Ginger Ninja.... BENINJA!

This post is to satisfy my mum... hehe. Hi mum. xo


Well... it has been a while since my last proper post. I have some time on my hands, with holidays and all, so i guess now is a good time to update. Probably a lot has happened since i last filled you in. School/Work; we had an end of year concert with the kids which actually went really well. I wish i could post photos/videos - but with privacy issues it's unfortunately impossible. The kids did fantastically well - and there were no real dramas on the night... so i would say it was a success. By the end of school Michelle was all packed up and ready to jet off to India for her hiking trips around India and also through the Himalayas. It was the end of an era seeing her leave the Meningie house - we taught together the entire year, lived together, ate together, laughed together.... cried together. I mean, it's not like we will never see each other again... but it won't ever be the same as it was this year. However, without getting too weepy, it was great having her there to talk to through 2010. It's been a huge/insane/intense year to say the least. Also, i'm happy to report that Michelle posted a message on her facebook saying that Darren proposed to her on one of the lakes near the Himalayas, so a big congratulations to them right across the interweb ^.^


Also, before school ended, i was VERY fortunate to be maid of honour for my best friend's wedding - which included organising the hen's night! The hen's night, or should i say weekend, was great - lots of laughs and loves, all with the amazing backdrop of the middleton beaches. Fantastic little weekend away. The goings on are all staying under wraps, hehehe, so i can't really post any other pics or bits of information. It shall be a weekend to remember. Not long after that it was the day of the wedding! It was absolutely beautiful - Nikki looked so completely amazing, Christian looked very handsome indeed, and the weather on the day was practically perfect. Carrick Hill was a great spot - i'd never been there before, but it was really wonderful standing under the huge tree! The reception was great too - i will definitely put more pictures up once the professional ones come through.

Other than that, i am now on holidays for Christmas and New Years, which is awesome. I'm spending most of my time at Michael's place, getting ready for Christmas which i think should be good fun. Sorry this update is not all that interesting -i'm not feeling particularly inspired tonight - i'm a little tired.... but before i go i have my most exciting news yet... I HAVE A NEW KITTEN!!!

He is absolutely adorable: Ginger Ninja Benji Hollywood the First (or just Benji for short). He is a little bit timid still - he doesn't really like loud noises, but i think that's just him getting used to the house and the people. Hopefully he will grow to be a bit more confident. He's very independent other than that - struts around the house finding little nooks and crannies to investigate... he very much enjoys licking the shower floor, and really enjoys snuggling into his blue rug on the window sill and watching all the birds fly past outside. He has quite long fur, so i'm sure he's going to be verrryyy fluffy when he's older, but he likes being brushed, so hopefully we won't have too much trouble with matted fur. At the moment he is sleeping in my lap looking very cute. He constantly purrs..... Ponyo would have loved him.

Anyway, time for sleep now! Waaaay past bed time. Bye for now! ^.^

saw this on someone's facebook status...

So let me get this straight - Larry King is getting his 8th divorce, Elizabeth Taylor is possibly getting married for a 9th time, Britney Spears had a 55 hour marriage. Jesse James and Tiger Woods are screwing EVERYTHING, yet the idea of same-sex marriage is going to destroy the institution of marriage?? Really? REALLY......??

Repost to your page if you agree - Proud to support equal rights for ALL

i...

want.

i do, i do, i... don't?

A while ago, i spent a night with a few girlfriends discussing and researching our favourite engagements rings. It started as 'i would never say yes to...' and ended with 'i couldn't say no to...' I also have had a few conversations with my family, and even Michael, about rings of the marriage variety...
We came up with a few varying ideas on what we did and didn't like.....

So i thought i would share some of our findings!

I would never say yes to....

(That last one is the ring that Edward gave Bella in Eclipse. No way i would say yes to that ring... vampire or no vampire....)

I couldn't say no to...

I'm a sucker for the antique style filigree rings... ^.^ But those three are all delicious. The very top one is my favourite i think. Of course, we all came to the conclusion that the ring doesn't really mean a whole lot in comparison to the person asking us... and how much we would love them - but it's still nice to be girly and think about these kinds of things!

hmm...

Michelle and I are sitting in the lounge room talking about little Ponyo. I went into my room and got my spiritual diary, which has quotes and inspirational messages which you are supposed to read and then meditate on each day. Every few days there is a new theme in the book, for example, May = loyalty, August = meditation, September = effort, etc. I looked up Friday 15th October, the night that Ponyo died. Here is what it said:

Courage.
Do not take life's experiences too seriously. Above all, do not let them hurt you, for in reality they are nothing but dream experiences... If circumstances are bad and you have to bear them, do not make them a part of yourself. Play your part in life, but never forget it is only a role. What you lose in the world will not be a loss to your soul. Trust in God and destroy fear, which paralyzes all efforts to succeed and attracts the very thing you fear. (Paramahansa Yogananda)

It seems strangely appropriate...
On another note, here is the video i made for Ponyo.

"he's mummy's baby... he's mummy's boy..."

