Simon and Mel are married which is great. We also got to see the family and a few friends - not as many as we would have liked, but we did to spend most of a day with Mike, Nikki, the kids and some Stephanie Alexander baked beans.
One of the things that was striking this time down was that we've been away. On the first couple of trips home nothing seemed to have changed, but now enough time has passed for things to have moved on. For example, we didn't make it to Cornerstone on Sunday but from what we've heard it's not 'our' church anymore. There are heaps of new people, they've planted another church and had 18 months worth of experiences without us. That's a bit sad but also exciting to hear how things have been going. Lots of things had a bit of that feeling, it made me more aware of some of the sacrifices involved in moving up here.
Tasmania (the long version!)
Well...We're back from the holiday that was always going to be too short, was just long enough to feel like we were part of things again and, once we were back felt like we had been away for ages! In reality it was only a week. One lovely week which we spent mostly resting and catching up with family.
On Monday we got up real early and our wonderful New Zealander friends Aidan and Soph took us to the airport. In the car on the way Nick introducted them to shai linne (sp?) a rapper who takes Christian hip hop to a whole new level. Who would've thought that a rap album would be inspired by John Stott's The Cross of Christ? We touched down in Hobart and at once I was overwhelmed by how beautiful Tasmania is. The grass at the airport in the soft morning light! The hills in the distance! The trees, the flowers! The Mountain. Ahhh. We went into town and had a lovely lunch with my parents. Then on to Nick's mum's where we were staying. Time passes more slowly here. Over the week we spent many hours just sitting on the couch not doing much - and it was so good.
Tuesday was for the Lynches. We didn't make a time - just Tuesday. All of it! As an aside, I reckon that the way to do short holidays back home is to spend long slabs of time with just a few people. That way you feel like you've spent real quality time hanging out with people and have had a proper holiday. So Tuesday was wonderful. There were homemade baked beans, there was moo brew, there was even some Boston Legal... and most of all, there was wonderful company!
On Wednesday Mum and I took a nostalgic drive down the Huon. It hasn't changed a bit. We drove over the hill top short cut at Port Huon to check out the view (lovely, but not a very photogenic day so I took some photos of these wild apples instead). 
Then on to Geeveston where suprisingly - there were cafes everywhere! There was a Gift Shop Cafe, a Bakery Cafe, the Tourism Centre Cafe and a Real Estate Cafe. The Real Estate Cafe had the best location so we rugged up and sat on their deck eating yummy pies and feeling very Tasmanian in the breeze and mist coming down off the Hartz mountains. It was so nice to spend some good time with Mum. In the evening Cam picked up Nick and we all ate roast dinner and plum crumble and finished off the evening with a bit of Top Gear.
Then on to Geeveston where suprisingly - there were cafes everywhere! There was a Gift Shop Cafe, a Bakery Cafe, the Tourism Centre Cafe and a Real Estate Cafe. The Real Estate Cafe had the best location so we rugged up and sat on their deck eating yummy pies and feeling very Tasmanian in the breeze and mist coming down off the Hartz mountains. It was so nice to spend some good time with Mum. In the evening Cam picked up Nick and we all ate roast dinner and plum crumble and finished off the evening with a bit of Top Gear.Thursday Nick got sick. It was a re-run of the flu he had a few weeks ago. So he spent most of the day in bed while I went into town to look for wedding presents for Simon and Mel. Then in the evening I went to dinner at Emma and Huw's. It was sad without Nick, but I'm really glad I got the chance to see those guys - and the Lynches - again. It's really strange, I'm so used to having Nick around in social situations that it's like a part of me is missing when he's not there! It's not just that we've been married for almost 7 years - I think during the last year and a half in Sydney we've stuck a lot closer together and the friends we've made up here have mostly been together.
