I'm Sick...Boooo

My days have caught up to me. I've pretty much been going nonstop this week- going to devotional/prayer gatherings, movie nights, game nights, seeing Sydney, going to the beach- and they were all fantastic, and I had a load of fun, but I didn't ever really get over the jet leg, never really gotten a good nights sleep (thanks to those darn kookaburras and 10 degree nights), have been training and working 8hr days (something I haven't done in...lets see...ever!), and I have a roommate that was sick all days I was here, so undoubtedly that contributed. I'm not as bad as I can be, but I'm pretty tired and my nose feels like it's going to self-destruct. Tonight most everyone went out for a birthday celebration, got all dressed up and stuff, I wanted to go, but I would probably get worst and then I would feel like staying in bed which means I wouldn't be able to work. I can only do that much bonding hahaha.

Work training has been going well. Will be in the Membership office (updating info of those who join the Faith...etc), assisting the secretary (a LOT of work! Man secretaries do so much! Good luck to me...), and will be in the bookstore once a week, as well as doing childrens classes (religion is allowed to be taught in their school system, which I think is very progressive), and maybe be guiding tourists around the Baha'i Temple (pictures to come soon!). So, that = a lot I'm doing and probably why I'm sick. Oh well~ hope this goes away soon. It's only 8:30pm and I've wanted to go to bed for about an hour.

I Can Look at the Opera House All Day

Sydney city had a coffee, tea and chocolate festival, called "The Aroma Festival" and it was awesome! Such a pretty day~ I really loved Sydney city. It was just everything I imagined it was going to be. The water was glistening, the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge are more beautiful and awesome in person. Where we went for the festival is a tourist spot and a historic part of town called The Rocks, and it was full of people! Mona (my supervisor/friend) said it was the busiest she's ever seen it. I love it when places are busy because that's where you see the people of the country and get the vibe of the city. There was coffee and chocolate and tea booths everywhere; there were dancers and musicians, it was so fun. The Harbor Bridge and the Opera House can been seen from the Rocks, and it was such a perfect day to go! The weather was in the 20's/70's and it was hot! Just gorgeous... didn't get tired of looking at that sight at all! I do want to see it at night though, it must be breath taking.

Today, a roommate, Nadia, and I went to Mona Vale Beach because it was our day off and we wanted to relax :) Guess what? It was gorgeous too! It's almost a shame that I have to describe it to you because it won't do it justice. The water literally looked like it was painted on, dark blues with hints of purple and light blue....man, just fantastic. The sand was gold, the water was pretty freezing but very calming, and I could see my feet while it was in the water! So we sat on the beach and just watched the surfers try to take on the beautiful ocean. After about an hour or so we decided to walk towards a cliff a bit far off to see the ocean from the top and it was breathtaking. Just absolute serenity. Just wanted to hang there forever. We soaked it in then walked to where a ride would be....my legs burned! Nadia and I went jogging the day before around the Baha'i Temple (which is gorgeous at night, especially at sunset) and since I haven't worked out for a year, I'm a bit sore and that hasn't gone away....plus, I'm feeling a little sick. We have another roommate that's been since for a week so maybe we both are getting it. So i'm pretty tired right now, but nonetheless, these past two days have been spectacular, I love that I've seen Sydney, I love that I've see the ocean; it's been relaxing yet exhausting.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, I'll be back to work. I've yet to pray in the Temple at night- I've heard it's a whole other experience. Oh! And I've seen an opossum- so cute! No wallaby yet- can't wait! And I've decided that the kookuburra is the MOST annoying bird in the history of birds!!! They “sing” with a sound that is a mix between a hyena and a chimpanzee, and they don't shut up!...I'm putting up with nature for Baha'u'llah :)

p.s. I've learned that a "youte" is a truck (short for utilities truck), and "mackers" is McDonalds.

