Surfing, Forest Gump, and Classes

Over all of my life there have been several things I have always wanted to do, such as swim in the Devils Pool on Victoria Falls, and surfing has always been near the top of that list. Yesterday, after many years of waiting, I finally got to learn.

Everyone says that surfing is really really hard, so I came in prepared to fail miserably. I had a two hour lesson on Bondi Beach, a beautiful, famous, and packed beach in Sydney. We only rode already broken waves (didn't catch any barrels or anything, sorry to disappoint), but i was able to stand up 15 or so times, which is a lot considering we were only out there for 2 hours. And let me tell you, it was great. The ocean is such a strong force, fighting it to get out was hard. But harnessing that power just to ride a wave is freeing. So much fun. Hopefully I will take some more lessons and learn to ride bigger, unbroken waves, and such. 

Oh and my butt is super sore. Not the muscle group I was expecting to get worn out from surfing, but it is what it is.

Later last night I watched Forest Gump on TV. First a little bit of my first impressions on Australian TV. They have a lot of american programs, but none of the ones I really want to watch. Like the Ellen show is on, and Criminal Minds, and other programs that I have never watched. And just about all of the commercials are the quality of your local stores commercial. You know, people yelling, poor visuals, the actual store owners standing around making bad jokes, nothing well produced. I thought this was really interesting.

Anyways, Forest Gump is a brilliant movie. I've seen it multiple times, but I really appreciated last night. The idea of a single man being throughout all of the major cultural events of the 60s and 70s is brilliant. And the way the place him in real videos of real events with real famous people (Lennon, Nixon, Kennedy, ect.) is done exceptionally well. 

Forest's dedication to Jenny also reminded me heavily of God's pursuance.

Finally, for those of you who think I am just on vacation, here are the classes I am taking:
1. Mathematical Computing - an in-depth study of Matlab and its use in solving mathematical problems, especially linear and nonlinear equations and systems of equations.
2. Australia: Representations, Identity and Culture- a study of how Australia is represented in the media, literature, music ect. Deals heavily with Aboriginal peoples history and how they are (or aren't) included in history. Also discuses Australiana and stereotypes
3. Microeconomics 2- standard second microeconomics course
4. Science and Religion- online class that addresses the compatibility of science and religion with each other, asking questions like 'can they coexist?', 'do they support each other?', and  'how do they relate?'. We will be working through topics like evolution, scripture, ect. Should be a blast.

Oh and tonight was Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival. There was a big parade and stuff, and is supposedly lots of parties. But of course I went and saw Bear Grylls talk instead. That was ok. But afterwards, some locals and another study abroad student and I went and got Chinese food then McDonald's (called mackers here) shakes. Such a good night.



Song of the Moment:
Pacific by Sleeping at Last
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y0Yj56ZnDw

Some reflections on scripture. Maybe I will talk about australia afterwards.


Matthew 9: 1-8/ Mark 2: 1-12/ Luke 5: 17-26 -  Jesus heals a paralytic
     Its a story that most have heard. A crippled man is brought by his friends to Jesus when he is teaching, and Jesus notices their faith, has compassion on the man, and heals him. The man then walks away, healthy.
     Thats not why I like this story.
     This is a current favorite due to how Jesus heals him. Originally he "Saw their faith, and he said 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.'" The man is still laying crippled on the mat. But he has just been healed.
     Then all the pharisees think he is blaspheming, and then he heals him physically.


This is a beautiful picture.


Philippians 4: 13- "I can do everything through him who give me strength." (NIV)
     Commonly- "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (dunno which version/NKJV?)


     I always hated this verse. Not because of what it said, but how it is used in the modern world. In my mind, this is the stereotypical verse that athletes use to make themselves believe that they can be the most successful and that God wants them to win the 'ship. This is the verse that people use to justify wants and desires of the physical world. I just hate the fact that it has become almost a cliche that means God is giving his favor to you so you can fulfill the earthly desires of your heart.
    But, over the past couple days I have read the whole of Philippians a couple of times.  Paul is writing this from prison, and is under persecution and living in conditions that I can't imagine. The verse in context reads:


"I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."


    Spoken from a man in prison, who is encouraging people not to worry about him, this verse means something completely different. It screams of God's sovereignty and of the brokenness of the world. It screams that Jesus is enough. More than enough.


    Now I like this verse. It's encouraging as I deal with all the stress of transition and living in conditions that aren't 100% to my liking. I don't have AC or a clothes dryer, but I do have lots of cockroaches. Paul doesn't necessarily have food. But Jesus is enough for both of us. Even if I am a little bit spoiled back home.






As for Australia, Americans should know that we are not the only people who abused the natives to a ridiculous degree.








Song of the moment:
The Blowers Daughter by Damien Rice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YXVMCHG-Nk

This is the song that opened up my Australian Identity Class. He described it as so bad that most australians hate the guy who sings it, yet it is a vital piece of Australiana. Thought it worth sharing, because it is that bad. My professor said "Thank God thats over!" when it finished. haha

Brief Overview

Here is a brief overview of my trip so far, for those of you who want to know what i have done.

