A Trip Down the Garden Path

Some would call it our mother language, and in many ways this is true. The English of Royal Britannia certainly did lay the foundations for SAE (Stanard Austalian English) as we know it today, and in lots ways the two are peas of the same pod. Though over two hundred years and 1000s of kilometres take their toll on any sort of seamless continuity tying Ye ol' England to The Newfoundland. This naturally gives rise to the wonders of dialects; we may speak English but it doesn't mean we always understand each other. Here are a few examples:

1. Cranky vs Cross
"I'm starting to get a little cranky with the amount of chatter going on here", this is the sort of phrase I have on loop in the classroom. Unfortunately 'cranky' seems to have no meaning over here, other than getting a few sniggers and a number of puzzled faces, this direction is pretty useless. However, substitute in 'cross' and you (usually) get a result. To be truthful, I had forgotten this word existed. I mean, I remember it from a time long ago, I think my mum used to say it when my sister and I had been naughty little girls. I know she doesn't use it any more; 'cross' seems to have left cousin 'cranky' on our Aussie shores, to take up residence more permanently over here.

2. This is a straight forward one. I often like to sign my work related emails With 'thanks heaps' particularly when it involves someone helping me out with something. A more suitable substitute if you live in England would be 'thanks loads'. In fact swap 'heaps' for 'loads' in any situation over here and it works like a dream: I have loads of work to do, miss you loads, etc, etc.

3. "You've been away a few days, were you poorly?" I heard a teacher ask a student this today. 'poorly' has me thinking of the child eating baked beans from a can with the electricity cut.

4. 'it's year 9 not grade 9 Miss!" so a student told me, "We're not in America you know." Okay, okay, I'll promise to get it right next time...

5. Incorrect verb conjugations:
"we was on our way home..."
"they is coming along later..."
"you and me has lots to talk about..."

I suppose it's not unlike the Aussie tendency to turn 10 word into one:
"whatayadointhisweeken?"

6. Glen used to get frustrated with me when I would say 'you reckon?" and "you know" as the most unnecessary add ons at the end of every second sentence. Regardless of whether I needed someone else's 'reckoning' or 'knowing' or not. Well I bet he's relieved that I've grown out of that one. I'm just waiting for him to notice it's replacement: "yeah?"

"will we go and get some groceries, yeah?"
"will it be cold there, yeah?"


Naturally, I wouldn't be a true word nerd if language didn't intrigue me. I wonder if I can pass myself off for a pom yet, I doubt it very much...

Stace :)

P.S. We're off to Egypt tomorrow, just a wee bit excited!

Lozza and Eder's last night yesterday, sad sad, very sad. They head back tonight at 10pm. What has become a lovely family of four will revert back to our cosy family of two.  It's been wonderful having them stay with us,  I've had a girl with whom I can play barbies, do hair and have pillow fights, and Glen's had a boy with whom he can jump in the mud, catch tadpoles and play pirates. Ha ha, but truth be told, we'll miss them greatly  - family is such a precious gift. 

Our last night together went off with a bang, literally.  Glen and Eder ventured out in the afternoon and bought a heap of fireworks, as they are 'legal' here, in 'backyards' and 'only until 11pm'.  So at about 9pm we rugged up walked down the road and bought some takeaway curry and then headed to the local beach, because we don't have our own backyard.  After the police took a cruise by and we'd devoured our deliciously warm curry, rice and naan breads, the boys, eyes a glow, set about lighting up the night sky. 

Of course I was having a caniption. Stress, stress, figuring that the police had already gone past once, I had visions of their return, lights blazing and siren on, zooming back along the promenade to promptly hadcuff our hooligans.  Thankfully, this was not the case.  And Loz and I sat on the beach, rugged in a warm patchwork quilt, sat like avid children as the boys danced across the stones lighting them up.  What an amazing show it was.  Some were just like the professional displays you see, whistling and crackling in the air, white, green, purple and red, fountaining across the sky or spiraling upwards.  Absolutely amazing.  I tried to get some pictures, discovered I had a fireworks mode on my camera half way through, but gave up in the end, embracing the child in me (there's a lot of her) dazzled by the display.





