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!