A Blog Book!

Well, I haven't posted a blog for ages and ages. Life in New Zealand - going to school, teaching, going home.... doesn't seem to have the same ring to it as life in France! But hey, I just have to share my book with you. I had my blog made into a book and I'm thrilled to bits with it. It's so professionally done. Hard cover, chapter headings, all the photos..... It's just a pity the video clips couldn't be published! Lol. So there you are!

Anzac Day

I started writing this as a comment on Beth's blog, (Be yourself.... everyone else is taken) but then I realised I was going on far too long and thought that I should make it an entry on my own blog. New Zealand readers will know all this, but my blogfriends in America might find it interesting. I am quite passionate about Anzac Day.
So... I want to tell you about Anzac Day coming up on April 25th. This is the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) at Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915. Not well-planned by the British commanders, it was an utter disaster, and over 7000 New Zealand soldiers were wounded and 2721 were killed. The Australian army also suffered heavy casualties. It was such a futile campaign, but both countries 'came of age' and it was the start of an emerging New Zealand identity.
Although Anzac Day began after WWI it is now to commemorate the sacrifices of all soldiers in all wars. Anzac Day became a public holiday and became a time to express sorrow and not glorify war. It is quite a sacred day. It is not our official national day, but in a sense it really is.
In the last 15 years or so young people have taken this day to their hearts, and many of them, usually those who are in the UK on a working holiday, make the pilgrimage to Gallipoli for the Dawn Service. My daughter, Sophie, went there in 1997.
My Grandad was at Gallipoli. My Dad, like so many other dads, fought in WWII. I was never very bothered about that when I was growing up but as an adult it haunts me. All those young men from the other side of the world... They never talked about it, and I didn't ask enough questions. Today is Poppy Day. On Sunday there will be services in every city, small town and country district across the country.

Good intentions!

You know, I really wanted to stay part of Blogland. I loved writing my entries while I was in France, and I also loved reading others' posts and commenting. I thought I would continue with random jottings, but the reality is that I am struggling for time. Do teachers in the rest of the world put in these ridiculously long hours? I'm at school by about 7.30am and usually leave about 5.15pm. Then I often need to do extra work at home. I know it's the beginning of the school year - it is here - so there's quite a bit of setting up, but I'm hot and tired and frustrated and wondering why at my age I haven't figured out a few shortcuts! Lol! So.... I haven't read any blogs for ages and I feel as if I'm drifting out of the community. So that's me anyway. Just a wee note to say I'm still here, but then again I'm not really. A bientot, I hope!

Oh yes, another thing......

When we went to have lunch with Marie-Helene and Christian in Poitiers, we stopped off at the local shops as I wanted to say Hi to Emilie, my hairdresser and now a Facebook friend! And I had a wee plant for her. Anyway, as I was walking along the street from where we had parked, the wee girl from the bakery practically leapt out the door and bundled me in! She seemed genuinely pleased to see me which was so nice. I also talked to the lovely newsagent man. If I had made a special trip to see them they probably wouldn't have cared or even remembered me, so catching up in a random kind of way like that was just great. But hey, get this.... the bakery is closing down! Obviously the sales of tartelettes au chocolat have plummeted since I left and the business is no longer viable! Oh dear! My departure may have impacted on the whole French economy. What can I say?

French holiday continued.

And so there I was, suitcaseless in Aigre. And you know, it's not just the clothes. For example, I had just spent far too much money on a moisturiser and a pore reducing cream - as you do! I doubt that Air France would have believed how much they cost!

Anyway, after a day just sifting round and recovering, on January 2nd we drove to Geant in Angouleme to buy me some clothes. Geant is a bit like Kmart, or Target. I did manage to get a few things, some of which I will certainly wear again and some I quite possibly won't! It was a bit of a pain not knowing if and when my suitcase would turn up, as that had a bearing on what to buy. But anyway, I got some things to wear and that was most important! The next day John and I visited friends so that I could a) check my emails and the status of my luggage and b) use Todd's sewing machine to hem my new track pants! In fact Todd did them for me which was very kind.
On the Monday we went to Cognac, the first time I had been there. Being Monday, just about everything was shut, but we did find a good warm place to have a coffee when our efforts to walk by the river were thwarted by the severe cold!

And on the Tuesday, at 1/4 to 4 in the afternoon, exactly 5 days since my arrival in France, my suitcase turned up! Yay!! I am assuming that it stayed a little longer holidaying in Osaka, but I really don't know its movements as no-one told me. But we were reunited. Yessssss!
The next day we woke to a beautiful white carpet of snow which to me was just magic and something I've never really experienced before. There was snow around for days and I just loved it. Magic!

