Dear Pa

Wadeye - another trip to the middle of nowhere

2009-10-17T16:28:00.003+11:00

Hi Pa,

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been running around so busily that there's been to time for posting on blogs. Now I'm having a quiet weekend and have found some time up my sleeve. I thought I'd tell you about another trip I did a while ago out to a place called Wadeye, or Port Keats. Most communities up here seem to have at least two names - the Aboriginal name, and the European name.

Wadeye is about an hour's flight (I flew in) or a 6hr drive from Darwin (I drove out). It's a large community of about 2000 people. The main street kind of runs along a ridge and the families living on one side of the ridge are the salt water people, while the families on the other are fresh water people. So there are different clans of people all living in the one community. Although there are many different language groups, the lingua franca of the Wadeye is a language called Murrinh-patha.

Here is another map:

View Larger Map

Although it is not part of the Katherine Region, you can see that it is just about equidistant from Katherine and Darwin.

We drove out to the beach (about 5km) and watched the sun set.

Mambaya!

(Murrinh-patha: good bye)

A trip to Maningrida Community

2009-05-09T16:41:00.004+10:00

Hi Pa,

As I was telling you on the phone today - I recently went to Maningrida for work. Here is a map so you can see Maningrida in relation to Katherine and Darwin. The blue line is the roads you would take to drive there, but I flew. It was roughly an hour's flight. Back in 2007 I saw a band called Wild Water play in Katherine. Wild Water are from Maningrida Community.

View My Saved Places in a larger map

The weekend prior to the Maningrida trip, I got some boot scooting done at the Katherine Country Music Muster for my birthday. Here's me and there's Harmony James in the back ground, crooning away as only Harmony can. I had a wonderful night and even learned some line-dancing moves. I also got a guitar the next day for my birthday, so maybe I'll be crooning soon? Who knows?

Well Pa, that's all from me for now. Speak to you soon.

xx Hooch.

Getting frogged in Katherine

2009-02-28T21:54:00.004+11:00

Hi Pa,

Thanks for your phone call the other day. I'm sorry to hear the sad news about Aunty Marg, I'm sure she is as peace now.

I'm feeling a lot better this weekend, I even had enough energy to walk to the shops and back today.

Anyway, I've been taking lots of photos with the camera I got from Imo, Ned and Ben for Christmas, and I wanted to share some unexpected froggy guests that have been visiting the Taj.

I found this one swimming around quite happily in our pool. I felt obliged to fish him out, however, as there is no way for him to hop out, and he would have been sucked into the pool filter ere long.

This little tacker hopped in our front door. My housemate and I thought that it could have been a baby cane toad because of the stripe on it's back, but on closer inspection of it's bulgy eyes (cane toads have a ridge over their eyes) we discovered it was a cute froggy after all.

I hope you and Nana had a good time for Nana's Birthday last weekend. I hope to talk to you soon.

Love to you and Nana and the family,

x Hooch.

Legend 1

2009-02-20T12:08:00.002+11:00

Legend 1

There was a young fella called Ned
jumped onto his bike
from his bed.
He took a nose dive
into a beehive
and 'like the dickens', he fled

His mates he did call
to retrieve bike and all,
their journey was not at an end.
And off and away
that very same day
'round Tassie their travels did wend.

When they stopped for a bresk
they found in their wake
this tale had already been told.
This biker called Ned
who from bees had fled
was becoming a legend of old

So... I had an inkling that something was afoot!

2009-02-05T17:08:00.003+11:00

Yesterday, on my lunch break, I got my first tattoo.

I've spent many years wanting one, but never had enough meaning behind the want to justify sticking it on myself. I didn't want to resent it in later life.

About a month ago, I had the "back at work blues", and spent some time thinking about what was wrong, why I was feeling a bit average... perhaps even a bit below. I had some "emergency" time off work to figure out what's important - why I felt down.

After a lot of pondering, I decided I needed a balance.. a positive balance within myself. My engineering side (Dad) and artist side (Mum) decided to be friends - and together they came up with a design incorporating balance (yinyang), and positivity (a plus).
A friend has told me it looks like a cross and a tear drop which gave me a bit of a giggle. I can see it too :) but it's not my meaning. I find it curious and fascinating how different people interpret different things differently. I guess it depends on how their balance is fairing.

Anyway, It's a reminder for myself - for me to look at. It's on the inside of my left wrist, and so far, the longer it's on me the more I like it. It makes me feel elated - more so than I had imagined. Perhaps this is because I know it's right?

Who knows - it's awesome!

2009-01-21T01:09:00.004+11:00

Dear Pa,

I am going well, and somehow surviving the heat up here (having a swimming pool in the back yard helps). My housemate has asked me to be bridesmaid for her in December; there will be two weddings - one in Melbourne, and another in Mexico (the groom's country)!

Here I am with two of my friends. It was too hot to just dip our feet in, so we recklessly threw ourselves into the pool, clothes and all!

I took this with the camera Imogen, Ned and Ben gave me for Christmas. It goes underwater and everything! Coooooool.... :)

Please say hello to Nana and any other family members you might see. I haven't spoken to anyone in a week or so - things get so busy up here! I hope to talk to you soon.

