I gave birth to my first child, a lovely girl, in December of 2010. She was born healthy though afterwards I suffered some minor complications following the birth. Add her being a terrible sleeper into the mix and I didn't even entertain the idea of having a second until she was two years old.
I always envisioned having two children. It was how I, the majority of my friends, and husband grew up. I became pregnant with my daughter easily, almost too easily. We weren't trying, got lazy one weekend and there she was. Since her conception was such a breeze I arrogantly assumed that conceiving a second would be just as simple.
I was wrong.
We have been trying since around November of 2012. Which will put it at almost two years. In that time I've gone through two miscarriages - spaced a year apart - and a chemical pregnancy. The last miscarriage was just over a month ago and I decided I needed a break. My body has been through enough and I needed emotional distance from it all. The monthly wave of hope and disappointment isn't something I'm ready for nor am I ready to handle yet another pregnancy that might not end well.
There is a name for the condition that I have, secondary infertility. Moreover I have three friends who are in the same boat as myself. Some who have also suffered miscarriages and some who haven't been able to conceive at all. The group of us are watching our one child grow older and the age gap get wider as time passes and the second baby remains a dream. It hurts. I'd always imagined my daughter growing up with a sibling and now I'm beginning to wonder if that will ever happen. I want to add here that I am grateful to have my daughter. I know I'm not in the same position as those with primary infertility whose predicament I can't begin to imagine. This post is about my situation and not meant to make others feel badly.
The lack of a second child makes me feel incomplete and I worry that my daughter will be lonely. Who else understands your parents like a sibling? Who is she going to complain to about how unfair and horrible we are? Then there's me. I want to experience again pregnancy, birth (only because I have to!) and those first crazy months of sleeplessness. I want to be able to feed another baby and watch him/her grow. I want to see the first smile, hear the first laugh, catch the first steps.
I'm sure relatives and Facebook friends are wondering where the second child is. (I specify Facebook friends as those close to me know exactly what is going on) Being told not to "wait much longer" for the second baby is frustrating. If it were as easy as wanting it to happen I would've had one long ago. My father who had been one of the louder voices insisting my daughter needed a brother or sister has, mercifully, fallen silent as news of each failed pregnancy came his way.
Medically it seems I need to have three miscarriages in a row before any testing for problems will be done. The chemical pregnancy does not count as a miscarriage since it was really only my period being three days late. I wouldn't have even known if I hadn't tested so early. My age doesn't make things any easier. At 36 I know my prime reproductive years are behind me. I've done my homework so I know the risks of problems only get higher the older I get. It could very well be that being that much older then when I conceived my daughter is causing abnormalities when I do manage to become pregnant.
My doctor is optimistic I will go on to have a successful pregnancy, having been through something similar with his wife. I don't know what will happen but for now I'm putting it to the side and working on enjoying my life and loving the child I have.
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Good God. I forgot I had a blog. Are people still blogging out there?
Why have I not blogged for such a long time? Well, I got a full time teaching job and lost my mind. Then I had a baby and what was left of said mind after teaching was effectively shredded. I want to make it clear I love my baby. Except she isn't a baby any longer. She's three. She's energetic. She has tantrums. She can be incredibly amazing and incredibly horrid all in the space of ten minutes. I'm led to believe this is normal.
Now that I no longer need to get half-undressed to feed my daughter nor change her diapers I'm finding I have time to think again. Thinking is good - except that I tend to take it to extremes and enter the deep realm of anxiety instead of staying in the shallow end. Thinking also makes me remember I actually had creative outlets. I by no means consider myself a Martha Stewart but I like tinkering on a piano (play only - no idea how to compose) and writing. Since I have no piano here it falls to writing. Which I'm trying to get back into. Awkwardly.
I haven't edited this post so forgive any mistakes that are present. It's getting late and it's been a long day of being stuck indoors due to rain. Three year olds aren't meant to stay indoors all day. They're supposed to be taken for walks. Much like dogs.
Will update within a week. Famous last words.
Why have I not blogged for such a long time? Well, I got a full time teaching job and lost my mind. Then I had a baby and what was left of said mind after teaching was effectively shredded. I want to make it clear I love my baby. Except she isn't a baby any longer. She's three. She's energetic. She has tantrums. She can be incredibly amazing and incredibly horrid all in the space of ten minutes. I'm led to believe this is normal.
Now that I no longer need to get half-undressed to feed my daughter nor change her diapers I'm finding I have time to think again. Thinking is good - except that I tend to take it to extremes and enter the deep realm of anxiety instead of staying in the shallow end. Thinking also makes me remember I actually had creative outlets. I by no means consider myself a Martha Stewart but I like tinkering on a piano (play only - no idea how to compose) and writing. Since I have no piano here it falls to writing. Which I'm trying to get back into. Awkwardly.
I haven't edited this post so forgive any mistakes that are present. It's getting late and it's been a long day of being stuck indoors due to rain. Three year olds aren't meant to stay indoors all day. They're supposed to be taken for walks. Much like dogs.
Will update within a week. Famous last words.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Sticker Shock - Again
I thought that I'd gotten used to most of the prices in Australia but I hadn't accounted for automotives. My husband has become numb to it, already having ranted and raved about Canadian prices vs. American. Being Canadian myself I shrugged off his outrage but now have the dubious pleasure of experiencing exactly the same thing in Oz.
Our car was due for an oil change and so we went off looking to get that done. In the States oil changes can go as low as $14 and in Canada you're usually looking at about $30. I knew Australian prices were generally higher so I was prepared to pay about $50-60 dollars for the same service. Instead of it being double the Canadian price, it was quadruple.
After some poking around we found that the average oil change cost about $120. As said before my husband was already immune by now to sticker shock but I stood dumbfounded thinking we couldn't possibly have been quoted the correct fee. Why is it so much more here? Is oil imported via air freight? Are there only a handful of mechanics working in the country? I don't have an answer for this. Not to mention the shock still hasn't worn off, hence I'm writing about it now.
What we've taken away from this experience is that, next time, we'll do our own oil change.
Our car was due for an oil change and so we went off looking to get that done. In the States oil changes can go as low as $14 and in Canada you're usually looking at about $30. I knew Australian prices were generally higher so I was prepared to pay about $50-60 dollars for the same service. Instead of it being double the Canadian price, it was quadruple.
After some poking around we found that the average oil change cost about $120. As said before my husband was already immune by now to sticker shock but I stood dumbfounded thinking we couldn't possibly have been quoted the correct fee. Why is it so much more here? Is oil imported via air freight? Are there only a handful of mechanics working in the country? I don't have an answer for this. Not to mention the shock still hasn't worn off, hence I'm writing about it now.
What we've taken away from this experience is that, next time, we'll do our own oil change.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Vegemite - Australia's KD
Food vices exist everywhere. In Canada we apparently have great fondness for Kraft Dinner. Policemen have donuts. Koreans have to have kimchi. San Francisco has Rice-a-Roni, you get the picture. As it's contribution to the food vice community, Australia presents Vegemite.
On one of my first trips into the supermarket in Australia I was bewildered by certain yellow-labeled jars and tubes prominently featured in the condiments aisle. The label read "Vegemite" and was made by Kraft Foods. What was this Vegemite? A salad dressing? Jam? Strangely condensed vegetables? An edible topical ointment? I know the suspense is killing you so read on.
Vegemite is an Australian staple. The label declares that it's: "Proudly made in Australia since 1923". The thick, dark brown paste is a by-product of beer brewing. Leftover yeast is mixed with some vegetable and spice additives to create Vegemite! Sound distasteful to you? The majority of North Americans would agree as it never caught on there even though it's owned by Kraft. Vegemite is derived from the British Marmite which is even thicker and saltier than its cousin (ugh). It can be purchased in jars of varying sizes or toothpaste-like tubes. I'm just wondering what brewery-working bloke looked at leftover yeast and thought: "Eureka! This would be perfect on bread!" Seriously, it's the not the first thing that would come to mind as a tasty snack.
A good many Australians swear by it. I've seen it scraped onto bread at many a recess and lunch and many bakeries sell "Cheesymite" rolls. My brother had his first taste of it while on an extended overseas trip and it's safe to say that Vegemite will never grace his tongue again.
