Tehe! I just ordered silicone wristbands from Oxfam in the UK! Is that odd? I think maybe it is. I ordered the cloth ones from Oxfam here last night, but I've decided I particularly like the silicone style. Yes, odd. Very odd. But they're cool! And they say Make Poverty History! I could have got them in Welsh too ... how much would that rock!? Only then I wouldn't be able to read them. So I went for English. Yay! I need sleep. Oops.
I meant to mention this yesterday, and forgot. The A-league kicked off over the weekend, which is rather exciting. Weekly football (English style, so soccer) here in Australia. Finally! Somehow I completely missed that it was even happening though ... didn't find out until after I got home. I knew it was coming up, but didn't realise it was so soon. A little baffling - I didn't think I was that out of touch with things. I remember Leigh mentioning it last week now ... but it was a middle of the night msn message which I clearly didn't fully interpret.
Oh well, good results - Qld Roar scored two goals against New Zealand, and as such start the season at the top of the ladder. Very nice. I hope the game gains the popularity it needs! Soccer is such a great game to watch. I'll need to try and go to a game sometime I think. I'm actually considering membership, despite leaving it this late. It's relatively cheap, and I've never done the sporting membership thing before, so it could be fun ... and perhaps a little random. We'll see. Might wait and see how the next round goes first.
Wow! Thanks everyone for your sympathy! Really appreciate it, although I feel kind of silly for making such a big deal about it. Sadly my iPod hasn't turned up, and I'm coming to terms with the fact that it's most likely gone. I've started looking at replacing it. Prices at the Apple student store aren't bad ... I can get a 20gb one for $402.70, which is about what I paid for mine in LA in February. The current equivalent of what I got is colour too, which is rather exciting. I'd love to upgrade and get a 60gb one ... I think I could use the extra space. I'll have to get another iTrip too though, and an iSkin, and considering it's a completely unbudgeted expense which I totally can't afford, I don't think I can justify the extra $135. Oh well, we'll see. I'm going to wait a little longer, in the desperate hope mine might show up.
Meanwhile, I think I'm doing a pretty good job at not dwelling. I half expected I'd spend the day grumpy and miserable, but I didn't. I've been working on an assignment all day, which wasn't exactly fun, but was kind of interesting at least. It's a group assignment on poverty, and what our responsibilities are as active citizens. So I spent most of the day investigating the Make Poverty History campaign, and other related stuff. I'm rather inspired to actually do something. There's so many different ways to help. Wish I had more time to get involved. Instead, I've ordered some white bands. I'm so tempted to get some silicon ones from the UK - we only seem to have the cotton ones here. Maybe I'll call someone tomorrow.
Meanwhile, I need some sleep. My cousins from England are arriving tomorrow ... I can't wait to see them! I've missed them loads. I have an exam on Wednesday too, and I have to get my exam prep done before they arrive. Hopefully I'll have time! Best head to bed I think. 'Night!
My iPod is missing! I've just had the best weekend - the land search course was fantastic, I learned loads, thoroughly enjoyed myself, got to know everyone so much better - most of them loads of fun - and had a fabulous time. Completely exhausted after a weekend full of physical activity (hiking through all kinds of bush and terrain), and a ridiculously early morning (I was up by 5.30am this morning!) ... but exhausted and happy by the end of it. Until I arrived home, started unpacking, and noticed my iPod missing.
I can't believe it! The most frustrating part is that I can't figure out how it could not be there. It was in the very bottom of my day pack - I put it there before I left home yesterday morning, and I didn't use it the entire weekend. Plus I barely took anything out of my daypack the whole time I was there. Most things I needed were in my pockets, or the pockets of my bag. The only time I opened the main part was when we were back at the base, or a couple of times when we were stopped somewhere, and even then I was getting stuff from the top of the bag, not right down the bottom where the iPod was. It just wouldn't make sense that it had fallen out.
Besides which, surely I would notice something dropping on the ground - it was in an iSkin, with my iTrip on the top ... it's not exactly small. And it's bright white! We were doing a land search course - we spent the whole weekend searching for stuff. Kind of ironic really, but I really can't see how I could have missed it. And I was always in crowds ... so even if I hadn't noticed it happen, someone else should have. Even if there had been some inexplicable way that I'd dropped it while getting something else - which I'm still not convinced by - someone else should have seen it happen, or at least seen it lying on the ground.
