Ok, so another month has passed - time for an update.
The weight loss journey is back on track - training with a PT who is pushing and motivating me, been tracking on weightwatchers and have lost almost 2kgs now. I do need to up the exercise during the week - have to get to the gym at least 2 times a week, if not more. Also need to get brave and try some new classes I think!!! Especially as I've just committed to another year's worth of gym membership! Have to make sure I get my money's worth. Also, I really want to get back to size 12 proper by the time we go to Bali at the end of the year!!!
On a different note, I got a sewing machine for my birthday :D and I've started to make a quilt! Made 5 panels of 12 total and am loving it! Also still been crocheting of an evening - don't know who the recipient of this blankie will be, but I quite like it! Perhaps I'll keep this one. Used a bamboo/wool blend, feels really nice.
As far as the house hunt goes, we're taking a break til after we get back from Bali in mis-January, not much point in trying to settle etc if we're overseas!
That's about where things are at.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Another holidays
So here we are at the end of another school holidays. 8 more weeks of teaching and we'll be at the end of another year! Time certainly flies. I know it's been a while since I blogged... it's easy to let time run away from you. I've been keeping pretty busy I guess.
My projects at the moment have been crocheting thingsfor friends having babies... I think I've reached that stage in life where the lives of most people around me revolve around marriage and babies! Late 20s. Hmmm.
Anyway, back to projects. These are some photos of things I've made recently:
<A hat for a little boy.
<A blanket for a little boy.
<A cot blanket in colours inspired by gelati
Other than crocheting, I've also started studying (properly - not the course that I was on about in my last post) and I've finished my first topic - just need to put it in the mail. This course is a diploma in counselling, hoping it will broaden my horizons a little. My goal is to finish it by mid - late 2013.
We're still looking for a house... keep finding ones that are almost enough to tempt us, but not quite right enough. We've just decided to have a little explore into the hills - we've realised there are options in the hills that won't be a ridiculous commute for either of us and that aren't out of our reach budget speaking. That's quite exciting - looking forward to going to an open up there this weekend!
Other than that, trying to live well - eat well, exercise and laugh as much as possible... recipe for a good life!
My projects at the moment have been crocheting thingsfor friends having babies... I think I've reached that stage in life where the lives of most people around me revolve around marriage and babies! Late 20s. Hmmm.
Anyway, back to projects. These are some photos of things I've made recently:
<A hat for a little boy.
A blanket from bits and pieces>
<A blanket for a little boy.A lace edged hat>
(no home for this one yet - it was an experiment inspired by cloche hats)
Other than crocheting, I've also started studying (properly - not the course that I was on about in my last post) and I've finished my first topic - just need to put it in the mail. This course is a diploma in counselling, hoping it will broaden my horizons a little. My goal is to finish it by mid - late 2013.
We're still looking for a house... keep finding ones that are almost enough to tempt us, but not quite right enough. We've just decided to have a little explore into the hills - we've realised there are options in the hills that won't be a ridiculous commute for either of us and that aren't out of our reach budget speaking. That's quite exciting - looking forward to going to an open up there this weekend!
Other than that, trying to live well - eat well, exercise and laugh as much as possible... recipe for a good life!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Hypocrite!
Yes, I'm talking about myself. I am feeling quite hypocritical at the moment. Why you ask? Well, as an employee of a Catholic school I am required to support the catholic ethos of the school (this part is easy enough most of the time as most of it sits within my personal moral structure with some NOTABLE exceptions) and also to complete a Graduate Certificate in Catholic Education.
This 2nd part is proving a little problematic at the moment as I am at present engaging in the painful process of writing a 2500 word paper for a Moral Theology course. The topic of the paper? "Discuss the implications of marital breakdown for the Catholic school, its ethos and the pastoral care that is needed in such situations." To be written in 6 very specific sections based on the idea that humans are made in the image of God and how this impacts on marriage, family and sexality. I won't go into it any further, as it is boring and I don't believe it. What is fundamentally pissing me off about having to write this is as follows:
a) The content of the course (4 intensive days of lectures) was not particularly relevant to this final assignment.
b) I despise having to read paper after paper about how divorce is not recognised, homosexuality is 'disordered' (and so is masturbation for that matter) and marriage involves God.
c) I resent having to write a paper discussing an idea that I myself do not accept - that is that marriage, family and sexuality are tied up in religion.
d) I hate being a hypocrite.
e) I am not Catholic. I do not want to have to profess catholic views in order to pass a paper. The last course I did allowed for this situation. This course is taught by a priest and does not allow for this contingency. Grr.
