Visual

A picture says a thousand words. Dunno how many words these pictures will say, but how can I sum up, the first half of this year?

LIfe goes on...

Wow. Didnt realise it's been so long since my last post. Obviously i havent been missed, coz noone's made any comment :) I guess quite a bit has happened in the time in my last post, but where do i start? I'll try lists, since i just love lists......

- finished my housesitting gig
- moved into my own place (still settling in)
- work's getting into a routine
- really relishing working in kids ministry
- got my 1st real compliment from a parent of one of the kids i teach
- loving the job i have as it allows me to stay up all nite to watch the world cup!
- spiritual life has been a real rollercoaster
- always knew, but never really wanted to believe that females are soooooo damn complicated. i give up.....
- Been real lazy of late, havent been cooking or eating well.
- i miss travelling. REAL bad.

It's funny. I know there's heaps that have been going on, but yet i sit here stuck on what to write.... sigh.

I'll try to post some photos up soon......... pictures say a thousand words, right?

F-R-A-G-I-L-E

Life is fragile.

And this became none more apparant to me until the last couple of weeks. To keep it brief, an absolute tragedy occured a couple of weeks ago. A tragedy likened to something you'd see in the movies. A dearly loved mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend, passed away 2 days after giving birth to a healthy baby daughter. She left behind a husband, and 4 children, all under the age of 5.

When i first heard this, i felt sorry for the family and people involved. But that's about it. I mean, i didnt know these people personally, so it's hard to feel any more. So when they were looking for volunteers to help in the memorial service last week, i put my hand up as i thought i'd be one of the few that wouldnt be too affected, as i didnt know them personally.

How I was wrong.

I havent been so sad for a long long time. By the end of the service, i felt emotionally drained, numb and extremely upset with a heavy heart. I could not begin to fathom how her husband must be. And i didnt even know her personally. But i did realise that i knew her children, which was the real heartbreaker for me. I am connected to the kids thru sunday school, and hence a wave of despair overcame me during the service, and the rest of the day.

I find it difficult to look at children and families now without this tragedy in mind. This was such a young family of promise, which was so easily broken just like that. I look at people and the world and realise how easily it could be broken. In a world where we LIKE to think we're in control, it goes to show just how little control over life we really do have.

No words or actions could ever express my condolesences to the family, but my heart bleeds for them. Now i have the slightest inkling of what Christ feels for us, why he died for us. May we remember what this long weekend signifies for us all.

Life is fragile indeed.

Life's luxuries

There's a something special about life's little luxuries, isnt there? And i think i've found another one of them.

When one goes grocery shopping, we always look for the cheapest deals, right? And that goes for mundane things like toilet paper. Well, i decided to go against the trend, and splurged on bog rolls. I bought the most expensive, thickest, multi-ply'd, fragrant paper i could find. I just had to find out if there really was ANY difference! I mean, at the end of the day, they all have the same purpose, and its purpose is pretty simple, so how different can companies make them!?

Let me say this...... it IS worth the extra dollar or two for super thick, quadruple ply, soft, pleasant smelling toilet paper. Tis indeed a luxury everyone should afford........ :)

phone freaks

Ever since that Seinfeld episode where a telemarketing call centre calls Jerry, and he toys with them over the phone, i've been wanting an opportunity to do the same. This morning, I HAD that opportunity..... :)

callcentre: Hello? May I speak to Mr Oh?
me: Sorry, he's not home at the moment, may i take a msg?
callcentre: Oh, no, i cant leave a msg, whom am i speaking to? Is that Mr Oh?
me: No, he's not in. can i take a msg?
callcentre: who am i speaking to?
me: who am I speaking to?
callcentre: I'm Angel, and you are......?
me: what can i do for you?
callcentre: If wont tell me who you are, i'll have to end this conversation...
me: fine. (end of conversation)

Who do they think they are!? They dont DEMAND i identify myself.... They called ME, i dont know who the heck they are, why should i identify MYself? I'll bloody well tell them my name if I FEEL like it, not coz i HAVE to. At least I'm a little satisfied now. :)

High Drama

I was at the post office on Monday, handing in my application for the government's new "Working With Children" card. Now it's a pretty sad state of affairs when it is required to register adults working with children because of all the sickos around, but that's another matter.....