Socially we caught up with some of the friends I had made in Poitiers, including a night staying with Guy and Kiki.
We seemed to eat and drink an awful lot! It was really good! I also did an afternoon teaching with my friend Claudine at a college in Civray. The kids were lovely and I really enjoyed it. Imagine classes of just 24 students!!!

And when we weren't gallivanting around we did the village thing and walked up to the shops each day to buy the baguette (and the cakes!!) Surprisingly, Aigre has 3 gift shops, so I did my fair share of browsing. And just a little bit of buying. :-) We'd round off each morning with a coffee at the local brasserie.
It was all very pleasant.

And so that was that. The weather became milder, and so the roads were OK to drive to Angouleme to catch the train early in the morning of the 18th. And so I did just that. It's good being able to get the train right to the airport. The Air France flight to Narita/Tokyo was just great - I had 3 seats to myself! A day at the airport wasn't ideal, but the internet cafe was good and I also took part in a Tea Ceremony and did some torn paper art. Not very creative I have to say - the pieces were already cut out, and the lady in charge practically forced my hand to glue the bits on in the right place!

And then good old Air New Zealand back home. The plane was actually totally full and it felt a bit uncomfortable really.
So, another French experience. I would love to go every year - perhaps I should look into house swapping or something like that. My year in France has changed my life really. Not in a dramatic way, but significantly all the same. I just want to keep on being part of the place for as long as I can, and as long as I can afford to.
Anyway, the photos almost speak for themselves. The picture at the top was taken from Claudine's classroom at the College in Civray - it was a beautiful sight! And the Aigre Town Hall. Then there's me with Guy and John, and John and me eating. And drinking. This time with Claudine and Francois! And the local Aigre bar/cafe.
So... school starts again next week for the teachers. As usual, it will be just in time for the real summer to begin. I didn't miss much good weather while I was away, from all accounts.
Talk later. A bientot!

France, January 2010

Yes, like Joanna I wonder - do we say two thousand and ten, or twenty ten? Anyway, to move on! Off I went on another adventure. I flew out of Auckland on December 30th en route to Osaka in Japan. Spending time at the airport was quite surreal as there was no-one there! I know that airports have different terminals and I was no doubt in one that just wasn't busy that day, but really, it was just weird. In Japan, of all places! And actually, I just read somewhere that Osaka Airport is one of the best airports to get stranded in because of all it has to offer. Hmmm...... Anyway, the Air New Zealand flight to Osaka was good; the Air France flight on to Paris was just OK. And then I discovered that my suitcase had not made the journey with me! Oh, bloody charming!
*What does your suitcase look like?
*Well, it's black and covered in pink, blue, yellow and white spots.
*Any distinguishing features?
*IT'S SPOTTY!!!
C'est la vie. I was planning to change into something warmer before I caught the train, but.... hey, at least I had a nice warm coat!
So I arrived at Angouleme Station about 11.00pm on New Year's Eve. John was there to meet me and we drove back to his little town of Aigre, about 35 minutes away. Saw the new year in with a glass or two of red wine. As is compulsory in France I believe! No shops open the next day so I blobbed around in men's undies and a golf jersey. Not a good look. (Oh, and the trousers I had travelled in. Too cold for any nakedness!)
And that ends chapter one because I am still quite tired and instead of unpacking I have spent a large part of this afternoon putting up the pictures I picked up from the framer at lunchtime. Art works, posters etc I bought during my year in France. And which I love, but which cost a fortune to have framed! But hey, they are not much use shut in a cupboard somewhere. And I love them. :-) The top photo is of the sun setting whilst flying to France, and the other two photos were taken at Osaka Airport.

Tokyo Airport

I was not thrilled at the prospect of filling in 8 hours here, but I found an internet cafe where a.There is no time limit (unless they are very busy) and b. It is free! So already I have filled in 2 1/2 hours!　Nice.
I'm looking forward to　下ッ陳gほめアンd度wんぉあぢんgmyp歩とsアンdTHEんI'll whack a few on here with a few littlesとりえs。。OH goodness - I didn't even KNOW　I spoke Japanese. What I was trying to say was that I am looking forward to downloading my photos when I get home and then I'll put some on here with a story or two. Don't hold your breath - no romantic stories. As I suspected my somewhat elderly fella found it all a bit much having this　feisty Kiwi girl arrive and invade his space. We had a nice time, but.... Anyway, more to come. And I did　love the snow。：－）
I have missed you all!