Kangaroo Meat is Awesome :)

One thing I was asked before coming to Australia was if I was going to try kangaroo meat- answer: heck yes! Last night, one of our supervisors cooked a kangaroo meat dinner for us- it's not eaten everyday, it's a delicacy...and it was really good! I imagined (before I got here) it tasted like chicken, because it seems like everything tastes like chicken, but kangaroo is different, definitely doesn't taste like chicken- it has a flavor mixed between beef and turkey, and probably something like rabbit (but since I've never eaten rabbit, I wouldn't know, but there is a 3rd "tastes like" ingredient). It was a bit chewier than wide distributed meat, but it was so cool- and it didn't look like kangaroo, so that helped :) A must try if you're in Australia!

It's 9:30am on Saturday, volunteers are meeting with the National Spiritual Assembly (NSA) of Australia- we're having tea, very proper :) So I have to go shower and get ready but wanted to definitely tell all the Americans that I ate kangaroo and what it tastes like. Oh, by the way, I'm getting a lot of guff for being from the USA! They make me the butt of jokes, and they have to translate for me- found out "nibblies" are snacks, a "que" is a line, and the "boot" is the trunk of the car. At least I can understand the majority of sentences!

Love to all. Thank you for the comments :)

I'm Officially in Australia

Finally~ that's what all you are saying :)

I got in yesterday (15th) at 6:30am Aussie time. The flight was pretty good, watched a couple of movies and slept on and off. I sat next to a 3 year old hahaha, but it was actually not that bad- kicked and screamed a little but nothing dramatic. Got to the airport, got picked up and sat on the left side of the car as it was driven by the right side....so weird!!! I think I'm use to it and then he makes a right turn into the left side of the road and I have to remind myself not to panic because it's normal! We drove on the Harbor Bridge and I saw the Opera House, and it was a fantastic day- sunny and fluffy clouds- it was really pretty.

After getting to the girls living quarters, reality set in- I realized how I'm half way around the world, that I don't know anyone, and that I'm truly 100% on my own. It's a really scary feeling. And I cried, because it's just so overwhelming, there's a bajillion things I have to do and learn and go through- I wasn't mentally or emotionally prepared for what I was getting into. Plus, I was really tired from the ride, so I'm sure that contributed to it. So I prayed a little, took a nap and saw the Baha'i Temple. It's so delicate and pure and lovely looking. It radiates love and support. It was a really nice sight to see. I'm here for Baha'u'llah, I'm here for a reason, and He will protect me. It's the 2nd day now, and I'm feeling better.

I went to the bank and changed some money, set up an account (tried to anyways, problems came up but it's too much to go into), and went shopping. Australian money is so awesome. Parts of the money are transparent! So awesome. And unlike US money, it's colorful! Imagine that :) I know Taiwan (where I'm from) has different colored money, I know Europe does also...etc. But I've never seen transparent money!

I was dead tired by 4pm but tried to stick it out. The girls held a devotional (prayer gathering) and some of the boys came and we had a good time- prayed, ate cupcakes, played games. Good bonding. There are 7 girls here in the living quarters (it holds 8)- one from Scotland, one from Italy that just came, one is coming from China, others are Australian that are here only for a couple of weeks. There are about 5 boys, one from Sweden, one from Canada, one from Cameroon, and others from Australia itself.

I did some training today- looks like I will be working in the bookshop, helping out in the offices, and some other stuff here and there. I'm a bit glad I won't be doing much gardening because my back in hurting and heavy stuff won't be good. Also, roommates like to cook! 2 prayers answered :)

That's it for now. I have a feeling I won't be updating this as much as I would like- I have to learn the ropes here, and write in my private journal, and be social! But I'll try :) love to all!

Just a Couple of Hours Till I Take Off!!!

Just a veryyyy quick note because I'm still not done packing (I leave for the airport in 4 hours!)- I'm finally going! It's been a long time coming, I don't think it's absolutely hit me that I'm going just yet (waiting for the pin to drop some bad news), but, it's here! Slowly getting everything done- this week has been hectic- saw people for "one last time" and said goodbyes and got new shoes! It's going to fly by. Now, I have to get back to packing, I think "packing light" is an oxymoron, it doesn't exist....Hoping my back behaves; it spazed out last night and I couldn't move my entire right leg...not cool! Here's to hoping I get bumped up to 1st class so I can lie down. See you on the other side! Sydney here I come!