Friday was busy. I went into town and bought the wedding present which I had finally decided on (you've gotta look at all the options!) then met Matt and Mel at Knoppies. Typically Tasmanian experience - saw the Lynches and Jonno there too! It was cool to catch up with Matt and Mel and meet their friends from Sydney... all to brief though. Friday afternoon I came back and helped out with setting up the hall for the wedding reception. We were supposed to go to Nick's dad's for dinner but for various reasons we all had to pike, which was a pity. I spent the evening creatively wrapping presents (after finding out that the "silver" wrapping paper I had bought was in fact just many layers of shiny clear cellophane - oops)
Saturday - the wedding day! I started coming down with something and had an awfully wakeful night. Woke to the smell of bacon and eggs and the sounds guys enjoying their breakfast. Getting ready with 7 guys in the house was so hassle free. Glad it wasn't 7 girls! The wedding was great. So lovely to see them commit to each other before God. It was happy and warm and Christian and they had obviously put a lot of themselves into it. And it was dutch! Both sides of the family didn't fit in one photo - this is our side of the family (the smaller half!):
Sunday we just rested. We had so many options for going to Church but in the end didn't go anywhere as we were both feeling pretty sick. It was a beautifully warm, sunny Tasmanian day. Late in the afternoon Mum came over and we went for a walk and got dinner. Then it was off to the airport where we met Jonno (who was on the same flight as us). We were very thankful to Pete, who picked us up from the airport. It's so nice to have friends up here who we feel at home with too.
Sunday we just rested. We had so many options for going to Church but in the end didn't go anywhere as we were both feeling pretty sick. It was a beautifully warm, sunny Tasmanian day. Late in the afternoon Mum came over and we went for a walk and got dinner. Then it was off to the airport where we met Jonno (who was on the same flight as us). We were very thankful to Pete, who picked us up from the airport. It's so nice to have friends up here who we feel at home with too.
It's all about me
I think that by default I have a berkleyan world view. I assume things exist only when I see them. It's been awesome to be back and to be reminded that Tasmania still exists even when I'm not around.
It's going to hurt getting off the plane...
| Monday | Morning shower or two. Windy | Min | 06 | Max | 11 | |||
| Tuesday | Late shower and becoming windy. | Min | 06 | Max | 14 | |||
| Wednesday | Mainly fine. Windy early. | Min | 07 | Max | 14 | |||
| Thursday | Shower or two. Windy | Min | 07 | Max | 12 | |||
| Friday | Mainly fine. | Min | 06 | Max | 12 | |||
| Saturday | Fine. | Min | 05 | Max | 13 |
Halfway
Today I did my philosophy exam. I did a question on arguments and bias, one on Enlightenment ethics and one on anti-foundationalist epistemology. The first one was my favourite because it gave the most room for creativity. I also got to quote Lloyd-Jones in that one.
So now we're halfway through our stay in Sydney. Only 1 1/2 years to go. Still, the half to come has more exams in it than the one already done. I'm looking forward to resting this weekend, drinking a few beers, spending a couple of quiet hours in a cafe or two and then heading to Tas on Monday.
So now we're halfway through our stay in Sydney. Only 1 1/2 years to go. Still, the half to come has more exams in it than the one already done. I'm looking forward to resting this weekend, drinking a few beers, spending a couple of quiet hours in a cafe or two and then heading to Tas on Monday.
I almost forgot to tell you about work. Thankfully I still have a job, but 6 out of the 10 employees were made redundant last week. There's just not much call for marketing and sales people when there's nothing happening. I've been told that they'll keep me on until at least September, while they go through the appeals process with the government. At that point, one of 3 things could happen: the laws get overturned and we're able to keep operating (in which case they'll need me because I know the day to day running of how things work). Alternatively, we may have to close up completely and they'll try to place me somewhere else within the parent company. Or, and this is a long shot, they could be given some other sort of product and I may be able to be involved in that (probably with a better job too)
It's really sad that everyone else is going. It wasn't unexpected though (well, not since the budget). They're all in 'last day of term' mode though, flitting in and out and not doing much - or any! - work. It will be a very quiet office when everyone is gone.
