It's raining....Memories!

Wow....Friday is here again!

The day started with a mixture of rain and bouts of clear skies and we went about tying up some loose ends during the morning before heading off for library returns in the afternoon.

My dear Protege and I headed off to the first library to leave some books and picked up my darling's beaux....so they could catch up a bit.

The car ride to the next library on our list, gave us the opportunity to share some mutual ideas and opinions about how we felt about things that are going on in our world and how important it really is for us to remember that , 'the things of this world will pass' and that the meaning of our lives in God is really the one thing that we should never lose focus of.

I've just been the soppiest mother of late....there's something about the days of our children's embarking into adulthood that just chokes me up! There is adjustment needed....change and above all growth!

Here's another precious life that God has brought into our world...and though we've had our tests, they haven't been the nasty, nightmarish ones that could have been...God is so good, there is much to be grateful for!

Simple as it was, our visit to the library, where I was able to look around for the resources I needed and the kids were able to spend some time together, gave us an opportunity to get to know each other a bit more.

We soon enough realized that a thunderstorm had started...it poured down as we looked out the windows...

We decided to wait a while...to give the rain time to subside when we were advised that the library was closing soon. At 6pm! That we didn't expect...and having spent some time flicking through a book on Impressionists while we waited, the three of us got ready to go, when the librarians went by a second time, ever sooo subtlely telling every one that it was TIME TO GO...

There was no choice left for us but to walk out in the downpour... but as we walked...ever so briskly...trying not to slip, of course... I felt that I was witnessing the rains of new memories!

There was my little girl...and her beaux...and these were new days that we will later remember with fondness...I no longer minded the rain...It was part of this happy page of our lives.

My prayer is again of thanksgiving for the love that God bestows on us, thanksgiving for our children, that despite the 'challenges', are a gifts from our Lord...precious gifts!

It's in the blood!

We are all gifted with different skills from God and it's such a joy when we actually work them out early in life.



Yesterday eldest son had trials for what, he had said was a rep team. We made our way there, excited but subdued, knowing that if it was God's will it would work out...if not...there would be other things waiting for him.



Having not played soccer for a year, since being on a first division team in the Western Suburbs, he went on to the field a little bit apprehensive...but first, I had reminded him that he had nothing to be nervous about...soccer was 'in his blood', ...He's half Peruvian and half Brazilian...it's just something that comes naturally to him! His uncle...my brother...I reminded him...had played reps for the state of Arequipa, in Peru during his youth...this was now his time... and he should have no worries about giving it a go. It all just comes naturally to him, I coaxed!



During a 30 second break, he came up to me and I asked him how he was feeling...to which he sheepishly smirked...."Ok....It just comes naturally". Using my famous last words!



The game went on and I began to notice that players were called off...one by one they went off...but...my son was still on the field, so I concluded....OK...that's a GOOD SIGN!



Then after a while...he was taken off!


What was THIS supposed to mean, I thought....maybe they were just trying to work out the place for strikers...my son plays fullback...so....that was settled in my mind as a reasonable explanation.



Time went on and on....my son sat waiting on the sideline...came and sat with me for a while...went back...the game still went on and then the boys on the field were given a couple of minutes break while at the same time, the boys that had been off the field, my son included, were beckoned over to the side.....

From a distance....I wondered...What was going on? What was the guy saying?

My son made his way back....head bowed down a bit and as he approached me, he looked me straight in the eye and said, " Nah, Mom...didn't make it" just before a huge smile took over his expression and he asked me to quickly come because we had to sign some papers!



He HAD MADE IT! OH, how proud a Mom can feel! I was beside myself....But wait!

We we were taken to the clubhouse and given a spiel about the team and what was expected of them and they were asked if they were willing to make a serious commitment. All agreed.



I looked over to my son's face across the room....seeing not the 15 year old young man for a minute, but the little man that loved to run as fast as he could from the very first day that those little legs discovered motion! Time goes by sooooo fast! Sigh!



Then the Club Administrator was explaining to us that we had to sign some forms and that in the section where it asked the name of the club.....we were....to fill in....The University of NSW!



IF I COULD HAVE SCREAMED......IT WOULD HAVE REGISTERED ON THE RICHTER SCALE! REALLY! I had to do everything humanly possible to hold it in and act like the mature parent...that I was supposed to be!



