The Term of Endearment

So school began yesterday. It was really amazing, for a first day of school. None of those jitters or nerves. I was super excited to find out what it would be like, who I'd meet, and what I'd learn.

So for those of you who don't know him, Kevin Prosch is an amazing musician, songwriter, singer, and hippy. The keyboard that he plays is covered with stuffed toys, and he's wearing all his Indian-style shirts, and rastafarian hair styles. He's really cool. I think his first session yesterday morning was almost worth the plane trip over here in and of itself.

I had lunch break with a really nice girl called Karen, who drove me to her house to see all her family, meet her brothers and sisters and parents (Catherine and Don Stevens) who are all a super friendly bunch. So that was nice not to have to eat any more Fast Food than I can possibly help.

We then had a get-to-know you time in the main meeting hall. Everyone stood up and introduced themselves, and told us their names, and why they had come to the School of Worship. I did the Aussies proud by saying G'day, and letting all the guys in the room know that they can come and see me for Aussie accent lesson, as it's a real hit with the ladies.

I also went to the Youth Meeting at Bethel, which was a bit of fun. It's cool to see Ben, my good friend, doing what he does best, and for me to be there to see him lead his group of kids, and do such a good job of it.

We inevitably ended up at In'N'Out (more fast food, thanks), where we hung out with a bunch of people we'd met at church. I had the world's thickest milkshake. The In'N'Out Burger is something of a Californian Native fast food joint, as it's not located in any of the other states. The only real gimmick of theirs is that they only have 3 menu options (different varieties of burgers and chips). I guess they are confident that their meals are exactly what you want. But anyways...

So today was more School. I am just finishing lunch break now, so I will keep you posted over the next couple of days. Our term here at School of Worship is only 3 weeks, but already I am meeting some really cool people, from all different places, with different musical tastes, abilities, and styles. I'm confident that the rest of the 'term' will be very enjoyable.

Stay tuned for the next update, when I go and see Superman Returns, and post my review.

Talk to you soon,


Joel
– The Wandering Aussie...

And, like, a week later...

I know. I'm abysmally behind with my e-memoirs. But what can I say? We all knew I would be less than completely punctual. So, to fill you in, I'm giving you a quick overview of the last week.

Monday
We had a relaxing day, chilling at home, as the temperature started to increase. We went over to Danny and Sheri Silk's house (the parents-in-law of my host) for a Father's Day barbecue, in which I was taught the meaning of the word 'barbecue' as it pertains to the flavouring of meat. Extremely delicious.

Tuesday
I learned the distinct difference between American Television, with its shameless advertising, commercialism and endless ream of Judg Judy spin-offs, and Australian Television, which, while not being completely righteous, is at least presented in High Definition! But i am realizing the lack of subtlety in American TV, and also, they must have had some strange law passed that allows them to slander and compare other brands by name... It's a little bit concerning.

Ah well.

Wednesday
Today was the beginning of a 3 Day conference entitled 'On Earth as it is in Heaven', which is run at Bethel, a large church in Redding. For those of you who know Lindell Cooley, he led the praise and worship in the meetings. Which was a great deal of fun.

The entry fee for the conference was $75, but I managed to shirk this cost by volunteering as a Security man. You heard me. SECURITY. I was only able to do this because Ben and Brittney (my hosts) and I are friends with the chief of Security at the church. He was looking for extra hands, and I was only too willing to help, especially as it meant I got the black t-shirt and everything. So that was fun.

Thursday
Sort of more of the same. I got up very early, as I had moved into Delani's room (my almost-one-year-old roommate), so you can imagine how late I'm sleeping in. NOT!
Anyways, I got up early and arrived at the church for 9:30 am, and began checking people's tags, and stopping anyone from enetering the auditorium with foods and drinks other than water.
It was a good day, and the speakers were fantastic. The night meeting was led by a speaker called James Maloney. I was veyr excited to see him praying for people, and literally watch them get healed.
There was a man there who came up for prayer. And James Maloney began to tell him exactly what God had shown him was wrong in the man's body. Andn the man's wife confirmed that it was indeed the case. So after he was prayed for, the man told us the he was healed.
He didn't look much different to me. Nor, it seems, to anyone else. But when he was asked why he thought he was healed, he spoke loudly into the microphone and said "Well, for starters - I had a stroke three years back, and couldn't even speak!"
He had a big grin on his face, and it was pretty amazing to see the change in his face and to have him speak! God is pretty amazing.

