Best Essential Oils - Australia

I've always liked burning incense and then I discovered oil burners that required tealight candles. Lately, I've enjoyed burning madison candles. The best brands have been the most unlikely ones! Organic Choice candles from Coles are surprisingly good, particularly the Indian Coconut and Lime fragrance. Ecoya also makes great quality candles, especially the French Pear fragrance. 

With Glasshouse, it depends on the fragrance. I find Tahaa a little strong and chemical-like; it gives me headaches as the living space needs to be larger than mine. Circa Home's Coconut and Watermelon candle is to die for.

More recently, I purchased an ultrasonic diffuser. I had always wanted one but wasn't sure of which one to get. I settled on one from a big appliance store due to having to spend some store credit there. What an incredible little device! While this diffuser is reliable and easy to use (although not as silent as I anticipated), the quality of available oils differs wildly. Fragrance oils are considered to be hazardous because they are made synthetically in labs using petrochemicals. Only pure essential oils should be used, but the quality of these can differ too. 'In Essence' essential oils are some of the best I have tried so far. 'Perfect Potion' also makes top quality oils. For both brands, the price is a little higher for 5 or 10 mL, but the potency can be up to two times stronger than that of other common brands. 

But then I decided to purchase a whole bunch of oils online without smelling them first. They were so well-priced that I even bought a little box to store them in, thinking that hundreds of positive reviews about these oils couldn't be wrong. However, it would appear that this common brand, which I won't mention directly, epitomises the 'emperor's new clothes' phenomenon. It seems that people like to be sheep, or they have not tried other brands, or less-than-complimentary ratings are not published on the website. The reality is that the oils just aren't up to scratch compared to ones I have been diffusing from the aforementioned companies. Some fragrances even have a toxic smell about them. The difference in quality is obvious, something I didn't expect at all. Whilst a little cheaper per millilitre, more of the inferior product is required to create a scent that permeates the air. I do not know how I will use these oils up (as some are rather unpleasant), but I'll create some blends where possible. The lavender oil is OK, so I will be liberal with it in all of my blends, but will be on the hunt for a quality lavender oil once this bottle runs out.

Some people own upwards 50 of these little bottles, but perhaps they have never tried alternative brands. I do not know why the difference is so perceptible to me, but I won't be buying any more bottles from this company. I will gradually use them up (because I can't justify wasting them) and purchase top-quality oils in future. I have learnt the hard way that you definitely get what you pay for!

The 'In Essence' essential oil range is amazing

Simple life...

I lead a simple life by most people's standards, yet I'm busy every single day. I'm never idle and don't have much time for leisure activities at present. Yes, it's a bit of a treadmill sometimes, but I still try to make time for the important things in life. I do what I can for the students I teach and tutor. Compassion was once shown towards me at the public high school I attended in Sydney. These actions made a huge difference and I am forever grateful to those educators. Although my skill set is not always recognised within the school context, every so often some sort of acknowledgement by students or parents is received. This keeps me going for a little while longer. Small encouragements mean so much and they cost nothing to give.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. (Proverbs 3:27)

Encouraging feedback...

It's quite a rare occurrence, but every now and again a parent will take the time to send me a simple message of thanks for my tutoring work. It makes it seem worthwhile when I know I'm making a small difference in some students' lives. I have had students where the parents are very instructive towards me (as though I don't know anything after 20 years of teaching). In those situations, I usually start to realise that it will be hard to make progress with their child. The tutor does need some agency. I am sometimes relieved when these clients discontinue tutoring, whatever reason might be (usually financial). You invest a lot into helping their daughter or son (hours and hours beyond what you're remunerated for), and their child never meets their unrealistic expectations. It's difficult to witness.

But here is a lovely message I received yesterday. This particular parent wanted me to bill her for three hours rather than the two worked due to my preparation time, etc. (such decency is rare indeed). Of course, I said that the payment for two hours will be perfectly fine.

Essay Introduction - The Truman Show

I was supervising an exam recently and thought I'd give one of the essay questions a go. I haven't studied the film (but have seen it), am not an English teacher by definition and have no real idea of the purpose of the Module, but thought I'd challenge myself for 10 minutes.

Conclusion: it was mighty hard! I have been tutoring students for a while now, but not usually Stage 6 students. I did once tutor a very gifted Stage 6 student who ultimately achieved a Band 6 in English Advanced, but this involved hours of preparation each week and days worth of professional learning. I made no money out of the gig but all of my efforts continue to help me in my EAL/D teaching role, so I don't see it as wasted time. You never stop learning, and what you learn is always transferable to other contexts.