Anyway, i thought it'd be a 5 minute job, in and out, maybe with a quick snapshot for the card.... But no, it took about an hour! How so u may ask? I guess when u take into account lining up, and all that, it could take awhile. But not an hour surely!?

Well it takes that long when u have to fill out the forms MORE than once. I'm not an idiot (i think) but apparantly there are such strict regulations on HOW to fill out the stupid form. And it aint short either. And i had to redo it THREE times! And have to goto my employer to get her to sign in THREE times. Can u see how it took an hour?

First time: "nup. Sorry. It's blue. You HAVE to use BLACK pen"
Second time: "nope, you signed OUTSIDE the box. Yup, even if it's 0.5 mm outside the box, u have to do it again"
Third time: "ok "

And u should've seen the drama it kicked up in the post office, as the lady showed various staff and superiors in the post office to confirm that i had to redo it again. The all stared at it for minutes, shaking their heads in disapproval, shocked at my discrepancy. Seriously ladies, it's only a bloody form with half a millimetre of my signature hanging out of the box, it's not exactly a terrorist bomb. Some people need a chill pill.........

Some things are better left unsaid.

Sometimes there are certain things in life you just dont want to know about. Knowledge that once attained, will ruin the image you had previously carved in your mind. Things that actually leave u feeling dumber than u were before. Just something u know you would be happier if u just did NOT know..... But when u take one of nature's true miracles, your perception is that its all dandy, beautiful and wonderful, until the reality of the situation is revealed to you.

At work, i'm surrounded by women. Some may say that's paradise. And in most cases, it is. But today, i learnt certain things about "women business" i didnt appreciate too much. The talk at lunch came down to babies and pregnancies, which is understandable since one of them is expecting her 1st child.

I dont want to scar some of you fellas out there, but lets say that the woman's body goes thru some unsavoury changes thru her pregnancy, that may not be so obvious to the outsider. U have the obvious lumps and bumps that appear that anyone can see, but there are other things so hideous and dark that it pains me to think about it. Apparantly the look on my face was priceless as the girls went on comparing pregnancy notes. I think my expression was one of sheer shock and disgust, similar to one suffering from a nauseating kick in the goolies, that left the girls laughing their heads off.

I guess u mums out there would know what these are, but lets just say, i'll never look at a pregnant lady the same way again.

Annual Review

Tis the time of the year again, well the START of a new year, so as with everyone else, it would be most appropriate to perform our annual review of 2005. Heck, if big corporations can do it, why cant I??

I know it's a big call, but 2005 has been the BEST year in my memory. I guess there has to be a "best" somewhere, and mine so happens to be very recent as compared to a long time ago. What would culminate 2005 to be the best yr in my very poor memory? Well I could mention a few....

- starting 2005 with backpacking around europe for the 1st 3mths of the year.

- built my 1st BIG snowman ever
- mission trip to madagascar and mauritius
- The forging of new friendships and deepening of existing friendships
- All the weddings!! Congrats Steve & Nicola, MayChin & Rob, Ron & Sara, Ivan & Angel.....

- The terrific new job i so badly needed. Thank God for saving me!
- The balance struck between work and play, I'm loving my roster!!- Full recovery from my back surgery

- And to top it all off, a terrific NYE spent down south, with me sleeping under the grandest night sky, bursting with more stars than I have EVER seen in my life.

I have been so blessed this year, and i thank EVERYONE and everything for being a part of it. And God wililng, may the good times rock on!!

Tis the Festive Season

I am officially on holidays as of NOW! After having a marathon session at work, (and an equally marathon of a phone conversation, to which i found out ppl still read this blog...) I can now rest easy and look forward to days of pleasure. But looking at my diary, i dont have a lot of time to rest easy for some reason! What kind of holiday is this!? But its good busy, and the sort of busy that is in preparation to the ultimate relaxation period.

But this is indeed the most festive season i've had in awhile........

