It was such a beautiful day at Ettalong. The sky was a cloudless blue, the sun was shining, the water clear, the speaker engaging, the company great...it was a really nice day out.

The food (minus the dodgy apple strudel) was really good, although it would appear that pumpkin was going for cheap when the chef went shopping.

Managed to provide some entertainment of the day as the nine young single females of the office decided to sit at one table together during lunch. There was a spare seat available, but we couldn't find a brave soul to fill it.

We had so many people coming pass our table teasing us, but our revenge was sweet. By the end of the meal, we had folks coming to our table commenting that we seemed to be the table that had the most fun, emitting hearty laughter.

It was a day of constant eating. Morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea...and then we ended up at an Italian restaurant for dinner that evening to celebrate Leah's birthday.

Has anybody tried a Italian Hot Ciok? It is like hot melted chocolate that leans towards a pudding and most heavenly. And also so sweet that none of us could finish the cup we had.

I didn't go to bed till 2am on Saturday. Not because I was out partying. My stomach was simply so full that I could not sleep.

The forecast is for fine weather! The luncheon menu looks yummy! Plan to arrive at Ettalong Beach Resort between 9.30 & 10am. Hot drinks, chocolate brownies and fresh fruit on arrival. Go for a beach walk after lunch. Sit in the sun. Enjoy the day!

That's the plan for the staff retreat tomorrow.

Who says working for the church has no perks?

I can't wait!

While we're on the topic of brilliant TV, let me introduce you to House.

Dr Gregory House is devoid of bedside manner and wouldn't even talk to his patients if he could get away with it. Dealing with his own constant physical pain, he uses a cane that seems to punctuate his acerbic, brutally honeset demeanor.

This dude is my hero. He's got just about the most amazing wit and sarcasm going for him that cracks me up all the time.

House has just about become my favourite TV show for the moment.

Wait, I think it probably is my favourite TV show for the moment. Replacing even *gasp* the various CSIs.

And it's on tonight!

I'm so excited!

Season 2 of The 4400 is going to be aired at 8.40pm on Channel 10 tonight!

I got absolutely hooked on the first season when I was back in Singapore and the last episode of the season left me craving for more.

Now my questions will be answered!

Although knowing TV series, I'll probably end up with more questions that will only be answered in Season 3....

But still, I can't wait! 3 more hours!

Hear hear Brad Abare from Church Marketing Sucks:

I want to be a part of a culture—not exclusive or inclusive of the Christian bubble—that communicates well. I want to tell stories that get people to respond. I want people to ask questions about answers they don’t understand....(more)

As Christians, we really need to embrace the arts and not look disdainfully at it, keeping it at arm's length, something many churches are prone to doing.

If we make it our own, imagine the stories we can tell to people who love watching and listening to them.

Balmain is such a pretty little surburb of Sydney!

After a disappointing morning spent at Manly Beach (it just somehow didn't connect with my soul), I decided to take the ferry from Circular Quay over to Balmain.

The 15min ferry ride turned out to be gorgeous, filled with breathtaking sights of the Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, Luna Park and the many sailboats littered on the glistening water.

It was a warm sunshine-filled winter day and I really enjoyed sitting on the open top deck of the ferry, with the breeze in my face. It was also rather funny seeing all the tourists around me get into a frenzy when they realise what good photo opportunities lay in the ferry ride.

My introduction to Balmain was extremely quaint. East Balmain Wharf is a simple construction, and right next to it is a small little park that overlooked the city-scape. There was a mother pushing her two daughters on the swing in the park, and a couple enjoying the sun and the gentle sounds of the water lapping. Walking further up revealed another family having a picnic on the grass, with their children running around chasing each other as kids do.

Reading a little information plaque revealed that many of the historic buildings of Balmain were constructed in the 1800s. This was a rather historic part of Sydney.

In order to get to the town centre, I had to hike uphill on Darling St for almost 15 mins. It turned out to be a really nice walk because of the gorgeous old townhouses with lovely terraces and quaint architecture that lined the street. It reminded me a little of being back in England, with its narrow streets and townhouses with no front yards and really did make me yearn to live there.

I'm no architect and cannot tell you which genre the buildings were based on, but all I can say was that it was really beautiful and I would be extremely happy living in any of those houses, each with their own distinct characters and stories.

One of the things that was rather interesting was the fact that I felt like I had entered the VW Beatle-land or something. Never in my life had I ever seen so many VW Beatles being driven around one town. And most of them were the original Beatles, not the new models. It was amazing how many of them were either parked alongside the road or drove past me!

The town centre itself was rather small, with only two streets of shops offering books, gifts, clothes and cafes galore. And the most beautiful thing of it all is the fact that there were hardly any tourists around. The people around me looked like they either lived in Balmain or were visiting from neighbouring suburbs. Most were sitting with friends in cafes, enjoying a Sunday brunch.

The few hours I spent wandering the streets of Balmain, I had clean forgotten I was only 15mins away from the Sydney city centre by ferry. It was as if I was transported to a little town hours away from a big city. It wasn't until I was sitting at the bus-stop, waiting for a bus to take me to Glebe, that I realised I was actually so close to the city.

Honestly, I would love to live here. But I doubt I would be able to afford it. In my daydream, I imagined myself looking to buy a place in Balmain. In fact, I even found a house I loved. It was a converted flour mill/warehouse and was my dream accommodation. I had always wanted a converted warehouse for a home. The pricetag on the house said $2 million. My bubble burst.

Not only that, the little boutiques sold extremely individualistic clothes that I absolutely adored. They were rather bohemian in make, and all look extremely creative and very unique. So were the prices. Nothing was sold below $100 in Balmain. The cheapest sale item I saw went for about $50. Balmain is obviously geared towards a well-to-do, upper class market.

No wonder I only saw young professionals and older folks there. There was honestly hardly a teenager in sight.

From Balmain, I took the bus to Glebe, another suburb filled with beautiful buildings. What drew me to Glebe, however, had to be the various secondhand bookshops and bookshops it had. It was brilliant! I had no book in mind that I wanted to buy, but I couldn't help myself. I kept ducking in just to browse at the different books they had.

I even found a cafe bookshop complete with a live performing band!

In the end, I did find something I wanted to buy.



I found this little wind-up Jesus in one of the shops in Glebe and it was the funniest looking thing. They had a Virgin Mary version as well. I couldn't resist. It had to be bought.

With Jesus tucked in my bag, I took a bus back to Sydney Central and thus ended my day of exploration.

Wonder where I should visit next....

Melody, Your ideal job is a Emperor of all the world.

Unlike Brian, I quite like Job Predictor!

has anybody heard about the suicide bombing in Baghdad that killed 70 people?

No? I'm not surprised.

I was reading The Australian last night and had no clue as well until I came to the second section of the newspaper under "The World" heading. Either I was blind, or there was no mention of the bombing whatsoever in the headlines or anywhere else except that one page of news.

Am I missing something here?

Here's what was on the front page of the news yesterday:

Telstra's plea for free hand
No school means no pay
Police fear attacks by fifth bomber

The London Blasts.

Yes, it was inhumane. It was terrible. It was shocking. I agree that what happened in London was wrong. But the obvious discrimination is even worse!

When the London Blasts happened on July 7, several Australian TV stations interrupted their programming to bring to the nation live news coverage of what was happening in England. The newspapers dedicated several pages to it for the next few days - news, photos, analysis, comments, opinions...nobody could escape media coverage of the London Blasts.

I mean, almost two weeks after the blasts, news about it are still on front page news.

What about the Baghdad bombing?

I can very confidently say that there will be no mention of it from today onwards. It killed 70 people. Certainly more than the London Blasts did. But all it warranted was an article in page 25 of the newspaper. I didn't watch the news last night so I'm not sure if it even got mentioned there. TV programming certainly wasn't interrupted, that much I can be sure of.

Have bombings happened so often in the Middle East that it no longer warrents as news?

Is it because it's in a "developing" country?

Or maybe it's because they deserve it? After all, it was their fault the war on terror started.

Oh no, wait.

Maybe, just maybe it's because it's not happening in the all important West where civilisation is and where lives are considered more important.

I am a crapbag.

Was supposed to take worship at the old people's home at 8.30am this morning. All would have gone well if I had remembered the correct time.

The problem was, I turned up at the place at 8am, completely ready to take worship and the folks were just starting to have breakfast. I was indiginant and fully sure that I had my time right, and they were wrong.

I can't stay to have worship at 8.30am, I thought. After all, I had to be at work by 9am! And if I stayed, I would be late for work!

