pre-mountains.

today was lovely. chilly indeed, but lovely in total.

the Bible study I had this morning with Esther was very encouraging, very convicting. very true. I am so so eager for more understanding of the Lord, so I shall ask Him to reveal more of Himself to me (and He will respond willingly).

After the Bible study, I got my booty out the door right away, went for a short n' intense little run at the uni rec. center, got back in time for a bowl of multi-grain cereal with soy milk and blueberries, jumped in/out of shower, and out the door with wet locks and books in hand for my 8:30 tutorial class. Needless to say, I am still quite impressed with myself for that whole trick. Perhaps I can do that type of morning more often!

My only regret of the morning was that I forgot to drink my orange juice. I love the Black Label OJ that they have here. (Alena, you would be ecstatic for it).

The rest of the day was nice. I cuddled up in UOW "jumper" (sweatshirt) and leggins (yes, I have leggings but NO I do not wear them in replacement of actual pants. they are comfy, that is all.). I came home from class to the smell of freshly-made french toast by my dear roomie, Miss Desiree. She and Christian made pancakes in the shapes "D" and "C". clever kids.

Then I went to the campus library and rented out "The Hobbit" (I finally finished Jane Eyre), so that now I can get myself mentally ready for New Zealand, LOTR-style!! (I'm leaving for a two-week adventure in NZ next Friday! Bah!)

After going to my biomech. lab, I came home, sat at my desk and decided, hmm good weekend for an adventure, I'd say. I had originally planned to do a Sydney Harbour Cruise tomorrow night, but those plans fell through. No worries though, because my current plans shall involve much less trashed uni students on a boat, and much more beautiful skies, valleys, mountains, trees, hippies, and the like. I'm going to the Blue Mountains, in a little town called Katoomba, with Allison from L.A. The hostel is booked, the plans made. Adventure begins at approximately 8am tomorrow morning.

Woop woop!!

hangin

in reference to my newfound joy in hammocking, i have titled this "hangin". i love my eno. I've had it for a while, but I neglected to buy the proper straps to put it up with (and I'm not as engineer-savvy as some to put it up safely by my own wit), so given that I just got the straps in the mail on Thursday, I've had it up nearly every day since. After having an emotionally-strained week last week, I gladly succumbed to the joy of relaxing over the weekend.

To interject here and explain about the downer week: A boy that my roommates were friends with drowned one morning when he went out surfing with a group of friends. The waves were really quite treacherous, and everyone was warned to not go in, but they were at the beach too early for the lifeguards so they didn't get the official memo. Regardless, the incident was tragic and it broke my heart. I had just talked with him nearly two days before, about going on a roadtrip up the coast. It's weird. Also, my dad's best friend, and my dear friend as well, Dennis Jabs, just left us as well, for he died of a rare blood cancer. My heart aches for everyone affected, including my own.

It was also cold and rainy all week.

And those are the reasons why my week was strange and a bit "off".

Therefore, on Friday, it was a sweet relief to do as I pleased. I began the day by riding my bike to the beach, finding a pair of trees on the grass, but directly on the beach as well. I watched the surfers, read my book, studied a bit, and then packed up and met Holly and Jack for lunch at the Kiosk on the beach (I had a fantastic chicken, beet, avocado burger... nom nom). Afterwards, I headed up to the mall with Des where we found a few goodies for our dear friend and then I rode back home. I really don't like malls at all, to be quite honest. I feel like they suck the life (and time) out of me. There's just so much... stuff... that nobody really needs. And everytime I go I seem to end up getting something that "I didn't know I needed" (as mom and I always say). But really, that phrase is so distorted. Yet I make it true every time! Grrr.

I just wanted to be outside. So by the time we got home, it was rather cloudy and chilly out, but I wouldn't let that stop me. So I grabbed my Eno (I think he/she needs a name... suggestions??), and headed out to the lawn behind Kooloobong, between two trees in the corner of everything, hidden from most. In the distance I could hear a bumpin party (and I didn't wish that I was there one bit). In my little space I sat, cuddled in a ball with my towel as my blankie, cherishing my book and my peace and quiet. Rain sprinkled on my face and I didn't care. I wrapped the hammock about my face and cuddled tighter, giggling slightly to myself because I was just so happy there. When it became too dark for me to see the pages anymore, I sat and chatted with Jesus for a bit, then did a few cartwheels in the grass before going back to my room. We had a nice party for Holly then, involving Fairy Bread (white bread, butter, and sprinkles), blueberry/white chocolate cake, Twister, and Jenga. Twas lovely! I left before the dancing began, but was then able to wake up refreshed and revived for Saturday.

