A promise is a promise

Thought I should probably explain the last one.. as Shelley and I were walking back to start unpacking the car I saw this Teddy on the road. When I went to move him to the side, (not wanting him to get run over!) his legs fell off. I can't tell you how disturbing it was. I didn't mean to hurt him I swear it!

Small but really good things..

So in my last post I was talking about small things, and how while they won't ever add to make us truly happy they can be quite useful in making life easier and a lot more fun. It seems God is on a mission to prove the point.

Let me tell you about only the last few hours of last night as an example.

1. I decided that being new to the city I should stop taking buses and walk around a bit more getting to know the area.. firstly, unlike the rest of the week it wasn't raining! Then I got lost, but used my 'phone a friend' card, and got found again.

2. I went to coffee with a friend who blessed me with a card thingy so I can buy my groceries next week! Just the right thing, at the right time! I had been praying for exactly that the night before.

3. I was given a package sent from a friend in London with hundreds of different facinating clippings from newspapers, a couple of magazines, a georgous card, and generally lots of lovely things that said I've been thinking of you.

4. I was given a bed! (Well, ok, I was told that there was a bed that I could come and pick up, she didn't actually give it to me on the spot!! ;-)

5. Then as I got home I finished reading the second book of the Mark of the Lion series (seriously good) and the ending was perfect; not too mushy, not too hard.

And this was all in a 4 hour period! So today is Friday, and day 5 of my new job. Everything is good, great actually.

Small things.

The saying that the way to happiness is to get excited by the small things in life, and now while this is obviously crap, the theory will still work to make life a little more interesting. I've always got excited by the little things, but yesterday morning before I started work it was just all on.

First, God showed me the most amazing sunrise over the water as I was walking to the bus stop. I tried to take a photo to capture the moment, but it just wouldn't work. You know when the sun tries to burst through the thick (seperated - and thus australian) rain clouds, and just produces the most amazing colouful rays of sunshine??

Then, I got to the city super (like an hour) early, and went to go read somewhere, but on the way came across chanel 7's recording studio. There they all were, all my favourite Sunrise buddies, filming as I watched! Talk about cool, tried to wave to you Kate, but Nat was doing the news, and they were looking all serious. How cool, you had better believe I be walking that way every morning, even if it does take another 10 mins, somethings, some small things, are worth getting excited about!

Homeless... not me!!!

Was wondering what the opposite of homeless is.. whatever it might be: homefull, homehave.. whatever it is that's me. I HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE!!!

And in true style, God didn't just give me any place, oh no, this is by the beach, with a heated pool out the back, a nice big aussie home, with wait for it... ocean views!!

I love blogs, where else can you brag to the whole world??!!

Thank you for your prayers! Will definately post photos soon, (I know I've said that before, I mean it this time though, really I do!)

I'm an aunty!

Just had to show you all the photo of my first nephew Leonardo. Isn't he the most amazingly beautiful baby that you have ever seen. He's Lia and Eduardo's first (my host sister and brother in Brazil) and I can't wait to get over there to introduce myself!

Got it!

It's all happening!

After saying no to a million (ok, about 5) things that just weren't right, I got the call yesterday to say I got the job I wanted! It's right in the middle of the city, working for a big company, doing logistics / coordination, and the best bit.. the hours are 8-4, so every day in the summer I will be on the beach by 5pm!

I am going to have a look at another house tomorrow, two streets back from the beach, which sounds awesome! I have been so amazingly blessed to be able to stay here with Amy and Shelley, and will actually be a little sad to go as their good company is just a little too easy to get used to, but I want to live at the beach, and God has been answering everything at the moment with a resounding yes. So I am going to keep believing for the best!

How funny that soon I will have a permanent address and a job to go to everyday. I think it is going to be quite a shock to the system!

Got to check this!!

This would have to be one of the best things I've seen in a bit... Check it out.. Should really quote the source.. this one is all Ems..

www.whiteboydj.com/babygotbook.html

And while we're here.. Did you see the score on the Rugby??

Generosity?

As I was standing at the bus stop this morning a man in a purple car, with purple interior and a red beret stopped and asked me if I would like a lift to the Junction. Now while that was where I was heading, and the buses are stupidly irregular, for some reason I just didn't feel right getting in... was he just being generous? Are we becoming too skeptical for our own good? Can you really trust a man who likes purple that much? I took the bus, and instead listened to two old women yell at each other (not through anger, just mutual deafness) about which stop they were going to get off at. Maybe we should all learn sign at school, at least then when we are all deaf we will be able to let other public transport users go in peace...