So I left.

Yup. I apologised to the administrator, telling her I had to be at work, and left without taking worship.

Then I get to work and realise that worship indeed starts at 8.30am and that my boss wouldn't have minded if I turned up late for work because I had to take worship.

So now I feel absolutely horrid and like a complete crapbag.

Visions of dejected old people who had seen me walk into the worship room at 8am while waiting for breakfast, and then realising at 8.30am that I had gone even before taking worship flashes before my eyes.

I am such a crapbag.

Birthday Presents!

How special do I feel?

I woke up this morning and found three text messages on my phone, with one extremely sweet one from my brother that just made me go "awwww"and another from Maya whom days before had sent me this gorgeous bright orange traditional Malay scarf.

Then as I left to go to work, I found a package just against my door frame. Being late for work, I simply hurriedly grabbed the package and hastily took off.

Arrived at work and struggled with the package, considering Letrica had taped ALL AROUND the entire thing which made it impossible to rip anything apart. Ended up having to use a scissors and extreme force before it revealed...a Terry Pratchett book! And then, as if that wasn't enough, she turned up in my office with another big box, saying that my real present was in it.

She had made me a bright orange blanket (see picture above)! Yup, crocheted with her own two hands. In bright orange. It was lovely. And warm, and made me feel oh so special.

Then my boss turns up in front of my office singing Happy Birthday, and hurriedly shooed me off as we were both going to a seminar in the city.

After the seminar, we ended up meeting the rest of my department in a Japanese restaurant in Hornsby where they gave me TWO MORE Pratchett books (anybody guessed I'm a Pratchett fan yet?). As well as some lovely sushi. And two wonderful scoops of gelati (mmm...gelati...mmm).

I get back to work and suddenly I'm getting birthday wishes from everybody in the office. Which was really cool. Got a few birthday cards too. And then Sophia walks into my office sheepishly declaring that she had forgotten my birthday and swore she will do something with me some time soon (I believe it was more of a promise than a threat).

And then reading all these lovely birthday wishes from the blogging community, emails from my friends in Singapore and England and my dear mother, (whom without her, my birthday would never have happened) and then random text messages on my phone throughout the afternoon! Honestly, I feel so thoroughly spoilt and special!

So anyway, after settling into work, (well, kind of. It was really hard to concentrate when my ego was getting so inflated!) Sophia came into my office again holding a huge bouquet of flowers. The silly girl felt so bad about missing my birthday she tried to make up for it with the flowers. Well, I have to say, it certainly worked! They were lovely orange roses, lillies and yellow everlastings.

Mae turned up later just after work, which was really special considering she had just worked night duty yesterday and and had to do more tonight and would normally have been still asleep at this time of the evening. Turned out that Letrica had called her to come for a birthday dinner she had organised.

The birthday dinner was simply fantastic. Kristin, Letrica, Leighton, Daniel, Mark, Mae and Leah went and had lovely Thai food and then drove off to St Ives from some more gelati, which proved to be absolutely decadant and oh so good.

It's almost 10pm now and I have just returned from the night out. It has been a real nice day, with good friends and great laughs and can I say this again?

Oh I feel so special.

Thank you, my friends.

oh my goodness, it just suddenly hit me.

I'm turning a quarter of a century old tomorrow.

*gasps*

I couldn't help myself. I started tearing.

While reading the newspaper headlines, I had already started to feel a little down. Then I flicked on ABC News and watch the news coverage of the London Blasts and the 10th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide.

And then we have our dear friend Dubya going on about how the blasts are not going to frighten the US or detract the war on terror.

I couldn't help it. The tears started welling up in my eyes. It was heartwrenching to see the people crying over the loss of their loved ones.

It's just mindless. It is.

And it just makes me so mad. It makes me mad because in the coverage of the genocide, we have world leaders apologising, looking all determined that "it will not happen again".

My foot.

They said it for the Holocaust. Look at Rwanda.

Then they repeated it at the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. Look at Bosnia.

They said it yesterday for Bosnia. Well, look at what's happening in Zimbabwe. In Sudan.

But I guess it's much easier to apologise than to actually take action.

And it's much easier to ignore these countries since it's not exactly happening in the Western world per se.

And the blasts, the war on terror, the horror? Well, read this.

hmmm...maybe I should buy this when I move into my new apartment....

Thanks Faith for the pic!

just came back from exploring sydney with Letrica and she very kindly let me do some driving. I have this to say.

I cannot believe how easy it is to drive an automatic car!

watched an encore telecast of the live8 concert (have you signed the petition yet?) last night and it got me thinking. No, not the part where Robbie Williams absolutely endeared to me.

It just seemed like a rather odd juxtaposition...

Here are celebrities and other folks trying to make their cause of making poverty history known to the politicians. And their means include throwing huge concerts simultaneously in several main cities to get the attention needed.

We know their cause. We agree with their cause. And we support their cause.

What about the al-Qaeda folks?

Now, I'm not in any way condoning what they have done. I absolutely abhor their activities and definitely do not support their killing of innocents.

But yet, in a way, it seems like they are no different from the live8 celebrities.

They have a cause, and all they're looking for is trying to make it known. In an age where the media is dominated by the activites of the Western world, how else are they going to get the attention they need?

I think about the times when I read about suicide bombings or terrorist attacks happening in the Middle East. The newspaper report usually only consists of a few paragraphs, tucked away in a corner easily missed by the busy reader.

Is it because it happens so often that even the fact that people die from these attacks no longer warrents it as news? Or is it simply because it isn't relevant to the Western world?

Their means are wrong, oh so wrong, but yet, it is a means, just like the live8 concerts, to get attention and to get what they want..

But the thing is, will anyone ever listen to them? Will anyone try to understand and find out about their cause?

I doubt not. Not because what they have done is downright evil and unfair. But they simply won't get listened to because they just don't happen to be from modern Western society.

The world needs a bad guy. And they have conveniently fit into the mould.

I realise this is a rather late response to the London blasts, but I'm going to write about it anyway. After all, this is a city close to my heart, in a country I stayed in for a year and a place of residence to my dear friends.

How could anyone be so awful as to hit London in such a bloodthirsty way?

Wait a minute, don't answer that. After all, if the question could be answered, September 11, the Bali bombings and numerous other terrorist activities wouldn't exist.

When I first heard the news after returning home late from the exhibition, I very nearly freaked out. After all, I have close friends who would very likely be in London when the bombings happened.

It was all rather surreal. This was a city I frequented when I lived in England in 2003. This was a city that I had fallen in love with, that I would still love to live in for a few more years. The bombings happened at places I used to visit. Edgware Road Underground station in particular was the tube station right near the church I sometimes attended.

I tried contacting my friends but to no avail. I ended up sitting in front of the television watching the coverage of the bombings simply astounded and fascinated in a strange morbid way. I had no way of knowing if my friends were fine. Images of one of them in hospital while the others waited anxiously in the foyer flashed through my mind. (I got a text message later in the night saying they were all fine.)

This was when Kristin asked a question that I'm still unable to answer: "I feel like we should do something instead of simply sitting here and watching the telly. But what can we do?"

And really, what can we do?

What can we do in response to such an irresponsible and horrific act of terror that has caused so much pain and heartache to so many people? What can we do in response to previous acts of terror? What can we do?

the Christian Resources Exhibition is over. Finito. The end.

Rushed from the Olympic Park to the city for a haircut.

Then went to donate blood.

Conveniently forgot to have lunch before that, save for a few bars of chocolate (and yes, I have had at least 3 people tell me I was really stupid to have done that).

Had a sandwich and a few cherries for dinner.

I think I'm just about ready to pass out now.

now this is interesting.

Finally, a group of people taking a stand against modern media tactics.

Newsbreakers is a nonpartisan, nonviolent media watchdog group. It offers comment and critique on the role of television news in informing the public. The group relies on parody and non-traditional media transformations. It is currently planning future events.

Thanks Kel for the link!

Christian Resources Exhibition [1/3]

Finally, after months of slogging, it's good to see the booth come together for the Christian Resources Exhibition.

The theme for the year is "water", drawing from the fact that Jesus is the living water. We're giving away free bottles of water to passers-by, as well as giving them a chance to draw from the well and participate in a lucky dip.

The booth is shared with ADRA, and they are drawing the theme from their developmental work and how they help provide drinking water to developing countries.

Come Friday and I'll be a very relaxed person...

new article written here!

and on another note, in the spirit of Murphy's Law, things have started to go wrong for the Christian Resources Exhibition.

