Manly Beach

Manly Beach is such a nice place. If you're ever over this way you really should pay it a visit. Better yet, pay me a visit!! Last night a group of us from college went to Manly Beach. A girl from college had a friend who we hooked up with. Then he had other friends who we hooked up with. It was great. They were all Christians. It is so neat meeting heaps of new people. We went for a walk along the beach. The moon was so beautiful. Amazingly enough there were people fishing at 10:45 at night!!! Because it was Friday night everyone was out at the restaurants and pubs across from the beach, so it was a great atmosphere.

We hung out at Candy's Cafe. This is a superb place to hang out. There are plenty of activities for everyone. You might like to try your hand at a game of chess, or various other board games. As for us we set up a domino trail on our table. Now that was a lot of fun. For those who are not into that kind of hilarity you may like to read some poetry or just read from one of the many interesting books on the old bookshelf. Food on the menu is delicious. Most of us had massive chocolate shakes. For those of you who are a bit daring you might like to try the coffee/banana shake. Although it actually tastes mostly of banana. The great thing about places like this is that they create the atmosphere for good conversation. So good conversation was had all round.

It is so neat meeting people here who are so like minded to me. Everyone is keen on missions and evangelism. It's awesome and I feel right at home (well almost at home.......I love NZ!).

Well I am going now to do something productive instead of sitting on the computer all day. Talk to you later.

Waiting

Now that I have sorted out all my organisational things I am just waiting around for college life to begin. Yesterday I opened a couple of bank accounts. This was the last thing I needed to do. So I am hanging out for orientation week next week. I am starting to feel a little nervous. It is going to be very full on, meeting a lot more people, learning about all the ins and outs of college life. Today I checked my emails and I was very pleasantly surprised to find so many emails in my inbox. It made me a bit homesick for home. I have been so busy and distracted lately that I haven't really had the time to think about it. But I am still going good and having a fabulous time. Please pray for me this weekend as I have yet to find a church to go to on Sunday. It is very strange not being able to go to Covenant and having to find a church. I will be excited when I finally find one to settle in. That will be great. It will just take a bit of time. Well I might go for a walk seeing as I have nothing else to do at the moment. Bye for now.

Australia Day

Today is Australia Day. So everyone was either at college studying or out somewhere with friends/family. As for myself, I caught the train to Circular Quay with a group of people from college. There were only 5 of us so that was really nice to get to know people a bit better. I had an excellent day. It was so hot. Apparently it was 26 degrees but it felt like a lot more out at Circular Quay. Circular Quay is a great place, right by the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. Because today is Australia Day there was a lot of stuff happening there. We watched some ferry races, listened to some bands, looked in a few art galleries at The Rocks and ate Subways for lunch. Then we saw some plane acrobatics. That was amazing. We got back to college at 5pm and I was absolutely exhausted from being out in the sun all day. I will try and post some photos when I figure out how to post a link to something called Flicker. Must ask Dan about that.

About 6pm some girls came over to Wallace House and we decided to go out for tea. We went to the most fantastic Lebanese food place. We ordered two food platters, which we shared between 5 of us. The whole meal only cost us $5 each!!!! And it was superb food and everyone was totally full. I'll be going back there again for sure : ) It is cool to see people commenting on my blog. It is so easy to access the internet here at college. You can go on anytime you like as long as no one else is already on, in which case you just wait a little while. The problem will be making the time once lectures and part-time work begin. But I will do my best. Hope people have a cool time at Parachute this weekend, for those of you who are going. Wish I was going. I'm going to try and send a group email soon.

Second Day in Oz Land

Hey everybody. Well I've done it. I hopped on a plane yesterday morning and made my way over the Tasman. I am officially living in Sydney!

Yesterday it was very full on from the time I arrived. I have met soooooo many people. It is brilliant. Everyone here is great and so nice to talk to. The girls in my house of residence (called Wallace House) are so friendly.

I am sharing a room with a really nice girl called Kate. So far we get on really well so that's great. The room is quite big so I'm definitely not complaining and we have our own ensuite. That is a bonus!

