Jade Down Under

I've been in Bowen since Sunday but have been pretty busy and haven't taken the time to write to you guys!
Anyhow, on Sunday we arrived around 2pm and it was sweltering hot out; there wasn't a slight breeze. Liz and I being cheap decided to walk from the Greyhound station to our place of residence thinking it was a fairly short walk. Keep in mind we both had a backpack with our laptops and books (they weigh a ton!), as well as our suitcases with 3 weeks worth of clothing and shoes. It was a horrendous trip. First off, the roads aren't exactly paved around here. It appears to be paved but when you are dragging a suitcase one quickly realizes that the ground is more gravel than pavement. And yes, there are no sidewalks - well, where we needed to trudge. After an hour of walking and then stopping to shake out our arms and relieve our backs we made it!
The house is pretty good but my bed might as well be a hammock. I have no idea how old this thing is but its been shaped to someones body... not mine. When I get into bed at night my arms get squeezed to my side and it takes effort to roll over. I feel like a hot dog in a bun. Not my idea of comfort. My poor aging knees and lower back!!!

Last night as we were sitting in the living room we had an OWL fly onto the porch and chill out with us for a bit. Of course my stinking camera wasn't charged (my own fault) so I didn't get any pictures. Luckily Liz was more prepared and snapped the cute, feathery thing. I'll post them later.

So as for the rest of my week: I've been teaching grade eight English and they have been delightful. This week I'll only be teaching the grade eights, next week the grade nines get added to my schedule and the third week I'll be teaching a full course load when the grade 10's become my students as well. My SBTE (student based teacher educator - I told you Aussies love their acronyms) has been wonderful and has helped me feel comfortable at school. I forsee no problems!

Although, as we were sitting at the lunch table today one of the HOD's made a comment that she is going to make a complaint about Canadian students being allowed to come to the high school as obviously we are not planning on ever teaching at that school. Although I can see her point I found the comment unnecessary and rather rude as I was sitting 3 people down from her! Does she not realize the amount of money I am paying to be educated in Australia? Perhaps she should base her opinion on the talent that walks through the door, not our nationality. She has only met me once and has never seen me teach. Why don't I deserve the same treatment as native Queenslanders? Luckily I kept my opinion to myself (she is my boss!) and continued with my lunch. Some people will always be ignorant and I can't take on the entire world by myself! I can, however, bitch about them on my blog!

So the past week has been pretty redundant. I've now finished my 3rd week of the second semester and will leave for Bowen on Sunday. The Americans, and other residents, have been moving in and O-week starts next week, which is disappointing as I won't be here. I'm going to miss the best parties of the year! At least I don't have to worry about tying the toga again!!

Yesterday morning I talked to Son, Lis, Mand and Lindsey over webcam which was a delight. A nice taste of home. I haven't seen the girls since the night before I left so it was wonderful to see their pretty faces.

Last night a bunch of us went to a movie under the stars. Unfortunatley they were playing Role Models which is not really my type of movie. There were about 100 of us crowded around a screen that was taken from one of the classrooms. I'm not kidding, it was pretty small for the size of the group- I think Manda has the same size in her basement. Luckily the group wasn't massive so we could all see. I think a group that size is the only way I can enjoy those stupid movies because everyone else's laughter gets me giggling at all the stupid parts. They handed out free popcorn and drinks and overall the night was a success.

Tomorrow I HAVE to do laundry. I've been putting it off because I really don't want to do it but I need to start packing so I can't procrastinate any longer. It's just such a pain. There's a reason I have a massive closet full of clothes in Canada.

Talk soon! :)

I found out today that I do have a nice place to live while staying in Bowen. I called the school this morning and they have placed myself and Liz with a teacher who is rarely home!

Liz and I will be provided with our own bedrooms and the living situation appears to be a dreamland compared to residence!!

Liz and I will be leaving on Sunday at 10:30am for our adventure in Bowen; remember the pictures of Bowenwood from previous posts? I'll take lots of pictures and write when possible but may find myself rather busy.

I have been given my teaching schedule and will be teaching the majority of English classes (thankfully!) and a few SOSE; wish me luck with those ones!!

Talk to you soon!

