If I was principal...

If I was principal of a school, I would...

1) Start school at 9:15am... but have a morning homeroom challenge until 9:45am and then start teaching around 10ish. Truth is, most kids are more alert at this time.
2) Incorporate morning tea after first block...  so about 11ish.  This would be a 30 minute session where teachers must sit in a round table, drink tea or coffee, and discuss differentiated learning strategies.
3) Make classes only 50 mins! The attention span of students are optimum in this time frame.
4) Remove all technology from the classroom... no computers, no projectors, and even no landline phones. Ok... maybe leave the AC. We should be more focused on the kids and not emailing/facebooking on school time!
5) Every week, there will be a 30 minute assembly... and classes will be shortened to 45 minutes to compensate... we will still keep the 30min morning tea though.
6) Re-introduce the "Time Out" room... even in high school.
7) School will end at 3:30 every day, and staff are to leave the school grounds at 4:00pm before the cleaners close the school gates.

If I was principal...

Proud or Just Stupid!???

In Canada, most people are proud of how cold it gets and how they can manage   -35 or even -40 on those rare days. I remember that one day in university when it dropped to -40 and I still bundled up in my snowboarding gear, touque, goggles and all, and made the 25 minute walk to class. When I got there it was a badge of honour to say that I made it to school that day! In a city where there is snow on the ground for 7 months of the year, you're proud that you can handle what mother nature throws at you and that life just carries on.

Although most Australians can't even imagine what -10 feels like, they are equally proud of how they whether the heat. As a little Canadian who has seen +40 degrees only once (Mexico, July 2009 for Kristen's wedding!) I have been in for quite the treat teaching Phys Ed here in Perth.

Students constantly ask if I'm okay as they look at the sweat pouring down my face, the sunscreen dripping off my arms and legs, and my gigantic hat which is always soaked to the brim. My normal response is "it's just soooo hot today!" The students, and even the staff, laugh a little and talk of the worst to come and those +40 days... or even higher. "This is just the warm up," they say.

Just as they can't fathom -40, I can't fathom +40.

Today, however, I discovered just how hot it can get. 

After riding my bike the 12 km to Carine in 35 degrees at 8am, I  taught swimming at the outdoor pool, then volleyball in the sauna of a gym and by lunch it was too late. 39 degrees and 40 % humidity. I jumped into the water to cool down but my body was done. I walked to my afternoon class and was pretty embarrassed as 25 sixteen year olds told me I had sunstroke and made me go lie down. After walking into the air conditioned Phys Ed office it was pretty apparent that my little Canadian body was fed up with the heat. Thankfully I was driven home asap and put in front of the air conditioner and rotating fans with a bottle of gatorade.

Now that I've recovered a bit, the look on the faces of my students was pretty funny as their teacher literally goes down for the count in front of them! Silly Canadian!

It does make me wonder why are we so proud of the ability to handle abnormal temperatures? No one gets a medal for living in insanely cold or hot temperatures and frankly I don't think getting sunstroke while at work even merits bragging rights.

Tomorrow's plan... board shorts and a rashie... and to teach IN the pool. 

8 down...44 to go

Before we started this adventure, a former exchangee and colleague of mine gave us two words of advice... 1) line of credit and 2) it's only 52 weekends.  In the midst of regularity and routine, we are truly excited for the weekends as there is something to do every night.  In fact, I can't even remember what we did LAST weekend! (Oh, something about an Opera in the park???)  On Friday past, we headed to the city (downtown) to check out the Perth International Arts Festival opening show. Thinking it was going to be small, we ended up in the crowd of 500 000 people on the Supreme Courts Grounds watching a vast display of art and fireworks. Saturday was supposed to be a relaxed day... so we headed to Swan Valley for a picnic at Upper Reach Wineries. Well it turns out to be the most majestic, almost photoshop, evening we've ever had!  Cheese, wine, live Cuban music, food, little kids dressed in angel wings dancing on the grass, old couple salsa dancing in the corner, sunset in our eyes, and the trophy wife as the skipper.  Today, I'm skipping water polo practice to witness my first ever Aussie Rules game.  Go Eagles Go... which is evidently much like the Oilers... in last place!

Dave

I almost died tonight... again... yup, just mind-wandering while driving and whoops... CRICKEY... on the other side of the damn road.  If it wasn't for the miniature roundabouts, I wouldn't be here to tell my quirky stories.

1. So on the very first days of living here, we saw a bunch of guys walking out of the liquor store with a case of VB.  Hey... don't they drink VB here in Australia?  Isn't VB the international sign of Australian beer? So, moments later, here I am with a case of VB.  A few days later, we have a BBQ with the Carine phys ed staff.  Here's my chance to impress... out comes the marinated steak, the thai noodle salad, and a case of cold brew VB beer!  Let's just say the response from the true Aussie faithful was not what I was expecting.  It turns out that VB is the lowest totem on the beer pole, the kid that always gets picked last at table tennis, and the international sign of "WTF"!  From there, I've been educated on drinking more respectful beverages like Little Creatures and Crown Lager.  Now that I think about it, those guys we saw on the first night were like 18 years old... hmmmm.  Stay thirsty my friends.

