one journey ends, but that only means a new one is beginning

Hello everybody,

Alright so my journey to Australia and back is essentially over, I’m in Singapore right now, the night before I fly home, sitting in my hotel relaxing and listening to some Hillsong and Leeland. Here is the recap of the last few days

So on August 2nd I had my last full day to enjoy Sydney. In the morning I went to paddy’s markets, and above, cool. After that I walked to circular Quay and got a starbucks. I was tired of walking, but wanted to make use of my last day. I walked into the rocks (not actual rocks) and explored the first settlement of Sydney. Checked out the bridge, the markets in the rocks, and walked back to the opera house. I walked along the edge of the harbour/bay along the parks for quite a while. After getting some nice pics, I relaxed on a bench in the botanic gardens. After that I walked through the dominion (and the art gallery) and Hyde park. Did some internet, had to pull some cash out to pay for dinner. Ok quick rant, Aus is so annoying with places not accepting credit/debit, even central station, you have to spend $21 to use credit! Heck what the!? This happened in many places, but it was really annoying this weekend cuz I didn’t have anymore cash, just planned on using credit, so I ended up pulling out money a few times in the few days, probably paying sick fees on my debit. Ok so I went to the rugby game at Olympic park in ANZ stadium between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the New Zealand Warriors. It was a really good game, I enjoyed it, only 9400 fans though. Anyways afterwards I caught up on some internet.

On Aug 3rd I woke up and checked out, planning to get to HIllsong church, and possibly Bondi beach if I could. Going to Hillsong would be way cool. I took the train to Paramatta station to catch a bus to the church. the website said where the bus would be and what time it left, I didn’t realize how many platforms are at Paramatta, and the website didnt say a bus number and I couldn’t find where it said the bus would leave from. I looked for a like a half hour (I purposely got there a bit early), but I couldn’t find it. Sigh. So I didn’t get to hillsong church, but I did see it from the outside a month earlier, so no biggie. I got to Bondi beach and spent a little time there (and paid way too much for ordinary fish and chips). Bondi was a beautiful beach, and it was pretty busy, it was a sunny, hot day. I went back to Central and had to use cash once again to buy a ticket to Bowral. I took the bus to Bowral, and I missed dinner so I went to subway, of course I had to go to the atm again cuz Subway is behind the times. Stacia, Colton and Julie picked me up. We caught up and rented some movies while in Bowral. Got back to the school and saw my other friends from Capers (the ones there for a second semester) Mark, Barb, Kim, Sam, Carla, Jenn and Grahame. It was so good to see all of them again. And I met the new first sems (the ones my age anyways) Jessica, Marina and Angel. We had snac, then I talked to Jessica for a bit, then we played the invisible ball game. It was wierd being there and everyone played the one game. Later I spent some good time with Marky and Colton and stayed up late.

On Monday the 4th I went to brekkie, then went to classes (2nd Timothy) with Dave, it was good. Before lunch I did some laundry and repacked my bags, that was an adventure haha. Then I went to lunch at the Moss Vale services club with Jessica, Stacia, Colton, Jenn and Debbie (and her 2 kids). Afterwards the 5 of us students (not Debbie) went to Bowral and did a little shopping. After we got back the 2nd sems had a breakthru meeting. I hung out with Jessica and we went for a walk before dinner. After the evening lecture (my last at capers!) I watched a movie with Jessica, Kim, Marky, Jenn, Stacia and Colton.
We played some uno afterwards, then I hung out with Colton and Mark and finalized my packing.

On Tuesday after devos it was quiet day so I said bye to everybody (sad, goodbyes suck) and Niel drove me to the train station. I took the train to the airport, talked to my mom and my dad and got on an 8 hour flight to Singapore. Lots of time to think on that flight. Also I watched a movie called “Son of Rambow” and it was really good, I was impressed. I got to Singapore and took a taxi to my hotel. It was hot, 28 degrees and humid, at 11pm! Wow. Then my hotel was really nice, I had a room on the 13th level and it is pretty central. Thanks so much to my mom and stepdad for organizing that for me.

On Wednesday I got up and after meeting with a guy named Ron from Nexen Singapore for coffee, I explored Singapore. I got on a hop-on hop-off bus and stopped a few times and walked around the river. Then I went to botanic gardens and chilled there, having a great quiet/prayer time for an hour in the sun and heat. I was sweating all day. Then I took the bus to Orchard street and explored the big street and all the shops etc along the way. I walked back to my hotel, then to the bay and explored that area. Had a disappointing meal at burger king (shouldn’t be surprised) then went back to my hotel room and did some internet, which brings me up to now. I leave tomorrow for Canada. Crazy, its over. But thats just one journey in my life that has come to an end. The next few years should be interesting, and I imagine I will have even more great experiences and joys and difficulties in the time to come. As long as the changes in me over the last 6 months (whatever those are I’m not exactly sure, but I think they were good) don’t disappear, as long as I keep progressing and growing in my relationship with God, and knowing who I am, and all that sort of stuff, I’m looking forward to it, while remembering all the things that have happened since I last stepped foot in Calgary.

Picture count =5470. Well that’s how many I got. That number may shrink by a hundred or two after I edit a little. Heaps of pictures, heaps upon heaps.

Well I spent my money, I saw beautiful places, I met wonderful, awesome, uplifting, challenging, joyous, loving, caring, interesting people. I learnt things, I saw new perspectives on things, I was challenged, I made new friendships, I discovered a bit more about who I am, I grew in ways I can’t put into words, I overcame, I served, I worshipped, I photographed, I ventured out on my own and I had unforgettable experiences...with God at my side.

Boom

Thanks for reading.

From the closest capital city to the equator on earth, Singapore,

Adam