Meal times are great. It's just like being on camp. It is also a good time to get to know people you haven't met yet. At the moment not many people are here at college because it is Greek Week and only the people studying Greek are here (except for me and a few others). On the weekend all the rest of the residential students will arrive and there will be heaps of people. Cool!!

We had a gelato night last night in Wallace House. All the girls sat in the common room, ate gelato and got to know each other. That was really good. Then I rang home and talked to my family to let them know I had arrived safely.

Today I walked to the Westfield shopping centre which took me 15 minutes. Then I walked back home carrying my heavy shopping bags. I have now bought most of everything that I need. Now I just have to pay for expensive things like fees and textbooks and so forth. Please pray for me that I will get enough part-time work to support myself and keep saving for next year. And that I will continue to trust in God to provide.

Well, gotta go now. I've been on the computer far too long. And dinner is only 1 hour away. It's at 5:45 - Resthome time!!! That will take a bit of getting used to I imagine.

Goodbye

This is my last entry in my blog before I leave N.Z. I just came home from a wonderful night out with friends at Cornwall Park. We had a picnic and then went to Ollies Icecream Parlour followed by hanging out at Scotty's place. It was very strange to start saying goodbye to some people because I truly don't feel like I'm actually leaving. I think it will sink in once I get to the airport. (It had better!) So goodbye N.Z. Goodbye family and friends. Goodbye Covenant Pressy and all the cool people there. I wish I could take you all with me, but alas I am not able. So I will keep you up to date with my goings on by emailing you and posting entries on my blog. See you later and take care.

Computer Geek

Can you tell I have nothing to do? I have managed to post every day (this post will be twice in one day) and I have turned into a "computer geek" who spends all day on the computer. Strangely enough this is something I have passed judgment on others for in previous times. But I have a good excuse........I have nothing else to do!!! I'm just hanging out on holiday until I go to Sydney on Monday. So I've been thinking up posts to write on my blog and chatting on msn all day (well, not quite ALL day).

I am well and truly ready to go to Sydney now. Bring it on I say!! All this waiting around is driving me crazy. At the same time I am thankful for the times I've had with people while I've been "waiting" to go. And just because I am ready to go doesn't mean that I am not going to miss people. Of course I will miss you all.

Sad to say, the wonderfully interesting posts I write (hehehe) will probably not be as frequent once I get to Oz land (at least for the first wee while). I don't know how often I will be able to access the internet. But don't fear, I'm sure I'll be posting once a week, hopefully more, once I actually get into a routine. I know how much you all are going to miss me but there is no need to panic alright?

Maybe I'll write another post before I leave on Monday morning.....maybe not. We'll see how busy I am tomorrow. Until then. Good night. "Yawn"

Packing Stuff in a Bag

Why is it so tiresome packing stuff in a bag to go overseas? I started to pack yesterday morning and gave up after half an hour. I randomly threw some things into my suitcase in no particular order and by no means in any tidy fashion. I really couldn't be bothered. Maybe I'm unconsciously avoiding packing my suitcase because I really don't want to go? Mmmmm...there's a thought. Funnily enough, my suitcase says Qantas on it, but I am flying on Air New Zealand. Hopefully the Air New Zealand workers won't take offence and start throwing my suitcase around for fun. That would not be good.

So I started packing again this morning and I got a little further this time. I probably stuck at it for about 1 hour before giving up and going to chat on msn. Not being able to handle large chunks of time packing I simultaneously went back to the bag and back to the computer again. This method proved to be quite helpful. I was able to be distracted whilst on the computer so when I started packing again I was much more productive. I think I will keep this method up. At the moment I am on the computer writing this post, so in about half an hour I'll probably go back to my room and attempt to pack again.

I have toyed with the idea of just sticking at it and getting it all done. But then what on earth would I do all day? I find the above method effective because it is helping me fill in the days and it is making time pass more quickly. So I will stick with it. Of course, it is unhealthy to be inside all day, so I will allot some time in my day to get outside in the fresh air and go for a run. That will be good. Anybody want to come? Oh that's right....everyone is at work. And I'm on holiday. Oh the life!

Well, my half hour is going to be finished soon, so I'd better go. Back to packing.

