The rhythm

University carparks, I beseech of you to be vacant. My experiences of travelling to uni this week have been somewhat varied:

Day 1 - Catch the train and then bus.
Reasoning: I will never find a parking spot on day one of semester at 2pm.
Experience: Jam-packed bus, bum in my face nearing the end of my trip as people need to move down the aisle. Unpleasant.
Lesson: Grab a window seat next time.

Day 2 - Drive.
Reasoning: It's day two, and I should be able to get a spot at 12pm - especially at Hockey Stadium - nobody likes to walk 15 mins to class. Besides, I don't want to get the train home at 7pm as there are rail replacement buses - too inconvenient - and I need to be back at uni at 8am the next morning, so I want to get home in the shortest amount of time.
Experience: Hell. Every single carpark is full. Even the overflow carpark was full. The thought of looking seedy and asking if the people that look like they're walking to their car want a lift so I can steal their spot comes into my mind. After 25 mins, I find two people walking in the carpark, ask if they are leaving, and stalk them to their car. Turn up to lecture 20 mins late. Because I was that late and there are so many people enrolled in the unit, there are no seats available. I sit in the aisle. Can't see the screen but I can hear the lecturer's voice. Good thing I printed the lecture notes.
Lesson: Get to uni half an hour early, just to find a parking spot.

Day 3 - Drive.
Reasoning: I have to get to work by 1pm after classes today.
Experience: After yesterday, I vowed to get to uni at least 20 mins early - the carparks can't be full at 7:40 can they? Nope, they aren't. But in my effort to be early, I am 30 mins early for my lecture. What's there to do at 7:30 in the morning at uni? Head to the computer lab to waste some time I guess...
Lesson: I'd rather be early than late. But I'd also rather be on time than half an hour early.

I'm getting back into the rhythm of uni - the study, the labs (I'm finding Transfusion labs pretty interesting) and the homework =/ But it's ok - this is my last year and I'm determined to end on a good note :)

What is true worship?

It's like ...

The life of a Christian is like ...

Someone who goes to Church every Sunday
Someone who is a nice person and does good things
Someone who doesn't drink or smoke or swear

That's what a lot of people would say of Christians.. heck, even Christians themselves may say that! But Paul the apostle says something a bit different in 2 Timothy 2.

According to Paul, the life of a Christian is like...

A soldier
An athlete
A farmer

A soldier...

Obeys their Commander
Lays down their life for the cause
Is always ready to fight
Understands the risks of fighting, and still chooses to
Fights for more than themselves

An athlete...

Understands that there are rules to obey
Lives a disciplined life
Is always training for the race
Is focused on the prize at the end
Understands that their choices today lead them to future success

A farmer...

Understands the concept of seasons
Sows expecting to reap a harvest
Doesn't give up - even when facing adversity such as fires and drought
Pours their life into the crop

Food for thought.

Summer clean

I pretty much spent all day cleaning. Uni is only a week away and I find that I'm most productive at home when everything is organised well. Otherwise by week three I have pieces of paper everywhere and never have the things I need with me.

I re-organised what was on my bookshelf - moving my books for casual reading down, in favour of having uni-related books close at hand. I filed all of my bills and documents sitting in my 'filing' pile and threw out a lot of rubbish that has been accumulating over the summer break.

The result is a nice, clean and organised workspace! I've also labelled my files and writing pads ready to start uni.



The worst thing you can ever do is to start uni unprepared! Work starts piling in from the word go and you can easily find yourself overwhelmed. It's taken me three years to realise this, so for those that have not yet had the revelation, I'm saving you some time - good preparation lays the foundation to success!

I also invested in some new equipment for Jethro - the Logitech Alto Cordless Notebook Stand to raise the height of my screen (and add a few USB ports), and the Logitech MX 1100 Wireless Laser Mouse for comfort. Both cost me a bit of money (both I got for half the RRP on the Logitech website ... score!) however, I realise that I need to make my workspace as ergonomic as possible. I spend quite a bit of time in front of my computer, and the last thing I want is an RSI when I'm older ... that could interfere with being a scientist and all! I also need to improve my posture, and I found that having Jethro flat on the desk didn't really help with that.

