An update is in order…
I just submitted my major assignment for uni this semester & got it in by the skin of my teeth. Phew.
I’m snowed under with marking essays for work.
Of course, the whole household has been sick.
But, in happier news, I’ve been buying up a storm of clothes on ebay and also doing the rounds at all the good op shops.
If only my silence indicated fun, excitement, that life was just way too exhilarating to stop and write in my blog.
Alas! It is not the case.
I have been very busy procrastinating. I have been avoiding study.
I have also started teaching on a new program- English for Engineering. The first class was hilarious. It was going well- the students were busy brainstorming the definition of engineering in groups, blah blah blah, all of it was focussed on what engineering is, and then at about 45 minutes in, I made a comment that tied the activities into the reason why they would need clear, precise English in their careers as engineers. But, we’re not studying engineering, one of them piped up. We’re computer science. Well, I really wish someone had told that to me!
Anyway, here is Ashie and I- he’s just woken from his nap & has sat on my lap for a photo!
“Finding Nouf” by Zoe Ferraris
I’ve recently finished reading this fabulous book. I couldn’t stop reading it & now that I’m done, I’m still thinking about it.
This book interested me on a personal level as it is set in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I’ve been teaching Saudi students for a year now, & am always struck by how life in Australia must be so very different & confronting for them. It’s not really something that I feel overly comfortable talking to my students about, but I’ve gleaned a little bit of information on what life is like in Saudi.
I remember going to a class picnic, & when I arrived in my car, one of the boys pointed at my car & raised his eyebrows at the other boys & laughed. Apparently, women are not allowed to drive a car in Saudi.
I am fascinated by a number of things about my Saudi students. Most of my male Saudi students are really fashionable & dare I say it, good looking! For some reason, that surprised me. Some of my students have fathers with multiple wives. Most of them seem to have cash to burn, & more importantly, many of them tend to be extremely generous- especially with food. Mmmmm, dates & pastries & coffee (but not as we know it!) & yummy platters that they share with everyone & anyone.
Since starting to teach Saudi students, I’ve also been more aware of stories in the news from Saudi Arabia. Like the 80 year old woman who was given lashings because she was talking to a man in public who was not a family member. And the 12 year old girl who wants to divorce her 80 year old husband.
Anyway, back to the book. It did actually reflect a lot of what I’ve written about above. I would classify it as a murder mystery/ love story. I loved the main character & I loved the ending. Best of all, I love that there is a sequel coming out soon!
The weather has been absolutely spectacular in Adelaide this past week, which has greatly contributed to a new-found feeling of wellbeing (also aided by a rejuvenating visit from my amazing friends last weekend!). Alas, when the weather changes, sickness always strikes!
The great weather coincided with two excursions that I enjoyed with my classes. On Wednesday afternoon, we headed to the museum to check out the Waterhouse natural history art competition- there’s nothing like splotches of paint and the artist’s fluffy meaningless ramblings about the meaning of life. My students were also intrigued by a stuffed rabbit with bird’s wings attached to it’s back that had been named the “flabbit”.
Then on Friday afternoon, I took a lovely group of students for a walk to the Botanic Gardens. First stop was the Amazonian waterlily pavilion, then a slow walk through the grape vines, & finally onto the National Wine Centre. Being Friday afternoon, I indulged in a glass of shiraz cabernet- bliss. One of my students commented in general conversation that couldn’t believe how relaxed we Australians are (mind you, we were in a bar at the end of the working week so everyone around us was letting loose!) yet it still made me realise (again) how lucky our lifestyle really is.
Now, there is no news about our house situation yet. It’s all kind of turned into a bit of a debacle but I am trying to remain hopeful.
Well, we are back from our epic adventure. I really don’t know why we do this to ourselves- have an intense holiday then come home & have to go back to work the very next day! I really do feel like I need a holiday to recover from my holiday. Oh & another thing….does a holiday with a toddler actually fulfil the neccesary requirements of a holiday (eg: rest & relaxation?) I think not!!!!!
Nevertheless, it was fabulous to see my lovely mum & sister in Mt Beauty. We also enjoyed a great stay in Melbourne & Mt Gambier.
Ash experienced snow & wasn’t really all that impressed!
I had some huge stacks on my snowboard- I’m getting too old for all of that! Concussion & whiplash are not fun.
