Wednesday 29 June 2011

Holiday Gossip

Well, Skye is indeed getting better. She is almost back to her old self again! That is to say, she doesn't eat her breakfast and likes to be alone and growls at me when I cuddle her too hard. Yes, Skye is back alright. Hahahahaha, that is so funny! Bobby was playing with mel's old toy cat which meows and purrs when you press it in the right way and it meowed at him. He jumped about 4 feet in the air! He looked utterly startled and cocked his head to the side. Now the cat's going crazy! Goodness, both dogs are going for it now. And they keep getting these shocks when it meows! Ahhhhh, they can be frightfully dim at times!
Well, anyway, today my friend Melanie (yes, I know, two melanie's in the house does get rather confusing) is coming over for a sleepover. She said she will bring some lovely food treats and we can stay up all night ... well, most of it anyhow. Tomorrow we will go into the city, about mid-day, to meet up with some more friends. I don't know exactly what we're doing yet, and neither does anyone else. I have been trying to get some ideas but there's not really much besides shopping to do! I mean, we could always go and see a movie, but I checked the movie timetables and there doesn't seem like there's much on at the moment. You see, my friend Ana, from Columbia, is an exchange student and she came at the end of last year. She is going back to Columbia next week and she wanted us to do something special with her before she leaves, as we probably won't ever see her again. I would have thought, though, that she would have something planned for us to do. Well, I suppose shopping will just have to suit. Maybe we can go have a coffee somewhere, hrmmm...
Yesterday afternoon, Mel and I went over to my aunt's house to look after her two children- Rueben and Ethan. They were even more adorable than ever and I spent most of my time reading Wind in the Willows to Rueben. Seriously, I read him like half the book! By the end of it, my throat was hoarse and I kept slurring my words. I was almost glad when Ethan dropped a plate on the ground and it smashed, it gave me an excuse to stop and go help clean up! I didn't exactly want to stop, but I didn't mind stopping, if you know what I mean. I love reading to little children, but after about 2 and a half hours, it gets a bit much. That night, Rueben asked Mel and I to come in and pray with him and his mum. It was so cute! He just lay there, eyes closed, while his mum prayed that he would have a good night sleep and sweet dreams and that God's angels would protect him. I almost cried, it was so beautiful. Just a simple, innocent prayer for a small child.
Well then, I had better be going, as I have quite run out of things to say!
Until next time.
All my love,
Miss Aalyn xx

Tuesday 28 June 2011

A Book With A Pet And An Occupation

Goodness, to think that only 3 years ago I was in grade 7 and living in Edinburgh. I watched some videos today of my graduation in Scotland. I looked sooooo young and strange looking. I had SUCH bad fashion sense! Seriously, I can't believe I went out looking like THAT! I also watched some other videos which were taken just after we got the puppies. They were so adorable! And to think that Skye had two eyes then. By the way, she lost her eye at the end of last year from a paralysis tick which almost killed her.

Now she's ill again. We don't know what it is. The vet thinks it's either disc disease or pancreatitis. Anyway, he gave her an anti-inflamitary injection and said that if it was disc disease she would hopefully recover. She is much better today and so we think that whatever it was, it's getting better now. But we still can't pick her up by her tummy or around that area or she squeals. She's in pain, I can tell by the way she looks at me, but she's getting better. We've been praying for her and I think that really helped. She actually went to the toilet today! Hooray! ... Ahem, sorry.