P.S. I'm typing this all from my very own laptop! Hooray!

P.P.S I've been giving my new bathers (which I bought with my Nana&Pa Xmas money) heaps at the local pool. Me and my housemates go swimming several days a week before work.

2009-01-06T21:28:00.003+11:00

hi pa, how are you? Happy New Year, or 'Bonne Année' in french
im in science engineering class at the moment but its about to end so i have to type quickly.
school started again after 2 weeks break on monday. i have 2 weeks of school to go then im going to catch the TGV which is a very fast train back to paris for my 5 day stay there with my friends.
im having a lot of fun meeting lots of new people and visiting many new places.
we went to the village called Hyères on the weekend. it was probably my favorite village so far because all the old buildings and castles were still standing, because during the war Hyères wasnt bombed, like the town Toulon (closest to where im staying) which was heavily bombed by the germans because it is home to a lot of military boats and headquarters. Hyères had lots of palm trees, cobble stone streets and a big castle on top of the hill behind it which we walked up to.
Toulon which we also visited was really cool as well. there were lots and lots of boats, from tour boats to cruise ships and sailing boats to massive french navy boats which are the ones that my host father works on because he is an electrical engineer for the french navy. it was really cool, like a really big version of Williamstown!
tomorrow im going shopping with my friend because im not going to school tomorrow, so i think that will be fun. my friend is also an exchange student from pegs staying in Six Fours les Plages, another village near mine.
i hope you and nana had a good christmas and enjoyed catching up with all the family, mum sent me some photos via email. im sure it was nice to see everyone, especially John and Hooch who we dont get to see very often!
send my love to Nana,
ruthi
xoxo

bonjour everyone!!

2008-12-23T20:52:00.002+11:00

hi everyone!
im in france speaking lots of french, using french money, going to french school (but its holidays at the moment) and eating french food. its really great!
i went to school 5 days last week which was interesting. because lunch is their main meal of the day we eat it at school, and its a proper 3 course meal too. the people there are really nice and some of the classes i understand and can participate in, like maths and english class!
so far apart from school ive done many interesting things. ive visited a medival village which has been restored and another town called bandol which had a big port for boats and is very popular for tourists during the summer months.
this weekend gone, we went to another city called Marseille which is the second biggest in france after paris. we did some shopping and walked around the streets, all the buildings are very old and spectacular, some were built in the 1500s!
we also went to an exhibition for the works of van gogh, monticelli and there was some work by delacroix as well. i really enjoyed it and it was weird actually seeing these paintings after having heard so much about them in australia.
we also visited a church called 'notre dame de la garde' which sat on top of a hill and was so beautiful inside. i took lots of photos so ill show you when i get home.
i hope everyone in melbourne is well and looking forward to christmas, so merry christmas and happy new year to everyone!!
i think the family may take me to italy after new year so im looking forward to that!
say hi to nana for me pa and have a great time on thursday, have you seen phoebes new cat?
love to all,
ruthi

Chop Chop

2008-11-06T14:37:00.003+11:00

Hi Pa,

Looks like this blog has been neglected for a while. Sorry about that. I hope you and Nana are both well and enjoying the beginnings of Melbourne's summer. I hear you've had rain, wind and a little warm weather already.

Anyway, I thought you might like to see my new look - it's so hot up here at the moment that I was compelled to chop off my dreadlocks.

So I've gone from this:

To this:

Much cooler! Please tell Nana she can stop worrying about my horrible hair. :) I now look (a little) more respectable.

Well, I'll see you in December when I'm in Melbourne town. Till then I'm very busy out bush a lot with only three full days left in the office.

Mayawa

(Mangarrayi Language: "see you later")

17 geese, beat that!!

2008-07-03T21:57:00.004+10:00

a grand hello to pa, nana and the rest of the gang,

last thursday night was the PEGS formal, with a fair few of my friends coming to our place before heading off for the big night. it was held at the Penninsula Docklands, one of the big sheds in the middle of docklands which has been converted to a huge formal type venue. it was very nice, we ate and there was a dancing competition with prizes going to the best dancers of the jive, samba, cha-cha, miringue, and tango and guess who won that?? thats right: the two geese from my last post!! here they are once again!! we got a trophy as well for all our hard work!!

it was nice to see you and nana last weekend
for our chinese dinner at your apartment,
hope to do it again soon.

love ruthi

Hi Pa!

2008-06-07T01:49:00.003+10:00

How's it going down there in the cold country? I had a little taste of cool weather in Alice Springs this week, but reports say Melbourne takes the ice-cream cake. Hope you and Nana are keeping warm.

I recently babysat an orphaned kitten. Here is he, looking particularly cute:

He has now been adopted and is happily settled 300km down the road.

Well, that's all from me. I've put another blog up on Katherine's Diary if you want to have a gander.

Have a cosy winter. xx Hooch (your tropical compadre)

Two more Geese

2008-05-07T18:59:00.005+10:00

Hi Pa,

Here's me and Imo celebrating my birthday. The colourful backdrop is a wall hanging from Uncle John. I had a great time on Sat. It was wonderful to catch up with you and Nana.