As part of our exhibition promotion, we were supposed to have a lucky dip consisting of various different chocolate bars. Most of them consisted of Mars and Snickers bars.

Guess what happened to them over the weekend?

Today, we found ourselves rummaging through our box consisting of 1100 mixed chocolate bars in order to remove the Mars and Snickers bars. And then having to hurriedly replace the bars, as well as the labels that we have stuck on them.

At least we weren't setting up for the exhibition till tomorrow...

who would have thought I would be playing touch football this morning?

Who would have thought I'd enjoy it?

I was extremely confused, largely because I have gotten used to forward passes ala basketball. Which meant that I ended up having to run backwards, in order to actually avoid receiving forward passes in touch football.

I couldn't help it. My natural instincts were to run forward upon passing the ball. Which resulted in a lot of running forward, then dashing backwards to get behind my teammate who had the ball. I think I possibly ran twice as much as everybody else.

But it was a glorious bright and sunny morning after more than a week's worth of rain.

And goodness knows how much I needed the exercise.

In an attempt to create some order in my blog, I have consolidated all the articles I have written here.

These are articles that have been published or submitted for publication to various magazines, websites or some media of one form or the other.

At the moment, it is by no means complete. But I will update it as I trawl through the archives of my computer.

I had an epiphany last night - I have stagnated.

In a way, it's not a new realisation. It always happens. I'm so used to change that once I settle into a routine, I get complacent, bored and lethargic.

And that is precisely what has happened to me over the last few weeks.

I am at my most productive when things are fresh and brand new. I write more articles, I write more letters, I think more, I feel motivated to do more.

But I've simply settled into a routine where I struggle to wake up in the morning to go to work, return home after work and more or less watch TV and waste the rest of my evening.

It is true that things got rather busy upon my return from Singapore a month and so ago. But what is the truth of it all is that I've gotten settled into a routine and have stagnated.

Gone are the days when I would wake up early and eager to go to work because I love what I do so much.

Gone are the evenings when I would sit in my room, furiously typing away about an issue I feel passionately about or about an inspirational thought that just hit me. Or work on a project that fascinates me so. Or even simply enjoy the pleasures of reading.

Gone are the weekends where I would venture out into a new area of Sydney to simply enjoy the experience of exploring and visiting somewhere new.

I don't even write my friends as often as I used to. Which isn't very often, but was more often than right now.

I have stagnated.

I simply don't have the energy to do anything. I feel lethargic. I feel like I completely lack energy and motivation to do anything. I feel stifled in the small tiny room where I eat, sleep and do everything else in. I haven't even written in my diary for about two weeks, where before, I would furiously write in it at least once every two days.

And so now, with renewed determination, I am going to make my life interesting again. I need to revive myself. I want to re-energise myself.

And most of all, I want to be able to go through life experiencing it. And not simply skimming through the surface in a rush to get somewhere. Where, I don't know. But I always feel like I need to be in a hurry.

As in the sermon I heard this morning, God wants us to live life abundantly. To the full. To experience the richness, the activities, the relationships, the things that we are so passionate about.

And that is what I want to strive to do from today.

excuse me while I pass out.

Just what is the state of my fellow countrymen coming to? What in the world are the future leaders of my home country thinking?

Idolising Hitler indeed!

Excerpt:

The group leader, a tanned and bespectacled 15-year-old girl, said, "We like him. He led Germany and was very good, although he was evil. Don't you think he's very handsome? He started World War II, but it's okay, he's still our hero."

Everything I want to say has been said by him.

But just on another note, I worry and fear about the logic and intellectual ability of these kids.

They are worshipping the very same person, who if he were alive, would have ruthlessly and mercilessly called for their extermination simply because they are not quite of the white Aryan race.

How do you actually idolise someone who would kill you upon meeting you? Not just you, but your entire race?

Why not try idolising someone else who was a far better leader and who spurred up much more lasting feelings of loyalty so much so that two thousand years later, people still talk about him, people still love him, and people still listen to what he had to say?

Why not try idolising somone who had as much charisma as Hitler, if not more, but who is instead the very epitome of goodness, love, patience and happiness?

And most certainly better loved and with more brain cells?

Excuse me while I bemoan the future state of my homeland.

Oh, and in case you're wondering, the other dude I'm talking about? His name is Jesus Christ.

Do you believe in miracles?

Do you believe in trust?

Do you believe in faith?

My best friend has just graduated from College.

Normally, this would be good news because we have so many grand plans together that includes moving into a nice apartment and make it our home, making short films, embarking on various projects that involve taking over the world...

The only catch?

She isn't quite legal to live and work in Australia without a visa. And getting the visa has been and will be a rather tricky situation.

Most jobs will only hire folks who are legally allowed to work in Australia. Getting a visa that allows her to legally work in Australia requires a job. How do you answer the chicken and egg question?

Her current student visa is expiring. Time is running out. There still isn't a job available.

What do we have left?

Faith.

Hope.

Trust.

The belief that God has a plan, is in control and will come up with something that will absolutely astound us.

And lots and lots of prayer.

the last week has been extremely hectic for me, to say the least.

with only one more week to go before the Christian Resources Exhibition (if you're in Sydney July 6 - 8, come visit stand E2!), life has been all about putting it together.

in theory, I believe I've got everything under control. But in the world of events management, you will never know until the day itself. And chances are, Murphy's Law will kick in. But I'll cross my fingers and pray. Very hard.

Kristin moved into the Nurses' Res yesterday! So if everything goes to plan, she gets a job, a work visa, something that will help her stay in Australia, we'll be moving out soon! Apartment hunting has already begun in a small little way. I can't wait to move out...

Attending an Amnesty International forum in the city commerating the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture tomorrow. Should be interesting.

Anyway, it's Kristin's world famous soft cookies, Chicken Run and The Wedding Singer time!

It's World Refugee Day tomorrow.

It has been reported that "the number of refugees around the world rose by 1 million last year, to 11.5 million."

That is a heck of a lot of folks with nowhere to call their home. Folks whose fate is at the mercy of the government of the country they happen to be seeking asylum in. Folks who, if they happen to be in Australia, are automatically placed under a mandatory detention regime (the only western country with this policy). These folks may never taste the sweet smell of freedom ever again because of the Australian government's ability to hold refugees in detention centres indefinitely.

This means that there could potentially be an entire generation of children born, raised and possibly dying in a detention centre, never having known what it is like to live like you and me - as citizens of a country. And seriously, living in a detention centre is not quite the same as setting up home in a holiday resort.

Children caught in long-term detention are often traumatised. As Graham Thom, Amnesty International Australia's Advocacy Coordinator observes, "We have been in contact with a number of detainees who have spent years in detention and witnessed their mental state slowly disintegrate...reading their medical reports that highlight the number of suicide attempts they have made and the way they have self-harmed themselves - for instance, cutting the word 'freedom' into their skin - brings home the damage long-term detention does to children."

Fair enough to say that there could be serious political and economical implications if a country were to accept refugees as easily as they were to accept tourists into their country. But mandatory detention, tearing families apart, encouraging additional trauma in folks already persecuted horribly in their home country is simply not the humane way to do things.

Refugees exist because they are forced to leave their country of residence through no fault of their own. The main reason why there has been such a phenomenal increase in refugees last year is not because being a refugee is the latest fad, but because of the genocide happening in Darfur and people fleeing Iraq (now whose fault is that?) into Syria.

If countries honestly and truly do not want the problems refugees create in their country - political, economical, social, or being hounded by pro-refugee advocates - maybe they should do something about the crisis these folks are facing back in their home countries?

The Rwandan Genocide created an uproar because nations stood by and did nothing while Hutus murdered their Tutsi neighbours in cold blood. Apologies were offered after, but if these nations were truly sorry, maybe they should start intervening in the countries creating refugees right now? (or stop intervening in other countries, for that matter.)

The United Nations was created for a reason and I don't think it was because some random person thought an army with blue helmets looked cool. If countries really did not want refugees, maybe they should help make the world become a place where people don't need to be refugees in the first place.

Governments need to do something about humanitarian crisis happening in other countries, instead of throwing lavishly grand parties to Princess Mary with taxpayers' money.

But in the meantime, while another grand party is thrown for a visiting dignitary, they will simply have to endure the demonstrations, the letters and the calls to free the refugees in detention centres.

To read more about refugees and immigration centres, and take further action visit:
Amnesty International

Queen's Birthday Long Weekend

Photos of when Kristin came up to visit during the Queen's Birthday long weekend...(click on the picture to see the rest.)

