The Chronicles Of…

I got up a little earlier yesterday to drive to Parkes, about an hour and 20 mins, to follow one of the guys from work who was selling a car down there. I was going to do the finance side of things and then give him a lift back.

After being delayed a little bit we finally hit the road.

First I had to stop about half way to drop a parcel off to a shop in one of the small towns, I stopped in and they said they had never heard of the person I was dropping it in for. I then went to another similar shop in case I had misunderstood the directions given to me, but they had no idea either. So having no phone reception I continued on to Parkes.

Then I get to Parkes and find that cause we were running late we had to wait about 45mins until the customer could see us as they now had a client with them.

So we went for a coffee, I had a hot chocolate cause I’m not all grown up and that yet.

It was the WORST hot chocolate I have ever had, it looked the right colour under the froth on top, so all looked the part, but it had no chocolate taste what so ever!!

I vow not to return there.

So at this point I also find out that it looks like we won’t be selling the car today, yadda yadda yadda, boring… and slightly disappointing.

In the meantime I had contacted the boss man and found out where the package was to go so that we could do it on the way back, he called ahead and all was good this time, I stopped in, spoke to the same person, and now they knew what I was on about… nice work little town lady.

So I got into work at 12.30, then at 1.00 went to get some lunch after a hard morning.

That’s about it really, it was nice getting in half way through the day, although I found it hard to find motivation for the rest of it.

Read the story here.

Watch the video here:

I just love this.

Well I’m currently in the second day of week 4 (of 14) and things have settled into a bit of a rhythm, for better or worse.

I’ve got my room set up pretty much the way I want it, with study notes plastered all over the walls and doors (as well as a target full of holes which makes me feel rather tough and cool, I’m sure) and a steady supply of snacks to help me recover from the canteen food. I’ve got a small pile of DVDs to watch at night before bed (I’m still working through the West Wing), and some little speakers for the iPhone so I have good music available.

We got issued with our uniform on Saturday morning, but we aren’t allowed to wear it until next week. My order arrived without my proper issue of cargo pants (just the ‘dress’ pants), so I have to find out what happens next week. They’re very strict on wearing the correct items at the correct time, so I might be restricted from wearing uniform at all until everything arrives. Not a big deal, but you really don’t want to stand out for any reason at all, and being dressed differently to the rest of your class is usually a fairly obvious difference. We have a lecture this evening after dinner on ‘Proper Care, Maintenance, and Wearing of Uniform’, which is going to be delivered by a stern gentleman who marches around campus carrying a swagger stick, and wearing shoes that make little ‘click click’ noises as he walks. A fairly intimidating guy, and not someone you want to have too many interactions with while you’re here, as it usually means you’ve done something against the rules.

The tribes are getting a little bit more open for the most part, with us distance ed students finally being spoken to by some of the internal students on the odd occasion. There are a few people who have made a real effort to be friendly which is nice, and some others who are just being not quite as hostile as they had been previously. I’ll take what I can get, I suppose.

There are quite a few homework assignments being issued at the moment, all of which take up valuable time in the evenings when we also need to be revising the work we’re doing in class. I find it stressful occasionally, but then again there are a lot of people who have passed through here who have been significantly less literate, so I suppose I should just count my blessings. I’m trying to get something done at the moment, but the internet’s working relatively fast at the moment so I thought I’d get a quick blog in before it all slows down later in the evening. I occasionally get frustrated at the way we are told to do certain tasks, mainly because I think that I could see a better/easier/more succinct method, but I just have to bite my tongue and try to stay under the radar. I constantly have to fight the urge to point out spelling mistakes in PowerPoint presentations or lecture handouts, but I’m assured that this is not a place for ‘intellectuals’ (which apparently includes anyone who has a vague appreciation for grammar). I think it’s best that I say no more about that sort of thing… I’m even starting to annoy myself, even if I usually keep my thoughts to myself.

The food hasn’t improved, although I must be getting used to it. I got excited today about burgers and wedges for lunch, even though the burgers were probably more than slightly undercooked, and might be seen again later this evening. I sat with a guy who’s just down here for a short course, and who isn’t as numb to the food as we are. He wouldn’t eat one of the things on his plate, but I thought it wasn’t too bad and got a second helping. If this is what I’m like after 4 weeks, I’d hate to think what I’m going to be like by the end of the course.

On that note, dinner just started, and I should probably get up there so I have time to eat before the uniform talk.

…have been long.

Lots of lectures, and plenty of ‘inspirational’ talks that usually involve the words “…and if you aren’t prepared for that, then you may as well go home now…”. Very helpful, I’m sure. Having said that, a number of the instructors are very good, and seem to genuinely want us to pass. They provide the necessary resources and give us helpful feedback which allows us to make progress as we learn. Some, however, appear to see us students as getting in the way of their ‘real work’ (whatever that is).

