Wrapping up September

This week has been eventful.  Adjustment is still a process, but getting better day by day.

Job:  I finally started working at curtin university ( http://www.curtin.edu.au/ ).  Curtin is a mainly government owned university found about half an hour away from the central business district (CBD) of Perth.  It is one of the 3 main colleges found in Perth.  Right now, I am hired as a "casual researcher" which means that I make my own hours.  I was told not to go above the 75 hours per 2 weeks, since that is the budgeted amount that is provided for me in this role; however, in October when I hopefully switch over to a full time role, I can work as much over time I want since they are not paying for it. So, this means no overtime right now, and later on, work enough to get the job done, but don't over do it.  (sigh)... I might have to go to WA (workaholic anonymous) meetings ;)  I think with the spare time I have, I may take up a cooking class, swimming class, or learn to ride a bike. 

On Thursday, I came in and got my id.  On Friday, I was given a key and a desk, got acquainted with the library, walked around campus a bit, and met with Professor Ian and the last member of the team.  I was brought up to speed with the expectations of the group on me, and basically was told that I'd be doing all the research and would be the backbone of the project.  So, during work hours I am learning about pumps (how they work and why they fail) and teaching myself courses in reliability.  During off hours, I am playing "catch-up" with several subjects since according to the Professor, he talks as if I just took the classes just yesterday. I am getting a computer in the upcoming weeks, so right now I am using my own laptop until it comes.  And office supplies, such as paper, pens and paperclips, are provided by Curtin (amazing concept - I use to buy all my supplies for teaching! )  I met my two office-mates.  One is a recent phd graduate who is teaching, but trying to move into industry.  The other has just started his PhD dealing with the mechanics and faults of a wind turbine.  Both seem to be really nice, and I have had lengthy conversations with each.  From them, I need to learn how to live frugally in the area.  I went to the cafeteria (they call it the "canteen" ) for lunch, and the food ranged from $4 up to $10 per dish, which I thought was like city prices, and quite expensive for a student.  So, bringing lunch to work is definitely on my agenda of things to do. 

I think I am going to enjoy the work.  I have been coming to school in a shirt and a tie, and find only a few others do that as well.  Most come in at least a business shirt with dockers, some in jeans, and then there is the occassional t-shirt and jeans person.  I think I'll stay with the shirt and tie.. it helps me to keep focus, even though this means that I would stick out from the "casual atmosphere" of the workplace.  The work is along the same lines as I did before, and the more I talk to Professor Ian and the others on the team, the more it seems as if the role was crafted for me, as if I just graduated yesterday.  :)

I'll send pictures in an email.  If you want them, and didn't get the 1st set, just email me and I'll put you on the list.

Church: Today would make my fourth time to All Nations Presbyterian Church, and I have to say that it has been an experience so far.  Each week that I come and listen to the sermon, it speaks to me.  Today's sermon we looked at Acts 2, with the ending question of "how should we act based on the gospel message?"
I have contemplated many times this week during my quiet time about this very question - how I can be used by God here in Perth, what does God want me to do....  these are sometimes one of those things that I wish God would just send a text message and say "Kris, your mission is.... " (in that mission impossible theme with the self destructing message an option).  But alas, it doesn't work that way.  So on bus rides to the city (an hour ride each way), and then on the way to Curtin from the city (half an hour from the city center each way), I do my bible reading and quiet time and pray and ponder over it. 

On Friday nights, the church has a "bible cafe", which is their version of a bible study.  I was told that initially the bible studies used to be in people's houses, but then it became irregular for some, so the pastor decided to start in house and maybe branch out later on.  I went last week, when they finished their series on "an introduction to christianity".  This week was quiz night, and the topics were "general knowledge".  Let me tell you, "general knowledge" for an Aussie is different than "general knowledge" for an American.  So, I didn't know almost 3/4 of the information, except for the science, a little of the music, and bits and pieces of everything else.  "Footy knowledge", australian history, and recent shows on australian tv are not common knowledge.  Despite my handicap, my eclectic team which consisted of 6 other people from all over Asia and a former Anglican minister, were able win the game.  The Anglican minister lived from the beginning of WWII, and was able to answer so much information!  His response to why he could was basically "I lived through it all!"  I wish I could say the same...  I lived through the 90s, but couldn't answer what was the #1 downloaded song in 1997.  Can you?