So I just can't believe that it's been lost accidently. It doesn't make sense. Which makes me think of explanations I'd rather not believe possible. I put it in my daypack as I figured it would be with me all the time, or at least more so than my overnight bag. But we were always dumping our day packs under the shelter, and doing other stuff. Obviously I couldn't watch it when I was asleep, plus we had a campfire, and I was down at that for probably an hour or two while my day pack was in the cabins. And again for a while when I was showering. So there was definitely decent periods of time when people could have got to it. But noone knew it was there! I deliberately made a point of not telling anyone. Unless someone somehow saw it in my bag when I was getting something else out, or putting something in. But it was only other SES volunteers ... and I hate the thought that a volunteer would do something so awful.
I phoned the group leader to see if anyone had handed it in, but he knew nothing. He sounded rather shocked - I don't think he wanted to believe me. But he's known me since I was 8, so I don't really think he'll doubt me. He'll probably wonder why I took something so valuable to an overnight camp. I'm obviously regretting taking it now. But I thought I might need music at some point - my iPod goes everywhere with me, and I didn't like the idea of an entire weekend without music. Plus we were in bunk rooms, and I figured if it was noisy or someone was snoring while I was trying to sleep, I'd be able to put headphones in and block it out. But there was a radio there, and I slept fine ... so I didn't need it. And I certainly didn't advertise the fact that I had it.
It's just so rubbish. I'm having trouble accepting that it's gone too, as I can't explain it. If I'd forgotten it ... left it somewhere maybe ... I would at least be able to explain where it is and why it's gone. I'd be angry at myself - incredibly angry - but it would at least make sense. This just doesn't. I keep thinking I must have missed it somewhere - it must be in some hidden pocket I've forgotten about. But I've turned everything inside out and upside down and it's just not there. I've looked everywhere - in the house, in the car, every conceivable place. I even went back to the campsite. It certainly seems to be gone.
I'm so angry, and upset, and annoyed, and confused, and sad, and disappointed. But it won't make it come back. And otherwise it was such a fabulous weekend - I came home happy and motivated and feeling good (aside from a few sore muscles) - so I'm trying desperately not to let it spoil the weekend. No point dwelling right?
But ... I miss my iPod!
I'm about to leave for an SES land search training course - overnight, but just at the local scout camping grounds. We're not even camping properly - we're in cabins. Proper matresses - near luxury. ;) Not sure what we're doing all weekend, but I'll wearing a rather unattractive pair of blue overalls the whole time. I guess I should be thankful - most people will be in even less attractive bright orange. I have a couple more months before having to deal with them at least.
I went to the camping store on Thursday to get a backpack to take with me ... and realised again how much fun camping stores are! I could have wasted so much time in there! Started looking at all the funky little gadgets and stuff, and self-inflating airbeds, and one-man tents. I don't really think I'm an outdoor person when it comes to roughing it - but it's definitely still in me somewhere. Camping can be so much fun!
Anyway, better go, or I'll be late!
A new Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire trailer is out!! Check it out at mugglenet.com ... very cool! The international one near the top is the best. I definitely need to watch it a few more times, although I'm currently trying to listen to a citizenship lecture about human rights, which makes watching trailers rather difficult. The lecture is dreadfully depressing - I'm so glad I didn't have to sit in the lecture room for this one ... it would have been such a sombre feeling. Although, I keep getting distracted trying to listen from here ... so easy to chat to people, blog, randomly visit websites, etc. at the same time.
The latest MuggleCast came out over the weekend ... I'm quite enjoying them. I'm somewhat addicted to Podcasts in general, but this is probably one of my favourites. I was a bit wary at first, and I'm not a fan of listening to Harry Potter discussed with American accents (it's English, everything about it is English, somehow English accents would just seem so much more appropriate) ... but I like hearing what they have to say. I don't agree with everything they suggest, but I like it how it makes me think a bit more.
Anyway, almost time to leave. Lecture almost finished I think. Better get ready to go.
