Not much..

You know when you feel like posting something, but there is really nothing to say.. so you wait a few days, hoping the feeling goes away, then it doesn't. You know that you should wait, until something exciting has happened, something even remotely interesting...

But nothing has. Well not true, exciting things have happened this week at least they're exciting in my mind. It's all about perspective I guess.

I slept 9 hours last night. That's right, 9! I even went to work late.. Usually I get there at about 7.20, not today, 9am I arrived. Cruised on it, put my bag down, and went and made myself a cup of tea, just like that.

I was excited. But it's not really blog worthy.

They're funny things blogs. I often wondered why I write one.. Why I keep it updated.. I think Bron and I kinda made a point a few weeks ago, I know what is happening in her life, and she knows where I'm at.. But then other people, non-blog people, some of them I have lost. So do I write this to keep people up to date with what is happening in my life? If so there is a lot more that should be going in here I guess, but who wants to read a fact file?

So I write about whatever. Most times I write about nothing. Who even reads this thing anyway??

I was chatting with Elissa the other day and she told me that she read it. Well I had no idea. I don't know why I didn't think that she would, but I am really glad she does. Hi Lis!

I've realised that you can't think about that one too much. It's dangerous. Think too much about who reads these things and you end up writing nothing. "What will people think???" honestly, I am just beginning to get to the point where I really don't care.

I remember Gary said something like that once, and it totally took me by surprise. I remember thinking, 'but he is the pastor, he is supposed to care about what we think, and then make changes to accommodate'.. talk about off the mark...
1 Cor 4:3 says "It matters very little what you or anyone else thinks.. The Lord Himself will examine me and decide."

Now that's a cool thought, esp since I know what He thinks of me.

Was chatting to Adam just now about this, now fair call, I have a gnome tattooed on my back, and fair call I punched my flat mate, but this is who I am. I know that deep down somewhere Addy loves the fact that I'm not "normal".. hey ads?

Am reading this book by Holly Wagner at the moment, it's called God Chicks, so far it is talking about being a 'b u chick'. It's good, but dangerous. At the moment I live in a house with a whole bunch of girls who are all about being themselves, and it gets kinda wild. I love it. There is something awesome about not knowing what is going to happen, and know that whatever does happen you are going to be laughing about it for ever.

So there you have it. A long (possibly the longest yet) post about nothing. I think this is going to become my new theme. Unless of course Addy and I win another ham at the RSL tomorrow for his Bday. Then we'll be straight back to the news..

Cricket

So it's Saturday afternoon. About 4 pm. It's hot. There is a big bottle of water in front of me. I just had a jaffel with baked beans and cheese. And the cricket is on.

Does life get better??

Oh wait, we're just about to woop England, yes, yes, I think life did just get better.

:-)

Are you Australian or what???

So it all started at about 4.30 am.

We got up, got ready and then went down the beach to watch an amazing sunrise.

After a quick stop at Starbucks we headed to the Opera House to support their bid to become one of the new 7 world wonders. Expecting crowds of 1000's we got there early... talk about over kill. There were honestly about 30 people there, and 10 were staff. And we call ourselves Australians...

But we went, and we supported.

We waved our flags, danced, yelled a bit and I told Sydney what I thought...

Then I went to work, and then picked Kate and Gordo up from the airport, and then I locked my keys in the car, and then I ate Krispy Kremes, and then I went to connect at the beach, and then I went to bed. Tired. But bigger for the experience.

Taking Time

So it has taken me a few days to get to the point where I could post about this.

One of the guys at work had an epileptic fit on Tuesday morning. He was a big guy, and was throwing himself around, yelling, foaming at the mouth and hitting his head against a table.

There was only me and another girl my size there, and we couldn't help him, or stop him from hurting himself.

I ran to get a guy to help us, and he calmed him down while we got the ambulance to come and take him to hospital. But it was horrible. To see someone not be able to stop themselves from hurting themselves like that.

He is all fine now, and we all went out to dinner last night, which was great. For some reason I really wanted to see him ok again, as if I wasn't able to believe it when everyone said that he was ok.

I am going to do a first aid course next week. This is the second time in 3 months that something like this has happened, and next time, I want to know what to do.

Mum used to always say that we should carry the contact details of our friends / family with us when we were traveling, and I used to roll my eyes and move on. But this man needed help, and we knew nothing of his medical history, medication or special needs and had no way of contacting anyone. Mum was right. We need to be a little bit more aware.

Life is what it is. And we are here for the time that we are here. And sometimes you just think about that a little more than you normally do. I know where I am going, and I am so glad for that, more than I can say. But what for those who don't??

Fishes...

There has been a bit of slackness in the camp over the last few weeks, and there hasn't been much running going on. Last Monday I went for a run and nearly killed my self..

