through tears and laughter

Just for a bit of a laugh...

2007-01-14T23:21:00.000+13:00

Christmas Entertainment

2007-01-11T13:56:00.000+13:00

I'm still working my way through all the Christmas footage, but here's a couple of clips to start off with...

Quote of the week

2007-01-11T07:02:00.000+13:00

Christmas morning, I woke up to Amanda's face peeking at me, "Merry Christmas Aunty Lizzy!".

Then Cori-Jo woke up.. "I know what day it is!"

"What?" asked her big sis.

"Monday."

Nice.

Mac Mini

2007-01-10T21:24:00.000+13:00

I'm selling my beloved Mac Mini computer I've had for nearly 2 years. It's a great little computer, and hard to believe that all the "brain" of it is contained in a little box not much bigger than a stack of 5 cds! Yep, what you see is what you get.

If you're interested in this beauty, check it out.

It's been a while...

2007-01-10T20:45:00.000+13:00

It's been so long since I've posted that... I forgot my password. Eek.

We've been busy!

Mother & Son at Charlee's Cafe

Charlee's Cafe (60 Picton Street, Howick) is now well and truly in business. Scott and I worked 7 days a week in the initial 2 weeks until his Mum moved up to Aucks. I tell you, this is one daughter-in-law who could not wait to see her mother-in-law!! I've really enjoyed working in the cafe, and think I've done pretty good considering I'd never worked in the industry before. The best thing is the people I've met, we get alot of regulars and it's always nice chatting to them.

I'm now a "lady of leisure" for 2 weeks - well, inbetween working (looking after the kids), getting our house back into order, and getting my head round this whole teaching thing. Now that all my thoughts aren't being consumed by the cafe, they are being consumed by what on earth I'm going to do in my classroom!! I'm very excited but also quite nervous. I can't wait though! I met my class (Year 7) at the end of last year and they seemed lovely. Get this, I only have 19 students. No doubt more will be added as new students arrive at the school, but is that awesome or what! I also have a huge classroom, complete with a permanent data projector. I am a pretty lucky teacher, and the support from the school seems really good.

Anyway, Christmas was great. It was spread over a few days, starting with my family on Christmas-eve-eve. We had a lovely dinner at Mum and Dads, and Santa even came early - though we had to save our stockings to open on Christmas morning. One of the more interesting presents we received was three buckets, planted with lettuce and tomato. Mum has grown them for us, so now we have fresh salad on our doorstep!! Very cool. And she's even looking after the tomatoes until they bear fruit, so that I can't kill the plants.

Scott and Char (his mum) worked Christmas Eve, while I stayed at home catching up on laundry and packing. In the late afternoon we headed off to Scott's dad's place in Whakamaru - near Mangakino, which is near Tokoroa. There we were met by two very surprised neices (we'd told them we weren't gonna be there til about 2 hours later), Scott's sis Jo and his dad John. The hubby and I slept in a tent in the backyard with Amanda (9) and Cori-Jo (5), and it was great fun.. we read Christmas stories and put out treats for Santa. Amanda caught much of the action on our video camera, so I hope to put together a montage sometime. Stay tuned - I'm back.

Winchester Quiristers

2006-11-21T23:15:00.000+13:00

In 2003, I lived and worked in Winchester, England. For a year I tended to the needs of the boys at The Pilgrims' School - yes, I was a Matron.

Tonight I was bored, so thought I'd have a search around YouTube. It was such a lovely surprise to come across some of my boys!!

Pilgrims' has two famous cathedral choirs - the Choristers (who sing in the Winchester Cathedral) and the Quiristers (who sing for Winchester College, the oldest school in England).

I worked in "Q School", which was the boarding house of the Quiristers, along with "Commoners" (boys who attended the school but weren't in a choir). I was with these boys every day, so you can imagine my surprise and delight when I found this video clip!

It's quite funny cos it's a choir music video. I looked after all the boys shown - believe me, they weren't the perfect little angels they look! They were great fun though. Harry Sever (red head like me) won the BBC Choirboy of the Year in 2003.

Check it out.

Oh, Winchester!

Our family tree

2006-11-12T16:39:00.000+13:00

Hat-tip: Frank

(click on the image for a bigger picture...)

