My husband tells me that I tend to take on too much - and yes, I think he's right... there has been at least one teary break down in recent history.
I'm a full time teacher, I'm a member of a teaching association committee, I've been a manager of a state schools sports team for the last 5 years and I've held a position in a sporting association for 5 years now too. So, next year I've decided that I won't be as involved with the sport - I'm not putting myself forward to manage the team, and I've asked for someone else to be trained to do the position I've filled. Having said that, we are hoping to buy a house in the next 6 months or so. I do think that if we continue to rent, my head may explode, so the house buying is probably a positive... yeah I'll just keep telling myself that.
2010 is the first year for a while where I haven't had something to plan for at the end of the year (wedding/holiday etc). It's actually been quite hard - I keep telling myself that almost 2 months of time off is enough to look forward to, but I still feel like something is sort of missing. I've kept myself busy for the 1st two weeks of the holidays by going to the gym, catching up with friends, cooking and baking. But I'm not sure that will keep me going for another 6 wks...
This is what made me realise that I'll struggle without a project... Yesterday I finally gave in to temptation and went and had a little look around sayso weddings. I had been resisting looking at it because I knew I'd keep going back (like I do with the wedding SA forum). Sad perhaps (as we are already 1 year married), but true nonetheless. I do like reading people's wedding plans... and I have to say I miss the excitement. Plus, I like catching up with all the lovely girls who planned their weddings around the same time as us! Well, Kellyansapansa has organised a giant Trash The Dress event. I tried to resist. I failed. I'm in... just sounds like way too much fun - getting together in a wedding dress with 50 "brides" to have hair/makeup done, breakfast together, photos and then either cake fight, paint fight, or dress drowning at the beach! I won't be doing it my own wedding dress though - it means too much. Another girl has several dresses and I will be using one of those.
I never thought I was a girly girl, but I must admit I do seem to have a bit of princess in me.
I blame withdrawal from planning things. But at least now I have a few major thing to look forward to!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Baked Goods
I got inspired yesterday whilst browsing through pictures and recipes and thought I'd do some Christmas baking after all. Also, a few people need a bit more for their presents, so biscuits etc make a nice top up! Anyway, I bought everything I needed to make almond macaroons, coconut macaroons, gingerbread and rocky road. Today I managed to do all the baking things - I'll tackle the rocky road tomorrow. The macaroons worked very well - but they always do.
The gingerbread also worked well, which is very pleasing as it was my first go at gingerbread! I was inspired for the ginger bread by The decorated Cookie and her melting snowman cookies. I though gingerbread would be fine for a base, rather than sugar cookie dough! Here are a couple of the 26 Melting Snowpeople I made:
I was pretty pleased with how they worked out - husband seems to like them too - he's pretty well finished off the rejects!
The gingerbread also worked well, which is very pleasing as it was my first go at gingerbread! I was inspired for the ginger bread by The decorated Cookie and her melting snowman cookies. I though gingerbread would be fine for a base, rather than sugar cookie dough! Here are a couple of the 26 Melting Snowpeople I made:
I was pretty pleased with how they worked out - husband seems to like them too - he's pretty well finished off the rejects!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Curious Conundrum
I'm not having a go at anyone here, I just want to get out what's in my head.
Today a whole bunch of young people got given a number (well quite a few numbers, but one big one). They've spent all year working towards that number, most of them hoping for a certain number or higher. Quite a few of these young people that I know are a little bit disappointed with their number. Some are very disappointed. Some are actually quite happy. Yes - I'm talking about yr 12 results.
As a yr 12 teacher I think I get almost as anxious as the students about how they went - at least in my subject- and I am more than a little curious about their overall grade. I can also remember how much I cared about my own grade and being happy/sad about my score when it arrived.
I knew that I'd worked fairly hard towards those grades, but I also knew that if I'd put in a couple more hours a week (maybe even 1 more hour a week) I might have scored a few extra points and been one of those 90's people. Having said that I worked, played sport and had a social life during yr 12 - which I wouldn't change if I had to do it again. BUT - my social life was not what a lot of young people would now describe as a social life. I didn't have a mobile, didn't have facebook etc, didn't accept phone calls from people until I'd done homework (mum and dad knew to say "she'll get back to you") and generally only went out with friends on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus I had a midnight curfew. And I didn't write myself off with booze or other substances (not once I swear) during yr 12. NERD I hear you all scream? Well yes. Self confessed. But I definitely could've worked harder on school work without other parts of my life suffering.
