The face of Luna Park, Sydney Town Hall and the State Library were all lit up for Light it Red for Dyslexia week. My daughter and I met many fantastic families, and had a fabulous time walking through Sydney.
There needs to be more awareness, more funding and more provisions within our schools. The time for change is now!
We got to see the floats ready to parade for Taronga Zoo’s 100 year celebrations on the same night.
There was a trip to Wendy Whitely’s Secret Garden at Lavender Bay.
A friend who suffered early-onset breast cancer held a fundraiser to help finance a breast-care nurse in a regional area. As she so poignantly said, many women find themselves several hours from their homes and families, and these angels are the only comfort they consistently have. They are imperative.
Spring in Sydney is a sight to behold, it’s inhabitants treasures.
Sydney in Autumn is a sight to behold. We walked around to drama, dodging trucks and construction of the light installations for Vivid, which starts this weekend. There were buskers and tour groups taking in the history of The Rocks. My daughter has a ritual before her class. I give her money and she buys a strawberry donut from a takeaway shop at Circular Quay. The elderly Vietnamese man sees her approach, and has the donut in the bag before she asks. My daughter says they are the best donuts in the world. We weave our way through wedding parties and photographers, my daughter entranced by the gowns, but grossed out by the romance and smooching. I call our day in the city my caffeine day. When you have such extraordinary coffee and barista’s at your disposal, why wouldn’t you indulge? To redeem myself, I order the best salad in Sydney. Spoilt for choice, it is hard to settle on one, and they are a triumph of assembly. The sort that you wouldn’t bother making yourself at home, unless you had a spare hour or so.
My friend and I are under the care of an endocrinologist. Both of us are sugar-impaired, shall we say, and we try to behave. This was something of our last hurrah on that front, which is just as well.
Yes, I drank/ate the Freak Milkshake above, and was suitably buzzing and silly afterward! To my delight, they had a tofu burger on the menu.
Teena’s dad, David Capra, interviewed a lady from mindDog Australia, and she was awe-inspiring! Sydney-based, this organization advocates for people with depression, PTSD and other challenges to be matched with a companion dog. It makes all the difference to the individuals involved.
We also went to Grayson Perry’s My Pretty Little Art Career. I found it mesmerizing. The detail in each of the pieces is extraordinary! What a remarkable and gifted artist Grayson is. There is still time to go see the exhibition, before it closes on the 1st May.
There has been a bit of outrage about the proposed Australian $5.00 note. This is what we are getting.
This is what many of us would prefer.
Dame Edna Everage, pies and beer. Which one do you prefer?
Whimsy is an essential component in leading a tolerable life. May your week contain much whimsy!
Life is outrageously busy, with many things demanding our attention. You need to escape once in a while. My daughter and I travelled to Martin Place a few weeks ago, to see the Christmas Tree lit up. Light rain tapped onto our faces as we watched the concert, my daughter dancing and cartwheeling throughout. The tree was switched on, and fireworks rocketed into the sky. Elves arrived, cycling a sleigh as Santa and the City of Sydney Mayor, Clover Moore, reclined.
Strangers need to gather together. We have a yearning for connection. It felt like the beginning of Christmas on this evening. By returning to Martin Place, people heal it. We honour those who were lost, and remember what the survivors endured. In a world gone mad, watching a child dance is an act of sanity.
Christmas can be tough. I have personally heard stories of alcoholism, child abuse, domestic violence, poverty and estrangements this past week. I wish I could banish all the agony, but I cant. I can provide a listening ear and what resources I have. I can love and extend myself. Everything is made larger at Christmas. Overtures of kindness and gatherings of loved ones… Loneliness and pain. Always look for the helpers. Those who listen and smile. Those with kind eyes and warm hearts. That is where hope resides. I hope that you get to attend a free gathering, no matter what your spiritual leaning. It gets you out of your own head and into the world of people and connection. May you have a peaceful season, floating on a calm and azure-blue sea. I pray that if you need help, you receive it. Let people hear your voice. For some, it has been silent for too long. You have been invisible for too long. Let them hear what you need. If the first person doesn’t get it, blame it on a faulty connection and try again with somebody else. Keep going. I am so glad that I did. I got to see my daughter dance in the light rain. I got to see people smiling and hugging in Martin Place. I got to see hope.
