Mind Your Head!

Another Week in the Land of Oz!

Hello Elementary Friends,

Another week in the Land of Oz!  We have continued to be amazed at everything, and we are continually learning everyday!  For example, just in the past two days I have walked to the car (once in the garage and once in a parking garage) and actually gotten into the car on the left side of the vehicle.  It is not until I put my purse down on the right seat and start to buckle my seat belt that I notice that there is not a steering wheel in front of me.  So, I look around to see if anyone is looking, and get out and go around to the right side of the car!   You would think that it would start to come more easily, but it is still a challenge for my brain because I must be so entrenched with the habit of the wheel being on the left and driving on the right.  In addition, Mitch and I both continue to turn on the wind shield wipers with our left hand when we try to signal which way we are turning.  I am sure it looks comical to those who may be watching.  We have said that by the time we leave, we will probably have trouble for a while when we get back home because this will become a habit!

Time for Haircut is Here!  

The time came that I desperately needed a hair cut.  Any woman knows that a hair cut can be scary when you go to a new person.  It is especially daunting when you need a hair cut in a foreign country!  So, what do you do?  Well, I found a salon just around the corner from where we live.  I think you can see by the name of it why I chose it.  I think the cut will work just fine, and I will schedule another appointment in about 6 weeks!

Thank you Jeffco Principals for Tour of the Opera House

Prior to my departure in December, several of the Jeffco principals with schools near Mortensen, along with my supervisor, Dr. Deb O'Neill, honored me with a gift certificate for a tour for two of the Sydney Opera House and a "tasting" in the Opera Kitchen.  Last Saturday was the day of our tour, and we loved it!  We took the ferry from Woolwich to Circular Quay (pronounced key), and walked the short distance to the opera house.  The tour was very interesting, and we learned all about the history of the venue, the different concert and performing halls within the house, and even about some of the problems encountered while designing and building the opera house.  

Taken from our ferry just near Circular Quay

I know that I have some architect and engineer friends and family members, so you will be interested in this!

A short history of the Sydney Opera House from their website:

Sydney Opera House (1957 - 1973) is a masterpiece of late modern architecture. It is admired internationally and proudly treasured by the people of Australia. It was created by a young architect who understood and recognised the potential provided by the site against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Denmark’s Jørn Utzon gave Australia a challenging, graceful piece of urban sculpture in patterned tiles, glistening in the sunlight and invitingly aglow at night. Jorn Utzon died in Copenhagen in November 2008 aged 90.

In its short lifetime, Sydney Opera House has earned a reputation as a world-class performing arts centre and become a symbol of both Sydney and the Australian nation. 

The history surrounding the design and construction of the building became as controversial as its design. In 1956 the NSW Government called an open-ended international design competition and appointed an independent jury. The competition brief provided broad specifications to attract the best design talent in the world; it did not specify design parameters or set a cost limit. The main requirement of the competition brief was a design for two performance halls, one for opera and one for symphony concerts. Reputedly rescued from a pile of discarded submissions, Jørn Utzon’s winning entry created great community interest and the NSW Government’s decision to commission Utzon as the sole architect was unexpected, bold and visionary. 

CONSTRUCTION

Design and construction were closely intertwined. Utzon’s radical approach to the construction of the building fostered an exceptional collaborative and innovative environment. The design solution and construction of the shell structure took eight years to complete and the development of the special ceramic tiles for the shells took over three years. The project was not helped by the changes to the brief. Construction of the shells was one of the most difficult engineering tasks ever to be attempted. The revolutionnary concept demanded equally revolutionary engineering and building techniques. Baulderstone Hornibrook (then Hornibrook Group) constructed the roof shells and the interior structure and fitout. At the behest of the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) the NSW Government changed the proposed larger opera hall into the concert hall because at the time, symphony concerts, managed by the ABC, were more popular and drew larger audiences than opera. 

COMPLETION AND OPENING

Cost overruns contributed to populist criticism and a change of government resulted in 1966 to Utzon’s resignation, street demonstrations and professional controversy. Peter Hall supported by Lionel Todd and David Littlemore in conjunction with the then NSW Government Architect, Ted Farmer completed the glass walls and interiors including adding three previously unplanned venues underneath the Concert Hall on the western side.  Opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1973, new works were undertaken between 1986 and 1988 to the land approach and Forecourt under the supervision of the then NSW Government Architect, Andrew Andersons, with contributions by Peter Hall. 

FOR THE FUTURE

In 1999, Jørn Utzon was re-engaged as Sydney Opera House architect to develop a set of design principles to act as a guide for all future changes to the building. These principles reflect his original vision and help to ensure that the building’s architectural integrity is maintained.

Our tour guide told us that after Utzon resigned and moved back to Denmark, he never came back to Sydney to see his completed work.  His son has now taken over for his father.  He ensures that his father's contribution is never forgotten.

On the ferry on way home from Opera House.  We live north west of the Sydney Harbor, so we cross under the bridge when we travel by ferry.

School is Going Well!

I have enjoyed the past week at Beaumont Road, but I am tired!  It is definitely hard work to start up a school year whether it be in Australia or the United States!  I have spent quite a bit of time in meetings with my principal, Malcolm, and the other assistant principals at the school working on time tables, who is teaching what, who is moving rooms, and what I am actually supposed to be teaching the students who are assigned to me!  The students are beautiful, and eager for the start of their Year Two Adventures!  We have had fun with them telling me how to pronounce things, and me actually trying to say it like they suggest.  There have been quite a few giggles at Mrs Hankins and her accent!

Here is photo of me with my students:

We have had Pavlova twice now!

We have been invited to several meals and BBQ's since we have been here.  We have also been treated to a traditional summer-time dessert called Pavlova twice now - the first was created by a teacher at Beaumont Road who we met at the first BBQ at Malcolm's.  In addition, last Saturday night we were again invited to a beautiful dinner in the home of Eva and Matthew (Eva is the sister of Helen, my exchange partner).  Eva served a beautiful Pavlova for dessert - here is a photo.

Here is a bit of history on Pavolva and why it so important to Australians and New Zealanders,

Pavlova is a meringue-based dessert named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. It is a meringue cake with a crisp crust and soft, light inside, usually topped with fruit and, optionally, whipped cream.

The dessert is believed to have been created in honor of the dancer either during or after one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand in the 1920's. The nationality of its creator has been a source of argument between the two nations for many years. In 2008, Helen Leach published The Pavlova Story: A Slice of New Zealand's Culinary History, in which she argued that the earliest known recipe was published in New Zealand.  Later research by Andrew Wood and Annabelle Utrecht suggested the dessert originated in the United States and was based on an earlier German dish.

The dessert is a popular dish and an important part of the national cuisine of both Australia and New Zealand, and with its simple recipe, is frequently served during celebratory and holiday meals. It is a dessert most identified with the summer time, but is eaten all year round in many Australian and New Zealand homes.

Mind Your Head!

I have written that the language is interesting here.  I have loved seeing all of the different ways that each phrase can written.  Here is the sign on the ferry that we take to the city.

I love the Mind Your Head part!  It got me to thinking - "what if everyone would just mind their own head?"  Could we get along better with our family, friends, neighbors, and business colleagues?  If we mind our own head, would we think before we speak?  Would we think before we act?  Would we think about how we would feel if someone else said what were thinking to us?  

So, friends - I invite you for the next week...Mind Your Head!