music that we saw in Australia

This post is in response to A Word in Your Ear’s challenge to write about music. Since I had these photos from Australia, all taken on my Droid, I figured I could do that! Click on them to really open them up!

At the Suzuki Night Market at Queen Victoria Market on January 23rd, we saw and enjoyed Tek Tek Ensemble. So did the kiddies. They played a klezmer-like number that perhaps we enjoyed more than others, but it all was delightful.

And then we experienced the Maori group Te Hononga Nga O Iwi. Definitely a seeing event.  A Performance.

Aren’t we wonderful for wanting to see them? Yes, a dig at myself and my own heartstrings-pulling background. But if I can get over that, I know that they’re really entertaining and fascinating, yes.

But maybe it’s more than that. Here’s what they say about themselves:

Te Hononga O Nga Iwi : meaning the coming together of the tribes, are a Maori Cultural Performing Arts Group, based in the South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia.

Te Hononga O Nga Iwi originated in a lounge room in Endeavour Hills in 2007 and over time with the dedication of volunteers and members has evolved into a group of 30 – 50 performers ranging from the ages of 12 years to our more senior aged members and a supporter base consisting of our families and friends.

Te Hononga O Nga Iwi is dedicated to keeping our customs and traditions alive by sharing, teaching, learning and performing traditional and contemporary maori song and dance to people of all ages and diverse backgrounds.

At present we are learning and performing traditional and contemporary items from various New Zealand tribes, that include Haka (Ha, means to breathe, Ka, means fire in essence to breathe fire), Poi ( a ball on a string- in times gone by traditionally used by men to practice their weaponry skills then eventually taken over by women), Waiata(Song/s) and many original compositions.

It is not only our hope and dreams to unite all iwi (tribes) here in Melbourne, but to also strengthen ourselves and our culture here in this new home of ours, Australia, by keeping our customs and traditions alive which have been handed down through the ages by our tipuna (Ancestors).

Maybe, being Jewish, I do relate to this in a very significant way.

And then, to celebrate our anniversary, we went to hear a group at the “best jazz club in the world”, according to LonelyPlanet.

Must be very lonely indeed.

We were wandering without internet and it was really hard to find this Bennett’s Club. Maybe that should have also been a sign.

Would you have thought that, if you saw this front? Really, we should have gone with our instincts that night. Book cover, be judged!

On the other hand, I did really enjoy the beer that we had that night. White Rabbit, it’s called. It was another very hot day, and the place was under-airconditioned. So the beer was about the best thing that we enjoyed. Should I say that we also enjoyed watching the young couple next to us also trying to figure out when and how to get out of there?

But Melbourne redeemed itself the next morning, when we went back to the Vic Market to go souvenir shopping and experienced this man.

And then we went and found good coffee. A good way to remember our time in Australia.

because i’m so color-starved

and not because of tomorrow.

In case you don’t know, I don’t “celebrate” Valentine’s Day. Let me count the ways why not.

1. Blatant commercialism!!
2. Wrong religion, simply. I don’t do saints. Of any kind.
3. I find it horrible to push “love” on people as a day to celebrate. There’s too much pressure on people to do it up and that’s just sad.
4. And obnoxious.
5. Did I mention how much I hate the commercialism of the day?

Okay, so really I need an infusion of color because of winter here in our part of the universe. Maybe that’s why the red of the sales, I mean, of the day, is so appealing. I know you’re thinking, “but you just came back from Australian summer!” So? That was already weeks ago!!!!

Yes, my square of my tan on my feet is still there, but it’s not enough.

On my walk today, I was breathing in all the blue sky and that was wonderful. But somehow the coolness of the blue doesn’t do enough. So I’m forced to go back and post my series on red.

I don’t wear red. It doesn’t work with my coloring or temperament. But I was happy to find a lot of people who do or at least did for my sake.

And hopefully yours.

