I spent Monday and Tuesday at school testing students reading abilities. It was a nice change from the norm and a good way to help out some of the other staff at school. When I went back to class after testing on Monday the kids were all bickering and running Sue ragged and I was actually so glad that I hadn’t had to endure the yelling and drama all day long. On Tuesday I went back to the room after lunch because I was done with testing and I had two kids come up and tell me that other kids in the class were swearing at this. And this was not just regular swear words--these were the worst ones you could come up with (I will let you imaginations fill in the blanks...but don’t stray too far!) That night I got home and the girls and I made dinner. They were so chuffed about the idea. We made pizzas and cheesy garlic bread. They loved helping and even managed not to make too big of a mess. They were each given a pizza to do and believe me that was my biggest mistake. They got so into it that every time someone dished up a piece of THEIR pizza they were sure that everyone took note. “Dad’s eating a piece of MY pizza” “Mom’s eating a piece of MY pizza!” They sure are cute kids!
On Wednesday we had two guys from Surf Rescue come and talk about water and beach safety. Now when you think of Aussie’s you think of these guys. They had the greatest accents, tan, sunscreen on the nose, the whole bit. Plus they were honkin’ funny. The kids were WAY into it...maybe too into it.... when the guys waved the flag for a shark attack and told all the kids to ‘get out of the water’ they jumped up and ran out of the hall. Well apparently that had never happened before and the two blokes weren’t sure what to do about it. The teachers came to the rescue and got all the kids sitting down again. It was then that the Surf Rescue guys informed the kids that because they ran away from the flag that had actually run into the ocean instead of onto the beach. It was so funny! That night we went and fed the ducks. The girls were ADORABLE. Tia threw an entire piece of bread at one duck...I don’t think it was quite prepared for that. And every time that she threw a piece to them she would yell “DUCK!” So all we heard was “DUCK, DUCK, DUCK”. But of course if the duck so much as looked as if it was going to take one step towards her she ran for the hills. I had another first on Wednesday....now don’t laugh! But it was the first time in my life that I have hung clothes on a clothes line. And boy was it a PAIN! My arms hurt by the end of it, I am such a woos! Plus I had a battle with my sheets, trying to keep them from dragging on the ground and from falling off the line...the sheet almost won but I got it in the end!
Thursday was a sad day, we found out that one of the staff members has a brain tumor. It was a huge blow to everyone and there was a bit of shock. We are all praying for him and I was so grateful for my faith and knowledge in the Plan of Salvation. To know the purpose of life here on earth and that there is life and hope after this has been such a comfort and strength this week. Sue took me home with her after school so that we could enter our reports into the computer. We had them done in less than an hour...WOO HOO! Then Sue made me “tea” (dinner) while I talked golf with Trout (her husband, his name is Adrienne but since his last name is Fish everyone calls him Trout...get it...). After dinner I helped them with their VCR and we ran into a few snags. Sue and Trout kept arguing and taking the remote from each other. Sue insisted that Trout had no idea what he was talking about and Trout was positive he did (although I couldn’t understand him either). It was so funny I couldn’t hold it in and I was DYING of laughter. It really was better than TV.
Friday was another exciting day. We turned in our reports--first ones on Peter’s desk...YES! But my reputation has preceded me and all the teachers now know that I can do the reports and are asking for help. Which I am more than happy to assist, these people are so nice it is easy to want to help them. We usually have the TV on in the staff room during lunch and the past couple of days it has been turned to cricket. The Aussie’s are playing England so it is a BIG DEAL. But Mom, if you think baseball and golf are slow...you ain’t seen nothing yet! There were two wickets (or outs) at lunch time and two hours later after school there were still only two wickets. These test matches can go on for FIVE days and they play for SEVEN HOURS A DAY! Now that is passion, which I can appreciate, but I think I am going to stick with my baseball! I was on babysitting duty Friday night and after the pizza experience I thought we should go with a food where they couldn’t distinguish whose was whose. So we made chocolate chip cookies. The girls told me that they don’t get to help in the kitchen, which would explain why they were so excited. The cookies turned out all right but I am coming to grips with the fact that everything is going to taste different here. Sarah was sneaking bits of dough the whole time and Tia was holding onto the measuring cups as I poured in fear in that I wouldn’t let her dump it in. It was good fun!
Saturday was another big day, we all went out to Sofala--the oldest surviving mining town in Australia, about an hour outside of Bathurst. Becky, it was totally a place that you would love. It was this little town with stores full of junk and one museum/old Gaol/junk shop. I mean really, who wants an old dusty bottle? Nobody! But I got some boiled lollies to bring home. After that we went to the District (they don’t have stake here) Christmas Party. It was fun enough to see people. I taught the girls to swing dance and they were SO excited. It was a long day though and I was glad when we got home that night.
Today was another busy Sunday. Australia is in SEVERE draught and so the Area Presidency asked the nation to pray and fast for rain. We had 39 people in Fast and Testimony meeting this week...you should be excited, that’s more than double on normal numbers. I got to teach Primary but wasn’t prepared for the seven kids that I had. They seemed to get the idea of being a good example...at least Tia did, when we got home she kept saying “Follow the Leader....Good....Follow the Leader”. Tonight we went to the neighbors for a barbie and had fun talking to them. They have a daughter in University who is about my age and we had a good time chatting and playing with the girls. Mike, the father, is a sub at my school lots of times so we see each other quite a bit. Just really good people and we had a good time.
It has been a real emotional roller coaster this week but I have managed to come out on top. Lots of things to think about. I have finally decided where I am going to teach after Australia. It seems that the Lord thinks I need to be in Phoenix and I am not going to hesitate. I always knew that I would end up there and affirmation that I have gotten these past couple of weeks have been all that I need. Now I just need to get a job...Crickey!
One last thing before I bid you farewell. The Garlicks gave me one of their old prepaid phones this weekend. I need to put some minutes on it so that I can call Cecelia’s phone and find out the number. But apparently I can receive calls and it will cost me nothing. There is a service in the states where you can call a number in Ohio (so if you have a phone...cell phone or such...with free long distance it costs you nothing) and then the server in OH connects you to Australia for free. All of the details are at www.futurephone.com. My mom has used it and it really works. And while these details are mostly for my parents sake I would love to hear from anyone if they wanted to give me ring. Because of the time difference I have hesitated to call people back at home and wake them up. But I don’t mind being awoken to chat...and if I am too tired I will just ignore you :). I will post the cell number tomorrow when I figure it out. Just remember, call anytime...but I am 16 hours ahead of Eastern Time and I am in school between 8am and 4pm MY time! I love you all and will hopefully hear from some of you in the next two weeks!