Still, a lot of the students I teach (and I'm sorry if any of my past students read this - some of you did actually work hard) really aren't realistic about what they want and what they choose to do during yr 12. If you want a TER oops sorry ATAR of more than 80, you really do have to work for it. In yr 12, you're up against every other yr 12 in the state. Yes, there are students out there who spend 5-6 hours each week on EACH subject. Those are the ones who will get the high grades. They will know their stuff inside and out. 1-2 hours a week per subject just doesn't cut it. Neither does doing assignments until 2/3am. That generally is a BAD idea.
So there needs to be some kind of deal struck between socialising/working/playing sport and study. If you want a high grade - work for it. Same goes in Uni and TAFE and will carry over to work. You need to work hard to get to the higher places. There are a few very rare and lucky people who can just DO things without working too hard. Most people aren't like that.
Now, these ramblings bring me to my point, kind of. All through High School we push our students to do the very best they can. We tell them all about what they need to do to get the very best grades. But not many seem to listen. Obviously some do - because they get on and do what needs to be done.
So many senior students I come across now live very adult lives and working hard in school doesn't fit into their lifestyle... but for some reason, they still have their hearts set on those high scores because they want the best of what an adult life has to offer. The $$$ the status etc I guess. They're not willing to compromise too much for the 10 months of yr 12, but then they feel let down when they get their results. An interesting conundrum and one I have no idea how to solve - it all seems to make sense in my head, but it doesn't make sense to most adolescents... maybe that's just it?
Today a whole bunch of young people got given a number (well quite a few numbers, but one big one). They've spent all year working towards that number, most of them hoping for a certain number or higher. Quite a few of these young people that I know are a little bit disappointed with their number. Some are very disappointed. Some are actually quite happy. Yes - I'm talking about yr 12 results.
As a yr 12 teacher I think I get almost as anxious as the students about how they went - at least in my subject- and I am more than a little curious about their overall grade. I can also remember how much I cared about my own grade and being happy/sad about my score when it arrived.
I knew that I'd worked fairly hard towards those grades, but I also knew that if I'd put in a couple more hours a week (maybe even 1 more hour a week) I might have scored a few extra points and been one of those 90's people. Having said that I worked, played sport and had a social life during yr 12 - which I wouldn't change if I had to do it again. BUT - my social life was not what a lot of young people would now describe as a social life. I didn't have a mobile, didn't have facebook etc, didn't accept phone calls from people until I'd done homework (mum and dad knew to say "she'll get back to you") and generally only went out with friends on Friday and Saturday nights. Plus I had a midnight curfew. And I didn't write myself off with booze or other substances (not once I swear) during yr 12. NERD I hear you all scream? Well yes. Self confessed. But I definitely could've worked harder on school work without other parts of my life suffering.
Still, a lot of the students I teach (and I'm sorry if any of my past students read this - some of you did actually work hard) really aren't realistic about what they want and what they choose to do during yr 12. If you want a TER oops sorry ATAR of more than 80, you really do have to work for it. In yr 12, you're up against every other yr 12 in the state. Yes, there are students out there who spend 5-6 hours each week on EACH subject. Those are the ones who will get the high grades. They will know their stuff inside and out. 1-2 hours a week per subject just doesn't cut it. Neither does doing assignments until 2/3am. That generally is a BAD idea.
So there needs to be some kind of deal struck between socialising/working/playing sport and study. If you want a high grade - work for it. Same goes in Uni and TAFE and will carry over to work. You need to work hard to get to the higher places. There are a few very rare and lucky people who can just DO things without working too hard. Most people aren't like that.
Now, these ramblings bring me to my point, kind of. All through High School we push our students to do the very best they can. We tell them all about what they need to do to get the very best grades. But not many seem to listen. Obviously some do - because they get on and do what needs to be done.
So many senior students I come across now live very adult lives and working hard in school doesn't fit into their lifestyle... but for some reason, they still have their hearts set on those high scores because they want the best of what an adult life has to offer. The $$$ the status etc I guess. They're not willing to compromise too much for the 10 months of yr 12, but then they feel let down when they get their results. An interesting conundrum and one I have no idea how to solve - it all seems to make sense in my head, but it doesn't make sense to most adolescents... maybe that's just it?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
So this is Christmas...
I love Christmas... sort of...
Some say it's supposed to be a religious holiday... but it's meaning has changed for most people now. In actual fact the early Christians chose that date to celebrate Christ's birthday as it was an ancient pagan feast day and would make it easier for non Christians to adapt to... so the meaning of Christmas day is not originally "Christian". Anyway not going to get myself into further religious discussion today.
