working on, the IPISI Magazine He even managed to convince me to write an article (I'm a terrible writer) on Jesse Martin and the problems the Journey of Kijana is facing. Keep your eyes out for it in the pilot edition !

- I have made my first "real" creation with PhotoShop the other day - I designed a new cover for my teaching portfolio; reflecting my beliefs of what I think teaching is all about. Might upload it to the Global Gallery so you can have a look. My next task is to design a new funky header for my updates page.... Given how long it's taken me to write this update, who only knows how long it will be before I get that task done !

- Got a 21st this weekend, which should be good. Gotta work before hand till 10pm, so will be rocking up quite late. Seem to be going through the 21st birthday phase at the moment....and am running out of ideas for gifts....so.....if anyone's got good ideas of what to get as presents (and is within the budget of a poor uni student !)....let me know - all ideas appreciated !!!

Well....that's it....until the next exciting update in the life of yours truly......take care of yourself....and each other.....