Janine's 2005 US Trip- Camp Calcium!

J9Blog has begun....

2005-09-04T01:45:00.000-07:00

The Blog has moved
For the most recent posts....Please go to the NEW J9Blog! Click on the link or go to
www.j9blog.typepad.com

Its a month AFTER my birthday...so I'll post the photo I want to!

2005-08-23T23:44:00.000-07:00

This is my favourite photo of the little blue super-hero.

its the end of the day! A long day that started at work at 5.30am to get ready from my 8am-10am lecture!

This is the photo to cheer me up/keep me awake!

KIP (knitting in progress)

2005-08-22T02:09:00.000-07:00

I had hopes of finishing both of these while I was in the US....but progress is happening.

The lemon is kidsetta mohair and will be a little lace necktie for the lovely Sarah (sister-in-law). The chunky wool knit is a scarf for THE brother. The necktie is 2/3 finished and the scarf (this weekends effort) 1/2 finished....

Cat Curfew: 5 days on

2005-08-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

He is lovely old thing. Rumours of him being a cat terrorist are greatly overstated. In this photo above- he is enjoying being in the OUTSIDE world....He is being brought in ~ 5/6pm and then having to stay in till ~ 6am/7am the next morning.

I feel he has made it clear that using the kitty litter is an indignanty but he is willing to submit in times of great need...as long as he IS NOT WATCHED.....

If a cat could roll his eyes...then THE cat has been rolling his eyes at me. He thinks I have lost it and am going through a phase.

this picture shows one of my current issues...finding a kitty litter tray that will accomodate his rather large rear end...

The end of the blog.....OR new beginnings....

2005-08-18T03:10:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm. The Camp Calcium related content of this blog is dropping off isn't it....

I am thinking of continuing on with the blog though...and moving it to maybe something like J9Blog.....
What do you think?
I think some continuing issues need continuing blogging. For example here are some topics I would like to follow/blog on

1. The search for good tea....Australia and beyond
2. Behaviour managment and escapades of THE cat
3. Zak!
4. Denise!
5. Can Anything compare to the good food of the Lafayette Farmer's Market? (which can expand to exciting fresh produce food finds....)
6. The Four Seasons Duck club- meeting reports and travel awards
7. News from ANYONE associated with Camp Calcium!
8. The continuing journeys and sightings of the Langsford SheepCrush hat
9. Silly things Janine has done etc etc
10. Super Grover news....
etc

Does that have any interest to anyone other than me! I am thinking of one or two entries per week with photos of course.

Will let you know if the blog site is moving!
Off again to get THE cat indoors and away from terrorising anyone (other than me!)

THE cat....fiend or innocent victim? HELP needed...

2005-08-17T00:22:00.000-07:00

Have a problem- and would like comments from my blog friends!

I got this anonymous letter- laser printed on orange paper- in my mail in the last couple of days (don't know yet how many OR if other neighbours got too...)

It says and I quote

Do you own a Large Tabby Cat?
As one of your neighbours we are concerned that a large, black, tabby cat has been terrorizing our elderly cat for a number of months now, causing our cat to become timid and unwell. It no longer leaves what it thinks to be the safety of the verandah- but it is not safe even there.

If the cat is yours we would appreciate your making some attemps to keep it home. It currently visits our house at least once a day and often at night, causing a fight as it encroaches on our cat's territory.

If the 'TERROR CAMPAIGN' continues we will have no option but to call the council and have the cat trapped.

Could they be referring to THE cat? see picture above (NOTE: pose =butter wouldn't melt in my mouth)

Apart from the reference to Tabby it could well fit him.
I have found a picture of a black tabby on the web which looks like the following....

But some trusted persons of great intelligence have said I am deluded if I don't think it is THE cat, he is large, he has been at a loose end over the last months (and thus possible ACTING OUT)...and I have suspected by the chunks missing from his ears that he is not above scrapping with cats. He is also often out for part of the night....
In his defence he is VERY lovely with me...and other HUMANS....

What do you think- could it be him? could he be the LARGE TABBY CAT? could he be confused for Tabby leaving the scene of a crime (his back is mainly black....its the chest that is white....)

in the mean time I am keeping him in at nights (bought kitty litter last night!)....and will ask some questions of neighbours...and ring the council and find out what could happen to him

Please leave some comments.....

This weeks Zakarama...baseball dude

2005-08-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

he is beautiful! this is a baseball T-shirt purchased by Deb in the USA for young Mr Zak.

Attempt (?sad?) to recreate blueberry magic...

2005-08-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

Must be homesick (? can you be homesick for a place not your home?) for Purdue, Indiana etc....as invited Deb Kerr over for buttermilk blueberry pancakes on Sunday breakfast.

Of course- had to use frozen blueberries! I wonder where the frozen blueberries when sold in WA come from? Tasmania? New Zealand? Michigan?....well one thing is for sure- not Berdine's blueberry farm (see previous post).

Than pancakes were very tasty- as this messy food photo sort of shows (kept being eaten before a STACK was formed).....good tea too!

But! kitchen disaster area!....stuck first pancake to a grill plate (non-stick my foot!)- had to change cooking implements...then burnt one...set off smoke alarm...freaked out guest (Deb) and THE cat a bit.....

still cleaning up.....

Still being spoilt...now in Perth

2005-08-14T18:51:00.000-07:00

Love coming home- when you have been away for your birthday and you get belated presents!

Here are two 'vintage' presents with a yarn theme- one a lovely knitting bag made for my by my Nanna Holmes- with lovely hand embroidery- LOVE It! and the other an crocheted owl tea cosy- was Denise's Nan's! I think it is wonderful and am looking for a brown tea pot to complement it....because you can NEVER have too many tea pots!

Also the lovely Deb Kerr- bought me a Cat coffee table book- Catalicious (I think)- here is my favourite photo of Big Boy Puss (reminds me VERY much of another cat....- have seen exactly the same look- girth and size from him also!)

and today I got flowers from a friend brought to my house to welcome me back....

and for lunch today the Nutrition program staff have brought in a cake to share for my welcome back...I should be providing the cake because it is their help and support that enabled me to go to Purdue in the first place......but am happy to eat cake cooked by Dr Jill!

The Four Season's Duck Club- Travel prize award trophy

2005-08-10T17:18:00.000-07:00

If you go to the archives of June and July- you will find submitted entries and discussion regarding the Four Season's Duck Club's inaugural travel award. I have done a hard push for winning it this 'season'....

But we need a perpetual trophy- to be passed on from winner to winner- I propose the following bought for me by the lovely Sophy

Its a Purdue University- Duck Mug.....world's collide!

I got another message from Super Grover!

2005-08-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

My second one to this blog. Go search the comments to previous posts to find him (you just click on comments!).

Thought I saw a flash of blue and gold metal in the night flying over the Pacific....

Visit with Zak in the flesh....

2005-08-10T16:49:00.000-07:00

VERY lucky got to see Zak, and Denise, and my mother, and THE cat- all within 12 hours of landing in Perth.

So these photos of Zak were actually taken by me!

In this photo- Zak is doing his stong man- I can stand at 12 weeks impression.

My mum and Denise arrived for there visit to see me at the same time. MOST IMPRESSED with the mother...she greeted me BEFORE greeting Zak- what dedication!

The cat didn't DROP me! He was there to greet me at 1am-2am when I arrived home and has the spent the next 48hours NOT letting me out of his sight. Apparently in his staff of millions I do a good job.

Where Am I? I drove to work on the left hand side, I am wearing wool, faux fur and corduroy....

2005-08-10T16:46:00.000-07:00

Well obviously no longer in the hot and humid Indiana! First time I worn sleeves in a LONG time.
Yes I am back in Perth- and I writing this from my desk at Curtin University.

Got back into Perth 1am on Tuesday morning- and have spent most time following that sleeping. I am mostly conscious at the moment- but not sure my gut, body and mind are all in the same time zone.

I am teaching statistics for 2 hours this afternoon and am hoping for divine help!

Lovely weather in Perth 6C (43F) overnight and a sunny 21C (70) later today.

More news on the trip back and all the US and Australian gossip to come.....

The 48 hour trip home looms...

2005-08-05T22:02:00.000-07:00

I leave Lafayette 1pm Saturday- and get home (in Indianna time) at ~ 1pm on Monday.

Hmmmm.

