Here's the Sydney Video!
It's pretty self-explanatory, but if you have any questions as to what we did, just ask and I'll add to the blog as necessary.
So much happened that day.
The video isn't really in chronological order, it's more categorized by subject (ie: all Opera House pictures I've saved for the end of the video) :)
Please enjoy.
The Melbourne/Great Ocean Road video is now in the process of being made, and will be followed shortly thereafter with a short video of Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Those will have further explanation made of them, as I didn't really write about either of them. :)
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Next stop: Melbourne
Today Alison and I had to say goodbye to Sydney, and we moved on to our next destination: Melbourne, Victoria. The flight was fine (sat by a smoker, and got a headache) and we arrived at the Avalon airport, just about 45mins south of Melbourne, where we caught a bus into the city.
We got into the city where we met up with Bec (my penpal from the Gold Coast that is now living in Melbourne) and she showed us to her apartment. Just as we got inside it started to rain, so we decided to just relax for the evening. We eventually got hungry and sought out for food.
So far it's been nice. Melbourne's a bit of an artsy town, but it's nice - quaint, but not too quaint. :) I'll have to post pictures to explain.
I should get going to bed. Already 11pm and we have to get up early for a LONG day on the Great Ocean Road.
Until then, I will leave you with two pictures from our trip to Sydney. It was at the end of the day and it had rained a bit, so we (mostly me) both look a little tired/disheveled. So, my apologies. But seriously, I don't care - because look at where we are!!!! It's absolutely beautiful!!! And I still can't believe that I actually got to see it. It's still a dream.
We got into the city where we met up with Bec (my penpal from the Gold Coast that is now living in Melbourne) and she showed us to her apartment. Just as we got inside it started to rain, so we decided to just relax for the evening. We eventually got hungry and sought out for food.
So far it's been nice. Melbourne's a bit of an artsy town, but it's nice - quaint, but not too quaint. :) I'll have to post pictures to explain.
I should get going to bed. Already 11pm and we have to get up early for a LONG day on the Great Ocean Road.
Until then, I will leave you with two pictures from our trip to Sydney. It was at the end of the day and it had rained a bit, so we (mostly me) both look a little tired/disheveled. So, my apologies. But seriously, I don't care - because look at where we are!!!! It's absolutely beautiful!!! And I still can't believe that I actually got to see it. It's still a dream.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
SYDNEY!!!
so much Sydney today. and not a lot of time to talk about it (6mins left already).
so i'm not going to really say much except:
we saw the bridge, we saw the opera house, and I almost cried. :)
it was a really good day. with actually pretty fair weather. didn't really start raining until around 5pm or so.
we're off to find a great dinner spot.
look forward to the video when you go back to work next week monday :)
so i'm not going to really say much except:
we saw the bridge, we saw the opera house, and I almost cried. :)
it was a really good day. with actually pretty fair weather. didn't really start raining until around 5pm or so.
we're off to find a great dinner spot.
look forward to the video when you go back to work next week monday :)
Monday, March 24, 2008
planes, trains, and... buses.
we made it into Sydney.
this morning was pretty horrible though. i'm an idiot and forgot my passport in my room. it wasn't until Alison said something on the bus on the way to the train station that i remembered. so we got off at the next station, waited for the 10:07am bus back to campus. went got back to campus at 10:16am. i RAN to my room and got my passport, got back in time for the 10:30am bus back to the train station. we got to the train station JUST as the train arrived, but we didn't have tickets, so we missed it. waited for the 11:25am train to the airport, our flight was departing at 12:45pm. we got on, got to the airport at 12, pretty much walked right into the airport, no problems and got on the airplane. and WE'RE HERE!! yay!!! the hotel isn't that great. no internet in the rooms, i'm on a kiosk in the lobby (i have 1min left).
we went to Darling Harbour, which was nice, lots of people and restaurants - and had dinner. then walked around the city for a bit. i like it. there's lots of people and buildings and sounds. i'm super excited about tomorrow. we bought an Explorer ticket. it's a bus that you can hop on and off of at 27 different stops (Opera House, Bondi Beach, lots of places). so i'll let you know how that goes. (i have 20secs)
sorry.. no pictures today - although we took some pretty awesome ones.
we'll do a video at the end!!
