Beach closed ...

Beach closed ... but people still swimming

For the entire weekend, Manly beach was closed.  Signs were posted all along the beach, quite clearly indicating that it was closed and that people shouldn't enter the water.  There were also many signs showing the reason for this - strong currents.  It was plain to see that the water was incredibly choppy and dangerous looking.  But ... people were still swimming.  I found it amusing to listen to the regular announcements over the loudspeaker reminding people that the beach is closed for good reason.  The guy who has this unfortunate and repetitive job sounded more and more exasperated as the weekend went on.  At one point on Sunday, I heard him announce "... If you insist on going into the water, go in to your knees, fall down, get wet and get out.  If you do go out further, there is a high probability that you won't be able to get back into shore."  That made me giggle.  But, just as he was saying it, there were a couple of tourists heading out for a swim.  Crazy.

The work routine ...

View towards Manly beach

Everyone loves holidays.  It's a fact.  But the truth is, it's easy to miss work (and the accompanying routine it brings) when you're on holidays.  So, after 2 weeks off, it was nice to get back into the Australian school routine.  Here, my work week runs from Tuesday to Saturday and my 'in-school' day starts at 8.30 am and finishes at 3 pm.  Plus, I normally do an hour or so of planning and other 'school' stuff outside of those times.  My favourite thing about my work routine ... apart from reading in the sun with the kids of course ... is the walk to and from work.  The walk (or stroll in the mornings when I'm still waking up) is about 20 minutes long and takes me along Manly beach, past the cliffs on the way to Shelley beach and up the road past all the multi-million dollar houses to my very own multi-million dollar 'school room'.  What a place to work ... it's almost like being on holidays.

View towards the smaller (and prettier and quieter) Shelley beach

TEDx Next Generation ...

A few weeks ago, I discovered TEDx Next Generation - inspirational TED talks by kids.  This one by an 11 year old home-schooled boy was particularly interesting.  There aren't many 11 year olds out there who are so passionate about such a good cause and who are so skilled at speaking publicly.

(By the way, I hope everyone is impressed that I managed to figure out how to embed a video.  All by myself.)

Back to Manly ...

The view from my new apartment

I arrived back in Manly on Friday and I must admit, it's lovely to be here.  What a change compared to the mountains of Canada!  I haven't written much the past few weeks because I've been spending time with C. who left for Canada on Sunday morning.  It was a sad morning, saying goodbye to him and knowing that I won't see him until the end of January when he comes back out here for a holiday.  In the meantime, Skype is a wonderful thing and if anyone has any long distance relationship hints, they are more than welcome!  For now, it's time to get back into my Australian routine, including a lovely work environment and lots of time on the beach.

Future Minds ...

C. bought this book in the Brisbane airport on Friday.  I quickly stole it from him to plough through it before he left.  The characteristics of the digital generation and the impact of technology on lives is something that really interests me, particularly as a teacher.  It seems that every conference, journal article etc. relating to education has a '21st century' or 'digital generation' spin on it.  'Future Minds' was a great read that focused on what technology is doing to our society, why it matters and how we can change our behaviours.  The book is fairly simplistic and repetitive but gives a good overview of the issues surrounding technology.  Basically, it seems that technology is reducing our attention span and perhaps making us dumber.  Richard Watson argues that, thanks to Google, we are flooded with answers, which takes away from asking questions and thinking at a deeper level.

I know that, at times, my life suffers from an overuse of technology.  I am a definitely a victim of 'multi-tasking mayhem', a term used by Watson in this book.  As I write this, I have five different programs open on my computer - a Word document, iphoto, itunes, Garageband and the internet.  In the internet alone, I have 4 screens open - this one, my email, Monash University's Blackboard and the Globe and Mail newspaper.  Talk about online overload.  So, I've decided to remove some of the technological clutter from my life with the setting of a few goals:

1. To have one internet free day per week.
2. To be more mindful about what I'm doing on the computer (ie.  Not flicking from one screen to the next while working on/looking at several different things ... one thing at a time).
3. When I'm reading on the internet, read the whole text and read it carefully.
4. To only check my email/facebook page once per day.

Who knows how it will go.  Hopefully it will clear my head and allow me more technology-free time to read, exercise, rest ... and think.

'When the Rain Stops Falling' ...

Last night, C. and I went to see 'When the Rain Stops Falling' at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.  I was attracted to the play because it was written by the same person who wrote the Australian classics, 'Lantana' and 'Strictly Ballroom'.  It was fantastic.  The story was complex and unexpectedly shocking in some parts, but brilliant.  C. summed it up nicely when he said, "You know a good play when you're still thinking about it hours after you've seen it."  And this morning, I'm still thinking about it.  So, it must of been good.

First impressions of Brisbane ...

The Treasury building ... now a hideous casino inside

I was excited to arrive in Brisbane for several reasons.  I haven’t been to the city since I was a lot younger and I don’t remember much of that trip.  So, I was excited to explore the city.  I also was really looking forward to a week of relaxation – no work, no uni, no rushed sightseeing.  So, what was my first impression?

Well, I probably arrived at a bad time to arrive in any city – Friday night at about 9 o’clock when the party people were just hitting the streets of the CBD.  I noticed that girls here like to wear minimal clothing paired with sky high heels.  It isn’t a classy look.  I also noticed that the people of Brisbane like to smoke.  Everywhere you turn, there are smokers of all ages.  Which isn't something that I have noticed in other Australian cities.

Despite these poor first impressions, Brisbane is a lovely city.  We are staying amongst the beautiful historical buildings on the riverfront.  The South Bank area has been fun to explore so far with loads of restaurants, art and entertainment.  It even has a man-made beach that has been packed with families enjoying the sunny weekend weather.

Over the next few days, I’m looking forward to exploring some of the inner city neighbourhoods and walking around the riverfront.  I’m also enjoying some quiet time in the hotel room reading and listening to music.  Oh, and watching the Melbourne Cup Carnival on television.

All in all, Brisbane is a very pleasant city.  I wouldn't go as far to say that I like it as much as other Australian capital cities, but it's a nice place to spend a week before heading back to work on Monday.