30.11.09

Year Nine English Classes for 2010!

If you are a current year eight student, you might be interested in joining our newest English Class program ready in early 2010. Following the astounding success of the year nine 2009 classes, we've decided to extend this warm welcome to the year nine students of 2010 with the introduction of Saturday morning English classes. In these English classes, you will learn in a focused yet fun environment, perfect for discussions and development of new ideas in a more social surrounding. We will explore different genres, texts, writing styles, literature pieces and many more. If you are interested for more information, please feel free to contact me or email me. I will be releasing more information regarding these lessons soon, so please keep your eyes peeled for more updates.

Kris Kringle Online.

So the Kris Kringle names are out and it's obviously time to start checking out cheap and chic gifts. Here are my favourite online sites which will have Christmas presents and cheaper than chips Kris Kringle sorted almost instantly!

- www.smiggle.com.au
- www.prettyinpink.com.au
- www.apple.com/itunes
- www.amazon.com/au
- www.thebodyshop.com.au
- www.toysonline.com.au
- www.sweetstems.com.au

So, a reminder that the budget is $10 and gifts should be wrapped/packaged/well presented with a Christmas card as it is just a polite thing to do. I hope no one gives their K.K a gift in a white Big W bag or whatnot as I will scream! Enjoy!

Communication Etiquette sorted.


I know that I am terrible when it comes to answering my mobile phone, you'd really be lucky to catch me on say, my home phone as I'm hardly at home and the reception at my place is so awful, I'd probably/most likely not pick up anyway. So if you do attempt to call/sms/email me, let's get some communication manners and etiquette sorted.

1. Mobile Phone:
- Call: Okay, so if you manage to get through, please don't just start the conversation with 'Hi Lisa, you know that task you gave me...' because chances are that I probably don't know exactly who you are and the task you are talking about. Like, how many tasks do I give you? Unfortunately I don't sit around the house rearranging my English notes in my spare time, waiting for a call like that even if I may look it. So my apologies there. Also, you should know that it is just manners and respect to call someone during business hours and not on night's before tasks are due and whatnot because I'm not interested. You have a week to contact me so don't leave it to last minute as I cannot and will not help you. At all. I also refuse to pick up phone calls at inappropriate times so calling me from 8.30am to 8.30pm is alright but any times before/after that, I won't pick up so don't bother.

- SMS: Alright, calling obviously didn't work and if you need me to urgently call you back, just text me (in capital letters) 'Urgent' and obviously let me know who you are and what this is in regards to (I'll let you know if I think it's urgent, just kidding). Usually if you can't get through me via calling, SMS is your next best option. I will most likely respond, or at least read, any SMS which is sent to me. If I don't respond, it is because the text you have sent me, does not require a response. If you would like a response, just write 'Please respond/let me know asap' and I will. Make sure you tell me who you are because I obviously don't have your number on my mobile phone book.

- Email: This is obviously more work-attachment based however if you are seriously convinced that I haven't seen your previous calls or text messages, you are very welcome to email me. Just make sure that you use correct email convention which includes a subject, heading, sign off etc. I refuse to respond to emails otherwise. If this is work related, make sure to text me beforehand so I am aware that an email is coming through.

Hope this helps!

23.11.09

Another tip for the ladies this time!

Sorry for being so random with the whole XMAS craziness, I just can't help it...and know that you all secretly love it. Anyways, to all of my lovely female students who had no idea what to put on their Christmas wishlists or just any wishlist, in general, let me introduce you to the fabulous world of luxury heels. You can stop reading as of now, if it really seems like a bore. So here's my story: I was just browsing the sites for some new things to buy (actually let's call it 'online window shopping') and I came across these magnifique heels which I think some of my girly year nine students will absolutely adore. They are the cutest little heels ever and (if you do get them) it will be your first taste of the high life to come! I'm not sure if you know the designer Vivienne Westwood? Well, Vivienne Westwood is like one of Britain's most ahhhh-mazing eccetric designers who has dressed absolutely everyone (that needs to be dressed) and she's collaborated with Aussie shoe label, Melissa, in a creating the ultimate pair of girly chic heels which come at an affordable yet luxe price! These heels are so Alice in Wonderland-whimsical and timeless and I'm pretty sure your parents will let you get away with it! And if your parents don't let you get them, try saving your cash up. Seriously, a good $20 something a week saved, is money you can further spend later (on these shoes, of course!) My favourite is the Melissa/Vivienne Westwood 'Lady Dragon' heels in fuschia.
These will seriously be the best thing you'll ever buy to end 2009 and will take you from the Summer Christmas season to the parties, weekends, weddings, dinners and New Years instantly. Such an affordable investment piece. Anyhow, I have finished my ranting and hope you all heart the heels even if they didn't directly tickle your fancy...or you are in denial.