Interesting travel experiences are becoming a bit of a theme for me at the moment, last night on my way home I tried to hail a cab, and was getting quite annoyed when one driving passed slowed down to look at me but didn't stop, I mean, I wasn't wearing all purple, I looked quite normal, was wearing the traditional interview suit (maybe it was the ugly bag.. ??? hmmm.. hadn't thought of that one..) but as the car drove passed it all became clear.. this was no cab, oh no, I my infinite wisdom I was attempting to hail a NRMA truck (Roadside assistance for those not from Oz)... If this is what happens when I have my glasses on what hope is there really??

Sydney

Funny, it has been less than a week, yet it seems like years.. how is it that days seem to teach you more and take longer when you don't know what is going to happen during them??

This week has just been amazing. Photos will follow (I think I might have said that before..) but conference was just huge. There were 26,000 delegates by day, and two night sessions with another who knows how many people in them. It was just so good to see and feel how important the local church was to everyone there. Big things are happening, and it is amazing to be apart of it.

I am at the Central Coast (sorry Ringo, you were wrong.. it's near Gosford, and some weird place called The Entrance...) staying with Amy. My thought was that there is always time to go job hunting, and when you get the opportunity to go and see stuff you should go.

I watched a TV program last night where they take everything you eat during the week and place it on a table infront of you.. don't think about this too long if you want to enjoy your food, but it is quite a concept. This week, my table is going to hold mostly fruit and veg if it's the last thing I do... and maybe just one or two TimTams.. you need a little bit of something every now and then!

Safe and Sound

Got into Sydney last night on lovely Buisness Class flight from Melbourne. Have now decided that this is the way forward and that there is no more Economy flying for me... Probably lucky that I hadn't discovered this earlier ;-)

My wonderful cousin was there to pick me up at the airport, and helped me mission the ginormous bags home on the bus. She has the most lovely house at Rose Bay, such a homely place. Then we were up at 5.30 for a run to Bondi and made it in time to see the sun just pretending to come up over the skyline. Can it get any better than this??

Conference starts tonight, and have been busy trying to get into contact with everyone so we can all meet up. So looking forward to seeing the guys from London, just want to convince myself that it did all really happen, and it wasn't just some sort of elaborate dream. Plus rumour has it that some hugs were sent with these guys.. so definately looking forward to cashing in!

The guys next to me's phone just rang, his ring tone is of his kids screaming "Daddy pick up the phone!!" How cute is that!!

Off to adventure some more.. will try to get back here to blog this week, but not sure that I will make it.. Love to all

The things you see..

Thought I would drop a line to all you (blogies - thanks to Rox for that one..) and let you know what has been going on. This week has envolved many many cups of tea and coffee in all the groovy little cafes around the place here. As a diehard Starbucks fan I think I have almost been swayed by the personality of some of the independant places around here.

Melbourne really does seem to have some real personality to it. No one really seems to know how to park, but I guess they make up for it with their amazing ability to negociate Trams and left turns from right lanes.. I took Pees's car for a quick spin, nearly died, twice, lucky she didn't see or hear..

I got out the suitcase this morning, and started to think about packing again, didn't act on those thoughts.. one step at a time I say. But off to Sydney tomorrow ready for conference to start on Monday night. Can't wait honestly.

As for the photo, we saw this on the way back from wedding dress shopping today (luckly you all know me well enough to know we were not shopping for me ;-) as saw this drowned clown. Not the most common thing and not something I could just walk passed. So thought I'd share. There has to be a lesson in there somewhere about still smiling even when you're head is underwater.. Guess he still had a good view of the stars.. (tears, I know..)

Melbourne

I had thought, that having spent the last 2 years in London I would be a little better prepared for the cold of Melbourne. It was rubbish, this place is freezing. I don't know if it is the single glazing, the lack of central heating, or the fact that until yesterday I didn't own any closed in shoes, but each day I find myself lovingly hugging the bar heater, while dressed in 3 pairs of socks, flannel PJ's, 2 shirts, 1 jumper and my multi-coloured beanie lovingly chosen by Ringo's parents. Needless to say I'm the best dressed kid on the block, but who cares, it's freezing!

Turns out Melbourne is kinda cool. On Monday I went exploring, while I carried a map for extreme circumstances, I maintained my theory or always turn left and managed to discover some cool stuff.

There was this one bike store I went into where the guy started telling me about his plans to take his girlfriend to Tangalooma where he was going to propose. Weird that he would choose to share, the whole story took about 20 mins. Guess it was a lonely place to work...

