We went to the movies today - quite an interesting experience.  We saw Lincoln which both Susan and I found to be very moving and impactful.  For me I was very aware of sitting in another country, on another continent watching the movie.  It placed my own sense of being a US citizen in clear relief.  Not sure what that means exactly but it seemed to magnify the uniquely American issues and characteristics that I saw running through the movie and recognize in me.  I'm not sure if I would have had the same reaction watching it in the US?  Who knows.

I was able to spend the afternoon yesterday at the Bouverie Center.  This is a prominant family thereapy center in Australia which is located in Melbourne and is connected to the School of Public Health at La Trobe University which is also where the department I am affiliated with (Counseling & Psychological Health) is located.  Bouverie is operates as a stand alone agency in a different part of the city .  However they also have a clear focus on research and teaching.  They offer several post-graduate degrees through Bouverie including a Certificate in Narrative Therapy.  I was thrilled to learn in my conversation with Jeff Young, the director, yesterday that they have developed a particular focus on single session therapy.  Jeff shared a number of great resources with me which I will be excited to bring home.  This has been a great discovery since it resonnates so well with me and fits well with the models I teach.  I'll be spending a number of Friday mornings at Bouverie sitting in on the Narrative Therapy seminar. 

We also went to St. Kilda this last week.  St. Kilda is a near suburb to the south of the CBD. It sits on Port Philip Bay along the #96 tram.  It is a lively, wonderful, colerful community which presents a very different flavor than many other suburbs (everything is called a suburb here).  In fact each part of the city seems to have it's own color and feel, it's own character that is unique.  The city seems to me as a collection of colors and sounds, a quilt pieced together.  Not sure if there is an overall story or pattern yet - or if it's a loose collection of unique pieces.

 The entrance to Luna Park - an old amusement parkin St. Kilda

 St. Kilda Pier

 There is a nice view of the Melbourne skyline across Port Philip bay from the pier.

 St. Kilda Pier

 

 A view of the beach from the pier.  That is the Palais Theatre on the right.

 

 Cricket is a big sport here - you see it being played everywhere. Still not sure I understand it but we're going to a professonal match  soon - to say I did if nothing else.

 

 Just a quirky store.

 

Inside a great Polish bakery.  One thing they are not short ofhere is great bakeries.