tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318707182024-03-07T19:47:06.336+11:00Beyond South Australiacan one blogger change the world?Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-18145937698766475692007-11-24T11:54:00.000+11:002007-11-24T12:00:28.131+11:00election<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/04/18/ruddrumba470.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2007/04/18/ruddrumba470.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>As you all know, today is the federal election. I voted on thursday with my good friends <a href="http://cara-hasablog.blogspot.com">Cara </a>and <a href="http://whats-ina-name.blogspot.com">Steff</a>.<br /><br />When you think about it, whatever happens today, we get a new prime minister.Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-44794713645359943362007-11-21T13:00:00.000+11:002007-11-21T13:30:45.831+11:0021 today"Are you really 21? I thought you were, 18!" - one of my mcdonalds co-workers<br /><br />Last night I had a sleep over. Unfortunately, only Spatch came, but I didn't mind, because we had heaps of fun anyway.<br /><br />We talked lots, watched a <a href="http://au.rottentomatoes.com/m/maid_in_manhattan/">really bad movie</a>, and <a href="http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzVTr2YHy9c">really bad early morning tv</a>.<br /><br />And then this morning, she made me S-shaped pancakes.. with VEGEMITE!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuD5alVY8xWc2pN9YHMVFcbJArk5bgYFLJpMucmPNlAQEfZktTh5Ez3Hat-PcwWWBvh_C_iWKymMYso48jCbOTfJXwkTnLrp3VNGunjPe6FtXOuCGSZ3JHhldWOktc_riEUOJ/s1600-h/Nov+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuD5alVY8xWc2pN9YHMVFcbJArk5bgYFLJpMucmPNlAQEfZktTh5Ez3Hat-PcwWWBvh_C_iWKymMYso48jCbOTfJXwkTnLrp3VNGunjPe6FtXOuCGSZ3JHhldWOktc_riEUOJ/s320/Nov+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135109257742755010" border="0" /></a><br />and the day has just begun (ok it's 1pm, I'm still in my PJ's and waiting for my mum to arrive).<br /><br />Sometimes I look at 21 as being "this is it", because now I'm just going to get old old. Not older but OLDER! But then, I think there is a beauty of being the baby of the group - I've watched my friends turn 21 and some 23 this year. My housemate will be 26 tomorrow. This gives me some hope that not only will I always have friends a bit older, but I've watched them have equally as much fun and sometimes equally as much immaturity.<br /><br />Ah tonight shall be awesome! Stay tuned!Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-45514763777407241222007-11-20T11:57:00.000+11:002007-11-20T12:03:36.744+11:0020/11/2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-lX29V1czvWQJzh3IQiueM53zuXVJLok5G2OxPOpvGIUUl0niCslkcoGE2TIiqAHSgqYPMD8Rrqt6P0Q5MsYgW9XP0l71GymIMe38smdLjaC_oVuadjJAXt7TMZWWbWbOXC8/s1600-h/grandpa2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-lX29V1czvWQJzh3IQiueM53zuXVJLok5G2OxPOpvGIUUl0niCslkcoGE2TIiqAHSgqYPMD8Rrqt6P0Q5MsYgW9XP0l71GymIMe38smdLjaC_oVuadjJAXt7TMZWWbWbOXC8/s320/grandpa2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134721495210370226" border="0" /></a><br />It is exactly one year today since my Grandpa passed away.<br /><br />I still miss him so much. To think that at his funeral, an exact week after, I would be flying to Indonesia in a years time. To think that I am nowhere near the person I was standing next to that grave as I am today. But the one thing that hasn't changed is how much I miss him, and am glad about so many good genes of him I have.<br /><br />Sometimes, just the thought of him makes me smile - thinking, "he was a good chap"Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-44044468084318448092007-11-19T22:49:00.000+11:002007-11-19T22:58:15.430+11:00Eggnog, anybody?Today Cara and I ventured to Melbourne for <span style="font-weight: bold;">almost </span>only one purpose - to find Santa.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBS9K2Ih3MHyDJr96J3BBvG8M0v1q5Y0gCvMHdcqrgpTZdDqtdAUPmtg74WAaaLLuN-YX07C_qmJeiTWFefqH1XUn7pyC15QdGuClOkZ0v-G1Ne-qaHJXoEUhbPGMPjq0Iw6R/s1600-h/Nov+017.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBS9K2Ih3MHyDJr96J3BBvG8M0v1q5Y0gCvMHdcqrgpTZdDqtdAUPmtg74WAaaLLuN-YX07C_qmJeiTWFefqH1XUn7pyC15QdGuClOkZ0v-G1Ne-qaHJXoEUhbPGMPjq0Iw6R/s400/Nov+017.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134518854358377634" border="0" /></a><br />Mission successful, and Mez came too! <span style="font-style: italic;">Eggnog </span>chickened out (you know who you are!)Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-62630258489151382842007-11-15T19:53:00.000+11:002007-11-15T20:24:28.780+11:00kneebone flapping in the wind<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFINtzuzD1jMHb-FBgROHv5MFbQMzkDVbo-rfsadtlkKw9AkIhQ42rKge-5m6QizY7XMIC0je_8mCfaW4HxpMhpEVrUuWG6J9Jua5rTuP9Cz-G253YK2CtrTNWjV1F2YsAGqlS/s1600-h/knees_by_cut_and_paste.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFINtzuzD1jMHb-FBgROHv5MFbQMzkDVbo-rfsadtlkKw9AkIhQ42rKge-5m6QizY7XMIC0je_8mCfaW4HxpMhpEVrUuWG6J9Jua5rTuP9Cz-G253YK2CtrTNWjV1F2YsAGqlS/s200/knees_by_cut_and_paste.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132994128083395730" border="0" /></a>Today, before I even had started work. I slipped on some water on my way into the crew room and stacked it! I fell onto my back, hitting my knee foroucisly on a bench.<br /><br />For the rest of my shift I felt incredibly sore - my lower back in a lot of pain and my knee in quite sore. There's definately going to be a bruise there.<br /><br />When it first happened it hurt so much I couldn't walk. I was so scared I'd really done some damage and wouldnt be able to go to Indonesia!<br /><br />At the start of my shift I was in unbarable pain, but it got better as the shift went on. However, it still hurts!<br /><br />I also felt like I was going to throw up, but I think that's what happens when you live on processed food, most being mcdonalds all week. I gotta look after myself better.<br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"> <span id="en-AMP-29538" class="sup">Collosians 3:</span></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span id="en-AMP-29538" class="sup"></span><span id="en-AMP-29538" class="sup">22</span>Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose, with all your heart, because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span id="en-AMP-29539" class="sup">23</span>Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily from the soul, as something done for the Lord and not for men,</p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"> <span id="en-AMP-29540" class="sup">24</span>Knowing with all certainty that it is from the Lord and not from men that you will receive the inheritance which is your real reward. The One Whom you are actually serving is the Lord Christ - the Messiah.</p>Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-11200421372252373412007-11-14T00:12:00.000+11:002007-11-14T00:37:35.651+11:002 weeks and counting.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Gti8yMFBy3eQNFXDr46f824mIjdnwNSsLvDPfa87txzpaweFqtDKijqeAqx0W8ivAk3BQpH-H1Kuy3cQuy-lTJ3IzNx16U-uSvQINvl9uCpBAUtZ4gO7eGNWbOJ6_o-Pixwm/s1600-h/131A0F87-A87B-4041-894B-7CB8989BE952.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Gti8yMFBy3eQNFXDr46f824mIjdnwNSsLvDPfa87txzpaweFqtDKijqeAqx0W8ivAk3BQpH-H1Kuy3cQuy-lTJ3IzNx16U-uSvQINvl9uCpBAUtZ4gO7eGNWbOJ6_o-Pixwm/s200/131A0F87-A87B-4041-894B-7CB8989BE952.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132313256291663426" border="0" /></a>This time, in two weeks, I'll be flying somewhere between Jakarta and Makassar. That's a tad overwhelming thought.