Oct. 2009 - 15th Oct. 2010

Ponyo

• the cute noise he made when he saw a bird outside the window
• the not so cute noise he made when he was about to throw up
• sitting quietly in the back seat on the way to-and-from Meningie
• lying between Michael and i on the bed
  
• putting his head on the pillow and sleeping like he was a human
• fighting with the toy tiger
• the cute little tingle of his bell when i called him for dinner
• sleeping on the top of the mattress leaning against the wall
• sleeping in my armpit
• sitting on the edge of the sink/bath and watching the dripping tap for hours
• stretching his paws out to touch me on my mouth
• stretching his paws out just so he could touch you
  
• rolling over and waiting for a belly rub (just like a dog)
• checking if i was alive (when i was sleeping) by sticking his mouth right on my mouth (to check for breathing?)
• coming and sitting right with me when i was crying/upset
• making friends with stray cats (Patches, Cloud, Boof, etc.)
• making 'cat haters' into 'ponyo lovers'
• meowing at the door when he wanted to come in
• sleeping under the computer desk in the very corner of the room
• sleeping on the edge of the laptop (where the hot air comes out)
• resting his head right on your arm/hand when he was sitting in your lap (even if his neck was stretched out and uncomfortable)
• jumping up onto the window sill and watching the birds/street
• alwaaaayyysss walking in front of the computer screen - only if you were actually wanting to LOOK at the computer screen though.
• never eating his food unless someone walked him to the bowl and stood there with him
• climbing up trees and pretending to be stuck so we all worried about him (perhaps just to show us how high he could climb)
  
• chasing pinecones at mum's house
• learning how to open the kitchen door at Michael's house
  
• leaving muddy footprints all over my washing machine (after coming in through the window)
• always finding the warmest spot in the room to sit
• drinking the spilled water after i watered my plants with the carp fertilizer
• drinking out of the half-drunk cups of water next to my bed
• waiting for me in the bathroom as i showered... and then going in after i was finished to lick the water off the ground
• purring realllllyyyy loudly... and then gradually getting quieter and quieter as he fell asleep... then finally giving out a greattt big sigh and falling asleep.
• leaning his head down gently and pushing it against yours - forehead-to-forehead - when you bent down to give him cuddles
• always letting me kiss him all over his face and never getting annoyed with me
• sleeping in the beanbag with the tiger toy
• almost being sat on whenever he sat on Michael's black computer chair (but trusting that you wouldn't...)
  
• exploring everywhere he went... finding his way into almost any place possible... and even places seemingly impossible... including every roof in Meningie (most likely)
• his little white G-String, and his little white armpits... and the tiny little white tufts of hair that were hidden on the inside of his paws...
  
• actually letting me play with his paws enough for me to discover the hidden white tufts
• keeping me company whenever i was on my own at Meningie
• blinking one eye
• always wanting to eat human food... (and not minding at all when grandma and grandpa spoiled him....- mum and brian)
• catching and eating moths and blowflies
• being so good with traveling and not minding all the different homes he had
• putting up with Bella and Foster, even though they are SO annoying
• finding his way into the heart of everyone he met - just by being his beautiful little self.

Best Memories:

1. One night he was staying at my mum's house and she decided she would try and let him sleep in her room for the night (as i told her he usually slept in the bed with me when i was on my own). In the middle of the night, he woke up and stretched his paws out. Mum had forgotten that he was there and suddenly jolted awake, giving out a loud yelp! Ponyo jumped right up into the air, over my mum, and onto the bedside table, knocking the water glass flying and spilling water everywhere. Mum said he looked at her with his big wide eyes as if to say 'what did i do!?'
2. After school on a Friday afternoon, i came home to find Patches (a stray cat that Ponyo was adored) sitting inside my laundry. In an attempt to tame her, i closed the window behind her. She was very frantic and scared and ran into the bathroom. Ponyo casually walked in behind her, walked straight up to her and put his arm over the top of her back. It honestly looked as if he was putting him arm around her shoulder and saying 'It's Okay, mummy is friendly.' I could then get close to Patches, enough to pat her and give her some flea and worming medicine.
   
3. I was on my way out to the shops and saw Ponyo sitting on the edge of the sink, staring at the tap as it was dripping. I had never seen him do this before, and i thought it was quite funny. I called out to him (as i usually did, to say goodbye) but he was so mesmerized i ended up leaving him there. I came back approximately four hours later... and to my knowledge he had not moved an inch. He was in exactly the same spot, staring at the tap as it dripped. I said "Ponyo... you're not still seriously sitting there watching that tap?!" As if he heard and understood me, he mewed quietly.... but kept his eyes firmly fixed on the tap. That became something he did regularly.
4. I was about to go home to Meningie and Ponyo was mewing at me as i carried him to the car. He didn't seem to want to go in, which was strange for him. I was getting frustrated with him, because he kept climbing up into the back platform inside the car, near the rear window. I was about to pull him out when he started coughing. All of a sudden he vomited all over the backseat an entire plant that he had obviously eaten and was not digesting properly. Gross... but at the time it was completely hilarious. Ponyo, however, was mortified and embarrassed and moved into the corner of the window and looked ashamed. Michael cheered him up by tapping on the window and making funny faces at him. Poor little man. All he wanted to say was 'Muuum... i'm feelin' sick... i'm gonna puke!'
   
