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!

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?

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.

Australia.... take two.

aaaaand I'm back!! And to be completely honest with you, it's a really weird feeling. Kind of like the whole being home thing was a dream.

I departed LAX at 11:55pm, Monday Feb 25th and arrived in Brisbane early at 7:25am, Wednesday Feb 27th. Oh, but I didn't lose a day completely. My flight actually didn't take off until 12:07am, Tuesday Feb 26th. So there! I did get to enjoy some of Feb 26th.

The flight was okay. I flew Qantas this time around. The terminal was great (Bradley International), and everything went quickly and smoothly. I even got an extra half hour with the family before having to step through security, so that was extremely nice. The plane seemed like it should maybe retire. It was a little old. The first thing to see was a fellow-flyer trying to fix his head rest, only to have it pop off the back of the seat into his bewildered hands. The flight attendants tried to get it to go back on, but ended up having to call in maintenance and everything was remedied. Another reasoning of retirement would be that my light wouldn't light after having pressed the 'On' button several times. And when I pressed the call button to see if a flight attendant could help me, I realized it too was not working. Finally, my movies weren't working properly. They were glitchy, the sound would stutter and the picture were freeze. So I took two Benedryl and slept for 6 or 7 hours. The rest of the flight was fine. No movie meant more Sudoku time for me. I think I only got four puzzles finished, however.

So here I am, in Australia... again.
This time around it's a little easier. Instead of having nothing to look forward to, I now have friends and church to cheer me up. Instead of school leaving me stranded at the airport I have an awesome friend that picks me up with cool signs.

So... it's all good.

I've got my room in order. I've done some grocery shopping (although, my stomach isn't really enjoying food at the moment). And I've defeated the entire moth population of the state of Queensland (or so I wish)... let me explain...
Upon my arrival at my flat I noticed quite a few moths flying around. When I looked at the ceiling I was surprised to find more. When I raised my curiosity to my flatmate, Eddie, he told me that last week was worse. Worse?? And then he proceeded to show me where they were all coming from......... our cupboard, or pantry. He opened the doors and they were flying everywhere. I couldn't believe how someone could let that happen! So I put my foot down and said the moths had to go!! We cleared out all the food, throwing away anything that we thought might have a tiny trace of moth babies in it. Sprayed out the whole thing with bug spray. Wiped it down with cleaner, but not before taking a picture or the disgusting ordeal.

Then again with just a wet cloth. Let it dry, while running around the flat with the vacuum sucking up all remaining moths in sight. Then filled the cupboard back up with the rest of the food. *Phew!!* It was exciting. GROSS. But semi-entertaining. There's still a few survivor moths flying around. But if I can reach them, they die.

Gonna go sleep now, hopefully I'll sleep well through the night.
Tomorrow holds some shopping, but other than that.... well, we'll just have to wait and see.

Until then!

It's time for a Holiday!!!!

This will be my last blog before I head back to California for the holidays!!!
My bags are packed and I'm ready to go!! Took me awhile to figure out what stays in Australia and what goes to the States... but I think I'm done. :) Hopefully my luggage doesn't go over the specified weight. I'm not wanting to pay any extra this time around.

Tomorrow I move out - one day before I fly away - so I'll be staying at Maija's house for the evening. Then come Monday morning I'm on a flight to LA! What's awesome is that my flight leaves at 11:30am Monday morning.... but I arrive in Los Angeles at 10:25am Monday morning. Crazy huh?! Time travel!!!! I'm literally arriving from the future. I'm excited about that.

I don't think I'll be blogging at all when I'm home. So if you want to keep up with what I'm doing for the three months that I'm home - GIVE ME A CALL! :) I am completely ready to have many a conversation of coffee, or lunch, or whatever. :)

I'm looking forward to see everyone!!!

**BLOGGING WILL COMMENCE LATE FEBRUARY WHEN I RETURN TO AUSTRALIA TO FINISH MY STUDIES**

Until then, enjoy a few pictures from our trip down to the Gold Coast this week. Maija, her mom and I stayed at a really nice hotel for the night, did some shopping and soaked up some sun. It was really nice. Nice way to finish off the semester.

Aussie BBQ

This past Wednesday the Nugent family hosted an authentic Australian BBQ :) The occasion was because a few of the girls from Lifegroup - not from Australia - were leaving: Michiko (a girl from Japan), Maria (from Norway), and me (from the States). The other two girls aren't coming back though. Maija's also leaving - which means she wouldn't be able to throw the party when I get back. So it all worked out.

The night was a lot of fun! For the main meal we had a lot of meat cooked are the barbie, sausage rolls and salad. And for dessert we had Pavlova, Lamingtons, ANZAC biscuits and heaps of Aussie lollies. Reeeeally good. :)

After we ate some of the girls hopped up and started showing us how to do the Nutbush - apparently it's a dance that everyone learns in Primary school. So everyone knew it... except Maija... she was having some trouble :)

Following the Nutbush a few girls left and the rest played Pictionary - not quite an authentic Australian game, but fun nonetheless. And me and Maija won! :) Try drawing "bless" or "yes"... they're difficult.

Enjoy the video!!


music by Regina Spektor, "On The Radio"

Palazzo Versace - pigging out on the dessert buffet...

This past weekend my Lifegroup decided to do a little outing. An end of the year - bring Lifegroup to a close - goodbye - safe travels - good luck on exams kind of thing. So Maija has been wanting to go to this dessert buffet at the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast for awhile. When she mentioned it to all of us, we quickly said "yes, we'll go". And the whole getting dressed up? Well... there's an end of the year formal for our youth group, United, that I'm going to be missing... so a few of the girls - including myself, thought it would be a nice replacement for me. :) So we all got dressed up, took three cars and headed down to the coast.

We got there around 8:45pm, quickly got a table. It was so great! The guy that seated us even pulled out the chairs for all the ladies! But we weren't seated very long. Because as soon as the guy explained how everything worked, we were all out of chairs and heading to the dessert table. And man did we have choices! It was great!!

The two guys you'll see in the video are Maija's brother, Ryan and his friend Isaac. It was Ryan's birthday the next day, so we took the opportunity to sing "Happy Birthday" to him while at the table. And we didn't have any birthday candles, so we just used the candlesticks that were on the table. :) You work with what you've got!

We had a LOT of fun. Laughed and pigged out on delicious desserts. The night wasn't over until late, and boy were we tired the next day. But it was worth it!


music by Craig Armstrong, "Ball"