<br /><br />This morning I got myself out of bed after the crazy, tiring, night that was, <a href="http://helloworldthisissammy.blogspot.com/2007/11/washed-clean-and-forgiven.html">last night at McDonalds</a>. Yawning, I made my way over to a school to help kids4life out with a breakfast program.<br /><br />After that had finished, a few of us were in the staff room cleaning up. I was telling two of the girls there about how I was going to Indonesia. I heard a voice from behind say, "where abouts are you going?" Sitting behind me was a man with white hair.<br /><br />I ended up sitting with this guy for a good half an hour talking about my trip. He even went and got an atlas. He said he travels to Indonesia nearly every year, and spends a lot of time in Makassar. This put to rest a few small fears of mine.<br /><br />He told me about the setting of towns like Makassar: very poor, a lot of poverty around, some heart breaking stuff.<br /><br />The thing I think that scares me the most about going to Indonesia, is coming home!<br /><br />I remember in 2005 coming home feeling so unbelievably depressed about our higher living standard, and I know that I will be seeing things to a greater degree of poverty there.<br /><br />I am coming home 4 days before christmas. This in itself freaks me out. My family really pride themselves in what they get each other at times. Presents become a real stress of christmas. But I don't want to come back to such commercialism! Ack!<br /><br />I'm also really afraid of coming home and not caring about the things and people I used to care about before I left. I think I just need to motivate myself to get some accountability when I get home. There is no doubt that I will be even more passionate about changing the world than I used to be!<br /><br />There's no doubt that this will change my life - it may break me too!<br /><br />I can't believe I'm living the dream! Something that has been on my heart for 5 years - I am finally living it! I am going to Indonesia!<br /><br />It's a lot of things. It's exciting, scary, overwhelming, and just plain "AAGH!"<br /><br />And I'm sure it's just the beginning :)Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-62168525950170545842007-11-12T23:29:00.000+11:002007-11-12T23:55:04.650+11:00washed clean and forgiven!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.iphotocentral.com/Photos/csphoto_Images/Full/CS9598.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.iphotocentral.com/Photos/csphoto_Images/Full/CS9598.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Tonight I was called into work at McDonalds. Close. I hate close. With a passion! Luckily I found myself out by 10:45 which really was a record for me.<br /><br />I was innocently in the wash up room washing the spinners that go in the shake and sundae machines, when I turn, to see one of the guys I work with, come in, and chuck two containers of water on me!<br /><br />Now at first, I thought he was just being stupid, but at the same time I was thinking.. why would you do that!!? I began to laugh when his face just dropped and did a lot of "oh my God"ing, and apologising fifty million times, asking the manager if we had any spare shirts. But all I did was laugh and laugh and laugh in hysterics. I wasn't mad at all! Basically, usually he by default would chuck this water aimlessly into the washup room, but didn't know I was there. It's nobodies fault, we all end up going auto-pilot by this time of night.<br /><br />I was saturated and he followed me around the restraunt a bit apologising, and I was not angry at all. I kept telling him that it really was fine, and that I was just amused by it. (In fact, I'm still laughing about it). He was really amazed at how un-angry and gracious I was about the whole ordeal.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Forgive, and you will be forgiven. </span><br />(Luke 6:37)<br /></div><br />It made me think about how we often will <span style="font-style: italic;">chuck the water</span>, so to speak on God. And although He is probably angry when we do it, when we don't seem to be genuinely concerned, or to not realise we do it, but I wonder if He laughs when we come to him in repentance, over and over again.<br /><br />Maybe it is like the saying "one day we'll laugh about it"...Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-72445462795138800442007-11-11T16:37:00.000+11:002007-11-11T17:30:32.740+11:00shut up and pray!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and <u>all</u> discernment</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Phillippians 1:9)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run </span><i style="font-style: italic;">swiftly</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> and be glorified, just as </span><i style="font-style: italic;">it is</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> with you, </span><span style="font-style: italic;"> and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.<br /></span>(2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)<br /></div><p>Some good points from John Bevere,<br /></p><ul><li>Discernment is not SUSPICION. (Suspicion being fear motivated, and fear isn't of God).</li><li>Discernment is CONCERN for others and their welfare. (it won't carry hidden agendas or critical spirits).</li><li>Love is crucially important when discerning. Love cast's out all fear and gives an atmosphere where discernment (not suspician) can flow.</li><li>Jesus confronted, but also loved. He confronted IN love. </li><li>If you are discerning - pray rather than gossip! (And know the <span style="font-style: italic;">true </span>difference between gossip and concern!)</li><li>Check your motives (are you being ultra spiritual, or genuinely concerned?)</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_Pi_3f1khCmVw6w9UHAB2mvr9utMwbALjeIMvKrtxGSflJ7QkEZnBTjY-uVxdKTXYoc0256WhZU48EGexprRZlQHMEsh8fadtky0pO98uBuEbEtfH5QR78haRX4ZnsPWASH-/s1600-h/abimassey13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_Pi_3f1khCmVw6w9UHAB2mvr9utMwbALjeIMvKrtxGSflJ7QkEZnBTjY-uVxdKTXYoc0256WhZU48EGexprRZlQHMEsh8fadtky0pO98uBuEbEtfH5QR78haRX4ZnsPWASH-/s200/abimassey13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131465562891419186" border="0" /></a>This was sure a wake up call for me. Really tested and challenged me! I have been guilty of trying to be ultra spiritual and suspicious on many occasions. I've been moved to use my discernment as a real thing to pray about (as it always should have been). ie, when an issue comes, just shutup (ie stop gossiping) and pray!<br /><br />And yes, despite the man himself being in Melbourne, I didn't go to see him. This is merely adapted from his book, <span style="font-style: italic;">Victory in the Wilderness</span>. (Pages 79-80)Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-63281083670829768622007-11-10T21:46:00.000+11:002007-11-10T22:30:29.173+11:00What's in a name?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vN1nutWYH9zoQZBEQgkBHLgda_qILBW2y2KoulknX8OVdpzOOj_6Li3NXghE-6hK5Td4OY4cXbJGln950Txnjhx3HeziQoz7Qr2MNY7G6-ROiXWtzXEjVeT-NORLD7MnS-X3/s1600-h/abimassey15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vN1nutWYH9zoQZBEQgkBHLgda_qILBW2y2KoulknX8OVdpzOOj_6Li3NXghE-6hK5Td4OY4cXbJGln950Txnjhx3HeziQoz7Qr2MNY7G6-ROiXWtzXEjVeT-NORLD7MnS-X3/s200/abimassey15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131162578718490146" border="0" /></a>When I was born, my parents could only agree on one thing. This one thingwas to give me the name Samantha. Of all the names they could agree on, I wonder why this was the one. I really don't like this name, but as I get older I am starting to appreciate it more and more.