Gnight
this morning was pretty horrible though. i'm an idiot and forgot my passport in my room. it wasn't until Alison said something on the bus on the way to the train station that i remembered. so we got off at the next station, waited for the 10:07am bus back to campus. went got back to campus at 10:16am. i RAN to my room and got my passport, got back in time for the 10:30am bus back to the train station. we got to the train station JUST as the train arrived, but we didn't have tickets, so we missed it. waited for the 11:25am train to the airport, our flight was departing at 12:45pm. we got on, got to the airport at 12, pretty much walked right into the airport, no problems and got on the airplane. and WE'RE HERE!! yay!!! the hotel isn't that great. no internet in the rooms, i'm on a kiosk in the lobby (i have 1min left).
we went to Darling Harbour, which was nice, lots of people and restaurants - and had dinner. then walked around the city for a bit. i like it. there's lots of people and buildings and sounds. i'm super excited about tomorrow. we bought an Explorer ticket. it's a bus that you can hop on and off of at 27 different stops (Opera House, Bondi Beach, lots of places). so i'll let you know how that goes. (i have 20secs)
sorry.. no pictures today - although we took some pretty awesome ones.
we'll do a video at the end!!
Gnight
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Alison in Brisbane
I'm so sorry, but today is going to have to be short. We did too much, took too many pictures, and not it's time for bed.
Today Alison and I went into the City:
1. Phantom of the Opera - at the Queensland Performing Arts Center
2. Walked through South Bank
3. Rode on the City Cat - boat that goes up and down the Brisbane River
4. Walked up and down Queen Street
5. Did some souvenir shopping
6. Met up with Esther
7. Ate some dinner at an awesome Pancake place that was built inside an old church.
Tomorrow's Easter. We're planning on going to church. And what's wonderful is that Ariel and Eddie (flatmates) are coming too!! Hopefully they're ears will be open and they'll understand everything that is said. Maybe just say a little prayer for them that they'll be able to process everything and that God will just open up their hearts.
Today Alison and I went into the City:
1. Phantom of the Opera - at the Queensland Performing Arts Center
2. Walked through South Bank
3. Rode on the City Cat - boat that goes up and down the Brisbane River
4. Walked up and down Queen Street
5. Did some souvenir shopping
6. Met up with Esther
7. Ate some dinner at an awesome Pancake place that was built inside an old church.
Tomorrow's Easter. We're planning on going to church. And what's wonderful is that Ariel and Eddie (flatmates) are coming too!! Hopefully they're ears will be open and they'll understand everything that is said. Maybe just say a little prayer for them that they'll be able to process everything and that God will just open up their hearts.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Alison is here!!!
Alison has arrived in Australia!
I've been planning for a week now for Alison's arrival: making sure everything is properly cleaned, figuring out where she's going to sleep, what we're going to be doing, and most of all, how I was going to be picking her up. So this morning I woke up at 6am to get ready to catch a bus to the train station, then a train to the airport to "pick up" Alison whose flight arrives at 6:45am. The first bus scheduled is at 6:54am - so I know I'm going to be a little late. I'm sitting waiting for the bus and 6:59 rolls around. I'm waiting waiting waiting... and all of a sudden a wave of panic and fear passes through my body. I remembered that today was a public holiday: Good Friday, and buses don't run on the normal schedule! I ran to the timetable to find that the first bus going through to the city would be arriving at 9:30am!! I freaked. First person to call was mom - she had told me that Alison would be calling her upon landing, so it'd be good for her to know that I'm going to be late. Second to receive a call was Esther - the greatest girl in the world - who woke up right away and told me she'd be on her way. Third call was back to mom to let her know things were okay. It took me awhile to calm down... but everything was fine. Esther was so great.
We got to the airport and I walked around the arrival area looking for my sister. I turned around and THERE SHE WAS! At the phone, trying her best to call me. :) I came up behind her and gave her a huge hug!! It was so great to see my sister!!
We drove back to campus. Alison got a kick out of driving on the wrong side of the road. But other than that, it was all "pretty normal". She said it feels like Indiana. :)
So... it being a public holiday, everything was closed leaving pretty much nothing for us to do. So the first day seemed a bit boring - sorry Alison. We walked around campus so I could show her where I'm studying. We came back to the room and ate some lunch. Then we decided we'd take in a movie at the theatre. Hopped on a bus and got to Garden City (shops were closed, but the movies were still running).
Upon arrival we quickly decided that we wanted to see 'Vantage Point'... but not in just any ordinary cinema... in Gold Class (dum dum dummmmm). Gold Class is pretty much awesome. If you plan it out in advance, you can get there early, order dinner, wine, dessert and have it all given to you in the theatre, while you recline in your very own recliner. We got there just as the movie started so we didn't order anything, but the chairs were wonderful!!! Wish I could say the same for the movie, but it was entertaining all the same.
Got back around 6:30pm and I tried my hardest to keep Alison awake for as long as possible. Although she nodded off here and there, she did stay awake until 10.
Tomorrow is the city! Hopefully it'll be a little more eventful.