On Saturday night Some of my school friends came over and we just sat around and chatted. It was wonderful catching up, but it's always difficult to have a proper catch up when you're playing host at the same time.

Well, see you next time I'm in town (maybe in the middle of the year).

Till then, be excellent and party on! :P

Hi Pa!

2008-04-24T17:43:00.002+10:00

How are you two going?

really enjoyed Ruth's post below. It's great to find out what people are up to. It feels like I haven't spoken to you or the family in ages. I'm getting internet at home soon, so there'll be no excuse for not posting regularly on the blog in any case.

Last Tuesday I went out bush with another linguist. It was great being able to discuss ideas together and to show him what it's like working out in communities.

I hope you weren't too shocked about my 'hangover post' on the other blog. I just felt like writing a post about it - it made an impression on me. Suffice to say I won't be doing anything like that again soon (or ever!).

Anyway, I'm about to head to the shops to stock up on food - my housemates and a few friends are going on an overnight hike tomorrow, so we're going to raid 'Woolies' before we go.

Please pass on my love to Nana.

xx Hooch.

hi hi

2008-04-01T17:59:00.005+11:00

who are these two two geese?
helen asked me to put some photos of my deb onto the blog, though as pa and helen have already seen them, i decided to go with this one, which neither of you have seen, and which i think is quite funny.
were all just relaxing back home after having a lovely time at aireys and portarlington last week.
on friday im off to queensland for the school netball team. we play 2 games, do some surfing lessons, bowling, shopping and wet and wild theme park, so i think its more of a bonding camp than a skills camp.
dad, mum, hugh, paddy, bevan, and me are all off to see Frank Woodley's comedy festival show on thursday night as well, so hopefully that will be a bit of a laugh for all.
hope to see you all soon,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO KENDAL FOR TODAY!!!!!
ruthi
xoxo

February

2008-02-19T18:53:00.002+11:00

Hi Pa,

Thanks for the new years' wishes.

I'm now back up North spending a couple of days in the town of Batchelor. I'll be returning to Katherine tomorrow night.

I had a wonderful two weeks with Dayna up here, and we travelled to Timber Creek and swam at Umbrawarra gorge. Have you been to either of those places? They're both beautiful and we had a lot of fun.

Well, I'm eating dinner at the college in Batchelor, and it's dinner time right now, so I'd better go. Love to you and Nana.

xx Hooch.

New Year Greetings

2007-12-30T15:24:00.000+11:00

Nana and I wish all our family of bloggers a very happy and prosperous New Year

Lots of love

Pa

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Merry Christmas 2007

2007-12-24T14:24:00.000+11:00

Merry Christmas to all of Pa's bloggers. I'm looking forward with great excitement to seeing most of you on Chrisatmas Day. Keep safe, calm and collected and enjoy the warmth of just being together again. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

hi

2007-12-03T22:02:00.000+11:00

hi guys
i think our blog is looking a bit sad :(
were all just finishing up school, exams and end of year stuff, nothing too interesting
sorry i missed you and nana on sunday pa, i was at work and think i must have just missed you. hopefully i'll see you soon
i think i got a job at Ozmosis. (aka. some surf shop at highpoint) i just had the trial on sunday but hopefully theyll ask me back! fingers crossed. *if anyone needs surf clothes come and visit me, but im not sure if i get a discount yet!!
got my exam results back today, overall pretty pleased
hugh is currently in the middle of exams, procrastinating about studying for french, claiming that it is a lost cause. he feels ok about all the others though.
i saw Mel today, she seemed pretty happy, hoping to be out in about a week.
i spose we'll see everyone at christmas, if not before
luv ruthi

Funny

2007-11-05T17:49:00.000+11:00

Hi Pa,

Here is a video you might like: Zorba the Greek Yolngu style

Click on pause and wait for the video to load (watch the red bar fill up underneath the picture). Then press play.

This video has been getting a lot of attention in the media and was even shown in a square in Greece.

xx Hooch.

Hello Pa

2007-09-11T23:22:00.000+10:00

Hi Pa.

I hope you had a great Fathers' Day. I didn't do much, but the whole family (Helen and the 3 kids) were all texting each other and thinking of Daddy. Ned discovered that if you use the predictive text function on the mobile phone, that 'David' and 'Father' use almost the same letters.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to catching up in October. I'm returning to Katherine on your birthday (sorry), but we will definitely have time to catch up before then.

Hope you're having a good time with Nana. Please say hi to her from me.

Love, Hooch.

hello from the braden bunch

2007-08-15T20:18:00.000+10:00

Hi pa & all the rest of the family,
Hope everyone is well, were all pretty good in this house at the moment. Paddy's pretty excited because his footy team made it into their grandfinal on sunday. GO ABERS!!
Unfortunately my netball team lost our grandfinal last week by 1 goal after a fairly even game. Oh well, someone has to lose dont they?
Phoebe went on a cubs camp last weekend and had a nice time. She earned her leadership badge from the camp so shes fairly pleased about that.
Hugh is gearing up for grade 5 piano and saxophone exams but unfortunately his school rock-eisteadford team did not make the finals of the competition.
We cant wait for Hooch's grand return, very excited!
See you soon Pa,
The Braden Bunch. (aka. Ruth because she's the only one who remembers how to use the blogger.)

