I'm still Standing!

It is now the day after the day after (Laura, does this mean I am writing like Gloria Steinham LOL) and we are all doing OK. Apparrently the honchos left here shattered the other day (can you hear the drip, drip, drip of my heart bleeding - not). We had three meetings in the Chapel with the students on Wednesday, and bless their hearts, at the end of it some still had no idea what was happening but the penny is finally beginning to drop. There are some who are devastated, as for them this place represents much more than just a school and has been the last chance educationally, for a variety of reasons. Behaviours are starting to bubble up as they do when these kids are faced with change of any sort. Have been in dragon mode this morning for a few who have reverted back to behaving in ways that they did when they first arrived. Have had to flip into social work mode more because if I was in supervisor mode, there would be crispy critters everywhere LOL.

Had a great day yesterday. It was fine, and exceedingly warm which was bliss, AND I went on a school trip with the seniors to TAAFE in Geraldton. What an amazing place - it was an Open Day so there were lots of handouts and freebies with industry very present in all sorts of fields. Mining is HUGE. One of the women said they have a 50year plan and the number of mines to come will be in the double figures! Went past the stall re truck driving - $80,000 - $100,000k per annum!!! I found out there is a truck driving school in Gton that I can go to, to get my bus licence except the class of licence that I need, they do in one of those big trucks!!!!! (But how do I park it at the shopping centre LOL). For those playing at home, the road trains are 53.5 mtres long. Yesterday, we were nearly a puddle on the road when we went to pass one (got half way and had to fall back because of oncoming vehicle)that was swaying all over the road. When we finally did pass it, there was another vehicle in front saying long load or some such thing, as this road train had a fourth trailer on when the usual sized one (see the above )are only three! Apart from mining, there was building and brick laying, automotive skills of every sort, horticulture, animal husbandry, IT, teaching, health, hospitality (restaurant on site plus two huge kitchens), hairdressing, jewellry making, retail, etc etc. We got a free sausage in bread as we finished the tour, and several stalls were giving away lollie-pops so the students thought that was great. I was blown away by the vegies that they were growing in the horticultural section - each vegetable looked as though it could feed a small third world country! The secret apparently is worm farm juice (1 worm juice to 10 parts of water). They feed the worms the peelings etc of the vegies they grow and use no pesticides. There is some woman in Mullewa who grows the worms you need (not the ordinary garden variety) but will not dash out and get some until the revisit from the Ed Rice honchos early next month.

We finished up an earlier than we had bargained on so headed to Northgate so the girls could buy some warm clothes. I found a video ezy where they sell used rentals very cheap, plus other new ones - also cheap. Decided I needed some good old fashioned biffo, so got a couple of John Wayne classics along with a couple of more light hearted things that I can not remember the names of. Picked up a bag each of tomatoes, cucumbers and capscicums on the way home for $1ea from one of the several honesty box type stalls along the roadside. Strawberries were for sale for $1.29 chip but bananas were $4+ a kilo in the shops.

Was down to two layers (clothing) yesterday it was so warm. I forgot the downside to all this - the flaming midges are back. I was in a midst of a cloud of them the other night and am bitten to glory on my face,scalp and wrists. I meant to take a Telfast earlier today as they have been itching - the sort of itch that makes you want to tear lumps off yourself.

Its fairly sombre in the staff room at the moment as everyone starts to process what is happening. Also the glorious black humour that you find in times like this. They had two Dominican Nuns out here yesterday (one a NZer who has lived here for 10yrs and greeted me with a Kia Ora as I hopped out of the van from the school trip) for counselling for students and staff. The NZ Nun knows someone in Waiuku LOL and had worked in Henderson and I forget where else. Reinforces my theory that all roads in fact lead to Waiuku at some stage or other.

It's Mass tonight - Father came out to support us the day the axe fell which was much appreciated. Am getting the girls organised now with uniform etc so will sign off. We will be watching the beginning of the Olympics tonight after Chapel. Home and Away was on for an HOUR last night as it will be off during the Olympics. It was a total cliff hanger with a death and attempted murder so left everyone up in the air as a good soapie should LOL. Will not spoil it for those who watch it in NZ by telling you who was involved. I tell you though, the death was almost like 'who killed JR' at the local Mullewa IGA yesterday! Front page of the New Idea and first umpteen pages were devoted to pages of Angelina and Brads new twins and assorted other children...

Just remembered the other excitement of the week - a foal was born early yesterday morning and I went to see it today. It is very cute and doing that bandy legged leaping thing in between feeds. Mother and filly are doing well though are separated from the rest of the herd for safety as they are new to the group and our equine lady isn't taking any chances of how the other horses will treat the new arrival. The girls heard at breakfast time and within 5 mins the dining room was cleared as they all went for a look.

Am off for the weekend. Haven't got any plans yet for Sat but will go to Geraldton on Sunday morning to watch the WM's boys play footie and so I can get some groceries that I didn't get a chance to yesterday. Thank you to those who have sent messages of support and concern. I am actually OK (or in serious denial LOL). I am waiting to hear what the honchos have to say when they come back and will reserve collecting effigies, wax, matches and sharp needles until then LOL. For me, its business as usual until then.