We had a suprise adventure on Saturday, with a leisurely roadtrip to Kiama. Blasted some Lauryn Hill in the car, with Booby at the wheel, pals in the back. We walked around the market as it was packing up, and I got some dark-chocolate covered ginger pieces (which I adore, and attempt to not covet). We got some nummy Thai food and ate it by the cliff shores, then headed down to check out the famous "blowhole", where water from waves shoots through a certain point of the rocks and creates a big spray of ocean all over everyone. The wind there was crazyyyy and I literally got pushed down to the rocks while I tried to climb them! Then we went and played on a playground like the kids that we are, and meandered over to the beach to stick some toesies in the delicious water. What a good, good day it was. Nothing epic, but something wonderful. I really love all of the friends that I have here; it's a funny kind of family.

On Sunday, then, I rode my bike to church and it began to pour so I had to leave my bike. I find that this happens without fail, everytime I ride to church. Maybe it's a sign that I need to spend time with people in their cars instead of making my own way haha. It was my attempt at a workout, come on! Linda spoke about taking the limits off of God and His Power and Glory that He possesses and could work out in our lives and communities and world. Mmm it was a good good word. After church, I went out to lunch to Lee and Me with my lovely new friends, Minnie and Aiko. We sat for about two hours! So wonderful to make connections and friendships. After being home for about three hours, I went back to church for the night service with my Desiree and Sir Simon Pettitt (legend. not a lemon.), where we received another awesome message from Linda! The whole church is wearing bracelets now that say "no limits", hehe :)

I must add a few random tidbits here at the end:
-They announced "supper" time at a meeting I went to, and I was like, woahhh really? they're giving us dinner?... when in fact, "supper" refers to evening tea-time. who knew?!

-My dear friends, Holly and Des, got me a didgeridoo as an early birthday present, and we had a hilarious time trying to play it (although it is against cultural law for women to play them... apparently they say that it causes women to become pregnant. I don't think that shall happen to me.) It really just sounded like a fart every time I tried to play it haha.

-I'm really happy to be in Australia, and I can already feel the months dwindling down! Bah!

-Classes are really easy, so that also makes me happy.

alone but never lonely

I know that the heading sounds quite depressing and emo, but allow me to explain!

I went to Melbourne this past weekend, on a whim. I was sitting around on Wednesday evening, just after booking my flight to New Zealand for April, and as I browsed, I noticed how cheap flights were to other places in Australia. And then I looked up the weather around the country. Welp, Melbourne looked like it was going to be really nice out, so I decided, "why not?". I really didn't feel like staying in Wollongong for the weekend... just getting anxious to travel I guess, and also just craving a new bit of scenery. I booked my ticket soon after and hopped on a plane the next day! It was a bit last minute to ask for a travel-pal, so I just went on my own.

I finally got to the hostel at about 6pm, called The Nunnery... it apparently actually used to be a nunnery, way back when, and has since been transformed into a temporary holding place for cheapie travelers, looking for a bit of comfort amidst a big city. The place was absolutely lovely, and not as dodgy as I expected it would be. I shared a room with six others, and it wasn't awkward, and they didn't stare. Phew. And there was a porch that overlooked Carlton Gardens, which I went out to read and pray on in the mornings.

On Thursday nights, they have a pub crawl, which given who I am, I wasn't too keen on going to. But I went out to the courtyard at the Nunnery to meet a few people so that I wouldn't be such a hermit crab, and I then decided to just walk along with them, have a drink, and get to know a few people. Well, I was bored after having half a glass of beer, so I walked home with a chick from Sweden, and we had a lovely conversation. It had been a long day of travel (lots of fast-walking through the airport... you all know that I'm never on time anywhere), so I went to bed right away.

The next morning, I ventured out to find the famous Victoria Street Market, and somehow I couldn't find it! The thing is huge. There's signs everywhere. I felt defeated and went back to my home-base, and walked up and down Brunswick Ave (cool, artsy, shops galore)... no worries, just window-shopped. And then of course my timing sucked again, because I almost missed my dance class that I had signed up for... I sprinted back home, and sprinted to the tram, then sprinted to the class. I was only seven minutes late. Not bad at all! And I got a warm-up in the process!