Lets hope for safe travel, sleep at some point, Sophy and I getting seats together on the LAX to Singapore BIG flight (~19 hours).......sanity prevailing.

Pray for us!

Camp Calcium- Hall of Fame Moments

2005-08-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

Ok its the last night of camp- the campers are partying - downstairs, there is a strobe light, loud music and the limbo pole is out. I feel like reflecting on the marvellous experience of Camp Calcium 9-2005. So here is an attempt at Top 10 list of various highlights- which have been discussed on the blog. The order won't be quite right- and sorry if I miss someone!

#10-Luxury 33rd birthday
Managaing to 'jag' being in Orlando in a 5 star resort (accomodation free for me!), attending a wonderful conference, going to Disney World and hanging out with Carol Boushey, and Kathleen Welsheimer during my 33rd birthday week.
If you have forgotten here is a photo

#9- Laughing alot, being laughed at alot....
I have decided before this trip that a self-deprecating humour (ie laughing at yourself and letting others know it is OK to laugh at you) works really well across all cultures. I think lots of people enjoyed laughing at me here too....

Here I am howling with the campers at 'Howling night' at Wolf Park....

One of the silliest work related things I did (not yet confessed on this blog) - was during the 24HR recall interviews with the campers I had a camper trying to describe to me a type of gummy lolly....He said there name was 'light sabers' I said- ' oh cool they have star wars lollies here' ....he went quiet. It dawned on me later- he said LIFE SAVERS and I just didn't understand him....

#8- Getting to work on some incredible research
I have kept the blog fairly research free- but I really enjoyed the work we did and the things we have found out. Here is a picture of me with my 'pile' of PDAs after some data collection.

Thank you to Connie Weaver and Carol Boushey inparticular for allowing the research collaboration and also to my Curtin collegues Deb Kerr and Sophy Porter for one of my best 'team' working experiences

#7- Blogging
Have really enjoyed doing it- and love getting comments and interaction! Love the way all the people here have taken an interest and helped with photos and suggestions for 'blog' content.....

#6- Experiencing the unexpected
Tornado warnings, freaky thunderstorms, enjoying doing the laundry in the BIG laundry at the bottom of the Shealy hall (what is that about?!),how excited people in Purdue/West Lafayette get about my accent and how it starts so many good conversations, Indiana being SOOOO HOT and HUMID.....

On that topic this Summer (2005) is now regarded by all locals as one of THE hottest summers remembered- MANY have blamed the visiting Australian (moi) .....

#5 Getting regular photos of Zak!
Denise and Zak are very well know here amongst the camp calcium crew....and yes I know many of you skim the content of this blog- just looking for the next Zak photo. I really appreciate the regular contact of Denise while I was away via text and email- keeping me up to date and with somone to chat with at home during the day here (when it is the early hours of the morning in Perth...and breastfeeding mothers are awake...)

#4 The search for good tea!
Have had some great tea experiences and great fun trying to get great tea! I now recognise that having milk in my tea is the variable that really throws many in the US (last week I was given tea, I asked for milk- they then went and frothed the skim milk in- so my tea had a foam layer....was good under the foam...)I am wondering whether I should try to give up milk for future trips....any comments?

#3 Being Spoilt Rotten
Picture of WONDERFUL hot-smoked salmon and fried green tomatoes (yes! them!) brought in by Angela for us!

Also spoilt VERY much by the lovely Jan- Head of the Camp Calcium Kitchen.

#2 Spending a week with Grant and Sarah

#1 West Lafayette and the WONDERFUL people I have met this trip

more photos of the INCREDIBLE food and displays at this lovely University Town's farmer's market

Blueberry Heaven

2005-08-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

My anthocyanin and overall antioxidant intake has been excellent during my visit to Indiana- as I have been consuming large amounts of blueberries!

Check this photo out for abundance!! blueberries and vanilla icecream (at Prof Weaver's house Thurs night!).

Today for the first time I got to visit a 'pick your own' blueberry farm
Here are pictures of myself, Sophy and Prof Connie Weaver in picking action. The farm is owned by the Camp Calcium director- Berdine Martin and her husband.

We picked around 9 pounds in 40 minutes- and paid only $1.8AUD per POUND.....oh my goodness!! compare that to Perth prices!

Can't think who will be most excited by this picture- but I am thinking maybe Siobhan?

and for the first time- I have been eating Blueberries with real taste and tang!

Only 1 day of Camp Calcium 9 left!

2005-08-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

We will indeed miss the campers and all the fun we have had at Camp Calcium. Friday is the last full day- with the campers leaving at 9.30am on Saturday- and Sophy and I will leave camp probably ~ 30 minutes to 1 hour before that.

We have been busy wrapping up some research, planning for the future and trying to catch up with everyone before we go!

I want to assure everyone that during my time in Shealy hall-despite living in the boys dorm side- I have followed the following posted rules.....

Sophy and her Indiana friends

2005-08-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

This picture is taken from last Saturday's visit to the Lafayette Farmer's markets. here are two of the 'Farmers!'. They had asked if they could come back with us to Australia- and we willing to accept taking a photo of them back to Australia as a substitute. Check out the caps! the Langsford SheepCrush hat is unique even in the land of the trucker/baseball cap.....

I have already raved about the Lafayette Farmers markets in previous posts. Some more photos are coming. This was my last visit to the markets for this trip....as I will be making my long journey home to Australia this coming Saturday.....

Special Needs?

2005-07-31T18:36:00.000-07:00

On relfection on my past 6 weeks in the US I have realised that for the 3 times I did the check-in for a hotel room by myself- I have been given a disabled room.

For those of you who do not know me I am not physically disabled.

Is there something about me that screams out 'special needs'? Grant (the brother) am I 'special' :-) Does the Australian accent lead to this allocation?

Having a seat in the shower can always be handy I suppose.....

The real stars of the blog

2005-07-30T21:07:00.000-07:00

I have said before that to increase interest in my blog I would vicariously include Denise and Zak Griffiths as the stars....

I rest my case! This is Zak close to 10 weeks napping with his mum.

The worst movie I have seen in a long time.....

2005-07-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

Called- Must love dogs. Starrting the lovely Dianne Lane and the luscious John Cusak. But what went wrong? Sophy and I agreed this was terrible. Michelle Tang(friend of mine in Perth)- as John Cusak's biggest fan- I want answers? Is he Ok? Script shocking, editing dodgy, directing and acting something wrong.

Now I will look at the very good movie review site Rotten Tomatoes....they have given it a 42% rating (not good) and say.....

"Did Lane and John Cusack really have to put themselves through this? Here are two first-rate actors in the embarrassing situation of playing blithering misfits in a lame comedy of errors."
-- Jami Bernard, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

gosh maybe I should read the review BEFORE I go.....

Message from Super Grover

2005-07-29T21:39:00.000-07:00

While I get my act together here back at Purdue and Camp Calcium - there is a message from my favourite little blue monster Super Hero.

If you have sound on your computer click on the following link and then click on the link for gsuper.wav: Super Grover!

Back at Camp Calcium for the last week!

2005-07-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

After a long trip home from Florida back to Indianapolis via Detroit (long delays in Detroit ) on a Northwest flight meant my 5 hour flight became a 8 hour flight- I am back at Purdue University for my last week!

This is a great newspaper article published about Camp Calcium- has some great quotes from the campers and Prof Weaver. Click on the link for a good read.

Disney World -recap or Breakfast in France, Lunch in Mexico and Dinner in Morocco!

2005-07-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

Ok for those of you interested in my trip to Disney World, Florida, here is what I did!

10.15am caught shuttle bus from Hyatt to Epcot Centre arrived ~ 10.55am
11am - get in to Epcot ~ 10 minutes for security check of bags and then actual entry including finger printing

You can sort of see the Epcot 'golf ball' in this photo

I Head to the far side of the park- to get to the World Show Case overhear parents telling children ' its like going around the world without leaving home' Hmmmm. Not quite. But in terms of world food Orlando- Yes! The best place to go.

This photo, shows some of the 'countries' scattered around the central lake if you look really hard.....

I am walking quickly as prof Weaver tells me I must rush to book my dinner in one of the popular restaurants.....I am willing to push myself for good food. On this day as it was already 100F in the shade, crowds at this end of the park VERY thin on the ground (they are all at Disney Magical Kingdom- thats where everyone got of our bus).