I think there couldn't be a person, of any age, who wouldn't fall under the spell of these sparkles.  Even people in the flats across from the beach came out to their balconies to look.  Mesmerising.

And a few other exciting things....

Eder decided to tell ghost stories,  just to freak us all (me) out.  I hate even the thought of ghosts, I'm very good a identifying the music of scary movies, wouldn't have a clue about the characters or storyline as I spend most of my time watching the the creases in my hands, magnified. I don't feel great about things of the unknown: ghosts, aliens, sometimes even God, you now, that stuff. 

Loz and I, real scared...

Then Glen really decided to be a boy and began throwing rocks, and what ensued was much rock throwing from both parties. luckily Loz and I didn't have to duck as they sailed over our heads, landing well away from us, but one misjudged throw... and there would have been tears.



Speaking of tears, I'll have to save them all up for tonight, as we say goodbye to Loz and Eder.  Time evades us all too soon, now it seems their visit was fleeting. Though I suppose it keeps the excitiement alive for our next visitors.... see you soon!

Really Nice Recipes - Lemon Drizzle Cake

Website blurb:
This cake is tangy and wonderfully moist, it gets better with age and after about a week it is at its best. They make great gifts for people and visitors can never resist the lemony charms of the drizzle cake.

Click on the link above and it'll take you to the recipe, you won't be disappointed - do it!

Well my lemon drizzle cake is in the oven and baking.  It reminded me that, for a while now, I've been meaning to post a little delight I made. Sorry it's not edible but it's certainly yummy to look at.

There's a bit of excitement happening at the moment called the 'Brighton Festival'. It comprises of pretty much a month's worth of entertainment and activites all over the city, including things like: tours, comedy shows, dance, theatre, author workshops, light shows, performances, fairs, street parades, singing, guest speakers and the list goes on. You could go to a number of things each day and not see it all, it's immense!

One of the lovely things that is also happening is the Artists' Open Houses.  I went along to one area of open houses on Sunday, and had just a delightful afternoon.  Glenny petered out halfway, but I was still going strong at 5pm when they finished.

The idea is that people offer rooms in their houses for the weekends in May. Usually only the downstairs rooms, and these are often houses of the artists or of friends. They move out a lot of their furniture and make space for art to be displayed on the walls, tables over couches (for textiles), etc, etc. Each house displays the work of about 5 or 6 artists.  Members of the public are invited in to wander through the rooms, talk to the artists, and purchase some art work too (most on display is for sale).  It is such a beautiful idea. I liked to see how people arranged their home and to look at the pretty little back gardens and of course the art was amazing.

Many of the houses sold homemade treats and some even had tables and chairs in their garden so you could rest with a cuppa and cake.  Divine. 

I had a ball.  I even bought two pieces for art - I think I might cultivate a collection: I have an illustration of Little Red Riding Hood and a lino print of a dancing lady.  I feel very cultured. So much so that I will head off to another area next weekend for a look.  There are about seven areas in total, I think I may only get to two though - so much to see so little time, as the saying goes.

Here are a few snap shots of the lovely afternoon. I didn't take any inside the houses (except for the one of the staircase)  I think I'd feel a bit awkward photographing someone's masterpiece.  I'll let you imagine!

Banners to show the open houses

Lovely facade, some of these homes are three stories

I had a slice of lemon drizzle cake - devine. I am in the process of baking my own at this very minute, if it turns out nice I'll pass on the recipe

Glen's scones with cream and homemade jam

Pretty back garden where we ate our treats

A staircase I'd love to have, maybe one day

Herb and veggie garden out the front

Don't see flowers like this round the 'ville

English Rose

Just thought I'd put up this lovely pic of Devil's Dyke just outside Brighton.  We've been for a drive there a few times.  It's always windy and cold.  It's a lovely sight though and the valley is so steep and deep. 

There's this shop down the road called Sports Direct. It's a sports store, non unlike those at home: Amart Allsports and Sportscene.  Glen had been talkng about it a bit, he'd go down there every now and again and was always be pleased with a little bargain he'd picked up (snow gloves for £3, an Adidas soccer ball for £5, Airwalk caps for £4 pounds each, etc). So when Eder arrived it was only natural that the extent of their shopping would be this sportstore.

And now they are addicted. 

