A quote from the artist Salvador Dali. Art is the reality of dreams.
The quote ran through my mind this afternoon. An afternoon spent mesmerized, absolutely mesmerized, by the religious art in the European section of the NGV...the National Gallery of Victoria.
Illuminated books of hours. Albert Drurer's sketch of the Woman of the Book of Revelations, the Woman clothed with stars.
Gilt edged icons.
A triptych of scenes of Christ's life...the wedding feast at Cana; the Annunciation...
Statues, images of St Barbara and of St Catherine of Alexandria.
I spent most of my time reading and looking. Really looking.
And feeling inspired, fed, calmed, uplifted by the art. Most definitely the stuff of dreams.
People have told me that boys don't get into art. That their homeschooled sons are manly and thus into sport not art.
But my sons happily spent time in the gallery today. Anthony came up to me and told me that I must make sure I see the icons.
Male or female, our souls need feeding and inspiration. With beauty. With art. This is lifting our souls towards our God.
True manliness. Seeing in art, some art, that reality of dreams.
I wonder if I could move to Melbourne. Just so I can visit the NGV more often!
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Friday, January 08, 2010
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Sometimes I Just Don't Get It
To be honest, maybe I don't get things a lot of the time.
I am having a great time in Melbourne. So are the kids. But to do this one also has to give and take about some things. I am pretty annoying, I know, but I don't get the notion of letting things bother you while on vacation. There will be plenty of time next week for that!
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! And today's fun includes the art gallery and shops! And trams. And walking. And food....like the delicious food in Lygon St last night.
And workouts...Jillian Michaels circuits today. Some of 'em anyway.
And watching Madonna on Foxtel.
And Mass at the oldest Catholic Church in Victoria. I prayed at the Ladye Chapel. Beautiful.
But had another of those I Just Don't Get It moments.
Everyone knows I am a Christian feminist. However, we, the sexes, are equal but different. As Pope John Paul II writes...
So, come on guys, what are we thinking of with adult women altar servers? Where does this fit in with worship, with humility, with respecting roles and the priesthood?
I am having a great time in Melbourne. So are the kids. But to do this one also has to give and take about some things. I am pretty annoying, I know, but I don't get the notion of letting things bother you while on vacation. There will be plenty of time next week for that!
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! And today's fun includes the art gallery and shops! And trams. And walking. And food....like the delicious food in Lygon St last night.
And workouts...Jillian Michaels circuits today. Some of 'em anyway.
And watching Madonna on Foxtel.
And Mass at the oldest Catholic Church in Victoria. I prayed at the Ladye Chapel. Beautiful.
But had another of those I Just Don't Get It moments.
Everyone knows I am a Christian feminist. However, we, the sexes, are equal but different. As Pope John Paul II writes...
So, come on guys, what are we thinking of with adult women altar servers? Where does this fit in with worship, with humility, with respecting roles and the priesthood?
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Melbourne
A family holiday in Melbourne. Hopefully not a repeat of those National Lampoon Vacation movies!
We brought our once-in-a-blue-moon journals. For writing. For drawing. To make an academic scrapbook of our lives.
Visited the friars in Springvale. Lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant...noodles! I loved all the local shops, the Vietnamese groceries..a mini exploration of its own.
Saw The Jersey Boys. Who knew Frankie Valli sang so many songs? And there is even an education kit for teachers online...
Big Girls Don't Cry.
Hey, maybe my theme song!
Off to mass ..Springvale...parish under the care of the Conventual Franciscans. Reading the Psalms this morning..and this stood out...
Thou, O God, are all my strength..Psalm 42.
My strength. Even when I am on holiday.
We brought our once-in-a-blue-moon journals. For writing. For drawing. To make an academic scrapbook of our lives.
Visited the friars in Springvale. Lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant...noodles! I loved all the local shops, the Vietnamese groceries..a mini exploration of its own.
Saw The Jersey Boys. Who knew Frankie Valli sang so many songs? And there is even an education kit for teachers online...
Big Girls Don't Cry.
Hey, maybe my theme song!