Actually, let me digress for a second... I was chatting with Kimbo and Clare last night, and they both said that they don't get heart attack when they run.. but I'm sure it can't just be me.. It's like a stitch, but in your heart. There is like this stabbing pain in your chest area and you feel like your heart is beating double time.. I'm sure it's not just me.. I haven't smoked in ages, and I don't think I could be still suffering the effects.. anyone else get heart attack?? Ever??

Anyway, back to the point. I decided yesterday that I really don't like running much, which is probably why I don't go so much. So I am going to take up swimming again.

I went yesterday afternoon to the ocean pool near my house. It was amazing. I've been swimming in there a few times, but never with goggles on. There is a whole little world under there.. even fishies! (Kimbo, they are small and totally 100% harmless:)

The only problem I found was that without the lines on the bottom of the pool I can't swim in a straight line! Now it doesn't help that there are these crazy waves crashing all over the place and taking you out, or that you are totally distracted by the life under the sea, but who would have thought those lines made any difference???

I was all over the place, swimming into the walls and taking people out.. Who would have thought swimming was a contact sport?

So expect a brown, fit me when you all see me next.. (ok, for those living in Sydney, this might not be the next time you see me, maybe a few more times after that.. but there will definitely be more brown-ness, and more fitness, and hopefully some more coordination...)

A bit of colour...

Thought I would spice up the blog a little... thought it was looking a little drab..

Just finished watching Happy Gilmore, got to love that movie.. Finally got to hear the rhyme again, the one after he smashes the bottle..

He says, "I just may, lay by the bay, with some clay, what do you say.." or something.. anyone know of any web sites that give you movie quotes??

Yeah I won the ham!

It all started on Monday when Addy called. Dinner was suggested, and I love that we didn't even have to talk about where we were going to go.. It was obvious, on a Thursday, you go to raffle night at the RSL.

So we did. And I won.

The story does go a little deeper than that. You see when at the pub I generally choose not to wear my glasses, and before this has never caused a problem... unfortunately (for Adam) last night I discovered why glasses are good and should be worn EVERY time one is trying to read something.

We were all sitting around waiting for the numbers to be called, and I was trying to set some atmosphere, some expectancy, a little bit of faith.. So I was already kinda excited. And then it happened, they read Adam's number! First call and bam, we win! Talk about excited.

I screamed. We all did. I waved my arms in the air, looked around at everyone as if to say "that's right, that's my brother, taking home the ham!" so we sent him right down to the stage to claim his prize.

It was only then that Kimbo mentioned that she wasn't sure if it actually was his number...

Turns out that without glasses on a 1 really can look like a 7.. they both have a down stroke and a little funny bit at the top..

These are all excuses. Adam, I'm sorry. So sorry. I know I said that a lot last night, but at least today I can say it without falling apart laughing.

Anyone keen for a ham salad sandwich, you know where I am..

BackBlog

Thank you Amy for this word that sums up exactly what is going on here. There is soooo much to say and update, every time I think about it it's just a little too much so I post nothing instead.

I've decided to draw a line in the sand and just say nothing about what has been happening. Seems like a good plan to me. As I often wonder who is actually reading this, and really if there is a need to tell the whole story.

I have this theory that creating a blog is actually the worst thing you can do when you move to a new city. There are all these people you leave behind who would normally email you to see how things were going who now just check the blog and get an update. Nothing wrong with that, except most times you have no idea they've done that. Talk about potential for insecurity issues! Lucky for me I'm so arrogant it really is quite difficult for me to be insecure.

I don't really know where I am going with this, but I guess the point is that I miss you too Bron, and I am dying to know how you are enjoying the 'good side' of London, and how the new job is going, and if you are still keeping in touch with Saskia, and when you are going to come and visit Australia... I guess I could email, but at the moment all I do is keep checking your blog and hoping that you are going to one day post the answers to my questions... :-)

Vegas To Syder!

What a trip!!! It was awesome.

Highlights??? Visiting all the churches and seeing how excited they are to get on board with Backpackers! It's awesome. God is building an army.

Staying in a Motel. Never done that before. It was cool. Left something in the car?? No worries, it's just outside the door about 2 m from where you sleep!! Amazing concept.

And just being on the road. It's was awesome to spend time with the girls, and definately fantastic to have Kimbo here!

Life in Vegas

So here we are.. back in BrisVegas... It's awesome..

Went to pick Shelley up from the station last night and my first word of advise was take off your jumper. This place is sooo hot already and it's not even Summer..

Kimbo arrives on Tuesday, and we'll start the road trip on Thursday. Many a photo will follow.

Please excuse the dodgy blogging of late. Will get back in the flow soon.

Yay for Oracle!!

Going to Melbourne on Sunday to visit Pees (and do some training for Oracle)!!! Yay!!