Exam essay question:

An engaging text will skilfully blend ideas, language features and form to generate a considered response. 

Discuss this statement, making close reference to your prescribed text.

My attempt under exam conditions (Introduction only):

Peter Weir's careful composition of the film The Truman Show merges conceptual components with language features and form, resulting in a timeless and meaningful text that continues to challenge its viewers. Significant ideas such as the importance of self-actualisation and human liberty are sensitively conveyed via film techniques and narrative structure. Similarly, the insidious nature of deception, verses the refreshing qualities of compassion and integrity, is adeptly highlighted through casting and camera choices, as well as through flashbacks of Truman's past. Of particular profundity is the cautionary element of corporate-driven storytelling which is infused within the film. This connects directly with contemporary viewers, compelling them to question their own voyeuristic tendencies. The final product is a consciously multilayered text that exposes human strengths and weaknesses, leaving an indelible mark on diverse audiences.

Explanation of Introduction:

OK, so I have no idea of the thrust of the Module and just went out on a limb based solely on the question. That's a vital skill in order to achieve anything above a 'C range' result; you must be able to adapt to the question and fashion your repertoire of knowledge under timed conditions. In this case, I had no knowledge, so could not continue writing. But, I had enough knowledge to write the general statements required for an introduction that addresses the question.

The word engaging in the question is significant as it points to audience response. Word choices related to this are red.

The words skilfully and considered response must also be considered when reading the question because they allude to how well the text is composed to meet its purpose. Related word choices are blue.

The word blend is important to address because it describes the interplay between ideas, film techniques and text structure. Related word choices are pink.

References to ideas are bright green. References to language features are orange. References to form are dark green.

Possible approach to Body Paragraphs:

Body Para 1: The concepts of self-actualisation (Truman's search for meaning) and human liberty (Truman's desire for freedom) should drive this paragraph. In terms of film techniques, you could discuss the camerawork which highlights Truman's growing realisation that he is not living the authentic life he thought he was. In terms of narrative structure, you could discuss the rising tension that is created as Truman questions: his inability to travel, the unresolved relationship with his father, etc.

Body Para 2: The idea of deception verses truth should drive this paragraph. In terms of filmic choices, you could focus on the casting of Truman's best friend, as well as his wife, and how their acting styles reveal their disingenuous relationships with Truman. By contrast, the various close-ups of scenes with Lauren convey the intimacy that Truman has rarely experienced in his life. Flashbacks to these scenes, as well as edits that cut to her perspective as a real-life viewer, provide a powerful insight into the alternative role an audience can assume.

Body Para 3: The concept of corporate-driven storytelling should be the focus of this paragraph. You could comment on Christof's detachment from reality as he pursues commercial success. The ethical issues of a person being adopted by a corporation could be discussed in relation the collective culpability of the feckless viewers. The juxtaposition of the various mises en scène with Truman's vivacity serves to expose the detrimental effects of passive media consumption. Make reference to how the film-going audience is taken from a position of being entertained, to experiencing empathy, to feeling elation by the end of the narrative.

Well, that's just a few ideas anyway. I'd have to actually watch the film to fill in the gaps. Also, never lose sight of the question. Just as I have illustrated with the colour-coding, these threads should be woven right throughout your essay. Imagine the colours scattered within each paragraph. Red and blue should feature heavily in your conclusion.

If you are a senior student who has read this entire blog post (and found it helpful), could you please take a minute to leave me a comment? (anonymous or otherwise) I am trying to gauge whether my blog posts appear in search results. I am charged a nominal sum by Google each year, so think they owe me some exposure on the web. Cheers.

Text by Melanie © 2020

The state of Christianity in the 'West'

Throughout the relatively short course of my life, I have seen Christianity decline in Australia. The sons and daughters of those who never had much (or any) belief are out in full force, and now having children of their own. They're followers of the world's ideologies, not of Christ's teachings. I must confess, it's getting harder to live in a world where so many people hold a different worldview to mine. I frequently cry due the callousness and ignorance of those who openly oppose Christ. Yeah, sure, they often have some sort of moral compass, but when it comes to the sanctity of human life, many are driven by agendas that fly in the face of Christianity. Is it Christians they can't stand, or Christ himself? I think it's both. To them, anything that challenges hardened hearts must be eliminated at all costs. It comes down to the discomfort they feel when considering their own 'humanness'. No one wants to wake up to themselves - they're having far too much fun self-serving to do that.