Johnny Depp and Freddie Highmore, the gorgeous little kid playing Charlie, are on Rove at the moment. I've been a bit over Rove lately ... it somehow hasn't seemed the same since I got back. Turned it on tonight though, basically as a distraction from homework I think. Will McInnes was on just before, and he was brilliant - ridiculously entertaining. Definitely planning to see his new film.
Now they're talking about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Interview isn't great - I'd expected more from Johnny Depp - but the kid is so cute! He's totally sucking up to Johnny ... it's funny. Johnny doesn't really seem very into the interview, but this kid is so excited - answering all the questions and smiling so much. Plus, I'm completely loving his English accent. ;)
Movie looks gorgeous. I've been giggling at the preview since I first started seeing it months ago. Johnny Depp makes a fabulous Willy Wonka! Loved the Gene Wilder film too, but looking forward to this one. Now have the Willy Wonka song going over in my head. Hehe. Should be fun.
Arsenal play Chelsea in a couple of hours. I'm almost surprised that I even know that. I think my desire to be in London is somehow bringing more of a football fan in me than I realised existed. I'm supporting Arsenal simply because I miss the grounds, which is I guess as good a reason as any to support a team. Having seen them play numerous times is probably helping with the support a little. And hearing Sean say "Thierry Henry" when he could barely say anything else I don't think hurt either. I guess I'll find out in the morning who won.
I'm still completely loving my new flickr account! It's so convenient, and so easy to use! I paid for my pro account on Friday night, so I've started uploading some more photos. Which, incidently, is so easy to do ... select the photos on my computer, right click then click on "Send to Flickr" ... couldn't be easier! Then you can add tags, and put them into a set, and rotate them if necessary, all before they actually upload. So simple!
There are so many fabulous features I love in Flickr. It automatically shows what date the photo was taken, and when you click on the photo and look at it individually you can even see what type of camera it was taken on. It gives you an option for "more details" ... and in there you get loads of technical details ... ranging from the time it was taken, to whether the flash went off, what settings were selected on the camera, the white balance, f/stop, focus option, and all kinds of random stuff like that! So funky!
Labelling photos is such an easy job (which admittedly, I'm yet to do!). And there's a neat little calendar tool, which you can use to see when photos were uploaded, and also when photos were taken. Very cute.
You can set different privacy levels. So you can upload photos as public, or set it for just your contacts, or just your friends and family. So that way you choose between everyone seeing, or restricting it to people you know. For the restricted bit, people have to sign up for a flickr account ... but just the free one, so it's easy.
You can also select what size you upload at, and there's no limit for pro accounts (bandwith limits only), so you can upload at full original size. Then you can limit who can download different photos. I've limited download to people I have listed as friends or family. So that way anyone can see them in their on screen size, but only people I know can download the original sized photos. Then they can take them to have them printed, which saves me trying to email huge files, or give them on cds.
There are all these other features I haven't played with yet too. Like uploading via email, so you can add photos from anywhere in the world without being at your own computer. You can also send photos from a mobile phone and they'll automatically get added to an album somehow. I can apparently very easily include photos I've uploaded in my blog ... it integrates with MovableType. There are groups, and commenting, and you can set a creative commons licence so people can't steal your photos. Who knows what else I haven't found yet.
I might not have as much control over layout, like I do with coppermine, and as such it may not be as pretty - although I never much liked the pre-set layout options with coppermine, so that's debatable. I quite like the white and blue, and with a pro account the advertising is all gone. The community feel is pretty cool too ... being linked to your contacts and so forth, and being able to comment and email etc. I'm definitely a fan! Have a done a good job of selling it? ;)
It's been two years since I left for London. Two years. It's such a strange thought ... that two years ago, London was still a destination. It was still unknown. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know who I'd meet. I didn't know what I would see or do or experience. Now, I've been home for six months already. And it's hard to imagine a time when I didn't know London, when I didn't know all my London friends, when I didn't feel so strongly about the city. Now, I seem to have a constant ache of homesickness for London. Funny how things can change so much in a relatively short space of time.
