Greetings From America!

It's now been my 11th day in the states and I am having the time of my life!

First I spent 4 days in Hawaii, where the weather was pure craziness. When I got there at 6:30am it was extra warm and humid, really gross overall. I was feeling fairly overwhelmed emotionally and physically. Just everything felt so weird coming straight from Adelaide where it had not even been one day since my Poppa had passed away, direct to Honolulu where I was all by myself and very tired. I spent the whole day wondering around in Ala Moana Centre whilst waiting for check-in time at my resort where I had left my luggage with the bell-boy. It had not even been three hours when I crashed extremely early for the night which inconviently lead me to awake at 4:30 in the AM.

Pretty much the whole of Saturday was soaked through with rain, so I decided to catch a bus to the Waikele Premium Outlets about an hour out of Honolulu. There wasn't a whole lot of fascinating stores there but I managed to buy two tshirts and a fresh water pearl earrings and necklace for a reasonable price. I spent another quiet night by myself that evening before crashing a bit later and getting up bright and early on a beautiful Sunday morn'.

I visited one of the New Hope Baptist Churches for the morning service. Spent a lovely afternoon talking to some friendly locals at the church lunch before a couple offered me a lift back to my resort. Meanwhile the whole weekend I had not gone swimming at some of the most beautiful beaches on earth (the jellyfish signs scared me), so I walked along the beach in the arvo and ended of the evening with a wonderous sunset as an encore.

The Monday was mostly spent packing and cleaning up, before then catching a shuttle bus to the airport and getting myself on my plane heading to Atlanta in Georgia on the mainland. The airflight had a little less turbulence than my flight from Sydney to Honolulu but it was still enough to keep me up all night. After getting off the plane bright and early in the AM in Atlanta I decided that I really and truly dislike flying on planes.

My first day in Atlanta consisted of mostly feeling of being a zombie and laughing hysterically at my friend Jeremy's jokes in the food court at Mall of Georgia and consuming Chik-fil-A. I crashed for three hours in the arvo, got up to have some dinner and then crashed for another 12 hours. It's evident that I was INSANELY exhausted and tired.

The next day Heather, Jeremy's girlfriend, came (she was staying the week too) and so we spent the day at CNN HQ food court (where I got to experience Taco Bell!) and the Georgia Aquarium. The Aquarium is just massive, I've never seen anything like it, the actual aquarium inside is the size of an American football field and there's hundreds of kinds of fish and all sea-life. From as little as a Seahorse to as big as a Whale Shark. I had an absolute ball.

The Thursday me, Heather and Jeremy's family went to his aunt and uncle's house north of Atlanta for Thanksgiving lunch. It was hmm.... interesting to say the least! Interesting in a good way. There I tried all kinds of traditional foods like Sweet Potato Casserole (which is now my favourite at the moment) and watched Jeremy's brother and dad play with rockets. Then in the evening me, Heather and Jeremy drover to Lake Lanier where they had the 'Magical Nights of Lights'. Basically thousands of Christmas light and decorations, it was uber pretty. Went to the little park fair at the end, rode on the ferris wheel and another fun ride and consumed some cooked marshmallows.

'Black Friday' was then there right at us like a hurricane. Black Friday is basically the day after Thanksgiving where all the stores and shops have huge sales and it's just utter madness, although we were lucky that it wasn't entirely busy because some people are starting to cut down over here. We drove and shopped a bit before getting my stuff and having a very entertaining and eventful drive to Columbus. We were supposed to meet my friend Josh who was picking me up in Lumpkin but there is NOTHING in Lumpkin. Like, you could blink and then literally you'll be passing the sign that says 'You are now leaving Lumpkin'. And Josh kinda got there super early, waaay before we even started driving there. So they decided on meeting in Columbus after hiking a bit in Lumpkin. Then we had to find where to meet in Columbus since it's quite a big place with sooo many fast food chain resturants. Josh and his friend decided on Sonic, but then there was our task of trying to find which Sonic since there was at least 10 in and around Columbus. So, fortunately for us Jeremy had a GPS. We turned down a random road to fill up on petrol and then discovered that it was the road that the Sonic Josh and his friend were at. We found them, had some dinner at Sonic (which has the weirdest park-and-order thingys) and I was off with Josh and his friend. I was very worried that we might get lost, seeing as it was night time, SO foggy and we turned down at least 3 or 4 wrong roads along the way. BUT we made it to Panama City (in Florida). YAY!

The weekend was spent mostly being lazy, eating traditional southern-style foods (which there are still leftovers of) and going to Josh's church.

