I wish i had a puppy

Birthday pics continued...

2007-02-14T21:56:00.000+09:30

i recommend afternoon tea that involves icecream followed by a dinner you didnt plan until you were in the supermarket buying ingredients (for something or other). A good wine always helps...

OH - and great friends!!

self dial phones!

2007-02-04T20:00:00.000+09:30

country is so cute!

its beautiful!

2007-02-04T19:56:00.000+09:30

someone actually made me a cake (well, a pav!) for my birthday! lovely :-)

Camp at Coolum

2007-01-22T21:50:00.000+09:30

beautiful weather, great kids, amazing view, the cutest seaside town and i call this work!

i'm a lazy blogger

2007-01-14T15:42:00.000+09:30

i've just mowed the lawn. this is quite an accomplishment. and i sneezed a lot! then i weeded and replanted things (not weeds, i hope) and cut things up and mulched and raked and then i took a picture!

I'm so glad Krispy Kreme hasnt come to QLD

2006-06-23T09:46:00.000+09:30

What joy there is in a donut!
Someone brought Krispy Kreme donuts into work to share, bless them! I wanted to hang out in the staff common room just to be near them (and eat a few more than i should), but i'm exercising self-control. Goodness, if I could buy them whenever I wanted to I'd be in trouble!

Strobist

2006-06-13T18:54:00.000+09:30

Strobist - awesome.

only 2024 words to go...

2006-06-11T15:49:00.000+09:30

I really am studying...
I've been busying reading about peer mediation in schools. But have I been reading enough..? (i think so...). Only my lecturer-former-Miss-Australia-(before i was born)-law-professor will be able to answer that question.

I do wonder whether all this 'knowledge' comes at the expense of a social life, an uplifting hobby and more sleep - then again, I may just find myself spending more time in front of the telly... And if I wasnt studying, I wouldnt be procrastinating, and I wouldnt be writing about it...

I must still be a South Australian

2006-06-11T15:28:00.000+09:30

the footy again! Rain, hot chips, real scarf weather, and sitting in amongst a whole bunch of Crows supporters... I felt right at home! I even found myself hoping the Crows would 'pull their socks up' - and they did! Yay!
pics of my lovely yellow poncho, a Crow before he pulled his socks up, the little ones at half time (way more dancing than the big boys) and a super cute policeman helping us all feel safe (I've cleverly obscured his face to protect his identity).

Beth's Hens Party

2006-06-10T22:57:00.000+09:30

Sanctuary Cove for High Tea (for lunch) followed by a bit of 'pampering'. Beth's sisters are really excited for her and are having fun spoiling their little sister - who is just gorgeous and enjoying it a lot! She even got to be a pink fairy!

Footy at the Gabba

2006-06-04T15:24:00.000+09:30

we are the fortunate ones lucky enough to see the Lions win a game! (i tipped against them...)

things we learnt at the footy:

if you get the ball between those bigger posts you get 6 points, the other ones only get you 1 point
aker isnt akermanis' first name (manis isnt his surname either)
you have to bounce the ball when you run with it
umpires are very fit
the footballers arnt very fit because their waterboys run around more than they do
its every person for themselves if you cross the field after the game!

Gourmet

2006-05-10T22:35:00.000+09:30

Sunday was rainy and sunny off and on, but consistently cold! The food was GREAT and the wine salubrious! There was fabulous music and fun friends :-)
next year you're all coming along...!

home again

2006-05-06T14:37:00.000+09:30

back on the farm for a quick visit... and it happily coincides with Gourmet weekend in Clare. mmmm....
This is the carpet in my old room. And the view out the window!

Where are all the young people?

2006-04-30T16:42:00.000+09:30

below is a photo of 3 of the 6 people under 40 at the Misson Festival. Look! they're the ones doing something!!! and sharing it!!! The guy on the end (blue shirt) is Pastor August Frike - and he's an awesome man of God! Supporter, encourager and challenger. He's amazing.