2. Why did I ever think of bringing sweaters to Australia??? I must say, showering 3 times a day feels so amazing!!! I've never been so clean in my life!

3. No shoes? No shirt? Is there an "issue" papa?

4. Made my famous BBQ turkey meatloaf the other day... popped it in the oven and baked it at 350'F... then discovered halfway that there is no Fahrenheit in Australia and everything is in Celsius!!! Whoops... one burnt meatloaf coming up!

Dave

Work to live... Now there's an idea!

After living here for four or five weeks, we have really noticed a huge lifestyle change from Edmonton to Perth. One thing that everyone said before we left was that Australians don't work that hard. Well, I definitely don't agree with that statement but I do think they have the system figured out.

I'm not sure if it's the weather, the beach, the fact that there are NO shops open past 5:30pm, or the inherent culture of Perth, but everyone has a serious social and extracurricular life.  Whether it's surfing/ running/ walking on the paths before work at 8am or playing lawn bowls, tennis, or golf after work, it feels like EVERYONE is doing something active every day.

I've never thought that I was a sedentary person but moving here has put Dave and I to shame with our former routine.

The kids are absolutely fascinated about Canada and ask how we can carry on normal lives below 0 degrees. I have had to explain several times what a touque is and why it's not just fashion but a serious part of the Canadian wardrobe.  They want to know what kids in Canada are like, what they're interested in and if our schools are what they see in the movies. In Perth, there are no lockers, just a canteen and no cafeteria for them to sit at, outdoor "hallways", an outdoor pool, cricket and rugby pitches. They think because I'm from North America that I am a cheerleader or know how to cheer to which I reply, "HA!" and leave it at that. Damn Glee!

One thing that I find so interesting about Perth is that although it is bustling around 1.5 million people and the largest city on this side of the continent, it still has a very small town feeling. They have voted against daylight savings numerous times, as well as voting against extending "trading hours" past 5:30pm. One mall apparently tried to stay open until 8pm but no one went and they changed their hours back. So you buy your food right after work and only go shopping on Saturdays (if you can be bothered to leave the beach).

After a long month of learning the ropes, we are definitely making the mind shift from "Live to Work" to the much more civilized, "Work to Live".

In the mean time, there are some of us that have to work during the day to pay the rent... good thing I got on with a surfing class in the morning to break up the day! :)

A Language of Their Own!

One of the things Dave and I thought when got the exchange to Australia was, "At least we don't have to learn another language!" Wow, were we wrong!

Here are a few of the words we've picked up so far:

• Skipper is not the captain of a ship - it's the DD
• Skip - not the DD but an Australian
• Wagging is to skip class. Also used as "he's a wagger" or "what a wag"
• Boot - the trunk of the car
• Bob - the internet and phone connection
• Staunch - to crouch 
• Push bike - a bicycle
• Tomato sauce - the equivalent to ketchup but NOT!
• Grog - pretty obvious- alcohol
• Ute - a pick up truck
• 4x4 - an SUV
• Fanny - a women's privates (never use the phrase "fanny pack" down here!)
• Rubber - definitely not what you think it is! An eraser
• Esky - cooler
• Yobbo - an aggressive person - usually a student
• Rack off - to get mad
• Bathers - swim suits
• Lollies - Candies (not just lolly pops)
• Ripper - "what a ripper" you can come up with your own ideas on that one!
• Roo - kangaroo
• Boomer - a male kangaroo
• Bush - is not really the bush... it's the countryside
• Jumper - sweater
• Grundies - underwear
• Knock back - to refuse 
• Docket - the bill
• Chips - fries
• Crisps - chips
• Scroggan - trail mix
• And my personal favorite... DINKUM - genuine or real! Fair Dinkum!

There are so many words that we're hearing for the first time every day that I'm sure this is a very primitive list. 

So when they say we can't speak language... they're right eh!

The Secret??

Yesterday, while I was at the pool suntanning as Dave trained with his waterpolo team, it occurred to me that three years ago I made the comment, "I would just love to go to Australia where you can play waterpolo and I can come watch you while I tan by the pool".

Now if that isn't The Secret I don't know what is. I'm not saying I believe in the Oprah endorsed book or follow the The Secret Cult, but I do think that when you put it out into the universe it somehow hears you and with a little blood, sweat, and definitely some tears, it will come to be.