Di Tri Berrese

2006-11-10T22:17:00.000+13:00

This was shown to us in class today, and is a bit of fun. It can also highlight how often children struggle so much to make sense of what they are reading. It is possible to read so that we will understand it (in English), but is tricky. If you don't get it at all, click on the comments button for a hint.

Di Tri Berrese

Uans oppena taim ues tre berrese;
mamma berre, pappa berre, a bebi berre
Live inne contri nire foreta.

NAISE AUS.
NO MACHEGGIA.

Unno doi, pappa, mamma, e bebi
go tudia bice,
anie fughette loche de dorre.
Bai enne bai commose Goldilocchese,
sci garra nattinghe tu du
betta meiche troble.
Sci puschie olle fudde daon di maute;
no leve cromme.
Dan schi gos appesterese
ene slipse in alle beddse.
LEISE SLOBBE!

Bai anne bai commese omme
di tri berrese;
alle sommebronde enne sand inna scius,
Dei garra no fudde,
garra no beddse
En warra dei goine due to Goldilocchese?
Tro erie inne strict?
Colle pullssemenne?
FETTE CIENZE!

Dei uas Italien Berrese,
Goldilocchese stei derre tree unidase;
itte aute ausenomme;
on guita becose die asche erra
to meiche di beddse
sci sai "Go jampa in di lache,"
enne runne omma craine
to erra mamma
tellen erre uat saniguenses
di tri berres uor.
Uatsiuse? Uara ju goine du?
- Go compliene sittiole?

Quote of the week

2006-11-03T08:13:00.000+13:00

This is my favourite quote at the moment, said by my lovely hubby whilst in debate:

"I see your persective. But you're wrong."

Because I can...

2006-11-01T11:53:00.000+13:00

Unofficial IQ Test.

I got 9.

Average Public Servant Intellect.

A time for everything

2006-10-30T11:57:00.000+13:00

On Thursday afternoon I was offered a teaching position at St Thomas's School in Kohimarama. And I accepted it! I will have either a Year 7 or a composite Year 7/8 class. They have great support for Beginning Teachers and there will be two other BTs starting next year - one of whom I know a bit from uni. Very exciting!

St Thomas's is Auckland City's first enviroschool - a school that actively supports teaching pupils to think and act sustainably for the future. Cool huh.

For those of you who are wondering how I'll get on at a Catholic school, fear not. It sounds Catholic, but is actually a state school. When it was opened 50 years ago, it couldn't be called Kohimarama School as there was already one of them, so it took the name of the Anglican church down the road.

Also, there may be some of you who are questioning the extra 's' on the end of St Thomas's School. You're thinking, "man, she's a teacher and she doesn't know grammar!". Apparently some great scholar at the University of Auckland said it's grammatically correct that way. Go figure.

So here's to a new phase in my life.. teaching.

What a cutie!

2006-10-25T17:35:00.000+13:00

Check out this wee girl. I don't know who she is, but I came across this clip and she is just such a delight!! So cute!

Watch this

2006-10-21T09:22:00.000+13:00

Click here.

Watch the video.

Comment.

Update: Scott showed me how to put a video in my blog, so for you convenience, here it is...

Story Time

2006-10-20T12:19:00.000+13:00

Yesterday I was looking after some kids, and I had got the youngest two little birthday pressies cos they'd just turned one and three.

The three year old loved hers because everything was pink (of course) and she had special stickers, and then she helped her little brother open his.

Their mum read out what I had written in the 1 year old's card, and he sat very still - just listening. When she finished, he looked at me with this cute, kinda shy but happy look on his face, as though he TOTALLY understood what I had written. I swear, he looked at me in the same way that a 4 year old child might when you say something nice to them.

Children are capable of so much that we just don't realise.

thoughts

2006-10-20T11:53:00.000+13:00

On Wednesday night, I was about to head out the door for Girls' Brigade, when I realised that I was taking devotions (bible study) that night. Eek! After uttering a quick prayer, I had a think while I was brushing my teeth.

I thought about how often God teaches me stuff through everyday little things that happen, things I do everyday without thinking.

So, in line with my current addiction, I got thinking about Sudoku. What can God teach us from this?

Well, it takes patience to do Sudoku, and that's a characteristic we should strive for. Yeah good lesson, but I realised there's more to it than that...

