Create your own snowflake...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WOOT!

I would just like to say....

I GOT ACCEPTED INTO BIBLE COLLEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na...BATMAN!

You know that scene in Batman Forever where he calls all the bats, and they come in this massive swarm? Yah, I felt a bit like that scene Friday night.

We went to a park for our final youth group with the teens from Resi on Friday, and it has just started to get dark as we were leaving. As we walked over a cable foot bridge that went over the Yarra river, hundreds of black bats (with wing spans of like two feet) had just woken up and were flying overhead. By far, one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Here's a quick clip I got of it. All those giant black things that look like birds...yah those are bats!

Hair Raising

So...random thought.

You know how hair salons can give you hair extensions? A very handy thing I guess if you have short hair but need to be in a wedding, or maybe for a formal you want to have longer hair to do more things with.

Typically I reckon, hair salons use synthetic hair. However, I saw a sign on my way to work yesterday that said "Human Hair Extensions."

Hmmm

My question. Off of whose head are they getting this hair for the human hair extensions? I know that people donate their hair to organizations that make wigs for people who have lost their hair due to illness...but do people actually chop off a foot of hair to donate it to a hair salon for people with lots of money to pay to have longer hair??

So my thinking is, either the source of the hair is something dodgy...or I'm just seeing a new side to the materialism of our world.

Any brilliant minds care to shed some light on the subject??

Lizards and Losses

I'd like to share a little story of my moment this weekend where my true idiocy showed.

Friday night, as I was about to get into the car, I kicked something. Turned out..it was a blue tongued lizard. Yes, I did the girly thing, and screamed and jumped back...mostly because that was the last thing I was expecting to step on in the drive way. I told Matt what I saw and we both watched it as it ran and hid under the car. So, of course, I decided I needed to take a picture. I told Matt to chuck me the keys to get into the house, and thinking VERY logically, I put my wallet on the boot of the car so I wasn't carrying too many things in my hand. I came back, and took several pictures of the lizard (Frank, as I'd like him to be called) and then made sure he was away from the car as Matt backed out of the drive way.

Two hours later....Matt says to me "so, do you have any money on you?" OH CRAP. "umm...I think I left the wallet on the back of the car when we left the house...."

So what followed was 2 hours of searching the streets around Matt's house and knocking on neighbours doors, to see if they had seen my missing wallet. As well as me ending up in my bed, under the covers, crying for a great deal of the night. (Hey..try being a Canadian in Australia and losing all your Aus & Can ID! Especially when you're going home in 3 weeks!!)

ANYWAYS, Saturday morning, both Matt and I had another look around the streets, but with no luck. We ended up going to the local police station to fill in a report of lost property. After filling out the form, the police officer went back to photocopy the sheet for me so I had a copy. She came back about 10 minutes later....WITH MY WALLET!!! To say I was happy was an understatement. I danced and screamed and even fell on the floor I was so excited. Turns out, it fell off of the car on the first big turn we did by Matt's house, and a family in the neighbourhood picked it up and turned it into the police station.

So, what have I learned? Yesterday we did two hours in the prayer room at Resi, so I ended up spending some time reflecting and thinking about that question after the drama of Friday night. I've learned that I'm good at being calm and positive in a stressful situation...when it's not about me. I've learned that I'm good at having faith in God in big decisions...when I have time to process them and they're a long way off. But, as it turns out, I lack the ability to remain calm and to just trust God when a life line of mine is cut in a split second, and my "source" of identity and finance is gone with one very silly move. I also learned that through the entire ordeal of about 16 hours, I put myself down a lot. There was no one to blame for the mistake but myself...and boy did I ever blame myself. But I have also learned that yes it was a very silly thing to do..but I'm not the first person to do something like this, and won't be the last. So though my pride may have taken a blow, I need to suck it up, laugh about it, and get over it. As well as the fact that God is good. I was missing my wallet for a total of about 16 hours, and I had it returned to me with nothing missing. I've learned that I need to trust God to provide for all my needs (including ID and finance) in both the small and large things...and through Him, all things are possible!! He is good. This might not have ended with me finding my wallet...but I should have entered into the situation with the mindset that God will provide, no matter what the outcome, instead of thinking that if I didn't get my wallet back, my life was over.

