Sunday was a really nice day.
It began with church - which was nice. A little sad because it was all about mothers and mine wasn't there to celebrate with, but it was good to get a little extra reminder of how great moms are. And mine is pretty much awesome.
Following church, Esther brought me back to the flat where my flatmates were cooking lunch for me! We had planned to have a nice lunch together and I had asked Eddie to cook Pad Thai - my favorite. Ariel made some fish - which was REALLY good. And for those of you that know me, I'm not a huge fish eater. And I made some of my favorite pasta that mom had sent over (see... look how great my mom is!). It was really nice. After eating the main meals we dug into the remaining cake (see May 7th's blog for more information on this international cake). However, before we dug in, we had to light up the candles and sing happy birthday. And what better way to do that than with a singing candle?! Unfortunately - or fortunately, you could look at it both ways - the candle wouldn't stop singing once the flame was blown out. Hilarity ensued and we all just laughed for a few minutes until pulling the candle out of its little stand. And now I think it's broken forever. :( Oh well.... we got some laughs out of it!
After lunch Esther brought me to the shopping center where I hoped I would be able to find a place to cut my hair. Problem was that it was Sunday.... things close on Sunday. Many of the salons were closed all day or closing as I arrived. So, no hair cut. But I did get my nails done. And that was nice!
That night we met up with a few people at El Torito in West End. Look at the pictures in the video and you'll know that it's NOTHING like the El Torito Californians are used to. It was a little hole-in-the-wall place with pretty lousy service. But the food wasn't bad at all! Aside from the spelling of a few things ("quezadila" and "tamal"???) and an odd looking tostada (the "salad" you see on the plate in the video is really a tostada... basically a small crispy tortilla with black beans and literal salad topping it off) it was respectable Mexican food.
You will also notice in some of the pictures that we brought a friend along with us - in the form of a picture. :) That's because Maija wasn't able to with us. No, she's not dead. She's just in Maine. :) But I wanted her there, and I wanted her to be a part of it, so she was there....... in picture form.
Everyone else that was there:
Esther, Sally, Sharon, Karmel (girls from Lifegroup)
Frida and her brother Benjamin
Blake (a friend from all my classes - he's from Texas so we have stuff in common to talk about while in class....... paying close attention to the professors as they give their lecture of course)
It was a really nice night.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Byron Bay 2008
Today was a really nice day.
It started around 7am. Most people would think that waking up at 7am on a Saturday would equate a crappy day - but this was for a good reason.
At 8:30am Frida picked me up and we were on our way down the coast to Byron Bay. Last time I was there was with Maija, Maria and her friend for two days. Remember that blog? We initially were going to stay in a run down, hippie backpackers and decided to pick up and leave for a different, much nicer place. And then it rained a lot while we were there.
Well... this time around we were only there for the day... and it was GORGEOUS. The weather forecast called for clouds and cool, but it was clear and warm pretty much the entire time we were there.
Frida's brother is in town for a few weeks, and they were heading down there anyway and asked if I would like to tag along. There's no way I could pass up an opportunity to get away for a bit.
We got there around 10:30am and went straight for the Lighthouse. We took a little hike up the hill, and when we reached the top we treated ourselves to some delicious ice cream: Mango Macadamia and Strawberry.... mmm. mmm. mmmmm.
After our trip to the Lighthouse we hit the beach for a few hours. Again, BEAUTIFUL. Frida and Benjamin (brother) got in the water, but I stayed nice and warm and dry on the sand.
Following our sunbathing, we walked around the shops.
And finally, we met up with Frida's friend for dinner - and we got HUGE Chicken Burgers. I should've taken a picture of it now that I'm think about it.... it was MASSIVE!! I did, however, snap a picture of the mustard bottle. Notice what type of mustard it is.
Birthday tomorrow!!! Lots of things happening... I'll fill you in later! :)
It started around 7am. Most people would think that waking up at 7am on a Saturday would equate a crappy day - but this was for a good reason.
At 8:30am Frida picked me up and we were on our way down the coast to Byron Bay. Last time I was there was with Maija, Maria and her friend for two days. Remember that blog? We initially were going to stay in a run down, hippie backpackers and decided to pick up and leave for a different, much nicer place. And then it rained a lot while we were there.
Well... this time around we were only there for the day... and it was GORGEOUS. The weather forecast called for clouds and cool, but it was clear and warm pretty much the entire time we were there.
Frida's brother is in town for a few weeks, and they were heading down there anyway and asked if I would like to tag along. There's no way I could pass up an opportunity to get away for a bit.
We got there around 10:30am and went straight for the Lighthouse. We took a little hike up the hill, and when we reached the top we treated ourselves to some delicious ice cream: Mango Macadamia and Strawberry.... mmm. mmm. mmmmm.
