Friday evening and Ayla and her cousin returned to Stanthorpe to attend the agricultural show.
I received a call from Shaun that Ayla had been escorted by security guards from the show grounds.!
She had been a passenger on a ride in sideshow alley when the contents of her open handbag became airborne and at the same time potentially dangerous projectiles, her phone makeup, wallet etc all exited and flew around the grounds.
When the ride finished, Ayla went exploring underneath the ride collecting her belongings, when she tripped over a lead, the one that provides the power to the ride, ..the one responsible for movement lights and sound!! ........then in the dark, the screaming started!
The ride had stopped !, and Ayla stumbling around under the ride for her phone and belongings, became the center of attention for security guards.
She was indignant about being escorted from the show grounds , "they were so cross with me" she wailed "and i don't know why , no one was hurt."
oh another Ayla moment.
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
A School for Cedie
The layout of the office at Isabella Plains school is open, friendly, child focused, brightly coloured, comfortable with its cosy seating nook and coffee table, displaying work the students have completed and the school achievements.
I was relieved.
Cedie, however, had taken on my negativity and was unsure that this school would provide what we were looking for.
The office manager offered a cup of tea and Ii found her friendliness reassuring , The Principal arrived and with an exited flourish introduced herself and we began a tour of the school.
Cedie's classroom and play areas, the hall, science facilities and computer lab. By the end of the tour we had learnt about the caring school community very like the one we had come from in Glen Aplin, Stanthorpe.I have no reservations about staying in Canberra now that Cedie will be OK at school. Her Principal has a Blue tongue lizard just like Cedie, so they compared notes on feeding and general habitat maintenance and got along together just fine.
Next stop Demelza's School.
I was relieved.
Cedie, however, had taken on my negativity and was unsure that this school would provide what we were looking for.
The office manager offered a cup of tea and Ii found her friendliness reassuring , The Principal arrived and with an exited flourish introduced herself and we began a tour of the school.
Cedie's classroom and play areas, the hall, science facilities and computer lab. By the end of the tour we had learnt about the caring school community very like the one we had come from in Glen Aplin, Stanthorpe.I have no reservations about staying in Canberra now that Cedie will be OK at school. Her Principal has a Blue tongue lizard just like Cedie, so they compared notes on feeding and general habitat maintenance and got along together just fine.
Next stop Demelza's School.
Investigating schools
The girls and I have spent the day researching school in the area to see which schools take our fancy.
I had taken a day off work and they were exited and ready to investigate the possibilities.
Our first stop was Bonython State School.
Cenedra has been looking forward to starting at this school as it is close to home, within riding distance, and she has familiarised herself with the playground and bike tracks and classroom layout.
We stood together in the foyer and introduced ourselves to the office manager.Telling her our story and the subjects Cenedra is interested in, and asking what the focus of the school is and the subjects available.
Our Questions were about class sizes, excursions, visitors to the school , arts council, an instrumental program, lote etc, all the things a child needs to know about what is on offer at the school .
Well, every time we asked a question, the office manger had a negative response we don't do it, we don't offer it, our class sizes are 30 to 33 students in a class......that was enough for me, Ce'nedra chimed in with 'It will be OK mummy there will be a teacher aide"but the office manger said "only if there is a child with special needs" in the classroom.
I cried in the car, and had to settle down before we went on to our next school, So i wasn't the confident role model the girls needed.
I had taken a day off work and they were exited and ready to investigate the possibilities.
Our first stop was Bonython State School.
Cenedra has been looking forward to starting at this school as it is close to home, within riding distance, and she has familiarised herself with the playground and bike tracks and classroom layout.
We stood together in the foyer and introduced ourselves to the office manager.Telling her our story and the subjects Cenedra is interested in, and asking what the focus of the school is and the subjects available.
Our Questions were about class sizes, excursions, visitors to the school , arts council, an instrumental program, lote etc, all the things a child needs to know about what is on offer at the school .
Well, every time we asked a question, the office manger had a negative response we don't do it, we don't offer it, our class sizes are 30 to 33 students in a class......that was enough for me, Ce'nedra chimed in with 'It will be OK mummy there will be a teacher aide"but the office manger said "only if there is a child with special needs" in the classroom.
