I figured it was time for an update for those in Canada wondering if I'm still alive. Since my last post, I've moved into my 'own' place - the nanny flat in Crystal's inlaw's house. I am so lucky to have been welcomed into this family - if I had to choose a family to have other than my own, this would likely be the one I would choose! They are all so nice and welcoming and have helped make my transition to Australia an easy one!
Before moving out of Crystal and Dave's, Crystal took me to the beach for an afternoon with the girls, Sam, and her little boy Cooper. We also did a Costco run, which is always fun - the lack of free samples, though, was a little disappointing!
Science Centre - You're never too old to act like a kid!
When I heard there was a Science Centre in Brisbane, I naturally got excited. Maybe it's my inner nerd that was coming out, but I think it was more the big kid in me that was excited to go and 'get my hands dirty'. Although museums can be good, Science museums usually never disappoint - they have things that you can play with, things that blow your mind, and things that you are just never too old to have a little fun with!
The exhibit on right now is a 'Rescue' exhibit. I wasn't sure what to expect, so when I walked in and saw tons of interactive games, things to play with, puzzles to solve, and experiments to test out, I was ready to let my inner-child come out. While parents of kids sat off to the side to supervise, I got right in there and patiently waited my turn to get my hands on everything. It was a fun afternoon of exploring and learning. All-in-all, I conclude that I would be a terrible rescuer...I couldn't seem to figure out any of the rescue missions, even after watching the 8 year olds do what they had to do to save dying people on all the video games. I guess I'll stick to teaching...
The exhibit on right now is a 'Rescue' exhibit. I wasn't sure what to expect, so when I walked in and saw tons of interactive games, things to play with, puzzles to solve, and experiments to test out, I was ready to let my inner-child come out. While parents of kids sat off to the side to supervise, I got right in there and patiently waited my turn to get my hands on everything. It was a fun afternoon of exploring and learning. All-in-all, I conclude that I would be a terrible rescuer...I couldn't seem to figure out any of the rescue missions, even after watching the 8 year olds do what they had to do to save dying people on all the video games. I guess I'll stick to teaching...
MS Walk
I remember the first time I was introduced to the idea of Multiple Sclerosis. I was in Grade 4, sitting on the gym floor at Roland Michener PS at an assembly to kick-off a fundraising campaign for MS. The presenters asked for a group of volunteers, all whom stood at the front of the gym in a line to help demonstrate how MS can affect the lives of people that have it. The two presenters acted as the brain and the body (or specific parts of the body), with the volunteers standing in a line representing the nerves. The first presenter, the 'brain', passed a ball down the 'nerve' to represent information being passed on to the body. Once the ball made it through the line to the other presenter, the 'body', it would do the action that the brain had passed on. For example, the 'brain' would pass the information (the ball) down the nerve (the line of volunteers) to the arm of the 'body' the second volunteer) to wave to the audience. This smooth transition of information from the brain to the body represented a normal functioning nervous system. To demonstrate what MS does, they put another presenter in the middle of the 'nerve' line to represent the scarring or damage done to the nerve by MS. This time, once the 'message' (the ball passed from the 'brain') reached this part of the nerve, it stopped for a moment, and then continued to pass the information on to the 'body' where the action (e.g. waving) was done. We were told this is what happens with early signs of MS: actions or responses are often delayed because the message passed from the brain is affected by the damaged nerve. They then showed us how sometimes, the damage in in there nerves is so severe that the message just never reaches the end of the messaging system, meaning the body cannot perform the functions the brain tells it to. This time, the presenter in the middle of the 'nerve' that represented the damage just held on to the 'message' (the ball) and never passed it on, so the body never received the message from the brain in order to perform the action.
