Part 3 - Things I'd rather not go home to in Canada

Well, it should be no surprise that at the top of this list would be the weather! My last two years have been spent in a place where people go TO the snow for a vacation. I’ll soon be back in a place where people go FROM the snow for a vacation.

Having sales tax added to the price of items in stores rather than having it included in the price and actually knowing the final price without doing the calculation first. But then again, doing this mental (pun intended) math regularly could be a good thing

Needing a block heater in my car

A government that takes 3 months to issue a passport renewal. But then again, I’ve had to deal with that government the whole time, just not as much.

Frost and fog on my windows for much of the year.

Winter parka – actually, just the need for one. Considering the need, I’m glad I have one.

French labels on pretty much everything - and those annoying people who intentionally turn the French side out to face me!

Wind-chill

Having to choose between English and French every time I call a government agency

The feeling of my nose hairs solidifying as I breath the -40 degree air - wonderful picture I know :-)

Icy roads

Well, as I look at this list, much of it is centered around the weather. No wonder the first thing people from around the world think of when they hear I’m from Canada is the weather.

Aussie things I'll miss at home

After careful consideration and many items vying for pre-eminence in my mind, it’s time to bring up the next list and mention the down(under)sides of moving on; so here is part two of the instalments on things to miss…


The weather – um, lets see… the same temperatures here in winter as in Canada in summer… need I say more?

Hillsong Church. There is a phenomenal culture in this church, great teaching, incredible worship music, massive events, and the movement of God using willing people to do amazing things throughout the world. That description sounds pretty much like my church back home in Canada. Hillsong just has a few more people. A great church at home certainly helps makes the transition a lot easier.

Friends. One downside to my life is that no matter where in the world I live, I have people somewhere else whom I miss. On the other hand, I have lots of people to visit if I ever decide to do some travel. I’m highly blessed to have great friends across the globe!

Tim Tams – but apparently I can get them at home now too…

The Weather. Oops, did I already say that? Oh well, it’s worth a second mention…

Every tree being an evergreen. The leaves could fall off, many of them just don’t cause it doesn’t get cold enough

Did I mention the weather yet?




Ok fine, there aren’t that many things on my list, just a lot of friends vying for top spot on the list, a great church, and the weather. But hey, those are pretty important things!!! I’m sure there are more things to mention, but I have chosen to look forward and to not dwell on the past or on what I’m leaving behind.

Walk in the park

I spent a day in the Royal National Park with a friend. What we thought would be a nice walk in the park in fact was - with some interesting twists!!!

On the way to the park, there was suddenly a special car behind us with lights on top and a siren. We stopped to face the questions "Is this your car?" "Have you been drinking any alcohol today?" "How long have you been in Australia?" "...and there are no problems with your visa?" ......... it was a random stop looking for people drinking and driving on the long weekend.

After clearance from the nice officer, we were on our way and started the walk - along the beach, off the beach along the coast, up a hill, down a hill, up a hill, down a hill, up a hill - well, you get the picture... and speaking of pictures, here's one from the top of one hill. At the bottom is a nice beach and a camping area. Our initial plan was to camp here; but a few things didn't work out for that to happen, so one day will do for now.






And the view from on another hill...





The result of finding the leech AFTER it found it's way up my pant leg and had it's fill!!!





We walked a number of km's; up and down a few hills, through some bush, along some beaches, and down a road. We had cloud cover, sunshine, more cloud, rain, thunder, and a little more sun. With the exception of snow, hail, and frostbite, the weather was pretty much a typical summer day in Saskatchewan! I even got some colour on my skin! Just to add to the adventure, we managed to find a few different blood sucking varieties of creatures. I killed a mosquito (I think this was the 7th one I've seen in Australia (so much for the Aussie claims of having lots of them!!!!!!!!!!), pulled a wood tick out of Juergen's skin, and found one more variety - leeches.

On one stretch of trail we tackled through a heavy downpour, we each managed to clear at least a dozen leeches off our clothing. We were soaked through from the rain, tired from an early morning and a lot of walking, and hungry. Having thoroughly checked our clothing and bags for any more suckers, we got on in car and headed home. We hadn't even made it out of the park when I found another leech crawling up my hand. I quickly pulled over and sent it out the window. Back on the road, I looked down and found yet more - two climbing up my pants - not a good thing when behind the wheel. Managed to safely get them out of the car and kept going. Well, just to finish it all off, shortly before arriving home, I felt something different inside my pant leg and thought I'd kill it before it got me. Too late. 4 hours later, I was still bleeding. Oh well, on the brighter side, the most pain was from changing the bandaging, and the pants are clean and stain free.

Upon arrival home, I checked everything again before entering the house, took a shower, bandaged the hole, and went out for a BBQ. All in all, it was a good day. Now it's time to recover:)

Things from home I've missed in Australia -

In no particular order, and I'm sure the list is incomplete - feel free to give me suggestions...