I had my first taste of Vegemite in a friend's house after they'd learned I'd never tried it. A jar was promptly whisked out and I was given a knife and piece of bread. "Don't put too much on!" I was warned and with good foresight. I tentatively placed a light covering of Vegemite onto the bread and even more gingerly took a bite. What was it like? Honestly, it tasted...brown (I'm serious if brown had a flavour this would be it!) and salty, really salty. Did I like it? No, but I didn't hate it either. I also haven't had any since that initial sampling, despite being given a jar at Christmas. I'll leave it that we're strangers who met once at a party and never spoke again, much to Vegemite's dismay. I'm sure it would've loved to make another conquest.
I'll end my Vegemite-themed post there. If any of my friends out there wants to try it, let me know and I'll mail you a tube! Mmmm.
Things I miss about Canada
I've been in Australia now for about 5 months. In that time I've managed to get work and make some friends. I've also had time to really miss things about my home country. In no particular order I present them now:
1. Snow and cold - Yes this sounds strange for those of you suffering from too much of it but Christmas in blazing sun and heat just isn't the same for a gal who grew up in the Great White North. Christmas Day is for sitting in your warm jammies, sipping hot chocolate and eating lots of fatty foods (turkey, stuffing, potatoes etc.). NOT for sitting in shorts, perspiring and wondering when the hell it's going to cool down again. They don't really play carols here either, which is simply a travesty.
2. Clothing Stores - No, Aussies don't all walk around naked for a lack of stores but they're just not what I'm used to. The styles are slightly different (though nowhere near the trauma of Japanese styles) and prices...well I've discussed that before. I was somewhat surprised that bigger name stores like Gap, or H&M hadn't made it here. I suppose I should just stop bitching and find some places I'll like.
3. Canadian Book Prices - Although I complained about paying more than Americans did for books it's nowhere near the exorbitant prices Aussies pay. Your average paperback in Canada is, let's say about $10. Here you're looking at something like $27 for exactly the same book. Don't even get me started about hardcover. For one, it's basically a bigger, thicker paperback (not a real hardcover) and two, the cost is astronomical. Basically if you want to be a reader here you either need to go bankrupt or have a library membership.
4. Hashbrowns - They have the McDonald's type hashbrowns here but I'm talking about the diced/shredded versions that you could easily pick up in any supermarket in North America. I loved eating these for a snack or lunch/breakfast. Actually I probably would've eaten them at every bloody meal if I could've convinced my husband he liked them too. Why why why don't they have them here?? I was heartbroken when I went on a supermarket hunt to no avail. *sob*
5. Right side Driving - We bought a car here in September and I'm pretty used to driving on the opposite side but 29 years of right-side driving doesn't go away overnight. I'll still find myself hopping into the car and then realizing there's no steering wheel in front of me. Or I'll nearly crash because I'm exiting on the wrong side of a driveway. And roundabouts, whew I finally got the hang of them but they were my mortal enemy for a good month. On a related note, I also miss being able to turn right/left on a red light. They don't do that here.
6. My family and friends - I said it was in no particular order. In past posts I've gone on and on about it being more difficult to make new friends when you're older. I stand by it! I want my social network from home to be transplanted here then I'd be supremely happy (except for the hashbrowns).
7. Ice Cream Sandwiches - What gives? Aren't these a staple during the summer? Ice cream on a stick and Eskimo Pies just don't cut it. I've only managed to find one brand that makes them and one supermarket that stocks it.
8. 8.5" x 11" Paper - Apparently the rest of the world uses A4. It's not really a big deal but I can't use clipboards and binders that I've brought from home. Why can't everyone use the same thing, be it letter or A4?
9. Frivolous Magazines - Such as People, Entertainment Weekly and Us. I like to read crap, so sue me. Actually it's more of Entertainment Weekly I miss. Oz has it's own equivalents of People and Us. Strange since I never paid it much attention when I was home.
10. Produce in a supermarket - I'm not saying there isn't good produce here, it just isn't found in a supermarket. After a few months of being dissatisfied, I discovered that most people seem to buy their greens separately at produce-only stores. I'm used to produce-only stores being of the organic variety at home but here they're the norm (and not necessarily organic). Usually a produce store is found very close to a supermarket.
11. Unlimited Internet - I've never had the problem of having the amount of internet I use be capped. In Korea you get crazy speeds and no one seems to care how much you use. In Australia, this is not the case. Internet prices are inflated and you're closely monitored with how much bandwidth you take. When we hit our limit our speed is severely downgraded until the next billing period starts. I've heard it's owing to the distance and the difficulty of wiring across the ocean or bla bla bla. In Canada, I paid less than half the montly price I do now and there was no cap. Quite frankly it sucks and to me it's archaic.
I originally had the list at 10 but remembered my beef with internet, thus it's now 11! (Wow, that was an exciting aside Yuri!) I could go on but I won't as I'm realizing this sounds more like a bitch-fest than I intended it to. Oh well! Cheers everyone!
1. Snow and cold - Yes this sounds strange for those of you suffering from too much of it but Christmas in blazing sun and heat just isn't the same for a gal who grew up in the Great White North. Christmas Day is for sitting in your warm jammies, sipping hot chocolate and eating lots of fatty foods (turkey, stuffing, potatoes etc.). NOT for sitting in shorts, perspiring and wondering when the hell it's going to cool down again. They don't really play carols here either, which is simply a travesty.
2. Clothing Stores - No, Aussies don't all walk around naked for a lack of stores but they're just not what I'm used to. The styles are slightly different (though nowhere near the trauma of Japanese styles) and prices...well I've discussed that before. I was somewhat surprised that bigger name stores like Gap, or H&M hadn't made it here. I suppose I should just stop bitching and find some places I'll like.
3. Canadian Book Prices - Although I complained about paying more than Americans did for books it's nowhere near the exorbitant prices Aussies pay. Your average paperback in Canada is, let's say about $10. Here you're looking at something like $27 for exactly the same book. Don't even get me started about hardcover. For one, it's basically a bigger, thicker paperback (not a real hardcover) and two, the cost is astronomical. Basically if you want to be a reader here you either need to go bankrupt or have a library membership.
4. Hashbrowns - They have the McDonald's type hashbrowns here but I'm talking about the diced/shredded versions that you could easily pick up in any supermarket in North America. I loved eating these for a snack or lunch/breakfast. Actually I probably would've eaten them at every bloody meal if I could've convinced my husband he liked them too. Why why why don't they have them here?? I was heartbroken when I went on a supermarket hunt to no avail. *sob*
5. Right side Driving - We bought a car here in September and I'm pretty used to driving on the opposite side but 29 years of right-side driving doesn't go away overnight. I'll still find myself hopping into the car and then realizing there's no steering wheel in front of me. Or I'll nearly crash because I'm exiting on the wrong side of a driveway. And roundabouts, whew I finally got the hang of them but they were my mortal enemy for a good month. On a related note, I also miss being able to turn right/left on a red light. They don't do that here.
6. My family and friends - I said it was in no particular order. In past posts I've gone on and on about it being more difficult to make new friends when you're older. I stand by it! I want my social network from home to be transplanted here then I'd be supremely happy (except for the hashbrowns).
7. Ice Cream Sandwiches - What gives? Aren't these a staple during the summer? Ice cream on a stick and Eskimo Pies just don't cut it. I've only managed to find one brand that makes them and one supermarket that stocks it.
8. 8.5" x 11" Paper - Apparently the rest of the world uses A4. It's not really a big deal but I can't use clipboards and binders that I've brought from home. Why can't everyone use the same thing, be it letter or A4?
9. Frivolous Magazines - Such as People, Entertainment Weekly and Us. I like to read crap, so sue me. Actually it's more of Entertainment Weekly I miss. Oz has it's own equivalents of People and Us. Strange since I never paid it much attention when I was home.
10. Produce in a supermarket - I'm not saying there isn't good produce here, it just isn't found in a supermarket. After a few months of being dissatisfied, I discovered that most people seem to buy their greens separately at produce-only stores. I'm used to produce-only stores being of the organic variety at home but here they're the norm (and not necessarily organic). Usually a produce store is found very close to a supermarket.
11. Unlimited Internet - I've never had the problem of having the amount of internet I use be capped. In Korea you get crazy speeds and no one seems to care how much you use. In Australia, this is not the case. Internet prices are inflated and you're closely monitored with how much bandwidth you take. When we hit our limit our speed is severely downgraded until the next billing period starts. I've heard it's owing to the distance and the difficulty of wiring across the ocean or bla bla bla. In Canada, I paid less than half the montly price I do now and there was no cap. Quite frankly it sucks and to me it's archaic.