I have started reading the 'Little House' books again. I did not quite finish the series. I am on to 'These Happy Golden Years'. I am not very far through, only page 114 in chapter 12. There are 33 chapters. It's funny how different the books are from the movies. In the books, Almanzo notices Laura before she notices him and Pa likes Almanzo being with Laura, he encourages it. Also, Adam is never mentioned, nor Albert. And in the movies, Almanzo doesn't have a brother whom he lives with, only his sister. And in the books his sister is horrible, in the movies she's nice, though very annoying. I do so love the movies though, I like both the books and the movies and I wouldn't change a thing!
I think I need to get a job soon but I don't want to work in somewhere like MacDonalds or KFC. I want to work in a nice cafe or bakery or bookstore. But mum says that I have to start with the fast food or supermarket chains first and then work my way up to the nice places. The problem is, I'd rather not work at all than work in a fast food place. I would just HATE to work there, I think. Sigh, I guess I'll just have to apply for Coles or Woolworths then.
Until next time then, dear readers.
All my love and devotions,
Miss Aalyn xx

Saturday 25 June 2011

A Picnic in the Park

Yesterday we had a picnic. I slept over at my best friend's house and we packed up a picnic basket with yummy snacks and a couple of books and headed down to the local park. We found a lovely secluded spot shaded by beautiful big pine trees. Promptly, we lay out the rug and started to set out all the food around it. After replenishing our appetites, we took turns in reading each other poems. I then read everyone a chapter from 'The Wind in the Willows'. It was just so nice to relax and read stories and chat together and just think. We were there for most of the day, looking through the pine needles into the blue sky. It was so heavenly, and I am determined that we shall have much more of it in the future.
Whilst lying under the trees and listening to music, I had a thought; I don't ever stop. I am constantly busy, even busy doing nothing. But I never really stop and just enjoy the moment, enjoy living. At least, I certainly don't do it often enough. When you have a moment like that, you realise just how busy you are. I treasure the moments when I simply halt and look at my life so far. I need more of these moments. My life is so full of stuff. I'm constantly thinking, always wondering what next to blog about or what I am going to make for dinner or what my next mix on 8tracks will be. I never really stop thinking. But then again, I never really think. I spend too much time in the outside world, and not enough time with myself. I don't look inside myself enough. I need to ponder more and think less.
I wonder if anyone ever reads this blog. Well, if you are reading it right now, then people must read it. I know some people do, but who are you? Do I know you? I wonder where you come from and what you're thinking. Hrmm, well, my name is Aalyn (don't even ask) and I live in Australia with my mother and sister. How do you do? I love old fashioned things; furniture, books, movies, music, lifestyle, principles. Sometimes I wish I had been born in the late 1800's and lived in a beautiful big house like the Bennets' in Pride and Prejudice. I often find myself pining for a life like that. Well, maybe I can make it happen, maybe I can't. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
Until next time then, my dears.
Fondest love and affection,
Miss Aalyn xx

Sunday 19 June 2011

Chuckles and Gloom

Friday was my last full day of real school before the holidays! I'm sooo glad! We finally finished our cyber drama unit. We went a bit overtime as the stupid hard drive took AGES to upload the videos and we were really worried (and by we I mean Jess) that the teacher would be mad at us for going overtime. She has begun to develop a bit of a short temper for people that make her stay late you see.

On Friday night my best friend came round for a sleepover at my place. We watched 'Death at a Funeral' with dinner, a comedy about a funeral ... now who's bright idea was that then?
And as if our sides weren't already hurting enough, we then watched a comedian on YouTube called Lee Evans for hours and hours into the night. He is absolutely HILARIOUS and we had a hard job stifling our giggles by stuffing pillows into our faces. We weren't supposed to even be awake, let alone watching YouTube, so we had to be as quiet as possible and watch it with one earphone each. Ahhh, good times! She also slept over the night before last and stayed most of yesterday. It was nice to see her again, we had more than our fair share of midnight snacks and giggle attacks ... hey, that ryhmes!
Today I have my Italian exam at school, the first out of three for exam block. I'm not looking forward to it! It's a writing exam and we have to write at least 120 words on something or other ... and we're not allowed dictionaries! How STUPID is that? What, are we just supposed to study the entire dictionary??? Our teacher's not even allowed to tell us what the exam is on, we 'just have to study, study, study'! Arr, sometimes I hate school!
Well, after my exams I will be on HOLDIAYS :D :D :D ! I wonder what I'll do for 2 weeks. Probably spend most of the time in the car travelling between mum's house, dad's house, Steph's house, Nana and Pop's house and Grandma's house I expect. That usually sums up our holiday timetable. Hopefully my friends from school and I can go to the city and see a movie or something as well.