5. When he was a tiny kitten, we were still living at mum's house. Bella took a particular liking to ponyo, however because Bella is such a big dog, we tried to keep them away from each other. We thought ponyo would be too scared, and that bella might try to kill ponyo. In the end... we let them start to roam around together, and were shocked to see ponyo actually jumping out at chasing after bella... and bella actually being the one to run away. Ponyo would run up to bella and then just as he was about to pounce on her, he would splay his claws out and stop right in front of her, giving bella the fright of her life.
   

There are many... many more memories and cute little things that my beautiful little baby boy would do. I hope i don't forget any of them. He truly was the most amazing cat in the world. He was my little bundle of sunshine. He was such a kind soul; he never hissed, scratched, or ran away from anyone (unless he was being cheeky and climbing trees), and he always loved to be around people. He was only with us for such a short time (one year) and i expected him to live for a long time yet... but obviously the universe had other plans for him. I take comfort in the idea that he was such a truly amazing little soul, that the universe decided that he could skip the whole lot and transcend straight into being an angel, somewhere in another realm. I am so lucky to have had him, even for that short time. I absolutely could not imagine a better little baby to have. He was the sweetest little angel anyone could ever ask for, with a personality that will never be matched by another. I will love him forever, and miss him constantly. I hope, wherever he is, he knows just how much he changed my life.

i love you pongo.
i love you baby boy.
i love you puss-cat.
i love you warmy one.
i love you mummy's boy.
i love you bacon ball.
i love you bubby boy.
i love you purrer.
i love you pon-yaaa.
i love you ponyo.

i love you.

MmmmHm

I just heard the most awesome thing ever.......

Her: You see my point, right?
Him: Oh yeah.
Her: Don't say you also see hers.....
Him: I'm only lookin' at yours.

*end scene*

10 Reasons Why Gay Marriage is Wrong

10 Reasons Why Gay Marriage is Wrong

01) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.

02) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

03) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

04) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

05) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

06) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

07) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

08) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

09) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.

Re-post this if you believe love makes a marriage.

september sillies

The countdown is on! 8 school days left until the end of term 3. They say term 3 is the worst/hardest/most stressful. Michelle and i were both knocked out early on in the race, taking a hit of Glandular Fever/Epstein Barr Virus which we are still trying to get over. Getting back into things last week we realised just how tiring school can be when you're not feeling 100%





Anyway, i feel like making a list of loves, since i haven't for a little while.
Things i am loving at the moment:

• home made chai masala
• washington album - I Believe You Liar
• united states of tara
• the smell of freshly cut grass
• splodes
• grain waves
• walking through the forest behind my house
• true blood
• lucid dreaming
• electric blankets
• waking up at 4 and being able to sleep for another two hours
• show riiiiiides
• remember me
• vanilla candles
• smoked almonds
• salad sandwiches on the grass.... with you. ^.^

I could go on for longer, but i think that's enough for now. ;-) In other news, Michael moved into Simon's place... it is a truly awesome awesome house. The vibes there are amazing, it's close to the shops... very close to a VERY cool asian supermarket which sells pretty much everything you could ever want, plus thousands of different vegetarian "meats". And right around the corner from that is a cute little Indian spices shop which also sells PANEER!!! (granted, it's a little expensive, but MY GOD is it good...) I also bought a new guitar! It's an Ibanez Talman Electric-Acoustic. It's purple... and glittery!!! It's the prettiest little guitar i ever saw - so Delilah now has a new sister... Daphne! I will post photos of her soon. ^.^ That's all for now.
























love. xo

not feeling well.

I've been sick all day and i have a splitting headache. Before i attempt sleep i thought i would show you some of the images that made me feel a little better in my heart, if not in my tummy. :-(

...trip?

Oh Playmate, come out and play with me





And bring your dollies three.




Climb up my apple tree,




Look down my rain barrel





Slide down my cellar door






And we'll be jolly friends forever more.

a little message from me:

you know that old saying...



...screw that....

Totally Annoying.

Things that annoy me now, but never used to - a list:

• Toilet roll; I go to the toilet... the roll is empty. I come back the next day... and it's STILL empty... what is WITH that?!
  
  
• Bills; What are these strange pieces of paper with numbers on them? Meh.... i'll worry about it later. Hey... why aren't the lights working?!
  
  
• Dishes; excuse me but, could you just clean yourselves, like you used to?
  
  
• Wrinkles in my clothes; It seems that the air in Meningie does not have the same anti-wrinkle effect as it does in Coro....
  
  
• Smelly clothes; I never realised how much i relied on the clothes drier... these days, washing my clothes must be planned in advance - not only must i pre-plan what i'm wearing as to what i'm washing, but i must also check the weather forecast early on in the week to determine if i may hang my clothes out to dry - if by chance the weather forecast steers me wrong (which is often tends to do) there goes all my clothes for the week.... so i have been known to wear the same thing several times a week to combat this inconvenience. Hey - just call me Miss Stinky.
  