I guess that this is one of the pitfalls of being non-religious and choosing to work in a religious school. The trade-off I made in order to secure permancy. Sigh.
This 2nd part is proving a little problematic at the moment as I am at present engaging in the painful process of writing a 2500 word paper for a Moral Theology course. The topic of the paper? "Discuss the implications of marital breakdown for the Catholic school, its ethos and the pastoral care that is needed in such situations." To be written in 6 very specific sections based on the idea that humans are made in the image of God and how this impacts on marriage, family and sexality. I won't go into it any further, as it is boring and I don't believe it. What is fundamentally pissing me off about having to write this is as follows:
a) The content of the course (4 intensive days of lectures) was not particularly relevant to this final assignment.
b) I despise having to read paper after paper about how divorce is not recognised, homosexuality is 'disordered' (and so is masturbation for that matter) and marriage involves God.
c) I resent having to write a paper discussing an idea that I myself do not accept - that is that marriage, family and sexuality are tied up in religion.
d) I hate being a hypocrite.
e) I am not Catholic. I do not want to have to profess catholic views in order to pass a paper. The last course I did allowed for this situation. This course is taught by a priest and does not allow for this contingency. Grr.
I guess that this is one of the pitfalls of being non-religious and choosing to work in a religious school. The trade-off I made in order to secure permancy. Sigh.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Progress
It's been quite some time since I posted on here, so a day sick at home is as good an opportunity as any to update the blog.
All the media lately about the Carbon Tax and various other issues here in Australia has really got me thinking. On the whole Australians love to whinge, but they aren't actually willing to DO anything about things that matter.
We actually have a federal government which is willing to look at the long term picture and try to do something that might make the world a better place in quite a few years time, but they are being absolutely carved up about it. And the reason for this slaughter? Money. It's going to cost everyone a little bit more. So, when the sea levels rise and all those yuppies, aging yuppies and CUBS lose their seaside homes they are going to SCREAM about it, but they aren't willing to dip into their hip pocket now to try to stop this situation from happening. As for the argument that other countries aren't doing anything - well firstly, that's wrong because the EU have already taken some action (which is many countries) and why is it that Australia can't do anything unless other countries do something??? People want this country to be taken seriously, but they don't want Australia to be leaders on the world stage... that's a bit too scary!
Another topical issue that gets me riled up is that of Asylum seekers and refugees. SBS ran a fabulous program last week - 'Go Back to Where You Came From'. It did cause a bit of a sensation. I do wonder though whether those people who really should've watched it actually bothered, or whether they settled down in front of some poor quality comedy or drama from the US and had a comfortable evening on the couch. Many people don't actually bother to face up to the difficult, uncomfortable situations when they have the chance to. Perhaps this threatens them too much. They'd much rather have ill-informed opinions that they'll hold very dear and make decisions based on those ideals.
Here in Australia we set a quota of less than 14 000 people to whom we will give refuge each year. These people have left everything they had - they've run away from truly terrible situations - to try to find a life. Not a better life, just a life. There is no "queue" for these people to stand in to be granted asylum somewhere - there are camps yes, but these camps are plagued with disease, violence and rape. I think many Australians can't be bothered finding out what conditions in refugee camps are actually like! Some people do stick it out in a camp until they are finally granted humanitarian visas. Others stick it out in the camps and never make it out. Others yet do everything they can to try to get to a country that might accept them - including paying people smugglers. Last year 6879 asylum seekers arrived in Australia by boat (http://www.rethinkrefugees.com.au/the-facts/fact-3/) which is the same as 6.8% of the seats in the MCG. This is NOT an invasion!!!! In fact, less than 2% of immigration to Australia is Asylum seekers who arrive by boat. If I were in the situation that the 'boat people' were in, I'd definitly consider the people smuggler option, rather than rotting in a refugee camp and losing hope.
