Last week was mad. I mean really mad.
Really really busy marking all of my students animations and in between times preparing for my paper at the ICEL conference here in Sydney.
The conference was a mixed bag, more so than usual. A combination of touchy feely with a decent education bent. I never knew what type of session I would end up at.
My paper was good, Lucila said it was the best one I've given. I tried to make it simple and she said the lack of technical language made for a better paper.
I was up till all hours all last week getting it all done. That on top of a frenetic last week of work.
I found out Lucila is off to Brazil over Xmas for a month. I think we're both exhausted and a bit lost with Andy being away and all.
Oh well.
15/12/2008
01/12/2008
It's been a while between blogs...
So, my computer at home finally gave up the ghost. It was about time I updated, the poor old thing was 8 years old. It creaked everytime I turned it on.
So I enlisted a geek to make me a shiney new quad core 4GB ram box. I kept my 1 year old monitor and reused a new dvd drive. Get me with the geeky open up old computer and install stuff grrl.
I amaze even myself sometimes.
It's getting toward the end of semester and my study is going well, albeit with massive amounts of dropouts, but people have their own lives and you can't hold it against them. I can't say it's been a success, but it's going, and I'll get into evaluation mode over January (I live in hope).
Kate turned 3 last week. She is gorgeous and DJ and I are still very very happy together. Smmooothly does it.
Xmas next, we're off for a week in Jervis, which will be resplendent with not very much but very pretty, methinks. Maybe a spot of fishing.
So I enlisted a geek to make me a shiney new quad core 4GB ram box. I kept my 1 year old monitor and reused a new dvd drive. Get me with the geeky open up old computer and install stuff grrl.
I amaze even myself sometimes.
It's getting toward the end of semester and my study is going well, albeit with massive amounts of dropouts, but people have their own lives and you can't hold it against them. I can't say it's been a success, but it's going, and I'll get into evaluation mode over January (I live in hope).
Kate turned 3 last week. She is gorgeous and DJ and I are still very very happy together. Smmooothly does it.
Xmas next, we're off for a week in Jervis, which will be resplendent with not very much but very pretty, methinks. Maybe a spot of fishing.
26/08/2008
Mid winter blues
It appears that I have not only been suffering from a nasty bout of the flu, but I have also had a massive infection which led to the lymph nodes in my neck expanding to walnut size.
Rather scarey as the doctors usually freak at such an occurrence and I've been in for all sorts of scans and the like.
It was funny, I felt ok, but I looked like death warmed when it happened and I couldn't stop sleeping.
The flu hit about a week later, so I've been quite ill. Coughing blood is quite scarey too. God I hate winter.
So it warmed up a bit and I spent a little time the in the garden with Kate, and she promptly gets bitten by a spider. Off to the doctor who thinks its ok.
People are saying that the bout of illnesses that have hit Sydney has been a result of the visit by the Pilgrims for the Pope's visit. I wouldn't be surprised.
The Olympics are over, thank goodness. It's all quite crazy, all those people jumping around doing things that are no good to anyone, except themselves. Good luck to them. I'm dying to see the Aussie guys gold medal 10m dive. Maybe on Youtube.
Rather scarey as the doctors usually freak at such an occurrence and I've been in for all sorts of scans and the like.
It was funny, I felt ok, but I looked like death warmed when it happened and I couldn't stop sleeping.
The flu hit about a week later, so I've been quite ill. Coughing blood is quite scarey too. God I hate winter.
So it warmed up a bit and I spent a little time the in the garden with Kate, and she promptly gets bitten by a spider. Off to the doctor who thinks its ok.
People are saying that the bout of illnesses that have hit Sydney has been a result of the visit by the Pilgrims for the Pope's visit. I wouldn't be surprised.
The Olympics are over, thank goodness. It's all quite crazy, all those people jumping around doing things that are no good to anyone, except themselves. Good luck to them. I'm dying to see the Aussie guys gold medal 10m dive. Maybe on Youtube.
21/07/2008
The rain in...
Spain was cold. It rained for two days that I was there and got down to a chilly 13 degrees - the same temperature in Sydney. One day I was all dressed up for a hot day, stuck my head out of the hotel and went up to get into warmer clothes.
Santander was lovely, though. Good surf beach, very pretty.
Not that I saw much of it - I was inside the conference the whole time. I had one day for shopping before going back to the UK to get the plane back to Oz.
Typically England took all of my money - I scarpered to the airport as I was running out, and hung around just to avoid spending money.
My talk was a success, I think. Lots of questions by various academics - some things I have to follow up on.
In all quite a good trip, although it's taken me a week to get over it, and I'm still tired.