Knock, knock… A man walks into a bar… Why did the chicken cross the road? These are all typical beginnings to well known jokes, but what makes a joke a joke? The definition of a joke (as far as I know) is something that is funny and creates a laugh. Although the chickens outcome no longer elicits even a giggle it is still categorized as a joke. So how do you know when a joke is not one? There are grey areas when it comes to gender and race “jokes.” I laugh at the odd blonde joke, but should I? What jokes are so NOT funny that they are no longer jokes? With the amount of hatred and discrimination in the world can we laugh at the odd race or gender joke and not consider the context behind it?

Or, am I too sensitive? Can being too sensitive cause more of an issue than necessary? Are the too-sensitive people of the world creating further issues by overemphasizing the meaning in jokes? Or by not addressing the issue are we turning our backs on humanity? For this argument I think of the Oprah episode (that’s all I got) where she was looking at the racists slurs some cultures have adapted to have different connotations when used by their own race. So, does that work with jokes too? Can I only make white, female jokes because I’m white and female? What if I hear a joke about another race or gender, even if it’s about their own race/gender? Am I to turn a deaf ear because I'm not a member of that race? Or should I acknowledge that it is a joke? Oprah thought it was ridiculous to use any discriminatory language no matter the connotation. If the word/joke is born from hatred how can it ever be anything but?

I don’t know. In 5 months I will be a teacher and need to have these answers, not because a student may ask but because I need to know where I stand.

There was an incident years ago that perhaps has made me more sensitive, or more aware of meaning when comparing race. My friends and I were on our way home from a sporting event in Toronto and a man was entertaining us (in Union Station) with impressions of The Rock; you know, wrestling? He was quite good and we were all laughing and egging him on, having a great time. A bunch of drunk, white guys sitting a few seats down from us began yelling racist slurs, things that even at the age of 16 I couldn’t comprehend. Being a white girl from Pickering I had never been directly affected by racism and thinking about that night still brings back those horrible feelings. I ran and got security but the damage was already done. The ‘Rock’ gentleman kept telling us girls it was alright, not to worry, everything was fine, but it wasn’t. The words those guys used were not the ones found in knock, knock jokes and are the very basis for my understanding of how a joke can turn ugly really quick.

As a soon-to-be teacher I will have the stance that no tolerance is best. How can I preach equality and equity if the odd discriminatory joke finds its way into my email? Perhaps I am being too sensitive but I'd rather be too sensitive with a job and morals than ignorant and unemployed.

First week of the second semester is almost over and its been pretty mellow. I only go to school 3 days a week (M/W/F) and only for 3 hours per day. lol... intensive... yeah. Obviously it gets a little more hectic when we are in practicum but I think that also stems from having to get up early and not sleep 10 hours per night. Our bodies automatically get stressed. I should probably start preparing my body now but sleeping is way too much fun.

I received an email from Lorraine this morning, who is taking care of the house while my parents are in Australia, it turns out that my course books for a Behaviour Management course that I'm taking in 2 weeks were sent to my Canadian address. Now, who in their right mind thought that address would be the appropriate one to send a student's books? This University dumbfounds me sometimes. Guess I'll have to look into that today when I go to my 3 hours of class.

So far this week I've spoken with both Manda and Kimmy and I hear my group back home is all growing up... ahhhh..... I've also been warned that there may be an excess of baby showers, engagement parties, house warming parties and what not, when I get back. All this adult stuff makes me feel... adult. If only I were a kangaroo and could pause life.

I have flashbacks of my childhood and my dear Gramps often telling me 'life is too short to be bored,' after I whined for the millionth time how booorrreeeddd I was. It's too bad that it takes an adult mind to fully understand the advice of your elders; some of them actually know what they are talking about.

One of the first things we did when we arrived in Townsville was visit Billabong Sanctuary. I visited the sanctuary months ago with Liz and Melissa but it is worth going back to.



When you walk in the park you are greeted by hundreds of duck and geese sitting at the Billabong. I hate these things as they turn into your little shadow as you explore the park for more cuddly animals. Kris, of course, had to feed them so we had a flock with us our entire time at the park.

Below is a picture of one of the Koala bears. It takes a Koala an entire week to digest the eucalyptus they eat. What they ate on our visit wouldn't be pooped out until the following Wednesday. As their diet is strictly eucalyptus they sleep a lot. Eucalyptus is good as it grows high (meaning Koalas don't have to go down to ground level to get food) and is made up of a lot of water, so they don't have to search for water sources. Koala's are a dying breed and may not be on this planet within the next 20-30 years. Most are killed when trying to cross the road.