Relevant is just about my favourite Christian magazine that very effectively marries modern day living and Christianity.

Just as its name suggests, it seeks to be relevant to the generation of today, without comprising what is deemed as old-fashioned faith.

In some ways, I feel that the magazine is everything I stand for as a contemporary Christian trying to fit in a modern day culture.

And guess what they just did?

*squeals in excitement*

Long weekend ahead!

The Queen is celebrating her birthday and the whole of Australia gets a day off. Sometimes, having a monarchy seems like a good thing. I mean, it's not like as if Singapore gets a holiday because it is Lee Kuan Yew's birthday. When is it, anyway?

Kristin comes up for the weekend this evening.

What with the Sydney Film Festival happening and wanting to visit Bondi Beach and that lovely cafe bookshop, I think we're going to have a pretty great weekend!

At least I won't have to worry about the Christian Resources Exhibition, or chasing up news stories, or the exhibition for the church's business meeting for one extra day...

Hurray for the Queen!

Read some fantastic news yesterday. Excerpt:

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush are close to a ground-breaking deal that would see the world's richest nations wipe out $US20billion ($26billion) in debts owed by the poorest African nations.

In all honesty, I'm pleasantly surprised. Yes, these folks did sign the Millennium Development Goals, but it was beginning to look like they were signed just for the sake of signing.

I mean, anything to keep those activists quiet right? But my respect for Tony Blair would go up several notches if he does go ahead with his plans.

Would be interesting to see what happens at the upcoming G8 summit.

Would be nice if they did eradicate the debts....

Ah, one can hope.

In the meantime, if you want to do more, sign the petition on Micah Challenge!

Circle of Courage Cycle Tour

It's about time!

If you didn't get enough of the official photos I took while on the Circle of Courage Cycle Tour that's published here, you'll find a whole stack of personal ones uploaded now.

Just click on the swans to go through the photos in chronological order.

Well, sort of.

I found it, I found it!

Well, technically speaking, someone gave me the link, but nevertheless, it's been found!

A responsible shopper guide for Australia!

Now I know where to shop with a clean conscience!

my driving instructor cancelled our 7.15am lesson this morning, and so I find myself sitting in front of the computer at the cockroach prison, er, Nurses' Residence at 6.40am checking emails and updating my blog.

I could go back to sleep, but it would probably mean I would end up being late for work...

Anyway, I just finished reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and it is such a brilliant book!

Thought Terry Pratchett was random? Douglas Adams is ten times worse, or better, depending on how you look at it.

Who else would be able to pull together a book that consisted of two humans (one having more or less left Earth a long time ago, the other a true blue Englishman with great lines), a two-headed absolutely ditzy completely narcissistic President of the Galaxy (called Zaphod Beeblebrox, no less), a slightly off-balanced alien who had been stuck on Earth for five years because nobody else from the Galaxy ever passes through an area marked as "dull" and my all-time favourite...a manic-depressive robot full of cutting sarcasm.

If you like control, it may be a better idea not to pick up the book. Just when you think you are understanding where the book is going, it takes off on another tangent that leaves you hanging in the air.

But if you like good old British humour, if you like Prattchet at all (I'm looking at you Faith), and if you would like a really good laugh, HHG is your book. Just remember to leave your logic behind for a while.

And you may even realise where the Wachowski brothers got their idea for the Matrix from...

And speaking of movies, I did catch the movie version of HHG and I have to say, I am impressed.

Not often am I impressed by movies that are based on books. But I guess with a story this random, it's not hard to stick to the "facts", so to speak.

There are many aspects of the movie that are not in the book. There are even added storylines and changed sequences. And yet, at the same time, these changes made the movie work. The changes enhanced the story and gave it a pace that would entertain an audience more used to Hollywood movies than English humour.

The movie is not quite the book coming to live. But it certainly presented the essence of it well.

So yes, read the book. Watch the movie. It's worth it.

the stress is beginning to creep in...

3 more weeks before the Christian Resources Exhibition in Sydney. A major exhibition that I have to plan for, manage and execute.

An exhibition that had been left on the back burner while the Circle of Courage Cycle Tour happened (I still need to upload some personal photos I took on that tour across the country).

An exhibition that got further left behind when I had to return home for my grandmother.

I am fast running out of time and this isn't the only project I have on my table. And I'm not even thinking of the news stories that I have to chase up, or the reports that I have to write.

And they are all due before September!!!

Don't get me wrong, I still love my job. I still love the variety of projects that complements my extremely short attention span.

But I'm still freaking out!!!!

Deep breaths Mel....deep breaths...

The attack on the Indonesian embassy at Canberra in response to Schapelle Corby's sentence is not only childish, but is absolutely ironical for a country with a commitment to help fight the "war on terror" with the US.

Emma Tom makes a very valid point in her article about some Aussies' reactions to Corby's sentencing.

Excerpt:

In this bold new era of globalisation, Westerners have become increasingly complacent about foreign travel. But when we choose to take cheap holidays in developing countries we must accept that we may have to navigate alien hospitals, bureaucracies and judiciaries that don't always work the way we'd like them to. And crying "but things are different at home" is unlikely to help.

Things we do at work...

One of our business partners came by to share some Krispy Kreme Donuts with our boss who is on holiday. Guess who got the donuts by default? Yum!

she asks, I obey.

Introducing the Literati Baton...

1) Total number of books I’ve owned:
Do you ask a writer how many pens he owns? Do you ask Imelda Marcos how many pairs of shoes she owns? How am I supposed to answer this question when I buy books more often than I buy clothes, shoes or CDs?

2) The last book I bought:
The last real book I bought was The New Australian & New Zealand Public Relations Manual. For work. But that's boring stuff.

The last book I bought for leisure reading were actually three books. It was on a 3 for $50 special, I couldn't resist!

Notes From a Small Island by Bill Bryson - brings back fond memories of my year in England
Almost French by Sarah Turnbull - spending that one week in Paris with Kristin made me want to be almost French myself!
The third book...well...tells you how significant it is when I've forgotten what it is. Hey, it was 3 for $50! I had to find a third book!!

3) The last book I read:
The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett - after reading his books in a completely random and haphazard way, the anal-retentive in me has called out to me to read them in the sequence they were published. For anyone looking for satire, British humour and utter brilliance, Pratchett's your man.

4) 5 books that mean a lot to me:
We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families by Philip Gourevitch - great journalism work that brought out the activist in me. It's not an easy read, not because of the writing style but because of the topic it was dealing with. Makes one realise just how complacent we have all become, sitting in our homes on our soft comfy couches, while genocide, suffering and human rights atrocities goes on in other countries.

The Bible by God - I'll admit I don't read it all that often, and when I do, it's usually only a couple of chapters at a time. But I have this to say about it. Everytime that I do open it, it speaks to me and comforts me in a way that nothing ever can.

Syrup by Max Barry - laugh out funny. This guy is brilliant in presenting marketing, public relations and capitalism from a whole new perspective. He does satire really well and criticises society as we know it in a way without us even realising it. He opened up my eyes to the industry I'm working in. And maybe I'm a little more cynical thanks to him, but I'm not complaining.

The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis - a children's classic that I only got to know at age 22. Who would have thought one could marry fantasy and Christianity? CS Lewis successfully created a world that would have rivalled Middle-earth. His writings are a source of inspiration to me. Entertaining on one level, but extremely deep, profound and full of analogies if read from a Christian perspective. There are so many lessons and so many layers one can find from Narnia which slowly reveals itself one at a time everytime one reads it.

Nightwatch by Terry Prattchet - the first book that introduced me to the magical, strange and completely random Discworld.

5) Tag 5 people and have them fill this out on their blogs:
the X facta
Where is the Justice?
I am QUEEN
The Sharona Tree
Idas thoughts

Flowers from dear friends to cheer me up...

Thank you Kristin, Chris, Allen and Andrea...the flowers certainly brought some cheer to my office.

my grandmother passed away last week.

In all honesty, I am still unable to come to grips with it. It's like she's simply gone away for a holiday, and that when I return from Australia the next time, she'll be there, in her house, waiting to stuff me full with all the wonderful food that she cooks.

At least I managed to catch a last glimpse of her before she passed away. It is quite amazing how one is able to buy an airticket and fly from Sydney to Singapore all within 7 hours. And yet, it's still not ideal. Not that there could be any ideal last goodbyes, but by the time I arrived in the hospital, she had been heavily sedated and although she did show some signs of acknowledgement, I'm still not entirely sure if she knew I was there.