The first two are from LA, from LACMA. The others are from the environs of Melbourne and Victoria. And yes, pink is a tint of red, so we’re including that a bit.

Enjoy!

fade to black

I’m certainly not talking about my financial situation…

Did you see that blip of the Dow up to 1400 the other day? That was our doing, I’m sure.

New suitcase, kindle, lacrosse balls, gifts for the kiddies, gifts bought while there for the kiddies here, many many double espressos, food and more food, (a bottle of kosher Australian wine cost us $36 there; the same bottle sells for $13 in LA!), entrance fees to all the tourist traps (Did I mention how you should NOT go to Puffing Billy, unless you really really like being bored out of your mind or unless you only go one way. I should have been the one to offer to drive back to meet everyone at the other end, except for my fear of driving on the left!), and really, all the others were well-worth it.

Lacrosse balls, I said? Yes,

Yes, indeed. Even if you’ve never played lacrosse, this one is a must. Once you hit a certain age, sitting anywhere for several hours at a time can lead to aches and pains. But sitting in coach class is especially conducive to getting a neck ache, tight shoulders, or stiff back. Buy a lacrosse ball and carry it with you wherever you travel. When the aches and pains kick in, pinpoint the tender muscles and use the ball to massage the aches away. It really works! Tennis balls are okay in a pinch, too, and weigh less if you’re concerned about a few extra ounces in your bag—but they’re softer and slightly less effective at working out those muscle knots.

I did my reading–thank you, Smarter Travel!

So what is this black I speak of? Not my suntan, although I do have this interesting square on each of my feet from where the sun did shine. It’s the propensity to wear black in winter. I had read in a Lonely Planet book on Melbourne that the residents are big on wearing black, but I didn’t find that to be the case.

Okay, now that I look back on my photos, it is.

(As always, click on any and they’ll zoom out at ‘ya.)

 

At least they dress the children in color!

Then again, I did find one photo that was certainly an exception:

And then we go to LA and see this amazing exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography called “No Strangers–Ancient Wisdom in a Modern World”, full of color and life. Check out their website, if you have a chance. Or better yet, go if you can.

And what do we see when we get out?

 

I felt like we stumbled onto a movie set!

And yet, I’m wearing black today. Sigh.

But a green skirt.

Holding out for my second summer.

21 things i learned from australia

A running list, in no particular order, unless I change my mind:

1. [I woke up at some point this morning, or was it still night (probably somewhere in the world), thinking “instead of saying…” about something that I experienced in Australia, but now I can’t remember what I was thinking, and so it led me to writing this. I may remember; I may not.] So here is a place to fill in the blank:                                                   .
2. That’s the fun in life; taking what you can and
3. “No worries”.
4. Here’s another place to add your own comment, since I really remembered something else a while ago and already forgot it. It will come back to me. I promise.
5. Driving on the left side of the road can be fun, if someone else is doing it.
6. It can also be terrifying.
7. Not having to think about which direction cars are coming from–priceless.
8. It’s really easier to help people than not. Okay, that’s not true, but oh what a difference in attitude!
9. Say what you mean.
10. Sleep is amazing.
11. Digital cameras with 1 memory card holding over 1500 photos and short videos are amazing, too! Okay, that’s not about Australia, in particular, but that’s my experience now. And that’s with a spare memory card, just in case.
12. Not having a working phone is terrifying and freeing.
13. I find myself thanking G-d a whole lot, with feeling.
14. Hugs are amazing, especially from little ones.
15. Okay, from everyone.
16. There’s nothing like picnics, especially upwind from BBQ’s, which truly are ubiquitous there.
17. I really really hate the smell of burning flesh. Sorry. I know you thought this list would be upbeat and happy. I’ll try to resume my positive train of thought, but no shrimp on the barbie for me!
18. The best things in life really are free, but it doesn’t hurt to have the money to get to the places where you can enjoy those freebies. Okay, I knew that already, but it was mightily reinforced.
19. Having a second summer; also priceless, ‘though mightily expensive.
20. Not taking your coffee for granted, but not making it such a compulsion. We had some of the best and the worst coffee experiences there. I’ve always been hesitant about people who go on about their knowledge or expertise, and now that’s reinforced.
21. I’ve said “insane” about more things this trip than probably ever before. For example, how many times have you looked up through the skylight in the toilet and seen a hot air balloon over your head?

enjoy the things we can control and even the things we can’t,

when we can.

