I Did It Again!!

Last night I registered for the  Melbourne Half Marathon which takes place on Sunday Oct 11th. Between now and race morning I think I have ONE weekend (two including today) where I'm in town and on my own to get a long run it.  Needless to say the training for this race (I do use the word training very very lightly) may be even worse than what I did for the Gold Coast Half Marathon back in July.  But I'm here and I've signed up.  I guess I go for a run this morning.

School Visits

In the past couple of weeks I've been in two schools different from mine.  While in Wodonga we visited Wodonga Primary and just early this week I visited Wembly Primary another Western Region school like mine.  I've take a few photos and I thought I'd share them (more so for my teaching friends back home).  One thing that some of you will notice from one of the pictures below is how LARGE their guided reading book collections are.  Compared to what I have back at home this is one area that Victoria schools surpass my school at home.  I've mainly focussed on the charts and posters I've seen in classrooms as there isn't a ton of the children's work being displayed (not that it isn't being displayed it just didn't stand out as something I needed to photograph). Anyhow here is a little bit of what I've seen.  

Heaps, and heaps of guided reading texts.

Posters on Writing Different Types of Texts

(which I would assume have been specifically taught before they have gone up)

How to choose book posters.

Tips on how to write a lead for a story (instead of the same old "One day...")

Daily routines posted for all to follow.

Character Development Posters

Reading Charts

 

July 24-26 Weekend

 This weekend I stayed in Melbourne with very little on the agenda.  

Friday I snuck out early from work and met with my new Australian Gastrointerologist.  She told me a little bit more about my Colitis, sent me for blood work, and prescribed some medication to help settle my insides.  I may be able to get this last bit of blood work and specialist appointment covered with one of my medical insurance policies but even that isn't a given.  Since I'm no longer dealing with a medical emergency and instead I'm dealing with a chronic illness I'm more or less out of luck as far as my insurance is concerned.  But it's my health so I don't have all that much choice.  The sad thing is that the medication is super expensive here. I had my dad check on its cost back in Canada and it's about 1/5 the price. So instead of me paying hwy robbery prices for medication I'm working on getting the prescription filled in Canada and sent to me here. I hope it works.    

On Saturday I was up early but stayed in my pjs until around eleven and it was WONDERFUL. I finally caught up with Erica and it was great to hear about her wedding.   I then headed (via two buses) to Bridge Road which is another shopping area in Melbourne (I was looking for a make me feel better item).  I didn't find anything but I did enjoy exploring another part of the city.  I then made my way into the CBD and wondered around roads and alleyways I hadn't been through before.  I stopped and had a very late lunch at Pelligerino (sp?) which is a very old Melbourne establishment that is ALWAYS busy.  I had a great Italian meal.  I then walked a bit more and ended up on Lygon Street snooping around.  From there I headed home several hours after I had started my adventure in the morning.

On Sunday I was up early again and headed to the Lululemon in Camberwell for their free Sunday morning yoga.  Jessica (my friend from Canada that married an Aussi and is now raising her family in Melbourne) and Madeline (another Canadian teacher on exchange) have been going regularly and since I was in town I had no excuse not to go.  It was actually a good class and I'm feeling some muscles that I've let go to mush since I've been here.  I'll have to try to get back.  After class Jess and her family had to go but Madeline and I walked for a bit.  I then caught a trained into the city.  It has been a while since I've been at the Queen Victoria market so I walked from Flinder's Street Station there.  I snooped around the market for a bit and then walked from there up Victoria Street to Brunswick street.  I then snooped around there.  From Brunswick Street I walked over to Smith Street and went into the IceBreaker store AGAIN!  I think I have an addiction to that place and to no ones surprise I bought a Merino Wool sweater (remember I've been looking for a make me feel better gift for me).  Anyhow I made my way home and spent the evening dealing with school items.