Aside from that I went with Pees to listen to her talk about water samples. Also very interesting, who would have thought there was so much to say about water??

Going this arvo to see some beach somewhere, (please excuse the lack of detail, that's never really been my strong point!) ;-) which should be great as it's almost 8 degrees, so it should be a lovely day to get some sun! Will let you know.

The Wedding

You will have to excuse the angle of the photo, please just turn your heads to the left. I know that isn't much of a spirit of excellence, but I am not on the fastest of computers, and am not willing to wait another 10 mins for another photo to load.

Aside from all that, this is my mothers wedding!! It was a total hit. Mum looked absolutely beautiful; the rain held off all day, the food was fantastic, as was the cake!

After a slightly stressful week it was wonderful to be able to celebrate in style and that we did. It was only when I went to upload the photos this morning that I found the "extras" my family had lovingly taken of me in bed framed with a bottle of red! It wasn't me, I swear!

Anyway, more stories will follow detailing the adventures in Melbourne. But for the moment I am missing all you londoners more than I thought possible! Love to all

It's all about the Mullet

I totally forgot to mention one of the main activities of this weekend... I did it, I went for my 1st non-Kimbo haircut since my return to Oz. Scary, scary stuff.
If I thought I was sporting a mullet when I left London then I was seriously mistaken. This is the mullet to end all mullets.
I also have what my very camp colorist called a "halo of cooler darling". Interesting, it all looks very interesting...

How many cups of tea is too many??

I drank 9 cups of tea on Sunday. 9. And yesterday, I had 7. Found a website that told me that at my current weight I had to drink 351.09 cups before I'd die.. (Curious?)http://www.energyfiend.com/death-by-caffeine/ After leaving London I have been very strong in reducing my starbucks intake, and last week I had none at all. None. Not one. Proud??

Other exciting things rather than just tea drinking went on this weekend.. I bought a new handbag!! Was asked if I was "over 30 and single" by a man that personified all that is wrong with today's church. Collected another sister from the airport. And managed to eat a gooey chocolate Sundae while driving and talking on my hands free! Life is won one small success at a time!

Today is my last day of work. And while I have complained often about the lack of activity, the thought of not having endless hours to sit and dream of things to look up on the net is quite daunting. While I'm on the subject, can I recommend my personal favorite? songtapper.com

So once again I am unemployed. Or in transition as we say. Transitioning from one job to another, one city to another, one church to another. Bring it on I say. Sydney is going to be cool.

A Weird Form of Theatre

I went to the Brisbane International Airport this morning to meet Elissa and Bapi as they flew in from London. The day for me started at 5.15 am, and while I am usually ok with early starts this morning I was not. Luckily for me (and mum) there was a coffee shop which made a passable caramel latte!
When we went to stand at the gate I saw the strangest thing. There were these rows and rows of chairs, set up like a movie theatre. Instead of a screen there were big double glass doors which would open intermittently to release the latest pair of travelers. It was weird. It just felt wrong.
The lady sitting beside mum and I seemed quite friendly, and was willing to engage in a conversation about the awkward height of the barricade (designed to keep us 'welcomers' out of the restricted areas) which blocked the faces of those waiting to be welcomed, but from the other welcomers there was nothing but animosity.
While in London I told every one who was willing to listen that we were a lot nicer in Australia. It's not true, it's just not. Everyone who comes to London always talks about getting on the tube, and how strange it is that no one looks at anyone else, or speaks to them.. Well I don't know what city they're comparing London too, coz they certainly don't talk here.
I took a photo of Elissa and Bapi coming in this morning, and in the foreground you can clearly see a girl with an jealous snarl on her face.. Well it's not my fault that my family came through first. It was not a personal attack on her. What a meanie.
I don't know why I am so obsessed with people being nice to each other at the moment. I just am. Would it hurt to smile a bit??

Finally Friendly..

Giving up on something has never been my strong point. After receiving some feedback about my apparent obsession with rule making (you will be glad to know that I also believe just as strongly in breaking the rules as I do making them.. even managed a glass of champagne before the previously stipulated midday cutoff!) I decided that it wasn't much good me just complaining about things. That if it upset me so much I should try and do something about it!

So... While swimming I have been campaigning to chat with people or at least get them to manage a hello. After all, a lane is not such a large space, and if we are going to have to share it with 4 others, we might as well be friendly about it.

My first attempt on Tuesday went terribly... A guy got into my lane just before I was coming in for the turn at the shallow end. I was torn between stopping to say "hi, welcome to the lane, how you going" or just keeping going till I had finished my set of 10, or maybe just a quick smile would be enough...

