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12/13
A year ago I blogged: My wish for 2012, then, is that we all survive the hard bits, savour the good, and learn, grow and love each other through it all.I think, in light of that wish at least, I did OK. There were hard bits that we weathered, good bits that we celebrated and a great many chances to learn, grow and love ( Read more... ) -
A Book Review by Crispin (age nearly 11)
Book review for the Hitch-Hikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
This book is, as simple as possible, about a human and his alien friend, and their travels across space after Earth was blown up, until they reach something beyond their wildest dreams. This is a comedic book, with a focus on discovery through the eyes of someone who hasn't seen ( Read more... ) -
Cathedral
I am exhausted by the constant bickering over what should happen to the cathedral. I've never been particularly keen on rebuilding the cathedral just as it was. For starters that feels a bit dishonest - this thing has happened and making things look the way they used to isn't going to make the earthquake unhappen. I'm also quite uncomfortable with ( Read more... ) -
In which I let my guard down
This week I've had a bit of an emotional collapse. I've been sad and irritable and not at all the person I want to be. There have been tears and angst and over reactions. Last time I felt this vile it was the 1990s and I wound up on Prozac. This has prompted a lot of introspection as I try to figure out if I can find my way out by myself (or with a ( Read more... ) -
Education 101
I've been working as a teacher aide for a term now. It's an interesting line of work to take on at this time when there is so much controversy as to what, if anything, should be done to improve education in this country and with the spectres of performance pay and league tables hovering over our schools ( Read more... ) -
A Milestone Moment
Crispin, at his teacher's suggestion, has started a blog. Often he uses it for sharing bits of school work (usually cross posted to the class blog) but he's also posting little reviews of everything he reads. This (which he has kindly allowed me to share provided I acknowledge copyright) gives me particular delight:
Book review for The Colour of ( Read more... ) -
Lest We Forget
Today I am remembering the conscripts and the young folk duped into thinking war would be a great adventure. I'm remembering those who didn't come back and those who came back hurt and broken in mind and body. I am remembering civilian casualties and victims of 'friendly fire' and the children who stumble onto minefields. I'm thinking of everyone ( Read more... ) -
Whine blog
Today marks a year of the children's school being located in Halswell. There was supposed to be a celebration with our school, the associated high school and the school that we are all sharing space with. Organisational failure meant nothing much happened. That's ok - its not really something I wish to celebrate. I know it's a good thing that the ( Read more... ) -
The bit where we maybe get to breathe
As those who have been following on Facebook and Twitter have already heard at great length the last couple of weeks have been pretty shit.
Three Monday's ago (I think) we found our much loved cat Boadecia collapsed on the floor. She was elderly and diabetic so we had little hope as Jamie made the midnight dash to the after hours vet. Her blood ( Read more... )