I just wish I could have one last conversation with her.

I just wish I had stayed for the Chinese New Year, instead of rushing off to work.

I just wish...I am reaching the point of irrationality.

It is never easy to handle death, I mean, I had to handle my own father's passing away seven years ago and I'm still coming to terms with it. But this is also different because it all happened so suddenly. But I am fortunate enough to have spent some time by my grandmother's bedside for 2 days before she passed away. What about others who have lost someone within a matter of 2 minutes?

I miss her. I miss her terribly.

This is the woman who raised me.

This is the woman who spoils me rotten, ensuring I get all my favourite meals whenever I return from overseas.

This is the woman whom I spend most Sundays with, whenever I'm in the country.

This is the woman who will call the family up, just to chat, or because she saw something interesting on TV.

This is the woman who tries to shrug me off whenever I hug her, but always does it with a pleased smile and twinkle in her eye.

This is the woman who constantly bugs me to provide her with a grandson-in-law, preferably Caucasion because "they treat their wives better".

This is the woman who has gone to sleep and left a hole in my heart.

Like with my father, I don't think I'll ever stop missing her. I don't think I'll ever stop wondering how things would be different if she was around. I don't think I'll ever stop thinking how nice it would be for her to witness something significant that has happened in my life.

And yet, I am going to believe that God is in charge. I will believe that God has everything under control. I believe that everything has gone according to God's will.

I cannot answer why she had to go now, to go so soon, to go the way she did. But I have full faith that God has a plan. And I have found a few rays of sunshine.

I have always wondered why I had to spend the whole of last year in Singapore, working in a place that nearly killed my soul. But if I wasn't forced to be in Singapore, it would mean I'd have been away from home for 5 years and I would never have been able to spend the amount of time I did with my grandmother.

Maybe it's self-centred, but I believe God brought me back to Singapore for a reason. And yes, I found many different reasons why I had to be in Singapore in 2004, but I know the true reason is so that I could spend quality time with my grandmother.

Also, had it not been for her funeral, and the pyschotic relatives who refuse to leave us to grieve but instead choose to create trouble and add trauma by determining what we should do during the funeral because otherwise "her soul will find no rest", I would not have sat down to talk to my grandfather, just so that I could shield him from the poisonous talks the pyschotic relatives were giving him.

I honestly never knew my grandfather before this. We were never close. Our conversations consisted of hellos and goodbyes, and always required translations. I was convinced I didn't speak his language and would never understand it.

But for the three days of my grandmother's wake, he has provided me with so many interesting stories about his life, I still wonder why hadn't I tried before. We were still speaking different languages, but somehow, we could get enough of each other's language to understand each other. It was brilliant.

So yes, I still mourning the loss of my grandmother. I still miss her terribly and whenever the full knowledge of her death hits me, I am still unable to control the tears that spring up in my eyes. And I certainly wish things could be different.

But I'm glad that I have treated her right when she was alive. That her death has left me without the guilt that I should not have treated her the way I did.

And I am still clinging on to the faith that God has everything under control and that even though there is pain, there is also peace.

I have fallen in love...with Bondi Beach.

No, not the beach, but Bondi Beach as a whole.

Decided to venture into unknown territory today and have unbelievably found a place that has made me excited again. I used to like Sydney. But after a year in England, I have to say that London utterly spoilt Sydney for me. But now that I've found Bondi Beach, maybe life isn't so bad after all.

It's not the view that drew me. I've been to far nicer beaches with far more coastlines with less people and residential areas and in all honesty, the beach at Bondi does not rank very high up in my list of great beaches (not that I'm an expert, of course).

But the whole atmosphere of the area, with its lovely Sunday market selling all sorts of cool and artistic handmade knick-knacks, clothes and whatnots, was extremely charming.

I was drawn by the Sunday market and the numerous surf shops and cafes lining the main street. But what ultimately made me fall in love with the place is Gertrude & Alice's Cafe Bookshop.

This has just gotta be one of the most gorgeous bookshop I've ever been to.

The shop is laid out in a U-shape, and lining all the walls are shelves and shelves of all sorts of books under the sun. And it's not like your Borders bookshop where everything is crisp, new and brightly shining. The books at G & A's have personality and character. Some are new, but most are 2nd hand books.

And in between the two walls, there are wooden benches and tables for customers to eat and read. The beauty of it all is that they serve true blue cafe-style food, of which I have a weakness for, and one can simply sit there eating, drinking or simply reading for as long as one likes!

There is a really relaxed and cosy atmosphere to the whole place, with soft jazzy music playing in the background, books haphazardly thrown about the place, a big couch to one side of the shop and people simply sitting around, reading, writing and typing away on their computers.

I stayed there for more than an hour, reading and writing and simply soaking up the atmosphere.

I have been absolutely charmed.

This coming Monday, May 16 is World Debt Day.

A day to remember those in the Third World who are trapped, through no fault of their own, in a cycle of unpayable debt. May 16 commemorates the day in 1998 when 70,000 people formed a human chain around the G8 summit in Birmingham England. They were calling for debt justice for poor countries and greater accountability for past Cold War and irresponsible loans.

As a result of the international Jubilee 2000 campaign, 15 poor countries have had significant portions of their debts cancelled, since 2000. However, despite the achievements since 2000, there still remains:

• 40 plus other poor countries not supported by the World Banks' Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative
• the countries with debts cancelled still have at least 14 to 21 years of outstanding debts, and rich countries receive three dollars in debt repayments for every dollar they give in aid.
• the 66 poorest countries still owe billion, nearly ten times more than the 50 billion in nominal debt relief given!
• there still remains no permanent exit to the debt problem given the World Bank's Heavily Indebted Poor Country Initiative may soon end.

Why is there a need to call for governments to drop the debt?

What can one do?

Shopaholic Anonymous

Hi, my name is Melody Tan and I am a shopaholic.

I have conquered and contributed greatly to the economies of shopping havens like Paris, London, Melbourne and Singapore. On Sundays, you can almost invariably find me at Sydney's Pitt St Mall, or the markets at The Rocks. On holiday? Forget simply basking in the sun at the beach or taking in the normal touristy sights. I get cranky if there isn't a day set aside for the pure and simple joy of consuming.

Friends have long since learnt that one of the ways to cheer me up is to take me shopping. Even my boss knows I will be engaging in some sort of retail therapy on my days off. People have taken to threatening to tie me down whenever we walk past shops on our way to somewhere.

Give me a credit card, seven hours without interruption and a shopping complex. You will get a very happy camper by the end of the day. I have literally suffered from withdrawal symptoms when stranded in rural Australia for weeks where the local grocery store was the only form of shopping.

Up to a few months ago, it wasn't so much the purchasing that consumed me. After all, I was virtually living the life of a fresh graduate with bills to pay but no means of doing so. But even window-shopping and the occasional ring of the cash register and attainment of a blouse satisfied me.

Life has certainly changed drastically for me now that I am employed full-time with a consistent fortnightly paycheck. I don't get into a shopping frenzy per se, but the ability to buy something without having to worry too much about my finances most certainly help.

Shopping now is not so much done with a "need to have" reason, but spurred more by the emotional reaction of "ooh, that looks nice." Within the last two months, I have successfully become the Princess of Consumerism. After all, I now have the means to look the part of a fashionista, wearing the latest outfits in the coolest colours complemented by the trendiest accessories.

Hi, my name is Melody Tan and I am a Christian. I have conquered sin through the blood of Christ and am trying to contribute to the work of the church in making the world a better place. On Saturdays, you can almost invariably find me at church, worshiping God and attempting to deepen my relationship with him.

Friends have long since learnt that I am happiest when working for a non-profit organisation, striving towards helping others. Even my boss knows I will willingly engage in some sort of project that will help others achieve hope, a better lifestyle and the ability to alleviate suffering.

I strive to be Christlike in everything I do. Except, I'm responsible for the deaths and suffering of people all around the world. Deaths and suffering resulting from my inadvertent need to consume. A need spurred on by society's pressure to look good in the latest and trendiest.

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" asks Jesus (Mark 8:36) .

There are so many things under the sun that I can gain with my shopaholic tendencies. There are in fact, many things under the sun that I have gained with my shopaholic tendencies. Clothing made by small children and women paid far below poverty wage in sweatshops where only two bathroom breaks are allowed in a 14-hour workday. Non-fair trade chocolate made from cocoa beans harvested by slave labourers who should be in school and not being beaten and working in such harsh conditions.