I originally had the list at 10 but remembered my beef with internet, thus it's now 11! (Wow, that was an exciting aside Yuri!) I could go on but I won't as I'm realizing this sounds more like a bitch-fest than I intended it to. Oh well! Cheers everyone!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Socializing as an adult
I'm going on the 3rd month now away from home and hitting that usual bump that I encounter when I'm not in North America. I find this happens in 3 month increments. I'll be doing fine and then suddenly I'm hit with an overwhelming wave of homesickness. This happened in Korea, and Japan so it's no surprise it's happening here too. I thought it might've been muted a bit since I can at least communicate with people but there's a difference from being foreign in an English speaking country as opposed to a non-English speaking one.
When you're in a non-English speaking country you automatically latch on to any English speaker you come across, whether your personalities match or not. Sometimes all you have in common is the fact that you're both foreign. It doesn't matter, in a sea of aliens it's enough of a base to start a friendship. Usually you hang out with your English-teaching coworkers. Social groups spring up surprisingly fast and become strong in an indecently short amount of time. At least this was how it was for me and a good many of the foreigners I knew overseas. You became instant best friends with people you'd known a week, did everything and went everywhere together. Of course groups also fall apart quickly as when you return to your own country you realize you actually have nothing to say to each other. Generally, as far as socializing goes being in a non-English speaking country is a blast.
Australia is different for two reasons. One: I'm not here for only a year and Two: I speak the same language that everyone else here does. This time I'm not an anomaly, like in Korea or Japan. My coworkers are all natives to Australia so there isn't anyone to latch onto (you can't latch to natives, it doesn't work that way it would just seem creepy). Instantaneous friends don't exist in this situation, you have to actually work at it like you would in your home country. Anyone knows that making friends as an adult is usually a lot harder than when you're younger and in school. You need to socialize through work functions first and then later you can maybe go for coffee. In a way it's a lot like dating, you're courting potential friends and it's uphill work! It's harder when the people you meet already have established groups and their own lives to live.
The main purpose of this post was to say that I miss my friends and family back home. The friendships I had there spanned years and those people knew me inside out. Pretty much to the point they could predict what I would do in a given situation. I miss getting together with friends where as soon as I see them I can immediately bitch about a bad day and they'll know exactly what to say to make me feel better.
Anway, I hope all of you back home are doing well. I'll keep you updated on my social attempts! Cheers.
When you're in a non-English speaking country you automatically latch on to any English speaker you come across, whether your personalities match or not. Sometimes all you have in common is the fact that you're both foreign. It doesn't matter, in a sea of aliens it's enough of a base to start a friendship. Usually you hang out with your English-teaching coworkers. Social groups spring up surprisingly fast and become strong in an indecently short amount of time. At least this was how it was for me and a good many of the foreigners I knew overseas. You became instant best friends with people you'd known a week, did everything and went everywhere together. Of course groups also fall apart quickly as when you return to your own country you realize you actually have nothing to say to each other. Generally, as far as socializing goes being in a non-English speaking country is a blast.
Australia is different for two reasons. One: I'm not here for only a year and Two: I speak the same language that everyone else here does. This time I'm not an anomaly, like in Korea or Japan. My coworkers are all natives to Australia so there isn't anyone to latch onto (you can't latch to natives, it doesn't work that way it would just seem creepy). Instantaneous friends don't exist in this situation, you have to actually work at it like you would in your home country. Anyone knows that making friends as an adult is usually a lot harder than when you're younger and in school. You need to socialize through work functions first and then later you can maybe go for coffee. In a way it's a lot like dating, you're courting potential friends and it's uphill work! It's harder when the people you meet already have established groups and their own lives to live.
The main purpose of this post was to say that I miss my friends and family back home. The friendships I had there spanned years and those people knew me inside out. Pretty much to the point they could predict what I would do in a given situation. I miss getting together with friends where as soon as I see them I can immediately bitch about a bad day and they'll know exactly what to say to make me feel better.
Anway, I hope all of you back home are doing well. I'll keep you updated on my social attempts! Cheers.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Not Australia Related
Hello out there. I can't believe I haven't updated in so long! First I was plain lazy and then I managed to land a temporary job as a science teacher and have been going non stop since. I was sick the past few days and now have some energy to blog. Excellent.
My post for today pertains to something I stumbled across in my many hours of perusing the internet. I can't remember what led to it but I found an article discussing "SED" or Selective Eating Disorder. I read some of it and I have to say, I just can't agree that this is a legitimate disorder in the way bulimia or anorexia are. To me, it's a product of the over-indulgent, overly-analytical society we live in today.
Apparently, if you suffer from SED you are anxious about new foods. I guess you just can't bring yourself to eat things of a certain texture or taste. It can range from a few foods to omitting entire food groups. While that last part is bit extreme, it still sounds like a lot of bullsh*t to me. Translated I read: "I am picky and now I can excuse it." How many things can we possibly label? Kids today are already over diagnosed and over medicated in my opinion. Isn't this just making it worse? Soon we're going to have excuses for children/adults who don't like to pick up after themselves. Don't worry, make a mess, it's a disorder! We'll send you to pricey doctors for a ridiculous assessment and then medicate you for it! Do you shop too much and go into debt? We'll write your creditors a doctor's note because it's a disorder, you're not responsible for your actions.
I'm not the best of eaters myself. For some reason, I can't stand raisins. Is it irrational? Yes, those raisins never did anything to me. Quite frankly, I don't like the taste. And doesn't it really come down to that with food? You like it or you don't. Why make being picky into a disorder?
Granted, I don't suffer from SED (I hardly think my one untouchable food counts). I don't understand the all consuming anxiety that seems to engulf true sufferers when they encounter those dreaded foods. But it anxiety or just plain disgust? Are we making this into more than it is?
My main problem with labeling diseases/disorders is that I feel like we limit people to working within them. As a teacher, I have seen many students assessed and then accordingly diagnosed with learning disabilities, cognitive disorders, attention deficit disorder and so on. Now, I'm not saying that they don't have merit, I'm sure a great deal of research has gone into it to make it so. But when the child is aware of their condition they can excuse their behaviour within it. I've heard/seen a great many students shrug and say, "My mom says I can't do work because I have such and such." Is making them aware and labeling the problem helping or hurting? If they didn't have the label would they strive more to overcome it? If we didn't outright say it was a problem, would it cease to be one? It's something I've always wondered. I have a friend who believes that had she been in elementary now she would've been diagnosed with ADD. Fortunately for her she: 1. Went to school before Diagnosing Mania began and 2. Had a supportive family. The way she told it is that her parents cared and supported her in overcoming her issues. Did she actually have ADD? Debatable but if given the label, it would've followed her throughout her school career. What does that do to a child? Or an adult for that matter?
Diagnosing has it's benefits and can be very valid, don't get me wrong, I just think we tend to overdo it. Sometimes, don't we just need to take responsibility for our actions?
Those are my rambling thoughts at this late hour. Hopefully I made some sort of point. I tend to veer off in different directions as I write.
My post for today pertains to something I stumbled across in my many hours of perusing the internet. I can't remember what led to it but I found an article discussing "SED" or Selective Eating Disorder. I read some of it and I have to say, I just can't agree that this is a legitimate disorder in the way bulimia or anorexia are. To me, it's a product of the over-indulgent, overly-analytical society we live in today.
Apparently, if you suffer from SED you are anxious about new foods. I guess you just can't bring yourself to eat things of a certain texture or taste. It can range from a few foods to omitting entire food groups. While that last part is bit extreme, it still sounds like a lot of bullsh*t to me. Translated I read: "I am picky and now I can excuse it." How many things can we possibly label? Kids today are already over diagnosed and over medicated in my opinion. Isn't this just making it worse? Soon we're going to have excuses for children/adults who don't like to pick up after themselves. Don't worry, make a mess, it's a disorder! We'll send you to pricey doctors for a ridiculous assessment and then medicate you for it! Do you shop too much and go into debt? We'll write your creditors a doctor's note because it's a disorder, you're not responsible for your actions.
I'm not the best of eaters myself. For some reason, I can't stand raisins. Is it irrational? Yes, those raisins never did anything to me. Quite frankly, I don't like the taste. And doesn't it really come down to that with food? You like it or you don't. Why make being picky into a disorder?