After our trip to the Lighthouse we hit the beach for a few hours. Again, BEAUTIFUL. Frida and Benjamin (brother) got in the water, but I stayed nice and warm and dry on the sand.
Following our sunbathing, we walked around the shops.
And finally, we met up with Frida's friend for dinner - and we got HUGE Chicken Burgers. I should've taken a picture of it now that I'm think about it.... it was MASSIVE!! I did, however, snap a picture of the mustard bottle. Notice what type of mustard it is.
Birthday tomorrow!!! Lots of things happening... I'll fill you in later! :)
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
VIDEO BLOG - Birthday Surprises
My birthday's not for another 4 days and the fun has already begun!!!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Buddha's Birthday Celebration
Never in my life did I ever think I would attend Buddha's Birthday Celebration. But Eddie asked me if I might be interested in going. It would be more than acknowledging Buddha, it was a huge festival with music, food, markets, and entertainment with some Buddha worshipping - or whatever it is that they do - mixed in every now and then.
I was planning on hanging out with Frida on Friday night in Southbank anyway... and it just so happened that the festival was located in South Bank. So Eddie, his friend and I rode the bus out to Southbank and met up with Frida (who had just finished up a class out in the city) on Friday night. We walked around, grabbed some food and then sat down to watch some of the entertainment. It was actually really interesting.
They had some stuff set up: pictures and statues etc. And there was this one little section - you'll see it in the video - that had a watering trough with little dolls standing in it. People would walk up to it, scoop up some water in a little spoon thing and pour it on the little doll. Eddie explained it to me as pouring water on Buddha. You would pour water on Buddha's left shoulder and it would give you good luck. I passed on watering the Buddha and went on to grab some food.
After the entertainment: music, lion dancing and kung fu, there was the Offering of Light to Buddha. Everyone that participated was given a candle. They placed it on the ground and walked away. I didn't really understand the significance of it, but it looked pretty cool. Following the offering of light, people were given the opportunity to water the Buddha again - this time in the plaza.
It was a very interesting night. I'm glad Eddie invited me, but it's still something I just don't understand. Buddhism just seems like it's based on a lot of wishful thinking, luck and inner peace.
Here's the video to get an idea of what the night was like:
I was planning on hanging out with Frida on Friday night in Southbank anyway... and it just so happened that the festival was located in South Bank. So Eddie, his friend and I rode the bus out to Southbank and met up with Frida (who had just finished up a class out in the city) on Friday night. We walked around, grabbed some food and then sat down to watch some of the entertainment. It was actually really interesting.
They had some stuff set up: pictures and statues etc. And there was this one little section - you'll see it in the video - that had a watering trough with little dolls standing in it. People would walk up to it, scoop up some water in a little spoon thing and pour it on the little doll. Eddie explained it to me as pouring water on Buddha. You would pour water on Buddha's left shoulder and it would give you good luck. I passed on watering the Buddha and went on to grab some food.
After the entertainment: music, lion dancing and kung fu, there was the Offering of Light to Buddha. Everyone that participated was given a candle. They placed it on the ground and walked away. I didn't really understand the significance of it, but it looked pretty cool. Following the offering of light, people were given the opportunity to water the Buddha again - this time in the plaza.
It was a very interesting night. I'm glad Eddie invited me, but it's still something I just don't understand. Buddhism just seems like it's based on a lot of wishful thinking, luck and inner peace.
Here's the video to get an idea of what the night was like:
Monday, April 28, 2008
MetroFest
I'M ALIVE!!!!!!!!
I'm so sorry that it's been so long since my last post. Twenty days!!!! Man, this month's flown by! And that's not necessarily a bad thing. But then again, it could be bad... seeing as how I only have 6 weeks to finish all my projects. And actually, they're starting to diminish slowly. I now only have my presentation and the 3 papers left. So that's something!!
Other than assignments and work, life has been pretty uneventful. Except for this past weekend. This past Friday was ANZAC Day (abbreviated for 'Australia, New Zealand Army Corps'). It's a day to remember all the troops that have fallen in battle in past years - most notably those killed in combat at Gallipoli (a bit like Normandy). So we had the day off of classes... and I'll try to make this make sense: because Friday was a holiday and they wanted to balance out classes, we had Friday classes on Thursday instead of Thursday classes. So I didn't have class on Thursday! Instead I went down to the Gold Coast.
Thursday and Friday the Worth's church (the Worth's are my friends that live in the Gold Coast - Bec's family) had a big birthday event. The church celebrated its two-year birthday. To do so, they invited Colorado paster, John Bevere to speak, Australian Idol runner-up, Matt Corby to perform, and British Christian band, Delirious to give two concerts! And let me say, Delirious is amazing. I loved them when I was younger, and then kind of almost forgot about them... not really forgot, but just never really stayed up to date with. But they are great! They're new album is wonderful (even bought a t-shirt).
