After moving with my parents and sister to Australia in 1993 (I think), my mom was faced with the daunting task of getting my sister and I enrolled in school and adjusted to life in another country. Who knew the school I would finally feel comfortable in would be an all girls school complete with hideous uniforms. (Although in retrospeect this makes perfect sense).
A back-to-school commercial this morning reminded me of the unusual student culture at Mackellar Girls High. All of the girls at the school were part of a "group". A very defined group. You could be friends with other girls in other groups but your primary loyalty was to your own "group". Each group had their own spot. Our spot was at the back of the large quadrangle under the shade of a fairly small and unimpressive gum tree (the year 11s and 12s got the good trees). I remember thinking how strange the concept of a "group" and a "spot" was at the time but dismissed it, just thankful that a group had adopted me. Thinking back now this whole "group" thing probably worked out in my favor instantly providing me with close knit friends who were like loyal family members away from home. Now looking back I am always so thankful for that time at Mackellar. Going to an all girls school in Sydney really allowed me to extend my childhood much more than I think most American high school kids do. I was able to act childish and silly and even have dress-up parties while friends back home were growing up at lightening fast speeds.
Maybe it was Australia, maybe it was the uniforms, or perhaps it was just the fun and quirky nature of the "group" I stumbled upon. Either way I have many fond memories from that time of my life that I like to revisit every now and then. I have lost touch with most of the girls in my group, but my MHS memories will never be forgotten.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
What's in a name?
Instead of children Joe and I have pugs. Two pugs to be exact...Lizzie and Fuzzman (aka Fuzz, Fuzzy, or Feety Fuzz). When we first brought Fuzz home I named him "Beans". The name didn't really work and within a month he was profusely shedding a substance that Joe and I could only describe as FUZZ. The name stuck. Fuzz is my sweet and sensitive snuggle pup. We have had him since he was a puppy and he has managed to stay very babyish. Fuzz is a sucker for snuggling and he also likes to brood. He was once rushed to the vet because he convinced Joe and I that he was on his death bed. $200 later and after numerous blood tests the vet pronounced him perfectly healthy. After hearing this happy news Fuzz perked right up and practically pranced out of the vet's office overjoyed, no doubt, with his good fortune. The vet politely asked us if perhaps Fuzz had a flair for the dramatics. Hmpf! Fuzz enjoys snoozing in sunny spots and loves impromtu belly rubs and pancakes.
Lizzie found her way to us in quite a different manner. A neighbor told us that a female pug had been left in the kennel down the road and that the kennel staff was looking for a family to adopt her. We stopped by the kennel that very night and officially met Lizzie. Let me tell you, Lizzie is an excellent actress. That evening she convinced us that she was very shy, polite and docile. "We'll take her!" we excitedly told the kennel staff. HA! Shy....not so much. Since the first moment Lizzie stepped into our home and became part of the family she has been wide open and has never slowed down. Lizzie is a ball of energy (albeit a slightly plump ball) who loves life. She immediately let Fuzz know that she would be the new boss. In our mind she took on the persona of a rowdy red neck girl. She's a natural fawn (as is Fuzz) and very proud of it. No bleached bottle fawns around our house. After catching part of "Legally Blonde" on tv (i've never seen either of the movies in their entirety I'm proud to say) we pronounced Lizzie "Legally Fawn". Lizzie loves to harass Fuzzman, terrorize the mailman, nap in small places (under the bed is her favorite spot), and play with Sally her plush toy poodle. She is the inspiration for the blog title.
Lizzie found her way to us in quite a different manner. A neighbor told us that a female pug had been left in the kennel down the road and that the kennel staff was looking for a family to adopt her. We stopped by the kennel that very night and officially met Lizzie. Let me tell you, Lizzie is an excellent actress. That evening she convinced us that she was very shy, polite and docile. "We'll take her!" we excitedly told the kennel staff. HA! Shy....not so much. Since the first moment Lizzie stepped into our home and became part of the family she has been wide open and has never slowed down. Lizzie is a ball of energy (albeit a slightly plump ball) who loves life. She immediately let Fuzz know that she would be the new boss. In our mind she took on the persona of a rowdy red neck girl. She's a natural fawn (as is Fuzz) and very proud of it. No bleached bottle fawns around our house. After catching part of "Legally Blonde" on tv (i've never seen either of the movies in their entirety I'm proud to say) we pronounced Lizzie "Legally Fawn". Lizzie loves to harass Fuzzman, terrorize the mailman, nap in small places (under the bed is her favorite spot), and play with Sally her plush toy poodle. She is the inspiration for the blog title.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Staining Hell
This is where JM and I find oursleves at the moment. It seemed like such a simple task: Stain china closet to match newly purchased table. JM swore it would be completed in a few days but I had my doubts. Two different colors of stain, pre-stain treatment, semi-gloss polyurethane, numerous blisters and one new power sander later and....we're still not finished, but making serious headway. At this rate I predict the china closet will definitely make its debut by Thanksgiving. For the moment I can console myself with the intoxicating smell of chemicals and saw dust that permeates the dining room. sheesh.
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