holidays!

I spent 10 days visiting a friend in NZ. My first holiday all year! And it was amazing. It was great to catch up and see the sights.
Unfortunately she had to work a couple of the days I was there - but I just borrowed the car and went road-tripping around the local area. The pic above is from one of those days. It was a winding road down to the beach without many spots to turn pull off and take pics. So I just looped the camera around my wrist and took pics as I was driving!

holidays!

As many of you will know, this past year has been manic to say the least.
Somehow I've made it to the end of the year without taking any holidays. But today, I am on holidays - and I'm very excited about it!!!!!
Sleep deprivation might be impacting the clarity of my verbal skills at this point in time, but nothing a good sleep won't fix. I'm blogging from Wellington airport where I've had a nine hour layover in the middle of the night.
I had planned on sleeping in the airport - I mean seriously, after Fiji, Wellington airport aint got nothing I can't handle. But as I was snoozing in arrivals at about 1am I became aware that the airport was shutting down for the night - say what? You mean it isn't like Sydney airport and they don't stay open all night?!
Thankfully the guards took pity on me when I asked if there was somewhere nearby I could go for a few hours and they let me into the cafeteria section of departures where I was able to catch a 2 hour snooze.
I can't believe how busy this place is at 4am!

But here's to being on holidays for the next 9 days.

September Slump

I fell into September slump a few days early this year. It is the time of year when I want to have a break, but there is a grim realisation that there isn't going to be one. I think it came early this year because I have been thinking about what I will be doing next year. I have been going to job interviews etc. It makes me want to be there now and frustrated with still being a student. 4 years is a long time when you don't like sitting still!

It is hard to believe that I am even feeling over my project. That's right, I am struggling to be content in my research of contentment.

So even though I didn't get the draft of my project done for today's due date, I am taking the weekend off in the hopes that I will come back refreshed ready to write many thousands of words.

That's right, I'm outta Sydney for the APEC weekend. I drive to Newcastle tonight, then fly up to Brisbane tomorrow and I'll be back on Monday.

Here's to a relaxing weekend.

just cracked the half way mark on words.....
i don't think i've ever cut one this close to the deadline before.
let's hope i can get another 1000 words out in the next 2 hours

1050/2000

a moment from holidays on the central coast earlier this year - I'm hoping it will give me the inspiration to keep going and think of the rest that will come on completion (if only for a day or so)

I spent the weekend in the mountains. Listening to talks at KEC and hanging out with friends. We stayed in a beautiful cottage. The gardens were amazing.
I have good friends who spoil me.


refreshed, relaxed, rebuked and encouraged - a wonderful weekend away.

now back to reading and writing.... (2000 words due tomorrow - none written, book that it is based on not read yet)

Week 6

Has come to a close.

Sermon preached for chick's chapel and exegetical done (I had to do a fair bit of culling).

This week I have been reading various opinions on 1 Tim 2. And as always, I have also been reading on singleness and contentment. I am not sure how it will play out, but there seems to be a link between certain positions on 1 Tim 2 and singleness. I can't exactly put my finger on it yet. It is something for me to ponder and work over in the coming weeks.

Being in 4th year and going on college mission means I get to delegate. The task of speaking at the women's event on mission has gone to one of the 3rd year girls and I get the joy of speaking at the youth event - I can't wait.

Off to the mountains for 2 days with Trinity, Jax and T. I'm hoping it will be a refreshing time. I just wish I didn't have that essay due on Tuesday!!

the nomad returns

After not having slept in the same location for more than 4 nights in a row since Nov 24th, tonight sees the end of my nomadic season. I am back at home in my little apartment, unpacking and tidying for the arrival of my bed tomorrow.

I went to my pigeon hole today and collected my 4th transcript for 2006, and thus collecting my final Hebrew result. I called Mamma and Pappa Swan to thank them for their hard work in tutoring me over the past year. I was so good to speak to them - I miss them. My final result was good. However, my overall average is still not high enough to do a project, so an application has been drafted and will be submitted this week. NJ and APP are supporting my application, so I can't really see it being a problem. And besides, God is in control!

I am kinda looking forward to college going back. The idea of staying in one place longer than a week. But I also am dreading going back. Back to study, daily classes. But I do miss my friends....

Now if only I could remember what time hebrew summer school started on monday....
or where the piece of paper is that would tell me everything i need to know about rego, summer school, etc....

the end

So after not sitting my final Hebrew exam last year, I got to do it this morning.

Now this may be saying something about my current state of mind, but it was fun.

I look forward to Hebrew summer school starting in a few weeks.

But for now, I pack and leave for KYLC.

seasons

like moving house
a friend's engagement
holidays
summer time

Over the past few weeks I have once again noticed the seasons. Things change.

My nomadic lifestyle has almost come to a halt. After spending 27 of the 31 days in December away from home, I am looking forward to getting settled. I have moved house, and hope to post some pics of it soon (or at least the view). Until then, I leave you with pictures from some of my holiday travels. Swimming in Gloucester river, sunset on the farm, and the fireworks on NYE.

holidays, camps, and packing

I left for holidays. Heading north, I met up with some crew from college at Budgiewoi.
When that fun was over, I headed south for a family holiday with the Ould's and Tweety.
I stopped home for a night on my way back north for a week of sailing camp.

I'm back home now - for the moment. Mum is on her way over to help me start packing for the move.
So much mess. Where to start? And what shall I get Mum to do once she arrives?

Camp was fab. I got to see Max and his tractor again. He is an amazing man who is serving the Lord at the camp site. A huge encouragement to me during my time away.
I spent the week driving power boats and telling kids about the good news of Jesus. I was thankful that there were no major boating incidents, and for the opportunity to join in on discussion groups. It was a great reminder as to why I am at college, and the fact that I love hanging out with young people sharing the news of the gospel with them.

Mum's going to be here any moment.

My nomadic lifestyle continues on Tuesday.

a brief return

After a few short, but relaxing days on the central coast, I am back in Sydney for the day before I head away tomorrow morning.

Our days were filled with talking, laying on the beach, painting (I took my paints and canvases up), going for morning walks, shopping and just enjoying people's company.

Hopefully I'll get some pics from JT or Kel when they get around to doing all that needs to be done with digi camera etc.

I'm off to see the wizard,


the wonderful wizard of OZ.





I'll be back in a while (but don't hold your breath)