It was a really great two days. Busy but great. A nice break to the norm.
In addition to my recent outing to the Gold Coast, more news includes the return of the mosquitos. Apparently they went on vacation and now they're back and very very thirsty. I started getting bites when I was down on the Gold Coast. And they must have followed me back to my room, cause I've been getting even more. The tally is as follows:
- 2 on right foot, 4th toe
- 2 on right ankle
- 1 on right heel
- 1 on bottom of right foot
- 1 on bottom of left foot
- 1 on back left thigh
- 1 on right pinky
- 1 on top of right hand
- 1 on right forearm
- 1 on right elbow
- 1 right outside of right armpit
- 1 on left side of neck
- 1 on right backside of neck
- and i'm pretty sure, 1 on top of my head
I keep spraying bug spray... but it just doesn't seem to help. I don't know what to do. Just waiting for them to get sick of my blood. *sigh*
No big plans this week except maybe start on papers, work, and go see 'Iron Man' sometime.
I'll try to post a little more often and try not to wait twenty days until my next post.
I'm so sorry that it's been so long since my last post. Twenty days!!!! Man, this month's flown by! And that's not necessarily a bad thing. But then again, it could be bad... seeing as how I only have 6 weeks to finish all my projects. And actually, they're starting to diminish slowly. I now only have my presentation and the 3 papers left. So that's something!!
Other than assignments and work, life has been pretty uneventful. Except for this past weekend. This past Friday was ANZAC Day (abbreviated for 'Australia, New Zealand Army Corps'). It's a day to remember all the troops that have fallen in battle in past years - most notably those killed in combat at Gallipoli (a bit like Normandy). So we had the day off of classes... and I'll try to make this make sense: because Friday was a holiday and they wanted to balance out classes, we had Friday classes on Thursday instead of Thursday classes. So I didn't have class on Thursday! Instead I went down to the Gold Coast.
Thursday and Friday the Worth's church (the Worth's are my friends that live in the Gold Coast - Bec's family) had a big birthday event. The church celebrated its two-year birthday. To do so, they invited Colorado paster, John Bevere to speak, Australian Idol runner-up, Matt Corby to perform, and British Christian band, Delirious to give two concerts! And let me say, Delirious is amazing. I loved them when I was younger, and then kind of almost forgot about them... not really forgot, but just never really stayed up to date with. But they are great! They're new album is wonderful (even bought a t-shirt).
It was a really great two days. Busy but great. A nice break to the norm.
In addition to my recent outing to the Gold Coast, more news includes the return of the mosquitos. Apparently they went on vacation and now they're back and very very thirsty. I started getting bites when I was down on the Gold Coast. And they must have followed me back to my room, cause I've been getting even more. The tally is as follows:
- 2 on right foot, 4th toe
- 2 on right ankle
- 1 on right heel
- 1 on bottom of right foot
- 1 on bottom of left foot
- 1 on back left thigh
- 1 on right pinky
- 1 on top of right hand
- 1 on right forearm
- 1 on right elbow
- 1 right outside of right armpit
- 1 on left side of neck
- 1 on right backside of neck
- and i'm pretty sure, 1 on top of my head
I keep spraying bug spray... but it just doesn't seem to help. I don't know what to do. Just waiting for them to get sick of my blood. *sigh*
No big plans this week except maybe start on papers, work, and go see 'Iron Man' sometime.
I'll try to post a little more often and try not to wait twenty days until my next post.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Melbourne Video
And now for the quick video of Alison and my trip to Melbourne.
Just as a reminder: we arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon. It started raining later that afternoon, so we ended up staying in for the night (we did venture out to grab some food however - and took a little tour of the city from Bec's car). The following day was dedicated solely to the Great Ocean Road. Friday we were so exhausted that we ended up sleeping in until noon, not getting out until 1pm. And we had to fly out by 10:15 (the airport being 45mins away). So we crammed as much as we could into the few hours that we had in the city. And not having much planned, we ended up just walking around randomly. We stopped for some coffee and later some more coffee and cake. But we mostly just looked at buildings. Bec got off work around 6, I believe, and we headed over to Southgate for some dinner. And then we were off to catch our flight.
Also... just a little story about our flight back. We ended up not getting done with dinner until about 8. We walked back to Bec's apartment and still had to pack a little. I don't think we really left until about 9 or so. We stopped for petrol (gas) and then got a little lost. If you read above, you'd notice that our flight was at 10:15pm and the airport was 45mins away. So let's do some math here..... 9:15 plus 45mins is..... yeah... 10pm. LUCKILY... when we finally got to the airport, we were told that the flight had been delayed an hour. However, that didn't stop wonderful Darlene at the check-in counter from slapping our hands with a ruler a little bit. We got quite the little reprimand. So, God was on our side that night. Otherwise we'd probably have ended up staying the night at the Avalon airport, catching the next flight in the morning.