New Post

2007-08-12T23:45:00.000+10:00

Hi Pa,

Just wanted to let you and the Fam know that there is a new post up on Katherine's Diary (it's been a while).

See y'all in Oct.

xx Hooch.

Coming Home (for a little while)

2007-07-30T20:17:00.000+10:00

Dear Pa (and the rest of the clan),

If you haven't already heard from the family grapevine, I'm coming to Melbourne for the first week in October. I will be travelling from Adelaide where I will be attending the 2007 Australian Linguistic Society conference.

I'm so excited to see all of you. I will organise some kind of 'do' closer to the day.

Lots of love,

Me. :)
xxx

We're Off

2007-06-22T23:45:00.000+10:00

Well Dad and Mum, John and I are heading off for our adventure in the far north tomorrow. I was really dismayed to have a really flat battery(own fault) and to be unable to visit you guys on Wednesday evening. On Thursday John and I, Imogen and Ben, and Ned and Tracey had dinner at Ned and Tracey's house as a farewell. This was fun, and we played with Ned's new toy, a steering accessory for an Xbox. We were able to drive racing cars on a racing circuit with steering feeling in the steering wheel as we drove off track, crashed the car, and accelerated to break land-speed records. Very hilarious.

We ate Indian takeaway and Ben had made a chocolate tart for desert!

Shilka is having a weekend holiday with Ned and Tracey and Imogen and Ben are staying here to mind the house and the pets for the 2 weeks we will be away.

I sne you all our love

Helen

Nangala aka Hooch

2007-05-30T10:01:00.000+10:00

Dear Hooch,
Nana and I are both well and enjoy reading about your doings, particularly bush courts, new house etc. Last Sunday ( May 27 ) spent a lovely time at Julies for Ruth's 16th birthday. How time flies. Wendy, Alex and Melanie were there too. Previous Friday we enjoyed a concert at Arcadia entitled a Tribute to Frank Sinatra. It was a very good impersonation plus one item impersonating Elvis Presley. Although not altogether my cup of tea I nevertheless enjoyed it.
This coming Sunday Robin intends to drive us to see the new house she and Geoff have bought in East Brunswick. They have not taken possession of it yet so we will only be able to see it from the outside. It is very close to where Imogen is living, and close to Ceres and nice walking and bike tracks along the Merri creek.
How is your own bike riding going and when do you hope to get your new bike?
You will be looking foreward to Helen and John's visit and hopefully you will be avle to join them for some of the time. The campervan should be fun and enable them to see as much as possible in the time available.
Keep well
All our love Nana and Pa

Thanks, Ilkfin.

2007-05-06T14:05:00.000+10:00

Dear Pa and Nana,

I had a wonderful birthday. Thanks for your gift - I think I will put it towards getting a new bike. I have made a post on Katherine's Diary all about my busy birthday weekend.

All my friends up here have made me feel like I belong. It's like we're family. So, although it would have been great to spend my birthday down in Melbourne, I'm really glad I got to share it with my new friends.

Will talk soon.

xxx Hooch.

Happy Birthday Hooch

2007-05-03T09:54:00.001+10:00

Happy Birthday Hooch from thebloggers of Dear Pa

Queensland!!

2007-03-30T18:48:00.000+10:00

Hi all,
Havn't posted for a while but Hooch worked out my blogger problem so now I'm all set!
Last weekend I went to the Gold Coast for the open first netball squad trip. We left on Saturday and got back Monday evening. About 20% of the trip focused on netball, the other 80% included buffet dinners, dancing, ice baths, (ooooooooo COLD!!!) a trip to white water world and some time on the beach. It was great fun but I dont hav any photos of it yet.
I felt a little out of my league in terms of height and skill, but I might get there. (the skill part, not much hope for the height part)
Anyway, I hope everyone is well, see you all soon,
ruthi
xoxoxo

Hi Dad

2007-03-24T08:47:00.000+11:00

Hi Dad, this is the fierst I have posted as a 'new blogger'. I seem to just enter my gmail account and password to enter this blog. I hope you can do this too. I'm not sure what happens if you do not habe a gmail account, but you may find outwhen you try to become a 'new blogger'.

Could all the rest of you Dear Pa bloggers please give feed back as to how you have become 'new bloggers'?

Love to all

Ilkfin

At Last

2007-03-16T14:53:00.000+11:00

I hope that I am posting as I have just renewed my new password according to my screen instructions. Hooch I spoke to Julie and both she and Ruth have to do what I have just done (hopefully) so they too can also post.

Luvilkfin

Hooch has made another post

2007-03-13T14:01:00.000+11:00

Hi Pa (and the rest of you),

Just letting you know that I've put another post up on Katherine's Diary.

I hope everyone is well, lookforward to talking/emailing/hearing news from you soon.

xxx Hooch.

PS. Pa, good luck with the predictive txt on your new mobile! :)

Katherine's Diary

2007-03-05T19:02:00.000+11:00

I have recently started up a blog about my adventures, trials and tribulations in this humid hot hole called Katherine. It's called Katherine's Diary, please cruise on by and have a look.

