By
helen on February 28th, 2005
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I’m sick 
Not fun.
I just spent the whole day at home which is rather novel for me.
I got up around 12:30.
Made phone calls.
Watched the DVD of Beaches. One of those classic movies I feel like I should have seen and never had.
Watched a DVD of Janet Jackson Live in Hawaii and dreamed about being a back up dancer. How fun would that be? I was dancing on the inside.
Mary and Laura made me dinner :). And Laura insisted we watch Home and Away. It’s been a LONG time since I’ve watched Home and Away. The combination of the dialogue and soundtrack amused me.
Does Summer Bay have a stalker??!
By
helen on February 26th, 2005
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This morning my family gathered at my grandfather’s house for the last time. The house has been sold so that he and his wife can move into a flat. I can’t believe how many memories there are for me in that big old house. I got all nostalgic just driving down the road we drove so many times when I was a kid.
That was the house where my grandmother died. I still remember walking into her dark room at the age of 11 and sitting by her bed, chatting as she watched television, deep down knowing she was in a lot of pain.
Grandma use to look after me when I was sick and she’d take me up to the local shops to buy Charcoal Chicken.
In that house I’d play games on the spiral staircase, creating wierd and wonderful choreographies. My brother and sister and I would go on adventures throught the reserve at the back of their house and pick fruit off the trees. We’d play hide and seek in the immaculate dining room where you felt like if you touched anything and it moved then the massive chandelier poised above you would come crashing down on top of you. We’d swim in their wierdly shaped jelly bean pool and fight eachother on blow up bananas and see who was the fastest to touch the bottom. Pa would play me at a game of crib with their old fashioned gribbage board. I would always win, but on reflection, he probably let me. It was in that house, in their massive blue tiled bathroom, that I first tried on lipstick while grandma removed her hair from curlers and brushed it with her circular brush. And my young and vibrant aunt would give me my first tap lessons on their cork kitchen floor. Mmmm spicy fruit pillows and cans of lemonade. Special turns in the rocking chair. Races up what must be the steepest driveway in existance. Sleepovers with hourly wake up calls from the haunting grandfather clock. Hydrangers and fresh lemons. Hot honey and lemon drinks.
This house is still the backdrop to many a night time dream.
I didn’t realise I could articulate fond childhood memories. This is a bit of a revelation.
And so the end of Sylvan Ave, the end of an era. It’s amazing how places have so many memories and emotions attached to them.
By
helen on February 26th, 2005
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By
helen on February 26th, 2005
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
I finally worked out how to edit my photos & blog them…at least I hope. I took this photo at my grandfather’s place today. I really like it.
By
helen on February 26th, 2005
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We have several extra people in our house at the moment. The sad thing about that overnight was that it meant that voices and showers kept going till way beyond when I went to bed and then started really early way before I was hoping to be awake.
Oh dear. I don’t think I’d cope very well livign in a crowded country where I had to share a small space with lots of people. I’m discovering I like my space.
Oo, and sleep. I’m hoping I work out how to do that again some time soon.
By
helen on February 24th, 2005
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OH SO FRUSTRATED.
Today in my French conversation class we discussed ‘what is art?’ I had so much to say and couldn’t think of all the French words to say it with. Oh so frustrating. I’m hoping my French will return to me. But I guess the definition of art is hard enough to explain and discuss in English let alone French. Although it took me back to many a college discussion and thought process.
‘To make the invisible visible.’
By
helen on February 21st, 2005
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I think my father is the only person in the world who insists on peeling the skin off every grape that he eats.
If I hated the skin that much, I don’t think I’d bother eating grapes.
By
helen on February 19th, 2005
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I beat Tom at 10 Pin Bowling last night. I beat others too, but I think Tom was a little more set on trying to win.
Sweet victory!
Does that make me ’sporty’??
Happy Birthday Anmol.
By
helen on February 17th, 2005
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Well I just had a really strange evening.
I just taught a funk class to a random group of 7 people. I like teaching new people who I’ve just met. But at the same time it can be a little daunting. And bizarre. What I prepared was too hard. Oops. Hope they didn’t get too discouraged and don’t come back.
I’m really enjoying this new year of teaching. There’s lots of newness around. That’s hopeful.
I was really tired by the time I reached rehearsal. But the girls are so beautiful. It was really just beautiful. Pip, Mel, Sal & I are doing a classical contemporary piece to a Matt Redman song and it’s just, well, beautiful really. I don’t think I’d really mind if no one ever saw it. I just enjoy dancing it.
I feel like a dancer again this week.
Mon taught, Tues went to SDC lyrical jazz, Wed taught, Thurs taught.
I think to be honest, I was missing that feeling.
By
helen on February 16th, 2005
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Well, here I am in the office at 10:30 at night and I need to write a Bible Study before I leave. Oh dear. Today didn’t quite go as planned. Please Lord, let it come quick!
In other news…I’m running a dance school! Just been watching a little dream come true before my eyes the last few days. Lots of kids and mums and Pip & Nicole did their thing and they rocked. I’m pumped. I’m sure it will wear off. But I’m a little intrigued about what will come of it all. God, what are you up to??
I really enjoyed teaching on Mon night. I think I missed it. It was good to have a break, me thinks. I’m back fresh now. And I taught tap to U2 and Jamie Cullem. Very fun.
Must write Bible study…