Friday, February 27, 2009

Readjusting to Oz, baby steps.

I have been slowly and surely getting things accomplished.

Monday I arrived.

Tuesday I went into the city and got Orientated. I signed up for classes and bought a concession card for the train.

Wednesday I unpacked my suitcases, got my bike down from the garage roof and found it to have flat tyres and no pump.

Yesterday (Thurs) , I went to my Orientation session at RMIT and learned more about the equipment...tricky business. On the way home to Camberwell to my bank (Vic teach credit union- gives back to the community) and got my card activated. I pumped up my bike tyres and got out the shelving for my desk which I can't put up for lack of essential dowels and prongs.

Today I went into my Mum's chocie shop with her and worked for a few hours foiling chocolates. Then I came home and talked to my Nana re:Hawaii flight and holiday etc... I found out I am in trouble on that one because my family goes to Hawaii July 20th and that is the day my school re-starts. I thought I had it all worked out but apparently not. So now I have to chat to my teachers and see if I can miss some classes to go to the USA for USA Summer 2009.

The I saw my best friend Kristel for the first time since being home. She is great! I saw her house and the cutest Burmese kitten ever (they are beautiful cats...when I get a cat I want one!). Together we fixed my horrid facebook (I had invites and rubbish everywhere) and now I am printing of scholarship applications for RMIT.

Cara's RMIT classes!

Below are your current allocated classes

Student Number DayLocation Class Type NameDescriptionStart Time End Time Semester
3229163Friday036.02.011StudioVART-2977-S1-D-W5Studio Imaging Practice 10109:00:0012:00:000910
3229163Friday008.11.061TutorialVART-2979-S1-D-T1Location Imaging Practice 10113:30:0015:30:000910
3229163Friday008.10.022TutorialVART-2977-S1-D-T2Studio Imaging Practice 10115:30:0017:30:000910
3229163Monday010.08.003LectureCOSC-2371-S1-E-L1Processes & Cultures of Photography 10115:30:0017:30:000910
3229163Tuesday007.04.032WorkshopVART-2979-S1-D-W1Location Imaging Practice 10109:30:0012:30:000910
3229163Tuesday012.13.002LectureCOSC-2372-S1-D-L1Digital Imaging for Commercial Practice 10113:30:0015:30:000910
3229163Wednesday036.02.013APracticalCOSC-2372-S1-D-P6Digital Imaging for Commercial Practice 10110:30:0012:00:000910
3229163Wednesday037.03.004LectureCOSC-2371-S1-E-L2Processes & Cultures of Photography 10116:30:0018:30:000910

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Coming Home Party!

I am back in Oz and my Mum is throwing me a Coming Home Party!

Here is the invite! Call me at home (mobile not working yet) if you can come!

Invitation for _________________________to the
Wippern Family & Friends
Pool Party & BBQ
Patrick & Jan’s House Saturday 28th Feb 2009 4pm RSVP ASAP !
62 Keith Street, Parkdale FAQ 9533 1575
• Please come dressed in pool attire. Thongs, boardies, bathers, goggles, towel, sunnies, sunscreen, hat (YES- it’s a fancy dress party, as we don’t own a pool!)
• Invited Guests only- sorry no accomplices (bring beer instead!)
• Bring any specialty drinks you may want- we’ll do basic drinks + meats etc. (REAL vegetarians may bring their own fake meat soy thingy).
• If you want to play Mario Karts- bring your wheel !
• YES- our pets (cats & dogs) will be there too. If you’re allergic, please take an antihistamine before you come! (some of our best friends are dogs!)
• Friends with kids might want to consider bringing lawn toys or something for them to do! We’re old and only have grown up toys.
• YES- Everyone is bringing something! Please bring: ______________


Welcome Cassie and Michelle! Hands down best costumes! Love the flippers ladies!

"Let hear it for the boys. Lets give the boys a haa-aa-aa-aand'

Cara and her Mum with Lucy, Bronte and CAKE! 


The kids!

Monday, February 23, 2009

There is no place like home- Back to Oz!