  
• Bed sheets; please see the previous dot point and apply annoyance accordingly.
  
  
• Food; I am yet to discover the art of 'shopping for the week' - my shopping habit is pretty much "hmm... i feel like ____ for dinner tonight. Do i have it? no. Is the shop still open? no.......................... two minute noodles it is!"
  
  
• General house cleaning; I was told my vacuum cleaner would be good at collecting dust - as in, sitting in a cupboard, collecting dust....... I use it WAY too often for it to collect dust...grrrrrr....
  
  
• Cups; I used to have a magic cup. Every night i would take it to my bedroom with water in it, and every day it would magically re-appear, washed and dried, in the cupboard, ready to be used again the next night. I think i left this cup at mum's house - i must remember to ask her about it next time i go back to Adelaide...... Current number of cups in cupboard: 0. Current number of cups beside Bonnie's bed: ...."hang on, i'm still counting"
  
  
• Hair in the drains; Either i've started losing more hair this year due to stress, or the magic sink cleaning fairy is on leave... because i swear there's a jungle in my drain.
  

I'm sure there are more... this is only the beginning... and only one phrase comes to mind when i look at this list....

"Muuuuuuuuuummmm...!!?!"

Push.

because... i'm feeling a bit strange tonight. not really happy, not really sad. this song made me feel better... and the lyrics make me think about michael...

by sarah mclachlan (click to listen)

Every time I look at you the world just melts away
All my troubles all my fears dissolve in your affections
You've seen me at my weakest but you take me as I am
And when I fall you offer me a softer place to land

I get mad so easy but you give me room to breathe
No matter what I say or do 'cause you're to good to fight about it
Even when I have to push just to see how far you'll go
You wont stoop down to battle but you never turn to go

Your love is just the antidote when nothing else will cure me
There are times I cant decide when I cant tell up from down
You make me feel less crazy when otherwise I'd drown
But you pick me up and brush me off and tell me I'm OK
Sometimes that's just what we need to get us through the day

You stay the course, you hold the line, you keep it all together
You're the one true thing I know I can believe in.
You're all the things that I desire, you save me, you complete me
You're the one true thing I know I can believe.

birthday girl...

Well, considering i almost forgot it was my birthday, i have to say i was considerably surprised with how awesome the weekend was. I spent most of Saturday shopping in town and finished the afternoon with a brand-spanking-new iPhone! You have no idea how obsessed i am with this thing - i spent an hour in bed before sleeping playing plants vs. zombies and the first thing i do when i sit down at the end of the school day is play with the crazy features. I'm still learning how to use it - but i definitely don't regret it as a purchase. One of the coolest things i have found (which Rob actually suggested i download) was Hipstamatic. It's an application which basically put an old-school camera on your iPhone, so that when you turn on the camera you can change 'old films', change 'lenses' and pick different 'flashes'. Considering my current obsession with old cameras, Rob thought i would love it - and he was definitely right! I've been snapping shots all day with it and fiddling around with the different lenses and flash options. I think the catch phrase suits it well; digital photography never looked so analog. But - whilst i love the look of old style photos, i love the real deal even more... that's where my most recent birthday presents come in!Mum bought me the COOLEST old cameras (apparently found whilst digging around in an antique store near my sister's house). They're both Kodak - one even still has the instructions. I haven't had the time to look up exactly how old they are - that will be a task for the weekend i think. I'm giving myself this time tonight to write a blog whilst Home & Away is on, and it will finish soon so i don't have a lot of time, then it's back to planning. As well as these two fantastic cameras, i was completely spoiled by various other presents like cupcake note cards, socks, a pink, fluffy night gown which feels like i'm wearing a cloud, and some cute little frilly knickers and purple pyjamas. I was also gifted with some jewellery - silver and purple heart earrings and BEYOND beautiful dragonfly pendant which is adorned with marcasite. It will match the ring that my great grandma gave me, which LOTS of people have commented on. My mum always says that dragonflies remind her of grandpa - i can't exactly remember why, but now everytime i see them i not only think of grandpa but also my mum, so i have been wearing the pendant at school - a place where lately i have needed to gather up a lot of strength from within in order to keep on pushing through.

My grandma gave me a pocket size vegetarian cookbook- and although at first i thought 'oh great, another vegetarian cookbook' - once i flipped through the pages i was quite excited because it has some amazing (and simple) recipes; vegetable soup with pesto, sweet potato, mint, and feta patties, thai tofu cakes with chilli dip, spanish caramel custard... is your mouth watering? I know mine is. From my sister i was given a 'Heaps Good' aussie hoodie from decibel - a nice addition to the winter hoodie collection (lord know i need them up here in the freezing cold at Meningie). From Michael i received a pair of lace up (and i mean RIGHT up) converse shoes - purple with a funky little pattern painted on the side by the artist himself, Mr. Noodles (aka my lovely boyfriend). Rob and Van gave me the sweeeetest little necklace - a silver heart which breaks apart and then magnets itself back together. I was absolutely and thoroughly spoiled - not to mention that i went out on Saturday with my friends and was purchased copious amounts of alcohol, and then taken out for lunch on Sunday with my fabulous family (though i think they could tell i'd had a big night...hehehe).