Hi, my name is Melody Tan and I have forfeited my soul.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm not calling for the mass boycott of shopping malls all over the world. I am too addicted to do that without suffering major emotional implications. I'm simply asking for all of us to be more aware of the items that we are consuming.

To be aware that the items we buy may have been made through the exploitation of fellow human beings.

To be aware that through our very actions, we may have become an accessory to the murder of a woman in a sweatshop, to the continued abuse of a young child in the farms.

To be aware that consuming is not bad in itself, but blind consumerism is.

To be aware that as a decent human being, we should participate in some form of responsible shopping that will help make the world a better place.

Hi, my name is Melody Tan and I would like to become a responsible shopaholic.

For more information on responsible shopping, visit:

One Big Village

Oxfam

Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand

Green Vehicle Guide

Yay! Now you can get updates of my site without actually even having to visit it!

Just click here.

Not only am I going to Fiji, I've been asked to be her bridesmaid!

Beachside wedding, warm sunshine, tropical island, an aqua-coloured dress, no shoes...I could get used to this!

like the new look?

Thanks to Faith, I am now able to receive comments posted on my blog direct to my email.

Apparently, there's also a rss feed, which honestly, is something that I have yet to figure out what it exactly means.

For those as clueless as me, she says, "rss feeds mean that people don't have to actually 'go' to your site.. they can subscribe to the feed and have the updated posts automatically sent to the rss readers."

More work needs to go into researching that, which unfortunately will not happen within this week.

There's Something About Mary

It all began when I heard a Friday night sermon suggesting that Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany (the one with the famous siblings called Martha and Lazarus) were actually the same person. Within a span of a month, be it during a sermon at church, a morning worship at work, or a book I happened to pick up, the message sent out was clear - the two Marys were the same.

Yet, I wasn't convinced. In fact, I became even more adamant that they were two different people who happened to share the same name. After all, the name Mary is an extremely common one, probably more so back in Jesus' time than now.

However, I had nothing to back my beliefs up, besides perhaps the non-scientifically, non-academically thing called gut instinct.

By the time I heard the fourth sermon, I was convinced I had to do something about Mary. To do something not as an attempt to demonstrate my extensive knowledge or intelligence, of which I know is an oxymoron when applied to me. Neither is this a means to prove that the preachers I've heard are flawed in any way. This is simply a quest to quell my own curiosity, as well as a gnawing feeling that perhaps God wanted me to find out the answer for myself.

Doing a quick word search through the Bible using the computer, it was not difficult to find the several Marys significant in Jesus' life. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was easily identifiable. Whenever she is mentioned, there is almost always a mother and son relationship mentioned. The Virgin Mary is frequently referred to either as the mother of Jesus (Luke 2:34), the mother of Jesus' brothers James and Joses (Mark 15:47, 16:1) or the wife of Joseph (Matthew 1:20). Sometimes, she is also "the other Mary" (Matthew 27:61), but there is almost never a chance that she could be confused with another Mary.

I would like to say that the same can also be said of Mary Magdalene and Mary of Bethany. Reading through the Gospels, Mary Magdalene is always identified by reference to her home village Magda, while Mary of Bethany seems to have been known always as one of the pair of sisters who were sufficiently identified by reference to each other.

I cannot claim to be an expert on ancient Palestinian geography, something that would certainly disappoint my ex-Religion lecturers, but I would assume that Magda and Bethany are two completely different locations. This gives rise to the reason why Mary Magdalene is associated with Magda, while Mary of Bethany is said to come from, well, Bethany (John 11:1). Had the two locations been the same, why are they constantly referred to by two different names? Unless Magda and Bethany are like how we would call Holland and the Netherlands today?

Yet, we are first introduced to Mary Magadelene by Luke, he immediately establishes she is "called Magdalene" (Luke 8:2). On the other hand, Luke introduces Mary of Bethany as Martha's sister (Luke 10:39). John first refers to the sister in a way that indicates that "Mary and her sister Martha" were already well known as such to his readers, whereas it was necesary to explain that Lazarus, whose name John never uses to identify either sister, was their brother (John 11:1-2; 12:2-3). If they were the same person, was there really a need to introduce them twice?

Why is it then that the two Marys are often thought to be the same person? Perhaps it does not help that in the early church, Mary of Bethany was frequently identified with Mary Magdalene - Gnostic literature certainly says the two women are identical (Gospel Women, Richard Bauckham, 2002).

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that both Marys seemed to be associated as women of poor repute?

After all, Mary of Bethany definitely poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair (John 11:2; 12:3). And in Luke's recording of the same account, she is said to have lived a sinful life in that town (Luke 7:37). There is an implication of course that the sinful life is that of being a prostitute and if Mary of Bethany is a prostitute, and if Mary Magdalene is a prostitute, then Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene must be the same person!

Do they have to be?

Firstly, it is not even firmly established in the Bible that Mary Magdalene is a prostitue. True, she has had seven devils cast out of her by Jesus (Mark 16:9), but this is no proof that she is a prostitute. I am not denying the fact that she is a prostitute, but there is also a possibility that she isn't.

Many have claimed that the lady Jesus saved from being stoned to death in John 8 for adultery was Mary Magdalene. Therefore, Mary Magdalene must be a prostitute. But looking through the account, there wasn't even a hint of a name mentioned. Are we simply assuming things?

My short little study has proven to me that the two Marys are unique individuals, completely unassociated with each other. It has also raised the question as to why we are so convinced Mary Magadalene is a prostitute. Yes, I believe the two Marys are not the same person, but I will certainly be more than happy to hear from soneone who believes they are, and the reasons why.

Taken from the Oxfam website:

Trade has the potential to lift millions of people in developing countries out of poverty. But unfair trade rules are making millions of people even poorer. We want the World Trade Organisation, United States of America and the European Union to change global trade rules so that they benefit the poor by:

• Abolishing subsidies in rich countries that lead to the over-production of agricultural products. This leads to the dumping of these products on the world market at below cost prices, severely undermining the income of poor families.
• Giving developing countries the power to decide when and how they liberalise their agricultural trade so they can ensure that millions of poor small scale farmers, producing key crops like rice, poultry, cotton and milk, have an adequate income.

Take action, sign the online petition now.

she's getting married! My friend Natalie Bell is getting married!

In Fiji, "the most beautiful tropical islands in the world", at that!

With a camp organised before the actual wedding date no less!

Guess who's planning to be in Fiji for about a week in September?

Ooh, I'm so excited!

i was given an unbelievable compliment this evening.

the mother of one of the nursing students in the dorm came into the kitchen while I was making some dinner for myself.

"That looks interesting," she says, looking at me trying to cook up a meal of instant mee-goreng (dry noodles), white mushrooms, egg and Chinese spinach.

She goes on to say, "You really should start up a cooking class for the girls here so that they can cook up a good meal for themselves."

Go on, laugh.

it is finished.

Completed.

The end.

No more.

5 weeks of media work for the 6 cyclists cycling across Australia to address at risk behaviour among young people has drawn to a close at the steps of the Sydney Town Hall at 1.30pm this afternoon.

Except the ideas bouncing around about writing a book about the whole event. But will think about that when that becomes a little more concrete.

In the meantime, I don't want to see a bicycle anytime soon.

my mobile phone has given up the ghost.

I can still make and receive calls. In fact, I can even listen to what the person on the other end have to say. They just can't hear me. Goodness knows what's wrong.

Guess it's time to shop for a new phone now...

At least it didn't die when I was on the tour and was heavily reliant on the phone when I had coverage.

There goes my plans to get the Nokia 7280. At almost $1,000, it is way out of my budget.

I'm considering the Nokia 6230. What with a corporate price, I can get it for about $480.

Suggestions, anyone?

one night in my own bed. That's all I got.

Upon returning from the cycle tour, all I got is one night in my own bed on Thursday, and then it was off to Avondale for a long weekend.

Kristin is directing the play The Devil's Disciple by George Bernard Shaw at Avondale and tonight's opening night. Have to do what best friends do and be there for the play, so after one night in my bed, I'm spending 3 nights in the Avondale dorm bed...

Actually woke up completely confused in the middle of the night last night, with absolutely no idea where I was.

Will be back in Sydney on Monday evening.

Maybe this blog will resume some normality after that.

it is true that once you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up.

Mal, the cameraman, got a rental car yesterday for the tour. Guess who's his travelling companion now?

What with the fact that I'm now in a completely different vehicle, travelling at 100km/h and having conversations with the ones who annoy me kept to a minimum, I'm actually enjoying this trip!

