84, 000 kids sit the HSC this month, starting Tuesday.
This is just a reminder to all those kids (and the parents of those kids) that it really only matters for the three or so months after you finish school. It doesn't change your life, just the very next step. Do you go straight into the course you want at the Uni of your choice or do you take a more scenic route? Or in the case of one of my friend's kids, do you scramble to get into a course that you thought wouldn't be an option for you, when your mark exceeded the predictions of your life long learning difficulties?
The HSC doesn't measure smartness, just persistence and application. The ATAR is merely the cut off due to demand of places in a course (Not how smart you have to be to do the course). If you miss out on your dream, most Universities have a day in Dec or Jan where you tell them your mark and they build a pathway to get into your course eventually.
A reminder to parents to celebrate the child that has finished school, and the world opening doors for their shiny adult life that awaits.
To the kids, whatever you do next, further learning, apprenticeship, training or working - enjoy it. Your life is going to change in so many ways - speak up when it's scary or overwhelming, well adjusted adults do that, but mostly, appreciate this exciting time. Opportunities, new responsibilities, new friends or meeting new people, maybe even a new home.
This is a sparkling time in your life when the world is your oyster. Don't let exam stress (or societal pressure) take that away from you.
The photo is from the Archibald, Sulman and Wynn exhibition - if you know the artist, please let me know so I can credit it. But kids, you now follow the sign posts of your making.
Good luck, do your best and remember it's not the be all and end all, it's just the beginning!
#Allseasons linky runs from Thursday to Wednesday each week.
Link one post that shows something seasonal. Traditional weather wise, a seasonal nature marker or a seasonal celebration or event. Please link relevant posts only.
Make sure you link back to this #AllSeasons post.
Please comment on the post before yours and the host. Don't dump and run.
I was sitting on the steps in the backyard, catching some sunshine while I ate my lunch the other day. I noticed the flowers were blooming again for another year on the Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday plant, named so as the flowers change colour while in bloom, as the days progress.
We were given this tiny plant in a pot when we moved in from friends (parents of friends) and we planted it and it's enormous. Those friends are now dead, but I thought how lovely it was to be reminded of them each year. When the plant blooms, I always think about some of our lovely times together. It keeps them front of mind. As Thomas Campbell said "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."
Next to this plant is a Japanese Maple, given to us by my parents who went to a wedding and were told to plant a tree rather than give a gift. My dad has since died, and I realised I had a little corner of the garden which is full of memorial plants, so to speak.
There is also a bougainvillea from my sister and while she is alive, in time, it may also become one. Out the front we have gardenias from my sister in law.
None of these plants were given as something to remember them by, it's just what they become as they flourish over years.
I guess it's a reason to give people plants. Sturdy plants that will survive with little care. Like the relationships they represent - just loved and tended from time to time, not work or difficult, which over the years adds up to a lot.
"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us". Helen Keller.
Linking with #TalkaboutitTuesday#SeniorSalonPitstop#NaturesNotes and a strange one for #HappyNow because while it is about loss, it did make me happy to look around and remember some wonderful times and feel a closeness to those people now gone.
It's a long weekend - I've been reading in the sunshine which is lovely...just about to watch the F1 as I'm not an NRL person. But will rush these through....
I have not really got into the other Matt Haig book I read - but I did enjoy this. A friend put it up so I thought I'd give it a go. I listened on Borrowbox. It is the second book set in Ibiza that has environmental themes, and having just been there, I could really flesh it all out. I thought it captured the environment and the little details well - my favourite bit was the taxi drivers being tour guides, as I did find that to be the case. They were lovely. It's a sort of mystical realism mystery. With a bit of finding your way, finding your way back after loss and all the usual Haig themes.
I was so delighted to get this from the library that I tweeted this and started immediately.
I listened to this on Borrowbox as well, read by the author. I'm a huge fan, and as I said, I excitedly started it, only to be devastated when he announced it was his last book. As always, he's smart, funny and engaging. Even on this topic. I think as a book I liked Nothing to be Frightened Of more...but I still like this one. I just really don't want it to be his last...You really can't go wrong with any of his work. Not any I've read, at least. This as a tale within a tale, so there's something for those who are new to Barnes. I loved the discussion on memory, and of course on Proust.
28 minutes from the first tweet to the next....I listened to the book non stop, in part hoping he would say 'it's not really my last book' but he didn't.
I am getting rid of books to feed the street library and ebay, to rehome them. I got this book because I like John Marsden (Tomorrow When the War Began and many other titles) and I liked the format - bullet points with a 1 page explanation on each point. So while I wasn't a single parent, I figured raising boys was raising boys.
Anyway, I reread it out of curiosity before putting it out. I liked it still - only 2 points have maybe dated a little. I did do most of it, whether from the book or innately I don't know.
This H+ was in a street library on my dog walk so I grabbed it, read it and then put it out in mine. It's a little book on happiness and mental health, sort of, dressed as way of living. The first half, I thought 'this is just existentialism dressed up without the depressing part'. Your actions are what matter, and doing good actions are what add up. Helping others and so on, will make you feel better. However, towards the end, about fines and sending money to the headquarters, I couldn't tell if he was joking or a bit kooky. A lot of it is common sense I think, but it was an interesting read until the end.
This was in the library, a little board book with numbers, colours and even fuzzy tactile and shiny dots. Just had to include it as I love her work. Even on this level....