"Awwwwwww!!" Cutesy Kittens

Yesterday I went to see my Aunty Sharon at her house. My aunty and uncle have recently bought two oh so darling, beautiful, cutesy kittens. They are overly gorgeous!!! I just want to squeeeeeeze them and cuddle them.

Because they're still quite young she is keeping them in the laundry where they sleep in a massive open cage. Free to roam in and out of the cage, their favourite pastimes include (a) eating (b) sleeping and (c) playing. Poking our heads around the door to prevent kittens running out into the hallway we saw them curled up and sound asleep. But I couldn't resist. I had to stroke them. Putting my hand inside the cage, a very nervous Penny gave a little squeak and backed away slightly. However, after sitting on the floor for a few moments she promptly walked over to me and lay down against my leg. Awwwwwwww!!! She is soooooooo cute. Cindy decided that she was quite happy in her sleepy existence and continued on in her kitten snobbery. She is a lovely tabby cat and smaller than Penny. Cindy and Penny are the greatest friends and look so darling together. Penny is black.

Shortly before we had to leave I felt compelled to have one last look into the laundry. I got a friendly goodbye from Penny, while Cindy was still in the land of dreams. But I won't hold it against her because she is too cute.

After that wonderful visit I now want a kitten of my very own. However, I don't think SMBC allows you to have pets in your room. Sadly I will have to relinquish my desire for a kitten until I get a place of my own. Then I'll get tons of kittens and they can all frolic around in the back yard. Awwwwwww.....cutesy kittens.

4 Days Left

Where does time go? It is true what the bible says about our lives being vapour - here one moment and gone the next. I can remember the day when I made the decision to go to SMBC. It seems like so long ago now but yet the time has arrived very quickly!

Now there are only 4 days left until I go. I must admit I have had a great week catching up with all my friends and spending time with my family. Last night I went out with Anita to Mission Bay. We sat in the freezing cold on the beach and ate Movenpick icecreams. Yummmmmm. Then she sent me a lovely text message that made me feel very special. On Sunday I had a fabulous time with Lou. We went for a walk in the Gardens. We had an awesome time and some really meaningful conversation. It's really encouraging talking to Lou because we are both going through the same experience of leaving N.Z. and going overseas to live. We're really good at being silly together too. I can't do that with many people. Big ups to you Lou!!

Tomorrow night I am going to spend some quality time with my good friend Sam. I can't wait. It's great spending time with him because we never seem to run out of conversation. Now that's the sign of a good friendship. I have a few other friends like that too. I sure am going to miss them. On Friday night I am going out with my big sis Bon. We're going out for tea together. That will be nice. I will miss my big sis for sure. On Saturday night I am having a big bbq at Cornwall Park with lots of friends. I can't wait for that either. It will be bitter-sweet though because I'll only have one more day left in N.Z.

Time is fast running out and I'll be at the airport before I know it. I love N.Z. but I can't wait for all the fun adventures I'm going to have in Oz. It's going to be great.

Farewell Party Details - Saturday 22nd January

Anyone who wants to come for a bbq at Cornwall Park as a last get together for me before I go to Oz is most welcome to come. Here are the plans:

Meet at my house (contact me if you don't know where my place is) at 5pm. We'll carpool/go in convoy. Anyone who can't make that time or who doesn't live in Manurewa can meet us at Cornwall Park. We'll be going in the Greenlane Road entrance, and picnicking on the grassy area on the right hand side of the roundabout.

Bring meat to bbq plus a salad or drink (or both) to share. I'll bring the plates, cups, knives forks, serviettes, bread and tomato sauce. (I hope that's everything covered).

If the weather is horrible we'll just stay at my place and bbq but I'm pretty optimistic that it will be fine weather.

Looking forward to seeing ya'all there. If you have any questions just text me on 021 256 9624 or ring me on 267 7279.

The Tricksy Mafia!

Civilians, I empathise with you. Last night I witnessed some of the most sneaky, under-handed, and down right dirty tactics of the Mafia I have ever seen! These Mafia were tricksy alright - so tricksy in fact that they were very hard to spot. So how do you spot a tricksy Mafia person and prevent the Civilians from being assassinated? A difficult question indeed. I'm by no means an expert but I can give you some pointers based on observations of Mafia behaviour last night. It may just help you to survive your next game of Mafia if you are in the dangerous position of being a Civilian.

