History Lesson

Today is my mom’s birthday, Happy Birthday Mom!! Last week an elderly man from my hometown passed away and that was really sad to hear. I used to visit him and his wife and he was quite the story-teller, but I loved hearing them. Myron, was a great man and he will be greatly missed! Also, it was around this time in September when our beloved family friend Mary-Lou passed away so I was thinking of her this week and her husband that has been having health problems, but is doing much better! But on a happy notes, one my closest friends got a new laptop with a webcam so I FINALLY got to skype with her and it was even on her birthday! It was great to actually see her and hear her! If you don’t have skype, get it and then add me (haleyowens24) and then we can video chat. It is totally free too.

Since this week was slow and nothing of great importance happened I am going to give you a little Aboriginal history. I have learned soooo much in my Aboriginal Studies class, especially the past couple weeks because we have been focused on the art that they created. The Aborigines are thought to have been one of the first groups of people, but there is not clear evidence of this since Australia was connected to many of its surrounding countries and it is possible that they just migrated to Australia. However, through the art, artifacts, weapons, tools, and shelters the Aboriginals definitely had a strong presence in Australia. These people traveled around the continent adapting to the environment. It is said that they were artist and had always been. Through their art we see what the land, people, and animals looked like. Many of the cave engravings have shown species of animals that have been extinct for thousands of years [ex. The giant red kangaroo, diprotodon (giant wombat), and genyornis (giant emu)]. When the Europeans arrived is captured in many paintings often displaying negativity. Boomerangs are often depicted in their pictures too. Some of the original cave paintings can still be found in their natural environment, but there is great debate whether or not this is good. Some people abuse the art and cut it out and sell it for money. In the end, the art is destroyed and evidence to Australia’s past is lost. Aboriginal art is very unique and is very repetitive in its style. The dot art is very common, which often used for animals. Hand tracings in a red color are typical too. When people are drawn, they are usually very simple figures with elaborate weapons or adornments. The amazing thing about the art is that some of it dates back 40,000 years ago! Thanks to the desert varnish (very thick clear substance) it has protected these pieces of artwork of great antiquity. Hopefully I will be able to go to some Aboriginal art museums and even a site with the original art!

Random:
-Last night went to the Pizza Pub and had a delicious margherita pizza
- I have a new art teacher now because our old one was appointed a new position with the art department and could no longer teach. We now have Mary and I think I am going to like her better than Malcom! She has a different style of teaching and I prefer her’s better.

Genyornis

-Aussies call the yellow light the orange light
-The Big Mac snack wrap was just introduced to McDonald’s (Macca’s) this week
-Spring is here and it has been in the 60’s!
-In my Children’s Lit class we have been reading some Australian classics (Storm Boy and Looking for Alibrandi) and I have really enjoyed them
-I got locked out of my room the other night and the guy that let me in actually came over to the U.S. and played b-ball around Indiana four years ago and said he played with some Butler guys and was a big Butler fan! We talked a long time about Butler basketball and it was fantastic.