I have been stuck for a while, The impact of Mark now resting took it's toll on my motivation to blog . Life goes on, things continue and although I have been stuck with not knowing what to write or how to write how I feel, I am now able to move on.
The last 6 weeks have been busy as usual.
My parents came back to Canberra and have returned to Queensland today.
We have shared meals and laughs , watched Demelza at Soccer practice, witnessed the Girls gaining their Red belts and achieved their weapons licence in karate and took turns on the Flying Fox at kambah adventure playground ,Ok I didn't go on the flying fox , but Dad did . The girls were pretty impressed with how strong grandad is.His ability to keep his legs tucked up close to his chest really made an impression on Demelza who hasn't yet managed to travel the entire way from one plartform to the other like Grandad can.
Ishta and I have made a luau costume for her workplace's christmas party. we celebrated halloween and the melbourne cup.
Ayla went to an 18 birthday party, the Stanthorpe race day, the Deb ball and cooked for the Small wine Makers Dinner with John Rogers.
She lost her friend, got a tatoo in his honor , A small UFO inside a pyramid (as they would climb the Ballandean Pyramid and look for UFO's in the clear country skies) on her ankle,the one she broke one evening at Dachsy's house and he and Tim duck taped her to a chair so she would'nt hurt herself, then they all climbed the pyramid.
The funeral was huge and Ayla and Tim and all the kids who knew mark returned to say goodbye.They made a cross for the roadside , climbed the pyramid as a group and sent off their friend with love and laughter remembering the joy he brought to their lives.
Ayla gave her notice at IGA . Her job as a supervisor is made difficult by the nasty older ladies .
They mistreat the younger staff members and are rude and vicious. Being a small town with no Industry mainly farming and 20 retail outlets and part time work offered in the wineries the choices are limited for the young people who stay.
Ayla has plenty of support in Stanthorpe and has been offered a job in a new cafe in ballandean.
Seb went to Collinsville to a mine and worked in 40 degree heat .
He drove up from Brisbane ,stopping at Mackay Which he fell in love with and then on to Collinsville. On weekends Seb went to Airlie and partied with all the other beautiful people and Brooksey who works on Hamilton Island.
Brooksey has an enviable job if you are 21 and single and love to party.
He is responsible for Tanning, snorkling and scuba diving and water sports and beach games. The money is average but everyday he is at the beach, driving speed boats water skiiing, sand tobagganing and looking at reef fish, he makes the tourists remember their holiday on Hamilton. When he goes to town he likes to dance and stay with the Back packers and Seb and Brooksey went to town and had a blast.
Sebs girl flew up from Brisbane to be with him one weekend, and they stayed at Airlie Beach in the Pinnacle resort.
One of the local women celebrated her birthday on Saturday and Sebastian was the stripper -gram he thoroughly enjoyed himself, so did the party goers. He was a bit coy the next day however when he purchased the paper and and bread at the local store and the woman who served him was the party girl.
His job at Collinsville has finished and he returns to Brisbane Today.
We went to Tuross Head and I fell in love with It . absolutely glorious little cove surf beach , spit and lake all in close proximity and rural living and beach houses , so beautiful reminded me of NZ.
loved the art shop at mogo and the country markets, a beautiful part of the country.
So much more has happend but this is just a quick down load to get my head around blogging again and keeping my 2007 diary.
Wednesday 21 November 2007
Wednesday 7 November 2007
Good bye Mark Dachs
November 06, 2007 09:05pm courier mail
A MAN has died when his car and a truck crashed on the New England Hwy in Queensland near the NSW border tonight.
A police spokeswoman said the man died at the scene, at Glen Aplin, south of Stanthorpe, while the truck driver was uninjured.
The accident occurred around 6pm.
“Details are still emerging at this stage as it has been difficult to get to the scene of the collision,” she said.
“At this stage the preliminary details are a man has died following a collision with a truck on the New England Hwy.”
The highway has been closed and is expected to reopen in three to four hours, she said.
Not far from home and on his way to soccer, Dachsy left us.
He was a wonderful friend to Ayla, Tim, Jessy and Feather. And to everyone he met.
His black top hat and penchant for a bevvy, he believed in fun friendship and Aliens.
Stanthorpe greives his passing, barely eighteen and so full of promise.
We'll all miss Mark Dachs.
Saturday 13 October 2007
Christmas
The last time the kids were together for christmas was 2001 and we had a Millenium New years eve party.
Shaun returned last weekend to the farm to bring back our Christmas decorations as we are spending Christmas here.
He couldn't bring them all, as they are in storage in the winery and he had to unpack so many boxes to find what he did get. And room on the ute was limited.
So 12 hours to Queensland search pack and return to Canberra it was a draining whirlwind trip.
He returned with treasures, gifts from home, some books for everyone, some saucepans ,stuffed toys and Lego for Cenedra, softball stuff for Demelza, a dinner service to serve Christmas dinner on and the antique table and chairs from the cottage because it seats 8, 12 at a stretch and is massive, so at least we'll be comfortable to enjoy Christmas lunch, the whole crew will be here, so early preparations are important.
(I love parties and this christmas will hopefully see us all together for the first time in 7 years.)
kepping busy
The girls have been home for the holidays, and typically I have undertaken a contract so Can't be with them.
They have amused themselves with reptile shows at the hyperdome, riding their bikes around lake Tuggeranong, watching the artists complete street art (graffiti) around the town and practicing their Kata for karate, creating garden signs from clayfor the garden they have planted , and investigating small things with the microscope.
They have been pretty busy really.
Ayla has been deep sea fishing with her friends.
And she and her house mates bought a childrens pool for their deck and had a pool party as it is very hot in stanthorpe.
Ishta began a new job and is off to the company Christmas party which is a luau so she should have a hip shaking good time.
Sebastian is busy with the emergency power demands of Brisbane City after the massive first storms of the season damaged electricity supply ( he is working in the city again after his time on the farm) And will soon be traveling around the country and maybe to China for the games installing light poles.
So everyone is busy.
They have amused themselves with reptile shows at the hyperdome, riding their bikes around lake Tuggeranong, watching the artists complete street art (graffiti) around the town and practicing their Kata for karate, creating garden signs from clayfor the garden they have planted , and investigating small things with the microscope.
They have been pretty busy really.
Ayla has been deep sea fishing with her friends.
And she and her house mates bought a childrens pool for their deck and had a pool party as it is very hot in stanthorpe.
Ishta began a new job and is off to the company Christmas party which is a luau so she should have a hip shaking good time.
Sebastian is busy with the emergency power demands of Brisbane City after the massive first storms of the season damaged electricity supply ( he is working in the city again after his time on the farm) And will soon be traveling around the country and maybe to China for the games installing light poles.
So everyone is busy.
Wednesday 3 October 2007
Sebastian turns 22
My eldest baby turned twenty two yesterday.
Shaun and I rang him before heading off to work .
We sang happy birthday into his answering machine.
The girls called him after Karate lessons, so they could catch up with him on his way home and share how he spent his day.
I thought about his twenty first last year and how we painted a huge banner for him and arranged his party from our home in the country.
I prepared a cake for him and decorations.
Shaun and the girls and I decorated the function room with balloons and streamers and laid the tables with napkins and flowers.
My dad and Ishta prepared the power point presentation of a pictorial history or memory book of awards and milestones that have made Sebastian who he is today.It was a very moving presentation that played most of the evening.
We spent the afternoon preparing and then the chefs arrived to complete the occasion with creating delicious master pieces.Sebastian and his close friends had a nice time mingling with family and then they all went off and enjoyed celebrations at the night clubs.We stayed on the Beach front in a little self contained unit and then trekked home the 4 hours back to Stanthorpe exhausted and completely partied out.
Shaun and I rang him before heading off to work .
We sang happy birthday into his answering machine.
The girls called him after Karate lessons, so they could catch up with him on his way home and share how he spent his day.
I thought about his twenty first last year and how we painted a huge banner for him and arranged his party from our home in the country.
I prepared a cake for him and decorations.
Shaun and the girls and I decorated the function room with balloons and streamers and laid the tables with napkins and flowers.
My dad and Ishta prepared the power point presentation of a pictorial history or memory book of awards and milestones that have made Sebastian who he is today.It was a very moving presentation that played most of the evening.
We spent the afternoon preparing and then the chefs arrived to complete the occasion with creating delicious master pieces.Sebastian and his close friends had a nice time mingling with family and then they all went off and enjoyed celebrations at the night clubs.We stayed on the Beach front in a little self contained unit and then trekked home the 4 hours back to Stanthorpe exhausted and completely partied out.
Thursday 20 September 2007
Child Support Agency
I recieved another letter form the CSA. I periodically recieve about 5 pieces of paper printed on one side with information about how little my first husband will pay into my childrens account for child support.
For the past 5 years he has paid $21 per month for 2 of the four children we bought into this world.
I received no support from my first husband when the kids were little and the older two were 16 and 17 by the time the CSA got any teeth.
Now that I have one person at home who is thirteen from first marriage, the amount I can expect has increased to $42 per month. which is $8.00 shy of her Karate classes.
I wonder how many trees are knocked over to inform other customers of the CSA that the payments they can expect are inadequate.
Can't they use email and keep the trees in the ground?
For the past 5 years he has paid $21 per month for 2 of the four children we bought into this world.
I received no support from my first husband when the kids were little and the older two were 16 and 17 by the time the CSA got any teeth.
Now that I have one person at home who is thirteen from first marriage, the amount I can expect has increased to $42 per month. which is $8.00 shy of her Karate classes.
I wonder how many trees are knocked over to inform other customers of the CSA that the payments they can expect are inadequate.
Can't they use email and keep the trees in the ground?
Wednesday 19 September 2007
Drugs on the pollies
In the Mail we received our booklet on Drugs and the dangers of them.
How to make them, let me clarfy that, what the ingredients are and what the effects of them are.
The only thing missing in the magazine, is where to buy them.
Didn't think of that did they?
A page on places to avoid, like night clubs and Seven elevens and car parks not far from ATM machines, where people hand over little bags of tablets to each other.
Also not included is page on people to avoid , the guys who look out of place in a night club, the ones that have no Friends but their other weird looking try hard mates, the narcs I mean, the men in the 70s leather jacket and jeans and black shoes who muscle in on a circle but don't really connect with anyone.
They ask "if you know where they can buy some 'ex' ???"and are way to sleezy about their attempts to 'score' (their word not mine)
Definitely people to avoid. Too funny and provides entertainment.
I don't have a problem with party Drugs, whateva blows a persons hair back is their own thing. I'm pretty cool about the kids and what they do, I accept that this stuff is easily obtainable cheap and on the whole harmless apart from the aging thing and the danger of drowning from the amount of water they drink whilst "chopped".
I've never seen a fight amoung the kids out clubbing or perpetrating harm upon other people, it is a bit like the 'soma' of brave new world fiction.Unlike the alcohol fuelled fights that I had to put up with whenever we went out, there was always someone to spoil an evening.
Education is the important thing.
Telling them that ice will age them 10 years is the biggest deterrent.
Alcohol is a killer too but they happily drink with their mates at the weekend.
We do alcohol really well in this country, consume more booze than water and I read somewhere that the surplus of wine in this country could fill Sydney harbour.
And our civic leaders are concerned about what ?.. that if the kids take a pill and they aren't buying alcohol while they are happy dancing and hugging each other, who is buying the alcohol?
Who will drink all this grog?
The Aborigines aren't allowed it, the parents are over it and too old to get smashed all the time. Their failing memories and alcohol induced Alzheimer's, means they keep going home instead of to the clubs.
This is the dilemma, I think the question is not about having the kids on pills but continuing to perpetuate the notion of a nation of drunks to drink the surplus and of course fund the education system .
We could use all the excess booze in the toilet cisterns when we run out of water and forget drinking the evil drink and just ping away happy and aged ,considerate, polite and helpful and loving. say no to war and yes to partying.
How to make them, let me clarfy that, what the ingredients are and what the effects of them are.
The only thing missing in the magazine, is where to buy them.
Didn't think of that did they?
A page on places to avoid, like night clubs and Seven elevens and car parks not far from ATM machines, where people hand over little bags of tablets to each other.
Also not included is page on people to avoid , the guys who look out of place in a night club, the ones that have no Friends but their other weird looking try hard mates, the narcs I mean, the men in the 70s leather jacket and jeans and black shoes who muscle in on a circle but don't really connect with anyone.
They ask "if you know where they can buy some 'ex' ???"and are way to sleezy about their attempts to 'score' (their word not mine)
Definitely people to avoid. Too funny and provides entertainment.
I don't have a problem with party Drugs, whateva blows a persons hair back is their own thing. I'm pretty cool about the kids and what they do, I accept that this stuff is easily obtainable cheap and on the whole harmless apart from the aging thing and the danger of drowning from the amount of water they drink whilst "chopped".