On Saturday i went to a Lutheran Mission Festival. Out of the 60 or 70 people there, i was one of the 6 under 40 years old. Without giving this a lot of good thought, I do wonder why this seems to have escaped the attention of the leadership of the LCA. This disheartens me nearly as much as our president including in his newsletter to pastors the need to be particularly sensitive to women after synod. He is obviously saying that the majority will not be reached to pass the motion that women can be ordained as pastors in the LCA - he could be seen as suggesting that those who will be voting, should vote against it. Like its a done deal anyway. And then another pastor suggests to me that the LYQ sell off their biggest asset and put the money into youth. But what for? For a church that doesnt value them as 'missionaries' or deal with women in the current social context. I dont want to invest in that. I want to invest in young people that will enthusiastically and joyfully share Christ through the person they are - whether they be a missionary, pastor, scientist or wool classer... Freedom? In Christ yes, in the LCA... dont think so...

forgot to mention Muri...mumri..mulwimbah..?

2006-04-20T22:46:00.000+09:30

just a short 'getaway' to a beautiful part of the country with a few funny friends!
the view from the deck
Corrina washing her face. aww...
Binnie sleepng in!

Mum-to-be Gretchen

What I did for Easter

2006-04-17T19:07:00.000+09:30

Australian Gospel Music Festival:
for the first time ever Toowoomba wasnt cold! Yay!
The highlight of this festival was seeing cute kids from school everywhere being friendly and adorable and having my annual catch up with 'old' friend Bec. And the Newsboys!
and Scat and Nikki and Soulframe and Bec St James and Sons of Korah...
Mainstage - I think its NewsboysBec and I enjoying Newsboys...Hannah and I are God's Little Rockers (apparently)Soulframe in the compassion tent where i volunteered a bit... I also sponsored another child! Her name is Winda and she's from Indonesia. our favourite check out chick!

Maunday Thursday picnic brunchy thing

2006-04-17T18:31:00.000+09:30

Yes, I am catching up on what i've been doing over the past couple of weeks all in one day...
Here we are eating food. It was very nice :-)

warning: smoking ostracises you

2006-04-17T18:27:00.000+09:30

The Edifiers out again... At the Clarence Corner you have to stand outside to smoke - how fun is that?!

Melbourne was COLD!

2006-04-17T15:54:00.000+09:30

My lovely friend Kylie was celebrating her 30th last weekend AND we desperately had to see the Lion King, but you really need no excuse to go to Melbourne! Thursday night we went to the theatre and it was great! I could see it again just to make sure i took it all in!
The next day Kylie managed to get us both to the Queen Victoria markets before even some of the stall holders had set up! When you're there that early to spend lots of dollars on fruit and vegetables, you cant help but have a fun/silly time! Kylie was very obliging and let me document the whole trip (see below!).
I also got to see my beautiful friend Stephanie who has just moved to Melbourne from Brisbane (via Vancouver - so she loves the cold!). I'd be quite tempted to move there myself if I wasnt so used to the warm weather!
Our favourite eggplant
Cauliflower is hilarious (at 7.30am)
Kylie kisses rockmelonmmmm.... sun-dried everything!and we're done.

dessert night!

2006-04-17T15:26:00.000+09:30

Our first Edifiers 'social event' was celebrated at Free Style something... known for their desserts. This is Matt enjoying beer in his cake. Mmmm.... and Sarah eating carrots (cause she gave up the other stuff for lent...)

Fiona trys 'extreme sports'

2006-03-24T23:02:00.000+09:30

Extremely fun and tiring!
Drive to the lovely Fernvale, turn right just before the 'best pies in the world'... and then canoe for 36kms! Thats a Saturday taken care of! Make sure you leave home at 6am and then stand waiting at dusk for the cars to take you home whilst mozzies dine on you.
Take plenty of fun and silly friends and it is essential that you capsize at least once (twice is preferable) and better still, nearly loose your canoe to tall reeds and a stong current. If you manage to loose one shoe and a borrowed towel during the capsizing even, fantastic!!
Get sunburnt of course, and only take blurry photos!
Be sore the next day, but not too sore and be extremely proud of yourself for making it with a big grin on your face!!
What a great day!

Giving to someone for Lent

2006-03-03T10:13:00.000+09:30

Here's a cool idea!
whatever food item you give up for lent (chocolate, fast food, dairy, pickles etc), give the money you don't spend on it to a worthy cause at the conclusion of your fasting time...

...and I happen to have a worthy cause in mind!

I know of a school in Laos that is in urgent need of an upgraded building (one that doesnt flood), and basic equipment supplies like stationary, uniforms and sporting items.

At my school i'm working with a gorgeous bunch of year 8, 9 & 10's to raise money for this school - and we've got a number of fundraising projects underway... but straight out donations would be really encouraging to them.

