Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Stuff kids say....

You gotta love the "compliments" I get from the kids at school.
Today one of my students said "I like your hair, Miss! It's all nice and oily"

Gee. Thanks.

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Movie World!

We had a fantastic time at Movie World today (I have such a great job!). The kids really enjoyed themselves and nothing went wrong (at least nothing I know of!).

The kids had to be at school by 7:15 in the morning which was pretty early but I think they were all so excited it didn't really matter (and I must admit I was pretty excited too).

We got to Movie World by about 8:45am, and were given a special show just for our school. The kids did some theatre sports stuff and they even gave a couple of them movie makeup - one boy had his face painted to look like he had a black eye, and a girl from my class had her leg made up as though it was grazed. The makeup looked pretty realistic and I can't wait to find out what their parents said about it! (They were both going to go home and try to trick mum and dad into thinking they really did get hurt).




(by the way I have either deliberately not shown any of the kids entire faces or blurred them out in the pictures for legal reasons)

After the show we went and saw the "Shrek 4D" show which was fantastic. I think most of the kids hadn't seen 3D movies before so they got really excited. Not only that the seats moved and they sprayed water on us and stuff. It was very cool :)

We split up into small groups so all the kids didn't do the same things, but the group that came with me went on the Wild Wild West ride (twice!), went on a looney tunes roller coaster then a couple of the brave ones came with me on the Lethal Weapon roller coaster.





We didn't really get time to do much else (we had to leave by 1:45 to get back to school on time), but I think the kids really enjoyed themselves. We didn't have any problems (except one girl who freaked out on the Wild West ride and wanted to get off halfway through. The other kids made fun of her because she cried on it but I told her that brave people are people who do something even though it scares them, not people who never get scared. I think it made her feel better and she says now she has been on it once she will probably go on it again!!).

Sunday, November 27, 2005

Hurrah!!!

I picked up my wedding ring on Thursday. I was so happy just to have my engagement ring back, but I am also really happy with how the wedding ring turned out. I was a bit worried because they were making it and I wouldn't get to see what they were doing until it was finished, but it is really nice. I took some photos but couldn't seem to get them very clear:





(Yeah I know I'm not supposed to wear it yet, but I had to try it on!!! What if it didn't fit? And check out my fingernails!! Aren't you proud of me? I am trying to not bite them at all anymore, or at least not before the wedding. I'm glad I never took up smoking because giving up nailbiting is hard enough for me!!)

Also yesterday when Matt and I went out shopping, he picked out a wedding ring he likes. We are going to pick it up next weekend hopefully. And today I paid the photographer's deposit. It is all starting to seem real... I'm so excited!!!

Still can't wait to go shopping for my dress. When is that going to be again girls???

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

More Wedding Stuff, and Counting Down...

Today after work Matt and I went down to Armstrongs restaurant at the Inchcolm Hotel to chat about our wedding plans. The event manager was really helpful and discussed with us some good ideas about the sort of things we might like for our reception. I won't give away everything here because I want people to have some surprises! Plus we haven't really decided anything yet, we just have some ideas. We are going to go down again on Saturday afternoon because they actually have a wedding there on Saturday night, and we are allowed to take a peek at what the room looks like all set up!

As I mentioned before, our wedding will be on Friday 29th September 2006. Anyone who is interested in staying at the Inchcolm hotel for the night (so you don't have to drive home!) please let us know because we may be able to score you a discount!

Besides the wedding, I have been counting down the days to lots of cool things lately. We are taking the year 4's on an excursion to Movie World on Tuesday (6 days to go!). I think I am looking forward to it more than the kids!

On the 1st of December the 4th Harry Potter film comes out. REALLY looking foward to that too (8 days to go!), although not quite as much as the final book which is ages away.

On the 17th of December (in 24 days!) Matt and I fly down to Tassie to stay with his parents for Christmas.

Oh yeah, and on Friday (HOPEFULLY) I should get my engagement ring back. Cross your fingers for me because if there is any more problems with it I think I will kill someone.

Thanks for being patient with my ramblings. I probably should live more in the moment but there are so many cool things to look forward to!

Monday, November 21, 2005

A Quiz

I think Matt's geekiness is rubbing off on me...

At least that's my excuse for spending time doing quizzes like these:


You scored as SG-1 (from Stargate). You are versatile and diverse in your thinking. You have an open mind to that which seems highly unlikely and accept it with a bit of humor. Now if only aliens would stop trying to take over your body.

Coming on December 1, 2005:

Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? The Sequel

SG-1 (from Stargate)		100%
Serenity (from Firefly)		81%
Nebuchadnezzar (from The Matrix)		75%
Moya (from Farscape)		69%
Enterprise D (from Star Trek)		63%
Galactica (from Battlestar: Galactica)		56%
Millennium Falcon (from Star Wars)		44%
Bebop (from Cowboy Bebop)		38%

Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics)
created with QuizFarm.com

Anyone wanna take the quiz too? C'mon it won't hurt! I need some comments dammit!

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Class Placements

My Dad said I shouldn't really be writing stuff about school on here because I might get into trouble. I can't really cut that whole part of my life out of my blog, but I will try to be a bit more diplomatic than I have been in the past (it depends on my mood when I am writing though, as well!).

Today we had our "class placements" meeting. In this meeting we basically look at the kids in our class and decide which classes to put them in for next year. It sounds easy but it can be a bit of a nightmare! I'm not complaining really because I got an hour and a half off class where we got to sit in one of the air conditioned rooms, but it isn't as easy as it sounds. You have to look at which children would go well with the personalities of which teachers, and which kids should be kept apart from each other, and who is friends with who so kids are not left with no one they know in their class. We really do take a lot into account and there is a LOT of shuffling going on. Our school has decided to try to keep the classes together wherever possible to keep things stable for the kids, but it didn't really work out that way for the kids this year.

