Exercise

I used to hate exercising.

But now I've started running.

And it absolutely blows my mind that I would ever say something like this, but running is like a drug I can't get enough of.

And now that running is my drug, I can't do it so much.

Because.

I have knee problems. They hurt.

And therein lies the irony.

It's 2010.. Already?!

This must be a blogging hiatus record of sorts - 1.5 years!

It must be the Facebook hiatus that's subconsciously making me want to blog. Twitter just doesn't do it for me.

So to recap the first half of the year (because there's only so much in my brain's capacity to remember events), I :
. Took two trips back to Singas
. Went to Canadia with the fam
. Went to Melbourne on an eating trip with the housemates
. Felt a Bengtson void - they moved to Adelaide after Easter
. Gained a "new" boss
. Contemplated a change in direction
. Only to be told to wait
. Had some pretty serious things happen in church
. Took a "break" from some
. Fell sick twice (a record of sorts)
. Weaned off the worship team
. But started playing piano for BSF
. Joined a local gym
. Had many friends fall pregnant. Baby explosion, YAY!

I'm sure many more things have happened... but my attention is divided between writing this post and watching the Slovenia vs USA match. I'm sure I'll do better at the next post. Which will hopefully not be in another 1.5 years.

Finally, An Update

I have been thinking about numerous things over the past week, today especially.

I don't know if this is me escaping, or whether I am reacting to this transitionary phase I'm currently in, but I think I am ready to move on.. not that I can even begin to imagine what "moving on" might entail.

Whatever it is, I know it's been a long time since I've felt as unstable as I have been feeling today.



On another note, my first Christmas away from home and my first one in Perth turned out pretty good. I had 3 families graciously open their homes to me, so not only was I well-fed, I was kept busy and didn't have get the chance to really miss home and family.

The weather has been more than great to say the least - but it's heating up next week with a forecasted 3 days of 39degC which I am NOT looking forward to.



Oh, between the last time I updated and now, I've been to Singapore, Moscow and Houston, and been working pretty insane hours in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The good thing is that we get heaps of time off until next week, which I am looking forward to, because I have a 5000word thesis I really need to get started on...

Random Updates

1.Emiliana Torrini is performing in Perth the day I leave for Singapore. It wouldn't be so bad if I missed it by a day, or two, but noooo.. her gig starts at 8pm and I need to be at the airport 35mins later. I rarely really really want to go to gigs, so needless to say I am more than bummed!!!!!!!!! :(

2. I made a holiday to-do list for when I get back to Perth, and this includes star gazing, Rottnest Island, outdoor movies, penguin island, and "bake a banana cake!".

3. I have a whole heap of exercises to complete for my Advanced Biblical Counselling class by Thursday, and honestly, I am SO over evaluating myself, my goals, my.. whatever.

4. In a week's time, I shall be homework free and soaking in all of Texas' lovely Fall weather.

5. Emiliana Torrini!!!!!!!!! :(((((((((((

A Meme (because I have an essay to do)

I am: having pretty bad lower back pain.
I think: I overthink.
I know: God loves me.
I have: too much chocolate lying around.
I wish: I didn't have to do my essay.
I hate: dirty, stinky kitchens and bathrooms.
I miss: durian.
I fear: getting into car accidents.
I hear: an annoying bird and my ticking clock.
I smell: nothing in particular.
I crave: all things temporal.
I search: for the thing I'm passionate about.
I wonder: where I will be when I'm 30.
I regret: our final goodbye.
I love: the fact that I have Someone to cling on to.
I ache: for orphans in third world countries.
I am not: who you might think I am.
I believe: in God's great and sovereign plan.
I dance: by shaking my head, most often in the car, listening to songs with good bass/drum beats.
I sing: harmonies.
I cry: and I always feel better afterwards.
I fight: momentarily but give up pretty easily.
I win: rather infrequently.
I lose: because I am not competitive.
I never: allow myself to expect too much lest I be disappointed.
I always: try not to hurt anyone's feelings, even if I hate the person.
I confuse: practice with practise, empathetic with empathic, anaesthetist with anasthesiologist.
I listen: to melancholy music.
I can usually be found: if you need to look for me.
I am scared: of losing my family suddenly and not being there to say goodbye.
I need: to make lists.
I am happy about: going to the US with Momsie.
I imagine: more unpredictability in the future.

Sara Bareilles

I've been listening to the Sarah Bareilles album today, and there's just something about her that's resonated with me. Maybe it's the whole piano-do, her vocals, her whole melancholy soulful feel.. whatever it is, she does it for me. This song's been on repeat the past hour or so..

Gravity
Something always brings me back to you
It never takes too long
No matter what I say or do
I'll still feel you here 'til the moment I'm gone
You hold me without touch
You keep me without chains
I never wanted anything so much than to drown in your love and not feel your rain

Set me free, leave me be
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity
Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be
But you're on to me and all over me

You loved me 'cause I'm fragile
When I thought that I was strong
But you touch me for a little while and all my fragile strength is gone

Set me free, leave me be
I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity
Here I am and I stand so tall, just the way I'm supposed to be
But you're on to me and all over me

I live here on my knees as I try to make you see that you're
everything I think I need here on the ground
But you're neither friend nor foe though I can't seem to let you go
The one thing that I still know is that you're keeping me down
You’re on to me, you’re on to me and all over
Something always brings me back to you
It never takes too long

Questions To Ask

I read an article on Boundless that talks about questions you might want to ask yourself in thinking about a person of interest to you. These questions include :

Spiritual

• Will he be the spiritual leader of your home?
• When you share with him your deepest spiritual thoughts, does he relate?
• Do his life and conversation reveal that he is truly connected with the Savior?
• Do his goals in life show that he wants to please the Lord above all?
• Are his goals in life compatible with yours?

Emotional

• How does he handle anger?
• (Added by me) Does he demonstrate emotional stability?

Mental

• Do you respect him intellectually?

Financial

• Does he have a gambling addiction?
• Does he have a spending addiction?
• How does he handle finances (budgeting, what he spends money on, tithing)?
• Is he a diligent, dependable worker?
• Does he make enough money to support you and future children?
• Does he expect you to work outside the home, or does he expect you to stay home with the kids?

Read the article in context here.

Addictions

The internet is a very dangerous place for people like me who have tendencies towards addictive behaviour.

I deactivated my Facebook account in an attempt to set some boundaries and gain some control, but sad to say, I've failed miserably.

For starters, I've started blogging more.

AND, I have found myself slowly but surely getting addicted to something else that often leaves me in a salivating mess.

If you are anything like me, I would suggest that you resist all temptation to click on those links mentioned above...