We can set our itinerary.

We can’t know whether the pilot is in a bad mood or the people sitting next to us will be pleasant in advance.

We can learn about where we’re going, the history, the sights that are on everyone’s lists, the best destinations and even the best places to eat.

We won’t know whether they were telling the whole truth or why they think those are really worthwhile.

We can pack for the weather we think we’re going to get.

We won’t know what the cards are until they are dealt.

If I were writing a book, I might think that this was too kitschy. First, I babysit while the kids and ISHI go our for one evening. Then they come home and I’m sitting in the dark and my DIL trips over my computer cord, with my computer attached. It now has a big bite out of the corner, but it still works.

I’ll deal with it at home. No worries.

And then, we go back to the home where we’re staying and our hostess informs us that her husband is in hospital with a heart condition.

Yup, couldn’t plan for that one.

He’s home now, in his home. I couldn’t bring myself to write about it, even though it happened two weeks ago. I needed to wait to see how it would work out.

I’m certainly not in control of that.

He is all set for now. And I re-learned a lesson that I guess I needed to re-learn.

So enjoy what you can.

When you can.

the photos i don’t send to my father

I’ve been trying to download the photos I’m taking here in Australia fairly regularly and sending them back to my family. My father, who is an undiagnosed ADHD, (un)usually impatient person, cannot stand when I send more than one photo of the same view. So I try very very hard to limit what I send, and basically only send the cute photos of the kiddies and maybe one or two of the sights that we’re taking in.

But in reality, I’m taking a whole lot more. So far, I’ve taken over 800 photos. Oh that includes a few little videos as well. Our middle girl has taken with Angelina Ballerina, and mimics her dances perfectly. So I was lucky enough to capture that, along with some singing that she does. Oh, and some didgeridoo playing at the Cape Otway Lighthouse.

Yes, how many photos can you see of the koalas? And the birds and other unusual animals? And of the giant ash and cedar trees? And the water? And the odd people?

Let me know–I’ve got a lot to show.

This was at St. Kilda Beach, which is within walking distance to the kids’ place. We walked back after taking the tram there. All for the experience.

Can you believe the size of this bottle of sunscreen? They’re serious about their sun protection, for sure. Oh, maybe I did send this one to the family. Still good. They are very very serious about sun protection here. This is what it says on the site for the Children’s Garden–Royal Botanic Gardens:

Please remember:

• This is a public space, so for safety and hygiene reasons, children must be clothed at all times. Be Sunsmart. It can take as little as ten minutes for your child to suffer sunburn, so:

• Slip on sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible

• Slop on SPF30+ sunscreen

• Slap on a hat

• Seek shade

• Slide on sunglasses

I can’t say that I’m not loving the heat, even the 108 F yesterday. I know I’m here just for a little while. And it’s already dropped to a chilly 81 today. Sorry that I’m not sorry. 🙂

Everyone pretty much wears hats of all kinds. They also seem to be better about wearing bike helmets than in the states. I think they are better rule-followers. No, I know they are. You should have seen the line in the airport waiting for customs. No distinct area to line up? No problem. We’ll wait. In the states, and even more so in Israel, they would have been all over the place. They’re also very very serious about their coffee.

And then there’s this.

Actually, ISHI took this one. It’s our son’s neighbor’s. I couldn’t reach my arms up that high. Or I could, but maybe I was holding something? What does happen when pigs fly, anyway?