This morning I spent the day at Wembly Primary watching a teaching expert in action.  It was a fantastic day and I got a ton of good resources out of the day that I can and WILL bring back to share with my school in Canada.  It also made me realize how short of a stick I've gotten on this exchange.  Professionally this could be such an amazing year for me (as it has been for many others on exchange) but while there have been some good moments there have been far more disappointments.  But it is what it is so I'll try to continue to find the good that's around me.

The Other Side of this Adventure

I try hard to post the stuff that's been great about my time here in Australia - the trips, the adventures, the sights, the country.  But to be perfectly honest a lot of my time here hasn't been all that wonderful.  Work is far more stressful than anything I've ever dealt with before and for the first time in my teaching career I dread going to work each morning.  I'm tired of creating every lesson, for every session every day with minimal resources and without much support from those around me.  I'm tired of attending the meetings I care nothing about, and  the long hours I'm still putting in at school.  I know I have some perfectionist tendencies and I know that most of the stress I'm under is self inflicted.  But even knowing this  I can't seem to stop it.  I want to do the very best I can for the kids in my class yet every day I feel like I'm failing.  I'm not the teacher here that I am at home and it's eating me up inside.  And yes, I  know that I don't have the support here like I do at home. I also know that this is having an affect on my health and I know I need to do something about it. 

I'm not trying to say that people have been awful to me here.  That's not what it is.  Today someone at work wore her Canada shirt just for me.  It made me smile.  In addition I'm heading to a "footy" game next weekend with a colleague.  People have given me rides to the train station when I'm not riding my bike.  And then there is Julie. She's been a great ear for me.  In addition my new principal (the third one since I've been here but the one that IS staying) seems to have a solid vision for the school.  She means what she says and she says what she means.

I haven't written this post looking for comments of sympathy or reassurance that I'm still a good teacher.  I've written it just to vent.  I'm in a rough period these days and my next school holiday seems a very long way away.  It's too bad there are so many days between the weekends.  

Sailing the Whitsunday Islands Revisited

As you probably remember my camera met its final fate while snorkeling in the Whitsundays a couple of weeks ago.  Rachel, the lady that joined Debbie and I on our amazing sail boat trip, recently sent me some photos of the day.  I hope she doesn't mind but I'm sharing them with you.

The boat we sailed.

(Rachel did a lot of the sailing under close supervision of course)

Debbie and I after enjoying our wonderful lunch.

Debbie and I catching a few rays.

(Remember we are on a private island)

Me feeding the big fish right from the boat.

A departing shot of the island.

Yes, I know that wonderful vacation is long past.  I'm two weeks into my third term of work.  As each week passes I get that much closer to term three school holidays.  I can't wait to get back to Queensland.

Congratulations Erica and Jamie!!

When this exchange was in the planning stages my good friend Erica got engaged to her boyfriend Jamie.  Never in a million years would I think that I would miss Erica's wedding.  She and I work together but have become much more than work colleagues.  She is a real true friend.  When I found out that they had decided to get married while I was in Australia I was heart broken.  Erica is someone really special and I think Jamie really gets that about her.  This was one wedding that I wanted to be at.  

Erica sent me an invitation and I told her that I  couldn't RSVP because I just couldn't say that I wouldn't be able to make it.  I even looked into flights to Canada and taking time off work.  This week I tried to get a hold of her by phone (without much luck) but I could barely leave a message because I was so sad.  I've  been teary in private a lot this weekend knowing that I could not make the wedding.

Anyhow on Saturday July 18th back in Canada Erica and Jamie got married.  Nancy from work tried to send me photos from her phone camera but  I never received them.  I wish the two of them a life filled with love, laughter, good health, and long lasting friendship.  They are two great people with so much ahead of them.  I can't wait to give them both a huge hug when I get home.

Erica and Jamie, July 2008

My Sister's Visit and Wodonga/Albury ITF Weekend

On Monday I headed back to work for my third term.  I also met my new principal.  This one has a contract for a few years so I think this is the last new principal I'll be getting this adventure. She has a lot of plans for the school and I think there will be a lot of changes coming down the pipes.  It will be interesting to watch.  

