I am the Christmas
spirit!
I enter the home of poverty, causing palefaced children to open their eyes wide, in
pleased wonder.
I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax, and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.
I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the old, glad way.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood, and brighten sleep with dreams woven of
magic.
I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind hearts
amazed at the goodness of the world.
I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way, and send to anxious love
some little token that releases glad tears - tears which wash away the hard lines of
sorrow.
I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, and pointing
forward to good days yet to be.
I come softly into the still, white home of pain, and lips that are too weak to speak just
tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.
In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a
little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.
I am the Christmas Spirit!
- E. C. Baird Christmas means Hope, Love and Peace.
May these blessings be yours each day, to brighten your journey all the way.
Merry Christmas and a Happy,
Safe and Blessed 2003
With Love From,
Joe, Frances, Dominic, Timothy, Jeremy and Matilda
I'm Finished!!!
What a year this has been! Travelling
200 km a day to the Campus at the Central Coast for up to 4 days per week and
attending classes up to 12 hours per day. That was my routine from January until
July while I completed the academic portion of my double degree course. Fortunately
I was able to share both the ride and the tribulations with my colleagues. It seemed
as though the assignment load would never end. My boys had to make their own way
home and wait for a parent to appear. Frances had to cook several meals a week.
But I did manage to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams. I always dreamed of
riding up the coast in my van with my college mates, listening to the psychedelic sounds
of the sixties as we debated the pros and cons of society and how we could and would make
a difference (see photo below).
From July until December (just yesterday in fact) We practiced our teaching. We had
2 4-week pracs and a 10-week internship. I taught year 7 and 8 computers,
cooking and sewing, year 9 and 10 food technology and year 11 Hospitality. I can say
with pride that I, along with my colleagues, completed the course gaining many
distinctions and high distinctions.
I am now awaiting word on where I will be placed come January 28, when the new school year
begins.
Retro - We still got it!
This photo may have been retouched
Frances and His Holiness - The
Dalai Lama
One of the highlights of the year happened in May when Frances was given a personal
invitation to join the Dalai Lama in the Royal Box at the Sydney Opera House for a concert
that was held in honor of his visit to Australia. Frances was selected to present
the Dalai Lama with a gift and had a very enjoyable evening.
A room with a view
In July, in between the academic side and the practical side of my course, I happened
to call a radio station contest and won a prize. It was a weekend away to the
Central Coast. Even though I had just finished 10 months of almost daily travelling
to the coast I was still excited because it included 2 nights at a luxury hotel. I
was disappointed to discover that the weekend didn't include Friday or Saturday
nights so we had to arrange to go on a Sunday and Monday. Fortunately it was during
school holidays as we decided to take the boys along. We were told that children
under 16 were free if staying in the parents' room but there was a catch! A maximum of 4
people per room. No matter how we tried we couldn't get around it. We had to
book another room for the kids. So much for our "free" weekend. But
we all enjoyed the break and allowed ourselves to be pampered just a little. We
spent the time in the heated pool or the spa sometimes wandering into the steam room and
sauna. We sat outside in the courtyard and listened to the jazz band playing as we
sipped our cocktails. Jeremy quickly got used to the lifestyle and is ready to go
back again.
Dominic and Timothy's first day at Pizza Hut
After Jeremy's indulgences we had to put
the twins out to work! Just kidding! Dominic and Timothy decided that they
were now old enough to get jobs. Dominic wanted to apply at Pizza Hut and, for the
sake of convenience, I suggested that Timothy do the same. They were both hired
within a week and have been working one or two nights a week since August. I'm glad that
they chose the Pizza business as their first job as my first job was in a pizza shop
also. They wait on tables, clear away and reset the tables, serve drinks and keep
the Pizza, pasta and dessert bars full. They are saving up for their big trip at the end
of 2003.
Look Ma! No Cavities Jeremy's handsomeness is increasing daily!
In June he was fitted with his braces which he will wear for 18 - 24 months.
So far there have been no dramas except the couple of times that he swallowed his rubber
bands.
Dominic
Year 9
Timothy
Year 9
Jeremy
Year
7
By the Way . . .
Frances
and I are enjoying an unfamiliar freedom as we can now leave the boys alone for a while
while we go out.
We
tried joining a gym and a ballroom dance group but neither of them were what we wanted.
All
the boys enjoyed two days away when they accompanied their Aunt to the Dubbo
"Zoofari". They had a 6 hour train trip to Dubbo, lunch, afternoon zoo
tour, dinner, evening zoo tour, breakfast, a morning zoo tour and finally a seven hour bus
ride back home. They all enjoyed themselves.
Frances
and I attended the Lord Mayor's Christmas party last night at the Riverside Theatre in
Parramatta. We were entertained by a Scottish Piper playing Christmas Carols on the
bagpipe, Fire Batons, An Irish Comedian, Belly Dancers and a dance band. The
atmosmphere was elegant and the food and company were delightful.
We
were also seen at several other parties throughout the year, a 70's retro party, a 50th
birthday celebration in an ancient hotel, A coach trip to the wineries at the Hunter
Valley. I was given a farewell party when I finished work at Holy Family School and
caught up with the staff at the Christmas party the other night. We will be
attending Frances' work Christmas party tomorrow which will be a Catamaran luncheon cruise
around Sydney Harbour.
I
plan to celebrate my completion of studies with my Uni mates just after the New Year with
a BBQ. It should be good as all of them are food people, in fact, most are top
chefs.