I get to Morocco and book in myself for dinner at the Marakesh restaurant (at 5pm! because I am silly!). Its very hot in Morocco.
.

In the world showcase France is near to Morocco....I head to the patissere for late breakfast. I have Pain aux Raisine and then later a crossaint as well...served by French young ladies with lovely accents- mine sounds more 'ocker' than ever....

Then I head back to Future World side of Epcot. I prioritise and go to the attraction I MOST want to see Crush the Turtle (from Finding Nemo). It is an animated interactive show~ 10 minutes long- takes me ~ 40 minutes to get in. It is very, very, wonderful. Crush teaches us how to speak turtle- that is, say DUDE three different ways and ....with the other 2-7 years olds who predominate in the crowd, I am happy.

I wander around Future World- notice that it is an 80 minute wait to get on to 'Soarin the most popular ride at Epcot and so head to .....

Mexico for a late lunch. Mexico is presented as a village market and square at nights- with an Inn by the river under lantern night. Wonderful Mariachi's play in the background.

I then spend time in Norway (go on the Maelstrom- classified a MILD THRILLS ride- hang out with with the 0-7year olds again) and China before getting back to Morroco for dinner.

At ~6pm I head on the Monorail to Magical Kingdom. Magical Kingdom is VERY crowded (though apparently a sub-average crowd....) and has many unhappy children at the end of a LONG, HOT day (so did Epcot!). Stroller/Pram city!

Some pictures with me in them- are linked in my previous post!
I follow Denises advice and go to Its a Small World. ONly 20 minute wait and quite magical and fun inside. Here is a photo on me on the boat (with some colour of the display! look hard behind me!), I am wearing my NEW - The freedom to be Grumpy Disney hat...I must by as I forgot to bring my hat- and did I mention it was REALLY HOT?!

Then I go to the Tiki room - Under new management, my favourite attraction from my 1998 Disney Land visit in LA. It is a cute singing bird, puppetry thingy, show- very clever and funny....and I get back on monorail (now 8.30pm) to go back to Epcot to see the 9pm World Illuminations Fireworks and light show.

Get there in time- buy icecream sundae and drink. Enjoy the mono-rail (high thrills for me!) Great fireworks - most spectacular I have seen in a smaller area.

I catch the bus home and arrive ~ 10.30pm. I am tired, very hot, sweaty, and covered in ice-cream - Surely just how I should be after a day at Disney?!

Not Shiny, or wearing a cap.....

2005-07-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

A better photo (well according to my vanity anyway!) then the ones linked in the previous post- tho' 'spose not as fun(or important). This was me yesterday, so 33 years and 2 days off to a fancy French resturant in downtown Orlando. Mega Yum. Had a Gruyere souffle (divine), Cassoulet (very hearty and flavoursome), and Citron Tart (to die for.....).

See what being in air-conditioning can do for someones appearance!

Hey Denise- this is my take on French-hair!

The cover of the menu and the shaped butter pats (great fresh baked bread provided!)

Langsford SheepCrush Hat goes to Disney World!

2005-07-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Just returned from a 12 hour visit to Epcot Centre and Magic Kingdom, both amusement parks at Disney World. It was ~ 38C today and very humid (again!) so I am partly melted but had a good day and will report more soon!

Please go to this Disney Photo link- to see very important photo proof of the Langsfor sheepcrush hat ( and me) visiting DisneyWorld. Click on that link and you should go to ~ 4 photos...

more photos and news soon!

Yes I am close to the Kennedy Space Centre, Yes today the space shuttle launched and Yes......

2005-07-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

I missed it.
As Maxwell Smart (Get Smart) would say "Missed it by that much!"

I would have had a reasonable view from the other side of the hotel....I just didn't know at that time it was happening and was on the WRONG side of the hotel. Many of my friends saw it......

Here is an exciting image of the launch

I am sure I would have just seen a BIG jet stream from here.....
If you want news on the launch go here

On to Disney news, a few of you want information. Well I have been at a CONFERENCE that still runs to tommorow 1pm so haven't gone yet. But am planning- a 2-day hopper ticket so I can go tommorow and the next morning/early afternoon (I fly out at 5pm). They have a conference special so seems ok to do the 2 day thing.

Mainly going to focus on Epcot I think because have noted there is a show for 3 year olds where Crush- the turtle from Finding Nemo talks to you....surely a must see show for me! I will try not to block the view of a small person.

Off to a speccy resturant now with Carol Boushey and Karen Welshimer - Carol has hired a car to get us somewhere as it is cheaper than the cabs.....

In the What the ?! category today a guy in his 60's talking on his mobile phone , in walkie -talkie mode (they have this different mode here in the US- where they say OVER and have all the sounds ? cheaper on some plans?) talking to his daughter (I presume) in their hotel room upstairs about WHICH chocolate doughnut his granddaughter could eat.....

On having tea in resort hotel rooms (in the US)

2005-07-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

I have made friends with the lady that cleans my hotel room each day- Melinda- and I left a note asking for more tea.....the result tea bag abundance!

But there are further steps needed to make tea in your room....especially if you put milk in your tea.

Steps to making tea in hotel room in US

1. You need to find if there is a way of boiling water in room.
Unlikely there is a kettle (read Never!) BUT there will be a coffee machine. In some cases you can just pass the water through and get it close to boiling and adequate. Sometimes coffee taint is too strong. I have been lucky this trip....Without access to boiling (or close to) water give up now.
2. You need tea. Bring your own, or make friends with connected people in the hotel. Or take extra tea bags from ANY time you see tea provided in the hotel at your function (I got 2 bags from the ONLY provided breakfast at my conference today!).....
3. If you include milk in your tea you need milk. The creamer provided for the coffee is NEVER an option
3a. can you purchase milk? If yes, purchase it. If no, drink black tea. getting milk from room service will cost you at least $6 Australian and you will still have the next problem (3b). IF you were really smart you bring UHT small packs of milk (which are hard to find in US supermarkets haven't found yet)...but if you were that smart then you probably would be above reading or writing a list like this.....
3b. Can you keep your milk cold? Lets stay Food Safe! Good tea is not worth food poisoning.
US hotels unlike Australian and most Asian (limit of my travel experience) do not provide a small bar fridge in rooms. But Americans LOVE providing ice machines and ice buckets. So go to the ice machine- fill your bucket and put your milk in it. This can probably work for 12 hours.
4. Do you have a cup? Yes you will, because there will be something to drink the coffee out of....use that.
5. Make the tea....
6. Enjoy tea and be proud of what was not necessary a small accomplishment!

I need to have a tea after all that BUT just realised don't have milk at moment..... Hmmmm. Back downstairs......

Latest Present arrived from Australia

2005-07-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

Regular readers of the blog will understand the joke with the Langsford SheepCrush hat. This shot organised by my Mum and Peter.

Its my birthday and I'll post the photos I want to.......

2005-07-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Still my birthday here in the US for 12 hours- had a 36 hour birthday if you add US and Australian time....

Here are two photos of significant others greatly missed.
First ZAKoramaZak- 9 weeks old in Purdue Duck T-shirt

Second the greatly missed Cat. Heard reports he is working his 'staff' well' (see previous posts in June archives for details!). He has apparently NOT lost any weight and is still open to multiple meals at any time of the day or night......

Photo Proof I am in Florida and WHAT THE?

2005-07-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

I post this as proof I am in Florida

But what is a statue of a kangaroo doing in front of the sign- this goes in the What The?! category....there are always a few strange things at resorts...they are a world unto themselves.

Janine Jags luxury for her 33rd birthday!

2005-07-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

Yet again on this trip I have done very well! I am now in Orlando, and at the Grand Cypress Hyatt. Rather lovely, resort style hotel. Fabulous as I am not paying but staying with the generous Kathleen Welshimer (a researcher from Southern Illinois University)! Here are some pictures of the room and the resort...you get the idea!

I am here for 5 nights in air-conditioned luxury. Very hot and humid here in Orlando (notice a continuing theme in this blog?!).

Feel I will have a very good birthday here and plan to spend some birthday money going to Disney World which I can see from the windows on my floor (not walking distance....but close). I am planning the Epcot centre at this stage.

Please read the comments (click on comments and read the last one!) to my previous blog entry- Super Grover sent me a special birthday message. Best present so far......

Flowers from my clever Mum for my.......

