Australian Autumn

 Autumn actually started in Canberra prior to the Term Break, on March 1st (Australians haven't seemed to figure out the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox nor the Solstices), but it wasn't until coming back from Western Australia that the cold hit. Suddenly there was frost on the windshields and beanies (toques) and mitts were starting to make their appearances. Autumn here is very much like autumn at home. The trees start changing color, the air becomes more crisp and the sky turns an unbelievable color of blue. I think it's my favourite time of year in Australia as well as at home. The best part about autumn in Australia (or maybe the worst depending on one's perspective) is the knowledge that there won't be snow at the end of it. The worst part is the lack of proper indoor heating and insulation. It is not abnormal to have my Uggs, sweats and jumper (hood pulled up) on in the house with my nose peaking out from under a sleeping bag. All hail central heating and insulation.

Father Brannelly and the kids

School has been really busy this term. My Year 3 students are receiving their First Holy Communion next week and, unlike home, it is the job of the school to prep the kids instead of the parish. This hasn't meant tonnes for me in terms of planning as our REC has that on her able shoulders, but it does mean I do have to get through a good portion of the RE program before next week. I've also probably added more than I need to by having a church visit where Father Brannelly showed the kids the altar and all the liturgical items he uses, how they are used and why they are used. I also planned a Passover celebration with both Year 3 classes and considering I had to no idea how to do this, it added just a little bit of stress to my life.

All ready for Passover

We also had Walkathon this term. The students raised money for 5 weeks (I believe we were around $10 000) and then on a cool Friday morning we all walked 5 kms around the Weston Creek area. We even had the ACT Minister of Sport come out and start it off for us. It was lots of fun as it is a great opportunity to get to know the kids a little better as we walk and talk.

After the Walkathon, we went back to the school for a sausage sizzle and an opportunity for my kids to finish some unfinished work (report card time was coming). After recess, before our Walkathon celebration, my kids got to dress me up in newspaper as they raised more than $1000. As you can see below, I look fantastic and the kids think they did a great job.

All of us wonderful teachers willing to be made fools of. (Note the wedding dress on the far right)

 That was the end of week 3, and on Thursday of Week 4 we had our Athletics Carnival. On a grey, cool morning, the whole school walked over the the Chapman Oval. The kids were split into their age groups, the teachers were put in charge of events, and off we went. The goal was to beat the rain that was supposed to come at noon. The kids participated in events like shot put, discus, 800m, 100m, long jump, etc. They earned ribbons and house points for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishes in their events. We were really efficient and finished up just as it began to sprinkle. Just as we got back, the rain really started to come down.

 With the Athletics Carnival done, it was time to focus on reports. After two weeks of stressing and battling writers block, that got done this past week. Now I can just focus on having a good time for my last 4 weeks and seeing the parts of Canberra I haven't seen yet (which still seems to be quite a bit after a year of living here).

Luckily, at the beginning of term, I was able to play tour guide for a bunch of exchange teachers. We had a family from Calgary (now living in Jervis Bay), a couple from Colorado (now in Wollongong), a guy from Missassauga (now down the Coast) and two girls from Ottawa (Kerry) and Belleville (Sarah) (now in Sydney.  The lovely ladies from Sydney got the singular pleasure of staying with me this weekend. They were much more fun than my last exchange guest as they actually got out of bed and did stuff. We started at Mount Ainsley with a view looking down at the War Memorial, following Anzac Parade and across the lake, all the way up to the New Parliament. Really, it's the only way you can get a true understanding of where you are in Canberra as it's all curves and roundabouts. I spent most of the weekend pointing back to Mount Ainsley to give a point of reference to our guests.

We came down from the mountain and went to the National Art Gallery. There was a whole new exhibit on Aboriginal Art (mostly contemperary) that was very cool to see. The many symbols and versions of aboriginal art is amazing. I am forever amazed by the skill and emotion.

After a stop in Civic for lunch at King O'Malleys Pub and a visit and photo op with the various statues, we were off to the New Parliament. Instead of waiting for a tour guide I pretended I knew what I was talking about and was the guide. I don't think Sarah and Kerry learned very much. Actually, I can guarantee they did not.

We then walked down to the Old Parliament, which I had not been to yet. For a cool $1, we visited the Australian Museum of Democracy and had heaps of fun. The interactive displays were amazing and I could have probably spent all day just looking at the information about Australia's history. We didn't have that much time. We also saw the original House of Commons and Senate. I have to say the dark coloring is much more parliamentary than the lighter colors in the New Parliament. We had the best time in the children's area. Thankfully Kerry and Sarah are as immature (as all good teachers are) as I am. We dressed up in different clothes, took pictures and in general acted like idiots (it also made me think I may get nits).

