Merry Christmas to all!!!!! May you remember or discover for the first time the true meaning of the season.
JESUS... is the reason for the season. Christmas is the celebration of His birth.
"For unto us a child is born,
Unto us a child is given;
And the government shall be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
"I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Coles Surviaval
David and I applied for casual work at Coles Supermarket over the Christmas holidays. Dave started last week doing nightfill. He works 3 nights a week from 7pm till sometime between midnight and 3am). I started yesterday in the Deli. I worked 9 to 6 and did the same shift again today. I do 4 hours on Thursday and then have off until next week. We are quite enjoying the work and get on quite well with our workmates. Do struggle a little with the ways things are run but that was to be expected considering we have spent a lot of time working for ourselves. The boys are home on school holidays so we will be doing some 1 and 2 day trips. We had 3 large trees cut down last week and it makes such a difference to our yard. I'll put them off the camera onto the computer sometime later this week.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Kelli's Graduation and 18th Birthday
Our niece Kelli and her maternal grandparents at her graduation.
Kelli and her friend.
Kelli and friend with her sister Peta and parents Michael and Michelle
Kelli and friend with Kelli's parents.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
V8 Supercars
The V8 Supercars Final was at Phillip Island last weekend and so we went along. It was great we were right up against the fence and could see between a quarter and and a third of the track. We were near the entrance to pit lane.
This is the first lap of the last race, some of the last laps and the presentation. The 3 reddy orange cars are Todd Kelly, Jamie Wincup and Craig Loundes and the Brownish car is Garth Tander (please excuse any incorrect spelling). That is the order they finished in. Garth Tander won the series.
Make sure you have the sound turned up when you watch this video.
WELL FOR SOME REASON THIS VIDEO WON'T LOAD. I'LL KEEP LOOKING INTO IT AND TRY TO PUT IT ON ANOTHER BLOG.
There were some other races on the day including V8 Utes, Formula Ford, Touring Car Masters and Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series.
The car pictures at the top are supposed to be down here but I am having a few problems today. The red No 6 is a Ford Escort which was my first car. The boys all thought it was very funny that it came last. Patrick particularly likes the Mustangs like No 75. The others are Camaros and Chargers.
Have to go now so I'll finish this blog another time.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Holiday Photos
These photos are of Singapore from our trip to Asia.
Move you cursor over each picture for a description.
http://www.slide.com/r/zLNmqma27T95yhp307r-hr65NuCy7aSg?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original
Move you cursor over each picture for a description.
http://www.slide.com/r/zLNmqma27T95yhp307r-hr65NuCy7aSg?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original
Flying Trip
We had a flying trip to Queensland last week. David's niece graduated from High School and turned 18 on the same day. So we went up for the Graduation and her 18th Birthday party. No one on either side was going and there were some relatively cheap flights so we went. Kelly did not know we were coming and we wish that we had got a photo of her face when she saw us as she came out of her graduation. She looked lovely, very elegant. She also did not know that she was having an 18th birthday party. So it was a time full of surprises for her.
The graduation was a typical school event - went 30 minutes over time, had a heap of speeches that were probably unnecessary, the final speaker forgot to say 'now the Graduates will walk back through the aisle and meet family and friends out the front'. Which meant that family and friends all got up and mobbed the graduates making it difficult for everyone to get out. As they were late graduates didn't have times for photos outside as all their transports were waiting to take them into the city to dinner. I was a bit upset about the photo thing because it meant we didn't really get any photos of her and none of her and us or her and any of the other family who decided to come (I think maybe they felt guilty when they heard that we were coming from Victoria [a 3 hour drive and 2 hour flight and another 1 hour drive] for it and they were making excuses not to come from 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours drive away).
The graduation was a typical school event - went 30 minutes over time, had a heap of speeches that were probably unnecessary, the final speaker forgot to say 'now the Graduates will walk back through the aisle and meet family and friends out the front'. Which meant that family and friends all got up and mobbed the graduates making it difficult for everyone to get out. As they were late graduates didn't have times for photos outside as all their transports were waiting to take them into the city to dinner. I was a bit upset about the photo thing because it meant we didn't really get any photos of her and none of her and us or her and any of the other family who decided to come (I think maybe they felt guilty when they heard that we were coming from Victoria [a 3 hour drive and 2 hour flight and another 1 hour drive] for it and they were making excuses not to come from 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours drive away).
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Laughter the Best Medicine
Well if the saying that 'Laughter is the Best Medicine' is accurate the 6 ladies at Carolanne's Nutrimetics party got an enormous dose of medicine. For over 3 hours we talked and laughed and shared and laughed and asked stupid questions and laughed and ate and laughed and some where in amongst this the lady running it got to say a word or 2. A great time was definitely had by all.
As we were driving back to the island it was quite warm and sunny. The tide was a long way out. I never get sick of looking at the water as we cross the bridge to and from the mainland. It is always different. Anyway as we came past Cape Woolamai there looked to be a wall of smoke stretching from the coast through the airport and across the road. We thought this was odd because usually the ocean doesn't catch on fire and send smoke billowing inland. So we opened the windows to see if it was smoke but it didn't smell and was damp and just kept getting thicker. We realised that it was fog and it lasted all the way to Wimbledon Heights and started to thin out after this. By the time we reached Cowes it was gone. (Cowes is the furtherest part of the island from the Bass Straight.) It was the oddest thing to drive out of warm afternoon sunshine into a thick blanket of fog.
Catch you all later. God Bless.
As we were driving back to the island it was quite warm and sunny. The tide was a long way out. I never get sick of looking at the water as we cross the bridge to and from the mainland. It is always different. Anyway as we came past Cape Woolamai there looked to be a wall of smoke stretching from the coast through the airport and across the road. We thought this was odd because usually the ocean doesn't catch on fire and send smoke billowing inland. So we opened the windows to see if it was smoke but it didn't smell and was damp and just kept getting thicker. We realised that it was fog and it lasted all the way to Wimbledon Heights and started to thin out after this. By the time we reached Cowes it was gone. (Cowes is the furtherest part of the island from the Bass Straight.) It was the oddest thing to drive out of warm afternoon sunshine into a thick blanket of fog.