Another fact about Koalas that you may not know: their pouches are upside down, the opposite of a Kangaroo. When a Koala has a baby it crawls into her pouch (opening by her bum) and eats her feces as it cannot digest the harsh eucalyptus. The Momma gives the baby the necessary digestive enzymes through her feces so the baby can grow and digest its own food. Just to be nice the momma makes her feces a liquid form during this time so the baby doesn't have to... chew. Gross, I know.



The first Koala they brought out was young and not too happy about being held. Mom got to hold her but when the next girl (from France) tried to cuddle the Koala it tried to climb her arm leaving some pretty good scratches. Koala's try to climb higher when they are scared and they have the claws to do it. Luckily they brought out a different Koala for the rest of us!


Dad said he didn't want to hold one but Mom got him a ticket anyway. He loved it.


Kris and the Koala.
And of course I wasn't missing the chance to hold one again. They are so soft and warm..... I would like to keep one although I bet they stink.



This is my precious Willameena, the Wombat. I would take one of her home as well but she can be quite mean when she wants to be. You can't tell in the pictures but she's got some good claws on her!


No one else wanted to hold Wilameena. I love her!!!! This is my second cuddle with her - isn't she fantastic?!


Anyone who knows my sister knows she loves birds. She's like Dr. Doolittle when it comes to birds. This one kept sticking his head out the cage so Kris could pet him!


See.... she's a crazy bird lady!


These are the paddymellons, which are mini looking kangaroos. Very approachable.



The goose just sat on the fence waiting for us to throw him some food.


If you look closely you can see the tail of the little baby in the mammas pouch.


And this Kangaroo had a bigger baby in her pouch! It's so funny looking at them because the Joey's tangle themselves up in the pouch, with their legs wrapped around their heads! Flexible little things. A little fact about Kangaroos: they are able to stop their pregnancies!!! Yep, if they don't want a joey they just hit pause in their bodies (somehow!) and restart their system when they are ready! Imagine having a baby today that you were impregnated with two years or more ago!! Guess that would save on pro-life arguments.


This is a Dingo for those who have never seen one. They look like dogs. I don't know why they can't be pets - perhaps they cannot be trained. No idea.


Mr. Turtle suntanning.


We spent a lot of time with the Kangaroos as we got surrounded! This Kangaroo took the bag of feed from Mom and dug his entire head in the bag!


Look at his legs! How is that comfortable?!


We threw some feed on the ground and this little guy, and another Joey from the next pouch, came out for some food. Look at how big Mamma's pouch is! This Joey is pretty big!


Kristy got swarmed. The Kangaroo on her left actually used his paws to snatch the bag of empty feed and Kristy had a tug-of-war with him. It was funny.

We were out of feed. Luckily there was still some on the ground so we could slip away without being noticed!


Mr. Croc. I'm not sure of this guys name. Crocs bore me, they just lay there.


So that was our experience at Billabong. It was a great day and lots of giggles and cuddles. If you ever come to Townsville be sure to visit Billabong!

The first night I arrived in Sydney by myself and relaxed in the lonely hotel. Below is a picture of the freeway outside our hotel window. In Sydney we stayed at Oaks Goldsbrough Apartments and it was very nice. Our hotel was two floors with the bedrooms on the bottom floor and the kitchen, living room and dining room on the main floor. The building used to be a tobacco warehouse now turned rental apartments.



My family arrived 10am the next day, Saturday. We walked about the city and went to a few markets before retiring to our apartment. As expected my family were exhausted.

The following day we once again explored the city. This dog was sitting on the sidewalk with no apparent owner, looking for cash.



This is the war memorial in Sydney. It is currently under renovation but is an impressive building. You can't make out the men on the podiums but they represent various military positions.


Along the side of the building:



After the war memorial we went to the Sydney museum where we got to see stuffed wildlife. This is my favourite Aussie animal, the Wombat. Ahhhh...... aren't they delightful?!



While in Sydney we took advantage of the tour bus and hopped on and off around the city.


The first night we took it it was rainy and a little chilly.


After this photo was taken Dad moved downstairs to the covered area.


The following day we went to the Chinese Gardens. Upon arrival you are greeted by a huge Jade Wedding Carriage. It took 3 tons of Jade to construct. The garden is probably prettier in the summer but we still spent a good hour walking the paths and taking photos with the sculptures.



This fountain is outside our hotel. Right after we took this picture another tourist went down and sat on the ball in the centre; a way better way to get the picture.