I've been planning for a week now for Alison's arrival: making sure everything is properly cleaned, figuring out where she's going to sleep, what we're going to be doing, and most of all, how I was going to be picking her up. So this morning I woke up at 6am to get ready to catch a bus to the train station, then a train to the airport to "pick up" Alison whose flight arrives at 6:45am. The first bus scheduled is at 6:54am - so I know I'm going to be a little late. I'm sitting waiting for the bus and 6:59 rolls around. I'm waiting waiting waiting... and all of a sudden a wave of panic and fear passes through my body. I remembered that today was a public holiday: Good Friday, and buses don't run on the normal schedule! I ran to the timetable to find that the first bus going through to the city would be arriving at 9:30am!! I freaked. First person to call was mom - she had told me that Alison would be calling her upon landing, so it'd be good for her to know that I'm going to be late. Second to receive a call was Esther - the greatest girl in the world - who woke up right away and told me she'd be on her way. Third call was back to mom to let her know things were okay. It took me awhile to calm down... but everything was fine. Esther was so great.
We got to the airport and I walked around the arrival area looking for my sister. I turned around and THERE SHE WAS! At the phone, trying her best to call me. :) I came up behind her and gave her a huge hug!! It was so great to see my sister!!
We drove back to campus. Alison got a kick out of driving on the wrong side of the road. But other than that, it was all "pretty normal". She said it feels like Indiana. :)
So... it being a public holiday, everything was closed leaving pretty much nothing for us to do. So the first day seemed a bit boring - sorry Alison. We walked around campus so I could show her where I'm studying. We came back to the room and ate some lunch. Then we decided we'd take in a movie at the theatre. Hopped on a bus and got to Garden City (shops were closed, but the movies were still running).
Upon arrival we quickly decided that we wanted to see 'Vantage Point'... but not in just any ordinary cinema... in Gold Class (dum dum dummmmm). Gold Class is pretty much awesome. If you plan it out in advance, you can get there early, order dinner, wine, dessert and have it all given to you in the theatre, while you recline in your very own recliner. We got there just as the movie started so we didn't order anything, but the chairs were wonderful!!! Wish I could say the same for the movie, but it was entertaining all the same.
Got back around 6:30pm and I tried my hardest to keep Alison awake for as long as possible. Although she nodded off here and there, she did stay awake until 10.
Tomorrow is the city! Hopefully it'll be a little more eventful.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A good day.
Usually Thursdays aren't really wonderful. Today, on the other hand, was quite enjoyable.
It started out normal - waking up, getting ready for class - and then, while I was eating breakfast, I got to talk to/see my new favorite person!
Isn't she adorable!!! I LOVE that I can see her and talk to her and hear her!! She's fantastic. And even though when mom went to get her a bottle and the first thing I wanted to say was "I'll hold her!", only realizing that there's no way that can happen, it's still pretty awesome that I can be so far away and still get to talk to her. She still doesn't really understand what's going on when Auntie Andie's on skype, but it's cool for me!
During class I got a call - which I obviously did not take in class. While on a break, though, I checked my messages and I had gotten a call from QPAC requesting me to call them back. When I called them back, Louise - HR - told me that they would be happy to have me aboard. Wonderful thing is that they don't need me to start working until April 1st - which works perfectly with my schedule because Easter break is next week and I don't want to work yet! So: I HAVE A JOB!
After class, I went to check my mail, and I GOT A PACKAGE!! I love getting packages!!! :) It makes me feel so special! So I brought it back to my room and opened it up. And inside I found:
With it was a note that read:
"To help you sleep like a baby. :) Love you! Miss you! - Beth, Matt & Katie"
See, about a week ago I had a night where I just could not sleep. I woke up at 1, then 2, then 3:30 and then decided I'd just get up and sit at my computer for a bit. I found Beth online - at work, cause it was around 11am in California at the time - so I sat and talked with her on Instant Messenger for an hour. She asked if she needed to get me a Sleep Sheep. She had gotten one for Katie. It's a little sheep that plays soothing ambient noise like a stream, rain, the ocean and whale noises. I thought it was a cute idea, but I didn't realize that I'd actually get one!!! And I LOVE IT!!! It's so small and cute, and so soft. I plan on using it tonight. We'll see how well it works. :) THANK YOU BETH!! You're such an awesome sister.
And yet one more reason why today was a good day... ALISON COMES TOMORROW!!! She's actually on a plane RIGHT NOW on her way here!!! And I'm so very very very excited. So tomorrow there will be pictures of both of us on the blog!!! It's so cool that I'm going to be able to show someone around. Someone's actually going to be able to see how I live. :) She arrives at 6:45am... which is awesome because the first bus to the city doesn't come until 6:54am. :) So I might be a little late. But she's coming!!!!!!!!!!
