10 on 10

Yesterday I worked the business day away from home, then arrived back to help a little before settling into photo processing for the evening.

~~~~~~

10 on 10 is a collection of 10 images posted on the 10th of the month, shot the day before. No "special" shoot, just taking my camera with me as I go about my day and capturing art in everyday life.

#1 

#2

: : Submit your inspiring captions for this photo in the comments section below : : 

#3

: : Warm car bonnets are good places to rest : :

 #4

: : Washing was still on the line when I arrived home . . . successfully removed it : : 

#5

: : Dishwashing team : :

 #6

: : Finishing school work : : 

#7

: : School work got finished in time for dessert to fit the schedule : :

 #8

: : I promise this was her idea : :

 #9

: : If you can't beat 'em, join 'em : :

 #10

And I Return

Hello! 

Nope, contrary to what you may have thought, I haven't dropped off the planet! Wow, has it really been three months already since my last post?! I have a stack of photos waiting to be edited and uploaded, but between busyness and technical issues I haven't managed to work on them. :/

During September and October I spent three weeks in Australia, visiting friends and family . . . and enjoying the weather :D lol. In Aus, short sleeves and jandals -- try not to get sunburnt; walk off the plane into Auckland terminal -- *put puffer jacket on* *still freeze*. Lol. Great trip! Photos coming :)

Since I've been back I've taught a full term of recorder classes, and finished the year off with my students and siblings performing a concert at a local rest home. It's somewhat weird to think I've been teaching for three years now!

While I have some extra time on my hands *cough* since my students are on summer holidays, I become student again, solidifying scales for my next flute exam, and studying so I can {one day/finally} graduate. So if I come on here speaking French and {scientific} Latin . . .

Somewhere between knocking things off my to do list and enjoying the warmer weather (if and when it arrives lol) I'm supposed to get some job hunting in. *Sigh*

At present I can't edit photos on our desktop computer (not sure if I can run updates to rectify that or not) and the adapter for my super-slow laptop died last week . . . I should be able to replace that but not sure how quickly with Christmas being this week. So hopefully I can sort something out and get some more photos on here! But for now, 

Farewell!

{10 on 10}

#1

: : That time of year already! This is my first one done, will be busy with the rest in the coming week or two! : :

 #2

: : Everyone else is in bed, so the neighbour's cat is making himself at home! : :

 #3

: : My Snowy <3 :="" td="">

#4

: : Yep, peeps, I got it. Yay! :) : :

 #5

: : Working on it. One of these days I'll graduate! : :

#6

: : See below : :

 #7

: : I think I've said before that Summer is my favourite season. : :
But wedding season isn't so bad either! ;)

#8

: : End-of-year certificates for recorder students : :
I've taught for two whole years now!

 #9

: : Abstract photography? : :

 #10

: : So when I photograph plants, the background gets thrown out of focus . . .  : :
now I just need to get the same effect with portrait photography!

Research Essay || Pterosaurs: Facts & Fables

Several years ago I started this essay for a {home}school assignment. I revised it a couple times but wasn't completely happy with it and so it's been sitting on my computer until now! I just corrected a few things rather than completely re-writing it; not sure how much my writing style has changed over the years? Was it worth digging this out of my archives?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pterosaurs have been, and still are, a topic of great fascination to people of all ages. Because of this, many children’s products and “educational” items feature them. Notice I wrote “educational”. Unfortunately much of the readily-available information about them isn’t factual.  And while nearly everyone has heard of pterodactyls, the term pterosaur is foreign to most. It is also common to mistakenly refer to pterosaurs as dinosaurs. And, did pterosaurs really exist, or are they purely mythical? Are there any alive today?

One mistake people commonly make when referring to pterosaurs is calling them pterodactyls. A pterodactyl is a pterosaur, but a pterosaur is not necessarily a pterodactyl. What do I mean? Let’s illustrate: a Labrador is a dog, but is every a dog a Labrador? No way! The term pterosaur refers to members of order Pterosauria. Pterodactyl, however, refers to members of the genus Pterodactylus, and more broadly, suborder Pterodactyloidea.

Another common myth about pterosaurs is that they are flying dinosaurs. However, the term dinosaur “terrible lizard” refers specifically to members of superorder Dinosauria, while pterosaur “winged lizard” refers specifically to members of order Pterosauria. Also, dinosaurs have solid bones, as do other land animals, but pterosaurs have mostly hollow bones, suitable for flight, similar those of birds. In fact, even if dinosaurs did have wings, their dense bones would have made them too heavy to leave the ground!

Some people think that pterosaurs themselves are merely fictional! Why then, do we have many fossils of them being found? In addition, why have people the world over passed down stories of them from generation to generation, since before long-distance communication became possible? Cave art, from ancient times, also depicts them. And, have you looked in the Bible? Isaiah 30:6 references a “fiery flying serpent.” Pterosaurs are the only reptiles known to have had the ability to fly.

