Christmas v's Weather

This may be the last blog entry for 2018.  Next week will be Christmas and I have been busy with break up parties, catching up with a small group of friends and Christmas preparations and shopping since my course ended last week. Tonight is my bowling break up party and prize presentation at a community hall near the bowling alley.

Don't know if you had heard but we had a tropical cyclone Owen further up the QLD coast that hit land for the second time this summer.  I think the cyclone started to form in the Coral Sea about a month ago. Because I was so busy with assignments I didn't catch all the reports about this cyclone.  All I really caught that Owen didn't want to leave the country in a hurry. I assume the cyclone cross the coast as a low category TC and moved towards Northern Territory border. But I did hear: once it got to NT it done a U-turn and came back to QLD again as a Category 3 storm. The cell hit inland about 3am this morning.  I haven't had the TV on today to know what report damage was done.  But I am pretty sure it hit in a low populated area. Since the storm has downloaded to a tropical low and its forecast to travel down in a southeast direction and reach as far down as Sydney in afew days. Brisbane has been forecast to have a storm and heavy rain to arrive tomorrow but I am not so sure if this low will even reach as far down this way.  Even when I looked at the radar online, the rainfall doesn't look really that heavy. Its looks to be more light to moderate in most areas down the coast. From radar, it seems to be more rain from a normal low and a tropical low is following. Been chatting to one of my long time friends via Facebook this morning for over two hours. She lives in Central QLD and she was telling they had a line of thunderstorms passing thru all morning. 

Better sign off as I need to get ready for our party tonight. I won't be drinking because I am the taxi driver for other people.  All the best for a safe and happy festive season with your families and loved ones. Remember: Don't drive naughty, drive nice this festive season.

Welcome summer!!

Today is the last day of spring but I wouldn't call it spring in Queensland.  Summer hit early and parts of the state had severe thunderstorms, dust storms and now bushfires in Central QLD. I am sure they would like to have rain falling now to stop these bad fires. I thought I heard on the news last night about a tropical cyclone on a lookout in the coral sea. If it forms and hit inlands of further coastal towns in QLD, I would say its abit early to have a tropical cyclone now!  Normally we don't hear about them until January. Further north and west in our state had heatwaves this week with the temperatures in the 40s (degree Celsius). Now that is what you call a true heatwave!!! About two days ago we had a hot day with the temperatures in the high 30s down here but it was a gusty dry wind that made the afternoon quite uncomfortable.

I am still studying my course.  Only have got two assignments to finish off by next Friday which means a lot of late nights coming up. Its hard to do any work while its so summery here and have no air conditioner.

December will be a busy month with break up parties in both craft and bowling. My parents will have their 50th Wedding Anniversary before Christmas but I will organised a surprise event at their home address in the New Year.

Also I have Christmas preparations to do after I complete these assignments. For once I am looking forward to this Christmas as I will be celebrating the festive season with both of my daughters this time. Rachel will arrive at Christmas Eve to stay at Monique's for a couple of weeks. I will be having our festive season dinner over at Monique's.

Better sign off as I have one assignment to finish off before I head off to do some errands this afternoon. Yesterday I spent over 6 hours on completing one final draft of the assignment. My hand was so sore by the time I finished.  Might you these assignments I am working on are not little couple of pages. Most of them are about 20-30 pages long. The last assignment will be over 50 pages to complete.  

Have a good weekend!  I will have two craft meets on this weekend which I will have to plan for later on today as well.

My springy report

Well... I don't know what happened to September as its almost the end of October next week. May as well report what's been happening for two months now as I somehow missed a month.

Face to Face workshops at college ended in September.  Only have my prac hours and five assignments to complete by mid December.  I am going to try to get all the assignments done by the end of next month. 

In the afternoon of 8th September I taken Monique and Krystal to the Redfest.  It's a strawberry festival held annually in Cleveland.  This year they celebrated their 60th year!! It was Krystal's first time to attend to any festival event and she seemed to enjoyed herself. She had one pony ride and a lot of going down the big slide.  We thought she would be scared of fireworks but she seemed to like them in the sky.