And I guess that's about all I can say on the subject. A dramatic weekend, a good story to tell, some lessons learned, and a renewed sense of provision from God.

To finish off, here is Frank.

Has transporters been invented yet?

Holy crap.

It's 3 weeks until I go home.

Eek.

Dancing Dave

Last weekend we had the random experience of attending a proper dance competition. Our good friend Dave has been doing ballroom dancing now for the past year, and I must say he's quite good at it!

It was a bit humorous to sit amongst hundreds of professional and student dancers and to be in an atmosphere that I've only seen on tv. But, I definitely enjoyed myself and can appreciate the hard work that people put into training in this form of dance.

I was also very proud of Dave, and how great he looked out on the dance floor! We saw him do the quick step, the tango, salsa, the waltz, and about a half dozen others! We didn't stay quite until the end (as it was an all day competition) but he let me know that he won three 1st places, seven 2nd places, and one third place!

Here are two video clips I took of him dancing with his partner.

Congrats Dave!

Another one bites the dust...

And I've lost yet another friend to the black hole of myspace.

Can I just ask....what's the attraction?

Maybe it's because I'm no longer a teen so I don't understand the passion for blinking and sparkly clip art, horrible html coding, sporadic blogs all over the page about what your hair colour says about your sleep position, random comments that make no sense because they're either from very excitable teens or people who only post half a thought every couple of days, or the extremely long time it takes to load the page due to all of the above as well as the flash backgrounds and music added in for that extra touch.

I've heard the reason "it's for keeping in touch!" Well..what happened to msn? I know that every teen is still addicted to that, as well as many people who are 20+, so why can't you just say what you need to in a conversation on msn? And even in the latest version of msn messenger, you can leave messages for people who aren't online, so that they can receive it the next time they're on. Or...heaven forbid...just email the person. There's even the option (I might be stretching it now) of actually ringing the person you need to pass on a message to (or just sending an sms message which is the addiction that has captured Australia by storm). Though I know, none of the above are quite as fun as leaving a comment full of "!!!", words in capitals, statements like "you're so cool!", and random blurbs that fill me in on what colour eyes you had in a previous life.

And for anyone who will give me the reason that it's because it's faster then msn space....I will laugh. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to have somewhere to get blogs up, on a page that loads quickly....then I divert your attention to the engine that is powering this page....blogger.com.

For now I'll just have to accept the rational that people just need a space to put up their latest "rad" picture they've taken of themselves, as well as a way of leaving silly messages on other people's spaces because it's the "cool" way to communicate and tell everyone you have too much time on your hands nowadays. But we all know that I'm against anything that's "cool" and all that it stands for....

I guess that and the fact that I refuse to be apart of an online community that the children I work with use to keep in touch with their friends....who are also children.

And I think thats about all I have to say on the subject.

Rememberance Day Poem

THEY DID IT FOR PEACE

As we stand on the grass of Flanders Field,
he dew and frost beneath our feet,
We look at the crosses, the sadness and losses
of the soldiers who gave up their lives for peace.
The gunfire and bullets,
The cries and the tears
We know why they did it,
They did it for peace.
So now we remember,
Why we bow our heads
In silence to remember
The soldiers now dead.

By Isabel Grace West
Age 9

Honestification

Well, I've got a bit on my mind at the moment. Wait, that's a lie...I have a LOT on my mind at the moment.

I've been keeping some decisions I am in the process of making on the down low, but have decided that I'm just going to get them out there in the open right now with this blog. Mostly I think for the reason that this way I'm still out of the country and anyone who gets upset with me has to wait 6 weeks until I have to see them.

This probably won't come as a huge shock to anyone who I talk to on a regular basis, or knows me well....but I've decided to try and come back to Australia next year. It's something I've put heaps of thought and prayer into, and has been on my mind in some way shape or form for the past 5 months.

I've actually applied for the Bachelor of Ministries Program at Ridley Bible College, here in Melbourne. As well, I'm applying to do the Shop 16 'program', which is the Salvo church plant in Reservoir, where I've been helping with the children and youth programs for most of the year that I've been here. It would essentially mean that I was living in Reservoir as well as being on the children's team as well as doing school.