So I thought about the Sudoku puzzle that wasn't yet completed. It looked as though it didn't make sense - gaps everywhere, numbers all over the place - in fact, at first glance, it appears that there is no logical connection between them at all.

When I first tried to do Sudoku, it seemed impossible to have 1-9 not only in every box, but every column and row too. I had no idea. It wasn't until my friend Franny showed me how to do it, that I realised how it could be done. But it took time, and if I hadn't been shown, I think I would have given up.

To me, this is like our lives. Sometimes they seem all over the place, with gaps everywhere, and we don't quite know how everything fits together. We want to be perfect, with 1-9 in every box, column and row... sometimes we beat ourselves up because we're not perfect. We put a number in the wrong box and have to scribble it out and put a new one. We don't look carefully enough to see where everything fits. We don't look to God to give us a hint where to put the numbers. We try to do it ourselves, and fail.

But God knows how everything fits together, He knows where all the numbers go. And although we strive for perfection, we never reach it in this life. God shows us where to puts the numbers and teaches us how to strive for the best in life, knowing that one day, He will make us perfect.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [Phillipians 3:12]

Untitled

2006-10-17T16:26:00.001+13:00

I have a confession to make.

I am addicted to Suduku.

Please note, this is Suduku and not Soduku.

If you happen to search for Soduku in the Wikipedia, you will be kindly instructed that Soduku is a bacterial disease - a form of Rat Bite Fever.

Suduku is a logic puzzle.

Don't wanna get those two mixed up.

Glupe

2006-09-28T14:08:00.000+12:00

A couple of weeks ago, one of the wee kids I've looked after for nearly 3 years was on a Persil ad. He was with Lana Coc-Kroft demonstrating how to make Glupe. For those of you with wee ones, this is a real fun activity - Glupe is great for squishing and squelshing through your fingers. It seems pretty firm in the bowl, but it's really quite runny when you pick it up.

To download a pdf of the instructions (with lil Austin on it too), click here, just scroll down to the activity that says 'glupe'.

There's also the actual ad that was on tv.

What a cutie.

Bliss

2006-09-27T13:05:00.000+12:00

I am officially on the second day of my holiday. It's lovely! I haven't had a holiday since our honeymoon in April, and I guess even that was spent being a tourist and getting used to married life... so I am cherishing having time to catch up on all the little things that otherwise get forgotten.

Yesterday I had a haircut, probably a bit short but at least it's lighter and not as hot.

This morning I worked on my CV and so far I've done about 4 loads of washing. And just enjoying the sunshine. Nice.

Last weekend the hubby and I went on a bit of a road trip to visit family. Scott's family friend Anna had an engagement party in Rotorua on Friday night, so we took the opportunity to stay at the motel my aunt and uncle manage, Tuscany Villas. It was so nice, even had a private spa bath!

Our neices Amanda and Cori-Jo having a tea party in our motel room.

Scott's Dad - photo taken by CJ (pretty good for a 5 year old ae!)

Uncle Viv - also taken by CJ. I like this arty shot.

Saturday we drove to Turangi to stay at Scott's Mum's place. We had a lovely time catching up with her, my sister-in-law Jo and of course the girls.

During the long drive home, Scott and I were having 'church' in the car when we saw this beautiful sight. As always, the photos couldn't capture just how amazing it looked, but you can make out the sun rays coming out of the cloud.

And last but not least... check out this hottie!

Teaching Ideals Re-hashed

2006-09-13T11:19:00.000+12:00

So I had to re-write my first philosophy statement to flesh it out a bit.

For those of you teachy people who may be interested, here is the final version:

In many years to come, the teacher who is remembered with great fondness is the one who truly cared. I strive to be that teacher.

I believe that all students have the right and responsibility to learn in a safe, supportive and engaging classroom environment. In this classroom, we all go through learning together. We support each-other, offer ideas and value different perspectives. We challenge each-other in a respectful way. We offer and accept help freely. We are active listeners and speakers. Opinions are not only valued and encouraged, but expected. We are not afraid to say what we are feeling or thinking, for we know that we will not be laughed at or judged.

I believe that students learn best when they are engaged in a task and interact with others. In order for my classroom to encompass this atmosphere, I model these ideals in who I am and in how I act. I not only teach the students how to work together as a team, but also give them many opportunities to practise, utilise and evaluate these skills. I give my students numerous occasions to engage in a topic and express their views through discussion, writing, visual arts and ICT. I listen to the students, and expect them to do the same for their peers and myself. I am honest with my students.