Off to mass ..Springvale...parish under the care of the Conventual Franciscans. Reading the Psalms this morning..and this stood out...
Thou, O God, are all my strength..Psalm 42.
My strength. Even when I am on holiday.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Keeping Company in Wollongong
Keeping Company ~ being companions. With each other and with friends in Wollongong.We shared a super lunch, home cooked, everything fresh and beyond delicious.
We visited the Kiama Blowhole; North Beach; the Minnamurra Rainforest.
We ate fish n chips at the beach. We walked a lot. We talked a lot. We laughed a lot. And I drank a lot - cocktails; too much wine at dinner.
The super thing about being away for a few days, away from the everydayness, from the myriad of things to do, is that we take ourselves along with us. Our jokes, our way of seeing connections, of learning, of seeing wit in both the new and in the ordinary.
The bad thing about being away for a few days is, no matter what, we still take ourselves with us - grumpiness, a need to fill a day with a million things, to plan a BBQ and a shopping list and a...
We also take with us our journals.
Our Once-In-A-Blue-Moon journals -the kids write in theirs only on holidays, or after special holiday events - perhaps Christmas with all the brothers? I write in mine sulum interdum - kinda, roughly, every now and then. (Nowadays I blog more than pencil and paper journal).
Taking our journals with us, on our occasional breaks from home, is a good thing. A very good thing.
We have a chance to reflect on our past entries. We joke. We guffaw. We smirk. We cringe. I surreptiously smudge away a tear , over some of the things we share from the past, from the years. The years of journaling.
We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.- Cecil Day Lewis
We have an opportunity to work on writing style and on developing writing and drawing voices... Once-In-A-Blue-Moon journal writing goes past recording events. It it is a companion that supports but doesn't judge, a place of discovery and a creative playground. It can be a mundane list. It can be facts. Photos. Postcards. Sketches. And sometimes poetry.
She began back in the years of being a young wife and mother on a ranch. She kept them, not in a fancy little diary but in ledgers, little or even big spirals, anything that she could write in suited her just fine. ....She had glued, pasted, taped in newspaper and magazine articles and pictures that either pertained to her family or just interested her. She saved postage stamps, stickers, cards of every size, style and shape, letters, cartoons, poetry and her own personal entries. What a wonderful legacy for her family to have; when she is gone, to be able to go back and learn even more about her life from the time she was very young.
Barbara Gould; Journaling
Anthony shared a line or two from his last break in Wollongong. January 2009. How we visited Bluescope Steel and his earpiece was defective. He only heard half of the tour, yet told no one until the tour was over...We laughed!
These journals are A Good Thing because they count as schoolwork for we unschoolers. Yes, schoolwork on holiday!
The concept of a "communications triangle" of reading, writing, and discussing implies the need for a methodology whereby the teacher could stimulate the natural interaction of language uses in students to further linguistic development. Specifically, it implies the need for a method with which the teacher could connect reading and writing assignments to teach "the art of communicating" (Simpson, 1986).
As the cornerstone of such a communications method, student journals have proven simple, yet effective (see Bromley, 1993). ...As a result of this technique, the students practice listening and speaking--reciprocating in group discussion, and reading and writing critically--recognizing and evaluating their opinions and beliefs (Simpson, 1986). Effective use of Student Journal Writing
We write new facts. Like ~ The name Kiama is from the aboriginal word Kiaram-a, to which some sources give the meaning "Where the sea makes a noise"- a reference to the famous Kiama Blowhole.The first recorded reference to the district was by George Bass who anchored his 28ft whaleboat in the sheltered bay (now known as Kiama Harbour) in December 1797.
We write reflections - from my previous journal entry October 29, 2008.
Parenting.
Be what I wish my mother was.
Be as God is to me.
Positive.
Friendly.
Pray.
Not emotional.
And along the way
do what God wants me
to do ~ wife, mother, friend, helping others, using talents.
Do my job, be who I am and move on.
Keep in touch.
That's all.
And from my Once-In-A-Blue-Moon journal, Keeping Company in Wollongong, October 23 2009?
Food, family, friends, fun.
Prayer, pain, peace.