I'm actually very excited about the idea of next year and being in Australia, though terrified at the fact of not only being back in school full time, but also being in Bible College. It's just not something I ever grew up with the thought of doing, but in recent years it has been a thought that has continued to be in my mind, and I have now decided to take the leap and apply.

I guess you could say I've established a life for myself in Australia, as would be expected for anyone who spends a year in any place. I've been through a lot this past year. Been more home sick then I ever thought possible, done things and been places I never thought I'd get the chance to do, been the most miserable and the most happy I think I have been in my life, built some incredible friendships with people as well as children and youth I've worked with, and I've just experienced a lot.

Right now, a lot is uncertain. I've applied to College, but I'm still waiting to hear from them. If I get accepted, I then have to apply for a student visa, and wait some more. Then I have to try and work out flying back here to Australia, and juggle the best timing for that to happen. To say that the past couple of months has been an emotional roller coaster would be an under statement. I've had moments of absolute certainty, followed by mass panic and negative thinking.

It crosses my mind about once a week to just give up. Throw in the towel and don't even bother to continue with the hassle that trying to get back to Australia is causing me. It would just be SO easy, to get on that plane in December back to Toronto, and pick up my life where I left it, and figure out where to go from there. No big immediate decisions. I'd be surrounded by familiarity. No homesickness. People I know and have grown up with around me. My family supporting me through whatever happens. So easy.

But when have I ever done things the easy way?

I've learnt a lot this year. I've learned what I'm capable of....and what I'm not. I've learned that breaking and stretching hurts...but the outcome makes it worth it. I've learned that being away from family breaks your heart more then anything in the world....but it's while being away you learn how much you really do value and love them and how irreplaceable they are. I've learnt that it's extremely difficult to be in a room with no connections to anybody...but it's like starting life with a new and clean slate having no previous encounters for them to judge you on. I've learned that life is good if you take the easy path...but it's absolute extraordinary when you take chances.

On top of all that I'm repressing with my stresses and worries about this upcoming new year, I have a new fear. A fear that only crossed my mind today. I'm horribly scared that the entire time I'll be home (in Toronto) in December and January will be spent with people either trying to convince me to stay in Toronto, or guilting me with disappointments and other ill feelings about me hoping to return to Australia.

I don't know a lot at the moment. I don't know if I'll be accepted into College. I don't know if I'll be granted a student visa. I don't know if I am able to come back to Australia, when I will be flying back here.

But what I do know is...I don't want to be spending 7 weeks (or however long) with family and friends in Toronto, while I have guilt and sadness poured on me. I have been excited about seeing people at home for the past 2 months, and I can't wait. I don't want my time in Toronto, however long or short, to be anything but full of joy and contentment...and full of tears of being so stinking excited about getting to see my family again.

I also know...I just want those that I love to be proud of me. Proud of what I have been able to accomplish this year, despite absolutely nothing going according to what I had planned, and proud of the fact that I've stepped way out of my comfort zone and applied to Bible college.

I don't really know what else to say besides that. I guess just to conclude, I do have a prayer request. Please keep my application to College in your prayers...along with my sanity. I know God is good. He will see me through.

Blessings

Trying to get a 'Phil' of Halloween

Even though this is a few days late..

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Though I am currently in a country that does not celebrate this festive and fun occasion, I took it upon myself to carve a pumpkin anyways. The fantastic Mr. Atkins took me to a very random fruit market, and there I picked out the biggest, and most orange, pumpkin I could find (which still wasn't that big...nor very orange..but what can you do). They don't have the proper huge orange pumpkins that we have in North America...and they eat pumpkin a heck of a lot more often then we do (though never in a pie...they're missing out I tell ya!), so I did the best I could. Here are a couple pictures of "Phil" (his name is care of Matt).

I also ran into a lot of interesting discussions being over here in this great land over the time of all hallows eve. I've heard the discussion before about Halloween being about the devil and witchcraft and all that sort of thing....but never to the extent that people in Australia believe it to be, which is why this holiday is so frowned upon. As a rebuttal to this argument though...I direct all who read this to the following article..."A Snarky Halloween History."

Though it contains a lot of sarcasim and humour, it is very informative, and an interesting read.