Isn't it funny when you go out somewhere and you spot somebody and can't tell whether they are a guy or a girl? And you ask your friend and you both study the person together, searching for any tell-tale signs. Then the person realises you are both staring at them and then it's awkward for everyone. That happened to me yesterday, except I was with mum, Mel and Steph and we were in a cafe. There was a guy at a table beside ours and he had him arm around someone's shoulder beside him. We spent ages trying to figure out whether it was a guy or a girl and we had to alternate between who looked at them. We couldn't all be looking at the same time you see or that would definetely be suspicious. We finally figured out that it was two guys ... we didn't feel like eating much after that.

Well I suppose I should study then, shouldn't I. I don't really know WHAT exactly to study but I will try my best.
Much love,
Miss Aalyn xx

Thursday 16 June 2011

Walking Trees

One more day to go before I am practically off school. Then I just have block exams ... brilliant! I have an Italian exam on Monday, an English exam on Tuesday and a Maths exam on Thursday ... fun! Well, at least I don't have to go to school for the whole week.

On my way to school, we always walk past these beautiful trees. I don't know what they're called. Dad says they're Liquid Amber's but Mum says they're not ... hrmm. They always have piles of beautiful golden leaves at their feet and I love to scuff through them and try and step on the little spiky balls which also come from the tree. Here is a picture of some of their leaves on the side of the street:
I found this old notebook in my drawer the other day. It has these hilarious old poems I had written when I was younger. Things like:
On Christmas day I wanted
Some apple crumble pie
But instead of what I wanted
I got a yucky little tie
So I rushed into the garden
And caught a little fly
And when my hand was open
The fly had gone and died
Into the house I went
And chucked it in the bin
But after that occasion
I found a little fin
The fin was very handy as I had a little tin
But when the fin was broken
I chucked it in the bin.
Wow, what on Earth was I on? Such was the intensity of my early work ...
Today I forgot my sport uniform. I do walking with the Head of Sport teacher ... it's great fun :S Anyway, if you forget your uniform, you get a detention. I was about half way to school when I realised I had forgotten it. I was so annoyed at myself. It just so happened that my sister still had her sport uniform in her bag from the day before. She didn't need it and she said I could borrow it ... it was TINY!! I felt like a complete idiot! The shirt barely covered my tummy and the shorts stretched out as a result of my ipod and phone in the pocket and they were really short! Then, the teacher asked me to give the roll to Ms. Brooker. I had to run inside and search for her. It just so happened that she wasn't anywhere to be found! After a bit of searching, I came running back to the teacher. Everyone was waiting for me and looked impatient. The teacher was frustrated and said just to give it to anyone there. I raced back inside, my hair falling out all over the place, trying to look for another teacher. Every teacher I went to told me to go to another teacher and eventually one of them took it. By this time I was worried that the teacher was going to be pretty mad and I pelted back to the group who were all glaring at me. I was holding my hair and my shirt was riding up ... not a great experience! And to top it all, everyone thought that the week before I had truanted because I was late and had missed the group! Arr, I hate sport!

Well, at least I don't have to do HPE anymore!
Until next time, lovelies ;)
Miss Aalyn xx

Monday 13 June 2011

Charitable Affairs

2 weeks to go! Arr, school is such a bore! Why can't I have a job already and be living with my husband and children in the English countryside in a cottage? Sometimes I feel like I'm only holding on by a thread and that pretty soon I will snap and go mental at some poor sole. Life just seems to be dragging by and the 2 and a half years left of school seems like forever.