Family and Friends

Vern's Pizza - Double Double, T Rex, Vern's Special, Flame Thrower, even the Big Cheese. Then there's the lasagna, cheese toast, garlic toast, and pretty much anything else on the menu

Hockey - the real variety, played on ice (none of this crazy immitation stuff they play on a soccer field around here)

Ketchup Chips

Farmer Sausage

Coffee Crisp

Bothwell Cheese

La Cocina Tortilla Chips

Driving on the right side of the road (although this will now take some adjustment after two years of driving on the wrong side)

Canadian Tire

30-40% lower prices for almost everything

Walmart

Stores open later than 5pm

Canadian Beef

Many of the other home made foods that I can't make out here because the raw ingredients can't be found

Open space and a quiet community

Freedom to walk outdoors without caution for poisonous snakes and spiders

Fishing in quiet lakes

Northern Lights

Camping

Lots of stars visible in the night sky

CFL

Now lest anyone think I'm sick of Australia and just longing for the day I leave, let me assure you that's not the case. It's true that I look forward to being home again and there are things I've missed from back there, but I also love my life over here and there are many things I will miss about Australia too. I'll save them for another post. Both places are great and I love them both. Either way, I win!

So, if anyone in Canada wants to help me fill my two year old cravings for things of home, please let me know and I'll be sure to give you the opportunity upon my arrival at home in February 2009.

News Time

I previously posted a message telling you about my plans to stay in Australia for another year. My intention was to take on a pastoral care role at church for one year and then move home to Canada and start life there again. Since posting that message, I have stepped into the role and applied for the visa that would allow me to stay the extra year. After being assured by the first immigrations official, I received an unexpected phone call from another one telling me that my file had been transferred and I was not going to be granted the visa for as long as I applied for. The promise of the other official meant nothing and published documentation regarding the rules around this particular visa also meant nothing; because ultimately, the decision is in the hands of a person; and in this case, I was met by a very grumpy and rude person indeed. She refused to give a valid explanation or to waver on her stance. In the end, I was granted a visa till January 15, 2009 and the deal was done. I could take the case to higher authorities but have decided to accept the decision and move home shortly after Christmas.

In the two weeks since that phone call, I have notified family and some friends of the change in plans and made travel bookings for my trip home. The news has been met with anger, frustration, and even tears as I told my Aussie friends of the decision. On the other hand, I was able to bring much joy to many Canadians. I personally have mixed feelings about it but believe that God must have something better for me somewhere else. What exactly that is I don’t yet know; although there appear to be opportunities already opening to me in Canada. In due time, it will all become more clear and I’ll step into something great.

So, my plans are now to leave Australia between Christmas and New Years, travel through a few African countries doing ministry with a pastor/friend of mine, and seeing some friends (including my girlfriend!!!!), then head back to Canada where I’ll see a few more friends across the country before arriving home in mid February.

Once there, my only plans are to wear lots of warm clothing to deal with the expected 70 degree difference in temperature from Aussie summer to Canadian winter, catch up with old friends I’ve missed for a long time, get back into my home church, and enjoy many of the things I’ve missed in Australia – the list is a work in progress…

The day that was

I never would have thought that I’d get more birthday wishes on my 32nd than ever before. But then I also never would have thought I’d move to Australia two weeks before my 30th, or that I’d have to schedule around three different groups of people wanting to put on a party for my 31st. And then there’s a whole lot of other things I never would have thought I’d do. I guess that shows me that I need to expand my thinking. You either live to the capacity of your thoughts, or you think to the capacity of your life. I choose to live to the capacity of my ever-increasing thoughts; and thereby increase my capacity.

No human in recorded history ever ran a mile in under 4 minutes until one man did – and then they all followed. No one at the time thought that they could abolish slavery in England until one man dedicated his life to do so; or that the same could happen in America until one man said “I have a dream” – and now America has “A Black man” running for president. Few thought man could make it to the moon until it was done – and now we’ve been to mars and are reaching beyond. Few believed there was any unknown land mass in the world; and many thought you’d fall off the edge of the earth if you tried to find one – yet I now call North America home.

So many people live their lives under the restrictions that are set before them. So few rise above or push through. Someone once asked me if I was a “glass half full” or a “glass half empty” sort of person. I responded that I was just glad I had a glass. Now I wonder, shouldn’t I have been grateful for the glass but then also filled it up completely – not to mention what I could have passed on to others?

What does this have to do with my birthday? Not much, except that it’s a day to reflect on the past and dream of the future. It’s a day to be grateful for the many blessings in life, and plan for many more to come. It’s a day to evaluate where I am, where I’ve been, and where I’m going. If I choose, it’s a day of new beginnings. So many things to do, places to go, people to know. So many gifts to give, blessings to receive, and love to be shown. So much, yet so little time. what will I do with what I’ve got. How about you?

Thanks to all who remembered my birthday and no worries to those who forgot or didn’t know.