At the time, the concept all made perfect sense, but as a nine year old watching this, I couldn't imagine living a life where this was the reality. This presentation has stuck with me ever since that day. The idea of it was simple and very matter-of-fact, but seeing how the break-down of the 'ball' being passed down the 'line' to the 'body' manifests itself in real-life MS patients has been heartbreaking. Since that day, I have both met and heard of many amazing people whose lives have been affected by this terrible disease. It is something that at the time of the presentation, I always imagined happening to older people - I saw it as the cause of why people slow down as they age. Unfortunately, this disease can strike at any age, and their is sadly no cure for it...YET!
Last year, I got to join my Mom in the MS walk with her amazing friend, Karen, who was recently diagnosed with MS. Watching Karen cross the finish line was emotional - a representation of what you hope she some day gets to do with her MS...beat the disease and cross the finish line to freedom. This year, I got to do the MS walk for Jess, Sam's friend who although living with MS at the age of 29, is one of the most positive and happy-go-lucky people I've ever met. I arrived to the walk, was greeted by Jess with a hug, and welcomed into her team of 49 people walking for her, with the hopes that some day soon there will be a cure. Jess and her family made arm bands, hair ties/headbands/bracelets, and tutus equipped with fairy lights for all the people on the team so while we walked the 10 km, we did it in style. I warned the people around me that I may cry - it always gets me when so many people come together for something (I even cry at the start and finish line of the Ottawa race weekend!), especially when it is for such a great cause. Luckily I made it through with no tears, but there were many times throughout the walk where I had the opportunity to reflect on how lucky I am to be living a healthy life, so fortunate to do all that I'm able to do without the realistic worry of when my next hospital visit will be or whether I'll be able to walk when I wake up the next morning. Jess walked the 5 km route, and although her body likely felt the affects of the physical strain the next morning, she was standing at the finish line with a smile on her face, waiting to thank each and every one of us who came out and walked in her honour. It was a beautiful walk through downtown Brisbane, the lanterns everyone carried created a lighted path along the river, and the positive vibe and union of everyone together brought hope that there will some day be a cure that will leave all those who were walking or wheeling along the path with MS, pain free and able to live a long and healthy life, free of disease.
At the time, the concept all made perfect sense, but as a nine year old watching this, I couldn't imagine living a life where this was the reality. This presentation has stuck with me ever since that day. The idea of it was simple and very matter-of-fact, but seeing how the break-down of the 'ball' being passed down the 'line' to the 'body' manifests itself in real-life MS patients has been heartbreaking. Since that day, I have both met and heard of many amazing people whose lives have been affected by this terrible disease. It is something that at the time of the presentation, I always imagined happening to older people - I saw it as the cause of why people slow down as they age. Unfortunately, this disease can strike at any age, and their is sadly no cure for it...YET!
Last year, I got to join my Mom in the MS walk with her amazing friend, Karen, who was recently diagnosed with MS. Watching Karen cross the finish line was emotional - a representation of what you hope she some day gets to do with her MS...beat the disease and cross the finish line to freedom. This year, I got to do the MS walk for Jess, Sam's friend who although living with MS at the age of 29, is one of the most positive and happy-go-lucky people I've ever met. I arrived to the walk, was greeted by Jess with a hug, and welcomed into her team of 49 people walking for her, with the hopes that some day soon there will be a cure. Jess and her family made arm bands, hair ties/headbands/bracelets, and tutus equipped with fairy lights for all the people on the team so while we walked the 10 km, we did it in style. I warned the people around me that I may cry - it always gets me when so many people come together for something (I even cry at the start and finish line of the Ottawa race weekend!), especially when it is for such a great cause. Luckily I made it through with no tears, but there were many times throughout the walk where I had the opportunity to reflect on how lucky I am to be living a healthy life, so fortunate to do all that I'm able to do without the realistic worry of when my next hospital visit will be or whether I'll be able to walk when I wake up the next morning. Jess walked the 5 km route, and although her body likely felt the affects of the physical strain the next morning, she was standing at the finish line with a smile on her face, waiting to thank each and every one of us who came out and walked in her honour. It was a beautiful walk through downtown Brisbane, the lanterns everyone carried created a lighted path along the river, and the positive vibe and union of everyone together brought hope that there will some day be a cure that will leave all those who were walking or wheeling along the path with MS, pain free and able to live a long and healthy life, free of disease.