I feel like I should have done something today to celebrate. Instead, I woke up with a migraine, and spent most of the day in bed. Not fun. I haven't had a migraine in years. My head is still aching, albeit far less acutely than earlier, but I've achieved nothing all day ... rather unimpressed. Such a waste of a day. Hopefully I'll wake up tomorrow feeling better. Maybe tomorrow I should celebrate the day I flew in to Heathrow. But what to do? Hmmm.
After much encouragement from Anna, I've finally decided to create a Flickr account. I've noticed that my server space is starting to run a little low, and Flickr appears to have some rather funky features which is likely to make it far easier to maintain than the album I've been using on my server. So rather than paying for more server space, I've decided to purchase a Flickr pro account. I haven't yet, but I will!
I started adding some photos tonight to my free account, so you can see a few random shots of my recent day trip to Straddie here. I think I tried to add too many at once though, and at original full size, so they didn't all upload. Too tired to go back and add the rest, so that will wait 'til another night. As will adding captions etc, and needless to say loads more photos.
I need a friend like Jolene in Brisbane. :( We met for dinner at Wagamama tonight, and it was so much fun. Never seem to run out of things to talk about. It was like we were back in London, only we were here ... which was actually kind of odd to be honest. She heads back down to Sydney on Friday, then starts work on Monday with little (or perhaps not so little anymore) Nicholas from London. So sad that she can't be in Brisbane, but so excited that she'll be with Nicholas.
I'm going down in my mid-semester break ... I can't wait. Catch up with Jolene again, and do the tourist thing in Sydney ... I haven't been to Sydney in years, and it's fun doing the tourist thing with Jolene. I've travelled more places with Jolene than anyone else in the world. I'll get to see Nicholas again too, and see how much he's grown. And they have Krispy Kreme doughnuts in Sydney!! Plus we'll get dinner at Wagamama again ... can't wait! So exciting.
I definitely need a Jolene stand-in in Brisbane though. I need someone I can call anytime and say, "Hey, do you want to do this?", and know that they'll pretty much say "Sure, why not!?". I need someone to go to concerts with, and movies, and comedy, plays, exhibits, art galleries, museums, random places that I've never been to but look like they could be interesting. Even just out for dinner somewhere new, or for coffee. Jolene would always be up for something, if not that very minute we could always plan it within a few days. Somehow it's not so easy with my Brisbane friends. I miss her again already!
Meanwhile, I'm also missing London desperately. The London-sickness is getting worse, I'm sure of it. I'm so desperate to be back there, so desperate to go back over for the summer break, so desperate to see everyone again, and just be in London again, even though it will be mid-winter over there. But the flights are soooo expensive, and I haven't saved a penny. Far too depressing.
I just finished reading Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper ... the tears are still drying on my cheeks. It's just so incredibly sad. The whole way through, I've been struggling to put it down. Reading until the early hours of the morning, pushing aside all uni work, finding any excuse to read. The whole way through, I fought back tears. It's beautiful, morally challenging, real, emotional ... and so, so sad.
"Life sometimes gets so bogged down in the details, you forget you are living it."
Don't you love when people say things that just make you smile? It can be really simple comments, that they may not even think too much about, but they can mean a lot more. On the way down to the carpark after uni today, one of my friends (who I've only really got to know since exam time) commented on my presentation we did for our visual language subejct last semester. We had to do a visual and verbal exhibit about ourselves, in relation to one of the criteria. Mine was centred on the Winston Churchill quote, "My education was interupted only by my schooling", and it was all about how I've learned so much through my life outside of school. Today Mel commented that after my presentation, she thought, "Wow! That's someone I want to get to know!" ... she wants to know more about all the stuff I mentioned. I love that my life can be interesting to other people. And comments like that remind me how happy I am with everything I've done and achieved.
Arsenal have a new kit! I'm rather a fan ... more maroon than red. It's not really new, it's like the original kit from 1913 ... but it's different to last year. I'm going to miss the bright red I think, but I definitely like the maroon and gold.
Meanwhile, they won their first match against Newcastle United 2 - 0 ... good start to the season. Played at Highbury. I could have been there if I was still in London. I miss Highbury! I miss London. To quote Anna, I'm London-sick. Very sad.