Catch you all later. God Bless.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Glorious Day
The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the temperatures just right, I'm off to a Nutrimetics Pamper party at Carolannes (Nick's teacher) this afternoon what more could you ask for.
Patrick and Nicholas had another good week. Patrick scored another basket and is really improving his defending in basketball. He even got a couple of fouls this week, which doesn't sound like a good thing, but is because it means he is getting in there and not hanging back. Nicholas didn't get to bat but took 2 wickets and a catch and they won. Nick played at Tooradin about an hour away and we were eaten alive by mosquitos.
Sun is only heading down after 8pm with daylight saving. We haven't adjusted to the time switch yet. Need to start making use of the extra hours of daylight in the evening.
Worked another couple of days at school in the last couple of weeks. Carolanne is still hoping I will relent and agree to do her admin relief (as well as being Nick's teacher she is also head of campus {which really means Principal without the pay}) for 6 periods per week next year. They only have 4 periods in a day so each period is about 1 and 1/2 hours. She wants Maths and Science which I haven't taught before. Maybe I should convince Darryl and Vicki to move down and Vicki could do it instead.
Boys had a 4 day weekend for Melbourne Cup last weekend. They sure do seem to have a lot of holidays and pupil frees down here.
Have been doing some work around the house. Put some shelves in Patricks walk in robe that we had made. Closed off a section of wall in our room and opened up one in Nicks to make more cupboard space. Really want to get into the garden but are waiting for Council approval to remove 3 large trees out of the yard and don't want to start anything that will get in the road of the tree removalists.
Better go and do some housework before I head off for my pampering.
Patrick and Nicholas had another good week. Patrick scored another basket and is really improving his defending in basketball. He even got a couple of fouls this week, which doesn't sound like a good thing, but is because it means he is getting in there and not hanging back. Nicholas didn't get to bat but took 2 wickets and a catch and they won. Nick played at Tooradin about an hour away and we were eaten alive by mosquitos.
Sun is only heading down after 8pm with daylight saving. We haven't adjusted to the time switch yet. Need to start making use of the extra hours of daylight in the evening.
Worked another couple of days at school in the last couple of weeks. Carolanne is still hoping I will relent and agree to do her admin relief (as well as being Nick's teacher she is also head of campus {which really means Principal without the pay}) for 6 periods per week next year. They only have 4 periods in a day so each period is about 1 and 1/2 hours. She wants Maths and Science which I haven't taught before. Maybe I should convince Darryl and Vicki to move down and Vicki could do it instead.
Boys had a 4 day weekend for Melbourne Cup last weekend. They sure do seem to have a lot of holidays and pupil frees down here.
Have been doing some work around the house. Put some shelves in Patricks walk in robe that we had made. Closed off a section of wall in our room and opened up one in Nicks to make more cupboard space. Really want to get into the garden but are waiting for Council approval to remove 3 large trees out of the yard and don't want to start anything that will get in the road of the tree removalists.
Better go and do some housework before I head off for my pampering.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Sunday afternoon musings
Well hello everyone! Hope you have all had a great week. Spent a lot of time this week trying to sort out our photos and films from our trip. We ended up with over 600. There was 127 films of varying lengths. Unfortunately we didn't realise until nearly the end of the trip that when we thought we were filming it was actually on pause and when we thought it was on pause it was actually filming. So about 100 of them were of the ground, peoples legs and bus seats. So the delete button got a good workout. I have focussed mostly on getting the Laos photos and films done so that they can be given to friends and family of the Spragues. Working with a new camera and new computer has proved challenging.
Patrick had a good game of basketball on Wednesday, he does look like a duck out of water at times but he is still improving greatly each week. He will make a great defender when he gets a bit more confidence. His height is a great advantage. I'm sure his fitness will improve to. His coach is pretty good and can see when he needs a rest whilst at the same time giving him as much game time as possible. Shooting is his major problem and we will have to get in some practice.
Nicholas (or Nicho as he has decided he likes to be called) had a much improved game of cricket today at Bass (about 20 minutes from home). He took 3 wickets (2 bowled and 1 caught behind). When he went in to bat he was a great support to the batsman who was already at the crease and stayed in for quite a long time and added 3 runs to the score (2nd highest for his team). The hour and a half that he and Dave spent in the nets on Saturday afternoon paid off. His coach was very impressed especially with his bowling, he said Nick was spinning it about 50 cm off the pitch. Needless to say he was very excited. Unfortunately he broke his bat in the process which we only bought this week so we will have to take it back this week and see if anything can be done.
Dave started work at the College this week 6 hours a week cleaning plus mowing. It will take a while to work out what needs to be done when and with what chemicals. But it brings in some money so that is good.
I have 2 half days at school this week and I will probably spend Wednesday there as well. Patrick is having some issues with the home ec and arts teacher who comes on Wednesday so I'm going to go and see what he is up to. As Vicki and some of the other CCC teachers would know Patrick has at times to made things a little difficult for teachers in subjects he doesn't particularly like. Unfortunately due to the size of the school there is very little practical work in any subjects. He was very spoilt at CCC. He loves his main teacher Mr Provan. They get on really well. Patrick is well behaved, works hard, is respectful and supportive when others misbehave but on Wednesdays turns into something totally different (apparently). So I will spend the day as a helper and help guide him in his behaviour. Nicholas is in the same class for part of the day so this may also be affecting Patrick.
Patrick's rabbits Ginger and Jet have very quickly become much loved. They are very soft and cuddly.
We have decided to change from margarine to butter. We got an email that said that margarine was originally designed to fatten turkeys. After eating it the turkeys died. Apparently it has no nutritional value and is only one molecule away from plastic. While we are at it we have decided to remove preservative 282, mostly in bread products, from our diets as well.
Well I hope you all have a wonderful week. May God Bless you all greatly.
Patrick had a good game of basketball on Wednesday, he does look like a duck out of water at times but he is still improving greatly each week. He will make a great defender when he gets a bit more confidence. His height is a great advantage. I'm sure his fitness will improve to. His coach is pretty good and can see when he needs a rest whilst at the same time giving him as much game time as possible. Shooting is his major problem and we will have to get in some practice.