It's really sad that everyone else is going. It wasn't unexpected though (well, not since the budget). They're all in 'last day of term' mode though, flitting in and out and not doing much - or any! - work. It will be a very quiet office when everyone is gone.
Props to...
I'm a bit food inspired at the moment. Not long ago Nick gave me the lovely How to Be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson. Tonight I'm making adventure Pizza. Take one large square pizza base and start plotting little experimental sections. Who would've thought that blobs of sour cream and triple smoked ham go so well on a simple tomato pizza? Hummous and greek meatballs on pizza - awesome!
But the pizza got me thinking about all the people who've inspired me in the kitchen. On my pizza tonight there is a section of 'Mikey pizza'. By that I mean the sparse, crispy, flavour packed pizzas Mikey used to make with chilli flakes and anchovies.
Then there's the 'Emma toastie'. It's a turkish bread toastie with cheese, asparagus, sundried tomatoes and mushroom. The secret is to turn the turkish bread inside out. It goes really nice and crispy then.
My grandma was a big inspiration. I still make 'her' rice pudding (and no one else's will ever be quite as good!). And I'm thankful that my mum introduced me to all sorts of wonderful foods. Sure, kids these days like 'sushi'... but it was pretty rare to be a child of the 80s and grow up with a taste for Japanese food. I still crave miso soup when I'm sick (to be made by mum of course, and brought in to me on a tray so I can eat it in bed).
Anyway, sidetrack! Who are the 'ordinary' people who've inspired you? Grandmas, dads, flatmates or friends - I'm sure everyone's got some special dish that you mentally credit to someone whenever you make it.
But the pizza got me thinking about all the people who've inspired me in the kitchen. On my pizza tonight there is a section of 'Mikey pizza'. By that I mean the sparse, crispy, flavour packed pizzas Mikey used to make with chilli flakes and anchovies.
Then there's the 'Emma toastie'. It's a turkish bread toastie with cheese, asparagus, sundried tomatoes and mushroom. The secret is to turn the turkish bread inside out. It goes really nice and crispy then.
My grandma was a big inspiration. I still make 'her' rice pudding (and no one else's will ever be quite as good!). And I'm thankful that my mum introduced me to all sorts of wonderful foods. Sure, kids these days like 'sushi'... but it was pretty rare to be a child of the 80s and grow up with a taste for Japanese food. I still crave miso soup when I'm sick (to be made by mum of course, and brought in to me on a tray so I can eat it in bed).
Anyway, sidetrack! Who are the 'ordinary' people who've inspired you? Grandmas, dads, flatmates or friends - I'm sure everyone's got some special dish that you mentally credit to someone whenever you make it.
Concrete Jungle Farming
I know, they're not really ready to pull up yet! But as I was thinning the carrots a bit more, I just couldn't bare to throw these babies away. They tasted ok. Not particularly sweet but they were very crunchy!
Done
I handed in my essay this morning. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I ended up arguing for a Calvinist understanding of the law. I didn't start off there but over the course of writing the essay that's where I ended up. It was a weird one because normally I don't start writing until I know what answer I'm going to give. This one was different because it was based on the exegesis of 6 passages from Romans so I had to build up a picture as I worked.
1. I started reading Romans, figuring out which were the relevant passages and then started working through them.
2. When I'd done that I worked through each passage again with Moo, Calvin, Dunn and Schreiner's commentaries. That nuanced things a bit further and made me change my mind about some things.
3. Then I went over it all again with articles by Westerholm, Wright, Moo, Kruse and with Calvin's Institutes and Turretin's Institutes of Elenctic Theology. It was only with that last revision and putting it all together that the picture really emerged for me.
I don't think it was as well written as it could have been and it definitely has flaws that I didn't have the time/energy to fix. Still, as a learning experience it was great. It's fantastic to have had the chance to think through such a big topic and also overcome my fears of Romans.
