Un/reality

I recently re-watched 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', having received it for Christmas and I realised that all of Kaufman's films are essentially about the same thing: reality, and our perceptions. This doesn't make me love his films any less, but the Great Epiphany just hit me while watching. Think about it: 'Eternal Sunshine' considers reality through the reliability (or lack thereof) of our memories; 'Adaptation' ponders who controls reality, by playing with the idea of the film writer creating the world around him; and 'Being John Malkovich' explores the reality of our own identities. At the same time, Kaufman leaves us wondering how in control we are of those realities, of our own destinies. This is especially clear in 'Eternal Sunshine', where the characters find themselves unconsciously reliving the same lives they sought to leave behind.

The themes of destiny and identity were followed up in another film I saw yesterday, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'. Nick, Paul and I went to the Nova to see 'Frost/Nixon' on the cheap, but sadly it was sold out. We took the gamble on 'VCB' (Woody Allen can be such a risk!) and happily it paid off. This film was shot SO beautifully (I found myself wandering off the story at times, so taken was I by a camera angle or sound choice), and made me remember just how much I loved Barcelona. It follows two young women on holiday, exploring different ideas of love and 'what they want'. I loved the way the script juxtaposed the ideas of creative spontaneity and sensible stability and found both lacking and tinged with regret and uncertainty. A really clever and worthwhile film, and strangely uplifting, despite the bittersweet feeling with which the characters leave.

We did also see 'Frost/Nixon', by the way. Yup, over four hours of film in one day- we are HARDCORE. Completely different to 'VCB', but 'Frost/ Nixon' was also an excellent film and again had me considering different realities. For me, born in the early 80s, this film focuses on an essentially historical event. There's no personal connection, but I wonder how the film would have effected me had I been old enough to have lived through these events? I think the enormity of such a moment escapes a younger audience, and causes us a completely different experience of the film. I also wondered about the unreal image we have of public figures, and how the disconnection from them as a human being makes it so much easier to vilify them, and hunger for the 'kill', so to speak. 'Frost/Nixon' (and presumably the interviews themselves) were incredibly humanising of Nixon, and left me feeling undeniably sympathetic. I'd love to know whether older Americans found themselves moved (by the film or the interview), having felt a much closer to the subject matter. I imagine the whole affair would exist in a completely different reality for them.

Creeping on up

Oh look, reports are finished ( in fact, term is finished) and I haven't yet blogged. Oops. I think facebook actually makes me very lazy about blogging, as I figure with a status update I have kept people in the loop that is my life. 

And so, here we are; almost Christmas, which means almost the end of the year. My final weeks of school were so hectic (reports, followed by senior transition, followed by junior transition, followed by packing and relocating my desk, followed by celebrating the end of term) that I've barely had time to keep up with things winding down. And now Christmas peers over my shoulder. Where'd you come from?

The best part about the end of this year is that, for the first time ever, I am being paid for Summer Holidays. Honestly, it makes them SO much more exciting. Having the time to sit and read, or watch movies, or drink coffee, or even CLEAN is given that little bit of extra lustre through being a financed activity. In fact, these are my first Work Free Summer Holidays in TEN YEARS.

Here are my planned holiday activities. (I wish I could put tick boxes next to each item and mark them off as I do them)

- Read the following books for school purposes: "Dinner at the homesick restaurant"; "The Bridge to Wiseman's Cove"; "Shogun"; various stuff on Japanese religions/ shinto/ buddhism/ confucianism.

- Read some other books for pleasure.

- Watch the following films for school purposes: "Witness"; "Look Both Ways"; "Spirited Away/ extra features"; "Tuck Everlasting".

- Watch lots of old films I have been meaning to see for years.

- Use up some of my free movie vouchers :)

- Watch all the rest of Buffy and Angel DVDs I've borrowed from Rami

- Dance lots

- Take up kickboxing (again) or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Or pilates (again)

- Catch up with lots of people :)

- Give blood

- Cook lots of yummy food and give dinner parties

Yeah, sounds doable. Wow. I love holidays.