So excited.
It was a good day.
It started out normal - waking up, getting ready for class - and then, while I was eating breakfast, I got to talk to/see my new favorite person!
Isn't she adorable!!! I LOVE that I can see her and talk to her and hear her!! She's fantastic. And even though when mom went to get her a bottle and the first thing I wanted to say was "I'll hold her!", only realizing that there's no way that can happen, it's still pretty awesome that I can be so far away and still get to talk to her. She still doesn't really understand what's going on when Auntie Andie's on skype, but it's cool for me!
During class I got a call - which I obviously did not take in class. While on a break, though, I checked my messages and I had gotten a call from QPAC requesting me to call them back. When I called them back, Louise - HR - told me that they would be happy to have me aboard. Wonderful thing is that they don't need me to start working until April 1st - which works perfectly with my schedule because Easter break is next week and I don't want to work yet! So: I HAVE A JOB!
After class, I went to check my mail, and I GOT A PACKAGE!! I love getting packages!!! :) It makes me feel so special! So I brought it back to my room and opened it up. And inside I found:
With it was a note that read:
"To help you sleep like a baby. :) Love you! Miss you! - Beth, Matt & Katie"
See, about a week ago I had a night where I just could not sleep. I woke up at 1, then 2, then 3:30 and then decided I'd just get up and sit at my computer for a bit. I found Beth online - at work, cause it was around 11am in California at the time - so I sat and talked with her on Instant Messenger for an hour. She asked if she needed to get me a Sleep Sheep. She had gotten one for Katie. It's a little sheep that plays soothing ambient noise like a stream, rain, the ocean and whale noises. I thought it was a cute idea, but I didn't realize that I'd actually get one!!! And I LOVE IT!!! It's so small and cute, and so soft. I plan on using it tonight. We'll see how well it works. :) THANK YOU BETH!! You're such an awesome sister.
And yet one more reason why today was a good day... ALISON COMES TOMORROW!!! She's actually on a plane RIGHT NOW on her way here!!! And I'm so very very very excited. So tomorrow there will be pictures of both of us on the blog!!! It's so cool that I'm going to be able to show someone around. Someone's actually going to be able to see how I live. :) She arrives at 6:45am... which is awesome because the first bus to the city doesn't come until 6:54am. :) So I might be a little late. But she's coming!!!!!!!!!!
So excited.
It was a good day.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The Feeling of Home
I was "stuck" in my room all day today, albeit by choice really, and felt that I should maybe get out and do something fun to relax my mind. So I texted Sally to see if she'd be interested in seeing a movie with me. Thankfully, she was available. So by 6:15pm I was on a bus headed for the Garden City Shopping Centre to meet up with Sally to see 'Definitely, Maybe'.
We grabbed some soda and "lollies" and took our seats. The lights dimmed and the movie began.
Truth be told, I actually really enjoyed the movie. It's everything I was expecting and everything I really wanted to see at that given time. Cliche, romantic, happy, mind-numbing entertainment where I didn't have to think, and I could just let myself go and take on the lives of others for a time just short of 2 hours.
And you know what... it's a funny thing...
when the movie is playing and I'm swept up into the lives of these other people, I completely forget how far away from home I am, how much I'm missing everyone. Because I am at home. The darkened theatre could be filled with the most random people, but they're all experiencing the same thing - just as everyone at home would be experiencing the same exact thing. I could very well be sitting in a theatre at home. It's all the same feeling and I get lost in it.
But the really strange feeling is when the music starts to swell, the credits begin to roll, the lights come on and I hear an Australian accent behind me and all in one tiny mili-second of a moment I'm reminded how far away from home I am, and how much I'm missing everyone, and how I don't get to go back to my own room and my own bed.
It's a great escape, but it doesn't last.
But for that time - just short of 2 hours - I get the feeling of home.
We grabbed some soda and "lollies" and took our seats. The lights dimmed and the movie began.
Truth be told, I actually really enjoyed the movie. It's everything I was expecting and everything I really wanted to see at that given time. Cliche, romantic, happy, mind-numbing entertainment where I didn't have to think, and I could just let myself go and take on the lives of others for a time just short of 2 hours.
And you know what... it's a funny thing...
when the movie is playing and I'm swept up into the lives of these other people, I completely forget how far away from home I am, how much I'm missing everyone. Because I am at home. The darkened theatre could be filled with the most random people, but they're all experiencing the same thing - just as everyone at home would be experiencing the same exact thing. I could very well be sitting in a theatre at home. It's all the same feeling and I get lost in it.
