Winter Solstice weekend

This weekend happens to be the Winter Solstice. Traditionally, it marks the mid winter period, as well as the shortest day of the year. There are also countless cultural and religious practices and observances that are associated with the solstice. I was somewhat inspired by this and decided to do cook and bake. I made a lovely Vichyssoise, served warm, not chilled. I made some wonderful braised lamb shanks....slow cooked, until the lamb was almost coming off the bone. For dessert I made a delicious Cardamom Sour Cream Cake. I agree with Melinda's sentiments about the benefits of using seasonal produce. This morning, my wonderful husband made some freshly squeezed orange juice. 

Aside from cooking and baking, I have followed intently the plight of the Iranian people after the elections earlier last week. That - and the horrible injustice of Aung San Suu Kyi's incarceration. This weekend marks her 64th birthday. If you get an opportunity, you should leave a message on the website set up - 64 words for Aung San Suu Kyi. Additionally, you can also follow the Iranian election protests on twitter and youtube. I have really liked the fact that technology is being used to give voice to the voiceless.. to the marginalised and those for whom basic human rights are but a dream. 

History and Memory

I am about to teach a unit to my year 12 students, titiled "History and Memory." In this unit my students will consider how the representation of history through culture has shaped people's memory and the collective memory of historic events. The focus of our study will be Stephen Frear's film, The Queen. It is a well constructed film that utilises real footage of historic events throughout the film. I am really interested in this concept and it made me think about the role that culture has in the representation of history. Today I watched one of my favourite films... "Charlie Wilson's War." This film details the work of Congressman Charles Wilson's successful efforts to thwart the then Soviet's attack on Afghanistan. I have also purchased two films today that could also fit into this category - "Downfall" which was nominated for the Academy Award's Best Foreign Film category in 2005. I also purchased Frost / Nixon. I look forward to watching both of these films. I suppose this genre has always interested me - actually politics and military history are two passions of mine, so I think the idea of the social or cultural construction of history has been an interest of mine. 

I am not sure how my students will respond to some of these big, conceptual ideas - some of them very sophisticated and really requiring some life experience. In any case, I am sure they will approach this study with the same interest and fervour as they did, for our study of Hamlet.

Long Weekend #2

Sundays. A lot has been said about Sundays. One famous proverb that comes to mind is "A Sunday well spent brings a week of content." Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, an American poet of the 19th century once said of Sundays that "Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week."  I do think that the Bible, one of my favourite books, does capture the reverence and significance of Sundays - most eloquently. 

"Thus the heavens and the earth and all their array were completed. Since on the seventh day God was finished with the work he had been doing, he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work he had done in creation" Gen 2:1-3 (Courtesy of New American Bible)

So Sunday was a beautful day! Sunday morning began with our attendance at Sunday mass, followed by a delicious breakfast at Cronulla Beach and walk along the beach. We saw the winter swimmers take to one of the ocean pools. I actually wanted to have a go, but it seemed like a male competition. It was so sunny, so bright, so warm and so lovely to be able to share the morning with so many other happy people going about their Sundays. We decided to take the road less travelled and drove through the Royal National Park to then join the Grand Pacific Drive. It is a picturesque drive through the National Park along Lady Wakehurst Drive, then the coastal road, along Sir Lawrence Hargreave Drive towards Wollongong and beyond. We drove along this beautiful stretch of road, drinking in the scenery and the lovely fresh air to Clifton, where we parked our car and walked across the Sea Cliff Bridge. The Sea Cliff Bridge is not only a beautiful piece of engineering brilliance, it is also the bridge that has once again allowed access to the beautiful coal towns like Coal Cliff, Clifton and Scarborough, to name a few. Each town is in between the National Park and the ocean. The best of both worlds! I am sure you can imagine the diversity of the environment.  To describe the beauty of the natural environment in words would not do justice to her sheer magnificence, so I have included some photos for you to enjoy. We continued to meander along this beautiful stretch of road until we got to Scarborough. We had lunch at the Scarborough Hotel. This was one of those places that was closed off to the travelling public, because of the construction of the Sea Cliff Bridge. I should mention that the bridge replaced the road that used to wrap around the cliff. The rock falls became quite frequent, with boulders landing on the road. The government closed the road and built the bridge which is set back a distance from the side of the mountain. It is now safer and is a beautiful drive. Incidentally, we would recommend the 'Salt and Pepper Squid' for lunch at the hotel. Delicious. 

