Empress Nasi Goreng

The creatures that you meet ...

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:44:22 -0800

Yes, I know I have been AWOL for quite a while - and I can't really guarantee that I will be back to posting regularly anytime soon. In the meantime, here are a couple of photos of some close encounters of the bushwalking kind (from last weekend when my son and I went for an early morning walk before the rest of the bushwalking hordes started scaring everything into hiding).

As well as these creatures, we also saw a swamp wallaby but it was too far away to photograph. I had to get the lizards identified later - they are lace monitors (also known as tree goannas). The education officer from the park also said we were very lucky to see the echidna as they are notoriously shy. I have only ever seen echidnas in the wild three times in my life and twice have been while walking with my son.

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The friendly neighbourhood book fairies

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:36:07 -0700

I have recently joined a book club at my local library. I have yet to attend a meeting but have been reading books on the list in preparation. The first one I was able to get my hands on was this one:

Lucky Jim (Penguin Modern Classics)

Kingsley Amis

The normal print copy was out on loan but I was lucky enough to find a copy in the Large Print section (which is mostly patronised by the library's older borrowers). According to a librarian friend, this generation of borrowers like to write little notes to themselves (and to others?) in the books that they borrow - partly as a memory jogger in case they can't remember reading a particular book and perhaps also as a warning to their fellow citizens. The warning in the back of Lucky Jim was quite succinct and to the point and just said "silly book" in large old lady handwriting. My husband thought it might have been her speaking notes for her book club.

I am glad I didn't heed this review though as I am finding the book hilarious. The titular character (a young academic) is sooo negative and lethargic that I feel I know him well from working in the public service. I keep telling my husband he should read it too.

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What I am reading now

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:09:27 -0700

A Child's Book of True Crime: A Novel

Chloe Hooper

Very interesting book! I like the Australian cover better though, ie, features some of the bushland creatures who narrate some of the story. Quite a bizarre touch but strangely effective. Apparently it was nominated for the Orange Prize when it was published.

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People keep giving me free stuff!

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:06:17 -0700

It all started a free months ago when an old school friend sent me a message on facebook asking if I would like a free family pass to the Australian Wildlife Park. We went and had a fantastic day. Since then, I seem to be getting freebies all over the place. During the school holidays, the Big Issue seller near my work gave me a free family pass to go and see the Woolly Mammoth exhibition at the Australian Museum. I took the kids into that and went buy and introduced them to the guy who gave us the tickets so they could thank him. For those who don't know, the Big Issue is sold by people who are homeless or otherwise down on their luck. I think one of this guy's other customers had given him the tickets but it was still very nice of him to give them to us. I think he was pleased that the kids were so happy about it. I have also been given several packets of Lebanese chewing gum by the young guy working in the Lebanese bakery near our old place (he is actually the nephew of a friend of mine but I don't think he knows that) and the guy in the convenience store near my work keeps give me special discounts on things I buy from there. I am not sure what is going on but I am certainly not complaining!

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The creatures you meet

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:57:01 -0700

Spotted in a backyard only a few streets away from us (I didn't want to get too close in case I scared it away):

Wallaby sighting

Here is my son on another of our jaunts around the neighbourhood:

bushwalkingnearhome.jpg

I have been trying to find a Joey Scouts group nearby so we can get more involved in outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. We did find a good one a few suburbs away but it is just too far to go on a weeknight. It is a pity as the leader there is a scientist who organises a lot of science based activities for the kids (right up my son's alley). I have one more closer group to check out this week or next week so I am hoping that will be just as good.

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Maybe I am old and jaded ...

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:40:21 -0700

but this just seems wrong to me:

eventheeggsaresmiling.jpg

They are not even free range but merely cage free eggs (husband bought them). Not sure if this is supposed to send some calming message about the happiness of the laying hens. Pretty unsubtle, if so.

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Engrish.com

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:25:06 -0700

Engrish.com

http://www.engrish.com/

Yeah, yeah. It is all very funny to chortle about people making mistakes with their English. Kind of a misplaced criticism though when you think about how few English speakers actually bother to learn any other language.

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List of books that groups such as PABBIS want withdrawn from school libraries in the US

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:52:35 -0700

Bad books list

http://www.sibbap.org/

Some of the material in these K-12 school books is extremely controversial and many people consider it objectionable or inappropriate for children. The content you are about to view contains adult material that may not be appropriate for all users. Before viewing this page you must read and agree to the following: You are an adult (18 years or older) and have read and understand this warning.You understand that the material may involve language, content and themes of an adult, objectionable or controversial nature. IN NO EVENT WILL PABBIS BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND resulting from viewing or any other use of this material.

Oh and apparently PABBIS stands for Parents Against Bad Books in Schools. Some good books on this list. Something else that I notice about this list is that it seems to include a lot of what is termed 'multicultural fiction' in the US including important writers such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Chinua Achebe etc etc. It doesn't include the most unsuitable books I read as a 14yo which were The Flowers in the Attic series. Books like this are much more likely to be read by the average 14yo as they are written in such a sensationalist and simplistic style. I would be extremely impressed with any 14yo who wanted to read Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. This is set as a Year 11 text in Australia and you should hear the moans and groans of the students forced to read it as it is quite a difficult book. I notice Clockwork Orange is also missing. I think the film of this was previously banned in the UK although the book has been studied as a Year 10 text in Australia. No Lolita either!

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Very topical read

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:00:30 -0700

I noticed that some of my vox neighbours and also my facebook friends based in the US have been posting about latest attempts to remove or ban certain books from libraries so as not to corrupt the minds of young readers. I am currently reading this novel by Tom Perotta (who also wrote Election and Little Children) which is all about attempts by a religious group to control the sex eduction curriculum in an American high school. It also touches on the issue of book banning (with particular reference to Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me Margaret). Apart from being topical, The Abstinence Teacher is also a great read.

The Abstinence Teacher

Tom Perrotta

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Been away for a few days

nobody@vox.com(Empress Nasi Goreng) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:59:05 -0700

My husband wasn't able to take any leave this school holidays so I again took the kids away on my own. This time we went to a little beach place a few hours south of Sydney. The kids chose the accommodation. The main appeal of the place they chose (a beachside holiday park) was that they could stay in something called a 'safari tent' which was like a big old tent raised up on a wooden platform. The platform was longer than the tent itself so was able to accommodate a covered porch at the front and a bathroom/kitchenette area at the rear. The tent itself was very cosy but big enough for a queen sized bed, some bunks and a little table and chairs. It had a small oil heater which kept it quite warm at night.

Safari tent

The weather was actually pretty amazing for winter, ie, quite warm and sunny during the day and only a bit chilly at night. We only had one full day there as we were quite late setting off on the Thursday we left and had to rush back for a children's birthday party on Saturday. On our full day, we met up with an old schoolfriend of mine and her children who had moved to the area earlier in the year. We had a great day with them and the children became firm friends. Here are a few photos I took on my mobile phone.

Beach kids 2

Jumping pillow

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