Christmas has become, for many - including most of my family, a time of getting together with loved ones, sharing a meal and good conversation, which is great. My husband and I are lucky that our families tend to do that a lot anyway, I know other people don't have the chance and Christmas is one of the only time they are able to all be together.
Anyway, like I said, I like the idea. BUT what tends to happen in the lead up to Christmas, and on the day itself, is we climb aboard the Crazy Christmas Express:
- Christmas baking (if feeling so inclined it really needs to start early - I haven't felt so inclined this year... might still do some macaroons or something easy)
- Christmas shopping
- Catch up with friends you don't often see - EAT
- More Christmas shopping
- Buy/cook special food that you wouldn't otherwise - EAT
- Catch up with family you won't see on the day - EAT
- Madly try to find presents for those difficult to shop for people
We usually start celebrations on Christmas Eve with the German Christmas - I'm actually sad that we aren't doing that this year as so few of the German side of the family will be around - Uncle is not in the country, Aunt is not in the state, Opa is about 800km away and not coming over. Will be odd not doing this part of Christmas- it's actually one of the bits that has always felt easy!
and then there's the day itself... EAT EAT EAT
Christmas morning... prepare food items for taking to Christmas lunch.
Christmas lunch 1 - with my Papa, starts around 11am. Traditionally it was with Nanna and Papa and most of the family on my dad's side, but with lots of that family interstate and another part of that family doing their own thing for the last couple of years - that's what happens when cousins grow up and get married - Christmas lunch is now my immediate family and partners/kids plus Papa. This part of Christmas is somehow always strained or tense and not as happy as I have always thought it should be.
For the first time this year my immediate family and our partners are doing KK instead of all exchanging gifts. A bit of a relief! The only people getting gifts all round will be my nephew and niece! This takes a bit of strain off as far as the Christmas shopping goes!
Christmas lunch 2 - Husband's side of the family... we migrate from my family Christmas lunch to his family Christmas lunch. This is usually a relief in many ways because to me it seems much more relaxed than my family... maybe it's because we arrive late usually... maybe everyone else is stressing and it's mostly over by the time we get there?
So Christmas lunch finishes sometime in the afternoon and we sometimes do Christmas dinner... not that anyone actually feels like eating much, especially not us after 2 Christmas lunches!
I don't really know why I let myself get so worked up in the lead up to Christmas... after all, it's just another day and we see these people all the time. But Christmas is always different, maybe because it's supposed to be special?
I think next Christmas I'd like to be overseas on the actual day and just catch up with everyone at some point before hand. Pre-Christmas if you will. I think it would take the pressure off... return Christmas time to a nice time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends without the stresses of the day itself!
Some say it's supposed to be a religious holiday... but it's meaning has changed for most people now. In actual fact the early Christians chose that date to celebrate Christ's birthday as it was an ancient pagan feast day and would make it easier for non Christians to adapt to... so the meaning of Christmas day is not originally "Christian". Anyway not going to get myself into further religious discussion today.
Christmas has become, for many - including most of my family, a time of getting together with loved ones, sharing a meal and good conversation, which is great. My husband and I are lucky that our families tend to do that a lot anyway, I know other people don't have the chance and Christmas is one of the only time they are able to all be together.
Anyway, like I said, I like the idea. BUT what tends to happen in the lead up to Christmas, and on the day itself, is we climb aboard the Crazy Christmas Express:
- Christmas baking (if feeling so inclined it really needs to start early - I haven't felt so inclined this year... might still do some macaroons or something easy)
- Christmas shopping
- Catch up with friends you don't often see - EAT
- More Christmas shopping
- Buy/cook special food that you wouldn't otherwise - EAT
- Catch up with family you won't see on the day - EAT
- Madly try to find presents for those difficult to shop for people
We usually start celebrations on Christmas Eve with the German Christmas - I'm actually sad that we aren't doing that this year as so few of the German side of the family will be around - Uncle is not in the country, Aunt is not in the state, Opa is about 800km away and not coming over. Will be odd not doing this part of Christmas- it's actually one of the bits that has always felt easy!
and then there's the day itself... EAT EAT EAT
Christmas morning... prepare food items for taking to Christmas lunch.