Neglect

Oh, poor abandoned blog. This is a public promise that I will return to you once reports are finished (When? When?!). I think the insistence by my school that everyone create a blog has left me bitter and jaded... but I find comfort in CHOOSING to write in you, blog. And I also find procrastination from my report writing :) What? No, I wasn't. Must get back to it. I'll do a real post soon. Promise.

Teapots and Puppets

Recently, I caught up with a friend who works in The Arts. As a result, she very rarely views The Arts, so busy is she working within them. She mentioned a concept she and some other Arts friends used to participate in, Cultural Sunday. Basically, every Sunday they would take themselves to some sort of cultural event, be it a gallery, an arena spectacular, a play. Sometimes the events would be fabulous, sometimes they'd be a baffling loss of several hours. The last few days seem like a microcosm of Cultural Sunday.

Yesterday was fabulous. 4 - 8pm was blissfully spent at the Taste of Melbourne Festival. For the record, Melbourne tastes delicious, and is great value for money, especially if you're willing to experiment, share and walk a fair distance. I'll write more in another blog post.

Earlier, though, I spotted a picture in the newspaper and booked last minute tickets to the Teapot Ensemble of Australia, performing at La Mama Theatre. What a fabulous spur of the moment decision! For starters, it took me back to La Mama, which I love and which I have neglected for some time. The positive atmosphere of this tiny space is immense, and in the current struggle to buy La Mama and keep it as a theatre space, I encourage EVERYONE to go see a show there. Every ticket include a tax deductible donation to the Save La Mama fund, and shows are intimate, often experimental, and almost always enjoyable.

But back to the teapots. Oh the teapots. The Teapot Ensemble of Australia (or TEA) is a group of four talented musicians and singers who primarily perform through the medium of teapots. Yes, that's right. Their collection of 'instruments' is huge and hilarious, from the standard medium white pot, to bright little dinky pots, to a red and white spotted pot which moos. Singing through these vessels, the group combine beautiful music with an absolutely hilarious aesthetic. The performance I saw was specifically for kids, and so elements of the show were hammed up to the max (cue whoopie cushions and silly dancing), but it truly was suitable for all ages. Reminiscent of the Adam Simmons Toy Band, but with a strong focus on the glory of tea. I was literally crying from laughter by the end of the show, yet completely moved by the beauty of the music. You simply haven't lived until you've heard Beethoven played through a teapot.

Unfortunately, my Friday night theatre going experience was somewhat more ambiguous. 'The Plains' is a VCA Masters of Theatre performance, and ambitiously combines acting, puppetry, and animation. It's about... um.... well you know what? I'm just not sure. 'The Plains' was inspired by a gallery exhibition, which was in turn inspired by a novel (all of the same name), and tackles notions of ideas bigger than the ability to realise them. I think. Now, I have to admit that I was still recovering from a cold, and that the show was on later than we'd first thought but... well... I almost fell asleep. I don't think that's a good sign. That said, parts of the show were amazing. The puppeteers were simply incredible, both in their manipulative abilities and their vocal control. The set and lighting were really interesting explorations of the space available. But in the end, that's a few hours I'll never get back. At least there were puppets...

Anyway, find below proof that I partake in Cultural Sunday style events from time to time, and even write about them (at the request of my friend Lisa, now located in Paris).

A review of a Sudanese fusion performance for Refugee Week:
http://www.vibewire.net/Members/nmaes/melbourne-under-construction/

A review of the 48 Hour Play Generator, as part of the Emerging Writers' Festival:
http://www.vibewire.net/Members/nmaes/melbourne-48-hour-play-generator/

Gluttony and Glee

I like food. I mean, I REALLY like food. I don't believe in food simply being something you process through your body for means of sustenance. I LOVE eating, and trying new flavours. I'm happy to pay a bit more for a better food experience. Food. is. awesome.