My son and I filled in the papers and thanked the organizers...making our way to the car. All cool, calm and collected.



Once that car door was closed behind us.....I was a squeeling maniac! OH BOY! OHHHHHHHHH BOY! The University of NSW........one of the teams for the University of NSW! WAS I ONE PROUD MOM!



Only the car interior and my son know how many times I voiced my surprise, pride and shock one after the other on the drive home.



My baby boy....having made another great achievement in his life!

Oh Lord! Thank you so much for this life....annoint him and bless him and draw him ever closer to you!



That is my prayer......That is one of my many thanksgivings for today!

A wander tae kintra o the Scots!....A trip to the land of the Scots!

This week we are beuk-lair (learning) aboot Scotland!

An educational vaige (journey) to lear (learn) aboot it's fowk (people), it's kintra (country), it's farin (food) and its history.

The offeecial langage or leid (language) of Scotland is English however there is a remnant of about 1% that still speak Scots Gaelic...sadly the statistics show that there are more Scot Gaelic speakers in Canada than there are in Scotland itself! Scottish Gaelic or Scot is spoken mainly in the Highlands and Western Isles as well as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness. There are actually small Gaelic speaking communities in Canada, especially in Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island as well as Australia, New Zealand and the USA.

Scottish Gaelic is closely related to Manx and irish and was brought to Scotland around the fourth century A.D. by Scots from Ireland. Scottish Gaelic was spoken throughout Scotland between the ninth and eleventh centuries A.D. but began to retreat north form the eleventh century A.D. onwards. All Scottish Gaelic dialects are mutually intelligible.

The Scottish Gaelic Alphabet:

A a ailm (elm)

B b Beith (birch)

C c Coll (hazel)

D d Dair (oak)

E e Eadha (Aspen)

F f Fearn (Alder)

G g Gort (Ivy)

H h Uath (Hawthorn)

I i Iogh (Yew)

L l Luis (Rowan)

M m Muin (vine)

N n Nuin (Ash)

O o Oir/Onn (Gorse)

P p Peithe (Guelder Rose)

R r Ruis (Elder)

S s Suil (Willow)

T t Teine (Furze)

U u Ur (Heather)

Scottish Gaelic has 18 letters, each named after a tree or shrub!

Vowels are included amongst the letters of the alphabet and can sometimes have written accents on them:

Grave Accents

à, è, ì, ò, ù

They indicate a longer version of the vowel but are not considered separate letters. The use of the grave accents can change the very meaning of the words.

Ex:
bàta (a boat) versus bata (a stick):

Acute Accents

á, é, ó

Scottish Gaelic Phrases:

I've been playing roond aboot with a Scots online translator in a gawky touristy effort to lear a wee bit of Scot!

We looked at some maps of Scotland to familiarize ourselves a wee bit with the main towns and locations.

Learning Digital Art....

A couple of months ago, my little Homeschooler did a Digital Art Workshop.

This was part of her ACE program and was organized at the school premises in Riverstone.

It was actually a lovely opportunity for us to see the facilities that the school has there and the whole workshop was a fascinating experience.

The kids were firstly given a general introduction to the technicalities (developing a storyboard, jargon, etc) and some thought provoking issues before being instructed to get into teams so that they could get into the practical side of their production.

My protege teamed up with two girls who we she had never met before, which gave her the opportunity to experience the intrincacies of working as a team with total strangers. It went quite well...given the time was relatively short to fully be able to get each of them to exercise their full creative juices...they were able to produce a clever little animation.

Through their storyboard, they developed the theme of a surfer 'dude' going out for a surf...only to be chased back to shore by a shark. They were each responsible for actually creating their props from plasticine and then took turns executing the numerous minuscule movements that it takes to make the animation a success.

My Creative Genius was put in charge creating the surfer, who was even given a 6 pack abdomen!

Having prepared all their props, the girls went on to put into practice all the skills the Trainer had shown them and they did a pretty impressive job. He was actually pretty impressed with their final work and told them they had done really well in the detailing work it takes to put an animation together....

We walked away with a whole new appreciation for digital animation and again another unforgettable experience in our Homeschool journal!

Zoo by day....Galaxy World by night !

Great Big Sigh!

Wrapping up quite a week, our Homeschool Day revolved around a visit to Taronga Park Zoo!

