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 ^.^