Is There Such a thing as too much Cheese?: November 2009

Thursday, 26 November 2009

Panda Watch

We do actually pay a fair bit of attention to the news in Australia via this trusty gadget trendy kids are calling the “internet” which means we are kept informed of disgusting November heatwaves (so so glad I didn’t have to experience that – yuk), even more disgusting Mike-Rann-boning-his-mistress-in-parliament - ew and a curiosity I’m going to call Panda-gate.

Now, if you have seen the film Anchorman, perhaps it has struck you also that all the hoopla over the new pandas that are arriving at the Adelaide Zoo – unfortunately named Wang Wang and Funi – is eerily similar to:
Brian Fantana: Panda Watch. The mood is tense; I have been on some serious, serious reports but nothing quite like this. I uh... Ching... King is inside right now. I tried to get an interview with him, but they said no, you can't do that he's a live bear, he will literally rip your face off.
Ron Burgundy: Great story. Compelling, and rich.

If you care to search the AdelaideNow website – you will find that there is a whole ‘Adelaide’s Pandas’ page. Wow. Just....wow. That’s hard hitting news right there.

In other, much more interesting news, I dragged M to see New Moon last week. Let’s just say he wasn’t such a fan and keeps paying me out about my Jacob-crush. I think I’m closet Team Jacob for sure. Rippling Pectorals. Delish. Anyways, I’ve been listening to the soundtrack a lot lately as it’s really rather lovely but, jaysus, it should be subtitled “Music to Slit you Wrists to” or at least have a warning label “Do Not listen to when grumpy/sad/premenstrual/homesick.”

On that note, missing my family quite a lot at the moment, possible as it’s the lead up to Christmas, or because I’m missing out on Simon and Tori’s wedding – and a Thwaites rely bash is always good for a giggle and some snark. The good news though is that I get to see Holly in 8 days, which I’m so f-ing excited about I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning the other night looking up awesome places to eat and drink in Paris and also Berlin for my birthday trip. I cannot WAIT to see her. Also, Dad and Susan are talking more seriously (A) about Tessa coming over in the July school holidays, which I’m over the moon about and (B) about Dad, and possibly Susan and Claire as well, meeting up with me in Bali after the girls’ trip in May. Which would be...... A.MA.ZING. It seems as though Tidy Didy is getting organised too, so lots of exciting family-themed travelling in the near-distant future which is just. Greatness. And Katie is heading back to Europe for our 5 monthly check-up (ha ha) in January and has somehow managed to get about 70 hours between finishing her job in Italy and flying home to spend with us - Ya-whoo!

Am still fighting the good/demoralising fight and looking for jobs. I had a great interview with a lady who is starting up a branch of a large company that provides private high-quality tutoring for students and she seemed really pleased with me, but she’s still waiting to get clients obviously – but that would be great it’s a mix of very ESL teaching combined with more “pure” English tutoring for the advanced bi-lingual kids. So, again with the waiting to see if they will sponsor my change in legal work status. Hate it, but used to it by now!

Have kept up with my French classes and while not as useful as my time at the college, as the class is so mixed ability and just churning through worksheets isn’t that practical, as I forget everything, it has certainly solidified my grasp of certain things (I’ve finally nailed the future, conditionnel and imparfait tenses, preach!) and confirmed that other rules and concepts, such as f-ing kill me, prepositions, just aren’t meant to be learnt. It’s my last day tomorrow, which is a pity as a new girl from Germany has just started and we’ve struck up a tentative friendship, but we’ve exchanged numbers and she lives near me, so hopefully we can meet up and speak dodgy French together – we caught the bus home today and nattered away in slightly pidgin French but still – we understood each other!

Alright, better get back to making Christmas cards – I better get praise for my efforts when these drop in Oz people, or no cards for you next year!!

Á bientôt. xx

Hello strangers,

It has been awhile since I put metaphorical pen to metaphorical paper, but it has been another period of delicious busyness, guests and frolicking. Ok, not so very much frolicking, but it sounds fancier if I mention frolicking.

So, what’s been happening? Well, we had two ex-students of mine, Caroline and Billie to stay, which was lots of fun. They are lovely girls and despite two days straight of torrential rain (which simply meant they had to be introduced to the genius that Is Glee – first 7 episodes back to back, oh yeah and a fair bit of reading on the couch time) they got to see a fair bit of the area including, of course, the ubiquitous trip to St Paul. I should apply to the tourism board there for some sort of commission, I’ve actually lost count now how many time I’ve been – but still love it!

We’ve also had a few outings celebrating friends’ birthdays and farewells, including our French friends Antoine and Manuel’s BLING themed party, which was a hoot.

The most significant event was obviously the much anticipated arrival of Barb and Pete. After their return to their old haunts in Paris (FYI, B + P lived in Paris for a few months when the boys were small) they caught the TGV Train down here to us, bringing with them about 10kg of magazines, chocolates, lollies, birthday presents, gorgeous hand knitted scarves and beanies from Ma and Bonds undies – BRILLIANT!! B was also carrying my replacement ring, which is FABULOUS and so sparkly.

We had a great time with them, lots of scenic car trips, some lovely dinners out and in, a couple of really amazing authentic lunches in small, quiet towns and plenty of catching up. B + P went on a few day trips themselves and M was lucky to be able to take 2 days off and there was a public holiday in the middle of it all. So perfect timing really! They are such kind and generous people and I’m very lucky to have them as my in-laws (or mes belles-parents en française which I think sounds prettier) and despite Pete’s cough giving him a bit of grief and M and I having to visit the 8th level of hell, known as the Nice Prefecture, to get our residency cards renewed (process the same as last time, minus the running this time round, but with the added pleasure of a delightful chap in the line in front of us who took a piss against the wall we were all lined up against outside in the cold. Charming fellow.)It was great to have them here and I think they really enjoyed getting to see our local ‘hood and how life is for us here. Pete’s sarcastic conclusion “You guys have it pretty rough!” Oui. On the whole, life is grand.