Nicholas (or Nicho as he has decided he likes to be called) had a much improved game of cricket today at Bass (about 20 minutes from home). He took 3 wickets (2 bowled and 1 caught behind). When he went in to bat he was a great support to the batsman who was already at the crease and stayed in for quite a long time and added 3 runs to the score (2nd highest for his team). The hour and a half that he and Dave spent in the nets on Saturday afternoon paid off. His coach was very impressed especially with his bowling, he said Nick was spinning it about 50 cm off the pitch. Needless to say he was very excited. Unfortunately he broke his bat in the process which we only bought this week so we will have to take it back this week and see if anything can be done.
Dave started work at the College this week 6 hours a week cleaning plus mowing. It will take a while to work out what needs to be done when and with what chemicals. But it brings in some money so that is good.
I have 2 half days at school this week and I will probably spend Wednesday there as well. Patrick is having some issues with the home ec and arts teacher who comes on Wednesday so I'm going to go and see what he is up to. As Vicki and some of the other CCC teachers would know Patrick has at times to made things a little difficult for teachers in subjects he doesn't particularly like. Unfortunately due to the size of the school there is very little practical work in any subjects. He was very spoilt at CCC. He loves his main teacher Mr Provan. They get on really well. Patrick is well behaved, works hard, is respectful and supportive when others misbehave but on Wednesdays turns into something totally different (apparently). So I will spend the day as a helper and help guide him in his behaviour. Nicholas is in the same class for part of the day so this may also be affecting Patrick.
Patrick's rabbits Ginger and Jet have very quickly become much loved. They are very soft and cuddly.
We have decided to change from margarine to butter. We got an email that said that margarine was originally designed to fatten turkeys. After eating it the turkeys died. Apparently it has no nutritional value and is only one molecule away from plastic. While we are at it we have decided to remove preservative 282, mostly in bread products, from our diets as well.
Well I hope you all have a wonderful week. May God Bless you all greatly.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Four Things Meme (still don't know what Meme stands for)
Carolanne nominated me to do this Four Things Meme so here it is:
Four Jobs I’ve Held (hard to choose only 4):
1. Milk order packer (in a coldroom)
2. Primary teacher at a state school in Cloncurry, north west Queensland.
3. Owned and ran our own retail and wholesale fruit shop with my husband David.
4. Mushroom picker and packer.
Four Films I Could Watch Over and Over: (and have)
1. Pretty Woman
2. Dirty Dancing
3. Back to the Future I, II and III
4. Grease
TV Shows I Watch:
1. City Homicide
2. House
3. CSI/NCIS/Numbers
4. According to Jim
Four Places I’ve Lived:
1. Gympie (south east Queensland)
2. Cloncurry (north west Queensland)
3. Toowoomba (south east Queensland)
4. Phillip Island (southern Victoria)
Four Favorite Foods:
1. Chocolate
2. Most desserts
3. Home made lasagna
4. Mangoes
Four Websites I Visit Daily (I'm not really a daily sort of person more like a couple of times a week):
1. My blog
2. Carolannes Blog
3. Outlook Express for emails
4. Nine msn (because it is currently my homepage and opens automatically)
Four Favorite Colors:
1. Blue
2. Purple
3. Most pastel colours
4. Pink is growing on me
Four Places I Would Love to be Right Now:
1. On a holiday
2. Having morning tea somewhere chatting with a friend
3. Travelling Australia
4. Visiting friends in Gympie
Four Names You Love, But Could/Would Not Use for Your Children:
1. Aidan
2. There are lots of girls names I love but I had sons so I couldn't use them (Patrick was going to be Jessica Lauren and Nicholas was Emma Louise)
3. Benjamin (Patrick does have Benjamin as a middle name instead of a first name as a friend named Ben committed suicide while I was pregnant with him)
4. I like older names like Victoria and Elizabeth
Hope I did this right. Don't know anyone to nominate to do this as well.
Four Jobs I’ve Held (hard to choose only 4):
1. Milk order packer (in a coldroom)
2. Primary teacher at a state school in Cloncurry, north west Queensland.
3. Owned and ran our own retail and wholesale fruit shop with my husband David.
4. Mushroom picker and packer.
Four Films I Could Watch Over and Over: (and have)
1. Pretty Woman
2. Dirty Dancing
3. Back to the Future I, II and III
4. Grease
TV Shows I Watch:
1. City Homicide
2. House
3. CSI/NCIS/Numbers
4. According to Jim
Four Places I’ve Lived:
1. Gympie (south east Queensland)
2. Cloncurry (north west Queensland)
3. Toowoomba (south east Queensland)
4. Phillip Island (southern Victoria)
Four Favorite Foods:
1. Chocolate
2. Most desserts
3. Home made lasagna
4. Mangoes
Four Websites I Visit Daily (I'm not really a daily sort of person more like a couple of times a week):
1. My blog
2. Carolannes Blog
3. Outlook Express for emails
4. Nine msn (because it is currently my homepage and opens automatically)
Four Favorite Colors:
1. Blue
2. Purple
3. Most pastel colours
4. Pink is growing on me
Four Places I Would Love to be Right Now:
1. On a holiday
2. Having morning tea somewhere chatting with a friend
3. Travelling Australia
4. Visiting friends in Gympie
Four Names You Love, But Could/Would Not Use for Your Children:
1. Aidan
2. There are lots of girls names I love but I had sons so I couldn't use them (Patrick was going to be Jessica Lauren and Nicholas was Emma Louise)
3. Benjamin (Patrick does have Benjamin as a middle name instead of a first name as a friend named Ben committed suicide while I was pregnant with him)
4. I like older names like Victoria and Elizabeth
Hope I did this right. Don't know anyone to nominate to do this as well.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
GMC MotoGP Motorcycle Race
Well the big race has been and gone. I didn't realise it was so short only 27 laps and about 45 minutes and it is all over. But an Aussie won. This was our first GP on the island. Everyone kept telling us how busy it would be and that we should avoid town and driving. For those of you in Qld it was sort of like Noosa on a sunny weekend. But for people down here who are used to the quiet sleepy hollow that is Phillip Island there were a lot of people around. I have never seen so much leather. We weren't really affected by the GP. We walked into town yesterday afternoon and went to the supermarket. Apparently it had been busier earlier but we were asleep (still haven't quite got over the jet lag).