Yesterday me and Josh enjoyed most of the day at Coconut Creek which has 2 putt putt courses with huge plastica animals and all sorts of interesting things and also a huge maze. He bet me at all of it. Which is the way it goes I suppose? :P Then we hung out at Panera Bread (which is a FANTASTIC little place, I wish we had them in Australia) and shopped a little bit. I bought a really nice woolen sweater from Aerostopale for around 20US$.

Today I've helped his older sister teach her 5th grade class. I talked to the class about Australia and they asked me hundreds of questions, including a few silly ones like "are there computers in Australia?" HAHA. Then me and Josh are supposed to be going back to Coconut Creek and then heading to Bonefish for dinner because it's Josh's birthday today. :)

Anyway that's about as much up-to-date I can think of and I hope to post again at the end of this week!

I Love You... Tomorrow.

It's only a day away!

Indeed, YES! Tomorrow I will be on a plane heading towards USA.

I have got much of my suitcase packed (hopefully not too much, I'm only allowed 20kg =\ ) and I have a few things left before I leave in the morning. Plans are to stay up all night, or at least most of it, and that way I still have plenty of time to do all things I need to do around here. Just like Christmas eve, excitement will most likely keep me up so I will have no problem in accomplishing that. But I know that by the time I get to the airport I will regret it SO MUCH. I CAN HAS COFFEE?

I have set up a blogging application on my iPhone, called Shozu, so blogging won't be a problem whilst being deprived of a computer while over there. Photos will be put up on my Facebook, for all of you who are my friend already, if not... you know what to do. ;)

I think that's all I need to say.

Wish me luck for my plane flights, I'm feeling considerably nervous about flying over the North/South Pacific Oceans!

<3

Feeling of Freedom.

This is the first day of freedom. The first day where I don't have to go to work or think about when my next shift is or being a little bit stressed every time my phone rings.

It really is a great feeling!

This week I just hope to relax and start preparing for my trip. About all I have done packing wise is pulled the suitcase out from my parent's wardrobe. I also REALLY need to clean my room, just from looking around... my desk is the worst.

I'm getting very excited and nervous about my trip. My fear is that I'll leave something behind. But if I do things right and follow a list I think I should be okay. If it's something of not entire importance then I'm sure I could just pop into the local Wal-Mart (or whatever there is) and purchase it.

There are many things I'm excited about for my trip, but here are just the top five...
1. Chillaxing on the beach in Hawaii (if weather permits me, at the moment it's been pretty rain-y)
2. Theme parks. I might not be going to many but I will definitely be going to Disney World (in Orlando) and Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. Universal Studios, Sea World, Busch Gardens and Old Town are places I'm considering also, seeing as I'll be in Orlando for a little while.
3. Experiencing a different culture and place, I think even going to local supermarket will excite me because it will be so different AND I would be able to get American goods much cheaper (and more range) than for what they sell them here for in sweets shops (i.e. Poptarts, Peanut Buttercups, TaB etc).
4. Having my first ever thanksgiving dinner, celebrating with my friends and his family and rellies.
5. Spending lots of time with all my amazing friends. I genuinely can't wait to meet them and their friends and families.

This may be my last blog post before I jet off... SO I just wanted to say a big THANKS to all of my friends and my family for supporting me through this year, especially my last several months working in a part time job that I didn't enjoy mostly (but it will be worth it!) and for just supporting me as I have been preparing my trip (no joke, this trip took A LOT of planning). I will miss you all as I spend time in a different country but I hope to come back with some great stories, photos and goodies. I hope to see those of you who can make it at my picnic this Saturday. =]

Signing off with MUCHMUCHMUCH love. <3

Plane Letters

On November 21st I will be jetting off to the states. The flight there is approximately 18 hours long, so while I am not sleeping, I would like to be doing stuff to fill time instead of sitting there... watching the seconds pass by into minutes.

So, I would like for you... yes... YOU, to write me a plane letter. What is a plane letter you ask? It's simply a letter one writes to their friend in which the friend keeps and doesn't read the letter until once on the plane (and hopefully in the air!). The criteria for this 'plane letter' is basically anything you want, as long as it's not rude or offending to me. Just write down anything you think I would find enjoyable to read whilst on the plane.

You can either email the letters to my email (karinahasfriends at gmail dot com) or if mail it to me (email me for my address if you do not have it already), just make sure you send it in enough time before I leave. Deadline is 7:00pm ACDT 20th November. If you are going to mail it, deadline sending date is 14th November, or 17th Nov if you are in the same state.