Friday
After getting home quite late from the conference, waking up at 6:00am the next morning took me by surprise. I awoke with a throbbing in the back of my head. And I knew the symptoms of extremely tired eyes. I stayed home from the conference on Friday, and worked on some of my design jobs.
I cooked lunch for myself at home. A strange American delicacy known as "Mac & Cheese." This is shorthand for Macaroni and cheese, I am told. But after stirring the miniature noodles for 7 to 9 minutes, and mixing the fluoroescent orange contents of a packet ominously marked 'Cheese Sauce mix' with milk and butter, and stirring thoroughly into the noodles, the result was the dish you see before you – so far from the delicious vision of Macaroni and Cheese that I had pictured in my ravenous state. I had dreamed of bacon bits, and white sauce, poured over perfectly cooked pasta, dusted slightly with parmesan cheese, and topped with parsley. But it was not meant to be.
Ben and Brittney both decided to stay home that afternoon as well. Delani hasn't been too well, and that afternoon, she had a high fever of 104. So instead of the fun things we had planned for the evening, we ended up just trying to reduce Delani's temperature, and helping her get to sleep.
Levi Silk, and a girl called Mackenzie Cooper came over for dinner, to hang out. We had fun just chatting.

Saturday
The big day. It was Brittney's 21st! Ben had some special plans for the evening, to take Brittney for a helicopter ride around Redding, up to the lake and back. Then go on to the fanciest restaurant in town, The Maritime. So she was scheduled to go and get her hair and make-up done by a friend. And she'd purchased a new dress and everything.
So in the morning, we went again to the Silks house for a delicious breakfast, to celebrate. I bought Britt a Disney/Pixar Monopoly board game. They have a complete lack of games of any kind, so I started their collection. Delani approves, too, as it involes characters from Finding Nemo. (which she will happily watch 17 times a week)
They went off for their special night, and I hung out with Taylor & Levi, at Danny and Sheri's house. We swam in their pool, and just chilled.
I say chilled, but in the not-entirely-accurate sense of the word. Redding is currerntly experiencing record-breaking weather right now. It never gets this hot in June, they tell me.
Yesterday was forecast as reaching 111• Fahrenheit, (43• Celsius), but instead it soared up to 114•F, which puts it at 46•C. How's that for Summer?
Redding doesn't believe in cool changes, though, as it is situated far away from sea breezes up in the mountains. So it's pertty constant heat. I'm enjoying it though, and slowly getting a tan.

Anyways, to finish the story. We had hamburgers for dinner, and rented a bunch of movies to watch. Ben and Britt got home at 9:45, to tell us about what a great night they'd had. Except for one thing – when they got to the airfield, the helicopter never showed up! They had to go to the restaurant early, and bump up their reservation. So disappointing.
They said that they still had fun anyway, but who wouldn't be crushed if they were stood up by a Helicopter pilot?

Ah well, I guess there are other major birthdays to celebrate.
And there's always the Fourth of July in a week or so! I am looking forward to it immensely.

Alrighty. That's all for now. Talk to you soon,


Joel
– That there is the strangest meal I ever done ate!

Supersized Sunday

So, Day 3. It was Father's Day today. Happy Father's Day to all those who are either fathers, or are alive because of fathers.

We had fun today. It was very busy, but fun. After yesterday, when we cleaned the house where I'm staying, and I got to watch Delani while Ben and Brit got to work, I was kind of tired. That's mostly cause I stay awake checking e-mails and blogging. So it's my own fault.

Anyways, today we woke up at 5, cause Brittney works at HeBrews Cafe at 6am til 1 in the afternoon, and Ben gets to the church at 7:30 for meetings and prayer and stuff. So an early start. Delani was very happy, as she usually is in the mornings.

So two church services, a Burrito Bandito lunch, an afternoon dance off with Delani, a night meeting with Danny Silk preaching, and one amazing Chicken Salad at Applebee's Restaurant later, I am quite 'tuckered out.'