<br /><br />When I was in Reception (and for those who don't know, that's what they call 'Prep' in South Australia), my teachers stumbled upon a problem. I was not the only Samantha in the class. There was indeed, another Samantha. Now this could easily be fixed by just calling me Samantha <span style="font-style: italic;">S</span>, right? Wrong! Because we both had surnames starting with S!<br /><br />So when we entered into grade one, the first day, the classroom teacher fixed the problem. After a quick discussion, I was renamed Sammy, and the other Samantha just became Sam.<br /><br />Sammy comes with a lot of little cliche's added at the end. Sammy the snail, the sea gull, sea slug, sea snail.. you get the picture. Many of which I got throughout my life at school.<br /><br />My last name is Smedley. Smedley, in old english, means "smooth clearing". In about year six I made my own name for myself, which was <span style="font-style: italic;">Smedles</span> [Smed-ools]. I tried to be <span style="font-style: italic;">Smeds</span> but soon my sister got that title, and it sticked to her better than it did me. I remember kids turning <span style="font-style: italic;">Smedles </span>into <span style="font-style: italic;">snails</span>. And in my early high school days getting the names <span style="font-style: italic;">Sammy Smelly</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Sammy Shmell-bad</span>. And I was up for these terrible last names, because when you wrote <span style="font-style: italic;">Smedley</span> into Microsoft Word, and you would click <span style="font-style: italic;">spell check</span>, it would say <span style="font-style: italic;">Smedley: Did you mean Smelly?</span><br /><br />Later into VCE, I was called either Shammy my car (I found that one amusing), C-mos (a very long story - and for those who don't know, it's a clock battery in your computer), Sammy Airways, and also, by my IT teacher, I was dubbed <span style="font-style: italic;">Sammy-<a href="http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com/">badger-badger. </a><br /><br /></span>Time went on, and I didn't really get many more names. But then suddenly, about a year ago (although it seems so much longer!) I met this girl, who appears has has also been given a few different names. In fact, she quite commonly goes by the name of a cooking instrument.<br /><br />It all started one night talking nonsense about various food, and it has grown into something greater.<br /><br />You see, this friend of mine, she really likes brussels sprouts. So one day, after school, I went down to the local fruit and veg place, and brought her a bag of brussel sprouts.<br /><br />On this bag, I wrote "You will always be my <a href="http://rachelshack.blogspot.com/search?q=sprout">brussels sprout</a>, no matter where you are, even when you're out of season!"<br /><br />And so there started the new thing. She turned into Sprout, and somehow I was dubbed the name, "Broccoli".<br /><br />A few weeks later I went to do a bit of stuff for kids4life at a school. I didn't know one of the guys were there, but some how he thought my name was "Flick". It started a new thing. My friend that DID know me began to call me Flick too! Luckily it hasn't stuck too much.<br /><br />But going back to this Sprout friend of mine, last night we were getting into a very bizarre in depth conversation. I don't even know how it started. But basically, my new name now is Grandma.<br /><br />But then my question is this: how can I be Sprout's grandma, when I am 2 years younger than her? We were trying to mathematically work this out last night, and I guess what I want to ask, dear blogger, is it possible, to have a grandmother who is 2 years younger than you? I'm interested to hear your responses!<br /><br />I just wonder what my next name will be!<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-42531656480047135752007-11-07T22:30:00.000+11:002007-11-07T23:41:08.475+11:00blog some more...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCM5ZBfQuQlTittmeMG8juZ_o4KgVuKLNe7MABAQc-5PofqSQs-D8mcsqikvat27ocem3ZbqwepUlSLwm5hhFgPWRxqVADmViSZrG0yB5hdUkCKk0LxMzSxlOLVbrjqtwhd9Fm/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCM5ZBfQuQlTittmeMG8juZ_o4KgVuKLNe7MABAQc-5PofqSQs-D8mcsqikvat27ocem3ZbqwepUlSLwm5hhFgPWRxqVADmViSZrG0yB5hdUkCKk0LxMzSxlOLVbrjqtwhd9Fm/s200/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130074881500855730" border="0" /></a>Most of you should know this already, as you should have got an email. If you didn't email, please talk to me, because I thought I had most of you on my contact list!<br /><br />As of the 27th of November, through till the 21st of December, this blog will not be posted in. Instead, be directed over <a href="http://travel-with-sammy.blogspot.com">here</a>.<br /><br />Why not just post here you ask? Let me explain.<br /><br />For one, I have forwarded my new blog to a lot of people, family members. The blog does not link to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470">my profile</a> or to <a href="http://helloworldthisissammy.blogspot.com">my blog</a>. I don't want that many people reading my blog, where people might become scared of my views or something. Link my parents to this blog? I don't think so!<br /><br />The blog (as well as this one) is also unlisted on google for security reasons. That means no nasties can google me and find me and hunt me down or anything rediculous.<br /><br />It's also easier than sending out bulk emails! Yay for blogs - the way of the future! Along with RSS, the way of the future. Thanks to <a href="http://www.geoffreport.com/wp/">Geoff</a> (whom is the 'other half' of <a href="http://allsaidanddone.com">Bec</a>) with <a href="http://www.geoffreport.com/wp/2007/10/18/what-you-should-know-about-rss/">this post</a>, I've been converted to <a href="http://www.google.com/reader">google reader</a> - where hast thou been all my life??<br /><br />So, lo and behold: <a href="http://travel-with-sammy.blogspot.com">TRAVELLING WITH SAMMY</a>!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:180%;">http://travel-with-sammy.blogspot.com</span><br /></div><br />(in the meantime, please keep reading and commenting on this blog for the next 20 days :D)Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-2042635144030153642007-11-04T00:01:00.000+11:002007-11-04T00:51:39.473+11:00God has ADD II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXv4QYSXi7clsJMgIcnBABfyns89HstZE9ootPOIyjdpMmGT4gFbPuHnNWsMg72uMO_v3mJXJxP-WKzd3q2hxZbgIlogc7DCnm4e7oxEUULqzs-qxv7ino8VGeaio5vNUWsFJ/s1600-h/best_digital_07.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifXv4QYSXi7clsJMgIcnBABfyns89HstZE9ootPOIyjdpMmGT4gFbPuHnNWsMg72uMO_v3mJXJxP-WKzd3q2hxZbgIlogc7DCnm4e7oxEUULqzs-qxv7ino8VGeaio5vNUWsFJ/s200/best_digital_07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128599474335333714" border="0" /></a>Back in February I blogged about <a href="http://helloworldthisissammy.blogspot.com/2007/02/god-has-add.html">God has ADD</a>. This post could almost be called <span style="font-style: italic;">Sammy has ADD</span>.<br /><br />Tonight, after work, I visited Mez's family (minus Mez). I left at about 10:30 (so I stayed for about 2 hours). Apon getting outside and walking to my car, I realised there was flashes of lightning. I paused and adored the lightning for a few seconds.. then I realised I was indeed standing alone in the middle of Kangaroo Flat. A big no-no.<br /><br />So I got into my car, and began to drive and admire this beauty! I went from Kangaroo Flat, the back way through the forrest to Spring Gully, and then through the city to find higher land. I then found myself out at Eaglehawk, followed by Epsom, somehow Epsom turned into Huntly, then I got sleepy, and I kinda felt God telling me, <span style="font-style: italic;">have some common sense and lets go home!