I recently read a small news segment in the October 2019 edition of 'Forward in Christ' magazine (Vol. 12, No. 3, p. 4). These magazines are always an interesting read, but there is a common thread: Christianity is continuing to be warped and twisted by those who have no desire to know Christ.

Seminary Confesses to Plants: In a bizarre chapel ceremony in September, students at Union Theological Seminary (UTS), New York, confessed their sins to a collection of potted plants. The verdant seminary described the event on social media, tweeting, "Today in chapel, we confessed to plants. Together, we held our grief, joy, regret, hope, guilt and sorrow in prayer; offering them to the beings who sustain us but whose gift we too often fail to honor. What do you confess to the plants in your life?"

One seminarian answered, "Here was my confession. ‘I confess that even as I’ve waxed poetic and theological about how indispensable you are, I’ve privileged my own comfort and convenience over your well-being.'" I’ve privileged my own comfort and convenience over your wellbeing? Seminarians at UTS might want to apply that same line of reasoning to abortion, which the school enthusiastically supports.

 

Image credit: South Pacific Prints

"These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God." (Matthew 15: 8-9, New Living Translation)

Seeing your significance...

Sometimes it can be difficult to see any significance in what you do. You work hard, try your best, give it your all. You try to better yourself, learn more, give more. You do it to share your skills, your understandings, your life lessons. Sometimes, however, your reach seems so limited and your efforts worthless. At this point, it becomes harder to see your purpose in this world. I'll always remember a priest who spoke at a Sydney youth festival: "A lot goes into a person." It made me reconsider what my parents wanted for me and some of the conscious choices they made.

Each one of us is unique, the product of a myriad of experiences and teachings and interactions. Each one of us has so much to share, but sometimes the opportunity to do so is lacking. I've worked hard in my life to learn new things, improve my knowledge, be the best teacher I can be. But, I have learnt that I can't please everyone in the way they might want. If they want a 'yes-man', then I'm definitely not who they're after. If they want someone who is happy with being undervalued and disrespected, I won't ultimately work out for them either.

I've spent a lot of time in my life trying to impress the wrong people. Only now in my forties have I come to recognise my worth. All those public holidays spent studying. The many all-nighters spent planning the perfect sequence of lessons as an RFF teacher. The intricate feedback comments that were barely read by students and parents. The hours and hours of preparation put into single lessons or tutoring sessions.

This time and effort has amounted to something. The product is a teacher who thinks critically, who has something of great worth to share with her students. A person who has never been motivated by the pay cheque is a person who will ultimately shine as an educator. I have been very fortunate to receive fantastic feedback in recent years from parents whose children I tutor. For the first time, my teaching is being witnessed in their homes, its merits evaluated. It's like everything I have worked towards is finally seeing fruition. This was never going to happen in the school context, where my role as a diverse learning teacher is often looked down on by superiors. In schools, limits are set on what I am able to contribute, but outside of that context, the sky is the limit.

I've finally started to feel significant again.

A rare leader in education...

Every now and again, you meet a truly remarkable educator--someone with passion, wisdom and the skills to inspire. These teachers are becoming increasingly rare, or perhaps it's just that I'm not in the right place. Jenny, your leadership is greatly missed. Thank you for your encouragement and kind words:

Dear Melanie,

I hope you have a year where you feel challenged and given scope to forge your wonderful talents. The students benefit enormously from you because you know your subject so well and have the depth of intelligence and curiosity that makes students feel confident and trusting of you. I now view so much through the prism of what I'd like for my granddaughter and grandson, and my wish would be for them to have teachers like you. Treasure your career; you are so capable and have so much more to give.

Jenny xx

Just be decent...

This is OK as long as:
- your realness does not mean embracing your rudeness;
- your imperfections do not include unfair treatment of others;
- your flaws do not include continual dishonesty in all that you do;
- your quirks do not include always putting on the tears to get your way.

I recently worked with a woman who displayed the traits outlined above. She was always comfortable being herself. The only problem was that she was wily and manipulative. These kinds of quotes have many interpretations. They rely on the assumption that people are decent at heart. But what if they aren't? Should we just tell everyone to 'be themselves'? I get what the quote is saying, but some people spin it their own way (like my former colleague) and let me tell you, working with her was not my idea of fun.