Preparing my late Summer garden for an Autumn feast

I have just enjoyed a weekend of cleaning. I truly believe I have the cleanest apartment in Australia. There is not one thing out of place. The kitchen sparkles, as do both of the bathrooms. Dust has been banished, the floors are mopped and carpet, vacuumed. I cannot tell you how much satisfaction I have received from cleaning my apartment. I really wanted to leave work early, just so I could spend some time in a lovely, clean and peaceful place.

So much am I pleased with my efforts that I turned my focus onto the verandahs. Both balconies have gorgeous plants. The balcony off my bedroom has the most luscious growing plants. So many orchids (which I will feed tomorrow) and ferns adorn the verandah. It is like a floor of green and lots of green hues.

The main balcony that leads out from our lounge room houses our Palm Tree, Christmas Bush, Japonaica tree, another Orchid, Lavender, an assortment of succulents and now my autumn harvest: zucchini, peas, tomatoes, Tuscano Nero (Kale) and two kinds of lettuce. I really hope that there are days in the coming weeks where I can take some time out to tend to my gorgeous garden. I have to say, there really is something cathartic about cleaning and gardening. I always find that I become more spiritual, reflective and contemplative when I am out with my plants, or I have cleaned. I know it sounds somewhat strange, but I think there is real merit in physical work - it's rewards can be immediate (clean apartment that I don't want to leave) or long term (hopefully a bountiful harvest for autumn)

One thing that I haven't finalised is my Masters Reasearch Thesis. This I need to get to -

though I do love a good awards ceremony and the Oscars is on tonight. Have to say that I am looking forward to watching it this evening. I have not been on Twitter or Facebook since the Oscars was aired live. I have also managed to avoid any news broadcasts. I do love the spectacle, the glitz and the glamour. I suppose I love celluloid. I can really appreciate the creativity and ingenuity that comes with creating a film. I have a close friend who is a producer, a director and actors who work so hard. What I love about awards ceremonies is that it rewards people who are great at their craft. Albeit not every great director is recognised at the Academy Awards, but there are some amazing artists out there and it's great to see them recognised.

I think that it is something that teachers need more often - people to affirm and validate what they do. Great teachers should be recognised for their talents and for what they contribute. They add value to our society and deserve recognition. If there could be an awards ceremony, I would love to host it and I would give everyone in my department an award.

Anyway, if you follow the awards season, I hope you were happy with the results.

Beautiful Christchurch, my heart goes out to you...

Images from my second visit to Christchurch...

Christchurch, located on New Zealand's South Island, is one of my favourite cities in the world. It is pretty. It is picturesque and some of the loveliest people I have ever met, live in that city. I have travelled there twice. It is one place that I would travel to over, and over again. It is a city with a big heart. How difficult it is to watch the ongoing footage and read the many tweets coming from that city. The earthquake has all but flattened many significant buildings in Christchurch. One such building to incur damage is the cathedral. I have visited that very cathedral on a number of occasions each time I visited Christchurch. I loved visiting it each morning, to see the beautiful rays of sunshine beam through the doors and windows. The voices of the choir radiated through the cathedral. The last time that I visited, last October, there was a very moving art exhibition from young artists living in Gaza. Displacement.

Something that saddens me is that one of the places I stayed at, the Hotel Grand Chancellor on Cashel St, at this moment is in fear of collapse. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful a hotel it is. I loved it so much that my husband and I were planning to return later this year to Queenstown and Christchurch. We wanted to stay there again. The staff were most accommodating and hospitable. We marvelled at the magnificent views from our room which was located very high up. When we stayed there, there were a number of aftershocks. I remember the room felt like it swayed when we stayed there. I really hope that the building doesn't fall. I hope it can be salvaged. It is a symbol of the engineering and architectural grandeur in Christchurch.

I am also saddened because Christchurch is not just 'another city experiencing devastation.' For me, there are many faces, many wonderful teachers I met whilst at the ULearn 2010 Conference. I hope and pray that they are okay, that their students and school communities are okay. I also think of the Egyptian taxi driver who migrated to New Zealand two decades ago to create a better life for his family. He spoke with such pride for his city. Christchurch is his home.

I think about all of these people as, transfixed, I see the tragedy and carnage unfold on my television screen. I know that I can turn off the television at any time and walk away... though I don't because I know that my friends across the Tasman are confronted with that devastating reality.

I plan on donating some money to the Red Cross who has set up an appeal. If you are able to donate something, then please do.

2011 The year of study

Well this year has certainly become the year of study. I am a recipient of a scholarship to complete a Masters Research degree. I am also completing a middle management leadership course and I have just found out that I have been selected as one of 1500 people across the world, to enter the Apple Distinguished Educators' two year course and attend their institute. I really am so excited about all of these opportunities. I will have to really, really organise my time. I am really looking forward to my study adventures and am going to start another blog, just blogging about my study experiences. A little like a learning journal.