1) Friday, catching the ferry to Rotto, where our work xmas party is at. A great day of sun (we hope!) and fun!
2) Saturday, got dinner with the impact leadership crew!
3) Sunday, well, it's sunday.
4) Monday; pick my couz up from the airport (7am in the bloody morning!) and do food shopping for the week ahead.
5) the REST of the week; DUNSBOROUGH!

Yes, next week, i've got the week in Dunsborough, and opportunity to really kick back and relax. I've got so many good memories of that place, even though i havent been there in 6 yrs. We've got an awesome crew heading down there, and found a sweet house to shack up in.

I can picture this time of great fellowship and a truly revitalising time away. Plenty of eating and drinking will be done, true to the festive spirit.

Let the festivities BEGIN!

Sad news.

I know whenever something major on the news occurs, a lot of people blog about the same issue. I'm sorry to say that i will be doing no different, but this is a topic that strikes close to my heart. Sometimes i think its better not to watch all the news reports about the racist riots in sydney, and just turn a blind eye.

But would it be better to ignore it and believe that the "majority" arent like that and that majority rules? I totally agree that racists in Australia exist, but they are the minority. I have not experienced racism in a long time, not since i was in school. But what really gets to me is how the politicians are trying to "sweep this under the carpet" and blame it on alcohol abuse.

I watched an interview with the lord mayor of Cronulla, and all he kept saying was "too much alcohol" and "lets move forward from this". Yes we have to move forward, but u cant just IGNORE what has just happened!!!!!!!!!! Prime Minister Howard is in denial if he thinks there is no racism involved. Yes it's a law and order problem, it's bloody racial villification, so it IS against the law! But for fuck's sake, can he not see it for what it is!?

Politicians piss me off for ONE reason. Their need to weasel their way around questions or issues, until they can get their lackeys to write them a proper statement. It's great that Howard doesnt condone what has just happened, but dont think that letting these ppl just "cool off" and sober up will cure the situation. The underlying problem is still there. Alcohol and a minority of shitstirrers just magnified it. These so called "leaders" are promoting the act of sweeping it under the carpet and hope no one noticed.

I'm so glad that this has made international news, and i really hope this does damage australia's reputation. Howard needs to realise that he needs to fix his own backyard up before he plays with the big boys in Asia. He wants australia to be part of asia, but if it gives off the impression that they're not wanted, what hope has he got?? Also, this might be the spur for the community of Australia to bind together and really fight against this wrongful reputation. Australia is a beautiful country with great ppl of all cultural backgrounds. But there are too many fence sitters led by a person lacking testicles suffering from shortman syndrome.

Personally, i feel the police have done the best they could and good on them. I just hope the governments dont let them down and follow this up and finish it off. Sometimes i think the best punishment would be humilation rather than jail. Why not publish EVERY one of their faces in every newspaper and news show to reveal these cowards for who they are. There's so much video footage of the riots, why not freeze frame as many ppl as u can, identify them and publish their name and picture in the "riot roll call of shame"?

May Justice prevail.

Blessed union

It takes a bit for me to be inspired to blog nowadays. And the weekend has been inspiration enough. I've had the honor to witness the union of a true mate with his partner for life.

It seems as though I've had weddings coming out of my ears of late, but this one i truly have been looking forward to for a long time. (not as long as the groom has, of course!) It was a day of great celebration, and i havent met a more relaxed groom ever! The day started off with a bit of tenpin bowling, then the wedding ceremony, all the way to the reception! Whatever the case, to be able to go tenpin bowling on the day of your wedding, that's truly stress free!

As usual, the bride steals the show, but that's ok. The whole day seemed to pass by smoothly, even the weather held up for us. But to top it off, just when you thought it was safe to hit the road and go off home, Seabs had to get his car bogged. So we hung around for what seemed like awhile trying to un-bog the mighty ute. In the end, all methods failed bar the most crude one.... Just lift the bloody car, we've got enough blokes here! So all in all, a memorable day and night. :)



But all i really have to say is, "Ron and Sara, congrats on this great union, and my best wishes and prayers are always with yous for the rest of your lives." :)

What the bucks!?

