Aussie Animals

Woolworth’s, one of the grocery stores here in Australia started giving away animal cards to parents and children whenever they spent $20. For the whole time they have been giving them away, my mom and I have been collecting them and putting them in my scrapbook. Every day I have been asking my mom to go to Woolworth’s and spend $20 or more so that I can get more cards. This morning we went to Woolworth’s to trade cards and I finished collecting the cards and I am done my scrapbook.

My favourite card is the common wombat – they’re so cute!

 

Bennett, I want to get another one of these for you!

Fremantle/ Roo burgers

A few weeks ago we all went to Fremantle, which is about a 30 minute drive out of Perth. First we went to the old prison and explored that for a little while, then we went to the market where we walked around and explored the different shops. We found this aboriginal art place, which was so cool! There were different types of things like decorated message stones, art work, shakers, boomerangs and more. They were all hand painted and were all different designs and colours.

Then mom came across a burger place, which was where Terry and Lisa had recommended for roo burgers (kangaroo burger), so we went in and ordered dinner. I was nervous to eat them, but I went ahead and tried it. They were okay, but I felt so bad eating those poor soft and cute kangaroo’s.  I don’t think I will ever eat one again, but I’m glad that I tried it.

🙂 -Sydney

riding camels

When we went to Broome we had the chance to ride camels.  It was sooo cool. When we got there they introduced us to some of them;  they each had a name on their blanket. Claire and I rode on the same camel together and his name was Jabul.  Now to get on and off the camel was the scary part (getting off was scariest).  Because the camels are so tall you have to get on them when they are sitting down and when they stand up you are sitting on them (that’s why it’s so scary). They did each camel one by one so they could help you get up properly. First, the person sitting on the back side of the camel gets on by putting their near foot into the stirrup.  Then you put your hands on the bar, lift your other foot up and over sit down. The person sitting at the front part does the same thing and after you are both sitting the leaders say something to the camel and it gets up.  They recommend you lean back while getting up and down because the camel puts it’s front legs up first and then its back legs so it leans back then forwards. This makes you feel like you are on a steep roller coster going up and down.  After everyone was on their camels we started to walk. It felt so weird riding them because their hump felt like it went to the left then right. By the end of the ride I was sideways on the camel.  It was such a great experience getting to ride them and it was lots of fun.

Uniforms

Every child in Australia wears a uniform to school. It’s fantastic! The kids (especially the girls) weren’t too sure of them at first but once they saw everyone else in them, they realized it was inevitable. It’s definitely easier in the morning – except when they can’t remember where they left their one and only jumper (sweater). And I love them because it’s a whole lot less laundry that I have to hang! Don’t they look great in them?

Field Hockey

Sydney and I had the opportunity to try field hockey this past month.  We had lots of fun  and all of the girls and coaches were very kind and welcoming to us. Although I have never seen field hockey games take place back home, my dad tells me that Eden High School has a team.  This is something I would think about continuing when we get home.

Many of the girls were talking to me about how amazing I should be at the sport because of where I come from, but let me tell you something… It is a whole lot harder than ice hockey in my opinion.   For starters, the sticks are about half the size as ‘normal’ hockey sticks are, so you have to bend down A LOT more!  Another rule that often bothered me was the fact that you weren’t allowed to use the back of your stick.  Now, when I played hockey back in Canada, we were always taught how to stick-handle by using the back of your stick.  Here I had to learn how to “Indian dribble” by flipping the stick over and back again.  This was one concept I had to wrap my head around because my past knowledge about hockey controlling couldn’t come into play.

In field hockey, the other team gets a free hit when you do something wrong.  The two things I was called for the most were stick checks and when the ball touched my feet.   It’s kind of like a hand-ball in soccer.  When the ball touches your feet while attacking or any time, the other team gets a free hit.  Also, when you touch your stick with your opponents stick, they get a free hit.  So as you may be able to tell, there are a lot of free hits in the game.

I really loved playing field hockey and I’m hoping to continue next season and through high school playing for the Eden team.

-Claire

 

 

The Thompson’s Just Wanna Have fun!

It all started when me and Carter were watching the duck song 4 (after watching 1,2 and 3) and the background music was Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley. My dad turned on the song and the dancing started. We had a blast dancing to old 80’s songs. We danced along with Michael Jackson, Rick Astley and Cyndi Lauper. We had loads of fun and I love these spontaneous periods of craziness that our family has!

-Claire

The Thompson’s dancing moves

Today we were watching videos on youtube from the 80’s including girls just want to have fun, beat it, and especially never going to give you up by Rick Astly. We were just rocking the house with our dance moves! It was so fun and funny. Here are some pictures.
-Sydney

Starting School

 

Starting school was a big thing for me. I was really nervous that I would find no friends and no one would like me.  The first day I was nervous; I had no idea what to expect, what would things be like and if my teacher would be nice. As I got to class everyone was so welcoming and encouraging.  They showed me where things were and what to do. Also my teacher was very nice and funny.  Now things are great! I have great friends and they are so much fun to hang out with. Even though it’s different, they do different things, say things different and I am up half a year, it still feels great and it’s fun at school. 🙂

 

This is me in my uniform!

Vegemite

This here is the most disgusting food EVER!

Two of my friends, Bridget and Jess said that I should have an Australian initiation… Trying Vegemite. Coming here I was planning on trying it eventually but I couldn’t bring myself to do it because it looked VERY disgusting.

So one day at school, they walked towards me with a cracker and Vegemite. I thought to myself, lets just get this over with. So I tried it and I survived… But just barely!

For all of those people out there in my situation, I strongly recommend to try it for the fun of it, but make sure to have some other food and a water bottle close by!

-Claire

Rugby

This week I started playing rugby. On Thursday I went to training at night and on Saturday I played a game.

On Saturday morning we woke up and went to the game. It was pouring rain. Me and my teammates practised in the rain. It was fun playing in the rain.

 

In the game I scored a try. A try is a goal you get by running past the line and putting the ball down on the ground.

 

You tag the other team by grabbing their waist and then they have to pass the ball to their teammates. I tagged a few players during the game. I felt good at the end of the game playing my first time ever and I even  got the player of the day and I got a pass for 4 to go bowling.