I'd better not continue on any other issues - I've been on my soap box for a while now. These issues are certainly worth thinking and talking about, but let's do it with some kind of global, long term view rather than an insular, ill-informed and selfish way.
All the media lately about the Carbon Tax and various other issues here in Australia has really got me thinking. On the whole Australians love to whinge, but they aren't actually willing to DO anything about things that matter.
We actually have a federal government which is willing to look at the long term picture and try to do something that might make the world a better place in quite a few years time, but they are being absolutely carved up about it. And the reason for this slaughter? Money. It's going to cost everyone a little bit more. So, when the sea levels rise and all those yuppies, aging yuppies and CUBS lose their seaside homes they are going to SCREAM about it, but they aren't willing to dip into their hip pocket now to try to stop this situation from happening. As for the argument that other countries aren't doing anything - well firstly, that's wrong because the EU have already taken some action (which is many countries) and why is it that Australia can't do anything unless other countries do something??? People want this country to be taken seriously, but they don't want Australia to be leaders on the world stage... that's a bit too scary!
Another topical issue that gets me riled up is that of Asylum seekers and refugees. SBS ran a fabulous program last week - 'Go Back to Where You Came From'. It did cause a bit of a sensation. I do wonder though whether those people who really should've watched it actually bothered, or whether they settled down in front of some poor quality comedy or drama from the US and had a comfortable evening on the couch. Many people don't actually bother to face up to the difficult, uncomfortable situations when they have the chance to. Perhaps this threatens them too much. They'd much rather have ill-informed opinions that they'll hold very dear and make decisions based on those ideals.
Here in Australia we set a quota of less than 14 000 people to whom we will give refuge each year. These people have left everything they had - they've run away from truly terrible situations - to try to find a life. Not a better life, just a life. There is no "queue" for these people to stand in to be granted asylum somewhere - there are camps yes, but these camps are plagued with disease, violence and rape. I think many Australians can't be bothered finding out what conditions in refugee camps are actually like! Some people do stick it out in a camp until they are finally granted humanitarian visas. Others stick it out in the camps and never make it out. Others yet do everything they can to try to get to a country that might accept them - including paying people smugglers. Last year 6879 asylum seekers arrived in Australia by boat (http://www.rethinkrefugees.com.au/the-facts/fact-3/) which is the same as 6.8% of the seats in the MCG. This is NOT an invasion!!!! In fact, less than 2% of immigration to Australia is Asylum seekers who arrive by boat. If I were in the situation that the 'boat people' were in, I'd definitly consider the people smuggler option, rather than rotting in a refugee camp and losing hope.
I'd better not continue on any other issues - I've been on my soap box for a while now. These issues are certainly worth thinking and talking about, but let's do it with some kind of global, long term view rather than an insular, ill-informed and selfish way.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Quest
So we are shopping for a house at the moment. I hate the whole process. All we want is a house with a decent size yard and a shed, that is in our price range and not classed as 'renovators delight'. You'd think that wouldn't be too hard to find really, but no. We've found a few that we quite like, but they haven't been the one. We just looked at one today for the 2nd time and are now umming and erring about whether or not it's the right place. There are only a few questions about it, but funny how just a few little things make a big difference. Is it a big deal if there has been a leak at one point of the roof? You'd hope that's something that could be fixed up. It does have a small kitchen, but on the plus side that means that you can't make too much mess before it has to be cleaned up. It's all a bit frustrating really. At some point we'll have to bite the bullet and decide to make an offer on something. Then we'll probably be knocked back! Grr.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Hollow
Sometimes things happen that just shake you to your core. Today one of those things happened. To find out that a young person you know has passed away is tragic. To find out that they have taken their own life leaves you feeling hollow.
To all those people who have lost someone to suicide, I can only say sorry.
To all those people who have lost someone to suicide, I can only say sorry.