I've never seen a fight amoung the kids out clubbing or perpetrating harm upon other people, it is a bit like the 'soma' of brave new world fiction.Unlike the alcohol fuelled fights that I had to put up with whenever we went out, there was always someone to spoil an evening.
Education is the important thing.
Telling them that ice will age them 10 years is the biggest deterrent.
Alcohol is a killer too but they happily drink with their mates at the weekend.
We do alcohol really well in this country, consume more booze than water and I read somewhere that the surplus of wine in this country could fill Sydney harbour.
And our civic leaders are concerned about what ?.. that if the kids take a pill and they aren't buying alcohol while they are happy dancing and hugging each other, who is buying the alcohol?
Who will drink all this grog?
The Aborigines aren't allowed it, the parents are over it and too old to get smashed all the time. Their failing memories and alcohol induced Alzheimer's, means they keep going home instead of to the clubs.
This is the dilemma, I think the question is not about having the kids on pills but continuing to perpetuate the notion of a nation of drunks to drink the surplus and of course fund the education system .
We could use all the excess booze in the toilet cisterns when we run out of water and forget drinking the evil drink and just ping away happy and aged ,considerate, polite and helpful and loving. say no to war and yes to partying.
Discipline and the kids of today
I watched a child creating a spectacle yesterday. His mother was becoming more and more exasperated as he ran and kicked and shouted around the shops.
At first his mother appeared to be amused and smiled and giggled at his behaviour saying 'Com'on Jordy ,don't do that'.
Then she became embarrassed as his behaviour grew more out of control until she lost the plot entirely throwing her hands in the air and attempting to use bribery and threats of " I'll tell Uncle Peter" .
Just in the next isle, a woman grabbed her child's arm, wrenching her off the ground and carrying her out of the shop, all the while the child squealed, firstly to continue her obnoxious whining then continued as the shock of being wrenched off the ground and carried,then the wail of pain as she was being carried away. The child was about 3 years old and her mum kept complaining that the child was placing items in the trolley that 'are not on the list' and was annoying mummy and the child should stop it "you know mummy doesn't like that".
The display of inappropriate discipline and the spectacle was so distressing, It just makes me want to buy all my groceries online ,to avoid the displays of socially unacceptable behaviour from both children and parents alike.
Aren't there Parenting classes anymore?
What is this ridiculous notion of reasoning with a child over a game; The lets buy stuff and put things in the shopping trolley game and putting adult concepts into conversations with tiny little people? Three year olds don't know what mummy likes or dislikes, and when they have that awareness they don't always care . It is all about fun and learning not mummy's hangups.
Shopping is a game, if kids are accompanying an adult, they are probably more than willing to help to shop.
Including them in what goes into the trolley is part of the fun , if you don't want an item you just put it back without them seeing you.
Can we please bring some kind of parenting skills to hospitals, in fact before a child is born.
Learning to have fun and survival skills, like paying bills and nutrition training and discipline should all be delivered before the baby arrives.
Teaching new Mums and Dads that saying 'no' is not going to induce psychological damage to their precious child and in fact not saying no is what leads to behaviour problems, and a lack of self discipline and self control.
' No' and 'don't' are words that have saved lives and it is better to have a toddler understand the concept of no from an early age, because once that pathway is established other training tools can be implemented.
'No' and 'Don't', are words that teach about boundary's, guidlines and respect for self and others.
The behaviours between kids who understand that they can't have something who have self respect, and those that have no self respect and demand everything, as nothing has been denied them are so profound.
There is no tantrum, no screeching and running away, knocking people over and destroying property because they can't have their own way.They are gracious, polite smile readily, have a sunny disposition, don't scowl and accept that one day they may have whatever it is that they are unable to have right now, but understand that 'no not this time' doesn't mean never.
For the parent who cannot bring themselves to say 'no' and practices moving the item out of view, has to one day accept that their control is limited and they can't move the world out of view. We have to work within the boundary's provided by our communities and be firm with kids and exercise patience and love.
The law of requisite variety is a terrific rule for really exasperated parents.
When a child screams, scream back. The child soon stops.
The person with the most power wins the tussle. So a parent with a screaming child will do anything to stop the child from hurting himself or indeed risk being handed over to the authorities for suspected abuse, (kids only scream when something is wrong? Or is it because they can't have their own way? like I said, abuse)
If a parent screams back louder the child loses power and doesn't know what will happen next.
the child will give in. Parents can regain the role of guide and friend.
Parenting is not about being a Nazi or a headcase, It is about providing boundary's for offspring to be safe, loved and be equipped to venture out into the world to survive and develop and be the best they can be.
I despair of the next gen with their lack of self control and their selfish 'all about me' behaviours.
I think when they are 40, they will be angry about not having everything they want and angry that their ears will ring with tinnitus from the loud music they and all around them get to listen to through those earphones. (ever sat nxt to a gen y on a bus with that hip hop blaring?)
Angry with my gen for using all the water and buying up all the real estate in high places and building houses on it instead of leaving some natural bushland.
And they will be eventually asked to reduce the angry population by half by eating a relative. (which will be a good thing in 20 years and cannabalism will just be responsible eating)
Please can we discipline the delinquent parents!
At first his mother appeared to be amused and smiled and giggled at his behaviour saying 'Com'on Jordy ,don't do that'.
Then she became embarrassed as his behaviour grew more out of control until she lost the plot entirely throwing her hands in the air and attempting to use bribery and threats of " I'll tell Uncle Peter" .
Just in the next isle, a woman grabbed her child's arm, wrenching her off the ground and carrying her out of the shop, all the while the child squealed, firstly to continue her obnoxious whining then continued as the shock of being wrenched off the ground and carried,then the wail of pain as she was being carried away. The child was about 3 years old and her mum kept complaining that the child was placing items in the trolley that 'are not on the list' and was annoying mummy and the child should stop it "you know mummy doesn't like that".
The display of inappropriate discipline and the spectacle was so distressing, It just makes me want to buy all my groceries online ,to avoid the displays of socially unacceptable behaviour from both children and parents alike.
Aren't there Parenting classes anymore?
What is this ridiculous notion of reasoning with a child over a game; The lets buy stuff and put things in the shopping trolley game and putting adult concepts into conversations with tiny little people? Three year olds don't know what mummy likes or dislikes, and when they have that awareness they don't always care . It is all about fun and learning not mummy's hangups.
Shopping is a game, if kids are accompanying an adult, they are probably more than willing to help to shop.
Including them in what goes into the trolley is part of the fun , if you don't want an item you just put it back without them seeing you.
Can we please bring some kind of parenting skills to hospitals, in fact before a child is born.
Learning to have fun and survival skills, like paying bills and nutrition training and discipline should all be delivered before the baby arrives.
Teaching new Mums and Dads that saying 'no' is not going to induce psychological damage to their precious child and in fact not saying no is what leads to behaviour problems, and a lack of self discipline and self control.
' No' and 'don't' are words that have saved lives and it is better to have a toddler understand the concept of no from an early age, because once that pathway is established other training tools can be implemented.
'No' and 'Don't', are words that teach about boundary's, guidlines and respect for self and others.
The behaviours between kids who understand that they can't have something who have self respect, and those that have no self respect and demand everything, as nothing has been denied them are so profound.
There is no tantrum, no screeching and running away, knocking people over and destroying property because they can't have their own way.They are gracious, polite smile readily, have a sunny disposition, don't scowl and accept that one day they may have whatever it is that they are unable to have right now, but understand that 'no not this time' doesn't mean never.
For the parent who cannot bring themselves to say 'no' and practices moving the item out of view, has to one day accept that their control is limited and they can't move the world out of view. We have to work within the boundary's provided by our communities and be firm with kids and exercise patience and love.
The law of requisite variety is a terrific rule for really exasperated parents.
When a child screams, scream back. The child soon stops.
The person with the most power wins the tussle. So a parent with a screaming child will do anything to stop the child from hurting himself or indeed risk being handed over to the authorities for suspected abuse, (kids only scream when something is wrong? Or is it because they can't have their own way? like I said, abuse)
If a parent screams back louder the child loses power and doesn't know what will happen next.
the child will give in. Parents can regain the role of guide and friend.
Parenting is not about being a Nazi or a headcase, It is about providing boundary's for offspring to be safe, loved and be equipped to venture out into the world to survive and develop and be the best they can be.
I despair of the next gen with their lack of self control and their selfish 'all about me' behaviours.
I think when they are 40, they will be angry about not having everything they want and angry that their ears will ring with tinnitus from the loud music they and all around them get to listen to through those earphones. (ever sat nxt to a gen y on a bus with that hip hop blaring?)
Angry with my gen for using all the water and buying up all the real estate in high places and building houses on it instead of leaving some natural bushland.
And they will be eventually asked to reduce the angry population by half by eating a relative. (which will be a good thing in 20 years and cannabalism will just be responsible eating)
Please can we discipline the delinquent parents!
Monday 17 September 2007
Australia post
I recently filled out my Tax return sent it off, and waited for a hopefully positive response.
My tax return came back with the request for Shaun’s income.
Shauns Tax return has been sent to his accountant in Qld.
So I wait for the return of his tax things and the verdict on what he in fact earned last financial year.
So that I can complete my tax return.
Shaun thought he had better inquire as to how the processing was coming along.
His accountant finished with his claim and had returned the package of receipts and expenditure to our old address.
A phone call to Australia post revealed that again incompetent people get placed in positions of authority. Too quick to blame systems or personnel.
“Too confusing” came the reply .
Not received any mail for your name at the post box!
Which has got to be bollocks! We have been paying the redirection fee for our mail since we moved. And have received mail from our neighbours, who receive our mail in their boxes and forward it on to us!
We thought something was a bit odd, when mail had no redirection stickers on .
Calling Australia post for an explanation is a fruitless waste of time, no one returns our calls and no one takes responsibility for what ever has happened.
I don’t want a refund of the $120 per 6 months that the service has not been provided, I would just appreciate an explanation and for someone to take charge of the situation.
Gosh.(tirade over)
My tax return came back with the request for Shaun’s income.
Shauns Tax return has been sent to his accountant in Qld.
So I wait for the return of his tax things and the verdict on what he in fact earned last financial year.
So that I can complete my tax return.
Shaun thought he had better inquire as to how the processing was coming along.
His accountant finished with his claim and had returned the package of receipts and expenditure to our old address.
A phone call to Australia post revealed that again incompetent people get placed in positions of authority. Too quick to blame systems or personnel.
“Too confusing” came the reply .
Not received any mail for your name at the post box!
Which has got to be bollocks! We have been paying the redirection fee for our mail since we moved. And have received mail from our neighbours, who receive our mail in their boxes and forward it on to us!
We thought something was a bit odd, when mail had no redirection stickers on .
Calling Australia post for an explanation is a fruitless waste of time, no one returns our calls and no one takes responsibility for what ever has happened.
I don’t want a refund of the $120 per 6 months that the service has not been provided, I would just appreciate an explanation and for someone to take charge of the situation.
Gosh.(tirade over)
Friday 14 September 2007
Static electricity
I am so glad the weather has warmed up.
Over the winter i have been so cold being our first winter in Canberra I didn't manage well. Most of the time i wore a pair of hugg boots that seb gave me for mothers day, and a jumper of Shauns this attire was as well as being daggy created static electricity.
Anyone I touched received a belt from me. My hair stood on end and some materials in the house gave an electrical charge back to me.
I picked up my keys and zapped them ,the gizmo inside was fried , $220 for new keys.
Cenedra and I were at home cleaning out the lizard's aquarium, and I picked up the lizard and he received a bolt of elelctricity, which was too much for his tiny little body sadly he is now resting.
I have put the hugg boots away and the jumper,and surprise surprise no longer zapp things, it became silly, the children were tentative about touching me for fear of recieving a jolt.
thank goodness for the warmer weather.
Over the winter i have been so cold being our first winter in Canberra I didn't manage well. Most of the time i wore a pair of hugg boots that seb gave me for mothers day, and a jumper of Shauns this attire was as well as being daggy created static electricity.
Anyone I touched received a belt from me. My hair stood on end and some materials in the house gave an electrical charge back to me.
I picked up my keys and zapped them ,the gizmo inside was fried , $220 for new keys.
Cenedra and I were at home cleaning out the lizard's aquarium, and I picked up the lizard and he received a bolt of elelctricity, which was too much for his tiny little body sadly he is now resting.
I have put the hugg boots away and the jumper,and surprise surprise no longer zapp things, it became silly, the children were tentative about touching me for fear of recieving a jolt.
thank goodness for the warmer weather.
Thursday 13 September 2007
Rocky returns to the wild
Sebastian called the other night concerned for his pet Kangaroo.Little Rocky needs his own kind.
