Genuine Aussie Hospitality

After many long days and late nights over the past few weeks, we've been taking it easy as the next week or two will also be  pretty fully packed! 

Jennine and I took a stroll along the ocean on a boardwalk that lead us to the harbour. We looked out upon the ocean from this huge wall of rocks. Location #189 for the perfect date (lemme know if you're interested, I can give you insider information). Had a beautiful arvo (afternoon) basking in one another's presence.

We headed back to get ready for Mass, which was a 30 minute drive away - there were no buses so we ended up taking a cab (yes, it was as pricey as you think, but worth it). Talked with  the priest and a few of the parishioners before Mass, as they were intrigued by our "accents", so we told them what brought us to 'Straya ect. After Mass we went to call a taxi to pick us up, but out waltzed Father, at first offering a ride, then asking if we wanted to stay for the teachers end of the year potluck! Needless to say, God provides. We met a plethora of beautiful people, ate delish food, and played a solid game of (primarily Australian) trivia! We were only any good at the Religion category ;) We did get a ride home after it all too - sang Uptown Funk without music  with a seven year old too! (That was probably my favourite part!) What a fun, unexpected evening!  Better than partying with Schoolies!

Bed time!  Going on our sailboat tour tomorrow to the Whitsundays!!! Pray we don't get seasick!

The Coastal Adventures Begin

Over the past 2 weeks we've done some intense sightseeing, as well as a whole lot of relaxing and beach time. We spent 5 days in the Gold Coast at Surfers Paradise. We got super lucky worth the hostel we booked, as it was only a 5 minute walk from the beach, was fully equipped with hammocks, as well as lots and lotsa cool people whom we easily befriended during our stay. It was our first real experience being a backpacker in a hostel. We ended up staying an extra night cause we liked it there so much! Best decision ever, as we ended up going on a private tour to the rainforest and got to swim in what was advertised as 'Silky Smooth Rock Pools'. Obviously I was instantly interested.  Suuuper fun day, got to slide down a waterfall, see wild kangaroos up close, eat Mexican food, visit a surf club while sipping on a cold one while watching people surf, AND be in two States at once. Would do it all again in a heartbeat!

After spending the weekend back in Brisbane - attended a NET Australia Alumni Event, and a super charismatic Sunday Mass, we headed up to Cairns (pronounced 'Cans', yeah, don't ask - them Aussies shorten everything).
Spent 9 days there, we did an epic tour to the Tablelands, got to swim in more waterfalls, and a freshwater volcanic crater lake!  But my favourite day of all was visiting the Great Barrier Reef!! The boat ride out there was utterly gorgeous, but seeing the reef up close was probably the coolest, most surreal and exciting thing I've ever done in my life!  We didn't find Nemo, but I saw Dori and Gil! Plus a plethora of other exuberant and vibrantly coloured fish! I went snorkelling as well as scuba diving - which was an experience in itself! One of my most favourite days of my life. God's creation blows my mind.

Besides all the epic stuff we saw, again - we made lotsa new friends, especially from Sweden and Germany, but even a couple of Canadians. On our last night in Cairns, a bunch of us went to the lagoon/park across the road from our hostel for a BBQ! Was a great time, I also learned how to throw a footy (rugby) ball.

Our time in Cairns was definitely memorable, I'll never forget the humidity! We're in Townsville now, a couple hours south of Cairns. We'll be making our way down the east coast, doing lotsa sightseeing along the way! 

Keep us in your prayers, you'll be in ours! :)

Crosswords

Life is like a Crossword Puzzle. Sometimes you you can't do it alone and need to 'phone a friend' for help, maybe you are Hannah and can complete one by yourself in 5 minutes. Some people prefer the commitment of using pen, cause they are so confident they have the correct answer (or you're like me and use pen purely for the satisfaction of dark, bold ink on recycled, beige paper). Perhaps pencil is more your type cause you can simply reconsider if you have the incorrect answer and use that nifty hunk of rubber at the end of your instrument. I personally enjoy doing crossword puzzles with friends, being reaffirmed in my sometimes questionable guesses is often real confirmation - plus! It's social, it's fun and it's educational!  (I've learned lotsa new words over the past couple weeks!) Although, if a single word is wrong, it affects the many words connected to it, and the words connected to those words - then it can just be a downward spiral.

You are a word in a crossword.

Your life affects those around you: your friends, family, co-workers, cashier's, waitresses, bus drivers,  neighbors! If you are aren't quite 'right', your negative vibes, attitude,  emotion, tone, lifestyle affect the other people (words) in your life (crossword puzzle).

I had no idea what i was going to write about when I started this post,  but this is what I came up with... and it kinda drastically stopped there.  Ha. Enjoy the concept at the very least!  More to come soon :)

-Silks

The Art of Refreakedouttedness

You're probably wondering what the heck that word is. Refreakedouttedness: also known as 'wonder and awe', taking delight in things seemingly normal,  things we take for granted everyday. For example: the internet.  We use it effortlessly day after day.  If you're stumped with a question,  'Google' it.   Having trouble remembering what day your best friends birthday is? Facebook stalk them. Time to pay your bills? Online banking is there for you 24/7. The internet is INSANE. I can talk with my famjam on the other side of the world and see their faces (for free!). Technology is miraculous,  but we check our e-mails multiple times a day without giving a thought to how bizarre the internet is. Yeah,  you can take a second to be refreakedout!
I was first introduced to the term 'refreakedouttedness' by Chris Stefanick. God's creation is so beautiful, articulate and mind-blowing, and we should take more time to revel in it.

I often look at the Canadian Rocky Mountains and gawk a how incredibly majestic they are. Same goes for the waves of the ocean that so simply toss me about, like I'm weightless. This term is a reoccurring thought in my mind, but since being in Australia, it's more like 'Freakedouttedness', since I'm seeing everything here for the first time.  God is incomprehensible. It's not humanly possible to understand Him entirely. More and more His creation hits me, whether its a vibrant, purple Jackaranda or a black and white, long-beaked Ibis (sorry, I'll need to get pictures.... -> Google it!), God likes color and definitely has a sense of humour!

Take some time to 'stop and smell the roses!'

Currently on a train, headed to the Gold Coast! Soooo excited!

God bless ! Love and prayers!

-Silks