I’m fairly nervous about certain aspects, mainly the physical components, based on my previous non-successes as an ‘athlete’. For some reason no matter how often I tell myself (or am told by others) that I’m improving, and will continue to do so as long as I work hard at it, I am often caught thinking the absolute worst of myself, which in turn affects my performance. I think it’s a case of “I believe, help me to overcome my unbelief.”

My appetite has gone through the roof (so to speak), and I’m eating huge meals three times a day. I’m doing plenty of exercise though, so hopefully I won’t turn into Jabba the Hutt any time soon. I’m also finding that I’m absolutely exhausted by the end of each day. We get up pretty early, so I’m seriously contemplating bed by about 8:30 each evening. Tonight I thought I’d sneak in a quick blog after dinner(although the internet connection is very dodgy – it’s taken me quite a number of redials to get this far), before I do some study for an hour or two. I want to stay ahead of the pack in terms of my readings, and I think it’ll help me to feel more confident overall. I just have to be careful not to become too absorbed in the course, and lose perspective on what’s really important in life.

There are some pretty good guys down here, and a few of us who did the first sessions by correspondence have managed to get accommodation in the same area. We each have a little cabin with a private bathroom, desk, wardrobe, fridge, and bed. I bought a kettle, so my tea addiction will be well indulged. We’re pretty lucky, as most people are in ‘dorm towers’, which aren’t as private (shared bathrooms etc). We’ve been trying to make a point of looking out for each other, which is really helpful. So far we haven’t met too many of the rest of the class, but hopefully that will come in time.

It’s really cold here, and I’m told it gets MUCH colder than this over the next few months. We’ve been given permission to wear gloves in the mornings, as long as they look ‘professional’, so I might be doing some shopping on the weekend. We’re very fortunate that we’re allowed to make ourselves so comfortable, as I’m sure in years past they weren’t so accommodating.

OK, enough from me. I should do some reading before I fall into bed.

I’m in the process of getting ready to leave town (for my uni course) for a few months, and I’m finding it quite difficult. I’m having to buy things to take with me, and work out what needs to be packed.

Although I’ll be able to come home on a semi-regular basis, I know that it’s going to be difficult to visit everyone that I’d like to on my weekends at home, so I’ve been trying to make a point of seeing the ‘right’ people over the past few weeks (those I thought I’d miss the most, or whatever). Hasn’t always worked out, but such is life.

I got a laser printer (discounted because it was the last one in the shop), and I was surprisingly excited about buying an iron. I spent far more money on that than I would have expected to, but I’m told it’s “the best one on the market, currently”. Which I assume means that it’ll be obsolete in about 45 seconds.

I’m finishing up at my jobs, and the church is taking us out for dinner tonight which is nice. The Uni didn’t make a similar offer, but then again I’m only a casual there, and they couldn’t care less.

Anyway, I’m starting to feel a tad nervous with all this preparation going on in my life, and my ‘new life’ is probably going to be fairly challenging. I’m just hoping that I can keep this sort of thing in mind, and in action:

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (From 1 Corinthians 9)

So it turns out I’m off to Melbourne for Thursday and Friday next week.

I booked this course for work months ago and forgot all about it, then yesterday I get an email with my flight itinerary and stuff on it.

I stay Thursday and Friday nights and fly back early Saturday, so naturally I checked and unfortunately there’s no AFL game at the MCG on Friday night, very disappointing. There’s one at Telstra Dome, I haven’t been there, but let’s face it it’s not the G.

So off to the Casino I guess.

If I continue doing this series of courses every month to second month I will either go to Melbourne or Sydney, but I’m not so sure whether I want to do them or not, for various reasons, one of which I will blog about in the next week or so… so stay tuned…

I was in Sydney yesterday, for a coupe of hours then left…

Well, I drove down Monday night, got there a little after midnight after having a little stop in freezing cold Bathurst to catch up with some friends. Then Tuesday morning I had to drive out to Bella Vista as there was an open day on for the finance company we use.

I got there only a little late, then had a tour of the office and I kid you not I had to try very hard not to laugh out loud on a few occasions as it was almost like I was in an episode of The Office.

The guy giving the tour at one point has gone “And this is Julie” he the turns to her “hey julie…” a few air punches “yeah…”, “Julie looks after…” he the gets cut off by someone saying “ummm, that’s Susan”… he then just moves on “oh, of course, of course, anyway Susan looks after…”

And then later on the big guy in the show from accounts comes to talk to us, goatie and all…

This was a really modern place, lots of staff, but still I think if I hung out there much longer it would been have hilarious.

So at lunch time, I say lunchtime because lunch was listed on the program but they never came through with the goods, naturally I’ll be having words with the rep next times he’s out even though they provided a good spread for morning tea, we wrapped it and headed home.

So I drove to penrith and picked up another ebay purchase before heading up the mountains, catching up with some other friends for a few hours and then off home…

All in all not a bad trip.