And that's about all I have to say on the subject.

Oh and if anyone got too many Reese Peanut Butter cups in their trick-or-treat bag...save those for me.

Blessings!

Some addictive thoughts

Well, it's definitely been a while since I've actually written a blog, and seeing as I'm sitting at work right now with not much to do, I thought I'd give it a go.

As a random update, I've started a new job as of last Tuesday. My job for the day care agency finished as of a week and a half ago, and I was fortunate enough to have a job interview the next day. I am now the Reception/Admin Assistant for Melbourne Central DHQ. It's full time hours (830-430, Monday-Friday), so that will definitely keep me busy, as well as provide me with some funds, which is always a good thing. It's been a bit of a challenge so far, as DHQ has just recently moved locations and everything is still being sorted out after the move, as well as the fact that I'm just not an office person...but God is good and giving me the wisdom and strength to get through. (Having Matt on call to answer any techy or random office questions has helped a lot too lol)

I thought I might write a post based off of the widely talked about "World of Warcraft." For anyone who hasn't heard about this game, feel free to check out the link to the website. It's pretty much a Role Playing game that is online, so you play and interact with people all over the world. You play in a fictional world, where you are a character that can be an elf, a dwarf, and many other races you'll find in a fantasy world. I'm not very good at describing this game, but perhaps someone else who is good with words with leave a comment and put in a better description *cough* Matt *cough*.

I have become quite familiar with this game as I've been playing it occasionally since January, as well as the controversy that surrounds it. For anyone who hasn't heard the arguments against World of Warcraft, it's that it's addictive and people have changed their whole lives around in order to have time to play this computer game. (I've heard things like that people have lost their jobs or stopped going to school in order to play World of Warcraft.) I'm definitely not going to write anything against this argument, as I do agree it's addictive and people spend way too much time playing it, but going to go for a different spin.

Recently, there was some news coverage over a boy named Cameron, and his addiction to WOW (click here to watch it). It was a bit of a joke to all of us who play, and the game was spammed with people trying to search for "Cameron" in the World of Warcraft online community. But, what I actually was more frustrated with after watching this news story, was from a youth worker perspective.

If you watch the documentary, you'll see several shots of the mother breaking down and crying and saying she's tired of it, she doesn't know what to do, and she describes how her son's addiction started off as casually playing, all the way to not going to school so that he can play for 16 hours at a time. Again, I'm not going to argue against the ability for WOW to be addictive, because just like video games, television, and many other forms of entertainment via technology, it certainly has it's addictive tendencies. But what I am going to say is, how can a parent blame the game for taking over their child's life, when they've just stood by and watched it happen?

In the news clip, they go through a great deal of effort to play on emotion and get the point across that both the mother and son are helpless victims to the game, and they're at a loss as to what can be done. Surely the mother could start by cutting off the internet connection? Or removing the computer from his room? I know that there are situations where parents have difficulties remaining the "parent" with a teenager and often lose the power struggles to their child...but then instead of blaming a computer game for taking over their child's life, should they not look at possible underlying issues like why did he get so addicted to something in the first place? Or why is the parent afraid to just get rid of his internet connection and/or his computer?

I think that I'm just tired of society and media being so quick to put the blame on things. Things like, it's not the parents fault the child is addicted to something, it's whoever produced the addictive product. How about that maybe in today's world there are too many parents who are too busy to take an interest in their child's life to know what's really going on? Or that parents aren't willing to make that really hard effort to communicate to their child that they "don't understand."

Two weeks ago I spent a horrid 4 days at a day care centre in Brunswick. What made it so bad was that there were 3 and 4 year olds who already had their parents wrapped around their fingers. These children were just learning how to talk, and they already knew how to manipulate and get everything that they wanted, and what to do if someone dared say the word 'no' to them. And a lot of that behaviour was due to parents who poured everything into work, and had nothing left to give their children.

Our society is continuing to put less and less importance on family, and spending the time and effort that it takes to have communication and build relationships among family members. I know that we will continue to see families with single parents, and families where both the parents need to work full time in order to cover their finances. But, in no way shape or form does that mean that there isn't time for family...for parents to pour into their children, to know their children, and to be the positive role model and mentor that every child needs to look up to. I know plenty of families with parents who both have to work, or there is only one parent present, and they have more then enough time and love to cover their children with.

