"This slide keeps sliding me DOWN!"
Monday, September 5, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
"Hey Miss Abby! I can see through your eyes"
"Oh yeah, what did you see?"
"Your brain. It's full of green stuff and air."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
IT'S FESTIVAL SEASON
There are some INCREDIBLE music festivals floating around Australia this Summer. Last month we went to one called Stereosonic, which was pretty much just a bunch of DJs going crazy in the sun. Overall loads of fun. This Saturday we are going to SummaDayze to see NERD and David Guetta. CAN'T WAIT. Australians don't mess around with their music festivals. Especially for guys. It takes ages to get their hair fluffy enough, their singlets just the right about of revealing, their cut offs perfectly frayed and to find the right floro sunnies. Here is a video to help you understand:
"Happy Christmas, I tink it's turty-nine out teday"
Christmas in Australia was unlike any other Christmas I have ever had. While I spent Christmas away from home last year (Paris), it was in a new city to me and it was cold. This year not only were we in our "home" city for the time being, but it was extremely, sweat drippingly, can't move because I might melt, hot. We had a few invitations for the big day, but ended up spending our Australian Christmas with a few Irish friends celebrating, drinking and eating a huge 'traditional' Irish dinner.
We were invited to Irish Christmas by our friend Crazy (his name is really Cathal, which sounds like an Irish version of 'Karl', but we can't seem to say it right ever), who promised that the beer would be cold and our tummies would be stuffed. It was an offer we couldn't refuse and on Christmas morning we found ourselves packing a taxi with a case of TEDs (toohey's extra dry beer...sorta like miller i guess), sugar cookies, and Allie's delicious spinach artichoke dip. OH! and a chocolate cake for Jesus' birthday in accordance with one of Allie's family traditions. We arrived at Crazy's friend Stevie's house to find a sweet dog, a new wii to play with, a ton of food/beer, and an overall relaxing atmosphere.
Christmas day followed pretty much the same pattern as it does at home, eat, drink, play with new toys, but with a few additions like suntan, swim and sit outside till 1 am. The dinner was absolutely delicious and very much like our Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes and gravy, and some very tasty pork. Everyone seemed to enjoy the birthday cake even though we didn't get a chance to sing Jesus "Happy Birthday". It was so so so nice to actually sit around a big table and eat a big meal with an group of other Christmas orphans.
After dinner we goofed around the pool, and eventually ended up playing an epic game of KINGS. One of the BEST parts of the evening festivities was when the absolutely wonderful hosts brought out a plate of freshly fried up chips and spring rolls. Drunchies satisfied without evening leaving the house! This is definitely something I need to remember to do for future parties that I throw.
We were invited to Irish Christmas by our friend Crazy (his name is really Cathal, which sounds like an Irish version of 'Karl', but we can't seem to say it right ever), who promised that the beer would be cold and our tummies would be stuffed. It was an offer we couldn't refuse and on Christmas morning we found ourselves packing a taxi with a case of TEDs (toohey's extra dry beer...sorta like miller i guess), sugar cookies, and Allie's delicious spinach artichoke dip. OH! and a chocolate cake for Jesus' birthday in accordance with one of Allie's family traditions. We arrived at Crazy's friend Stevie's house to find a sweet dog, a new wii to play with, a ton of food/beer, and an overall relaxing atmosphere.
Christmas day followed pretty much the same pattern as it does at home, eat, drink, play with new toys, but with a few additions like suntan, swim and sit outside till 1 am. The dinner was absolutely delicious and very much like our Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes and gravy, and some very tasty pork. Everyone seemed to enjoy the birthday cake even though we didn't get a chance to sing Jesus "Happy Birthday". It was so so so nice to actually sit around a big table and eat a big meal with an group of other Christmas orphans.
After dinner we goofed around the pool, and eventually ended up playing an epic game of KINGS. One of the BEST parts of the evening festivities was when the absolutely wonderful hosts brought out a plate of freshly fried up chips and spring rolls. Drunchies satisfied without evening leaving the house! This is definitely something I need to remember to do for future parties that I throw.