I can show you the different sights that were beautiful and/or unusual; I can’t easily show you the sounds. That’s a whole different experience.

But I did promise you a koala, didn’t I?

no, really it was duchess drooper!

The pharmacy just sent me a link saying I had $4 in bonus bucks to claim. All I had to do was sign in, with my password.

Sigh…

I don’t have a memory of it; I can’t find it in my saved passwords, so I asked for a hint.

They sent me a new link, asking for the name of my childhood pet.

Whew–I know that one. Duchess Drooper, the basset hound. Isn’t that a great name? We called her Duchess for short.

We had other pets, including dogs and cats, but I would have thought that was the one I would have mentioned.

Apparently not.

[Wait a minute–was her name Duchess? I know my nickname or actually my alias was Dorothy Drooper, Private Eye, Dot for Short. But that’s another story for another time.]

 

And now, of course, I’m frozen out of the account.

Sigh…

Easy come, easy go and all that.

We called our credit card companies to inform them we’d be travelling this month to destinations heretofore undiscovered. The fellow representing the company where we have mileage said, “Whoa, you got a lot of miles!!!!”

He actually indicated how many, but his tone was pretty much on that level.

Yes, we plan on redeeming them afterwards to pay for this trip.

Car seat arrived, pink Legos arrived, various pajamas and onesies and outfits acquired; I am, thank the Lord, packed.

I’m delaying finishing up some letters and such for work now. I’ll finish them off and then go to sleep.

Thank God we’ll have Shabbat to rest up; the taxi is coming at 4 am on Sunday. Oh that’s just a late Saturday night in my book.

It was 9º this morning here; we’re off to 90° in Australia. I can’t say that I’m not looking forward to that!

But really, I’m really looking forward to tickling our grandchildren in person.

And if we see a few kangaroos and didgeridoos in person, it will be enough.

No, it will be amazing!

And, as the airline lady said as we were confirming all the details of our flight today, “No worries.”

Good enough indeed.

do you have a three-prong adaptor for Australia?

Apparently, WordPress dictionary (or is it Google?) doesn’t know what an adaptor is. You can’t see the red wavy line that comes up when I type it in when I publish it, but perhaps this is a good mini-theme for travel.

You have to be able to adapt.

So, trying to get my house in order, in order to leave the house:

• I renewed my passport.
• I’ve downloaded and personalized my travel list.
• I’ve unlocked my phone and bought SIM cards (oh they don’t like Sim, either–wavy lines all over the place!)
• I’ve bought a lightweight suitcase, shoes, toiletry bag, laptop, sweater, a refillable perfume atomizer, collapsible water bottles, a Kindle  (in fact, the only thing not lightweight is me;) )
• I’ve bought  stuff to take for the kiddies
• I’ve bought a small and a large purses with Smart rfid-blocking pocket protects personal data on passports and credit cards
• I’ve found my extra memory cards for my camera

But in this hunt for things small and light, I’ve found out that we don’t have this aforementioned three-prong adaptor. Here’s what we need:

Oh, I think we’ll manage to find one or two before we go, or

we’ll adapt.

I know that there are many things we have not done yet. The normal things, like stopping the mail  and the newspaper (you can do that now online, so that’s pretty easy).

We haven’t figured out what we’re actually going to do in Australia; we can’t make big plans with little kids. Day trips will probably suffice. Our son says that when you go outside and see every tree and flower and animal and know that they are so very different, that’s a trip.

Oh yeah, ISHI downloaded an app for recognizing birds there. Oh my.

And, of course, there is still more time before we go, enough to have to go food shopping, in the rain, come home and put the food away, and apparently, plenty of time to drop a 48 oz bottle of tomato juice on the floor in the utility cabinet next to my washing machine…

Pardon me, I have to finish washing the floor.

dear granddaughter with your nine syllables

and that doesn’t include your family name,

I am looking forward to meeting you in person in January! Before that, I will be hopefully meeting two of your younger cousins on this end of the universe  (בשעה טובה ומוצלחת).

