Em, don’t be strange…

12 days.

HOLY FUCKERAGE!!!

…and here I am bitching that it feels like everyday lasts a year! I’m counting minutes and seconds people!

Life in my parents abode isn’t getting much easier. Mum is nosy, treats me like I’m 16 and says and does some really stupid things. I was supposed to see Marz and Lo last night but between hurtingmy back and being in immense amounts of pain AND the fact that Mum wouldn’t mind the kids for a couple of hours, I was shit out of luck. It was really dissapointing because my chance to see my two best friends before I leave for some quality time is seriously dwindling. Ugh.

So the biggest worry I was facing about this trip was the kids education. I’m no teacher and the prospect of educating my children was nothing short of daunting especially since they both require intensive attention (focus/concentration issues). I’ve been looking on the web, joining homeschooling communities and basically trying to put some plans in place.

Finally I can stop worrying. HURRAH!

I popped by the Department of Education website and some FAQ’s on there prompted me to contact the arm responsible for registering parents/carers as homeschoolers. The dude I called was super duper helpful and decided that I was probably better suited as a candidate for Distance Education! Called them and found out that the kids are eligible to enrol in the Distance Education Centre Victoria. This means that for the same cost as Primary Education (and a little bit less since I’m a sole parent) I can enrol my children in a program that provides them with all the curriculum they need to complete overseas. They even have a Teacher they can call!!! So, instead of being the "Teacher," I’m the "Facilitator" which takes the heat off me considerably. God am I ever thrilled. Next week I’ll take the kids to meet the Teachers, complete their introductory package and assessment and we’ll be taking away all the course materials we need! HOOAH!

Jimmy and I are sooooooooooooooo happy.

 Saw Ty off this morning on her school camp. 5 days of calm and quiet. It will be rather lovely and I’m sure she will have an absolute blast. They’re heading to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat:

http://www.sovereignhill.com.au/?id=sovhill

It’s an open air museum, a recreated town set in the 1850’s during the Goldrush times.

Compared to many countries, Australia isn’t really that old. We were only discovered some 220 years ago and although originally designed as a place to bring convicts, the rich land provided many an opportunity. Gold was one thing that saw many thousands travelling from overseas to settle here.

So… a little long winded but my daughter has stepped back in time. She will be dressed in traditional clothing, educated in an 1850’s school classroom for 2 days (oh, did I forget to tell her they used the whip back then??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA) and get to see "Blood on the Southern Cross" – an amazing light and sound spectacular of the Eureka Stockage, the uprising – Panning for Gold, Mine tours and many other things. I think she’s gonna have a blast. I remember going there for my 5th grade camp and I didn’t want to come home! She’s organised to do a dance (with 6 of her girlfriends) at the "talent quest" and it’s some Camp Rock song. I saw the dress rehersal yesterday (Oh yeah, there was a DRESS REHERSAL!!!) and it was pretty well put together! I’m looking forward to the pictures she takes (I packed two disposable cameras because I refused to allow the digi cam to go with her) and the stories.

I highly recommend checking out the website. We have a pretty rich history and one that doesn’t often get told outside of Australia!

I’m still trying to pack. In fact it was lifting one of the bags yesterday that threw my damn back out! I’m finding condensing everything into a handful of bags is just terrible.

12 days. *sigh*

Created by MyFitnessPal – Free Calorie Counter