journey series: things i'll miss, pt.1

continuing on with my journey series posts... let's change the mood a bit. i've had a tough couple months, felt a little stressed, battled through some storms, so forgive me if i've been sounding a little too serious. now, on a lighter note... i'll continue on posting things all about, well, my journey.
the months are closing in, and it's the last stretch, can't say everything's perfect, but i can't just stop now.

anyway, the other day i read my new student packet info, and i totally forgot about food or snacks that i could take to oz with me... posted below, however, are food that i CANNOT :( take with me.
i'm gonna miss in-n-out for sure, street tacos (and their amazing salsas!), and thai food (from a particular resto in hollywood!)

gonna trade these three in for nandos and peri-peri sauches, sushi rolls (that are served as unsliced actual hand rolls) and their soy sauce in cute "fishie" containers, and mushroom meat pies!

In-N-Out Burgers

Street Tacos

Thai Town Los Angeles, and my fave place in Thai Town... Thai Patio! :)

i almost forgot about this.

Ephesians 3:20

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Our God is Able.

Praising my way to victory. Amen!

Midnight Mishaps.

So, my hands are shaking both because the windows are open and there's a chilly breeze blowin' through, and it's the middle of the night, AND... I just happened to receive a package from Burberry worth $2010 freaking simoleons, NO, ACTUALLY, I MEAN REAL DOLLARS.

**(post is published late... received package Wednesday night)

WHAT THE HUBALAHEY! (I need that money actually... !!)

So, how many times do you get something so freaking expensive in the mail?
All I ordered was an eyeliner my gift card could afford, it was that or a votive candle (which would cost me extra for shipping!?!)... and I get an extra box of "goodies".

I kinda thought it was Christmas, or an early bday gift, or even, that I won a secret Burberry contest... but it happens to be, ... A NO. Just an ultimate shipping mistake. What a joke to play warehouse folks. Hmph! (Yes, it is boxed up again for return.)

Well, here's photos of MY purchase, I did get an extra vial of perfume! (FANCY gift, unlike the uber tiny testers you get from MACYs or any other chain department stores...) and all the other little tidbits like the gift bag, receipt envelope (I know... it has an envelope) and the tissue were nice touches. Hey, if you know me, I do like paper and packaging and all those little details... so... without further ado. My $39 order.

Same print embossed on both paper bag and envelope. (Ah, it felt so fancy!!)

My eyeliner and small gift from purchase!
(I've used "fancy" way too much in this post, but I'm gonna use it again!) FANCY!

journey series: the next few steps.

this was sydney in july 2010. i can't believe i'm gonna call you home for 2012.
i still can't get a grip on my emotions and reality. i know it'll all hit me soon enough.
but i do have to scale up my own bridge, and i know once i get going it won't look so scary after all.

journey series: let's make decisions.

so lesson learned.
i can be a mental paralytic sometimes.
if it all starts in the mind, well, i've often let myself be overcome by the obstacles i create in my mind.
either i get stuck thinking the worst, thinking that i can't overcome the worst of the worse, or even not-the-worst of the worse. i find myself unable to see the actual opportunities laid out in front of me, because right at the beginning, i doom myself to fail.

and now, i've faced failure, and even though there is no guarantee that i will not fail again.
i'm not as afraid.
slate's clean. somewhat of a breather.

some decisions i made this year.
1. i decided i'd keep my promise to myself and forge on with my desire to try life in australia.
2. i decided to do my best at whatever circumstance i faced and battle on.
3. i decided to scrimp and save the best i could for the coming journey.
4. in the middle of everything, i took an EKG Monitor Tech class. (not a science buff, but i passed with flying colors.)
5. i decided to keep going even if the path seemed rocky with loops and detours.
6. so i finally applied to hillsong international leadership college in late july.
7. and when i got offered a place, i decided to take it.
8. then i decided to apply for a visa.
9. and amidst all the mixed emotions, on monday, i received their reply, and they granted me a pass to study in australia.
10. and today, i decide that whatever happens from here on out, fail or succeed... one thing i learned, is to keep my head up, and try, and try, and try, and try and try again.

we all have to make choices.
and i've decided, i don't want to be lame any longer.

it's a tough road, but i'm the only one who's gonna walk it.