All in all, a pretty amazing birthday! I think the best thing is just to not expect anything at all, and then everything tends to supersede your expectations. Well - this blog was really just me bragging about how awesome my birthday weekend was - but hopefully it puts a smile on your face. I'll end with a recommendation... everyone should get an iPhone.... they are truly awesome.

^.^

I just had a flash from the past thinking about the movie "babes in toyland" (1986). There are TWO versions of this movie, both just as awesome as each other in the sense that they are totally weird and horribly made - but this one in particular i love because not only does it have a young keanu reeves but it also has a young drew barrymore!! lol... Anyway - i looked up a review for it on 'badmovies.org' or something similar, and i liked what they wrote and thought i would share it... anyone that has seen it will laugh ;-)

What did i learn from this movie?

• If an electric pole is knocked down it only takes out the phones.
• Mean people live in bowling balls.
• Everyone who works in a bakery wears roller skates.
• If you can't pay the rent in cash the bank will take kids.
• Not being able to blink is a serious problem when you only have one eye.
• People from Cincinnati are immune to poison gas.
• Concentrated evil should be stored in an appropriate container, specifically not something glass.
• Teddy bears are not cut out for riot control.
• Wedding vows should include the phrase "Give him a lot of fun." on general principle.
• Santa is a little Japanese man.

lol!!
xo

Scene: Driving down Poltalloch Rd towards the Narrung ferry, on our way to Murray Bridge on a school excursion. In the car: Miss Michelle, Miss Bonnie, Cameron (age 5) and Adam (age 6).

Cameron (pointing out the window): "That's the scary house"
Miss Michelle: "What house? Why is that a scary house?"
Cameron: "Because a scary old man lives there..."
Miss Bonnie: "Why is the old man scary... he's just an old man"
Cameron: "'cos he's an old man!"
Miss Bonnie: "Well, you're going to grow up to be a man one day you know... are YOU going to be scary?"
Cameron: "Nahhh.... when i grow up, i'm gonna be a BUTTERFLY!"


...lol

I should really be planning - because i just got back from Adelaide and i have school tomorrow and NAPLAN is this week... so i KNOW i shouldn't be posting a blog, or talking on MSN, or watching masterchef, or eating left over kwik stix, or anything like that... but i am... SO THERE. I really just wanted to update for my mummy... because today is mother's day, and she told me this weekend that she still sometimes checks my blog, just in case i have updated... and i thought that was really sweet. SO - this post is specially dedicated to the most awesome person in the entire world; my mum.

Went to Hahndorf on Saturday and had the most amazing time :-) Mum and i looked in shops, had lunch at a cute little cake shop, and even went to visit a little fairy cave! That was slightly embarrassing, because i think the average age of 'cave dwellers' is below 6 yrs... and whilst we were the only two in there for a while, we were closely followed by a two yr old and her family (including two boys around my age) who definitely would have thought mum and i were a bit suspect lurking around near the fairy pond, pointing at mushroom houses. However, blushing aside, i'm glad we went in, because it was very pretty and made me remember how huge children's imaginations are. They don't see the tacky plastic flowers, dangerous wooden railings, and slightly suspicious looking power chords lying scarily close to the water's edge. They see faeries, s neaky elves, twinkling lights, mysterious tunnels, and gardens filled with magic. I miss seeing those things.

Anyway, there was a new shop (the name alludes me for the moment but i think it's 'something emporium') which i KNEW i would spend money in... mum and i were lucky to leave alive - and we only looked at half of the store!! It had a LOT of cool stuff - so the retail therapy was definitely at a high. After that, we went out to dinner with Michael and Brian at Kwik Stix, which is always delicious.

By the way - here is a picture of little Patches, the stray cat who turned up on my window ledge one night. I have sort of adopted her, although she's still a bit skittish around people. This is an old photo actually, because now not only is there Ponyo and Patches (who as you can see are madly in love) but there is also a third wheel - Cloud. Cloud, i believe, is Patches' brother. He is grey and white and very cute, but he's a lot more scared of people than Patches is. Either way - they both come in for a feed while Ponyo sits beside them, and then the three of them run off to cause havoc in the streets of Meningie. They ridiculously cute, the way they all play together, and as soon as i find my camera charger, i will upload some photos of them all together. ^.^

I think i have decided that i really need to focus this blog a little more - it needs a theme. Any ideas? I was PLANNING on making this blog all about my sculpey, but unfortunately that little hobby of mine has taken a back seat while school is in. Then i thought i would write about being a new teacher, and then pass on any little jems to anyone who needed them - but honestly, the last thing i want to talk about when i'm sitting at home is teaching... which sounds bad, but it's true - sometimes you just need to leave some things alone and let your mind relax. Well - anyway, if there are any ideas, email me or send me a little message or a comment or something. I should probably get on with my planning.... *sigh* It's very hard being up here alone. I LOVE Meningie, its a beautiful little town, and everyone is very friendly, but it's so hard to drive up here when i'm leaving all my family and friends behind. Maybe Mother's Day made it that little bit harder.