Am going to stay till Thursday, then come back to do washing, and fly to BrisVegas on Saturday!! Yay for travelling!!! Just when you think you are going to scratch your feet off they're so ichy to go somewhere free trips come along!

Excited!!!!

Tears

When I got home last night Clare told me she was deeply concerned that I was have an affect on her. See, the other night we were watching America's Biggest Looser, (for some reason I have a really I like watching it), but I cry. Most of the way through. I cry all the time now. At ads, cards (esp. if they're Hallmark) and I hate to say it, but even Home and Away.

There was a time when Corinne would cry at everything, and I would point and laugh, but it seems that she had had an effect on me, and now I am affecting Clare, and so the world goes round...

Adam sent me this link. And I cried. Sitting at your desk at 7.30am wiping tears from your eyes is not the sign of a stable woman.. or is it?? maybe we all need to cry more. For the moment, I am going to say that we do. No big theological reasons, just a little self-preservation.

It's all so quiet... shhhh... shhhh...

Ok, so I win for being the most computer illiterate 'administrator' on earth.

Was thinking it was getting a little quiet out there. Turns out I'd chosen the wrong setting with the comment moderation, and while Amy was trying to warn me, she was doing so in the comments, which I was unable to see. Luckily for me she reverted to ye old telephone contact last night, and this morning I have been able to rectify the situation.

So apologies, I was not intentionally ignoring all of you, just being a little blonde..

I was just so outraged at the post-spam. I mean really. How rude. As if emails weren't enough. And to make it worse they pretend to have read your blog, they start by complimenting you on your post, trying to get in your good books, well count me out. I am sorry to say but I don't like these people. If you're one of them, please refrain from posting your rubbish on my blog. This is MY space, where I get to talk about ME, it's all about ME, not you, ME, ME, ME!! (Maybe Bron is right, maybe Australia is chaging me... :-)

Hullabaloo to end all Hullabaloos..

Who would have thought that one small post could create such an uproar!

Lesson learnt, no longer will I publicize violent acts on the internet. Although I maintain it was all solicited and therefore in essence not violent, but rather submissive!

I have spent this afternoon / evening on the phone to two amazing friends from London. What a fantastic way to spend the arvo. Got to love it when you can not speak to someone for 6 months, and then just pick up the phone and start right off as if you had never stopped!

Speaking of friends.. am totally excited! Kimbo is coming, and will be here 15 days!!! which means that I got to Brisvegas in 12 days! Which means that I will have my car in Sydney in 20 days! Which means that I will half my trip to church, but more importantly... have some where to sing loudly.

Seriously, flatting with people it's not easy. Where can you sing??? not in the shower, there is too much of an echo, (my singing sounds best when it cannot be heard), not while on your run in the morning (I look crazy enough with the wild hair, let alone the crazy-can't-hardly-breathe-singing) and not while watch idol. I thought the last would be ok, but aparently it's not. So if not here then where??

The answer is in the car, roll down the window, fly down the highway - ok, so in Clemmy (Pees named the car Celmentine in a moment of weakness) in Clemmy it will be more of a roll down the highway and hope for the best.. But Kimbo and I are about to embark on an amazing road trip - my first ever - and I am sooooo excited!

Fight Club

Ok. So before I start today I want to make a few things clear..

1. I am a nice person.
2. All activities were solicited.
3. I have not changed. Nothing about me is different.

With that said. I smacked my flat mate it the face last night.

I should probably start at the beginning. We were sitting around the other night talking about the things we've always wanted.. Lots of things came up, cars, boys, big big houses, but then when I heard a black eye I thought, this is my chance. I've always wanted to punch someone.

I just wanted to know what it felt like. You know, in all the movies where they totally smack someone out?? I always wondered how that felt. It fitted perfectly.

So last night when I came home from work we decided that tonight was the night. We had our connect group coming over, so we decided to do it after. (Believe it or not we actually read Matthew 5????? Maybe that was a sign and we should have stopped there...)

So after connect we were standing in the kitchen, looking at eachother, wondering if either of us would have the guts to go through with this, but by this stage, we'd dared eachother, and there was no backing out.

I thought we should move onto the carpet. I mean, what if I hit her so hard she fell over and cracked her head?? Then there was a massive discussion on what angle I should go for.. upper cut?? or just smack her straight in the head??? Was this going to damage my hand???? Anyway, as you can tell this went on for a while.

Then I smacked her in the head.

Next thing I know she's on the ground. Laughing her heart out. All she kept asking was "Is that it???""

Now in my defence I've never hit anyone before. And I was nervous. I don't think I can do it properly. I really don't. I don't think I have it in me to hurt someone. Even if she wants me to.

So we were up till about midnight last night with all of these shenanigans, and I still don't think I was over it by the time I went for my run this morning. Everytime I think about it I randomly start laughing. Loud. And repeatedly. So now I'm a crazy-laugh-to-myself-flat-mate-basher. Have I changed that much?

