Re. The Flood

So, I posted about the flood.

A few days later, just to my luck, it flooded again!

So here's another 'flood post'.

Photos... basically the same, so scroll down. I don't see a reason to post more photos.

I decided to add photos anyway, because the water was muddier this time!

Anyway, the waters didn't get as high this time. But still, there was a lot of water!

TAFE

A couple of weeks ago I began TAFE; Cert IV in Music.

It is quite a good course. I have a more classical background when it comes to playing music  (whereas this course is more contemporary and rock), so it is different for me to go to TAFE, where nearly everyone can improvise, and just play together.

It's amazing how many people only learn to read off of a chord chart, or not learn to read any music at all; they just play chords via what they hear. Most people there have only started to read music this year, at TAFE. But, because I've already learnt, I am way ahead of them in that particular area.
Also, I know how to play a bit of piano. So I've sort of become my lecturer's guinea pig.
"Guys, come here and Helena will show you what we're supposed to be doing/what we're working up to."
And I'm not even that brilliant on piano, but I know enough to be able to make my lecturers happy so that is great.

My lecturers are also rather pleased with me because I am able to pick up things quickly. We did a little dummy recording today on the computer (where we just said a random sentence; I said 'Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Three bags full!') And I got the volume and everything right the first time, so they were ecstatic about that.

But yeah, there are things, like improvisation, which I had never done before this course. Usually,  if someone just plonks a piece of sheet music in front of me, I can play it reasonably well via sight reading. But I am learning to, say, be given the chord chart, and just make up a solo.

So yeah, it's been good. I'm looking forward to all the things I have yet to learn this year! And my brother has joined too, in Sound Production. As in, they're the 'techies'; they learn more about mixing, using mics, and balancing sound coming through speakers. My class learns the basics, but the techies learn the details.

Me and Daniel at TAFE

The Flood

Ok, yeah, the flood was a while back now! But here are some photos I took.

These our some trees on the bank; on day 1 I think

The next day with the trees;

The Flood Rising Up Our Steps - 1

The Flood Rising Up Our Steps - 2

The Flood Rising Up Our Steps - 3

This area had heaps more water in it by the end; it spilled out over the highway

The water rose above the levy into the empty block next to us, so it looks like this is all one river when originally it wasn't.

Pictures I like

Here's some pictures! They're a mixture of quotes & funnies.

Happy New Year!

Ok, yes, I'm 8 days late - but better late than never, right?

July

2012 definitely had its ups and downs,

April

but all in all, it was a good year.

April

There was a lot of fun times,

April

Lots of creativity,

November

And heaps of changes.

December

:)

I hope you all have a safe, joyous, awesome, amazing  new year!

God's Email

I got this joke from Sararose's blog


One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the rascally behaviour that was going on. So He called one of His angels and sent the angel to Earth for a time.
When he returned, he told God, 'Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving and only 5% are not.

God thought for a moment and said, 'Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.'

So God called another angel and sent him to Earth for a time. When the angel returned he went to God and said, 'Yes, it's true. The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.'

God was not pleased. So He decided to e-mail the 5% that were good, because He wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help them keep going.

Do you know what the e-mail said?

Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn't get one either!

The Crystal Brook Show

I can't remember what happened at last year's annual show at Crystal Brook show... but I think I'll always remember what happened this year!
We arrived (on time, might I add) to Crystal Brook to start our performance (with the Clare Valley Concert Band), after our first 'set', we went for a walk, and then returned to play our second set. After that, it was lunch. I had the brilliance of a large chocolate thick shake.. yuuumm...
Then, we went to look at the artwork. As soon as I entered the pavilion, I looked up, and said;
"Mum! My David Tennant picture won a prize!"

First Prize! (In the portrait section)

Of course, Mum replied with "What? You can see it (the picture) already?"
I was surprised too, since it was at the opposite end of the pavilion!

When we reached the part where all of my drawings were, I'll admit it, I was disappointed. In 3 out of the 4 categories I entered in, I was the only one to enter, ah well. The only section that had other entries in it was the 'open' (anything) section. All in all, I entered 12 drawings.

Second Prize (In the portrait section)

Third Prize (In the portrait section)

First Prize (Animals)

Second Prize (Animals)

Third Prize (Animals)

First Prize (Black & White Drawing)

Second Prize (Black & White Drawing)

Third Prize (Black & White Drawing)

First Prize (Open)

Third Prize (Open)

No Prize (Open)

And because I won the most prizes in the '17 years and under' section, I got a 'trophy'!

But that wasn't all! After we looked at the art in the pavillion, we went off to see whether we could find a hat stand (Mum wanted a hat). Dad found one, and there was a hat there (no surprises there). But the thing is, that this hat was one I had been looking for for months!

I've had the one on the left (the pink one) for a few years,
but I always wanted a black one as well!

So, yes, I was very very happy! But then, as I was walking along with Mum, I hear Daniel calling out to me, and see him beckoning. I walk over to see what in the world he wanted me for. He showed me a competition for the intermediate rural ambassador (I don't have to do anything, it was just a fun competition on the day).
I filled out a form with my name, age, school (homeschool!), where I live, and some hobbies and interests.
Then, I went up and answered a few questions.
"So, you play clarinet, does that take a lot of effort?" (person asking questions)
"Yeah, I practice for around 1-2 hours every day." (me)

"Is drawing a big part of your life?"
"Well, I draw quite a lot, in fact, I've entered quite a few drawings today, and I've won a heap of prizes"

"What do you want to do after you finish homeschooling?"
"I hope to go to university to continue my study of clarinet"

Those were the three questions I was asked, and my three answers! Then, the judges talked for a few minutes, and the winners were called out.

"The runner-up is Daniel!" (his prize was $20)
"The winner is Helena!"

Here's my ribbon;

My badge/ribbon

Then, after one more set of playing in the band, we started packing up to go home. We went for a quick skwizzee through the pet shed, and what do you think we found?
There were border collie pups for sale! (their mother was a pure-bred border collie, their father was a kelpie)
They were $80, and guess what? We bought one!

Our new dog, Crystal

So yes, all in all, it was a brilliant day!