Which is why I'm excited that Food Festival season is gearing up. This year I've felt cashed up enough to visit a few and I'm very pleased about it. Last weekend saw me at Chocolate Rush Festival at the Abbotsford Convent, more specifically at a chocolate and wine matching session- mmmm, two of my favourite indulgences. The wines (mostly fortified, from a Rutherglen winery called Campbells) were lovely; I could probably have stood to match them with a slightly better chocolate, but at a push Heritage will do me.

Sadly, the chocolate market was disappointing, and far overshadowed by the non-chocolate providores. The thing with a chocolate festival is that it draws Chocolate Aficionados and Old Gold Devotees alike. Of course the manufacturers are aware of this, and thus the cheaper end of the chocolate spectrum is well represented. A few of my favourite hand made producers were represented (Lizzy's(Carnegie) and Xocolatl (Canterbury and Kew East)), but I'm just as likely to visit their stores to sample their full range, and so was disappointed with the lack of exciting new chocolate discoveries.

Luckily, the non-chocolate market stalls made up for the chocolate deficiencies. Two thumbs up to Meredith Dairy, who produce irresistible goats' cheese- I shouldn't have touched it (evil lactose), but once I'd tasted, I kept coming back. Also thoroughly impressed by the olive oil, cider and chutney producers. I ended up leaving with a bag of goodies: marinated and blue goat cheese; extra virgin and basil infused olive oils; ingredients for mulled cider; and a deliciously savoury spiced tangelo confiture.

The Convent is a really nice space, and it's exciting to see some of the developments down there as more businesses set up shop. Food wise there are some delicious options. For starters, the first and third Saturdays of the month the area is host to farmers' markets. The Convent Bakery is also a great place to drop into- the egg and spinach pizza I tried there was lovely, nice and light, but really flavoursome. And I'm excited to realise that there is a Lentil As Anything at the Convent. Lentil is a brilliant, brilliant concept. Staffed by volunteers, the rotating menu is vegetarian and oh-so-tasty. At Convent, it runs the gamut of basic breakfast options like eggs and muesli, to the Sri Lankan Farmer's Breakfast (Roti parcels filled with egg and spiced rice). Later in the day, try a mixed curry platter or a lentil burger. Most excitingly, Lentil doesn't have prices; you pay what you feel, so if you're feeling weighed down by cash today, shell out. Otherwise, pay what you can.

I love love love pigging out on vegetarian food. Recently I enjoyed a great group vegaquarian dinner (farewelling a friend relocating overseas), but my usual vego gluttony venue is the brilliant Moroccan Soup Bar. How exciting to realise that Nick's sister's birthday is around the corner, which means a trip to Moroccan... which means the delicious (and extremely well priced) banquet... which means the most delicious chickpea bake in the world! One day, I truly do intend to try the soup at the Moroccan Soup Bar... but the banquet is just so hard to resist!

On the same weekend, I'll also be taking myself to the Taste of Melbourne Festival at the Royal Exhibition Centre in Carlton. This event showcases chefs from high end (and high priced) Melbourne restaurants; the chefs prepare a selection of 'taste' plates, allowing the opportunity for festival goers to try a range of different restaurant experiences. Good advertising line for the restaurants too, I imagine! This festival also features chef q&a sessions, a provisions market and information sessions.

Mmmmm, all this talk of food is making me hungry... better grab a snack!

Drama Queen

So, I've been somewhat lax about blog writing this year. In first semester that was because I was working in a doomed boys' school which is closing down at the end of the year, resulting in increasing student misbehaviour and decreasing staff morale. Takes up a fair whack of your day.

This semester I am facing a whole new set of challenges, having started at a new school with a whole new set of (somewhat unexpected) responsibilities. I now teach in a co-ed, middle class 'burbs school, where, unbeknownst to me, I had been awarded the position of Head of Drama. How does one receive a job without being aware, you may ask. WELL...