Granted, I don't suffer from SED (I hardly think my one untouchable food counts). I don't understand the all consuming anxiety that seems to engulf true sufferers when they encounter those dreaded foods. But it anxiety or just plain disgust? Are we making this into more than it is?
My main problem with labeling diseases/disorders is that I feel like we limit people to working within them. As a teacher, I have seen many students assessed and then accordingly diagnosed with learning disabilities, cognitive disorders, attention deficit disorder and so on. Now, I'm not saying that they don't have merit, I'm sure a great deal of research has gone into it to make it so. But when the child is aware of their condition they can excuse their behaviour within it. I've heard/seen a great many students shrug and say, "My mom says I can't do work because I have such and such." Is making them aware and labeling the problem helping or hurting? If they didn't have the label would they strive more to overcome it? If we didn't outright say it was a problem, would it cease to be one? It's something I've always wondered. I have a friend who believes that had she been in elementary now she would've been diagnosed with ADD. Fortunately for her she: 1. Went to school before Diagnosing Mania began and 2. Had a supportive family. The way she told it is that her parents cared and supported her in overcoming her issues. Did she actually have ADD? Debatable but if given the label, it would've followed her throughout her school career. What does that do to a child? Or an adult for that matter?
Diagnosing has it's benefits and can be very valid, don't get me wrong, I just think we tend to overdo it. Sometimes, don't we just need to take responsibility for our actions?
Those are my rambling thoughts at this late hour. Hopefully I made some sort of point. I tend to veer off in different directions as I write.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Mission: Friends
I don't usually think of myself as a creepy person. That is not until I get to a foreign country. I'm in Melbourne where, aside from Will, I don't know a soul. I don't like not knowing any other souls. My soul likes getting to know other ones. After feeling panicked because I didn't know anyone, a great opportunity presented itself in the form of an after-school meet-and-greet that also included spouses of the students. Excellent.
Once I arrived at the school I was happy to see that a decent number of Will's fellow students were also married. After chatting for a few moments I felt compelled to immediately go on the offensive and get the numbers of these other lonely souls. Now, I don't do this in Calgary where I already have an established group of friends. Back home it takes days and sometimes months of chatting/working together before the number swap will happen. Being practical I didn't have that kind of luxury to waste as I didn't know the next time an opportunity like this would present itself. Feeling somewhat desperate and more than a little creepy I pulled out my ever-present planner and pen to jot down the numbers of girls who I'd known for a total of 15 minutes. Yes, this is what fear of loneliness does to me. This tactic seemed to have worked out successfully as I have a group of girls that I see with some regularity, our two things in common are that we're not from here and our husbands' are in the same program.
Now I've been hired to work at a school for the next term where many other people also work. While this has potential to create more friends, I can't pounce there, I do have my limits for what's socially acceptable. On a side note, I absolutely hate being the new person. Teachers there have formed their friend groups and have worked together for the whole year if not longer. I'm not good at breaking into already established cliques. I feel like I might as well be screaming, "Be friends with me! I'm nice, really I am! And hey, I have a cool accent!" I never worried about it in Calgary where I already had my network and friends from work were a bonus, not a necessity.
However I'm nothing if not determined. I'll make friends at that school or die trying. Actually dying isn't on my list of fun things to do, I'll modify that to I'll make friends at that school or...I won't. Yes, a much stronger statement! But really, I'm so charming how can anyone resist? :P
Once I arrived at the school I was happy to see that a decent number of Will's fellow students were also married. After chatting for a few moments I felt compelled to immediately go on the offensive and get the numbers of these other lonely souls. Now, I don't do this in Calgary where I already have an established group of friends. Back home it takes days and sometimes months of chatting/working together before the number swap will happen. Being practical I didn't have that kind of luxury to waste as I didn't know the next time an opportunity like this would present itself. Feeling somewhat desperate and more than a little creepy I pulled out my ever-present planner and pen to jot down the numbers of girls who I'd known for a total of 15 minutes. Yes, this is what fear of loneliness does to me. This tactic seemed to have worked out successfully as I have a group of girls that I see with some regularity, our two things in common are that we're not from here and our husbands' are in the same program.
Now I've been hired to work at a school for the next term where many other people also work. While this has potential to create more friends, I can't pounce there, I do have my limits for what's socially acceptable. On a side note, I absolutely hate being the new person. Teachers there have formed their friend groups and have worked together for the whole year if not longer. I'm not good at breaking into already established cliques. I feel like I might as well be screaming, "Be friends with me! I'm nice, really I am! And hey, I have a cool accent!" I never worried about it in Calgary where I already had my network and friends from work were a bonus, not a necessity.
However I'm nothing if not determined. I'll make friends at that school or die trying. Actually dying isn't on my list of fun things to do, I'll modify that to I'll make friends at that school or...I won't. Yes, a much stronger statement! But really, I'm so charming how can anyone resist? :P
Footy and what I don't know about it
I've been in Australia for just over a month now, and working for 2 weeks as a CRT. Yesterday afforded me one of my more interesting introduction to the culture here...footy.
The main sport here in the state of Victoria is AFL or the Australian Football League, they follow Australian Rules Football. The way I understand it is that it's a mixture of rugby and football (not soccer). Not knowing the rules to either I won't elaborate on it. From what I can see they play with a modified football in soccer-like clothing. That's about what I can see. Sorry, I'm horribly unathletic. This translates in being a spectator as well.
The AFL consists of 16 teams, of which NINE are situated in Melbourne alone. This makes for a city full of rabid footy fans. Yesterday was "Footy Day" at the school I was subbing at. The entire day was devoted to Footy related activities and a nearly 2 hour assembly that declared itself to be the "Footy Show". Uniforms were cast aside in favour of team colours and students eagerly tried to recruit me to support their teams. This isn't a phenomenon just among children, adults are much more invested in the sport.
Now I'm from Calgary where I support the local NHL team the Calgary Flames. Hockey is Canada's thing, our unofficial national sport. The major difference is that Calgary unites to support it's team since there aren't EIGHT others to fight over. And there is no song that goes with the Flames. Yesterday I endured listening to 16 team songs, at various points student and staff would stand to enthusiastically join in.
Being an outsider and having no cultural sensitivity to Footy, I sat most of the day completely bewildered by the ardent love of the sport (and doubly shocked when the singing started). I wondered if, in a year or so, I would be singing along when I heard MY team song.
For someone who still can't master the rules of American Football it seems doubtful that I'll pick up Aussie Rules. But I can enjoy the spectacle of others who do appreciate the game.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
I Hate Transit
I can't really pretty up the title anymore than that. I grew up in Calgary where if you don't have a car you're condemned to stay at home and starve to death. I've never been without a car, be it my parents or my own. If I had to make a pros and cons list about transit it would look something like this:
Pros:
1. Saving the environment
2. Don't have to worry about parking
Cons:
1. It REALLY SUCKS
2. See number 1
3. See number 2 (you get the idea)
My newly revived hatred of transit began about 3 weeks into my stay in Melbourne and coincided with the commencement of my job. I work as a substitute teacher, or CRT (Casual Relief Teacher) as they're known here. Part of my job description is that I visit a variety of schools, taking over from teachers who are sick or have prior commitments that day. Without a car, this can get somewhat tricky. First some background about Melbourne's transit system.
Okay, the system here isn't at all bad. It's actually quite comprehensive. If you're
traveling somewhere close to your home then there's really no problem getting around. The system is comprised of buses, trams and trains. I think the 1st and 3rd are pretty obvious and don't need further descriptions but I will go into the trams. These are akin to Calgary's LRT but much more rickety and squeaky. They are tracked and run on electricity, however, they operate like buses in that you need to indicate you want to get off at the next stop or the driver will just carry on. For the first few rides on the tram, I usually glued myself to the window in the fear that I would miss my stop (which are handily numbered). I'm a bit more relaxed about it now. The transit system breaks Melbourne up into two zones. Zone 1 originates in the city centre and extends at least 15-20 kilometers out (I think). Zone 2 covers areas outside of zone 1, and is generally the suburban areas of Melbourne. Zone 1 tickets are $3.50 one way and Zone 1 and 2 together will cost you $5.50. Now back to my initial carping.