Thanks Pa for already reading and commenting - yes, I did get four text messages (but I look forward to plenty more when you get the hang of texting [or txting, as it is called]!).

Bye for now.

PS. Julie, I still haven't had time to send out an invite to your account, so maybe just use Ruth's for now.

Congratulations and best wishes

2007-01-30T20:27:00.000+11:00

Congratulations to Hooch on getting the job in Katherine and best wishes to Imogen on setting up her new home in Brunswick.

love Nana and Pa

xx oo

Dear Pa

2007-01-10T00:13:00.000+11:00

Dear Pa,

(and Nana). I'll enjoy my bike helmet and here is a picture of me with my new bike, wearing my new helmut. I look nice don't I? Pa, I love you and I will miss you because we went on an aeroplane to Hong Kong. I'll also miss Nana. I like coming to see Nana in her room and I like her sweets too. I also like sending things to you both on Pa's blog. Hope you enjoy the photo,

love from
Tyler
(with a little help from John)

P.S. Mummy says hello

My Xmas Present

2007-01-09T13:39:00.000+11:00

Hi Pa,

I just wanted to write to let you and Nana know what I've decided to spend my Christmas money on. I've joined the Australian Linguistic Society! So I headed on down to the post office, paid my subscription and am awaiting my comfirmation in the mail.

It is my first step to becoming a real-live linguist, and I'm very excited.

I hope you are both well, I'm going to come and visit tomorrow (Wednesday), but I'll call you tonight in case you haven't checked the blog.

xxx Hooch.

Hi and good morning

2006-12-29T08:31:00.000+11:00

I'm up and racing after attending my friend's (Ruth AndersonSmith) funeral at Como Mansion yesterday. John and Hooch came too, of course. Imogen and Ned were unable to attend.

The service was held in the garden with her children, ex partner and longest best friend talking about different aspects of her and her life. At the end her son William sang solo. This was a great tribute to her. After, we had a party with beer and wine, tea and coffee etc in the gardens and ballroom. It was a great reunion of colleagues, past students, family and friends.

Then, some of us went back to her house where the party continued and we all met each other and new each other through her. This was very special and it was weird to finally leave her home and know that it will change forever.

The girls have gone to Harmers and will head off to the Pyramid New Year's rock festival on Phillip Island today to avoid the crowds that will be piling onto the island tomorrow.

Love to you and Nana from Helen and John, and Happy New Year to all the Dear Pa bolggers!!!

Thank You Family

2006-12-26T10:04:00.000+11:00

Dear Family,

Thank you to Julie, Tony and family for hosting such a lovely Christmas Day in their home and to all members of the family who contributed with food, drink and presents to this festive occasion. Nana and I enjoyed and appreciated very much the day and having so many of the family and grandchildren with us.

Love Pa
XX OO

Christmas 06

2006-12-25T19:29:00.000+11:00

Dear Pa,

it was terrific for Sophie, Tyler and I to see both you and Mum this Christmas at Julie's house - one of the best Christmas celebrations in recent memory for me. I think the same goes for Sophie and Tyler too....especially Tyler.

Tyler dictated this too me a few moments ago: "Hi Pa! How are you today. I hope you're feeling good...love from Tyler."

I guess that this is his first blog....hopefully not his last. Next time we'll try to send some pictures with the message.
lots of love

John, Sophie and Tyler
XXXOOO

SEASONS GREETINGS

2006-12-24T20:17:00.000+11:00

A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR TO ALL THE FAMILY

LOVE FROM NANA AND PA

Oaks Day Fashion Parade at Arcadia

2006-12-18T14:38:00.000+11:00

Herewith Nana wearing a "fascinator" together with Nurse Meka at the Oaks Day Fashion Parade held at Arcadia last month. The fascinators were made by some of the residents who do craft work.

Congratulations again to Hooch and Imogen on such brilliant results and also to Ruth who got all 'A's for her year 9 subjects, and was elected house captain. Melanie did well in her subjects partricularly in drama , Nicholas got high distinctions in all subjects and was admitted to the double engineering science dgree course and Christopher successfully completed his year. Kendal got an excellent rating in her subjects and Alex together with Iona will be going into year 7 at Princess Hill Secondary College in '07. Patrick is joining Hugh at Essendon Grammar next year and both have done well. Phoebe will soon be following Ruth to Penleigh.

Congratulations to all for a good years work.

Nana and I look foreward to seeing you all at Julies on Christmas Day

Love Pa

HI

2006-12-13T22:23:00.000+11:00

Contrary to your initial intuitions that the above title is an informal greeting, it is in fact 'aitch one' - meaning that I've just got my Honours mark back and it's 81 - which just scrapes into 'HI ' the highest catogory for honours marking. :)

My thesis got 76 (out of 100), and my two coursework units got 89 (Linguistic Theory) and 82 (Indonesian Special Reading Course); all of which averages out to 80.75, which they have rounded up (yay for me!).

Thanks Pa, Nana, and all the family for your support and interest in my topic throughout the year.