My little girl attended a Christmas party hosted by her singing teacher, Tiah. This young lady has brought our children the gift of song, and our little people have gained not only their voice, but confidence. She is studying at university, and I know she shall make a fine music teacher upon graduating. I am so thankful this whacky, quirky young lady is in our lives.
We went to an event to benefit the MS society the next day, cornflour mixed with a rainbow of colour.
Messy and chaotic, vibrant and as joyful as life itself. We were scheduled to be at Martin Place a year ago, but at the last moment, we weren’t. I remember resting in bed, my spine in spasms, when I heard what had happened. More responsibility to live a good life in honour of those who were there. Life is precious, and can end in an instant. The trick is to fully live whilst you are here.
Hummingbird picture by 12 year old home schooler, James Julian
To register for home schooling in New South Wales, you need to apply online. Bostes then get in touch, and arrange a visit. I frantically put together a program for the year, ensuring curriculum targets are achievable. I have just had my review and was given two years accreditation, of which I am thrilled! I journal what my daughter has studied each day so I can keep track. I have been flawed at the wonderful reactions I have received since I started this journey. Everybody has been so supportive, and it has certainly made the going easier. I was worried that I would receive negative comments, though thankfully they haven’t come. My daughter sees friends most days, and sometimes asks for home time, as there are so many excursions we can go on! We usually start around 8am, and do a solid four hours before lunch. My daughter goes to singing, drama, guitar and gymnastics lessons on top. I am thrilled with her progress and relieved that I made the right decision in home schooling. As a parent, you second-guess yourself (frequently), but the proof is that her confidence has returned and the pressure has eased. There is nobody to compete or compare with, and she can absorb information in her own time.
Sydney has a very active home schooling community, and we are blessed to have met many wonderful kids and parents. In three terms, she has acted in plays and attended performances at the Opera House and Casula Powerhouse. She has visited May Gibb’s home, been involved in a sports carnival, toured the Opera Centre, Sydney Observatory, Wildlife World and attended a science workshop as well as puppet-making. I have to be organized, to keep up with it all! I start my writing when her school day finishes, and often get up early to do so too. We have a comfortable routine. I love doing life with this kid, and I am definitely smarter as a result of absorbing information!
Here is a poem about home schooling from one of my daughter’s friends. I love the perspective of an 11-year-old!
Home Schoolers
Someone freaky,
Someone wild.
Someone cheeky,
So much a child.
Without the school uniform,
Without the Smiggle bag,
Someone who’s not the norm,
Without the shop’s latest tag.
Home schoolers, Home schoolers,
That’s who we are.
Friendly with people of every age,
Each of us a shining star.
Free, not in school’s restricting cage.
We’re all unique,
We’re all ourselves.
We’re all home schoolers,
That’s who we are!
Someone weird,
Someone new.
Not much revered,
Sounds like me, sounds like you.
But, whoever I want to be,
Home schooler?
Is there something cooler?
Well, I’ve decided: me.
-Jemma Julian, 4/09/2015
For many kids, it’s the perfect fit. To be able to devise a programme that caters to your child’s interests is a blessing. Wherever we go in Sydney, there are friends to visit and fun to be had.
Easter Monday, I needed to escape all the jobs that needed doing. I needed to watch my child have fun, and for her to carry me along in her whimsy. My friend Annette, and her son, were coming along for the ride. At the station I met another friend and her son.
It is like no time has passed when you meet old friends.
This lady is a professional dancer, and doesn’t walk through life, she saunters. The horticulturist, dancer and writer boarded the train with their kids, and struck up a conversation with these delightful people.
o
One of the ladies was a pharmacist from Missouri. I asked where these friends had met, and it turned out it was on a Pandora cruise! Seeing my puzzlement, my new friend Brenda handed us several precious bracelets.
This was on a stall in the ladies’ at Museum Station. ‘Today is the first day of the rest of your life! Live!’
At Hyde Park, munchkin wanted to prove how strong she was.
Then she ran into the fountain.
We met a contortionistWe also met ‘I am basketball man’
We wandered into the MCA
We couldn’t resist purchasing some delicacies from this chocolate shop
Can you believe this is chocolate?