Are they extinct? Well, that is their scientific status, although people worldwide have (recently) reported sightings of them, or creatures that sound much like them. Nevertheless, none have been captured, no bodies have been found, and no photos have been captured of them.

In summary, pterodactyls are just one type of pterosaur, and, despite common belief, pterosaurs are NOT dinosaurs. They really existed, and, while it seems unlikely, it is not impossible that there could be some alive today.

References:

www.angelfire.com/mi/dinosaurs/flyingserpent.html 

www.unmuseum.org/quet.htm

Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures by Jeannie Fulbright

NB: This isn't an exhaustive list.

Responding to a Comment || My Life at Present

Over here I responded to some of the questions in this comment. Now I'll share a bit about "the season of life [I'm] currently in". Wow, that sounds open-ended. Where do I start?!

Well, I think I've said this on here before, but I'm in my last year of formal schooling (yay!), so I'm {meant to

be} working really hard to get everything finished that I want to study in high school (level). That means piles of math and science, along with some French.

Of course, being in my late teens with my graduation approaching, people regularly ask about my plans in terms of a job or career. I've been teaching recorder lessons to a few homeschooled students since the beginning of last year, and next year I plan to teach flute as well. Flute is actually my main instrument (I play it to a higher level than any other), but due to it's greater complexity, I opted to get some teaching experience with the recorder first. Once I've completed all the grades, I can go for my teaching diploma (that's just for flute -- there's one per instrument!) which is through ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music). And voila, I'll be a qualified flute teacher!

So, I think those are the two biggest parts of my life currently. As a daughter at home, I also have various family/household duties, such as working in the family business one day a week, cooking, cleaning, etc.

With my impending 18th {or perhaps that has subjective rather than intrinsic value?} and the end of my "school years" approaching (something akin to the end of an era!), a season (or seasons?) of my life are coming to an end. And I'll leave it at that {can you feel the suspense?!}, since this post was meant to be about the season I'm currently in. And I didn't write all that much. Oops.

Responding to Readers' Questions || Life as a Homeschooler

I received another comment in response to the one I responded to here. I'm going to address three of the questions from it here: 1) Do I like homeschooling? 2) Do I ever wish I went to school? and 3) What kind of things do I do in each day? 

1) No, I don't like homeschooling. I LOVE it. Haha. My years of formal homeschooling (academics) are nearly over, but I am, and likely always will be, a homeschooler at heart.

2) Are you kidding me?! I'm nearly eighteen and more interested in job opportunities actually! :) But in the past . . . Well, for a short time before entering high school (level, that is) I did. But otherwise, no. I loved life as a homeschooler too much! :)

3) My average day would involve school work, music practice (flute especially, maybe guitar as well), folding washing (we all have assigned chores and that's my daily one), teaching (recorder) and some free time. One day a week I work with my dad in our family-owned import/wholesale business dispatching orders and doing some data entry, invoicing, taking/editing images, and updating catalogues and various other documents. Currently I'm designing a new catalogue as well. 

So there are my thoughts on those three questions. And if anything isn't clear, well then there's a comment section. ;) haha

{10 on 10}

: : Working on a recipe post for all my followers on here : : 

: : Life's better with a soundtrack, right? : :

: : Sorry, another music theory pic. My exam's on Saturday so I can stop after that! : :

: : Little Miss Poser! : :
(4 years)

: : Doo, doo, doo : :
Working on her singing early!

: : Partners in school work (lol) : :

: : So don't try the rule of thirds too closely on this one, but isn't it cool?! : :

: : Maria's artwork : :
(She actually did a different one but I guess I forgot to snap it!)

: : Caption this pic? : :

: : Aww, cutie : :

Day 4 ~ Thursday ~ Hot Water Beach

On Thursday we left the campground later than planned, because Mum put a load of washing through the machine and hung it out to dry. {Good time to do school work I reckon!} When we did manage to leave, we headed for Hot Water Beach. From here in Whitianga, it’s quite a drive to get anywhere, so I’m getting lots of practice on open roads! Lol I should be able to pass the restricted test with no trouble when I get back!!

At the beach, we had to walk for ages to get to the ‘hot’ part, by a rock. Finally there, Mum and Dad started asking other people if they had hot or cold water in their holes. They finally dug a hole; then sat building sand walls in an attempt to protect themselves from the flow of HOT water!

After an hour or two there we made the trek to the cars again, got afternoon tea, and came back to the campground to make dinner. Mum made fried paprika chicken, with fried potatoes, and Dad cooked the fish Monique caught the night before. Over dinner, Mum told Monique she had to eat the rest of the chicken on here drumstick; she said she couldn’t get it off, so several of us pitched in with helpful advice on how to eat it. When told to pick it up, she commented that she wasn’t an animal. Bryce replied, “Monique, you said we’re not animals, but we’re kiwis!!” Hehe, gotta love five-year-old logic!

Card-Making Spree!

