Ethical Shopping

I'm finding that I'm taking time when supermarket shopping to check labels more often - not just for saturated fat/salt content, but for country of origin (why buy dried apricots imported from Turkey when I can go to the next aisle and get Australian ones?). More recently, "Fair Trade" has become a label to look for, like this coffee:

Combined with "travel miles" and trying to buy locally produced produce, shopping for food is becoming an ethical decision.

White Infinity

From Karen Barlow's blog: blogs.abc.net.au/news/in-mawsons-footsteps/


Despite being on holidays till 27/1, I have been slaving away on the computer preparing interesting, hopefully engaging work, for Term 1. Our first social science unit is 'Antarctica', a subject I love to teach. Coincidentally, it was the first unit I taught in my first year of teaching in 2001; eleven years later, my methods have improved and so has the internet. The array of videos, images and information available now is brilliant. One example is this blog from ABC reporter Karen Barlow, who has just returned from commemorating 100 years since Mawson explored Antarctica. I loved this juxtaposition of a photo from 100 years ago with the site now - almost makes you believe in ghosts, or 'spirits" at least.
The issues facing Antarctica are a microcosm of issues facing the world - global warming, arguments to drill for oil and mining, eco-tourism, depleted food chains, arguments to have a military presence there - lots of good stuff for my gifted and talented students, not to mention continental drift, fossils and evolution. I am almost keen to get started!

Visual reflections...

Reflecting

I fly home tomorrow, and Paull has booked a fascinating theatre experience for us tonight. I think I'll explain that better after the event. Meanwhile, I've been reflecting on the experiences I've had here. I've been part of a family's Christmas, and seen snow on Christmas day. I've walked the trail that Paul Revere rode and stood in front of THe Little Ballerina. I've seen Rivera's murals and a section of the Berlin Wall.I've gazed sadly upon the radio transmitter from the top of the World Trade Centre, mangled and charred. I've stood exactly in the spot that Abraham Lincoln's assassin stood in the Ford theatre. I've spent valuable time with my son and time in the company of a great bunch of young people, and I believe that the future is in good hands. I've seen a pencil sketch by the nine year old Picasso, and gazed upon works of art by Warhol, Renoir, Matisse, Monet, Degas, Vermeer, Cezanne, et al.I've even ridden a bicycle alongside the Potomac River from Georgetown to the mall. I've had dinner in the restaurant where JFK proposed to Jackie...

Today I'll take it easy and wander around Central Park before meeting Paull for the theatre/experience. Tomorrow, up in the air and down to earth!

Sensory Overload

Another day, another few hundred priceless works of art - I've been hitting the art museums, my favourite thing to do in NYC. It is hard work, strangely enough, up early, a quick bowl of oatmeal and bowl of cappucino at our nearest cafe, then walk to the subway, walk to the museum, line up to pay, line up to check coat, spend several hours walking around gazing in awe. Line up to retrieve coat, walk back to subway, walk home to rest before walking out to dinner.


Dinner! My second favourite thing in NYC is the quality and variety of small restaurants around the East Village. Paull has chosen a different experience each time, from Creole, to Argentinian, to Mexican and Italian. And even after tipping, so much cheaper than the similar quality in Sydney. The spaces are dim, atmospheric and moody, with pressed metal ceilings, exposed brick walls and a feeling of history.

Speaking of dinner, it is New Year's Eve tonight and we are going to Esperanto, for Brazilian and Latin food and music and mojitos, my new favourite tipple. Tomorrow? Amtrak to Georgetown for a couple of days speed-sightseeing in DC. Hopefully, no hangover.......but I am sure mojitos have cured my 'airplane' cough....

Living History

Boston is steeped in history, and so beautiful. Especially at Christmas, when the houses are decorated with green wreaths and huge red bows, with tastefully twinkling fairy lights at night. It snowed very briefly on Christmas Day, just enough for this Aussie to get very excited. Paull and I did one of our speed-tours (we walk fast and can pack a lot into one day in a new city). The Freedom trail, a museum, lunch at Cheers, the art museum (Degas, Little Ballerina - fantastic) then a restorative drink at the Union Oyster House.....where I ordered a whiskey and soda (to warm up) and the bartender said, looking puzzled: "We don't have any cider"....

Next stop, New York City

Up, up and away at 9am tomorrow. Quite blase this trip because it is familiar territory, but really looking forward to being back there, and going to Boston for Christmas Day, and doing some work at Charity Water's office, and hopefully visiting Washington DC too. Moonboots, check, (thanks, Eliza) down parka, check (thanks, Anne). thermals, layers, mittens, beanie, scarves, Bring. It. On. !!