Next up I have a philosophy exam (Friday) and then we'll be down for Simon and Mel's wedding. After that it's all fun with Hebrew and the doctrine essay.
1. I started reading Romans, figuring out which were the relevant passages and then started working through them.
2. When I'd done that I worked through each passage again with Moo, Calvin, Dunn and Schreiner's commentaries. That nuanced things a bit further and made me change my mind about some things.
3. Then I went over it all again with articles by Westerholm, Wright, Moo, Kruse and with Calvin's Institutes and Turretin's Institutes of Elenctic Theology. It was only with that last revision and putting it all together that the picture really emerged for me.
I don't think it was as well written as it could have been and it definitely has flaws that I didn't have the time/energy to fix. Still, as a learning experience it was great. It's fantastic to have had the chance to think through such a big topic and also overcome my fears of Romans.
Next up I have a philosophy exam (Friday) and then we'll be down for Simon and Mel's wedding. After that it's all fun with Hebrew and the doctrine essay.
Believe the hype
When Bron says the Irish Stew was 'overstuffed', don't believe her. It was perfect. The Belgian beer was great too. The whole evening was an excellent way to start the weekend.
The Irish Stew was just as I remembered it, though it was a little 'overstuffed'. I just can't seem to make soup that has any liquid in it. Of course, it starts out with plenty - but I always put so much in the pot that there's never much in your bowl. Well, they're very hearty anyway.
Kristan and Kath introduced us to proper Belgian beer - which was extremely delicious! (thanks guys!) and we had a really lovely evening. It's so nice to get the chance to see people outside of college.
And now for breakfast:
Just kidding! It's actually what we had for dessert. We were very restrained and only had a few spoonfulls for breakfast. We'll save the rest for later. Not sure if I'll manage to hold out till dinnertime, but hey, there's always Lunch Dessert!
Oh yeah, it's Plum crumble with Pecan topping. From Nigella. But I'll tell you more about that later.
Kristan and Kath introduced us to proper Belgian beer - which was extremely delicious! (thanks guys!) and we had a really lovely evening. It's so nice to get the chance to see people outside of college.
And now for breakfast:
Just kidding! It's actually what we had for dessert. We were very restrained and only had a few spoonfulls for breakfast. We'll save the rest for later. Not sure if I'll manage to hold out till dinnertime, but hey, there's always Lunch Dessert!
Oh yeah, it's Plum crumble with Pecan topping. From Nigella. But I'll tell you more about that later.
Smokin Irish Stew
Muse is playing as loudly as I dare, Nick is returning some videos and I am making Irish Stew.
My grandmother used to make wonderful Irish Stew. It had such a distinctive taste and it was awesome with freshly buttered slabs of sourdough bread. Mmmm. I never learned how to make it from her though. I remember asking my mum for some directions, and I made it once a few years ago and it was just as good I remembered it. Problem is... I can't remember now what I did! I know it has to have swede and parsnip in it. And the lamb shanks, though somewhat in-authentic, were delicious. I remember parsley too, lots of it. And barley. But that's about it.
The house is full of smoke because I decided to make lamb stock and use up the weird bony bits of meat which were left over from our side of lamb. I hope it works. Tomorrow night Kristan and Kath are coming over (the occasion for the lamb stew) so at least I've got a bit of time if it doesn't.
I was just looking over this post. My grandma used to talk about the "wireless". I wonder if my grandchildren will one day wonder why I keep talking about "videos".
My grandmother used to make wonderful Irish Stew. It had such a distinctive taste and it was awesome with freshly buttered slabs of sourdough bread. Mmmm. I never learned how to make it from her though. I remember asking my mum for some directions, and I made it once a few years ago and it was just as good I remembered it. Problem is... I can't remember now what I did! I know it has to have swede and parsnip in it. And the lamb shanks, though somewhat in-authentic, were delicious. I remember parsley too, lots of it. And barley. But that's about it.
