Another month flies by and it seems that not much progress has occurred. However, upon reflection of the month that was July, it is not hard to see why. The dreaded week 10 of term 2 (a term filled with exams, reports, camps etc.) led to an exhausted group of teachers. This equalled not much action in the first few days of holidays then before you know it, it's off to Bali. An amazing week filled with lots of laughs, relaxing by the pool, brushing up on my Bahasa Indonesia skills again and some incredible food as always!
Bali - the recharge we all needed.
Back in Australia, the last few days of holidays flew by (including a fabulous night at Jeannie's where "drunk and slightly inappropriate Santa" made a reappearance - it's been too long since I donned the suit!) and before you know it, it's back to the daily grind that is teaching for an exhausting first week dealing with endless issues as a PTL, getting your classes back on track etc.
Christmas in July off to a great start with an amazing soup course and some mulled wine!
A. Wickerson and I with our Christmas cracker prizes.
Drunk and slightly inappropriate Santa in full swing with S. Porrino.
Even more drunk and even more inappropriate elf S. Haughey tries to get a better present... ;)
C. Hutton playing with the presents from Santa!
Post-dinner Christmas frivolities = JENGA!!! A worried A. Wickerson plots her next move...
Jenga professional (and eventual winner) S. Porrino doesn't even break a sweat.
I'm tired just thinking about it!
As if that wasn't enough, the first three days of week 2 saw myself and 6 other teachers boarding a bus and heading off to Kinglake. Sounds beautiful right? Think again when you add in this crew...
That's right - that's what nearly 100 year 9 kids looks like!!!
However, the camp was AMAZING (with much of the credit going to C. Hutton and S. Haughey for their exemplary planning skills) and the kids were fantastic. However, camps are draining as any teacher know and so the remainder of the week dragged on like our feet up and down the stairs of C Block at good old CHS.
WHAT?!?! It's the last Friday of the month... You know what that means... DINNER CLUB!
It was with some tired reservation that S. Haughey and I loaded ourselves into the silver Mazda hatch and ventured to Yokohama Teppanyaki in Glen Waverley. I had my reservations given my lack of seafood consumption but decided to give it a go in the spirit of dinner club.
With 15 people gracing Yokohama's presence (including new recruits K. Wilson and L. Adams), any tiredness soon went out the door quicker than a person with a seafood allergy!
With the courses ordered and the participants hungry, it was time to sample the delicacies of Japan all starting with a Sapporo beer and some sake from Hiroshima - both spectacular (especially when drunk together!).
Soon enough, the first courses arrived... firstly the vegetarian dishes. It was enough tofu to feed a small army and looked/smelled delicious. Obviously the vego V. Dennis didn't mind it either!
Teppanyaki menu option #5 - a vegetarian's delight!
The courses soon came hard and fast with the following items being sampled by various dinner clubbers all with two big thumbs up from the group: sashimi, sushi, scallops, prawns, fried chicken, miso soup, fried rice, egg and dessert of green tea/vanilla ice cream.
A great night was had by all and the chef's constant joking (mainly about Leyton and Tim's sexuality or Shelley's attempts at speaking Japanese) as well as some impromptu magic tricks only enhanced the lively mood that is teppanyaki. This was further brought out with the best part of the night - the food games. Talk about working for your dinner! Many action shots taken as the egg flew and the rice bowls soared...
J. Coleman enjoying the first course of his #4 mega banquet - sushi and sashimi. Yum?
S. Peaple going for the teppanyaki interception. With a mouth like that, we could have very well ALL gone hungry that night!
The RSC crew watching the amazing skills of the teppanyaki chefs as they chop up whole prawns in three fell swoops.
Our chef about to serve up the first course of a great night out.
Prawn legs - a new experience for S. Peaple and myself that night. Peeps makes it look sexy. I looked like I was going to vomit...
Things heating up on the teppanyaki grill!
Catching egg is no easy feat. Seat number 4 aka S. Haughey makes the crowd wait with baited breath!
Celebrations as we discover a Pom that can actually catch! Hooray!
Shelley offering to sanitise Vanessa's hands after a big meal of teppanyaki... She's impressed.
The crew digging in!
Mayoral duties required at this point. People still in the running for the 100% attendance prize as it currently stands:
1. K. Williams
2. L. Read (much to his delight and the disgust of M. Read)
3. J. Coleman
4. S. Haughey (haha, 4th)
5. V. Dennis (given special consideration for Soda Rock)
Notably, M. Read is now OUT OF THE RUNNING! However, there is potential to still win a prize with the following prizes being added:
1. K. Williams
2. L. Read (much to his delight and the disgust of M. Read)
3. J. Coleman
4. S. Haughey (haha, 4th)
5. V. Dennis (given special consideration for Soda Rock)
Notably, M. Read is now OUT OF THE RUNNING! However, there is potential to still win a prize with the following prizes being added:
- Wooden spoon - lowest percentage attendance (in honour of my performance at B. Goodall's tent party)
- Firecracker award - to the dinner clubber who "brings the most to the table"Once again, a massive thank to all involved - it has certainly been something that no matter how tired or grumpy I am, it can fix almost anything!!! Getting to spend time with all my mates, catch up and most of all enjoy some great food is something I look forward to. Plus it is the one goal that is progressing steadily!!!
The dinner club crew for July - thanks again everyone.
Next month sees us journey further west into the continent as we experience Nepalese food and hospitality. Let's see if it can top Japan's efforts.
Until next time
xox