I think I've gone on more then a bit of a tangent and ramble with this post, so I better conclude it and leave it there.

Blessings!

CONGRATS JESS!

Congrats to Miss Jessica Hynes on running her first 10km race! AND in finishing in 58 minutes and 47 seconds!! You're a star Jess, I'm so proud of you!

(The picture above is of Jess right after her race standing with her sister Julie.)

Video Clips

I've uploaded a few videos...

Click here to see a segment from the Melbourne Staff Band, where you can see their smooth dance skills added to their playing talent.

Click here to see a clip from our Resi fundraising Formal, and some dancing skills.

Click here to see a clip from the Resi mini camp we went on, and get a look at some authentic Australian bush dancing!

Crazy week

Well, things have definitely been busy in the last little while.

Crazy week started off on Sept 16, when we had a fund raising "Formal" to raise money for the youth at Reservoir who are planning on going to Fiji for a youth conference in the new year. Then on Sept 17, we had "family fun day" for the kids and their families at Shop 16 in Resi, and ran carnival games (with a jumping castle) all afternoon. Then on the 18 and 19, we went away to camp, again with the kids from Reservoir. It's school holidays right now in Melbourne, so we had a mini camp for 25 kids, which was really good fun. Then from the 20-23 ACC (Aggressive Christianity Conference) ran, which is sort of an Australian version of SA ROOTS. I participated in the children's venue, and we had just under 40 kids attend that. Seriously some of the most amazing kids I've ever met within the Salvation Army, and I definitely had an amazing time getting to hang out with them for a few days. I spent Sunday pretty much just staying in bed as I was absolutely wrecked from the craziness of the week, and then Sunday night I had my old room mate from the Order come and crash here for 3 nights. Oh, I did get to the "Melbourne Show" two days, which is like the Exhibition in Toronto, so that was pretty fun. And yesterday, today and tomorrow I've been working 9-6 at a daycare centre that I've been at previously, with absolutely fantastic kids. So...needless to say, I've come down with a cold after the extreme business of the past couple of weeks and I'm currently dealing with a runny nose, cough and a lovely man voice as I'm just trying to get through to Saturday, when I can have some much needed down time.

Well, I think that gives an overview to what I've been up to lately. I've posted pictures from all of the events that I listed up above on my msn space, so click here if you'd like to check those out. I also have a few new videos to upload, but I'll post those once I finally get them onto the computer.

Blessings!

I walk by faith

I walk by faith, each step by faith,
To live by faith, I put my trust in You.

Every step I take, is a step of faith,
No weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Every prayer I make, is a prayer of faith.
And if my God is for me,
Who can be against me?

I walk by faith, each step by faith,
To live by faith, I put my trust in You.

The Crocodile Legend

For the past six or seven years, I've had only one answer to the question "who is your hero?" Despite different reactions from those I've talked to or the grimaces and laughs I've gotten from those I give my response to...I've stayed firm in my opinions. Steve Irwin...Australia's Crocodile Hunter...is my hero.

I can remember many nights back in high school, getting out of bed at midnight to watch "The Crocodile Hunter" with my dad. At first I thought he was just a crazy guy on a weird late night show....but then I got absolutely addicted to his documentaries, and just fell in love with him.

Since I was a kid, I wanted to travel to Australia. Then as a teen, it because a personal life goal to not just get to Australia, but to meet Steve Irwin. Besides the joke that I was going to go down under to find myself an Aussie husband...I have always genuinely had the dream to come to Australia and meet The Crocodile Hunter. I've even obtained a bit of a collection of Steve Irwin stuff...including his movie, a few documentaries, posters, and a very cheesy board game with a crocodile that actually moves. Despite many Australians that I've met here not being a huge fan of Steve, I've remained determined to get up to Queensland to his zoo, and meet him.

Yesterday, apon getting picked up from work, I had Matt look at me very seriously and ask if I had heard the news. I had no idea what he was talking about, so he quickly filled me in on the tragic headline of the day.

Steve Irwin had died.