In the afternoon of 28th September I went Putt Putt on the Gold Coast with my bowling league. We all arrived by 1pm to have a BBQ lunch then spent the rest of the day playing 3 courses of putt putt. I didn't bothered doing the scores for myself or my friend but I did remembered I had one in hole twice.  I invited Monique and a small group of their bowling mates to play too.  We all loved it!  We were the last to leave at around 8pm.  Around 5pm we stopped playing for a short while as a typical brief storm passed over from the hinterland. Other people from my league left before or just after the storm left the Gold Coast.

Earlier this month I had a nurse care position for over a week to care for a medical condition patient who had day surgery to their eye.  I had to be their taxi driver in their car as the patient wasn't allowed to drive for a week. I had to take the patient to their post op appts, pay their bills, do some housework and go shopping.

Rachel was done in Brisbane for over two weeks. She went home yesterday. Majority of her stay was at her sister's house.  I managed to spent 4 nights with her this time. We went social bowling, seen two movies and played online games. We played Word Connect. 

Last Saturday we had taken Krystal to see her first Disney movie at the cinema.  We had seen The Little Mermaid.  Personally I thought she was too young to sit through a whole movie but surprising she managed about half the movie.  If I can recall I think my daughters were school age by the time I introduce them going to a cinema. Only because I know they couldn't sit still long enough when they were under 5 age group. Same reason for dine in restaurants. 

Better go as I have a assignment to work on.  It's due on this Friday.  Have a good November!

Getting older!

WOW!  Winter is coming a close soon.  It might be cold in southern states still but Queensland will start warming up.  We had one summer temperature day while the EKKA in Brisbane was on this month. Today is the first day in ages since we had seen any rain this winter.  I don't know how many of readers around the world had heard or seen in the media reports about the severe drought our farmers are experiencing in Australia.  Some farmers haven't seen rain for about five years now.  Afew organisations had organised a fund raise event to help our farmers.

Almost time to say Goodbye to August later this week.  Still have the cough virus.  I had heard it could take up to three months to quit.  When it first started in June I suspected the virus was going to hang around for most of the winter season.  When we had comfortable warm temperatures my cough did stop for part of the day but as soon as night time begins the coughing attacks comes back  I did get worse once I am in bed.  I had a lot of late nights because of this cough and a lot of sleep ins when I could.

There were two birthdays celebrated this month.  My birthday and my eldest daughter.  I just had a quiet day on my birthday but I sure made up this weekend.  On Friday night I went out for dinner and movie with my friend.  We had seen the second Mamma Mia. Yesterday we went to the Redcliffe Kite Festival.  Thank goodness yesterday was a wonderful day to see many kites flying.  We had a lot of different kind of kites of all sizes. Tonight after bowling we will go to the RSL for dinner as I have birthday vouchers to use.

Better go as I have things to do this afternoon.  Have a good spring/autumn season! 

Goodbye Double J's!

WOW! I can't believe half of 2018 is now over. Where is this year going? Christmas will be here before we know it. I haven't had much thought about Christmas as I am more too focused on other priorities right now. Have you?

 

Early June my youngest daughter was in Brisbane for a week. She stayed at her sister's house so I only managed to see her for three visits as I was busy with college attendance at the time. She mainly was down because the bridesmaids had their dress fitting done and ordered in. It should be around October by the time their dresses are created and delivered. Apparently the bridal dress has arrived and my daughter and I had organised to pick up later this month.

 

In early June I had a full day in Toowoomba with my best friend. We visited two museums. The first one was about the history of trains and trams and the second museum “Cobb and Co” was all about the history of past transportation modes before engine runned vehicles were introduced in Australia. I really enjoyed it! There was another museum we could of visited but it was temperary closed for renovations.

 

Do you like winter? This time of the year isn't my best friend because I am not fuss with the cold temperatures and secondly I intend to cop the common colds and flus which unfortunately it bite me harder then I predicted. Had to have two weeks off college in June because I was quite sick with a mild chest infection and asthma cough. It was more the asthma cough that knocked me about because it mainly happened early mornings and evenings, especially when I try to get to sleep. I only get this kind of cough when I have the flu like symptoms. I had this cough since I was a teenager but since I stop regular swimming the asthma cough returned. After I visited a GP I had a change of medication for my asthma. They now have a new kind of asthma puffer which you only take once a day with the blue reliever. This new puffer is more like a powder kind.