2005-07-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

Its my birthday on Sunday the 24th July. I will be 33! My mum was very lovely and organised through Prof Weaver to get flowers to me at Camp Calcium. This is the lovely bunch!

They are pictured in my Indianapolis hotel room- I brought them along from Camp so I could have one more night with them.....Well done Mum!

I'm off to Orlando, Florida, for 5 nights!

2005-07-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

After tonight which will be in Indianapolis- I am lucky enough to be going to Florida till next Thursday evening! 6 nights in all AWAY from camp calcium!

I am attending the Society of Nutrition Educators conference being held at the Hyatt attached to the DisneyWorld complex......

My friend here at Purdue 'the wild and crazy' Dr Carol Boushey- organised some free accomdation for me- so I can afford a mid-price fare to Florida and a registration to the conference! Will no doubt be inspired once again. I will take suggestions of what to do if I go to Disney World. I am thinking of going to the Epcot centre which is the more sciency type part. I HATE fast rides with a passion!.....might make me throw up some tea- eewrgh!

Talk to you soon from ?sunny? Florida. I am expecting Hot and Humid...what else!?

Freaky thing about storms in the midwest....

2005-07-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

Have you seen War of the Worlds? I have ...twice. Once by myself, once with Grant and Sarah. Anyway, the lightening here is really flashy and surge like- and reminds me of the lightening storm at the beginning of the movie.

Haven't yet hidden under a table...but have jumped alot!

Never boring at Camp Calcium 9...now....tornado warnings

2005-07-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

We have had some spectacular mid-west storms while I have been an Camp Calcium (to add to the humidity not cool things down!). But last night at around 10pm something different...the wailing of tornado sirens. Now, being the rule abiding soul I am I had read the back of my door and knew tornado policy. When you hear the sirens you go to basement. So I went and grabbed Sophy out of her room (she was talking to her Mum 'Mum I have to go now its a tornado warning...don't worry...it'll be fine Janine says it happens all the time....')and we went.....to the basement. Where we joined the 30 campers, counsellers and a few other people. The basement is actually the dining room- so a very familiar room to us all. Then we waited for around 25 minutes- the sirens stopped someone gave the all clear and ....we went back upstairs...to mop up the water where people were silly enough to leave there windows open (hmmmm....I was focused on getting to the basement not closing the window!)

Sophy and I felt we needed a de-brief after the experience and so kept asking questions- everyone else was very non-plussed.

But, on talking to Prof Connie Weaver today- she said she only remembers 3 other times the sirens have sounded (other than tests) since here time in Indiana. And she has been here over 20 years....so it was a fairly rare occurance!

4H Fair Fine Food

2005-07-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

Just been to Tippacanoe county's 4H fair- Prof Connie Weaver was kind enough to take me. The 4H fair runs for a couple of weeks and is a community fair and agricultural show. Was great- got to see lots of interesting things JUST before a very large storm hit- and so even got through the experience dry!

4H- stands for a community organisation that promotes home economics, agricultural skills, handcrafts etc with the 4 H's standing for Heart Head Hands and Health.

I ate very well at the fair. I had 2 rib eye sandwiches. The most tasty tender meat in soft squishy white bread. The picture probably does not show its beauty. But it shows that it was rapidly being eaten! Sometimes you just have to go with the US love affair with meat...they cooked it well.

Then I had the most wonderful drink- the lemon shake. It is pieces of lemon- rind and all- that has been pummelled a bit and then shaken with ice and some sugar syrup. I am a lemon fan- this drink was divine.

And then....a real Indiana experience. Fresh corn on the cob- cooked and lightly coated with butter. So very sweet and tender. This picture shows a farmer shucking the corn next to the corn stand. A quarantee of freshness!

Best US tea experience so far

2005-07-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

This lovely cup of Earl Grey tea (which the brand here calls Earl Greyer- good grief!) in its antique fine bone china cup was enjoyed a couple of hours ago at Prof Connie Weavers house. She felt after hanging out with me she should bring out the fine bone china....well I did appreciate the effort!

Sophy and I also went to the Russian Tea House in Chicago on saturday afternoon and had some very good Russian tea - which was particularly appreciated after 6 hours of hanging around O'Hare airport.

I am shiny and frizzy....NO PHOTO

2005-07-19T19:15:00.000-07:00

there are plenty of other photos of me looking shiny faced and flat or frizzy haired.

go look at the archives.....and No the trucker style cap in recent photos is not to cover bad hair- its the Langsford SheepCrush Hat (limited edition)- a joke within my family and friends....more on this topic later.....

Still Hot in Indiana- less humid today- but next to Perth still very muggy (as we would say). Had a big rain storm in Lafayette yesterday- had forgotten that...maybe that is why hair is so frizzy as I got a bit wet walking in it....(der!)

That reminds me of the dumbest thing I said last week while visiting the Twin Cities. Where I was staying was near White Bear Lake- and the area is known as the city of White Bear lake. We (the brother, Sarah and I) were driving around- and we noticed a LOT of polar bears (as I said) on the front of people's lawns. After seeing about my 15th plaster polar bear I said 'I don't get why there are so many polar bears on show in WHITE bear lake?'.....I then went quiet as the blindingly obvious struck me. Later on that evening, I came up with the bizarre theory that White Bear Lake (as there would have been bears in that area of MN in previous times) was named after an ALBINO bear that roamed that area centuries ago...to which Grant (the brother) quite kindly replied ' Or maybe, more likely, it was named after an American Indian named White Bear'....Hmmmmm clever boy the brother.

Missing Perth today!

Cooking 101 using JUST an electric kettle....

2005-07-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

Sophy and I would like to share the great culinary and budgetory success of our last two dinners. We have had Indian curries each night- accompanied by cous cous and mango chutney.

We have spent $2US on each serve....and prepared them in my residence hall room.

How,you ask fascinated?
Well, the meals are from MTR- Indians largest selling ready to eat brand- they are heat in the pouch vegetarin delights. You just heat them in boiling water for 5 minutes (yeah that Wal-Mart kettle!)- and then open pouch and serve over your cous cous which has also been cooked in a cup just by adding boiling water......

The picture is REALLY what the meal looks like. And it tastes VERY good! I find real cumin seeds in mine tonight! and we have tripled the vegetable intake of most Americans by indulging....

Sophy Porter has arrived for phase 2 of Camp Calcium 9

2005-07-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

The second 3 week period of Camp Calcium 9 started today. I have journeyed back from Minnesota and on the way (at O'Hare airport, Chicago) hooked up with fellow Curtin University, Perth person Sophy Porter. Sophy is going to be here with me at Camp Calcium for this next 3 weeks- helping out with the research and soaking up all the research and cultural experience that is life here on Purdue Campus, West Lafayetee.

Yes, she is gorgeous. She even looks good after lugging bags around the streets of Chicago in very hot and humid weather. I do not look good after these experiences....

Squirrel Humour

2005-07-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

I miss my great lump of a cat back in Perth. The small animals to keep me amused here at Shealy Hall, Purde University are squirrels, chipmunks and bunny rabbits. There are lots of all these critters in the park next to my residence hall. However, I don't think everyone loves the Squirrels- they cause some problems - I have seen them coming out of the bins here...and apparently they pilfer bird feed -from some types of bird feeders (NO!). Thus, this ad for the sky feeder- which feeds birds but not squirrels....as it reads at the bottom No Beak, No Feathers, No Service!

Photo of Brother and Sister

2005-07-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

This is Grant and I- after 2 hours of wandering the Mall of America- if you think we look a tad delirious.

See any family resemblances? Grant is 2.5 years younger than I.

More on Camp Snoopy (in the Mall of America)

2005-07-17T18:54:00.000-07:00

From Previous posts- Camp Snoopy is the amusement park IN THE MIDDLE of Mall of America.

This photo- taken by the brother- shows its magnitude and gives you an idea of the scope of the Mall of America in Minneapolis.

Snoopy is a dude- but not even close to approaching the coolness of SuperGrover....but SuperGrover would not be associated with an amusement park in the middle of a shopping complex....he is above that sort of commercialism. He works for public broadcast TV.....

I'm on road again....Saturday night in Chicago and then Sunday back for Phase 2 of Camp Calcium!

