Making the Most

Wow, what a weekend! This could probably be considered my first actual 'weekend' since coming to Perth. Last week was nice, don't get me wrong... but today and yesterday I explored more and met more people, thus making this weekend officially awesome!
Starting off, yesterday (Saturday) I rode the train into the city centre of Perth. It was a gorgeous ride, and the weather was beautiful, and I could see the interestingly shaped buildings of the city rising up into the sky from my window, and the Swan River to my right. Needless to say, it was pretty great! God has made some beautiful scenery in this world, and he's made beautiful, creative minds to design impressive architecture for us to enjoy!

The view from my train window seat! (Not from the car! I don't take pictures while driving, people!) :)

 

Once in the city, I found myself greatly enjoying the atmosphere. It reminded me in some ways of San Francisco, but with a much smaller feel... of course, I only explored one tiny section. Literally, I stayed in one place the whole two and a half hours I was there. But I wasn't bored, so it was all good!

 

The city centre was dotted with several street performers and musicians, which was why I could spend two hours there, easily. There probably were about 7-8 individuals performing that afternoon, all on that small two-three block-sized area.

 

One young man was dancing to music with a softball-sized glass ball and four red plastic hoops. Which I realize doesn't sound very exciting at all, but when you saw it, it was pretty darn amazing! He made whatever he was dancing with, the ball or the hoops, look like they were floating! I thought he was an illusionist for a second.

Another man (the best performer, in my opinion) was a comedian/trick performer! He had the largest crowd. Honestly, I don't think hardly anybody just walked by him. He ended up riding on a unicycle that was 9 feet tall, juggling knives!

And I took pictures of all these things, but for some reason, my blog website isn't letting my upload them! Sad day! They are on facebook, if anyone really wants to see.

There was some incredibly creative people operating a 'Human Arcade,' another trick performer, and several guitarists sitting out on benches with their instrument cases open for donations. One of them actually looked a bit like an unknown Hemsworth brother. I don't think he was, but I got a little excited for a second.

 

And wow! Something pretty awesome just happened, so I am going to take a brief intermission to tell you about it! Sarah, the little girl I am nannying for, is sick right now, and has a fever. She was meant to go to bed over two hours ago and was laying there crying, not feeling well at all. A minute ago, I prayed that God would soothe her body and let her have some much needed rest. And before I had even finished the prayer, she stopped crying, and now I'm assuming she's asleep. That's the power of prayer at work. Our Lord is so good!

 

Anyways, back to the story... I did a little shopping in the city centre, got a sandwich and some frozen yogurt (yum!) and had a nice, relaxing time just cruising around listening to the music, then took the train back to the suburb.

 

Today, I went back to Lifestreams church, where I visited last week. And this Sunday, guess what? I actually got there before the service started! It was a very nice, encouraging sermon, communion time, and worship. And, can I just say how happy I was that I already knew all the songs! We sang How He Loves and a few others that made me very cheerful and encouraged. Afterward, I re-connected with a few of the people I had met last week, then got to know a couple of people from the young adults ministry, and eventually ended up going out to eat lunch with them, then hung out at various peoples houses until later that day! It was so refreshing to be spending time with my own age group! I knew I missed it, but I hadn't realized how much! 

 

So, that's my relaxing, eventful weekend! I never really have needed to appreciate weekends before... now that that has changed, I have discovered they are definitely worth making the most of! Yay for weekends!

 





In Which I Finally Got To Church

So, as I'm sure some of you know from my facebook posts, I was very excited to attend a new church this Sunday morning. I felt like I hadn't been in several months, and was getting a little desperate for some fellowship time of some sort or another. However, my first visit to this new church was a little different than I had expected...

Because I only started driving on Thursday, I had only really had a day and a half of practice. I am still not completely confident driving on the opposite side of the road, especially driving alone. My host mom asked if I would mind taking public transportation to church, until I was a more adept aussie driver. And that's where the adventure begins!

I had never taken public transport before, so I was a little excited and did a lot of looking at maps and everything. I took a train from the station, which was very close to the house (I was dropped off there by my host family). After getting off the train, I hopped on a bus, and missed my stop. (Of course) I was only meant to be on the bus for 2 minutes or so, but it ended up being more like 10. I then consulted the bus driver, and he gave me directions on how to get back to the stop I was supposed to get off at. So that took about 25 more minutes. I finally arrived at the proper stop!

From there, I walked quite a ways down a street called Henley... until I realized that I was walking the wrong way. So I turned around and walked back, crossed the street, and asked some very nice people doing yard work for directions. They ran and got their iphone to it up on GPS. (I was wishing I had an iphone at this point. Or something with wifi.) Also, may I mention that it was getting pretty warm out, probably between 85-90 degrees Farenheit. Im not sure exactly; everything's in Celcius here, but that's what it felt like. Luckily, I had a full water bottle and sunglasses and everything. I felt pretty darn prepared, actually.