A little about Australia...
And to finish this post up, a few things I've learned/observed about Australia and its people so far...
1. Australians like to make fun of how Canadians talk, and I'm not sure why. Although they claim to speak the English language, I often can understand them. I wish I could say it's because of their accent, which is sometimes hard to understand, but it is more their actual 'language' that makes it difficult. They have weird words for a lot of things (just to name a few: peppers are capsicums, strollers are prams, diapers are nappies, counters are benches, sweaters are jumpers, parking lots are car parks, and coolers are eskies), they shorten all their words (see video below!), and they have some strange sayings (for example, instead of 'how are you', they as 'how are you going?' The first time I wasn't sure if I should tell them I was going by bus, train, or car).
2. The signs in North America that say, 'no shoes, no shirt, no service' seem kind of strange. Of course you're going to wear shoes and shirt to places with these signs. I now know why they were invented...because of Australians! They shop with no shoes on, it's not strange to see people dining with no shirt...and they STILL get service. The no shoes think is still strange to me...
3. Pedestrians are targets and have no right-of-way. If you are crossing the street, you better look both ways...10 times! Australians may seem nice, but put them behind the wheel of a car and they have absolutely no consideration for other people. There's no j-walking here...you will get hit!
4. All animals/insects in Australia are on steroids. All the mosquitoes in Canada wouldn't be enough to feed one of the massive bats, the cockroaches are big enough to feed a small family, the spiders are too big to step on and kill, the toads could destroy your car if you hit them, wombats are like cow-sized beavers, and the list goes on...
5. A lot of Australians don't like their own accent - I still think they are fun!
6. Australia is a big country. I don't think most people realize just how big it is. The good thing is most of their people live on the East coast, so although it's big, it still isn't spread out as far as Canada.
7. They have some big storms, and when it rains, it pours! You don't want to get stuck outside 'singing in the rain' here - you'll be drenched, and perhaps struck by lightning.
8. Just like New Zealand, they also don't use dryer sheets. Most of them actually don't use dryers at all. The thought of hanging my clothes to dry outside with all the massive animals (see #4) that could potentially build a home in my drying clothes is not pleasant.
9. There are some pretty beautiful trees here. The jacarandas, although not native to Australia, are absolutely stunning. Too bad their purple flowers don't last long. Also, I don't know if we have curry plants in Canada, but if we do, I need one - they smell soooo good (and you can eat them!).
10. Sharks are everywhere. Someone was just telling me they pulled bull sharks out from the river near here...those guys are scary and can live in fresh water, making it so not just the ocean is off-limits to me!
11. Kangaroos are awesome. I want one. (Australians think they are pests because they hop out in front of their cars. Going back to #3, I don't think it's the kangaroos fault that cars get destroyed!)
12. The feeling of spiders or snakes crawling on you is greatly enhanced when sleeping in Australia. The amount of times I've woken up and thrown the covers off of me, hopping out of bed because I feel a snake in bed with me cannot be counted with just my 10 fingers. (no - there haven't been any snakes in bed with me yet, but the day I DO wake up to find one in bed with me, you will find me on the next flight out of the country!).
13. They claim it's 'spring' here. I'm a little worried as to how hot and humid an Australian summer gets!
14. Australians are very split in their opinions about Halloween. Some are very against it, claiming it is too 'American' and shouldn't be celebrated here. Some (most who are probably originally from North America or some how have a connection to someone who is from North America) are all for it. A lot of communities will pass around a note that says to leave your lights off if you don't want to participate in handing out candy.
15. They call their pharmacists, chemists - it makes buying medication for any purpose seem a bit like you are about to be a participant in some kind of science experiment.