For those still interested...........

Yes, i'm still alive. Not only that, but also kickin....... i've found a new lease on life that has allowed me to keep kickin. It's amazing the difference it makes when you have a job and workplace you actually WANT to be there for. Where you wake up in the morning and WANT to goto work and do GOOD work too. Needless to say, my new job is going great, i'm enjoying it thoroughly and hope it will continue to be as great as it is now.

Another thing that has been happening lately are weddings. They seem to be popping up EVERYWHERE. I just went to one last week, got one next week, and another one in the 1st week of jan. Not to mention the ones friends have to goto as well. People are getting hitched all over the place. And the timing aint so great, i mean, some ppl have xmas to budget for as well!!

And with weddings, buck's nights preceeds them. Well in my case, buck's day. It all started well with a barbie with the fellas and a few drinks shared, until the fun and games started. I've never been to a buck's do quite like this one. And to put it bluntly, if i had to go thru this, i'd rather not get married. That's how bad it was. What is the reason for a buck's night anyway!!?? It's bloody mindless and useless if u ask me.

The poor groom was basically humilliated and degraded in a public place in acts i consider barbaric. I dont see the fun in it or the point of it. Cracking eggs and smothering used nappies on someone............ WHY? And that wasnt the worst of it. Would a stripper been better? I dont know, but i think both are as bad as each other. The main take home message is, i aint having no buck's nite, that's for sure!

Insomnia

I dont know if i have it. How does one diagnose oneself with this? Would being wide awake in the middle of the night (morning) have anything to do with it?

I dont think i'm a chronic sufferer of insomnia, but man, it would suck if i was. At this moment, i cannot get to sleep, i've been tossing and turning in my bed for the last 2 hrs, unable to fall asleep. Then again, how do u know if u have fallen asleep? I remember those dreams where u dream you're awake, when actually you're not, but asleep, if that makes sense.... ;P

Or am I currently sleepwalking/typing? Now that would be freaky. They say that sleepwalkers appear to be totally normal as they do things, so i could've slept-walk to my computer, turned it on, logged on, and blogged away....... hmmmm..

Maybe it's got something to do with my new job....... It does involve later hours, much like a night shift, only i dont go ALL night. For instance, 2 nite i got home at 10pm. Like a friend of mine suggested, it takes time to wind down after a day's work, and if mine started later and finished later, then its gonna take longer to wind down..... I guess that sounds about right.

Doesnt make me feel any better though....... Zzz.

Longing

The last 3 weeks have been very awkward. I believe it has to do with the transition period that i am going thru at the moment, the switching of workplaces. It has been dead quiet at work, and i have been literally working half days for the past 2 weeks. The less work i have, means less money, but that's not really bothering me. I think what bothers me the most is the apparant waste of time i am faced with each day. And lots of time on one's hand leaves a lot of time to think.........

I feel guilty, sloth-like and lazy, coming home each day at 11am, after working for only a couple of hours. Coz everyone else i know is working, there's noone to hang with, which leaves me able to bask in the lovely spring sun, by MYSELF. It may sound good to some readers out there, but i dont know..............

Nothing makes this worse for me then to think about travel. Just like chocolate or il gelato are some people's weaknesses, mine is travel. I was flicking thru the lonely planet webpage, to the thorntree forum. It's a forum where fellow travellers post FAQ and comments about all the places they are visiting or visited. Just going thru that forum makes my heart yearn ever so much to be out there again.

As i sit here and read everyone's comments, questions or short stories, emotions run high. I laugh at each mistake the traveller is about to make, and i empathise with those that had the same experiences i had. I become suprised with NEW facts that come from places i've visited, which make me wanna know more.

The world is an amazing place. Who could've fathomed the creation of such a melting pot of people, places, cultures, smells, sounds, colors, buildings, food, languages or experiences that leaves the heart and mind longing for more and more..... I guess it's true; noone truly knows your heart's desires more than God himself.


How I long to set foot on foreign soil once more..........

