Christmas Craziness

Farm creates £665 multibird roast.

Read it... amazing, funny and quite sickly.
Thanks to Paul C for directing me to this wonderful bird!

Elf family

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1780028443

No Merry Christmas at the pub!

Years ago, it was tradition to meet at the pub on Christmas eve. Everyone went. Christmas was the time of year when everyone came home and you'd meet heaps of old school friends.
For one reason or another, I haven't been for about 5 years. Couldn't be bothered last year and the two years previous to that, I was in Japan and Thailand. I regretted missing last year as quite a few school mates made it out.
We endeavoured to go this year... We were all partially excited and left home with full bellies at around 10pm... The first pub was empty so we kept walking. We arrived at the 'Commercial' to be greeted by the door bouncer. He quickly told us that the pub was in 'lock down' No-one was allowed in. He said that it was too busy (from where we were, the place was empty). After a while he said that he was going to look the other way and if we were quick, we could go in. In we went. There was NO-ONE there of my era. We finally found a couple of friends that were three years behind me at school. We chatted for a while and went home.
Curiosity satisfied and I don't feel the need to ever go there again!

Hot and cold

It was about 35 on Monday, 37 on Tuesday, raining all day Wednesday, 18 yesterday and the same today.
I am not enjoying this weather.
Monday night I didn't sleep. Tuesday night I slept with no coverings, little clothing and a fan directly on me... Last night I had long sleep ware and all my bed coverings...

Now I have a little cold!

Friend Wheel (thanks to Facebook)

So, I am still here. It is strange how I used to be disappointed that people stopped blogging once they left Japan or they joined Facebook... now I am one of those people. I am still here though. Del and I were talking just yesterday about how much we miss blogging. We really enjoy it. I just never seem to get the time. Facebook isn't even my excuse as I don't get onto that too often (can't use it at school and have no net at home)... I will try to be better... Stay posted.

Now, onto Facebook. When I do get on, it is lots of fun. Funny to catchup with long lost school friends. I also invited the other 'Ellen Waters' to be my friend. I think I have 5 as my friends now - weird! I saw an application on Anna's page so I thought I'd try it. It is a friend wheel. It takes all the people that are your friends and shows how they are connected to each other. Cool, huh? Anna is stoked that she is such a hub for my wheel (I'd hope so as she is my sister). She is the hub to the Marinelli's and her AFS friends. The most obvious hub on my wheel is however, Japan... Look at that green section. It is a mass of lines. If you can't see it properly, click on it to see in larger.

Lunch at 'The Shed'

Too hard to choose. I went for the ling - yum.

Amazing dessert!

The family pet!

School's out for summer...

No wait! Hang on, that's not right. We're not quite there yet but today is the first day of the final term of school for 2007. Where did this year go? I know that every year seems to fly but seriously, this year has to be one of the fastest on record!

I'll keep you posted as to what I get up to in the lead up to Christmas...

Meanwhile, in Japan...

Japan's Yokozuna (or top sumo) Asashoryu isn't behaving. He is out of the game right now and might not come back. I feel lucky that I was able to see him in Osaka. The paper says that one of the behaviours he has (or hasn't) been displaying that has caused upset is as follows...

Most seriously, he has been accused of failing to adopt the humble and dignified attitude expected of a yokozuna, and to act as a good role model for the sport.

Mac Meltdown

As Del would say... B*&%$# computers!!!

Last night my apple died. It just won't turn back on. It tries but dies. I installed iLife 8 yesterday. Maybe that was the problem. Anyone got any ideas? I need help. My two laptops are like my left and right arms. Equally important to me.

Pleeeeeaaaaase help!

New Zealand Research

Christchurch City Square and Chalice

Look out Christchurch... here I come!

Sunday evening we fly out. We are only staying in NZ for three nights and the time is going to be action-packed with visits to quite a few schools. Needless to say, I am very excited to visit Christchurch. I have never been to NZ and I am glad to be getting a taste for the land of Footrot Flats by visiting the South Island. No doubt I will head back there at some point to take my time looking around. I will be back Wednesday evening and I'll post a few of my own photos.

Up in the air I fly......

Survivor - Fantastic

As sent to me by Carley...

Have you heard about the next planned "Survivor" Show?

