Reflections from Maitland Alive 2008

So.. I'm back. 9 days of mission seem to have flown by in a second, and I'm missing it.

I was surprised when the week had come upon me. In some ways, it only felt like MA '07 had only just finished and I was starting MA '08. But remembering the difficulties, challenges and hardships I had to go through to get through the year, made it feel like eternity.

I was glad to be back on team, though certainly anxious for section leading for the first time. I didn't know what it looked like during the mission week, what were my exact roles throughout the week and really.. what to expect.

The first 2-3days were absolute exhausters. We rarely stopped and had lots to do as we prepared for the 5days of program. We did letter box drops, door-knocking and walk-up evangelism in >30degree heat.

Then Monday came, and the kids came. I admit I felt a little disappointed seeing the small turn-out (<50%>

My KHAOS team became closer as we spent more and more time with each other during the afternoons/ nights, serving each other when someone needed help. I watched over them fondly as I worked alongside them. I could not have asked for a better team. God really answered my prayers and I was so thankful for it. Everyone stepped up and served lovingly, no one slacked off - rather kept an eye out for things that needed to be done and taking on each other's burdens.

Before I knew it, Friday afternoon arrived. The KHAOS leaders finished off the program singing and dancing together and purely enjoying each other's company, celebrating a successful mission week, even though it wasn't in a way we had expected. We got through with few bumps on the road and we committed everything to God in prayer, all of which were answered.

A big highlight was having the opportunity to have daily showers at the Teasdales household. Last year, I had gone to their home for dinner during Cook's Night Off and really enjoyed spending time getting to know parents Lindsay and Nicole, and kids - Victoria and Christopher.

So this year was great going to their house to shower every night, and as I waited for everyone else to have showers - spending time talking to the family, seeing how their year has been and how church was going for them. I absolutely adore this family and loved having those opportunities to catch up with them.

Some events during MA '08:

~ KHAOS Social - On Wednesday afternoon, both KHAOS and Mini's have their separate socials, held for the kids. Many games were played, including throwing Cheezels on leaders covered in shaving cream (then smearing Boon when we were done), Eat Dry Weetbix competition (funny because one of the boys taking on the challenge didnt have any front teeth and struggled to keep the Weetbix in his mouth), and WaterBomb Captain Ball - then "attack-your-leaders-with-the-remaining-water-bombs!" (excellent way for the leaders to cool off, and for the kids to have fun at the same time!)

~ Minis vs KHAOS Water Fight - tradition starting from last year continued into this year. KHAOS initiated a water fight with the Minimites leaders. Lots of water wasted - dozens of bucketfuls to be honest. With noone spared. Everyone came out dripping wet.

~ Team Arvo/ Night Off at Zone Empire - usually we head off to Newcastle to spend the arvo next to the beach, but since it was absolutely bucketing down, we went to play Laser Tag! Fun time. Very hot. Very sweaty. Constantly swapped laser packs (as we had many 10min rounds).. not so nice coz guys sweat alot.

~ Night with High School Musical - Friday night. Almost a congratulatory night. 1/2 the team braided friendship bracelets, the other 1/2 watched High School Musical. Given a 1.30am lights out (much better than the 11pm lights out for every other night)

~ Saturday Pool Party - the weather let up for the few hours we were at the pool, started again just as we left. Water was freezing cold though. Did alot to get warm.

Overall thoughts:

I love Maitland Alive. I know that not everyone had the best/ most challenging time (though there is always more you can do to challenge yourself.. it's up to you to take those opportunities), but it was a successful mission. As I said before - God is doing great and wonderful things in Maitland, and I feel really privileged to be part of it.

I can't wait to go back next year, as I learn from the lessons that were taught to me over the 9days. There is much to improve on, and now I have a goal to work towards as a section leader.

Utter Tirednessnessness

Sigh. Yes. It's been one of those weeks. I'm tired. (Nothings new I guess)

Been opening shop since Wednesday. Gotta love the 6.12am wake-ups. (Yes, I value every minute of my sleeps!) with a 7am open.

Should probably sleep earlier. On Wed night, I got 4-5hrs sleep before going to work.

Last night, I got around 6hrs.

Why you ask? Coz I'm a party animal (I have decided =P) I like to be where the people are, and don't miss a chance to see my friends.

So what has been on exactly??

Wednesday night: KHAOS (and Minis) Craft Night.

Spent the night tracing heart shapes and cutting them out. Totaled 74 hearts. Hand/ fingers hurt from holding those scissors!! Many people were there. So it got pretty rowdy. I mean - just putting Dan and Euge together makes it rowdy enough. Add Alex and some REALLY old school music (good stuff though), and it's a disaster! 

We left church pretty late (11pm), and decided to go for a late "coffee". Joyce - also being a "party animal" decided to come along as well - despite having work the next day (like me. Though she's well and truly into the machine, so it's a tad more important!)

Deciding that Insomnia would be closed - we headed to the one and only place nearby that we knew would be open. Thornleigh Maccas.

Stayed till 12.15, with several incidences with roaches which got a tad too comfortable being around humans (Euge playing his usual let's-scare-cler game and freaking me out.) Also saw a few high school/ primary friends there! Was good seeing them! Hadn't seem them since last day of school - with the exception of FB ofcourse.

Got to bed at 1.15am

Thursday:

After a long day of work (average number of hours, but adding in the tiredness factor - and head office man/ compliance coming in to inspect our store.. this was a stressful shift.

