Another check off the bucket list - we took a tour on the Great Ocean Road! It felt like I was in a postcard the entire day... well... maybe not when I was sitting in the bus, but the rest of the day.
We stopped a bunch along the way, as tours often do, had morning tea and biscuits, found some koalas and cockatoos, had lunch at a cute little cafe, but best of all: the 12 Apostles! Ahhhhhh! I dunno what makes these big mounds of rock so picturesque, but they are one of the top three most photographed places in Australia. We got to do some exploring at multiple different places around the Apostles, including some hiking and wading. It was pretty legit, I just wanted to stay there, maybe join the surfers and have a picnic on the beach! But before long we were already heading back to Melbourne. It was a day well spent!
That evening we were able to meet up with our Canadian buddy from our Fraser Island tour! Was a nice little reunion, so good to hear how a bunch of the others are doing too.
Fr. Dave, Chrissy, Lloyd, Jennine and me after breakfast at Santucci's.
Upon leaving Canberra, we took a 9 hour bus to Melbourne, arriving at 11pm. There is honestly nothing better than having someone pick you up when you arrive in a new city. Well, lucky for us, our good friend Lloyd (from Mortdale) was in town and graciously offered to chauffeur us to our accommodation, which he also set up (he's really good to us, we're super spoiled). We stayed in a girls share house, was kinda weird walking into a stranger's house while they are asleep, as you try to locate your bedroom.
Santucci's Breakfast!
Huh, found my name at TYPO, wonder how that got there...
In the morning we met Lloyd at St. Benedict's parish for mass, it's only a half our walk from the house we were staying at... but 30 minutes is a long time when it's pouring rain and you have no idea where Google maps is attempting to direct you (our phones are PAINFULLY slow, we get to grow a lot in the virtue of patience as we try to cope). Fr. Dave greeted two very wet Canadians as we walked in the door, was so lovely to see such a friendly face after the mornings festivities. Lloyd and his friend (our new housemate), Chrissy, joined us along with Fr. Dave for breakfast at the famous Santucci's cafe for breakfast! So yum. Lloyd ended up showing me around the city a bit while Jennine gallivanted off to the first of many days at the Australian Open. We checked out St. Francis church and the Catholic Disneyland across the street (aka. a catholic bookstore). Considering we were in Melbourne, what else do you do but sit in cafes and sip on chai lattes, whilst educating your friends on some very necessary Canadian geography.
Djokovic
Me, Rubini and Jennine at Santucci's!
Our other housemate, Rubini, graciously showed us other cool parts of the city and more cafes. My favourite though was watching Gilmore Girls and all our late night heart to hearts. Lots of sleep was sacrificed, but I gained a beautiful, kind and caring friend, which is worth much more.
On Australia Day, January 26th, I accompanied Jennine to the Australian Open! Getting to experience the vibe was super exciting! We got to watch a couple of our Canadian home boys play in doubles, and watch Djokovic (#1 male tennis player in the world!) practice. Clare, from Canberra, ended up coming down too, so we spent part of the day with her and her friend. It was beautiful, hot and sunny, such a good way to spend Australia day.
Jennine, me, Gen, and Juliette (YMT).
We went to the Disciples of Jesus potluck picnic with Rubini, and met heaps of new people, including the new Youth Mission Team for the parish. Gen, our share group leader at summer school was also there, it was so nice to see a few familiar faces! We also hit up Sofia's diner after Mass for dinner with a bunch of the young adults in the area. What a beautiful community! I felt so blessed to be a part of it, even just for a short time. The Australian Open Men's Final was going on that evening, so we went to Fed. Square in the city to watch it on the big screen! This was we could listen to all the drunken Scott's chant for Andy Murray. It wasn't quite the competitive game we hoped for, Djokovic won yet another title.
Leaving Melbourne was bitter sweet, the girls who hosted us were so hospitable and lovely, but even the people I met walking down the street were so friendly... maybe a little too friendly at times... haha.
Summer School in Bathurst had to come to an end eventually, unfortunately, but we didn't have to say goodbye to everyone right away. Jennine and I headed down to Canberra with our newly acquired friend, Bri. The car ride consisted of lotsa fun questions, like "Who would you choose for your celebrity husband and bridal party?" Niall Horan and Kate Middleton may have been among my answers. Bri dropped us off at Clare and Nathan's place, also friends from Summer School. Basically our entire time in Canberra was made awesome because of our Summer School Friends.
Jennine. me and Amy at Bush Dancing!
Among the weeks activities, catch up sleep was at the top of our list, but we also took time to explore the nations capitol. We toured the parliament building with Nathan and Amy - who I quickly clicked with the week prior. She took us bush dancing, which is an Australian type of dance with a live bush band and traditional folk dancing from Europe and parts of North America. It was a blast! We were the only young people there, with the average age being about 65 otherwise.
My shake!
