Australian Adventure - Week 2

Tue, 29 November 2011

I'm on my 2nd week at my new home! I've been blessed a lot and my heart is overjoyed (will have to always remember na dapat "kalahati lang ang ngiti"..heheh) by the Lord's lovingkindnesses!

There's a lot of beautiful people I'm meeting, a lot of things and happenings I'm experiencing, and places I'm visiting!

If you're curious about my 1st week, kindly check my Australian Adventure Note -

Week 1 (http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150409511038369)

So, here are a few more things I've added to my overwhelming list of adventures, interesting observations & discoveries:

• weighed around 40.3kg the time I arrived here and just this morning, I weighed in at 41.2kg..whoa! my dearest hubby has been cooking for me wonderful menus, stuffing me with lots of yummies, bringing me 'bibums' and is very much taking care of me (thank You, Lord!)
• most of the establishments/stores (even the small ones) have automatic doors which open/close for you once you enter/exit their shop (am really battling the urge to do a tap dance to let it open/close at my every move! hahah!)
• roundabouts are pretty much in every road here (always gives me the 'weeeeee' glee moment everytime we drive around it)
• fiery flowery flame trees are sooooooooo lovely!
• the yellow taxis look more orangey than yellow (you'll also see white taxis)..aside from the car-type, there are also multicab types..and the taxis have handicap ramps! (cool!)
• salmons and steaks 'wow' me...as in wooooooooow
• found out that kiwis can make me cry..just lurve that fruit! and discovered that my dearest is allergic to fresh kiwis & pineapples
• some of the locals really smell oh so UNheavenly! in this kind of weather, i think even the cat will take a bath! phew!
• i give out my hat to the inventor of the microwave! (i just gotta remember to use it always, though, and put down the pot..nakakalimutan ko kc na may microwave..wla nman kc sa bundok nmin un eh! heheh)
• am fascinated at how merchants do business here esp with regards to EFTPOS payments (electronic funds transfer at point of sale is the general term used for debit card based systems used for processing transactions through terminals at points of sale)...cashless transactions!
• saw the Kurilpa Bridge in Brisbane a bit upclose! first saw it on the web (http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-40391866) while still in the Philippines & thought of it as such an architectural beauty..would really like to see it once it puts on its dazzling LED light shows..what a nice sight that could be ^_^
• it's sooooooo hard to find good clothes that fit me..haay! (hmm...let's check the teen's or children's section..)

....to be continued...

Australian Adventure - Week 1

Tue, 22 November 2011

It's been a week since my arrival here in warm, sunny Brisbane. We actually live in Sandgate, a suburb.

I'm still getting used to a lot of things, familiarizing myself with my surroundings, remembering names of people & friends I'm introduced to and even getting used to just having my hubby around..and it truly is quite an overwhelming adventure! I got lotsa things whirring in this little head of mine that I'd just have to put bullet points in here and probably find the time (next time?! when?!) to expound on my thoughts.