Sebastian had visited a wild life officer who informed him that joey's need to see other Kangaroos before they are 6 months old or they never return to the wild successfully.
Sebastian really didn't fancy having rocky taking up the passsenger seat in his car for the next 15 years, and taking over the house for much longer, so he decicded the only responsible thing to do was to return him to the wild.
Kangaroos are sociable animals and Rockey will be adopted by a flyer (a girl Kangaroo) very quickly.
Sebastian had visited a wild life officer who informed him that joey's need to see other Kangaroos before they are 6 months old or they never return to the wild successfully.
Sebastian really didn't fancy having rocky taking up the passsenger seat in his car for the next 15 years, and taking over the house for much longer, so he decicded the only responsible thing to do was to return him to the wild.
Kangaroos are sociable animals and Rockey will be adopted by a flyer (a girl Kangaroo) very quickly.
goulburn for lunch
What a lovely town is Goulburn. The great Ram at the city's entrance, the view from on top of the hill overlooking the town ship.
The lovely old homes, A really enjoyable place to visit.
We went on a Sunday, the shops were shut.
I forgot how the rest off the country has Sunday off.
Loving living in Canberra, everyday is a shopping day or tourist attraction day.
Goulburn has the best Chinese restaurant in the whole area. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch and continued exploring the Town then headed home.
A brilliant day out.
The lovely old homes, A really enjoyable place to visit.
We went on a Sunday, the shops were shut.
I forgot how the rest off the country has Sunday off.
Loving living in Canberra, everyday is a shopping day or tourist attraction day.
Goulburn has the best Chinese restaurant in the whole area. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch and continued exploring the Town then headed home.
A brilliant day out.
Monday 3 September 2007
I signed up for Pay per post!
I began blogging earlier this year.
I thought it would be a great idea to keep a diary of events as so many things have happened to us and to record our adventures.
When I learn't I could be paid to write about the things I like on this journey I was absolutely ecstatic!
I joined Pay per post get paid to blog and with each new topic, I am introduced to a new aspect of e-commerce.
This is the fastest growing way to generate an income and gives me an opportunity to develop my writing skills.
I tell everyone about it !
Because we all have a story to tell and It is more interesting to read a personal account of a situation or place than on some drole adverisment or magazine.
Real people and real stories, that is what I love about pay per post.
Pay per post have incentive programs where readers are offered opportunities to earn by posting or advertising a site on the web.
there are heaps of resources for researching the opportunity, and before you know it just for writing a promotional story you have a tidy sum in your account. Not bad for 1/2 an hour at your computer.
I reccomend signing up for pay per post and taking the opportunities as they arise, it also gives blogs a variety in readabiity.
Have fun explore the huge range of e commerse sites available and get paid to blog
I thought it would be a great idea to keep a diary of events as so many things have happened to us and to record our adventures.
When I learn't I could be paid to write about the things I like on this journey I was absolutely ecstatic!
I joined Pay per post get paid to blog and with each new topic, I am introduced to a new aspect of e-commerce.
This is the fastest growing way to generate an income and gives me an opportunity to develop my writing skills.
I tell everyone about it !
Because we all have a story to tell and It is more interesting to read a personal account of a situation or place than on some drole adverisment or magazine.
Real people and real stories, that is what I love about pay per post.
Pay per post have incentive programs where readers are offered opportunities to earn by posting or advertising a site on the web.
there are heaps of resources for researching the opportunity, and before you know it just for writing a promotional story you have a tidy sum in your account. Not bad for 1/2 an hour at your computer.
I reccomend signing up for pay per post and taking the opportunities as they arise, it also gives blogs a variety in readabiity.
Have fun explore the huge range of e commerse sites available and get paid to blog
Wednesday 29 August 2007
holiday cheer
Don't you just love a bargain?
everyone does, and most of us are now finding more and more bargains online. This is becoming the new way to shop.
With no premises to rent or middleman to pay, the prices benefit the shopper and the retailer.
A visit to couponchief.com is just the place to collect huge savings on close to anything you can think of.
I never seem to find time to get to the shops to buy the perfect gift, shopping is a hassel, the crowds and the parking.
When I was invited to look at coupon chief and report my findings, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the whole shop online thing is.
Coupon chief focus on their customers , providing up to date coupons and promotional deals and discounts found no where else on the net.
The instructions are so easy. Click on the items that interest you, and the discounts are applied to all purchases in that online store.
I ordered items from target, some mexican hot sauce and a mortar and pestle.
Then a shirt for my husband a watch for miss 13 and an inflatable boat for miss 9.
couponchief.com makes shoppping so easy all from home and the shipping and handling charges are really reasonable as well.
By using coupon chief I'm saving money and the environment , having the products delivered means I'm not out there clogging up the roads and fighting for parking spaces.
It is quick easy and the retailers who have their online shops with coupon chief, are big name brands, providing all the exiting products you would find in their stores with heavy discounts for shopping online.
When you think of the crowds at christmas shopping time, forget it and shop online with coupon chief.
everyone does, and most of us are now finding more and more bargains online. This is becoming the new way to shop.
With no premises to rent or middleman to pay, the prices benefit the shopper and the retailer.
A visit to couponchief.com is just the place to collect huge savings on close to anything you can think of.
I never seem to find time to get to the shops to buy the perfect gift, shopping is a hassel, the crowds and the parking.
When I was invited to look at coupon chief and report my findings, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the whole shop online thing is.
Coupon chief focus on their customers , providing up to date coupons and promotional deals and discounts found no where else on the net.
The instructions are so easy. Click on the items that interest you, and the discounts are applied to all purchases in that online store.
I ordered items from target, some mexican hot sauce and a mortar and pestle.
Then a shirt for my husband a watch for miss 13 and an inflatable boat for miss 9.
couponchief.com makes shoppping so easy all from home and the shipping and handling charges are really reasonable as well.
By using coupon chief I'm saving money and the environment , having the products delivered means I'm not out there clogging up the roads and fighting for parking spaces.
It is quick easy and the retailers who have their online shops with coupon chief, are big name brands, providing all the exiting products you would find in their stores with heavy discounts for shopping online.
When you think of the crowds at christmas shopping time, forget it and shop online with coupon chief.
Thredbo
Our trip to the Snow, along the monaro highway south to cooma.
The shops that line the main street of Cooma, have snow men on their awnings and the snow supplies and hire shops line the streets.
Cooma is a lovely Town with old homes full of character, and tourists everywhere.
The drive south to Thredbo was filled with expectation.
Jindabyne on the way is quite picturesque but I have been spoiled living in Taupo on the largest lake in the Southern hemisphere, it is so big it is tidal.
The snow covered mountains that provide the just another picturesque backdrop in New Zealand and are reflected in the gorgeous fresh water lake. So Jindabyne was a smaller and not as spectacular little township, but pretty all the same.
We came to a pay booth at the entrance to the Kosciusko National park which absolutely astounded me. I hadn't investigated this journey enough and so wasn't prepared for the $29 fee to enter the park for one day.
We were able to pay for our park entrance fee at the news agency at the Thredbo township.
Thredbo is beautiful. the snow everywhere little people dressed in protective snow clothes. The girls threw snow balls and enjoyed tobogganing. we walked one of the tracks and hid from each other ambushing with snow ball volleys, It was exhausting and exhilarating and fun.
Next year we will stay for a Weekend and explore more.
highly recomended visit to the snow.
The shops that line the main street of Cooma, have snow men on their awnings and the snow supplies and hire shops line the streets.
Cooma is a lovely Town with old homes full of character, and tourists everywhere.
The drive south to Thredbo was filled with expectation.
Jindabyne on the way is quite picturesque but I have been spoiled living in Taupo on the largest lake in the Southern hemisphere, it is so big it is tidal.
The snow covered mountains that provide the just another picturesque backdrop in New Zealand and are reflected in the gorgeous fresh water lake. So Jindabyne was a smaller and not as spectacular little township, but pretty all the same.
We came to a pay booth at the entrance to the Kosciusko National park which absolutely astounded me. I hadn't investigated this journey enough and so wasn't prepared for the $29 fee to enter the park for one day.
We were able to pay for our park entrance fee at the news agency at the Thredbo township.
Thredbo is beautiful. the snow everywhere little people dressed in protective snow clothes. The girls threw snow balls and enjoyed tobogganing. we walked one of the tracks and hid from each other ambushing with snow ball volleys, It was exhausting and exhilarating and fun.
Next year we will stay for a Weekend and explore more.
highly recomended visit to the snow.
Ulla dulla
Off we went to beautiful Ulla Dulla.
Our weekend jaunts around Canberra are proving a magical way to see a little more of our suroundings.
Shaun and I have always loved travelling in the car enjoying each others company and the scenery.
The country side is absolutely beautiful and scenery on the road to Batemans bay changes as we pass mountain ranges and rainforests and farm land and small settlements.
The sky had a peculiar oil slick effect on it, just in one spot, all greasy looking and beautiful colours, It lasted for almost the entire journey.
Ive never seen anything like that before in the sky.
We do alot of cloud shape games and talking about what we see in the environment on our journeys. It's great for word games and encourages the girls to practice word usage and building a varied and exensive vocabulary.
First stop is the antiques fair at Bungendore, for me to rummage in, I love old things.
Then the compulsory stop, as always, is braidwood for lollies and pastries and a play in the park. Then on to Batemans Bay, counting the toy animals in the trees.
We arived at Batemans bay and kept driving up the coast to the cutest town ship ive been to in a very long time.
The fish and chips for lunch were a let down, there is still no other place to enjoy fish and chips than Redcliffe's Suttons Beach fish and chips.
The variety of fish is amazing and the servings are substantial more than enough to satisfy an 'all day at the beach' kind of appetite.
This is a unique experience, if you ever visit Redcliffe try this little take away you won't be disapointed.
Anyway back to Ulla dulla.
The kids loved the quiet little town, we walked all over the main center and looked at all the shops.
We climbed the cliffs, collected fossils and shells and looked out to sea from the light house.
The harbour has whale watch boats and deep sea fishing boats and a sea breakwater that the local children were playing in.
The water is so crystal and clear you can see the bottom of the harbour!
Did I mention the water is cold?.. of course it isn't like the temperature we are used to. In Queensland I swam all year round, the sea water is warm, but it hasn't the quality of unspoilt beauty that the Sea on the South Coast has.
It is a bit like the sea side in New Zealand cold but clear water.
I couldn't get over how friendly the locals are everyone said hello and smiled, it was a really lovely homely place.
The girls fell in love with the arcade, dodgems, laser war, a giant drop and arcade games all in the main center.
Demelza and I shopped for bikinis, it reminded us of a sleeepy Redcliffe city before the high rise apartments invaded the penninsular.
We decided to return in the summer for a weekend away.
Our weekend jaunts around Canberra are proving a magical way to see a little more of our suroundings.
Shaun and I have always loved travelling in the car enjoying each others company and the scenery.
The country side is absolutely beautiful and scenery on the road to Batemans bay changes as we pass mountain ranges and rainforests and farm land and small settlements.
The sky had a peculiar oil slick effect on it, just in one spot, all greasy looking and beautiful colours, It lasted for almost the entire journey.
Ive never seen anything like that before in the sky.
We do alot of cloud shape games and talking about what we see in the environment on our journeys. It's great for word games and encourages the girls to practice word usage and building a varied and exensive vocabulary.
First stop is the antiques fair at Bungendore, for me to rummage in, I love old things.
Then the compulsory stop, as always, is braidwood for lollies and pastries and a play in the park. Then on to Batemans Bay, counting the toy animals in the trees.
We arived at Batemans bay and kept driving up the coast to the cutest town ship ive been to in a very long time.
The fish and chips for lunch were a let down, there is still no other place to enjoy fish and chips than Redcliffe's Suttons Beach fish and chips.
The variety of fish is amazing and the servings are substantial more than enough to satisfy an 'all day at the beach' kind of appetite.
This is a unique experience, if you ever visit Redcliffe try this little take away you won't be disapointed.
Anyway back to Ulla dulla.
The kids loved the quiet little town, we walked all over the main center and looked at all the shops.
We climbed the cliffs, collected fossils and shells and looked out to sea from the light house.
The harbour has whale watch boats and deep sea fishing boats and a sea breakwater that the local children were playing in.
The water is so crystal and clear you can see the bottom of the harbour!
Did I mention the water is cold?.. of course it isn't like the temperature we are used to. In Queensland I swam all year round, the sea water is warm, but it hasn't the quality of unspoilt beauty that the Sea on the South Coast has.
It is a bit like the sea side in New Zealand cold but clear water.
I couldn't get over how friendly the locals are everyone said hello and smiled, it was a really lovely homely place.
The girls fell in love with the arcade, dodgems, laser war, a giant drop and arcade games all in the main center.