Anyways, I finally saw the church in the distance! I was about 45 minutes late to the service, taking into account the bus fiasco and the extra long walk. The air conditioner was wonderful!!! Oh my, I love air conditioners! So I sat in the service for about 15 minutes, then it was over. I then went over to the guest table (they had free soda and cookies!) and met several very nice people, including a few couples who knew Modesto, First Baptist (back when it was called First Baptist) and several of the pastors there! I was pretty excited about that. Also, the person in charge of the young adult ministries was there. Her name was also Emily and she was from Tennesee! Needless to say, we were both pretty happy that we had met fellow Americans. It's funny how comforting that is, when living abroad.

I stayed and talk to people for about an hour after the service was over, having a grand old time. Then one of the ladies working the guest table (the one who had actually been to FBC) offered to drive me to the train stop so I wouldn't have to walk in the heat or deal with the buses! I happily accepted.

So, now I am back at the house! We just finished up a lovely BBQ with my host families friends, who were all very nice. I have met so many people today! It's great!

That's the story of my first trip to my new church. I think it is definitely a good one, and seemed very focused on Christ, and was absolutely very welcoming. Already excited to go back next week, when I hopefully can drive and actually arrive in time for the service!

This was definitely the most adventure-ful thing that has happened to me thus far!

Cheers, everyone!
(wow, that was Aussie sounding, wasn't it!)

Cottesloe Beach

 

 On Sunday, I went with Rikki, the current Au Pair who is leaving this coming Saturday, to Cottesloe Beach! It was very beautiful! The water was aweseomely blue and actually very warm (not uncomfortable warm, but warmer than what I am used to in Monterey. It was about the average Californian's swimming pool temperature). I didn't get to swim this time, because I didn't bring my swimsuit, but there's plenty of time for that later on.

 Just look at these beautiful pictures! This is what I was picturing when I was imagining coming here, back in January. Atwell, the subdivision I live in, is not quite so scenic, but it still is pretty, and has nice trees and parks around it. Cottesloe Beach is about a 20 minute drive from the house. Close enough to go on a very relaxing day trip. The water is usually very calm in the swimming area that we were in. There were quite a few waves on this day, but it was nice. :)

 Aaaaand there were cockatoos sitting in the trees above us! I was laying on my back and was very surprised to see one right above me! Apparently they are not so exciting for most people. I was the only person taking a picture of them. And I've seen a bunch more since Sunday, just flying around the neighborhood.

I walked out to on a pier thingy and looked out at the curve of the earth! Pretty darn awesome, God!

Since then, I have had a very nice time getting to know the family and the area. I haven't started driving yet, but I have been learning where everything is, and getting used to driving on the other side of the road, using kilometers, etc.
I got an Australian bank account today! Yipee! So in a few days I will get my new (pink!) debit card from the bank and can actually start buying things! They gave me some aussie dollars to hold me over until then.

I'm really looking foreward to going to church this Sunday. It seems like forever since I have been, even though I really only missed one week. I might have to look around a bit to find one that fits me, but the one I am planning on attending this week seems pretty nice (at least, from what I can tell from the website and podcasts). Can't wait to connect with fellow believers!

Also, I'm starting to think in an accent. Only when I am listening to the radio, or the Australian accented GPS, but it's still there. Hmm... we will see what becomes of that.

Until next time!
TTFN!
(ta-ta for now) <3

Greetings from Perth!

Hi everyone! I have arrived safely in Perth!
That flight was so long! I am very happy to finally be here, and just woke up from sleeping for about 11 hours. And I definitely needed it. The trip in total was 26 hours long. Being that those mere 26 hours brought me through 2 whole days and halfway around the globe, I think it's safe to say that they were the longest hours of my life thus far. The flights were uneventful (I've heard "boring" is a word that is only good when used to describe an airplane ride). Well, boring it is! It turns out I like flying a lot more when I am not congested. Luckily, I was in an eisle seat, so I could get up and walk around/use the restroom whenever I needed to. When I wasn't sleeping, I was trying to read (which is hard when you are low on sleep) and watched Thor: The Dark World and The Lone Ranger! Pretty good movie selections on this flight, if I do say so myself. There was about 30-40 films/tv shows to choose from, and they played on little personal screens on the back of the seat in front of me. Virgin Australia had very good food (I ate a grand total of 3 airline meals and one snack). Beef stroganoff, cheese omlettes, and some yummy chicken-mushroom thing. The attendents were pretty cool too. They all had aussie accents! As did many of the passengers. The man sitting next to me was from Melbourne, and was very excited to wecome me to Australia! Apparently I need to visit Brisbane and the Golden Coast.

The family is very kind and welcoming, and the little girl is adorable! She can say my name already, because she has a doll named Emily, also. :) We may be going out to eat lunch later today!

