We went for a walk in the rainforest -- the trees are so amazing.
I thought I would share the pictures that we took today.
Sign in Samford Village that gave us a laugh -- No Horses Allowed (that is, in the car parking area!)
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Fun Day
We had a great day today driving out north west of Brisbane to Samford Village, and then through Mt Glorious, Mt Nebo, and back via Mt Coot-tha. Lots of windy roads, but wonderful scenery, and rainforests.
We went for a walk in the rainforest -- the trees are so amazing.
I thought I would share the pictures that we took today.
Sign in Samford Village that gave us a laugh -- No Horses Allowed (that is, in the car parking area!)
Awesome play area in Samford Village
Family Snaps in the rainforest
Amazing trees in the rainforest
Ditto!
Family Snaps!
Ditto!
Phillip with another of the amazing trees in the background
Slade was fascinated by the palm from this angle so he took this picture!
Scrub turkey
Flower in Mt Coot-tha garden
Phillip and the kids looking at the view from Mt Coot-tha (the highest spot in Brisbane)
Slade
Kai
Phillip and I (now married for 11 years and 1 day!!)
We went for a walk in the rainforest -- the trees are so amazing.
I thought I would share the pictures that we took today.
Sign in Samford Village that gave us a laugh -- No Horses Allowed (that is, in the car parking area!)
Friday, September 24, 2010
School Holidays
We're having a great time this school holidays. For me, it's meant much more time to relax than I have had in the passed!
Usually I'm trying to squeeze fun things in with the kids, and squeeze in work as well. And when I was doing one thing, I was thinking about the other!
This week I've had some time to sort out things at home -- fortunately there's still another week for that as I've got more to get through. I went through some boxes that are stored in our garage and made sure that they're packed for the next move (we'll be moving house early next year).
Phillip says that it's great to come home and find me more relaxed!
The kids have enjoyed mostly pottering around this week. We've been somewhat lazy, especially as it's rained on and off almost the entire week.
We went to the movies on Tuesday -- watched Despicable Me, which Kai first called Speckle Me! Got DVDs for a week on Cheap Tuesday (when they're only a dollar a DVD!), and have done some baking.
The kids also went to a cookery class on Wednesday, which they really enjoyed. Made pizzas (including the dough), cookies and a dessert with mousse, biscuits and jelly.
The kids have also just had time to play on the computer, play lego and other games. They mostly play pretty well together. Earlier in the week they were playing Agents (inspired by Lego secret agents!) and had swords and other gadgets that they made from boxes.
It's really great to listen to them playing and getting on so well (of course, there are the arguments occasionally too).
I was especially proud when at one stage Kai suggested doing something as part of the game, but Slade said that it would take too long. Kai replied: "Well, perhaps if we work as a team, we'll get it done quickly."
Usually I'm trying to squeeze fun things in with the kids, and squeeze in work as well. And when I was doing one thing, I was thinking about the other!
This week I've had some time to sort out things at home -- fortunately there's still another week for that as I've got more to get through. I went through some boxes that are stored in our garage and made sure that they're packed for the next move (we'll be moving house early next year).
Phillip says that it's great to come home and find me more relaxed!
The kids have enjoyed mostly pottering around this week. We've been somewhat lazy, especially as it's rained on and off almost the entire week.
We went to the movies on Tuesday -- watched Despicable Me, which Kai first called Speckle Me! Got DVDs for a week on Cheap Tuesday (when they're only a dollar a DVD!), and have done some baking.
The kids also went to a cookery class on Wednesday, which they really enjoyed. Made pizzas (including the dough), cookies and a dessert with mousse, biscuits and jelly.
The kids have also just had time to play on the computer, play lego and other games. They mostly play pretty well together. Earlier in the week they were playing Agents (inspired by Lego secret agents!) and had swords and other gadgets that they made from boxes.
It's really great to listen to them playing and getting on so well (of course, there are the arguments occasionally too).
I was especially proud when at one stage Kai suggested doing something as part of the game, but Slade said that it would take too long. Kai replied: "Well, perhaps if we work as a team, we'll get it done quickly."
Baking Biscuits!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Being Grateful
Well, it's been a tough week and a bit. My work with SAbona came to an abrupt end last Friday. It was unexpected at the time as I was in the middle of getting our next issue finalised, although in retrospect I should have seen it coming.
They're looking at restructuring as the costs of printing and distributing a magazine are high, and the income was just not covering the expenses. As my payment was the biggest expense, and the income to pay me came from the magazine revenue, stopping the printed magazine meant that I no longer have a job.
I felt pretty devastated -- having put so much into it since I first started working for them two months after I arrived in Australia (from writing and editing to selling advertising, getting distributors, organising the subscriber list and more). It's also been the only work that I've done since I arrived in Australia, apart from a couple of other articles, and just a short while ago I turned down some other work to focus on the magazine. It's been pretty consuming as there have always been deadlines to meet and being a small team there it wasn't a matter of delegating to anyone else.
But during the last week, I've been thinking about the things that I have to be grateful for...
1. Phillip's work is going really well at the moment.
2. I have the opportunity to help Phillip with his work, which means that we saves the money that he was going to be paying someone else.
3. The income that we received from SAbona sustained us in many ways when things were really tough financially.
4. I am under less pressure, which is great for my stress levels!
5. I have more time to spend with Slade and Kai while they are on their two week holiday, which started today.
6. I was offered the work with SAbona without even having to start looking for work (which was a scary prospect knowing that I was in a new country). And now I am looking for work at a time when I've made contacts in Australia and am more familiar with things (it's still a little scary, but not quite as much).
7. I have more time to get things done around the house -- so there's some decluttering going on at the moment -- as well as other things that I enjoy doing that I haven't had much time for recently.
They're looking at restructuring as the costs of printing and distributing a magazine are high, and the income was just not covering the expenses. As my payment was the biggest expense, and the income to pay me came from the magazine revenue, stopping the printed magazine meant that I no longer have a job.
I felt pretty devastated -- having put so much into it since I first started working for them two months after I arrived in Australia (from writing and editing to selling advertising, getting distributors, organising the subscriber list and more). It's also been the only work that I've done since I arrived in Australia, apart from a couple of other articles, and just a short while ago I turned down some other work to focus on the magazine. It's been pretty consuming as there have always been deadlines to meet and being a small team there it wasn't a matter of delegating to anyone else.
But during the last week, I've been thinking about the things that I have to be grateful for...
1. Phillip's work is going really well at the moment.
2. I have the opportunity to help Phillip with his work, which means that we saves the money that he was going to be paying someone else.
3. The income that we received from SAbona sustained us in many ways when things were really tough financially.
4. I am under less pressure, which is great for my stress levels!
5. I have more time to spend with Slade and Kai while they are on their two week holiday, which started today.
6. I was offered the work with SAbona without even having to start looking for work (which was a scary prospect knowing that I was in a new country). And now I am looking for work at a time when I've made contacts in Australia and am more familiar with things (it's still a little scary, but not quite as much).
7. I have more time to get things done around the house -- so there's some decluttering going on at the moment -- as well as other things that I enjoy doing that I haven't had much time for recently.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Identity Crisis!
We were really chuffed recently to find boerewors in our local Woolworths supermarket. It was rather amusing though to discover that it has something of an identity crisis! Uniquely AUSTRALIAN, made by the BRITISH Sausage Co, but it tasted truly South African! Yum!
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| Identity Crisis? |
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