Three businessmen and three businesswomen will be dropped in a primary school classroom for 1 school year. Each businessperson will be provided with a copy of his/her school's curriculum and a class of 28 students.

Each class will have a minimum of five learning-disabled children, three with A.D.D., one gifted child, two who speak limited English. Three students will be labelled with severe behaviour problems.

Each business person must complete lesson plans at least 3 days in advance, with annotations for curriculum objectives and modify, organise or create their materials accordingly. They will be required to teach students, handle misconduct, implement technology, document attendance, write referrals, correct homework, compute grades, complete report cards, document benchmarks, communicate with parents, arrange parent/teacher interviews. They must also stand in their doorway between class changes to monitor students.

In addition, they will complete fire drills, attend swimming carnivals, sport carnivals and be available to participate in after school activities. They must attend workshops, staff meetings and attend curriculum development meetings. They must also tutor students who are behind and strive to get their 2 non-English speakling children proficient enough to pass a basic literacy test. If they are sick or having a bad day they must not let it show.

Each day they must incorporate reading, writing, maths, science and social studies into the program. They must maintain discipline and provide an educationally stimulating environment to motivate students at all times. If all students do not wish to co-operate, work or learn, the teacher will be held responsible.

The business people will only have access to the public golf course on the weekends, but with their new salary, they may not be able to afford it. There will be no access to customers who want to take them out to lunch, and lunch will be limited to thirty minutes, which is not counted as part of their work day. The business people will be permitted to use the toilet as long as another survival candidate can supervise their class.

If the copier is operable, they may make copies of necessary materials before, or after school. However, they cannot surpass their monthly limit of copies. The business people must continually advance their education, at their expense, and on their own time.

The winner of this Season of Survivor will be allowed to return to their job!!!!!!!!!

Some results of photography club

By Kristian, aged 9

To travel for work

Lets face it, how often do teachers actually get to travel 'for' work? Not very often. A select few manage teacher exchanges or some time consulting OS. I organised myself in regard to Japan. I was lucky to be given 2 years leave from my job. Apart from that, I was solo...

I have just started working with a small group of teachers at school. We are part of a larger picture. Around 10 groups are involved. We are researching pedagogy and space in schools. Specifically, we will be looking at how we teach and how classrooms (spaces) effect how we learn. It is actually really intresting. I am excited to be involved.

The REALLY exciting news is that some of us are headed to Christchurch to look at some innovative schools there. I travel over in the beginning of September. I really can't wait. My friend Rachael went to see some of these schools several years ago and I have been hoping that I might get the opportunity to do the same at some point. I will keep you posted and take lots of photos - of course.

Lovely Summer Green!

No sakura (cherry blossom) or momiji (autumn maple leaves) in sight but summer brings an amazing green to Japan. Seriously stunning!

A sneak peek of Japan 2007

Woohoo, I'm back

Who knows if anyone even still reads. Who really pops by? So many blogging friends have stopped blogging. Is it really a thing of the past? I am sad if it is. I have embraced some of the newer trends but I don't want to let go of this part of my Internet life!

As it turns out, I can post from school. Am I excited? TOTALLY!

Two more sleeps

Oh my gosh - time flies. At the beginning of any holiday, it feels as though you have all the time in the world but pretty quickly the end draws near.

I have had my fill of rain (though I am here in the rainy season)... I have still managed to take plenty of photos. Anyone who wants to be bored (but pretend to be interested) can take a look at them anytime.

I arrived into Kyoto and booked into my fave little hostel budget inn. I was sitting in my room watching two girls play cards. They seemed to be speaking bad/simple Japanese. Eventually we spoke to each other. Turns out one of them was Japanese and the other was Taiwanese. We spoke a bit more and the Japanese girl was from Yamaguchi - my area of nipon! Such a small world.

Yesterday was 'see new things' day. I headed off to Sanjusangendo to see the million buddha statues (there are actually 1001). It was raining heavily. After that, I took a train to Byodo-in. It was beautiful. It was only drizzling by this time. The building is lovely. Large and wooden over a small pond.

On a whim, I stopped on the way back to Kyoto to see the Fushimi-inari shrine. I had been there before and was mildly impressed. I thought I would give it another go. It was so pretty in the rain. Very atmospheric.

So tomorrow is last minute viewing. A walk in the morning, prehaps and then rest. Packing and then a city walk in the evening.