</span> Huntly then turned into Epsom again, then Epsom went back into Junortoun, becoming Strathdale and finally, Flora Hill.<br /><br />All throughout this journey, I saw planes (as in, supposedly jumbo jets going in and out of Melbourne): imagine the show they'd be getting!<br /><br />It's funny, because last time, God was screaming, <span style="font-style: italic;">Look at me</span>! This time, <span style="font-weight: bold;">I</span> was yelling, <span style="font-style: italic;">SHOW ME MORE!</span> ... Who has ADD now?<br /><br />Often the lightning wouldn't be in my view. On numerous occasions I went to look over my shoulder to check a blind spot or what not, and there I'd see a flash of lightning. Yep, God was trying to point out something to me.<br /><span id="en-NKJV-16241" class="sup"></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;">(Psalm 139)<br /> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-16248" class="sup">8</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> If I ascend into heaven, You </span><i style="font-style: italic;">are</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> there;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> If I make my bed in hell, behold, You </span><i style="font-style: italic;">are there.</i><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-16249" class="sup">9</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><i style="font-style: italic;">If</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> I take the wings of the morning,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><i style="font-style: italic;">And</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-16250" class="sup">10</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Even there Your hand shall lead me,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> And Your right hand shall hold me.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">It doesn't matter where you look. If you look over your shoulder, in the rear view mirror, or actually keep your eyes on the road - I am there!</span><br /><br />I was listening to some beautiful, definately 'anointed' music. It didn't have words, it was just instrumental piano and violin (however I know the words anyway). In this time, chasing after the lightning, I started really getting into some of the questions that were on my heart in <a href="http://helloworldthisissammy.blogspot.com/2007/11/victory-in-victoria.html">this post,</a> which I wrote merely yesterday.<br /><br /><blockquote>"I'm really trying to work out where it is I belong. You would think that after 3 years in Bendigo I would have worked it out... I am finding myself run around in the same circles. It's like this malicious cycle where I end up getting incredibly hurt... My heart is so broken. I need some sort of stability!" (my words yesterday)<br /></blockquote><br />I think God really laid on my heart what it is that I actually mean by stability. What am I basing my stability on? While it is fantastic to be stable in a church, and it is highly recommended, I do not think that anybody should just quit somewhere stable, God really put it out to me as to how much emphasis I put on "church" rather than God Himself!<br /><br />Now, I could go on and on about the politics and my beliefs (what many would say are bizarre and out there) about church are, but I think that I will either bore you, or I will start a fight. But when will we stop turning to "the church" and start turning to <u>God</u>?<br /><br />Why is it I so long to be having this official prayer doosy whats it for Indonesia? When it's not being up the front that's so important. It's the people who are actually <span style="font-weight: bold;">praying</span>!<br /><br />Going back to the lightning. As I finally turned into my street, I pleaded with God, <span style="font-style: italic;">please, just one last flash of lightning? Please oh please oh please oh pleeeease!!!?</span> But there in that, I really felt the Holy Spirit speak, saying it doesn't MATTER if there's no lightning. God is still as real and is as there - no matter what!<br /></div></div>Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-60872421137600771562007-11-03T14:30:00.000+11:002007-11-03T14:37:32.415+11:00another one bites the dust...So here I was, innocently getting ready for work, when I noticed a small spider. It must have come from the clothes line area of my backyard!<br /><br />It however is unlike any spider I have ever seen! It looked really tropical. It was about 1cm big, with a fluro green body, and a yellow like sack at the back.<br /><br />I looked for my camera, but couldn't find it. I can't find it online.<br /><br />Unfortunately, it was squashed by a tissue, as I didn't want it to dissapear into the rest of my<br />washing.<br /><br />Lucky I'm not as scared of spiders as my sister. But now I have the eepedy geepedies that there are spiders all through what I'm wearing.. eek!<br /><br />Here's a picture I drew of it. Does anyone know what kind of spider it is? Is it dangerous? It had fangs!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibra8SzCl7hTfMlMn1TChKwSPdvc-mF5Z3Om2DcCoPH5WZ_qmwKHPCViPZR1CTzIUc22PH_57AbhH7cuH6EmyAj1tUwZffCxVbYqnUaW9qTm4ctngc1bPJFtD870oDHp6CGTg2/s1600-h/spider.GIF"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibra8SzCl7hTfMlMn1TChKwSPdvc-mF5Z3Om2DcCoPH5WZ_qmwKHPCViPZR1CTzIUc22PH_57AbhH7cuH6EmyAj1tUwZffCxVbYqnUaW9qTm4ctngc1bPJFtD870oDHp6CGTg2/s320/spider.GIF" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128451632971070786" border="0" /></a>Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-67098309379284720142007-11-02T21:47:00.000+11:002007-11-02T22:26:29.167+11:00Victory in Victoria...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IqnRXsVf-amkjYAgZesYdcYchkUG6pDNcg9bBGg3RKFDjM90w1IUVr7WE7kXt_NGKaFKznEQSjGSyv3OtM40W60OU09XbkGKeit07iDzO0Pn2RIJ5C3fLix92wJQ2-Mr5R9O/s1600/100_1320.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IqnRXsVf-amkjYAgZesYdcYchkUG6pDNcg9bBGg3RKFDjM90w1IUVr7WE7kXt_NGKaFKznEQSjGSyv3OtM40W60OU09XbkGKeit07iDzO0Pn2RIJ5C3fLix92wJQ2-Mr5R9O/s1600/100_1320.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>Oh what a way to spend your Friday afternoon. Supervising a bunch of primary students while they bash each other with poles. Then somehow my name is Flick. How you get Flick out of Sammy I don't know. It was fun enough though! But probably lotsa more fun for the kids! Oh preps are so gorgeous when they bash each other! Ahem. Anyway!<br /><br />I went to a meeting about Indonesia today. It's 23 days (thanks to <a href="http://whats-ina-name.blogspot.com/">Steff</a>'s groovy blog) until I leave. It's all scary and exciting. So much to do before then: get through exams, try and get some work, my 21st, along with scratching around for more money!<br /><br />There is quite a bit on my mind really. I'm really trying to work out where it is I belong. You would think that after 3 years in Bendigo I would have worked it out. And while I acknowledge nowhere is perfect, I know that surely, there is a Sammy shaped hole out there somewhere!<br /><br />I am finding myself run around in the same circles. It's like this malicious cycle where I end up getting incredibly hurt. I can't pin point exactly why though! Perhaps it's my nature of going through phases. I don't know. But I can tell you, I hate being unresilient. If I have a problem, I like to seek to resolve it. But the thing is.. I just don't know the answer to this one! There has to be one! But right now it seems there isn't one! My heart is so broken. I need some sort of stability! I'm so desperate to just cling onto someone who knows what they're doing! I want to kick this 'isolated' feeling!<br /><br />mergh.<br /><br />OK.