I have a new toy...and it's fun to use...

Today I went to my local regional centre, 140kms away. That was because I had my chiro appointment and had to do a little more Christmas shopping. That was good. Things were good. And then I walked into Hardly Normal (Harvey Norman to anyone outside my family). That was a bad move...

I thought that I would just check out their digital cameras, and then I bought one. I was looking at a particular kind, and then I was diverted onto another kind which I found more agreeable to what I would need. I wanted something with optical, not just digital, zoom, which my old digi-camera doesn't have. Don't get my wrong, my old digital camera is very good. And it still works charmingly. But, for going overseas, I wanted something that, when I zoomed in, it wouldn't blur the picture up.

My new camera is by Sony, and it's fairly thin and compact, and I think I'm going to like it very much. I know I'm going to have fun learning how to operate it over the next week before I go overseas. Heck, I've already had fun taking some photos and reviewing them. I've taken another one of my Christmas tree, and it came up very nicely. So, no doubt you'll see some photos from my new toy up on the web in no time quick.

Talking about Christmas trees. If you had read my log about my Christmas tree, you would know I was having trouble with finding a suitable Angel or Star. Well, today I went and looked again in the shops, and again, nothing suitable. I'm very disappointed with the society at the moment. Very...

"Angel, mother, angel..."

One More Week...That's All...

Today was the last Friday of term. Next week, there are only four days of school. This I am happy about. But I'm unhappy too...

I'm happy that there are only four more day...only four more days of seeing the kids, and then I have seven weeks off! Nothing like it. I'll be going away for three of those weeks overseas in Europe and America. That will be very nice. Get to see my brother and his wife for the first time in about a year and a bit. And then I have about three and a bit weeks left over to spend time in Sydney (maybe catch up with some friends) and then to come back to where I am situated to create new programs for 2007.

But I'm unhappy too. I won't be able to spend the evening on Thursday with the other teachers. I am planning on travelling down to Sydney on Thursday night to avoid traffic, to have a whole day at home before spending a Christmas Evening with my Mum's side (as well as my Dad's brother, it seems), as well as catch up with some friends before Christmas. I really would like to spend the evening with the teachers so that I can party with them for the end of term. But I suppose I see them enough at home, and I've 'partied' with them before.

Anyway...I'll be going away in a little more than a week to London. That will be fun. I hope that I don't get jet lag very badly, so that I can enjoy Christmas very much. And also...I hope I don't forget the presents!

My Christmas Tree

Some will wonder why I decided to get a Christmas Tree this year when I will be going overseas for Christmas. Going overseas doesn't mean that I can't celebrate Christmas beforehand with friends and family in Austalia. Plus, it just isn't Christmas without a Christmas Tree, I think. So, I went to the local BigW (140 kms away) and found just what I wanted. I got the lights and decorations at the same time and think that it really looks nice (though not near as covered as the one that we have at home).

I still haven't got an Angel or Star...I couldn't find any Angels that I liked or would work and the Stars were ones that all lit up. I don't want a star that lights up. I just want an everyday looking Star that works nicely uptop my Tree. The Angels are becoming works of art in themselves, also...with nothing of substance to them. I don't want that, either.

I guess this reflects a little on society in that Angels and Stars are not seen as necessary anymore, even though they are pinnacle to the whole Christmas Story. Do people who don't attend Christmas Mass/Services even remember the reason why we celebrate Christmas? I wonder...

The Ashes - it's just starting to get interesting...

I just love 'The Ashes' when it's on. Having the challenge of playing the Good Ol' Enemy, England, in cricket is always fun. With two of the tests down, and Australia having won both of them, it is going to be very difficult for England to win (or draw) any of the others.

This last test (the second) looked as though it was going to be a good one for England. As I said to one of my friends at the beginning of the third day: "I wouldn't mind England winning at least one of the matches, but did it have to be the second one? They could at least have made it the fourth of fifth test." That's how confident I was in Australia pulling a win out of this test's hat.

England looked to be in a convincing position to win the test at the end of the first three days when Australia had 551 runs to get and were struggling to reach half the score. At the end of the fourth day it looked very much like it was going to be a draw. At the end of the fifth and final day, Australia had won the match by dismissing England for an unbelievable 129 earlier that day. This meant that Australia only had to reach 168 runs to win the match.

As always, Australia treated this score as it deserved on the final day of a test match - as a one-dayer. When I got home from school and was able to join in watching the television coverage Australia was in the position of needing 120 runs off about 25 overs. This did not look challenging to me at all. And so it proved in the end. Australia won with Michael Hussey hitting the winning runs with three overs to go, and Australia only losing four wickets.

