BBQ in the park…crashed by wedgetail eagle

Posted on March 27, 2007
Filed Under Australia - The land down under, Irony Anyone? | 3 Comments

I assure you, there was no zoom used in this shot as my camera in in my phone and the zoom is digital only, which sucks.

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Liar, liar pants on fire!

Posted on March 20, 2007
Filed Under Australia - The land down under, Irony Anyone?, Stupidity and randomness | 1 Comment

I really despise lying in just about all circumstances. This is not to say that I didn’t do my fair share of lying when I was a teen but I suppose age has strengthened my morals and weakened my tolerance for liars.

Whenever we’ve caught the kids in a lie, they certainly hear about it. And write lines about it. And have plenty of time to think about the consequences of their decision to lie while they are grounded for it.

But what about when adults lie? I’ve recently caught someone I know in a lie. Now I know they’ve lied as do a few others, but there are others still, who bop along blissfully unaware that they have been deceived.

It’s not my place to correct their misinformed-ness, (ok I made that word up…sue me. At least I didn’t lie about it) but it really grinds me that I know they’ve been lied to.

How are we supposed to ask others not to lie when we have constant examples of how people get away with it? Not to mention trying to teach children to be truthful when adults all around them lie ALL THE TIME.

OK, I’ll step off my podium now…

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I still call Australia home

Posted on March 19, 2007
Filed Under Australia - The land down under, Irony Anyone? | 5 Comments

Recently, I wrote a blog about my visa application progress. (Seen here) It’s been 13 days since sending off the last of my documentation and today the postman rang.

Registered Mail.

” Dear Ms xxxxx,

I refer to your application for a spouse permanent visa 801, which was lodged xx/xx/2004. I am pleased to advise that you, and your dependants listed below, have been granted this visa.” 

HOORAY! Finally. It seems like it took forever to get to PR status.  For the first time in 3 years, I can breath a sigh of relief that I will not be unexpectedly removed from my country of residence for whatever reason.
Just 2 more years to citizenship…

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Parents should have their heads examined…

Posted on March 15, 2007
Filed Under Australia - The land down under, Irony Anyone? | 2 Comments

Or at least, I should. I sit here listening to, what should be, the beautiful strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” being mutilated by a learning child.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my daughter with a zeal that only a mother can, but, I think I may have made a rookie parent mistake when I allowed her to try out for a trumpet scholarship.

Ok, I  may be exaggerating a tad. She’s actually quite good. Chelsea has always had a natural ability when it comes to anything musical. She sings like an angel, has taught herself piano, recorder and is now learning the fine art of the trumpet. She is in a special music program at school and has been accepted into the school band. Because of this, she’ll get to perform in Sydney and in Tasmania among other places during senior high school.

I am so proud of her!! (Regardless of how Pomp and Circumstance sounds just now.) For those facing the decision of whether or not to let their child learn a horn instrument a few words of advice:

Panadol IS your friend. (Tylenol, aspirin, Advil…take your pick)
Playing into a pillow will muffle the sound but makes it hard to empty the spit valve.
Practice, however loud, makes perfect.
A child who knows they are supported and admired make an amazing effort.
Dogs don’t like the trumpet.  (Mine are howling in sync with her playing.)

Well I’m off. Dinner needs to made and she’s starting on “George of the Jungle.”

I can bop to that. :D

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Job Agencies…Do they do the job?

Posted on March 13, 2007
Filed Under Australia - The land down under, Irony Anyone? | 3 Comments

Today I had an interview with a popular job agency here in Perth. The woman I met with was very pleasant and seemed quite helpful. Of course, she was certain that she had the perfect job for me. It required all of the skills that I possess and I have experience in a similar field that is highly desired.

After our interview, I did a skills test for Word and Excel. I have to admit, I’m a bit rusty in Excel because it’s been at least 3 years since I’ve used it! But let’s face facts here, nobody uses all of Excels functions. Every company is different and even someone with the most rudimentary knowledge of the program can be running spreadsheets with 10 minutes of training.

Word was fine, with a few exceptions. I was annoyed that by doing something simple like trying to move the window would count as a “click” and sometimes I’d get it wrong and be forced to the next page without even having tried to answer the question. Grrr!

Now, I wait.  Wait to see if I’ve passed muster and exactly how many interviews come my way. I’m not sure how effective agencies are, I’ve had little experience with them but I guess I’ll find out!

Wish me luck!

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