Okay - signing out for now.
xoxo

"list"

i don't know why it's so awesome to write without capitals... but it is. i've been sitting, kitten in lap, watching and listening to some truly great tunes over the last couple of days... now i need to share them with you all.

to spin, dance, cry, sing, and love.

F&tM
lisa
Kate M-H
clare
sixpence
barry
regina
george
Kate N
MGMT
holly
sally and also new buffalo
waifs
jaymay
owl city
soko (this isn't the official clip - but i particularly love it....)
angus & julia
TV carpio
sarah
iron & wine
shins
death cab

......the sountrack to my holidays. enjoy!

holidayyyyyys

Wow. End of term holidays - HELLO!!!! I can't even begin to tell you how much i needed a break. Even though i'm going to spend a lot of these holidays planning, i'm taking at least Easter to relax and bring my feet back onto the ground. Right this very moment i'm sitting in Michael's flat, opposite the beach, the rain pattering loudly on the roof above me, watching Disney clips on YouTube. That's right, Disney clips. Honestly - i know people hate Walt Disney for making his movies all about the damsel in distress, and i agree with a lot of the arguments against his movies, but i grew up with Ariel and Pocahontas and the likes... so i can't say no to them ;-) ....They put me in a good mood, what can i say. So how about a share a few with you:

Colours of the wind
Kiss the girl
Be our guest
Hakuna Matata

And this last one... for any alice in wonderland fans - pogo has done the best remix i've ever heard. It's my ringtone: Alice

Well, end of term was great, although very hectic and all over the place. We had a few unexpected absences and a few extra students at the last minute, which put some plans into the air, but all-in-all we had a good final week of school. On Wednesday night Michelle and i painted some of the chicken's eggs gold and sprinkled them with glitter... then we put them back into the chook shed for the kids to find on Thursday morning. It was sort of meant to be an April Fools joke, but the kids were so convinced that it was an Easter miracle we sort of pretended we had no idea what was going on. We organised an egg hunt for them all, and we were completely unprepared for their reaction - they literally went insane. Any time anyone mentioned the word 'bunny' the entire group would turn into a raving mass of screams and arms flailing.... it was incredible...

Ponyo has adopted himself a little friend; a stray kitten who obviously doesn't have a home. I *think* it's a she.... i will edit this post and put some pics with it when i get home (i'm in Adelaide at the moment) but she is veerrryyy cute, and Ponyo absolutely ADORES her!! They follow each other everywhere - i can guarantee they are together most of the day, and if i leave the window open she comes inside and sleeps next to Ponyo in his basket at night! The only problem with this is that she has ticks and i'm not sure what else, so i have put worming and flea treatment on her... she lets me get close enough to pet her sometimes but she wont let me pick her up without a fight. She's white with colourful splotches, so Michelle and i have named her 'Patches'. I'm hoping because she's still very young (much younger than Ponyo) we can tame her a little bit to be less scared of us.

Well - this is just a short post for now, i might do another one next week when i go back to Meningie. There's a "concert" (traditional Aboriginal dance) happening in Meningie on Saturday so i might update about that soon too and let you all know how it went. I hope you all had a fantastic Easter! I stuffed my face for most of the weekend as i'm sure you can imagine.... lol. Bye for now!!! xoxoxo

edit:
My mum just sent me this poem... and i liked it. So i'm sharing it with you.

Chapter I

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in.
I am lost ... I am helpless.
It isn't my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don't see it.
I fall in again.
I can't believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn't my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in ... it's a habit ... but,
my eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter IV

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V

I walk down another street.

whoa - meltdown...

Well, i have approximately NO TIME to update... but apparently people actually read this blog, so i will do a quick one just for you (that's right... you!). SO here goes:

Australia day was amazing, i got to spend time with some friends that i hope to the bottom of my heart will stay in touch while i'm up here (although at this point, Australia day was the last i saw of any of them!) We had a fantastic BBQ and a relaxing evening before the first day of school for Michelle and I. And yes, there was a little tree climbing. Speaking of trees, I was so excited to have an apple tree in my yard, and very excited to see that as i watered it every day the apples were getting bigger and bigger... however.... my yard is now covered with rotten, half eaten, ENORMOUS apples. Each day i pick them up and each day there are more thrown down by the horrible branches. Since i have no time to do anything (including this blog - which is why i'm simultaneously downloading lesson plans, boiling corn, grilling eggplant, and organising my clothes for tomorrow) i also haven't had time to make any apple pies. SO the glorious fruits of the garden are largely forbidden from my daily schedule and as such are "grounded" (for lack of a better word).