What are you waiting for now? Go forth and write/type me a plane letter, you!

USA Dawns

There is very little time until I fly off to the states all by myself and it's very nerve wracking how fast everything is going. I'm yet to get my passport done this week or early next, depends when I get my proof of age card I needed for the passport application (don't currently have a driver's license). I need to also acquire some travel insurance and few bits and bobs for my trip before I leave.

Yesterday I purchased a day pack for taking on the plane with me and for other exciting day adventures whilst over in America. I have spent weeks trying to find the perfect bag at a reasonable price. Fortunately after all my hunting I found a High Sierra bag in Strandbags for around $60, which isn't too bad considering it is a very good bag! Although I am thinking about getting a small bag to fit my phone, camera and maybe a book or two to have with me whilst I have my backpack in the compartment above my head. Anyone have suggestions?

I have a few (most likely 3 or 4) weeks left at work, which I'm feeling like it's forever away. I shall be very glad to not have to deal with snobby and impatient customers or having to do a million jobs in under a few hours. I'm not sure yet if I should have a casual/part-time job after Summer when I start uni. I won't sort those things out I guess until I know I've got into Foundation Studies and if I can actually get youth allowance.

Feeling a bit nervous (but excited) about spending a few days in Honolulu by myself when I first get there. So I've begun making a list of things to do, things to see and places to go. I don't think I really need to be overly worried, I mean c'mon.... relaxing in Hawaii? It's going to be fantastic!! It will be a new experience for me, as I've never lived outside of home. Which mean I'll need to go grocery shopping for myself. I'm hoping I get at least semi-healthy foods when I'm shopping, I suppose that's why a groceries list never seems to go astray. Oh, there's a pool on the very top level of the hotel I'm staying in, which is kind of ridiculous in the fact that the beach is literally down the road. But I suppose, if it's heated, then it probably makes a better choice over going to the beach in the evening for a swim (depending what the weather will be like, I will be in Hawaii fall/winter climate). I'll also have a stunning view of the ocean from my room which will be a really big plus.

I would be very appreciative of some prayer about my trip, that everything will work out, that I'll keep safe while there and particularly about the Aussie dollar at the moment, as the exchange rate isn't very impressive.

Hopefully I'll get in another entry about a week or so before I head off. =]

Dear Self

Oh hey, I heard you were feeling just a little down today. But I can't understand why, you had a great day and all.

Perhaps just feeling a little lonely? Which is most likely the case, because the amount of couple, engaged or married is becoming astronomical. I wouldn't be suprised if you were feeling just a little left out of the picture.

Or maybe it's not fitting in with people? You're a high-school drop out, not studying at university, still single and perhaps feeling just a little bit of a train wreck.

Why can't you feel just a little bit better about yourself? You have the whole world ahead of you, ready and waiting for you to explore. Try new things. Get your feet dirty. Experience life.

Can you just be content with who you are? Can you be happy as a single person in amongst a crowd of many who aren't? Can you be positive and happy almost all the time? Can you speak to someone new and not have awkward long moments of silence?

Maybe sometime in the future there is a man who would be half crazy enough to want to spend the rest of his life with you, but for now... you just gotta be happy. Be a happy, single and delightful Karina. Because that is what you do best.

Random Rollicking Rampage!!

HAH. And I bet you all thought I disappeared huh?

Well Karina is still around.
Just life gets a little busy, ya know?

Okay, so I'm lying just a little bit. I've been not so busy sometimes, such as weekdays when I'm not working and I'm at home with my butt on my chair in front of a computer screen or chillaxing in front of the idiot box with The Jetsons (1st season, bought it a couple of months ago, best buy for a long time!) or playing with Lee-Lee (my affectionately named iPhone, yes 3G, and only an 8GB model).

On weekends I'm at young adults (Twelve20ne, loving it!) on a Friday night, working on Saturdays, lazy Sunday which ends with a church service and going out to a cafe for supper.
So you could say I absolutely LOVELOVELOVE weekends (minus Saturday).

OH! And did I tell you? I'm spending a whole month (and a bit) at the end of the year (get back exactly on Christmas Eve) in USA. I'm so freaking excited about it. But I have tons to do yet. I have booked my hotel in Waikiki (just next to Honolulu), Hawaii and booked my return flights from Adelaide to Honolulu. But things I need to do...
1. Passport, I don't have one, never needed one. Until now.
2. Book other flights - from Honolulu to Atlanta and return.
3. Pester my friend to get confirmation whether I can stay at his house or not.
4. Travel Insurance.
5. Make list of things to do, places to go. (Walmart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
6. Earn enough spending money.
So I have as little as 11 (omigosh AGH) weeks to accomplish all those things.

