Books, The Parent Race and YAY Holidays.

I still can't believe what can be achieved when I don't blog all the time. Not monumental life-changing things, just everyday things which usually get put on the "do-sometime-else pile".


I finished reading Carpentaria by Alexis Wright on Wednesday night. It's 520 pages long and written in the voice of a male Australian Aboriginal elder. It is also written in an indigenous storytelling style blending astonishingly frank depictions of life in the Australian Gulf Country with magic realism.

I apologise to all those potential readers who I may have put off reading the book while I was trudging through at the 250page mark - please continue reading, as the last 270 pages are just reward for the difficulties of the first 250. In fact I am re-reading the book - the first 250 pages now appear light, funny and well paced with my head in the 'right place' and my mind used to the language and feel that it could become a great classic of Australian literature.

Yesterday our school held the annual K-2 sports carnival. The day consists of each child competing in a flat race, a novelty race and group novelty relays. Ribbons are handed out generously and there can often be more than one "first" ribbon given out in a race depending on how excited the parent judges get.

There is no such generosity in the parent races however. Oh no, this is a HIGHLY COMPETIVE event for which I am sure some parents train hard. After last year's debacle when I made the mistake of wearing jeans and Birkenstocks and came 4th in my heat - this year I made sure I wore runners so as to be better prepared. And came second last in a field of about 8. At least I think I came second last. When I asked Padawan Learner whether mummy came last he said "no mummy, you just didn't some last, just". I have mentally noted all the fast mums and will make sure I am not in their heat next year...


Who loves school holidays? ME! Today was the last day of school for two weeks. YAY. I know after a while you wish the kids were back at school and you have peace and quiet again, but I can't wait because I HATE making school lunches. I am looking forward to waking up knowing I don't HAVE to be anywhere soon, I don't have to make school lunches, there is no homework to cajole the kids into doing and no after school activities to rush to and from.

We are not going anywhere. The kids have Swimvac for half-an-hour a day in the first week and KelpieBlossom has ballet workshop for an hour a day in the second week. A couple of playdates planned but that's it. Aaaah.

In preparation for the holidays, and for breaking out the skirts and brand new Birkenstocks (the new red & white paisley ones), I have de-forested the legs, had a facial (!) and painted my toenails red (to match the Birks). Now I am all ready and just need to find a sunny spot in the garden with a cup of tea (or glass of wine after 5pm) and read my books.