When I'm Gone | |
| by Mrs.Lyman Hancock | |
|
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Time Flies
I just realised it's been some time since I last blogged and I've reached the conclusion that time not only flies when you are having fun, it also travels excedingly fast when you are busy (and more than a little overworked). So here's what I've been up to for the majority of March...
I last posted when I was in Melbourne being professionally developed as part of a partnership program with Indonesian schools. After that we hosted 2 lovely teachers from Indonesia at our school and this really seemed to enrich the students' experience of learning the language. Now, together with our Indonesian partners, we just need to work on keeping the partnership going via the www and other means! The challenge will really be the blocks that are put in place to 'protect' our students (here in Aus - no issues in Indonesia with that). In reality we are keeping our students' learning in the age of black and white and silent while the rest of the world enjoys colour and surround sound! Ah well - just have to keep chipping away.
One of the things I really enjoyed about being responsible (partly) for overseas visitors was the chance to be a tourist in my own town. For the first time since I was knee high to a grasshopper (not that I'm much taller now) I went and saw Cleland Wildlife Park and had the chance to feed the animals etc. Things you just don't normally do without kids or guests. I also got the chance to look at where I live through the eyes of people from Jakarta. I;ve decided I really love little old Adelaide - it's such a friendly and welcoming little city on the whole. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!
This wk has been a crazy wk - parent teacher interviews last night (always a fun night) plus trying to get students working on tasks and planning for the last few wks of term (a few days out of school for PD and excursions makes a huge amount of planning to be done). There's also an opportunity that's come up which I couldn't really not try for... so that will be interesting. Will be keeping details of that under my hat until I see how it all pans out though!
As far as everything else goes, I did a brilliant job of spraining my ankle (almost 4 wks ago now) and that has put a little bit of a limit on how much exercise I've been able to do... but I've still managed to get to the trainer twice a week and I'm still working on the eating. Got a long way to go on that though. I have to train myself back out of snacks sadly and still have to resist big servings.
I'm well overdue for trying new recipes BUT I have picked up my wool and crochet hook to make things - still have a blanket to finish which I started last September (I think) and I intend to get much better at crocheting things!! I did learn how to make crocheted flowers (followed the instructions in the book), and once I made a flower I made a very cute headband, which hopefully will not be too small for my neice.
Next crochet project will have to be something that involves increasing and decreasing... maybe. I really should work on the blanket a bit more though - no good having a half finished blanket (although it is a very good at keeping me warm if I work on it while watching TV!
That' s about it as a summary of what I've been up to in the last few weeks. Looking forward to the holidays in a couple of weeks though - we'll be heading off to KI for 5 nights which is very exciting!!!!
I last posted when I was in Melbourne being professionally developed as part of a partnership program with Indonesian schools. After that we hosted 2 lovely teachers from Indonesia at our school and this really seemed to enrich the students' experience of learning the language. Now, together with our Indonesian partners, we just need to work on keeping the partnership going via the www and other means! The challenge will really be the blocks that are put in place to 'protect' our students (here in Aus - no issues in Indonesia with that). In reality we are keeping our students' learning in the age of black and white and silent while the rest of the world enjoys colour and surround sound! Ah well - just have to keep chipping away.
One of the things I really enjoyed about being responsible (partly) for overseas visitors was the chance to be a tourist in my own town. For the first time since I was knee high to a grasshopper (not that I'm much taller now) I went and saw Cleland Wildlife Park and had the chance to feed the animals etc. Things you just don't normally do without kids or guests. I also got the chance to look at where I live through the eyes of people from Jakarta. I;ve decided I really love little old Adelaide - it's such a friendly and welcoming little city on the whole. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!
This wk has been a crazy wk - parent teacher interviews last night (always a fun night) plus trying to get students working on tasks and planning for the last few wks of term (a few days out of school for PD and excursions makes a huge amount of planning to be done). There's also an opportunity that's come up which I couldn't really not try for... so that will be interesting. Will be keeping details of that under my hat until I see how it all pans out though!
As far as everything else goes, I did a brilliant job of spraining my ankle (almost 4 wks ago now) and that has put a little bit of a limit on how much exercise I've been able to do... but I've still managed to get to the trainer twice a week and I'm still working on the eating. Got a long way to go on that though. I have to train myself back out of snacks sadly and still have to resist big servings.