YESTERDAY:

So I departed San Fran at 12:15pm on Saturday, Feb 21st . I met my grandparents in LA for a stroll by the marina and then a surprise dinner with my Aunt, Uncle and cousin Kaylen! The it was back to the airport for an 8pm flight to Auckland, then layover, then onto Melbourne! I arrived in Melbourne at 9:40am on Monday, Feb 23rd! Time flies when you'e having fun!

I think I have been up for about 48 hours...
I think I am delusional!

TODAY:
Last night when I was finally trying to go to sleep I realized that I should check my University email because I someone mentioned that a University orientation session. And sure enough, that's where I was today! Exhausted. I met the first year course co-coordinator and signed up for subjects to get a good timetable giving me Thursday off. I managed to avoid the Saturday classes (not good seeing as I will be commuting 45 mins into the city).

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

I have a 50D!

I just took it out of the box! My sweetheart! My love! My beautiful!



I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D! I have a 50D!..........with a better lens then the one above! Yea-heh!

I love Post Secret!

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Thanks to readers, PostSecret won the MySpace Impact Award for "organizations or individuals who are making a difference". Along with the award comes a check for $10,000.00 for the Kristin Brooks Hope Center to prevent suicide.















http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Ugly Bon Voyage Party- A Wild Success!


The Unsightly Contestants:

Atrocious Men:




The Mens Dace off




first place-, second place-




Distasteful Women:






first place-, second place-







"You're a monkey! You're a monkey!"...looking terribly ugly!








Cara and her Dad....looking just hideous!







Hil and Paul doing what they do best with one another... and all the while looking shocking!


And of course through it all.....the music....oh, I will miss the music!


The potluck started at 5:30....but no one was there yet. I was madly preparing fruit salad and other creations in the kitchen when my cousin Ben and his wife Haiete arrived. They were follwed by Vanessa and her culinary savvy friend X. Vanessa and I dawned our haineous gowns whileBen and X making wedges in the kitchen. The guests started to arrive and the table became filled with delicious food. So much food I thought we'd never eat it. Sushi, chips, artisan bread, french cheese

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Cara's 'no notice' Bon Voyage Party!

I depart for Australia on Feb 21st and to see everyone before I leave please come to.....

Cara's 'no notice' Bon Voyage Party!

Yes, this Sunday, Feb 15th. Potluck starting at 5:30pm and partying going into the night!

THEME: Ugly dress up! Please wear the ugliest thing you can find! Prizes for the most atrocious!

Bring instruments if you are so inclined for there will be live music/jamming!

Happy V-day!

Curbing Cupid

Valentine's Day spending is expected to be lower this year due to the recession.

-- Total spending on Valentine's Day: $28.6 billion, down 4.8 percent from 2008.

-- Spending per person: $102.50, down from $122.98 last year.

-- What people are buying: 58 percent will buy cards; 47 percent will go out to eat; 35.7 percent will purchase flowers.

Sources: IBISWorld Inc., BIGresearch.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Victoria's fires and an amazing photo!


Local CFA firefighter David Tree shares his water with an injured Australian Koala at Mirboo North after wildfires swept through the region on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Pardew)

HEALESVILLE, Australia – The koala moved gingerly on scorched paws, crossing the blackened landscape as the fire patrol passed.

Clearly in pain, the animal stopped when it saw firefighter David Tree following behind.

"It was amazing, he turned around, sat on his bum and sort of looked at me with (a look) like, put me out of my misery," Tree told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "I yelled out for a bottle of water. I unscrewed the bottle, tipped it up on his lips and he just took it naturally. He kept reaching for the bottle, almost like a baby."

The team called animal welfare officers as it resumed its patrols on Sunday, the day after deadly firestorms swept southern Victoria state.

"I love nature, and I've handled koalas before. They're not the friendliest things, but I wanted to help him," Tree said.

Tree says he's spoken to wildlife officials, and the koala, nicknamed Sam, is doing fine. And he, it turns out, is a she.

The rescue was one small bright moment in Australia's wildfire tragedy. Thousands of acres (hectares) have been burned out, almost 1,000 homes destroyed and more than 180 people killed.

Countless animals were killed in the disaster, which hit farming and forest regions to the north and east of the Victoria state capital of Melbourne, and many more fled in panic.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Animals said it was establishing shelters to care for thousands of pets and livestock affected by the disaster.

Monday, February 02, 2009