The company that I work for generally calls the night before to inform me of a job opening. Once I accept said job I then open up the transit site on the computer and proceed to obsessively map out a route to the school. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to about an hour (I'm serious). I first look at what the site suggests then take matters into my own hands by pulling out the transit map and poring over the train, tram, and bus routes closest to the site. Once I've settled on a route, I consult the website for the timetables of each vehicle and then coordinate accordingly. These nightly productions leave me worn out and unenthusiastic for the day ahead. So far my job assignments have been far enough away that it takes me two hours to get there and I travel through both zones. Yesterday my route included: tram, train #1, train #2, bus. Spending 2 hours (one way) walking, tramming, training and then busing is not my idea of a good time. At the end of a chaotic day my desire to get back onto a bus is about as strong as my desire to poke my own eyes out. Not to mention I'm spending about $50 on transit a week.
To rectify the situation and after much complaining and whining after only 3 days of using transit extensively (yes, I am that spoiled) we have now bought a car. Nothing fancy, just a '94 Toyota Corolla that'll get me from point A to B in some comfort. Yes, I'm leaving a carbon footprint and no, I don't care. As for parking, pfft, I can always use a pay lot.
So here's to my last week of transit and to my upcoming life of absolute luxury.
Pros:
1. Saving the environment
2. Don't have to worry about parking
Cons:
1. It REALLY SUCKS
2. See number 1
3. See number 2 (you get the idea)
My newly revived hatred of transit began about 3 weeks into my stay in Melbourne and coincided with the commencement of my job. I work as a substitute teacher, or CRT (Casual Relief Teacher) as they're known here. Part of my job description is that I visit a variety of schools, taking over from teachers who are sick or have prior commitments that day. Without a car, this can get somewhat tricky. First some background about Melbourne's transit system.
Okay, the system here isn't at all bad. It's actually quite comprehensive. If you're
traveling somewhere close to your home then there's really no problem getting around. The system is comprised of buses, trams and trains. I think the 1st and 3rd are pretty obvious and don't need further descriptions but I will go into the trams. These are akin to Calgary's LRT but much more rickety and squeaky. They are tracked and run on electricity, however, they operate like buses in that you need to indicate you want to get off at the next stop or the driver will just carry on. For the first few rides on the tram, I usually glued myself to the window in the fear that I would miss my stop (which are handily numbered). I'm a bit more relaxed about it now. The transit system breaks Melbourne up into two zones. Zone 1 originates in the city centre and extends at least 15-20 kilometers out (I think). Zone 2 covers areas outside of zone 1, and is generally the suburban areas of Melbourne. Zone 1 tickets are $3.50 one way and Zone 1 and 2 together will cost you $5.50. Now back to my initial carping.The company that I work for generally calls the night before to inform me of a job opening. Once I accept said job I then open up the transit site on the computer and proceed to obsessively map out a route to the school. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to about an hour (I'm serious). I first look at what the site suggests then take matters into my own hands by pulling out the transit map and poring over the train, tram, and bus routes closest to the site. Once I've settled on a route, I consult the website for the timetables of each vehicle and then coordinate accordingly. These nightly productions leave me worn out and unenthusiastic for the day ahead. So far my job assignments have been far enough away that it takes me two hours to get there and I travel through both zones. Yesterday my route included: tram, train #1, train #2, bus. Spending 2 hours (one way) walking, tramming, training and then busing is not my idea of a good time. At the end of a chaotic day my desire to get back onto a bus is about as strong as my desire to poke my own eyes out. Not to mention I'm spending about $50 on transit a week.
To rectify the situation and after much complaining and whining after only 3 days of using transit extensively (yes, I am that spoiled) we have now bought a car. Nothing fancy, just a '94 Toyota Corolla that'll get me from point A to B in some comfort. Yes, I'm leaving a carbon footprint and no, I don't care. As for parking, pfft, I can always use a pay lot.
So here's to my last week of transit and to my upcoming life of absolute luxury.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Accents and Textas
Living in Australia, I'm surrounded by the accent. It's sometimes grating on my ears and other times I hardly notice it. Now that I've started teaching I get the frankness of children staring open-mouthed at me when I tell them I'm from Canada. It's strange to be considered the one with the accent. Don't they realize I speak real English and they're the ones who are doing it wrong?
Today I asked students to guess where I was from this resulted in the following:
Me: Where do you think I'm from?
Student 1: America!
Me: No, try again, it's really close to America.
Student 2: USA!
Okay, I'm going with the assumption that the second student either didn't hear the first guess or thinks "America" referred to the continent as a whole and wanted to be more specific. In any case I informed the class after more unsuccessful guesses (I did wonder why Canada never entered their minds, I guess we really are that far off the map) that I was Canadian. They seemed flabbergasted and the general response was to say "Wow..." in appreciative disbelief.
After I set the group's project for the hour I walked around the tables looking at their progress. When one student asked me for a "rubber" (*giggle*) I said: "Oh, the eraser is over here." At which some kids looked confused. To further the confusion, there was another exchange that went like this:
Student: May I use a texta?
Me: I'm sorry, what did you want?
Student: Can I use a texta?
Me: What is a texter? (I'm saying it incorrectly)
Student: You know, to colour.
Me (now completely baffled): A pencil crayon?
Student: No, a texta!
At some point another student took pity on me and showed me the "texta" in question. For the North Americans out there, it's a marker. In Australia, they have different words for different thicknesses of markers. "Marker" means a large tip marker, "texta" is medium, and "felt-tip pen" is fine tip. After this minor debacle I overheard this comment: "Well, she does speak Canadian."
Canadians back home will be happy to discover we have our own language! It's eerily similar to Australian and American but just different enough to be declared separate! I look forward to future word tangles and will update you all accordingly.
Today I asked students to guess where I was from this resulted in the following:
Me: Where do you think I'm from?
Student 1: America!
Me: No, try again, it's really close to America.
Student 2: USA!
Okay, I'm going with the assumption that the second student either didn't hear the first guess or thinks "America" referred to the continent as a whole and wanted to be more specific. In any case I informed the class after more unsuccessful guesses (I did wonder why Canada never entered their minds, I guess we really are that far off the map) that I was Canadian. They seemed flabbergasted and the general response was to say "Wow..." in appreciative disbelief.
After I set the group's project for the hour I walked around the tables looking at their progress. When one student asked me for a "rubber" (*giggle*) I said: "Oh, the eraser is over here." At which some kids looked confused. To further the confusion, there was another exchange that went like this:
Student: May I use a texta?
Me: I'm sorry, what did you want?
Student: Can I use a texta?
Me: What is a texter? (I'm saying it incorrectly)
Student: You know, to colour.
Me (now completely baffled): A pencil crayon?
Student: No, a texta!
At some point another student took pity on me and showed me the "texta" in question. For the North Americans out there, it's a marker. In Australia, they have different words for different thicknesses of markers. "Marker" means a large tip marker, "texta" is medium, and "felt-tip pen" is fine tip. After this minor debacle I overheard this comment: "Well, she does speak Canadian."
Canadians back home will be happy to discover we have our own language! It's eerily similar to Australian and American but just different enough to be declared separate! I look forward to future word tangles and will update you all accordingly.
Friday, August 29, 2008
My lack of Midnight Sun
This is completely unrelated to anything Australian but I wanted to make a note about my current favorite series.
Since it was recommended to me by my former educational assistant's daughter, I have been hooked on a teen series called Twilight. For a short summary it chronicles an unlikely romance between a normal girl and a vampire. Yes, for those of you unfamiliar with it I know it sounds cheesy but it's the best thing I've gotten my hands on in a long time. I bought the first book, read it in one day and promptly bought the second, third and then fourth books (which I sped through in similar style). My recent pastimes have included obsessively re-reading all four books.
Apparently the last of the series, Breaking Dawn incited such strong hatred in so many former fans that they attempted to return their copies. I'm sorry, but who returns books that they've already read? It's not like clothing that falls apart after one wearing. I've had the unpleasant feeling of buying a book, reading it, and then discovering that I didn't like it AT ALL. I never once thought about returning such a book. But then, I'm relatively normal. I can't imagine, no matter how rushed an author is, that a publisher/editor would permit them to put out, as it was referred to by some former fans, "garbage." Some people were apparently so horribly offended by this last book that they took it upon themselves to create a website devoted to hating Stephenie Meyer. Yeah, these people were real fans! I went to the website in question and seriously, you have to have something better to do with your time than cultivate hatred. Like hobbies. Hobbies are good, they keep you seated in the real world and help prevent utter devastation from fictional books.
After Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer had planned to publish a 5th tome, Midnight Sun (basically Twilight from the other main character's perspective). It was stupidly leaked and then "proudly presented" by the evil Meyer-hating site, their actual reason for making it available was because they knew she wouldn't have wanted it. The proprietor of the site is probably going to end up somewhere that ends with "double hockey sticks." Now, upon discovery of the leak, Ms. Meyer has put the series on hold indefinitely. This latest news has left me in a funk. A really bad funk. And I know it's going to leave at least one close friend of mine in a similar depression. I love this series and was avidly looking forward to reading a vampire's point-of-view. What am I going to do without my shot of Twilight? I'm like a drug addict stumbling around now, not knowing when or where I'll get my next hit.
I want Ms. Meyer to keep writing dammit! Don't let these idiots get you down. I can understand that fans weren't supposed to see the novel until it was finished. I can understand how betrayed you must be feeling because of this leak. But please don't stop writing, because then you let the nogoodniks win. What I saw of Midnight Sun was beautifully written, I think it's her best work to date. So take some time, calm down, spend time with your family but please keep writing to the fans who adore your work and support anything you create. Ignore the idiots who are, after all, human.
Since it was recommended to me by my former educational assistant's daughter, I have been hooked on a teen series called Twilight. For a short summary it chronicles an unlikely romance between a normal girl and a vampire. Yes, for those of you unfamiliar with it I know it sounds cheesy but it's the best thing I've gotten my hands on in a long time. I bought the first book, read it in one day and promptly bought the second, third and then fourth books (which I sped through in similar style). My recent pastimes have included obsessively re-reading all four books.
Apparently the last of the series, Breaking Dawn incited such strong hatred in so many former fans that they attempted to return their copies. I'm sorry, but who returns books that they've already read? It's not like clothing that falls apart after one wearing. I've had the unpleasant feeling of buying a book, reading it, and then discovering that I didn't like it AT ALL. I never once thought about returning such a book. But then, I'm relatively normal. I can't imagine, no matter how rushed an author is, that a publisher/editor would permit them to put out, as it was referred to by some former fans, "garbage." Some people were apparently so horribly offended by this last book that they took it upon themselves to create a website devoted to hating Stephenie Meyer. Yeah, these people were real fans! I went to the website in question and seriously, you have to have something better to do with your time than cultivate hatred. Like hobbies. Hobbies are good, they keep you seated in the real world and help prevent utter devastation from fictional books.
After Breaking Dawn, Stephenie Meyer had planned to publish a 5th tome, Midnight Sun (basically Twilight from the other main character's perspective). It was stupidly leaked and then "proudly presented" by the evil Meyer-hating site, their actual reason for making it available was because they knew she wouldn't have wanted it. The proprietor of the site is probably going to end up somewhere that ends with "double hockey sticks." Now, upon discovery of the leak, Ms. Meyer has put the series on hold indefinitely. This latest news has left me in a funk. A really bad funk. And I know it's going to leave at least one close friend of mine in a similar depression. I love this series and was avidly looking forward to reading a vampire's point-of-view. What am I going to do without my shot of Twilight? I'm like a drug addict stumbling around now, not knowing when or where I'll get my next hit.
I want Ms. Meyer to keep writing dammit! Don't let these idiots get you down. I can understand that fans weren't supposed to see the novel until it was finished. I can understand how betrayed you must be feeling because of this leak. But please don't stop writing, because then you let the nogoodniks win. What I saw of Midnight Sun was beautifully written, I think it's her best work to date. So take some time, calm down, spend time with your family but please keep writing to the fans who adore your work and support anything you create. Ignore the idiots who are, after all, human.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Sticker Shock
While things aren't terribly different between Canada and Australia they are there and mainly in the cost of two BIG (well to me anyway) things. Those being:
1. Internet
2. Coca Cola or other name-brand pop
I will address issue #1: When I lived in Canada, Korea and Japan I didn't know that such a thing as a bandwith cap existed. I figured everyone paid a flat fee and got all the internet their heart desired. I've now discovered, that those down under don't think the same way. Not only are you capped but miniscule amounts of internet are enormously expensive. 400MB per month (which is practically nothing) cost $20. Finding that this wasn't nearly enough we upgraded to 15GB which raised our bill to a whopping $60 (in comparison in Calgary we paid about $35 a month for unlimited high speed). What happens when/if we pass these thresholds? We're slowed right down to a crawling pace at which you can barely check your email. This may seem petty to a great many of you who only use internet for email but for me, it's entertainment and a fountain of information.
Issue #2: Okay, I don't drink litres and litres of Coca Cola a week or anything but WHY is it so expensive?? A regular 2 litre bottle of Coke will cost you, at best, $2.50 (I say at best because this is the price on SALE at a grocery store). I recently bought a 500mL bottle of pop from a convenience store for $3.10. Is all pop imported, is there no packaging plant within Oz? Is Coke so damn popular that they can afford to hike the price as they do? Do they have a monopoly? At least this way I won't be buying pop but once a year or so.
Other things that I've noticed are clothing labels. Let's take Levi's for example. Will loves 501's (even though they're hideously ugly). I think he can get away with paying about $30 or so in the States. How much were they in Melbourne? $110. That's right, we won't be buying Levi's here either. Will and I are horribly cheap people.
At least it isn't as bad as Japan...
1. Internet
2. Coca Cola or other name-brand pop
I will address issue #1: When I lived in Canada, Korea and Japan I didn't know that such a thing as a bandwith cap existed. I figured everyone paid a flat fee and got all the internet their heart desired. I've now discovered, that those down under don't think the same way. Not only are you capped but miniscule amounts of internet are enormously expensive. 400MB per month (which is practically nothing) cost $20. Finding that this wasn't nearly enough we upgraded to 15GB which raised our bill to a whopping $60 (in comparison in Calgary we paid about $35 a month for unlimited high speed). What happens when/if we pass these thresholds? We're slowed right down to a crawling pace at which you can barely check your email. This may seem petty to a great many of you who only use internet for email but for me, it's entertainment and a fountain of information.
Issue #2: Okay, I don't drink litres and litres of Coca Cola a week or anything but WHY is it so expensive?? A regular 2 litre bottle of Coke will cost you, at best, $2.50 (I say at best because this is the price on SALE at a grocery store). I recently bought a 500mL bottle of pop from a convenience store for $3.10. Is all pop imported, is there no packaging plant within Oz? Is Coke so damn popular that they can afford to hike the price as they do? Do they have a monopoly? At least this way I won't be buying pop but once a year or so.
Other things that I've noticed are clothing labels. Let's take Levi's for example. Will loves 501's (even though they're hideously ugly). I think he can get away with paying about $30 or so in the States. How much were they in Melbourne? $110. That's right, we won't be buying Levi's here either. Will and I are horribly cheap people.
At least it isn't as bad as Japan...
Saturday, August 16, 2008
After 29 hours of travel torture comes Melbourne
Hello all, I write to you in Melbourne where I have finally gotten access to the internet. I was only 3 days without it but man, it seems like a long time!
I see that I have neglected my blog but with good reason, living in Canada was boring. I love Canada but when you've grown up there and the majority of people reading your blog have grown up there then it's not so interesting to write or read about. But now onto Oz...
I've been in Melbourne now for 3 days and, surprisingly, my jet lag isn't nearly as bad as I'd anticipated. I think partly due to the fact Will did his damndest to make sure I didn't sleep during the day. Usually I'm falling asleep in my dinner or zonking out in front the TV. That usually results in me waking up wide-eyed and alert at the convenient hour of 3 am.
First impressions, it's grey and it rains...ALOT. All 3 days have involved on and off rain and today bizarrely bright sunshine. I've been trying to convince Will that he wants to live in Vancouver. So far I see no real difference, weather-wise that is.
We live in an suburb of Melbourne called "Brunswick West". It isn't the newest neighbourhood out there and our apartment definitely could use some work. There isn't any central heating here so it's cold, though not nearly so much so as Japan where I turned into a veritable popsicle.
Houses here are very Victorian looking. Actually I'm reminded of New Orleans' French Quarter when I look at them. Downtown Melbourne has a similarly decadent feel with a good number of Victorian-era buildings still standing (or at the very least having been restored).