2005-07-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

I leave MN and THE brother and Sarah, and Ericsons, and the three dogs...to go to Chicago for one day (to meet up with Sophy -also from Curtin)- and then on Sunday at 1pm get on the BOILER MAKER EXPRESS (Purdue University Bus) and drive back to Purdue (with 27 or so of the campers!) and go back to Purdue for Phase 2 of Camp Calcium!

I have more photos from my MN visit to share (Grant! please email....).....

but in the mean time to fill this space- you know what we all need? Yes you do! The most recent photo of Zak. In this Zakaroma he is wearing knitted items (beanie and booties) made by me - knitted from silk spun by Robynne Snell (Curtin colleague).

Four Season's Duck Club- International Travel Award Entry #3

2005-07-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

The combination of the DUCK and the Purdue label on a T-shirt currently Air-mailing its way to .......Zak! Strong entry I believe......

Mall of American- the facts, the visit.....

2005-07-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Grant, Sarah and I visited the Mall of America in a suburb of Minneapolis. I needed a 24hr break to rest and reflect before I could document the visit.

The facts: 525 stores- all in one undercover mall (the largest in USA), 40 eating places, and a 15-screen cinema complex, bowling alley, underwater world, and contains an amusement park (Camp Snoopy) at its centre. If Somsri (Thai friend from Camp Calcium and reader of this Blog) visited I doubt we would every see her again....

The MOA has 3 main shopping levels- large circles-with the 4 department stores at its 'corners'. Each level of the mall is is 0.57 miles long. G and S and I walked all 3 levels (this was Grant's quest....)- and so we estimate we walked ~1.5 miles (2.4 km) in our 3 hour visit. Amazingly (or maybe not?!) we did NOT purchase anything in MOA except our dinner at an Italian restaurant and 1 Krispy Creme doughnut (that we shared).

The Photos show us in front of Camp Snoopy(we intended to do a specky photo merge of us into one photo- but we haven't got to that yet!) - the amusement park in the middle of MOA.

Apparently more people each year visit Mall of American than Disney World, Graceland and the Grand Canyon combined. Hmmmm ....as other common names for the Mall are Sprawl of America, Megamall, and my favourite Mall of Hysteria, lets just say I think it will be my one and only visit and I suspect the same may be true for Grant and Sarah!

Super Grover Bio Information

2005-07-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

While I ponder the cultural signficance of today's trip to " Mall of American" - The USA's largest enclosed shopping centre....I am need of some Super Grover therapy.

This is his offical biography from the Sesame Street site

Super Groveris Grover's furry, blue, and enormously cute alter ego. A super-hero more exuberant and well meaning than actually helpful, he is known for his cape and medieval knight's helmet (which always seems to close at all the wrong moments) and his accident-prone tendencies. More often than not, Super Grover lands right in the middle of problems, and as he makes ridiculous suggestions and offers help that is in no way helpful, the problems get solved without his contributions. Convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt that he's the one who's saved the day (and the world in general); he contentedly flies off in search of new, exciting, heroic adventures (undoubtedly messing things up once again).

When a lake is really a pond......

2005-07-12T10:22:00.000-07:00

I caused some amusement when at my Minnesota (MN) residence I have looked out my window and said 'Look at that lovely view of the lake- what is its name?'.....'?it has no name...its a pond'

So, to up the educational nature of the blog (the brother recently classed my blog on some statcounter- as 'entertainment'in content- I feel the need to reform....) we ponder.....what defines a lake in the USA? and if the MN number plate says state of 10,000 lakes ...is that the true magnitude of the 'bodies of water' in this great state.

So first here is a map of the county section of Minnesota I am in (Washington county, town Mahtomedi- close to St Paul and Minneapolis) . Australian readers what seems remarkable? Gosh....there is a lot of water. Points for those who find my favourite....Lake Elmo (I am sure that the little red monster will be there on a pontoon if I go and visit).

The picture below of Grant and Sarah at Mahtomedi Beach- is on the shores of White Bear Lake.

So what defines a lake? well there is controversy. In MN they often use the classification of greater than 10 acres. If you use this classification then MN has 11,842 lakes. But others say...

a "lake is not classified by size or depth as some may suggest." In fact, a lake may be defined as an enclosed basin filled or partly filled with water. In general, a lake is an "area of open, relatively deep water that is large enough to produce a wave-swept shore."
Needless to say the body of water I can see right now from the Ericson's window is neither >10 acres in size and certainly does not produce a wave- swept shore and therefore = a POND.

This strikes me as an interesting geographical and cultural difference to Australia (especially Western Australia)...where there is a great lack of water (apart from the Indian Ocean!! that is....)). I will continue to think of those BIG ponds as Lakes....and believe many PONDS in Western Australia are deep down really lakes....because with the Wind in WA in many times of the year- we can always produce a wave swept shore.....

Sarah likes Earl Grey Tea!

2005-07-10T21:19:00.000-07:00

We always knew Sarah was Brilliant-today further confirmation. As you can see from past photos she is GORGEOUS and now we have confirmed she also has great tea taste. She revealed today 'You know Janine- I really like Earl Grey Tea'.

There is a kettle where I am staying, and Earl Grey tea (among others), and milk.......I am in tea happiness!

I leave you with the important quote - which is my standard email signature quote- from the peerless Jean Luc Picard (captain, Enterprise) "Tea. Earl Grey. Hot"

Evening at Mahtomedi beach, MN

2005-07-10T21:07:00.000-07:00

Grant and Sarah had mentioned several times Mahtomedi Beach (very close to where I am staying). Then it was mentioned this afternoon- we could go down in the evening. I said 'great- I could have a walk on the beach!'....Grant went quiet- see photo for why (it shows THE ENTIRE BEACH)

I timed myself-It takes one minute to do a return trip on the 'beach' on the shores of White Bear Lake. Grant said- 'well imagine if you wanted to jog on the beach!'....

Lovely little place though. See this nice picture of the star couple (Grant (the brother) and Sarah (his wife)). We went and had some good ice creams afterwards!

I'm in Minnesota with Sarah, and Grant and......Captain Stinky Beard (aka Chai)

2005-07-10T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hello! been here for 1 day now and had a lovely day catching up with Grant (the brother) and Sarah. Have watched some of their video's from their last year of study and they have watched 1 epidsode of Kath and Kim (my contribution!).

In the house I am staying in (with G and S), Todd and Janet Ericson's (thankyou!),they have wireless connection as well. So blog posting for this week is alive and well!

Now the photo....
This is Sarah and I- and 2 out of the 3 Shitszu dogs that live here. The one I am holding is already blog famous at Grant and Sarah's blog where he is known as Captain Stinky Beard- for some obvious reasons- goo gets on his beard and.......

Note the very characteristic American deck- with flag!

To tide you over while I am on my road trip......more Zak!

2005-07-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

There is never too much Zakorama....Zak is 7 weeks (or is it 8?) on Monday. His photogenicity only increases with age. The blog notes several things: Zak is a flashy dresser, it looks cold in Perth (yes I know- snow in Norseman- in was internationally reported.....), and Denise's hair is looking longer? a re-style coming up? This photo was sent by Deb who de-camped Camp Calcium 9 last Sunday.

I am off to St Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota for a week with Grant and Sarah

2005-07-08T20:29:00.000-07:00

At the very beginning of this blog I questioned if I could find Grant (brother) and Sarah (sister-in-law) in my July break from Camp Calcium. Well I don't need to find them- as they need to find me- they are coming to pick me up from camp itself!

Then all three of us are heading off the 9-hour drive to Minnesota- for my first stay in the twin cities. I have mischeviously told a few Americans- that a 9-hour drive is considered a day trip in Western Australia....... Main objective of MN sojourn will be to catch up with Grant BRUCE Wright (today someone asked when I am seeing my brother- Brooose! Ha! he will be mortified) and Sarah as I haven't seen them for over a year.

The week I am in St Paul, MN is the 'washout' week for Camp Calcium. All the campers go home for a week and then come Sunday 17th July- it will all start again for another 3 weeks.

Next post likely from somewhere in Minnesota!

A photo of some of my favourite and talented campers....

2005-07-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Here they are at the talent show (Tuesday night). They made themselves their tie dyed shirts at Camp Calcium as well. Some of the most attractive tie dying I have seen in a while!

My new favourite picture book- and ideal gift while in the US!