Not only do we take all of these things into account, but the parents also get a say. They are sent home forms on which they can write their concerns about where their kids will go the next year. Most of them are very good about it and write sensible things like certain children they want their child to be away from because they clash, etc. Some of them just use this as an opportunity to write down the names of teachers they don't like. As far as I know, this year I wasn't on anyone's 'hit list'. But I was last year and I can tell you it hurts (I'm sure it doesn't bother everyone, but I take things to heart when I should probably have a thicker skin).

I got to have a (very quick) look at what my class will be next year as well, although it didn't really tell me much because I didn't know most of the names. I have a few brothers/sisters of kids I've taught before though, which I'm looking forward to, particularly because they were lovely kids and supportive parents.

My question to you is, are all schools like this? Do most parents get this much of a say, including listing teachers they don't like (even though they have often never met the teacher in question just heard gossip about them)?

Sunday, November 13, 2005

More Wedding Planning

Thought I'd do an update on how the wedding plans are going.

The Ring

I have only just started wedding planning and already things are going wrong!!!
On the first of this month I spoke to the jewellers about getting a wedding band made to fit my engagment ring (trust me to pick one that a plain straight band won't fit next to!), and I had to give them my engagment ring to send away for a quote. The quote came back, and even though it was more expensive than I hoped it would be, after talking to Matt I told them to go ahead and make it because I knew it would cost just as much anywhere else. On Friday I went in to pick it up. For some strange reason they had sent back the engagment ring but not made the wedding band. Must have been some wires crossed between the jewellery shop and the guy who actually makes the ring. I wasn't happy, I can tell you. Everyone is telling me not to be silly, because there is plenty of time before the wedding, but it's not that. I just hate being away from my engagment ring for so long. I have to wait another two whole weeks now, and that is if nothing else goes wrong!

The Photographer

In happier news, Matt and I went in to talk to the photographer we would like to go with, Peter Crichton Photography, and we were really happy with what they offer. We both really liked their digital albums, and I love the fact that you get to keep the negatives. We haven't signed anything yet because we want to make sure the reception venue is confirmed first. I called them a few weeks ago and made a tentative booking but haven't really heard much back since then so I am going to call again on Monday and organise for Matt and I to go in and tell them what we want and maybe pay a deposit to make sure it is properly booked.

Other Stuff

We went and visited Dad on Saturday and he says he might know someone who will be able to make a wedding cake for us, which will be great.

I can't wait to go shopping for my dress :) I would also like to get an idea of what sort of bridesmaid dresses the girls want to wear, so I have something in mind when I talk to the florist. When are you free to go shopping, girls? (Jules and Paula that is - it is going to be tough with my Maid of Honour Trina all the way down in Sydney!) I am also on the lookout for a reasonably priced hairdresser/ make-up person. Because the photography is probably going to cost more than we hoped, we are going to need to cut back on some other things.

Any wedding planning hints? I sure could use them!!

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Our Anniversary Weekend Away (Part 2)

Well, Matt did a wonderful job of writing about the first part (well, actually, most of) our weekend away, and has left it to me to write about the Sunday.

After leaving Ninderry Manor, we drove to Kondalilla National Park to do some bushwalking. We stopped at a couple of lookouts along the way and stocked up on some water (and I'm glad we did - we needed it!) before arriving at the National Park.

We chose to walk the Kondalilla Falls circuit, a 4.6km track which took us from the car park, down to the rock pool at the beginning of the falls, then down to the base of the falls and back up again. So even though the track wasn't really that long, it was steep hills or steps the whole way, so was very tiring! It was definitely worth it though - the falls were beautiful and so was the view. It is always nice to walk in places like that where it is nice and shaded by trees and you can listen to (and see) the wildlife. We saw a couple of lizards but no snakes luckily! The only bad part was when I smacked headalong into an overhanging tree branch! I was so preoccupied with looking at where my feet were going on the very uneven ground, and my hat was down low, so I didn't see it. I smacked my forehead straight into it and fell over backwards. It wasn't very funny at the time to me but I can laugh about it now! I think I was more surpised than hurt, although I did have a bit of a headache for the rest of the walk. Luckily Matt was there to help me up, and he didn't even laugh at me even though I'm sure it was a funny sight!

After the walk I was in need of a sit down and a cold drink. We decided to have lunch at the Little Morgue Winery. I had heard about the place before and was intrigued by the idea - an old Morgue which has been turned in to a winery. The wine tasting bar was packed when we arrived so we sat down for lunch first. Unfortunately the whole place was being run by only two people - one at the bar being swamped by wine tasters, and the other having to waitress and cook the four tables having lunch. It took them a while to get our meal out but they were very friendly and apologetic, and they got us some cold water when we first sat down so I was happy to sit in the shade and drink that for a while! When our meals came out they were delicious! I had grilled prawns on jasmine rice with sweet-chilli cream sauce. YUM!

By the time we had finished eating lunch, there was no-one at the bar, so we were able to taste the wines in peace. And what wines they were! They were all really nice, but we liked the "Subtle Departure" - a wooded Semillon, which was quite ununual but really delicious, and the "Supreme Afterlife" Shiraz. I don't normally like Shiraz much, but this one was to die for. All the wines have similiarly themed names, which we thought were cool.

After the winery it was unfortunately time to go home. We had a fantastic weekend away, and like Matt said on his blog, we definitely want to go back again!

If you would like to check out some photos from our weekend, please check out the entry on our Events of 2005 page.