<br /><br />Let's turn this around...<br /><br />Because there is hope! And I need to embrace the truth!<br /><br />I've been reading a book by John Bevere called <span style="font-style: italic;">Victory in the Wilderness</span>. It has given me a lot of hope about what I'm going through.<br /><br />See, we're all going to go through times like what I'm going through (some similar circumstances, some not). And Jesus himself went through tough times.<br /><br />Bevere talks about Jesus in the desert. How these 'desert times' are like character building places. We need these to be able to grow. And in the meantime, God doesn't give us "Abundance of stuff", but moreso, what we NEED.<br /><br />ah It's a great book. Anyone can borrow it after me if they want!Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-12384503339440792292007-11-01T17:22:00.000+11:002007-11-01T18:08:46.064+11:00choice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blog.mindvalleylabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/WindowsLiveWriter/StopOfferingYourCustomerstooManyChoices_EB1C/spoilt-for-choice_thumb1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://blog.mindvalleylabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/WindowsLiveWriter/StopOfferingYourCustomerstooManyChoices_EB1C/spoilt-for-choice_thumb1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Choices. I don't like choices.<br /><br />I grew up in a town where the choice "McDonalds or KFC" didn't exist. I lived in a town where the you take the one and only choice or you go without. My lunch was usually planned out for me. Even when choosing whether I go to Murrayville (vic.) or Lameroo (SA) for high school, the decision was already made.<br /><br />In my last three years at Bendigo, one of the hardest thing was adapting to having a choice. I had a choice of Coles, Safeway or IGA. I could buy home brand or black and gold. I had options of going to places like Ballarat and Melbourne. I had a choice of AOG, Victory, the Baptist, Short Street Church of Christ and more (3 years on I'm still struggling with this choice!). All this choice I had not previously encountered back in Pinnaroo, the one supermarket, three churched hole in South Australia!<br /><br />But one thing I am thankful for is that I already had made a choice that in Bendigo, it didn't matter what I was studying, it be Arts or Education, I just wanted to do Indonesian. Even though it would have been nice to bludge through Arts, I am somewhat glad that I am in Education, as it is a clear pathway of what I am likely to be doing at the end of next year.<br /><br />In the last three years, my path has been all set out for me. I sit through the core units, I progress towards an Indonesian major. Re-enrolling at the end of each year was a breeze!<br /><br />But it is 2007, and I am coming to the end of my third year. Re-enrolling isn't so easy, because I have to make choices. I now have my Indonesian major. One would think that 8 units of Indonesian, plus the LOTE methodology I have to undertake next year would be enough.<br /><br />But my choices don't look feasable. Info Tech doesn't look as good as it was going to. Art is about ceramics. Everything else is looking pretty.. blah.<br /><br />So guess what I've gone and done. I've gone and enrolled myself in the Indonesian Reading Course. Like I said, isn't a major enough? Basically, I'm out of options. Nita was incredibly pleased (BTW, Steff, Nita is insistant that you join us ;) ), and showed me the book we will be studying. It is the size of the New Testament and is all in Indonesian.<br /><br />But then I come to my next dilemma...<br /><br />Because my methodology is only worth 10 credit points a semester, this leaves me 10 credit points down to actually get my degree. That means I need to pick up just one more subject somewhere.<br /><br />And then I got an email about a course that's running over summer. It's basically a unit on ICT and Interactive Whiteboard stuff. I might do it during semester if I don't do it over summer.<br /><br />So I am faced with this choice. Do I really want to do Indonesian next year? Do I do ICT over summer or bulk it over the second semester? Or do I ditch Indo and go my own way (as apposed to going with what my friends are doing and having that accountability/company) doing PE, special abilities, art, catholic ed, calculus or something crazy!<br /><br />Choices. Bah! Anyone have some advice for me?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-14455" class="sup"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-14456" class="sup"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring </span><i style="font-style: italic;">it</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> to pass.</span> (Psalm 37:4-6)Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-48320889825419014392007-10-31T21:13:00.000+11:002007-10-31T21:34:19.771+11:00shine like stars?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgUxx4UU6QoHoj3qdV0QlwT4UBARmLi7iGNXZ81NyRUzykgoRlglXb_cW591-Rv_kIJpM2j0v-SGDllR8WgdE2uEcZ-eOxRyPoF1WY4MF1FFOzkpHsnuDaYMBZHh5RONGhnRQ/s1600-h/1156238784_platinum16.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgUxx4UU6QoHoj3qdV0QlwT4UBARmLi7iGNXZ81NyRUzykgoRlglXb_cW591-Rv_kIJpM2j0v-SGDllR8WgdE2uEcZ-eOxRyPoF1WY4MF1FFOzkpHsnuDaYMBZHh5RONGhnRQ/s320/1156238784_platinum16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127444725133163826" border="0" /></a>I found this quote on the end of someone's MSN name. Sure made me think.<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">...Cuz my Jesus would never be accepted in my church; the blood and dirt on his feet may stain the carpet...</span>"<br /><br />Think about it...<br /><br />Song of the moment: <a href="http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=hBFJiPf6ML4">Shine like Stars by True Worshippers</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><pre style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Look at the world we live today</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Look at the hurting everywhere</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Let us see mercy and Your grace</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Overflowed in every place</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Let us be one with You today</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">And let Your glory fall</span></span></pre></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">We will shine </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shine like stars above</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Shining in Your light</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Guided by Your love</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Let Your fire burn in us </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Burning like the sun</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As we glorify</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And show Your kingdom come</span></span><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">In all the earth</span><br /><br /></span></span><pre><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >Teach us to live in righteousness</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >Teach us to love in one accord</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >Guide us to live life everyday</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >As we worship in Your court</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >Let us declare Your majesty<br />and let your glory fall</span></span><br /><br /></pre><span style="font-style: italic;">Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. </span>(Matt 5:16)<br /></div>Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-5735796862864983912007-10-30T20:38:00.001+11:002007-10-30T21:13:44.429+11:00Clouds.. of the nerdy variety<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.robertcampbellphotography.com/Images/Clouds/Clouds4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.robertcampbellphotography.com/Images/Clouds/Clouds4.