Friday, November 19, 2010
"I'm sorry love, I really can't be bothered right now but thank you anyways"
In the name of money, and adventure funding, I have started working at a marketing research agency. While I have a degree that would almost allow me to design the studies, I am but a cold calling survey giving annoyance. I call people from all over Australia, interrupt their dinners or children's bath times, and ask them if they would like to talk about their newspaper readership, their opinions of local roads, use of LPG gas, and most fun of all their incomes before tax.... But really I can't imagine doing this anywhere else. I have really only been yelled at once and am most often greeted with a "sorry darling" or "not right now sweetheart" (which is the best when I know im calling farmers in the outback). And a surprising number of people actually do want to talk to me, especially when I inform them it is in the name of research. Most often they want to play the guessing game of where I'm from. The winning guesses have been Canadian and Irish (?). I have come across some pretty interesting, silly and just plain illogical people....
For example:
This gentlemen displayed an extreme passion for roads
"I will stand at parliament if they decide to privatize the roads system!"
"Very well, and lastly can I just ask you how old you are?"
"I'll be 80 on Sunday"
or
"Why aren't people reasonable! It's not the roads but that there are so many cars on the road and people driving alone. We need to get back to the metro projects"
10 min later
"And how often are you a passenger on a bus?"
"Oh never! I never use public transports!"
and sometimes angry
"I'm busy at the moment but what's your number and I'll ring you back?"
"No worries just let me know what time is most convienent and I'll give you a call then"
"THAT'S RIGHT YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE CALLING YOU AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT AND ANNOYING YOU EITHER"
Sometimes you just gotta hang up and move on.
For example:
This gentlemen displayed an extreme passion for roads
"I will stand at parliament if they decide to privatize the roads system!"
"Very well, and lastly can I just ask you how old you are?"
"I'll be 80 on Sunday"
or
"Why aren't people reasonable! It's not the roads but that there are so many cars on the road and people driving alone. We need to get back to the metro projects"
10 min later
"And how often are you a passenger on a bus?"
"Oh never! I never use public transports!"
and sometimes angry
"I'm busy at the moment but what's your number and I'll ring you back?"
"No worries just let me know what time is most convienent and I'll give you a call then"
"THAT'S RIGHT YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE CALLING YOU AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT AND ANNOYING YOU EITHER"
Sometimes you just gotta hang up and move on.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
playing in the land down under
Wow it has been awhile since I have even thought about writing on here but now that I am settled in Perth, and have an inexpensive internet connection, I think it is time to start sharing stories about our adventures in Australia. The whole tale seems overwhelming to tell all at once so I'll go little by little.
The first couple of days in Sydney were a whirlwind. We were disoriented from the huge time change and painfully long flight, but excited to explore the famous city. We walked and walked and walked all day until the only thing left was to crash into bed at the hostel. Oh the hostel. While Sydney was our first taste of Australia, the Jolly Swagman was our first taste of hostel life. Located in the King's Cross (which any guidebook will tell you is the center of Sydney's backpacker culture, full of cheap accommodations, camper vans for sale, lively bars and seedy gentleman's clubs), the Swagman was a culture shock of its own. The first night of our delirious jet lagged sleep was disturbed when a french man started banging on our door trying to get the attention of our German roommate. At 4am. Late night shenanigans seemed to be the norm and we soon were accustomed to hearing all the international folks coming in late as the pubs closed. We even joined sometimes.
The opera house and harbour bridge were as picture perfect as one would imagine. Both sights hit you in the face with the fact that you were in fact ACTUALLY in Australia. One afternoon, we ventured to the Sydney Aquarium and wildlife park and were introduced to all the sneaky, venomous things that could kill you. One of the sections was actually called "The Venom Zone". Sort of terrifying. Luckily though most Australians seem to still be alive and not suffering from constant spider or snake bites, so I try not to think about it. The trip to the wildlife park ended with kangaroos and koalas which almost made up for all the venom.
The first couple of days in Sydney were a whirlwind. We were disoriented from the huge time change and painfully long flight, but excited to explore the famous city. We walked and walked and walked all day until the only thing left was to crash into bed at the hostel. Oh the hostel. While Sydney was our first taste of Australia, the Jolly Swagman was our first taste of hostel life. Located in the King's Cross (which any guidebook will tell you is the center of Sydney's backpacker culture, full of cheap accommodations, camper vans for sale, lively bars and seedy gentleman's clubs), the Swagman was a culture shock of its own. The first night of our delirious jet lagged sleep was disturbed when a french man started banging on our door trying to get the attention of our German roommate. At 4am. Late night shenanigans seemed to be the norm and we soon were accustomed to hearing all the international folks coming in late as the pubs closed. We even joined sometimes.