I'm also avoiding my assignments. Oops.
Hugh said no to Bond! I'm not sure I'm entirely impressed with that decision. Would have been fun to see him as James Bond. I can so easily see him in the black suits and fancy cars. Another Aussie in the role again would be have been fun too.
I think the idea of him playing Bond is probably more exciting than actually seeing it happen though. I've seen a few Bond films, but I've never been a devoted fan. I guess it's more of a status thing in many ways, and not really the best of roles when it comes down to it. Hopefully he'll do something more exciting instead.
I realise this complaint is getting old, but academic writing will never fail to frustrate me! It takes so long to read a chapter, because before I even get to reading paragraphs two or three times in order to summarise and highlight appropriately, I find myself reading sentences two or three times to clarify the intention of the sentence. For example:
"The automatic take-up of communication tools essential for transforming knowledge in a wider context than her family or classroom worlds can provide is crucial for life chances."
27 words in that sentence, and the verb, the purpose of the sentence, the bit that gives it all meaning, doesn't happen until words 23 and 24 ... "is crucial". So until you get to the end of a complicated 26 word noun phrase, there's no way of knowing where it's heading. On top of that, during the first read through, it's easy to mistake "can provide" for the key verb phrase. It doesn't make sense. Break it up! Rearrange it so the meaning is clear from the start!
"It is crucial for her life chances that she can automatically take-up the communication tools which are essential for transforming knowledge in a wider context than her family or classroom worlds can provide."
This sentence still seems long to me, but I haven't changed it much - it still contains all the same information. But the point is there, right at the beginning. You understand where you're at from the beginning, and there's no getting lost. Suddenly reading becomes far easier, and quicker, and undoubtably more enjoyable as a result. What do you think?
Instead, text books seem to be written with the sole purpose of getting the information out, instead of making it absorbable. And how is it any harder to write for an audience?
Grrr. Bothers me no end.
Received a rather amusing email tonight from friends in England who have just bought their first house. This is their announcement (which came complete with photo and product details):
"My first house is delightfully realistic, with dozens of built-in features and some special action figures, too: Ed sitting at the computer desk, and stairs that Fiona can walk up and down!
"Furniture and accessories include: all our stuff, plus refrigerator and cupboards with doors that open and close and a realistic fireplace. Some assembly required. Also available: My first garden™ and My First Shed™"
Made me giggle.
Meanwhile, I'm still as busy as ever, and in desperate need of sleep. Once again completely unprepared for my Friday classes. Fridays seem to be the hardest to prepare for ... by the end of the week I never seem to be in the right frame of mind. Oops.
Ugh, I hate academic writing. Even when the subject matter is interesting, the style of writing can't help but make it incredibly dull. I have one particular lecturer whose writing is potentially the worst I've ever seen. And ironically ... all her texts I've read are about literacy. You'd think of all topics, a text on literacy would be the most grammatically coherent and legible. But her texts - they're impossible. Full of spelling mistakes, missing punctuation, obvious typos, and even sentences that don't make gramatical sense. It's ridiculous. And so infuriating.
I'm currently trying to read a chapter on "tensions between dominant literacy practices in classrooms and the cultural identities, languages and meanings about their world that Indigenous children bring to school". Relatively interesting subject matter, potential to be a fairly enjoyable reading. Until we get to this sentence (yes, it's only one sentence!) at the end of the first paragraph:
"Understanding the conditions that dual cultures create for Indigenous students to develop resources for application across cultures requires significant change to forms of literacy education that can easily marginalise many Aboriginal students."
Academic writing! It's awful. I've now read it over probably six or seven times, and I can break it up and make sense of it. But there are so many far better ways that it could have been written, so it makes sense to readers the first time. I hate how academic writing is only concerned about getting the information across, and makes no effort at all to make it readable or dare I suggest enjoyable. Professional or creative writing is still capable of passing on information, yet it does so in an interesting and reader-friendly way - why can't academic writing do the same?
I find it rather odd the way my confidence can be so easily affected by who I'm with or what situation I'm in ... and that it can be affected in ways that I wouldn't immediately expect. Of course, as soon as I start considering the situation a little, the reasons become quite obvious ... but initially it always takes me by surprise. And I seem to become a completely different person as a result.