Once a regular crafter, I rarely make the time for such things nowadays. What with school {work}, music, and other commitments, I usually can't justify some of my old hobbies.

On December 25th though, I decided to throw away all justifications and have a relaxing day of card-making (after I'd done some tidying and things :P) I produced 16 cards and two bookmarks (not counting the mess!!). The little ones joined me from time to time during the day, while Mum worked on sorting the clothes boxes. It was quite a nice way to spend the day, and afterwards I was pleased with my efforts. :)

Guy Fawkes!

Sorry everyone, I think this is in the wrong order..
------------
Friday (4th I'm afraid, we had our celebration a day early) saw us doing (a little) school work, going to the orthadontist to have my braces tightened - my new colours are black, purple, and green, I usually only have two colours, so my orthadontist had to concentrate to get the pattern right lol! and popping into a couple of places on the way home. In the afternoon I did a fair bit of ironing and all the folding.
After dinner we went searching for suitable going-out clothing for everyone, and tidied hair. When we were finally ready (well it didn't actually take that long but anyway...!) we piled everyone into the van, and left for the de Boer's house (friends from church).
After arriving, we talked for a while, until everyone else arrived, then had dessert - trifle, a dutch cake, ice cream, and other nice-tasting things; I think it was all made by Mrs de Boer.

Once dark, we started the fireworks:

So what do you think is louder, the fireworks or my screaming siblings?? haha! =D
I hope the cars were ok afterwards...you know those fireworks that people hold while they fire? Well they were being fired towards some of the vehicles...above them though... =) lol!

Anyway after the fireworks were all used, we went inside to eat chocolote *grin* and talk...and, by the way, for those of you who were there, Dad kind of embellished his stories about my driving...haha! =D

We left just before 11, with a van-load of tired and slightly short-tempered people!

"Remember, Rember,

the Fifth of November,

Gunpowder, Treason, and Plot,

I See No Reason,

Why Gunpowder and Treason,

Should Ever Be Forgot"

Sorry I don't know who that's by, and no I don't like poetry...haha =D



Dargaville Holiday Post #4 - Quad Biking

Written 28/4/11

On Thursday I got up early, well, earlier I suppose!
And we went to Baylys Beach, where we hired a 2-seater quad bike for an hour. Unfortunately you had to have you drivers license to ride them yourself, and Dad had signed something to say that he would be on it the whole time, so first he took as all for a ride on the back, then he let some of us older ones dsit on the front and have a go at 'driving' it, which is definately more fun! Although someone seriously needs to tell my Dad that going fast is half the fun!





Yeah, this is me



Maria enjoys the beach



Mum and Dad. Isn't the beach beautiful?



An up-close view of the bike, with Monique (then 9) and Dad on it

Look at all the tacks we made!

I think this was definately better at the time, but
I think the video is still cool!
Caution: If you are the owner of this vehicle,
you might not want to see this! =D

As it was already late afternoon, we just went back to the unit for dinner, and I managed to motivate myself to do some of the review I was up to in Writing & Grammar, yes, I actually took school work with me! lol
Later on we went for a walk, and ended up watching a pipe band finish their practice - probably in preperation for Anzac Day.

<3 Bee

This Week...Part 2

Hey!

Thursday we did our friends the Rakete's paper run, as they were also at the tramp, then the others went to Drury Christian School for Monique's violin lesson, and Danielle's recorder lesson (both for the first time), then to Dad's work, while I (once again!) did school work.


Friday we went to my orthodontist appointment at 11:45, which is why my teeth are so sore now, I had thicker wires put on, power chain, and rubber bands going from top to bottom on both sides of my mouth ouch! =)

Then to the Warehouse, where we sat in the car, well I did anyway, Jarrod took the street surfer/s-board/ripstick onto the footpath, terrorised the others, and...well suffice it to say that by the time Mum came back, their were a few screaming children, and most of them jumped out of the car to go see her (when they know they must stay IN the car!)

After a llllloooooonnnnnnnggggggg lunch, Mum took the others to do the Rakete's paper run again, so I some un-interrupted time to concentrate on school work.

And today..we had GKGW (Growing Kids God's Way) course, along with another very exhausting childrens program, which was organised by John Sonneveld - cousin to my friends. This week they learnt about the Good Shepherd, the memory verse being "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." Psalm 23 v 1.
The first craft - glueing a fabric cloak to a piece of paper, and drawing details like the head, arms, legs, clouds, sky, grass, etc...and sheep. They had three cotton wool balls they split in half and stuck on to the sheep.
And the colouring picture was of a shepherd with a sheep.

And tonight..my teeth were too sore to eat the Lamb cassorole that Mum made, so I had scrambled eggs, and will have a cup o' soup soon.

And Dad and Uncle Pete have been to work for a few hours, and just got home.

I've also been reading a book caled "How To Stop Your Kids From Going Broke" by Sylvia Bowden. Although I didn't hear her, she spoke at the Brain Conference I went to early last year.
It's a really good book!

Bee