Another thing is I will be leaving my job before I leave Adelaide. Which will be rad. So much freedom. No money rolling in, but I won't mind being a bum for summer. I'll probably just bug parentals for money when I most need it. =D

Next year I plan on studying at uni. Except not at silly little Flinders, I hated the foundation course there, especially doing over the internet (= VERY bad idea). I'm going to be at UniSA, doing Foundation Studies (yes, again!), which I've heard a lot of good about. It also means I will be graduating when I'm around 24-25, but I don't care, as long as I'm doing something I love. Hmm... still yet to decide what that is yet.

That is enough of my random rollicking rampages for this blog post.
It's getting early and my brain isn't functioning properly. Yay.

Cya kiddos!

The Love Story

Recently, I have been watching episodes of The Waltons (1st season) with my mum. I've come to actually like this show, mainly because there always seems to be something happening on The Walton Mountain and there is usually a moral behind each story.

Last night I watched two episodes consecutively, the latter being 'The Love Story'. In which entails a love story between John Boy (the eldest boy of the Walton family) and Jenny. I'd have to admit it was one of the most moving love stories I have ever seen or heard, it was a real tear jerker, for myself anyway. There was one moment in the episode, where John Boy talks to his father about love...

John Boy - "Daddy, have you ever been in love?"
Father - "I still am."
JB - "How did you feel when it first hit you?"
F - "Scared me to death."
JB - "Scared you to death? What way was that?"
F - "The way it still is. The first face that comes to my mind when I wake in the morning. The face I carry with me into sleep every night. A feeling that never stops of needing her, of her needing me."

The reason why I added those italics is because that was the quote in which made me ache the most. I realised that that is the kind of love in which I want to love my future husband and him to love me. That is the kind of love worth waiting for. Even if it means many months or years of staying just as me, being single that is. It was just one of those moments in which I had a deep heart ache, that I wish for a bigger and more real kind of love in my next relationship. I don't wish for another relationship that will end in tears and broken hearts. I've had just about enough of that. Does it seem selfish to think that way?

I know the kind of love you see in tv shows, movies, stories and in the media seem a bit all too fairytale, not always can everything be perfect, sometimes love hurts. But if I were to meet a man who I could share a great kind of love with for the rest of mine and his lives, I think that'd be like a real life fairytale for me, even with the mess love causes sometimes.

And what better way to conclude this love-filled blog than with a music video 'Real Life Fairytale' (by Plumb) set to scenes of my favourite show, Veronica Mars. Enjoy.

Who Am I?

Failure. Stress. Loneliness. Negativity.

All cuts so deep, it's suprising how long I can go without physically showing it.

I just bottle it all up, peel the lid to every little thing that bothers me until I fully explode.
I hurt everyone I know before I know it and its too late. Its too late now.
I don't deserve forgiveness because... well, how can I be trusted again?

Hello, my old friend.

I can't believe how busy one person can get! It's been a while since I've written anything on here, so I thought I would put in a few words before my crazily busy schedule of a week starts in little under an hour.

So first up, I have been working part time at a service station for about a month and it has been okay. Not the most ideal kind of job for me right now, location wise and time of working wise, but I really need the money. Hopefully going to try for a job closer to home or move out, depending if the circumstances work out.

Secondly, I have been falling a bit behind in my studies at universities. It really is so hard to make yourself do the work, especially when there is no official timetable set. I have to do the study around whatever else I am doing at the moment. So I am guessing I will have to create my own sort of timetable other than just doing the work whenever I feel like it. That means cutting back on my social-ism time on the internet i.e. Facebook, Twitter, im'ing.

Thirdly, I think I have found my home church. Holy Trinity Church in the heart of Adelaide. I've only been there a few times but I have grown to like it immensely. The people are so friendly, there are a lot there around my age, the theology seems to be good, the worship is heart-felt and I don't think there is really anything bad I can say about it.

Umm... fourthly and lastly, I have begun participation in the Youth Corps with Conservation Australia. I'm feeling generally excited about it, as this is the kind of career I dream to pursue. To work with wildlife, plants, conserving the environment and helping people to recognize the beauty of God's creations.

So put all of these things together and you have my life as of current. I begin juggling all of these things this week, so I will have to see how I can cope. =/

A Lack of Light in Life

In a previous post I had said that I was going to attend a small uniting church nearby on that following Sunday. Well I guess I didn't hold myself enough to that promise enough, because I didn't end up going.