A cracked shell

Due to rising fuel costs and the economic downturn resulting in fewer passengers, an airline looked at all options to decrease costs. In their attempt, they found a company that used egg yolks in the production of shampoo and was willing to sell the whites to the airline for use on their breakfast menu. One airline employee approached management concerned about the quality of their food deteriorating by loosing freshness and not including the yolk in their scrambled eggs. Upon hearing the concern, management, convinced it was fine, responded that it was a necessary step that was saving many jobs and assured the employee that everything would be all-white.

Olympic stories

I’m watching the Olympics. I’ve actually spent quite a lot of time watching them this week. There have been some embarrassing moments – like the gymnast who ran into the vault beam instead of jumping over it, and the weightlifter who lost his grip on the bar – 7 times! But there have also been some phenomenal moments like the swimmer who won 8 gold medals (the only American I could actually bring myself to cheer for) or the runner who took off from the rest of the crowd and complete obliterated the world record in the 100 meter sprint (with enough time left to cheer, wave his arms, hit his chest, and saunter over the finish line). But the one that stands out to me the most is the one I just saw.

As I watched, the commentator mentioned how this competitor had lost his wife in a car accident just one year ago. Having experienced something similar, I know how difficult life becomes and how this emotional experience has such a massive physical effect. Competing in the Olympics is a feat few can accomplish. Winning such a competition is reserved for the very few elite indeed. All competitors overcome obstacles along the way, but this is something others don’t realize the significance of; and something so significant I don’t care which country he’s from, I cheered for him. He was a weightlifter sitting in second place and to win the gold, he had to lift 10kg (22 pounds) more than he had ever lifted in a major competition before. I watched as he approached the bar, got into position, and prepared for the lift. I cheered as he strained and lifted 258kg off the ground, to his shoulders, and up over his head. Held my breath as he held it there for the required time, then smiled as he dropped the bar in triumph, jumped in the air, hugged his coach, fell to the ground in tears, then jumped and yelled with excitement. A lot of emotion for a grown man, but emotion justified. Way to go Matthias Steiner of Germany!!!

A dream fulfilled...

I just put some photos on facbook. Don't have time right now to tell the stories, but you can follow the link below to see them.

Enjoy!

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=53363&l=0afb0&id=566943522

Long awaited update

So many things to do. So little time to write about them. It seems my life goes like that… Nothing out of the ordinary for a long time, then a whole month or more of exciting things! This has been one of those exciting months!!!

July 1st, I picked up my girlfriend from the airport and we began a 19 day whirlwind of activity. We started off by simply going to a park and talking the day away as we relaxed, enjoyed each other’s company, and she started getting over jet lag. Between trips to the city, sunsets on the beach, trips to the mountains, time with friends, time at church, and a week of Hillsong Conference, our time flew by. I’ll place some photos below to tell the story.

After Greta left, I had a hectic week of catching up and planning a trip to the Great Barrier Reef, then went up there, and now have the task of sorting out a visa to keep me in Australia another year. More on the other topics a little later.

For now, some pictures! They're kind of in random order 'cause I can get this up sooner that way, but here they are.

You can also use the following link to see photo's I'm putting on facebook (you don't have to be on facebook to follow this link and see the pictures)

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52343&l=1f3fd&id=566943522







We spent a lot of time with my friends, some of whom have now become Greta's friends as well. One night while at a friend's house, one of them asked for my camera and took this picture which turned out to be one of the best. Greta attended Hillsong Conference for a week while I was busy volunteering at the conference so during that week we didn't see each other as much but she did spend a lot of time with a few of my (female) friends. These same women have told me in the past that they would love to set me up and would love to see me in a relationship again but they just can't find anyone they believe is good enough for me. I've been warned sternly that I am not to settle for just any woman because I deserve the best.

Even now, 3 weeks after Greta left, people are coming to me and also telling others that my girlfriend is amazing! She was a bit concerned about what people would think of her - if she'd reach their expectations - and she certainly managed to leave a VERY good impression. I've heard from countless people how great they think she is and how great they think we are together. Needless to say, I'm quite encouraged by their support!

I took her to places where she could pet the real kangaroos and koala bears; but for some reason, most of them walked away. It became quite a joke between us because it happened so often. Well, these two didn't run away!!!! I also had to take the shot because she looks so good in this hat.

Since the day I got to Sydney, one of my dreams has been to take my girlfriend to see a performance at the opera house. It took 1 1/2 years to get the girlfriend, but now that it was possible, I took her to see that performance. Thankfully, there was something other than opera showing at the time so we had a really nice evening, had a great dinner at a restaurant overlooking the harbour, and took in the show. We both really enjoyed the night!

I did some homework before she came and found this great private beach to watch the sunset. I couldn't ask for a better location and we enjoyed some time alone before joining more friends for the rest of the evening. Thank you God for a fantastic backdrop to this photo!




I actually found a few locations for the sunset. It's so nice to see the evening sky turn colours and to know I'm with the woman I love.