This last day score reminded me a bit of one of the tests that we played against South Africa, with Graeme Smith as captain. Mr Smith was chivalrous to declare on the last day in the morning with giving Australia most of the day to reach only 250, 300 (or something like that) runs. I thought that it was very nice of him to do this, but not nearly enough runs for us to be challenged in pushing for only the draw. Australia won that match as well through playing the final day like a one-dayer. That's the positive thing about the Australian cricket team. A lot of the test players are able to play one-day style when called upon to do so.

Overall, the final day's score of 168 was gained by Australia proving that England really have to improve their confidence and ability before they take on our guys again. C'mon Aussie, c'mon, c'mon...I'm sure you guys can win the next test and regain The Ashes for 'the Colonists'.

Gorgeous and Rufus

During this last year while away from home I admit that I have been missing our pets at home - our Dog Gorgeous and my brother's cat, Rufus. They are both quite adorable, and I won't be able to see them a lot over the summer break from school because of my trip overseas. Oh well.

But just so you know, I didn't get them to pose for this picture. They get along really well most of the time. They have learned to respect each other's spaces over the last two years. Aren't they just cute?

Since this photo was taken we've had the carpet changed to lino and Gorgeous has had a haircut. She got her first haircut in her three years alive this last October. She has been showing a bit of stress these last two summers because her hair is just too long and thick. So...this year Mum decided to get it trimmed down. It's about an inch long now.

A new Season, a new Picture

I thought that it was about time that I put my new found skills of sorting out photos into action and changed my picture on my blog for my profile. Also, this is certainly a more recent photo. It was taken in April of this year at my graduation. As my friends would say, it was about time. The other photo was taken so that I could send something in to the Department of Education and Training when applying for a job. Definitely older.

The weather has certainly been getting warmer around here in the last two weeks. We had about four days of absolute coolness while some students came and visited from a Sydney University, an then it warmed up once they left. We've been, I think, getting an average of about 35*C everyday. Not exactly cool. But I'm getting used to it again. You just have to put away the cold weather gear and pull out the summer stuff from the moth balls. Not quite. Today the sun was scorching at morning assembly (around 5 to 9), so we knew we were in for a hot one.

Anyway, enough about the weather. My new lounge is very comfortable. And so, farewell! Until next time.

P.S. - 21 days until I fly out to England!!! I'm not getting excited or anything...as you can tell.

My New Lounge Suite

I am happy to announce that, as of this evening at 7:30pm, my new lounge suite was delivered. Woohoo!! I have been making do with two beanbags and an easy/bedroom chair for my seat whilst viewing television. It's been intersting, and sometimes painful. Beanbags are not good for the back after a while.

Anyway, I thought that, in my excitement, I would post this picture to show you all what it looks like. I have an extra two seats that should go where the single seat is, but I don't have the room/space at the moment to do this. They are being stored safely for the moment.

I want chocolate...or something sweet...

Don't worry about me. Just being my normal self at 10:00pm on a Friday. There is nothing really to do, except go to the pub, in this place on a Friday. Don't go there, so...I have to substitute.

Anyway...

Two Saturdays ago I travelled down to the nice regional centre of Wagga Wagga. It only took me a few hours, so I wasn't that angry at myself for leaving late. There was a reason for going to Wagga - I had a wedding to go to on the Sunday. But not only that, I got to catch up with my best friend who lives down there, getting casual work for teaching. She is enjoying it down there, so that is good.

The wedding was lovely, beautiful, like all weddings should be. The bride looked gorgeous in her gown, and the groom very happy. The only thing to delay the marriage (apart from the bride turning up more than half an hour late) was the bride getting a nose bleed during the ceremony (actually, straight after the formalities of introductions and people objecting!). All in all, though, the ceremony only lasted about three quarters of an hour. Quite nice - no hymns that we had to pretend that we knew how to sing.
It was held in an open air chapel in the botanical gardens - a very lovely spot. There should be steps down the centre of the - ummm... - stage, I guess is the word. Whatever it is called, it's where the alter and stuff are put for the ceremony. The flowers were quite lovely, and blended in beautifully with the ones in the gardens at the chapel. They also went wonderfully well with the purple gowns the matron of honour and brides-maids wore. Very lovely gowns, too - empire line always looks good, no matter what.
The reception was held at the gardens to, and the caterers provided a stunning meal. The food was absolutely delicious. I had chicken for entree, chicken for main, and mud cake for dessert...and they were all...yummmmm... (Imagine Homor from 'The Simpsons' thinking of a donut...)
The only thing to make the evening annoying was that I was asked to dance. Not that that is a bad thing. I like to dance - especially at weddings. But...I like the guy to know how he wants to dance the dance and lead. OH-MY-GOODNESS! He had no idea what to do...didn't, I think, knew that he should lead. Is dancing really that...ummm...I don't know...bad/informal/terrifying these days? Equal opportunity has it that we both can lead? Next time, if I get a guy like him, I'll lead, I suppose. That's what's been recommended to me to do...if it should occur again. For once in my life I was wanting either my cousin or my brothers there so that I could dance with them. They at least could have done a better job. But...there you go. We didn't know each other at all, and I bet he only asked me out of pity, because I was there on my own.
Anyway...for only going to mention the one thing that was silly/sad/marring to the evening's enjoyment, I have mentioned it for one whole paragraph. Enough of the wedding. Know that it was fun and enjoyable and very beautiful.