2005-07-07T20:29:00.000-07:00

I first read this book (recommended for children 3-7- but I think they have got that range a bit wrong!) 3 weeks ago and it made me LOL so hard tears came to my eyes.

Here is a brief synopsis of its contents

Page 1
Monday

Morning: Slept.
Afternoon: Slept.
Evening: Ate.
Scratched.
Night: Ate.

Comment on book: A typical day. Don't be fooled. This wombat leads a very busy and demanding life. She wrestles unknown creatures, runs her own digging business, and most difficult of all – trains her humans. She teaches them when she would like carrots, when she would like oats and when she would like both at the same time. But these humans are slow learners.

Find out how one wombat – between scratching, sleeping and eating – manages to fit the difficult job of training humans into her busy schedule.

But only reading the book with the incredible pictures will give the full effect.
In Australia- I saw it in the National Geographic Shop- but am sure is in most bookstores- here in Lafayette I have just bought it from Borders.

I am giving it as a gift tommorow to a special someone who has already received the canned wombat (canned SOFT TOY wombat) as a gift.....A wombat duo gift pack!

Tip: If you want to know more about the book- look it up on Amazon they let you read several pages...

Sorry still thwarted in putting in hyperlinks (Argggh!)

And we need a photo of Mrs Camp Calcium herself.....Distinguished Professor Connie Weaver

2005-07-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

You have already met her husband BBQ King, Lloyd- here is finally a picture including Connie- Connie is the reason for Deb and I being able to visit Purdue in the first place.

Go on- pick the professor! This photo was taken at the Indiana School of Medicine in the Osteoporosis research centre. In this photo she is the one in white lab coat- you have already met Somsri and Umaporn (previous post), Lu is the PhD students working on Camp Calcium 9 (wearing the official T-shirt!) and Doug is the phlebotimist/DXA scan/human testing legend that any good clinical study needs.

On giving out dodgy presents....Sometimes you get given back more than you deserve......

2005-07-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

Although mentioned previously I would like to introduce you to my two new Thai friends. Somsri (said somsi) and Umaporn (said Uma as in Uma Thurman and then -pawn). In the photo, Somsri- a research dietitian is on the left and Umaporn- a pediatrician, is on the right. They have been at camp calcium for all of the first phase- and with Deb, Prof Weaver and Carol we have had a lot of fun at various times.

Somsri and Umaporn , in what has been a developing joke, have received three dodgy presents from me. The first was a very cheap pen with kangaroos on it, the second was an 'Australia' pencil - quite attractive decorated with indigenous art- but not yet sharpened....and the final installment was a plastic small (a5 size) expandable wallet decorated with Australian stickers in which to keep their precious pen and pencil set. The pencil however is too big for the wallet.

In return I have been the recipient of elegant, graceful, thoughtful Thai gifts. I am humbled. They are shown in this photo with some yarn purchases.

They have given me a lovely Thai silk bag for keeping my yarn and knitting in, and the darker material is a Thai silk scarf covered with small elephants.

The yarn is in the photo for my knitting friends. Its shows the newly purchased Lorna's Lace sock yarn (which when I say it here people think I am saying 'Lice' instead of 'Lace' oh dear)- BARGAIN. And some Berocco chunky, slubby, 100% wool also BARGAIN. The purple is a needle case that was also a very good price. All bought from River knits from Downtown Lafayette, IN (hub of the world).

Second rave about the Lafayette Farmer's market

2005-07-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

Got to go again last Saturday morning. Love it. Not only good fresh produce, baked goods but also beautiful flowers. Look at the size of those hydragena blooms.

and the roses in the photo below were only $7 a bunch

Four Seasons Duck Club- International Travel award entry #2

2005-07-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

Those not Yet familiar with the Four Seasons Duck Club- go to June Archive and scroll down.....

I am pushing for the newly commissioned inaugural International Travel Award with this my second entry.....

Did you know Indiana is the chief producer of duck in the US? I didn't but I know now! what synchronisity that I should find myself in Indiana. This is a picture of Orange Glazed Indiana Duckling with sweet potato hash browns and green beans- served at the Maize resturant in Lafayette. Had a wonderful evening here with Prof Connie Weaver, her husband Lloyd, Deb, and two Thai visitors- Umaporn and Somsri.

Interested in reading comments from other FSDC members and wannabes......

Celebrating July 4th

2005-07-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

It would be remiss for the blog to not comment on my first ever July the 4th on US soil. I feel I had a very authentic July 4th experience for the mid-west.

I was invited to the Weaver's (Prof Connie Weaver- head of Camp Calcium, and her husband Lloyd)for their 4th party. It was another HOT day (mid 90's- so mid 30'sC) and this party involved swimming and having drinks and nibbles by the pool- followed by a BBQ meal at ~5pm. The BBQ included Brat sausages, baby back pork ribs, and the star attraction -steal head fish (a fresh water salmon). The photo above shows Lloyd hard at work on the BBQ meat. These were served with a variety of side dishes. For dessert there was a Brownie slice.

Then, dodging an impressive thunderstorm, we went back to Purdue university- for their annual outdoor Symphony concert (including 4th of July honours) which ends with the 1812 overture (with real cannon fire!) going into a 15 minute fireworks display!

Then I got to walk the 10 minutes home to my dorm room in Shealy! a good 4th of July

Photo Proof #5- Campers on show- some wearing the T-shirt

2005-07-05T21:04:00.000-07:00

campers
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

Happy now Grant and Denise?

Musings on how to encourage overconsumption of drinks #2

2005-07-05T20:51:00.001-07:00

This one is my favourite.

When you order a soft drink (or soda or pop in American) you get asked what size you want eg small, medium, large, giant etc etc. You then get given your large (even the small is large) empty paper of polystyrene cup and you go to the drink machine to fill it. Then while you are in the resturant (and as you are about to leave) you are allowed to refill your cup/bucket as often as you like. This rule also usually applies to coffee and tea (or hot tea in America) I have seen containers over 750ml of coke being filled...I have seen a man have 4 mugs (300mL each) of strong black coffee in 40 minutes.....I have seen Janine (moi) go back for tea refills.....

But one of the questions to ponder is - if you can refill as often as you like- why wouldn't you just buy the small and fill it as often as you want. I have quizzed Americans on this- apparently it is more about how much you can take away...and the convenience of not having to go back to the drink machine as often.

If you haven't seen the DVD Supersize me- please do- highly recommended viewing!

Musings on how to encourage overconsumption of drink #1

2005-07-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

750ml 1 beer
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

When someone (Deb) orders a Bud light beer.....come back with a 750mL bottle- which is apparently the standard size....

Musing on how to encourage overconsumption of food #1.....

2005-07-05T20:48:00.000-07:00

supersize Japanese
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

This is a picture from when Deb and I went out with an Australian PhD student here at Purdue, Susan. We went to Japanese resturant. OK remember what the serves are like at your local Japanese.....take note of Deb's arm and the chopsticks to help you gauge the size of this serve of Hibachi noodles.

Luckily we were pre-warned and shared the dish with one other amongst the 3 of us.....

Ask and you shall receive....more Zak!

2005-07-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

cute look 34
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

Just as I posted the previous message some Zakorama photos arrived.
This is Zak (son of Denise and Jarod for those not keeping up) at 6 weeks

No new photos of Zak...so lets have Spud (cute kitten)

2005-07-05T20:09:00.000-07:00

We want new photos of Zak! or Denise! or Jarod! or all three together....

In mean time this is a submitted photo entry from Nicole- to keep the babies and cats theme going. THis is her cat Spud as a kitten. Spud is no longer a kitten and has recently been traumitised by a house move- but has shown resilience and mostly gotten over it (just added another neurosis as any good cat would).

If you want to find out about Spud then Nicole's blog is the place for you!

http://www.craftapalooza.com (sorry I can't get it to insert a hyperlink- don't know what I am doing wrong)

Indiana sayings #3

2005-07-04T19:42:00.000-07:00

There are 5 seasons in Indiana.....almost winter, winter, still winter, roadworks and hot.

I am here during the roadworks and hot seasons.

The photo that should have been with previous post.....

2005-07-04T19:36:00.000-07:00

This is me absolutely thrilling one of the campers during an dietary intake interview.

Yes Grant there really is a Camp Calcium

2005-07-04T10:44:00.000-07:00

Read the title as if saying 'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus'
Grant, the brother, asked me on the weekend - has Camp Calcium started!? Good grief yes- 2 weeks ago. There is one more week before there is a one week break, and then everyone will come back for another 3 weeks.