But the really strange feeling is when the music starts to swell, the credits begin to roll, the lights come on and I hear an Australian accent behind me and all in one tiny mili-second of a moment I'm reminded how far away from home I am, and how much I'm missing everyone, and how I don't get to go back to my own room and my own bed.
It's a great escape, but it doesn't last.
But for that time - just short of 2 hours - I get the feeling of home.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Train to the Gold Coast! (aka: Happy Birthday Bec)
This past weekend I was able to take a break from campus and schoolwork (not like I'm really into schoolwork right now) and make a trip to the Gold Coast. Most of you may remember Bec - the girl that brought me to Australia, the penpal of 10+ years - her family lives in the Gold Coast. Bec currently lives in Melbourne, but it was her birthday today (HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEC) so she was up here visiting and celebrating and she invited me down to join her.
So I conquered another first: First time on the Australian train!!
The Gold Coast is about an hour's train ride from the City. What was needed for this trip was a bus ride from campus to South Bank (not quite into Downtown Brisbane) and then a train from South Bank to Robina (the end of the line). I was super nervous, but it actually turned out perfectly fine. Everything was very clearly marked, and I just followed people around that looked like they were going to the beach! Once I neared my stop (an hour later) I gave Bec a ring so that she would meet me at the station.
The weekend was great. So nice to be in a family setting.
Saturday night we did some shopping and then went out with some of Bec's friends to celebrate. The night started off with an attempt at a bonfire on a very dark beach. After a walk through the bush for maybe 10mins - without a flashlight - we stumbled upon a secluded beach that looked beautiful, but was extremely wind engulfed. After some scare tactics by one of the guys and a 'Scream' mask, we decided it wouldn't be worth it to build a fire and turned around and went back to the cars. The next idea was to hang out at a cute little cafe down the road. However, upon arrival we discovered they were closed. *bummer* Finally, we decided upon a more open beach with easier access. So we set up camp, so to speak, put down a few blankets, listened to music, ate some chips, chocolate and lollies and hung out for a few hours. It was very soothing, in fact most of us fell asleep eventually. :) We did end up going back to the house and sleeping in beds however.
Sunday was equally as nice. It started out with church a Metro (went there last time I was in the Gold Coast for my very first weekend in Australia). It was a great sermon about the Worldy (or flesh) and the Godly. There were points that the pastor brought up and put together that I had never really connected and it was just so refreshing.
For instance: Many non-believers (and even some believers) find it hard to reason why God doesn't just intervene when bad stuff happens. Why does he allow bad things to happen? Why does he just let bad people stay here and continue to do bad things? The answer given was that God HAS intervened with the sending of Jesus Christ. He sent His Son to save us. Because if God DID intervene now, "the God of perfection would see us all as guilty" for 'All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23) and His justice would send us where we deserve. He sent Jesus Christ so that we have a choice. We have ALL fallen, there is sin in the world and we are bound to fail and fall, but we now have a choice of freedom through Jesus Christ, who does not condemn. "Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11).
I knew it all, but the way he connected everything together was like I was hearing it for the first time all over again.
Sunday continued with lunch at a little cafe on the beach followed by a nice walk and conversation with Bec. And then I was off on the train again back to campus.
A very nice weekend.
God's pretty awesome. And I still can't get over how He concocted Bec and my relationship. :)
So I conquered another first: First time on the Australian train!!
The Gold Coast is about an hour's train ride from the City. What was needed for this trip was a bus ride from campus to South Bank (not quite into Downtown Brisbane) and then a train from South Bank to Robina (the end of the line). I was super nervous, but it actually turned out perfectly fine. Everything was very clearly marked, and I just followed people around that looked like they were going to the beach! Once I neared my stop (an hour later) I gave Bec a ring so that she would meet me at the station.
The weekend was great. So nice to be in a family setting.
Saturday night we did some shopping and then went out with some of Bec's friends to celebrate. The night started off with an attempt at a bonfire on a very dark beach. After a walk through the bush for maybe 10mins - without a flashlight - we stumbled upon a secluded beach that looked beautiful, but was extremely wind engulfed. After some scare tactics by one of the guys and a 'Scream' mask, we decided it wouldn't be worth it to build a fire and turned around and went back to the cars. The next idea was to hang out at a cute little cafe down the road. However, upon arrival we discovered they were closed. *bummer* Finally, we decided upon a more open beach with easier access. So we set up camp, so to speak, put down a few blankets, listened to music, ate some chips, chocolate and lollies and hung out for a few hours. It was very soothing, in fact most of us fell asleep eventually. :) We did end up going back to the house and sleeping in beds however.