Occurences thus far

I think God is trying to tell me something.............. I should STOP playing basketball. I totally busted my hand last week, and it's taking a very LONG time to heal. I've broken fingers and strained and jarred fingers, but i've never sprained it in such a way before. My whole thumb and forefinger were so swollen, it hurt just to move them. And the next day, it went REAL black..... that was scary.



I had to cancel the afternoon of work, coz i just couldnt do squat. That sucked. But on the up side, i have a bit of news for the few who still frequent this blog......... I've QUIT!

Yes, after yrs of suffering, i've finally managed to find a new place that will further my career, and more importantly, maintain my sanity. This new place is most definitely a step UP for me, and the type of workplace that reflects my personality and professionalism.


Aside from that, the weekend was pretty full on. We had our church camp over the weekend which was a total suprise packet.... it was fabulous. Then on sunday nite was Church Together. For those not knowing what that is, you may have heard it, literally. Supreme Court gardens, thousands of people, LOUD music. Anyone within the vicinity would've heard it, and if u did, i hope u got a chance to pop in and have a look. It was grand..... I was totally taken by the venue and i hope they have it here again next year.......

Inspirational

I have just finished this book that has left me all the more inspired, yet depressed. I got given the travel photography book "One Planet" the other day as a gift, which is totally my thing, and i love it. It's a beautifully laid out book, boasting 242 'inspirational travel photographs' from various photographers and travellers. It is a collection of phenomenal photos that give me ideas and possibilities for my future photo taking.

I've come to realise just how gorgeous our planet earth is, and how vast it is and us so small and insignificant. I've never been the arty kinda guy, but i can appreciate good pics when i see them, and this book shows it all. I can but "try" to achieve the same effect these photos have. The editors claim that these photos were selected to allow the reader to feel that they are partaking in the actions IN the photo, and as bizzare as that sounds, it's does!.......... As i sit here trying to describe what i have seen in this book, i've come to realise that no words can, and that pictures do indeed say more than a thousand words......

But the problem is, upon completing this book, of the 242 photographic prints there, i can safely say that i have been to just about NONE of the places in the book. (Ok, maybe 10) I believed that i've been fortunate enough to travel a fair bit in the past 3 yrs, but after reading this book, my ego's been shot..... I feel there's SO much to see in the world, and i havent even begun to scrape the surface! Why did God have to make this place so big? ;)

So 2 take-home messages from this book:)
(1) Have to travel more and see more of our great planet.
(2) take better photos.

Easier said than done..............

Settling back home

It's definitely been a long time between drinks, and since i've scraped the bottom of the barrel as far as things to procrastinate on, here i am......

It has been a tough period for me, since coming back from Africa. Not so much that i miss the place, i guess its the first time in a LONG time (this whole year in fact) that i have to accept the fact that i'm back home and am not going anywhere else soon. No travel to look forward to. Nothing. Nada.

If i look back to my past 24 months, i've always had a travel destination to look forward to, so all my efforts at work and elsewhere were directed toward those goals. This is the first time in 24 months that i dont have any such goals to strive for.

Plus, this is the first time in a long while that i've actually been home for an extended period of time. Usually, i'm always off on little trips here and there, whether it be for work or leisure. I guess in a nutshell, i'm back into the normality of life........

Well, 2 mths into it, i guess i can say i'm finally settling in. I'm reminded constantly of my real purpose and direction in life, and that i dont need those "travel incentives" to keep me going. Far from it in fact. I've realised and am glad that my difficulties were only a short phase i had to go thru. Now, I'm serving a lot more at church, getting back into sport (now the back's better) and really enjoying my work rest and play.

The only thing i'm looking forward to now is some warmth (bring on summer!) where i hope to get a scooter in the next few weeks to really take advantage of the great Perth summer. Speaking of Perth, we're still voted in the "top 5 most livable cities", but dunno why melbourne is still ahead of us............ You can check out the report here. Now, i've been to vienna (rated 3rd) and geneva (rated 4th), and being TOTALLY and HONESTLY unbiased, Perth is a WAY better.

Perth is definitely my HOME, and i'm glad to be home. :)

Photos!

