travel weekend

Sorry that it's been so long since i last posted something up for you guys. I've just been so busy with life here that its hard to connect with people back home. if you would like me to send you a letter please email me your address. This past weekend me and my roommate went camping in the backyard of the campus. we cooked a lot of our food on the fire which was assisted with our friend turpentine. Amoungst our adventures we went swimming in the freezing river in our gum-boots and bathers, we practised shooting with our bow and arrow that Sale made for us, (i almost got a possum), cooked kangaroo in the coals as well as eggs and english muffins, Watched a scary movie with the guys and then read scary stories around the fire during the really really foggy night. It was really a lot of fun, more fun than going to Canberra like some of the other students... nah just kidding. We had a 50's night at the school and we had a ... gasp! a dance! haha my dad is going to fall off his chair when he finds out. it was so much fun, we went to the Salvation Army to get outfits and then went back to the school to get all dolled up. Everyone looked great and we jived the night away. One of the days here is called quiet day. i think we will have two while we are here. No one can talk or listen to music or chat on the phone. it was just a day to be quiet, reflect, read, write, pray, sleep. you name it. it was the most relaxing day of my life. I read the book of Hosea out loud in an Aussie accent. I was sitting next to a waterfall so not only was it peaceful but no one else could hear me and mock my accent. I'm working on it, no worries I will be a Fair Dinkum Aussie by the time i return. If you don't know what Fair Dinkum means, thats alright because everyone here has their own meaning, you can put it into conversation anywhere you liek and you won't sound too foolish. so during this time of quietness I decided to give up to God my vow to never get married. I've placed it into his hands and I am at peace with whether or not I get married, but i have not shut that door on him, and already he is working more in my life now that ive given him control. But cheryl you have not yet won the bet because im not married. i have to get married in order for you to win, who knows God may choose to leave the door shut and i will win in the end. haha. anyway, life here is dandy and so far no bouts of homesickness. in fact this is starting to feel so much like home, i feel like this is the only home i've ever had. thats not to say that you guys back home mean nothing at all to me, but right now God is just working so largely in my life and this group of 21 students has really jelled together. i don't ever want to leave this bubble that we've created. ok, well off to go do some things in town so i will post a littel bit more later (pronounced ley-dah) ;)

Excersize

As many of you know, when you get into post-secondary schooling you tend to gain weight. I've probably already mentioned this, so my roommate and I have been running with some of the guys, which is something I've never done before. I would always run with Lindsay, Natalie, Hidi or myself. So they like to push a lot harder. we've ran for about 7 ks for a couple days early morning. It's been really enjoyable and its been getting brighter sooner which is nice to not have to run in the dark. Travel weekend is coming up at the end of the month, and we are still trying to figure out where we are going to go and what we are going to do. Also, I havent talked to my parents yet, but ive been invited to my roommates home in western australia for christmas. That will be really nice to not have to spend christmas all alone, or even with other people but not in a home. it just wouldnt be the same. My roommate and i are getting really close and many things are very comfortable around each other...maybe a little too comfortable. and even with the guys. They have apparently never been around girls who can (or admit to) belching. anyone who knows me knows that i am quite comfortable with it and thats something these guys arent sure how to take. For my parents who are probably cringing at this, just think, this way no guy will have any thoughts of wanting to date me hahahaha. tonight we are watching a movie i think. theres an aussie movie, that if you can get back home you have to watch, its called the nugget. watch it. its like the canadian version of strange brew/mackenzie brothers. stupid, but it keeps you laughing.

towel snapping

So today inbetween lectures we had a bit of a war with some of the guys-snapping towels. it was great fun. I have a large welt on my arm to add to all the bruises i gained from the table crawing over and around game. I am organizing a sunday night at capers (sn@c) with two other guys and so far things are looking good. we are going to film some skits about functional and dysfunctional families and then show them with some "heaven" (the trinity talking amoungst themselves) blurbs inbetween. it will bring me back to my highschool days and all the movies we made and all the ones i got to watch from the boys. i can't remember what their group was called, i am terrible. We had family night out on wednesday and we went for an hour drive down to the ocean to have fish and chips and then we went to look at the blowhole and had ice cream. It was a good bonding experience. We went shopping last saturday and i got an amazing jacket i love it! anyway, i have to go and buy some yougurt and possibly a cheap coffee maker. all they use here is instant. ech! its just not the same.