I applied for an ongoing Drama/ English teaching position. I interviewed for the same position, and at no point was co-ordination mentioned. They then checked my references, raved about me to my principal and... nothing. Just as I got REALLY annoyed at not hearing anything, they called me; the terms of the job had changed (due to falling student numbers. Why does this happen everywhere I go???). Not to include co-ordination, mind you. It was simply a fixed contract, with a view to permanency. I took the job.

You'll note there's still no co-ordination involved. A few days before the position commenced, I went to school for orientation and received my timetable, which included a few free periods. What are these for, I asked? Why, to co-ordinate the department! Yes, of course they were...

Sadly, the teacher I replaced had been quite unwell in Semester one, leaving behind a few neglected and disheveled English classes (including a VCE class), a failed musical, and a complete absence of a Year Ten Drama curriculum. I had been of the impression that my job involved picking up and rearranging these pieces. Now people were mentioning tasks such as resurrecting a VCE Drama course and forward planning for the following year's performing arts festival.

A few days ago, the Assistant Principal mentioned a VCE expo (which I'd heard nothing of), for which a VCE Drama stall needed to be constructed, requiring information, pamphlets, photos, possible performances. In passing, the AP noted that, as we hadn't a Head of Drama, I might need to assist the Head of Arts in this. What? No Head of Drama? What was I, then? CHOPPED LIVER? I'd only just gotten my head around the surprise position and already it was being taken away! (And did this mean that I was able to shirk any extra responsibility? *pleasepleaseplease*)

Cue emergency meeting with Head of Arts, who outlined my responsibilities as *possible* Head of Drama, as well as expectations for the VCE Expo. He also checked with the AP, and confirmed that, as I had a time allowance, I MUST be Head of Drama! And so, my title has been re-bestowed upon me. What a week...

In viewing news, I have recently: seen and absolutely loved the musical, 'Wicked'; seen and been disappointed by the dance-ical, 'Edward Scissorhands'; seen and thoroughly enjoyed (although not as much as the previous Batman film) the Heath-ical, 'The Dark Knight'; been reminded of the rock opera shambles of last year, through the much better organised Complete Works Theater Company's version of 'Macbeth'; and am expecting to very much enjoy tomorrow's performance of Bell Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.

In eating news, I am soon attending a chocolate festival (including a very exciting wine and chocolate matching session); am planning to attend the Taste of Melbourne food festival; am considering buying far more wine than I require (but it includes freebies!); have discovered the best churros in Melbourne so far (Juanita's, Brunswick St Fitzroy); and am excited to be gathering with a whole hope of long lost friends in a group dinner at the Quiet Man pub tomorrow.

And that's all, folks!

Funding shortfall

You may know that I am a mentor. Through a welfare organisation called Good Shepherd, I, and other like minded volunteers in the MOOOV program provide a stable adult presence for around 50 disadvantaged young people. Or at least, we did. Today we have had it confirmed that our program is out of funding, both from philanthropic partners and the government. The program has no choice; it is selecting which mentoring matches are to be terminated immediately, and then phasing out all other matches.



This is such a huge disappointment. The program funds the volunteers to meet up with their young person and just 'hang out' for a minimum of an hour a week. Quite often mentors spend a lot more time than this (especially if you count travel time and costs, which are the mentors own costs). But in the end, the benefits are so great that no-one begrudges the time they have put into this fantastic program; seeing these kids, who've seen too much of life's negativities, blossom into confident and happier young people is such an incredible reward.



Our kids in the program come from a range of difficult situations; poverty, foster care, refugees, school refusers, substance abuse, personal abuse. These young people have seen more of the dark side of life than many lucky adults will experience in their whole lifetime. These kids have learned not to trust adults, to only rely on themselves, to disconnect from a society that has harmed them. Through valuable programs like MOOOV, we help them to plug back into the mainstream, and look forward to their own futures. And now, due to a lack of funds, these kids are likely to find themselves back on society's trash heap.



Sadly, mentoring is not a focus for our current government. They're focused on band aid solutions, like Juvenile Justice, but haven't the inclination to look at the source of the wound. So much can be done by helping kids gain the confidence to pull themselves up out of grim situations before they become dire situations that lead to darker cycles.