Sunday was equally as nice. It started out with church a Metro (went there last time I was in the Gold Coast for my very first weekend in Australia). It was a great sermon about the Worldy (or flesh) and the Godly. There were points that the pastor brought up and put together that I had never really connected and it was just so refreshing.
For instance: Many non-believers (and even some believers) find it hard to reason why God doesn't just intervene when bad stuff happens. Why does he allow bad things to happen? Why does he just let bad people stay here and continue to do bad things? The answer given was that God HAS intervened with the sending of Jesus Christ. He sent His Son to save us. Because if God DID intervene now, "the God of perfection would see us all as guilty" for 'All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God' (Romans 3:23) and His justice would send us where we deserve. He sent Jesus Christ so that we have a choice. We have ALL fallen, there is sin in the world and we are bound to fail and fall, but we now have a choice of freedom through Jesus Christ, who does not condemn. "Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin" (John 8:11).
I knew it all, but the way he connected everything together was like I was hearing it for the first time all over again.
Sunday continued with lunch at a little cafe on the beach followed by a nice walk and conversation with Bec. And then I was off on the train again back to campus.
A very nice weekend.
God's pretty awesome. And I still can't get over how He concocted Bec and my relationship. :)
Friday, March 7, 2008
Brisbane has skyscrapers!
Today I did something a little bit different, and headed into the city. I decided that I'm going to have to go the city more often, just to get myself off campus and out of Nathan (the city I live in). Downtown is so much more fun. There's so much more to look at and there's so much going on! So I'm going to try to make more trips there.
So today I went. The main purpose was to turn in my resume at the Queensland Performing Arts Center (QPAC), but I thought it would be nice to walk across the bridge and take a stroll in the city. It was such a beautiful day, I just couldn't pass it up.
So here's a little of my excursion today... enjoy!
A look from the walk over the Cultural Center. Looking towards Downtown.
A look back to QPAC while walking across Victoria Bridge.
Corner of the Queen Street Mall.
There ARE very tall buildings in Brisbane.
Story Bridge (on the other side of town)
Ferry boat and strange looking bird at Riverside.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!!
So today I went. The main purpose was to turn in my resume at the Queensland Performing Arts Center (QPAC), but I thought it would be nice to walk across the bridge and take a stroll in the city. It was such a beautiful day, I just couldn't pass it up.
So here's a little of my excursion today... enjoy!
A look from the walk over the Cultural Center. Looking towards Downtown.
A look back to QPAC while walking across Victoria Bridge.
Corner of the Queen Street Mall.
There ARE very tall buildings in Brisbane.
Story Bridge (on the other side of town)
Ferry boat and strange looking bird at Riverside.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Last first week here... done.
It's another Wednesday!
I had my second class today - Media Audiences. It was interesting. I'm a little more nervous about this one than I was about my first class. I'm afraid that I'll have to put a little more thought and effort into this class. More research, more reading. The class surrounds the idea that the tangible audience is really disappearing with the evolution of technology and new outlets of media (such as the Internet, mobile phones) and interactivity of media (youtube, blogs, webisodes). It's the research of the new "audience". Sound confusing? Yeah... I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to write a 4000 page paper and give a presentation on it.
While on a quick break during class, Wendy (my professor) entered the room and asked if any of us were interested in Indigenous creatures, because there was enormous reptile outside. Of course I jumped out of my seat, grabbed my camera and ran outside. I was expecting a snake, but instead I found a giant Goanna.
Other than class, my day was fairly relaxed.
I bought a printer. Yippee! It's actually very nice not having to rely on the computer room that is provided for the PostGrads. Before I went home for holidays the room had 5 computers and 3 printers - 2 of which didn't really work and the remaining being touch-and-go. Sometimes it would work perfectly, while other times you would pray for ink to come out of the cartridge just so that you could finish printing your assignment. Now the computer room consists of 5 computers - 3 of which won't even turn on, and 1 that's not hooked up to a printer. The remaining computer IS hooked up to a computer, however when you are finally given the chance to print (because that's the computer everyone is using) the computer, for some reason, only wants to print one of the 3 documents that you need to print. Oh... and it takes about 10 minutes for the computer to boot up.
So yeah... having a printer will be very nice. I've already printed 5 documents. :) It was wonderful. OH! And did I mention it's a combination printer/scanner/copier?? Yeah. Pretty awesome. It's the little things that make me happy.
Let's see... class... printer...
I had peek-a-boo chicken for dinner (for those that don't know: it's chicken in a mixture of cream of celery and rice). Took 3 hours to bake, so putting it in at 5pm wasn't the best idea. I was hungry by 6 and didn't eat until 8. But it was delicious.