Umm...

Am watching Super Size Me at the
moment. I have been meaning to watch it for ages. Very scary.
Have you seen the size of the Super Size Fries???


Am going to leave the full rant to Adam, he does it so well. But just wanted to put my word out there. It's scary. And I pray Australia doesn't go down the same road.

I have been reading The Makers Diet, a book which talks about going back to organics. Although I must admit I did sit on the bus the other day reading this book while eating chocolate bullets... It felt wrong...

Reading this book you realise how little food we eat that isn't actually processed. I, like Pees, have been inspired to eat more fruit and fresh veg. But then when you think about it, most of that isn't organic anyway. Look at the tomatoes you can buy at Coles. So if the fresh fruit and veg isn't right anymore.. then what is ok?

A friend of mine went on a diet a while ago where they are no food that contained numbers in the ingredients. It's tough. There's not so much out there anymore. No milk, no cheese, no cereal, no bread, no juice, definitely no lollies, no spreads, nothing. Just fruit and veg (and they get their numbers before they hit the plate).

The photos have no link to this post, and serve no real purpose other than to try and make the page a little less black, and the post a little less depressing. It worked for me.. guess it's kinda easy to put something bright on the packaging to make the contents look better.

Backpackers United

So this is what has got me hooked and addicted at the moment. I love this vision.

Please check it out.

And feel free to get united.

Sliding Doors

So this weekend is Hillsong Conference Europe. The first one ever. How totally exciting.

It also marks the intended date of my return to the UK. I had said that I was going to be back to host conference...

"And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, 'Today - at the latest tomorrow - we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to make a business and make a lot of money.' You don't know the fist thing about tomorrow.... Instead, make it a habit to say, 'If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that."
1 John 4 msg

And Proverbs 19:21 says "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but its the Lord's will the prevails."

Guess that's it. Still miss London, a lot sometime, definitely miss all my friends there. But this is where I am, and amazing things are going on here. This plan is far better than my original plan. Hurts to say, but it's true.

Someone asked me the other day how my friends felt about the fact that I wasn't coming back. To tell you the truth I had never asked. There wasn't much that any of us could do about it. Most of my friends didn't ask me how I felt about staying in Australia. There was more an underlying understanding that this was outside of the 'plan' and that God was moving things around to suit His plan.

How great to have friends like that. Yeah we miss each other, but what an amazing support! I know that they know that I would have loved to have stayed. And I know that they know that this is the place for me at the moment.

1 Cor 7 : 17
"And don't be wishing you were someplace else, or with someone else, where you are right now is God's place for you. Live, love, obey and believe right there."

It's good sometimes to stop and take a look at where life would be if we would have gone down the different path.. come home an hour earlier to find our husband in bed with someone else! ok, so that was the movie, but you get the point.

Each decision takes us somewhere. Each one is important. But that being said, even if we make the 'wrong' choice we'll still be learning and growing, and that ultimately is what it is all about.

I love the quote that Kimbo has on her myspace "Even if you are on the right track, you'll still get run over if you just sit there!" Awesome. And so true.

Sometimes it's good to just stop and think. I remember one time when we were moving as kids, I must have been about 5 and Dad was in the back of this big truck moving the fridge or something big and heavy. It was in the middle of a Brisbane summer, where it's like 35 degrees and you sweat the moment you step out of bed.. Dad was moving this thing, and then he just stopped, and sat down. I asked him what he was doing, we still had stuff to move. He turned to me and said, sometimes you need to sit and think, and sometimes you just need to sit.

No idea why that comment has stuck with me for so long, but it has. Guess today is a sit and think time... Just sit times are good too. And coming from London, it's been a challenge learning how to do it again. But it's happening, and it's good.

Am going to go down to the beach and go for a swim and just sit for a bit.

Shame..

I became a member of the Maroubra RSL last night... Is that ok?? I'm only 23.

But I hear it calling all the time.. about every time when I'm on the bus on the way home from work and I start thinking about what I am going to cook for dinner, I hear this voice, just a whisper.. so I follow, and I eat at the RSL instead.. at least once a week at the moment.. last week twice...

There was a live band there last night, and a meat tray raffle.. I mean, who knew that they still did that??!!

I asked one of the guys what the salad was made of, he said he didn't know as he threw the remains of the sloppish white stuff into his trolley and left.. So if they don't know.. how will I ever??? But maybe that's ok, maybe I just need to have a little more faith..

Eyes to see!!!

Got new glasses, totally have eyes to see now.

Jeremiah 5:21
Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see...

That was me, but no more!

It was amazing, he put the little card in front of me, I looked at it, and read it, just like that. No squinting, no placing it on the floor and taking a step back to see if that would help. There's a whole new world out there baby... all this detail.. who would have thought??