Demelza and I shopped for bikinis, it reminded us of a sleeepy Redcliffe city before the high rise apartments invaded the penninsular.
We decided to return in the summer for a weekend away.
Hotel Reservations
This has got to be the most comprehensive informative easy to use site for finding a place to stay.
Anywhere in the world hotel reservations search will source a hotel in any country in the world. Simply check your personal reqirements and in seconds a list of places to stay appears for your perusal.
Flights, cars, vacation packages, and rentals, are all on the one site.
There are great savings to be had and specials for booking online at .www.hotelreservations.com
The advanced serarch options give you greater choices when loking for accomodation.
Searching by city, then if you are familiar with the city or know where you want to be , you can search by address.
The amentities provided by the hotel option, allows you to view extras that the hotels provide; resturants, wheel chair accesss, internet connection, conference facilities, fitness centre, and the availability of a swimming pool.
You simply check the number of rooms you'll need and how many guests are traveling and Hotel Reservations allows you to have total control over what you are looking for and where you would like to stay.
The star ratings provide a terrific guide to compare choices.
Checking availabiity by using the travel dates options means you won't be disapointed and will find the perfect place to stay form the comfort of your own home.
Booking your holiday with Hotel reservations will save you 70% off your costs because they guarantee to have the lowest prices on the internet.
If you need a break and don't know what you want to do or where you want to go, Hotel Reservations can help with their destinations and interests page.
A spa holiday a golf holiday what about a gambling holiday? beach, snow bed and breakfast, it is all here something for everyone at prices to suit all budgets.
Once you make a choice of accomodation then you can drill down to room size and tarrifs and investigate the finer things that the hotel offers, like a wake up service, check in and out times, and what attratctions and facilities are available close by.
I loved the spa vacation offerings and will certainly book my next vacation through Hotel Reservations
Hotel Reservations is my favourite choice not just for the great savings but because everything I need to book a break away is in one place.
The family are investigating a journey to New Zealand at the years end and we'll use Hotel reservations to book all of the accomodation flights and the hire car.
Anywhere in the world hotel reservations search will source a hotel in any country in the world. Simply check your personal reqirements and in seconds a list of places to stay appears for your perusal.
Flights, cars, vacation packages, and rentals, are all on the one site.
There are great savings to be had and specials for booking online at .www.hotelreservations.com
The advanced serarch options give you greater choices when loking for accomodation.
Searching by city, then if you are familiar with the city or know where you want to be , you can search by address.
The amentities provided by the hotel option, allows you to view extras that the hotels provide; resturants, wheel chair accesss, internet connection, conference facilities, fitness centre, and the availability of a swimming pool.
You simply check the number of rooms you'll need and how many guests are traveling and Hotel Reservations allows you to have total control over what you are looking for and where you would like to stay.
The star ratings provide a terrific guide to compare choices.
Checking availabiity by using the travel dates options means you won't be disapointed and will find the perfect place to stay form the comfort of your own home.
Booking your holiday with Hotel reservations will save you 70% off your costs because they guarantee to have the lowest prices on the internet.
If you need a break and don't know what you want to do or where you want to go, Hotel Reservations can help with their destinations and interests page.
A spa holiday a golf holiday what about a gambling holiday? beach, snow bed and breakfast, it is all here something for everyone at prices to suit all budgets.
Once you make a choice of accomodation then you can drill down to room size and tarrifs and investigate the finer things that the hotel offers, like a wake up service, check in and out times, and what attratctions and facilities are available close by.
I loved the spa vacation offerings and will certainly book my next vacation through Hotel Reservations
Hotel Reservations is my favourite choice not just for the great savings but because everything I need to book a break away is in one place.
The family are investigating a journey to New Zealand at the years end and we'll use Hotel reservations to book all of the accomodation flights and the hire car.
Science Week
Science week celebrations in Canberra are amazing.
There is so much to do and hear and visit and be apart of. My girls love Science so we headed off to the AIS to the Science fair.
We planted a plant and were shown how to care for it. Then we had scabs and sores and an open wound applied to our hands and faces.
The role play with Australian Customs was great fun , rummaging around in a suitcase to find illegally imported items, in the personal luggage of our customs official, who took us through the what, why and how of life as a Customs officer.
The demonstration of the sniffer dog was a real spectacle.
Understanding how the dogs are trained and what the rewards for their work are was very different to the concept I understood, I thought the dogs were junkies and that is how they could smell drugs,.. silly eh?
Darleks visited us throughout the day, Cenedra was absolutely fascinated, she loves Dr Who and can tell you about every episode of the Dr and recite the scripts, she has loved his adventures since she was three and watched the programme on the ABC before dinner.
I was trapped by a Darlek with Shaun next to me, the Darlek said "you will be exterminated!, see how your husband, forces you, into the path ,of the Darlek ,to be exterminated!!!, you are being sacrificed to the Darleks '
I called for the Dr and the Darlek answered "The Dr will not help you, he is not here, but he is pretty dishy!"
Distinctly human emotions displayed in that conversation, and after terrorising the science fair visitors the Darleks left the auditorium.
The Day was filled with exhibits of exiting science experiments to do at home and from the jobs people do to do with science.
I had my money checked for traces of drugs in a machine and we had our finger prints taken the money was clean, but the exhibit representative said lots of notes throughout the week had had traces of cocaine but most of the money had cannabis on it.
Our hand prints were really detailed because we had moisturiser on our hands , and the compound used, sticks to the grease, there is more detail if your hands are greasy.
Cenedra loved the wild animals a crocodile and lizards were on show and scientrific had a whole bunch of things to do and explore.
The girls both joined Mr Double Helix on stage, Ce'Nedra caught the egg being bounced off the ball which direction it will go in ? who knows? but the egg went right into Cedies hands!
Demelza was called brave Mel and had the stage to herself. She sat in a chair and Mr Double Helix held a balloon filled with water above her head and a lighter underneath the balloon. !!
The kids in the audience really admired brave Mel for sitting under that balloon and not flinching or squirming , but I think she knew about that experiment already.
Of course the balloon didn't pop when the lighter was held underneath and a sigh of relief filled the auditorium.
Science fair is a great experience.
There is so much to do and hear and visit and be apart of. My girls love Science so we headed off to the AIS to the Science fair.
We planted a plant and were shown how to care for it. Then we had scabs and sores and an open wound applied to our hands and faces.
The role play with Australian Customs was great fun , rummaging around in a suitcase to find illegally imported items, in the personal luggage of our customs official, who took us through the what, why and how of life as a Customs officer.
The demonstration of the sniffer dog was a real spectacle.
Understanding how the dogs are trained and what the rewards for their work are was very different to the concept I understood, I thought the dogs were junkies and that is how they could smell drugs,.. silly eh?
Darleks visited us throughout the day, Cenedra was absolutely fascinated, she loves Dr Who and can tell you about every episode of the Dr and recite the scripts, she has loved his adventures since she was three and watched the programme on the ABC before dinner.
I was trapped by a Darlek with Shaun next to me, the Darlek said "you will be exterminated!, see how your husband, forces you, into the path ,of the Darlek ,to be exterminated!!!, you are being sacrificed to the Darleks '
I called for the Dr and the Darlek answered "The Dr will not help you, he is not here, but he is pretty dishy!"
Distinctly human emotions displayed in that conversation, and after terrorising the science fair visitors the Darleks left the auditorium.
The Day was filled with exhibits of exiting science experiments to do at home and from the jobs people do to do with science.
I had my money checked for traces of drugs in a machine and we had our finger prints taken the money was clean, but the exhibit representative said lots of notes throughout the week had had traces of cocaine but most of the money had cannabis on it.
Our hand prints were really detailed because we had moisturiser on our hands , and the compound used, sticks to the grease, there is more detail if your hands are greasy.
Cenedra loved the wild animals a crocodile and lizards were on show and scientrific had a whole bunch of things to do and explore.
The girls both joined Mr Double Helix on stage, Ce'Nedra caught the egg being bounced off the ball which direction it will go in ? who knows? but the egg went right into Cedies hands!
Demelza was called brave Mel and had the stage to herself. She sat in a chair and Mr Double Helix held a balloon filled with water above her head and a lighter underneath the balloon. !!
The kids in the audience really admired brave Mel for sitting under that balloon and not flinching or squirming , but I think she knew about that experiment already.
Of course the balloon didn't pop when the lighter was held underneath and a sigh of relief filled the auditorium.
Science fair is a great experience.
Goth scene
My daughter was telling me about her new friends, and how they are Goth life stylers.
Now she has dyed her hair black and wears heavy eye makeup, and big boots!
The goth scene is here to stay,and many goths like techno punk, rock, electronic and alternative music and at gothic singles the Goth scene Singles meeting site, Goths can take advantage of the forum to chat, discuss elements of the goth lifestyle like their music and clothing styles and make friends.
The site is a real Gothic personals site, where Goths can get together, chat make friends and just discuss stuff they like.
It is a community for single Goths to find someone with the same interests and thanks to gothic singles it has never been easier.
I am confident that my daughter will find lots of friends with the same interests as her at this site and she has told her group about it.
Now she has dyed her hair black and wears heavy eye makeup, and big boots!
The goth scene is here to stay,and many goths like techno punk, rock, electronic and alternative music and at gothic singles the Goth scene Singles meeting site, Goths can take advantage of the forum to chat, discuss elements of the goth lifestyle like their music and clothing styles and make friends.
The site is a real Gothic personals site, where Goths can get together, chat make friends and just discuss stuff they like.
It is a community for single Goths to find someone with the same interests and thanks to gothic singles it has never been easier.
I am confident that my daughter will find lots of friends with the same interests as her at this site and she has told her group about it.
latina romance
I met a beautiful girl from America the other day.
Working from home I get to enjoy my life more fully, I was in a café and met a girl who was on vacation in Australia from the United States.
She and I got talking about how beautiful Australia is and what she has enjoyed about her visit here and how she would love to stay.
The reason she is returning home is because she has met a man on latina singles
I had to admit I have never used a dating site before and I had plenty of questions for her.
I took out my lap top and we ordered another two cappuccinos, and I began a lesson in Internet singles searching.
The first thing I noticed aboutlatina singles is how easy on the eye the layout is.
The spacing makes the site easy to read and user friendly. There is no joining fee, which really appealed to me.
There are so many the pictures, ..Thousands of sexy Latina singles out there.
It is easy to see who is online, to enjoy a conversation with someone or just send a flirt or message.
Together we looked at lots of eligible bachelors and had a laugh with 4 of them. I couldn’t stop giggling Latina men are soo hot.
I am not surprised my new girlfriend is going home to be with her dream man.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dating site and will definitely go back to say ‘hi’
I found it a refreshing place to chat meet new people and get a different perspective on life.
It is the perfect place to meet other singles.
My new friend and I swapped numbers and wished her well, we promised to catch up ‘on line’.
Working from home I get to enjoy my life more fully, I was in a café and met a girl who was on vacation in Australia from the United States.
She and I got talking about how beautiful Australia is and what she has enjoyed about her visit here and how she would love to stay.
The reason she is returning home is because she has met a man on latina singles
I had to admit I have never used a dating site before and I had plenty of questions for her.
I took out my lap top and we ordered another two cappuccinos, and I began a lesson in Internet singles searching.
The first thing I noticed aboutlatina singles is how easy on the eye the layout is.
The spacing makes the site easy to read and user friendly. There is no joining fee, which really appealed to me.
There are so many the pictures, ..Thousands of sexy Latina singles out there.
It is easy to see who is online, to enjoy a conversation with someone or just send a flirt or message.
Together we looked at lots of eligible bachelors and had a laugh with 4 of them. I couldn’t stop giggling Latina men are soo hot.
I am not surprised my new girlfriend is going home to be with her dream man.
I thoroughly enjoyed the dating site and will definitely go back to say ‘hi’
I found it a refreshing place to chat meet new people and get a different perspective on life.
It is the perfect place to meet other singles.
My new friend and I swapped numbers and wished her well, we promised to catch up ‘on line’.
working in an office is not for me
I thought I would enjoy working in an office. That is I enjoyed working at AGL and thought I would have a similar experience in the public service.
Sadly I didn't, and I have waited a sufficient amount of time to write about the experience.
I found the environment stale and unwelcoming. clique' and group think infested.
The organisation stifles growth because it still works on the peter principle and unfortunately the area I moved in to, had just promoted a manger so that she had reached the highest level of her incompetence.
Which is fine if she has people willing to clean up mistakes for her, and that is the culture of the public service department I went to.
Minions tidying up for incompetent managers, organising meetings where no decisions are made just discussion.
In the public sector tasks are drawn up and results are expected within allocated time frames, in other words the expectation is if you perform and complete tasks you get paid.
