yeowch

Drive

Had my first driving lesson today! yay!!! on a manual too *loves*

posted by "/umin @ 10:32 AM 0 comments

the Travel Bug

I've been bitten hard. Yeap. It's not so surprising given these are the sort of travel deals one has to contend with these days --> http://www.bestflights.com.au/cgi-bin/203/flights?maindetails=2109

I am seriously considering a round-the-world-trip at the end of this year. Not just travelling for the sake of travelling, but to visit (or make new) christian friends around the globe. An itinerary like this looks very attractive to me right now: Sydney - Hawaii - Vancouver - Frankfurt - London - Frankfurt - Hong Kong/Singapore - Sydney.. so about 2 weeks in each place. There would be meetings of believers i can visit in all of those places (cept' maybe, Frankfurt) and from those central destinations, i can also catch a coach or something to other places. Plus, the 3 month maximum stay limit fits in nicely with my uni break. If this is indeed the plan, I might give up going to Wales in the middle of the year, and save it for the end of year trip instead.

Well that's that. Now it's just a matter of saving, researching, bugging world-savvy mates for insider info and more saving!

Now onto something more local. This arvo, i did ASC at an entirely different school, out in the far west with 6 other staff members and about 80 kids!! man alive... what a charged up atmosphere. It made my regular shifts at Newington look almost peaceful. But i can certainly appreciate that fresh feeling imparted from a new experience. With so many staff and kids, you can really lose yourself in the crowd. I just about lost my voice after trying to get them all to quieten down. And the kids there are like a mixed lot of fruit loops. So many different personalities, voices, influences & responses merging and clashing; i think the closest word for it is *menagerie* or maybe *crazyness* will do too:) But in retrospect, i rate it a positive and happy to have been given the opportunity. Anyway tomorow i have Newington again so must toodle off for a refresher.

posted by "/umin @ 4:37 PM 0 comments

Feeling a bit nostalgic

It feels unbelievable to be exiting my teens in just 4 days O.o my teens have not been without their dramas but i have to say that the last 6 years of my life have been wonderful. And i can only say this because i can look back now and see just how closely God walked with me and guided me in every way.

I was blessed with a great high school for starters. Providing me with the stability i so desperately craved after tiring of having been to about 7 different primary schools prior to it. I was blessed with great friends. Yes that chopped and changed a bit, but there are people who have entered my life who i know will never walk out and that's an amazing knowledge to have. I was blessed with an ever growing appreciation for the simple things in life. Being able to settle down somewhere to read. Living in such a beautiful, peaceful country. Singing with the birds. Playing with my cat. Surrounded by kids day in day out, whether at either of my 2 homes or at work. Being able to speak 2 languages. My own bible. It's.. my life really. And i can't stop thanking God for it. My gifts of late have also been of the most surprising kind:

From my grandparents, a new mobile. And at exactly the time when my old one's just about had it, it arrived! From my aunt & co, a new camera:o Now to someone not expecting anything more than a meal out, these really are very lavish in my eyes. From one church friend, i received a stunner of a scarf. From another church friend, a 3-CD pack of hymns:D .. and from yet another church friend, a photo of Bernice (close friend) and I from last year. I've framed it now, and it's sitting happily on my bookshelf:) The sentiment and love that accompanies each gift have become more priceless than the gift itself. And of course, i can never forget the most precious gift of all, given by God himself - the Lord Jesus Christ who died in my place.

Last week, the Lord was able to use me to bring a friend along to hear the good news. Then yesterday he opened the windows of opportunity when my mother asked if i could meet them every Saturday to help my kid brother with his english. And tonight, he performed another of his wonders by moving my aunt and her house (cept' her husband) to come to hear his good news like he did with my friend! So much happened within such a short period of time that it takes my breath away really. All happy. Now to praise:)

posted by "/umin @ 6:15 PM 0 comments