I spent today taking part in a Guide event for older girls, and people my own age. 14 to 30 year olds. Wide age bracket, but it worked. And I had a fabulous time ... enjoyed every minute. As did everyone else as far as I could tell. The two girls who organised did an amazing job. I'm now exhausted, my feet are sore, and I have bruises on the palms of my hands (odd, I know!) from pushing a wheel chair around for most of the day ... but it was worth it! I had fun.
The odd part about it ... I felt far less confident about myself than I usually would. I would have expected the opposite ... I've grown up in Guides, doing all the stuff we were doing today. Guides has nearly always been a huge part of my life. I'm an old-hand. It's part of who I am. But I felt far less capable than a lot of the other girls there. I felt completely out of my element.
I actually spent most of the day with the Ranger Guides from my district ... they were all in my Guide unit before I left, so I still have a bit of a leadership role with them. I was a young leader though, so we're all friendly too - and my confidence around them is fine - they're great girls. It was a little different working as peers, instead of being in the true leadership role I'm used to having with them, and I know that's something I need to work on a bit more, but I was certainly comfortable with the situation.
The other over 18s challenged me though. Not their personalities - I'm a fan of everyone I met - they're all friendly, welcoming, easy to get on with - generally great people. The challenge for me is their obvious strength. Their knowledge. Their ability. Their desire to do good. Their committment. The sheer amount that they do. It's almost like they put me to shame. Not deliberately of course, and nothing they say or do actually suggests they're any better, or see themselves as any better. I just see everything they do, everything they can do, and how well they do it - and I don't feel like I measure up.
I'm used to feeling strong, and capable, and confident. I know I do a lot. I know I have a lot of varied strengths. I know there are a lot of things I can do, and do well. I know my heart is definitely it in all. And I know I do more with my time and my life than a lot of people. I rarely see myself as any better than anyone else as a result, but I'm happy with what I do. I'm proud of what I do. I'm satisfied with where I am in life, and what I'm achieving. Yet I was struggling not to see these girls as better than me.
Guides is a completely different pool to be swimming in. All of the traites I just listed have been influenced by many different factors in my life - but I have no doubt that the strongest influence of all has been Guides. When I think back over all the experiences I've had, and everything I've done in my life ... practically all the character building and confidence building has happened as a direct (or sometimes indirect) result of my involvement in Guiding. I've learnt from every aspect of my life ... but the Guiding influence has been so strong, and so positive, I can't ignore it.
So it's really not surprising that these are the traites I find are challenged in Guides - because I'm mixing with people who have enjoyed similar experiences, and have benefited in the same way. The strength, a desire to do good, making the most of the time available, the ability ... it's all there. It's the fundamentals of what Guiding is about. It's the ten Guide Laws! They're not words on a page - they stopped being that a very long time ago. They're a way of life, and they become ingrained, and part of who you are. Not just in Guides, but in everything you do.
So when I take all of this into consideration, and throw in a number of other factors ... like my recent absence, my involvement in other non-Guiding activities, my commitment to other things ... it's even less surprising that these girls, some of them much younger than me, are proving stronger and more capable in Guiding. I shouldn't lose confidence, or start doubting myself, but embrace the challenge these girls provide to do even better.
I have old Brownie six songs going over and over in my head! How odd is that!? They haven't been used in years ... Brownie sixes are all different now, and they don't have songs anymore. I haven't heard them in at least ten years. Yet suddenly, they're stuck in my head.
"We're Moora Mooras, happy and bright, trying hard to do what's right" ... "Lalagullis, we delight, in helping keep things clean and bright" ... "We're Woorails; our dance and song, will cheer you up when things go wrong" ... "We're Australia's bushland Brownies, bright and helpful - we're Tookonies" ... imagine that I'm singing these, over and over, with the little Brownie tune firmly stuck in my head.