In my classroom, we recognise and celebrate diversities in culture, beliefs, religion, gender and ability. I believe that this creates a healthy and safe atmosphere, which in turn aids learning. When students feel accepted, they are more willing to take risks in their learning. My beliefs are obvious through the way I treat students, parents and other teachers - and in the way I expect my students to behave. I integrate different languages into everyday life at school, and encourage the students to learn about their own culture and that of others.

In my classroom, we care about what is going on in our class, school, community and our world. Not only do we have compassion, but we strive to make a difference. I believe that it is exceptionally valuable for people to look outside of themselves, as this makes us appreciate what we have and also develops personal compassion. I aspire for my students to develop into active citizens who have empathy for others, despite the egocentric path society is taking. I encourage my students to be aware of issues highlighted in the media and to think of a way they can help, however small. I show the students that I too care about these issues.

In my classroom, the students are aware of what they are learning and why they are learning it. I believe that students engage and learn best when they understand the reasoning behind what they are being taught. I share the learning intentions of each lesson with my students, and we refer back to them consistently. I encourage my students to evaluate their learning regularly, and I teach them how to reflect on their new knowledge and understanding.

As a teacher, I encourage my students strive for excellence. I expect them to work hard, to be willing to take on challenges, and also to have fun. I believe that when teachers place high (but realistic) expectations on students, they meet these standards and even exceed them. I care about each student trying to better him or herself, and I lead by example through regularly completing professional development. Together, we celebrate these achievements.

In my classroom, we endeavour to be the best that we can be - in our learning and in who we are as people.

Kid Speak

2006-09-13T11:15:00.000+12:00

Last night, the 4 year old was in a particularly rough mood. She was bouncing on my lap and jabbing her knees into my leg, all while I was trying to get the 2 year old dressed.

Me:
"You can sit on my lap if you want - but sit nice and still, just be gentle"

Her:
"Are you an old person Liz?"

Song lyrics you thought you knew

2006-09-01T18:41:00.000+12:00

A couple of months ago, I was singing along to the song at the beginning of Friends...

So, no one told you life was gonna be this way.
Your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's the old way..

Well Scott started cracking up and I had no idea why (though this does happen often in our household).

It turns out the words are actually "your love life's DOA" (Dead on Arrival for those who, like me, didn't know what that meant).

So a few weeks later at uni I was telling one of my mates about our conversation. She pipes up "that's not the words is it?"

"Uh yeah I listened carefully and it actually was that"

"Oh. I thought it was, your love life's been a waste".

Three versions of the same line of a song, nice.

Another song I'd had wrong for years was that one that goes "what we need is a great big melting pot"... I always thought it was "what we need is a great big mountain pot".

You know, such a big pot that it was huge like a mountain.

I also seem to remember someone from youth group days who thought "revival town" was "read bibles now"!

Because this amused me so much, I thought I'd do a wee google search to find some more misheard song lyrics. But I didn't find much - well I found a whole website dedicated to this, but most of them seemed untrue.

So has anyone else got any doozies to share?

As it is in Heaven

2006-08-31T21:23:00.000+12:00

Today the hubby scored us free tickets to see a film at Rialto.

What a beautiful film.

AS IT IS IN HEAVEN (subtitled) follows the lives of people living in a small village in Sweden. A famous international conductor, Daniel Dareus, spent the first 7 years of his life here – and he moves back in adulthood after he needs a change of direction. He goes there to “listen”, but is soon gently coerced to attend the village church choir practice, and then to give advice.

We meet the members of the choir, and gradually their hidden brokenness is revealed. We see how they deal with conflict, and we feel their pain. We learn how to feel our own music.

We learn that once we are able to see the wings of angels on all people, we’ll be complete.

In my eyes, this is a strong correlation to what Christians should be striving for – to see Jesus in all people. To me, this film addressed many issues to do with humanity, church and God. We see how individuals struggle with the concept of sin and forgiveness, and how those who deem to be “proper Christians” are quick to judge others instead of loving.

This film also demonstrated how “church” is really people, the community… individuals supporting and challenging each other.

There is also a powerful storyline of domestic violence and courage.