If you know anyone in government, in companies interested in financially supporting a charity, or in media, please help to promote our excellent cause. Expressions of funding interest, and all communications should be directed to Sue Parkes, Communications Manager at Good Shepherd, on 03 9418 3000.

I don't like Mondays

I just KNEW today would be messy. Despite the extra day of weekend, I didn't get enough work done (again), therefore needing to stay up fairly late to do some more marking and feel more fulfilled. Extra early morning, to get in to school and make up for what I didn't prepare over the weekend... hectic, but doable. Pity I knocked over and broke my bedside lamp in the extra-early darkness- I wonder if superglue can fix that, or if the heat of the light would just melt it all over again? Hmm.

I had felt sluggish all weekend, not helped by the fact that I can't wear most of my shoes, because I got stiletto stabbed in the foot at the formal, and my shoes all seem to rub that spot. So no shoes = no exercise + no orthotics = fat and sore Naomi. Still on ill fitting shoes today. Not good, but workable.

As I zoomed out the door, realising I'd actually intended to leave about 20 minutes earlier (should have just slept longer, I guess), I was confronted with my open car bonnet. That's right, the car inexplicably overheated last night. Gurgled some water into the radiator and headed out... slowly... and noisily... and, as the trip progressed, steamily... Overheating again. I prayed to the saint of roads and radiators and steam and traffic lights and explosions and personal protection to please get me to school in one piece. Mission successful.

Feeling anxious at the thought of an exploding car, no way of getting to school without my car, and also the impending cost of repairs, I wasted my extra preparation time on the phone to various parties hoping to magically fix my car. Rocked into my first class and realised I was completely nauseous (anxiety or fumes? Who knows?). But hooray, they were pretty good, and I survived my following classes too without too much hassle.

The drive home was a terrifying prospect. I filled the car with as much water as she could drink, drove about five metres, realised the oil light had flashed on and pulled over to check it out. Bone dry, and strangely (considering the service and radiator core replacement she had four weeks ago) the oil cap was not on properly. I suspect maybe the oil fill I was charged for might not have been carried out? Again, who knows. Filled with all the oil I had, called the garage to change 'check in' from tomorrow morning to this afternoon and putted my pathetic, smokey way to the garage.

Conclusion? A blown head gasket. So now I'm looking at about $600 (not anywhere near as it could be, admittedly), 3 days carless (thank god for Sam driving by my area and being happy to give me a lift), and a bit more stress in my days. Yay.

And THAT is why I don't like Mondays. Thank goodness I've got a nice glass of wine to relieve the pressure :)

(Innocent bystander sangiovese merlot. Very nice)

Using my time wisely

I'm halfway through my holidays. So far I have marked this many essays/ workbooks: None. I have planned this many units for next term: None.

However...
I have seen this many movies at the cinema: Three
I have watched this many movies on DVD: Four
I have seen this many comedy shows: Four
I have been out to this many meals in restaurants: Three
I have been out for coffee/ cake this many times: Four
I have seen my mentee for this many hours: Eleven
I have had this many meals at someone else's house: Two
I have borrowed this many books from my local library: Three
I have been on this many picnics: One
I have eaten this many hotcross buns: Eight
I have eaten this much chocolate: Incalculable

Cinema

Oh my god, Paul Thomas Anderson is annoying. He makes me swear. A lot. Absolutely loved 'There will be blood' until the final scene. Then I swore non stop for approximately three days. In better cinematic news, saw 'Grindhouse' at the Astor as Tarantino intended; the whole double feature complete with shlocky previews and fake ads. I have not laughed so much in years. See it while The Astor is still showing it. With a group of friends. Who like horror. And 70s kitsch. Awesome.

DVDs

I have now seen the following: Waitress (Awesome, hilarious, quirky. Go you Felicity chick, and you Captain from Serenity); Bra Boys (like my VCAL boys, plus surf); Brokeback Mountain (wow, THAT was way more full on than I was expecting); Capote (how annoying that ALL of my local libraries are out of the novel 'In Cold Blood'. I really want to read it now); the first two episodes of Spaced (someone I know used the word 'Hilarious'. I'm waiting for that to kick in, cos right now, I'm not seeing it).