Anyway, I have to go now to help clean up the house for Imo's party...... see you soon.

Look who I found!

2006-12-11T19:56:00.000+11:00

We have been going through our family photos for Imogen's 21st photo board and I came across this one; it was too irresistible not to share. Enjoy...

Congratulations

2006-12-07T15:53:00.000+11:00

Dear Imogen,

Congratulations on a great result. All the best for your future.

Love Nanna and Pa

Imi's 21st

2006-11-28T19:22:00.000+11:00

HI everyone, just thought I'd add a photo of Imi (and me and Hooch) This is at my 21st last year. Happy birthday to everyone who has birthdays in December! Is there a family thing? I will try to come if someone tells me when and where!

On another note. I got the position at Windy Hill as a coach , so watch out Ruth! You better work hard and stay in the A team otherwise you'll have me as a coach!

love Mel

Imogen is turning 21!

2006-11-27T13:44:00.000+11:00

In celebration of this momentous occasion, I thought I'd post this cutie-wootie picture of her as a little tacker. Pa, do you remember when she was this small and cute?

See you at the December birthdays family gathering. Say hi to Nana.

I worked it out!!!

2006-11-17T18:29:00.000+11:00

Hi Pa and Everyone,
Ruthie showed me how to do this so thats cool hey. Long time no see for all of you! (well except Ruth and Julie coz I saw them last night!) Here is a quick update on me...I have finished uni and now only have one year to go before I can get a real job! So thats nice. So Now I am just working as hard as possible so I don't have to work so much next year. Just swim teaching/Duty Managing and reception.
I saw Ruth play netball last night as I might be coaching the under 17's B grade team for windy hill. I am a bit excited about that. They won and it was exciting, very good team to watch (and maybe coach!)
So thats about it really, I am doing teaching rounds next year at Bacchus Marsh Grammar which will be cool as they are doing the rock estedford in both Junior and senior school. Hopefully I'll learn a bit there. And this weekend I am going to Gippsland for Jarrad's Grandpa's 70th. Should be a busy but nice weekend.
ok take care,
luv Melanie

Dear Pa

2006-11-15T16:27:00.000+11:00

Dear Pa

Hi Pa. Hi Nana. I'm gradually getting to the end of assessment for all my students. The weather is winter today with hail etc. I will visit you and Nana on Thursday 16 November after work. Keep cosy,

luvilkfin

Our Day At The Races

2006-11-14T19:57:00.000+11:00

Dear everyone, heres a photo of Gen & me all ready for our day at the races.
Hooch its nice to know that you have finally finished your thesis thingo, but im a bit disappointed because now those chats on msn may not be so often.
Well on saturday mum, dad, phoebe, hughey, paddy and i all went to Stakes day at flemington. I walked around with friends, Mum & Phoebe hung out with friends from school, Hughey walked around with his girlie friend and paddy & Dad put bets on against eachother. No one won much money, and I lost $5 on some horse my friend told me to put money on, so our day was not as successful in terms of winning as we may have hoped!!
well hopefully we can all catch up soon
love Struth

Hi there Oramses

2006-11-13T15:44:00.000+11:00

Hello :)

So... this past week I've landed a new job. I'll be working in the Rialto South Tower with a heap of people from the past! (Sean, Simon, Dan, Owen and Mark who I've worked/lived/hung out with).

The people, the computers, the software and the contract are all very good :) I'm quite excited, and can't wait to start!

Also, I just won a small competition for designing an icon for a software library. I should be getting my prize (2 books) mailed to me sometime soon.

The past couple of weeks has involved traveling to Sydney twice, having our house full of Tracey's relatives and celebrating Tracey's 30th. Yep.. she's getting old :)

The house is quiet now... which I like. It's good coming home from a day at the office and not having to listen to Tracey and her sisters singing classics from The Sound Of Music.

I hope you are all well.

Rgds

Ned

Dear Pa,

2006-11-06T13:13:00.000+11:00

Hi Pa.

It feels like I haven't seen you in ages. But all that will change after this week because my thesis is due on Friday! I won't be a student any more.... that's a strange thought. I'm not sure how I'll fell about it until it happens. I get my results in mid december.

Apart from putting the final touches on my thesis, I haven't been up to much. One of the things I have been doing is rehearsing for our Choir Xmas Concert (since working in an Xmas shop, I have developed the habit of saying Xmas, not Christmas). We are performing on 8th December, but I'm not sure where. Hopefully they'll make a CD of it.

Anyway, I'd better get back to study. I hope things are going well with you. Say 'hi' to Nana from me. I'll be coming to visit some time next week (I'll let you know when after I've got my work roster).

Byeeeeeee.

2006-10-25T10:08:00.000+10:00

Hi all. Things are revving! at the Nicholas building for this Thursday and Friday evening Open Studios. Erica Ordinary will be performing at Studio 821 and the jewellery of Helen Collyer, Jane McGrath and Jo Levison will be on display. Come and have a browse and check out the studios within this Art Deco building. Studios open on most of the 8 floors of the building. View jewellery, fashion and accessories.