Christmas lunch 1 - with my Papa, starts around 11am. Traditionally it was with Nanna and Papa and most of the family on my dad's side, but with lots of that family interstate and another part of that family doing their own thing for the last couple of years - that's what happens when cousins grow up and get married - Christmas lunch is now my immediate family and partners/kids plus Papa. This part of Christmas is somehow always strained or tense and not as happy as I have always thought it should be.
For the first time this year my immediate family and our partners are doing KK instead of all exchanging gifts. A bit of a relief! The only people getting gifts all round will be my nephew and niece! This takes a bit of strain off as far as the Christmas shopping goes!
Christmas lunch 2 - Husband's side of the family... we migrate from my family Christmas lunch to his family Christmas lunch. This is usually a relief in many ways because to me it seems much more relaxed than my family... maybe it's because we arrive late usually... maybe everyone else is stressing and it's mostly over by the time we get there?
So Christmas lunch finishes sometime in the afternoon and we sometimes do Christmas dinner... not that anyone actually feels like eating much, especially not us after 2 Christmas lunches!
I don't really know why I let myself get so worked up in the lead up to Christmas... after all, it's just another day and we see these people all the time. But Christmas is always different, maybe because it's supposed to be special?
I think next Christmas I'd like to be overseas on the actual day and just catch up with everyone at some point before hand. Pre-Christmas if you will. I think it would take the pressure off... return Christmas time to a nice time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends without the stresses of the day itself!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
First Step!
I've decided to record and share my thoughts on the net... hang on - I've been doing that for a while on facebook!
So...why am I starting a blog? There are a few reasons:
1. I like to write lots and there just isn't enough space on a facebook status!
2. I'm wanting to journal my weightloss journey (2nd time to give it a go) and I figure I'm much more likely to do it online than in a book, because I'm always on the computer.
3. I like to share what I'm up to - cooking, activities etc.
4. I have a lot of opinions and I like to rant.
5. I like to share interesting things I come across.
6. It will give me something to do - relax I guess
A little about me:
- I'm now in my late 20's.
- I started a weightloss journey about 3 years ago, and I got quite close to my destination before I rested on a plateau for a very long time, before going back the way I came. Now I'm almost back at the beginning and heading on a similar but different path to get to where I want to be.
- I am quite opinionated (on many diverse issues) and my views sit firmly to the left!
- I love cooking (anything and everything) and trying new recipes out is a favourite game!
What I achieved today:
- Did the Big Balls Workout this morning (DVD)
- Walked to the gym, the shops and home again this afternoon.
- Personal Training session at the gym - now at about 4 sessions and he's starting to push me now that he's figured out where I'm at. Amazing what they can make you do in 30 mins!
-Tried a new recipe!
Today's new recipe - Labneh.
1 litre of yoghurt
Pinch of salt
Stir the salt into the yoghurt. Drain the yoghurt in a cloth over a deep bowl for about an hr. Pour off whey, continue draining process in the fridge for about 3 days. Voila - Labneh!
I'm hoping it works - have to wait a couple days to find out, but no reason why it shouldn't!
So...why am I starting a blog? There are a few reasons:
1. I like to write lots and there just isn't enough space on a facebook status!
2. I'm wanting to journal my weightloss journey (2nd time to give it a go) and I figure I'm much more likely to do it online than in a book, because I'm always on the computer.
3. I like to share what I'm up to - cooking, activities etc.
4. I have a lot of opinions and I like to rant.
5. I like to share interesting things I come across.
6. It will give me something to do - relax I guess
A little about me:
- I'm now in my late 20's.
- I started a weightloss journey about 3 years ago, and I got quite close to my destination before I rested on a plateau for a very long time, before going back the way I came. Now I'm almost back at the beginning and heading on a similar but different path to get to where I want to be.
- I am quite opinionated (on many diverse issues) and my views sit firmly to the left!
- I love cooking (anything and everything) and trying new recipes out is a favourite game!
What I achieved today:
- Did the Big Balls Workout this morning (DVD)
- Walked to the gym, the shops and home again this afternoon.
- Personal Training session at the gym - now at about 4 sessions and he's starting to push me now that he's figured out where I'm at. Amazing what they can make you do in 30 mins!
-Tried a new recipe!
Today's new recipe - Labneh.
1 litre of yoghurt
Pinch of salt
Stir the salt into the yoghurt. Drain the yoghurt in a cloth over a deep bowl for about an hr. Pour off whey, continue draining process in the fridge for about 3 days. Voila - Labneh!
I'm hoping it works - have to wait a couple days to find out, but no reason why it shouldn't!
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