The house is full of smoke because I decided to make lamb stock and use up the weird bony bits of meat which were left over from our side of lamb. I hope it works. Tomorrow night Kristan and Kath are coming over (the occasion for the lamb stew) so at least I've got a bit of time if it doesn't.
I was just looking over this post. My grandma used to talk about the "wireless". I wonder if my grandchildren will one day wonder why I keep talking about "videos".
What is the role of the law, according to Romans?
After struggling valiantly with my man-cold I am now back in the game. Everyone was finishing their essays yesterday...and I started mine. I feel a long way behind but it's getting there, I'm enjoying getting into Romans and getting over my fears of it.
Bron looked after me very well while I was sick but for her efforts she got sick as I got better.
We've just finished The Eyre Affair which was light and fun. Good tip Jonno! Now we need another book to read together.
Bron looked after me very well while I was sick but for her efforts she got sick as I got better.
We've just finished The Eyre Affair which was light and fun. Good tip Jonno! Now we need another book to read together.
Still Sick
Poor Nick. He is still just as sick as he has been all week. He went to the doctor again on Friday because the doctor he saw earlier in the week only gave him a 2 day certificate (and there's no way he's well enough to work yet).
We cleared the schedule for the whole long weekend and bed rest is the order of the day around here (for me too, I'm still trying to fight it off). It's a real pity - we had some cool stuff planned for the weekend which we were really looking forward to - but there's just no way Nick can let this drag on for any longer with the amount of work he's got on at the moment. Let's just hope another 4 days of bed rest do the trick.
We cleared the schedule for the whole long weekend and bed rest is the order of the day around here (for me too, I'm still trying to fight it off). It's a real pity - we had some cool stuff planned for the weekend which we were really looking forward to - but there's just no way Nick can let this drag on for any longer with the amount of work he's got on at the moment. Let's just hope another 4 days of bed rest do the trick.
How do you deal with a damp house? I've lived in houses before where the ceilings got mouldy, but never yet have I had drops of water literally running down the inside of the walls! Stuff is getting mouldy in drawers and in corners and even the linen had to be aired because it smelt musty. I like our house, and I've very grateful for it... but it's time to do something!
I always try and have some time with windows open each day, but I'm not sure if it's worth it when it's actually raining outside.
So I have a question: what can you do?
I've already bought some of those 'Damp Rid' things with the crystals and the little bucket and I'll probably get some more, but surely there must be other things. Eg, is it worth wiping down the windows all the time? Can you get something that's a mould retardant but not bleach, so you can use it on things that you couldn't bleach?
I always try and have some time with windows open each day, but I'm not sure if it's worth it when it's actually raining outside.
So I have a question: what can you do?
I've already bought some of those 'Damp Rid' things with the crystals and the little bucket and I'll probably get some more, but surely there must be other things. Eg, is it worth wiping down the windows all the time? Can you get something that's a mould retardant but not bleach, so you can use it on things that you couldn't bleach?
Those Old Gold liqueur filled blocks of chocolate are nice. I've never really liked cream filled chocolates, but these are yum.
Sick
All I want is a bunch of Stargate or West Wing dvds, a supply of orange juice and about a week in bed. I'd suck as a stoic.
Pascal
This year I've come across Pascal in a couple of books I've read and discovered there's more to him than his wager. I just read this quoted in Moo's Romans commentary:
Grace is indeed needed to turn a man into a saint; and he who doubts it does not know what a saint or a man is.
Just pondering
I was thinking about Christian music today, just pondering. Some years ago we started removing the Thees and Thous from Christian music. Sadly, they were replaced with I and Me. I think the tide is turning back the other way... slowly. There's definitely a resurgence towards rediscovering old hymns and putting them to new tunes. But am I the only one who hates the new versions?! For once I would like to hear "old hymns to old music"!