Silly, satisfying and sad.
These always go together, don't they?
Well, often.
We visited the Kiama Blowhole; North Beach; the Minnamurra Rainforest.
We ate fish n chips at the beach. We walked a lot. We talked a lot. We laughed a lot. And I drank a lot - cocktails; too much wine at dinner.
The super thing about being away for a few days, away from the everydayness, from the myriad of things to do, is that we take ourselves along with us. Our jokes, our way of seeing connections, of learning, of seeing wit in both the new and in the ordinary.
The bad thing about being away for a few days is, no matter what, we still take ourselves with us - grumpiness, a need to fill a day with a million things, to plan a BBQ and a shopping list and a...
We also take with us our journals.
Our Once-In-A-Blue-Moon journals -the kids write in theirs only on holidays, or after special holiday events - perhaps Christmas with all the brothers? I write in mine sulum interdum - kinda, roughly, every now and then. (Nowadays I blog more than pencil and paper journal).
Taking our journals with us, on our occasional breaks from home, is a good thing. A very good thing.
We have a chance to reflect on our past entries. We joke. We guffaw. We smirk. We cringe. I surreptiously smudge away a tear , over some of the things we share from the past, from the years. The years of journaling.
We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand.- Cecil Day Lewis
We have an opportunity to work on writing style and on developing writing and drawing voices... Once-In-A-Blue-Moon journal writing goes past recording events. It it is a companion that supports but doesn't judge, a place of discovery and a creative playground. It can be a mundane list. It can be facts. Photos. Postcards. Sketches. And sometimes poetry.
She began back in the years of being a young wife and mother on a ranch. She kept them, not in a fancy little diary but in ledgers, little or even big spirals, anything that she could write in suited her just fine. ....She had glued, pasted, taped in newspaper and magazine articles and pictures that either pertained to her family or just interested her. She saved postage stamps, stickers, cards of every size, style and shape, letters, cartoons, poetry and her own personal entries. What a wonderful legacy for her family to have; when she is gone, to be able to go back and learn even more about her life from the time she was very young.
Barbara Gould; Journaling
Anthony shared a line or two from his last break in Wollongong. January 2009. How we visited Bluescope Steel and his earpiece was defective. He only heard half of the tour, yet told no one until the tour was over...We laughed!
These journals are A Good Thing because they count as schoolwork for we unschoolers. Yes, schoolwork on holiday!
The concept of a "communications triangle" of reading, writing, and discussing implies the need for a methodology whereby the teacher could stimulate the natural interaction of language uses in students to further linguistic development. Specifically, it implies the need for a method with which the teacher could connect reading and writing assignments to teach "the art of communicating" (Simpson, 1986).
As the cornerstone of such a communications method, student journals have proven simple, yet effective (see Bromley, 1993). ...As a result of this technique, the students practice listening and speaking--reciprocating in group discussion, and reading and writing critically--recognizing and evaluating their opinions and beliefs (Simpson, 1986). Effective use of Student Journal Writing
We write new facts. Like ~ The name Kiama is from the aboriginal word Kiaram-a, to which some sources give the meaning "Where the sea makes a noise"- a reference to the famous Kiama Blowhole.The first recorded reference to the district was by George Bass who anchored his 28ft whaleboat in the sheltered bay (now known as Kiama Harbour) in December 1797.
We write reflections - from my previous journal entry October 29, 2008.
Parenting.
Be what I wish my mother was.
Be as God is to me.
Positive.
Friendly.
Pray.
Not emotional.
And along the way
do what God wants me
to do ~ wife, mother, friend, helping others, using talents.
Do my job, be who I am and move on.
Keep in touch.
That's all.
And from my Once-In-A-Blue-Moon journal, Keeping Company in Wollongong, October 23 2009?
Food, family, friends, fun.
Prayer, pain, peace.
Silly, satisfying and sad.
These always go together, don't they?
Well, often.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A Break
Visiting today, I was struck by a mother's love for her son. And for her husband.
Reminded of Our Blessed Mother, Mary, and her devotion to her Son.
