Thursday, February 15, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
AJ's favourite movie
TOPGUN
What teen or adult doesn't love Topgun? So does AJ, aged exactly 5. AJ has seen Topgun about a million times. I thought I would blog and let you know two pieces of vocabulary he has learnt from the movie. Here they are...
1. MABRICK - aka Maverick or Tom Cruise
2. VODER ARROW - Meant to be bow and arrow and for some reason what AJ calls the missiles from the plane.
This is all very funny and cute as he will correct you if you get it wrong. Del, get ready for AJ to start writing and spelling things in crazy ways. I am sure he will spell words as he hears them and he definitely hears things differently than you and me!
What teen or adult doesn't love Topgun? So does AJ, aged exactly 5. AJ has seen Topgun about a million times. I thought I would blog and let you know two pieces of vocabulary he has learnt from the movie. Here they are... 1. MABRICK - aka Maverick or Tom Cruise
2. VODER ARROW - Meant to be bow and arrow and for some reason what AJ calls the missiles from the plane.
This is all very funny and cute as he will correct you if you get it wrong. Del, get ready for AJ to start writing and spelling things in crazy ways. I am sure he will spell words as he hears them and he definitely hears things differently than you and me!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Ha! I finally got rid of him!!!
Look, AJ started school. He is now out of my hair Monday to Friday. Yippee...
Actually, I can't wait to start school too. Have fun AJ.
Actually, I can't wait to start school too. Have fun AJ.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
We know him!
Go impress the world Scott!!!
A friend of my sister has been selected by the BBC to review the upcoming Oscars. Very exciting. Why don't you read along and keep up with the gossip too. Look out for Scott Williams.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
A summer nap
Most cats in Japan seem to be a bit feral and mangy. This one was so sweet that I could have taken him home... kawaii ne?
A little flash back
Last April, I bought a bunch of slide film. The quality of slide film is far finer than regular film though more of a hastle to develop, view and gain prints from. I ended up with 11 films, so you can imagine the cost inviolved. I eventually received a lump sum payment from my time in Japan so I rushed down to get the films processed. Mum and Dad have a very retro slide projector and I have been having a blast looking through the 11 films that are almost one whole year old. They are all smack bang in the middle of cherry blossom time and a majority were taken in Kyoto (my fave place). I will include my fave shot within this post. Enjoy...
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Here it is... A retrospective
I debated over doing this but here goes. I want to catch up on all the things that have been happening to me since I have been home, there have been a few sad occasions but mostly all has been busy happiness. Well at least here is from November to now...
SARAH - How lucky can I be. I knew that Sarah (a good friend from Japan) was planning to back-pack around Australia and New Zealand before she even left Japan. I knew she planned on coming to Melbourne. I knew she planned on sticking around for about 2 weeks but hey, that turned into about 7 weeks. See...lucky! The fact that she stayed so long for a guy doesn't matter... I feel lucky (and the boy is lovely). Sarah turned up just before I moved into my own place. She fell in love with my friends very quickly and became fast friends with AJ and Milla. She helped me move house (I will always be in her debt particularly as she made quite a bit of my furniture). She moved into my house alongside me and made a fab house mate. She even got a part-time job around the corner. She meet my parents quite a few times and spent Christmas with us. She even came to school a few times and helped out at field day. I regret that she worked every weekend as I planned lots of day trips but I am happy that she experience 'real' life here. Sarah, I hope a little piece of your heart will always consider Melbourne another one of your homes. You will always be welcome here with open arms and open hearts. We miss you!
HOME - I am now officially settled and officially a resident of Kensington. I couldn't be happier unless I owned my house and it was a bit bigger. I love living in Kensington. I am in the older area and my street is tree lined. At one end of my street are lots of cafes and 'trendy' shops and at the other end of my street is 'multi-culture city'. There are lots of different (predominantly Asian) restaurants and even an Asian supermarket that I can buy some Japanese food at. I love it. It will be hard to move from here when the time comes!
CAR - Well I bought Mum's car and Mum bought a new (well practically brand new) second hand car. I now have the last of the Mazda 626s and she had a new model Mazda 6. You might say we are both tickled pink. I love being able to jump in the car and head off to Benalla, the beach or anywhere I like. I am even thinking I could make it up to Sydney for a few days next holidays. Anyone want to come? Anyone got a spare bed?