A full Sunday. Speaking of which - those of you who have been to America and have some semblance of a memory will have done better than me at avoiding ordering Large sizes in anything. I went to see Nacho Libre (the new Napoleon Dynamite, with Jack Black as a Mexican Monk turned wrestler), with Levi Silk on Friday, and I made the mistake of ordering a Large Pepsi, which, with any luck, I will have finished drinking at Sydney Airport on my trip home in six weeks...

So today I realized that I am going to have to remind myself NOT to ever finish a meal at any American Restaurant. Their servings are always so big, and being used to finishing a meal at Melbourne Restaurants, I sort of make myself finish these ones. But I'm going to have to stop halfway and leave it, or I'll just be forcing it.

I aim to come back slightly skinnier than when I left. So I really have to reign that in. Pray for me. Lolg.

Anyways. It's been a long day, and I should really get to bed. We are having an All-American barbeque tomorrow (Ribs and all), and seeing as we never seem to do anything but eat over here, I am going to try and wake up earlier and go for a run or something.

Good night, sweet Aussies. Miss you like a blind sniper.


Joel.
– Counting the Calories

The Day that Never Ended...

Okay. So big update. I should probably split this into two, so it's not so long. We'll see how we go.

The week up to my trip was kinda busy. I had a lot to finish before my trip. But my secret strategy was to think that I had more to do than I actually had. So once I'd completed it all, it was like, 'Oh. Is that all? I thought I had more... Oh well, bonus time.' So the last two days were a bit more relaxed.

Anyways. I left what seems like weeks ago, but was actually two days ago in Australia. I woke up at 6:45am, got to the airport at 8:45, went through customs at 10:10am, got on my flight for Sydney at 11:15, arrived at Sydney at 12:30 midday.

My United Airlines flight from Sydney to San Fransisco was actually early, and I almost sat by completely stress-free, as the plane boarded and did a final call, before realizing it was mine and dashing to line up for the Final Boarding stage. It was scheduled to leave at 2:40, and left instead at 2. Lucky I had bought an Orson Scott Card book, which I was casually reading as I sat at the gate to wait it out. Anyways. The important thing is that I got on the plane. And my Maori friend at Melbourne Airport's check-in had managed to get me an exit row on both flights.

So I got the aisle seat. It was such a good thing as well, cause United is renowned for not yet having left the stone age, and I would have been stuck for 14 hours without a personal movie screen (The world ends when we aren't being entertained, everyone knows this). That is, I would have been bored witless, if by great fortune, I was not seated next to a really nice, Christian girl called Deb, who was a Brisbane-dweller moving over to Detroit. She was really friendly, and we had a fantastic conversation for most of the flight. We covered pretty much everything – she's a Missionary kid, a worship leader, a singer/songwriter/pianist, she was into the Prophetic in a big way, we knew the same people at CCC Whitehorse, she had been to a church in Brisbane that my own church is ministering at while I'm away, she'd homeschooled, and everything.

So anyways - bottom line, couldn't have had a better neighbour passenger. And we both were relieved that we were able to sit next to a Christian, and have a good flight. Cause it was very long.

SAN FRANCISCO

Two words. FUEL CONSUMPTION. How can they afford to drive their cars up those streets? It really was crazy being there. I tried to take some photos of what the streets were like, but it doesn't come out nearly as steep as it was. It is a pretty amazing place.

So after finally arriving in 'Frisco (my Lonely Planet Guide to the USA tells me never to use the name 'Frisco, at risk of completely castrating me from society, and permanently branding me with FOREIGNER on my forehead), I shuffled my luggage around, (not wanting to carry Junior in my man-bag through the streets of San Fran), and waited for Debbie's luggage with her. Which didn't show up.

So I helped her lodge a complaint with the Airline, and ensure that it would be forwarded on to Detroit. Apparently others who had flown on Qantas' flight from Brisbane had the same trouble. I think she was grateful for the help, cause it's pretty worrying to have that stuff happening when you're travelling alone, and everything you own is in those bags. And then we parted ways.