To recite the Rosary is nothing other than to contemplate with Mary the face of Christ...Pope John Paul II
We are taking a break from home for a few days. One son tonight asks me a hard question. Hard to answer, hard to explain.
I fall back to prayer. To be more specific, I fall back to praying the Rosary.
Unschooling is sometimes nothing other than contemplating the face of Christ, in prayer and in my family.
I suck at this. Yet I keep on...
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Relieved in Cebu
Relieved? Here at the Kumon conference, at the sumptious ShangriLa Resort in the Philippines?
Well, relieved because my presentation is over.
On helping a child reach potential through reading. Love of reading. Reading widely.
Our wish is to see them (children) develop the ability to think wisely. Language is the key to wise thinking; particularly a high degree of ability in one's native language. Mr. Toru Kumon.
What else have I done in Cebu? I know you are dying to find out..as if!
Last night, explored the resort, met some nice men from Tokyo who loved that I loved their city, had frozen margaritas and calamari in the bar at eleven pm for a very late dinner.
Up at five am this morning - already hot and humid! Jogged on the private beach, walked around the island, exploring the streets where the locals live...very different to the resort. Another supervisor and I visited the shrine of Lapu-Lapu, and the landmark erected to remember Majellan in 1512. Will probably post pics here or on Facebook at some stage...
Ate some dried fish for breakfast, a Cebu speciality!
Learned a lot about the English programme in particular at the conference, even though it KILLS me to sit still..Talked to lots of other supervisors and staff - some old friends, made some new friends...texted family..worried about looking fat in my presentation talk (others worried about their talk, I worried about my fat stomach!).
Prayed at Mass in the Chapel..tonight is the Kumon conference dinner and then we are hitting the bar and the karaoke! And tomorrow up at 4.30 am to get ready to catch a taxi at 5.30 am mass at the Basilica del Sto. Niño - of the Baby Jesus.Friday, June 19, 2009
Daggy in Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, hanging out, exploring, on my way to Cebu for the Kumon conference.
And being a dag. As usual.
I watched Marley and Me at midnight on the plane..an overnight flight. And I cried, making the Chinese man next to me look up in concern, offer me a tissue, a drink, a pillow.
It is a film about love, about relationship, about marriage and family, about loss..oh, and a dog features, too!
Arrived in Hong Kong at five am local time..caught the train to Hong Kong central and met a friendly Chinese lady on the trip. Explored the city area, had breakfast at Starbucks, went to Soho, caught the bus to Repulse Beach..where I became even daggier. It poured. Literally. I became wet, bedraggled. But I had drumstick ice cream - something I would never let myself eat at home!
When did the rain stop? When I got back on the bus to return to Hong Kong city. When did the rain start? When I got to Repulse Beach, of course!
Loved the shops and buildings and scenery in Hong Kong. And on my way back to the airport, on the train ( which is where I am now, waiting for the next flight)..I was picked by a train official to complete a survey! On why I chose the train, public transport, and not the airport shuttle bus. On my impressions of the travel. Fun!
Conference registration tonight in Cebu..it looks like I can attend mass there, too, today for the Sacred Heart and tomorrow for the Immaculate Heart. Maybe I will catch up on sleep before my talk tomorrow afternoon. Five Steps of Jet Plane Progress for the Native Language Programme. In other words, five steps to help children maximise their potentual through the Kumon English programme.
And being a dag. As usual.
I watched Marley and Me at midnight on the plane..an overnight flight. And I cried, making the Chinese man next to me look up in concern, offer me a tissue, a drink, a pillow.
It is a film about love, about relationship, about marriage and family, about loss..oh, and a dog features, too!
Arrived in Hong Kong at five am local time..caught the train to Hong Kong central and met a friendly Chinese lady on the trip. Explored the city area, had breakfast at Starbucks, went to Soho, caught the bus to Repulse Beach..where I became even daggier. It poured. Literally. I became wet, bedraggled. But I had drumstick ice cream - something I would never let myself eat at home!
When did the rain stop? When I got back on the bus to return to Hong Kong city. When did the rain start? When I got to Repulse Beach, of course!