My neighbour (May) kindly surprised me with some chutney and apple sauce before i started school (i'm not sure if i wrote about that in my last blog?!) and OH. MY. GAWD. These sauces, i tell you what... no words. i have no words to describe the deliciocity that overcame me with each bite. ridiculously amazing. And if she's willing to take some apples off my hands in trade for sauce like that, i would honestly be a fool to say anything other than HELL YEAH! Truly sensational. I must ask her for the recipe! Jayd and i made a quiche last time she came up and paired with that sauce... well i can only compare it to a slice of heaven. In fact if that's what heaven tastes like... i might consider actually believing in it sometime in the not too near future. (lol) On a completely un-related note, Ponyo is doing just fine - still getting up to mischief - and has apparently figured out several different ways to scale the fence. He is, however, still a total mummy's boy, so he always comes running when i call. I have actually resorted to locking him in the laundry at night to sleep, because although he may be small he somehow managed to take up the entire bed at night. Don't ask me how that works. And - of course - instead of sleeping in the over-priced bed i bought him, he sleeps in the metal cage i purchased from cheap-as-chips the day i brought him home from the vet. *rolls eyes*

My small but sufficient (and expensive) herb garden is coming along nicely! This photo was taken right after i set it up, but it has grown quite considerably since then so next blog i promise to upload some photos so you can see the difference. The chives (in the green pot) are growing, and just tonight i pulled a few spriggs of thyme off to infuse in my oil (another endeavor i don't ACTUALLY have time for). Honestly, i don't understand what made me think that i could write blog updates when all i have on my mind at the moment is "what am i doing tomorrow... who forgot their hat today... who hasn't finished their maths... what sight words did i give her... why hasn't he brought his lunch today... where is the math program i wrote last week.... how much time will that art lesson take... where am i up to with my literacy asssessment'. if i EVER hear ANYONE tell me that teachers get good holidays... i'm going to smack them around the head. Holidays??! Don't you mean planning days? Don't you mean teaching a development sessions? Don't you mean small yet considerable mental breakdown?!?!?!? (And yes... it's only week four of term one).

No, honestly, as much as the planning and organisation is getting the better of me.... and as much as i hate that i get up at 6am, work until 5pm, get home at 5:45, eat, plan until 10:30 and then collapse on my bed ready to do it all again the next day.... i am enjoying it. I enjoy the feeling i get when someone says "Ooooh i get it"... i enjoy the little spark in their eyes when i touch on something they're interested in... i LOVE the sound of "Miss Bonnie, can we stay in at recess to finish our spelling?" MY GOSH! (Though, i've only heard that once... it was something i wont ever forget). Teaching is harder than i ever imagined.... and uni didn't prepare me like i thought it was supposed to... but it IS rewarding. You take what you get from the little happiness that dances around you. There's good days, bad days, and completely exhausting days where you can't even remember what you did before lunch.... but those days all count towards lots of little life times. As you can see - my classroom is still quite bare, but the kids work is going up slowly and i convinced Barb to let me stick things onto the freshly painted walls (Mum, don't tell Dave). I can hear Ponyo whinging to come inside, so i best be off. I'm also rather hungry....

I wouldn't call this a blog - more of a "blurt"... but you get the idea.
Hope you're all loving life ^.^
xo

konica moment?!

Well, since there are only a few more days before i start work, i thought i'd better write up another post in case i find that in the next few weeks i have absolutely no time. I Also have pictures to share, so there's a double reason ;-) I think i have finally found something to collect. For a while i was collecting 'cupcake theme' articles. The proof of this is scattered around my house (tea towels, mugs, plates, t shirts, bath mats, shower caps, perfume, etc.)... however today i realised i have a fascination with old cameras. Not even particularly using them, although i have asked Rob to show me how to use my Minister III and he promises to try! My dad gave me a Konica when i was in grade 8 or 9. He said it was the first camera around with auto focus and flash in one camera and was fairly spectacular in his day. I thought it was pretty shit compared to what most of the kids were carrying around... but i soldiered on none-the-less. Last year i picked up a Yashica Minister III for $5 at an Op Shop, and even though i wasn't sure if it worked, i thought it would at least look cool sitting in my room. Turns out it DOES work, i just need to get the right film and with the help of Rob i will attempt to take a few snaps with it around Meningie soon.

Today Mum, Brian, Grandma, and Mel all came up to visit! I was visited only a few days ago by my Dad and little sister Grace, so it's been excellent the last few days having people to entertain. While Grace and I only sat at my place recording songs on the computer, Grandma was interested in seeing the sights of Meningie, Narrung, and Raukkan, so we did some driving and walking today. We visited a shop which i probably wouldn't have gone into otherwise (i think it was called Cottage Crafts?). It's a craft & coffee shop mainly, but they also had a landing full of antiques and knick-knacks. Lo and behold, two amazing little cameras were sitting there just waiting for purchase. With one at $20 and one at $30 i don't think i did too badly, although i don't know if they work. But, they look amazing :-) and one of them had it's original case (even though i think it has seen better days). I think what i really like about old cameras... is thinking about the memories they have captured. Sometimes when i look through the view finder i expect to be transported back to see... babies taking first steps... families skiing... prom dates... birthday snaps... old lovers....

