The Black and White bow out

Im very sorry to announce that last Saturday, Collingwood (the AFL team we support) lost in the second elimination final in a disgraceful and "painful to watch" performance. This weekend brings the Preliminary finals and the week after is the big AFL Grand Final which is a large event in Melbourne. We have already planned where we are going to watch it so hopefully the weather will be nice and there will be a great atmosphere (there usually is).

Despite our sorrow at Collingwoods loss, we were compensated by Scotland and Australia both winning their latest soccer matches. Here's hoping they keep it up and make the world cup! I am probably jumping the gun a bit there but I need to be informed by Al again of the process of the teams getting there (which he usually has to repeat to me on a weekly basis).

Apart from the finals and soccer matches, not too much has been happening. Al is flat out with uni work and his internship and I am busy data crunching and preparing the piles of paperwork that has to be done to get a clinical study off the ground. Al is half way through his last semester as of now, which is exciting. We cant wait for this semester to be over for him, where he will then be referred to as "Master of IT McKelvie" :p As long as he doesnt think he is Master of the house McKelvie then I will be happy :p

One obvious change that has happened here in Melbourne is the weather. We are starting to break through the winter weather to receive some spring warmer weather now. Today will be 21 degrees and tomorrow will be 23 degrees. We can't wait for the warm weather to fully hit again so we can fire up the BBQ (or "BarBy") again. For those of you in Scotland where I assume the weather will be getting colder, start packing your bags and get over here for a visit!

See you soon (hopefully)!

Love Jo and Al

Finals footy is here!

by Jo Spong

Its that time of year when stress levels are high, verbal abuse at television sets is increased, and more meat pies and beer is consumed....yes, its the finals of the AFL. This year, our team Collingwood just made it into the finals. Yesterday they played in an elimination final against the Adelaide Crows. I will be honest, I had my doubts whether Collingwood could pull something out of the bag and win this one, but after a dodgy first half, we managed to come back and win by a few goals. So we will be back next week to see if we can beat St. Kilda in another elimination final.

Other than the football it has been a busy week for both Al and I. I think Al would agree with me in saying that this is the busiest semester he has had in terms of uni assignments combined with the requirements of his internship. He is managing very well though and Im impressed with some of the web development work he has been doing. For me, I have been busy this week also with the small clinical drug study I proposed finally getting full approval. The committee took their time getting back to me so the deadline we have set for the results of this study is fast approaching!

Last night Al and George ventured into the city to watch Scotland play Macedonia. Sadly, as some of you would be aware, Scotland did not win. By the time I arrived with Jan to the pub to catch up with the guys, there were many a scot screaming at the refs and looking very disappointed with how the game was going. Lets say I learnt a few more scottish swear words last night and it wasnt by choice :p Anyway, we are crossing everything from body parts to house furniture and plants for a win against Iceland on Wednesday. Put it this way, it's a long way from our glorious win against France...
Other than watching plenty of soccer and football (I apologise for those who call soccer football) Al and I have been putting together the paperwork we need for Al's new visa application. We almost have everything in place to present at the interview which is on 8th October. Australia will be a better place for keeping a talent and all round great guy like Al here :p

Well I should get off the computer now. We hope you are all well!

x Jo & Al

A day in the life of Allan McKelvie, Professional Student and Jo Spong, Doctor of Alchemy

by Allan McKelvie

It's the 1st of September, the first day of springtime down under and usually this joyous time is associated with blossoming flowers, brighter days and birds singing. But I had a traumatic experience when going for lunch - a pigeon had been run over just as i turned the corner, and I arrived to see the immediate aftermath. Of course, my main concern was not getting splatted by its guts as other cars seemed to make no attempt to avoid running over it again. Gruesome.

Still, I managed to recover and wolfed down my delicious lunch of Bruschetta and English breakfast tea. Well, there's little time for sentiment when you're as focused as I am...

Another major feature of Melbourne spring is sporting climax - particularly the finals of the Footy season (aussie rules) and the Melbourne Cup. Our team Collingwood have scraped into the finals but we're not very confident of progress. They are a commonly known as a team of little class yet lots of money. A bit like Paris Hilton. Favourites this year are reigning champs Geelong, who have romped the league (confused? its the way they do it here, they play a full league season then the top half of the table go into the finals), although Hawthorn are a decent side too. I dont think we'll manage to go along to the Melbourne Cup this year - havent been along yet. Its just before the end of my semester in early November, and we're skint too! We might manage a wee flutter though.

I'm working 2 days a week at another Uni here doing an Internship, and it's been good so far. Although keeping up this facade of pretending to know what I'm talking about can only last so long... :) I have 9 more weeks at Monash Uni where I am attempting to construct a fancy website using my recently gained programming skills. Nae bother.

We had a few friends over at the weekend. Very pleasant, not least because of the delicious roast chicken that Jo made for us all. Stuffed with lemon, garlic, rosemary and lemon-thyme, it was like edible gold and it went down a treat, washed down with some coopers pale. I've been meaning to make a stock and then a soup out of the leftover bones, but that requires a bit of time which I dont have much of these days.

Time for bed now. We're recording the Da Vinci Code, probably watch it on the weekend. I've read the book which i found quite readable so will be interested to see if Hanks and co can do it justice.

Bonsoiree to all. Here's hoping I dont have pigeon nightmares.

Al and Jo