Comedy

Gotta love a night when you pay for one comedy show (Daniel Kitson, The Ballad of Roger and Grace. Very cute and amusing) and get a three for one ticket to another show (Geraldine Hickey, oh my god she is funny. Wrong, and bogan, but so so funny), a completely free show (Jimmy James Eaton in Eaton Alive, utterley hilarious. He really shouldn't have to bribe an audience in just because he's getting reviewed. Folks should be fighting for those tickets), and then get dropped another free ticket on your way out (The Great Myspace Emigration of 07. One word- meh. Glad I didn't pay for that!!!). Am also hoping to catch Andrew McClelland teaching people to be gentleman, Bec Hill discussing superhero-ly stuff, and Fiona O'Loughlin just being damned funny. But we'll see. Cash is somewhat restricted.

Foodie delights

Discovered (after it had had three writeups in The Age) an awesome coffee shop, Liar Liar in Hawthorn, which uses an unusual coffee making process to uncap distinct scents and flavours within the coffee. Served in a snifter, and delivering a lighter coloured brew with a long caffeine hit, the changing flavours emerge as the coffee cools. Also very excited to try a new churros bar on Brunswick St, Juanita's. Churros very good, although the chocolate is a bit sweet. South American style, rather than Spanish. Excellent chorizo empanada. Check it out.

Eating in

Yay Helen for hosting our communal candlit dinner for Earth Hour. Gorgeous vego food, good wine, great company followed by a pleasant stroll through the darkened city. The stroll back featured my VCAL boys. How amusing.

Books

Am currently reading: Anna Karenina by Tolstoy- I WILL finish this eventually; The Whisper of the Blade, I forget the author, about various revolutions throughout history; River of Gods by Ian McDonald- awesome sci fi writer, read all of his books, now. Am currently resisting: The curious incident of the dog in the night time; a couple of young adult fiction books I borrowed from the library. Have just finished: Wicked.

Easter

My favourite celebration of the year. Why do fruit buns taste so much better with a cross on them? Yum. And thank you to those who have accepted that I really WOULD rather have one expensive chocolate item rather than lots of cheap chocolate. Yum again.

Plans in black and white (to encourage me to achieve them)

- Give blood. Booked in tomorrow. This should happen.
- Don't complain when the service my car is booked in for turns up lots of faults; they are probably all genuine, and I should just hand over my Visa now. Smilingly.
- Make sure I actually get to the Indonesian grocers to try my hand at making rendang from scratch. I am quietly confident.
- Cross my fingers that either my brother picks up his kitten tomorrow, or that the kitten is willing to sleep in a cupboard throughout upcoming house inspection.
- Oh yeah. Marking, planning. Whatever.

Bubble bursts

I had a crack-it-moment today. It came on the back of an emotional afternoon, in which My Awesome Mentor told her VCAL boys she's leaving at the end of term, so I was already a tad brittle. Then there was a staff meeting at which it kind of hammered home to me that, even if I stuck out this incredibly hard year, with the boys being super-ratty, it is EXTREMELY likely I won't have a job. And then I cried at work. Ugh.

Here's the thing. Because the school was 'under threat', I could onl;y be offered a short term contract. They needed me, they wanted me to commit for the whole year, but they couldn't offer me ongoing status due to lack of enrolments (Apparently they could offer other people ongoing contracts, but that's another story). And now, despite knowingly and willingly re-entering the school during a really tough transition phase, I'm being told that the school can offer me the following in support: zilch. Because I am not an ongoing staff member.

I've known all along there were no guarantees. But to hear that at best the new school will be able to accomodate all the ongoing teachers (and it's highly unlikely we'll achieve such a 'best' outcome), and to realise that all the rhetoric about supporting each other is essentially a blast of hot, meaningless air... well that's pretty sucky, really.