So, give it some thought and let me know if your sacrifice can mean that someone else is blessed!

but dont feel bad if you decide to give up negativity or swearing instead ;-)

Its almost like...

2006-02-09T13:08:00.000+09:30

So, school is back! - did i actually go away...? Oh, and i'm moving house too. At the moment i dont know where i'm moving to, but the reality of packing up my incredibly large amount of STUFF makes me think it will have to be a very big place. Do I need all of this stuff? And if i wanted to get rid of it, would anyone else really need it either. Wish there was a 'stuff' recycling place.
Everything is more interesting with a photo.

Bangkok

2006-01-27T16:07:00.000+09:30

Somehow i managed to book a hotel in the most backpackered part of Bangkok. It was kindof fun!
I found a t-shirt that had the Khao San Rd 8 things that backpackers do whilst there... i attempted as many as possible, but i just wasnt there long enough to get my hair braided.
I caught up with members of our Loas group and we shopped a lot. I didnt really buy very much... but I'd love to go back some day.

Largon Loas

2006-01-22T23:46:00.000+09:30

its our last day! its been an amazing 2 weeks...
we've just arrived back from Vang Vieng - that was the 'holiday' part of the trip, so we went to the most touristy/backpacker place in the country (I think). Party place... you can tube your way down the river buying BeerLao along the way. We kayaked! and visited some caves and tubed a bit and did not consume any beer (til later). Absolutely amazing country.

some photos from around Salavan

2006-01-19T13:34:00.000+09:30

. this is really how big the mozzies are...

What the USA left behind in Loas
s is this a puppy? dont really know. i tried it accidently somewhere else (thought it was nice!) .
0pps. sideways. sunset over a fish farm.

Passing through Paske

2006-01-18T20:19:00.000+09:30

three of us have absconded from the cramped mini-van to catch an overnight coach back to Vientiane. I'm looking forward to some Thai movies (not really) and a bit of 'down' time (really!).
Our trip south was great!
It feels like its been longer than just over a week! and Aust feels so far away.... not in terms of missing it, just in context.
Right now though, i'm going to go and have a real shower - this morning was the traditional bucket wash!

market madness

2006-01-11T23:51:00.000+09:30

this afternoon we got to visit the 'morning market'. Huge! I had a couple of specific things i needed before we head south, so i was hunting for them and trying to ignore all the other bargins to be had. I'm not so great at bargining, and really, i feel a bit embarressed that i am haggling over a few cents to me but a great deal to them. I guess i will just walk around with that pink plastic shopping bag from my first purchase that tells all the over vendors what an easy sell i am :-)
i am making a mental list of all the things i want to buy before i head back to aust. I may need to buy another suit case! any requests?

itinerary - until it changes again

2006-01-09T19:52:00.000+09:30

Tue - Vientiane. Learning about the work of World Concern and other NGO's
Wed - Vientiane. Learning about the work of World Concern and other NGO's
Thur - Savanakhet. Leaving at 6am! Intro to development issues in provincial Laos
Fri - Savanakhet and Paske.
Sat - relax in Paske. Drive to Salavan
Sun - Salavan. Elephant ride
Mon thru to Wed - Salavan. Visits.
Thur - travel to Vientiane.
Fri - Vang Vieng. Tubing on the river.
Sat - Vang Vieng. Kayaking/caving, river/tubing.
Sun - travel to Vientiane. shopping
Mon - leave for Bangkok.

looks more like a holiday... but i'm sure i'll learn a lot, and thats what its all about.

Vientiane

2006-01-08T15:38:00.000+09:30

Day 1 and part of Day 2:
arrived in Vientiane and had quite western food for lunch! I didnt expect to be eating pizza & greek salad when i got here. I have to stick some photos up soon because that will be easier than me describing the city.
The people are lovely and its quite relaxed. We're spending 4 days here before going to see some of the World Concern projects. I'm not sure if i'm still experiencing 'culture shock' but I'm just finding everything cute and fun and charming at the moment; tuktuks, scooters everywhere, broken footpaths, oranges that are really manderines, fruit i've never seen before, laosbeer (good!) hillsongs in Loation! Its great!

Have I told you I'm going to Laos?