I could go on saying it is because life has been a little more than complicated recently, and there's no doubting that, but that shouldn't be a valid reason to not go to a place and spend time in fellowship and worship with others. I guess I am also scared on going to a new church, I'm not sure what the people will be like, I might not find a source of group in which caters to my needs (ie young adults) or I may not become accustomed to the way in which they worship or genuineness of it.

I also could keep raving on about my lack of church community at this moment, but I know that right now, it isn't the main problem I am dealing with right now.

My problem has only just been discovered by me quite recently. I've been going through life for the past few months and hadn't realized what has happened until now. I have lost my friends. By friends, I mean the real kind who are almost always there for me and I am almost always there for them. I get so many of my friends telling me or promising me (which hurts the most) that they will make time to catch up with me. And so it seems to be, that they never hold to those arrangements, whether they were officially created or not. This has happened so often now, that I am actually beginning to think if it's not worth trying to have real friends anymore.

"It seems like just yesterday, we were the same."
(Hawk Nelson - Zero)

Unknown Joy

Apparently Part 1 of my course ends this week! I had an idea that it was going to finish soon, but little be known... it finishes this week. I am ecstatic.

I may have a bit of reading to do over holidays although.

And this concludes my marathon of blog postings for the next few days.

Tasty Blogs

Be prepared for another blog page change, I've decided the current theme just doesn't work for me and I want something that is a bit more moldable and expresses who I am.

In this recent time, I've been swayed to blog about other things rather than my current life happenings and thoughts. For this post I will mention a few blogs I have recently and not some not so recently subscribed to and quite enjoyed.

Cupcake Bakeshop by Chockylit (aka Cheryl Porro) - A Blog dedicated to cupcakes, featuring many fabulous and very unique recipes for all kinds of cupcakes and handy tips by Cheryl.

Lick The Spoon by Chandra - Another food focused blog, but not on just cupcakes... all kinds of treats for your sweet tooth.

Tasty Blog Snack by iJustine (aka Justine Ezarik) - Blog of a mac nerd girl who defines herself as the internet. She's no crazy woman, she actually knows her stuff.

And that shall be the end of that list because I've run out of Blog links at this stage, and I also went off track when searching for a new blog. Oops.

Back to uni work I guess.

Back To Basics

Most of you may or may not know that I am a christian. Well if didn't, then there you are, you know now.

But for the past 9 or so months I have not been committed to going to a church regularly. Long story short, I felt no need to go to church during my later months at Year In The Son at Tabor because YITS had become my 'christian community'. It was almost the perfect community I had ever experienced, we were so much like a family, including the lecturers and small group leaders. Low and behold, nearly six months later YITS had concluded and I was still not going to a church (I say 'a' because I had gone to a few every now and again).

Still now I am pretty much drifting from church to church, not sure where my home is. But today I have been thinking about church and remembered that I have not found a home yet, neither have I gone to any church service for over a month.

I have finally decided that I don't really like big churches. The big churches I speak of do not necessarily have anything wrong with them, it's just I feel a few of them are superficial or very commercialised. They don't tend to care much about the small people. The do acknowledge, and perhaps even care about, new people within the church. All I get is a handshake, form to fill out and countless emails or phone calls weeks after attending. It just doesn't seem very warm or welcoming. Another thing I don't like about big churches is the size, in people sense, I could so very easily get lost in amongst the congregation... and I have. It's so easy to miss one week, then the next and so on, and no one would ever notice I was ever there.

So I am set on going to a church where almost everything is back to basics. A little contemporary mix is okay, but I don't want to go somewhere that is completely submerged in modernism that they forget about being real.

As a child, my grandparents on my dad's side used to take me and my brother to a salvation army church near the city on Saturday mornings (yes, Saturday morning church service) where we would help open the church up, go to the service, plod along to kids club (which more than often would consist of me, my brother and one or two other children) and then enjoy consuming morning tea and watching the elderly people chat about the weather, what they did this week or how fast we were growing up. During the service, we'd also sing from the hymns books along to the organ and/or piano. Back then I may not have appreciated it as much, but looking back now, I think that's a romantic kind of church that I'd like to be apart of now. Not romantic as in couples kissing, but the romance you feel of a warm spring day or a bird singing sweetly or seeing an old man have almost some kind of secret and joyful conversation with his grandchild. It seems funny, that almost a year ago, I was going to a presbyterian church in the outer east suburbs of Melbourne and I couldn't find a good thing about being there, I actually considered it a bit slow and boring. But if I were going to a church like that now, I'd find so much appreciation in the singing of Psalms or chatting with the church folk after the service. Perhaps I have matured?