In the meantime, I am happy to have more connection with you than your ancestors would have had with their einiklach in all corners of the universe, with all of our Skyping and Facebooking and Googling.

Then again, many of them stayed in the same shtetl for ages, so it’s a balance.

Your siblings have been on great adventures already, living in Israel and travelling to Canada and the States and then off to South Australia.

Your parents can read you more about the song here, if they want.

And so your first experiences are so very different but so much the same, aren’t they?

Your wonderful parents have never had a third child before; that in and of itself makes everything different. And when you learn about literature, you’ll find out that the use of local color is only one literary device, often overplayed.

Settings of time perhaps are more important.

And how to fill out the character? That is prominent, in my book.

So who will you be?

I know you will be smart,

feisty, strong-willed, kind, sweet, stubborn, impulsive, thoughtful, curious, strong, creative, eager, loving, singing, funny.

(strong-willed

adjective resolute, firm, single-minded, purposeful, fixed, intent, persistent, stalwart, persevering, tenacious, steadfast, unwavering, immovable,headstrong, unflinching, strong-minded, self-willed He is a very determined and strong-willed person.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002)

You get that from every single side, generations back as far as the eye can imagine seeing.

I hope that you will be happy most of the time.

That you also get from everyone.

I hope you will channel your great ancestors and their love of Judaism and of Torah and of Jews and of G-d. I hope you will get their message loud and clear, how family means everything and being loyal is the best strategy for winning.

And love shows up and know that it’s there for you.

And if you noticed that I didn’t say “pretty”, I’ll say it now.

I’m sure you will be pretty spectacular.

And I’m looking forward to meeting you and letting you know that in person.

Love,

Savta

my new granddaughter weighs more than my new vacuum cleaner

by 2 lbs!

Amazing. I won’t be able to hold this new baby until we go to Australia in January and by then, she’ll hopefully be a lot more than the 9 lbs she started at.

And yes, my vacuum cleaner is very small and wonderful. Isn’t it fascinating that something big being small is great and something small being big is amazing!

But more about the baby for now.

Her father was born at 9 lbs, 3 oz, but he was the fourth baby and I’m taller and bigger than my DIL. So wow. BIG baby! The middle one is showing lots of jealousy. She’s announcing her full name to everyone who doesn’t necessarily inquire, now that the new baby also has three names, and isn’t being as gentle as the big boy is. And the worse part of it is that the new baby looks very much like she used to, so she must really feel like she’s being usurped.

Oh I have a strong feeling she’ll figure out where and how she can shine. I am sure she’ll do just fine.

It just might require patience from parents and grandparents.

Australia is very very far away. I was telling someone the other day how difficult it was to go to Puerto Rico when my parents first got married and moved there. You had to take one flight to NY, then to Miami, and then to PR. It was the equivalent of traveling today to…

Australia!

The difference is that because everything is so immediate and we have no attention span that we can’t fathom something being that far and difficult to get to.

We’ll get there in January and it will be wonderful, as long as the weather cooperates, which is not a little thing.

Above-Normal Snow for Northeast, Appalachians
Above-normal snowfall is predicted for the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and central and southern Appalachians, spanning western Massachusetts to northern portions of Georgia and Alabama, this winter.

“I-95 this year in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic will have more snow than they did last year. However, as far as above-normal snowfall goes, from New York City on south and west has a better shot with more mixed rain and snow systems in New England,” AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok said.

Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Charlotte are among other cities that may receive more snow than usual.

A couple of larger storms could unleash the above-normal snowfall in the major cities, as the winter setup should allow big storms to form off the East Coast. The best chance for the big snowstorms will arrive during the middle to latter part of the season, including January and February.

Look, let me get out of here and then let the snow fall! I won’t mind having to stay longer…