I'm well overdue for trying new recipes BUT I have picked up my wool and crochet hook to make things - still have a blanket to finish which I started last September (I think) and I intend to get much better at crocheting things!! I did learn how to make crocheted flowers (followed the instructions in the book), and once I made a flower I made a very cute headband, which hopefully will not be too small for my neice.Next crochet project will have to be something that involves increasing and decreasing... maybe. I really should work on the blanket a bit more though - no good having a half finished blanket (although it is a very good at keeping me warm if I work on it while watching TV!
That' s about it as a summary of what I've been up to in the last few weeks. Looking forward to the holidays in a couple of weeks though - we'll be heading off to KI for 5 nights which is very exciting!!!!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Learning
One of the main reasons I became a teacher was to have a job which allowed and encouraged me to keep learning my whole life. Also, I wanted to do something where I could share what I know and learn.
I'm very excited at the moment because my school allowed me to apply for a government sponsered program where we establish partnerships with Indonesian schools. Long story short, our application was successful and now we have a partner school in Indonesia. For the last couple of days (and the next couple as well) all the Australian and Indonesian teachers involved in this program this yr have been brought to Melbourne to get to know each other and to learn about using Web 2.0 in the classroom to build and maintain the relationships between the schools. I was a little worried - not being the most technologically minded person I am easily scared. Then I realised today how easy it is to use wikis, and how useful they can be in education.
The next hurdle will be persuading school to unblock wikis so that our students can access them and communicate with the partners in Indonesia. It does bug me that we spend a lot of time as educators learning about fabulous interactive tools that are available, only to return to our schools to find that they are not available to our school as someone has decided that these things are not in fact useful. ??? I don't understand.
Anyway, back to the positive - I love learning new informationand new skills and I intend to stand up and fight to be able to use these for the benefit of the students in our school and our partner school!
I'm very excited at the moment because my school allowed me to apply for a government sponsered program where we establish partnerships with Indonesian schools. Long story short, our application was successful and now we have a partner school in Indonesia. For the last couple of days (and the next couple as well) all the Australian and Indonesian teachers involved in this program this yr have been brought to Melbourne to get to know each other and to learn about using Web 2.0 in the classroom to build and maintain the relationships between the schools. I was a little worried - not being the most technologically minded person I am easily scared. Then I realised today how easy it is to use wikis, and how useful they can be in education.
The next hurdle will be persuading school to unblock wikis so that our students can access them and communicate with the partners in Indonesia. It does bug me that we spend a lot of time as educators learning about fabulous interactive tools that are available, only to return to our schools to find that they are not available to our school as someone has decided that these things are not in fact useful. ??? I don't understand.
Anyway, back to the positive - I love learning new informationand new skills and I intend to stand up and fight to be able to use these for the benefit of the students in our school and our partner school!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Mother Hen
Sometimes I find myself wondering if what I do is actually worthwhile - do the young people I work so hard to educate actually appreciate it?
Every now and then little things happen that make me realise that, although they don't show it all that often, they really do appreciate you. There's been a couple of moments like that for me this last week.
Last night was our yr 12's formal and I was seriously considering not going this year. I don't have a yr 12 class this yr, we've had a few huge weeks at school including a parent teacher meet and greet evening and we have open day tomorrow, meaning a one day weekend. So, I brought the topic up with the 6 yr 12s in my Oratory (this is what we call our vertically streamed homegroups) and this was roughly how the conversation went:
Me: I'm wondering whether or not to go to formal on Friday
Student: Really??
Me: Mmmm. Well, I don't have a yr 12 class...
Student: But you have us and ... you've had us for nearly 3 yrs now! You have to come. We want a photo with you!
Which set off the others telling me I had to be there... made me feel a bit like a mother hen really!
So there I was last night. Yr 12 formals are always a funny night. The kids spend so long (especially the girls) waiting for it and planning every tiny detail of their outfits, then on the actual night most of them stand around fairly awkwardly not really knowing what to do with themselves! They do look gorgeous (boys and girls) all decked out in cocktail/evening dresses and suits. Also, watching the girls totter around trying not to fall off their shoes is always fun!