Turns out it was ALL wrong... as I came in for my turn I decided to go with the friendly welcoming smile (I am a Host after all!), problem being I did it half way through the turn, so what he saw was a crazed girl, desperate for breathe with oversized blue goggles half full of water (creating the fish tank effect) hair in a total bum-part poking her head out of the water to look up at him with a frenzied smile.

He looked scared. Seriously frightened. Not at all apreciative of my welcoming efforts.

But, not to be put off I tried again. Last night I saw a girl who obviously was getting that horrible cramp you get in your big toe, so I stopped, calmly at the end of my set, said hi and gently enquired about the cramp, which led into friendly conversation about salt deprivation. See we can be nice, and not only to bus drivers!

Long Weekends...

This weekend marked my 1st long weekend back in the land of Oz. When presented with the delightful news my first reaction was to get busy planning how I was going to spend the three days away from work. But thinking about it, I decided that the best plan was to have no plan.

And apart from keeping a few major commitments I was just going to do what I felt like doing.
I know that this might not sound like a novel concept to some, but for a long time now I have been used to planning every hour, and it has been wonderful to just play things by ear.

I can't say how good it has been to be back in the same city as my family (well, most of them anyway). It's just awesome to be able to flow from one family gathering to another. My latest decision is that my family is cool. Profound, I know.

I have also realized recently that I only have another 2 weekends left in Brisbane, so suddenly I am faced with the thought of packing again! Luckily that by now I have moved so many times that I don't actually own that much anymore!

Enough random thoughts for now. Love to all!

There should be rules!

I have recently decided to take up swimming again. (I can say this now as I have been more than 3 times. I have decided to "take things up" before but found if they don't last more than 3 visits then it's really just not going to happen.)
After my 4th trip to the pool after work, on what is supposed to be a relaxing time of contemplation I am beginning to get some Swimmer's Rage. It drives me nuts. Some people just don't seem to know the rules

1. There should be no kick-boards in the fast lane. When you are doing kick, you are going SLOW not FAST, so move over honey!
2. No-one should be allowed to swim butterfly when sharing a lane with others. Esp if you are a large Bapi-sized man.
3. And I think we should talk more. Funny, I tried to chat with the girls in my lane last night, and they just stared.. What, don't want to be friendly?? Why can we say hi to the bus driver and have a good chat with him, yet it's not ok to chat with the fellow swimmers?
4. We are not in Europe. One must exercise decency when using the changing rooms!

I'm not usually for rules. Actually, that might be a lie, I think I am for rules. Rules can be good. Like, don't leave your crap around the flat when living in a share house (I could actually hear the sigh of relief when I left # 48!) And always get a hair cut once your sideburns reach below your jaw line (mine is going to have to happen next week, although I live if fear of another hair-dresser aside from Kimbo) .
I get that these things might only be important to me. And I get that you cannot control the behavior of others. And I get that I should remove the log from my own eye before try to get the spec from another’s. But I also get that I now have a Blog. Where I can post whatever I want. The perfect ranting space! What an awesome concept!

Not to be out-done!

I was a little suppressed to see the flurry of blogging activity over the past few days. I'm all for it to be honest. Although I was a little put out by my sisters ability to change the color of the text and post a photo. After spending most of the weekend trying to convince myself that it is ok, and I don't need to compete on every level, it is now 8.56am Monday morning, and I am about to post my first photo!
Where does this need to not be out-done come from??
Many of you know my good friend Angela. One day while innocently traveling on the tube to Leatherhead she put out a challenge for me to "surf" all the way. (this is where you stand in the middle of the train, holding you host shirt on a hanger, backpack on the shoulder, and fall about the cabin in a stubborn refusal to hold on!) We once travel the full 45 mins to Leathers that way. What would posses someone to do that? The same thing I suppose that makes us try to be the first one to call our mothers on mothers day (for the record, I gave the first hug, first happy mothers day, and was the only one to give flowers this year!!) the same thing that keeps us running at 5.30 when the sun hasn't even bothered to get up yet, and that makes the retail world go round.
That last one is a bit of a sore spot at the moment. I went to try and find a new bag over the weekend, the need for which I believe was quite justified (please refer to the previous blog). But came home with a new pair of trousers and 4 new tops, and still came to work this morning with the moldy black strappy box.
A friend has come to the rescue (as God always seems to have them do!) and voluntered to come bag and shoe shopping with me on Thursday. I will be sure to let you know how it goes!