I jumped on the BART (horribly named, I can only assume it stood for Bay Area Rail Train), which was amazingly speedy (at the expense of ear-pressure), and arrive 20 mins later in the heart of the city. I had delusions of checking out the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and then proceeding up to Fisherman's Wharf to take in the sea. These plans quickly changed, as the Art Museum of San Francisco turned out first to be a private Gallery, (whose staff could not direct me to the MoMA, only to another gallery up the road) then a University of Art, which only housed students, and didn't display any art works, and finally (when I found the right place on the other side of town) quite expensive, and I had arrived late for the tour.

After that hike (I kid you not, those streets are a killer by foot), and crossing town a couple of times, I needed food and drink much more than I needed to take in the aesthetic beauties of Matisse and Beyond. So I ducked into a Subway (trust me, I tried to find a decent restaurant in the heart of the city, but was only met with Fast Food...) and proceeded round the corner to the infamous Cable Car stop.

For $10 USD, I bought a two-way ticket (this was a major rip-off, considering what you'd pay for a two-zone Metcard on a higher-powered Yarra Tram) and did the thing proper. It was kind of fun, in a crawling, grinding sort of way, and at the end of the trip, we got to Fisherman's Wharf.

But I had overestimated the resilience of my body, which had been awake for the better part of 26 hours, and was rapidly fading. (The Red Bull I had drunk at the Airport before my little tour was fondly saying farewell) When I disembarked from the Cable Car, I had little to no desire to see the sights Fisherman's Wharf offered, and after about three blocks, I felt the urgent need for sleep overwhelm me, so I turned around, jumped back on the Trolley, and caught the BART back to the Airport. By which time I was nearly asleep on my feet. I managed to take this picture of an owl who was silently observing the Cable Car's comings and goings from a nearby perch.

REDDING
So I checked through into the gate for my final flight, with only thoughts of sleeping on my mind. I set an alarm on my phone, and settled down to sleep for the next four hours, until my 9:25 flight to Redding. The lady at the United Express ticket counter was aware of my layover, and kindly offered me a place on Standby for an earlier flight. That suited me just fine, and I was able to fly in two hours earlier, on the 7:05.

I rang Brittney, who arranged to come out earlier than planned to pick me up at eight. My flight in was quite uneventful, but I was surrounded by very nervous passengers, who all seemed to have a morbid fear of small planes. Maybe tiredness brings with it false bravado, but after all the flying I'd done that day, I couldn't have cared less that one of the rotors didn't start, or that the Stewardess (politicorrection - flight attendant) confessed to us that she hadn't been on one of these planes in over 6 years, and couldn't remember where anything was. But not so for my fellow passenger Ed, who twiddled his thumbs the entire trip. But we chatted along, and I just joked around with him about the flight, and I think he got over it, when he realized that we were not, in fact, hurtling towards the ground, engines on fire, with an amnesiac hostess directing us towards the toilets instead of the exit row.

Anyways, I landed safely in Redding, where it was still light at 8:03pm, and I was 'welcomed' by Ben, Britt, Delani (their daughter - so cute), and Brittney's brother Levi. I say 'welcomed' cause it actually involved me scanning the airport for anyone I knew, while they took the opportunity to jump out from behind a counter to surprise me.

So we drove home on the wrong side of the road (what the heck, no one lives forever), and had dinner together. I got to sleep on the world's most comfy couch (or is that my insomnia speaking?) and waited til about 10:30/11 to sleep, so that I could get into cycle.

So there you have it. I am awake, alive, anything else you can think starting with A. I will keep you posted as I go.

Can't say I'm homesick or anything, but I'm sure I'll be blubbering about how I'd sacrifice my left foot to have one last Aussie meal (or even just a simple 'G'Day') soon enough.

Miss you later,


Joel
– I'm all, 'Totally awesome, bro'...

Macalicious!

This is the shot of the day – I call it 'Power Lines in the Mist'.


So last night, a VERY exciting thing happened.

I have been planning my trip next week, and working out how to do some of my design jobs while I am over in the US of A. I was scheduled to take my Dad's amazingly grunty Sony VAIO, but that fell through at the last minute, and he had to take it with him to Africa.