I want to help someone. That sounds a little strange but I feel that as long as I am helping somebody for the time I have left at school then it won't seem like so long. Today I cooked two large batches of food for some friends of ours who need help. It felt really good to be cooking for somebody who really needed it. I made spaghetti bolognese and a chicken curry. They tasted great! My dad asked me if I felt exhausted after cooking two meals at once but, to be honest, I wasn't at all tired, merely rejuvinated. I then proceeded on cleaning the entire kitchen and making lunch for everyone. Sometimes I just need to do small things like making someone a coffee to get my mind off myself for awhile. That way, I don't go mental! I always go to lengths to get people good birthday presents that they will really like also because it makes me feel better. I will quite readily go and tidy up my sister and mum's bedrooms because it takes my mind of other things. Helping people makes me happy! I know that sounds really cheesy and stupid but it honestly does!
I was in the car today and my sister suddenly piped up that I'd be a really bad doctor because I panic in bad situations. My initial reaction was a sarcastic "thanks" but then dad said that I'd actually make a really good nurse. I grimaced slightly at the thought but then he said that I could work in a children's hospital and that I'd be good because I'm good with people, good with kids and compassionate. I'm not really sure about that and I don't think I want to be a nurse but it did get me thinking. Maybe I should be in a job where I get to help people. I mean, a teacher helps people enormously so maybe that is a better option to journalism. I don't know, but I think I shall have a look at some possible other 'helping' jobs.
Well, I think I'll be going now anyhow.
Toodle-oo!
Miss Aalyn xx

Saturday 11 June 2011

Opinion Making

I'm so confused! I don't know what to believe anymore! Whomever I turn to, they all have different answers to the same question. I just don't know who to trust or what to believe. There are many people I respect, like my parents for example. But what am I supposed to think when I go to them with a problem and they both tell me to do completely different things? Or when I hear completely opposite things about Christianity and The Bible and they both make so much sense? Where do I turn then? I can't just believe both! That wouldn't be right! But if I believe one of them, I'll hear something about the other and then believe that! I'm like the wind, blowing in one direction and then another. I just can't seem to form opinions on things that matter. People tell me to believe whatever seems right or whatever the 'best option' is but, I just can't tell right from wrong sometimes. It's just so hard to decide which end of the tale to believe. I thought to myself, 'I'll just give up and simply not have an opinion'. But what will happen then, when I have to make some decision based on an opinion and there is no opinion to be had? I won't know what to do! There are so many important things that I will have to form an opinion about but, where do I start? I can't just magic up an opinion! And my life isn't made any easier when I am surrounded by people who are extremeley decided in their opinions. They're not 'opinionated' so to speak, simply strong-minded. I feel weak-winded. It's as if my mind can't handle the stress of forming opinions on important matters and it just gives up and won't work any more!
I'm not asking anyone for sympathy, so don't even bother! I just need advice. How do I form opinions? It seems like a silly question, and it comes naturally to some but, to me, it's one of the hardest things in life!

This is probably the most stupid blog ever published but it feels good to just let people know and get it out of my system. Thank you, whoever you are, for being my personal (and virtual) punching bag!