The invites for my 21st are all done now .. I just have to wait for RSVP's! It's really creeping up on me - only three weeks away from today.
(Drey: Yours is here, I didn't post it to Sg because it's too much effort doing the Customs Declaration!)

I was saddened to hear this week that Amanda Bennett is studying in Melbourne now .. :( We will all miss her!

Eat the right stuff.

From the ground up

History is being made as we speak. Fires are sweeping across Victoria - destroying homes and claiming lives. The death toll was reported at 181 on the news tonight. Investigators are treating the fires as suspicious, and have one suspect at this point in time.

I couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose everything ... and I mean everything. The house, the car, personal items, even pets. But during these hard times - in the testing of fire - it is encouraging to see our Australian spirit coming alive. Most people escaped with only the clothes on their backs - they lost a lot, but were thankful to be alive. And it is amazing to see the response of the public - millions upon millions of dollars have been donated to the appeal, as well as thousands of items of clothing.

It's interesting that our eyes are now off the economic situation, and onto our fellow brothers and sisters trying to rebuild their lives. And it is in these circumstances that we realise that money isn't everything. Life isn't about having a fancy house or a fast car. It's not about the possessions we accumulate either. It's all about love. This is the predominant theme surrounding the families affected by this tragedy. As they are reunited, there is a resounding of the phrase "I love you".

During, and beyond this time of trauma, let us love abundantly .. but also not forget about our Saviour's unending love for us, for He is with the broken-hearted.

The view from above.

From the dog's mouth

I didn't realise people actually wanted me to continue blogging. Someone called 'meow' tagged my board ... I have no idea who you are, but this blog is for you!

And to the rest of you, make yourselves known by commenting! Otherwise it feels like I'm blogging to a brick wall (it's probably a crime that I just used that analogy).

Apologies for the poor quality photos - Peter forgot to bring his digital camera, so I was forced to use my phone camera. It's five megapixel, but that really has little influence in taking vivid photos. I've also realised that unlike some of my friends (such as Audrey and Jonny) I'm not really into photography and as such don't take the best photos at the best opportunities!

We went to the caves just outside of Margaret River. They were pretty cool - you had to wear a hard hat and use a torch, because most of the cave was in complete darkness. I recommend peeing before entering the cave because the constant trickling noises in the background can make you a bit anxious..!



After snapping a shot of a famous Dockers player (who is incredibly buff), we travelled along the coast back up to Dunsborough.



And Peter licking a lollipop:



We were in Busselton for one Sunday and decided to visit one of the local churches. Funnily enough, pretty much all of the churches are located on the main street - Kent Street. In searching for the AOG church, we seriously passed about eight other churches. We finally found it, and were greeted by a really warm group of people. The congregation was small - consisting of a handful of families - but we felt very welcome from the minute we stepped through the door.

We spent time fishing, shopping, eating, walking and most of all relaxing. It was a good time to just chill out and disconnect from the burdens and pressures of city life for a bit.

Since being back, I've been checking out the bloggie awards page and checking out some of the nominated blogs. It's interesting reading popular blogs - people have done the hard work and given me a short list of the best blogs on the web.

One in particular that I liked was Mackenzie Speaks - Inside the mind of a Golden Retriever. I've always wanted to know what goes on inside a dog's mind. I never knew of Dog Law: If it’s on the floor, it’s mine. It's handy to know these things.

I'm constantly amazed at how the Internet is evolving. People are even making public debuts on the Internet. The big-boned guy dancing to Numa Numa featured on an episode of NCIS and the cross dresser Chris Crocker was interviewed on live American TV for his plea for people to leave Brtiney Spears alone.

What will be next?

Like a yoyo.

A sigh of relief

I now realise how much I needed a break.



We're on holiday and loving it. More blogging when we return =)

Make the most of it - all of it.