Check out frockaholics.com for more heels. I'm thinking of writing a separate shoe blog. Keep your eyes opened for it. Please comment or email me if you're interested.

Creative writing competition due soon!

Just a reminder that the creative writing competition piece is due very soon on the 12th of December 2009. Please make sure you have this ready as any last minute entries will be accepted however any late entries will be accepted yet might not qualify in the competition. Keep up the time management and before you all know it, the academic year will be over, so make the most of it. Check the link below for the competition details.


Remember this is a compulsory task to complete! Good luck!

Christmas Treats for the ladies.

I am pretty sure I just made girly Christmas shopping for the boys (to buy for girls), a whole lot more easier. I am absolutely head over heels in love with this very tres chic range of delectable yet affordable designer chocolate by Jessica Walker. With chocolate designs ranging from a chic pair of chocolate stillettos or miniature handbags to designer chocolate cracker sets, Jessica Walker chocolates feature as a wonderful choice for a deliciously sentimental Christmas gift idea. The Jessica Walker signature "medium shoes in tube" chocolate is available for a generous price of just $11.84. That's a treat that's good enough to eat. Now I know what's on my list this festive season. Available at department stores, Big W, Target and online.

14.11.09

Relaxing summer holidays music list.

I have no idea what you all might be getting up to these upcoming Summer holidays. For some reason, I've always pictured myself lying on a woven hammock with a book and iPod in tow on a balmy summer afternoon just staring into the distance. Very idealistic, as you can imagine. Here is my top 10 relaxing Summer music list for your enjoyment.

1. Seven Days in Sunny June: Jamiroquai
2. Serve the Ego: Jewel
3. Make it Mine: Jason Mraz
4. Dancing with myself: Nouvelle Vague
5. Dream On: Kelly Sweet
6. Love: Matt White
7. Live High: Jason Mraz
8. Imagine: Eva Cassidy
9. The Last day on Earth: Lisa Mitchell
10. Don't know why: Norah Jones
Enjoy!

11.11.09

Your opinion.

Courtesy of The Blake Wright blog.

What I'm reading now.

Other than being busy as hell as the festive season is quickly approaching, I've been continuing my reading of spectacular novels by literature's greats. At the moment, I've just started a new novel by renowned author Jean-Paul Sartre. I've only just started so it's a bit early for my true critique or praise for the novel, however I do quite like it as of now.

Title:
The Age of Reason

Author:
Jean-Paul Sartre

Blurb:
Set in the volatile Paris summer of 1938, the Age of Reason follows two days in the life of
Mathieu Delarue, a philosophy teacher, and his circle in the cafes and bars of Montparnasse. Mathieu has so far managed to contain sex and personal freedom in conveniently separate compartments. But now he is in trouble, urgently trying to raise 4000 francs to procure a safe abortion for his mistress, Marcelle. Beyond all this, filtering an uneasy light on his predicament, rises the distant threat of the coming of the Second World War.
Enjoy.

9.11.09

Holiday Season: Tis the season to be reading.

With the Summer holiday season literally just around the corner, it only seems natural that this is the time of year when people slowly start to lose interest in more important, long term things...like studying and English, for instance. As a result, you can be sure that I most likely won't force you to submit a 2000 word essay and bibliography for marking, nor will I expect you to ( however this might apply only to a select few). If anything, I would just appreciate if your enthusiasm can last through our lessons together and to encourage you all to get READING. If there's anything that'll pay off, it'll be the fact you managed to read a few good novels and watch some amazing films in the extent of the holiday season and the time leading up to this break. Although it may seem like quite a burden, I'm positive you'll thank me later.

Inspiration of the day.

7.11.09

Term 4: Topics of Interest.

With the exam period almost coming to an end, it only seems inevitable that the workload decreases and the interest in the topic mildly comes to a distinctive halt. As a result, I've figured that (if you're in year twelve, please disregard) you probably might be more interested in learning aspects of English which may best relate to your knowledge and personal interests. These few weeks, I will be asking you which topics you would like us to go over. Examples of topics may include:
- 19th Century Literature and values
- Australian poetry
- Film studies
- Novel and contextual studies
- Understanding literary genres
- Visual literature and picture books
- Revision of creative writing etc.
If you have any suggestions, feel free to email me prior to our lesson so that I can organise, otherwise please come equipt as usual to go over school based work and assignments and be prepared with a topic of interest in mind.

Year Nine English Class: Payment due.

Just an online reminder that payment for the next four lessons are due. Thanks.