In the public service you just have to turn up, not necessarily competently complete anything and you get paid. I didn't adjust very well to in activity, and I asked for more to do.
My manager said to slow down because I was responding to quickly to requests to have things done.
I managed some minor achievements in the short time I held the temporary assignment, one of them being identifying where we can save $3000 for printing costs per month.
I probably would have enjoyed the role more if I was contributing more to the team , but as the financial reporter for the section I wasn't involved in writing ministerials or decision making and was left out of much of the discussion.
I had never worked in an environment where blatant segregation in discussion is conducted and considered normal. It just went against the grain to be spoken down to and excluded when I have such an outgoing personality.
Being on temp assignment also meant that many aspects of the job weren't explained and finding my feet in organisational structure was a trial because no one helped or offered to help.
I spent the first two weeks in the compactor learning what I could about the section and the work that is done in the organisation. It prepared me for answers to the many enquiries I received as I knew the history on many of the decisions made.
Once I gained confidence, the job became more interesting , but there wasn't enough to do to keep me interested.
I had a handover of one day, and in my exit interview the Manager said how she understood how hard it must have been for me to take over in one day when she had a hand over of 5 months and still knows nothing about the organisation.!
I would never work there again and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
I put it in the same category as the mushroom farm.
The culture was very similar to the bullying and bad behaviour generated and perpetuated by the management down.
So now I am at home, setting up a web site for cooking called cooking with nia .com and writing articles through elance and of course taking opportunities with pay per post.
So this is much nicer, no one looking over my shoulder, complaining about the level of my writing ability, I'm published she ( my previous manager) isn't!
I am investigating affiliate marketing as I have seen some amazing success with that business and read widely about the incredible success people have had with it.
I know it is my turn to be one of those success stories.
No more working for incompetent managers who don't walk the talk, who have no people skills and no team work ability.
In this team there is only I and if it is gonna be it is up to me.
Sadly I didn't, and I have waited a sufficient amount of time to write about the experience.
I found the environment stale and unwelcoming. clique' and group think infested.
The organisation stifles growth because it still works on the peter principle and unfortunately the area I moved in to, had just promoted a manger so that she had reached the highest level of her incompetence.
Which is fine if she has people willing to clean up mistakes for her, and that is the culture of the public service department I went to.
Minions tidying up for incompetent managers, organising meetings where no decisions are made just discussion.
In the public sector tasks are drawn up and results are expected within allocated time frames, in other words the expectation is if you perform and complete tasks you get paid.
In the public service you just have to turn up, not necessarily competently complete anything and you get paid. I didn't adjust very well to in activity, and I asked for more to do.
My manager said to slow down because I was responding to quickly to requests to have things done.
I managed some minor achievements in the short time I held the temporary assignment, one of them being identifying where we can save $3000 for printing costs per month.
I probably would have enjoyed the role more if I was contributing more to the team , but as the financial reporter for the section I wasn't involved in writing ministerials or decision making and was left out of much of the discussion.
I had never worked in an environment where blatant segregation in discussion is conducted and considered normal. It just went against the grain to be spoken down to and excluded when I have such an outgoing personality.
Being on temp assignment also meant that many aspects of the job weren't explained and finding my feet in organisational structure was a trial because no one helped or offered to help.
I spent the first two weeks in the compactor learning what I could about the section and the work that is done in the organisation. It prepared me for answers to the many enquiries I received as I knew the history on many of the decisions made.
Once I gained confidence, the job became more interesting , but there wasn't enough to do to keep me interested.
I had a handover of one day, and in my exit interview the Manager said how she understood how hard it must have been for me to take over in one day when she had a hand over of 5 months and still knows nothing about the organisation.!
I would never work there again and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
I put it in the same category as the mushroom farm.
The culture was very similar to the bullying and bad behaviour generated and perpetuated by the management down.
So now I am at home, setting up a web site for cooking called cooking with nia .com and writing articles through elance and of course taking opportunities with pay per post.
So this is much nicer, no one looking over my shoulder, complaining about the level of my writing ability, I'm published she ( my previous manager) isn't!
I am investigating affiliate marketing as I have seen some amazing success with that business and read widely about the incredible success people have had with it.
I know it is my turn to be one of those success stories.
No more working for incompetent managers who don't walk the talk, who have no people skills and no team work ability.
In this team there is only I and if it is gonna be it is up to me.
Wednesday 18 July 2007
The Stanthorpe Wine Makers Dinner
I have been invited to assist with the catering for the Small Wine Makers Dinner!.
This is an Annual event held in Stanthorpe and is quite a big deal.
It is the culmination of a week long expo of wine grown in the district and showcases the wineries and the best vintage.
I loved participating last year. And this year is shaping up to be just as big!
Previously the dinner had been held in the town hall and now it is held in the Queensland Wine College. Which is an innovative creation of the Stanthorpe high school principle.
His idea for a college to support the industry in the area came to fruition last year with the first function to open the venue being the small wine makers dinner.
The Dinner is the perfect opportunity to introduce a dining experience for Stanthorpe wine makers that has been unknown in Stanthorpe untilnow. A chance to really spoil the vinters and victualers. It is also the only occasion when the entire wine making district is in one place celebrating , It is their night of nights.
This is an Annual event held in Stanthorpe and is quite a big deal.
It is the culmination of a week long expo of wine grown in the district and showcases the wineries and the best vintage.
I loved participating last year. And this year is shaping up to be just as big!
Previously the dinner had been held in the town hall and now it is held in the Queensland Wine College. Which is an innovative creation of the Stanthorpe high school principle.
His idea for a college to support the industry in the area came to fruition last year with the first function to open the venue being the small wine makers dinner.
The Dinner is the perfect opportunity to introduce a dining experience for Stanthorpe wine makers that has been unknown in Stanthorpe untilnow. A chance to really spoil the vinters and victualers. It is also the only occasion when the entire wine making district is in one place celebrating , It is their night of nights.
Monday 2 July 2007
My Sister turned 40
This week, My mum went to Qld to spend some time with my sister.
Anjasa celebrated her 4oth birthday with the 'lations and all the cussies and cussy bros'
they had a barbie and a top time. catchin' up and sharing stories.
Then mum returned -missed her flight and was late for lunch , phoning me from Sydney complaining that she will never Fly Qantas again, cos the staff are rude and unhelpful, and obstructionist and that is being kind about them.
She is abit of an international jet setter and other smaller airlines are far superior to the service she received on Sunday.
So she missed our lunch date, and we enjoyed a late lunch instead together with Evan Ishta and the fam' in Canberra watching Dr Who together and talking about gaming and movies and music cos she just saw the Gunners(guns 'n' roses ) in concert last weekend in Sydney and loved it! (Back in the eighties, Nanny would hang the washing on the line with her infrared ear phones on and sing along to Gun's n'Roses, at top note! )she doesn't hold back my mum. Loves her fun and life and travelling.
Mum (Nanny) and Paula both flew out of Sydney today for America.
A very busy jet setting life they lead.
Have fun i'm sure we'll read about it . They bought 'dragon naturally speaking' so they can talk about what they are witnessing and blog the whole experience. great for their taravel blog.
Anjasa celebrated her 4oth birthday with the 'lations and all the cussies and cussy bros'
they had a barbie and a top time. catchin' up and sharing stories.
Then mum returned -missed her flight and was late for lunch , phoning me from Sydney complaining that she will never Fly Qantas again, cos the staff are rude and unhelpful, and obstructionist and that is being kind about them.
She is abit of an international jet setter and other smaller airlines are far superior to the service she received on Sunday.
So she missed our lunch date, and we enjoyed a late lunch instead together with Evan Ishta and the fam' in Canberra watching Dr Who together and talking about gaming and movies and music cos she just saw the Gunners(guns 'n' roses ) in concert last weekend in Sydney and loved it! (Back in the eighties, Nanny would hang the washing on the line with her infrared ear phones on and sing along to Gun's n'Roses, at top note! )she doesn't hold back my mum. Loves her fun and life and travelling.
Mum (Nanny) and Paula both flew out of Sydney today for America.
A very busy jet setting life they lead.
Have fun i'm sure we'll read about it . They bought 'dragon naturally speaking' so they can talk about what they are witnessing and blog the whole experience. great for their taravel blog.
Thursday 28 June 2007
Parties Parties Parties
What is it about Parties that make Aussie men so incredibly irresponsible?
My Boys, ( Sebastian and Sebs' best mate since school, Daniel ) went to celebrate the birthday of a local girl , she came of age on Wednesday last week and her friend put on a party for her in the "big Smoke" Toowoomba on Saturday night.
The Lads drove from the outskirts of Tara which is a couple of hours out of Toowoomba to buy some nice "stepin 'out" gear, for the party they had been invited to,Being metro types from Bris- vegas and shopaholics at that ,they took advantage of the 1/2 yearly sales and spent up large, on nice fitting kengi, country road , kelvin klein, boss blah blah you get the idea, yeah?
These boys might live in the bush, but they know how to dress.
They wear such beautiful clothes and take really good care of themselves. And they sleep on 6oo thread count sheets, not many men , who aren't alternative lifestylers, know how to buy luxury, but these boy do.
They arrived at the venue, and because they have been 'workin' out' running and weight training, (Daniel is a footballer with the Redcliffe Dolphins) and is small and quick and Seb is a big lad.
because of his size he was introduced to the Mums and Dads and chatted in the Kitchen and hung out with the uncles and other family members telling stories of adventures past, while Daniel ran around under the radar (like the other kids).
Some one made a big mistake , called well dressed football playing Daniel 'GAY' .
And 6 men had to pull him away from the poor unfortunate fool, ..however... those six morons (sorry but when the bevvy's flow , some men can't just break up a lovers tiff they have to sink the boot in themselves) and after providing a face massage each, they then proceeded to re-arrange Daniels body and probably feel really proud of themselves.
Having cast aspersions on his sexuality, ribbing him, teasing the boy, because he dresses well and had all of the women dancing with him, because he has rhythm and can really move (if he can dance upright what can he do horizontally?) The big question.
His 'metro' behaviour sure upset the, flanny, no teeth , monosyllabic, limited imagination set
and Daniel was dragged across a table full of glasses : all of his back is sliced open. and his arm is cut from the wrist bone to his elbow. His head requires stitches and he was concussed .
Alcohol is a dangerous and vile beverage when a simple comment makes men behave so violently, spoil a birthday party and land a young man in hospital for defending his right to be , live, have fun , dance, enjoy the attention of women as much as they enjoy him, (he is a ladies man and in Brisbane night clubs moves among the girls and they love it!)
At Ayla's Birthday, he overheard some boy with a stick getting a little outa hand and stopped any nonsense, but this time, he was moving with the girls on the dance floor and parading his magnetism showing off to the bush pigs. they didn't like it and removed him.
Shame because then the boys went to hospital, Daniel vomited everywhere because of the concussion, had stitches in his arm and head, and his back is bandaged , no running for Daniel or weight lifting for a while, and as for dancing, Mc hammer crab is resting and recovering.
get better Daniel, at least you have a peaceful place in the bush to recover in, no smog, no pollution no worries.
My Boys, ( Sebastian and Sebs' best mate since school, Daniel ) went to celebrate the birthday of a local girl , she came of age on Wednesday last week and her friend put on a party for her in the "big Smoke" Toowoomba on Saturday night.
The Lads drove from the outskirts of Tara which is a couple of hours out of Toowoomba to buy some nice "stepin 'out" gear, for the party they had been invited to,Being metro types from Bris- vegas and shopaholics at that ,they took advantage of the 1/2 yearly sales and spent up large, on nice fitting kengi, country road , kelvin klein, boss blah blah you get the idea, yeah?
These boys might live in the bush, but they know how to dress.
They wear such beautiful clothes and take really good care of themselves. And they sleep on 6oo thread count sheets, not many men , who aren't alternative lifestylers, know how to buy luxury, but these boy do.
They arrived at the venue, and because they have been 'workin' out' running and weight training, (Daniel is a footballer with the Redcliffe Dolphins) and is small and quick and Seb is a big lad.
because of his size he was introduced to the Mums and Dads and chatted in the Kitchen and hung out with the uncles and other family members telling stories of adventures past, while Daniel ran around under the radar (like the other kids).
Some one made a big mistake , called well dressed football playing Daniel 'GAY' .
And 6 men had to pull him away from the poor unfortunate fool, ..however... those six morons (sorry but when the bevvy's flow , some men can't just break up a lovers tiff they have to sink the boot in themselves) and after providing a face massage each, they then proceeded to re-arrange Daniels body and probably feel really proud of themselves.
Having cast aspersions on his sexuality, ribbing him, teasing the boy, because he dresses well and had all of the women dancing with him, because he has rhythm and can really move (if he can dance upright what can he do horizontally?) The big question.
