Well, I've been and come back from my Day Dream Island Holiday. It was, to say the least, one of the prettiest places I have ever seen.

We were given a lovely room with an incredible view from the balcony and had yellow crested cockies come and visit us each day. I’ll tell, those things so so BIG....lol The wallabies would come out at night and play around the resort as well. It was very cool watching the wildlife do their own thing and they didn’t seem to care about the people either. I guess they really do become accustomed of their surroundings.

It is a VERY expensive place though. It cost an arm and a leg to buy anything over there. I saw a pair of thongs (flip flops) for $64 and a tube of Pringles chips for $9. I nearly fell over. Even a small chocolate like a Mars Bar cost $3.50.

I did an hour nature walk while there. It was fantastic. Mind you, I had to sleep with one eye open because, Lisa – who came with me, doesn’t enjoy that kind of thing where as I do. It took you through and around the Island – and no, it isn’t really that big to be able to do it in an hour. We couldn’t do the rainforest walk though. That was pretty disappointing, but they have had some extreme weather and it was closed.

Apparently we had the best weather for a long time while there. They told us that they normally have two great days and one or two bad and windy days and there was nothing but picture perfect weather. Wasn’t hot, wasn’t cold...it was just beautiful!

One thing that did surprise me about the Island was the beach. There was no sand....lots of beach, lots of water....no sand. The beach has nothing but shell grit, for the want of a better term. Still was/is very pretty though.

And the only problem we faced was when we arrived at Hamilton Island. From there we had to catch a ferry over to DDI. We got there, collected our luggage and went to find out about the ferry and found out that there was NO mention of us.....so the question was...why they hell not, how were we 'spose to get over to DDI? SWIM? We ended up having to pay our own way there....so $110 later, just a little bite from an already stretched budget, we got there....we had to pay the same to get home too....I wasn't happy! It would have been ok if we were warned, but  why send someone on a trip and allow you to get just about there and then leave you stranded??? Turns out that we were meant to have tickets for the Ferry but communication wasn't the best. We are having the money refunded - so it's all good.

Anyways, here are some of the pics that were taken....

 We woke up to this each morning.....I'd sit outside on the balcony with my coffee and cigarettes and just suck in the view

another view from the balcony

Me with two of the Three Brothers. Ledgend has it that they were turned to stone by Medusa (sp?)

The begining of a nature walk that I took....it was FANTASTIC!!

View from one of the pools.....

A stingray from the living reef by the resort

 One of the Cockies that came to visit on a daily basis.....some of these birds were HUGE!!

Well, that is a couple of snap shots from my trip.....

Hope you're all well and keeping dry......:)

OB

Thought I'd pop by and say hi to ya'll...

Sooooo, Hi!!

Things are ok for me - besides some B@stard stealing my ''brand new'' hand bag. I thought he/she/they had stolen it from my car....but after thinkingI'm pretty sure it was taken from inside my house...

You know when you go out and then on the way home all you can think of is -----TOILET-----.....or is that just me?

Well, I'd been out for coffee and then to the local shops for something for tea when I had this mad, intense need for the toilet....I got home, ran inside, dropped my milk, bag and keys on the cupboard by my front door and went straight to the loo....when I got out and washed my hands my bag was gone....

Money, mobile phone, flash drives, engagement ring...(I'd only taken if off that day because I had been doing arty things with the kids I was working with) that nights dinner was all gone in an instant. I was devastated....Poor Sandy (monarogirl) had to put up with me and my crying/hissy fit....

But ya know - you can't change what's been done...so I've moved on from that crappy experience...(secretly I haven't but if my brain thinks I have....well, then I may just start believing it...:)

I have just completed my third year placement and I had a total blast. I had an awesome teacher/mentor. She was incredible!!

My daughter came up with my Grandson a few weeks ago and I got to spend some time getting to know my latest Grandson...(I know I don't have to tell you....but....he's a total cutie)

Anyways, this was just to touch base with ya'll and let you know that I'm still alive and kicking and think of ya's.

I'm going to try and drop by a few lounges tonight - but if I don't get around to it...(sleep deprived and all)...just know I am sending you my love and that I'm thinking of you )

Take care

OB

The year that was....

Well – after what turned out to be a stressful, horrid year at uni – I passed, I passed well and I’m glad it’s over...