Santander was lovely, though. Good surf beach, very pretty.
Not that I saw much of it - I was inside the conference the whole time. I had one day for shopping before going back to the UK to get the plane back to Oz.
Typically England took all of my money - I scarpered to the airport as I was running out, and hung around just to avoid spending money.
My talk was a success, I think. Lots of questions by various academics - some things I have to follow up on.
In all quite a good trip, although it's taken me a week to get over it, and I'm still tired.
31/05/2008
Four weeks to go!
I'm actually starting to look forward to my Spanish Adventure, although it is the unknown.
DJ is getting itchy feet again, so it looks like we might move again next year. We'll try to get my PhD finished first, but he wants me to get a good job and maybe go back to the UK. I'll put my nose to the ground o/s and see how we go.
He's bored. We've no social network here, so it's quiet and it's hard with the little one cramping our style. My old friendships have turned to powder and my family is too far away to help out too much.
Mind you, our standard of living is much improved here, so it's a balancing act, isn't it?
It's the last day of autumn, sunny and just a lovely day. Cold, but not freezing.
Got some new clothes for Kate, she's growing so fast. She's out of all her old clothes now, and into a size 3 (almost).
Needed long tops to cover her tummy, too cold otherwise. She has a pair of wiggles trousers, so she's happy.
DJ is getting itchy feet again, so it looks like we might move again next year. We'll try to get my PhD finished first, but he wants me to get a good job and maybe go back to the UK. I'll put my nose to the ground o/s and see how we go.
He's bored. We've no social network here, so it's quiet and it's hard with the little one cramping our style. My old friendships have turned to powder and my family is too far away to help out too much.
Mind you, our standard of living is much improved here, so it's a balancing act, isn't it?
It's the last day of autumn, sunny and just a lovely day. Cold, but not freezing.
Got some new clothes for Kate, she's growing so fast. She's out of all her old clothes now, and into a size 3 (almost).
Needed long tops to cover her tummy, too cold otherwise. She has a pair of wiggles trousers, so she's happy.
25/05/2008
The cheque is in my wallet
All's good. The uni has come through with some of the funding for my trip, so I'm off to Spain - hooray!
It won't nearly cover all the costs, but it's enough to make me afford the trip. I've also picked up another 4 hours of work, so I'm feeling less financial stain at the moment. Hooray! All going well I might actually afford a new computer sometime soon.
So I'm working about 14 hours a week now, which isn't too much and I can study too.
Kate has been a noisy girl lately. She doesn't appear to know how to temper yelling with talking. But she's well and growing too fast.
DJ is well and currently puzzling over "The Cashflow Quadrant". Given his training course that he did recently, his vocabulary now encompasses some of the expressions in the book, so he's tackling it with confidence. I have really good feelings about his future. His and my financial education is coming along swimmingly. I wish I had've had someone to guide me in these things 15 years ago.
On a down note, my PhD supervisor seems to like venting at me, which isn't nice. I admit I've been slack but he's got to make the decision as to whether he's going to get me through or not. No amount of yelling will make me feel better about the process.
It won't nearly cover all the costs, but it's enough to make me afford the trip. I've also picked up another 4 hours of work, so I'm feeling less financial stain at the moment. Hooray! All going well I might actually afford a new computer sometime soon.
So I'm working about 14 hours a week now, which isn't too much and I can study too.
Kate has been a noisy girl lately. She doesn't appear to know how to temper yelling with talking. But she's well and growing too fast.
DJ is well and currently puzzling over "The Cashflow Quadrant". Given his training course that he did recently, his vocabulary now encompasses some of the expressions in the book, so he's tackling it with confidence. I have really good feelings about his future. His and my financial education is coming along swimmingly. I wish I had've had someone to guide me in these things 15 years ago.
On a down note, my PhD supervisor seems to like venting at me, which isn't nice. I admit I've been slack but he's got to make the decision as to whether he's going to get me through or not. No amount of yelling will make me feel better about the process.
02/04/2008
Post Easter Shenanigans
Well we went to Canberra for Easter and had a lovely lovely time.
Unfortunately Kate's been a little ill, but she's slowly recovering, although it's taking it's own sweet time. Picked up a belly bug from my brother.
I've been madly doing my camera ready paper for the conference in Spain, and it's in and done, so rah! Now all I have to do is work out how we're going to get there...
Money is tight, but we'll manage. We're hoping to go to Algeria to see the family at the same time, so I think it's all going to be heaps of fun.
I'm beginning to wonder if we'll be able to go to the UK, is all. Mmmm. I'd love to catch up with everyone, but I guess we'll see how it goes.