We went to Berwick (about 1 hour away) this morning for Nicholas to play cricket (they normally play on Friday night but after we signed up they said the first few games are on Sunday mornings until daylight saving comes in). There was a continuous line of traffic coming towards the island until about Grantville. It thinned out a bit after that as it is then double lanes. But we were heading in the opposite direction and were the only ones on the road. I said to Dave that it was like the world was ending and everyone was heading to the jump off point and we were going in the other direction. Dave said that we were on the narrow path and they were on the wide and easy road. Which makes you sit back and take stock. The numbers were probably pretty accurate. Are we doing enough to spread Gods word so that all those people on the wide road have an opportunity to join the narrow path? Unfortunately (personally) I don't think we are.
Nicholas' first game of cricket was not a raving success. He was out first ball for a duck. He'd never worn a helmet before and it wasn't tied properly (due to the quick demise of the batsman before him) and he couldn't see where the ball was. The whole team only made 35 (the other team made over 100 last week) and there were several ducks. Nick had a good time and is eager to play next week so that is good.
On the way home we bought Patrick his birthday present (only about 14 days late). He got 2 bunny rabbits. He has named them Ginger and Jet (they are ginger and black). When I work out how to get the photos off the new camera (that we bought in Singapore) I'll put some photos on.
Watched the GP on TV and saw Casey Stoner win. The bikes were a bit noisy all coming back into town after the end of the race but it only lasted about an hour and now you wouldn't even know they were here.
Have a great week!!
We went to Berwick (about 1 hour away) this morning for Nicholas to play cricket (they normally play on Friday night but after we signed up they said the first few games are on Sunday mornings until daylight saving comes in). There was a continuous line of traffic coming towards the island until about Grantville. It thinned out a bit after that as it is then double lanes. But we were heading in the opposite direction and were the only ones on the road. I said to Dave that it was like the world was ending and everyone was heading to the jump off point and we were going in the other direction. Dave said that we were on the narrow path and they were on the wide and easy road. Which makes you sit back and take stock. The numbers were probably pretty accurate. Are we doing enough to spread Gods word so that all those people on the wide road have an opportunity to join the narrow path? Unfortunately (personally) I don't think we are.
Nicholas' first game of cricket was not a raving success. He was out first ball for a duck. He'd never worn a helmet before and it wasn't tied properly (due to the quick demise of the batsman before him) and he couldn't see where the ball was. The whole team only made 35 (the other team made over 100 last week) and there were several ducks. Nick had a good time and is eager to play next week so that is good.
On the way home we bought Patrick his birthday present (only about 14 days late). He got 2 bunny rabbits. He has named them Ginger and Jet (they are ginger and black). When I work out how to get the photos off the new camera (that we bought in Singapore) I'll put some photos on.
Watched the GP on TV and saw Casey Stoner win. The bikes were a bit noisy all coming back into town after the end of the race but it only lasted about an hour and now you wouldn't even know they were here.
Have a great week!!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Home Safe
Well we arrived home yesterday morning to find all 4 cats alive, healthy and very glad to see us. We had breakfast and Dave and I went to bed and slept for 5 hours. We had tea last night with the Caseys (best meal we've had in weeks). Nicholas fell asleep in the lounge about 7:30pm and the rest of us went to bed at 9:30. Nick was up early but the rest of us slept until around 1pm. The last 3 days of our trip were probably the worst as far as normal sleeping patterns are concerned. We left the hotel in Bangkok at 4am to be at the airport by 5am to catch a 7am flight to Singapore. The security at Bangkok and Singapore airport was a lot more than the other times we had been there. We lost an hour between Bangkok and Singapore. In Singapore there was the usual armed airport police but also Special Military police with machine guns (fingers on the trigger) wondering around. We spent the day in the airports (there are 4 terminals) before leaving at 8:20pm. Arrived in Darwin at 2:30am. Lost another 2 hours between Singapore and Darwin. Took a couple of hours to get through customs and the taxi queue. Slept till 2:30pm. Spent the afternoon in the pool. Stayed up until we left for airport at 12 midnight. Flew out at 1:15am. Arrived at Melbourne at 6am. Lost another 1/2 between Darwin and Melbourne. Arrived home around 9:30am had breakfast and slept.
Boys will probably go to school tomorrow. Motorcycle GP on Phillip Island this weekend. Should be an experience.
Boys will probably go to school tomorrow. Motorcycle GP on Phillip Island this weekend. Should be an experience.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Last hours on foreign soil
Well here we are at Singapore airport less than an hour away from takeoff. By early morning we will be in Darwin and back on Australian soil. By Tuesday lunchtime we will be home at Phillip Island. I can't believe we have been away for 3 and 1/2 weeks they seem to have flown and yet it seems like forever since we were in Darwin starting our holiday. We have been in 6 different countries. We've technically been to Singapore 3 times, China and Hong Kong about 8 times, Bangkok and Udon Thani in Thailand twice each.
Highlight of the trip was probably Laos. We've discovered that most of our enjoyment comes down to the people we meet. Don't think we will do China, Hong Kong, Macau again but will probably do Thailand and Laos if we have the opportunity. Well thats all for now. See you soon.
Highlight of the trip was probably Laos. We've discovered that most of our enjoyment comes down to the people we meet. Don't think we will do China, Hong Kong, Macau again but will probably do Thailand and Laos if we have the opportunity. Well thats all for now. See you soon.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Bangkok
Bangkok is another big city. Have to watch and negotiate all prices they are always inflated for westerners. Masses of traffic and the smell is horrendous. It is also filthy. We went for a train ride yesterday which was quite good. Had a great time at the night markets last night. The boys got some brand name shirts (billabong etc) (probably fake) for $5 - $7 each so they were happy. Hoping to go to the river, shrine and major park today. Off to Singapore and Darwin tomorrow and home on Tuesday.