The soundtrack was amazing… powerful… beautiful. At the end of the film, only two people left the theatre during the credits. The rest of us sat there in silence, soaking up the music.

Things to be aware of: There were a couple of booby shots that could make people uncomfortable, but it wasn’t gratuitous. There’s also some violence, which had me clinging to my husband for a bit, but this does add powerfully to the overall effect of the film.

AS IT IS IN HEAVEN strongly shows the brokenness of humanity, and how we need unconditional love and support from others. Most of all though, this film is about finding the courage to love.

-------------------------------------------

To read Scott's (more comprensive) review, go to filmguide.co.nz.

-------------------------------------------

One of the characters is Gabriella, a victim of domestic violence. Daniel writes a song especially for her to sing.

Gabriella's Song

It's now that life is mine
I have had a time here on Earth
And my longing has led me here
Things I missed and things I gained

This is still the road I've chosen
My confidence far beyond words
That has shown a little piece
Of the sky I've never reached

I want to feel that I have lived
All the time I have
I shall live what I want
I want to feel that I have lived
To know that I'm good enough

I have never forgotten who I was
I've just left it sleeping
Maybe I have had no choice
Only the will to exist

I want to live happily, for it's me who I am
To be able to be strong and free
See how night turns into day
I am here and my life is only mine
And the sky that I thought that existed
I shall find it there somewhere

I want to feel that I've lived my life

Click here to listen to this song (in Swedish).

My ideals as a teacher

2006-08-30T11:32:00.001+12:00

As part of an assignment for uni, we have to write our own personal philosophy statement - our "bottom line" as a teacher. Below is my first draft. Feedback is welcome!

In many years to come, the teacher who is remembered with great fondness is the one who truly cared. I strive to be that teacher.

I believe that all students have the right and responsibility to learn in a safe, supportive and engaging classroom environment.

In this class, we all go through learning together. We support each-other, offer ideas and value different perspectives. We challenge each-other in a respectful way. We offer and accept help freely.

We are active listeners and speakers. We are not afraid to say what we are feeling or thinking, for we know that we will not be laughed at or judged.

Diversities are recognised and celebrated in culture, beliefs, religion, gender and ability. Opinions are not only valued and encouraged, but expected.

We care about what is going on in our class, school, community and our world. Not only do we have compassion, but we strive to make a difference.

We are aware of what we are learning and why we are learning it.

We endeavour to be the best that we can be - in our learning and in who we are as people.

Family

2006-08-29T15:44:00.000+12:00

I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while, as it’s something I often ponder.

Picture this: You’re driving down the road in your little red Honda City car. It’s a reliable car, although a bit funny looking. It can fit a surprising amount of “stuff” in the back, and it’s a great wee car.

It’s not a common car anymore – most of them are probably worn out, or rusty, or just discarded because they’re not cool enough. But not this little car.

So you’re driving along happily, singing to yourself (because the little radio is broken), when you see another Honday City! Just like your one, but a different colour! Well, it’s just like seeing a long lost cousin.

Your first instinct is to toot your horn and wave at the other little car, but you stop yourself doing so in case the driver thinks you’re nuts. You can almost feel your car trying to wave it’s windscreen wipers, just to say gidday to it’s long lost relative. So quietly, you say “Hi little cousin car” and give it a wee smile.

You wonder if the other driver feels the same, as you both putt off into the sunset.

A Challenge For You

2006-08-23T21:57:00.000+12:00

Now for those of you who like a good maths problem or two, or have too much time on your hands, or who are trying to avoid something you don't want to do, I need your help.

I cannot figure out this question.

Your mission: what is the answer? How did you get it? You have until Friday morning 7.30am to tell me what you think.

The numbers A and B each have three digits. Robin was asked to calculate A x B. Instead he put A on the left of B to form a six-digit number D. His answer was three times the correct answer. Find A and B.

Help!

Kids Say The Darndest Things (Part II)

2006-08-22T21:57:00.000+12:00

Miss 4 Year Old just came back from injections at the doctors.

"I don't want to go back there for a very very long time. I don't like it when they put holes in my arms".

Investigative Maths

2006-08-21T21:48:00.000+12:00

My husband is mocking me for writing about maths. He says I've crossed the border into geekdom.

So one of my papers this semester (my last one before I'll be out there teaching.. yay) is entitled "Developing an Investigative Approach in Mathematics Education". It involves a lot of practical examples, which of course we then have to find the answer to.