While filming a documentary, Steve was swimming with sting rays and was stung in the chest by the tail of one of them. By the time he reached medical help on his boat, it was too late, and there was nothing that could be done. He was gone.

I didn't believe it was actually true, and thought it a very unlikely story, until I heard it announced on the radio.

Since yesterday, the story of Steve's death has absolutely taken over Australia. Nearly the entire newspaper today was filled with articles about him, and it is the headline of every news broad cast. In about an hour there is a tribute for his life being shown on tv. Even in day care today, several children were talking about how sad it was that "that poor man died."

Steve leaves behind his wife (Terri), his daughter (Bindi), and his son (Bob). He also leaves The Australian Zoo, as well an absolute legacy of his work, genuine passion, talent and love for his crocodiles, as well as all the animals he worked with.

Despite even now there being bound to be critisims of both Steve Irwin, as well as me classifying him as my hero and writing a whole blog about him...I don't care. It's absolutely tragic to lose such a passionate and genuine man, especially considering how rarely we see people in our world today put as much time and effort into taking care of looking out for the well being of this beautiful world that God has given us, as Steve Irwin has.

Prayers with his family as they deal with the shock and grief that this has brought. And may his legacy live on. For up to date articles and video interviews regarding what happens next, click here.

The joys of child care

You know you've worked at too many daycares when...

- you know all the Wiggles songs off by heart (and the actions!)

- you know the title of the children's book that the kid sitting next to you on the train is reading

- you're surprised when other jobs don't have nap time after lunch

- you're saying "good girl/boy!" to teenagers

- all your pants have play doh, paint, glue, clay, sand, or all of the above deeply ingrained into the fabric

- you're reminding your friends to say please and thank you

- you can put any child puzzle together in 5 seconds or less with your eyes closed

- your back and knees are numb to pain due to having to squat into childrens chairs, pick up toys and children, sweep floors, pack up sand pits, wipe runny noses, tie up shoes, and clean tables that are all only a foot off the ground

- you have to resist the urge to wipe the nose of the person sniffling next to you

- you no longer refer to animals by their name, but by the sound they make

A trip to Camelot

Well, twice in the span of one week now I've been able to cross something off of my list of things I wanted to do while in Australia.

I got a call last night from my friend Sarah, to ask if I wanted to go see the musical production of Camelot today at the Arts Centre. It turned out I didn't get a shift at work, so it worked out well because I was able to enjoy a free ticket to the theatre.

Sarah's friend is in the chorus, so she got 2 tickets to todays dress rehearsal for friends and family, before they had their first official show tonight. It wasn't the best musical I've seen, but I definitely enjoyed it none the less, and really loved the chance to get to go inside Melbourne's Art Centre, and see such a beautiful theatre.

After the show, we were waiting outside for Sarah's friend to come out, when I saw someone I recognized from TV (actually we saw an Australian comedian earlier, Tim Furgeson, when we were picking up our tickets, who Sarah pointed out to me...but it really didn't mean much to me lol). There's a new comedy show that started this year called "Thank God You're Here." (click here to see more about it.) Pretty much they get four Australian comedians each week to individually walk onto a scene that they know nothing about and do improv for the entire span of time that they're in the room. The title of the show comes from the first line that is said by one of the extras in each scene every time a new set plays out. And...(the lucky guy)...Matt actually gets to go to a filming of the show tomorrow night with a friend who got a few tickets, as it's starting up it's second season.

Anyways...the person I recognized outside the Arts Centre after the musical, was one of the girls who is on the show every week, who was obviously a friend of the lead actress who played Guinevere. So....I got Sarah to stand so that it looked like I was taking a picture of her...and I snapped a picture of the chick I recognized from tv.

The picture in the middle shows Sarah on the right, and then the comedian from Thank God you're here on Sarah's left (with arrows to two different pictures of her from the tv show) and the girl beside her is the lead actress from Camelot (with an arrow to the picture of her shown on the outside of the Arts Centre). Oh..and it turns out, the guy on the very left in the picture with Sarah, is the Australian comedian I saw earlier when we were picking up our tickets..though I wasn't meaning to take a picture of him lol.

So overall...another new experience for me here in Melbourne. Now...just need to see those marching penguins...

Blessings!