I cried in the car, and had to settle down before we went on to our next school, So i wasn't the confident role model the girls needed.
whirlwind weekend
The aftermath of the party has left Stanthorpe with a sore head. Hundred twenty teens in one venue drinking and misbehaving and generally running amok. Ayla has left for the big smoke' Brisbane' to look for a job. good luck Ayla, this is a child who throws herself into everything she does, and people love her, because she is capable and personable and she listens well and gets on with it.She shouldn't have any trouble.
Shaun has had a weekend of family and drunk teens to keep him from painting . Once he has rested after such a huge weekend he can probably continue to paint or pack more of our belongings to bring them with him to Canberra, I hope the weather holds.
Shaun has had a weekend of family and drunk teens to keep him from painting . Once he has rested after such a huge weekend he can probably continue to paint or pack more of our belongings to bring them with him to Canberra, I hope the weather holds.
Sunday, 28 January 2007
Ayla Turns Eighteen
Yesterday Ayla partied with family and friends to celebrate her eligibility to vote and drink alcohol and if she chose to, to die for her country.
Eighteen years of ridiculous statements and silly questions what we coined "Ayla Moments" .
Last night hundred twenty revellers celebrated with her at the Ballandean soccer club from 5pm till 5am some very sore heads in Stanthorpe today.
My son Sebastian broke his collar bone playing soccer early in the evening, and had to spend some time in What Shaun calls "the family chairs" at the hospital .
A few of the young men learnt some valuable lessons in etiquette at parties, from Sebastian and his best Pal Daniel.
Young men in Stanthorpe, at parties get inebriated and then tease each other till they fight,.. well after a little tease, Daniel wasn't having any one fighting, he stopped all possibility of fighting, by punching the cheekiest and loudest of the young men ,the ring leader if you like.
He was unconscious for some time and remained quiet for the duration of the party.So as I understand it a reasonably quiet night.
Happy Birthday Ayla.
We hope you had a sensational time.
Happy Birthday Ayla.
We hope you had a sensational time.
Saturday, 27 January 2007
fireworks over the National Capital
Our excursion to the dinosaur museum ended on a high note. we stopped over the commonwealth bridge, parked in the median strip, and walked the hundred metres to the edge of lake Burly Griffin as the sun was going down. The concert on the opposite shore was spectacle of vibrant colour and lively party music.
We sat between Australians of the year 1994 and 95 and watched people walk up and down reading about previous recipients of that great honour.
Ce'nedra went off to climb trees until it became dark .
It wasn't long before the aeroplanes flew over and at last sky divers floated down marking the beginning of the Show.
Jet skiers with pyrotechnics attached to their backs, zoomed past the crowds, and an expectant crowd showed their appreciation instantly, and were rewarded with an amazing display of lights colours and sounds from the bridge to our left and directly in front on a barge.
Electricity filled the air, So this is Australia day celebrated the Canberra way.
The most civilised of all Australia Day functions I have ever participated in and highly recommend it, Come and join in the spectacle and see how it is done.
We sat between Australians of the year 1994 and 95 and watched people walk up and down reading about previous recipients of that great honour.
Ce'nedra went off to climb trees until it became dark .
It wasn't long before the aeroplanes flew over and at last sky divers floated down marking the beginning of the Show.
Jet skiers with pyrotechnics attached to their backs, zoomed past the crowds, and an expectant crowd showed their appreciation instantly, and were rewarded with an amazing display of lights colours and sounds from the bridge to our left and directly in front on a barge.
Electricity filled the air, So this is Australia day celebrated the Canberra way.
The most civilised of all Australia Day functions I have ever participated in and highly recommend it, Come and join in the spectacle and see how it is done.
Maybe I am a dinosaur
The girls and my Mum and Paula, went off to the Dinosaur museum. Dinosaurs in the dark.
This is an informative and unique experience , I would recommend to anyone with a paleontology interest.
It really isn't for babies, although parents seem to consider their infants and toddlers of an age to absorb the complex differences in Latin names for dinosaurs . Small children explore with their mouths and sticky hands and dismantle displays and then screech and cry and grizzle.