One such example is as follows:

20 people are at a party.
There is a cake covered with icing on the top and all the sides. It measures 20cm by 20cm on the top.
You need to cut it so that everyone gets exactly the same amount of icing.
How do you cut it?

Well I thought about this for a long time and drew lots of little diagrams and used up all my brain power.

My answer? Put it in a blender.

The Death of Common Sense

2006-08-06T16:15:00.000+12:00

Surfing through the net on this quiet Sunday afternoon, I found this. Thought it was appropriate to share. Enjoy. Be challenged.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend - Common Sense - who
has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was,
since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as
knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the
work; life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound, financial policies (don't spend
more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not
children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned, but
overbearing, regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year old
boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens
suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher
fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the
job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.
It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer Panadol, suntan lotion, or a sticking plaster to
a student - but could not inform the parents when a student became
pregnant, and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became
contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better
treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a
burglar in your own home, and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to
realise that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in
her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents - Truth and Trust;
his wife - Discretion; his daughter - Responsibility; and his son - Reason.
He is survived by 3 stepbrothers: I Know my Rights; Someone Else is to
Blame; and I'm a Victim.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realised he was gone.

Old Favourites

2006-08-05T18:59:00.000+12:00

Last Christmas, I got one of my fave movies on DVD. The Sound of Music. It may sound cheesy I know, but I love it! So the other night, I finally convinced the husband to sit down and watch it with me. Apparently he thought it was all just happy songs with not much storyline, and was quite surprised of the political war issues addressed. There is more to this classic musical than meets the eye...

Now there's one part in the film where Maria is teaching the kids how to sing (if you know the movie at all, you'll know this part).. teaching them the traditional names of the notes with wee things to help them remember each one. Just as an aside, who ever thought of using those weird names anyway, and why are they not used anymore?

For those of you who are uneducated on this matter, here's the words of the song (you need to know this to properly understand the next part of this post). I did previously think that everyone knew this song, but my hubby proved me wrong, so here it is:

DO - a deer a female deer
RAY - a drop of golden sun
MI - a name I call myself
FA - a long, long way to run
SO - a needle pulling thread
LA - a note to follow so
TI - a drink with jam and bread
that will bring us back to do do do do

NB: 'do' is said 'doe'

So a few days after we watched the film, something came to mind... years ago (when I went to Aussie for GB I think, in 2000) I spotted a t-shirt with a version of this song on it. Homer Simpson's version. Good for a laugh!

If you know the tune, sing it with the words... go on, you know you want to...

DOUGH - the stuff that buys me beer
RAY - the guy who sells me beer
ME - the guy who drinks the beer
FAR - the distance to my beer
SO - I think I'll have a beer
LA - la la la la la beer
TEA? - No thanks, I'm drinking beer
That will bring us back to..
DOH..

Attitude

2006-07-30T12:38:00.000+12:00

It's probably a little known fact that there's a fantastic tv programme on Sunday mornings - 9.30am on Channel 1.

I myself discovered it by accident a year or two ago.

I watch it every Sunday morning, and each time marvel at how such a great programme can be on at that time, and not at 7.30pm on a weeknight.

Attitude is a NZ show (current affairs/doco style) discussing what life is like for people living with a disability. It shows real people doing real things, and all the presenters really understand because they themselves have a "disability" (for lack of a better word).

It has given me insights on not only the issues that these people deal with, but also how they overcome the challenges in their life.

Some of the stories I remember:

The teenage boy who has Downs Sydrome and is learning how to drive - and working with a dedicated team of adults to best manage his own life.

The Special Olympics - kids who can't see participating in running races.

A visit to a disability expo in the States - seeing state of the art wheelchairs that can climb stairs and go up to standing height.

A group of kids at a highschool who, as part of their technology project, made a special bike for a local man who has cerebal palsy.

Today, one of the stories was about LifeBoyz Trust (which is run in Highland Park). This an afterschool/holiday programme for boys - both those with a disability and those without. It just so happens that the new venue for my church, cession, is at the same centre (The Depot) where LifeBoyz meet. We've already had the opportunity to work with them last holidays and from what I hear, it was hugely beneficial to all parties.

I taped this morning's programme, so if anyone would like to see that particular episode just give me a holla.