• am amazed at how clean and fresh-smelling the surroundings are
• gotta remember to keep my seatbelt on 'immediately' when i get on the car
• am still quite disoriented while on the road coz they drive on the car's right hand side
• the road signs say 'keep left'..that also goes for the escalators in malls
• there are roadsigns with a kangaroo silhouette that means kangaroo crossing area (haven't seen a single one on any of our road trips, though)
• the malls are only open until 5pm (oh well, so much for window shopping now that I got the luxury of time)..but they're open until 9pm on Thursdays (yeheeeyyy!)
• enjoying the warm & sunny weather (it's summertime here) coz I get to wear my kinda clothing--sando, sleeveless, shorts, skirts & dresses!
• got quite a shock when I saw some shoppers at the grocery/mall with no slippers/shoes on and some males walking around topless!
• people don't usually bring umbrellas..oh yeah! good thing coz I hate bringing an umbrella around with me!
• am fascinated at the colossal trees around..not to mention the preeeety fiery flowery trees!
• the roads are beautiful (great for cruisin'!) and some parts feel like a roller-coaster ride
• our neighborhood is just soooo beautiful! most of the neighbors' houses look like beach-houses (may silong at stairs)
• the passing of the railroad train near our neighborhood sometimes give me a jolt at nighttime especially when we're already sleeping
• was startled the first night of my stay here...naalimpungatan yata ako...i stared really hard at my surroundings and at the person beside me...sabi ko sa isip ko, "asan ba ako? panaginip ba ito?"...and then I finally realized I'm in our bedroom and my dear hubby was sleeping while he held me in his arms...haayy...thank You, Lord!
• familiar stores/resto I've seen so far are the following: Pizza Hut, Dominos Pizza, 7-Eleven, Subway, McDonald's, KFC, Cibo
• walang unlimited gravy sa KFC...waaaaaaaaaaa! (take note: mejo malabnaw ang gravy nila dito sa AUS)
• their post office personnel are all standing up! they take your transaction and automatically encodes the details in a computer in front of them..and aside from sending mail/courier, they also accept ID photo transactions (we were in a hurry so I just wonder what other services they provide..hmmm)
• I've seen & experienced the 'great divide' on the way & quality of living as to how things are in the Philippines against how things are here in Australia..what may be considered a luxury in the Philippines is but commonplace here in Australia
• it is heartbreaking to see food go to waste (ex. bread)...breads here don't contain much preservatives so the shelf-life is short :-(
• apples and nectarines look the same! (especially the small ones)

....to be continued...

The Land Down Under

• Mon, 14 November 2011

5pm (PH time) : went to the airport with my dearest family

9pm (PH time) : boarded PAL flight to Melbourne, Australia

• Tue, 15 November 2011

8am (AUS time) / 5am (PH time) : arrived @Melbourne, AUS

9am (AUS time) / 6am (PH time) : boarded same PAL plane for my connecting flight to Sydney, AUS

10:45am (AUS time) / 7:45am (PH time) : arrived @Sydney, AUS; rode a Tbus from the International airport to the Domestic airport

12:45nn (AUS time) / 9:45am (PH) : boarded Quantas plane for my connecting flight to Brisbane

1:30am (AUS time) / 11:30am (PH) : arrived @Brisbane, AUS

Note: Time differences

Melbourne & Sydney, AUS are 3hrs advanced as against the Manila, Philippines

On the other hand, Brisbane, AUS is 2hrs advanced

It was my first international flight and what a trip that was! Thank You, Lord, for your strength, guidance & traveling mercies! Thank You, also, Lord for smooth transitions from the immigration & through all the stops & baggage checks. You have truly been a wonderful traveling partner! And now, I thank You, Lord, all the more that You brought me safely into the arms of dearest hubby! Thank You, Lord!!!  ^_^

Everyday is a Gift

(Psalm 90:12, NIV) “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Sometimes our days can be so full and busy that we forget how fragile life really is. It’s easy to allow little things to creep in and steal our peace and joy. Maybe something doesn’t go our way or someone says something upsetting. Even traffic can cause us to lose focus if we let it. We have to remember that each day is a gift. If we choose to focus on what’s wrong, we’ll miss the beauty that each day has to offer.

I encourage you today; don’t let the precious moments of life pass you by. Don’t wait for holidays and birthdays to show people that you care. Remember, each day is unique and irreplaceable. You have been given time that can be invested or wasted; hours that can be used or misused. That’s why the psalmist prayed to God, “Teach us to number our days.” He was saying, “Teach us to value every moment we’ve been given.” As you daily keep a proper perspective, you’ll gain a heart of wisdom. You’ll draw closer to God and experience the full blessing that He has for you each and every day!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of today. I choose to focus on the blessing of each moment instead of allowing the little things to steal my joy. Keep me close to You always as I submit every area of my heart and mind to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen