Four generations of Colgates...

This Christmas we got the special family photo - four generations!



Standing: Kathryn Naylor holding baby Lily, Laura Richards, Marcia Richards.
Sitting: Jessie Colgate
The next step... the family tree! A project for 08?

Buon Natale...

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays! Here's some news and musings...

2007, a vintage year. It certainly did not start with much promise. I was all strung out still dealing with my assault and I got robbed three times. Fighting flatmates, casual romance and a double-dinged car. But slowly it has improved, I've managed to turn a few corners, and enjoy myself along the way!

I LOVED (I hear that 'hearting' is so yesterday)
- Meeting my boyfriend Mark. The most pleasant surprise life has had in store for me as yet. Goes without saying.. I wont make you sick by telling you anything more about how in love with him I am!
- Becoming an Aunty. I'm quite used to being called Aunty now, and I love it. My niece Lily is for certain both the best looking and smartest child in the world!
- Taking life more slowly. There seriously is not enough hours in the day to be superwoman, so overall I have downsized my life in the last year. Nothing personal, just wanted to feel good about fulfilling a few wishes rather than being half-way good at a whole lotta things! I really don't feel sorry for people that are 'too busy' because I have discovered a whole lot of it is self created. hmmph!
- That Kevin Rudd is now our Prime Minister! I'll remember exactly where I was when I heard the news break once and for all (A Chinese restaurant in Byron Bay, an Asian lady looked at me across the room and pumped the air with her fist!)

IT SURPRISED ME
- That I used the internet to find boyfriend mentioned above.
- That my parents have finally announced their separation, after 30 years of ill communication, awkward silences and lack of common interest. They may change their minds again, but whatever they think is best makes me happy enough!
- That I moved to the Eastern Suburbs! Potts Point is truly a beautiful place to live, but I admit I thought I'd be an inner westie forever. Bet I end up moving back there if rents keep raising at these rates though...
- That I gave up smoking. Twas true that I was smoking up to a pack a day. Just too sad on the inside, these last few years have pushed me through alot of nonsense. Then Winter came, and smoking was banned in pubs, and I gave up! Hooray...

I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT
- My teaching career. I really have been blessed to fall on my feet and have such terrific opportunity at my Primary School. No thanks to the actual NSW Department of Education though. It's such a shame that a bureaucracy can fuck up such a great profession! I'll stick with it though and attempt to develop myself further... study more.... really make a career for myself
- The weight I have put on since the assault. It's like a nice cushiony pillow, but I know it was all done in a time of terrible uncertainty and sadness. Maybe this year I'll start to whittle away at it a bit!
- Australia's ongoing obsession with real estate and a mortgage at all costs, all I can say is I am glad I haven't bought in as yet.

I'M HOPING
- That I might make a trip overseas this year, possibly to New York with Mark to visit his brother, who lives there. I'm still in debt but this may be an opportunity that i can't pass up! Stay tuned...
- That I have another year of relative stability ahead. Yawn... I must be turning 30 soon...

I hope that 2007 has brought you love, light, fulfilled wishes, and further promises. Merry Christmas, hope you can take some time to relax and count your blessings.

Lots of love always, Laura xx

Andrea Wohl Keefe: Artist

I found this artist, she is called Andrea Wohl Keefe.

I really like her work.

http://www.andreawohl.com/

Adopt an Elephant

I have been watching Elephant Diaries on the ABC every Thursday, something I look forward to immensely every week!

I have an amazing respect for this project and hope to adopt an elephant shortly - it costs a mere US$50 per year and there are a whole range of benefits that come along with adoption - most of all, feeling good!!

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/index.asp

The elephants are traumatised orphans that are rehabilitated to go back into the wild, at their own pace. I have so much admiration for the heart and soul of this program and wanted to share. Click above for more...

THE Mobile Phone Holder...

I hate cords...

Especially mobile phone recharger cords...
Flying everywhere, around the kitchen, the lounge, it just looks messy!

Then I found this:



Ta Da!

Problem solved for $11. Shame I bought only one, and in Newcastle. I should have bought a whole load of 'em for Christmas presents. Anyways! You can buy them online here:
http://www.driinn.com/index.php

Book Covers of the Year

Wow, a webpage of some really pretty-lookin covers, and hopefully some good reads too.

http://nytimesbooks.blogspot.com/search/label/favorites%20of%202007

Good to consider for Christmas stockings! I remember buying a book called 'What should I do with my life?' for my uncle Jim a few years back at Christmas, and he was terribly offended. A year later, he actually read it, and thanked me!

Christmas Shopping

I could go on and on about this but here are a few sites that have really saved my bacon:

http://www.etsy.com/
Goes without saying - this website is a gateway to all things original and reasonably priced.
http://www.madeit.com.au/default.asp
Another independent gem, representing clever design and original ideas.
http://www.ikea.com/au/en/preindex.html
Get the ideas before you join the crowd - ikea really do have incredible prices, this is the place to go if you need a large quantity of small gifts.