My challenge to you this week:
Next Sunday, turn the tv on to Channel 1 at 9.30am to watch Attitude. You won't regret it.

Betsy

2006-07-27T22:10:00.000+12:00

Well, the entertainment is just going all out this week..

Being an egocentric person of today, I decided to google my own name.

There is a poet, an artist, and a NZ community leader who fought for women's rights (who knew?!)

I also found this, which I thought was rather amusing:

Variations of the name Elizabeth Kelso
Betsie Kelso
Betty Kelso
Beth Kelso
Libby Kelso
Lizzy Kelso
Lizzie Kelso
Eli Kelso
Liza Kelso
Liz Kelso
Bess Kelso
Betsy Kelso
Bessie Kelso
Betsey Kelso
Elisa Kelso
Bitsy Kelso
Eliza Kelso

Just call me Betsy.

'Funny' of the week

2006-07-27T20:41:00.000+12:00

This is so hilarious I just had to share it - I did a quiz to find my inner hair colour...

Your Hair Should Be Orange

Expressive, deep, and one of a kind.
You pull off "weird" well - hardly anyone notices.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

So apparently it's true inside and out!!

Blogging at school? Surely not...

2006-07-25T21:32:00.000+12:00

I went to an ICT course in the holidays, and an idea arose out of many discussions with other teachers.

I decided to start a class blog.

This is a new initiative as part of our written language programme. Students will be encouraged to write about matters that interest them (such as issues in the media, reviews of films or books, thoughts on a topic) and will sometimes be given specific topics.

Below are some comments from teachers who have already started this with their class (from classblogmeister):

“In fifteen years of teaching, I have never seen anything come along even CLOSE to motivating students to write - like blogging does.”

“Even when they're out sick, students work on their blogs”

“My students are floored when, as they say, "some random person from Texas commented on my blog!!" The students are getting real world experience with writing.”

“Why would my students want to write on paper for their teacher to see, when they could write on their blog for the whole world to see.”

To visit the class blog, click here.

I'm looking forward to seeing how it progresses and I'll keep you posted.

What a week it's been!

2006-07-24T21:13:00.000+12:00

Well, it's been a busy week and I'm pooped but it's been great.

NB: For those of you who know me, you'd notice that I don't usually use the word "pooped". Just one of those words that is not usually in my vocabulary. This has appeared because the word "tired" has been banned in this house - it's been used way too much lately!

Anyway, so I came down with some sort of lurgy which seems to be lingering, but praise God I'm nearly better.

The weekend was fantastic.

A wedding and a baptism.

What an amazing time to reflect on relationships and love between people and God. The lovely Juanita and Neta - sorry, Mr & Mrs Masunu - had a perfect wedding and I enjoyed every minute of it. Beautiful.

It was also great catching up with friends who I hadn't seen for ages. Isn't it funny how time passes, and you don't realise just how much you've missed someone until you see them?

So often I think of how I want to catch up with old friends, yet struggle to find the time. I've realised it's one of my down-falls, so I'm making it a goal for after practicum - to catch up with friends (sorry I've neglected you lately).

And Sunday night we had the baptism of a family friend. I grew up "looking after" her and her brother, they're about 5 years younger than me. It was amazing to see just how much she has grown as a person, and I was so proud when she said her testimony in front of the church. It really was an honour to be a part of it.

More good news for this week: We found out that my wonderful dog Calista doesn't have cancer! The vet thought she might have, and she had to go for tests, but they didn't reveal the dreaded C word. What she does have is some type of thyroid disease or something that can be easily treated with a pill each day. She's more energetic already and we're all very glad about that.

I love weddings and baptisms. And family dogs not being sick.

Wedding Belles

2006-07-15T17:28:00.000+12:00

The wedding of Scott and I was featured in the Herald on Sunday last weekend! Very exciting.

Click on the image to read the article and see the photos.

A Peg Bag for the Husband

2006-07-13T19:22:00.000+12:00

I got some marks back today - for the technology paper I did last semester. We had to design and make a significant product, and document (in journal form) the technological process.

A few people made huge bookshelves.

One made a huge flash dog house (seriously, a small child could happily live in it).

It took them weeks. Months.

I made a peg bag.

It took only a couple of hours to make and it was great. Just ask Scott.