 

This month I started my vocational placement at a childcare centre. Its about a 5 minute drive to the venue.  Might consider leave the car at home and walk to VP as it is getting to become a nightmare of finding off street parking near the centre. Most times I have to walk about 1/2 km to get to work.  I attend two days a week for about 16 hours.  The first two weeks I was working with the pre-schoolers. On Thursday I taken a real ten pin and my toy bowling set to VP.  The kids enjoyed playing with the set for a short while. One child managed to gain a strike. I wonder how many kids asked their parents at pick up if they could go bowling (at a real centre).

 

My grand daughter turned two this week. She has been attending part time daycare for a while now and she has really picked up a lot of new things to learn. Of course she has this typical toddler behaviour too! She is starting to identify who is in the photos now. A couple of weeks ago I asked her if their pet dog is a dog? She just looked at me and started to laugh!! It was the way she looked was priceless!! Just wished a camera on record to show evidence but I am not sure that moment will never will happen again.

 

Well better get into studying before the day ends.  I have four assessment booklets to finished off.  I have one question left to answer for one booklet but it requires some online research to find the answer.  Have a good August!

 

Winter on the way!

Where did May go? Today is the last day of autumn but guess what?  Winter has started in some states of the country. Canberra had night temperatures in the early minus digits. Glad I don't live there!  The cold weather isn't my best friend!  Do you prefer winter or summer? We are forecast to have cold nights for afew days this week.  Supposedly make a trip to Toowoomba this weekend and going by the weather bureau it will be cold at night.  Better make sure I really pack winter clothing. 

This month all I done is study and more study. I have completed three assessment pieces. Yesterday I finished off all the professional courses online.  Wish I had known about this years ago!  But it was probably not even existed when I needed it. This course was about Raising Good Kids with Dr Kaylene Henderson. She is a medical health specialist based in Australia.  For any followers/readers who are Educators in children's services, Teachers in schools or new parents, I strongly recommend to check out her website. https://drkaylenehenderson.com/ The three courses are for Educators and parents who need to learn and understand more about child's behavioural strategies. I don't know how much the courses for outsiders but I was studying it because it was one of the subject requirements for my course study. I still have another online training course to do. There are eight modules to study! But this one will involved Early Years Connect.

My youngest daughter is currently in Brisbane for only this week. I managed to see her on Monday night at the bowling alley.  Plans to catch up again tonight at a different centre.  Because she is one of the bridesmaids in her sister's wedding the bridesmaids will have their dress fitting this weekend.

Better go and get some study done this afternoon. I lost my morning as I had issues trying to logged on to a particular website  I had to end up visiting the service in person.
Depending on which hemisphere you are from, have a good winter/summer!

April report

Hello May!  Its now the last month of Autumn but I wouldn't say SE QLD really shows signs of autumn as we had warm days and evenings still.  Only in the past few days I have noticed the changes.  Also I noticed our daylight hours changed.  I am generally up at around 6am and the sun is starting to rise.  In the evenings it is dark before 6pm.

The Gold Coast had their Commonwealth Games in early April. I didn't go to any live events. It's cheaper to stay home to watch any event and don't have to worry about public transport.  The opening ceremony was good but it was abit of a disappointed with the closing ceremony.  They didn't show the competitors coming into the ceremony like they normally do. Did other countries showed the Commonwealth Games on TV?

I have been house/animal sitting for my friend for the past two weeks.  I will return home tomorrow.  It was nice to have abit of holiday from home life.  Secondly I didn't have far to travel for college either. 

I only attended two craft workshops in April. I was doing some scrapbooking. There is no workshops scheduled for this month but I hope to have a day crafting at a friend's house in two weeks time. I hope to get back into wedding invites as I haven't done any updates for a while. The wedding is held next year but the bride wants me to get them by November.  You can't rush these things!

I have been attending college for the past three weeks.  Its have been quite full on as we work on a module per day.  Also we are required to do two online course training.  So far I have completed two class modules and one online module. Still got a lot to do!  I have an assessment due on Tuesday.  I am thankful this weekend is a long weekend.  Monday is a public holiday "KNOWN AS LABOUR DAY". Only ten days we had a public holiday "Anzac Day" in Australia and New Zealand. I spend that day studying as much as I could. 