On Tuesday Julie from work took Debbie and I to this great pizza place in St. Kilda.  We had a nice evening with her family and Debbie got to know her a little bit too.  

Debbie and I plus Julie's daughter Ella

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful.  My new principal no longer wants us to have our team meetings after school on Thursdays so one of my planning hours had been designated as team meeting time and the entire schools time table has been changed so that everyone can meet with their grade groups.  If this really means that I'll have one less after school meeting to attend I'll be happy.  Only time will tell though.

On Friday Debbie showed up on my school.  My students were so cute.  They waited by the fence hoping to get a glimps at her.  When she finally came around the corner they were so excited.  I think it was a bit over whelming for Debbie though since being in a school is the LAST place she wants to be after her difficult class this year and it being her SUMMER VACATION.  She survived though and once our Friday afternoon assembly was over we headed across the city to meet Monica and Ake.  

This past weekend was an ITF weekend in Wodonga/Albury.  Monica and Ake  drove Debbie and I along with one other couple.  It took a few hours to get there but once we arrived at our host family we were immediately taken in and welcomed with open arms.  That's what is so great about these exchange weekends.  Debbie and I  stayed with Susanne and Bill in Wodongo.  In the morning we met their two girls - Henrietta, and Harriet.  

Henrietta and Harriet

Henrietta (I think?)

After breakfast we met up with the other exchange teachers.  For this exchange weekend only five of us attended (with are respective family members so there were ten of us in total).  It was a bit sad actually because none of the families with children came.  But I know most had busy school holidays and I can only assume they just needed a calm weekend at home.

Anyhow the ten of us ended up breaking up into two groups.  Debbie, Zane, Danielle, and I headed to the Rutherglen Wine Region to do what we do best - WINE TASTE! The others went towards Beechworth (which I had visited several months back) and other sights in the area.

As usual the area was beautiful and the wine was tasty.  This area is known for its fortified wine which I can attest tasted very nice.  With Zane's great driving skills we managed to wine taste at six different wineries and I've come home with four more bottles of wine. Below are a few photos from the area.

Anderson's Winery (I think?)

Rutherglen Estates

All Saint's Winery

Saturday night we were treated to a lovely dinner hosted by the Albury/Wodonga Exchange Teacher's organization.  It was a nice meal and it was nice to chat with Aussie that had been on exchange or were heading on an exchange in 2010. Below is a picture of the group of us.  You'll notice my sister is doing a very good job of NOT being seen - she's behind me and slightly to the left.

This morning we went to Wodonga Primary to check out the school.  It's under construction but I was impressed with the feel of the school.  I know that some of the people that I work with at home would be blown away by how many guided reading books they have.  

After the school tour (about 12 noon) we headed back to Melbourne.  It was a beautiful sunny day and it was actually WARM.  Along the way back we stopped for a bite to eat.  I had to take a couple of pictures of the potato chips because they have some very unique flavours here.  

On the way back to Melbourne instead of going back to the train station near where Monica and Ake live they dropped Debbie and I off at a station a bit closer to my Melbourne home.  As they pulled up I read that the train was arriving in one minute.  As quick as possible Debbie and I ran to catch the train and we DID!  That was a great treat because it meant we didn't have to wait another 20-30 min for the next train.  When we got to our station our bus was coming.  He too stopped for us so in the ended we were back at my place with in 30 min of being dropped off.  What a treat!!

This evening I'm set to watch the finale of Master Chief Australia*.  You'll have to google it to find out a bit more about it but let's just say the last couple of weeks I've watched it when ever I've been home when it's on.  I actually even saw one of the judges on my flight home from Brisbane to Melbourne last week. And to think he already knew who had won.  My favourite is Julie but I'm be okay with Poy winning too.  I know that Julie will get a cookbook offer no matter what happens - who knows maybe you'll see it in a store near you one day soon.  

Anyhow, that's the weeks update.  I don't have much on the agenda for this coming weekend and that may not be a bad thing.  Soon enough I'll be away for five weekends in a row.