The class was amazing. It felt so good... my muscles were refreshed. And now I can't stop thinking about dancing more! I met a lovely friend in the class as well... Her name is Alexis and she happened to be from San Fransisco. We did a duet together at the end of class, which was wonderful, and then decided to go catch some lunch at a neat little alley-way cafe, whilst wandering a bit more though some galleries n such. We found the most terrific vintage shop: Lost and Found. Good name, hey? It was overwhelmingly fun to browse through, but if I was in there for longer than 3o minutes, I probably would have begun to sneeze like mad, due to the excess dust particles in that place. After going back to our own places for the evening, I settled down and then realized at about 9:20 at night that I still hadn't had any dinner, and I didn't know how I would get any. So... I sprinted down to Brunswick Ave again, because I was hungry and walking is just too dang slow for me. I sat outside and had a lovely seafood salad, while watching the nightlife come alive around me, and reading Jane Eyre. I didn't quite make sense in that scene, but when do I ever? haha no shame. So after eating, I ran back home, cuddled in bed and called it a night. Mmm sleep.

The next morning I did find the Victoria Street Market, had a hot-cross bun from an organic bakery, took pictures of the fruits and veg, people-watched (like always), almost bought a leather jacket, realized it was probably fake and/or overpriced for its worth so I didn't, then went to a dance performance. Which blew. my. mind.

The performance was by this group called Chunky Move, based out of Melbourne, and I swear it looked like they were floating in some parts of it. The piece was called, "Connected", and it most certainly was. Every movement they made was deliberate, even to the fingers and toes. It was like each person's movement effected the others. Oh, I was overjoyed! And I wanted to jump on stage and do it too. Not gonna lie, as I walked to the city after, I took a moment to dance a bit when I noticed that no one was around me. I couldn't hold it in!

After browsing some shops with another new friend of mine from the Nunnery, Jodi, we ended up at a fantastically healthy place called "Green Foods" and got us some delicious green curries. Nom nom. And ice cream :)

When we got back to the Nunnery, everyone was hangin around, all cool like, talking about their travels and their adventures and their parties and all the stuff that makes a person worth-while, ya know? ;) ((sarcasm)). They were all planning on going out to a few pubs. I went upstairs, grabbed my book, and went to a pub on my own. I know that sounds lame, but I just wanted to relax and get away from the hub-bub of trying to be someone you're not. I wanted a gosh darn glass of wine and a good book and a comfy sit to read and sip to my leisure. The Pumphouse Pub was right next door and lucky for me, business hasn't been too good for them lately, so it was just me at my own high-top tabel with my lovely wine and my lovely book. And it just so happened to be the climax of my book, so it was perfect, and I was content.

When I went back to the hostel, I was tired, but decided to be social before going to bed. Well, and I didn't really have much of a choice because there was a gang of people all chatting loudly on my porch anyways, but I didn't mind. We talked about one guy's rapping career, about rolling cigarettes, about what Japan is really like, about tattoos, and dance-fighting. It was a nice night and the breeze was warm. End of night two.

I woke up early the next day, and jetted back to Sydney. And still made it to late night church service, which was fantastic.

Oh, and the whole weekend, I realized how fun it was to be "alone". In fact, as I was flying out, I heard Jesus telling me, "hey, take me with you. let's go on a vacation together?". and I said yes, and thus we had a lovely time together. so it may seem like i went on a weekend getaway on my own, but the truth is, jesus and I had the greatest time together. and I even met heaps of new friends in the process. I think that anyone could go on a getaway on their own as long as they're confident enough to talk to random people, open enough to allow new friendships, and comfortable with sitting alone at restaurants.

Obviously, I am rather okay with all of the above. Although I thoroughly enjoy the company of my friends. It's just good to have a healthy balance though, ya know? I'm all about healthfulness, and not just with food ;)

surf attempt = success (but not standing up)