This is part of my AI and chatbot obsession, which prompted these posts on companion bots and dating. This book makes the interesting point that tech companies are owning or storing your data and using your therapy chats or companion chats to train other AI. And more. She tries not to be judgemental, having used it for a sounding board in her grief, so she understands it. I also liked that a lot of the people found real life love in the reddit groups for people with companion bots - that was an unexpected consequence to me but I like the symmetry of it.
I said awhile back that I was going to read more poetry, and I am failing at that. I did read the little poem that came in the Lush bath bombs. That's lovely.
And I did finally start The Odyssey. For everyone that complained about the movie, I can say the movie is the only thing that makes me understand it and keep going. It's not that it's hard, it's just not grabbing me. I've only read book one so will keep going a bit more, but I doubt I will make it to the end. One blogger said it was her favourite poem and a cousin is MAD for it, so I am bearing that in mind and will persist.
I did get this from the library - we have a half booked trip but due to all the illness and other problems at the moment, I'm not sure we'll go. Have another month to make the call. However, will read a bit just incase we go....
This month has sailed past. Lots going on but I'll try to focus on the positive. (Or interesting).
READ Not had much time for reading but did finish a book I started a long time ago. Just a puzzle book that I then put in my street library for someone in the school holidays.
Been reading too much about AI and the alleged rapes at Cornell. I keep trying not to read more but I can't help it. Both are so depressing. The bombing of the school in Iran, being in part because no one told AI to take into account updated information shows exactly what humans bring to the table. (Assuming what I read is true - it was just a link on Instagram). As for the Cornell matter, the men threatening women and doxxing them online is an own goal - the prosecuting lawyer will just use that as an example of the culture at the school, and why she felt she couldn't press criminal charges at the time. In my current frame of mind, I'm trying to focus on cheery, but my curiosity gets the better of me, and it's so awful.
I also read that there is a woman in Mexico who has developed a vaccine that has successfully eradicated cancer in 6 cases in the cell level. I can't find the link to that sorry...but it's getting close.
Since writing that paragraph, I also read a man in Germany successfully erased cancer in the bowel (cells, I think) without operation or chemo....(Edit - I think the German did something else towards the elimination of cancer, Memorial Sloan Kettering swapped surgery for a single immunotherapy drug and rectal cancer vanished from all 42 patients in the trial).
WATCHED Went to a great play for Sydney Fringe - My Grandpa Doesn't Follow Me on Instagram - if it tours near you, check it out. I really enjoyed The Shark is Broken - heading your way Melbourne in a few weeks. It's very funny. We saw Hope at the cinema. Hilarious though a little long for a night session (for me).
On TV I really enjoyed The Final Problem - a Spanish Sherlock Holmes/Agatha Christie-esque mini series. Quite fun and very glamorous to watch. Old style glamour that is...
Saw Aziz Ansari but with the surprise opening comedian, Aaron Chen! That made my night, even though we'd seen all of his set at his show a week or so ago. He's so funny. It was a very good night! (My husband's photo as my phone camera is terrible).
HEARD Loving this song. (NSFW) Filmed at Parookaville but the night after we were there. He got moved from our night which was devastating four us but he's hopefully heading to Australia soon....Lucky New Zealand, you get him New Year's Eve so don't miss it. He's the best fun!
and been listening to a lot of Calvin Harris as I got the tickets for my crew straight off. I was complaining it took me 45 minutes but I've since discovered so many people missed out, even though he added 4 more nights in Sydney.
Lastly, for those that follow this cheery gem on Instagram, Casey Lowrey, he's coming to Australia as support for the Reytons. Dates here.
MADE a mistake changing vets a few years ago. They have been one problem after another but the final straw was when my dog got her bloods tested in August, I told them on the phone when I booked and in person when I dropped her off, that she also needed her Leptospirosis shot. I heard nothing more about it and there was an extra charge so I foolishly assumed it was done. Yesterday I asked for the updated vax certificate as they hadn't sent it. I discover they hadn't done it and the charge was for some random telehealth charge - probably for the phone call that they didn't bother to listen to me requesting she also get the shot done. So I am now trying to find a new vet to do the operation, and I have to book her into have her shots now 2 months overdue.
WOREI had a few solo gigs and decided to wear dresses I'm 'too fat for' - tight dress that my menopausal belly no longer suits. I love the dresses though. Anyway, I wore them and felt good in them so I'm now back into wearing them. I'm working on it but I'm also old enough to be me. It's what I look like so I should enjoy what I wear.
Been wearing face masks in the bath while I read....I do think they make a difference but really only for straight after and maybe the next day. Yet they feel like I'm doing something positive so I persist...I buy on sale so no loyalty to any brand...
MY TOP THREE MOMENTS FROM THE MONTH GONE BY Obviously mum's operation going well is one (though back in hospital not so good), daughter finishing school and graduation celebration with all my kids (I love the finally all together) plus Father's day so lots of family together time which is my favourite time of all.
Had a great dinner in Surrey Hills with friends at Tera.
Went to the new exhibition at White Rabbit with my husband and a lovely outing at Sydney Contemporary, so lot's of art this month, always makes me smile!
These are glass - cloth and pot too.
The food pics are all from Tera, share dishes. Not cheap but sensational.
That's been my month. Busy but not busy. Happy and stressful. Chaotic in all senses.