Until next time then(and hopefully not so dreary),
Ta-ta!
Miss Aalyn xx

Wednesday 8 June 2011

My Children

I've often thought 'well, my kids will do it differently'. So many things these days are just, well, they aren't how I'd like my children to do things. I don't want them to grow up with the television, watching TV from 7 till 10 o'clock in the mornings and then becoming stroppy because they have to turn it off again for a few hours to 'play'. I want them to wake early and just play all day, well, apart from when they have to do their chores. I want them to use their imaginations when they play. I won't spoil them too much with toys as I want them to make their own. You know, a piece of string and a stick can make an excellent fishing rod. Or a small branch could make a marvellous walking stick. I want them to use their imaginations as much as possible.
Of course, I will give them toys and they will watch movies every now and then but mainly I want them to run around all day and go exploring. So many children you see these days spend their days indoors watching television or playing computer games. Of course, I'm not saying that all children are like that, only an increasing number. I also want my children to grow up with certain books and songs and stories. Like for example, the Little House books and television series and Winnie The Pooh and Famous Five.
I also want them to have chores, I'm not going to spoil them with too much play. They will milk the cow and collect the eggs and wash the dishes and dust and sweep out the house. They will make their beds and feed the chickens and let the cow out to graze. I will also teach them at an early age how to cook and sew. They will also be taught how to be polite and speak properly and know their bibles. They will grow up with lots of biblical songs also. I will make sure to sing to them often, which is a practise I rarely put into play. For my children, though, I would dearly love them to grow up with music and a knowledge of music.
I want them to go to school as well and to learn. I want them to remember the good times when they were read to by the fireside on mummy's knee or when we all sang songs and danced around the living room. I am anxious not to spoil my children. I couldn't think of anything worse than to have spoilt children. But, then again, I certainly won't be harse or unkind. I will be strict but gentle with them. I will also take great care to make Christmas time special in our house. We will always have a real Christmas tree and put up stockings next to the fire (well, pinned to the mantle). We will also have a wooden sledge and my husband will ride with the children down the hill in the snow. We will all make a huge snowman and fit him with a hat and scarf and a carrot nose. I will teach them all Christmas songs and we will have roast chicken with potatoes for dinner. We will also go to a church service and hopefully, have Carol singers come round to sing in front of our house.
Well, until that day comes then, I had better start learning some songs and collecting some books, hey?
Fondest love,
Miss Aalyn xx

Monday 6 June 2011

Our Village

Dearest readers,
I did want to do a post about Winter but, as my best friend has already completed just that, I didn't think there was much point, as I agree with her wholeheartedly! I just love winter, don't you?
A little while ago, my family (Mum and Mel), my best friend and I took to imagining our very own little village. Of course, this will probably never come to pass in this life-time but it is always pleasant to dream. Here are some notes we have taken;

People in our village:
-Mum and her husband (future)
-Aalyn, her husband and 3 children (future)
-Melanie, her husband and 2 children (future)
-Stephanie, her husband and 3 children (future)
-Sherrie and Adrian
-Fiona, Andrew and Joshua
-Von, Robert, Rueben and Ethan
-Mary, Anna and Maryanne
-Matt, Rebecca, Fraser and Ella
-Dad
-Nathan and Macha
-Rachel
-Nana and Pop
-Barbara and Keith
-Grandma and Grandfather
-Julian, Tracy, Jacob and Noah
-Jordan
-Rosie and future husband

Population (plus extra): 150

Professions:
-Mum: Lady of the land, gardener, picks flowers and vegetables for stores
-Mum’s husband: Lord of the land, traveller, collects artwork for gallery
-Aalyn: school teacher (primary)
-Aalyn’s husband: carpenter, owner of furniture store
-Aalyn’s children: boy; shepherd and helps in manor stables, girls: grape pickers
-Melanie: florist
-Melanie’s husband: vineyard farmer/ winemaker
-Melanie’s children: help out in florist, grape pickers
-Stephanie: behind the counter/ waitressing in bakery
-Stephanie’s husband: water mill/ bakery owner and full time baker
-Stephanie’s children: boy 1; shepherd and helps in manor stables, boy 2; bell boy/ helps in church, girl: helps in bakery/ grape picker
-Sherrie: French restaurant owner, chef
-Adrian: Main pastor at church
-Fiona and Andrew: music shop owners, musicians in orchestra
-Von: owner of art shop/ gallery
-Robert: livery store owner
-Rueben: mail run, helps in livery store
-Ethan: employee in restaurant
-Mary: owner of women’s finery store
-Anna: owner of clothing store
-Maryanne: Seamstress/ tailor and artist
-Matt and Rebecca: café/ bookstore owners
-Dad: dairy farmer/ cheese maker/ beekeeper
-Nathan and Macha: musicians in orchestra, theatre producers
-Rachel: Doctor/vet
-Pop: senior pastor in church
-Nana: Sunday school teacher, runs nursery
-Barbara: owner of post office
-Keith: high school teacher
-Grandma: grocery store owner
-Grandfather: woodsman
-Julian: constable
-Tracy: General store owner
-Jacob and Noah: help out in general store
-Jordan: Ironmonger/ candle maker
-Rosie: nurse in hospital
-Rosie’s husband: butcher