His complaint was there were no pictures of the campers...
Well It doesn't show all 31 of the campers but here is me with one. I am inspiring him by doing a 24 hour recall of his diet- ie in english, I am interviewing him in great detail on everything he ate the day before.

A picture is worth a thousand words....

Ok Can't get the photo in- will do later!

Me and the Frog Formerly known as Prince!

2005-07-04T10:39:00.000-07:00

See previous posts for explanation! Note the colour coordination with the Fremantle Dockers cap.....(its easier to support them from the USA, the pain is more remote)

For Siobhan- More Frog Puns

2005-07-04T10:16:00.000-07:00

In Honour of Siobhan's first comment on the blog and great love of puns- here are a few more of the frogs....

Remember they are 67 all over Lafayette and they are ~ 1m tall.....

The above picture is a book celebrating the Frog Follies and a previous years event which had pigs (where are the ducks the FSDC asks!?)- it shows my favourite the Frog formerly known as Prince...

Then there is Don't Worry, Be Hoppy

And sponsored by the library Read it, Read it

Other favourites for which I can't show a photo at this time are

Luciano Froggerotti
Humphrey Froggart and
Vincent Van Toad

You can see all of these by going to the web site I previously posted and clicking on the auction, as there is a gallery there.....

Frog Follies in West Lafayette

2005-07-02T14:30:00.000-07:00

West Lafayette (the town in which Purdue University is) this year is holding a frog follies festival from June-September. As part of a wondeful community arts project there are 67(!!) large (~ 1m tall) painted frogs throughout the town in front of small businesses and government buildings.

More detail which pictures at
http://www.glmart.org/frogfollies/home.htm

The picture of The Statue of Riberty (shown) is one example. Another favourite is The Frog formerly known as Prince, who is of course dressed in purple!

Next Indiana Phrase to ponder

2005-07-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

Direct quote- apprarently this is an often said phrase in Indiana
" you don't lock your cars in Indiana except in August- because then you have to worry about people putting Zucchini in it while you're not looking..."

Big Zucchini crop in August her in Inidiana!

It was the best of food....It was the worst of food

2005-06-30T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here are two very different examples of food available in Indiana. First- the wonderful farmer's market in downtown Lafayette held 3 times a week. You can see the great fresh produce and their are many of the Amish farmers that come in to sell their wares.

Here the not so good- a product found on the supermarket shelf...one I had not seen before....crustless white bread.........I'm pretty sure from memory it was also claiming less carbs...well yes! if you cut the crust off there is less breat to eat...

Some Indiana/US phrases to ponder......

2005-06-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Turn right at the cornfield and left at the soybeans.....

Doesn't look like the Corn will be as high as an elephants eye by the fourth of July.....

Just had a mental blank I'm sure there are more I have learnt. But thats a start....notice the corn theme!

Introducing the 'Wild and Crazy' Dr Carol Boushey ......

2005-06-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of two mischevious women..... Carol and Deb Kerr (Curtin Colleague) prepared to do their 24 hour recalls with their interview files in hand (marked with NUMEROUS sticky labels).
Deb and I have been having GREAT fun with Carol. She is a wonderful, very experienced nutrition researcher- passionate about dietary assessment methods and dietetic education- so we LOVE her!

She quite often rushes to tell us she has had ANOTHER 'WILD and CRAZY idea!'....and that is the phrase Deb and I use when referring to her the most!

She is coming to Perth to visit Curtin University for 2 weeks and Deb and I are very excited about continuing to develop our very rewarding collaboration with her. She has a lot to share with us in Perth.

Today we gave Carol her present of "canned wombat" (don't freak out! a canned soft toy wombat....) which she enjoyed.

Flight to US $2700, Lafayette Limo to Purdue University $40, Fan and Electric Kettle from Walmart......Priceless!

2005-06-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Invaluable Phone and kettle
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

Its been hot at Camp Calcium. ~6 days in the 90's (mid 30's and up to ~ 38C) and VERY humid.

The kettle of course is for making good tea....more on this later

Photo Proof #3

2005-06-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

This photo was requested by Grant in the comments to Enough Proof#1?
It shows me in front of the Lafayette statue at the Tippecanoe County Building. More Proof I really am in Lafayette, IN, USA

Want to find out about Purdue University Campus or Camp Calcium?

2005-06-29T14:50:00.000-07:00

Here are some links that would be helpful.

Purdue have an on-line virtual tour- I had some trouble running it- if you have a pop-up-blocker you made need to disable it. I even found just the animated introduction to the tour was quite interesting if nothing else....

http://www.itap.purdue.edu/map/

If you want to find out more about Camp Calcium then there is the following site

http://www.cfs.purdue.edu/fn/campcalcium/public.htm

The search for good tea #2

2005-06-28T20:58:00.000-07:00

tea experience 2
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

This was the tea from room service at my Indianapolis airport hotel. I ordered Hot tea (I have learnt on previous trips to do that) with milk.

The container with the black top contains the hot water.

With, the 300mL carton- there was an abundance of milk.

I was off the plane- I had slept in a bed, I had HOT tea, I was happy......

Teaching Aussie Lingo at Camp Calcium

2005-06-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Today I did a 10 minute formal presenation to all campers and most key staff on 'talking Aussie'. Well, actually I was presenting on how to take photo's with the PDAs of the meals- but added the Aussie Lingo lesson as part of the teaching.

We covered the important phrases of
'Good Bloke'
'Top Shelia'
'You little ripper!'
'Crikey!' (mandatory now with the Crocodile Hunter...)

But their favourite was
'You silly drongo!'- this was used in the presentation to describe the person who takes the photo with their hand over the lens imbedded in the PDA.....

I then identified to them that the BEST blokes name in Australia is.......
BRUCE (go on- all say it the Aussie way)...Brooose (as in rhymes with Moose...)
this is in tribute to Bruce the vegetarian shark in Finding Nemo (a must see movie) whose voice is provided by Barry Humphries, and my brother Grant BRUCE Wright.

Claire

2005-06-28T20:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Claire!
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

Happy Birthday !Monday the 27th June was Claire's birthday.

If you follow this blog- you will find that Claire is a regular contributor. She is also the Four Season Duck Club's (see previous post) foreign correspondent as she lives in Lancashire UK and studies all over the place- currently Scotland. She is also my chief cricket updater while I am in the US.

Not sure how old Claire is- but I suspect that it is some terribly young age in the early 20's!

In this photo she is wearing a VERY important hat- the Langsford Sheepcrush Hat. Another one of these hats has come to camp calcium....

We need another photo of Zak!

2005-06-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

Zak!
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

I believe the strategy for popularity of my blog is to vicariously blog about Denise and Zak.....so here he is again!

He turned 6 weeks old today!

The search for good tea in the US- #1.....

2005-06-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

first tea in USA 2005
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

First tea in the USA on this 2005 trip! First food photo taken with the new mobile phone that fitted the US tri-band criteria!

This was taken in LAX (Los-Angeles airport)8 days ago. It was taken in the American airlines terminal waiting for my next 6 hour flight (had only been flying for 18 hours on that day already....).

This is my first snack and attempt at tea on US soil for this trip. I chose to purchase from the Starbucks counter. Many aspects to note
1. snack was bagel, and I had in my hand luggage (where all important things go!) a travel tube of vegemite (thanks Mum!), I then amused several other waiting passengers by spreading it on my bagel

2. At first opportunity I bought a packet of Earl Grey tea bags just in case they were not seen again for some time.....

3. Tea served in the ubiquitous polystyrene cup. But in its favour this cup did hold water that was boiled....and had been infused with a decent tea bag and even allowed me to add some skim milk.

compared to tea on a plane- most things seem pretty good!

banned from blogging for 1 to 2 days....

2005-06-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

I am having fun with my blog- many more stories to share. But, until I get some of my Curtin work finished I am banned for a little while. I am posting this so that the people that know what work I need to do (eg Deb, Denise, Jill, Mum....) will all feel happier.

Have just done another 11+ hour day here- working hard with Deb Kerr and Carol Boushey getting the research started- but really think it will calm down soon! The campers are delightful and are enjoying learning "australian" from me....