1. Plane rides. Long time, small seats, bad food. Standard
2. Arrive in Cairns (pronounced cans)
3. Day at rainforestation. Saw kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, snakes, crocodiles, and dingos. Got to throw a boomerang. Watched indigenous guys play didgeridoo and dance. Tried to play didgeridoo and failed. Took a jungle tour on an army duck vehicle (sweet amphibious vehicles)
4. Whitewater rafting in Cairns. We got flipped and it was wonderful.
5. Community service day in Cairns. We planted 200 trees. Kind of silly but not a bad day regardless.
6. Great Barrier Reef day. Snorkeled twice on the great barrier reef after riding on this super sweet boat out there. I was going to try and do the introductory scuba dive, but they would't let me due to my medicine and sinus infection. However it was still ballin.
7. Flew to sydney and got settled. I have four roommates, three from the states and one from Indonesia. We have no AC and no clothes dryer, but our house is pretty sweet.
8. Got registered and everything at UNSW. Saw all of the university clubs and everything, and got familiar with campus. Also grocery, sheet, and towel shopping. Also went to Powerhouse, Hillsong's wednesday night service for 18-25 year olds.
9. Took my first bus to the middle of the city and set up my bank account stuff. Took the wrong bus home, but ended up at the beach so that was sweet. Then went home. Then i joined the adventure club, the photography club, and of course the ultimate frisbee club. Went to a sweet bbq and some guys house from Hillsong. Met all kinds of people
10. Went to see the city with my roommates. The opera house is really really big and the harbor is beautiful. And the bridge is amazing. I also bought some gelato. Finished the night by relaxing and watching Happy Gilmore.
11. Today I have been a vegetable and have done nothing and just relaxed. Success.

Sydney is a big city, and this post doesn't mention it.

     Tonight I went to my second Hillsong event, this one was a barbeque for a “tribe” which is all the people in several “connect” groups. Basically it was like a midsize group gathering. We hung out, had your standard Aussie Sausage sizzle (that’s what a bbq is here, no shrimp, sorry.), and played monopoly deal. Monopoly deal is a super awesome card game that we will definitely all be playing back home.

     Anyways, the reason I mention this is because of who was there. Tonight I met someone from: China, Singapore, Indonesia, Canada, USA, UK, and of course Australia. I also didn’t meet everyone there. It was crazy how diverse this group of people. And then it just hit me; this is the church. All nations, races, peoples joined together under Christ, the head of our beautiful body. It was and is awesome. And it was great to have some friends who just wanted to play games at night for fun instead of drink and party… But seriously God is beautiful.

     More strange things about Australia:

     ·      Phone numbers; they vary in length, from 6 digits to 10 digits. Way strange. It also ruins my mental math post. No area codes.

     ·      Toilets; they don’t have a lever, but instead two buttons on top. What is the difference between each button? I still don’t know.

     ·      Heaps; this is such a great word and they use it for everything. I was with heaps of people tonight having heaps of fun and was heaps full of thankfulness. Hopefully I come back saying it.

     ·      The letter z; the call it zed. Weird.

Ill put some pictures up of my place and stuff soon.

Personally, I am doing ok. I still am not settled and because I don’t do well with transition it has been a little hard. But I am meeting people and getting settled and Jesus is constant so I am getting by. The stress and loneliness will fade even more over the next few days.

I miss everyone back in the states and wish yall were here with me! And for everyone who has sent me an email, if i haven't responded its just cause it got lost in the mayhem. Sorry dudes!

Peace and Joy.

Australia 1

Quick Update on my adventures.

1. The first TSA agent who looked at my passport said I looked like Justin Bieber in my picture. Thanks, I guess.

2. On my second flight, my phone fell out of my pocket during takeoff and slid alllllllllll the way down the aisle to the very back of the plane. Some nice people passed it back up to me.

3. Cairns, the city I am currently in, reminds me of everywhere I have traveled in the past 5 years. It feels temperature wise like the Bahamas, the place we are staying is like Mahanaim in Peru (shower heads at shoulder height and all), and the architecture of the city is the same style and colors of an SC beachtown.

4. Interesting Aussie Slang:

chockers – full (of food)

skull – chug

stuffed – broken

sunnies – sunglasses

g’daymatehowyoudoing – greetings friend how are you today?

5. Here’s some pictures:

6. Throwing a boomerang is not like throwing a Frisbee. At all. Quite disappointing. You release it almost vertical. I had one try and I reverted to the oh-so-natural motion of a flick, which caused the boomerang to curve straight up, into the sky, then dive bomb down.

6. Koalas are always asleep, a dingo might have really eaten someone’s baby, wallabies are like miniature kangaroos, and kangaroos don’t like me. I sat down beside one that was laying down and it hopped up and growled/snarled.

7. Didgeridoo native: Internet is slow. Ill upload later

8. I still feel sick. Partly jet lag, partly sinus infection crap, partly strange new place feeling. Hopefully I’ll be healthy soon.

8. I’ll keep everybody posted. I love and miss you all.

God is faithful, more so than me. Too cool.

"Who stands fast? Only the man whose final standard is not his reason, his principles, his conscience, his freedom, or his virtue, but who is ready to sacrifice all this when he is called to obedient and responsible action in faith and in exclusive allegiance to God -- the responsible man, who tries to make his whole life an answer to the question and call of God."

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "After Ten Years",  An essay on what he and others had learned in the ten years since Hitler's ascension to power.