Anyway, so I now really begin my searching for a church in which I feel at home at. I am considering going to a small uniting church, but I guess I won't know if I'll like it unless I go.

I'll report about that in my next post. =]

Strawberry Fields Forever

I have been meaning to update my blog but just haven't had the motivation to do so, until now.

The past week has been very different, very much like a mixture of all things good and bad, but mostly bad.

Started the week off pretty averagely, doing my online things for university and doing nothing much else besides watching Scrubs. Thursday was very stressful, I had a quiz on the Library Voyager System due that day and so I did it. But when it came to logging off during the quiz so that I could take a break, I accidentally sent in my answers. I unnecessarily over stressed for the next hour to then find out I could take another attempt at the quiz, if only I had looked at the home page before freaking out. So I took another attempt, sent it in and got 85% for it which isn't so bad.

Ever since that night I haven't been eating well. I'm not sure why, but I just have no urge at all of hunger, I even feel kind of sick when I look at food. Saturday I literally went the whole day without food, which was a bad idea because I came home from my school's reunion/fete so sick that I had to rest otherwise I would've just passed out. Fortunately I had a sub kind of roll to eat that night, but I still even now just don't feel like eating much. It's strange.

Today I have my induction for Brumby's. I'm not really looking forward to it as I have to be stuck there with mind-boring information until the evening.

I hope this week is better.

In good news, I watched the film Across The Universe the other night. Overall I think it was a pretty fantastic movie, the soundtrack is great, in fact I think I'm tempted to go out and buy it.

I Can't Hide It

It is present.
It is a weight.
It makes me think.
I try to hide it.
It grows.
It shows.
But no one else knows.

You're just too good to be true

I can't take my eyes off of you. *looks happily at her bed*

This weekend me, my mum, brother and two family friend families ventured to a town in the Barossa Valley region, Tanunda. We, for the past several years, go away every easter to a caravan park and live in tents for a few nights. It's quite a pain to pack, unpack, pack and unpack but it certainly is good to get away from the city and suburbia to a country town where there are only two pubs, a bistro, a couple of takeaway (fish & chip and pizza, none of that generic McDonalds) shops and a few other shops that specialize in all sorts of things.

Instead of explaining the whole holiday word for word, I think I'll just mention my five highlights and five lowlights of the weekend.

Highlights:
1. Relaxing in my camping chair doing nothing much.
2. Taking an annual visit to the famous Wohlers in main street.
3. Playing with the younger kids on the playground.
4. Going wine tasting on Sunday (trying Honey Mead, fermented honey, and delicious gourmet foods at the famous Maggie Beer's Farm Shop).
5. Having a good laugh at the clown show that night.

Lowlights:
1. Sleeping in a tent on a queen-sized mattress with my mum (I'm quite used to having my own double bed at home all to myself, which is why I'm so happy to be going to bed soon).
2. The youngest, Elisha who is 4, behaving a bit out of order at times... especially when being put to bed.
3. Having the roosters wake me up at only God knows what hour in the morning, every morning.
4. Not getting enough sleep consequently.
5. Too much chocolate and sugar.

I can't think much right now because it's heading very closely towards bed time and I am absolutely wrecked from this weekend, just generally because I didn't get enough sleep. I wish I had something profound or important to say but truth be told I didn't go to church (even though there was enough churches around Tanunda to pick from) this weekend, and I kinda wish I had so that I would've had the urge to think about the great sacrifice our Lord took so that we can have this life. There's just something about country churches that seems so homely.

So what did you do for Easter weekend?

New Beginnings

Finally, I have began my study at Flinders University. And I'm actually really enjoying it already. The tutor (there is another but she is away) is really nice and I've talked to some of the students through msn and myspace. Studying online is really interesting, some of the students find it complicated (all the oldies), but it actually isn't. We connect with each other and talk about the discussion topic and reading material through a forum kind of program.

Our discussion topic this week is: difficulties learning online. I'm finding it really hard to answer this, as I have only just began study online and I can't really find any flaws with it. Besides small things such as not having the face to face talk and having an instant answer to a question from a tutor (but they do often response to answers online usually within 24 hours, which isn't so bad). But overall I have many positives to studying online, mainly one I can think of is I don't have the ordeal of having to catch public transport to the other side of town. Whenever I do travel down that way, I usually try to make a day trip of it since it's so far away. Another is that I have the freedom of studying whenever and wherever I want. Ideally, someone who has a big issue with time management and too much procrastination may not suit online studying. I do struggle with this also, but not so much that it hinders me to not be able to study this way. I think this will improve my time management, which makes me hopeful.

On to other things in my life. I recently (last week) got a job at Brumby's/BP, which is actually less a complicating job than it sounds. I basically just work at the cash registers for BP, but also serve for the Brumby's section which is joined to the BP check-out. I haven't started work yet, as I have several training sessions, inductions and information sessions to attend to, but I get paid for attending to all of those anyway.

This weekend I am away camping (in a caravan park, it's really going to be an adventure) for this Easter weekend. Even as I type my mum is running around frantically packing things and checking lists so I should go help her.

Happy Easter everyone. May you not forget the true meaning behind this weekend. He was sacrificed so that we may be free.

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."
(Colossians 2:13-15)

Impatience Gets The Best Of Me

Ever had one of those times where you've had to wait for something, and not just for a couple of minutes or hours or even days... but almost over a whole week?

That is what I am still experiencing now. I've become so nervous about my application for university that I went in to Flinders last week to query as to what was happening with information being sent out and the like. It was kind of silly, as the date the application letter had to be signed and sent back was last Friday so it's pretty obvious that they would not send out anything until this week. Anyway, consequently, I received an answer of that same assumption. I guess I am just naturally impatient, because I have had nothing to do in the past few weeks and the knowledge of that I will be doing something with myself in two weeks excites me. So I have been checking the letterbox frequently, only to be disappointed almost every time. Hopefully something will arrive by the end of this week.

In other not-so-exciting news, job hunting seems to be leading no where good. I've had several interviews and dozens of applications but yet still no offer. It does get me down, especially when I receive letter after letter and email after email inscripted with things I do not want to hear. Kind of makes me feel hopeless. :(
Maybe one day...

Exciting matters.

Today in the mail I received an envelope with the blue, white and gold coat of arms in the right hand corner. Realizing what this envelope had packaged for me, I ripped it open and tore out the letter that was inside.

"OFFER OF A PLACE IN THE 2008 FOUNDATION COURSE"

So without further ado, I am pleased to announce this year (and hopefully beyond years) I am a student at Flinders University. I sound so silly making all this fuss, but I don't think anyone could really understand how important and exciting this is for me. Exactly two years ago I was year twelve full of hopes and dreams, six months later and it seemed all those hopes and dreams had been wiped clear when I suddenly opted out from school. I recall glancing at one of the Uni Adelaide buildings and thinking to myself that I could never be at such a place. A year and a half later I am now an accepted student at Flinders. As long as I put in the effort, I know I can achieve anything.

The Foundation Course may not be as intense or exciting as any degree, but I know it's a start and it will definitely assist me in my future years of studying a degree. It's no full time course, runs March till September and each topic only runs about once or twice during the week. Most of it, until July, will be studied online because I live about an hour and a half away from the campus (by bus) and all topics will be held at night (fun fun). So if you are studying, or have studied, online... then advice will be greatly appreciated. I may also appreciate encouragement as motivation is not one of my strengths.

As for 2009 and beyond, I don't really know what I want to be studying at Flinders, but hopefully the FC will assist me in direction also.

I don't officially start until mid-March, which will give me some good time to continue my (it seems) endless job hunting, catching up with friends, watching dvds (Scrubs is a favorable) and other things to do before I start study (perhaps then I should make a list).

Geez...

The things you do when you're depressed... mark my words, the below post is a definite example.

I feel much better compared to how I was feeling Thursday/Friday. As most people say... v-day is just a Hallmark centered 'celebration'. I don't understand how I did let it get to me. Thank you to those who encouraged me. =]

Anyway, on to happier subjects.

Last night I started filming footage for a video I am making for my old church's youth group, that will eventually be handed out to parents and local high schools once the final product is finished (that makes me feel so much nervous saying that). This will be the second 'professional' video I have made, although the first one was just something I came up with to promote the youth group small groups and I did also just used WMM to edit it (SUICIDE!). I plan to use Sony Vegas to edit this video. Hopefully it will all be done by sometime in April.

Update with the job hunting, no luck still but I know I just have to be patient, somewhere out there someone is looking for a nineteen year old to fill their position.

I apply for Flinders University tomorrow, hoping to get into the Foundation Course, as it'd guarantee me a place as long as I pass and choose the right topics for what I hope to be studying.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)

Down With Love.

Valentine's Day.... possibly the worst day on record every year for a single person.

I attempted boycotting, tried to ignore the whole day, tried to even stay away from my computer for the day because I knew it'd just bring me misery. Told myself not to heighten my hopes when there was mail in the letterbox. I was going well until last night and today. V day is still happening in some places of the earth and I just cannot escape the worst.