Have a great week.

*I watched the show last night and JULIE WON!!!  I couldn't be happier.  I hope her cookbook comes out before I leave Aus because I would love to own a copy.

A New Camera

Last week during  my third snorkeling trip on my Queensland vacation my underwater camera bag decided to fail on me and the result is that my great camera no longer works.  Despite several attempts to bring it back to life it still isn't working.  Yesterday I had no choice and bought myself a new "budget" digital camera. I was lucky that my dad sent a long some cash for my birthday so it wasn't too much of an out of pocket expense.  Anyhow, here are some pictures of the some of the people I work with plus a tiny tiny glimps into my classroom.  To be perfectly honest I'm not all that proud of my classroom here in Aus but I'm hoping what it lacks in personality I'm making up for it with mine.

John is one of our cleaners and he will do anything for you.  

He is incredibly kind and helpful.

(He's in my classroom in this photo)

Quang - He's our computer saviour.  He keeps all the IT stuff running.

(He's in my classroom too.)

Kay, she teaches 1/2 across from me and is one of our school's leading teachers.

She's super organized and if you need it she probably has it or knows where to get it.

Daniel, he's one of our cleaners.  

He's super nice and will help out where ever he can.

Seir - she teaches 1/2 as well and is very friendly.

Maria also teaches 1/2 and we share a storage cupboard.

Maria is very friendly too.

My classroom after the children have gone for the day.

(Certainly not the most creative learning environment I've ever taught in)

My Main Mode of Transportation

I haven't given him a name but he's been one great bike!

Anyhow, as you can see the new camera does work.  

This weekend Debbie and I as well as some of the exchange teachers are off on a weekend to Albury/Wodonga.  It's on the New South Wales, Victoria boarder and it's right near another wine region!  It should be a good weekend.

My Sister Debbie's First 48 Hours in Melbourne

On Friday night at about 11:30 pm Debbie and I safely arrived back in Melbourne after a fantastic vacation in Queensland.  To our surprise it was warmer than we were expecting but it certainly wasn't as warm as what we left behind.

Saturday morning Debbie went on her first world wind tour of Melbourne.  My job wasn't so much to show her all the sights but to show her where many great sights were so that when I'm back at work she'll have some places she'll be able to visit on her own.  So as we left my Melbourne home the first thing I showed her are the two great running paths near my house - the Capital City Trail, and the Merri Creek Trail.  We then made our way down St. George's street to Brunswick street and our first shopping stop was a large bathing suite store.  Debbie was in heaven and purchased a suit she's been looking every where for.  I think she'll probably head back there in her time without me too.  Anyhow I pointed out Brunswick Street which I'm sure she'll spend time shopping on.  From Brunswick Street we headed down Alexander Prde so I could show her the local swimming pool.  We continued on to Smith Street.  We picked up something from the Katmandu Outlet Store and then did some damage in the Icebreaker store.  We didn't spend much time on Smith Street (remember my goal was just to show her where it was so she could explore on her own) and so we headed back to Brunswick Street via Rose Street.  After a quick lunch we continued down Rose Street to the Rose Street Artist's Market.  Debbie again supported the Australian economy and I had a great chat with the artist.  From Rose Street we headed to Nicholson and hoped onto her first tram into the city.  Once in the city I immediately took her to Dan Murphy (it was wine tasting Saturday!) to show her all the wine available for purchase.  From there we walked to the Tourist Information centre via the small secret alleyways.  From Federation Square (where the tourist info centre is) we walked to South Bank.  We then headed back to one of the small alleyways for a coffee and snack.  We then headed to   Flinder's Station to catch a train to Chapel Street and the Prahan Market.  Debbie couldn't believe all the wonderful food we were seeing (all over the city!).  I kept telling her that Melbourne is a great place to shop and to EAT!  Everything looks so fresh and tasty. On the  way to the market we passed another Dan Murphy's so we sampled more wine.  We hung around Prahan Market for a bit and managed to pick up some great dips and snacks for a later meal.  From the Prahan Market we headed back to my home for a quick break and to drop off our food purchases.  From there we headed out the door (again by foot) and walked to Lygon Street to have a meal at a restaurant that was recommended by one of my work friends.  We both ordered a pumpkin (we'd call it squash) and goat cheese risotto and it was amazing!  We're still talking about it today.  We shared sticky date pudding and a bottle of red wine too which we brought with us.  It was an excellent meal.  After dinner we continued down Lygon Street and ended up in the city before catching a tram back home.  It was a very busy but wonderful day.

