Wanda Beach... through three filters

This morning I met a close friend for breakfast at 'Wanderers' Cafe' at Wanda Beach. If you aren't from Sydney then you might not be aware that Wanda Beach is located in Sydney's south and is a really good surfing beach. My friend's young son is learning how to surf this week. I took these photos using my iPhone. I use an app called Hipstamatic. These photos were taken using different film, flashes and lens that come with the app. I love the different effects created. I hope you enjoy them. 

Finally... some reading for my Masters

Today I accomplished something that I was unable to do for much of last year... read the pile of academic readings I had not actually got to reading last year. 2012 is the year of accomplishing all that I had put to the side. Last year I spent a great deal of my time being present to a range of other things that I really didn't have the time or energy to commit to my studies. This year, I have taken the approach that I need to begin my studies in earnest now. I have just read three articles: "The End of Techno-Critique: The Naked Truth about 1:1 Laptop Initiatives and Educational Change." by Mark E. Weston and Alan Bain. This article was so insightful. I found myself nodding in agreement with the work of the academics. It was very much about how in order for the 1:1 laptops in classes to be effective in reforming education, that it needed to be integrated into the pedagogical paradigm within the school. Essentially it needs to become part of the schema. If it doesn't, it will follow the path of other, previous educational reforms.
I also read an article entitled "Identify, well-being and effectiveness: The emotional contexts of teaching." This article, by Christopher Day and Alison Kingston focused on studies conducted in England, of teachers and their perceptions of work, through various stages of their professional lives and personal lives. Primarily this article defined three dimensions of identity - professional, situated and personal. At any given time, two or more of these dimensions may compete thus experiencing tensions. That is, a teacher's personal life may impact on their work life. This sounds rather straightforward, but what makes this article interesting is how this affects their identity and ultimately how this identity can impact on system wide and school wide curriculum change.
The third article I read was titled "Interrogating 'Teacher Identity':Emotion, resistance and Self-Formation." by Michalinos Zembylas. This article considered the influence on pedagogy, dealing with others who may not share the same viewpoints on teaching and learning. Essentially, teacher identity and autonomy and connections with colleagues along with fulfilment in work all makes up the teacher self. Teacher identity and self perception can have a profound impact on school wide change.

I am so pleased I got the chance to read widely today. I have three more readings to read tomorrow and then I can work on my proposal.

Exciting times!

Adventures in my kitchen - salmon

Adventures cooking seafood continued this evening. I created my own recipe where I marinated some delicious salmon in lemon and orange zest, brown sugar and salt. I pan fried the fish and served with some delicious beans (grown in my mum's garden) new potatoes (baked in oven in olive oil - drizzled, and thyme and garlic) a confit of oranges (brought to room temperature in a pan with sugar and white wine vinegar) and a dijon mustard dressing (dijon mustard, olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice) There was nothing left! Served with a delicious, crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc. 

Summer Days...

The weather in Sydney is finally constant with what we would expect for the Summer season. It is hot, humid and the days are long and bright! Have just enjoyed a week of resting, relaxing and catching up with friends. I've continued the 'decluttering' process and my bedroom and kitchen would make Martha proud. I've also taken my decluttering to my laptop and organised files. I really think that my organising spree is just wonderful and am feeling better each day! Don't you love that feeling of satisfaction that you get after you've achieved a task that you've systematically put off for such a long time?

Tomorrow I am going to plan some wonderful dishes to cook over the weekend and next week! I've taken the time to get back into a proper exercise routine and to read. I visited the AGNSW and saw the Picasso exhibit. I was immediately transported into Picasso's world. How wonderful are his works? His experimentation with form and medium is just so impressive. I walked through each of the rooms and imagined which of his paintings would hang on the walls in my apartment! To dream!

Hope you have had a great day!

Happy New Year

I wish you a very Happy New Year! 2012 is a week old and I hope that the start of the year has brought some calm and opportunities for quiet, particularly if your Christmas and holiday break was filled with many gatherings. 

I have just returned after a week away on our state's mid north coast. The weather was beautiful. It was warm and sunny each day and I was able to get in quite a bit of swimming. It was an extended family holiday - with my husband and I, my parents, my sister and my niece. Travelling with family is very rewarding. We haven't travelled together since we were young adults, so it was a different kind of holiday - ensuring we did things to suit a five year old and a seventy five year old! I had the best time. I got to spend quality time with my family.

I have made some resolutions - one being to declutter my space and to cook more at home. I love to cook. I thoroughly enjoy hosting dinner parties and I was so pleased to be able to host a New Years Eve cocktail party at my place. I tried out recipes from a number of cookbooks I purchased during the year and was really pleased with my efforts. I made some champagne cocktails as well. 

Today I decided to refine my wardrobe - to throw out things that I had been holding on to. Items that are worn and old. Items that I held onto for sentimental reasons. I felt it was time to let go and I must say, after seeing my wardrobe with so much space, made me feel so much better. 

Tonight I am going to find some inspiration (Sunday suppers are so good) for dinner and think about really relaxing and decluttering my desk tomorrow. (It's actually not too bad, but it is holding a lot of stuff that could probably be recycled or put away)

I only ever seem to find the time and headspace to do such cleaning in the holidays, hence the reason I have made it a resolution to keep on top of things. I don't want to hoard stuff which is why I have begun this process! 

Hope you've had time to relax and enjoy the break!