The next day we hit up Patissez, the talk of the town in Cannberra. It's a cafe that's famous for their 'Freak Shakes'. I got a Nutella shake, afterwards I felt like I was gunna go into a chocolate coma. It was delish though.
We meandered over to the War Memorial and were in awe of the thousands of names we discovered on the wall who had passed away during combat. The museum was particularly impressive, I felt quite educated after our walk through.
Hiked up to the top of Mount Ainslie which overlooked the entire city. Beads of sweat rolled down our faces as we hit the top. It was a blistering hot day, the water in the car wasn't as refreshing as we hoped, maybe we should have saved the freak shakes for after...
View from the top of Mt. Ainslie
The rest of our time in Canberra was spent hanging out, watching the Australian Open (tennis tourney) on TV, going to dinner parties, going away parties, and Settlers of Catan parties. Despite some saying there's not much to see and do in Canberra, it was definitely worth our time to visit. Clare and Nathan were fabulous hosts, it was sad to leave, but we left with the hope that perhaps we'd see the in Melbourne!
Summer School, what a way to spend your Australian vacation, eh? Well, to be fair... this wasn't just any kind of summer school, this was a special edition following more of a retreat format, and the subject was Evangelization. Heaps of people in Mortdale had raved about it, but we never really considered going. After an official invitation, some encouragement and discernment, I decided to commit. It consisted of seven days of lectures, seminars, plenary sessions, mass, adoration, sports and recreation, plus meeting and hanging out with tons of awesome Catholics who are in love with the Lord. My Mom said I wouldn't regret it, and she was pretty spot on (she's a wise lady).
We drove down from Tamworth to Bathurst on Sunday morning, about a 5 hour trek, and arrived at St. Stanislaus College, a Catholic boys boarding school, where we stayed for the duration of summer school.
There were about a 185 of us, including participants, presenters, MGL's (Missionaries of God's Love - Brothers, Sisters and Priests), and all the people up front and behind the scenes who planned for weeks to pull off an event that spiritually impacted many people in a profound way.
The theme for the week was 'The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength' - Nehemiah 8:10, what a relevant topic for my life over the past month! Joy - such a simple, three letter word with a plethora of meaning behind it, constantly begging me to pay it some well deserved attention. Throughout the week, I couldn't ignore it. All my buckets were full; I received Jesus in the Eucharist everyday, filling my soul, learned more and more about my Catholic faith in various talks, filling my mind, I got to play sports (soccer, ulty, tennis, swimming), rejuvenating my body, and I was surrounded by heaps of beautiful people striving to love one another as Jesus loves us, making my heart overflow with so much JOY! Since we're kinda in a bubble at summer school, people talk about the going back to the 'real world' but THIS. This is the real world. This is what life was meant to be like. If only everyone could experience a week such as this, they wouldn't accept the world we live in today as reality. We want so badly to be loved, but often we're looking for it in messed up, convoluted places.
Each day there's a different focus (whether it be on God's Love, Mercy etc.), so on Thursday it was Holy Spirit night. Everyone kept asking if I was excited and looking forward to the evening, being 'baptized in the holy spirit', but I decided to go into the night without any expectations cause I didn't want to be disappointed. We had Mass, then some praise and worship, where everyone is singing with their hangs raised or dancing. I just stood there. I couldn't sing. I couldn't dance. I was spiritually dry, feeling no desire for any outward sign of praise. Trying not to be resentful, I went in line to be prayed over. Once I reached the front of the line, the guy directing people where to go skipped over me - twice, assuming I was waiting for someone in particular to pray with me. Finally, he realized I wasn't. He showed me to Steve and Kate - two new friends who, though I don't know well, have so much respect and admiration for. I felt that God was directing me to that prayer team, which may have been why I had to wait in line a little longer. They asked me what gifts of the Holy Spirit I wanted to ask for, but once they started praying they said there was something I was holding onto, to let it go 'cause God had something bigger in mind. Ironic, "Think big", that's what my Dad always says. I ended up falling in the spirit, though hesitant at first. I fell in a way that reminded me of the 'Speak Life' music video by Toby Mac.
I felt a weird tingling throughout my entire body. Sometimes I think I put God in a box, but God doesn't fit in a box. It was a super surreal experience, something I've never felt before. Although I feel like I trust God, I think there's often a part of me I want to hold onto, a part I can control. Learning to give that to God has been a daily choice, but I've been learning to more fully allow His will to guide my life.
Me and Pia, watching the Talent Show.
On another note, we had lots of late nights hanging out, playing games or having deep discussions - like "If you moved to Australia, choose 6 friends from Canada you would bring with you." Brutal question.
Saturday evening we had a formal dinner, had fun getting all dressed up, then broke bread and drank wine, just like Jesus did back in the day. What a lovely way to finish a beautiful week. After dinner there was also a Talent Show, heaps of raw talent, plus lotsa random content...
All in all, I had an amazing time, encountered God in a real, authentic way, met so many genuine, real, holy people - Mom was right, there was no part of me that regretted my decision to go. If only I could attend next year... *sigh*....