The house is beautiful! I haven't seen much of anything yet, except from looking out the window on the drive from the airport (which I may not have been fully awake). But the sky is very blue and clear (no yucky valley haze here), and it's nice and warm and summery! Can't wait to go exploring!

Bye for now!

Thus The Journey Begins...

I am officially checked in and prepared to board my flight to LA!
After having some very yummy pizza in San Francisco with the fam, I passed through security and found my gate very easily. Now comes the wait! My flights go from LA to Melbourne and then on to PERTH! I am very excited to actually be there!
Thank you everyone for your prayers. I have actually been at peace for most of the process today (other than a small emotional moment when I was leaving my house). Please continue!

Adventure Is Out There

We are in the single digits now, with only 9 days, before I set sail (well, take flight) to Perth! I'd be lying if I said I wasn't anxious, but so far my excitement is overpowering my nerve, thankfully. I'm really not that nervous, just a little bit sad that I will have to say goodbye to all my family and friends. And dog. :( But I rest easier with the knowledge that I will be coming back AND keeping in contact.
It may sound a little nerdy (surprise surprise, coming from me) but only of the reasons I am not all that nervous is that I know every great story begins with a moment like this. With a moment of stepping out of your comfort zone and doing something unexpected. Hardly anyone had any lifechanging, magical adventures sitting at home in front of their computer.

The Pevensies stepped into a wardrobe.
Harry went to Hogwarts.
Rapunzel finally left her tower.
Frodo left the Shire.
Luke left Tatooine (I think that's how you spell it)
Belle went to live with Beast... well, she was kind of force... ok, you get it.

Adventure is out there!



Look at the world, so close, and I'm halfway to it
Look at it, all so big, do I even dare?
Look at me, there at last, I just have to do it
Should I? Here I go!

(That's from Tangled... for you less Disney-obsessed readers) 

17 Days and Counting!

Well, the days are passing so quickly that I feel like I'm just waking up, going to bed, then waking up again. Which is a slightly accurate description, since I am out of school and basically in a "waiting" phase. Only 17 days until my flight leaves for Perth! Technically, I have 18 days until I arrive. Or 19. I'm going to be time-traveling a bit, so I'm not sure, exactly. :) My flight leaves on a Thursday, has a layover in Los Angeles and a layover in Melbourne before landing in Perth on Saturday. But my travel time is only 26 hours. Have fun trying to wrap your mind around that. I know I am.
The anticipation is definitely getting more intense. There will be an hour or two when I don't think about it, then the word Australia will pop inside my head and I will get really very excited. Or anxious. My nerve, thankfully, have been very calm compared to what I expected them to be at this point, and I praise God for that. He is definitely my Rock during all of this. Everything in my life is changing, but I know my Savior is just as present and real in the city of Perth, Australia, as he is in the town of Modesto, California, and it brings such a peace to what I am sure would normally be a very frightening and nerve-wracking time for me.
I've started thinking about packing. Yes, I know. The phrase "it's the thought that counts" really has no hold here. But the planning is real, people! I have been doing "research" (I guess you could call it that) on the best way to pack lightly and tightly, and let me tell you, Google is my best friend right now! Actually, Bing is what I use. Bing beats Google any day! Except when you try to use it as a verb. "Googling" > "Bing-ing."
But the ideas are the same. Layering clothes, rolling clothes, tying clothes up with rubber bands... so much information on this subject! That's why I love in internet. I also have learned, in the process, how to cram 2 weeks worth of stuff into a carry-on (I don't think I will need to do this, but it's good to know), as well as how to pack shampoo and lotion and other bathroom items so that they won't explode/leak over everything you own! There are several ways, but the one I like most is the method where you put a plastic bag screwed on under the lid. I don't know if it works the best, but it just seems so darn creative!
I now have my plane ticket, my work and travel visa, and my travel insurance. My passport was already up-to-date, so thankfully I didn't need to worry about that. Having everything bought, paid for, and organized is such a huge relief, and it also solidifies, in my mind, that this thing is actually happening, and it is happening SOON! Like, less than 3 weeks, soon! That's right... 3 weeks from this very second, I will be thousands of miles away from home!

Well, that's very daunting. Daunting but exciting! It's crazy how much writing gets me processing information. 

On another note, I took the Myers-Briggs personality test online today! If you have never taken it, do it! I promise it is so much fun! (At least for me, which is actually part of my personality... and I will talk about that later). This test basically determines which personality type you are, sorting you into one of 16 different types. I got INFP, or Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling and Perceiving. Apparently, it's one of the rarer types ("That's why you're so weird" said my mom. Hardeehar!) But seriously. The descriptions of INFP people is 99.9% spot on my own personality. I feel like I just got to know myself and it's great! So, part of being an INFP is that you are really interested in how people work/psychology stuff (which I am) and you want to basically analyze human beings and how they see the world. And try to convince them to take the Myers-Briggs test, too!

So, here's a link to the website! It's free and pretty quick! And, did I mention, fun?

http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test

What personality type are you?