Happy Birthday Mommy

Albeit a bit late, just wanted to wish my mom a wonderful birthday. Hope you had a very special, fun weekend with your friends. Enjoy. It's no "mere extraordinaire" but hopefully it will do the trick.

Thinking of you, and love you very much.

Fresh Air

Hello Everyone.  It has been a while. I have started working very consistently  and I actually take it as a positive. The busier I am, the less I write. The same phenomenon occurred with my mother Alena, in China. At the beginning of our incredible trip I had plenty of “hotel time” to sit down and write in my diary. As our trip continued, the sites I saw continually amazed me. That essentially led to less writing and more photographs.  China is FAR less familiar to Canada than Australia.

            So what is going on? This is my life at the moment. I work 2 different jobs 6-7 days a week. I will provide you a brief description of each job:

1)   BAVARIAN BEER CAFÉ (BBC): What a wonderful fluke opportunity. Imagine being invited to join an incredible group of energetic people from all over the world. It has provided me with my most immediate and active social group in Brisbane. I get fed and paid well. I get to enjoy fine European Beers as an added pleasure. Truly wonderful…

2)   ESL TEACHING: This has also been a treat, for different, indirect reasons. My role is literally to teach South Korean kids, in their own classrooms, via webcam, the English language. Although at a basic level, it is an incredible experience to watch them slowly learn my language. This of all things, is a beneficial step to South Korea.

A           At this time, I am thinking of my friends back at home too. I have become less frequent in my contacts back home, but I feel lucky to still be part of the loop. Whether it is being invited to Alex Caldicott’s Russian Elvis Band, to Sam’s recent incredible success, I am always reminded of how amazing my friends are.  I love them so much.
               To my brothers, I hope you are both well, Milan you are looking wonderful and I only hope you are mixing work and pleasure as best as you can. Sasha, I welcome you to our shores. We will have an amazing experience here.
               Mom and Dad. I’m doing the best I can. Australia is an expensive country, but I have been trying to keep it as cost effective as possible. The best moments and experiences have been free ones, and I try to keep that as consistent as possible.  I have multiple surprises/videos approaching, I meant this to be an introduction to those events.

      I love and miss everyone back home so much. Thank you to Hefe and Eddy. Our adventure in June/July in South East Asia, will be a trip of a lifetime. That is a constant source of motivation.

My thoughts and respects go out to the Gibson and Pockett Family. It’s a terrible tragedy, that strikes the heart of a loving community. I wish you both the best of luck.

Great Idea

Well well well, how the world can change so quickly. Sorry folks it has been a busy busy week. I have moved into a new house and I have started working full time. I must say, working in the Bavarian Bier Cafe has been a wonderful experience. The people are fun and excitable, the pay is good, and considering I had no previous experience, I figure I am doing well.

I now live in an apartment in an area called Highgate Hill. I live with two Australians, one German, and one American. It is a pleasant place, and everyone is pretty laid back and creative. I couldn't have asked for a more suitable place to come home to.

Everything seems to be going to plan. I have seen Chooksie. I met up with friends of mine who were traveling here as well (Ali/Che oh so soon!) I have two solid jobs and a place to live. I have planned a trip to visit my little brother in Melbourne, and an epic Easter journey to Perth to visit Erin.

In my experience, when things are going this smoothly, something is bound to go wrong. I have an adopted a battle-ready stance, so that I am never blind-sided. I must say, it's nice for things to be going smoothly.

I have been really happy with the way I have kept in touch with people at home. Whether it be my parents, my friends, teachers, whomever, it has been nice to remain connected. I know I seem to have just suddenly left by myself, but I simply needed a journey on my own. I had to prove to myself, perhaps as a prelude to my year of teaching in South Korea, that I can operate my own life, relying on myself. I'm pleased with the results thus far.

I will be more consistent with my updates from this point on. Adios.