And then, to finish of the evening, at about 8:30, while I was washing dishes, the fire alarm went off!! We were instructed to leave the building immediately and meet and the Emergency Assembly point. Two fire trucks came and everything. So exciting! Turns out the girl in the flat above ours left her stove going - I'm assuming something was inside - and smoke filled the flat. Nothing burned. Just got smokey. Too bad for her, she has to pay $800 for setting off the alarm and making the fire department come. (Note to self: do not set off fire alarm)
Hope everyone's doing well!!!
You can email me and let me know what you're doing too! I'd love to hear from you!
I had my second class today - Media Audiences. It was interesting. I'm a little more nervous about this one than I was about my first class. I'm afraid that I'll have to put a little more thought and effort into this class. More research, more reading. The class surrounds the idea that the tangible audience is really disappearing with the evolution of technology and new outlets of media (such as the Internet, mobile phones) and interactivity of media (youtube, blogs, webisodes). It's the research of the new "audience". Sound confusing? Yeah... I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to write a 4000 page paper and give a presentation on it.
While on a quick break during class, Wendy (my professor) entered the room and asked if any of us were interested in Indigenous creatures, because there was enormous reptile outside. Of course I jumped out of my seat, grabbed my camera and ran outside. I was expecting a snake, but instead I found a giant Goanna.
Other than class, my day was fairly relaxed.
I bought a printer. Yippee! It's actually very nice not having to rely on the computer room that is provided for the PostGrads. Before I went home for holidays the room had 5 computers and 3 printers - 2 of which didn't really work and the remaining being touch-and-go. Sometimes it would work perfectly, while other times you would pray for ink to come out of the cartridge just so that you could finish printing your assignment. Now the computer room consists of 5 computers - 3 of which won't even turn on, and 1 that's not hooked up to a printer. The remaining computer IS hooked up to a computer, however when you are finally given the chance to print (because that's the computer everyone is using) the computer, for some reason, only wants to print one of the 3 documents that you need to print. Oh... and it takes about 10 minutes for the computer to boot up.
So yeah... having a printer will be very nice. I've already printed 5 documents. :) It was wonderful. OH! And did I mention it's a combination printer/scanner/copier?? Yeah. Pretty awesome. It's the little things that make me happy.
Let's see... class... printer...
I had peek-a-boo chicken for dinner (for those that don't know: it's chicken in a mixture of cream of celery and rice). Took 3 hours to bake, so putting it in at 5pm wasn't the best idea. I was hungry by 6 and didn't eat until 8. But it was delicious.
And then, to finish of the evening, at about 8:30, while I was washing dishes, the fire alarm went off!! We were instructed to leave the building immediately and meet and the Emergency Assembly point. Two fire trucks came and everything. So exciting! Turns out the girl in the flat above ours left her stove going - I'm assuming something was inside - and smoke filled the flat. Nothing burned. Just got smokey. Too bad for her, she has to pay $800 for setting off the alarm and making the fire department come. (Note to self: do not set off fire alarm)
Hope everyone's doing well!!!
You can email me and let me know what you're doing too! I'd love to hear from you!
Monday, March 3, 2008
First day of classes for Semester 1 2008!!!
Today I began my second semester of my Post-Graduate career with Popular Film and Music. It started at 9am and ran, with three 5min breaks, until 4pm. So it was a looooong day of screenings and lecture. But all in all, I think it was a fairly good class. My ideal focus in the entertainment industry would have to be the scoring of films, so this is going to be an interesting course for me. I'll hopefully learn quite a bit.
The remainder of my classes will be Media Audiences (Wed) and International Mediascapes (Thurs). I'll let you know how those go.
Other than class, the day was pretty simple. Talked with the family (got to see Katie!) and Bryan. And made some yummy spaghetti for dinner. FINALLY... my appetite is back!
Oh... and what would the first day of classes be without pictures?
The remainder of my classes will be Media Audiences (Wed) and International Mediascapes (Thurs). I'll let you know how those go.
Other than class, the day was pretty simple. Talked with the family (got to see Katie!) and Bryan. And made some yummy spaghetti for dinner. FINALLY... my appetite is back!
Oh... and what would the first day of classes be without pictures?
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Soar on wings like eagles...
Today's a long one... so hang tight...
Some of you already know that I've kind of had a rough past two days adjusting to being back in Australia. For some reason it all just hit hard on Saturday and I began to reconsider sticking it through the remainder of the year. I've calmed down a bit, I've talked to multiple people, and I went to church. And church alone pretty much sums it up... most of me doesn't want to listen to it, but I'll give the next month a go and see where God leads me.