Sunday was indeed a contrast to Saturday - both lovely days, but for different reasons. The time spent with loved ones on Sunday is indeed a blessing as these times don't often come as frequently in our busy lives. To be able to take the walks that we did, to be able to enjoy the natural landscape in its pure, idyllic form is indeed something to marvel. How many people can say they live within an hour's drive of something as magnificent and as beautiful? Or live in a city that is aesthetically pleasing? Truly this is a blessing and a privilege. 

I hope that you are enjoying your weekend! 

Long Weekend #1

Well we are one third into Queen's Birthday Long Weekend and what a beginning it has been! I began yesterday morning with a real sense of earnestness and anticipation. A 1 1/2 hour personal training session, with lots of outdoor running, resistance, push ups, weights and boxing is always a great way to bring in the weekend! Afterwards I enjoyed a lovely coffee with my husband. It was lovely to just sit in a local coffee shop, enjoying the ambience and reading the newspaper. Incidentally I read a most interesting and thought-provoking article about the importance of poetry. There is little that is more gratifying than indulging in a cup of coffee, or freshly brewed tea, with a newspaper and sunshine!

Last night I saw P!NK in concert - Funhouse tour and I have to say that it was one of the most magnificent spectacles I have ever seen! The theatrics, the music - piano, cello, and violins to name a few, the different music genres that she incorporated into the concert, the trapeze acts and of course P!NK's singing was just outstanding! It was a sensory impression that created a feast for the eyes! The colour and the cosutmes and the lighting was fantastic! In any case, her lyrics (and covers that she performed) revealed her diverse interests and talents in music (she played the guitar), singing and athleticism - her dancing, trapeze acts and no break in the concert!! 

I have liked P!NK but would never say that I was a huge fan, largely because I tend to be an old soul when it comes to music. I have to say, that I was pleasantly surprised and now realise there is a depth to her, that I had not taken the time to see previously. She is indeed a talented artist!

So, it has been a very long day! A thoroughly enjoyable Saturday. What will today hold? Different experiences - time away from the city, time to walk and take photos, time to spend with my husband. Time to be.

Moments in time

Last night I had a lovely reunion of sorts with two former colleagues...both of whom are extraordinary women and extraordinarily talented in their respective roles as educators. One is the most talented teacher-librarian I have ever had the privilege of working with and the other, is the most energetic teacher consultant I have worked with, who is now a manager of Education at Apple Education. She spends her days visiting schools and showing them how to not only incorporate technology into the classroom - but reasons for it. Working with both of these women at the same time was indeed one of the best experiences of my teaching career. When working together, we knew that what we did was cutting edge - really pushing the boundaries of teaching and learning. Challenging students to become inquisitive, self-directed learners. Truly that was one of the most amazing and fulfilling experiences of my teaching career - how lucky I was to have had that experience!! 

Last night's dinner - while a wonderful catch up, reminded me of who I am as a teacher - and my core principles and values. It also reminded me to take stock of all of the administrivia that clogs up the learning process and to get back to what is core - effective, engaging, interesting and authentic teaching and learning experiences. 

Welcome to Winter

Today is the second day of Winter and what a lovely day it has been! When I think of Winter, the first thing that comes to mind is the comforting, warm and hearty meals that my mother served up to us, day in and day out. From the warm porridge in the morning, to the lovely aroma of roasts or freshly baked cakes in the afternoon and evening, it isn't hard to see why Winter for me is synonymous with food. Incidentally my other passion, red wine also reminds me of Winter. Full bodied red wines, namely a mature Shiraz, or even a blend of Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon also remind me of winter. The maturity and depth of taste accompany, so beautifully, the meals that adorn the tables in Winter.

Food and Wine are two of my greatest passions - granted. Another passion is reading and I have read a number of literary masterpieces that in some way or another mentioned Winter.

The first poem that came to mind was Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, 'Frost at Midnight.' It is a poem that establishes the beauty of nature - an idyllic image of a city covered in a blanket of fog and snow in Winter. I will leave you with one last thought from Pietro Aretino, an Italian poet and writer of the 1500's...who had indeed lived an interesting life to say the least. He was quoted as saying. "let us love Winter, for it is the spring of genius." To all of my friends in the southern hemisphere - enjoy Winter!

Keep a look out for details about the Sydney Winter Festival... an iceskating rink will be constructed near St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.