2005-10-26T13:49:00.000+09:30

In January I'll be travelling with a little group in Laos to learn more about the country and its culture. This is through Tear Australia http://www.tear.org.au/osprograms/studytours.shtml
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/laos
Its exciting!

It was my formal again!

2005-10-14T10:50:00.000+09:30

I'm so lucky to work in a school and go to a formal every year where I get to dress up and dance a little, and tell all the girls how pretty they look!
This year I even got to arrive in a SAAB convertible. Oooeee!

i finally experience the holiday part of 'school holidays'!

2005-09-26T14:26:00.000+09:30

i quite enjoyed having a week off to finish my uni assignment, paint my suitcase, wash my clothes, weed the garden, iron my clothes, visit an op-shop or 2, eat out, clean under the house, sort nothing, be nice to my housemates and watch Dr Phil. I totally recommend a week off to truly discover what it means to 'potter' around the house.

here's what Dr Phil says about me: "Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful and practical [really?]. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest [and also only possessing 1 of those qualities...]. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return [like paying $3.50 for my banana cake]. Those who really get to know you realise it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever broken [i wont be making banana cake ever again, thats for sure!].

i want to add pictures but its not working! someday!

Making History

2005-08-29T10:00:00.000+09:30

my favourite picture from Saturday 27th August!

http://www.luckyforehead.com/PhotoAlbum/2005/makepovertyhistory2/

our little ones...

2005-08-22T11:33:00.000+09:30

UN Millennium Develoment Goal no. 4
Reduce child mortality
Reduce by two thirds the mortality rate among children under five

here's Lucy again - we are so blessed that she has been born into a country where she will never be lacking good medical attention, healthy food, a comfortable and safe place to sleep, or family to care for her. Some children never get what we consider basic necessities. Check out http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ for more information, and send a prayer of thanks for what we have.

I'm such a fabulous artist

2005-08-15T16:20:00.000+09:30

just give me a notebook thingy and i'm away! this was so much fun to play with - i know its got a big chin - its not a self-portrait.
can you believe we have 2 days off for the EKKA? its a bit nuts... I'm sure to be bored. I should have gone away somewhere (just for a change).

Make Poverty History

2005-08-15T09:37:00.000+09:30

http://www.luckyforehead.com/PhotoAlbum/2005/makepovertyhistory1/index.html

raising awareness in West End!
http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/

Lucy May

2005-08-03T10:54:00.000+09:30

my niece!

Aunty Fee!

2005-08-01T12:40:00.000+09:30

yesterday at 3.29pm (July 31, 2005 - Perth time) my niece was born! She weighed just over 4 kilos (8 pound 13 ounces) and was 52 cms long!
I havent seen a photo yet (she lives in Perth) but her mum told me she has curly brown hair. aww...
her name is Lucy May Barr.
I'm more excited than i thought i would be!
I have to go and buy something pink!

what a good day...

2005-07-11T11:57:00.000+09:30

post-21st birthday celebrations for Loz in May

9

2005-07-04T13:59:00.000+09:30

lisa, nicole, me and briony, and orange kitchen chairs!

my amp! awww....

2005-07-04T10:28:00.000+09:30

i think that it was also my first photo taken on my mobile phone. its a bit crap. but i love my amp!!

me & Jules from Loz's 21st

2005-07-04T10:15:00.000+09:30

mmmm... i'm the one with the guitar.

not a conference junkie....

2005-07-04T10:02:00.000+09:30

and if i was, is there anything wrong with that?
i just had a fabulous time in Sydney on a conference. It had nothing to do with the venue, it was all about the people. Oh, and i learnt a great deal also!
i dont know if i'm really into this writing part. i think i'll just put up some pictures.

zeitgebers

2005-06-11T06:20:00.000+09:30

did you know that by depriving people of light and other external time cues, scientists have learned that most people’s biological clocks work on a 25-hour cycle rather than a 24-hour one?
external time cues are called zeitgebers. How are zeitgebers affecting you?

coffee intolerant

2005-06-04T07:12:00.000+09:30

i think its 'flat friday'. no amount of coffee seems to be making a difference...
things i've learnt today:

theres always a lot of filing to do
year 8's dont make much sense
its a bit dull when year 11 & 12's are doing exams ('cause they dont visit me much)
CP is a very strange man

well now i have to organise myself

2005-06-01T14:57:00.000+09:30

i really just wanted to be on everyone's 'link' page.