See you sometime next week from Aus. Heaps of photos to come. Watch here and especially over at flickr.

Catching up with old friends

Me and Lee
Originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese

An evening in at Gotcha and a few of the old gang came out to play. I was so lucky that Lee was in town as he now lives near Tokyo.

Remember 'LOCK UP' Del?

Don't panic... I am fine

The holiday was off to a rocky start (almost as bad as my Bangkok experience)! I booked on the net with Jetstar, Melbourne to Sydney and then international to Osaka. I arrived at the airport super early thanks to Jodi, booked in and waited for my flight. I waited and waited. There was no plane. I was wondering if I would make my connection in Sydney considering I had to book in there and pass through customs! I was assured that I should be fine. Eventually, we arrived into Sydney at 11.05 and I was due to fly out at 11.30. I had to catch the bus transfer to the international terminal, check-in and get through customs. Lets just say I ran faster than I have ever! Thank God my main case was checked right through. I have never been through customs faster. The plane was still there and I wasn't quite the last to board. Talk about stress!

Day 2 - Osaka to Mojiko. Due to rain today. I took 6 trains to get to Mojiko. It started to pour half way through the trip. OMG. If only we could have a bit of that rain over the cathments in Victoria. I got to my hotel at the other end of the day and checked in. I headed out again in the rain to shop. The rain stopped and I wa able to sight see a bit!

Day 3 - Wedding... I woke today to no rain (lucky). I headed across the bay and back to Yamaguchi (my home prefecture). My aim of the day - SALMON CHEESE SUSHI... I wandered and snapped until the sushi restaurant opened. Ate salmon cheese sushi (the cheese is grilled and it all melts in your mouth) and blow fish - yum. Headed back across the bay for the wedding. There was the ceremony, reception, after party and the after, after party. All involved eating (apart from the ceremony). I fell into bed at 12.30

Day 4 - Today. Headed to Yamaguchi city and had lunch at Alex's favouite cafe. It was still great. Finally arrived at Kazumi and Andrew's place and ate San Zoku for dinner. i am now ready to fall into bed.

OYASUMINASAI

Here I come...

The time has come. I fly out Thursday morning. I hope I get the chance to blog whilst I am away. Stay posted to see. Should be interesting. I have a wedding, Kyoto and about a million people to catch up with.

A fantastic experience at school...try to follow

The following conversation that occurred between myself and about 5 seven to ten year olds in my class. It went back and forth for about 20 minutes as we finished off some laminating. I will try my best to distil the conversation into one you can follow. I was literally crying with laughter through most of it. I love them. So cute and funny. Here you go, I'll try to make is easy for you...

JACOB (seven) - "Ellen, do you have a husband?"

ME - "No, do you know any good ones that are available?"

JACOB - laughs and says no

MATT (eight) pipes up - "No, she needs a boyfriend first. Ellen, do you have a boyfriend?"

ME - "No, do you know any good ones that are available?"

DAROOD (eight) pipes up - "Yeah, you get a boyfriend for two months and then you get married."

JACOB - "Yeah, you get married and the 42 or 40 weeks later you have a baby"

(At this point I am rolling around on the floor and wondering how a seven year old knows the gestation period for babies. We kept talking and I asked them what would happen at my wedding. I asked Jacob about what he would say if he was the priest...)


JACOB - "Now you kiss... No wait. First I would say, Do you accept? You can say yes or no. Then you ask the little boy for the ring. He give it to you and you get married. You kiss and then 40 weeks later, you have a baby" (he kept arriving back at the baby issue)

GEORGIA (nine) - "You need a wedding dress. A white one. And a thing to go over your head with a TIANA."

(Again, I was rolling around on the floor. Finally on the wedding day topic...)


GEORGIA - "And you need someone to carry you at the wedding. It has to be someone older than you. Your Grandfather."

ME - "My Grandfather is dead"

GEORGIA - "Your mother"

ME - "She's overseas"

GEORGIA - "Your dad"

ME - "He's overseas with my mum."

GEORGIA - "I know... Annie!"

(So there you go. Annie will be carrying me to my wedding - thanks Annie.)


Finally our conversation ends as follows with Jacob's words of wisdom.