Laos
Had a great visit with the Spragues. They have after much searching been able to find a house to rent which will make life a lot easier and cheaper. Their maid has worked for an English speaking family before and Rosanna and her are slowly starting to understand each other. She is able to buy food at normal prices instead of inflated prices that they usually give to westerners. Most of their grocery shopping etc is done in Udon Thani in Northern Thailand. The children all seem to be adapting quite well. They have quite a large home with plenty of room inside and good air conditioners. There is also a side yard for the kids to play in. They are in need of a car. Laurie rides a push bike to work which is fine but Rosanna and the children have to take tuk tuks where ever they go. This is expensive and can be quite harrowing (holding onto the 2 younger ones and getting the pram in and negotiating a price and hoping they understand where you want to go). If they can sell their car which they have left with their Mum in Australia they will be able to afford one but haven't been able to find a buyer.
There is also need for a teacher (preferably high school) to organise and develop the education program for about 40 home schooled western kids. It costs between $1800 & $8000 per child to send them to school and most families do not have that. Anyone interested let me know. Rosanna said that even if they could get one for 6 months to set it all up that would be a big help. (If you've got a family she even has a house picked out for you across the street from them). They really appreciated all the messages from home and seeing familiar faces. Lauries Mum arrives next week for a few weeks so that will be good.
Laos itself - quite hot, humid and dirty. People very friendly and reasonable amount of people have basic English. Riding in tuk tuks was definitely an experience. There does not seem to be any real road rules. Push bikes, motor bikes, tuk tuks, cars and trucks all sharing the same streets riding in which ever direction they like and can find a path through. Next to no one wears helmets. We saw a motorbike accident where one lady was killed and the other seriously injured (neither wearing helmets) Coral and Frank saw one 2). Plenty of places to eat at good prices. $4 for steak, chips, salad, bread.
There is also need for a teacher (preferably high school) to organise and develop the education program for about 40 home schooled western kids. It costs between $1800 & $8000 per child to send them to school and most families do not have that. Anyone interested let me know. Rosanna said that even if they could get one for 6 months to set it all up that would be a big help. (If you've got a family she even has a house picked out for you across the street from them). They really appreciated all the messages from home and seeing familiar faces. Lauries Mum arrives next week for a few weeks so that will be good.
Laos itself - quite hot, humid and dirty. People very friendly and reasonable amount of people have basic English. Riding in tuk tuks was definitely an experience. There does not seem to be any real road rules. Push bikes, motor bikes, tuk tuks, cars and trucks all sharing the same streets riding in which ever direction they like and can find a path through. Next to no one wears helmets. We saw a motorbike accident where one lady was killed and the other seriously injured (neither wearing helmets) Coral and Frank saw one 2). Plenty of places to eat at good prices. $4 for steak, chips, salad, bread.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Singapore
At the airport ready to leave for Bangkok. Have a few hours stop over and then onto Udon Thani in the north of Thailand. Not sure yet whether we are staying overnight or going straight to Vientianne in Laos.
We were continually amazed by the rudeness and dirtyness of they Chinese people. I can't count the number of times we've been pointed to and gestured that we are fat. A lot of people come right out and comment. We were continuously pushed in front of in lines. In Macau yesterday morning we were having breakfast in the hotel restaurant and you had to cook your own toast. David was standing beside the toaster waiting for it to cook. I said to him its popped up by the time he turned around one piece was gone while he was looking where it had gone (thinking it had popped out) a man came and took the other piece. Spitting in the street or wherever you are seems to be acceptable as is picking your nose. Many, many smokers in China and no restrictions. Drop their cigarettes whereever they finish them (on escalators, trains, walkways, anywhere).
They seem to have a superiority complex where China is better than the rest of the world. Very little English is spoken by the people. We are glad that we came but don't think we will ever go back to China.
Hong Kong is a little different. People are friendlier and they have introduced smoking laws. There is also a lot more english spoken (probably something to do with being run by the British for 100 years).
Macau is a mini Las Vegas. Large bright garish Casinos everywhere. Caught a ferry here from Hong Kong was a lovely ride. Had a good look at town on the way to hotel. Scooters everywhere. Airport is on an island and the airstrip has been made out in the bay.
Anyway better go. Love to all.
We were continually amazed by the rudeness and dirtyness of they Chinese people. I can't count the number of times we've been pointed to and gestured that we are fat. A lot of people come right out and comment. We were continuously pushed in front of in lines. In Macau yesterday morning we were having breakfast in the hotel restaurant and you had to cook your own toast. David was standing beside the toaster waiting for it to cook. I said to him its popped up by the time he turned around one piece was gone while he was looking where it had gone (thinking it had popped out) a man came and took the other piece. Spitting in the street or wherever you are seems to be acceptable as is picking your nose. Many, many smokers in China and no restrictions. Drop their cigarettes whereever they finish them (on escalators, trains, walkways, anywhere).
They seem to have a superiority complex where China is better than the rest of the world. Very little English is spoken by the people. We are glad that we came but don't think we will ever go back to China.
Hong Kong is a little different. People are friendlier and they have introduced smoking laws. There is also a lot more english spoken (probably something to do with being run by the British for 100 years).
Macau is a mini Las Vegas. Large bright garish Casinos everywhere. Caught a ferry here from Hong Kong was a lovely ride. Had a good look at town on the way to hotel. Scooters everywhere. Airport is on an island and the airstrip has been made out in the bay.
Anyway better go. Love to all.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Macau Airport
The site is in Chinese so hopefully I press the right buttons to publish this.
We are at Macau at the airport, not long till boarding. Glad to be leaving China. Not as hot as we expected though.
Border crossings were on the whole very successful. We managed to get about 40 boxes across in suitcases and backpacks with varying amounts in them and repack them and get 2 shipments out of our hotel room. We did not have any of our Bibles confiscated and nor did Coral but Frank had about half of his trips picked up and the Bibles confiscated. The 1 time we did get caught we played dumb and were able to keep them but then we were followed and spent the next 4 hours wondering around the city being followed by various men in black with mobile phones. But while we were doing this the others were able to get everything out of our room and on a truck. When they were finished they came and took our bags and went to an office. Were also followed but managed to lose them. So all in all very successful.
We are off to Singapore for a few hours tonight and then tomorrow morning we head to Bangkok and then Laos. So not much sleep and lots of flights.