16. Most places don't cut their sushi into little pieces - it's just one long, big roll. It's still just as delicious. (and the soy sauce comes in cool little plastic fish containers...yes, even the little things in life excite me!).
1. Australians like to make fun of how Canadians talk, and I'm not sure why. Although they claim to speak the English language, I often can understand them. I wish I could say it's because of their accent, which is sometimes hard to understand, but it is more their actual 'language' that makes it difficult. They have weird words for a lot of things (just to name a few: peppers are capsicums, strollers are prams, diapers are nappies, counters are benches, sweaters are jumpers, parking lots are car parks, and coolers are eskies), they shorten all their words (see video below!), and they have some strange sayings (for example, instead of 'how are you', they as 'how are you going?' The first time I wasn't sure if I should tell them I was going by bus, train, or car).
2. The signs in North America that say, 'no shoes, no shirt, no service' seem kind of strange. Of course you're going to wear shoes and shirt to places with these signs. I now know why they were invented...because of Australians! They shop with no shoes on, it's not strange to see people dining with no shirt...and they STILL get service. The no shoes think is still strange to me...
3. Pedestrians are targets and have no right-of-way. If you are crossing the street, you better look both ways...10 times! Australians may seem nice, but put them behind the wheel of a car and they have absolutely no consideration for other people. There's no j-walking here...you will get hit!
4. All animals/insects in Australia are on steroids. All the mosquitoes in Canada wouldn't be enough to feed one of the massive bats, the cockroaches are big enough to feed a small family, the spiders are too big to step on and kill, the toads could destroy your car if you hit them, wombats are like cow-sized beavers, and the list goes on...
5. A lot of Australians don't like their own accent - I still think they are fun!
6. Australia is a big country. I don't think most people realize just how big it is. The good thing is most of their people live on the East coast, so although it's big, it still isn't spread out as far as Canada.
7. They have some big storms, and when it rains, it pours! You don't want to get stuck outside 'singing in the rain' here - you'll be drenched, and perhaps struck by lightning.
8. Just like New Zealand, they also don't use dryer sheets. Most of them actually don't use dryers at all. The thought of hanging my clothes to dry outside with all the massive animals (see #4) that could potentially build a home in my drying clothes is not pleasant.
9. There are some pretty beautiful trees here. The jacarandas, although not native to Australia, are absolutely stunning. Too bad their purple flowers don't last long. Also, I don't know if we have curry plants in Canada, but if we do, I need one - they smell soooo good (and you can eat them!).
10. Sharks are everywhere. Someone was just telling me they pulled bull sharks out from the river near here...those guys are scary and can live in fresh water, making it so not just the ocean is off-limits to me!
11. Kangaroos are awesome. I want one. (Australians think they are pests because they hop out in front of their cars. Going back to #3, I don't think it's the kangaroos fault that cars get destroyed!)
12. The feeling of spiders or snakes crawling on you is greatly enhanced when sleeping in Australia. The amount of times I've woken up and thrown the covers off of me, hopping out of bed because I feel a snake in bed with me cannot be counted with just my 10 fingers. (no - there haven't been any snakes in bed with me yet, but the day I DO wake up to find one in bed with me, you will find me on the next flight out of the country!).
13. They claim it's 'spring' here. I'm a little worried as to how hot and humid an Australian summer gets!
14. Australians are very split in their opinions about Halloween. Some are very against it, claiming it is too 'American' and shouldn't be celebrated here. Some (most who are probably originally from North America or some how have a connection to someone who is from North America) are all for it. A lot of communities will pass around a note that says to leave your lights off if you don't want to participate in handing out candy.
15. They call their pharmacists, chemists - it makes buying medication for any purpose seem a bit like you are about to be a participant in some kind of science experiment.
16. Most places don't cut their sushi into little pieces - it's just one long, big roll. It's still just as delicious. (and the soy sauce comes in cool little plastic fish containers...yes, even the little things in life excite me!).
That's it for now...there's lots of adventures to come - stay tuned!