And... make your own Christmas wishlist online - http://www.hintdropper.com/home.jsp Great for hinting to those whose gifts often fall into the 'not quite right category.' Love you mum and dad!

It's a teacher's life...

Well here we are in the last term of the Australian school year... I thought I'd share with you my top ten moments in teaching for 2007 (no particular order..)

1. Having a student make her dad drive her back to school (over 100km) for one of my classes.
2. A student making and presenting me with an oil painting she made, for me! And it looks good!
3. Getting a big clap at assembly for my WaterWise mural project.
4. Teaching a student called Rong.
5. Getting given a jar of placenta cream for Christmas from an Asian student. Yes, placenta.
6. Emails from parents impressed with my teaching,
7. Birthday cake, almost every week there is at least one birthday cake.
8. My workmate Moya, as (one of my bosses) Maureen says 'a living angel.'
9. Having my bag and piles of stuff carried around by eager little helpers everytime we have to move somewhere.
10. Smiling faces, every day.

It's been a short year! It's gone fast... but it's been great.

Monthly Drop In

(A piecemeal family: Mark, Lily and I at my Nan's 80th last weekend)

Hello! From the seventh floor!

So much has been going on this past month it almost feels like nothing at all has happened... if you know what I mean?

Mark and I decided to move house again, and quickly! Within one month of having a chat to our 'concierge' (read: lady that minds front desk) she came back to us with an offer: a one bedroom apartment in our block, on the seventh floor, with a full view of Sydney City's skyline and The Domain, with a peek of water too (good for pisceans like me!) So suddenly we were moving again, and now we are starting to settle once more, hopefully for a comfortable period of time.

Our new place is nestled amongst the tops of Moreton Bay Fig Trees, and our neighbours are Paul Keating (ex Prime Minister, directly opposite, yes, I ahem, can actually see into his bedroom when the light is on!) and Russell Crowe (well, we can see his place on the Wharf.) It is extremely quiet and we live behind big gates, I now understand how easy it is to isolate one's self in the Eastern Suburbs and go completely batty!

So this month we have been heaving boxes, disconnecting and reconnecting, rearranging, purchasing. For relaxation I have become addicted to looking at American homewares websites and dreaming of the perfect lounge-rug-coffee table combination. Yep, age sure is getting to me!

Mark and I went and saw the brilliant movie 'Control' a few Wednesdays ago which is all about Ian Curtis and Joy Division. It is one of the most beautifully shot films I have seen in recent memory and I recommend it... it sort of resonates in your brain for days afterwards!

Also saw The Assassination of Jesse James, I loved it but Mark thought it was terrible... I'm happy to side with Margaret Pomeranz on this one and say you get lost in the plot and feel of the film and it's glorious! but anyways.

The seasons of Christmas parties are upon us, but for teachers they are thin on the ground. Mark is off on boats, eating at fancy restaurants etc. etc. and of course there is the Christmas bonus, but nothing for me, at least I get to see all the fireworks from the windows, but overall I'm pleased to report I will be getting through Christmas relatively hangover free. It's never too late to turn a new leaf!! (And I'm still not smoking... it's been over 6 months now!)

Also looking for a new job for next year, not happy, but dealing with it by working hard for what is left of my year... something should come up... I hope! Rather than haul you through the boring details on this issue, I instead offer a quote on how I feel from my mate Bec Olive's Phd proposal:
"A beholder who lacks the specific codes feels lost in a chaos of sounds and rhythms, colours and lines, without rhyme or reason" (Bourdieu, 1984: 2).

Hope your season is not too silly, and thinking of you all!

Lots of Love, until the New Year, Laura x

I HEART: Christmas beetles, Christmas bush, giant zucchinis from Byron Bay, indoor plants, honey candles, southerly breezes late at night, Sydney Festival (coming up!), My Nana Richards, seeing the harbour from my shower, Laser Hair Removal - yes it works, chuck those razors out! http://www.hairfree.com.au/

I DON'T HEART: My cheap black thongs from Target that I keep slipping over in, storing books, changing address again, lack of airconditioning in my car.

Make a chocolate bouquet!

Christmas is coming...

My sis and I will be making one of these for the centrepiece of the Christmas table, crafty and fun!

Here is a step by step guide...

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Chocolate-Bouquet

Freecycle today!

I am moving house again next week, and as usual there will be stuff to keep, and stuff to THROW OUT.

Well, my days of throwing things out are numbered, because of freecycling!

You put your things on this website to give away for FREE! And whoever wants the bookcase, or mattress, or broken desk will come along and pick it up.. and you can also search for free furniture of your own!

http://www.freecycle.org.au/

Thank god for all of this environmental consciousness flying about right now... xx

Cousin Tammie's Kitchen Tea

The Richards family headed over to Burraneer Bay for Tammie's Bridal Shower!


I have hardly seen Tammy since this photo was taken, it's great for the family to get together and celebrate!


My Nan Richards and sister Kathryn was there.


And I wore a new dress, which was ahem, a little 'booby.'


A male belly dancer showed up!


He was pretty flashy!


He danced with the bride to be...


And everyone applauded!


Then he asked my mum to dance...


And my sister too!


Aunty Kim gave it all she had! Here she does a move from the film Cabaret...


Afterwards we headed over to the dessert table for all manner of delicious food.


We ate more and more, we were heaving with food!


And of course there was CAKE! (Spelling, whoops!)


We really enjoyed our day...


And wish Tammie the very best for her wedding!

We will see her again on her big day this coming Saturday!

A weekend in Newcastle

I love getting out of Sydney for lots of reasons, but one of the best reasons is when my friends ask me away for a birthday celebration! And last weekend it was my best mate Katie's #!st birthday. We had alot of fun.

Katie and her husband Charley have just bought a house, and it was fantastic to see the family settled in their new nest. I could only imagine having access to that sort of space, after living in a studio for almost 6 months!


When we arrived we got into the food and cake almost immediately. Amanda had whipped up this fabulous confection earlier in the morning!


Katie blows out the candles (don't count!)


Charley and Sanne wait to be fed...


Beautiful Jeb keeps us all company.


After lunch (and a few glasses of wine,) Jess brought out the watermelon that he had prepared a day earlier (by pouring vodka into it!)


Jess is proud of his work.


Shortly after that the vodka watermelon started making Amanda laugh like a crazy pirate!


Mark and Jeb held onto each other for dear life!


After lunch we went for a walk and took in the sights of Newcastle.... and to get the watermelon out of our system.


And I met this crazy man who runs the local 'bike library' which I thought was a great idea, until he invited me on a nude bikeride!

The next day after a big night on the watermelon, we met up again and headed to Stickyrice Thai for a lunch special.


Sanne gives us the finger.


Jebediah Mozart Miyagi: a grand old man.


And of all things, we ended up at a Lucien Freud exhibition after lunch, which was very un-Newcastle like! Sanne has recently taken to pointing things out to everyone, here she points at a fountain with Newcastle City in the background. Cute!


And we ended up in Darby Street for coffee, a perfect end to a perfect weekend!

Cousin Tammie's Hens Day!

Kathryn, Mum and I headed to King Street Wharf today for my (second) cousin Tammie's Hens Day! She is having a big fat Greek Wedding shortly and we were glad to join in the celebrations. We had High Tea at Loft Bar, which had a lovely view and nice comfy seats.

The best part of the day for me was actually seeing Tammie, as we haven't spoken for years! She's all grown up and so beautiful, it was lovely to see her again.


The blushing bride-to-be, Miss Tammie Hunt.


Laura, Tammie, Kathryn...


Mum and Aunty Kim.


It's hard to get them to stop laughing to take a decent photo!

Thanks to Maid of Honor Nicole Arena for organising the day. I believe the group were last spotted heading towards home nightclub with a Hire-a-Hunk trailing close behind...

Next the Kitchen Tea, then the big day! Expect more photos...

A holiday in Currarong

Ever heard of Currarong? We hadn't either! I booked a bargain a few months back so Mark and I could go relax down the coast for a few days... and it was so good, we wish we had stayed longer!


This is beautiful Currarong. It is about 20mins drive south of Nowra, about 3 hours from Sydney. It is right out on a headland, near Jervis Bay. That means that it is a quiet place and there are not too many tourists passing through!


This is the beautiful house we stayed in. It had two bedrooms, a killer kitchen and a hammock to hang out the front! Click here for further information...


This is the sign out the front of the house, just incase you were wondering.


And this was the sign across the road from our house... interesting!


A photo of the loungeroom, we spent alot of time here, Mark finally beat me at scrabble! The doors opened out to the verandah where there were glimpses of the ocean (and views of the nosey neighbours checking out who had come to stay!)


We spent alot of time walking around, checking out the clear water and beautiful shells, rocks, flora and fauna. If only it were 5 degrees warmer, we would have been swimming!


We made friends with the local wildlife...


And there were beautiful views to be had everywhere!


Yes, the water is MEANT to be brown, it's from the surrounding tea trees.


Not long after taking this photo from the wreck of the SS Merimbula, Mark and I got terribly lost on a headland and momentary panic ensued!


Of all places to get lost, we got lost in Abraham's Bosom Reserve!


As you may notice, we were not exactly prepared for getting lost.


One pair of sunglasses and 500ml of water between us. We survived and eventually returned back to the village sunburnt and scratched.


It was also our 6 month anniversary when we were in Currarong, so I made Mark this tart to celebrate. (Jamie Oliver, The Naked Chef, it tastes very rich!)


My mio bello.


Despite enjoying our trip immensely, Nowra and surrounds sure has its strange elements! Someone had built this house in the middle of a field, as you may gather, this house is not entirely the best design for the Australian landscape.


There was also this strange bell tower next to the strange house.


And strange creatures that we have never seen before!

We had the most relaxing getaway and would recommend a visit to Currarong to anybody. This place is a gem!