Thursday, 12 May 2011

buttons, bonfires, and billy tea


Despite the fact that I have been immensely neglectful towards my lovely blog, I truly have still been engaging in a few fantastical adventures over here in AussieLand.

For instance, the weekend just after getting back from New Zealand, I took the train up to Sydney, and then to the Newtown district, and then I proceeded to go a-meandering around that oasis of artsy-happiness for hours before meeting up with my friends later at Hillsong Church, downtown Sydney. I seriously love Newtown. It was a bit drizzly and a bit chilly, but nothing could take away the charm. There were more vintage shops than I could count on two hands and two feets. I found a shop completely dedicated to buttons! (And I bought a few spunky ones, but I have no idea what I shall do with them... they were just too cute to pass up). There was even a coffeshop/yarnshop... I always knew that coffee and knitting was a good combo. My favorite part of all, though, was the plethora of bookshops. I spent a majority of my time sifting through stationary, magazines, journals, travel books, fairy tales, C.S. Lewis, and postcards in a random few local bookshops. And then I sat and half people-watched, half-read for a while. I had lunch at a place called the OrganicPomegranate. And a nice coffee at a street-corner cafe where I had the privilege of people-watching some more. Oh, and speaking of consuming things, I also had the loveliest cake: date, fig, frangipani (yes, the flower), and pistachio. Wow. And I really didn't buy much of anything, besides those dang cute buttons and food and postcards (and a few other things that need not be mentioned). Overall, my day was amazing and simple. Going to Hillsong Church that night was pretty intense: I felt like I was at a concert! The music was just like the CDs that so many of us have. But the fact that I felt like I was at a concert was a bit strange still. Regardless, the Message was Good. Afterwards, they had an "after-party" for all the twenty-somethings, which involved going to a loft apartment in the city, where there were live bands, the Royal Wedding on a big screen, red wine (I accidentally bumped a guy while I was dancing and spilled all over his "vintage" shirt, which probably cost him way too much money anyway), and heaps of dancing. I didn't get to bed until 3:30 that night, and I felt like a regular crazy-kid.

The night after, a group of pals and I were planning on going fishing, but due to some drizzling rain, we ended up getting coffee, thai, and a fire. By the fire I mean this: Kate and I wanted to do something "local", so Jono and Nate devised a plan to head to an abandoned military barracks on the shoreline. Soon after slowly enjoying our delicious thai and wine, we headed out, with the added company of Hannah and Ming. The tunnel was soooo dark, and there may or may not have been bats hanging from the ceilings and a man with a chainsaw in one of the open, dark doors. We made it through to the other side, where we were situated above the beach, and the manly men built us a fire. We made "billy tea" which involves the use of a metal tea kettle (the billy), and your average black tea, plus heaps of milk and sugar. The night-sky was bright with stars, and the air wasn't too cold (the fire helped). The fellowship of those friends was (and is) just such a gift. Once again, I didn't get to bed until about 4, because we were all in a bubble where time seemed to not exist. Church the next morning felt really really early (but it was worth waking up for).

And then a week filled with school... (my assignments are finally taking time out of my "vacation"... weird)

The next weekend, I rode 40k (24.8 miles) in an awesome event called Ride Around the Lake (which went around Lake Illawara). The ride was put on by my church, Lighthouse, but involved heaps of people from the community. The ride was all about raising money for the homeless youth of the area (there's a surprisingly huge amount), and all the funds raised are to be used for building a new house for more youth! Yay, how cool! It was a crisp, beautiful morning, and I didn't fall off my bike once (quite an accomplishment, especially since I trapped my waterbottle in my wheel at one point). My lovely friend, Sally, was with me most of the day, we enjoyed yummy spinach and feta pies by the lake, soaking up the sun, as the event wrapped up.

That night, another bonfire was underway: this time it was on the beach, the fire was much bigger, and the flames were usually cooking some form of meat that the men were putting into it. I daresay, that if I were trapped on a desert island, I would take one of them with me, and I'm fairly certain that we would survive, and eat really well in the process. I tried roasting "marshmellows" but they don't have the same kind of mellows that we have in America, and it just was not the same. Instead, we had many melted caramels, and more billy tea. Walking on the beach at night with hefty waves is one of my new favorite things. I felt God's power so much in that setting, and heard His Voice, so soft and true.

Church the next day was Mother's Day (I certainly missed Momma Gough). My face was used as the face of motherhood though, so that was pretty entertaining. A photo of me was posted on the advertisement for the Mother's Day service, and it was called "You're Amazing". I literally walked around church all day, just looking at myself and having all of the posters tell me that I'm amazing. Needless to say, my self-confidence was pretty high that day. And don't judge me for my mirror-shot. It was all too necessary, I'm sure you understand.

and then I had a week of uni, once again...

It may seem, at this point, that I have been living for the weekends. But alas, my weeks have been filled with more that just classes. Everyday is filled with surprising moments and bits of adventure in and of themselves. I just don't want to bore you, so I shall refrain from spilling all (plus, many of the little adventures should remain as mine and God's to keep and treasure).

School is requiring heaps more of my time, though, since it's all coming to an end (so. many. essays.). Gosh, I cannot believe how quickly time has been flying by. I hope I don't look back and think of it all as a dream. Luckily I have too many life-long friends to be able to think that. And the weather has dropped like ten degrees in the past week. Winter is coming! Luckily, it'll be the heat of summer when I get home. I get to snuggle up for about a month and then I can whip out that swimsuit again!

More updates to come, thanks for checking in :)

1 comment:

  1. Even in Aussie they recognize you as the Momma Nester! You were used to encourage and bless mommy's on their special day (just like you'll be doing in your future as a midwife. *Ahem*)

    I'm really glad you've been able to find such deep and loving friendships over there. I can't believe I was worried about it. God provides duh. They sure are keeping you up way past your bedtime! I'm sure every minute is worth it though :)

    Good luck with all of your essays and schoolwork! You're such a great writer, so you'll whip out those essays like it ain't no thang. Love you so much! I know you probably don't want to leave soon, but I sure can't wait to get you back!

    *MWAH*

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