It’s been no secret that I’m not a happy bunny being a freelance journalist. I’m sick of the constant struggle for work, for money, for respect and the basic decency usually afforded to every other profession on the planet. I’ve been doing this for four years and I’m getting the distinct impression I’ve had enough.

Then I had an epiphany. I want a career change and I suddenly thought: Why not teach RE?

Whoa, bombshell right?

Let me explain, before I was a journalist, I was a scholar of religion. I’ve loved discovering religion and human belief since I was knee high to a grasshopper. I did GCSEs, an AS level and my degree in the subject but never quite knew what to do with religious studies. You basically get two options: teach or become a priest. Being female and a Pagan, the latter was out and I watched all my uni friends slogging their guts out over PCGE’s or teaching degrees. Now though, I think it might just be what I need. A new career and a change of pace.

So I’ve rung round some local schools, including a couple in Norwich and my old high school, to get some observations days (I need at least five days before I can even apply). I’m going to treat this like work experience, a taster to help me decide if this is indeed the path I want to take. If it is, I’m going to apply to the UEA to do their PCGE in Religious Education course which starts in September. It’s only 36 weeks and the UEA is about an hour away (and they have places). Kismet, eh?

My mother and the friends I’ve mentioned the idea too all think it’s a great idea, though I have been called nuts and barmy. I accept it’s going to be hard and costly but I hope it might also be worth it. The only downside is I’m going to have to redo my math GCSE (I got a D) as you need a C in maths, science and English. That aside, I’m not discouraged.

But for now things won’t change, I’m taking my annual festive break from tomorrow and look forward to spending Yule and Christmas with the family.  I’m off to Japan in April I’m still on the Guide Dog waiting list but I now have a plan of action. I don’t think I’ll completely stop writing – I might do the odd WoW related piece for example and continue working on my novels – but a change of pace, a new environment and the chance to inspire kids really appeals right now.

In other news, as you can see from the image above, it’s snowing! Lots and lots and lots of lovely white soft snow. I let Ceri out earlier and she went nuts. I mean that literally, she was dancing around the estate and even skidded when I called her. I’m going to let her out tomorrow and play with her outside until she gets used to the strange, wet whiteness on the ground. Bless her little heart though, it’s quite sweet seeing her reaction to snow.