I titled my assignment "A Peg Bag for the Husband".

Here's to reading the marking criteria and discovering that no marks were given for the actual product - I got A+!

Introducing filmguide.co.nz

2006-07-08T10:54:00.000+12:00

I am glad to say that for the last few days, filmguide has been up and running. It is an awesome website providing quality film reviews for the average New Zealander.

Check it out!

Not only that, but you can also sign up and post your comments on films you've seen, and discuss issues in the media. That's what it's there for - this resource needs to be utilised!

I've seen the hard yakka that people have been through to create this website. It's one aspect of the 1914media trust set up by my husband Scott, Greg & Brett... other people will soon be on the trust board also, and it's really exciting to see where it's going! The passion that my husband has for this is contagious. And the support 1914 and filmguide has had from so many different people is heart-warming.

So my challenge for this week:
Jump on the bandwagon and get filmguide.co.nz buzzing with discussion!

The Realisation

2006-07-04T19:57:00.000+12:00

On the way home from work tonight, I caught myself doing something I was embarrassed about. No, not speeding, and no I didn't give the finger to the guy who pulled out in front of me. I was singing. Now this is nothing unusual for me, as I don't have a radio in my old lil car, so I often sing. And when it's raining, I sing in time to the windscreen wipers - as I was tonight. It's not the singing I was embarrassed about, it's what I was singing.

It was a very upbeat version of Baa Baa Black Sheep. In time with the windscreen wipers. And I didn't realise it until I'd been driving for at least 5 minutes.

So I had a little laugh at myself. Then a few minutes later, I realised I'd started singing again - this time it was There Was a Great Big Moose. So I stopped myself. And a few more minutes down the road, it was Baa Baa Black Sheep again. I swear, it was like a never-ending circle that I just couldn't stop!

See, the 2 1/2 year olds favourite song at the moment is Baa Baa Black Sheep - it has been for a while, and when I want him to sit still for teeth brushing or hair washing, I just sing that song. And the older kids like the Moose song. I sing them both many many times each time I'm there, so of course it's natural I just keep going when I leave...

So on the way home, I started composing a list in my head.

You know you've been doing childcare long enough when:

8. You can recognise the "I need to pee" dance a mile off.

7. You somehow seem to find room on your lap for 3 children.

6. Poo? Nothing.

5. You can simultaniously feed one child, wipe another's nose and watch another do a handstand, all while singing "there was a great big moose".

4. When your husband doesn't want his vegetables, you offer him one chocolate raisin after dinner if he eats them.

3. You can easily read "Where's Spot?" seven times in a row.

2. The baby covers you with a combination of snot, spit and baby food, and you're not phased at all.

1. You sing "baa baa black sheep" when you're driving by yourself, and only realise you're doing so after the seventh run through.

Kids Say The Darndest Things

2006-07-03T22:36:00.000+12:00

Because I look after kiddies, I'm often treated to some spoken gems. Here's the latest from the 5 year old:

"Liz, the grass is getting really long... it needs to be cut. When's Dad going to do the lawning?"

Always good for a giggle!

Challenges

2006-07-02T21:46:00.000+12:00

Here I am, I've finally decided to start a blog and see how it goes. I've been thinking about it for a while, so this will prove as a bit of an experiment!

It's quite a daunting thing really, staring at a blank box and wondering what to write about - but empowering too. I can write whatever I want.

I had a lecturer last semester who loved breaking down words and looking at the origins. She's an amazingly intellectual lady, and at first I couldn't handle it. She spoke in huge words and it was too much for this humble student teacher who was used to interactive workshops (as opposed to long lectures). However, by the end of the course, I was loving it - there's something about rising to a challenge and beating it.

The reason I thought of that lecturer was of one thing I particularly remember - talking about the autonomous individual, she said that "autonomous" comes from the word "author" - you are the author, you "write" (or do) what you want to. And in sitting here with the blank box, all I could hear was "you are the author" running through my head.

Speaking of challenges, I beat the vaccum cleaner today. The head bit was totally blocked up with miscellaneous dust and popcorn and who knows what else... it was a combined effort and in the end I managed to get my little finger to unlodge what was about a cup of sludge. See, we'd tried putting water through it. So all the dust had turned to a thick black sludge. Hence why I now have what looks like tar under my nails.

It was very satisfying to have beat the blockage.