Then for the next set of moments that made me realise teachers matter - a couple of my past students were at the event as dates for current yr 12s. I went over to one (who'd been in my Oratory but left before he finished school) and had a bit of a chat. He was quite pleased that I'd gone to talk to him and proceeded to tell me what he was up to now.
I then almost bumped into another one from the Oratory who'd graduated a couple of yrs ago... he'd been a bit of a handful to be honest, but he seemed genuinely pleased to have a chance to tell me how well everything was going, asked about how the Oratory was now and if I was still "in charge" like I was when he went through (I must've told him off at least 3 times a day!!!). We had a bit of a chat and a laugh and it was another one of those mother hen moments.
The final one happened as I was about to leave - it was approaching 11pm and I thought I'd leave before turning into a pumpkin. I went up to where the kids were all being photographed and saw a couple of my Oratory - they realised I was about to leave and jumped up to round up the others so they could have a proper group photo with their teacher... nawww.
I probably whinge and whine a lot about aspects of my job at times, but it's those little moments with the kids that's really what teaching is all about.
Every now and then little things happen that make me realise that, although they don't show it all that often, they really do appreciate you. There's been a couple of moments like that for me this last week.
Last night was our yr 12's formal and I was seriously considering not going this year. I don't have a yr 12 class this yr, we've had a few huge weeks at school including a parent teacher meet and greet evening and we have open day tomorrow, meaning a one day weekend. So, I brought the topic up with the 6 yr 12s in my Oratory (this is what we call our vertically streamed homegroups) and this was roughly how the conversation went:
Me: I'm wondering whether or not to go to formal on Friday
Student: Really??
Me: Mmmm. Well, I don't have a yr 12 class...
Student: But you have us and ... you've had us for nearly 3 yrs now! You have to come. We want a photo with you!
Which set off the others telling me I had to be there... made me feel a bit like a mother hen really!
So there I was last night. Yr 12 formals are always a funny night. The kids spend so long (especially the girls) waiting for it and planning every tiny detail of their outfits, then on the actual night most of them stand around fairly awkwardly not really knowing what to do with themselves! They do look gorgeous (boys and girls) all decked out in cocktail/evening dresses and suits. Also, watching the girls totter around trying not to fall off their shoes is always fun!
Then for the next set of moments that made me realise teachers matter - a couple of my past students were at the event as dates for current yr 12s. I went over to one (who'd been in my Oratory but left before he finished school) and had a bit of a chat. He was quite pleased that I'd gone to talk to him and proceeded to tell me what he was up to now.
I then almost bumped into another one from the Oratory who'd graduated a couple of yrs ago... he'd been a bit of a handful to be honest, but he seemed genuinely pleased to have a chance to tell me how well everything was going, asked about how the Oratory was now and if I was still "in charge" like I was when he went through (I must've told him off at least 3 times a day!!!). We had a bit of a chat and a laugh and it was another one of those mother hen moments.
The final one happened as I was about to leave - it was approaching 11pm and I thought I'd leave before turning into a pumpkin. I went up to where the kids were all being photographed and saw a couple of my Oratory - they realised I was about to leave and jumped up to round up the others so they could have a proper group photo with their teacher... nawww.
I probably whinge and whine a lot about aspects of my job at times, but it's those little moments with the kids that's really what teaching is all about.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Thinking of Christchurch
I've just spent a reasonable amount of time reading about the most recent earthquake in Christchurch, NZ. My heart goes out to the people of this lovely city.
We spent a few days in Christchurch on our honeymoon at the start of 2010. We thought it was a beautiful city and found the people very friendly. It has brought tears to my eyes seeing the images of the distraught people and the damaged areas of the city. The images of the cathedral in particular are sticking with me - it was a beautiful old cathedral and looks so unlike itself without its spire. Nature can be truly terrifying!
This is how I remember Christchurch
We have all seen the images that are coming out of Christchurch at the moment.
To those people who have lost loved ones in this natural disaster, there are a lot of people keeping you all in their thoughts.