Evey few days they come home with bulging glossy white 'Sports Driect' bags, containg bargain pants, shorts, shirts and even shoes.  I must say, the prices are very good and I have two pairs of exercise shorts of my own (Lonsdale - because I'm such a pro boxer - ha ha), however I really don't know how they keep finding new stuff.

They were particuarly chuffed at their purchases on Thursday - new soccer boots.  With bright eyes and excited voices they told Loz and I how much they'd saved on these very good boots that would have cost SO much more at home.  I don't really mind much, Glen could spend money on worse things (like the sideshow alley on the pier - such a rip off and no more stuffed toys needed, but that's another story).  Besides, he puts up with my crafty obsession and that's one mean feat.

Them shoes be a'shining!

Wowee, it's been a while. Well really only a little over a week. But in all honesty blogging can become very addictive, and I've been feeling like a slacko as blogging good ideas pop into my head, only to join the queue halted by my laziness.  Well it shall be no more... at least for the time being.  So, grab a cuppa, put your legs up, hold on tight and away we go!

A jolly good long weekend in Amsterdam was had by  Lozza, Eder, Glenny and I. We headed over on the car ferry then drove the four hours up to the Netherlands.  I fancied myself the cleverest trickster when I told our guests that we'd be staying in wagonettes like the gypsies and travelling showies of old. Yet on our search for the caravan park, home to said wagonettes, it was as if fate had a hand in scaring the bejesus out of me for my fib. We drove past a yard full of the oldest timber wagons you can imagine, hand painted all over with flowers set amongst wild jungle of what looked like an artist/hippy commune.  There were rusted out cars, tarpaulins strung between trees and hubcaps hanging off the fence.  All of this sat behind a large sign that said 'Camping Zeeburg' (our accommodation), and to my relief 'turn left' in smaller font.  We headed round the corner to a lovely little camping grounds leaving that nightmare behind, to take up in our jolly little wagonettes. 





Basic but comfortable.  We set off for a drive after that to see if we could spot a field of tulips.  Ha ha, funny though, we should have realised with the weather being sweltering hot that there'd be not a tulip left. And indeed it was true. Unseasonably warm weather had meant that the tulips had not lasted as long into May as usual.  We did sneaky photo a few in someone's backyard though:

You can even stop by the side of the road to buy your Dutch tulip bulbs.  Lozza almost succumbed...

So no tulip gazing for us, much to the disappointment of the gentlemen in the car. 
The next few days we caught the tram into central Amsterdam.  Relatively easy for non-speakers of the language, yet I always feel bad when I don't know even a word to communicate in the language of the country.  Note to self: learn a few basics before we head somewhere else, English speakers don't rule the world you know, though I'm sure some would like to try... :)

Loz and I visited what remains of Anne Frank's house.

This is the only pic we could take, no photos allowed inside, so I'll recount a little for you.

While the building has been clearly renovated on the outside, and possibly a little on the inside as well, they have done a great job of trying to replicate all that once was the factory and then the secret home of the Franks. Even down to the wall paper of the secret rooms in the annex.

Otto Frank ran a jam making factory in this building, but when world war two broke out and Jews were being taken from their homes, he masterminded a little plan to keep his family safe.  He signed the ownership of the factory over to someone else and enlisted the help of a few workers to keep his family's presence a secret.  Many of you know the story of the secret rooms (the annex) behind the swinging cupboard.  We were able to move behind the cupboard and up the stairs to the rooms that once sheltered the Frank family.  The Frank family spent days quietly hidden upstairs and were able to sneak down into the factory at night. It was a really strange experience to wander through the empty rooms that once served as a safe place for this fearful little family. They had little model reconstructions on display of how the rooms looked, and even had re-hung the wallpaper that had all the little pictures Anne had stuck up to make her little space a little nicer.  That was a real eye opener, to gaze upon the images hung by little Anne, about 80 years ago as her family were forced to shelter themselves from the wrath of such an evil man (namely, Hitler).  How brave the Frank family were.

It was during this time (of about two years) in hiding, that Anne wrote her famous diary, of which there were a few.  Initially the diaries were for herself only; however, when it was broadcast over the radio one night that people should prepare good copies of their writings of the war to provide insight into their experiences for generations to come, Anne spent days carefully copying her entries out in the hope of one day getting them published.