JACOB - "You don't need to have a wedding. You can just go to a restaurant. You give the ring to the man. He puts it in a glass. You drink and find it. There is music. You kiss and 40 weeks later, you have a baby!"


I really was crying. Great conversation. Great kids. Great fun!

Shashin Kurabu

I have just started Photography Club in my class at school. It is a lunchtime club and I asked for volunteers to join. I had so many interested kids that I run it Wednesday and Thursday lunchtimes. We are having a ball. Keep your eyes over at Flickr... Our Flickr page is called 'Unit 3 Photographers'

Bunny role play

In the bag
Originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

Hee hee hahahaha.
Milla tucked successfully into Roger's bag - Roger is their pet rabbit!

Falls Creek, Wallace's Hut and The High Country

Mum and I planned it, yesterday we headed up into the Victorian High Country. All the way up to the Falls Creek area. I hadn't been that way for around 10 years. It is such a magical area.
The whole time we were up there I kept thinking of my friend Dave from Colorado. Dave (if you still read my blog), you would love hiking and exploring up here. You should come some day and walk the entire Alpine Walking Track.
n 2003, we experienced terrible bushfires as we did this year. In 2003, they were very bad through the Falls Creek area. The trees everywhere had been so badly burnt that they now look like skeletons. Some gum trees shoot new growth all the way up the burnt trunks, some shoot from the bottom and others only regrow from seed. Gum trees are fascinating in this way. Throughout this area, the trees were either the kind that shoots from seeds or the bottom. That meant that the old trunks were bare of all vegetation and bark. In the following photo you can see the trees to the right are merely skeletons. White and grey. In many places, it reminded me of thinning grey hair or even a graveyard. Morbidly amazing.

Looking North East from near Wallace's Hut. The view was amazing. The blue skies were amazing. How can you feel anything but joy at being in a place like this. I love getting right up in the high country.

Wallace's Hut is reportedly the oldest original Cattleman's Hut in the Victorian High Country. It was built around 1890. You are actually discouraged from staying here unless in extreme emergencies. The inside is very basic and pretty dirty. I'd hate to be caught out and have to sleep there anyway. Give me a tent and sleeping bag any day.

In 2003, we had massive bushfires in the area. The hut was saved - just. I am not sure if you can make it out, but just behind the hut, the skeletons of trees were the trees that were decimated in those exact fires. This past summer, we had really bad fires again, their kind of missed this area - thankfully.

Cope Hut was built much more recently, around 1929. It isn't that old at all. You are allowed to stay here over night. Basic shelter but comfortable. You can actually fit 10 people in the bunks. It is pretty clean but dusty inside. No spiders or snakes... The fires missed Cope Hut and the trees directly around the area. It was nice to see the snow gums in their original glory. They are such warm, wonderful colours and great shapes.

The end of the day... We travelled for around 380km in one day. Driving into the sunset wasn't that fun for Dad but it was for me. I took about 20 photos through the windscreen and thought that I would share this one. See you until the next entry...

Autumn Highland Blooms

Yes... That is my finger in the bottom left!

Happy Easter Everyone...

Happy Easter Sunday to everyone. I hope you had a lovely time with family, friends and loved ones.

We had a small family gathering, one amazing roast lunch and a lot of relaxing. Quite a nice Sunday. Thanks Mum, the pork was particularly delicious, as usual. The problem is that the pork is hard to stop eating.

Thanks to Colin for making this Pav. It was the first time he had made one for years. He was always considered famous for his pavlovas. This was the best I have had in ages. Absolutely delicious.

12th of March is a good day for a 'birth' day...

Welcome to the world Miss Emma Lauren Sherwill, born 12th of March - MY BIRTHDAY!
Emma is the eighth grandchild to our good friends, Margot and David. All the kids are so nice. Fun to play with. Hi to Sam, Katie and Jemma... And did you know, there are five princesses in their family... Katie, Olivia, Jemma, Emily and now Emma.

I am coming home...

Yes, that is right. I am headed back to Japan on the 28th of June for just over 2 weeks. It is only just starting to sink in - I AM SO EXCITED!

A Sneak Peek at my Place...

My creation, originally uploaded by Really Turning Japanese.

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!

Ha! I finally got rid of him!!!

1 Feb 06 042
Originally uploaded by superRelish.

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.

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.

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...

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!

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!

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!!!

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...