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Snap Back to Reality
Hopefully I won't be in breach of copyright with this title.
Ok, so the honeymoons is over, I'm back from the ski trip, and have returned to school. Exams in week one. What can I say? Interesting. All were ok, except for Physics. I know that Mr Filander will not be impressed with the standard, as this is his first duty as teacher, replacing Mr Larkin.
Surprisingly, none of the work that I left behind during ski trip has been done, nor has it disappeared. Unfortunately, it is now my responsibility to buckled down and get it done over the next week or so. Tok Oral is supposed to be presented this week or next. An assessable draft of my Extended essay is due on Friday. I need to show Mrs Robertson what progress I made on World Lit Two over the holidays (very little). Indeed, it seems that my teachers will each be after my head on a platter.
[ posted by Tom @ 3:55 pm ]
Ski Trip
In the week preceding my departure for the Ski Trip, I started to wonder whether the cost, both monetary and in terms of time off from study, would be worth it. With the amount of work I was supposed to complete, it seemed as if the week away would do me more harm than good. Luckily, I still went, as no doubt this was one of the best holidays I've been on to date.
Like edi, I'm not going to give a day-by-day break down of the trip, simply because each night, I was too tired, and the week seemed to merge in my memory. Also, it was pretty difficult reducing the number of pics to post. I plan to put my pics on the school network for Mr Head, so anyone that wants to see more can go there.
The weather for the week was perfect for us, as the weekend that we arrived there was snow fall, but from Monday through to Thursday, the skies were clear, with the temperature reaching about 10º each day. This was almost too hot, as I wore three layers each day, with my scarf and beanie. Friday, the weather came in, and so we planned to go to the more sheltered resot; Falls Creek. Nevertheless, every day was great.
It's pretty amazing how much you can progress within a 5-day timespan. On Monday, we were divided up into groups according to skill and experience. Having never seen snow before, let alone having skied, I was in the below-beginner group. Here, we started out learning how to put our skis on, turn, stop...you know, the basics. The lessons were actually really helpful, but I also found free time to be quite good. Edgar and Jason were kind enough to guide Bill and I around for the first few days. On Monday, it was quite the feat for me to master 'The Summit', which is a Green run at Mt Hotham (difficulty ranging from green, through blue, to black). By Tuesday I was moving on to the Blues and at Falls Creek, we decided to progress to Blacks. I know that I may not have been the prettiest skier, in terms of technique and style, but the fact that I went Friday with only a few stacks, makes me quite happy.Hope you enjoy the pics, and for those that didn't go, I'm glad I've made you envious.
Some of us got quite bored on the bus...
...and some of us slept.
The morning view from our balcony at Bright Chalet.
This is the beginner group; Sarah, Beth (our instructor), Bill, Me, George, Ben and Rachel.
A view from the top of 'The Summit' at Mt Hotham.
On Tuesday, the ski lift at the Summit broke down. The snow boarders were towed up behind this snow mobile.
Edi and I at the top of The Summit. Edgar informed me that this is how to pose in ski photos.
This is a re-enactment of Rachel's crash into this wooden fence on the Summit, while in our lesson.
While waiting for Rachel, Ben came down the slope and attempted to repeat Rachel's crash.
Mon and Soph in the other beginner's group.
Each morning on the coach, Mr Head amazed us with his ability to talk at length about nothing in particular.
Another re-enactment of another of Rachel's stacks.
The view from the bottom of the 'Sun Run' at Mt Hotham. It was on this slope on Tuesday that I became stranded after ice froze to the bottom of my binding. After about 20 minutes, I managed to put on my ski, and catch up with the rest of the group at Snake Gully hut. Ask Mon, this was probably the low of the trip for me.
Rachel in front of the 'Road Runner' quad lift.
Ryan ressembled the Abominable Snowman.
Jason trying to make a call from the top of the summit at Falls Creek.
Bill eating snow. It is this practice that I hold responsible for my sick stomach.
The group that Bill and I joined on Thursday. Notice it includes the likes of Kingsley and Edi.
'Scott' quad lift at Falls Creek. The boarding process stuffed up and I was left alone on the chair in front of Jason, Bill and Edgar.
Action shot of Bill.
Action shot of Edi.
The entire Ski Trip group of 2005.
The year 12s with Mr Head and Mr Filander.
Later, Tomah.
[ posted by Tom @ 3:04 pm ]
Friday, July 15, 2005
Holidays?
I thought I'd continue the trend of people complaining on their blogs:
As I sit here, I wonder if I can infact call this 2 week period, which divides two terms, a holiday. As google defines it, a holiday is "free from work that one may spend at leisure". Currently, my work load includes:
- Studying for Maths, Physics, Chemistry and English exams
- Finishing my World Lit Assignment One
- Starting my World lit Assignment Two
- Theory of Knowledge Oral
- Theory of Knowledge Essay
- Extended Essay Draft
which would seem to indicat, that my 'holiday' is not at all "free from work". Additionally, I have spent two and a half days actually at school for 'optional' classes. I believe that whoever was responsible for the idea of having exams after the holidays, should be shot. I am aware that this was done with good intentions, but it just doesnt turn out for the best. Instead of having more time to study, we are left with the work for holidays, plus studying for mid-years.
Indeed, due to my profound lack of motivation and will-power, my holidays have been and opportunity to spend time at leisure. On Wednesday night, after Maths, I played my first game of diplomacy, which was actually very good. It turned out that I was the only one not to backstab anyone; strange for me.
My large amount of holiday work is only compressed due to the fact that next week, I am going on the ski trip. Should be good! Actually no idea where we are agtually going. We are staying at the Bright Chalet, and going to two different locations over the week. I'm pretty excited as it will be my first time skiing, and the first time I will have seen snow. I will have plenty of pics from the ski trip, so I look forward to posting them!
Later, Tomah.
[ posted by Tom @ 9:59 am ]
Edi's 17th
Much hype and anticipation surrounded the build-up to Edi's Rave. With people getting more into the music and dancing, the idea of a rave was one that most found appealing. Some however, found it ironic that Edgar was calling his party a rave, despite never actually having been to one. Oh well, people are suckers for detail. News that eddy was going all out with the audio and lighting suggested the night would be worthwhile.
Have to say, the night was a pretty big success. The set up was pretty good, with the garage dancefloor and the marquee. Despite the opposition such as Winter Enchanted competing on the same night, the turn out was quite good rofl. Happy birthday to Edgar, and thanks for the good night.
The Birthday Boy himself.
Dance Floor.
Rave!
Edi thinks he's a DJ.
Rachel: a bit flushed from the dancing.
Hope Laura doesn't see!
The Following day, I went up to the Wattle Park look out. These views are quite similar to those from Edgar's house.
Pretty Good huh?
Edi's house and the marquee can be seen in this pic.
I know the photos aren't great, but a lot of them were blurred because it was so dark, and due to the smoke machine.
[ posted by Tom @ 9:30 am ]