Let's hope that there are no more aftershocks, no more lives are lost, no more damage is done.
We spent a few days in Christchurch on our honeymoon at the start of 2010. We thought it was a beautiful city and found the people very friendly. It has brought tears to my eyes seeing the images of the distraught people and the damaged areas of the city. The images of the cathedral in particular are sticking with me - it was a beautiful old cathedral and looks so unlike itself without its spire. Nature can be truly terrifying!
This is how I remember Christchurch
We have all seen the images that are coming out of Christchurch at the moment.
To those people who have lost loved ones in this natural disaster, there are a lot of people keeping you all in their thoughts.
Let's hope that there are no more aftershocks, no more lives are lost, no more damage is done.
Friday, February 11, 2011
The end of a long week
This week was the first full week with students at school. It was long. I now remember why I love Friday afternoons so much. I can't believe I'd forgotten!!!
So how am I travelling?
I'm still keeping up with my goal to go to the gym 3-4 times a week (seeing the trainer twice a week helps keep the total visits up, but it has generally been 4 times a week). I feel pretty good about that. I do feel a lot stronger and I'm not getting back and shoulder pain like I used to. I'm not really losing any weight though (don't think I'm losing size either), so I think I need to do something about eating... more to the point, how much I eat, exactly what I'm eating and when I eat! I decided to let the weightwatchers membershp go a couple of weeks ago, becasue they changed their system and it really wasn't working for me. Also, I think because I've been subscribing to WW for so long now I got bored and stopped paying attention to it enough. I think if I re-think my food each day I should be able to manage to lose weight without feeling hungry and grumpy. This next week I aim to eat more protein, a lot less rice and pasta, and not touch the bikkie barrel at work.
The whole size issue does get to me every now and then, I actually get quite depressed about it even though I know what I need to do to fix the problem:
I know I've lost 15kg in the past and kept it off for almost 2 years, but then I went and put it all back on again in the space of 6 months! It really does upset me when I look in the mirror and see fat face, or bulgy bits that just look repulsive.
I know I'm working to lose it again and also changing my lifestyle so that it's more active. I know it is having a positive impact on how strong I am. I know that eventually I will see results and change my shape.
I know that my being a size 12-14 is not obese, even though according to BMI calculations I am obese. I also know from experience that for me 8kg does not equal a dress size. 15kg is a dress size in my case. So I have a lot of hardwork ahead of me. Can I do it? YES I CAN!
So how am I travelling?
I'm still keeping up with my goal to go to the gym 3-4 times a week (seeing the trainer twice a week helps keep the total visits up, but it has generally been 4 times a week). I feel pretty good about that. I do feel a lot stronger and I'm not getting back and shoulder pain like I used to. I'm not really losing any weight though (don't think I'm losing size either), so I think I need to do something about eating... more to the point, how much I eat, exactly what I'm eating and when I eat! I decided to let the weightwatchers membershp go a couple of weeks ago, becasue they changed their system and it really wasn't working for me. Also, I think because I've been subscribing to WW for so long now I got bored and stopped paying attention to it enough. I think if I re-think my food each day I should be able to manage to lose weight without feeling hungry and grumpy. This next week I aim to eat more protein, a lot less rice and pasta, and not touch the bikkie barrel at work.
The whole size issue does get to me every now and then, I actually get quite depressed about it even though I know what I need to do to fix the problem:
I know I've lost 15kg in the past and kept it off for almost 2 years, but then I went and put it all back on again in the space of 6 months! It really does upset me when I look in the mirror and see fat face, or bulgy bits that just look repulsive.
I know I'm working to lose it again and also changing my lifestyle so that it's more active. I know it is having a positive impact on how strong I am. I know that eventually I will see results and change my shape.
I know that my being a size 12-14 is not obese, even though according to BMI calculations I am obese. I also know from experience that for me 8kg does not equal a dress size. 15kg is a dress size in my case. So I have a lot of hardwork ahead of me. Can I do it? YES I CAN!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
End of the holidays
Yesterday I got on my bike and rode 62km as part of the Tour Down Under Challenge Tour. W00T! Today I feel surprisingly un-sore, which I am feeling very pleased about! My aim for next year is to be fit enough to ride the 95km section... definitely achievable, especially as I have done it in the past!
