It's been a busy and fascinating two months.
Major events across the world, including the BP oil spill, Gaza convoy, spy exchanges and of course the continuing war in Afghanistan have dominated the headlines and our attention in the House. While nearer to home, two shooting incidents, an austere Budget, our woeful football team and the activities of a few of my colleagues have created endless column inches in UK newspapers. I mention all this because when you are an MP, I find that you tend to take more of an interest in the world. You have to.
Many constituents, forever observant, write to you on their views and of course, are keen to hear the governments or the MP's. With more than 600 MP's in the House, you can imagine there are many views. And this is what makes the job so interesting.
Outside the Chamber, matters are discussed with calm deliberation. But place them inside one of the world's most renowned debating chambers and the gunpowder fuse is lit. Some issues fizzle out like damp squibs while others ignite spectacularly.
Having made my maiden speech I have experienced the Chamber first hand, as it were.
But as protocol dictates these speeches are not interrupted, I have yet to feel the full weight of the House when this comforting tradition is removed. And when this happens, as I have witnessed, MPs are horribly exposed and reliant on their oratory and footwork to see them through. Only the other day, the House was packed to the gunwhales when Michael Gove had to apologise for distributing an inaccurate list of school building projects which had been stopped due to budget cuts. He skillfully and rightly took full responsibility for the mistake and by doing so, wrong footed Labour MPs who don't understand what the word 'sorry' means. They've certainly not heard it over the past 13 years.
Forgive me a little partisanship but listening to the Benches opposite, it's alarming to note that they just do not understand the mess they've led this country into. It's going to be tough over the next year or two as we learn to live within our means but opportunity always accompanies lean times and we must grasp it.