The opera house and harbour bridge were as picture perfect as one would imagine. Both sights hit you in the face with the fact that you were in fact ACTUALLY in Australia. One afternoon, we ventured to the Sydney Aquarium and wildlife park and were introduced to all the sneaky, venomous things that could kill you. One of the sections was actually called "The Venom Zone". Sort of terrifying. Luckily though most Australians seem to still be alive and not suffering from constant spider or snake bites, so I try not to think about it. The trip to the wildlife park ended with kangaroos and koalas which almost made up for all the venom.
Friday, February 5, 2010
A Day in the Life
I just got home from a pretty wonderful Friday at school. One of the last three Fridays I will ever spend at HABA actually (huh? really? only 2.5 weeks of school left?) Being in such a good mood caused me to take way too many photos and some pretty silly videos. They represent a fairly typical day.
My day always begins with the inevitable screech of the alarm clock at 8:05 am. I shower. Eat breakfast. Check the internet. And then go back to bed for another 15 min. Around 9:05 I drag myself back up and head out into the freeeeeeezing cold and walk to HABA. When it's not raining/snowing/incredibly windy its a delightful 15 minute walk.
This morning we had what they called the "HABA Bazaar". All the kids brought a bunch of toys, books and clothing to sell on little mats to their classmates. It was soooo much fun to watch how some of them really got into selling their junk, turning into yelling, bartering, ajummas.
After the fun morning (usually a morning filled with 30-60 min classes) I head to Violet class to help serve and eat lunch with them. Most of the time I sit quietly and listen to what I assume are conversations regarding the state of the economy and South Korean politics. Other times I talk about animals and food and make silly faces. Regardless, lunch time is generally relaxing and sort of entertaining (unless it is squid or pressed fish day. Then I'm not such a happy camper) 
When 1:40 rolls around it is time for afternoon English Club classes to begin. English club ranges in age from 5 year olds to 3rd graders. All of us English teachers get to teach each group of kids at least once a week and everyday the schedule is different. On Friday's I teach "Cooking in English" to the 5 year olds. Its always sticky and usually fun. Today we made "giant sandwiches".
We put ham, cucumbers, apples, cheese, tomatoes and mayo on a giant baguette. They actually turned out delicious and a little too big for their tiny mouths. Sally : "This is veeeeery big".
After cooking its time for EC7A, a class full of incredibly bright and energetic 7 year olds. We spend most of the class doing book work but always ended playing board games or singing or dancing. Today Chris decided he wanted to sing me a song. Does anyone recognize it?
Finally, I will leave you with one last video of the 5 year old cooking class working on their recipe coloring sheets. As you can see, I have a lot of conversations with myself. And have NO idea what is really ever going on.
My day always begins with the inevitable screech of the alarm clock at 8:05 am. I shower. Eat breakfast. Check the internet. And then go back to bed for another 15 min. Around 9:05 I drag myself back up and head out into the freeeeeeezing cold and walk to HABA. When it's not raining/snowing/incredibly windy its a delightful 15 minute walk.
This morning we had what they called the "HABA Bazaar". All the kids brought a bunch of toys, books and clothing to sell on little mats to their classmates. It was soooo much fun to watch how some of them really got into selling their junk, turning into yelling, bartering, ajummas.
After the fun morning (usually a morning filled with 30-60 min classes) I head to Violet class to help serve and eat lunch with them. Most of the time I sit quietly and listen to what I assume are conversations regarding the state of the economy and South Korean politics. Other times I talk about animals and food and make silly faces. Regardless, lunch time is generally relaxing and sort of entertaining (unless it is squid or pressed fish day. Then I'm not such a happy camper) 
When 1:40 rolls around it is time for afternoon English Club classes to begin. English club ranges in age from 5 year olds to 3rd graders. All of us English teachers get to teach each group of kids at least once a week and everyday the schedule is different. On Friday's I teach "Cooking in English" to the 5 year olds. Its always sticky and usually fun. Today we made "giant sandwiches".
We put ham, cucumbers, apples, cheese, tomatoes and mayo on a giant baguette. They actually turned out delicious and a little too big for their tiny mouths. Sally : "This is veeeeery big".
After cooking its time for EC7A, a class full of incredibly bright and energetic 7 year olds. We spend most of the class doing book work but always ended playing board games or singing or dancing. Today Chris decided he wanted to sing me a song. Does anyone recognize it? Finally, I will leave you with one last video of the 5 year old cooking class working on their recipe coloring sheets. As you can see, I have a lot of conversations with myself. And have NO idea what is really ever going on.
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