Wallaby Walk

As I am still jet-lagged, I regularly wake up around 5:30 am. I decided to use those hours productively this morning and go to the beach for a sunrise walk. The temperature is perfect at this time of day.

I had the most breathtaking view of the sunrise just as I reached the top of the dunes before entering the beach. There was mist setting against the outbreaks on either side and it was just beautiful. I walked for a full hour as the rising sun changed the landscape, waves, and atmosphere. Since it was early in the morning, there were thousands of tracks in the sand of all the little crabs that had been busy last night. There were also washed up shells that were unbroken and washed up jellyfish. I found one jellyfish just as the sun began to crest over the thin barrier of clouds against the horizon and the light just hit the jellyfish in a way that made me need to stop and take a picture. I also zoomed in and created a nice abstract shot. I am making myself do this walk every morning because I can't miss out on all of this!

As I walked back home, I noticed what I thought to be a kangaroo a yard to my left. I later sorted out that it was a wallaby as it was darker and smaller with a different face. He was sort of eerie really, glowing eyes, intense stare. Then he disappeared. I found another not to far down the stretch and he paused and fixed his stare on me as well. As I continued my walk, I ran into at least 10 more wallabies! It was incredible! I even found one with a little Joey in its pouch. Spectacular little creatures.

I loved starting off my day so productively. I had a quick shower and then went off to school. I gained a little more insight on why the school day is scheduled the way it is. As I mentioned in my last post, the day goes 80 min, 50 min, 20 min recess, 70 min, 50 min, 40 min lunch, 40 min, 40 min. Tarryn explained to me that it was scaffolded this way to reflect the attention span and energy levels of the students. They have the most energy and ability to focus right away in the morning and then it gradually degrades as the day goes on. I think it was great of them to keep in mind the mental and physical development of the adolescent.

I am also going to be making an altered book with year 9. I think this will be a great little visual diary of my time here in Byron Bay. Tarryn has also scheduled me to teach the ceramic lesson on Friday for year 7, so I'm jumping right into it!

Later that night, Leanne took Tarryn and I to her house. It was the most spectacular house I've ever seen in the greatest location. It's about 10 minutes into the countryside, set on the side of a hill looking out, over the plains to the ocean. Leanne has acquired a great deal of collectables in her travels and they are displayed everywhere! I love it!

Jacaranda trees are my new favorite plant. They have these beautiful, purple blossoms in the spring. Leanne offered a "cuppa" (tea) and I refused as I had already had a cup that afternoon. I am finding that it's probably best to just say yes in the future as she kept asking over and over if I was sure I didn't want a cuppa.

Australia Jargon/Slang I'm Picking Up:

Cuppa = cup of tea

Piccy = pictures

Marks/Marking = grades/grading

Rubber = erasure

Joggers = tennis shoes/sneakers

Buggers = snot nose kids