Up in Forster there’s this dolphin watching boat called the Amaroo, for years Nat has wanted to go on it but we’ve never done it due to it being a little pricey.

But this year we decided to go for it.

Cruising up the lake and out towards the heads was a lovely trip, a little windy the further we went, but really nice. Except at one stage Caleb tried to climb the side railing on the top deck and slip, he didn’t fall off the boat but I played a more active role in making sure he didn’t from then on.

That was until I started to feel a little queezy once we were in open waters. Then feeling only got worse, until I had to use the little spew bag the lady had given. From then on Nat looked after the kids while I tried to fill the bag I’d be given.

I wanted it to be over, but it was a 2 hour cruise!

I saw no dolphins, Nat and Caleb didn’t really see much either as she started to feel a little queezy too and had to sit down.

Good times.

I’m on the Central Coast now… at Watanobbi actually, which I remember some time ago was in the news because of the towns name.

Residents had unsuccessfully tried to get the name of the town changed after they found out that the town’s name wasn’t actually an Aboriginal word, but in fact may have been named after an early landowner commented on the shape of the surrounding terrain being rather “nobby”.

A beautiful story I think…

But land prices have reportedly remained rather static because of it… A small price to pay I say.

Anyway we’re at Nat’s sister’s place (a day earlier than expected) after spending a week in Forster but after enduring the rain for quite a few days we left early.

So there’s a few stories to tell, I made notes, so they will follow.

Fi and I were up here in Byron on Sunday so we thought we’d go to church. We had no idea what, where, or when that would be until Fi saw a sign on the local notice board for a church in Byron that had a service at 10am (10am was a good time for us because we were sleeping in…) and seeing as these guys had a notice and we knew their service time we thought we’d give them a shot…

But I must admit that the location gave me some hesitations…

This church wasn’t located in the main centre of Byron but in the industrial estate on the outskirts of town. Now, geographical position doesn’t always tell you much about a church but to my mind the industrial park is a melting pot for everything that’s weird and wacky in the Christian church… Just think about some of the churches you know that are located in industrial estates… Yeah.

So I was tentative about what we mind find…

I don’t mind trying something different for church but we really weren’t up for anything too out there… you know, like wild prophesies, tongues, and a 2 hour sermon…

We probably should’ve made a different choice.

When we arrived we found it was quite small… Smallness is fine. Nothing wrong with a small church, but it does mean it’s harder to escape un-noticed if you need to bail.

They were quite welcoming, but when we walked through the door it felt like people just stared at us in a way as if to say “What the Hell are new people doing here? We don’t have new people?” That just felt kinda awkward…

Then we sat down to begin the service. The opening line went something like:

“Wow. Awesome. Great to see so many people here this morning… must be for my birthday (?). OK. So umm, we were hoping to have a prophetess speak to us this morning but she can’t make it – caught up in a revival somewhere – so if you came to see her sorry about that. We got some other guy instead…” Not an exact quote… but something like that.

At this stage I was, let’s say… ‘curious’ about what was to come. We sang some songs that I knew and that was comforting. We sang a 20 minute version of “How Great is our God” and I was cool with that. People started shouting out “Jesus Hallelujah!” and I was cool with that. Then people started chanting “Jesus Jesus Jesus! Hallelujah Jesus Jesus!” and I was cool with that (basically people just replaced the word “um” with “Jesus” when they spoke…). Then the dude in front of me kinda had some spasm and started laughing in short loud bursts… I was kinda cool with that but a bit freaked.

We did communion after singing. It seemed kinda spontaneous because someone just volunteered to do it out of the blue, and I was cool with that. The format was casual and pretty normal. Good quiet contemplation and reflection.

Now it was time for the sermon.

Cue sermon introduction: “Good morning folks. I forgot my guitar and I forgot my notes.” Good intro.

The “speaker” borrowed a guitar and burst into a song. His wife came up and joined in. They finished by speaking in tongues and then encouraged everyone to join in. Most peoples “tongue” sounded alot like Hebrew or Arabic. I don’t speak in tongues, so I just watched… The tongues bit went on for a while. Some of it was interpreted and some wasn’t. The crazy thing is that people would speak loudly in a tongue for a bit and then interpret themselves (for our benefit I guess), but it did make me wonder why they wouldn’t just skip the tongues bit and just give us the interpretation bit? There’s no benefit for me to hear their tongue when I can’t understand it. (cf. 1 Corinthians 14)

I thought the songs and the tongues might be the sermon seeing as the speaker forgot his notes, but… I was wrong.

Instead the speaker’s wife got up and gave a 30 minute talk followed by the “speaker’s” 30 minute talk without notes… I say 30 minutes but we actually left before he finished and he’d already been going for 35 minutes without any indication of finishing anytime soon.

It was kind of awkward walking out in full view of everyone and we smiled and said goodbye and thankyou and then took off.