Back on the bus to the harbour... the main attraction of Sydney.


At the harbour we were met by an Aboriginal man and his didgeridoo. These guys are awesome to watch play. During the English Teachers Conference I volunteered for weeks ago they had children dancing to the didgeridoo... a must see.


Harbour Bridge! You are able to pay $200 to climb it! Family couldn't be talked into it....


Opera House.



We took a tour of the Opera House which was definitely the thing to do!! I was surprised how small it is inside. The Opera House is home to ballet and opera productions as well as small concerts. The smallest theatre only holds 150 people while the largest holds 1000.


The ceramic tiles that make up the Opera House. I can't remember the exact amount... they did tell us.... but its a lot.


There are more pictures of Sydney but that's all I'm posting for now. I'll post Townsville and Cairns adventures soon... I'm already sick of my computer.

We (family and I) arrived back in Townsville yesterday around 3pm but had to rush me to the grocery store so I could pack my fridge while I still had access to a car - YES, a case of diet coke!!! Kris was dumbfounded that a case of 24 cans was on sale for $15.00 - I'm used to the Aussie prices I guess. After spending $130.00 for groceries (SHOCK!) we dropped my stuff at residence and then headed back to our hotel in the city for one more night together. Last night we nibbled bread and cheese while playing a game of cards, Kristy extremely giddy and non-stop giggling.
Around 7:30 Kris and I began rapidly reading Twilight (original and Breaking Dawn) as they had to be packed away in the morning. I was out cold by 9pm with the air conditioning pumping, much to Kristy's dismay.

Parents headed to Perth at 12:30 this afternoon as I was leaving class. I have tomorrow off school and will be settling in to my routine and reorganizing my life! Its hard to believe that my vacation is over so quickly. I only have another 3 weeks in Townsville and then I'm shipped off to an away practicum in Bowen for 3 weeks. I have a feeling this semester is going to whip by quicker than the last. My parents will be in Perth for 3 days then back to Sydney for 2 days, where they will catch their flight home to Canada!

I'm going to post some highlights of the last 2 weeks as it would be impossible to post them in any specific order, or thoroughly. I think we took close to 1000 photos!!! I'll enter all the photos in the tag of their location, ie: Billabong, Sydney, Townsville, Cairns... etc.... for easier viewing. Hope you enjoy!!

PS - My body is almost back to normal - I have red marks on my face, neck, hands and feet but I look a million times better than even 2 days ago!! The itching stopped about 2 days ago so I haven't been taking the antihistamine. Another week and I'll probably be back to myself. I'm going to start weening myself off the prescription steroids tomorrow as doctor prescribed. I'm technically allowed to stay on the full dose for another 2 days but I don't think its necessary. Thank goodness this is almost over.

Thanks for the pity! Face healing. Will write soon.

SOOOO..... as it turns out I've had a pretty serious allergic reaction to the bug bites I received the other night at Magnetic Island. I had originally thought the bites were spreading due to my excessive scratching but after a visit to the doctor today have been informed that this is not the case. I look absolutely hideous - picture a severe case of chicken pox - and have been put on steriod pills as well as two different antihestimanes. Kristy and I spent a good 10 minutes covering my body in Calamine lotion but now I look like a pink leopard. The swelling is so bad that I can't feel two fingers on my left hand and my right goes fuzzy every once and a while. The doctor has told me that HOPEFULLY the drugs will kick in within 3 days but if the itchiness and spreading doesn't stop by day 7 I have to go in for a biopsy so they can figure out exactly what bit me and change treatment; he doesn't want me on the steriods for very long.
The humourous thing (if anything can be funny) is the doctor asked me what bit me and asked how it spread to my neck and face. He was absolutely dumbfounded that I had such a reaction to a bug bite. Then when I went to get the prescription they wanted to know if I was allergic to anything. What? Can you see me? I just pointed to my face and said, 'I think so,' and she wrote a question mark on my form. They've given me special soap and lotion as I can't use regular soap and I'm spending the day on the couch watching absolutely horrible television.

We leave for Cairns tomorrow and although I'm supposed to be driving Dad might have to take the wheel. The antihestimanes I've been put on can cause 'drug head' and it might not be safe to drive. I posted some pictures of my back and front the other day and last night I took some pictures of my face (as this is the worst) which I will post. I'll let you guys see how fast this has spread in 24 hours - crazy!!!