Car Doctor

My poor car... After it began hemorrhaging water on Tuesday, we discovered that it had an acute case of radiatoritus and needed surgery. A radiator transplant was successfully performed and recovery was going well. Then as it ran through the final checks before being released, the water pump suddenly ruptured. Oh, well... at least it was already in the hospital!
When I went to pick it up, I had to wait a while - the mechanic had dropped a tool into the engine cavity and couldn't find it. Just like a surgeon! Wandering aimlessly outside the shop, I looked in vain for something beautiful to take pictures of. Nothing. It was a concrete jungle all around. But, I wondered, is it possible that mechanics find tools and grease beautiful? Hmmm.... So, in honour of all those people who love the smell of tires, like to hang out in auto part shops, and have grease stains on their favorite clothes, here are some "beautiful" photos of Bill's mechanic shop.
By the way, the police car was there to get fixed, too. I thought it looked funny with the SUV up on the hoist right above it. Sort of. Okay, I was bored!

A good vintage

If you like your sauvignon blancs, rieslings, or chardonnays, then you'd do well to stock up on 2008 NZ whites...vintners have declared the long hot conditions as being ideal for harvesting a superlative crop.

Unfortunately, the crop in our garden doesn't usually make it past our feathered consumers...

Life's a beach!

Waihi

Bethels Beach

Hahei

Raglan

Cathedral Cove

2008 will be remembered as the year of the spectacular summer in NZ! We have had the most beautiful weather that I can remember since my childhood - glorious long sunny days and stunningly clear blue skies, pretty much day after day. These halcyon days just serve to highlight the magnificent beaches that surround us in the "Land of the Long White Cloud" or "Aotearoa" (Maori name for NZ). From the rugged West Coast beaches (with their renowned surf and black iron sands) through to the beautiful East Coast beaches (long and flat with gentler waves and fine white sand). Though these photos weren't taken today, they give you a glimpse of the type of summer we've been having, and the pristine beauty of NZ.

To be able to sit or stroll along a beach with few or no people around, and enjoy unspoilt beauty for what it is - that is truly food for the soul!

City of Sails

Today is yet another stunning day in the City of Sails....so named because NZ has more boats per head of capita than any other country in the world...and Auckland has more people and more boats than any other city in NZ

Driving to School

It was pleasant driving to school this morning under a bright sky. First, it wasn't dark like it was at the same time a couple of months ago. Second, the trees that line the road for the first part of my trip are still leafless, but there are little buds showing promise of leaves to come soon. I'm guessing - and hoping - another month or less. Fourth, we had a great view of the mountains as we drove along the freeway. How many cities feature such a beautiful freeway? Last, and probably best, I got to sit in the passenger seat as my carpool partner drove. Life doesn't get any better!

On reflection...

Tell me and I forget.

Show me and I remember.

Involve me and I understand.

(Chinese proverb)

Car troubles

Ange of the North! I've found you just the car to replace your ill mobile!

Back to blue

"...But all the time she was looking for that one beautiful place of her childhood dreams. A place where the sand was even more golden and the waves even more frothy than any other place she'd seen. Where the green hills were greener and the sky so blue you'd think God had only just finished painting it...."

("Achtung! Pavlova" - Stu Duval)

The rain thundered down all night but the morning has dawned clear, blue, and sunny! There is definitely a slight chill in the mornings now though...a foretaste of things to come.

Changing seasons

Yes, autumn is definitely on its way Down Under - I had to put a pair of socks on this evening!!! Lil L looked at your photo of the roaring fire and then looked pointedly at our cold fireplace...I can't bring myself to have the fire on quite yet...it'll mean that summer is truly over then! Lil L had to succumb to wearing a long sleeved shirt instead...

A Bleak Day

Have we reverted back to winter? Maybe we're joining New Zealand in its quest for gloomy days...

Out of the blue (or grey) this morning, our old friend Mrs. Roop appeared unexpectedly in the school office. She is a former teacher who moved to New Brunswick last summer (for you Kiwis, July!). New Brunswick is really and truly the Great White North, complete with snowbanks measuring more than five feet tall. And coincidentally, along with Mrs. Roop came the snow! We were not pleased to see its cold face again (It was, however, a lovely surprise to see Mrs. R!). Fortunately, it didn't stick and later, turned back into rain. But it was a bleak day. Little Joe came home and did his homework in front of the fireplace to warm up.

Yesterday's gone....

View from my desk....sunny day!

Beautiful sunset

Dessert - Valrhona chocolate marquise, pistachio ice cream, black cocoa tuile, balsamic caramel - absolutely DELECTABLE!

(Sorry about the standard of this photo...the ambient low lighting wasn't forgiving on my angle or camera shake!)

What a day it was yesterday....first day of being tied to the desk.....I declined offers of coffee (so sad!), resisted the temptation to join the other girls for our morning walk, worked at my desk but couldn't find enough hours to do all that I wanted to do, chauffeured the kids around the city to their various activities, preparations for K&E to go away on camp, attempted to sort out course admin hassles....then thankfully at day's end, enjoyed a lovely sunset and a wonderful time with girlfriends over coffee and dessert! Ahhhhhh........