Loved the shops and buildings and scenery in Hong Kong. And on my way back to the airport, on the train ( which is where I am now, waiting for the next flight)..I was picked by a train official to complete a survey! On why I chose the train, public transport, and not the airport shuttle bus. On my impressions of the travel. Fun!
Conference registration tonight in Cebu..it looks like I can attend mass there, too, today for the Sacred Heart and tomorrow for the Immaculate Heart. Maybe I will catch up on sleep before my talk tomorrow afternoon. Five Steps of Jet Plane Progress for the Native Language Programme. In other words, five steps to help children maximise their potentual through the Kumon English programme.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Brisbane
The Brisbane area was home to the Jagera and Turrbal Aboriginal clans, before the coming of the Europeans.
Brisbane started as a penal settlement.Surveyor General Oxley first surveyed the area in 1823. Oxley was told of a river; he found the river and named the area after the then Governor of New South Wales, Sir Thomas Brisbane.
Today I am exploring Brisbane. By Myself. And I feel like a lady of leisure. Lazy even. Here in Ipswich, gonna do a workout, have breakfast at the motel restaurant, then catch a train to Brisbane. Dh is off to work already - left very early this morning.
I've been to Brisbane before but want to do some more exploring. Shopping. Maybe getting my nails done - dh loves purple nails, that witchy look! Hopefully Mass at the Cathedral. Reading. Catching up on my Kumon maths study ( I am SO industrious!).Texting children ( are you alright? Without me? ..I sound like Eminem..)Meeting dh after work, late tonight. He will drive and meet me in Brisbane for a late dinner ( what else is new?) and maybe a movie.
Right now, am blogging, after a leisurely shower,prayers, reading the papers and while sipping tea.
Feel downright decadent.
Decadent in Brisbane. Or I should say Ipswich.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Australia Day weekend
The start of the Australia Day weekend. Remember the arrival and settlement of Europeans in Australia.
Read about St Timothy and St Titus.
Collect
Be mindful of our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our deeds is grievous to us, grant that the glorious intercession of blessed Timothy, Your servant and bishop, may protect us.
Visiting Wollongong. After an eventful drive down last night. Left after Kumon and a quick 8pm-ish fast food dinner. Took a wrong turning yet again and only went 100 km out of our way...I did yoga this morning in the hotel, a piped in class through the hotel network TV, and felt a lot less stressed.
Today we had a tour of Bluescope Steel, Australia Industry World. Wow. I liked the human side of the story ~ Steeltown, families working for the company generation after generation....Also interesting to see the steel slabs and rolling and stretching....The exothermic reaction...And we got to wear full protective gear. Move over Bob the Builder!
Great lunch, too much delicious food, and a walk along Port Kembla beach. To walk out those lunch calories. Splash in the water. Collect a few shells. Make up stories based on the tracks in the sand.
And now we are journalling, doing some sketches in nature journals, blogging.
Yes, Mabel, unschoolers journal and do educational tours on holiday. We really do live and learn!
Read about St Timothy and St Titus.
Collect
Be mindful of our weakness, almighty God, and since the burden of our deeds is grievous to us, grant that the glorious intercession of blessed Timothy, Your servant and bishop, may protect us.
Visiting Wollongong. After an eventful drive down last night. Left after Kumon and a quick 8pm-ish fast food dinner. Took a wrong turning yet again and only went 100 km out of our way...I did yoga this morning in the hotel, a piped in class through the hotel network TV, and felt a lot less stressed.
Today we had a tour of Bluescope Steel, Australia Industry World. Wow. I liked the human side of the story ~ Steeltown, families working for the company generation after generation....Also interesting to see the steel slabs and rolling and stretching....The exothermic reaction...And we got to wear full protective gear. Move over Bob the Builder!
Great lunch, too much delicious food, and a walk along Port Kembla beach. To walk out those lunch calories. Splash in the water. Collect a few shells. Make up stories based on the tracks in the sand.
And now we are journalling, doing some sketches in nature journals, blogging.
Yes, Mabel, unschoolers journal and do educational tours on holiday. We really do live and learn!
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