I was in Moora Mooras ... "the good fairies, who help all the creatures in the bush .... especially watching out for baby kangaroos who might have fallen out of their mother's pouch". They were the only ones with wings showing, which I rather liked. I was always a fan of the Mullokas as well ... the water pixies - "a little mischievous, but not really naughty ... in spring they fly up to the clouds and squeeze them gently so that a light shower falls and waters the trees and flowers". We didn't have Mullokas in my unit though. Hehe, so cute. I miss the old sixes. There was a Brownie Story that went with them as well ... I probably still have it somewhere.
I realise and fully support the idea that Guides has to keep changing, to stay relevant in current times - but I do think some traditions have been lost unnecessarily. It's sad.
I'm exhausted. To the point of grumpiness. Which, in my opinion, is the worst part of exhaustion. I can deal with the sleepiness, and lack of energy, and having to do stuff regardless of motivation levels. But when grumpiness sets in, I'm just not a fun person to be around. And considering I have no choice but to be around myself, that doesn't make life much fun for me. Which no doubt in turn contributes to the grumpiness. Evil. Grrr. I also tend to ramble incoherently, which clearly I'm doing now.
I had a furiously unproductive day. If I had a reason for being so unproductive, I perhaps wouldn't feel so bad ... but I had almost an entire day to devote to study, and I wasted most of it. No doubt because I was exhausted, but it's infuriating none-the-less. I don't have time to waste. And I'm now going to class tomorrow completely unprepared. For the second week in a row. Which is annoying, mostly because this time I'm fully aware that I have no excuse.
I did go up to my old primary school, where my mum now works, and organise to do some classroom help somewhat regularly ... which will be great experience. I'm going to help with the Year 5 classes for a session on Tuesdays and Thursdays every week. The teachers seem lovely, and really switched on, so I'm looking forward to it. Still haven't managed to organise my first observation prac though - I keep phoning the school, but can't get hold of the guy I need to speak to. So frustrating.
Anyway, must go get some sleep. So late already. I had another signing class tonight, and it was loads of fun. Confidence is definitely growing - far more capable of carrying out conversations now. I'm going to do Level 3 next term, which should be interesting. Change of nights, so I'll be able to go to the Brisbane class again, instead of travelling down to the Gold Coast each week - will be nice to get home a little earlier. I'm going to be such a wreck tomorrow morning. Oops.
I got an email from a friend at uni this evening, which started, "Hi Larina, I've been spelling your name 'Loreena', so sorry! I think it's really tacky when someone's name is not written correctly. I have made a mental note." ... made me laugh! So cute. With a name like mine, I'm rather used to having my name spelt wrong. Appreciate her thought though. =)
I've been so slack all day. Oops. Going to try and finish my reading now, before getting an early night. Hopefully. In the morning I have to phone a school to arrange my first prac ... so exciting! I phoned today, but the person I need to speak to wasn't there. It's only a one-off observation, which is so short it almost seems pointless, but I'm looking forward to it all the same.
This is such a pointless post. What's happening? I'm getting lazy.
I just added an automatic archive link to my photoblog on this blog - listed on the right under Life Through A Lens. So now it's easy to see when I've updated, and when I haven't. =) So neat ... I love it.
Meanwhile, I've spent the entire day procrastinating. I'm so naughty. I have so much to catch up for uni, and I've done nothing. Achieved loads for Guides, and for friends, and for other random non-uni-related endeavours, but I didn't pick up a single text book. Oops. Tomorrow I'm going to do better! I have to.
I got a card today from Charlie! Charlie Barley from Starlight who I haven't seen since before I left for London, and haven't heard from in almost as long. So so lovely to hear from her. I must write back, and make more of an effort to keep in touch. Miss her loads! She invited me to do a teaching prac with her ... she's teaching in an Aboriginal community in far north Queensland. Would be so awesome. Must keep it in mind.
Ed in London just set up a webcam too ... so exciting! Did I mention that I got a webcam? I'm not sure. Jolene got it for me, when she bought one for herself. It's really cool! And Ed and I just had a video conversation, and he could hear me, and see me! But I could only see his ear, because he had his webcam really oddly positioned, and it had no mic. But it was fun all the same. I kept typing, despite him being able to hear me ... and he could hear the typing, and hear me laughing. So funny.
Anyway, I need sleep! And tomorrow, I need to work! No more procrastinating! 'Night!!