Missing out on an early start, saw my protege and I drive into the city and park our car in our favorite Haymarket carpark...worried that we would be late AGAIN for our rendezvous with the rest of the Homeschoolers...

We made our way to George Street, looking around like two country bumpkins for the nearest bus stop, that would take us down to Circular Quay... stressing a bit because it was already 9 and we were meant to meet the Teen Group at 10:30, a bus drive, ferry ride and subsequent bus drive away!

Rusty as I am in using Public Transport, we were blessed by a bus that came quickly and saved us further distress.

The arrival at Circular Quay always gets my pulse racing with pleasure... I love this place...all the history...the beauty...sigh...

I took it all in while my daughter stressed out about THE TIME!

I couldn't help but tell her for the millionth time, as we crossed Reiby Place, that somewhere in that vecinity had been the location of Mary Reiby's two storey home...Mary Reiby... an early convict that would later be released to the care of her husband when she married him and then, following his death, would go on to run his buisness, much to the disgust of Old Sydney Town, who during the 18th Century frowned and looked down on the whole 'women in buisness' concept....especially considering that this one had been a CONVICT! She proved to be Sydney's first buisness woman and a successful one at that. Remembered today on our $20 note!

As I rambled on about the favorite old story, my daughter grumbled that I told her the same thing every time we went past that same old street and took hold of my hand, coaxing me forward to get a move on down to the wharves!

Alas.....she will NEVER.....NEVER....EVER....forget that little tidbit...at least that I'm sure of!

The awesomeness of the Quay revealed itself to us, as we momentarily scattered around looking for the wharf we were meant to get the tickets and board the ferry from. Having found the ticket booth, we hurriedly went into the attached wharf and took a seat, expecting the ferry to come within minutes and considering the time it would take us to cross the harbour over to Mosman, we quickly worked out that we would be about 15 mins late...not ideal...but...better than what we had thought.

Out came the phone cameras as we killed some time and did the silly poses... followed by many 'oh get rid of that one' and the delete option...happily knowing that the ferry was already within sight....

Suddenly....we noticed that the sign and subsequent message regarding the ferry that had just arrived...said...NOTHING... about Taronga Park Zoo!

A quick query to the gate person revealed that we should have been two wharves down....

We zoomed out of there, much to the shock of a couple of other passengers that we so accidentally bumped into...I did apologize but comically bumped into another as I was apologizing to the last....oops...not graceful at all!

Securely at the right wharf, we boarded our ferry...now officially running late!
But... momentarily we couldn't help but put all concerns aside as the ferry chugged its way out of the wharves and into SYDNEY HARBOUR!

Just like the ad for Colorbond Steel roofs, you couldn't help but stop and look...blocking out everything and just enjoying the view!

Awesome! AWESOME! Awesome!

Sigh...gulp...sigh!

On the other side, we scooted out of the ferry and up the ramp to the bus that would take us to the entrance, the meeting point with the others. We were like in the Amazing Race scenes! In the midst of the shuffle we heard a message tone on my phone, telling us that the rest of our PosSe was not far away....relief...we weren't going to be late at all!

All in all, it gave us time to take more pics, buy our tickets, browse through the shop and purchase a safari hat! Yeah...a safari hat...it was turning out to be quite a HOT day and not having been prepared, I didn't have a hat...and you know what it's like...you go into these souvenir shops and EVERYTHING looks sooo cute! Saw the hat...thought...Dr Livingstone, I presume...had a giggle AND BOUGHT IT!

However, on this side of the whole purchase...I cant help but wonder....what on earth am I GOING TO DO WITH IT NOW!!!!

The day was well worth it..... we enjoyed the company of friends, we caught some of the shows and just took the time to look at the wonderful creatures that God has created!

Personally, I love the penguins, the koalas, the kangaroos (which would you believe we did not get to look at because our feet just outrightly refused to go in that direction by the end of the day!) My protege's favorite were the giraffes...but all the animals were great to look at. What an amazing experience once again!

Once home and having dealt with ISSUES (my whole stress factor returning...), we decided to get out and take some fresh air as a family and since I had no desire whatsoever to cook, we made our way to Haymarket and had a lovely Chinese dinner.