This morning we were both up early and headed out for our runs (on two different trails). We then hopped a tram into the city to visit Southern Cross Railway station.  I wanted to make sure Debbie knew where it was for when she has to catch her bus to the airport next week. I also wanted to show her where the Designer Factory Outlets were in case she wanted to head back there while I was at work.  We then walked over to Docklands and took a little look around.  

View from Docklands looking back towards a footy stadium.

From Docklands we caught the "Tourist Tram" to Flinder's Station.  We then walked to the Art Centre Market which takes place each Sunday morning.  From the market we headed along South Bank and caught a tram into St. Kilda.  We went to the St. Kilda market, saw Luna Park,  and checked out Acland Street.  

Entrance to Luna Park

Then we caught the tram back towards the city and stopped at the South Melbourne Market.  Since I haven't been there yet I was quite keen to check it out.  South Melbourne Market is a combination of the Queen Victoria Market and the Prahan Market.  We looked around for a bit then went for coffee in a little shop across the street.  

Debbie in South Melbourne Market

While enjoying our coffees we were trying to decide what we should see next.  At the St. Kilda Market Debbie bought a photograph of the Brighton Beach Houses.  Since I hadn't been there yet we decided that we'd head there.  We caught a train, which because of some railway work became a bus, before we boarded another train which finally took us to Brighton Beach.  After a short walk we found the Beach Houses.  I'll let the Beach House photos speak for themselves.

View from Brighton Beach looking towards the city.

If you look carefully you can see the Beach Houses too.

Both Debbie and I were glad we made the effort to see these.  They were great.

From the Beach Houses we could have either headed back to the train station to train/bus/train/tram home or we could walk to St. Kilda to catch the tram directly back to my Melbourne home.  We didn't have a clue as to how long the walk would be but we figured "why not".  Well, in the end the walk took us at least an hour and 15 minutes.  In good shoes that wouldn't have been a problem but my feet were super sore from the day before and the walk turned into a walk of total pain (my feet are still sore as I type this).  Thankfully we made it back to Acland Street (by 6:30 pm) did a quick shop in the grocery store there, and caught the tram back home.  After a 46 min tram ride we arrived home.  Thankfully we had all the great dips, cheeses, olives, grapes, and breads from yesterday's visit to Prahan market so dinner was quickly served (thanks Debbie).  I prepared my bag for work (ugh, yuck, double yuck) and now I'm just about ready for bed.

It can easily be said that we covered a lot in the past 48 hours but I feel confident that I've given Debbie enough of a glimps of Melbourne that she'll be just fine on her own.

It's back to work for me tomorrow, which really does suck because in Canada I'm only paid Sept - June - the months I teach.  So not only am I working in July and August (which I haven't done in YEARS) I'm not being paid!!   But during this term I have three exchange weekends to look forward to, a footy game with a work colleague,  trips to Hobart and Darwin, and a possible trip to a friend's holiday home.  In addition in ten weeks the term will be over and Tammy and Nancy B will be visiting.  We have an amazing trip planned back in Queensland visiting more places I haven't seen.  I can't wait.

Until then...

Oh yah, my digital camera.  Since my camera went snorkeling in a leaking under water bag it still isn't working.  The photos in this blog were taken with my sister's camera but since she's only here for another week I'm going to have to buy a new camera quickly (donations anyone???).  Does anyone know a good place to buy a basic digital camera here in Melbourne? Any tips will be greatly appreciated.