Will blog again soon. Our flight is being called.
We are at Macau at the airport, not long till boarding. Glad to be leaving China. Not as hot as we expected though.
Border crossings were on the whole very successful. We managed to get about 40 boxes across in suitcases and backpacks with varying amounts in them and repack them and get 2 shipments out of our hotel room. We did not have any of our Bibles confiscated and nor did Coral but Frank had about half of his trips picked up and the Bibles confiscated. The 1 time we did get caught we played dumb and were able to keep them but then we were followed and spent the next 4 hours wondering around the city being followed by various men in black with mobile phones. But while we were doing this the others were able to get everything out of our room and on a truck. When they were finished they came and took our bags and went to an office. Were also followed but managed to lose them. So all in all very successful.
We are off to Singapore for a few hours tonight and then tomorrow morning we head to Bangkok and then Laos. So not much sleep and lots of flights.
Will blog again soon. Our flight is being called.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
China
China, what can I say. We arrived in the middle of the night. Were yelled at by a customs official at the airport for not filling out a form that he didn't even look at when we gave it to him. Spent an hour in an unairconditioned taxi breathing in fairly offensive smells. The amount of traffic at 2am in the morning was amazing. There was 2 lines of trucks waiting to cross the borders that was hundreds of trucks long, all blasting their horns. Taxi driver then added an extra 50 Yuan to the price he had quoted us. No one in the hotel spoke english and we couldn't get our room. Found a lady outside who took us to 3 other hotels before we found one that could take us and it only had 3 beds.
Went to a shopping centre on Saturday it was not an enjoyable shopping experience. Every shop worker hassles you to buy from their store and others follow you around wanting you to go to their store. They are all very insistent. There are no prices on anything and you have to bargain with them. So it makes it very difficult to look and compare as once you ask the price they expect you to buy it. Came away very exhausted.
Went to a different shopping centre on Sunday and it was much better. You still bargain but you aren't hassled and their are prices on a lot of things.
It rained and the offensive smells were not improved.
All meals are ordered in restaurants by pointing to pictures. Most have one copy of the menu with english.
The chinese are very rude and arrogant and not a very nice race of people.
Shenzhen was a fishing village 20 years ago and now is a large city. Most of the population are under 30 and come from other areas. It is supposed to be a bit of tourist area but leaves a lot to be desired.
Went throught the border into Hong Kong (lots of paperwork and checking)and caught a train. Pretty good system. Hoping to go on Chinese junk ride and to the Peak Lookout on Thursday. Everything going well can't say anything else. More detailed update when we get to Bangkok.
Went to a shopping centre on Saturday it was not an enjoyable shopping experience. Every shop worker hassles you to buy from their store and others follow you around wanting you to go to their store. They are all very insistent. There are no prices on anything and you have to bargain with them. So it makes it very difficult to look and compare as once you ask the price they expect you to buy it. Came away very exhausted.
Went to a different shopping centre on Sunday and it was much better. You still bargain but you aren't hassled and their are prices on a lot of things.
It rained and the offensive smells were not improved.
All meals are ordered in restaurants by pointing to pictures. Most have one copy of the menu with english.
The chinese are very rude and arrogant and not a very nice race of people.
Shenzhen was a fishing village 20 years ago and now is a large city. Most of the population are under 30 and come from other areas. It is supposed to be a bit of tourist area but leaves a lot to be desired.
Went throught the border into Hong Kong (lots of paperwork and checking)and caught a train. Pretty good system. Hoping to go on Chinese junk ride and to the Peak Lookout on Thursday. Everything going well can't say anything else. More detailed update when we get to Bangkok.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Singapore Departure Continued
Had to sign out because the computer time comes in 15 minute blocks and the boys had already been on before me.
Singapore is really just one big city. Saw our first individual houses and townhouses yesterday. Most people live in apartment blocks. Train stations seem to be near areas of apartment blocks. They are also above or below ground so they cross no roads. Leads to a very smooth ride ( lady was putting on mascara on a moving train). There is mostly standing room with some seating along the walls. Ticketing system is easy to use. Australian councillors and ministers should take one of their junkets over here and check it out. Buses connect to trains. Singapore is mostly fairly clean. Went to suburb of Paris Ris yesterday where all the major roads are Paris Ris something (eg Drive, Road, Street, Close etc).
McDonalds, KFC are both here but are different to Australia - different things on menu and less range (eg only 1 flavour of McFlurry) KFC doesn't even taste like it has the same herbs and spices. It is also not a teenage workforce. Lots of middle aged and elderly workers. Didn't see to many teenagers working anywhere. I think maybe there culture encourages them to be in school and studying. Lots of schools in the east where we went yesterday. All have same basic uniform but in different colours (boys in all white Ah!!! I'm glad I'm not washing it). See You. Will blog again as soon as I can and hopefully get some photos on.
Singapore is really just one big city. Saw our first individual houses and townhouses yesterday. Most people live in apartment blocks. Train stations seem to be near areas of apartment blocks. They are also above or below ground so they cross no roads. Leads to a very smooth ride ( lady was putting on mascara on a moving train). There is mostly standing room with some seating along the walls. Ticketing system is easy to use. Australian councillors and ministers should take one of their junkets over here and check it out. Buses connect to trains. Singapore is mostly fairly clean. Went to suburb of Paris Ris yesterday where all the major roads are Paris Ris something (eg Drive, Road, Street, Close etc).
McDonalds, KFC are both here but are different to Australia - different things on menu and less range (eg only 1 flavour of McFlurry) KFC doesn't even taste like it has the same herbs and spices. It is also not a teenage workforce. Lots of middle aged and elderly workers. Didn't see to many teenagers working anywhere. I think maybe there culture encourages them to be in school and studying. Lots of schools in the east where we went yesterday. All have same basic uniform but in different colours (boys in all white Ah!!! I'm glad I'm not washing it). See You. Will blog again as soon as I can and hopefully get some photos on.
