Hello Kangaroo!

Hello Kangaroo!
Feb. 9, 2010

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Fraser Island Adventure

Easter weekend came and went, along with my week-long break from Uni.
During the week long break, I eat plenty of chocolate (enough to last a lifetime). All provided by the family I'm staying with.



Also, I hung out with friends, traveling to Noosaheads Beach with a group of 20 from Hillsong.



The week of break was filled with paper writing for me.
I am enrolled in 3 courses:
1. Advanced International Studies Theory
2. Ethics & Human Rights
3. Culture, Conflict & Reconciliation
And each course had a paper due. Most were about 40% of my overall grade. So that’s what I spent my time doing.

Now, after 3 papers turned in…


I went to Fraser Island this weekend (Anzac Day-- Public Holiday) with Katy!

The weekend started out on Friday morning… early, early, early! I woke up around 5 am to take the train to Brissie Transit Centre and catch the greyhound. The greyhound trip was 4.45 hrs long before we arrived at Dingo's backpacker's hostel.
We had orientation at the hostel and started meeting all kinds of people. Irene came with us, she's from Indonesia, and she was the only Asian in the entire hostel. Everyone else came from the Americas or Europe.

Saturday morning we woke up early again and headed off the the Beach. It down poured that night. We were soaked to our bones. We went to lake MacKenzie, the bluest lake I've ever seen. Indian Head look out point, on top of a cliff where you can spot all the sea creatures (turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks, etc.). And Lake Wabby, a lake where the fish swim up to your toes and bite the dead skin off. It tickles!!

I think my video will show my Fraser Island trip best!

It's on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAE6toxfbJw

Or view below. Please ignore the typos, I don't know why my mac uploaded the "rough draft" version. :)


Monday, April 5, 2010




I have certainly had a crazy past few days/weeks, with barely anytime for processing… and if you know me, well, you know I’m a processor.

I went to the Heidi Baker Conference in Aspley. Arriving by train, bus, then bus, I walked to my motel (which I paid much too much for) and settled in. I couldn’t believe how big my room was (no wonder it was so expensive)! With two beds, a kitchenette, back patio, and AIR CONDITIONING! Oh, how I’ve missed you, AC!



The woman at the front told me to ring the family in number 6 because they were also going to the conference. All in good faith, and being a little nervous, I rang the woman and asked for a ride to the church (over 840meters away). They said yes!

My weekend was full of prophecy, words of encouragement, and humbling… What an experience. It has been on my bucket-list to meet Heidi Baker, and although I didn’t talk to her, I hugged her. Her eyes shined with fire… the all-consuming kind.



I met several believers and shared much encouragement. I praise the Lord for the people he has put in my life to love on me and to confirm things I’ve been praying. Wow, God is good!

I went to a Barbeque for my Connect Group leader Rudo’s birthday! We talked about life growing up in Zimbabwe and shared testimonies. We spent time swimming at South Bank (a man-made beach over-looking the Brisbane River—it’s a hard life, I know), ate good food (thanks to Matt Tinks, our chef), and then went swimming again. You’ll find that I’ve been doing a lot of swimming (and getting a lot of sunburns… yikes! I apply and reapply though!)





I lost my shoe on the way to the train station, perplexing my friend Kirk. He’s a very logical thinker. Well, he is a civil engineer. I think he wonders how a person as illogical as me can survive! Ha!

Got a new job! I’m working a couple of days a week filing paperwork and doing other secretarial duties for the family that I live with. Not a bad gig, especially considering how much I get paid an hour!

I finished cleaning my flat. It wasn’t messy but it hadn’t been lived in for like 3 years—so I cleaned up the bookshelves, washed the dishes, cleaned the bathroom, etc. Trying to earn my keep (and keep my keep) at this family’s place! ☺

I said good-bye to my favorite Aussie Jasmine! She bought me Pizza Capers (now that’s love!) the day before she flew to Sydney for the Colour Conference at Hillsong (like 300,000 women coming together to praise the Lord in unity). After that she was headed to Canada for several weeks… Already hard to watch her go… But she’ll be back soon! I hope she remembers to say “Hi!” to the North-West Hemisphere for me!



Last Wednesday, I hung out with Gabrielle and Fanny, two girls in my program. They are amazing women. Gabrielle grew up in Canada and Venezuela, so she can speak French, Spanish, and English fluently. Currently she’s working for Human Rights organizations. Fanny is French and her mom lives on a barge in the middle of the sea… I know, right?!

Then Thursday night I got dressed up (probably a little too much makeup) and took Katy swing dancing at Cloudland. It’s is a super ritzy joint, with a retractable roof, strict dress code (no flip-flops!), butterflies in the banisters, and flora and fauna growing out of the walls. Not to mention the 2 story waterfall that flows down the front…. It is a fun place! Thursday was especially special because it was the one-year anniversary of the Club—in celebration, there were 3 live swing bands performing. Not too shabby.





Friday morning I left for Caloundra (nice beach resort towards the north) to go to my Rotary District 9600 Conference. I stayed in an apartment with Bryn, Lauren, and Jake. We had a balcony overlooking the ocean and a nice sea breeze to play with all weekend. I can’t believe this is my life…





Saturday morning was spent at the Caloundra city market (very reminiscent of when I lived in China—and the street markets there). I bought a GREAT vegetarian breakfast—and for the first time since I’ve been here, enjoyed scrambled eggs (with beans, raw spinach leaves, tomato, avacado, and mushrooms). I bought a large bottle of CHAI syrup (yum, yum! Tastes soooo good, just add warm milk), and too much fudge (if there were such a thing—milk chocolate, mint chocolate, and cookies and cream flavored).





Saturday night was the 60’s dance (Rotarians know how to have a good party), complete with an Elvis impersonator. After the dance we danced on down to the beach and sat under the stars (f.y.i. there’s more stars to see in the southern hemisphere than the northern hemisphere!!). I couldn’t resist going for a jog down the moonlight beach, the sand hardened by the waves.




The whole time I kept thinking to myself: I wish I could capture this moment and magically bring others into it…

I found myself a swing set and contemplated my existence. All in good conscience. I love the Lord who says: my thoughts on you are more than the stars in the heavens…

For class—I’m still reading about Realism (and the faults of American politics… sorry guys). Too add on to this, my Ethics and Human Rights course has me considering which companies I can and cannot support (Maybe giving up on Starbucks and Nestle) because of their trade practices. We’ve been looking at ethical issues such as poverty, malnutrition, and nuclear-war…. It’s heavy reading.

My brother is engaged to his girlfriend! Congrats (If you want to see for yourself check his or Kelsey’s facebook statuses)…. AND

I received an EASTER encouragement from College Heights Christian Church! What a joy!

In conclusion, let me end with a song:
Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy birthday mom, dad, and brother! Happy birthday to YOU!!!!!!!!!!!