Speaking of studying I better get back to it as I have night plans later on.  Have a good weekend!

Term one report

Well... I didn't realised it has been over two months since I last posted on here. Guess that shows I have busy with the norm as well as dealing with one accident and one virus. 

About three weekends ago I hurt my lower back by doing the most simple thing.  I couldn't barely walk for a couple of days so I had my friend drove me to his local GP clinic.  Turns out I just needed to do light walking, back exercises and take regular pain relief.  I was making good progress until I came down with the second bout of the stomach bug on the weekend.  Now I am on probiotic tablets as my immune system seems to have dropped.

Last month I applied an application to study Early Childhood.  The course starts next week so I probably be extra busy for the next six months as the course is only at certificate level.  I assume I have been accepted as I haven't heard anything different as yet.  My field placement will be with under 5 children so I will have to make sure my multi vitamin intake will be always up to date. My grand daughter has been sick a lot this year so that is probably where I caught the latest virus from.

How was your Easter?  I was house/animal sitting over the long weekend as my friend was away. It was nice to have some "ME" time for once by doing some craft work. Also I managed to spend some time with my eldest daughter and family.

Sorry this report will only be short and sweet as I don't have a lot of energy to stay up for long periods of time.  Have a good April!

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2018!  Its hard to believe the first month of the new year will come to an end next week. I wouldn't say it is the best welcome month for any of us as we had a good round of summer colds and stomach bugs.  I am the lucky one who copped it this week. I was quite sick for two days. Only today I got out and about to get some important things done.

Also had four people in hospital last week.  On Tuesday one craft friend had day surgery on her nose to remove a sun cancer. On the same night my grand daughter was admitted to hospital with coughing and wheezing.  Turns out it was asthma!!  She was in hospital for half the night of having hourly doses of the asthma puffer.  She was discharged after midnight once the wheezing stopped and her heart rate dropped back to normal. On Wednesday I had two relatives in hospital. A cousin of mine had more serious operation for his cancer removal in the colon and appendix.  Last I heard he is making good progress with major body changes  On the same day I thought it was my Dad's turn to have day surgery for his melanoma but it turned out to be only a consultation visit. He goes into hospital next Tuesday for his day surgery.  Over the summer season I lost count on how many doctor visits he had for sunspots.  Except for that one melanoma on his left arm, most of the biopsies came back as BCCs. One of the nurses told my father: he is breeding a cancer farm!! 

On a good note:  my bowling league and craft workshops have resumed last weekend.  It was a busy weekend as I had two craft meets during the day on Saturday and Sunday and bowling on Sunday night.  First night back I bowled well! In a different league at a different centre I witness a 300 game played on Monday night.  I was only at the centre for social time with my daughter (about wedding stuff) while her future partner bowls in their league with a mate of theirs.

Besides watching a lot of tennis on TV, I did managed to see three movies at the cinema. I watched The Greatest Showman, Paddington Bear 2 and Jumanji (ie THE ROCK starred in this one).  Oh yeah, that reminds I met an American lady while dining out with old college buddy of mine for lunch at one of the famous AFL club in Logan.  It was a 5 hr lunch as the US friend (who currently on holidays in Australia) told us a lot of USA.  I was the curious one who wanted to know more about US!  Its my dream holiday to go to USA and see many places. I do have a relative and a long time email friend who lives in Florida. As we were departing the footy venue my buddy and I found out this young USA woman is related to THE ROCK. I do have a cousin who is famous in the footy world over in USA so it doesn't really surprise me to meet someone who is related to someone else who is famous. I believe celebrities are entitled to a private life too!

Six weeks of school holidays has been and gone!  The students in Queensland went back to school this week.  They only had a 3-4 days of schooling as tomorrow is Australia Day!  Its a public holiday for all states of the country to celebrate the country's milestones. I don't think I will be doing anything special but I have been invited to attend to a BBQ on Saturday night with some bowling friends. 

Guess that is the drama I have to share with you this month!  All the best of a Happy February!  Safe travels to any destination!  Sadly two families had lost their lives over the Christmas weekend. Both accidents (one in Brisbane and the other in NSW) was caused from an intoxicated drivers (ie drug related).  Just remember if you plan on drinking alcohol at any venue, make sure you have a plan B beforehand.