I'm still in the process of figuring out which stores are what and what the equivalents of my favorite clothing places would be. I'll post more later about the Tram system going on here, I still need to figure that out too. Stay tuned for what will hopefully be a more interesting post than this one. I'm begging fatigue as an excuse for the rather boring nature of it.
I see that I have neglected my blog but with good reason, living in Canada was boring. I love Canada but when you've grown up there and the majority of people reading your blog have grown up there then it's not so interesting to write or read about. But now onto Oz...
I've been in Melbourne now for 3 days and, surprisingly, my jet lag isn't nearly as bad as I'd anticipated. I think partly due to the fact Will did his damndest to make sure I didn't sleep during the day. Usually I'm falling asleep in my dinner or zonking out in front the TV. That usually results in me waking up wide-eyed and alert at the convenient hour of 3 am.
First impressions, it's grey and it rains...ALOT. All 3 days have involved on and off rain and today bizarrely bright sunshine. I've been trying to convince Will that he wants to live in Vancouver. So far I see no real difference, weather-wise that is.
We live in an suburb of Melbourne called "Brunswick West". It isn't the newest neighbourhood out there and our apartment definitely could use some work. There isn't any central heating here so it's cold, though not nearly so much so as Japan where I turned into a veritable popsicle.
Houses here are very Victorian looking. Actually I'm reminded of New Orleans' French Quarter when I look at them. Downtown Melbourne has a similarly decadent feel with a good number of Victorian-era buildings still standing (or at the very least having been restored).
I'm still in the process of figuring out which stores are what and what the equivalents of my favorite clothing places would be. I'll post more later about the Tram system going on here, I still need to figure that out too. Stay tuned for what will hopefully be a more interesting post than this one. I'm begging fatigue as an excuse for the rather boring nature of it.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Slip Sliding the Day Away
No, I'm not talking about those yellow plastic carpet things that kids slid on during the hot summer months. Oh how I coveted those! No, I'm talking about driving on Calgary streets in rather inhuman conditions.
It's been snowing for the past 3 days virtually non stop. Sometimes heavily, sometimes not, but enough to be sufficiently annoying. Not having a garage, I'm one of the privileged few who get to freeze while brushing their car off in sub-zero temperatures. Occasionally I wonder about my blood circulation, I could be wearing gloves a foot thick and my hands would still hurt from the cold. Naturally I don't let thoughts like these bother me for long. I'm too busy turning into a popsicle inside my car.
Seriously, I think when streets are like they were today the city should call a snow day. Not only is it friggin' cold, it's actually pretty treacherous to be out on the roads at all. Since most people are sensible and realize that ice generally equals danger (there are a few that zoom by whose intellect and sanity I question) traffic progresses at a snail's pace. Though snails are probably faster and have the sense to stay inside on days like today.
So we Calgarians sit, shivering behind a steering wheel, alternately heating ourselves or our windshields, and watching the red lights of the car in front of us with an eagle eye. With the ever-growing number of accidents on the Deerfoot (and main thoroughways everywhere) I have to ask is work really worth this? Snowplows and gravel trucks can't seem to keep up with demand which leaves the bulk of us on a virtual skating rink.
Call me strange but I'd rather stay in then venture out into chaos.
It's been snowing for the past 3 days virtually non stop. Sometimes heavily, sometimes not, but enough to be sufficiently annoying. Not having a garage, I'm one of the privileged few who get to freeze while brushing their car off in sub-zero temperatures. Occasionally I wonder about my blood circulation, I could be wearing gloves a foot thick and my hands would still hurt from the cold. Naturally I don't let thoughts like these bother me for long. I'm too busy turning into a popsicle inside my car.
Seriously, I think when streets are like they were today the city should call a snow day. Not only is it friggin' cold, it's actually pretty treacherous to be out on the roads at all. Since most people are sensible and realize that ice generally equals danger (there are a few that zoom by whose intellect and sanity I question) traffic progresses at a snail's pace. Though snails are probably faster and have the sense to stay inside on days like today.
So we Calgarians sit, shivering behind a steering wheel, alternately heating ourselves or our windshields, and watching the red lights of the car in front of us with an eagle eye. With the ever-growing number of accidents on the Deerfoot (and main thoroughways everywhere) I have to ask is work really worth this? Snowplows and gravel trucks can't seem to keep up with demand which leaves the bulk of us on a virtual skating rink.
Call me strange but I'd rather stay in then venture out into chaos.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Career...again
Oi, I should know better than to post something when I'm in a funk. But thanks to those who emailed me supportive comments. It's very much appreciated.
My class is still nuts and while I still don't know if teaching is going to be a lifelong career for me, I'm on somewhat better footing (and in a much better mindset) since the weekend.
I also like the fact that it's Friday and I can sleep in tomorrow and Sunday! Yay! Man, compared to my last post, this one must make me seem manic.
Anyhoo, I'm going to go and veg in front of the TV because I deserve it! Cheers.
My class is still nuts and while I still don't know if teaching is going to be a lifelong career for me, I'm on somewhat better footing (and in a much better mindset) since the weekend.
I also like the fact that it's Friday and I can sleep in tomorrow and Sunday! Yay! Man, compared to my last post, this one must make me seem manic.
Anyhoo, I'm going to go and veg in front of the TV because I deserve it! Cheers.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Career crossroads
Hello all, I write to you on a rather weary Sunday night. I'm so glad tomorrow is not a teaching day, just a workshop to attend and I can handle that. If teaching was all workshops how happy I would be.
As per my title, I find myself in the unfamiliar position of realizing that the career I thought would last me until retirement might not be for me at all. I can't say it's a sudden realization either. It's been creeping up on me since both my practicums and now is overpowering me in waves.
Now, I'm a person that's always been relatively sure in life and done pretty much what I set out to do. Sorry if this sounds egotistical but its true. I haven't done anything really grand but whatever I thought was important was duly carried out. Then came teaching. Again I set out like a good little soldier, applied and was accepted to the Education program, then began classes. That's where things started to go awry. I never really once thought I might be doing the wrong thing or that a career goal I set at the age of 11 might've changed over the years.
In my first practicum I just about died from dehydration as I found myself in tears almost every time I returned from my school. In my second I went in fully equipped with a water bottle and tried valiantly to avoid becoming a prune. Now I have a classroom and the situation hasn't improved as I'm approaching raisin status.
They should tell you during your practicum that you will feel like you have no idea what you're doing that first year. And I mean, NO IDEA. I usually feel like I'm banging my head against the proverbial brick wall. Oh wait, I do have a brick wall I can literally smash my head into but I think it would be bad form. As an introvert having myself on constant display is exhausting and I'm drained by the time lunch rolls around. It seems everyone else knows what they're doing but me and I can't seem to catch up. My kids trail me everywhere and won't stop asking questions (obviously questions are good but its incessant and usually off topic), though that's probably in part because I'm not getting information across very well. I spend my evenings fretting and fussing over lessons or sometimes staring at paper until the letters begin to blur because my brain has ceased to operate. And still I don't know how to reach the different levels in my classroom. The weekends are a welcome break until Sunday night rears its ugly head and my stomach knots, my hands become clammy and I continually wake up through the night. I don't think its a healthy way to be.
That was an extremely long winded way of saying my next move is probably to stop doing this and recover my appetite and sleep patterns. Its a first for me but maybe its a good thing? If you made it this far down my post I congratulate you. It looks more like a diary entry.
Check back for updates on my dissipating sanity! I promise my next post will be more lighthearted.
As per my title, I find myself in the unfamiliar position of realizing that the career I thought would last me until retirement might not be for me at all. I can't say it's a sudden realization either. It's been creeping up on me since both my practicums and now is overpowering me in waves.
Now, I'm a person that's always been relatively sure in life and done pretty much what I set out to do. Sorry if this sounds egotistical but its true. I haven't done anything really grand but whatever I thought was important was duly carried out. Then came teaching. Again I set out like a good little soldier, applied and was accepted to the Education program, then began classes. That's where things started to go awry. I never really once thought I might be doing the wrong thing or that a career goal I set at the age of 11 might've changed over the years.
In my first practicum I just about died from dehydration as I found myself in tears almost every time I returned from my school. In my second I went in fully equipped with a water bottle and tried valiantly to avoid becoming a prune. Now I have a classroom and the situation hasn't improved as I'm approaching raisin status.
