The Window

This Revver video reminds me of the book one of my students presented in his wider reading oral this week. The book is called the window and it tells an amazing story, without words.

Was expecting 'The Fool'

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Ups and Downs

This week has been a rollercoaster ride. I have been all over the place emotionally and mentally.
My daughter had her graduation this week and because she was school captain, had to give a speech. I was so proud of her and in awe of her speaking abilities. She has such a presence when she speaks in public and I am always bursting with pride when I hear her. I also feel a little nostalgic about her finishing school.
My son has had a bit of a health issue that we're still not sure about. I am worried yet hopeful it will all be ok at the same time. So therefore quite up and down about that.
Naturally it is report writing week!
I managed to squeeze in 'An Inconvenient Truth', with the school and it lived up to it's name because it was inconvenient. When you live in a regional area though, you have to support these films with small niche audiences,or they don't come back! Also there was a group organised from school/work, so I didn't want to miss it either.
I read weblogg-ed: "Is Reading Dead" this morning and remembered a lovely moment this week, I might have forgotten in the big action of this week. One of my year 7s who at the beginning of the year hated reading came to tell me she had finished the book I recommended for her last week. As I was so busy and self absorbed, I nearly brushed her off with a nod and a 'well done' smile, but she wouldn't accept that. She said "Tell me, did you cry?". I had to have a look then and really remember the book. It was Painted Love Letters by Catherine Bateson. I admitted that I had sobbed when I read it. It was a great book. She really wanted to share the effect it had on her.
These are the peak moments for me as a teacher. I nearly lost that moment in the rush of the week, so my answer to the question 'Is reading dead?', is no way. This happens quite regularly enough for me to keep going to school every day, correcting, writing reports, doing yard duty and all the other parts of being a teacher that I find less inspiring and enjoyable.

Amanda Bloom - WoW

Last night I heard Amanda Bloom's 'Magdeline' on the radio. It is an amazing song. I loved it on first hearing. I remember the first time I heard Tori Amos and it was a similar experience. She is like Kate Bush. I love Kate Bush.
The lyrics of 'Magdeline' are moving and you can read all about them on her myspace blog.

She is a Sydney woman. Her voice is magic and I look forward to hearing more. I would buy a CD of hers today if I could. The Triple J radio announcer said last night she was classically trained. You can hear that discipline and excellence. I can't say enough. If you go to Triple J Unearthed, you can download Magdeline and listen for yourself. I am going to register today and vote.

Oh ZeFrank is good too

PS: Sorry, but this is really good too. Ze Frank too, TED is good. I know, I really should start saving posts as drafts until I am sure I am finished. As a bonus to you for your inconvenience, I am willing to put this other Ze Frank from Revver up, but make sure you watch the TED one, cause it's good....:

Ted Talks

Considering what it costs to see Anthony Robbins live, this is good value. It's free! He tells a very touching story. I've listened to a few Anthony Robbins tapes over the years, but not until today did I hear him say the F word. So that was interesting! I kinda liked it. Made him seem more human to me. I know, I have issues.
Actually you can watch a video of Tony Robbins. He looks good too.
I have been checking out TED Talks again today. I watched a video there the other day, I don't know if I mentioned it here but it was about Happiness by Dan Gilbert and I really enjoyed it. This is a valuable resource. There are quite a few great speakers on this site and I think you could treat yourself to the time it takes to listen to a half hour or so, or download a podcast.
Oh and since U2 is in Australia, you might like to celebrate that by watching Bono here.

Paths

Today I swept my paths. I have paths all around my home and because Andy had done such a magnificent job in the back yard, it inspired me to uncover the paths in the front yard, which had been buried, probably since last spring, by tanbark. The path was totally covered. It looks great now.
I do love overgrown and hidden paths though, just not at my home. Here is a picture I took this time last year on a walk at Cape Patterson. I like beach paths especially when they are dark and overgrown and then you emerge out on an open beach that seems so wide open and light in contrast to the path you have taken to get there.