In My Kitchen

A Sunday evening kitchen... I made the best dinner tonight. Greek potatoes and marinated Greek pork loin with a simple salad. Mmmmm! The only thing missing was a glass of red. But all these boxes of Krispy Kreme doughnuts on the counter - what gives? The little bear had a fund raiser for his trip to Costa Rica (he leaves next week) and the doughnuts arrived today for distribution. I'm not quite sure what all the fuss is about Krispy Kreme, but there we are. They seem to have earned some money for the trip.
The best part of having big boys is when they help me. Like tonight in the kitchen. Sometimes things even get cleaned up, despite all the chaos along the way. Parenthood - totally worthwhile!

Mediterranean Momma

WOW! That is such a cool shot....what a good score (for both the photographer and the coyote)! So all those warning signs about coyotes in Vancouver weren't just for the tourists after all......Vancouver IS a wild place!

Nothing wild happens here...so we resorted to enjoying some of the fine things in life! W & M spoilt me yesterday - they went to the markets and got some of my favourite "garlic stuffed olives" and also made me some DELICIOUS homemade pesto!!! Heaven on earth....And I really like the 'luminosity' and glow of virgin olive oil (the taste is pretty good too!).

And the question I ask you is - how many normal people run for their camera the moment they see something that ISN'T even out of the ordinary (um...like food!)?

Mean Streets

Life is dangerous here in the Great White North. Knowing that, though, didn't prevent me from being surprised when I looked out the window this morning (it's still Saturday here) and saw a coyote trotting nonchalantly down my street with a cat in its mouth. Where was it taking the cat? Whose cat was it? And will the owners ever know what happened to their sweet pet? But I have to wonder something else, too: How many normal people run for their camera the moment they see something out of the ordinary?

Pioneer Day

Once each year, I pull on the long dress - the one that I particularly dislike wearing, as it hangs like a sack on me - and walk down the hall to my classroom. It's amazing to hear the older students' comments when they see me. You'd think they were well into their golden age: "Oh, it must be Pioneer Day! I remember that(wistfully). It was so much fun! School was so easy back then..."
It's funny what they remember. I think that for them, what sticks out is the fun they had mixing up corn bread, shaking cream to make butter ("Oh, it took soooooo long to make!), eating them together ("Oooh, gross! Do I have to try it? Mmmmm, can I have some more?"), making cornhusk dolls, and playing games like marbles and pickup sticks. Oh, and of course, they got to dress up for school.
What do I remember? Well, it might be the chaos of 48 grade three students in one room, full of adrenaline and excitement. And their very loudest voices. Could be the constant chorus of "Can you help me tie the knot?" as we make the cornhusk dolls. Possibly it's simultaneously managing both the 48 children and the 15 mums who are helping and need instructions and can't find 8 mixing bowls, and is there any more baking powder?
Today after Pioneer Day, I was exhausted. Could it have been more tiring than all the other Pioneer Days? I'm so glad it's over for another year! But the memory that I'm left with this time, even more than that of the madding crowd, is my happy children taking turns to mix up the corn bread, experiencing something new, simple, and rather exciting. For that, I guess I can wear the dress again.

Quel dommage!

...I was trying to imagine C waxing lyrical in French over his "feves au lard"! Hmmmm. Have to agree with you about the French language - it's one of most beautiful languages - I could listen to it for hours. Tant pis je ne parle pas Français....

I was late to bed last night because I was at my desk....unthinkable! This is truly history in the making. Thought I should return the gesture and send you a picture of my desk....I took the photo during one of my (many) 'breaks'.

Feeling francais

The Eiffel Tower, my favorite fleur de lys wall sconce, my French clock... There's something so very elegant et rustique about them. It's like the French language - everything sounds better in French! Even as I teach my little students, I like so much to speak it and to hear them develop their vocabulary.
So, as I prepared to open a can of beans for a quick dinner tonight, I wondered if they would taste better if they were actually feves au lard - bien mijotees! (zut, pas d'accents in this program...) Maybe some herbes de Provence would help even more. Isn't it wonderful to live in the Great White North, where everything is written in two languages!
I was half hoping that just eating such a culturally inspired dinner would send C into paroxisms of French. Dommage....

PS.

Did you know that if you double click on a photo, it will open up to the original size? Very cool.

The Dragon !

Well....OK - it's actually a lizard, but 'Dragon' suits me better! After 6 hours languishing in lectures, I must've had quite a 'look' about me! I didn't realise that it showed so much though...till E came home and told us (relishing every moment as he told his tale!) that the (reputedly) toughest kid in Year 7 caught sight of me after my day cooped up indoors with academics, and it caused him to remark to E, "Your mum looks really, really TOUGH !!!" Come to think of it, I DID get a few other comments about my 'serious' (keep outta my way!) demeanour.....

I'm glad to hear that you survived your day despite it being an 'interesting' one, O Teacher-Counsellor-Computer Transliterator-Leader-Francophone-Traffic Warden-Person! It was nice to see your work space in action. Don't worry - it won't be long before Spring will be well and truly at your doorstep....

By Contrast...

Southern Ange, your photos today are exquisite! I spent much of my day at this messy desk, trying to coax coherent sentences out of the computer. When I wasn't doing that, I was helping a teacher with a tantrum (not hers!!), teaching French to wiggly grade twos, leading a meeting, and directing traffic in the rain (receiving a bit of abuse for my efforts). Who knew a teacher's day could be so... interesting? Yes, it was a grey day in the Great White North. Your spots of colour have definitely brightened things up for me!