So that was a big bummer. I sorta let it go, and figured there'd be at least a couple of people over there with a Mac I could borrow. (Cause I'd hate to try and find all my software for PC and install it by then). But I hoped that it would sort itself out, and Liz (my older sister) said that she knew it would all work out.

Anyways - last night, while talking to a member of the worship team at the music practice, she mentioned that her husband had just had to upgrade to a MacBook (which are from the devil, by the way), and was selling his old iBook for $800! I rang him and checked all the specs. It has the same processor, OS, and RAM capacity as my Maccy at home, and it's small, wiped clean, with case and chargers, etc, ready for me to pick up this weekend and take overseas!

PERFECT! I can use my current software on it (stupid new Intel DuoCore), and use it for all my basic needs while I'm there. And if I don't end up using it much on the long-term basis, heck - it was only $800, and my sisters can use it for studying and what have you.

But it'll come in handy with showing stuff to clients and all. And I know most of you are thinking how old it is, and how I should probably have bought a new G5 tower or something by now. But it's fine for what I need right now, and one day, when I have recovered from Apple's cruel overhaul, I will update my stuff.

The great thing about this development is that it's an answer to prayer. Except that I wasn't really even praying for it - I'd given up on getting one in a week's time. So God just really met my needs without me stressing out or worrying at all.

Thankyou, God.


Now, what to call the iBook. Mac Junior?

And I know that they say, 'The best things in life aren't things', but what with my iBook, iRiver, new phone and all, I'm pretty wrapped.


"I love technology,
But not as much as you, you see.
But still, I love technology,
Always and forever.

Always and Forever."


One week from today, guys...



Joel
– iLove my iBook

Picture Perfect

Hey.

So tired. One of those weeks, eh? Scrambling to pull stuff together before next Thursday. It scares me a little, to think I'll be flying in 9 days. 6 weeks isn't the longest time in the world, but right now it feels a close second.

This week has been cool. And cold. So much fog on my trips out to Ringwood everyday. Sitting there at the train station, listening to the radio, to hear them announce it being 5 Degrees! So cold. And I never usually get cold. But I reassure myself with the thought of the scorching heat I will be experiencing in little over a week.

Anyways. I have a lot of work to do, so I won't blab on. I just finally got around to connecting my new phone to my computer and uploading some pics I've been taking.

So guess where this was taken?

I'm trying to get a cool shot for each day, as I commute out to work and go about my day-to-day business. Stay tuned for more...

So if you're the praying type – I'd appreciate your support as I hurry to get everything done, as well as work full time every day til then. I'm pretty run down, and I'd hate to get sick before/as I go. Thanks guys.


Joel
– I'll be in summer, I'll be in summer...

Otherwise Engaged

So yesterday, I fulfilled my promise to try a White Hot Chocolate, and I am pleased to report that it was sickly sweet, far too rich, and of a strange consistency (having been mixed with marshmallows and three pieces of white chocolate, as well as cream and hot milk). In all fairness, it start out quite nice, with a pleasing taste, but it quickly went downhill from there.

My advice – avoid this beverage at all costs.


In other news, my sister announced her engagement to her boy friend of 20 months. Congratulations to them both! It's super-exciting to see them finally make honest people of each other. They're planning a wedding for early next year, and subsequently, I am planning invitations, orders of serivce, and the like, for the next few months.

It's very exciting stuff. We will now have a two-son family. Things are going to be changing up a little around here, but that's good. He is the greatest guy, and has been amazing through the last year and a half. He's really perfect for her, and he has a seal of approval from me, as the responsible brother.

The only thing that cheeses me off is how easily he managed to infiltrate the family. I used to have visions of torture sessions, and massive, awkward family grillings and discussions of intent, just to make it really difficult for him, and give him a hard time. But instead, he has just slid in under the radar, and become another Cogger, without any of us quite realizing it...

Ah well, there's always four more sisters' guys to do it to.


So I sign off for today, and get back to the billion-and-three things I have to do before I go...

(If I receive another e-mail saying, "I know you're going away very soon, but do you think you could still...", I think I shall strangle a hampster)


Joel
– 13 Days til Lift-off