Just too bad the extra car wasn't obtained a week before. And just when the trip's getting better, I leave at the end of two days.

Still grateful that I'm returning to civilisation though.

I’ve always thought my job is easily understandable, without needing much explanation. After all, in this day and age, we are so inundated with the media that practically everybody grew up at least indirectly knowing someone heavily involved with either journalism, public relations, marketing or television or radio production.

I never thought people who don’t understand the media and what I do, existed. Then again, if they didn’t, why do people like me need to go to university to study communication? How naïve of me.

My job for this 5 week cycle tour had been to develop media relations, ensuring premium media coverage for the entire event. I’m supposed to write up media releases, arrange for press, TV or radio interviews/coverage, provide the latest news, as well as help maintain the website with the webmistress. Pitching the story to the media is not easy work, sometimes repetitive, often lacking recognition, but certainly satisfying.

I’ve always loved doing background work like this. It’s one of the reasons why I’ve always told my friends who think I crave the limelight, “I studied Communication, not Theatre Studies.” I’m happy with staying out of the attention, but arranging it so that someone else gets it.

And I’ve been very satisfied with my work so far. We have had numerous coverage by all forms of media. I don’t care that my name hasn’t been mentioned once, or that I haven’t been thanked once. All I need is the knowledge that I’ve done my job, and that my boss knows that too.

Sadly, I’ve come to realise, in the eyes of some people in the team, this usually means that I get taken for a freeloader. Someone tagging along on the trip for a free tour across Australia and for the free food.

Yes, this may be a once in a lifetime experience, but I am perfectly happy with living in the city instead of trudging across the burnt countryside of Australia at 30km/h with only sandwiches for lunch, 5 hours of sleep daily and so far away from creature comforts. I’m not knocking the trip. I’m only expressing my exasperation as to how misunderstood I have been.

My scope of work, to the understanding of some people, has been relegated to simply taking photos for the website and making sure that the details on it are correct. The number of times I’ve been ordered to take certain photos of certain people, the moments when it’s been mentioned, “Oh, Melody has to do some media work – she needs to take photos of the website,” has been incredible.

To top it off, I was once told, not very nicely, to make an immediate phonecall back to the office so that the name of one of the team members can be changed. Yes, I admit that there has been a mistake and it needs to be rectified. But I am stuck in the middle of nowhere without mobile coverage, and in the grand scheme of things, the name is not that important. After all, it’s probably the least visited page in the entire website.

The aim of the website is to get the word out as to what the cyclists are doing, the message they’re bringing to the communities. It’s not about them, much less the support crew. It’s not about how often their family members see their photos on the page – I am certainly not paid to maintain a “Look at me” website. I am paid to ensure the message gets out.

But logic obviously does not work when self-importance comes into play. So a CDMA phone with coverage gets shoved in my face and the demand, “make the phonecall back to work so that the change can be made NOW,” was given. Who cares that I had promised to call back to work when we arrive in the motel later in the day? Who cares that the cyclists are already a kilometre down the road and would need protection from the support cars that are waiting around to ensure that I have made that call?

More ironical the fact that the people making the demands have been calling me Melanie from day one.

Journalism and public relations work seem to be such a misunderstood line of work. I am here to create media interest, not focus on the logistics of the tour. But when we arrive in town and do not know where to go, I get the blame for not organising it properly. When the town mayor comes out to meet the cyclists and I had no idea about it because I wasn’t informed, I get incredulous looks for not recognising him.

Sometimes, I wonder what they think I’m on the trip for when even my knowledge about writing and journalism gets doubted.

When I mentioned in passing that a journalist can conduct a one hour interview with someone and include only parts of the entire conversation and not have to justify himself, I get shocked looks of horror.

Seriously, which journalist in their right frame of mind will include EVERYTHING that is said in an interview? That’s why journalists need to practice their writing and analytical skills, as well as their ability to ask the right questions. Otherwise, why bother hiring a journalist? It would be more cost effective to buy a tape recorder.

I’m not exactly reeling from the shock as to how some people have such limited knowledge, or should I say, absent knowledge as to how the media works. I’m reeling from the anger that despite their minimal knowledge, they deem it their right in life to tell me how I should do my work.

The media does not make firm commitments to cover events. If the pope has died, who would honestly be interested in talking to six cyclists cycling across Australia, an event repeated by different people several times a year?

Yet, when a TV crew or journalist changes their mind about turning up for a photoshoot or an interview, I get snide remarks and doubtful looks. And the person no longer believes me when I say another TV crew will be meeting them in another town.

How does one work in such an environment of distrust and lack of understanding?

Thankfully, this will all end on Wednesday night when I return to Sydney from Mildura.

in Kadina tonight.

Exhausted and sleepy. Having only 5 hours sleep and waking up at 4am everyday can take its toll on you. But well, I guess at least I'm not the one cycling 180km each day!

We get to sleep in tomorrow. We don't have to wake up till 7am.

You know you've reached a very sad stage in life when waking up at 7am is considered sleeping in.

I miss my bed....

Once again in mobile-less land.

Having an easy day today. Living in the pockets of 12 other people 24/7 does not bode well for the soul. Which means while half of the group are off to the town meeting and the other half out for dinner, I’m staying in my room for a much needed me time.

Have managed to see most of the Australian wildlife by now. Yesterday, foxes, kangaroos and emus were busy crossing the streets which was endless entertainment for me.

The weather is getting much cooler now, which makes 4am starts rather difficult. But the scenery has changed significantly. Travelling so near to the coast now means the landscape is slightly less sunburnt, although still looking significantly dry. However, rest stops consist of frequent visits to small coastal towns with amazing beaches.

Wildlife is in abundance here, have passed several sheep, cows and llamas too I think. Wheat silos are a frequent sight as well.

Still visiting really small tiny towns, although in honesty, I haven’t been able to see much of the places I visit anyway. We’ve been arriving in the early afternoons, but my time has been spent cooped up in front of the computer and phone, busy making arrangements for media commitments.

Interest and fulfilling work, especially when you know that a particular interview has been aired on the radio, and articles and photos have been published in the local newspapers…but it tends to make the trip consist of sitting in the car in the day writing media releases, arriving in towns in the afternoon to make phonecalls and send out emails and attending meetings in the evenings with hopes of hitting the jackpot in terms of stories (which hasn’t happened yet).

Back to work now…

Streaky Bay. Population 1,000.

A real beautiful little coastal town though. In fact, since I arrived on Friday night, we’ve been having gorgeous coastal scenes, passing through really nice beaches.

My arrival into Ceduna was a once in a lifetime one. Flew into Adelaide from Sydney. Met up with Jess, daughter of one of the riders, at the Adelaide airport. She was on the phone when they made the “first and final” boarding call. As she didn’t get off the phone fast enough, I had the pleasure of having my name called out over the airport PA system, informing me that my “fellow passengers” were waiting for me.

While walking on the tarmac to the plane, spotted one of the small 34 seater planes I took from Newcastle to Gold Coast. Assumed that was our plane until we passed it without stopping, and what came into view was probably the smallest commercial plane in the world.

It only sat 20 people, I literally had a window and aisle seat all at the same time, and once in the plane, one could not stand up straight at all. There were no overhead baggage compartments and hardly any space under the seat in front of me. Most amazingly, I could look right into the cockpit and have a pilot’s eye view of the entire flight. The plane was that small.

The Ceduna Airport was a little wooden shack, and the baggage carousel…well…this guy walked with this trolley towards the plane, unloaded the luggage and dragged them to this waiting area for us to claim our bags.

Talk about small country towns.

The weather has gotten much cooler now…the jackets are all coming out. Much more beautiful views and break stops here though, what with being right by the coast. Still rather dry however.

The days have been pretty easy so far. Late starts of about 8am, and riding into towns at a reasonable hour. Pace will pick up soon though…

leaving again tomorrow afternoon to join the folks on the cycle tour.

two more weeks of frantic phonecalls to newspapers, radio and tv stations.

two more weeks of living out of a suitcase.

two more weeks of visiting small rural towns with main streets all of 500m long.

two more weeks of furious writing on a laptop in a car going 30km/h.

two more weeks of being paparrazi, sticking the camera in the cyclists' faces.

two more weeks of unreliable internet and mobile phone coverage.

two more weeks of unbelievable, once in a lifetime experience.

spending money is gooood.....

started off the day in Sydney with a haircut - I now have short dark red hair with red highlights and an asymmetrical fringe. Look like some kind of teenybooper actually and got mistaken for a 18 year old.