Notes:
-Mum and her husband’s manor has four wings and huge gardens plus extra woodland and lake
-Christmas Eve: everyone releases lanterns into night sky
-Christmas: night service at church, progressive dinner. Carol singers in front of huge Christmas tree in Main Square, holding candles (Aalyn and Stephanie run choir). Theatre production each year.
-Instead of Halloween: thanksgiving to the Lord for each other and the wonderful village
-May day: Huge celebration in Main Square, may pole. Tambourines, violins (etc.) playing lively music.
-Grape pickers would collect grapes in baskets and stomp on them in a large barrel.
-Stephanie and Aalyn’s shepherd sons would be best friends.
-Easter: morning service at church
-Church has bell tower, bell tolls every quarter of an hour
-All girls to wear dresses/skirts
-Village similar look to Cranford
So there you have it! Of course, there are probably mountains of things we have forgotten to include, but you get the gist of it. We wanted it to be old fashioned and lovely, probably situated somewhere in the English countryside with rolling hills and woods and bubbling brooks and wild deer and oh! There are so many beautiful things!

Anyhow, I have to get on with reading my book for English (for the second time). You see, I want to get as much study done on that book as I can because I do so want to pass English. The book is called 'My Place' by Sally Morgan. It is a rather sad book and can drag on a little at times but I think that it is very important for Australians to read. It is a story told from an Aboriginal's perspective and she is telling the story of her family and relations and what they had to go through not so very long ago. It is very touching, however Australian it may be!

Well then, my dears, tata for now!
Much love and deepest affection,
Miss Aalyn xx

Saturday 4 June 2011

Birthday Proceedings

Dearest readers,
My oh my, it has been a time since I last wrote. I have not much to report except that I apparently look like 'death warmed up'. I have developed a painful chesty cough, sore throat and have recently gotten over a runny nose. How tiresome! Do not you just hate colds?

Today was my mother's birthday. She turned 42. Goodness, how old everyone is getting! We had breakfast this morning bright and early at a lovely little cafe on the corner of the street and then mum met up with a friend for coffee at a shopping centre and Melanie (my 13 year old sister) and I walked around the shops looking for nothing in particular. I ended up buying 4 books; Anne of the Windy Poplars, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Ingleside and Rilla of Ingleside (all, as you can see, from the Anne of Green Gables series).
For mum's birthday we bought her some lovely dark silver hoop earrings by Basque, a lovely blue scarf and a Myer voucher. She was very pleased, I am happy to say. We then went out for afternoon tea later in the day with my grandparents (mum's parents), my Uncle, Aunt (mum's younger sister) and two cousins (beautiful little boys of 5 and 1). I had the task, as usual, of looking after the older boy. We travelled the seven seas, spotted dinosaur eggs and slid down a dragon's tongue all in the space of about half an hour. What a sight we made!
Last night, mum's best friend (and my best friend's mum) organised a miniature surprise party for mum. Two of mum's close friends were invited as well as her sister. I hear they had a grand time. My best friend, her dad, her brother, my sister and I went to see a movie together (the latest Pirates of the Carribean) whilst they had their fun. Having not seen the other movies, Stephanie had the arduos task of trying to explain the other three movies to Mel and I. We were both heartily confused but decided it didn't much matter.
Tomorrow will hopefully be a bit of a quieter day. We will go to church in the morning and then rest in the afternoon. Perhaps Melanie and I may visit my best friend's house. Well, I just hope I get better soon. I don't want to be sick on the last few weeks left of school! Well, in a way I do, but in a way I don't.
Until next time, my dears.
Toodle-oo!
Miss Aalyn xx