Walking up to Susannah Place, we stopped at many wondrous shops, and admired the architecture along cobbled streets.
We had ice cream and saw more beauty, more colour, more life than we could absorb. Â The whole day was unscripted. That is what made it so glorious. There are more good people in the world than bad, and more wonder than you can possibly imagine. I love seeing Sydney through a child’s eyes.
I didn’t quite know what to do with Christmas 2014. Miracles have transpired this year, though also much tragedy. The answer came in the form of the beautiful Donna. She delivered boxes, which filled up my garage on the 23rd. My daughter and I had a ball sorting through them, making bags to give to Street Pax, putting together personalised hampers and two carloads of goods for The Exodus Foundation. It gave me a focus, in the midst of great sadness. My little girl was thrilled to be an elf.
We went to St Mary’s Cathedral, and witnessed the spectacular light show. Â Â
The atmosphere was reflective, given current events. Families celebrated together and children made new friends, unafraid and full of excitement.
She dipped her toes in the fountain.
As my daughter busied herself with decorating cookies for Santa, my thoughts turned to Serena on Christmas Eve, and the precious mother and young sons she had left behind. I would have called in on her, but she wasn’t at home. I needed to go for a drive, and found myself at Martin Place, where the Salvation Army were having their carols.
Martin Place
The atmosphere was defiant. There were more people than usual. We all needed to be there. I met a lady who asked for directions. She was in her sixties and told me that she had invited her friend to accompany her, but she was too frightened to come. “I am glad you weren’t,” I smiled, squeezing her hand. We watched as the Salvation Army performed with their timbrels. Â
This beautiful print from Luke Clenton Photography. He is incredibly talented, a friend’s teenage son.
I cried when I received this, a montage of Serena and I. Oh, how I miss you.
Christmas Day, we went to Ashfield Uniting Church, and heard a profound sermon from Reverend Bill Crews. I opened a bottle of champagne at home when a friend called in, then we spent Christmas night with a dear family.
I also spent time with this bloke.
A turbulent Christmas was salvaged by love. Overtures of kindness from strangers in Martin Place, through  to cuddles and cards from friends. Foster kids living on my street gifted my daughter a gorgeous teddy bear. There is still light, and there is certainly still hope. We just have to build upon it.
Wherever you are in the world, and however you celebrated this season, we are all connected. As we reflect on 2014, and prepare for the new 2015, let’s keep the kindness up, not forgetting ourselves. We have to be replenished before pouring benevolence onto this suffering world.
Fantastic is a great word! It conjures up joy and excitement. What is fantastic about your life right now? I have fantastic people in my life. My life is crazy-busy, and I just wish I had more time to see everyone. One-on-one time is special, as are chance meetings and impromptu gatherings. I have friends who have major health issues. It is fantastic that they have the tenacity to leave their beds and take on the world. I am left in awe.
Fantastic is a child with learning challenges, persisting and fighting and never giving in. Fantastic is seeing the pride when something clicks. Fantastic is watching my child’s singing teacher, instruct my daughter as to how to use sign language, and having my child learn the whole alphabet in fifteen minutes. Witnessing the birth of  a new talent, that is fantastic.
Fantastic is a work of art, that just pops up on a city street, organic and thought-provoking. Fantastic is having friends to share it with and the art becoming interactive. Fantastic is love and colour and beauty, found in the most pedestrian of places.
Fantastic is running away for a day at the beach with friend’s.
Fantastic is the feeling of hearing my little bird’s sing, holding our guinea pigs, and stroking my child’s hair. Isnt it interesting that when you think of fantastic, it rarely involves money or grandiosity? Available to everyone, at anytime. Music, libraries, art, love, hope. Fantastic!
 Today, we remember the two beautiful lives lost at the Lindt café in Martin Place on this day, a year ago. I was going to go in with my daughter, to meet a friend and her child. We were going to meet at Martin Place, and would have been in the café that very morning, but my spine was playing up. I stayed home instead. Life can be so indiscriminate. The survivors have been so very brave this past year, as have the families of those who didn’t make it out. How they have carried themselves is awe-inspiring. I pray for you all today. Anniversaries are so very hard.
RAPHAELA ANGELOU 