The South Sydney Community - My Australian Family <3 (some key people are missing)
It's time to bring it back. Back in the day, one of my oldest and closest friends wrote a blog where often on Thursdays she wrote a list of her favourite things in that day. Aside from it being a fun way to remember and thank God for all things we're blessed with, I'm also hoping she will start up her blog again, but maybe she just needs to reminisce a little.
This ones for you, Hank.
Skype dates. Catching up with friends and family on the other side of the world.
God. Prayer. Faith.
My Oma. What a beautiful, holy lady. She passed away today while my family said the rosary and held her hand. May her soul rest in peace.
Running. Something I often take for granted. What's even better, running outside in January and not having your lungs freeze.
Shania Twain.
Getting lost then finding my way home. It's becoming a hobby. That moment when you have no idea where you are, slightly nerve wracking. Then the moment you recognize something familiar, pure excitement.
Making bland food taste good. Had a bunch of leftover rice so I made rice pudding!
Water. My favourite beverage. Without it few other bevvys would exist.
Having no agenda. So much possibility. This was my entire day. And it was epic.
We had been super back and fourth about whether we'd make it to Tamworth or not, we originally planned to go to the Country Music Festival in mid-January, but the opportunity arose to go a little earlier on when Maegan said she was going to visit her family and invited us along. We didn't stay for the festival, but we got to hang out with more of my favourite Australians!
The day before we left though we got a group of Mortdale friends together to play ultimate! My first time throwing plastic in nearly three months (I got a disc for Christmas!!). And yes, I've been dying a bit on the inside, but I'm trying to cope. We had a solid game, then headed to Mass for before we took up a large portion of the seating in a nearby pub! Everyone found out "The Canadians" were leaving, so we had a bit of a 'going away' party at the girls household after. There were about 20 adults playing sardines, in and around the house. It was a blast. No wonder I love Mortdale so much!
In the morning we attended a Hillsong worship service. Was kinda surreal to be at the home where such world renown worship music is created.
We the headed to Tamworth where we were reunited with Maegan's beautiful family. It was so lovely to see them again after we bonded over Christmas time.
Bernie, Maegan's dad, doesn't mess around when it comes to food. To my surprise and pure delight, on our first morning there we woke up to the smell of pancakes! I showed them how they should properly (in my mind) be consumed... with peanut butter, yogurt, banana and maple syrup. They liked that.
We also had Mexican Monday, complete with tacos, margaritas and tequila shots!
Another night we had prawns along with hollumi and chorizo appies! So yes, they fed us very well.
We taught everyone how to play Dutch Blitz! Even Gramama Isobel from Canada played! We took a short break and went on a kangaroo search. Just up the road from their house we spotted about 4 of them! Them 'roos are still quite a novelty to see!
Kaelin, Maegan's sister, was pretty adamant about showing us the new park in town. So on our last night in Tamworth we meandered down and checked it out. Coolest. Park. Ever. Seriously Canada, you need to step up your game in the playground department. Jennine and I were in our glory. I swear they made this park for adults, cause kids could easily die on it. There were these super epic rock climbing hexagons, a zip line, huge multi-teir spider web, massive slides, a deadly swing, a merry go round... it was like Disneyland! But better. Cause it was in Australia ; )
Needless to say, Tamworth was a definite highlight. So glad we didn't pass up the chance to spend some quality time with quality people.
After lotsa adventures, laughs and good company over Christmas, we took a day or so to let it all seep in, then we were back at it again :)
It was a gorgeous week, so warm and sunny, so we took the opportunity to enjoy being outside. Maegan, Sarah, Jennine and our Brazilian friend, Andre, conquered the breathtaking view of the coastal walk between Bondi beach and Coogee beach! It was a BLAST! I had heaps of fun climbing up and over these huge boulders along the ocean (we skipped the trail at this point and took the adventurous route!).
We had a couple decisions to make by the time New Years Eve rigged around: do we do the touristy thing and go watch the world renown fireworks in the Sydney harbour, or being in the New Year with Maegan and her friends at a backyard party? Of course we chose the party. And a solid good choice it was! We ate, we drank, we danced, we laughed, we may have shoved ice down a few people's shirts, we talked, we watched less elaborate fireworks, we HAD PAVLOVA FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER (thanks, Claudia!), we had a damn good time! Made a good choice. Stayed up till 2am, but had to get up at 8am 'cause the party just continued!
On New Years Day, my favourite Australian couple, Chris and Jess, along with Jess' brother Pete, took us to the Blue Mountains to do some CANYONING! Omigawsh. After this day, my adventure bucket was overflowing. We experienced the beautiful view at the top, and hiked down the mountain (I know, it's backwards), then walked, swam, climbed and explored the bottom of this canyon for a hours. It was another of my top favourite days in 'Straya. The whole afternoon I was gawking around, smiling my big cheeky smile. God's creation is amazing.
All these places we've been are 109 times better with the people we've experienced them with.