Old Parliament House of Commons

Kerry and Sarah

We shut the Old Parliament House down and then continued north towards the lake and Reconcialiation Place. Ironically, on our way down to Reconciliation Place we walked through the Aboriginal Embassy and got yelled at. This was a first for me, and a real introduction to Sarah and Kerry to the politics of Canberra. We kept a wide berth and continued on our way. We arrived as the sun was setting and got an amazing view of the Carillon, the lake and the colored leaves of the Japanese Maples (I think) along the footpath. It was time to head back to Tuggeranong for dinner. It was a great day, but there was more to come.

On Sunday, we had breakfast by the lake and then went to the Kingston Markets, after stopping to have a play in the leaves. With shopping completed, it was off to the War Memorial, my favouritest place in all of Canberra. There are no words to describe how amazing the museum is and the amount of information to be learned. I still see something new everytime I go. After being overloaded with information, it was time for Kerry and Sarah to begin the drive back to Sydney. It was a fantastic and fun-filled weekend!

Old Parliament Senate

Pretending to work for the PM

The Speaker during Question Period

replica of the PMs office

I am Ben Hur

Meeting the Queen

A view to the War Memorial, just before getting yelled at by the Aboriginals

The Carillion in an awesome autumn sunset

Reconciliation Place

Telstra Tower

The War Memorial with Autumn leaves

Reflected (Something new I learned this trip)

Mini Stonehenge

My tours of Canberra didn't stop there. On the Mother's Day weekend I got to play tourist. After playing broomball in the morning, I went to an early brunch with the McCallum family. From there I got invited to go to Cockington Green and the Dinosaur Museum on the north side of Canberra with Gayle, Brian and the two grandkids (Isabella and Jack). Cockington Green is a miniature village. It started as just scenes from Britain but they now have an international part. It was very cool to see these tiny little scenes laid out. There were also little jokes, like Darth Vader hiding in the bushes and an outhouse with the door wide open.

After that, we went just down the road to the National Dinosaur Museum. Now this makes it sound like it's going to be massive but this is no Tyrell Museum. It is barely a Torrington Gopher Museum.  I think the dinosaur section of the Alberta Provincial Museum is bigger. It was really interesting learning about the dinosaurs found in Australia though, and it's always fun to look at dinosaur bones.

Though I probably should have gone back home to do some school work or something equally productive. Instead I went to visit my friend Levi who is currently laid up with a broken leg. We headed to the George (a local pub) for a cheeky one or two. All in all, it was a great afternoon.

The day of the Athletics Carnival was also a special day because as soon as school was over, Miriam and I were off to see Florence and the Machine in Sydney. It was going to be an interesting adventure because it's a 4 hour drive to Sydney and then a 4 hour drive back so we could work the next morning. It was soooo worth it. Florence is amazing. I was thinking it would be a sedate concert, but I thought a mosh pit was going to break out on the floor. We were a little further up, but the Sydney Entertainment Centre is an amazing venue to watch a concert in. You feel so close to the action. It was well worth getting home at 3 in the morning and driving 8 hours. Below is just a glimmer of what it was like (and also the only video I took where you can barely hear me singing).

Amazingly, this was not the last thing I did this month. I actually got to go to a hockey game and I think that I've managed to convert a few Aussies to the cause. I took Brian, Gayle and Gayle's sister Dawn as well as Sharee (another teacher at my school) and her husband Chris. Though the calibre of hockey was probably lower than Senior Men's AAA, it was still entertaining going to a hockey game in Australia. It was especially funny when a shot would be taken and everytime there was a gasp of excitement. They are so used to sport that has fewer scoring opportunities. Some of the fans were hilarious too. The ref like to call stupid penalties (as they are) and one guy behind us said "That's the worst call I've ever seen and this is my second ice hockey game." My compatriots were also impressed by my yelling skills. Especially my occasional "Hit 'em!". Canberra ended up losing8-5, but it was a close game throughout. There was a fight and even a penalty shot to end the game.

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!

Sharee and Chris

Gayle, Brian and Dawn

All in all this has been a fantastic month, though a busy one. I can't believe that I only have 4 weeks left in Australia and that I will be back in Canada in 2 months.  I hope this last month is just as exciting as the last one was.