Well it's official. I've actually attempted surfing while being in Aussie-land. It's much more difficult than I remember it being when I was in California. I stood on the board in a wave for about 3 seconds before falling, and that was my longest "ride" of the afternoon. And I tried sitting on my board like it was no big deal and like I do it all the time. I flipped over a ridiculous amount of times and just laughed at myself, while receiving the pitying eyes of the Experienced. So yeah, a bit difficult. Wonder why? Ohhh yes maybe that's because the board I used in Cali was about twice as long, had a rounded tip, and was made of foam. Hm, okay well I guess that would do it. Regardless, I don't even care if I can surf or not... it's just absolutely lovely to have a reason to just lay out in the middle of the clear ocean water on a beautiful summer-sunny day in Australia.While I was paddling, though, I think that I grabbed some sort of stingy thing... a jellyfish? It just so happened to be where I put my hand in the water, and all I remember feeling was something mushy/slimy, and then within 30 seconds my hand was stinging. However, all was not lost on my failed attempt at surfing. On the contrary, I got a tan on my entire backside, sweet bruises on my ribs and hips (mom says that this is why it's bad to be skinny. I need more padding), witnessed heaps of amazing and legit surfer dudes (some of whom actually drive big ol' hippie vans), and felt fully satisfied by the sun and the waves and the peacefulness of the Saturday afternoon. And on the way home, my friend offered to let me borrow one of his extra surf boards for the rest of the session. Far out! ;)

After coming home from the surfing expedition with salty, wet hair, and a mess of sticky clothes, I decided: "hey, it is barely past one in the afternoon and the sun is yet high! so i'll go to beach!" However, on my way to the beach I happened upon my lovely friend, Allison, who lives upstairs and is from L.A. Well, she was up for something outdoorsy as well, so we walked down the road a bit from our apartments and walked through the Wollongong Botanical Garden, which was sooo so beautiful! They have like 10 different types of landscapes in there (desert, rainforest...). The one thing about it, though, is that you can't look up. If you look up while walking through trees, you are bound to see some freakily huge spiders suspended just meters above your head. Eeeek. So instead we looked out... at the open space (perfect for picnics), the winding trees, the unique, widely-blooming flowers, the wedding parties, the bridges. It was a fantastic afternoon. Then I went home, showered, and enjoyed a night of reading.

Recent Endeavours

Recent endeavours:

1) Spelling things like the above with an "our" instead of just "or", without realizing it. I really just did that out of habit now. And I guess that it sorta sounds more like how Aussies speak, so it makes sense to me now.

2) Got lost on Mt. Kiera with a new friend from Washington. Thus, I had to skip yet another lecture. I had just enrolled in a Public Health class, and therefore haven't gone to any of the lecs from last week yet. Or this week. Oye, my life! But it was an adventure, and we eventually made it out alive. Brittany (from Washington) got bit by a spider. Which, given the amount webs that we had to pummel through, I'm quite surprised that she only got bit once, and I didn't get bit at all. Oh, and it's a lie that the spiders here are as big as your head. They're big and scary and yellow and red and black and erksome, but not thaaat big. This is not Jurassic Park.

3) We all know that I have messed up taste buds that make me crave foods that are too healthy and would make others vomit. Which is why I love the free juicer that I found here, and have been making all sorts of green concoctions in it, yum! Also, I find that I actually crave Vegemite now. I never thought I would say that; it literally made me gag when I tried a bit of it at home. But now I slather it all over a piece of bread and throw some peanut butter on top, or just avocado... nom nom. I was also super excited for find that they sell Quinoa "milk" here?! Weird. It doesn't taste a bit like milk, but it's so delcious. Kinda nutty tasting. Nummy in coffee. Which I'm sipping right now and genuinely enjoying every sip.

4) I went to this concert on campus titled, "Garden Party" here on campus. The jams were pummpin! I don't know any Aussie bands yet, but these ones were pretty fun. The best part was the silent disco, where everyone got their own headphones, playing the same music by these great DJs on stage. I danced off about everything I had consumed that day. Very sweaty, and very wonderful.

5) Yesterday my Life Group from church did a photoshoot to advertise for the life groups! We had lots of makeup put on us, and took tons of goofy shots. Plus, we got to sit around and talk, paint nails, and listen to Spice Girls and Beyonce all day. Girly, indeed.

6) Last night we went to Darling Harbour in Sydney for Fyona's birthday and I saw the Opera House for the first time, as we sat at the Opera Bar for dinner! It was so lovely. And then we endulged in Max Brenner's Chocolate Cafe (i'm beginning to become a regular there...)

7) I've been waking up early to spend time with Jesus and get in the Word this week, and God has been doing some fantastic transformations in my heart. It's beautiful, really. Today, I woke up at 8 and I felt so refreshed for "sleeping in" hehe.

7) I've gone to the beach just about every day and today I'm going with a pal to try surfing. I love my life.

Asian-themed Day in Sydney

It was Mardis Gras on Saturday in Sydney. I don't know how many of you know much about the Mardis Gras here... but it seems to be a bit different than the genuine New Orleans one. More, um, people who are attracted to other people who look like them only in a lot less clothes and a lot more makeup. Get it? It's a gay/lesbian fest/parade, and it gets cuhrazyy there! The people who went said that it was a blast.

