A Long November

It's been a busy November. Once we got through Halloween, the Melbourne Cup and Remembrance Day (which isn't really a big thing over here and not evena day off because they have ANZAC Day in April - I made sure to read In Flander's Fields to the kids and make poppies for the classroom), it was time to get started on reports and the business of ending the school year. Reports actually went pretty quickly.  We only had to comment on LA, Maths, Religion and general comments about behaviour and work ethic. Compared to commenting on 8 subjects, this seemed like nothing.  Also, we were only allowed 600 characters per comment, so I couldn't get all long-winded (like I'm known to do) and could only comment on one or two things per subject. It was awesome! You also only give a general grade for the subject rather than on specific objectives, which made the whole figuring out grades so much easier.  Didn't have to average 20 different marks, only 8.  It was fantastic! Still stressful, but less of a time committment for sure.

My reward for finishing on time was a weekend trip to Melbourne. The plan was to visit some friends, but unfortunately, they were busy with a wedding and some friends visiting from overseas.  Instead, I walked around on a rainy November Saturday. Of course, it was the first time I've forgotten to bring a rain jacket on a trip, so by the time I walked to Bourke street (pedestrian shopping street) I was soaked and broke down to buy an umbrella. The most surreal part of all of this was that November 19th was the day that Myers department store opened up their Christmas window and had a big Christmas celebration in front of the store.

I can't even begin to explain how wierd it is to be standing outside on a rainy sidewalk (instead of snowy), listening to Santa Claus is Coming to Town while mechanical elves dance and sing. I tried to get in to see Santa, but he was quite busy and it seemed to me that it was only a train ride instead of a proper visit with Santa. I'm going to have to find the Canberra version and make a visit instead.

Ned Kelly's death mask

Replica of the suit of armor.

My next stop was the Melbourne Gaol (jail). Partially to get out of the rain and partially because the old gaols here are really awesome. The Melbourne Gaol is especially famous because it is where Ned Kelly was jailed, tried and hung. Ned Kelly, in case you haven't seen the various movies, is a folk hero in Victoria.  He was a bushranger who kept the police constables on their heels for quite a while before a very dramatic hostage standoff in an old hotel that ended with the hotel burning to the ground and the end of the Kelly Gang. Ned is especially known for his homemade suit of armor that his gang created for the inevitable showdown. The gaol had a whole section about Ned Kelly and even had a little play that detailed his life, misdeeds and eventual capture. I highly recommend it to anyone going to Melbourne.

The jail also has a more modern section which is the Watchhouse. This is where people awaiting trial or people in the drunk tank were held until 1994. On this part of the tour, they actually treat you like you've just been arrested. We got yelled at, searched (not cavity though) and put in one of the cells. At the end, you of course could get your mug shot taken.  This was actually the best part of the whole gaol experience.  It was fun and definitely instilled a sense of "I never want to actually end up here."

Definitely a look that I will actually try and go for. Though I do
look better than most of the celebrities who end up in these pictures.

I ended my rainy day by visiting the Crown Casino across the river from my hostel.  I was definitely the daggiest person there. Next time I go to Melbourne, I will definitely bring my dress up clothes, though I still feel that I will be pretty daggy compared to everyone else.  Even when I went shopping on Sunday I was the most dressed down person on the street. It was kinda crazy.



Sunday was also spent at the Melbourne museum which is actually the reason why I went there.  There is an exhibit on Tutankamen and I really wanted to go before it ended on December 4th. The museum is really well thought out and had some really interesting exhibits. I especially enjoyed the Life Sciences section with the fossils and the history of the the earth. I was really wishing that I could take my students (both Canadian and Australian) to this museum because there are awesome sections on rock formation and how the world began. There was even a little bit of Canadiana as they have samples from the Burgess Shale in BC and fossils from Drumheller.

I, of course, had to tell anyone who would listen that this was a little part of home here in Australia. Ok, I only told one other person, but they were pretty impressed. The Tutankamen exhibit was really interesting. There was definitley a lot of gold to be seen an it made me wish I was an archaeologist who could make this cool and exciting discoveries. Then I remembered that not all archaeologists are like Indiana Jones and felt better. There was some disappointment as Tutankamen's sarcophogus wasn't part of the exhibit. Apparently it doesn't leave Egypt. That just gives me a reason to visit Egypt someday - when I have money and they have a government again.

The last two weeks of November were a blur.  I've gained a recent addiction - guitar. I'm teaching myself how to play and have managed to put together about 3 songs that sound familiar to other people. Most of my nights involve me getting home and thinking 'I'll play for about 30 minutes'. 3 hours later I've realized that I haven't eaten and it's time to get ready for bed. Oops.

At school, we've been preparing for the Christmas concert.  My kids had two songs about shepherds and wisemen. The concert went last night and was a success. The parents thought it was cute, the kids all had fun, and teachers were ready to go home and have a few drinks, just like Canada. The only thing missing was winter jackets and snow boots.

Today I am sitting in my living room, listening to Christmas music while the sunshines. I can't get over it, I really can't. Christmas seems a long ways away. 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas' has become my theme song, even though I'm looking forward to BBQs and shorts and t-shirts on Christmas day. This will be one of those Christmas' I will never forget.  Mom and Dad arrive in two weeks, so hopefully Christmas will be in full swing by then.

Off I go to weed the backyard and enjoy the sunshine. Maybe I'll get a tan (most likely a sunburn). Oh yeah, the Christmas music will continue to blare and I may just put Six White Boomers on repeat. Or maybe I'll just enjoy a Coke with Rudolph.