We spent a lot of time in the car…..thankfully we had a dvd player, Hi-5 on very high rotation & lots of food & drink on hand to keep a little someone occupied. He did so well & I’m very proud of him considering our holiday was not child-friendly at all!
Life is back to being super busy again. Paul is now teaching at TAFE & uni- I’m also very proud of my talented husband. I’ve got 2 new classes which started today. Our house is on the market (!) so we are frantically trying to get everything ready for the first open (next week). I have no idea what will happen but I am open to all new & wonderful & good things to arrive in our life. Let’s hope the universe agrees with me : )
One of the things I love most recently is watching A interact with other children. Sometimes I really do forget that he is a real person, not just my baby. Not sure if that makes sense! But I love seeing him take in all the new things in his world, watching his reactions & seeing how he negotiates and co-operates with others.
What I do not like, however, is his addiction to food that gives him a sore bott-bott. He can’t get enough of sultanas and corn & it really is bad news. I am going to have to ban them. Ok, too much information! It’s just that today was particularly bad in that department.
Now I’m going to have to finish off my essay marking before heading to bed. Yes. Problem in society is contradict is teacher mark essay late, affect student and bring big problem heatly-debated in society (sorry I’m being mean to my students but this is the kind of stuff I have to deal with!).
Dammit. Another wall eaten. Yes, termites, go ahead and keep eating my house. Really. I don’t mind one bit.
NOT HAPPY.
On top of that, I’ve finally succumbed to germs. Amazing really that I lasted this long considering there has been a sick toddler in close proximity for the past 3 months. Looks like my magic pills couldn’t hold the germs away forever. But they’ve done a pretty good job, I must admit. I’m talking about chinese herbs- nothing sinister!
Woe is me!
Thankfully I had a chance to reconnect with nature yesterday. Pity I had to do it with pesky students as well, but I really can’t complain about getting paid for going on a bushwalk!
Teacher, teacher, driven up the wall
Who is the most boring of them all?
Sometimes you just gotta laugh & accept that to be a teacher you must have thick skin.
One of my students had no qualms telling me and the whole class today that the activity we had just done was boring.
Gee, thanks.
If you really want boring, I can do REALLY boring next lesson……bring it on!!!!
Still hot here. It does feel like there is a cooler breeze….but it’s actually 38 degrees. I think my mind has started playing tricks on me. Against all hope, we pray that today is the day the weather people get it wrong!
Mind you, I can’t say I envy those on the other side of the world who are freezing & dealing with freak snow storms.
In other news, I am feeling a little unsure. My current course is ending this week & for the next 5 week round, I was offered either 1 day or 3 days of work per week. I’d love to do one day but then I feel guilty about paying for childcare that I don’t need & or even worse, having that day off while Ash is in childcare (oh the guilt!). And I worry about the “global economic crisis” (aarrrgghh, I’ve beeing trying to avoid saying that horrible term!), the fact that neither Paul nor I have guaranteed income, how we want to fix our house etc. And so in the end, I’ve decided to do the 3 days for the next 5 weeks & after that go back to 2 days (god willing there is still work for me). Paul is looking forward to it as he will look after Ash on Wednesdays. Ash will continue going to day care on Thursdays & Fridays. This situation being short term should work out ok. It’s just that I feel a little sad…..I’m going to miss Ash so much!
I am procrastinating. I should be marking critical reviews & exam essays. I’ve been putting them off ever since Friday. I am sooooo not wanting to do it but it must be done…..how depressing.
Anyway, onto the miserable bit. I wanted to get something down as it touched me. We went to see Marley & Me on the weekend & I loved this movie. I’ve read the book too which was brilliant & I was pleased that the movie captured the spirit of the book so well. It seemed very applicable to the times in my life right now. There was a moment in the movie where John & Jen have had their second baby, who is very unsettled, crying a lot & not sleeping. Jen’s not coping & she says “how come noone tells you how hard this whole parenting thing is?”.
I’ve totally felt that way.
John replies that people do tell you but until you’ve experienced it yourself you don’t believe them- you just think that they are miserable human beings.
So true, so true.
When it all seems like it’s too much, you’ve just got to work through it. Stick together, keep your marriage & your family bonds strong.
Anyway, like I said, I loved this movie- it was nice to watch a movie that seemed to reflect normal life, rather than slick, unrealistic, hollywood storylines.
There were so many other deep & meaningful things that I could mention about the book & the movie, but I shan’t procrastinate any longer……..