But I didn't go.

Rather! The lovely Des and I had an Asian-themed day in Sydney. We began with the whole Mardis Gras gang in Chinatown for lunch, and then she and I wandered off to our first stop... Morning Glory! Quite possibly my new favorite shop. Des and I loaded up on funky pens and pencils marked with English sentences that don't make sense/are spelled wrong.

For instance, Des's pen says: "I am happy alwars" (always). And my pencil case says: "My baby bear do you knowi really love you. you are my sweethear. i had more happly and to touch with you everytime is happy."

Bahaha that store is one of a kind. Well, actually there are quite a few of them. And we went to another one later on in the day. Addicted!

As we wandered through Chinatown toward Darling Harbour, Des and I stumbled upon the lovely Chinese Friendship Garden. Only $3 for students! Heck yes!

The Garden was truly beautiful, especially amidst the hustle and bustle of a big city. It was so so peaceful, and it made me want to go shuffle around on the green, willowy hillsides of China. But since we weren't in China, we shuffled around the Garden. In some authentic Oriental outfits that they gave us to wear and take pictures in (it wasn't till after our hour long romp that we found out it was $10 to put on those outfits... so worth it though).

The best part about being Oriental women for the hour was how people thought that we worked there and asked to take pictures with us... I tried giving my best Asian eyes as I smiled for their pictures (Jackie, you'd be proud). hahaha I love thinking about how I may end up in someone's scrapbook one day, as a representation of China in Australia. Oh, and at one point I was posing for a picture on a rock and when I attempted to swiftly and peacefully slide off of said rock, I instead caught my dress-thing on a portion of the rock and tumbled forward (my legs couldn't move because my outfit was too tight). Needless to say, there was a plethora of tourists across the duck-pond from us, and they all snapped photos. I got up and waved.

After that thrifty and thriving adventure of a dear Friendship Walk, Des and I got some yum gelato (I got raspberry with melted Nutella on top!). We came upon a street show as well, in which we saw lots of crazy-awesome break dancing, flips, and abs. Yay!

Then we headed back to Chinatown and sat at a street cafe eating Nine Dragon prawns and green veggies. Nom nom.

Got to the train just in time to pass all of the Mardis Gras get-ups, and needless to say... I am quite glad that we didn't go. We had the most fantastic day ever.

I think that this sign sums up our time...

a glimpse at my space

So these are a few of my wonderful roomies here in Aussie-land... there's Holly lookin stellar in her shades, Des looking quite naturally modelesque (perfect photo for an ad), Ishan the tallest of us all, Mr. Nick Booby in the orange, and Christian refusing to look into my lens. We were on our way to the beach, and some market shopping on a Friday.

Alright, and then just because I am so very proud of my room's lovely transformation over the past few weeks, I have provided a before and after picture of the cinder-block square that I call Home.

I started off with my sleeping bag for bedding, and a frightening mess of chaos scattered absolutely everywhere. And then, with a trip to Kmart and the local Dollar Store, I created a space which seemed to suit my style much more effectively. And Buddy, my teddy bear, is also present. Of course. I really can't sleep without him. Don't judge me.




















We also had a craft night, or I guess a few craft nights, in which I made this little collage for my wall-deco. It's called, "An Ode to Freedom". The woman holding the teacup is my favorite part.

Which, speaking of, I've been in quite the habit of having loose-leaf tea with some sort of biscuit or sweet cake since I've been here. In fact me, Des, and Holly have all been in this habit. Thus is why my swimsuit doesn't quite seem to fit the same way it did two weeks ago. Hmm, well at least my tummy is happy. No worries.

Today, Holly and I had our Biomechanics lab at the beach, where we had one person running on the beach and then we analyzed their strides based on how fast and slow they ran. It was fun, and I'm pumped for this class! Then we stayyyyed on the beach and sun-baked for another two hours. We ate lunch at the Kiosk by the beach, and I got a lovely ginger-beetroot-celery juice, which just about made Holly gag. I loved it. I ended up getting burnt in the oddest places: my neck, my belly-button, the left side of my right calf, and my knee-cap.

Currently, I'm lounging on my lovely bed, reading the lovely Jane Eyre and listening to my unconventional itunes playlist on shuffle. "Hit me baby one more time" just played. And then Sigur Ros.

Have I mentioned how much I love my life? :)