Am going to Indianapolis on Sat night/Sunday to find out about the Calcium kinetic study on 16 of the campers and to run a pilot focus group with 8 of the campers about their experiences of different dietary assessment methods.

So will be plenty to blog more about soon!

Lunch at a residence dining hall

2005-06-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

Foods available for lunch at Dining Hall
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

Away from Camp Calcium- where the campers have a defined dietary intake there is a number of residence eating Halls and building based cafeterias to eat in. I have been having great fun in them- as I am fascinated by foods and how they present and serve them in different places.

This is a picture from one we visited for lunch today- with SOME of the choices available. I had the prawn ham Jabalaya with corn bread - which is the one you can see at the top. I had this with some extra plain rice and lots of vegetables and salad. To the horror of near-by americans I put the salad on the SAME plate I eat my 'entree'(remember that = mains in US terms) on......

Photo Proof #2- Shealy Residence Hall, Purdue Univeristy

2005-06-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

Shealy Residence Hall- at Purdue Univeristy
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

This is where Camp Calcium is held and where I live. I am in the room on the 2nd floor to the left of the photo past the 2nd black pipe.....

Its a nice buidling I am suspecting ~ 1920ish but have not checked ?maybe older

SEVIS compliant!

2005-06-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

Janine completing international scholar registration at International Office, Purdue University
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

I have just got paperwork with SEVIS compliant stamped over it in red ink. Being the rule-abiding soul I am this makes me happy. Even the international office didn't know what SEVIS compliant means- but bottom line is the US government knows I am in the place I am supposed to be (what a relief!?). The photo is of me today completing the final step of the J-visa application that started a couple of months ago. My first experience of visa's ....good grief! and mine was no doubt simple and my literacy level good....so several hundred dollars later- I am COMPLIANT!

Deb Kerr and I decided to take this photo as the fact I got to complete the forms right under the map of Western Australia made us happy.....

The Singapore cat that landed on its feet.....

2005-06-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

Madelena
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

Ok- so it looks like the cat landed on its head-but really life for this cat has improved dramatically. This is Madelena the kitten adopted by Steve and Donna and their daughters Amy and Erin. It added great amusement to my 1-day Singapore stopover on my way to Camp Calcium.

This stray Singapore kitten visited the RIGHT doorstep after a nasty attack from a rat. Not long now for this kitty till the stitches are out and the bucket head-ware is gone. Madelena is greatly beloved by 3 year old Amy and as she explains about Madelena 'she actually is a boy'! Of course!

Four Seasons Duck Club- International Update #1

2005-06-21T19:47:00.000-07:00

Tea Smoked Breast of Duck with Pear and Almond Salad
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

The Four Seasons duck club was begun in October last year. It is a group of Perth girls (membership= 6 founding members, 3 new duckling initiates and 1 international correspondant) who get together once every 'season' to eat food which in some way involves duck. Our Spring 2004 meeting was at Genting Palace and involved Peking Duck. Our Summer 2004/2005 meeting was at the Blue Duck Cafe in Cottesloe. Our most recent (~ 6 weeks ago) Autumn 2005 meeting was at a Thai Resturant in Maylands which had a recommended duck curry dish on the menu. At this meeting it was decided that we should start a duck related travel award for judging at each meeting. This should showcase something duck related discovered on travels (local, national and international) done in the time between duck club meetings.

This is my first submission- Duck dish found in Singapore stop-over. I feel some kudos is warranted as the dish combines tea (the duck was tea smoked) as well as duck.

Siobhan (foundation memeber) has reported from her recent travels an excellent Czech duck dish...and we are awaiting to hear from Michelle's (foundation member) recent European sojourn......

Significant others left behind in Perth, #2

2005-06-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

The Cat!
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

This is THE cat (too many aliases to list)-also quite famous amongst some of my friends. He has had at least 11 people 'manage' his food intake over the years- he keeps at least 3 on the go at any one time. So when I am away (I was MAIN care-taker- VERY priveleged position) he will just revert to some of the other humans on his staff. Worried that he is going to DROP me on my return ......

Significant others left behind, in Perth #1

2005-06-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

Zak lets Denise know what he thinks
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

This is 4-week old Zak Griffiths with his mum Denise. Denise is one of my most wonderful friends and has been great in texting me (even giving my Mum a run for her money!) while I have been away keeping me updated with things at home etc. By being in the US-I am going to miss 8 weeks of Zak's rapid growth and development-DRAT. But as you can see Zak looks like he has it all under control- AMAZINGLY he may even have Denise under control.

I am also posting a photo of Zak because I know it will greatly increase the popularity of my blog....

Enough Photo Proof?

2005-06-21T10:48:00.000-07:00

Camp Calcium T-shirt
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

Grant (the brother- famous on this blog- see previous posts)is wanting photo proof that I am REALLY at Camp Calcium. This is the best I can do at the moment. Suggestions of other necessary photos ( I am jet-lagged and imagination is low-ME in the T-shirt?! standing near a Purdue Uni sign....) will be taken...hit the comments button and let me know

I'm here (Camp Calcium!)- photo proof coming!

2005-06-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

I know the blog needs a photo as it looks BORING- but I am slightly thwarted at the moment because I think I left vital connection cord in Australia.....will work it out soon. It is amazing what cords and powerpacks (eg for mobile phone, PDA, laptop, digital camera etc) you travel with these days- they took up one layer of my suitcase!

Been here at Purdue for 24 hours. Have my official Camp Calcium T-shirt. Am having a great time, but rather busy! Straight into the research we are doing here and meeting many like minded nutrition researchers. Been at 24 hour recall training all morning ( we will start doing these with the campers tomorrow). As part of the research to see how adolescents use a PDA (personal digital assistant) in recording their food intake I am in charge of 40 PDAs!

Feel very lucky to have my OWN room with its OWN bathroom- in the residence hall where they have camp calcium. I am in the boys section, and pass a sign 'NO GIRLS allowed' to get into my room- but no-one seems to care at the moment!

Weather here beautiful ~30C and sunny (they think here its TERRIBLY hot- Ha!)

Tips for internet check-in on Singapore Airlines

2005-06-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Don't be greedy. I did a self- check in where I put myself in the middle of 2 free seats....which of course on a full flight would get filled...and then I would have neither ailse or window! so thats what happened- but I made friends with the Singapore airline check in staff and they made a request for a change which she feels I was VERY lucky to get. So off now for the next 28 hours of flying!

Singapore Stopover

2005-06-17T00:58:00.000-07:00

Flew in to Singapore at 10pm last night and will leave on the big flight (16 hours to LA then 6 hours to Indianapolis) on Saturday morning 9.30am. Am flying Singapore airlines for the first time. Pleasant suprise (always flown Qantas before)- the inflight entertainment system is incredible- 60 movies, 60 TV shows, 100's of CDs, audio books to listen to etc etc. I was really a bit too tired to enjoy it though. Stopover organised so I can have brief time with friends/family Steve and Donna and their daughters Amy and Erin....and for me to get a little of a Singapore fix (drink tea, eat good food etc etc)! Have had to do quite a bit of Curtin related work here- but still been a very good stay. Amazing how much a 3yo+ and 1yo+ grow and change in even only 6 weeks.

Next post likely from the USA!!

Newsflash- 8 hours to departure and reported tea sightings.....

2005-06-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

News just in from Deb Kerr (has been at Purdue since Sunday)- Earl Grey sightings at Walmart- and on campus itself! But, tea bags have never been the true issue- it is the ability to combine them with boiling water + milk +appropriate cup (ie not paper or styrafoam) which has been the challenge.....

back to last minute office/work chaos now.....

Grant and Sarah- Photo Id

2005-06-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

Sarah, Grant and Aunty Raelene
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

Ok as you can see below- the brother, Grant, has now made contact. But having photo id posted could prove useful. This is one of my favourite photos of them- with Aunty Raelene.

Good Tea....The US search soon to begin.....

2005-06-11T18:00:00.000-07:00

Good Tea
Originally uploaded by Janine Wright.

This a picture of a happy tea moment from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Yes- I can get good tea in my hometown- Perth, Western Australia. But the VERY good roses- (in very early December!) suggests I was in a cooler climate.

I am currently packing my emergency international tea travel supplies. Will take some Earl Grey and Irish Breakfast....and am thinking of taking one of those portable heating elements and an enamel cup- so I can boil water and make tea even in a college dormitory room.