They should tell you during your practicum that you will feel like you have no idea what you're doing that first year. And I mean, NO IDEA. I usually feel like I'm banging my head against the proverbial brick wall. Oh wait, I do have a brick wall I can literally smash my head into but I think it would be bad form. As an introvert having myself on constant display is exhausting and I'm drained by the time lunch rolls around. It seems everyone else knows what they're doing but me and I can't seem to catch up. My kids trail me everywhere and won't stop asking questions (obviously questions are good but its incessant and usually off topic), though that's probably in part because I'm not getting information across very well. I spend my evenings fretting and fussing over lessons or sometimes staring at paper until the letters begin to blur because my brain has ceased to operate. And still I don't know how to reach the different levels in my classroom. The weekends are a welcome break until Sunday night rears its ugly head and my stomach knots, my hands become clammy and I continually wake up through the night. I don't think its a healthy way to be.
That was an extremely long winded way of saying my next move is probably to stop doing this and recover my appetite and sleep patterns. Its a first for me but maybe its a good thing? If you made it this far down my post I congratulate you. It looks more like a diary entry.
Check back for updates on my dissipating sanity! I promise my next post will be more lighthearted.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Post New Year's rut
Well, I consider it a rut anyways. Most of us spend at least 2 months anticipating the Christmas holidays which means we're fantasizing about what we'll do with the time off at the beginning of November (or possibly at the end of October). We eat and unwrap our way through Christmas and then can look forward to ringing in the New Year (often with paper hats and a great deal of booze). Once that's all over what do we do? What is the next holiday to look forward to?
I really enjoy Christmas, I love that particular holiday. It's my favourite of all the holidays that come marching round like clockwork every year. New Year's is kind of a low-end bonus. Yay new year! And then pffft. I think the hardest work day if that first day back after the Christmas break.
As a teacher I have a lovely 2 weeks off. Actually, with my particular school I have 3 weeks off. (I hope no one's out there rolling their eyes about how teachers always have holidays. Come spend one day in my shoes!) I'm currently worrying that I'll be the size of my couch by the time school begins again as I can't seem to stop eating. Especially junk food. Chips and Betty Crocker cake are my current best friends.
In any case I am and I'm not looking forward to going back to work. This inactivity will get old really fast I'm sure and I need to use my brain again. I know that first day is going to be a doozy. Cheers all I hope you're enjoying 2007 so far.
I really enjoy Christmas, I love that particular holiday. It's my favourite of all the holidays that come marching round like clockwork every year. New Year's is kind of a low-end bonus. Yay new year! And then pffft. I think the hardest work day if that first day back after the Christmas break.
As a teacher I have a lovely 2 weeks off. Actually, with my particular school I have 3 weeks off. (I hope no one's out there rolling their eyes about how teachers always have holidays. Come spend one day in my shoes!) I'm currently worrying that I'll be the size of my couch by the time school begins again as I can't seem to stop eating. Especially junk food. Chips and Betty Crocker cake are my current best friends.
In any case I am and I'm not looking forward to going back to work. This inactivity will get old really fast I'm sure and I need to use my brain again. I know that first day is going to be a doozy. Cheers all I hope you're enjoying 2007 so far.
Friday, December 29, 2006
My life as a couch potato
With the first half of school giving way to the winter break I have found myself with and inordinate amount of time on my hands. This feels rather strange after having run around constantly not knowing what the heck I was doing for the last 2 months. Since said break began I have not done one really productive thing with my time. Unless you count baking cookies as productive (which could be argued to be so).
My intention during my last week of school was to have a "pajama day". This entailed the arduous task of wearing my pajamas all day long and not moving from the couch, except for those irksome but necessary visits to the bathroom. I tried this out yesterday and enjoyed it for the first half of the day and then found I started to feel weak from inactivity. Not to mention I had become addicted to some game I found on the web. I sat and stared at my computer screen for, I kid you not, 6 hours. And I still haven't passed the damned thing. Actually I'll probably cry when I do, that game is darned fun. But I digress.
I concluded that pajama day will only work if you get fresh air in between, thus ending the whole purpose of the day since you can't walk outside in your jammies during the winter months in Calgary unless you want to die by freezing. Seeing as how I find the idea of turning into a human popsicle distasteful, this ends my quest for the perfect lazy day. Gol ding it!
Please note that the above was brought to you while sitting in my pajamas. Take care.
My intention during my last week of school was to have a "pajama day". This entailed the arduous task of wearing my pajamas all day long and not moving from the couch, except for those irksome but necessary visits to the bathroom. I tried this out yesterday and enjoyed it for the first half of the day and then found I started to feel weak from inactivity. Not to mention I had become addicted to some game I found on the web. I sat and stared at my computer screen for, I kid you not, 6 hours. And I still haven't passed the damned thing. Actually I'll probably cry when I do, that game is darned fun. But I digress.
I concluded that pajama day will only work if you get fresh air in between, thus ending the whole purpose of the day since you can't walk outside in your jammies during the winter months in Calgary unless you want to die by freezing. Seeing as how I find the idea of turning into a human popsicle distasteful, this ends my quest for the perfect lazy day. Gol ding it!
Please note that the above was brought to you while sitting in my pajamas. Take care.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
The joys of Last Minute shopping
It's that time of year when carols are played on radio stations and the unmistakable bells of the Salvation Army can be heard when you walk into any mall. Yes, Christmas has arrived once again, cheering on 2006 as it prepares to make it's grand exit.
Along with Christmas comes trees, tinsel, lights and the delightful frenzy of last-minute shopping, something I always vow to avoid but end up indulging in anyway. I mean, who really finishes all their shopping before November? No one I personally know. Who would want to avoid the agony of searching of a parking spot? The elbowing your way through crowds of tired, cranky people all searching for that 'perfect' gift? The obviously exhausted looks of salespeople?
Yesterday I was lucky that Canadian Tire was the only stop I had to make, it isn't exactly the hotspot of shopping. For real live frenzy you need to stop at Market, Chinook or Southcentre Malls. If you manage to find the oh so elusive parking spot you can then be dazzled by overly bright lights as you enter the mall. Then commence the aimless wandering that inevitably follows as you wonder what in tarnation to get your father. The frustration begins as you realize that each store carries NOTHING he'd want. It mounts as you come up with a great gift idea only to discover all stores sold out of it a week ago. It culminates as you now pick up the pace and whirl frantically from window to window, trying to convince yourself that he really does need a tie with huge snowflakes printed on them. Take deep breaths to prevent from collapsing into a sobbing mess on the floor. Only when you hit despair can you make yourself go and purchase those damned socks you get every year and not feel bad about it.
At least this is the general pattern I follow every year. Usually culminating over the course of a week as opposed to one night. In the end I have to tell myself that it's the thought that counts. It's the defense of all last-minute shoppers.
Merry Christmas everyone. And realize whatever you get has, if not blood, at least sweat and tears put into it.
Along with Christmas comes trees, tinsel, lights and the delightful frenzy of last-minute shopping, something I always vow to avoid but end up indulging in anyway. I mean, who really finishes all their shopping before November? No one I personally know. Who would want to avoid the agony of searching of a parking spot? The elbowing your way through crowds of tired, cranky people all searching for that 'perfect' gift? The obviously exhausted looks of salespeople?
Yesterday I was lucky that Canadian Tire was the only stop I had to make, it isn't exactly the hotspot of shopping. For real live frenzy you need to stop at Market, Chinook or Southcentre Malls. If you manage to find the oh so elusive parking spot you can then be dazzled by overly bright lights as you enter the mall. Then commence the aimless wandering that inevitably follows as you wonder what in tarnation to get your father. The frustration begins as you realize that each store carries NOTHING he'd want. It mounts as you come up with a great gift idea only to discover all stores sold out of it a week ago. It culminates as you now pick up the pace and whirl frantically from window to window, trying to convince yourself that he really does need a tie with huge snowflakes printed on them. Take deep breaths to prevent from collapsing into a sobbing mess on the floor. Only when you hit despair can you make yourself go and purchase those damned socks you get every year and not feel bad about it.
At least this is the general pattern I follow every year. Usually culminating over the course of a week as opposed to one night. In the end I have to tell myself that it's the thought that counts. It's the defense of all last-minute shoppers.
Merry Christmas everyone. And realize whatever you get has, if not blood, at least sweat and tears put into it.
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