1. Watch out for those people you would normally consider to be innocent and nice. They make excellent tricksy Mafia. (not naming names...but I'll give you initials D. Y. !!)

2. Clever Mafia may try to manoeuvre themselves into a different seating position during the course of the game. Their plan is to give off the appearance of being a fellow civilian, thus, lulling the civilian next to them into a false sense of security. Once they have gained their trust, they can use them to vote off other civilians, thereby increasing their chances of winning the game. Be on guard is all I can say!

3. Double-crossing is another tactic of a tricksy Mafia person. A Mafia person may suggest to a civilian that they form an alliance at the start of the game. Swearing on their life that they are a civilian, they make a pact to help the civilian out and vice versa. However, the person who gets helped out here is the Mafia! The alliance is completely false with the Mafia intending to double cross the civilian at every opportunity.

I have listed 3 common characteristics of a tricksy Mafia person. However, they are so tricksy that even an excellent player like myself is unable to identify all their crafty strategies.

So the next time you play Mafia, remember you play at your own peril!! Unless of course you happen to get the chance to be a tricksy Mafia person yourself. You may just find yourself crossing over to the dark side. Don't say I didn't warn you!!

9 Days To Go

There are only 9 days left until I leave N.Z.! It is fast approaching and I must admit that I am starting to feel quite sad. I really appreciate everything I have here in N.Z. - encouraging friends, loving family, faithful pastor, supportive church family. When I think about it I can really see how blessed I am.

But where God leads He promises to provide. And He promises that those who fear him will lack no good thing. So even though I'll be giving up a lot by leaving N.Z. I believe by faith that I am going to gain a lot in Christ. And God can do abundantly more than I can possibly imagine! Isn't it so humbling to meditate on the greatness of God and how good and merciful He is? And this great God stooped so low as to rescue me, an insignificant sinful human in total rebellion against Him. Now that is grace!

If you haven't read 'Christ Our Mediator' or 'The Cross-Centred Life' I encourage you to. They are two excellent books by C.J. Mahaney. Theological content is spot on and they are only small books so they're quite easy to read. It will truly put the cross of Christ back into its rightful place in your heart and mind. The cross of Christ is something we are so familiar with in our Christian lives that we don't spend a lot of time truly meditating on it. But these books will help you do just that. And if you enjoyed Peter Boyd's messages at YBC about Christ and the cross then you will love these books.

Farewell Party

I've already told a few people and tried to get the word around. On Saturday 22nd January (i.e. two days before I leave) I'm going to head on over to Cornwall Park and have a bbq in the late afternoon/early evening (definite details later). So come on over and we'll have a great time. It will probably be something like this: bring meat for bbq and something else to share (salad is good, bread too) and we'll have a combined picnic. Bring sports stuff if you wanna get active (frisbees are good), otherwise you can just hang out and have some good conversation. Sound good? Spread the word.

Final Countdown

Well, this is my very first post on my new blog. Scotty actually did the first one - refer to 'tadaaaaaaa'. Thanks for helping me set up my new blog Scott.

I now have 11 days left in the Land of the Long White Cloud. For those of you who don't know (most people do) I am going to Sydney Missionary and Bible College (SMBC is easier to say) for two years. I will be undertaking a Diploma of Theology there and living on campus. My aim is to equip myself further to share the gospel and make disciples for Christ! I'll be seriously praying for God to guide and direct me into the future as I look into doing evangelism ministry full-time. I'd appreciate prayers from people.

11 days left to do fun stuff with family and friends. I am attempting to make the most of it. For anyone interested in farewelling me at the airport I am leaving on Monday 24th January. My flight leaves at 9am so I'll probably be at the airport from 6:30ish onwards. The purpose of my blog is really to keep ya'all up to date with what I'm doing over in Oz land and so you can pray for me. And if you email me I can pray for you too! (great incentive for emailing me...)

Well, here endeth my first post. I am going to miss all of you when I go. Please don't forget me!

The First Post

Tadaaaaaaaaa!