His 'metro' behaviour sure upset the, flanny, no teeth , monosyllabic, limited imagination set
and Daniel was dragged across a table full of glasses : all of his back is sliced open. and his arm is cut from the wrist bone to his elbow. His head requires stitches and he was concussed .
Alcohol is a dangerous and vile beverage when a simple comment makes men behave so violently, spoil a birthday party and land a young man in hospital for defending his right to be , live, have fun , dance, enjoy the attention of women as much as they enjoy him, (he is a ladies man and in Brisbane night clubs moves among the girls and they love it!)
At Ayla's Birthday, he overheard some boy with a stick getting a little outa hand and stopped any nonsense, but this time, he was moving with the girls on the dance floor and parading his magnetism showing off to the bush pigs. they didn't like it and removed him.
Shame because then the boys went to hospital, Daniel vomited everywhere because of the concussion, had stitches in his arm and head, and his back is bandaged , no running for Daniel or weight lifting for a while, and as for dancing, Mc hammer crab is resting and recovering.
get better Daniel, at least you have a peaceful place in the bush to recover in, no smog, no pollution no worries.
Friday 22 June 2007
Demelza has an interesting and traumatic day at school
Once again the evening meal is enjoyed together and we discuss the events of the day.
Demelza produced a letter from the school, from her lap, ( no one leaves the table during meal times. not to collect art work or newsletters or anything, newsletters are not included in the family time we share over our evening meal, but Demelza convinced both Shaun and I to listen to the explanation).
The surprise on my face prompted her to say it's "ok mum ,just hang on, it's about something really important that happened at school today".
Bullying ,.blah, blah, blah. A child has been bullied for some years at the school, and having modern technology, called his dad when a particularly unsettling bout of bullying was in session.
In he olden days (before the wheel and mobile phones were invented , we would tell our folks after school, and they would say, Ill come and fix them up! you just go to the office and call me if it happens again, and I'll be there, in fact tomorrow I'm commin to the school and I'll sort out the principle!
Well, we live in the now!, and this boy called Dad and older Brother who came immediately and sorted out the bullying student with a few love taps, and a few teachers while they where at it and then the Police arrived and got a good sorting out to!
When the screaming stopped and the school was in a whole school assembly, one particularly silly boy, who thought he might jump on the "terrorism" bandwagon, and gesture to the police officers on stage, an act of violence with a weapon, a long arm or as it had a recoil .
The police officers didn't take the gesturing in fun in any way shape or form, and stepped outside with the lad (potential lawbreaking nuisance) for a little counselling.
It was unsettling for both students and teachers.
We have a right to expect to go to work in a safe secure environment, and not have to endure bullying, and the ugly consequences of some of the behaviours that once where common place and accepted as par for the course "a little bullying makes you grow".
So our evening meal became a bit of a challenge as we sorted through the effect on Demelza of this insecurity issue.
Thankfully the police will patrol the grounds and attempt to maintain some discipline and order.
The world is turning to shit.
And there is no point informing Demelza of "When I was a student", she retorts with "Back in the 80s", when no one had any rhythm and everything was covered in sugar and life was heaps slower and not much was gonna hurt you."
Now everything is harmful, there are no freedoms, and life is fast.
her observations of life now were kind of confirmed when we viewed catalyst.
The program was about The Heart. How pressure, stress, drinking to excess and smoking ciggies is no longer any good for you ( where is the fun of living now?) and I kinda felt my heart was breaking.
No fun any more, and the kids live in a shitty world of fear, at school , at the bus stop, any public space, forget the nuclear energy /war debate, and the doomsday clock, that we as kids concerned ourselves with , that is remote stuff, the kids are just dealing with the everyday trawl of bullies and police in the school, and ineffective policies in the education arena that can allow this travesty to occur in the first place!
I know the girls will be stronger for this experience and better equiped to manage themselves, and I now understand why Ayla and Seb won't return to Canberra.
Demelza produced a letter from the school, from her lap, ( no one leaves the table during meal times. not to collect art work or newsletters or anything, newsletters are not included in the family time we share over our evening meal, but Demelza convinced both Shaun and I to listen to the explanation).
The surprise on my face prompted her to say it's "ok mum ,just hang on, it's about something really important that happened at school today".
Bullying ,.blah, blah, blah. A child has been bullied for some years at the school, and having modern technology, called his dad when a particularly unsettling bout of bullying was in session.
In he olden days (before the wheel and mobile phones were invented , we would tell our folks after school, and they would say, Ill come and fix them up! you just go to the office and call me if it happens again, and I'll be there, in fact tomorrow I'm commin to the school and I'll sort out the principle!
Well, we live in the now!, and this boy called Dad and older Brother who came immediately and sorted out the bullying student with a few love taps, and a few teachers while they where at it and then the Police arrived and got a good sorting out to!
When the screaming stopped and the school was in a whole school assembly, one particularly silly boy, who thought he might jump on the "terrorism" bandwagon, and gesture to the police officers on stage, an act of violence with a weapon, a long arm or as it had a recoil .
The police officers didn't take the gesturing in fun in any way shape or form, and stepped outside with the lad (potential lawbreaking nuisance) for a little counselling.
It was unsettling for both students and teachers.
We have a right to expect to go to work in a safe secure environment, and not have to endure bullying, and the ugly consequences of some of the behaviours that once where common place and accepted as par for the course "a little bullying makes you grow".
So our evening meal became a bit of a challenge as we sorted through the effect on Demelza of this insecurity issue.
Thankfully the police will patrol the grounds and attempt to maintain some discipline and order.
The world is turning to shit.
And there is no point informing Demelza of "When I was a student", she retorts with "Back in the 80s", when no one had any rhythm and everything was covered in sugar and life was heaps slower and not much was gonna hurt you."
Now everything is harmful, there are no freedoms, and life is fast.
her observations of life now were kind of confirmed when we viewed catalyst.
The program was about The Heart. How pressure, stress, drinking to excess and smoking ciggies is no longer any good for you ( where is the fun of living now?) and I kinda felt my heart was breaking.
No fun any more, and the kids live in a shitty world of fear, at school , at the bus stop, any public space, forget the nuclear energy /war debate, and the doomsday clock, that we as kids concerned ourselves with , that is remote stuff, the kids are just dealing with the everyday trawl of bullies and police in the school, and ineffective policies in the education arena that can allow this travesty to occur in the first place!
I know the girls will be stronger for this experience and better equiped to manage themselves, and I now understand why Ayla and Seb won't return to Canberra.
Saturday 16 June 2007
Planning Day
Yesterday was spent at a local Club with the members of my team for "Planning Day".
Being new in this organisation, I wondered if I might be overzealous or trying to hard?, I have always believed enthusiasm is important and so I made plenty of contributions.
I learnt a great deal about my role in the organisation.
It was strictly business, and we had a tremendous amount of work to get through, and surprisingly we achieved it by 4.00pm. through loads of discussion, drafting up plans and re-evaluating our present process, and analysing the information.
By close of the meeting we all decided we had achieved above expectations .
A very fruit full and productive day.
Being new in this organisation, I wondered if I might be overzealous or trying to hard?, I have always believed enthusiasm is important and so I made plenty of contributions.
I learnt a great deal about my role in the organisation.
It was strictly business, and we had a tremendous amount of work to get through, and surprisingly we achieved it by 4.00pm. through loads of discussion, drafting up plans and re-evaluating our present process, and analysing the information.
By close of the meeting we all decided we had achieved above expectations .
A very fruit full and productive day.
Ishta and Ayla are both in Hospital!
I have two girls in hospital,
Ishta is in Canberra, with abdominal pain
She is on a morphine drip and pretty incoherent right now, the Health profffessionals are doing
some tests.
Evan phoned to inform me of developments and stayed at Ishta's bedside until he was invited to go and get some rest. He has kept me updated each day, of her progress, and at this point her recovery is slow, but we'll encourage her and talk at length about what could be upsetting her system so much, some times fresh eyes can uncover clues to a mystery, and this is certainly a mystery
And
Ayla has been taken to Toowoomba Hospital 2 hours from
Stanthorpe by Ambulance to have the bumps on her head read, she was hit by
a bottle on friday night, a tall beer bottle was thrown at her by some
youths in a passing car, she collapsed and was taken to Royal Brisbane
Hospital, and then discharged, saturday afternoon.
On Monday she fainted and an ambulance took her to the closest regional hospital and back again, she will be watched closely by
medical practitioners, for the next few days. The concern is a blood clot above her left eye is creating some nuisance for her, with dizzy spells recurring and headache.
The Girls are both so lucky to have partners who have the presence of mind to have called us the moment there was something wrong.
They are both lovely caring boys, and we are very proud to have them in our family.
I want to thank the medical staff who work so diligently putting people back together, we are so lucky and so very grateful.
Ishta is in Canberra, with abdominal pain
She is on a morphine drip and pretty incoherent right now, the Health profffessionals are doing
some tests.
Evan phoned to inform me of developments and stayed at Ishta's bedside until he was invited to go and get some rest. He has kept me updated each day, of her progress, and at this point her recovery is slow, but we'll encourage her and talk at length about what could be upsetting her system so much, some times fresh eyes can uncover clues to a mystery, and this is certainly a mystery
And
Ayla has been taken to Toowoomba Hospital 2 hours from
Stanthorpe by Ambulance to have the bumps on her head read, she was hit by
a bottle on friday night, a tall beer bottle was thrown at her by some
youths in a passing car, she collapsed and was taken to Royal Brisbane
Hospital, and then discharged, saturday afternoon.
On Monday she fainted and an ambulance took her to the closest regional hospital and back again, she will be watched closely by
medical practitioners, for the next few days. The concern is a blood clot above her left eye is creating some nuisance for her, with dizzy spells recurring and headache.
The Girls are both so lucky to have partners who have the presence of mind to have called us the moment there was something wrong.
They are both lovely caring boys, and we are very proud to have them in our family.
I want to thank the medical staff who work so diligently putting people back together, we are so lucky and so very grateful.
Queensland Wins the State of Origin series
Mr Cole and Demelza have a friendly wager over which state will win the
State Of Origin Challenge .
Demelza supports the New South Wales team and Mr Cole Queensland .
The wager is a Mars Bar.
Mr Cole will get two Mars Bars in the Mail by next week, as Queensland won both matches.
so a Mars Bar per win and one for taking the series.
There is always Next year and she says "we will win then".
She anticipates her Mars bar windfall.
Look out next year Mr Cole.!
State Of Origin Challenge .
Demelza supports the New South Wales team and Mr Cole Queensland .
The wager is a Mars Bar.
Mr Cole will get two Mars Bars in the Mail by next week, as Queensland won both matches.
so a Mars Bar per win and one for taking the series.
There is always Next year and she says "we will win then".
She anticipates her Mars bar windfall.
Look out next year Mr Cole.!
National schools week
Some weeks ago, Demelza was invited to participate in the
National Safe Schools Week Television Campaign.
As well as appearing on T.V, she received a wrist band, a drink bottle, writing pad and school Bag.
The campaign is about Safe schools and outlawing bullying.
Finally a National Campaign to stop Bullying at school !
We are becoming a Peace builders .
She was exited and of course we have recorded the advertisement
There is unfortunately too much bullying at school.. even in this enlightened age.
Ce'nedra is being bullied at Isabella.
Inside the classroom, a child painted Cenedra's uniform with yellow paint or permanent marker
on her back, great strips of yellow on her back, the teacher isn't aware of what is happening in the class.
A boy is throwing rocks at her, after school at the bus stop.
The other day, she was playing with a little friend while waiting for the bus home , and some children accused her of swearing at them , they told their accompanying adult , who then used disgusting language at both she and her friend, and this is outside the school grounds!! to a NINE year old!! What the??
In Glen Aplin, The teachers maintained their responsibility for the students of their School community until every child left the school grounds. A teacher was on duty at lunch time, interval periods, and at the bus stop after school ensuring the safety of students, Caring for their kids, no adults swearing outside the school grounds at the children there.
Demelza's school has it's own unique issues around bullying,
Teacher's who encourage bullying.
A girl in Dee's class was smacked on the rump by a boy, the teacher requested and apology for the girl, the boy refused, so the teacher invited the girl to smack him with a metal ruler!
Any day of the week, Demelza's school has visitors from neighbouring schools , to "bash" someone, sometimes the visitors drive into the school grounds, on to the tennis courts and playing fields, other times they walk into the school buildings searching for whom ever it is they want to cause harm to.
Yesterday, Demelza encountered two such visitors,from a school on the otherside of Canberra, and informed the nearest teacher, who shouted at the visitors, and then asked Demelza if the intruders had been smart to her?
To which Demelza said 'yes', and the teacher continued a tirade about being cheeky!?..
and told them to leave.
What did those kids learn from that I wonder?