Singapore Departure
At the airport ready for departure from Singapore to Shenzhen in China. Leave here at 7:10pm and arrive in China at 11pm. Came a little early and were going to make use of all the facilities the brochures said were available at the airport (free internet, xbox, showers, pool etc) but they are only available to passengers departing from Terminal 2 and we are departing from the Budget Terminal. Went to the outer east areas of Singapore yesterday to a water park. It was closed for annual maintenance. Used the bus system and went to Changi War Museum. Museum was free and very interesting. Buses were air conditioned, clean, cheap and the drivers spoke pretty good english. There is no graffiti in singapore. Saw a news article on the way over to say that several years ago Singapore introduced several lashes, jail time and payment for clean up of graffiti as punishment for those caught, leading to no graffiti. They seem to have a big push on green areas as there is lots of open land and gardens.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Singapore
Arrived in Singapore at 6am after leaving Darwin at 3am. Singapore is 2 hours behind Melbourne. Quite hot and humid but bareable. Have spent a lot of time wandering about and having look at a lot at different areas. It has a great train system and is very cheap. Singapore itself is very expensive. Hotel is in a back street area. There are female street workers at a hotel across the street but they are more modestly dressed than a lot of teenager girls in Australia. Very modern city. Very green and lots of gardens. Bouganvillias are prolific and many different colours. Went on a cruise up the river last night, very interesting. Not sure where to eat that is safe but haven't had any problems yet. Struggling to get the boys away from Burgers at Burger King. Did have local food last night though. Have a photo that I will try and put on sometime of the Thai deserts we tried. They were not real nice. We have today and tomorrow in Singapore and then we fly out to Shenzhen, China tomorrow night.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Darwin
Hi everyone. We safely arrived in Darwin in the early hours of yesterday morning. It was already 25 degrees (hotter than the hottest day we have had since being in Phillip Island). Our first thought when we walked out of the hotel the next morning was that it reminded us a lot of Cloncurry and Normanton. When they told us to wind back our watches 1/2 an hour on the plane the man in front of us said and about 30 years. And he's probably right. It's similar to Qld in the 1970's.
FOR THOSE PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING OUR ITINERY GO TO THE BLOG ARCHIVE ON THE RIGHT AND GO TO AUGUST. IT IS IN THE SECOND ENTRY - THE LONG ONE.
Did a lot of walking yesterday and spent the evening at the Mingil Beach Markets and watched the sunset sitting on the beach. Got a hire car today and have been driving around. Darwin is very spread out but has heaps of facilities and lots to see and do.
Having a great time. Head off to Singapore tonight (well tomorrow morning really).
FOR THOSE PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING OUR ITINERY GO TO THE BLOG ARCHIVE ON THE RIGHT AND GO TO AUGUST. IT IS IN THE SECOND ENTRY - THE LONG ONE.
Did a lot of walking yesterday and spent the evening at the Mingil Beach Markets and watched the sunset sitting on the beach. Got a hire car today and have been driving around. Darwin is very spread out but has heaps of facilities and lots to see and do.
Having a great time. Head off to Singapore tonight (well tomorrow morning really).
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Immunisation Survival
Well we all survived our needles, except for the bank balance (over $600). It wasn't fair because I had to have 3 while the 3 boys only needed 2. But it is another thing out of the road. Took some photos from Frankston. The last one is looking towards Melbourne (that's what it says in the white box just a little small to be read). Looks heaps better in real life.
It's footy day at school tomorrow so the boys will be in their element. Patrick had a tie in basketball last night so he was pretty excited.
Immunisations Day
Only 2 and 1/2 days to go. Today is Needles Day. We are off to Frankston to the Travel Doctor for our immunisations. We hadn't realised how expensive they were until we started looking into it. Will also get passport photos taken today, have to have them for when we apply for our Visas for Laos. (We get them in China). It is a strange process getting a visa. You give them your passport, application papers and a passport photo. I presumed that the photo was to put onto your visa. But when you get the visa it is just a piece of paper glued into your passport and for our Chinese ones it took 4 days. Any way have a great day.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
3 Days To Go
The time is fast approaching for our departure. Am I ready? Probably not. Had 2 days at school on Monday and Tuesday so that will help the budget. Still trying to organise something for the cats and a night in Macau. Packing!!! What to pack so we have what we need but not carry too much and spend our whole time humping it around??? We are hoping to make posts to this blog from overseas so keep checking for updates while we are away.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Exactly one week to go
This time next Saturday we will be on the plane waiting for it to take off. Arrive in Darwin at 25 minutes past midnight. Only 1 nights accommodation still to organise. Have started making lists of things to pack and things still needing to be done.
Went to school working bee this morning.
The weather has been absolutely gorgeous. Reaching high teens each day. Getting around in shirt and shorts. Still cool early morning and late afternoon.
Went to school working bee this morning.
The weather has been absolutely gorgeous. Reaching high teens each day. Getting around in shirt and shorts. Still cool early morning and late afternoon.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
9 DAYS TO GO
Only 9 days to go.
Photos of the yard as we start to clean it up. Took out fence and some of trees in front yard. Took down deck and lots of rubbish out of back yard. Closed in back door and porch and made it a walk in robe for Pat's bedroom.
Changed all the Car Rego and Licences today so that we no longer look like visitors.
Went to Shivon and Ted Casey's Grandsons 2nd birthday yesterday. Had a really lovely time.
Finally got outside enclosed in a way that we think will keep the cats in and still give them access to most of the yard. It will be great to have them out of the house.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Hi everyone! Had another busy week this week. Taught 3 days in Nicholas' class and one as the PE Teacher. Enjoyed it but have no wish to return permanently. Everyone is well. Our trip is approaching fast only 10 days away now. Still don't have all the accommodation organised. Need to start to think about what to pack. We get our immunisations next Thursday (2 days before we go). Heard this week that the China border has not been as open recently and a lot of bibles have been confiscated by the guards. Please pray that we will have a successful crossing.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Friday Night Musings
Spent 4 days at work at school this week. I'm exhausted. Sounds pathetic hey.
Queensland where we used to live is experiencing massive rainfall, will have to contact everyone and see how they are going. Gympie is known for its floods.
Beautiful weather down here - nice warm sunny days.
May have found accommodation for Singapore. Will have to stay in 2 rooms. Need to check into it a bit further.
Queensland where we used to live is experiencing massive rainfall, will have to contact everyone and see how they are going. Gympie is known for its floods.