So, i thought this post would be a good chance to post the pictures of my cameras! And i'm hoping i can add to the collection. Grandma mentioned she might have one somewhere that she could donate to my newly found cause. I am currently sitting waiting for Jayd to turn up at my door - she's told me she's on her way so i have a bottle of wine on ice and a clean glass on the counter for when she rolls in. It's almost a two hour drive for my Adelaide family and friends to drive out here, so it always puts a little sparkle in my heart when people say they are coming up to visit (they are most certainly more than welcome). Thankfully i will soon have Michelle here to keep me company for part of the week, as she is teaching three days at the same school as me - lucky! I believe this Monday and Tuesday are going to be packed full of planning ready for the weeks to come.

I was exceptionally excited to offer my family my most recent baking product; peach and apple pie. It turned out even nicer than the last, and the leftovers were even packed up to take back to Adelaide, which is always a good sign. My most recently met neighbour, May, came around to pick up some apples in exchange for some apple sauce; quite a decent exchange if you ask me - i was more than happy to oblige! And, i didn't even cry when Mum left today; it seems like after only two weeks i'm beginning to fall in love with this little town and the lifestyle. Well, i've just had a call on the mobile and seems it's almost time now for me to scuttle off and open the gates for Jaydie. Lets hope her NavMan hasn't let her down! Hope you're all safe and well. Not sure when i will update next, but when i do it will most likely be all about school adventures. Thanks for reading/viewing! Bye for now. ^.^

P.S. if anyone knows these cameras and wants to give/tell/send me some info, comment!!

new in town...

Well, i have officially moved into my new place, and after a sweltering heatwave, with no air conditioner... and no internet... and no friends... i'm very glad to be back online.

I have decided to keep this blog running as an update (sort of stole this idea from tim) for anyone interested in what i'm up to. personal blogs are under-rated. but i'm hoping i will actually have interesting information to report to you all on, and if not, at least i have a record/diary of my time while i am here.

I'm settling in fast - without internet i was forced to come up with my own means on entertainment. Anyone who knows me will know that i pretty much live cybertronically (is that even a word?) so the first day was horrible, but i got all the un-packing out of the way... i went to visit the air-conditioned shops a few times... and i spent a lot of time watering plants from the tank out the back.

Next to the tank (pictured) is a glorious specimen which provides and abundance of juicy apples. I took advantage of the 'temporary disconnection' and decided to make an apple pie. Now... this is something that i definitely have never attempted before... and although i briefly spoke to my mum about how to go about it, i was pretty much left to my own devices. I have to say, in the beginning i thought it was going to turn out a hopeless mess of apple mush.... but it turned out rather lovely! I put an entire photo story on facebook if anyone's actually interested in the endeavour, but for this blog; "here's one i prepared earlier".


...and yes, i did leave it to cool on the window ledge, although it was mainly for the sake of the photo, as i'm sure the kitten would have gobbled it up had i left it there alone. I haven't actually eaten a slice yet, as i'm waiting to share it with company, but the smell that is left lingering in my kitchen/dining room is absolutely heavenly, and from the few little "taste tests" i allowed myself throughout the cooking process, i can tell it's going to be delicious with a little dollop of ice cream.

So i guess this officially makes me a home-maker now, right? That's what i think anyway. Another creatively productive thing i managed was to write another song - i recorded it whilst sitting in a 39 C lounge room (which was considerably cool, compared to outside which was up to 45 at the time) and to be honest i wasn't really thinking about quality, so it's slightly depressing, done in one take per vocal, and there is a lot of clipping. Nevermind. Go listen to 'Simple But True' if you like. Funny thing is, i've been complaining to my mum about wanting to sell my flute for years... she wouldn't let me, because my grandma and grandpa bought it for me. "You will pick it up one day again, you never know" she would say. I always retorted with something like "yeah, use it as a door stop". It surprises me sometimes how little respect i have for my own musical instruments. Never the less, as you can hear, i have picked it up again... and as you would also be able to hear, i'm a little out of practise. Perhaps if i have it a name, like my guitar (delilah) i would give it the respect it so obviously deserves. Any name suggestions?

My lovely little man (ponyo) is also settling into the new house wonderfully well. He very quickly found a few favourite little spots where i can't reach him, but i'm happy he hasn't ventured out near the road, where semi's and various other large vehicles often pass through on their way to Melbourne. I wish more of my friends would write blogs - i really enjoy reading even just everyday mundane things about the people i love; does that make me weird? Well - i'm hoping this blog will eventually not only be a personal diary of my days but also a record of my first year of teaching. This could be helpful one day to someone else who is starting out and doesn't know what to expect. I don't know exactly how much time i'm going to have to update, but i suppose we will find out pretty soon!

I need to mention another blog which i have spent the last few days reading. This blog is written by a woman who names herself social documenter of Narrung, with interest listed as 'wishing to see the waters around the Narrung Penninsula restored with fresh water flows from the River Murray'. As someone who has moved into this area, this blog has provided me with so much information, history, and a greater appreciation for the life of this area and surrounding areas. She writes from experience, as well as using citations where appropriate, and honestly i can't stop reading! I'm very thankful to have come across her blog, and recommend it highly.

Well - until next time! Signing out ^.^