I left Wagga the following evening and got into Sydney a little after 11pm. So that was alright. I stayed in Sydney for a little over a week, which was good, and now I'm back home. It is stinking hot at the moment - quite unusual for this time of the year - and it looks as though it's going to continue this way for the next...who knows how long! Global Warming - you've got to love it.

Anyway...I shall go now...and you can ponder on this babbling...if anyone should wish to ponder...

Tschus!

Nearing the End of Term 3

*And we take a collective sigh of relief*

With the end of term coming towards us quickly, it's good to know that there are holidays just around the corner. This term has gone very fast even though it lasted 11 weeks, and at the beginning I thought that it would take an age to get through.

I haven't been up to much since I last wrote. I went to Dubbo last week and met up with some friends from down the road (around 60 kms down the road from the town I live in). I came out of one shop while they were wanting to go in to another, so I joined their party and stayed with them for the rest of the afternoon. Unfortunately, this put me a little behind schedule, as one of them took their time to decide over dress material. But, you can not hurry dress material decision making. It's very important. So, in the end, I didn't get in a fuss or anything. I'm sure the dresses will be worth it in the end.

This last week has been fairly good for me, as I've not had to deal with Year 11 students. Not that that is usually a hassle - only one is a bit of a hassle. But, it means extra time to get other lessons ready. But, this doesn't always mean that my lessons go off how I plan they should. I don't know. Sometimes my lessons just seem to take a wrong turn somewhere in the middle. I hate it when they do that. Oh, and I told the Year 7/8 kids something that was totally wrong the other day! I don't know when I'll be able to correct it, either. Oh well. I'll cope with it until I do have to correct.

I've got a silly cold at the moment, too. I don't know where it has come from, but I wouldn't have thought that I could get one. This is because I've been taking my hayfever medication AND a multivitamin to stay extra healthy. Hmmmm....Grrrrr.... So, my voice is about three or so tones lower than what it should be. Another Grrrrr.... At least it doesn't hurt to speak or something like that. I guess I'll just have to dose up my OJ for a little bit longer. I really get into the OJ when I've got a cold. I can tell when a cold is coming on sometimes by my craving of orange juice. What I find really weird, though is that, when I'm in Sydney I don't need anti-allergy tablets, but out here, in the country, I do. Go figure. The country is supposed to be healthier than the city. I guess I'm too used to the unhealthy, polluted air that everyone else breathes as well.

Well, until next time, this has been another exciting installment of the blog where nothing exciting is happening. Take care, and I'll see you around!

Once again, into the breach...

Hello again, anyone that has bothered looking at this blog. Nothing exciting happening is the correct title for it, indeed.

I have finally got the internet to work totally and completely on my computer after a slight mishap when I first set up. But it's alright now.

Some news since I last blogged:

I have been at my school since February, doing alright, getting along well with the staff, and having the usual troubles with the students. But that's to be expected. The town is small, but friendly and nice. I enjoy being out here, and having my own place. I have people come to visit and I'm fairly close to a majr regional centre, so that's alright - it's only 140kms away. Plus, I have a friend out towards that centre, so I get to see her fairly often.

I get to go home every holidays. That's good too, to see the family and the pets, and everyone I get to catch up with. I don't get to catch up with them often, though.

A few of my friends have got engaged to be married, and two of them are getting married these holidays coming (got to love being friends with other teachers...). One on the Labour Day holiday weekend and the other on the weekend afterwards. I am going to the one on the first weekend which will be good because I haven't seen this couple since my 21st. We have been in contact, though. E-mail is a wonderful invention.

I will be going overseas to England, France, Germany and the USA at the end of the year and into the New Year. Travelling over with my father to see my biggest brother and his wife for Christmas.We then travel on to France to check good ol' Paris out, and then go back to London. After that we leave for Germany (Munich) and the New York, Washington and Hawaii. Back home to Sydney after that. It is a very busy schedule, but I hope to enjoy it. I'm sure to be exhausted afterwards, though.

Anyway, long enough post for now. Ciao!