Going back to do media work for the cycling dudes on Friday (send them an email if you can! They'll love it!). Hope will get taken seriously with my hair.

Also got a the Oz and NZ Public Relations Handbook, so I can be really studious and read about all the advice I can get with my job. Stupid book cost me $88! Thank goodness for book subsidies...

Fluffed around for other stuff as well...finally bought an autumn jacket in pink. Yes, pink. Not bright pink, or neon pink, but well, pink. The pigs will fly tomorrow. But at least now I won't be too hot or too cold.

And to make myself feel better by betraying my colours, I got a bright yellow scarf.

Oh, and finally donated blood. The blood bank here is really weird. It's in the middle of Sydney, but only opens for very limited hours during the day. No wonder they don't have much blood in the bank...the times when working people actually want to donate, they're closed! If it weren't for my day off today, I doubt I would ever be able to donate!

Bruna wants me to take tomorrow off as well (you can't get a better boss than her), but I may have to go back to work in the arvo...there's just too much media stuff to coordinate!

I am really loving this project at the moment. To be able to call up the media, sell the story idea to them, and then hear them say "yes, we'll like to interview them and feature them in our show/paper/etc." is really satisfying. And then to see it actually published in the newspaper or go live on air...

Who cares that my name is nowhere to be found? Who cares that at the end of the day, the cyclists are the ones that people will remember? Who cares that nobody even knows I exist?

Simply to be able to help them get the recognition they deserve is enough for me.

I love my job...

i'm baaack....for 3 days at least.

so good to be back in my own room. It's not home yet, but it's still my living space.

And better yet that I can finally do some laundry and wear fresh clothes.

Best of all? The ability to finally have conversations with girls my age, not 40 year old MEN. (not that they were lacking in coversation or utterly boring or anything like that. They were really nice people whom I enjoyed talking to. But talking about Johnny Depp, Matchbox 20, shopping and things like that somehow don't really interest them...)

Day off tomorrow. Going to Sydney for a haircut, some shopping and to immerse myself in city life all over again.

I missed the smog.

The weather is finally cooling down a little. The sky is currently overcast and rain has been forecast. Currently on our way from Coolgardie to Norseman. The cyclists are covering almost 170km today.

Had been feeling really sorry for them the last few days. Starting their journey at 5am everyday, cycling 12 hour days in that unbearable heat, then arriving in town only in time to have a quick shower and dinner before they have to go for their meetings. Not being able to sleep till almost 11pm and having to repeat everything all over again.

Those guys are incredible. To be able to push themselves so much to the limit and still maintain an amazing spirit of good cheer, joking and still having fun.

The towns have gotten fewer. Was driving at about 30km/h for close to 8 hours before we actually managed to stop in a service station for a quick toilet break. Well, for me at least. Throughout the ride, the others had simply pulled over and went into the bush.

I was in such a hurry that I didn’t even think to look which toilet I was going into. I saw an entryway and simply rushed in. There were some pretty embarrassed conversations going around when two of the cyclists nearly tore the door to my cubicle down thinking the door was stuck. I had dashed into the gents without thinking. And yes, I saw the urinals, but simply thought it was a unisex toilet.

Honestly, if you had to hold 2 litres of water in your bladder for 8 hours, you wouldn’t be looking hard as to whether you were entering the correct toilet.

Still having problems with internet access. We either had phone lines in our rooms that did not work, or no phones at all.

First night, we had to beg the use of the motel owner’s computer.
Second night, I struck gold while chatting with a girl staying and working in the motel – she had keys to the town’s telecentre which was closed. Amazingly, she very willingly handed me the key and gave me directions there.

Yesterday, we were all in such a rush that by the time we returned to our motel, everybody simply crashed on their beds.

We had actually done good time yesterday, arriving in Coolgardie at about 3.30pm. But the TV news crew were late and so the interviews did not finish till about an hour later.

Then the motel we stayed in last night stuffed up big time, and our rooms were not organised at all. We ended up having to unload the luggage into an unused kitchen, load up the bikes and drive 30mins into Kalgoorlie to make a photoshoot.

By the time we got into town and the photoshoot was done, it was past 6pm and the guys had not had dinner or showered. And they had to return to the motel only to make the trip back to Kalgoorlie for the town meeting at 7.30pm.

I ended up sitting in the car with 4 of the cyclists, driving at a speed that I shall not disclose, with pizzas and soft drinks being passed all around me. We made it to the meeting only about 30 mins late.

The cool weather is certainly helping the guys today. They’re actually going at 50km/h! At this rate, I’d be able to get into town and sort out more media stuff! Provided I get mobile coverage…

Check out the website for daily photos update and the cyclist’s journals!

My office has been transported from Fox Valley Road to a green Ford Territory travelling at 30km/h along the Great Eastern Highway from Perth to Sydney.

Am in a ghost town called Burracoppin as I’m writing this. There are traces of pubs, general stores and primary schools, but everything looks deserted and shut down for a while. Other than the cyclists I’m with and their support crew and the occasional road trains (huge trucks that transport all sorts of stuff from one end of the country to another) passing through, there isn’t a soul in sight.

It has been a really interesting 2 days on the road so far. Taking photos whenever possible, typing up press releases on the laptop in the car, downloading and editing photos…and then wishing that there is internet access in the next town I visit in order to send everything back to the office.

We are in such an isolated part of Australia that even mobile phone coverage is rare. My mobile has gone out of range more often than there has been reception. And during the short 30mins bracket where there is coverage, furious phonecalls are made to journalists, radio DJs, news producers as well as touching base with work.

Bill Bryson was really accurate when he called this the sunburnt country. The landscape so far has been of red earth, brown grass and everything is as dry as dry can be. This is an amazing country and I wouldn’t give up this opportunity I’ve had to see all these in a hurry.

Yesterday, we passed through Meckering, the site of a 6.9 earthquake inn 1969 that practically wiped out all the buildings in the town. And as I write this, we just passed the start of the longest rabbit proof fence in Australia which the movie is based on

Woke up at 4 this morning to set off from Cunderdin to Southern Cross. The nightsky is gorgeous over at this part of the country. The sky was awashed with stars and everything was so clear and felt so crisp.

Managed to catch one of the few gorgeous sunrise I’ve seen in my life, having always avoided waking up at strange unearthly hours. The road simply stretched on for as far as the eye can see, with flat sparse grassland to on both sides. You can imagine how magnificent the sky would look.

Jumped out to take a photo of the cyclists riding into the sunrise and nearly got blown away by a road train while standing by the side of the road.

While taking a break somewhere in the middle of nowhere, we saw a whole train of 79 big, fat, hairy caterpillars crossing the road. Still makes squirm thinking about it.

I still cannot get over just how dry, hot and harsh the landscape is. And yet, there is a strange resilience present, evident by the trees and bushes as well as beautiful multi-coloured birds flitting around. Not to mention the fact that people actually live around here, even if towns are small and few and far between.

Time to get back to work in my travelling office.

in 30mins, I'm leaving for the airport to fly to Perth to start media work on the Circle of Courage Cycle Tour.

9 days on the road, living out of a suitcase and visiting small rural countrytowns.

I can already guess it will be an interesting trip. It's going to be a fantastic and unique opportunity to visit towns people normally don't and to get the off the beaten track experience.

On April 10, as the cyclists cycle across the Nullarbor Plains, I'll be making my way back to Sydney for about 4 days.

Then I fly back to join them in Ceduna, and return to Sydney again 2 weeks later.

Will try to update when I'm on the road.

the debate of the Marys...

For the last month or so, I have heard from various worships and sermons that imply Mary Magdalene and Mary of the Martha and Mary fame are the same Mary.

I am confused.

I have looked through the Bible and have not come up with something solid that confirms that theory. In fact, more often than not, what I've found seem to refute the relation.

And yet, 4 preachers I've heard have stated that. And a book written by a respected Seventh-day Adventist pastor has been based on the sole fact that the two Marys are the same, and that she is also the prostitute whom Jesus had the whole "he who has no sin may cast the first stone" incident. (do not even get me started on that one)

I honestly cannot find anything in the Bible.

I am still in the process of research, but would highly appreciate it if somebody is able to clue me in further on this issue. Even if it is just a point to a book or a website.

This is not to enhance my faith, or strenghten my belief in God, or to get into senseless theological debates that has nothing to do with a relationship with God.

Loving God and sharing God is not about who interprets the Bible best. Or who wins an argument about God.

This is simply a search to understand His teachings better.

it's live! and online! and i leave for it this Sunday!