To think of spending days inside the rooms, not to go outside, no chance to feel the sun on your face, or the wind through your hair, no chance to run and laugh out loud, as children should, my heart feels so sad at what this family was put through along with the many other families who may not have been so lucky.



I really got a lot out of this museum, what a powerful experience.  Lozza even bought the book to read, which makes me think she found it an equally poignant experience.  I know at Kirwan this book is on the reading list, for year 9 I believe, I hope I will be able to teach it one day because my experience at the museum has certainly given me a whole new level of appreciation for Anne's story. 

Beyond history, Amsterdam offers much more.

Canals...

Shopping...

Wooden clogs...

Famous sign...

Touristy activity brochures.....THAT YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR!!!....


The microwave cafe: pay your money, it heats up and hey presto, you have a hamburger...
Lauren coffee for Lauren...

This is what beer is made of, well some of it: hops, barley and... something else...

Glen grinding the barley

Taste testing time

Glenny starring in a Dutch video, singing a traditional song, classic!

We have some very special guests at our  place.  It was a lovely feeling walking home from work today, knowing my sis and her husband would be there when I arrived. I think my legs walked the fastest they ever have, I even gained a few little blisters on the soles of my feet as proof of this.

We have some very welcome house guests with us, and we look forward to their 2 week stay. 

Lozza says I'm hogging the microphone, so I'll hand it over...

Hello everyone, its nice to be here and to see where Stacey and Glen live. We are looking forward to the next few weeks with lots of things planned.

Oh shy are we? it's alright Lozza, I'll rope you into this at least once more before you leave.

here are a few pics of our afternoon:

Glen the gladiator - Eder's so not scared! BTW this is his very cool purchase from Rome

My sister sister (do you remember the song?)

Enjoying a nice drink, lemonade for the mummy!

First time they've seen each other in 4 months and......they're bonding over the playstation

Lozza and Eder are arriving in 2 days.  I'm very excited.  No, I'm super excited. I'm currently counting time in '____days 'til their arrival'.

Yet I wonder how homesick it's going to make me? I already think far too much about our puppy dogs.  And I drive Glen crazy with my exclamation of 'Oh, Missy and Harvey' (said in a high pitched, drawn out voice, full of longing) every time we see a dog.  Do you think it's crazy that I say it now when we see cats too?  The closest I have to a pet over here is a black cat a few doors down.  He's fluffy and beautiful. He is usually out at night, sitting on the front steps. I think he likes me.  Every time I walk past I'm secretly sad when he's no there.  When he is there, I make a little noise and he comes over for a pat. I have honourably named him Mr Puss Puss. Just don't get me started talking about family and friends....

Back to L and E. Glen just booked a little 4 day trip to the Netherlands this weekend. Did you know that Holland is not the correct name of the country? That name only encompasses part of the country.  Anyway, off we will go. My rough ideas for our trip goes something like this:

-Visit tulips - hopefully they're still in flower!
-Van Gogh museum
-Anne Frank's house and museum. Apparently her real diary is there!
-Heineken museum
-Clog museum and windmills
-Bike riding

There's probably more and I'm sure the boys will have their own plans, but that's all I've got so far. We're piling into Edy again and heading across on the ferry. Only 50 pounds return for 4 people. 12.50 each!  Bargain.

Well Glen's finished the stirfry now and it's 8:15 and still quite light outside.  CRAZY.

Missing home lots - can you tell?

Stace x

Is it day or is it night? What time of day do you think these photos were taken?..............................

You can still see the sun on the roofs across from us

The garden out the back - not ours :( The sun's moving down behind the roof tops

8pm! Yup, Glen just said to me, 'it's about time we had dinner hey?' I thought He must be hungry -  wants to eat early. I turned my head to look at the clock and realised it was 8pm. Geez Louise, talk about playing with your head. And you can see the sun's not even ready to go down yet.  It feels almost like it should be 4pm. Apparently in the height of summer it's still light at 10pm.  Not sure if my brain can handle that! Ask my mum, I'm a night owl through and through, but what does a night owl do when there's no night? I'm not waiting until 10pm to enact my night owl habits, that's just ridiculous!