Oh, its just too delightful, trying to hear our host and information presenter, over the dinn of 6 infants, either hungry, dirty, frightened, excitedly exploring the dioramas and going where no visitor has gone before.
And then there are the doting parents, who are equally ridiculously noisy, the cacophony of, shhhh, don't do that! , don't touch, come back here!, sit up!, my son wants to ask a question!, are they alive? and the running around after small children, I was completely worn out!
At the end of it I had a few Latin names of my own ,for what should be Extinct delinquent parents.
Researchers are constantly discovering new aspects of how dinosaurs probably appeared and their behaviours but sadly totally lost on so many of our companions on the journey through time the other evening.
If you are a parent of a dinosaur loving toddler, keep it simple won't you? don't inflict them on a paying public.
They just don't have the attention span required to participate in a discussion filled with words bigger than ugg and ooh and potty and dog and dada.
This is an informative and unique experience , I would recommend to anyone with a paleontology interest.
It really isn't for babies, although parents seem to consider their infants and toddlers of an age to absorb the complex differences in Latin names for dinosaurs . Small children explore with their mouths and sticky hands and dismantle displays and then screech and cry and grizzle.
Oh, its just too delightful, trying to hear our host and information presenter, over the dinn of 6 infants, either hungry, dirty, frightened, excitedly exploring the dioramas and going where no visitor has gone before.
And then there are the doting parents, who are equally ridiculously noisy, the cacophony of, shhhh, don't do that! , don't touch, come back here!, sit up!, my son wants to ask a question!, are they alive? and the running around after small children, I was completely worn out!
At the end of it I had a few Latin names of my own ,for what should be Extinct delinquent parents.
Researchers are constantly discovering new aspects of how dinosaurs probably appeared and their behaviours but sadly totally lost on so many of our companions on the journey through time the other evening.
If you are a parent of a dinosaur loving toddler, keep it simple won't you? don't inflict them on a paying public.
They just don't have the attention span required to participate in a discussion filled with words bigger than ugg and ooh and potty and dog and dada.
Life in Aus capital takes shape
I joined a team of eager hopefuls as a customer service representative for Australian Gas and Light company . Eager because there is so much to learn about this company, it is dynamic and interesting and has a voracious appetite for growth.
The workplace is open with a great view over the city, has terrific facilities and the atmosphere is exiting, friendly and vibrant . I am loving it!
The workplace is open with a great view over the city, has terrific facilities and the atmosphere is exiting, friendly and vibrant . I am loving it!
Shaun and Ayla return to Stanthorpe
Shaun and Ayla have gone home.
Shaun is painting our house on the vineyard while the weather lasts.
I asked Ayla if she is helping Dad and her answer came,
" He won't let me help anymore, because I accidentally painted my name on the wall,......"!
Ayla has a talent for being ridiculous, it also allows her to control what she participates in, and in this case it is painting that she is choosing not to be involved in.
Oh to be 17 and this wise and wayward at the same time.
Friday, 12 January 2007
The Decimation of a Wildlife Area
Across the road is flattened!, the heavy machines have made short work of the Nature that "was at our door".
No more wombats, kangaroos or fishing. I guess they will dredge and pave the pond so that the residents can put shopping trolley fish in it and coke bottle dolphins, to bob and play in amongst the plastic bag weeds and broken glass anemone.
I enjoyed the company of my mothers Friends last night at dinner and we discussed global injustices, environmental and social, in third world countries how can we help? We all questioned
But in reality...
We can't even save a wombat living right across the road!
How can we even imagine involving ourselves in global politics.
"There was no consultation about across the road.
Two months the sign has been up 'Designated for future development'
But we live such busy lives journeying to our goals neglecting our immediate environment, and the impact our daily decisions has on our surroundings,and before we know it, we've achieved our goals, but there is nowhere left to sustain our well being.
Perhaps I complain to much.
On the bus this morning people were talking about the development, My Neighbour wondered how far they would encroach on 'Pine Island' a nature reserve.
It seems this is the Big yellow taxi song all over again;
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
The pay paradise,
put up a parking lot. Or in this case a suburb.
Welcome,
To the ever expanding ,dynamic Cosmopolitan Metropolis that is Canberra and the dust bowl that is now across the road where the park used to be.
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