I've finally posted some photos......... www.flickr.com/photos/missiontrip05

Click on the albums on the left side of the page. I've tried to order them chronologically as much as i could. As always, there's a story to every picture, so if u wanna know about it, you'll just have to ask.

Hope u enjoy!

African return...

My return to Perth has been a memorable one. For the 1st time, the reality of my arrival home didnt hit me until the plane literally hit the tarmac (And the landing was a rather smooth one in comparison to some of the other landings we experienced whilst away).

Never had i felt so physically exhausted, emotionally drained or intellectually zapped after a trip. Normally i feel, well, normal!! But spiritually, I felt totally recharged.......

This trip to africa is one i will treasure for a long time to come, as it was the kind of trip i really needed to improve my spiritual growth. I wouldnt say my faith was wavering, but it was definitely stagnating.

For those wondering, we went to Madagascar to teach the local pastors and church leaders. We basically had to lead an inductive study into 3 books of the bible; the books of Galatians, Ephesians and 1 Timothy. This is something I was not very comfortable with, as I thought my knowledge to be insufficient to be teaching anyone! But give God a chance, and it'll amaze you what he can do with you. :)

I could write a book on my travels, but it still wouldnt cover what i have to say. So here are a few pointers i have extrapolated instead, any other details and you will just have to ask me personally...........

- poverty sux, especially when u see it affecting children
- half the population of madagascar is aged under 14, so there were a LOT of kids!!
- When challenged outside your comfort zone, giving my fears and apprehensions to God empowered me to complete tasks once thought impossible.
- I've developed a real compassion for the people of madagascar and africa
- Perth is SO clean and nice smelling!
- Lemurs run funny and have soft hands. (yes hands, NOT paws!)
- Madagascar is reknown for their wood carvings, and i scored these carved hidden daggers and a carved musical lute for under $10!!
- On our return from madagascar, we went via mauritius for further teaching, but also for some R&R...... :)
- On one of our days off, we formed a scooter gang and terrorized the island of Mauritius. We invaded the lush tropical beaches, tranquil blue waters, gently swaying palm trees, doing as we pleased (mainly lying on beaches comatose)
- I've taken a liking to sunbaking, where in the past i detested it. Must have something to do with the Mauritian sun! :)
- Scooters rock, especially when all they are used for was for getting from one beach to the next.
- The food in Mauritius was delish!! The chinese food in madagascar was NOT.
- I tried snails for the 1st time ever in madagascar!!
- Africa will always have a place in my heart. Always.

Photos will be up when i get the time to put them up. Watch this SPACE!!!

Madagascar: NOT the movie.

Well, I think this will be my last post for awhile, not that i've been posting much anyway..... The time between my last post and now has been pretty hectic, i dare say its been one of the craziest periods of my life so far.

That's a big call, whenever u r comparing it to all the other events in your LIFE. But i think its right up there. This is mainly coz work has been crazy, so that's the entire day taken up. On top of that, i still have my daily commitments at nights, which really leaves only monday nite free for me. But now, i've started playing basketball on monday nites, so i dont think i've got a spare weeknite anymore......... i think i'm gonna hafta reassess my commitments. I dont think i'm burning out, but i probably could if i'm not careful.

I'm leaving for Africa on friday night, which is the other reason why i havent been blogging much or will be for the next few weeks. Preparation for the trip has been mad as well, especially when things have been quite disorganised. So the last few days leading up to our departure, there's been a mad dash to get things done.

For those that dont know, i'll be heading on my 1st mission trip ever, to africa, namely; Mauritius & Madagascar. We'll be going there to teach the existing church pastors and leadership groups there, which to me is one of the most challenging things i have ever done. I mean its one thing advising a graduate at work, but teaching the bible to pastors!? ME!?

I'll be honest and say that i had my doubts leading up to our departure. I mean, i've never had any teaching/lecturing experience in my life, let alone any theological training. But this week has been good, it's made me realise that God can work thru me, and its amazing the amt of stuff i'm taking in just before my departure. I just wish i had started a LOT earlier......

Feel free to drop me an email whilst i'm away, it'll be nice to hear from ppl!!! (If i can find internet access over there!)