Beautiful weather down here - nice warm sunny days.
May have found accommodation for Singapore. Will have to stay in 2 rooms. Need to check into it a bit further.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Hey everyone we are going technological and have our own blog. Didn't even know what one was till last week.
As most of you know we have moved. For those that we didn't catch up with our apologies and for those still waiting for last years Christmas card and annual message my sincere apologies, I will try to do better this year.
In late May we were bought out by Main Roads for a proposed highway bypass of Gympie. We decided to head south (to the cooler weather) and have ended up at Cowes on Phillip Island in Victoria (for the moment). We have bought a cheap house and no longer have a home loan which is a wonderful feeling. It also gives us a lot more freedom.
The boys have settled into South Coast Christian College and are doing well. Patrick is in Year 7 and Nicholas in Year 5. They have an extra year of schooling in Victoria because they have Prep year.The school has a good sense of community. There are only 45 students and it has been established for 9 years. It was set up by the larger campus at Leongatha. We have just returned from 3 days of school camp. For those of you who know our school camp history you will understand what a miracle this is to have all 4 of us on a school camp.
We began to look at distributing Macaday chocolate bars (made in Gympie) in this area. We have found that while people like them and are happy to take them it is very slow here in the winter and they don't want to take them until November. So we will probably have to look at something else that we can do all year round or through the winter months.
We have met 2 families down here and are heading off overseas with them soon. Frank and Coral Fokkens regularly go to Hong Kong and take Bibles across the border into China for Autumn Rain. Laurie and Rosanna Sprague and their children left on Monday for a year with Interserve in Laos. Our itinerary follows - we are doing lots of small plane trips with the boys in mind and to use the cheaper airlines.
Sept 15 Saturday Melbourne to Darwin
Sept 16 Sunday Darwin
Sept 17 Monday Darwin
Sept 18 Tuesday Darwin to Singapore
Sept 19 Wednesday Singapore
Sept 20 Thursday Singapore
Sept 21 Friday Singapore to Shenzhen, China
Sept 22 Saturday - Sept 28 Friday Shenzhen
Sept 29 Saturday Macau to Singapore
Sept 30 Sunday Singapore to Bangkok and Bangkok to Udon Thani, Nth Thailand and Laos
Oct 1 Monday Laos
Oct 2 Tuesday Laos
Oct 3 Wednesday Laos
Oct 4 Thursday Laos to Udon Thani to Bangkok
Oct 5 Friday Bangkok
Oct 6 Saturday Bangkok
Oct 7 Sunday Bangkok to Singapore to Darwin
Oct 8 Monday Darwin
Oct 9 Tuesday Darwin to Melbourne
We would appreciate your prayers as we organise visas and immunisations and accommodation (particularly in Singapore where they don't seem to have many family rooms in the budget range) and also while we are over there for safety and for the work that we are doing.
Had 2 days teaching in Patricks class on Monday and Tuesday as his teacher was away ill. Just got a call to ask me to do tomorrow and maybe Friday as he is still unwell. Class sizes are pretty good. Teachers at CCC would be very excited and Maurice would be having nightmares. The Prep/1/2 class has 11 students, Year 4/5 has 18, and the year 6/7 class has 16.
As most of you know we have moved. For those that we didn't catch up with our apologies and for those still waiting for last years Christmas card and annual message my sincere apologies, I will try to do better this year.
In late May we were bought out by Main Roads for a proposed highway bypass of Gympie. We decided to head south (to the cooler weather) and have ended up at Cowes on Phillip Island in Victoria (for the moment). We have bought a cheap house and no longer have a home loan which is a wonderful feeling. It also gives us a lot more freedom.
The boys have settled into South Coast Christian College and are doing well. Patrick is in Year 7 and Nicholas in Year 5. They have an extra year of schooling in Victoria because they have Prep year.The school has a good sense of community. There are only 45 students and it has been established for 9 years. It was set up by the larger campus at Leongatha. We have just returned from 3 days of school camp. For those of you who know our school camp history you will understand what a miracle this is to have all 4 of us on a school camp.
We began to look at distributing Macaday chocolate bars (made in Gympie) in this area. We have found that while people like them and are happy to take them it is very slow here in the winter and they don't want to take them until November. So we will probably have to look at something else that we can do all year round or through the winter months.
We have met 2 families down here and are heading off overseas with them soon. Frank and Coral Fokkens regularly go to Hong Kong and take Bibles across the border into China for Autumn Rain. Laurie and Rosanna Sprague and their children left on Monday for a year with Interserve in Laos. Our itinerary follows - we are doing lots of small plane trips with the boys in mind and to use the cheaper airlines.
Sept 15 Saturday Melbourne to Darwin
Sept 16 Sunday Darwin
Sept 17 Monday Darwin
Sept 18 Tuesday Darwin to Singapore
Sept 19 Wednesday Singapore
Sept 20 Thursday Singapore
Sept 21 Friday Singapore to Shenzhen, China
Sept 22 Saturday - Sept 28 Friday Shenzhen
Sept 29 Saturday Macau to Singapore
Sept 30 Sunday Singapore to Bangkok and Bangkok to Udon Thani, Nth Thailand and Laos
Oct 1 Monday Laos
Oct 2 Tuesday Laos
Oct 3 Wednesday Laos
Oct 4 Thursday Laos to Udon Thani to Bangkok
Oct 5 Friday Bangkok
Oct 6 Saturday Bangkok
Oct 7 Sunday Bangkok to Singapore to Darwin
Oct 8 Monday Darwin
Oct 9 Tuesday Darwin to Melbourne
We would appreciate your prayers as we organise visas and immunisations and accommodation (particularly in Singapore where they don't seem to have many family rooms in the budget range) and also while we are over there for safety and for the work that we are doing.
Had 2 days teaching in Patricks class on Monday and Tuesday as his teacher was away ill. Just got a call to ask me to do tomorrow and maybe Friday as he is still unwell. Class sizes are pretty good. Teachers at CCC would be very excited and Maurice would be having nightmares. The Prep/1/2 class has 11 students, Year 4/5 has 18, and the year 6/7 class has 16.
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