I guess I've worked pretty hard on fitness these holidays - been going to the gym 3-4 times a week for the last 6 wks! It'll be a challenge to keep that up once school is back, but it's something I'm committed to! I have to if I want to drop 20kg!
So, as I named this post, the holidays are drawing to a close... after this weekend I will have only 3 more days of freedom. I don't know if I'm looking forward to going back to school this year, I always have a bit of back to work anxiety. The first couple of weeks back as a teacher are tough I think - you have a whole bunch of new faces and names to learn, plus standing up in front of all those new kids and doing the song and dance that is teaching. Especially language teaching! Trying to engage students in learning another language, when they have often had a negative experience of language learning in primary school and generally don't see why they should learn a foreign language because they already speak English, and doesn't everyone in the world speak English??? Plus, teaching Indonesian adds a whole new element to justifying your subject! At least I have one senior class of Indonesian and a senior humanities class to keep me sane!
To sum up how I feel about going back to work (in the words of Shakespeare's Henry V) "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!"
I guess I've worked pretty hard on fitness these holidays - been going to the gym 3-4 times a week for the last 6 wks! It'll be a challenge to keep that up once school is back, but it's something I'm committed to! I have to if I want to drop 20kg!
So, as I named this post, the holidays are drawing to a close... after this weekend I will have only 3 more days of freedom. I don't know if I'm looking forward to going back to school this year, I always have a bit of back to work anxiety. The first couple of weeks back as a teacher are tough I think - you have a whole bunch of new faces and names to learn, plus standing up in front of all those new kids and doing the song and dance that is teaching. Especially language teaching! Trying to engage students in learning another language, when they have often had a negative experience of language learning in primary school and generally don't see why they should learn a foreign language because they already speak English, and doesn't everyone in the world speak English??? Plus, teaching Indonesian adds a whole new element to justifying your subject! At least I have one senior class of Indonesian and a senior humanities class to keep me sane!
To sum up how I feel about going back to work (in the words of Shakespeare's Henry V) "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more!"
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
So far so good
2011 - So far I'm meeting my goals! I've lost just over a kilo this year, been going to the gym an average of 4 times per week, we looked at houses on the weekend and should be doing so again this weekend and I've cooked a few new recipes, including this one, made using the ice-cream maker some wonderful people gave us for Christmas:
Raspberry and Choc-chip Icecream:
500g raspberries (macerated in 2tsp sugar for about an hr)
handfull of choc-chips
300ml heavy cream
300ml milk
1/3 cup sugar
Next ice cream project will involve rockmelon :)
Raspberry and Choc-chip Icecream:
500g raspberries (macerated in 2tsp sugar for about an hr)
handfull of choc-chips
300ml heavy cream
300ml milk
1/3 cup sugar
- Mix the sugar with the cream, milk and salt and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the berry mixture and choc chips to the cream mixture and put it all into your ice cream maker.
- Process and then eat.
Next ice cream project will involve rockmelon :)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Thoughts for the new year
Happy 2011 everyone. We spent a wonderful couple of days with friends on Yorke Peninsula to see in the new year and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It's always lovely to spend time with people you know really well, have done for a long time but don't see anywhere near as much as you'd like to.
So another new year. I don't do New Year Resolutions. This is mainly because I'm not very good at keeping them and then feel really angry at myself for not keeping them. I am however setting some goals for this new year. Here they are, in no particular order:
- Get fit and stay fit
- Lose weight (15-20kg)
- Try to cook at least 1 new recipe each week
- Buy a house (this one relies also on my husband)
- Catch up with friends more often
I think these goals are achievable!
So another new year. I don't do New Year Resolutions. This is mainly because I'm not very good at keeping them and then feel really angry at myself for not keeping them. I am however setting some goals for this new year. Here they are, in no particular order:
- Get fit and stay fit
- Lose weight (15-20kg)
- Try to cook at least 1 new recipe each week
- Buy a house (this one relies also on my husband)
- Catch up with friends more often
I think these goals are achievable!
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