Aussie Niesen: July 2005

It been awhile.......

I can't believe it has been two months since I last blogged and now I am going to have an ADD moment. I am listening to one of my classical music CD's and its playing one of my favorites, Mozart's Eine Kliene Nachtmusik. So much emotion, passion...... absolutely beautiful. Okay now I just need to listen. Alright, I am back. Sorry to digress. While, listening I also had to go watch Rachel flip a fried egg in her pan without a spatual. She and Ben have been into cooking lately. They love to make fried eggs. And.. they hate the yolks, so its egg white omelettes that they are making EVERYDAY!!!!! They are certainly getting their protein in.

So what's been going on. First of all I absolutley have to thank everyone who mailed the soaps, big red gum and altoids! We are definitely stocked and totally appreciate it! We were sooooo surprised!

Well you are not going to believe this but...... I got side tracked, saved my post and now am finally back 10 days later!!!!!! Honestly I do not have ADD!!!!

So since it has now been 2 months since the last post , I am going to do a bullet point synopsis and then throw a ton of pictures out here!

We have been to wine country twice. Once to the Mornington Peninsula and another time to Yarra Valley. Both times were great fun. I think I enjoyed the Yarra Valley a bit better. The country side was beautiful. Both MP and YV are known for their Pinot Noirs but so far we still think the ones from Oregon are the best. The one here are not intense enough for our personal taste. However, the Shiraz, Chardy (chardonnay) and Cab blends are magnificent. Also, many of the wineries have great restaurants so, you can really make a day of it with great wine and food. Also, a note on Aussie wines. Read you labels in the States. Some of those wines will claims to be Aussie but really the grapes were grown in OZ,and then shipped to California for processing. So... is it really and Aussie wine???? Also, if you want good wine, look for Barossa Valley, Margaret River and and Coonwara on the label. Some of the best wines come out of these regions. As I learn more tips, I will pass them on!
I have embarked on a new hobby... Pottery. I took an 8 week course in pottery working on the wheel and it was incredible. Our teacher Lesley, is a great teacher and very encouraging. There was a group of us who enjoyed it so much that we are taking the class again to hone our skills and just have fun! That starts up this Wednesday and I can't wait.
Jake's work project is coming to an end. They will be finishing up the implementation this week which means we will really have time to travel!!!!! In the meantime we have become quite the entertainers for all the folks from the US that came into town for the project. Jake loves to show off Melbourne. So we have spent the last few months going out to eat, and doing day trips around Melbourne with all the visitors. (Thus the wine tours.)
Now for the kids. They have been taking swim lessons at the YMCA and had a very busy 2nd term in school. They have just come off their 2 week holiday and are now into term 3. I cannot believe how well they are doing in school! They just seem to enjoy it so much. Last term, Rachel went to Phillip Island for her class campout. She stayed in a cabin and spent time learning about marine life. One of the fun things at Phillip Island is watching the Penguins come into shore at dusk each night. Apparently they will go out to sea for weeks and then come rolling in on the waves. Truly a fun experience. Rachel is also continuing to take violin lessons and is doing quite well. I can't believe how well she reads music and plays. She will be playing at the musical concert at school on the 8th of August.
Now for the big news... The school put on a musical last term. Which was amazing. Term 2 was all about theater arts. This was a project for the 5th and 6th graders and they literally participated in every aspect of putting on a musical. Set design and construction to acting. Of course with the guidance and direction of some wonderful teachers. So, they did the Wizard of Oz and Ben played the Cowardly Lion. Yes... he had a lead part and he was amazing. Jake and I were completely blown away. He had all lines memorized and he even had to sing. Not only was he spot on with all his lines he was completely in character. All the mannerisms, everything. He had comedic lines which he pulled off perfectly. Now I am not just say all of this because he is my son. As we were leaving the shool that night he kept getting compliments from all the other kids and parents about how great he was!!! Even his teacher told me that the director had said that there were 3 kids that really stood out and Ben was one of them. Now many of you know that Ben has a small part of an angel in the Portland Opera's Belle Helen when he was in the 1st grade. Let me tell you he has come a long way!!!
In addition to the play he was doing guitar and playing Aussie Rules Football for the school. With all that was going on and the fact that he was tired of learning "baby songs" on the guitar, he decided to drop the guitar. Which is fine. No need to wear the kid out.
I am continuing to take violin lessons and will be hopefully joining a community orchestra soon. In a couple more months I should be ready. Sometimes I wish I didn't have to work so I could spend more time practicing and improving. Although, Claire did say I am skilled enough to teach beginners. So... it does have me thinking. They also have a group called AMEB where you can get certifications for performance and teaching. If I can pass level 6 I can be certified to teach. Right now, Claire thinks I am sitting between levels 4 and 5. With more practice and maybe playing in an orchestra, I can possible reach that level 6 and be able to do some thing I have always thought would be fun. She is also going to try and hook me up with a group of people that get together occasionly and play together for fun.
Another thing I hope to do this Spring is take SCUBA lessons. Apparently there is good diving in and around Melbourne. Of course once I learn, then I will definitley plan to be up at the reef for some spectacular diving. (Jen B. take note!!!!)
And one last note..... Winter Sucks. After a year of spring/summer and a fabulous fall I can honestly say I hate winter. It gets rainy and cold here just like in Oregon. So while you are all basking in the sun you can think of us in our winter coats freezing our butts off!!!!!

Okay enough for now! I want to post some pictures for you to enjoy!!!!

Rach with the Emus

More Roos

This one is for you Marty!

Jake said to say that this is some kind of Australian Bird.

Emus!

More of Healesville

Healsville Sanctuary

Jake took the kids and some friends from the US to Healesville Sanctuary back in May. I missed out but figure when more visitors come we'll go there. The Sanctuary has all kinds of animals that partially run free. Koalas, Kangas, Emus, etc. It is supposed to be beautiful and peaceful up there. Those are Kangas lounging behind the kids

Mom, Dad and Sister

Here are the rest of us at the Footy match!!!!

At the Footy

For Ben's Birthday, we took hime and 3 of his friends to the Carlton vs Collingwood Footy game at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds. If you follow cricket you have heard of the MCG. Its a huge stadium. Anyways, we have Frank, Charles, Ben and Cameron. I thnk Ben had a great time hanging out with his 'Mates' at the Footy!!!! Its so fun to see him hang out with and talk about his friends.