In the end I managed to get through the work load and injured at that...

I’ve had to quit going to my much loved ‘’Curves” as I’ve injured my shoulder pretty bad and it is going to be a long road for recovery...but hey, that’s life isn’t it. I just found out on Friday that I have, on top of injuring the shoulder, now tore a ligament in the shoulder...Wooo Hooo for me!!

I’m feeling somewhat disappointed with life. I am feeling somewhat disappointed with me. I’m feeling somewhat sorry for myself too.

I used to love this time of year. I would always go the full 9 yards. Decked out tree, exquisite gold and silver Christmas decorations and of course – windows full of Christmas lights and cheer.

Well, my Christmas has got up and gone on me - again. I have absolutely no Christmas spirit in me. I haven’t decorated my house, yet again, my once loved and used decorations are still nice and safely put away in their taped up and securely wrapped boxes which our housed in my roof...and my house looks like scrooges hide-a-way.

The only hint of Christmas – my cards and a few gifts I have bought for friends and family.

I am so sick to death of it already. I’m sick to death of hearing about how I should be making this huge effort for my Grandchildren – I just don’t have it in me anymore. I don’t feel it, see it and I haven’t for some time. I’ve just lost that once loved feeling I used to have.

When my kids were home, I only ever missed out on decorating the house once – and that was the year my Husband died. I tried to get out of it the year after, but guilt made me do it in the end – then when all the kids left...so did that little bit of spirit I had left. Thank God the Grandchildren are still too young to understand it all....

 I’m tired – nah, I’m exhausted....I’ve had it! And dare I say it – I HATE IT! I HATE CHRISTMAS!

It is commercialised, it is not what it once was. People measure their gifts by the dollar and not the thought. People look at another and worry about what they have spent rather than the thought they place in the gift.

TV sends Christmas up with unrealistic ideas of what to buy mum and dad. I mean, please....what

‘Real person’ can afford to go out and buy a $1000 ruby and sapphire ring for Mum, a washing machine or a fantastic and wonderful trip to some far away island resort? 

Where has that honest and true idea of Christmas gone? It seems to be replaced with – the dollar sign and how many pressies are under the tree. Love measured by how many pressies are waiting to be unwrapped – ahhh! I’m over it all.

Anyways, that’s enough Christmas cheer from me – for what it’s worth, I wish ya’ll a great one, a happy one and a “TRUE” Christmas. Make it count though – life is just too damn short to make about the all mighty dollar!

Well - I've just had my first 4 day week teaching and loved it!

I also received my first teaching evaluation and did really well. I received such a positive report - I was totally big headed and over the moon. Mind you, I came straight back down to earth when I heard - 'Mrs.C, can you explain....'

I've had to create my own lesson plans, resources and so on - and then teach it to a class. The class I'm in has 46+ students and the teachers are amazing...they joined classes together and team teach. Great experiences...

With all the bad publicity that you see in the media - I'm left wondering how many people actually know and understand a teacher role. I thought I was pretty well informed with what goes on - man was I mistaken! I knew nothing even close to what goes on.

Its only been since I've started this that I have an understanding of it all. So many people bitch and complain yet know nothing about what they do, what they go through or the rules and regulations they fall under. I'd like to see some of these people take a class for a month - a week even and then ask them what they think and feel about the job and role.

Anyways, I've taught a few lessons now and they have all gone pretty much to plan - I had to change a few things half way through and to suit the class but I managed to improvise and get through it. I've even managed a behaviour management plan that has proven pretty successful...thank god for that!!

I have been so close to quitting uni this year - I'd had enough of pretending that I was coping, I'd had enough of the stress and workload that is expected. I'd had enough of the people that are there, well some of 'em anyway, I'd just had enough and wanted a break. I'm so glad that I decided to hang in there.

What I'm doing at the moment - that has reminded me why I'm putting up with all the crap. I got in front of that class and felt so much at home. I felt that I had found my place, where I was and meant to be. So - it has given me that oomph I've desperately been needing all year - it's given me that little bit of energy to complete uni.

So - that’s me so far...I'm getting there and what would life be like if there were not hurdles and brick walls to bump into - hmmm, a sight lot bloody easier! LOL

Take care, be safe and look on the positive side of life - God knows there are enough negative things in life, we don't have to keep adding to it do we......