As long as I can remember, my DH and I have always loved going to what in the 80's was called an Arcade and that is better known to our 'sick' kids by its more popular franchise name, Galaxy World! Having one right next to the Food Court we went to, we made a B line for our favorite games!

All problems temporarily forgotten... my daughter and I got into a challenge of Air Hockey while the boys did your typical boy thing and went straight to the toy guns...Dad included!

In the end, we finished off with some challenging car races!

A little peace...a handful of memories...All lessons in life!

In the March Family sitting room....

Our Homeschooling day involved attending the Little Women, Kookaburra Musical at the Seymour Centre.

We went with a HS group that wasn't our usual group of familiar faces however, we had a wonderful time

The Musical was very different to the My Fair Lady one we saw a couple of weeks ago...I loved it just as much, for different reasons and my daughter found that she loved Little Women and preferred it to MFL.

In any case, the actors played their roles marvellously...stirring laughter, annoyance, shock, sadness, romance, hope and the desire to stand for what you believe in.

The death of Beth, like in the book and the movies, was a time to feel so many mixed emotions of grief and loss. How it reminded me of losing my own loved ones....you couldn't help but remember and even briefly relive it, especially when the mother is angrily questioned by Jo about how she is able to just 'continue with life' even though Beth is gone and in her reply, Mrs March shares how heartwrenching it is to have to be strong and focused for the sake of her family, how she would have never imagined this happening and how she missed her child. Having gone through the loss of my mom and having to have put my own grief and pain aside for the sake of my very young children, I felt I could feel what she was trying to explain. The actress was so spot on with this part.......I could have gone down to the stage and given her a hug...feeling that I knew exactly what she was talking about....Sigh!

What a pleasure it was....for hours afterwards, I actually missed being there in the March family sitting room, sharing their lives. The very fact that I was stirred to even feel like this proves to me how well the actors played their parts and how they made this a great experience to attend.

Lesson in ....LOVE!

Ohhhhhhh Dear!
It's one of those threshold moments in life!
Our first born...our baby girl is growing up and 'fallen in love'!

Just like something out of the Steve Martin movie...you can't help but look across and see the little half pint that used to run around with her brothers and had a repertoire of questions that seemed to never end!

From the age of 2, we have actively been involved in prayer and discussion about who 'God had for her' and for her brothers...our Pastor had pointed out that just as we pray for everything else in our lives, it was also important to pray for their future spouses, to pray for their protection, their growth and development and that God's plans for them come to fruition...and we did.

Our children have always known how important relationships are...the significance of what God intended for a relationship between a man and woman and they have always taken it quite seriously...

So here we are....six months after her 'beaux' and her have been in prayer, asking God for guidance about whether they were meant to take their friendship more seriously...

We had the "meet the parents' afternoon on Sunday and despite my many preconceived apprehensions, I couldn't help but admire the boy for his obvious honesty, commitment and openness.

How many young men these days are really willing to actively desire, want and wait for parent's blessings and permission, even just as boyfriend/girlfriend.... especially that of two strangers who he very well knows are quite strict, to say the least!

Both the kids are from Christian families and despite being young, his sense of morals and outlook on life did nothing but leave us speechless. He sat with DAD, who throughout our daughter's childhood had joked through snarled teeth that maybe one day, she could think of starting to date at the age of 30!

As parents we too have been praying for guidance about this budding romance...honestly wanting God's will to be done in our children's lives, as we have always done and thus far...God has brought us to this point and allowed what we see today.

I stand here now, knowing that we are entering a whole new chapter with my baby girl...needing to take a step up...needing to give more time and care to other lessons, that are as important in her life as the academics. Like any other parent, you don't want to see them heartbroken...though I know well that there will be the unavoidable cardiac exercises! I want her to grow as a woman, not as the world would define this period but as God DOES! My husband and I have always believed God's ways above those of this world, popular culture....humbug...we have surprised many an observer as we have chosen and been prompted by God in the raising of our kids...but...to this day...God has never led us astray!

Thus.....the new challenge....to examine love...Agape love...the love that God meant us to exercise, pursue and grow in. The challenge of learning the roles of a woman... through the eyes of God, who contrary to 'popular' belief is truly beautiful and fulfilling.

I pray, like always, that God guide us through these days and like before, I surrender this to him because I know that under His guidance and wisdom, we will learn and grow and take that next step to trusting Him with our lives and futures.