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>We all know I love clouds, but I have discovered the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/phydeaux3.blogspot.com/2006/09/code-for-beta-blogger-label-cloud.html">blogger tag cloud</a>! If you scroll down, Isn't it pretty?<br /><br />I wonder if those technologically minded people who can be bothered with fiddling around with HTML will have a go at it.<br /><br />For those of us who aren't as technologically minded, there is this tool <a href="http://www.snapshirts.com/">here</a> to make something a little more simple.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MoA8Jct0N286X-dViK7Kt3wNLCe-QkX-esqrU8hT1r1UEtga-H22emWZT7gjO9H35krTRim1K_ss2enQe2UPwJpvN0IGf_X1UzCZcUOqZ0ZQHWlg1S-_Q6zJpf2_1PYlX2L2/s1600-h/image.php.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MoA8Jct0N286X-dViK7Kt3wNLCe-QkX-esqrU8hT1r1UEtga-H22emWZT7gjO9H35krTRim1K_ss2enQe2UPwJpvN0IGf_X1UzCZcUOqZ0ZQHWlg1S-_Q6zJpf2_1PYlX2L2/s200/image.php.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127070637776649490" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Song of the moment: <a href="http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=098PwlqHD-o">Dive by Steven Curtis Chapman</a>Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-39909905899743724692007-10-29T22:15:00.000+11:002007-10-29T22:24:45.395+11:00It's almost over!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.tirefirefilms.com/index/blog/tgs13-2.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.tirefirefilms.com/index/blog/tgs13-2.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a>(Well, MSTIE is over! Yay! Now I just gotta sit through exams and I'm 75% a teacher!)Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-82619927689307449192007-10-27T21:39:00.000+10:002007-10-28T10:31:18.211+11:00trains, busses, taxi's, trams and a wedding!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lKnrPhbbPlGzJ3fOc-2cV0n2-b6Vs0j98IfMekGfcQT89KNvuKf7OPcbS5b0O62lylRF4qIIIxcYjdgE77M1y8aXhnZ-98df7jVW0SEIwxbROqi7wasay-pjiQKxBALNfQFl/s1600-h/Muradiye_and_Murat_by_solak11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lKnrPhbbPlGzJ3fOc-2cV0n2-b6Vs0j98IfMekGfcQT89KNvuKf7OPcbS5b0O62lylRF4qIIIxcYjdgE77M1y8aXhnZ-98df7jVW0SEIwxbROqi7wasay-pjiQKxBALNfQFl/s200/Muradiye_and_Murat_by_solak11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125992538347658114" border="0" /></a>This morning my alarm went off at 6:45. My alarm is pretty cool. It is <a href="http://cara-hasablog.blogspot.com/">Cara</a> singing <span style="font-style: italic;">rise and shine, and give God the glory glory</span>..<br /><br />After snoozing the alarm for 5 minutes, I got up, had a shower, and got ready for a very long day. At about 8am I got in my car and drove my housemate and I down the station. We got on what was a very packed train. Once on the train this horrible feeling of Oh darnit I forgot my camera overcomes me. Dang!<br /><br />The train only went as far as Sunbury, and after that I had to catch the bus the rest of the way to Southern Cross. Here started the organised chaos. There were well over 100 people trying to fit on busses, and people were running all over the place getting confused! Finally I got on a bus which went straight down the tollway and into spencer street. We made it in record time!<br /><br />After briefly working out how to get to Doncaster, I waited for <a href="http://the-turtle-shell.blogspot.com/">Turtle</a> to get off her delayed train from Ballarat. It seems today is a good day for doing work on the train lines. After greeting her we took a sequence of trains and taxis and found ourselves out at Doncaster. Here we met with the wonderful Mel and Bray. Now the funny thing is, I have KNOWN Mel since about 2003, but I only just met her today! And man, it feels like I have known her for ages! I so wish that I could have met her so much sooner!<br /><br />After lunch, we all went to the wedding together. The wedding was so incredibly beautiful. I was really struggling to fight back the tears. When I look at them I can't help but smile. I think I still couldnt stop smiling after I left Melbourne. In fact I'm still smiling! eeee!<br /><br />The whole structure of the wedding was really different to anything I've seen before! And it was magnificent and so.. God honouring!<br /><br />EEE I can't stop smiling! Guys, if you're reading this - :D<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.organscoaches.com.au/images/bus_25.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.organscoaches.com.au/images/bus_25.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>After the wedding Mel, Turtle, Bray and I went and hung out down on the beach for a while. But before we went to the beach we were travelling down the Eastern Freeway when Turtle and Mel point out this bus that reads <span style="font-style: italic;">Organ's Coaches Kyneton</span>. In true South Australian tradition I got what was so funny half an hour later.<br /><br />Turtle was snapping a photo of this bus when the people actually saw her. The people in the bus began to wave at us, and we waved back. This was going on, along with us three girls in hysterical laughter, they began to make faces at us! Finally we made a sign that said "Jesus loves you", but alas they were turning the corner so we dont think they saw it. But that was ok, because then whoever was driving behind us would see that nice little message! :D<br /><br />After spending a bit of time at the coast, I caught a tram into the city to catch the bus/train back to Sunbury/Bendigo. I arrived into Spencer St, or should I say "Southern Cross" half an hour before my bus headed back to Sunbury. So I went and bought some half price pizza from DFO - potato and rosemary. Interesting!<br /><br />I sat at the bus depot and ate my pizza as the crowd for Sunbury increased. After finishing my pizza we were informed that there would be a delay of 5 minutes because one of the busses had broken down. People were really angry and were swearing and getting really angry at the staff. I kept myself calm by talking to random people, usually elderly people. 20 minutes later, the bus arrives, and there are people pushing to get on. It reminded me of the day I quit barracking for the Adelaide crows (long story). I suddenly became pushed between people and was getting squished because everybody was so angry and eager to get to Sunbury. As we left the bus depot, we saw a man waving his finger at the staff.<br /><br />Somewhere between Melbourne and Sunbury I saw the Organs bus again. Very funny stuff!<br /><br />We got into Sunbury and got I straight on the train. We sat there for a good half hour waiting for another bus to arrive. Finally, at the time we were supposed to arrive in Bendigo, we left Sunbury. As the train pulled out of the station, the whole carraige cheered.<br /><br />When the conducter came out to collect our tickets, we learnt that we were waiting there for 10 minutes for an invisible bus - ie, it didn't exist!<br /><br />Everybody was so angry. Perhaps I didn't care because I had all day. But the thing that annoys me the most is when people complain like this, when pathetic places such as South Australia don't have the luxary of a train that leaves every hour to the capital city! In fact, from Pinnaroo, you can't even go for a day trip in Adelaide using public transport.