What happened to being marched off to the office?...,parents called?, as the visitors were only 15 years old, and should have been at school,. ..The police involved, truancy, trespassing, criminal intent etc etc??
There is this huge incongruency and divide in guidlines. An inconsistent approach to guiding the kids of today.
Our civic leaders make war on others who are different for any number of tenuous reasons, so I suppose the children are only following their example, and it doesn't make for a safe secure place to live, when there doesn't seem to be any rules or consequences for misguided choices.
National Safe Schools Week Television Campaign.
As well as appearing on T.V, she received a wrist band, a drink bottle, writing pad and school Bag.
The campaign is about Safe schools and outlawing bullying.
Finally a National Campaign to stop Bullying at school !
We are becoming a Peace builders .
She was exited and of course we have recorded the advertisement
There is unfortunately too much bullying at school.. even in this enlightened age.
Ce'nedra is being bullied at Isabella.
Inside the classroom, a child painted Cenedra's uniform with yellow paint or permanent marker
on her back, great strips of yellow on her back, the teacher isn't aware of what is happening in the class.
A boy is throwing rocks at her, after school at the bus stop.
The other day, she was playing with a little friend while waiting for the bus home , and some children accused her of swearing at them , they told their accompanying adult , who then used disgusting language at both she and her friend, and this is outside the school grounds!! to a NINE year old!! What the??
In Glen Aplin, The teachers maintained their responsibility for the students of their School community until every child left the school grounds. A teacher was on duty at lunch time, interval periods, and at the bus stop after school ensuring the safety of students, Caring for their kids, no adults swearing outside the school grounds at the children there.
Demelza's school has it's own unique issues around bullying,
Teacher's who encourage bullying.
A girl in Dee's class was smacked on the rump by a boy, the teacher requested and apology for the girl, the boy refused, so the teacher invited the girl to smack him with a metal ruler!
Any day of the week, Demelza's school has visitors from neighbouring schools , to "bash" someone, sometimes the visitors drive into the school grounds, on to the tennis courts and playing fields, other times they walk into the school buildings searching for whom ever it is they want to cause harm to.
Yesterday, Demelza encountered two such visitors,from a school on the otherside of Canberra, and informed the nearest teacher, who shouted at the visitors, and then asked Demelza if the intruders had been smart to her?
To which Demelza said 'yes', and the teacher continued a tirade about being cheeky!?..
and told them to leave.
What did those kids learn from that I wonder?
What happened to being marched off to the office?...,parents called?, as the visitors were only 15 years old, and should have been at school,. ..The police involved, truancy, trespassing, criminal intent etc etc??
There is this huge incongruency and divide in guidlines. An inconsistent approach to guiding the kids of today.
Our civic leaders make war on others who are different for any number of tenuous reasons, so I suppose the children are only following their example, and it doesn't make for a safe secure place to live, when there doesn't seem to be any rules or consequences for misguided choices.
Thursday 7 June 2007
The Burglary!!
We were burgled on Sunday evening !
The Police came over last night to take our statements and information about what was stolen.
It is is sort of timely because leading up to this event, Demelza has been immersing herself in Oceans 11 and 12 and saying she wants to be a criminal mastermind!
At Dinner the other night, she asked if we would still like her if she stole from people?!!
Of course we said we would still like her, but would be uncomfortable with her behaviour.
I am guilty of closing the door and not locking anything up.
And neither Shaun nor I are not completely across what the insurance policies we have, actually cover.
So, Sunday evening, Demelza went to late lunch with Nanny and Paula.
Shaun, Cedie and I went to civic to Borders Books and to the pastry shop and came home.
We all converged on the front door together.
I opened the screen door and said to Demelza "why are you outside?... the door is open."
She says,"eh?" "Ive just got home" .
I do a double take.,
Shaun says "Did you close the door when you left this afternoon?"
I insist I did,..then I see the window is smashed and our belongings are strewn everywhere!
Our thieves must only be kids, because they took the portable DVD, without adapters for the car as they were thrown into the garden, the battery is flat and runs in the socket in front of car, and the ear phones were on the ground.
Demelzas phone also had a flat battery, it was laying on her bed, they stole it but didn't take the charger,and they stole some DVD's lord of the rings Harry Potter, and other movies:, Apocalypse now, usual suspects etc.
It is kind of disturbing. Demelza was very distressed to think someone had been through her "smalls" and rumaged through her belongings.
The paper delivery girl, is Demelzas little friend and saw the light on and heard shouting so she didn't come in to see Demelza so we have given that information to the police.
Pretty eventful and sad too, but Demelza doesn't want to be a thief anymore, I will shut and lock everything in future and Shaun and I are investigating what our insurance policy covers.
lessons in everything yeah?!
The two enormous police officers...
( they take up a lot of room, Policemen, like they have inflatable vests on or maybe it is just the jackets are full of paraphernalia walkie talkie, GPS, donuts (don't be rude!),
..said we are lucky they didn't take the computer and T.V etc.
My jewelery was on the bed, but may be they were spooked or didn't think they should take it, a twinge of conscience or something? I'm grateful they didn't take it the phone and portable DVD are replaceable but sentimental items aren't.
So we are lucky.
Anyway, never a dull moment!
The Police came over last night to take our statements and information about what was stolen.
It is is sort of timely because leading up to this event, Demelza has been immersing herself in Oceans 11 and 12 and saying she wants to be a criminal mastermind!
At Dinner the other night, she asked if we would still like her if she stole from people?!!
Of course we said we would still like her, but would be uncomfortable with her behaviour.
I am guilty of closing the door and not locking anything up.
And neither Shaun nor I are not completely across what the insurance policies we have, actually cover.
So, Sunday evening, Demelza went to late lunch with Nanny and Paula.
Shaun, Cedie and I went to civic to Borders Books and to the pastry shop and came home.
We all converged on the front door together.
I opened the screen door and said to Demelza "why are you outside?... the door is open."
She says,"eh?" "Ive just got home" .
I do a double take.,
Shaun says "Did you close the door when you left this afternoon?"
I insist I did,..then I see the window is smashed and our belongings are strewn everywhere!
Our thieves must only be kids, because they took the portable DVD, without adapters for the car as they were thrown into the garden, the battery is flat and runs in the socket in front of car, and the ear phones were on the ground.
Demelzas phone also had a flat battery, it was laying on her bed, they stole it but didn't take the charger,and they stole some DVD's lord of the rings Harry Potter, and other movies:, Apocalypse now, usual suspects etc.
It is kind of disturbing. Demelza was very distressed to think someone had been through her "smalls" and rumaged through her belongings.
The paper delivery girl, is Demelzas little friend and saw the light on and heard shouting so she didn't come in to see Demelza so we have given that information to the police.
Pretty eventful and sad too, but Demelza doesn't want to be a thief anymore, I will shut and lock everything in future and Shaun and I are investigating what our insurance policy covers.
lessons in everything yeah?!
The two enormous police officers...
( they take up a lot of room, Policemen, like they have inflatable vests on or maybe it is just the jackets are full of paraphernalia walkie talkie, GPS, donuts (don't be rude!),
..said we are lucky they didn't take the computer and T.V etc.
My jewelery was on the bed, but may be they were spooked or didn't think they should take it, a twinge of conscience or something? I'm grateful they didn't take it the phone and portable DVD are replaceable but sentimental items aren't.
So we are lucky.
Anyway, never a dull moment!
Ayla Returns To Stanthorpe
Ayla has been living it up in Brisbane.
Commuting between Stanthorpe and My Brothers house and Granddads place.
She and Tim have been alternating between town and country and partying, and working.
Ayla has had two jobs and working late into the evening arriving home after 8.30 pm.
Now Ayla has decided to return to Stanthorpe, and has been offered her old jobs back at Rockmans and IGA.
This weekend Tim and Ayla will collect her belongings from Jurgons house and take them back to Netties house.
It is, as I understand it, for 6 months, then she will go to Toowoomba to University, but what do I know? Ayla changes her mind so often, I just watch with interest now and agree with her, and encourage her, no point fighting her, she will find her feet.
Commuting between Stanthorpe and My Brothers house and Granddads place.
She and Tim have been alternating between town and country and partying, and working.
Ayla has had two jobs and working late into the evening arriving home after 8.30 pm.
Now Ayla has decided to return to Stanthorpe, and has been offered her old jobs back at Rockmans and IGA.
This weekend Tim and Ayla will collect her belongings from Jurgons house and take them back to Netties house.
It is, as I understand it, for 6 months, then she will go to Toowoomba to University, but what do I know? Ayla changes her mind so often, I just watch with interest now and agree with her, and encourage her, no point fighting her, she will find her feet.
New Job
I am just lovin this New Positon!
My new workplace is closer to home, and on the shores of Lake Tuggeranong, nice view,once again.
At AGL, I had a desk that overlooked the main street of Civic , Northbourne Avenue, across to Rydges past the Legislative assembly and down to Parliament house.
It was a pretty spectacular view!
And being in the centre of Canberra a very busy environment.
Now I have a more relaxed view, the lake on one side and the mountains on the other.
The pace is just as busy and I have a whole suite of new elements to absorb about the business.
The people are engaging and friendly and as I work in policy and finance I get to liaise with teams from lots of different departments.
It is exiting and challenging and I love it!
My new workplace is closer to home, and on the shores of Lake Tuggeranong, nice view,once again.
At AGL, I had a desk that overlooked the main street of Civic , Northbourne Avenue, across to Rydges past the Legislative assembly and down to Parliament house.
It was a pretty spectacular view!
And being in the centre of Canberra a very busy environment.
Now I have a more relaxed view, the lake on one side and the mountains on the other.
The pace is just as busy and I have a whole suite of new elements to absorb about the business.
The people are engaging and friendly and as I work in policy and finance I get to liaise with teams from lots of different departments.
It is exiting and challenging and I love it!
Tuesday 29 May 2007
My last day at work
Today I look back on 6 months with this company. Not a long time I'll admit, opportunity has Knocked and I am Moving on.
I have worked in lots of different environments and I have really enjoyed my time at this workplace. My colleagues are all really dedicated and customer satisfaction driven , And they care for each other like Ive never seen in a workplace before.
It has been a great pleasure for me working alongside these amazing individuals, I Will miss the camaraderie, but will always have fond memories of this fine bunch of people.
I have worked in lots of different environments and I have really enjoyed my time at this workplace. My colleagues are all really dedicated and customer satisfaction driven , And they care for each other like Ive never seen in a workplace before.
It has been a great pleasure for me working alongside these amazing individuals, I Will miss the camaraderie, but will always have fond memories of this fine bunch of people.
Sunday 27 May 2007
Calwell High Eistedford
Tuesday evening came and after work our car pool bunch grew, we took a colleague home who lives almost next door to the war memorial.
So I arrived home at 6.45 to be informed that we are all going to see Demelza dance.
Callwell High's Fundraising concert, for the Eisteddfod, and Demelza was a participant.
As Demelza had been ill, we were just going to send along a twenty dollar donation and stay home out of the cold weather.
I'm so glad we joined the other parents and friends of Callwell high to enjoy this wonderful evening’s entertainment.
So I arrived home at 6.45 to be informed that we are all going to see Demelza dance.
Callwell High's Fundraising concert, for the Eisteddfod, and Demelza was a participant.
As Demelza had been ill, we were just going to send along a twenty dollar donation and stay home out of the cold weather.
I'm so glad we joined the other parents and friends of Callwell high to enjoy this wonderful evening’s entertainment.
Saturday 19 May 2007
Sebastian and the piglets
Out on the farm, it's never laid back ! Always something to do.
Sebastians leg has healed very well and just in time, he needs to be chasing after both Rocky and 8 piglets!
The sow was farrrowing last weeekend and procuced 8 piglets, Seb says they are so cute and curious, and rocky doesn't know what to make of them! They grunt at him and he grunts back.
Seb thinks he'll keep one as a friend for Rocky and he'll call him Norman.
How they will both fit on the front of the motor bike is a mystery though.
At the moment Rocky sits up with Seb, pouch style or bounds alongside keeping pace as Seb doesn't travel to quickly. But I'm not sure about having both the pig and the roo on the bike!
As they grow there won't be any room for seb!
He may have to resurect the push bike trailer he welded together when he was fifteen.
Seb wanted a part time Job mowing lawns. So he and a mate welded up a couple of trailers for the push bikes, so they could transport the lawn mowers and rakes to each job.
It was a huge success!
The Girls and their little friends loved visiting us in the afternoons after school , to get rides in the trailers.
And it might just be worth digging out of the shed to cart Norman and Rocky behind the trail bike and the ride on mower !
Can't wait for the pictures!
Sebastians leg has healed very well and just in time, he needs to be chasing after both Rocky and 8 piglets!
The sow was farrrowing last weeekend and procuced 8 piglets, Seb says they are so cute and curious, and rocky doesn't know what to make of them! They grunt at him and he grunts back.