So tonight I applied for a job, and expressed interest in some others. And I may or may not leave my school, even though I have made great friends there, and I really do like my feral boys and it would KILL me to leave them in the lurch. And if nothing comes through and I'm still at this school at the end of the year and fighting tooth and nail for a job somewhere, well, it's not like it's the first time I've joined the rat race. I just didn't really want to :(

Hot or Not

So I had a bit of a shock moment yesterday. Out of nowhere, I have become a Hot Teacher. I’m used to being a Nice Teacher, or being told I am a Cool Teacher, but Hot??? This is NOT a good thing.

I don’t know, maybe it was the outfit: Nothing short, Nothing cleavage-y; shirt dress, belt, boots, scarf in hair. Other teachers thought I looked nice; I had a whole heap of compliments on my outfit. All good. But then I got comments from my students.

The first was a throwaway line about my boots being made for walking. Yeah, that’s still ok. Then I got told I looked very nice, especially my hair. All of that was a bit weird, but still fine. But it was the LOOKS.

At previous schools, I have had boys with crushes on me. I even had a kid ask repeatedly if I’d marry him (I had to decline). But I have never felt like I was being Checked Out. Yesterday went up several levels from what I'm used to. Yesterday involved leering. Ugh.

There are days when teaching at a boys’ school feels like working in a zoo. On days like yesterday, it feels like a construction site, stopping just short of wolf whistles.

It may be completely unrelated that another student decided to try out a pick up line on me at recess. Apparently heaven is missing an angel. Sigh.

Patron Saint of the Lost

My (extremely expensive prescription) sunglasses have been missing for days. So long that I couldn't remember the last time I'd worn them, only the moment I looked in my glasses case and discovered their absence. This was Friday night, and after a thorough home search I convinced myself they were on my desk at school.

Only they weren't. Nor, once I emailed the staff, had they been seen by anyone at school(although I received about twenty emails reminding me that the principal had found a pair after a meeting. They were not mine, nor anywhere in their league/ price range).
I started to panic. I searched the house again. I searched my car. I rang family I'd visited asking if they'd seen them. And then I despaired.

I remembered how I'd lost my next most expensive item, my i-pod, on the flight back from Sydney. I wondered if, now that I had a full time job, but a tight budget, the universe was taunting me, testing whether I'd break my budget to replace them.

At last came the sad moment that I decided to remove the empty, useless sunglass case from my handbag. In a desperately hopeful gesture, I left the case open, in case my glasses found their way home...

They did. In less than a minute, I spotted them on a shelf, hidden under a toy horse (don't ask). A colleague suggested leaving the glasses-case open was a silent prayer to St Anthony, the patron saint of the lost. I don't know about that; I'm just wondering if I should leave my i-pod box open somewhere and wait for its return...

What? Where? Wait!

How does time go so fast? I seem to be doing so much, and yet so little. I both aim for more time to relax, and yet to be doing more new things. I think somehwre wsomething's gotta give, but I sure haven't worked out what it is yet.

Last post I started (although completed today it is dated the date intentioned for publishing!), I was working at Department of Human Services over the xmas break when beyondblue closed down.

I have started my new job teaching, back at Samaritan. Sadly it looks to be the final year of Samaritan, as we've been deemed too small to be viable and are being acquired as a campus of a laregr school. Totally dulls the sheen of a new year. We're coping and trying to keep focussed on the job at hand, but it's made difficult by the threat of teachers and staff moving to other schools, the general uncertainty of what will actually happen, and the constant undercurrent of unhappiness and tension.

This year I am Primary Breadwinner; Nick is studying full time for the next two years at VCA then RMIT which is awesome, but adds a whole new element to the relationship with this shared finance thing. But it's all good, I think, and completely awesome that Nick's at uni! Yay him.