<br /><br />And with that, dare I say it, I think I'm turning into a Melbourne girl (as opposed to Adelaide). I even think that I'm starting to loose the intentionalised habit of speaking with a toffi accent. I think I'm turning... dare I say it... VICTORIAN!<br /><br />But all in all, I don't think I really cared about the 'hate' going on at the station. I was too busy smiling still :)Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-70286360396510031512007-10-25T19:51:00.000+10:002007-10-25T20:13:14.474+10:00overwhelmed?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQK1k812JtWsfZrlVBvM-AFYhF5lY9UEFm1soGJX2UBY1tKLWGFPsKGfe3GTGHxMqgNnRCuBTvqzTe7VgZUorEb7QveZ5C9e7Dfw77KUenS3cmgtUUJh_2DKhO19fmcEep-zc/s1600-h/october+068.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQK1k812JtWsfZrlVBvM-AFYhF5lY9UEFm1soGJX2UBY1tKLWGFPsKGfe3GTGHxMqgNnRCuBTvqzTe7VgZUorEb7QveZ5C9e7Dfw77KUenS3cmgtUUJh_2DKhO19fmcEep-zc/s200/october+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125212168559778674" border="0" /></a>So here I am sitting here and finally the reality hits me that there is only one day of this rediculous practicum to go. Part of me is joyous and can't wait until I'm free as of monday afternoon (exams - such a release!), but part of me feels a little sad.<br /><br />Although I have spent a majority of this prac complaining, and hating every minute, I will actually miss it. It gets to this point of the prac where I begin to evaluate how I've been - I'm not exactly happy.<br /><br />So after exams, I turn 21 and head over to Indonesia. And suddenly everything becomes overwhelming as I enter into my fourth year. Where have the years gone?<br /><br />I have a few friends that are actually finishing their university degree this year. Imagine how overwhelmed they must feel.Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-53881870397960294212007-10-24T21:23:00.001+10:002007-10-24T21:41:03.343+10:00heavens in the backseat of the cinema<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos.jpgmag.com/212822_4595_e820fbe6b0_p.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://photos.jpgmag.com/212822_4595_e820fbe6b0_p.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>On my recent trip to South Australia, due to conditions mostly out of control, I went and saw a really awful movie. Now when I say an awful movie, I don't mean, like, Neighbours-bad-acting type movie, I actually mean a really, bad, typical extreme american sex-phased movie. I spent a lot of the time looking at the ceiling and asking God to help me get through the movie. I think I spent a lot of time also just praying for the people watching as well.<br /><br />As we were leaving, I was in the back seat of my friends car. Her and my other friend were in the front saying how awesome they thought this movie was. I kind of just sat with no comment.<br /><br />As we drove out of the cinema and headed back towards the Eastern Adelaide Suburbs, I couldn't help but notice this trashy 70's song that was on the radio.<br /><br />"Heaven's in the back seat of my Cadillac, let me take you there - yeah yeah"<br /><br />Despite knowing the real meaning of this song.. There I was, in the back seat, and all I wanted to do was cry out to the God of heaven!<br /><br />We are called to be ambassadors of heaven. We are called to pray without ceasing. That means in everything we do, no matter how crazy, we should pray! On earth as it is in where? That's right - HEAVEN! :D<br /><br />It was such a quirky, exciting, maybe even uplifting part of the whole night!<br /><br />We, as human beings have choices not to go some places. I could have said, look, I don't want to see this movie, in fact, I probably should have. But when you're in situations - in the 'back seat', don't forget that heaven's with you - and that's powerful!<br /><br />(eeep I'm getting cheesy!)Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-34027267565661745412007-10-24T21:07:00.000+10:002007-10-24T21:23:48.272+10:00Shopping in Sedgwick<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.centralwinetours.com.au/images/bendigotour.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://www.centralwinetours.com.au/images/bendigotour.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Today I went shoe shopping. Some retail therapy was in order. Then, at 5:30, I was booted out of rivers and found that alas all other shops were also closed.<br /><br />My stomach was telling me that tea should be ready within the next two hours. Because I couldnt be bothered defrosting mince, I went to buy my own.<br /><br />I was driving home when instead of taking a left, I kept going straight. Straight down Carpenter St, straight down Spring Gully Rd. I didn't know where I was going, I just kept driving. I just wanted to drive drive drive! I think I needed to think think think and pray pray pray too.<br /><br />Where was I going? I was going shopping in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Sedgwick,+VIC,+Australia&ie=UTF8&ll=-36.870832,144.309196&spn=0.028358,0.079994&t=h&z=14&om=1">Sedgwick</a>.<br /><br />However, upon my arrival in Sedgwick, I came to realise that there was not even a shop in Sedgwick to buy mince. There wasn't even one in Mandurang. There was a little general storey-thing but it looked closed.<br /><br />So I kept driving, bypassing the suburbs, almost hitting an Echidna, to Strathfieldsaye, which is a busy little place. It was there that I bought some Lemon Lime and Bitters, and some mince off a freaky butcher dude.<br /><br />Sometimes, I guess I just need to drive.. to places that are more isolated even moreso than Pinnaroo...<br /><br />The conclusion, or the point of this story: there isn't one. I just hope you enjoyed hearing about my afternoon, 'shopping' in Sedgwick!Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-70339578957949288052007-10-21T16:30:00.000+10:002007-10-21T16:43:32.291+10:00Countdown...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKe3D3yDDrAl9u8hKlRBiGPXfl5Pm6REMyaPFOWkYomtP5dlS2-9aEdtTO3hdZkIES7mBQH74jPI0jRiJTOsTCyVW5jUth_IwY1uWXUdicEhBkif3J4nYa74DdWFfTzx6odSa2g/s400/palms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKe3D3yDDrAl9u8hKlRBiGPXfl5Pm6REMyaPFOWkYomtP5dlS2-9aEdtTO3hdZkIES7mBQH74jPI0jRiJTOsTCyVW5jUth_IwY1uWXUdicEhBkif3J4nYa74DdWFfTzx6odSa2g/s400/palms.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>So today it is exactly a month until I am off my P's again. How exciting it is to be counting down again, and I haven't even broken the law! That will mean I will be a fully licenced Victorian licence holder! And due to the harsh Victorian drivers laws, I should be able to do much more and have more freedom! I'll be able to teach L platers! The question though is, do I WANT to teach them?? :P<br /><br />Funnily enough, I turn 21 on that same day.<br /><br />I'm having a bit of trouble though, what should I do for my 21st? At the moment I'm thinking of having it in a park. My dillemma though is which day to have it on, because not every day suits people. Eep!<br /><br />And in the topic of count downs.. It is one month and 6 days until I fly to Indonesia! I'm so scared and excited all at once! I'm so glad Steff is coming with me :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size:78%;">[Image from: <a href="http://apublicimage.blogspot.com/">a Public Domain Image a Day</a>]</span><br /></div>Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-42935209716687012672007-10-20T18:30:00.000+10:002007-10-20T19:02:47.578+10:00a post about pracWell. For those who don't know I've been on prac for two weeks now. I'm at a school in the same suburb I work with 5/6's, which has prooved to be incredibly interesting. If you know me, I'm more of a lower primary person.