Keeping Perspective

The new school year starting, BigDogDaddy's hectic work schedule and the unbelievable heat wave have made our January and early-February really, really busy. We have had information night, sailing for PE, 7:00AM squad swimming for both kids (they found out how good my kiddos were last year), new homework expectations and outgrown uniforms to deal with. Surferdude's focus in Year 6 is on Australian government and he is currently in Canberra with the entire grade for four days where they will tour the capitol. We have also enjoyed some of the special events this Aussie-summer like kayaking at Balmoral Beach and watching outdoor movies under the stars. Also, the Australian converter plug for our American Wii finally arrived in the mail. Mario Smash Brothers Unite!!!

The heat has also been an issue this year. Trains in Sydney experienced massive problems because the tracks would get so hot. This caused many to miss connecting trains and ferries. Plus, any wind that would blow through the houses offered not one bit of relief. The wind, if there has been any, has been hot and sticky. We are blessed to at least have some air-conditioning on the third floor of our house, so at least we have been able to sleep.

All of the above would test the mettle of any family. It is perfectly justifiable that some of us have been a little snarky and distracted, but life has a way of slamming you with perspective. Saturday afternoon, the kids and I took a walk down the Cremorne Reserve to the McCallum Pool for a swim. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:McCallum_Pool_Sydney.jpg On the way, we saw some Sydneysiders enjoying the really hot day on a picnic blanket. I saw one of the men flick his cigarette on the ground without stubbing it out. As I walked by, I thought "Jeez, he better stamp that out. It could cause a bushfire." Sure enough, when I turned around he had retrieved it and thrown it into the bay. Well, the next morning, we awoke to learn that bushfires were raging south of us in the state of Victoria. This was truly a catastrophe. (Unlike some people I know...I don't use this word lightly.) Rural Australia doesn't have ANY infrastructure for communication. People were caught completely unaware. The fire consumed 150kms at a time and then the wind shifted. Recovery workers are finding many of the victims on the roads in their cars as they tried to outrun the blaze. It is a truly horrific job and lots of prayers should be said for these brave people. There is an outcry here regarding the absolutely ridiculous non-management of the national parks in Victoria (and in the USA as well). They have the moronic policy of leaving dead trees and branches where they lay. This added so much fuel to these fires. Many I have talked to are ready to take on the Green Party to reverse this policy. We shall see. When asked by a reporter, "Did you lose everything?", one lovely lady whose town was completely destroyed answered..."I didn't lose anything. I am standing here looking at my children, husband and dog. Nothing else matters." As I said earlier...perspective...

All of Australia is donating blood, organizing fundraisers, and sending money. One man in Sydney has organized a truck to take down donated bicycles and scooters to the children living in tent camps in Victoria. No matter where your land of origin, when it comes to this, "We are all Australian".

So, as I sit in my hot, humid house and shuttle children through clogging Sydney traffic, I will remember to hug the only three things that really matter. I am sending each of you a hug full of love via the blog-o-sphere.



Things I like this week:

1. The new name of the Cremorne Point Wharf coffee stand "Sophie's Place"

2. New girlfriends- I hosted the school's bookclub. We had a record turnout and many new ladies. The book choice was great (The Guernsey Potato Peel....Society) and I did my best to bring some southern hospitality and cooking to cosmopolitan city folk. (Menu: Mexican Wedding Cookies, Sourcream pound cake, lime curd, shortbread:bought those, and good ole-fashioned sausage balls.)

3. Movies under the stars. Kung Fu Panda never looked so good. http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums.php?id=80
http://www.timeoutsydney.com.au/film/openair-cinema.aspx

4. www.usafoods.com.au : I can order Jif, Crystal Light, grape jelly and Bisquick. Yea!!!


Things I do not like this week:

1. Evil/stupid people whose sparks cause bushfires.

2. Playing politics with tragedy. Kevin Rudd has been having difficulty getting his stimulus package through Parliament. It is the second cash giveaway in six months. He has now tied federal relief for Victoria onto his stimulus bill. ("Rebuilding Victoria will be a stimulus") If you don't vote for the $1,000 per person cash giveaway, you are voting against the bush fire victims....embarrassing. Why don't y'all pass a law requiring the clearing of debris from the forest floor of the National Parks.

3. Sydney traffic police who ticket moms/nannies sitting in carpool lines. If the sign says "Parking 5 minutes" and your car is against said curb waiting for the carpool to begin for 8 minutes...you can receive a ticket in the mail for $200. Talk about a cash cow!!!