Church this morning was great... as always. I really was looking forward to coming back to Garden City. It almost feels like my church. I always know I'm going to get something out of the worship and the sermon. This morning was no different. The worship began with a song I didn't know, so - on top of being sick - I thought I'd sit it out, well, stand, but not sing. The second song was one that was oh so familiar. A Hillsong worship song called 'You Are My Strength'. The title speaks for itself. The lyrics are as follows:
You are my strength
Strength like no other
Strength like no other
Reaches to me
You are my hope
Hope like no other
Hope like no other
Reaches to me
(We continued to sing with: "You are my peace", followed by "You are my joy")
In the fullness of Your grace
In the power of Your Name
You lift me up
You lift me up
Unfailing love
Stronger than mountains
Deeper than oceans
Reaches to me
Your love O Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Reaches to the skies
The song broke me. I haven't been depending on God for strength as I did all of last semester. Part of me didn't/doesn't want to and just wants to go home. But He got me here... I need to ask Him if He wants me to stay here. But there's more... and I'll try to make is short...
The sermon dealt with Isaiah 40:27-31 (read the whole thing if you can) "...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint". The pastor connected the traits of the eagle to Christianity. How every 10 years eagles would pluck their own feathers out (humorously comparing it to tweezing nose hairs), and to do so they would go out on their own, away from their mate and their eaglets. They would climb to the highest rock, pluck out their feathers, dive into water to clean, then go back to the rock to dry for 40 days, and while waiting would sharpen their talons and prepare their beak. He said this: Allow something to take place that God needs to. Go on your own. Progress cannot take place without pain. Go back to the rock, get alone with God and rest in the presence of the Son.
Yes, I was supposed to hear this sermon.
_______________________________________________________________________________
On a lighter note... I went bushwalking with my flatmate and two other of his friends. It was such a beautiful day, it just couldn't be passed up. So we went on a 5km (a little over 3 mile) bushwalk through the Toohey Forest and saw God's wonderful and not so wonderful creations. :) It was nice to get out and get some fresh air.
awesome little praying mantis. never actually seen one of these just out in nature.
if you look more towards the center you might see a giant spider. it's a little difficult to see. maybe if you click the picture to make it larger. let me know if you see it.
Some of you already know that I've kind of had a rough past two days adjusting to being back in Australia. For some reason it all just hit hard on Saturday and I began to reconsider sticking it through the remainder of the year. I've calmed down a bit, I've talked to multiple people, and I went to church. And church alone pretty much sums it up... most of me doesn't want to listen to it, but I'll give the next month a go and see where God leads me.
Church this morning was great... as always. I really was looking forward to coming back to Garden City. It almost feels like my church. I always know I'm going to get something out of the worship and the sermon. This morning was no different. The worship began with a song I didn't know, so - on top of being sick - I thought I'd sit it out, well, stand, but not sing. The second song was one that was oh so familiar. A Hillsong worship song called 'You Are My Strength'. The title speaks for itself. The lyrics are as follows:
You are my strength
Strength like no other
Strength like no other
Reaches to me
You are my hope
Hope like no other
Hope like no other
Reaches to me
(We continued to sing with: "You are my peace", followed by "You are my joy")
In the fullness of Your grace
In the power of Your Name
You lift me up
You lift me up
Unfailing love
Stronger than mountains
Deeper than oceans
Reaches to me
Your love O Lord
Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness
Reaches to the skies
The song broke me. I haven't been depending on God for strength as I did all of last semester. Part of me didn't/doesn't want to and just wants to go home. But He got me here... I need to ask Him if He wants me to stay here. But there's more... and I'll try to make is short...
The sermon dealt with Isaiah 40:27-31 (read the whole thing if you can) "...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint". The pastor connected the traits of the eagle to Christianity. How every 10 years eagles would pluck their own feathers out (humorously comparing it to tweezing nose hairs), and to do so they would go out on their own, away from their mate and their eaglets. They would climb to the highest rock, pluck out their feathers, dive into water to clean, then go back to the rock to dry for 40 days, and while waiting would sharpen their talons and prepare their beak. He said this: Allow something to take place that God needs to. Go on your own. Progress cannot take place without pain. Go back to the rock, get alone with God and rest in the presence of the Son.
Yes, I was supposed to hear this sermon.
_______________________________________________________________________________
On a lighter note... I went bushwalking with my flatmate and two other of his friends. It was such a beautiful day, it just couldn't be passed up. So we went on a 5km (a little over 3 mile) bushwalk through the Toohey Forest and saw God's wonderful and not so wonderful creations. :) It was nice to get out and get some fresh air.
awesome little praying mantis. never actually seen one of these just out in nature.
if you look more towards the center you might see a giant spider. it's a little difficult to see. maybe if you click the picture to make it larger. let me know if you see it.
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