School has been in for a week and both Dave and I are settling in quite nicely. We can't quite get over the fact that there are daily surfing classes, morning recess (where it's mandatory to sit and hang out with your colleagues),  ski trips that go to New Zealand and Japan, uniforms and recess (again with the recess)! Everything from the hole punchers to the communal computers are new and we feel like first year teachers at times!

One thing that isn't new are the kids. Kids are kids. No matter what country or what strange accent they might have, they are all the same at heart. (I'm sure even Torah in Ethiopia could agree with that)

In a city where nothing is open past 5pm, we have been forced to explore all kinds of different activities. Dave is playing waterpolo 4 days a week (with two of those at 6am), I'm biking the 11 km to and from school everyday, there's the multitude of golf courses around us that we hit up for nine holes or we're forced to watch the sunset down at the beach. Last Friday night we went downtown to the free Opera that was put on for thousands of people who came equipped with full picnic baskets and bottles of wine. It's tough but somehow we're managing.

For Dave and I the secret isn't that mystical, it's simple: just take it all in and enjoy the good, the bad and even the ugly. (When we find the the bad and the ugly we'll let you know!)

Rosentrans Down Under!

Well we have officially fallen in love with Australia and Perth. I know... you didn't think it would happen! But it did! 

We live 5 minutes from the beach and although I've been sporting SPF 30 I have officially burnt my backside!!! Any inch that isn't lathered in sunscreen gets quite pink for 3 days - the sun is incredibly intense here! Something about a  stupid missing ozone layer.

Dave and I have wasted no time in finding a fabulous used car - it's a 2003 Hyndia Sonata with 93,000 km on it and we call it "Caddy" because it's literally a Cadillac and way too big for us, we love it! it fits both sets of clubs and all our beach stuff in the trunk with tons of room to spare. And you'll love this... insurance isn't mandatory here! But we got the full deal with everything coverage for ANYONE to drive the car and it's only $600/ year! 

Speaking of golf, we have hit up the local courses and are getting refresher lessons this weekend because I got new clubs and am worse than I was when I was 14! I'm absolutely horrible with these news clubs but the good thing is lesson are dirt cheap and so is the golf! ($5 after 5pm for as many holes as you can play!) Needless to say we will be taking full advantage of that since we can't bare to think of golfing before that time anyways in the 40 degree heat. 

The day we arrived, instead of unpacking or grocery shopping,  we headed for the beach and hung out there for the day. The beach where we are is the surfing and kite surfing mecca where every guy on the beach is absolutely ripped and cut! Dave and I both are in awe at some of the bodies walking around here. Although Australia is the 3rd obese country in the world, none of them are at Scarborough beach! :) Every night here there is something going on, beach volleyball, water polo sprint races, kite surfing spectacles.... its pretty sweet.

However, that first day on the beach we jumped into the water and within a few moments I was stung several times by some unknown sea creature. Everyone at the beach said it was "sea lice" and that it was no big deal but after a week I had a huge rash which covered my back, chest and heart pains which Dave thought was heart burn, fever and extreme exhaustion! Turns out I was stung by some sort of jellyfish and just needed lots of vinegar to take it away. The rash and pains have left and I'm finally starting to feel back to normal but I I'm not thrilled about jumping back in the ocean!

And speaking of sea creatures - they have helicopters that patrol up and down the beach to spot SHARKS!!!! That's right - there are tons of sharks that get a little too close to shore and if the helicopter spots them they send a flare down where everyone leaves the water. We were walking up to a beach the other day when the radio reports that people were just starting to return to the water after the shark sighting!!! HAS NO ONE EVER SEEN JAWS????!!! So we picked a different beach and told ourselves that sharks wouldn't swim up the coast! :) Anything to calm your mind!

Dave joined a waterpolo club and although he wanted to play in the "social league" where they bring their eskies to the pool and have a few "stubbies" after the game, he was quickly moved up to the A reserve team and is training 4 days a week. It's absolutely perfect! They called him Steve for the first day because they couldn't understand his accent which was hilarious! I'm sure he'll be recruited to play on some elite, pro club in no time! They have made him train with a 20 lbs weight vest during practice and he's getting a swift introduction to Australian waterpolo.

Yesterday was Australia day and it was spectacular! They really know how to throw a party down here! We went to meet up with a bunch of teachers who are from Canada and Australians who had done the exchange to Canada and we ended up meeting the math department head of a school up near us who offered Dave a job. Right there... on the spot! A full time math position at a very lovely high school 10 minutes from our house! It's absolutely perfect! We called downtown today to confirm and he starts work tomorrow!!! The best part, they will recognize his years of teaching in Canada so he'll basically be keeping his same salary from ESPB.

Anyways, I wanted to let you all know that we have settled in and both have jobs (much to Dave's dismay of not becoming a professional golfer or surfer!). 

Hope you're all surviving the massive snowfall and staying warm! Miss you all!!