On the Jellicoe Road

PS. My son loved this book too.

Melina Marchetta's Books

I have recently consumed 'On the Jellicoe Road' by Melina Marchetta. It was like a puzzle I had to patiently pursue as the pieces came together. There were times I felt I had no clue what was going on and I had to reread parts as I knew I'd missed something important. It was worth it though. I felt I had been on a real reading journey when I finished and I found the resolutions satisfying. After finishing it, I am unsure why it wasn't predictable but I know I didn't realise the obvious because of the crafty way the author revealed the character's.
I loved her first book. This was different from Looking for Alibrandi, which was a more straightforward read. Her characters were realistic and rich, and I enjoyed them. I haven't read Saving Francesca (Bccb Blue Ribbon Fiction Books (Awards)). I am not sure why, but I know after enjoying the latest book so much I will make a point of borrowing it and reading it this summer.

News articles about online love

ABC News
York Daily Record

Go to Google News

These first two articles came to my attention today so I went to Google News and was quite surprised by the number of articles. It's feeling very mainstream to me now. I guess enough has been said!

Internet Matchmaker

I am enjoying watching one of my closest friends have her first experience of using online dating websites. It is an exciting time and full of promise. I recommended this to her because I have found it to be the best and most enjoyable way to find a partner. It has a bit of cringe factor for some people still. I guess if you have not wanted to meet a partner in the last 10+ years, you would have no need, therefore see fit to criticise it or find it 'wierd'. The other people who are not into it are people who will never read this blog because they haven't yet learnt to use a computer. Needless to say, they are never gonna do it.
I found it a great way to meet my partner. I loved the time when we were getting to know each other via email. It was sweet and gentle and romantic. The first telephone conversation, our first meeting and so on, was all gradual and made the process delightful and lasting.
Perhaps I was very lucky. I only met one other person I communicated with online, and at that first meeting, knew instantly there was no real attraction. It was challenging to have to say that, but no worse than saying no to someone you have met anywhere.
This leads me to a point I want to make, meeting and relating to someone online is the same as any other way. If you find it difficult to trust, it will be the same in real life as it is online. If you are desperate, gullible, if you fantasize, if you are afraid of commitment, intimacy, success, whatever, the internet will not magically transform or hide that. If you are going to have problems in relationships, they will still be there. It is just a convenient way to meet, minus the scene you don't want to be in(insert club,pub,mother's/friends blind date whatever applies) but for wanting to find a partner.
This weekend another friend I recommended online dating to, is getting married. She is 60ish and hadn't had someone special in her life for the 5+ years I had known her. She is very happy. This is why I recommend it and enjoy sharing my positive experience with others. It's great to see people happy and in love.

Rednose - A treat

This morning I have found the website REDNOSE. The puppets and images are touching and I encourage you to take a look. A very special artist.

Stealing Stacey by Lynne Reid Banks

My latest YA read involved a child from London being kidnapped, without her own awareness for most of her ordeal, by her grandmother. She is taken to outback Australia and introduced to many new experiences. I enjoyed it as a light read. It was a fun read and quite a pleasant break from some of the heavier books I've read lately. There were some interesting characters.

Personal Growth GURU

GURU - Gee You Are You!
Since I'm being the big personal growth stuff promoter today, I also forgot to mention, Steve Pavlina has now forums on his site. I haven't spent a real lot of time there, but had a quick scan of them and it looks like personal growth city from here. There are heaps of topics already and it's only been up a little while. In his most recent blog post he says there are already over 3000 posts and almost 1000 users have registered, so I am guessing there will be a great range of opinions and ideas and lots of lively 'Personal Growth for Smart People' discussions.
So off you go and personally develop:-)

Watch the Secret - Now - For Free

I'm not sure how this has come about, but if you have a spare hour and a half, perhaps longer because I imagine it will take some time to stream/download, or whatever it does online, watch this. "The Secret" for free.
The blog it is on, is also worth a look:It's Not About Your Stuff
I have added it to my bloglines feed. She recommends good stuff and it looks quite informative and interesting.