Rushed off to Wynyard and met Cathy to catch the train. Then Doreen at Central.

Found our way to The Dome to watch Gladiators. Waited for a while for others to come and to get in. Gotta say - watching it shattered my "love" for it. So much waiting around. And they say the lamest and cheesiest lines. Makes me want to cry hearing them.

Though I did enjoy when Glady, Dozz, Dan and I went out for a early dinner.. at Subway. Had fun chatting and being silly, then went back in to watch  the final round. The Pyramid. Wanted to cry again hearing those cheesy lines again.

We then headed to Flemo for dinner at Ta Fong. That was yet another joyful time of chatting and much laughter - with name changing across the tables.

e.g. Glaby, Boreen (or Dobeen), Baniel, Caboline, Roberb.

After much discussion - drove to Dolce Latte Gelato & Pizza on Majors Bay Road for gelato, where Glaby, Dan and I shared 3 scoops of: Mars Bar, Panacotta, Hazelnut gelato. Good stuff.

Dan then drove Dozz, Cath, me and Glaby home (in those respective orders).

Bed by 12.30am

Friday:

Opened. Then shopped for several hours at Chatty. Came home and procrastinated from packing.

Tomorrow:

MAITLAND BEGINS!!!! We head off at jolly 7.20am. Goodness gracious. I'm excited!!!!!!! Wooooott!!!!

My First Post

Welcome to Cler's World!

Post # 1!

It's kind of the start of the Year of 2008.

Much has happened since the start of the year. Let me begin from the last day of 2007:

31/12/2007

I worked a shift from 11am-3pm at the "new store" (my first shift at Subway Chatswood East - and so deserting Subway Crows Nest). Still jet-lagged and mentally exhausted, I struggled to pull through the shift.

Came home and prepared for friends to come. Helped mum cook etc.

Dan arrived around 7. We were bored. He chewed on my Travel Pictionary box. Literally. I had to chuck it out.

Everyone else arrived at 8.30pm. 2hrs late for a dinner party. Was not impressed. Neither were my parents.

Struggled throughout the night to stay awake/ sane. I have particularly loud friends.

Now the New Year starts:

01/01/2008

We watched Zoolander to welcome the new year. People left around 2 and after lots of changes in decisions and travelling - Euge, Dan Yeo and I ended up at Fresh Water Beach at 4am. Was still dark.

Watched the sun rise as we stood by the waters edge/ in the water with a bunch of others. Got to see some girls I hadn't seen in ages (e.g. Lisa).

Energy ran out pretty quick and I was quite ready for bed by 7am. Hadn't slept for a while. So we came back to mine and slept the day away.

Got out of bed officially at 3.30pm - kept getting out to make sure the boys were ok.

Had a early dinner down at Chatswood. I've never seen it so deserted in my life. It was almost scary.

Vacuumed the house (lots of sand everywhere) and after playing MarioKart and Pokemon Stadium until 9.30pm, the boys left and I went to bed soon after, coz I was opening the store for the first time the next day.

Pretty much have just worked until now.

But let's rewind a few days to Friday 04/01/2008

Tash's Bday Gathering

Worked the opening shift. Got ready when I got home and left for Tash's at 7.15pm.

Was a fun, relaxing night of chatting and games. Played several rounds of Take2 (with additional themes and stories. Made me laugh till I cried once). As well as Mafia at the end of the night. Quite enjoyable I must say =)

Stayed over at Gracie's.

Saturday 05/01/2008. 

Maitland Alive Training Day #2

Woke early to get to church at 9.40am. Had a full day of training. Mentally exhausting.

Dozz and Glady organised to go to the Sydney Festival that night.

But before that - Elly's 21st. Chatted most of the time away (from 4.30-7.20pm).

Couldn't decide for ages whether to go to the city or not. (Weather couldn't make up it's mind). But after convincing Euge to come out earlier that he had planned - we went. Left the car at Artarmon station and trained in. 

Dozz, Glady and Clare met us at Wynyard and we wandered around Martin Pl. Met one of Euge's friends, then we headed to the Marble Bar to listen to a RnB band that Dozz wanted to hear.

Must say - Marble Bar was very impressive. Good mood setting. Pretty good music. I mean - who sings Stevie Wonder these days? Got to dance - first time in a long time.

Poor Dozz and Glady were stalked by this little asian man who was probably old enough to be our dad. I was asked to dance by this mid-late 20's year old leb guy. He was nice - thanks, but no thanks. Euge impressed this middle-aged aussie blonde woman by doing some fancy foot-work. She even gave him a hug and a kiss. LOL.

We ended the night (after Dozz left), the rest of us piled into Dan's car at Milsons Point and drove to Lane Cove's SpaceStation for 2am Macca's.

I was then dropped to my car and finally to bed.

Sunday 06/01/2008

Church. Early morning start coz I was playing for church. Was a struggle getting out of bed. Always is these days.

Went to Eastwood for Jap lunch. Then to Julz' place to swim - 'cept Alex and I didn't swim due to late notice, and so didn't bring swimmers. So we chatted until 4.10pm - when we left and I came home.

Another late night.

Monday 07/01/2008

I opened store. Not a bad shift. Never is now-a-days in Chatswood East. Though Raj is telling me to be bossy, like I usually am in Crows Nest. I just don't feel the need to be bossy. People listen to me - so I'm happy.

Mum picked up my camera from my uncle's house today. Yay! I now officially have my own camera! Little Canon Ixus 75. Silver and black.  7.1 megapixels. Oh baby. What to name it?