Time to fly the nest

This week it’s “time to fly the nest” in many ways. My students this week will finish their subjects for the semester; some will go on to further training in different area’s, some will have completed or be just about to complete some extremely difficult exams; some have joyously found work and some will continue to study and complete work experience. My fingers will always be crossed for my students, but I know they are all so very capable and also very ready to “fly the nest” too.

For me, it’s also “time to fly the nest”. My marking’s just about finished for a while; I can have a break from teaching so I can free some time up to concentrate on some much needed things like grant applications, my husbands business, all that end of financial year “stuff” and, yes, I nearly forgot - getting ready for this election. How could I ever forget that?

Now speaking of this election, here’s a reality check; when I decided to stand as an Independent Councillor candidate, I thought that was great, but then it suddenly dawned on me that I would have to go through this political election process which I knew absolutely nothing about. I froze for a moment, thinking “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FIONA?”, “since when have you been in an election of any type?” I got a bit worried and then thought “Surely, it can’t be that bad, right?”, trying to convince myself. So, I thought, I’ll just start with some research, after all I do love a good bit of research. So, I kid you not, I borrowed my daughters kindle and downloaded a few books about  - how to win an election 101 + Barack O’Bama’s secrets to a successful campaign through social media, and read and read and read. I mean, if Erin Brockovich can do it, then I can too.

For about a week I think I read almost continuously, well into the night/morning – couldn’t put it down, and then started in ernest developing this website and blog, hidden to the public, in I think February, and then came facebook, twitter, linkedin, youtube, tumblr, reddit, flickr and Pinterest, all linked automatically into my web/blog, a mammoth learning curve for me. All of a sudden I was getting well wishes from all over, various Mayors and Councillors around NSW and interstate and saying “Go the Indy’s”. Central to my campaign, was “flexibility” for me to run my campaign as I wanted to as an Independent. I didn’t want an ordinary “stuffy” campaign. I wanted something “modern”, something “slightly different”. It’s been extremely important for me to let people know how I think about things. This may be a tad unconventional, but hey, sometimes that’s what’s needed in life to get the best results. I like to think, actually, I know, I’ve been raised to find creative solutions and then to work hard to implement them.  I need people to know me so people can hopefully with the greatest confidence vote for me as their Councillor for Ward 2.

The other day, in a mad moment, one of my kids said “mum, what are you doing”, as my phone kept going “bip”, “bip”, “bip”, almost every day. I said “I’m getting twitter followers”. ”You’re what?”, they would say. So, I would explain that phenomenon and say ”twitter” is such hard work. Well, yesterday, I was “following” and then this message came up on ”Twitter” – “You have reached your limit”. “I’ve what? What limit?” I didn’t know anything  about a limit - obviously I didn’t read that bit!

Anyway, I’ve had so much fun so far. I’ve tried to be honest (perhaps I really won’t make a great politician). I’ve ticked a few people off because I’ve said it like it is, like some in our local media, (that’s you Mr Hanscombe, again) but hey, what’s new.

But, I feel it’s alllllll about to take a dramatic turn for the better and going to get a whole lot more exciting and fun, and I honestly can’t wait. I’ve been running around doing all sorts of things, so much preparation, and as my very wise and good husband always says, ”it’s all in the preparation”, and I aim to be one very prepared person moving into this next stage……….watch this space……….