2006-10-13T17:04:00.000+10:00

Hi all,
wow, I havnt been on here for ages! I'm glad you had a nice time in Williamstown last week Pa, we definately picked the nice weather didnt we!
Well on the holidays we all went down to the new beach house with Nita's family for 2 weeks. As a group, we transformed the small room downstairs that was full of junk during summer into a fully inhabitable room, equipped with futon beds and carpet. Hopefully it will soon have a TV and some other things. We painted the walls 'anaconda' green and layed some carpet, with many paint fights in between!
Now for my big news for today: I might get my braces off before christmas!!!!!! So far I've had them on for 8 months, 4 days and 6 hours.
Well there's my post, I'll encorage the other Bradens to make one soon.
Love Ruthi

Pa says thankyou

2006-10-08T10:47:00.000+10:00

What a loveley day it was on Saturday 7th October 2006 at Williamstown to celebrate my 83rd birhtday and the coming birthdays of Helen (8th) and Tony (11th). Thankyou family and for all the goodies. We certainly picked the best day for weather. I hope everything is well with you all.

Love from Nana and myself,

Pa

Hello from the outer 'burbs

2006-09-25T23:14:00.000+10:00

Hi Pa,

I just thought I'd blog and let you know how my most recent Choir concert went. We sang at BMW Edge a couple of Saturdays ago. The concert was appalling, as the venue wasn't sound proof and the noise from outside came in. At first there was just a little noise from the Indonesia Festival, which was tolerable, and easily drowned out by our singing. Then, during a Cello Sonata with Piano accompanyment, a Greek wedding struck up the LOUDEST DJ set in the history of the world in the restaraunt next door. The conditions were intolerable, yet the musicians persevered till the end.

Then we had interval, where we all discussed our dilemma. All the choristers dreaded the thought of having to go on stage and compete against the din pounding in through the window. The night had been all but ruined.

Thankfully, our concert manager managed to negotiate an hour and a half's silence for us to complete the concert. So we sang our main work in peace, we sang well, and had no further mishaps. At the end, all the choristers sang a spontaneous 'victory' peice down in the basement dressing rooms - we sing this at the end of every concert. But I did not sing, not because I haven't yet learned all the words, but because I wa left feeling rather flat after the previous disasters of the night.

I had invited about 10 friends and family to come and watch the concert, and felt incredibly embarrassed for the conditions they were subjected to. Though we had sung well, and continuously for 45 minutes, my night was ruined. The release of energy from a performance was so dampened from the events of the evening, that even now, a couple of weeks later, I feel like I have not performed.

We were going to record the concert, and I was planning to get you and Nana a CD of it. I'm sure the best recording equipment could not have withstood such a racket.

But the night wasn't all bad. We went out for coffee afterwards with the friends who had attended the concert. It was a good catch up.

Well, that's the biggest news from this neck of the woods. I hope you are well, please say 'hi' to Nana from me. I hope to visit you guys on Wednesday night (around 6.30ish).
See you then.

About time

2006-09-24T15:44:00.000+10:00

Hi Dad. How are you and mum? John and I stayed at home this Sunday as John would like to see his doctor on Monday before we go to Harmers. Tell Mum I am not stiff after pushing her up the road yesterday.

How are all you other silent and absent bloggers? Have you given a blog a go? Get your parents to stick their beaks in too, Woof!

Ilkfin

re in space

2006-08-26T23:49:00.000+10:00

Hello out there. It feels like I'm going into space- a bit exciting. Happy Birthday Ned as I didn't say it before. RIP Froggy. Think I might come and check out a movie Pa. Lovely weather. Very busy thru school. Choir sounds great Hooch! Thanks for the invite.

Dear Pa

2006-08-13T20:59:00.000+10:00

Pa, how are you going? If you're still having trouble with the blog, just let me know.

It's good to see that Mum (aka Ilkfin) has been able to get the blog up and running. I hope to see more posts that are not just from me.

I'll also get into Imogen's ear about making a post. She seems a bit hesitant, but I think once she's started, she'll get the hang of it.

THE LATEST FAMILY NEWS: I've just heard on the grape vine that Paddy's frog just died. Bad luck Paddy, at least he'll now be in froggy heaven. Let us all raise our hats to a froggy frog of froggity frogginess.

If this post is getting excessively silly, you can tall I've been in front of the computer for too long. I've been sitting here at the computer for hours, trying to get some of my thesis written, and it's taking FOREVER! I think I've probably written about 500 words.

Last night I went to the Annual Dinner for the Monash Choir. It was very fun. We had to SING the menu to find out what we were going to eat (apparently it's tradition to sing the menu). It was the mixed up tunes of our upcoming Rachmaninov Concert, we were completely out of tune, but no one minded.

Pa, I hope you are well,

xx Hooch.

I'm posting all by myself!

2006-08-08T12:44:00.000+10:00

Hi Papa Bear, I have followed the most recent instructions and am posting this. I have mentioned this blog to Anne as I thought she might like to be in too. I'm thrilled the TV and the new DVD player are working so well. When you have finished looking at the library collection you may like to join ACMI(the Australian Centre for the Moving Image), as they have a vast collection of specialist fiction and documenteries.