Also Yay Nick for winning us a trip to Sydney last year. We finally enjoyed our prize, three nights at the very lush Taj Blue in Wooloomooloo. Upsides: all the frees; room, flights, limo ride, breakfast, cocktails at the bar; the service; the size of the room (enormous, apartment sized!); the chance to wander around Sydney with no agenda; the opportunity to hang our with Phillip; seeing 'Juno'; the yummy cocktails, which were awesome; a large bath in the room; joining a wine club at the airport. Downsides: the constant rain, which restricted our activites and soaked Nick's shoes through, so he had to buy new ones; not seeing Bon Jovi, even though he was eating at our hotel; me leaving my ipod on the plane. Stupid! But overall a great fun trip and a fantastic chance to relax before jumping into the school year.

Anyway, that reminds me of preparation I have to do. The most INSANE timetable (six days out of ten I have no breaks at all during the day) means I need to be super prepared ove rhte weekends. But hopefully once I get into the swing of it I'll also get back into the habit of blogging. Or not, if the 80 meals blog is any indication... we'll see.

Year in review

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? Travelled overseas (I'm not counting moving temporarily to Indonesia as travel!).

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I resolved not to make any resolutiones, I think... this year I am resolving to eat more vego food, and to increase the number of active classes I do, like dancing.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My 'aunt' Becky

4. Did anyone close to you die? My grandfather's brother died, but I didn't know him very well.

5. What countries did you visit? New Zealand, England, Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany and Czech Republic :)

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? A secure job.

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? April 5- the date I stepped off the plane in England.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Travelling, rather than planning to travel, and learning to relax and enjoy it, even when travelling on my own (something which previously freaked me out).

9. What was your biggest failure? I don't believe in failure, provided you treat mistakes and sadnesses as an experience to learn from.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing major. Except I developed lactose intolerance (I think it's been brooding for some time).

11. What was the best thing you bought in 2007? My plane ticket to Europe.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? The majority of the Australian people, for voting out a government in power for too long.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Japanese whalers

14. Did you do to any weddings? No.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Gaudi, and architecture in general- a passion I didn't know I had!

16. What song will always remind you of 2007? I don't know names, but the French songs on Lisa's laptop, which she would play at a low volume while going to sleep.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:---happier or sadder? Happier
---thinner or heavier? Heavier, despite losing weight overseas
---richer or poorer? Poorer, but with absolutely no regrets about having spent

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? Drinking in the atmosphere in places close to home.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Stressing about things I can't change, and taking on other people's problems and anxieties as my own.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Eve at my dad's with his family, over an enormous roast dinner. Day at my aunt's with family, then at home with Nick and his sister. Boxing day with more family at another aunt's place. Oh so much eating :)

21. Did you fall in love in 2007? With Europe...

22. Were you rejected by anyone? No

23. What was your favorite TV program? I can't believe it, but I became addicted to two reality shows (dance, and model). Also loved Heroes.

24. Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't dislike this time last year? I don't think so

25. What was the best book you read? Brasil by Ian McDonald

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?Triple J in general. I know, I'm a little behind.

27. What did you want and got? Travel and time to myself

28. What did you want and did not get? More time! More opportunity to travel with loved ones.

29. What was your favorite film of this year? I honestly can't remember. I've seen some great films this year already though- Juno, Sweeney Todd, No country for old men.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 25 and was jetlagged from arriving the day before from Europe. Went to Lambs Go Bar with friends and failed to meet anywhere near my target of drinking a beer from every country I visited in Europe. Yeah, somewhat over-ambitious.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I don't know, it was a pretty good year. Nick having been able to meet me in Europe, perhaps.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? Accessorised through European markets.

33. What kept you sane? Loved ones, freedom.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?Johnny. It's always been Johnny.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?Abortion, and whaling.

36. Who did you miss?Friends I've become more distant from in different ways

37. Who was the best new person you met? My Canadian, Dave, with whom I travelled through various European landscapes.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. That I am capable of creating my own happiness and success.

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year: "He walks away, the sun goes down, he takes the day but I'm grown. And it's ok, in this blue shade my tears dry on their own"... Basically not expecing other people be responsible for my emotional state, but taking responsibility myself.