No one really does care about me in such a way that they'd feel much obliged to leave me a nice message or even a small "Happy Valentines Day".

Everyone I thought were my friends abandoned me. Forgot about me. Left me out of their greetings.

Heck. I even have high doubts that absolutely no one will read this because in reality, no one actually does care about me.

I Heard the Old Man Say We Need the Rain.

Bad news
- I didn't get the job at the Florist.
- I am still unsuccessfully searching for a job.
- There are some people I have had to cut off all communication with.

Good news
- Today I made two purchases of two VERY good cds.
[Ben Folds - Naked Baby Photos] A mix of live, uncut, raw songs. Something to turn up loud and dance my cares away to. Most fav song on the cd is Underground (live at ziggy's, Winston-Salem, NC 8/12/85) "Show me the moshpit".
[Mae - Singularity] Album released recently, last year, a lot heavier than the music from their previous albums... especially Destination: Beautiful. But all up a good cd. My fav song is Crazy 8's "I’ve never ever loved you so hard. But is that reality? We can’t face the battle in the dark."
- I also gave blood today, all went well, although even though I have been to give blood two other times the needle scared me a bit more this time.
-Autumn slowly creeps around the corner. I am looking forward to noticing a change of colour in the trees and watching the leaves fall, twirling and spinning around like a feather.

So it seems I have a some things of positive and negative happening in my life right now. But I suppose if I get through all this with two feet on the ground, I'll get there.

The date that marks my six months of single-ism is approaching soon. I have some very mixed emotions about it. I feel encouraged that I have made it thus far and have grown to know that being single can be good and boyfriends aren't the most important thing in the world right now. But feeling a bit sad at the same time, to know that I haven't a significant other. People always tell me that it will happen some day, I know it will, but I guess sometimes waiting isn't so much fun as it's cracked up to be.

Here I lie my thoughts and dreams for today.
For tomorrow lies a new day, dawning new hope, new dreams, new inspiration and a new light.

Nerves

Agh. So today I make the long trip to the eastern side of Adelaide to have my job interview. I'm so nervous. This is my first job interview out of all the applications I sent out last week. I'm so sure I'm not going to get it. What are the chances of getting the first job you get an interview for? But I suppose there is also a slim chance I could get it.

If I get this job, I will go crazy for sure. I happen to know florists have a fairly good pay-rate, even I would most likely get paid more in this junior position than I got paid at Hungry Jack's. Anyhow... every dollar I earn will help fund towards getting a new computer and getting the internship. I need a new computer so bad, this one is slowly dying, I think a reformat will kill it.

I think I'd like working at a florist. I absolutely love flowers; their scent, the range colours, how elaborate each petal is. Plus, I'd come home smelling beautiful! I actually might consider getting into a TAFE course in Floristry if I don't get into the Internship.
I'm thinking ahead of myself now.

Wish me luck on my job interview.
=)

Karina is slack!

Well.... I think I have quite a few good reasons as to why I haven't posted anything for the past few weeks. I had spent one week in Melbourne (for Planetshakers) and Renmark, a week of relaxing, another week at Influencers SHOUT Youth Conference and now I'm here. With lots of watching dvds and spending copious amounts of time chatting to friends online and deep thinking. Deep thinking about what?

Since being in Melbourne, I have discovered that perhaps Bachelor of Arts in Youth Work at Tabor is not what I feel happy about doing. I already spent one whole year doing that sort of thing... you know that studying-writingnotesinlectures-assignments-essays-wordcounts-grades thing. It all gets a bit much after a while. Kind of overwhelming. And I want to take some time off to figure out what I want to do. Well it seems God has already done that for me. Not long after making this decision, God had put on my heart to do this particular internship at a church, 800km away from where I live. And it's not as if God is forcing me to do this either, I feel (and have felt, in past years) very passionate about it. I can imagine myself doing it. I have been very reluctant to tell anyone of this, but I guess now that I have realised that this is truly what I want to do, I feel a bit more free to tell my friends about it. But there's just so much to consider in this choice... such as where am I going to live, how am I going to accumulate the money for the course and to live there, how am I going to get my application done, am I even going to get in at all, am I good enough?

But all I really want right now is prayer &/or encouragement. In coming time I will need to ask for help considering moving out of home and interstate, possibly even financial help and also help in settling into the new city (if all goes well). I'm feeling a bit nervous about it all.

Also... 28 days to go, until my commitment of singleness concludes. :)