CHRISTMAS AND VISITORS - School finished on the 21st of December and on the 22nd, Kyoko and Tomoko arrived. We had planned this visit before I had even left Japan. I feel so lucky to have friends who want to travel so far and visit me and experience Australia. Kyoko had the typical Japanese holiday and stayed with me for 4 days. She then headed to Cairns to meet up with her brother's family for 4 days. Pretty good really; Benalla, Aussie Christmas and Tropical Cairns all in 8 days. Tomoko stayed for around 20 days - definitely not your typical Japanese trip. She had the once in a life time chance to stay away so long. She probably won't get that again until she retires. Honeymoons are not even that long! She went off to Adelaide for 4 days and spent the rest of the time exploring with me. We had a wonderful time. I hope to get back to Japan in July to see everyone and for a friend's wedding.
Here is a photo of what we ate for Christmas lunch... YUM!
SCHOOL - Next year (well I guess it is this year now) has been sorted out and decided. I am actually going to be teaching in my old room with my old year levels. My school is multi-age and my class is a 2,3,4. That means my students are aged between 7 and 10. I really love this age and I am pretty excited. I am also really lucky to be teaching with an old friend, Annie. I know we will have lots of fun and laughs so even though I am not ready for the holidays to be finished just yet, I am looking forward to the school year.
SADNESS - believe it or not, I have attended three funerals since my return. All terribly tragic and sad but stories of pain being over. I had to say goodbye to my mother's younger brother after years of fighting cancer, goodbye to an ex student who was 14 and suffered a brain tumor and goodbye to my dear old uncle whom we thought would live forever but who's body just gave up.
HOLIDAYS - To end on a much happier note, I will think about some of the things I have done during these holidays. Many of my outings we due to sightseeing with my visitors. We had a lot of fun!
I have driven down the Great Ocean Road twice. Both times were just day trips. The first day I drove exactly 505km. We drove inland to Port Campbell and then back along the Great Ocean Road and stopped at every tourist attraction. Lovely but tyring day. I got quite sunburnt. The second day I drove along the road there and back. We got as far as Lorne. This day was far more relaxing and we even managed fish and chips and a swim at the beach. I took so many picturesque shots. I will post some soon.
I also managed to get to Phillip Island for a few nights with my friend Andrew. Now that was relaxing. Nothing to do. No need to do anything. Hot weather. Beach and fresh seafood. I wish I had stayed much longer.
Lunch out with the old school gang at Bimbo's. Great company, delicious pizza and Lucy is now home from America. What a great day!
I have also done lots of day trips out of Benalla. I am headed back there Saturday morning. A last minute effort to do nothing and relax. Too bad about the fire worries and stress. I hope each day for rain. We'll see.
So there you go. All caught up. I hope to blog a little more often when the thoughts inspire me or when something interesting happens. Please keep reading, spreading the word and of course, commenting. I have been missing you!
SARAH - How lucky can I be. I knew that Sarah (a good friend from Japan) was planning to back-pack around Australia and New Zealand before she even left Japan. I knew she planned on coming to Melbourne. I knew she planned on sticking around for about 2 weeks but hey, that turned into about 7 weeks. See...lucky! The fact that she stayed so long for a guy doesn't matter... I feel lucky (and the boy is lovely). Sarah turned up just before I moved into my own place. She fell in love with my friends very quickly and became fast friends with AJ and Milla. She helped me move house (I will always be in her debt particularly as she made quite a bit of my furniture). She moved into my house alongside me and made a fab house mate. She even got a part-time job around the corner. She meet my parents quite a few times and spent Christmas with us. She even came to school a few times and helped out at field day. I regret that she worked every weekend as I planned lots of day trips but I am happy that she experience 'real' life here. Sarah, I hope a little piece of your heart will always consider Melbourne another one of your homes. You will always be welcome here with open arms and open hearts. We miss you!
HOME - I am now officially settled and officially a resident of Kensington. I couldn't be happier unless I owned my house and it was a bit bigger. I love living in Kensington. I am in the older area and my street is tree lined. At one end of my street are lots of cafes and 'trendy' shops and at the other end of my street is 'multi-culture city'. There are lots of different (predominantly Asian) restaurants and even an Asian supermarket that I can buy some Japanese food at. I love it. It will be hard to move from here when the time comes!
CAR - Well I bought Mum's car and Mum bought a new (well practically brand new) second hand car. I now have the last of the Mazda 626s and she had a new model Mazda 6. You might say we are both tickled pink. I love being able to jump in the car and head off to Benalla, the beach or anywhere I like. I am even thinking I could make it up to Sydney for a few days next holidays. Anyone want to come? Anyone got a spare bed?
CHRISTMAS AND VISITORS - School finished on the 21st of December and on the 22nd, Kyoko and Tomoko arrived. We had planned this visit before I had even left Japan. I feel so lucky to have friends who want to travel so far and visit me and experience Australia. Kyoko had the typical Japanese holiday and stayed with me for 4 days. She then headed to Cairns to meet up with her brother's family for 4 days. Pretty good really; Benalla, Aussie Christmas and Tropical Cairns all in 8 days. Tomoko stayed for around 20 days - definitely not your typical Japanese trip. She had the once in a life time chance to stay away so long. She probably won't get that again until she retires. Honeymoons are not even that long! She went off to Adelaide for 4 days and spent the rest of the time exploring with me. We had a wonderful time. I hope to get back to Japan in July to see everyone and for a friend's wedding.
Here is a photo of what we ate for Christmas lunch... YUM!SCHOOL - Next year (well I guess it is this year now) has been sorted out and decided. I am actually going to be teaching in my old room with my old year levels. My school is multi-age and my class is a 2,3,4. That means my students are aged between 7 and 10. I really love this age and I am pretty excited. I am also really lucky to be teaching with an old friend, Annie. I know we will have lots of fun and laughs so even though I am not ready for the holidays to be finished just yet, I am looking forward to the school year.
SADNESS - believe it or not, I have attended three funerals since my return. All terribly tragic and sad but stories of pain being over. I had to say goodbye to my mother's younger brother after years of fighting cancer, goodbye to an ex student who was 14 and suffered a brain tumor and goodbye to my dear old uncle whom we thought would live forever but who's body just gave up.
HOLIDAYS - To end on a much happier note, I will think about some of the things I have done during these holidays. Many of my outings we due to sightseeing with my visitors. We had a lot of fun!
I have driven down the Great Ocean Road twice. Both times were just day trips. The first day I drove exactly 505km. We drove inland to Port Campbell and then back along the Great Ocean Road and stopped at every tourist attraction. Lovely but tyring day. I got quite sunburnt. The second day I drove along the road there and back. We got as far as Lorne. This day was far more relaxing and we even managed fish and chips and a swim at the beach. I took so many picturesque shots. I will post some soon.
I also managed to get to Phillip Island for a few nights with my friend Andrew. Now that was relaxing. Nothing to do. No need to do anything. Hot weather. Beach and fresh seafood. I wish I had stayed much longer.
Lunch out with the old school gang at Bimbo's. Great company, delicious pizza and Lucy is now home from America. What a great day!
I have also done lots of day trips out of Benalla. I am headed back there Saturday morning. A last minute effort to do nothing and relax. Too bad about the fire worries and stress. I hope each day for rain. We'll see.
So there you go. All caught up. I hope to blog a little more often when the thoughts inspire me or when something interesting happens. Please keep reading, spreading the word and of course, commenting. I have been missing you!
Too close for comfort...
The fires are big enough news to make it to the BBC website. Benalla is my home town and the place Mum and Dad still live!!! I am in Melbourne and whist we are safe here, we felt the brunt of the blackout yesterday. 40 degree heat and no air conditioning... head to the pool, I say!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
As close as can be...
A photo from Mum's blog. The new Tatong fires are really close to Benalla but more importantly, really close to loved ones and friends. It just doesn't end. We sit here, safe in Melbourne, and complain about the smoke in the air. The smoke is horrible but worse is the danger behind it and the knowledge of where it is coming from. People are losing homes and farms. Native wildlife are losing lives and habitat. I hope it all stops soon.So totally scary!!! The news just doesn't capture the desperation of the situation!
Smiling all the way to the bank...
Are blessed mail. The kind that isn't a bill. The kind where I don't owe more money.
A letter arrived for me today outlining my Japan pension refund. Now it isn't in the bank yet, but it is literally on the way. I will expect that cash to make it within the next week. Woohoo....fantastic timing.
I am so happy!!!
A letter arrived for me today outlining my Japan pension refund. Now it isn't in the bank yet, but it is literally on the way. I will expect that cash to make it within the next week. Woohoo....fantastic timing.
I am so happy!!!
Are you still there?
Surprisingly, I am still here...
Where to start? Where to stop? I think I will try to do a quick over view to catch everyone up and then go on from there.
Firstly, I haven't had the net all holidays and I can't actually blog at school. So, I haven't vanished from the face of the Earth, I am still here and trying to keep in touch as much as possible. Keep reading and commenting so I know that you are right there too.
Miss you all...
Where to start? Where to stop? I think I will try to do a quick over view to catch everyone up and then go on from there.
Firstly, I haven't had the net all holidays and I can't actually blog at school. So, I haven't vanished from the face of the Earth, I am still here and trying to keep in touch as much as possible. Keep reading and commenting so I know that you are right there too.
Miss you all...
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Merry Christmas to all...
Just a quick note to say that I am still here but with a servere lack of Internet access.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas as I did. I was surrounded by my internation friends and family!
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Crossed Fingers
Suzy suggested I enter a new, Japan based digital competition. Here are most of the images I have entered. Not sure what they will be looking for in a winning image but wish me well...First prize is a million yen and an exhibition in Tokyo - yoohoo
Click on the image to see the photos more clearly!
What are you listening to right now?
I am listening to Monkey Magik. A group from Japan. Two Japanese guys and two Canadians. They are named after the cult 80's show, Monkey.They sang the theme song for the remake of Monkey and became very popular. That particular song is good but so are all the rest.
I LOVE IT!!!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Home sweet 'new' home...
As of the 17th of November, you will find me here. It is tiny but lovely!
(P.S. I didn't write that. That was the advertising spiel. Sounds cool, huh?)
Do You Need Your Own Space?
Kensington
Available: 17-Nov-2006
This funky renovated property is perfect for the singleton wanting their own pad. The property spans three levels and offers a modern fit-out and stylish renovation. Level one comprises entrance hall, generous bedroom with heating and floorboards, sparkling bathroom and laundry facilities under the stairs. Level two comprises the living zone featuring floorboards and electric heating with adjoining kitchen with stainless steel appliances including half drawer dishwasher. Up the stairs to level three offers a roof-top terrace.(P.S. I didn't write that. That was the advertising spiel. Sounds cool, huh?)
Japan takes the cup!!!
Woohoo! Japanese horses ran first and second in the Melbourne Cup. It was neck and neck. The winner seriously only made it by about an inch!
Read about it here.
Read about it here.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Steph, today is the day...
MELBOURNE CUP
Two of the faves. Tawqeet and Yeats. Tawqeet is from NZ and cost the owners a mere $1600 when they bought him. A really stunning horse. Yeats hails from Ireland. He is the competition. We'll see though. It could all be a big surprise!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
My new camera (I mean phone)
Well it isn't all that new now but I did mean to 'blog' it... About two months ago I bought a new mobile phone. I went with the sony ericsson almost solely because of the high quality camera included. Let me know what you think...
Chestnut blooms in my Aunt's garden. Using macro on the phone... 
A delicious coffee shot indoors with the flash turned off. Yum!!
A quick update
I am still here (if anyone is wondering). My life has been quite crazy... Just enough time to get on the net and glance at blog updates but no time to comment, let alone write my own.
So here is all the busy-ness in a nutshell.
Looking for acommodation. That is not fun. Places are grotty, over priced etc. You turn up for a viewing and no-one comes, or you turn up and there are a million people there. You lodge an application and hope for the best. As I said... not fun.
I have been running around trying to catch up with all those friends who are near and dear to me. I missed everyone so much when I was away and there are still several people who I am yet to see. Bad me...
School. So much to get my head around. I am still not fully back into it. Kids and work friends are good but my head (heart) just isn't in it yet. I keep thinking C.A.M.E.R.A.s...
I have also had lots of other things on my plate. I have two friend arriving from Japan for Christmas, Sarah (and maybe Kat) are arriving for their Melbourne adventure, I have had a funeral (I won't go into it but it was tragic and far too young - one of my ex students) and on a high note, this coming Sunday, I may get up in a hot air balloon.
So there you are. I am still here and love reading your comments. I hope there are some people out there still reading. I will try to get better... Post more photos...
See you soon
So here is all the busy-ness in a nutshell.
Looking for acommodation. That is not fun. Places are grotty, over priced etc. You turn up for a viewing and no-one comes, or you turn up and there are a million people there. You lodge an application and hope for the best. As I said... not fun.
I have been running around trying to catch up with all those friends who are near and dear to me. I missed everyone so much when I was away and there are still several people who I am yet to see. Bad me...
School. So much to get my head around. I am still not fully back into it. Kids and work friends are good but my head (heart) just isn't in it yet. I keep thinking C.A.M.E.R.A.s...
I have also had lots of other things on my plate. I have two friend arriving from Japan for Christmas, Sarah (and maybe Kat) are arriving for their Melbourne adventure, I have had a funeral (I won't go into it but it was tragic and far too young - one of my ex students) and on a high note, this coming Sunday, I may get up in a hot air balloon.
So there you are. I am still here and love reading your comments. I hope there are some people out there still reading. I will try to get better... Post more photos...
See you soon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