Jon and Madhu popped in on their way back to the US the other night. Must admit that absolutely made my year. The kids were with them and they're just lovely! Happy dance.
They literally could only do half an hour, but I was really stoked that they could come. I would have been devastated if I couldn't have seen them. I really miss them.
Anyways onwards and upwards. Must rewrite my methodology. Am trying to gain access to online forums, need to chase some more up.
Unfortunately Kate's been a little ill, but she's slowly recovering, although it's taking it's own sweet time. Picked up a belly bug from my brother.
I've been madly doing my camera ready paper for the conference in Spain, and it's in and done, so rah! Now all I have to do is work out how we're going to get there...
Money is tight, but we'll manage. We're hoping to go to Algeria to see the family at the same time, so I think it's all going to be heaps of fun.
I'm beginning to wonder if we'll be able to go to the UK, is all. Mmmm. I'd love to catch up with everyone, but I guess we'll see how it goes.
Jon and Madhu popped in on their way back to the US the other night. Must admit that absolutely made my year. The kids were with them and they're just lovely! Happy dance.
They literally could only do half an hour, but I was really stoked that they could come. I would have been devastated if I couldn't have seen them. I really miss them.
Anyways onwards and upwards. Must rewrite my methodology. Am trying to gain access to online forums, need to chase some more up.
16/03/2008
New Frocks
I'm beginning to love bargain shopping. Just bagged myself a frock for $40 which is normally $189. Rah!
It's really nice and I'm going to wear it till it falls apart, as it is so me.
Of course, it's black so I can still feed the goth in me.
D is having second thoughts about going away for Easter. He's looking really tired.
Kate tried to wake him a few times this morning, and finally I took her out to give him some peace.
Maybe he needs more sleep, or more exercise, who knows.
Kate is alseep on the sofa at the moment, so gorgeous. I got a cable for the video camera yesterday. Had a bad morning with Kate, she was tired and grumpy and so was I.
Was so angry with everything my hands were shaking. Calmed down in the afternoon with a trip to the park. It worked. Thank goodness!
It's really nice and I'm going to wear it till it falls apart, as it is so me.
Of course, it's black so I can still feed the goth in me.
D is having second thoughts about going away for Easter. He's looking really tired.
Kate tried to wake him a few times this morning, and finally I took her out to give him some peace.
Maybe he needs more sleep, or more exercise, who knows.
Kate is alseep on the sofa at the moment, so gorgeous. I got a cable for the video camera yesterday. Had a bad morning with Kate, she was tired and grumpy and so was I.
Was so angry with everything my hands were shaking. Calmed down in the afternoon with a trip to the park. It worked. Thank goodness!
10/03/2008
Happy Dance!
Wow! One of my papers has been accepted! So the struggle was worth it. I have to rewrite it yet, but all going well, la famille Chatteur will be off to Spain in July. We'll certainly go to see the family while we're there. It's such good news I now have to knuckle down and do some serious work on things.
Anyway big rah for us! Hope they like the rewrite, as they want it even shorter...
Gulp.
You know there's no resting on laurels, is there?
I bought Finding Nemo for Kate the other day, and now I know the source of the saying "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."
Anyway big rah for us! Hope they like the rewrite, as they want it even shorter...
Gulp.
You know there's no resting on laurels, is there?
I bought Finding Nemo for Kate the other day, and now I know the source of the saying "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."
23/02/2008
Presentations
Been a busy week. Teaching half day Weds and all day Thursdays.
Wednesday afternoon I did a presentation to the other academics for my PhD. It actually went really well. I was quite surprised. Although I asked for people to help with the pattern writing and no-one signed up.
(Surprise surprise).
Andy seems quite happy which is good. I am, quite frankly stunned, but I have been on it lately.
In other news, all's good. Kate's growing. D is lovely. No complaints.
Wednesday afternoon I did a presentation to the other academics for my PhD. It actually went really well. I was quite surprised. Although I asked for people to help with the pattern writing and no-one signed up.
(Surprise surprise).
Andy seems quite happy which is good. I am, quite frankly stunned, but I have been on it lately.
In other news, all's good. Kate's growing. D is lovely. No complaints.
11/02/2008
Cool! Slideshow!
Blogger now has a slideshow! How lovely!
Okay, so I'm skivving again, but I am in the middle of transcribing some videotapes, which is dull, dull dull. I've got to write some emails today or tonight and start writing my thesis in earnest. But I'm actually starting to see some progress at long last, so I'm optimistic.
Finances are a bit of a disaster right now, but I have to hold the courage, keep the bit between the teeth and don't let on how dire things are. If it gets worse, I'll have to quit studying and get a proper job. Oh well. (Of course I'm over reacting but I always do).