Seb thinks he'll keep one as a friend for Rocky and he'll call him Norman.
How they will both fit on the front of the motor bike is a mystery though.
At the moment Rocky sits up with Seb, pouch style or bounds alongside keeping pace as Seb doesn't travel to quickly. But I'm not sure about having both the pig and the roo on the bike!
As they grow there won't be any room for seb!
He may have to resurect the push bike trailer he welded together when he was fifteen.
Seb wanted a part time Job mowing lawns. So he and a mate welded up a couple of trailers for the push bikes, so they could transport the lawn mowers and rakes to each job.
It was a huge success!
The Girls and their little friends loved visiting us in the afternoons after school , to get rides in the trailers.
And it might just be worth digging out of the shed to cart Norman and Rocky behind the trail bike and the ride on mower !
Can't wait for the pictures!
May Day or Union Day in Queensland
Union Day or labour Day is the 1st of May in Queensland.
The great march through the city to the parkland's at Musgrave park in South Brisbane.
A day to celebrate the rights won for workers, and a day to air grievances and demands from the bosses, to better improve conditions in the workplace.
The camaraderie of workers early in the morning readying themselves for the march holding banners donning shirts and hats and calling out in one voice, shouting with all their hearts the demands of the workers for each union.
I LOVE IT!!
We join our comrades on the march, get a new wardrobe of free T shirts, shout the message, shake a banner at the Premier as he greets the workers at the entrance to the park, hand over the banner, and the fun begins...
Free rides for the kids, jumpy castle, roller coaster and various other carnival rides,...
Free food, burgers kebabs etcetera, and free drinks; lemonade, coke and beer and wine, all because we paid our union dues.
A truly magic day, relax to live music entertainment, and the enjoy the speeches from the various Unions.
A tremendous way to spend the public holiday, I want my holiday!!
No holiday in Canberra, no march no nothing,
One Country, different celebrations, different holidays , It is pretty strange.
The great march through the city to the parkland's at Musgrave park in South Brisbane.
A day to celebrate the rights won for workers, and a day to air grievances and demands from the bosses, to better improve conditions in the workplace.
The camaraderie of workers early in the morning readying themselves for the march holding banners donning shirts and hats and calling out in one voice, shouting with all their hearts the demands of the workers for each union.
I LOVE IT!!
We join our comrades on the march, get a new wardrobe of free T shirts, shout the message, shake a banner at the Premier as he greets the workers at the entrance to the park, hand over the banner, and the fun begins...
Free rides for the kids, jumpy castle, roller coaster and various other carnival rides,...
Free food, burgers kebabs etcetera, and free drinks; lemonade, coke and beer and wine, all because we paid our union dues.
A truly magic day, relax to live music entertainment, and the enjoy the speeches from the various Unions.
A tremendous way to spend the public holiday, I want my holiday!!
No holiday in Canberra, no march no nothing,
One Country, different celebrations, different holidays , It is pretty strange.
Tuesday 15 May 2007
Mothers Day
This year for my day, we drove to Batemans bay for a couple of hours.
Stopping at the small village of Braidwood, on the way, to enjoy a lunch of potato topped pies and visit the lollie shop.
An olde worlde shop with lollies in jars .
It took ages to make a selection, and finally we were on our way.
The stretch of highway, between Canberra and Batemans bay, has stuffed toy animals tied to trees, bears of all shapes and sizes, snakes, and koala' s and even an enormos gorilla.
The Beach was beautiful, and unspoilt. the stretch we chose to visit was a cove with Neptune's necklace to squirt at each other, and millions of shells to collect.
Cedie went searching for fossils, and demelza wrote her name with ochre.
We found crabs and worms and snails.
We enjoyed fish and chips from a popular shop, and the remainder of the chips we fed the seagulls and pelicans.
At home demelza made a bracelet for me from shells she had collected.
A wonderful day with perfect weather.
Stopping at the small village of Braidwood, on the way, to enjoy a lunch of potato topped pies and visit the lollie shop.
An olde worlde shop with lollies in jars .
It took ages to make a selection, and finally we were on our way.
The stretch of highway, between Canberra and Batemans bay, has stuffed toy animals tied to trees, bears of all shapes and sizes, snakes, and koala' s and even an enormos gorilla.
The Beach was beautiful, and unspoilt. the stretch we chose to visit was a cove with Neptune's necklace to squirt at each other, and millions of shells to collect.
Cedie went searching for fossils, and demelza wrote her name with ochre.
We found crabs and worms and snails.
We enjoyed fish and chips from a popular shop, and the remainder of the chips we fed the seagulls and pelicans.
At home demelza made a bracelet for me from shells she had collected.
A wonderful day with perfect weather.
Thursday 10 May 2007
Now I'm An Aussie!
What a truly wonderful evening.
The lions of woden really know how to put on a do.
A very intimate welcoming evening,spent in the company of some of Canberra's most distinguised of community members.
Lions club members were seated at each table to guide each of us through the ceremony.
I had the pleasure of the company of lion Ron who is District President for youth
and has an Order of Australia !.. very distinguished company indeed.
He chatted about lions club and the work he has been involved in, we discussed the meetings and general business just to convey to us an idea of the role Lions plays in providng community assistance.
As well as this distinguished company my beautiful family joined me, Mum and Shaun Demelza and Cenedra.I received congratulatory messages from the kids who couldn't attend through the evening, and Dad had flown back to Queensland early in the morning.
We were able to take lots of photos with the lions members and the speaker of the legislative Asssembly and had a thoroughly enjoyable meal and ceremony.
I affirmed my alliegence to Australia with 4 other new Aussies and the remaining 20 people swore on the bible.
If you havent attended a ceremony like this but you know someone who is becoming a citizen,join them for the evening, it is a fabulous opportunity to really feel a sense of Aussie community.
Thank you Lions club Woden for this introduction to Aussie welcoming hospitality.
The lions of woden really know how to put on a do.
A very intimate welcoming evening,spent in the company of some of Canberra's most distinguised of community members.
Lions club members were seated at each table to guide each of us through the ceremony.
I had the pleasure of the company of lion Ron who is District President for youth
and has an Order of Australia !.. very distinguished company indeed.
He chatted about lions club and the work he has been involved in, we discussed the meetings and general business just to convey to us an idea of the role Lions plays in providng community assistance.
As well as this distinguished company my beautiful family joined me, Mum and Shaun Demelza and Cenedra.I received congratulatory messages from the kids who couldn't attend through the evening, and Dad had flown back to Queensland early in the morning.
We were able to take lots of photos with the lions members and the speaker of the legislative Asssembly and had a thoroughly enjoyable meal and ceremony.
I affirmed my alliegence to Australia with 4 other new Aussies and the remaining 20 people swore on the bible.
If you havent attended a ceremony like this but you know someone who is becoming a citizen,join them for the evening, it is a fabulous opportunity to really feel a sense of Aussie community.
Thank you Lions club Woden for this introduction to Aussie welcoming hospitality.
Australian Citizen ship
Today I become an Australian Citizen.
I remember when my parents became citizens, it was during the Bejelke years and my mum, worked for the public service,
It had been rumoured that the government would soon change the law and deport all the kiwis.
Scare tactics and conspiricy theories can make you do some interesting things.
The evening I attended with my parents and younger brother was one of expectation and celebration.
New Australians from many places in the world gathered in the town hall in Brisbane to take the oath of aliegiance alongside each other .
We celebrated our new Australians in the family, and I wished I had been apart of thier decision to join the australian comunity with them. At the time however I was a new bride and had other things to occupy me and cloud my judgement.
Over the last 20 years I have attended a number of naturalisation ceremonies, on Australia Day,
In Redcliffe, Ishta would join talented individuals celebrating the naturalisation process in song, dance and instrumental recital.
singing in the choir for our new Australians, at the performing Arts center, and we as the audience, participated in the welcoming ceremony.
Over the Years the children have asked why I am not an aussie and When will I become an aussie and now I finally get to be and Aussie.
I now have my turn to be recognised as an Australian citizen.
This evening I join others who have reached this point in their lives and accept the responsibilities and obligations required of us as Australian citizens.
I'm extited and honored and looking forward to celebrating with a meal of Australias national dish TOAST!!! ha ha ha.
I remember when my parents became citizens, it was during the Bejelke years and my mum, worked for the public service,
It had been rumoured that the government would soon change the law and deport all the kiwis.
Scare tactics and conspiricy theories can make you do some interesting things.
The evening I attended with my parents and younger brother was one of expectation and celebration.
New Australians from many places in the world gathered in the town hall in Brisbane to take the oath of aliegiance alongside each other .
We celebrated our new Australians in the family, and I wished I had been apart of thier decision to join the australian comunity with them. At the time however I was a new bride and had other things to occupy me and cloud my judgement.
Over the last 20 years I have attended a number of naturalisation ceremonies, on Australia Day,
In Redcliffe, Ishta would join talented individuals celebrating the naturalisation process in song, dance and instrumental recital.
singing in the choir for our new Australians, at the performing Arts center, and we as the audience, participated in the welcoming ceremony.
Over the Years the children have asked why I am not an aussie and When will I become an aussie and now I finally get to be and Aussie.
I now have my turn to be recognised as an Australian citizen.
This evening I join others who have reached this point in their lives and accept the responsibilities and obligations required of us as Australian citizens.
I'm extited and honored and looking forward to celebrating with a meal of Australias national dish TOAST!!! ha ha ha.
Sunday 6 May 2007
Demelza Blitzes her Subjects and gets Great Marks!
It is not like she could produce anything but great results.
Thanks to the tremendous skills given to her by Mr Cole and the teachers at Glen Aplin.
Demelza persevered with the shenanagins at school, she said the kids aren't dumb they just think it is kewel to behave in a socially unacceptable manner and bullying is the norm!
Country Queensland may be considered a bit challenged by some metro types with more choices available to them, but as far as teaching consideration for others and getting on with the job of learning and absorbing information they certainly don't ease off the job.
Glen Aplin is a Peace builders school, and the students are given tools to engage in encouraging accepting behavious that go further than just teaching tolerance.
Armed with these tools the kids don't have to behave in negative play or against authority, because they learn that they have the authority, the world is what they make it, they are given choices and time to reflect on the outcomes of different choices, The result is everyone supports and encourages and gets on with it.
The challenge for the staff at Demelzas school, is to find a pathway to get the kids interested in learning and help them understand what choices are available if they listen and spend time completeing the school work.So few of demelzas peers complete anything required and copy each others work rather than research or think for themselves.
It is as though they just turn up to while away the day, it is a real shame.
Demelza just wishes there were more Mr Coles and Mrs Tullochs.
Demelza is, I guess, naturally curious and she wants to excell and learn as much as she can.She shares her skills too, McCormac ball is a favourite, taught to her by the sports teacher in Stanthorpe: any ball game, Mr Macs rules. ( The adaptation now is Demelzas rules)
She has had no basic scientific knowledge taught to her, as biology and chemistry are taught in high school in Qld which is grade 8.
But in Canberra high school begins with grade 7, so she has missed a year of high school, but topped the class in every subject!
Congratulations DEE the hard work is paying off!
Thanks to the tremendous skills given to her by Mr Cole and the teachers at Glen Aplin.
Demelza persevered with the shenanagins at school, she said the kids aren't dumb they just think it is kewel to behave in a socially unacceptable manner and bullying is the norm!
Country Queensland may be considered a bit challenged by some metro types with more choices available to them, but as far as teaching consideration for others and getting on with the job of learning and absorbing information they certainly don't ease off the job.
Glen Aplin is a Peace builders school, and the students are given tools to engage in encouraging accepting behavious that go further than just teaching tolerance.
Armed with these tools the kids don't have to behave in negative play or against authority, because they learn that they have the authority, the world is what they make it, they are given choices and time to reflect on the outcomes of different choices, The result is everyone supports and encourages and gets on with it.
The challenge for the staff at Demelzas school, is to find a pathway to get the kids interested in learning and help them understand what choices are available if they listen and spend time completeing the school work.So few of demelzas peers complete anything required and copy each others work rather than research or think for themselves.
It is as though they just turn up to while away the day, it is a real shame.
Demelza just wishes there were more Mr Coles and Mrs Tullochs.
Demelza is, I guess, naturally curious and she wants to excell and learn as much as she can.She shares her skills too, McCormac ball is a favourite, taught to her by the sports teacher in Stanthorpe: any ball game, Mr Macs rules. ( The adaptation now is Demelzas rules)
She has had no basic scientific knowledge taught to her, as biology and chemistry are taught in high school in Qld which is grade 8.
But in Canberra high school begins with grade 7, so she has missed a year of high school, but topped the class in every subject!
Congratulations DEE the hard work is paying off!
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