<br /><br />Now this prac is different to most others. The first thing you will notice is I'm doing it incredibly late. The second is you wont see me doing as much outside work for it. The third is I'm doing it with a friend of mine. The fourth, I seem to be only teaching maths and science!<br /><br />And am I enjoying it? No!<br /><br />In fact, when the lecturer came out to see us the other day, I yelled at him!<br /><br />Why don't I like this prac? Well, it's not because I have 5/6. It's moreso the point that next year I will be entering the fourth year of my course. I really need to learn how to be independant, and I can't be, because us student teachers are 'relying' on each other. It's difficult to teach in this way, because we are both two completely different teaching styles.<br /><br />What's worse, is the kids pick and choose which one they like better. Because I'm not as cool and don't seem to relate as much, I'm not the favorite. But alas I am not there to be their friend, I am there to teach them!<br /><br />I know that sounds harsh, and I know that the girl I told I didn't care about what she was doing on the weekend would agree (thanks for the 'strategy' Turtle ;)). I've discovered it's really about balance. I'm not there to make their happy lives miserable, but there needs to be a point that 'friendship' is not interrupting class time.<br /><br />The issue also with working with pairs is, it doesn't matter how much you try to avoid it, someone always ends up doing more work. And unforunately, it seems I havent done a lot. I'm thankful that this prac hasn't ruined my friendship with the person I'm working with.<br /><br />All in all, the prac is a good idea. You create a unit of work, you teach it. You become more familiar with the science side of things (an ever important topic in schools). Just not at this stage, in third year. I feel like I have taken a step backwards.<br /><br />Given the circumstances, this could have been a good prac if it was 'normal'.<br /><br />So to my friends up at La Trobe: What were you thinking?Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-74985972891135115352007-10-18T21:40:00.000+10:002007-10-18T21:43:23.622+10:00Dear anonymousI don't know who you are<br />For all I know, because of my silly memory, perhaps you're not real.<br />But if you are, and you read my blog, and you know what this is about..<br />It really confuses as to why you're so generous.. but thanks. God Bless You :)<br /><br />(If this makes absolutely no sense to you, then don't worry, it has nothing to do with you probably :P)Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31870718.post-90589033993952466492007-10-14T16:29:00.000+10:002007-10-14T17:51:28.432+10:00little bit o love<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This is the way you left me</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">I'm not pretending</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">No hope, no love, no glory</span><br />No happy ending<br />This is the way that we love<br />like it's forever<br />then live the rest of our life<br />but not together</div><div style="text-align: right;">Mika - "Happy Ending"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There is a real danger in secular (and sometimes, not-so-secular) music. I believe that people underestimate the power that music can have in ones life. I believe that many christians don't have an understanding that it can open up doors for the enemy to come and rob you of the abundance of life God has planned for you!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Resist the devil and he will flee from you.</span> (James 4:7)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (</span>1 peter 5:8)<br /><br /></div>Although I know this all too very well, somehow this song kinda represented how I was feeling (don't start assuming because you're probably way off - hence the 'somehow'). The problem with this kind of music is that while it does some how express how you feel, dwelling on this song, singing it, does not help the situation. In fact, it magnifies how bad I'm feeling, rather than magnifying an awesome powerful creator who is above every situation and circumstance no matter what I'm feeling! Because I KNOW that whatever I go through, God is still awesome and alive and real, and no less worthy of my praise!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-29632" class="sup">16</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Rejoice <u>always</u>, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-29633" class="sup">17</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> pray <u>without ceasing</u>, </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-29634" class="sup">18</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> in <u>everything</u> give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-29635" class="sup">19</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Do not quench the Spirit. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-29636" class="sup">20</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Do not despise prophecies. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-29637" class="sup">21</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Test all things; <u>hold fast what is good.</u> </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-29638" class="sup">22</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> <u>Abstain from every form of evil.</span> </u>(1 Thess. 5)<br /></div><br />So here I am, feeling utterly like rubbish singing this song in my car, by the lake, and it gets to the emotional keychange and it suddenly starts pouring down with rain. At this stage I am fully crying about this whole horrible situation, the heavy rain pitter pattering and the 'intense' part of the song makes it all oh so much more real.<br /><br />Suddenly, I see the rain ease, and out from my car, I see this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzow3iA9sWy531IIaLRz6YVsXLiJOcCqxyxfGv9pQD3UBouXW5HRC7Y6hU5h8ho3e349tpxEY-BklpA0bywXo6x039Bc59lpHoyAol-cLKsmTi58UdpkUjyDkiyJ58FsKxe_ks/s1600-h/october+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzow3iA9sWy531IIaLRz6YVsXLiJOcCqxyxfGv9pQD3UBouXW5HRC7Y6hU5h8ho3e349tpxEY-BklpA0bywXo6x039Bc59lpHoyAol-cLKsmTi58UdpkUjyDkiyJ58FsKxe_ks/s400/october+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121080776654962578" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="result-text-style-normal"> <p> <span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-218" class="sup">12</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> And God said: “This </span><i style="font-style: italic;">is</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that </span><i style="font-style: italic;">is</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> with you, for perpetual generations: </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-219" class="sup">13</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. </span><span style="font-style: italic;" id="en-NKJV-220" class="sup">14</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; </span>(Genesis 9)<br /></p></div>A rainbow!!! You know what that symbolises, right? That God will keep His promises! A timely reminder that God won't leave me stuck in this situation! That my God is a God of power! Sometimes I can't see the result, but He's the Alpha and Omega!<br /><br />So then, after that, I turned the song into a parody of God and How great He is!<br /><br />Maybe one day I'll blog about music properly. Maybe...<br />And maybe, maybe one day, I will blog a parody :P<br /></div></div>Achi Myachihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06159073134189762470noreply@blogger.com3