Just as a reminder: we arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon. It started raining later that afternoon, so we ended up staying in for the night (we did venture out to grab some food however - and took a little tour of the city from Bec's car). The following day was dedicated solely to the Great Ocean Road. Friday we were so exhausted that we ended up sleeping in until noon, not getting out until 1pm. And we had to fly out by 10:15 (the airport being 45mins away). So we crammed as much as we could into the few hours that we had in the city. And not having much planned, we ended up just walking around randomly. We stopped for some coffee and later some more coffee and cake. But we mostly just looked at buildings. Bec got off work around 6, I believe, and we headed over to Southgate for some dinner. And then we were off to catch our flight.
Also... just a little story about our flight back. We ended up not getting done with dinner until about 8. We walked back to Bec's apartment and still had to pack a little. I don't think we really left until about 9 or so. We stopped for petrol (gas) and then got a little lost. If you read above, you'd notice that our flight was at 10:15pm and the airport was 45mins away. So let's do some math here..... 9:15 plus 45mins is..... yeah... 10pm. LUCKILY... when we finally got to the airport, we were told that the flight had been delayed an hour. However, that didn't stop wonderful Darlene at the check-in counter from slapping our hands with a ruler a little bit. We got quite the little reprimand. So, God was on our side that night. Otherwise we'd probably have ended up staying the night at the Avalon airport, catching the next flight in the morning.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Great Ocean Road Video!!!
Sorry it's taking me so long between posts and videos.
The semester is in FULL swing and assignments are beginning to build on top of each other. And what's more is I got a job!!! That's right! QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Center) hired me. So I'm working 20 hours a week there. Just started this past week. It's nice, good people and great atmosphere. I'm only a Food and Beverage attendant, but I figure I really don't need anything too substantial. I mean, I'm only allowed 20 hours, and I'm studying, so what good is it to really put myself in a job that's really hard.
With that said, posts will probably start to dwindle a bit. I was looking at my planner tonight and I'm beginning to get a little stressed actually with what I have to do, and how little of time I have to do it. To give you and idea, I have about 2 months to complete the following:
(2) 1500 word short answer reports
(1) 1500 word proposal
(1) case study presentation
(3) 4000 word essays
So it's gonna be a crazy 2 months. And it's not like I've been putting everything off!! I haven't received the questions to the short answers yet, we just talked about the case study presentations and what is supposed to go into them, and two of the essays' topics are given (which won't be handed out until about 2 weeks before they're due). CRAZY professors!!!
So prayer is needed!!!
But while you wait and wait and wait for another blog to be posted, please enjoy these videos of the tour Alison and I took on the The Great Ocean Road. We went through a tour group called 'Go West'. Our captain was Simon - a wonderful gentleman with a keen interest in music. Throughout the journey he played music that corresponded with what we were experiencing and viewing. It was great!! I'd recommend it to anyone!
I decided to split them into two parts so as not to overwhelm those of you that read this while at work.
ENJOY!!!!
The semester is in FULL swing and assignments are beginning to build on top of each other. And what's more is I got a job!!! That's right! QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Center) hired me. So I'm working 20 hours a week there. Just started this past week. It's nice, good people and great atmosphere. I'm only a Food and Beverage attendant, but I figure I really don't need anything too substantial. I mean, I'm only allowed 20 hours, and I'm studying, so what good is it to really put myself in a job that's really hard.
With that said, posts will probably start to dwindle a bit. I was looking at my planner tonight and I'm beginning to get a little stressed actually with what I have to do, and how little of time I have to do it. To give you and idea, I have about 2 months to complete the following:
(2) 1500 word short answer reports
(1) 1500 word proposal
(1) case study presentation
(3) 4000 word essays
So it's gonna be a crazy 2 months. And it's not like I've been putting everything off!! I haven't received the questions to the short answers yet, we just talked about the case study presentations and what is supposed to go into them, and two of the essays' topics are given (which won't be handed out until about 2 weeks before they're due). CRAZY professors!!!
So prayer is needed!!!
But while you wait and wait and wait for another blog to be posted, please enjoy these videos of the tour Alison and I took on the The Great Ocean Road. We went through a tour group called 'Go West'. Our captain was Simon - a wonderful gentleman with a keen interest in music. Throughout the journey he played music that corresponded with what we were experiencing and viewing. It was great!! I'd recommend it to anyone!
I decided to split them into two parts so as not to overwhelm those of you that read this while at work.
ENJOY!!!!
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