Love to you and Mum

Ilkfin

More Blogging Tips - getting started

2006-07-31T16:30:00.000+10:00

Imo said the other day that she was 'terrified' she didn't know what to do on the blog. So I thought I'd type some basic instructions.

Once you have accepted your invitation to join the blog your name should appear in the 'contributors' column (to the right of the screen).

Logging in
- If you want to log into your account, go to www.blogger.com. You can also get to the log in page by clicking on the orange 'B' blogger logo at the top left hand of the screen, or by clicking on the white 'I-power blogger' at the bottom of the sidebar (right hand side of the screen).
- Type your username and password into the boxes at the top right hand side of the screen.
- Y ou should now be logged in to blogger. You should be able to see 'Dear Pa', followed by a green cross + and then a blue gear cog * (Sorry, I couldn't find a good picture of a gear cog)

Making a post
- This is what you do if you want to write something and put it on the blog. (This is a post)
- To make a post, click on the + (it also says 'new post')
- Then you can type your 'post' (what you want to say) in the main box. There is also a smaller box labelled 'title' in which you can type the main subject of your post. (The title of this post is "More Blogging Tips - getting started")
- Once you have finished your message you can keep it unpublished as a draft (by clicking on the blue 'Save as Draft' to the bottom left of the screen). But you can also click 'Publish Post' which will put the post on the blog.

Other things
There are many other things you can do on the blog like editing, or adding a picture (as discussed in my previous 'blogging tips' post). But I will not discuss them here.

Hopefully this helps you to get started.

Happy posting!

Seminars and birthdays

2006-07-27T17:24:00.000+10:00

Dear Pa

Pa I would like to read the list of topics covered at the witness seminar. As he wished, Ned is having a 'quiet night in' for his birthday tonight.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NED

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MELANIE FROM ALL

WOOF!

July Birthdays

2006-07-24T11:53:00.000+10:00

Dear Pa,

I'm looking forward to next Sunday. As you no doubt already know, we're having a 'Birthdays in July' get together at our house. So far everyone is coming except for Anne, Denis, and Chris. I'm not sure about Mel either, because she's away on teaching rounds at the moment. But Nick is coming, and may be bringing a 'friend' (of the female variety). I don't know if he wants me to post such news on a blog, but, oh well, what's family for if not publicly humiliating you?

It will be interesting to see how we figure out navigating Nana around in her new chair - a bit of an adventure I'm sure. Remind me to show you the new Catalogue of by 'Book Club' - I'm thinking of buying two books of Fairy Stories.

Well, I'm at uni at the moment, and should be studying - so I'd better log off.

See you on Sunday.

Some Blogging Tips.

2006-07-18T15:35:00.000+10:00

Dear Pa,

I'm really glad to see that everything's gone smoothly (I hope it was smooth).

I just thought I'd put a few 'blogging tips' up, but I'm sure you've probably figured most of them out already.

1. See 'comments' below this post? If you click on it you can type a message reply to someone else's post. There is a number indicating how many comments have been made on each post.

2. If you want to put a picture on a post, there is an 'add image' button on the 'create post' screen. Another wondow will pop up. Press the 'browse' button and find the file of the picture you want to use and click ok. Then click on 'upload image'. You'll have to wait a few minutes for it to upload. Then press 'done' and the image should appear. I have added a picture of the 'orion nebula' which I am using as my desktop wall paper at the moment.

3. You can also play around with font sizes and colours.

4. If you want to link a website to your post, select the text you want to link to the site. Then click the 'link' button (it's the green blobby looking one). Then copy or type the web address of the site you want to link to into the text box that pops up and press ok. For example, I've put a link to my Humour Archive. This is a blog I have created to try and get started on my thesis.

I hope this helps. (Ruth, maybe you can upload your picture now?)

Bye.

PS. If you want to know how to put links in the side bar 'links' section, email me and I'll put more detailed instructions. There is also Blogger Help which you can browse as well.

dear pa blogg

2006-07-18T09:51:00.000+10:00

Dear Hooch

Have successfully accepted invitation to join blogg dear pa and have established an account.
Many thanks for setting this up and thinking of me.

Love Pa

photo time!!

2006-07-15T21:28:00.000+10:00

ok, if im not supposed 2 put this pic here then tell me, but otherwise, here we all are:

In the begining

2006-07-15T14:33:00.000+10:00

Dear Pa,

I have created this blog as a form of communication between your grandchildren, children and yourself. I recently read your PC club article, and I noticed that you're always quite keen to keep up to date with technology. No doubt you've heard mum talk about 'blogs'. Blogs are very popular at the moment. They are a good way to use all the computer/internet skills you've learned over the years.

Blogs are like and online journal, but this one will hopefull take a form more like letters to you from us, and from you to us. We can update you on what we are up to in our lives: boy/girlfriends, school, life. And you can let us know what's going on with you and Nana.

Some of the younger grandchildren do not have email addresses yet. But hopefully there's enough enthusiasm for people (other than me) to start 'making posts'.

You don't have to use your real name on here - you can see, I'm using my nickname 'Hooch' (even though it may as well be my real name!).

Well, I'll send you an email telling you all about it and you can come and have a look at the site.

Bye.