total obsession

Well have decided to go to Europe for busines mainly, but it is now total obsession with travel. Can't believe the difference in prices you can find online.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Pangolin

A very cute creature from Stephen Fry's twitter.



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Concerts and exhaustion

Put on two concerts this week, these images are from Judy Baileys Jazz Connection, a rather toe tapping affair. I think if I was going to do this again I would make it a tea dance.

Next up was Compass, fabulous tango music.

Very happy now to be a couch potato for a day.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Pop princess

Well we braved the screaming crowds to see Taylor Swift, toss her hair and strut her stuff at the Factory Theatre.



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Adelaide

We spent the weekend in Adelaide for the Childrens fringe festival and to celebrate Arran's birthday.

Womad had been on the agenda, but we didn't make it. Probably just as well, I hear that they sold out of ticket for Sunday so they were selling weekend festival tickets on the Sunday at full price. If that is true that is horrific price gouging.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Scouts

Spent the day on Sydney harbour as part of an activity with the Scouts/Cubs. Its a great thing to have this kind of opportunity.

I was trying real hard with the canoeing, but have to admit my best moment was when we got a tow back in. The wind really picked up and we were struggline to get back to base.

I am amazed at how chuffed Arran is with the badge.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Cheap eats

The local Indian Tandoori restaurant has a secret side entrance and a separate takeaway section where it is possible to buy some good food, for what we reckon are bargain prices.





Just off Glebe Point Road, with the entrance on Bridge road, great value, the non-vege Thali was $14 for this huge plate.

We have decided our friend Diane needs to start a cheap eats blog site, so in our quest to help out we are aiming at budget meals.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Pleasures of spending a day with an 8 year old

So nice to spend a day with Arran, just hanging out and having a really great time together.

It was nothing out of the usual we did, just having a sushi train and browsing in shops, but just great to spend time together enjoying each others company.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Year of the Ox

What a busy week, so much work. Not improved by my husband saying why are you still working, the answer being obvious, because I have to.

On the plus side, Joh kindly gave us her VIP tix to the Chinese New Year Parade, which was great fun.



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Back to school

First week back to school and good mother that I am I bundled Arran up and took her, wondering as we went why it was so easy to park - simple answer - pupil free day!

Managed to get it right the next day.

Quite nerve for Arran to be going back after what feels like such a long break.

All good now and wondering what class she will be in next week.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Not so fabulous Melbourne

Docklands I must admit was rather a disappointment, they advertised sand sculpture and there was one sculpture. It was good, but boy do they misrepresent it.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Melbourne

Had such a fun time in Melbourne with Arran where we went for the long weekend.

Did lots of tourist and other activities from markets to Angelina Ballerina, to jazz to shopping. Not to mention a fantastic meal at Guiseppi and Aldos. Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

The Nargun and the Stars

Knowing the work of ERTH and the fact that they have a tiny team, it is just so wonderful that Scott is able to pull off the work he does. How such s small arts company manage to put on such large scale works is a mystery, but its fantastic that they are doing this. Not to mention that it is a great piece of theatre.

A beautiful show, of Australian mythical tales. The puppetry and the stage settings are a joy to see. It is particularly wonderful to see another ERTH fabulous big bodied production.

The special effects and the large scale puppets, which are ERTH's trademark were a joy to watch. Not to mention some fine acting by the three human performers.

It all came together to produce a magical effect. My critical 8 year old, was very taken by the Nargun and despite the cold of the air conditioning and ice blocks for feet, was riveted.

Currently showing as part of the Sydney Festival definitely worth a trip to Parramatta. It is recommended for 8 and over, and is also a treat for adults of any ages.

From the novel by Patricia Wrightson
Adapted by Verity Laughton
Directed by Scott Wright & Wesley Enoch
Produced by Performing Lines.

The adaptation is informed by ERTH’s on-going consultation with the original story owners, the Gunai/Kurnai, Monaro and Boon Wurrung communities of East Gippsland.

Joanne Kee
www.placesandspaces.com.au

Riverside Theatres, Parramatta
January 17-18, 20-21 at 7pm, January 18 at 3pm
Sydney Festival Event
All tix $25

End of the Chinese year

It was down to the Joss House today for the end of year devotions to the ancestors and prayers for a good New Year.

It was incredibly busy and smoky, in fact I can still smell the smoke on my hair.

It kind of made me wonder with the celebrations about how removed we are now, four generations later from what the hell is exactly happening? We burnt joss sticks, burnt money, threw stones and donated money, bowed three times etc. Now I am not exactly sure what all that ritual stands for?

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Sydney Festival Launch

As part of the kids day we visited Hyde Park and helped flesh out the Tasmanian Devil.

We watched a bit of hip hop, but I don't think the age demographic was right. It didn't have the atmosphere of a real hip hop comp.


Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Gerroa

Lazy couple of days on the beach at Gerroa. Mini summer holiday.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

xmas in Sydney

Queuing for chocolate - the chocolate shop with a bouncer!



Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Cabbage

More on the new bunny from Sunshine bunnies.

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

were cabbage

Joanne Kee
www.ceressolutions.com.au

Cavolo Nero

Have managed to waste many hours bunny shopping, finding bunny, researching all the work having a bunny involes and buying bunny paraphenalia.

Oh yes, and silly me thought a mini lop meant that the bunny wouldn't grow too big. Obviously my understanding of mini and the rabbit world definition is different!

How much bugging can a small child do? Finally gave in to a pet, hope I don't regret the hours of work I am going to put into this!

Bunny not yet arrived, awaiting hutch.

Not to mention Arran being on a good behaviour bond for the next 2 weeks.

Oh yes, bunnies name is Cavolo Nero, cabbage for short.

Joanne Kee
http://www.ceressolutions.com.au/