Lovely is sleeping, she had a temperature last night, but she appears ok this morning. She's got a bruise on the sole of her foot too, I suspect gravel in shoe. That's why she wants carrying everywhere at the moment. Ouch.
I start teaching again this week, the load is a lot lighter than last semester, and my health is better (thank goodness) so all's good. I love teaching animation. Fun and can't take it too seriously.
Anyways transcribing awaits, so I'm off to finish it.
I wonder if anyone actually reads these posts? I might put a poll up to find out.
Okay, so I'm skivving again, but I am in the middle of transcribing some videotapes, which is dull, dull dull. I've got to write some emails today or tonight and start writing my thesis in earnest. But I'm actually starting to see some progress at long last, so I'm optimistic.
Finances are a bit of a disaster right now, but I have to hold the courage, keep the bit between the teeth and don't let on how dire things are. If it gets worse, I'll have to quit studying and get a proper job. Oh well. (Of course I'm over reacting but I always do).
Lovely is sleeping, she had a temperature last night, but she appears ok this morning. She's got a bruise on the sole of her foot too, I suspect gravel in shoe. That's why she wants carrying everywhere at the moment. Ouch.
I start teaching again this week, the load is a lot lighter than last semester, and my health is better (thank goodness) so all's good. I love teaching animation. Fun and can't take it too seriously.
Anyways transcribing awaits, so I'm off to finish it.
I wonder if anyone actually reads these posts? I might put a poll up to find out.
04/02/2008
Post Xmas Blues
Well not the blues exactly, more a reassessment of my health status. I have realised with a shock that I am overweight. Well, that's to say I knew that already, but having gone from Imperial to Kilograms, I really had no idea what the numbers meant.
So, I've decided to lose some weight. It's been an incremental process over the past 10 years that weight goes on and doesn't come off again.
It got bad in the UK where the food is stodgy and vegetarianism meant eating too much bread etc.
That and having baby, where you're told not to diet. So you stop watching what you eat.
So I haven't been on a "diet" per say, I've just gone back to watching what I eat and cutting out the snacks between meals and the rubbish. I'm still eating my pasta dishes and my meat and veg, but in the past 2 weeks I've lost half a stone. Pat on back.
I've also gone back to feeling hungry in the afternoons and mid-morning. Which is something that I remember doing when I was slimmer. Feeling hungry is normal, so long as it isn't really acute hunger - you know the "oh my god I must eat now" type where your blood sugar is so low your hands shake. Drink water, eat apples.
Eat more salad. I remember now all the cool stuff I used to eat, and I'm doing it again.
Wish me luck.
So, I've decided to lose some weight. It's been an incremental process over the past 10 years that weight goes on and doesn't come off again.
It got bad in the UK where the food is stodgy and vegetarianism meant eating too much bread etc.
That and having baby, where you're told not to diet. So you stop watching what you eat.
So I haven't been on a "diet" per say, I've just gone back to watching what I eat and cutting out the snacks between meals and the rubbish. I'm still eating my pasta dishes and my meat and veg, but in the past 2 weeks I've lost half a stone. Pat on back.
I've also gone back to feeling hungry in the afternoons and mid-morning. Which is something that I remember doing when I was slimmer. Feeling hungry is normal, so long as it isn't really acute hunger - you know the "oh my god I must eat now" type where your blood sugar is so low your hands shake. Drink water, eat apples.
Eat more salad. I remember now all the cool stuff I used to eat, and I'm doing it again.
Wish me luck.
25/01/2008
13/01/2008
New Pics online
Got some new pictures of La Famille Chatteur on my Flickr account.
I've obviously been slack, I've had two friends ask within a week of each other.
Click on Twistidd Photos link on the right.
We've been having a lovely time - well I have been. Nice break from work. Hot today, followed by the obligatory afternoon thunderstorm - a pattern that seems to be recurring everytime we have a hot day here in Sydney.
Not that I mind, we'll all sleep well tonight. Especially K, who hasn't had her afternoon nap yet.
Hmmm...
Oh yes, if I were given a mark on potty training, to date it would be an F.
Sigh.
I've obviously been slack, I've had two friends ask within a week of each other.
Click on Twistidd Photos link on the right.
We've been having a lovely time - well I have been. Nice break from work. Hot today, followed by the obligatory afternoon thunderstorm - a pattern that seems to be recurring everytime we have a hot day here in Sydney.
Not that I mind, we'll all sleep well tonight. Especially K, who hasn't had her afternoon nap yet.
Hmmm...
Oh yes, if I were given a mark on potty training, to date it would be an F.
Sigh.
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