Sunday dinner & 'The Secret'

Last night we had our family Sunday dinner thing, that I have insisted upon since the midyear holidays. I was away at Loch Sport and I did a tonne of reading in the Personal Growth category. I took a few podcasts and generally had a big revision of my life, as I am inclined to do fairly regularly, anyway, the big thing, that I felt I was unhappy about was the lack of time I spend with my kids. I know it is natural for them to be out and about being teenagers, but I missed them. I already have to share them with their dad and now with their friends and part-time jobs added to that, it seemed I was just squeezing in the occasional nag about the mess in their rooms.
So whilst I was away I decided that I would back off with the nagging and let go of expected them to be home all the time, but in exchange for that they would both have to promise to be home for dinner on Sunday nights. We would eat together, at the dinner table, a good meal and catch up. I love Sunday nights now. Previously they had simply been a last clutch of the weekend, but now I plan a great meal, we set the table and enjoy each others company.
After dinner we sometimes watch a movie and once we played the DVD game my brother gave us for Christmas last year. It was great fun. Anyway, I'm sure you can see where this is heading.. Last night I forced them to watch 'The Secret'. They all complained and doubted and thought they would end up having to buy something. Afterwards, they all said they enjoyed it and that it was good. Regardless of their experience of it, I enjoyed it a lot more watching it for the second time. I noticed a few more things and I think I will watch it regularly to remind myself. Thoughts are Things.

Astrology clips

Remember 11/7/06 in American is 7/11/06 in Australia and possibly other places that have that arrangement of date. I have not decided to direct you to July's horoscopes, because I just wouldn't do that. Who could remember back to then to check whether or not this guy is accurate or not? I am not sure about you, but I have no idea, I'd have to check my diary.

The Secret

I finally purchased and watched "The Secret". Yes the
Secret.

It was a great refresher for the Law of Attraction and I want to watch it again and share it with my kids. It didn't contain anything I have never been exposed to and many of the anecdotes I have previously read. The hype kind of spoils it because it creates this expectation that new material is coming to light, when really it is not new. However, that said, I still maintain my often repeated to groaning students stance "Repetition Leads to Discovery".

It's always good to refresh these ideas because it seems at times as though the world surrounding us is constantly reinforcing a false reality. I am having new thoughts today that are more what I choose for myself, so it worked some magic on me.

For everything there is a Season

It's November already! I have been on camp at Tamboritha for the past three days and missed the start of the month. I took some videos whilst I was there which if you are interested, you can see here. Some of them are from the previous camp I went on last week. I'll probably post more later about camp.
Last night in my weary state, I realised I was three days of writing behind in the Nanowrimo writing frenzy I managed to complete last year. I attempted to start, because I have honestly been giving it some thought, but was really too tired to get much more than a thousand words out of myself. This morning I had a big think and decided, I can't do it. I have to let it go this year. I felt a bit of disappointment to be honest, as it felt great last year and I really enjoyed the challenge of it. I realised though, it is not the time of the year for me to be doing this.
Living in Australia, as I do, I have become annoyed with doing things at the wrong time of the year. If it were May and the days were getting shorter, I know I could nestle in to do some serious daily writing, but November is not realistic for me.
Last week, in my year 7 class, we discussed Halloween. Some of the kids are really into it and I can understand why. Some students said it is an American custom to trick or treat, and we shouldn't take it on here. I agree, but not because it is American or because it isn't a relevant thing to do. It is just not relevant in spring, as summer draws near, to be behaving like we are heading towards winter. We have just started daylight savings for goodness sake!
It is the same issue that I have with Nanowrimo. It's not the right season for me here. We should be celebrating spring, spending time outdoors, not holing up with our writing and not embracing darkness and symbolic death. It's all wrong. Perhaps I can start a Southern Hemisphere, May writing month! I'd have to come up with a better title!
I have been barely keeping up with writing blog posts lately. It's been a busy year I guess. I feel a restructuring of my life coming on, partnered with a major spring clean!