Winning Team

On Saturday night, I was invited to a moon -lantern festival dinner at someone's house from the church.  The host family made a wonderful Korean meal, and about 10 people attended.  Most of the time was spent getting to know people, and a lot of questions about the "newbie" in the group.  After talking about what NBT does back home in brooklyn (reaching the drug addict and alcohol addict for Jesus), there was a bit of quietness in the room; maybe it caused people to think how they respond to the gospel.  Soon after, we had a lantern contest, in which we were suppose to bring our own craft pieces and with those supplied, create a lantern that would be judged by the daughter of the host family (the daughter is like 2 years old).  Let me tell you, that night, my lantern was the worst of them all (no exaggeration).  I brought half a coconut shell with me, tried to build a wall around it of colored saran wrap / cellophane and pipe cleaners, but the glue didn't work well.  So I ended up putting it into a small strawberry plastic container, put some aluminum foil to catch the hot wax from the candle, and dressed up the sides with the colored saran wrap and 2 feathers. 



Then Judgement came... the mother (Lina) took her daughter to each candle, describing what each one looked like - fish, boat, submarine, camping lantern, kite, the tin man from the wizard of oz...  with each step, the girl looked kind of confused, and not impressed....and then they came up to mine last, and the Lina said "potatoe"... I said it was a "coconut" and the daughter got excited.  So I won...

Afterwards, we all walked around the block with our lanterns, while gazing up at the stars and the moon.  You can easily see the stars in Western Australia, and they are lovely. 
So, from all of this winning, I had taken home the spoils - a chocolate candy bar, a big bottle of juice, and a girlie address book (from friday night) and a children's globe that puts stars on the ceiling (from the lantern prize). 

Today I was invited to have lunch with the pastor of the church, his inlaws, and one other couple from the church.  It was really nice to get to know people over a meal, and am considering looking into helping to teach, since they are in need of teachers.  I'll pray on it some more.

Other things:
I found a huge christian bookstore close to Perth CBD, which has books so cheap, called Koorong.  It is about a half hour's walk from the CBD.  I walked around the store like a kid in a candy shop, but only bought books that were on half of the reduced price... it was a sale on sale items!  I think I should read the books I have already on my kindle first, before buying more books... and the books on my kindle can last me for quite a while.  I'm on a new book right now, from the series by Stephen Arterburn.  On the way back, I stopped by a shop to eat a kangaroo hot dog... not a fan.

I took another driving lesson from my uncle.  This time I took the car that was lent to me by Jayson (my cousin Mara's husband).  It is a 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer, faded red (looks pink), and a little tiny leak of oil... and it runs smoothly.  It is probably in much better shape than my first car I learned to drive in, so I would probably buy the car from him later on.  So, my uncle went with me to the industrial part near the house, and we did parking forward and backing into a parking lot spot, doing k turns, and driving reverse for half a block, and turning a corner in reverse.  Let me tell you, driving manual cars is an experience... I must have done the k turn like 10 times.  The car stalled multiple times, so at some point, my uncle said to take my time, just don't stall... and then at that moment, a truck was coming by and started honking, so he commented, "well, I guess you better hurry up.. but no stalling"  PRESSURE... In all, I did ok.  I need more practice.  I drove in reverse very well, though.. too well, according to my uncle.  After I did it the first time flawless, he said "that was a fluke!  do it again", and so I did again flawless, afterwhich he gave me a look, and the lesson was ended.  He has a good sense of humor, which helps when trying to learn.  I bought a Tom-Tom this weekend, in the hopes that soon I would be able to explore with the car.  The only thing I fear is stopping at red lights on steep hills, and rolling back when it turns green.

Clothes shopping...  I must say the average Australian guy must be about 3 inches taller than I am, since all the pants come in one length.  Which means, short guys like me have to get the pants hemmed or go around with the pants cuffed at the bottoms.  So, with jeans, I didn't bother getting them hemmed, but with the clothes for work, I had to get them hemmed.  You know when you do comparative shopping going to like 3 or 4 different stores to find the right sale and feel good about the savings?  I did that, found good slacks in Target for $20 so I bought 2... went to the tailor, who then charged $25 for each pair to be hemmed... and I thought, "man, there goes my savings!"  Western Australia should think about the short guy and sell shorter pants... or maybe they have, and are just taking advantage of our shortness!  hmm...

Oh, one last thing.. it has come to my attention that no one here, outside of my cousin Chad, uses a gps system.  This I find weird.  Everyone that has drove me home from church (which for some reason people insist on doing, which sometimes makes my paranoid NY sense kick in), always whips out a map book to figure out how to get to my aunt's place and then home.  I find this quite weird, and have inquired about it, with the only response of, "it's a WA thing".  ... I'm still sticking with the tomtom.

That's my eventful week.  If you read, post or email.  Hope to hear from  you soon.

Job and stuff so far

It is Saturday afternoon here, and the week has been somewhat eventful - driving, job, church, and thoughts.

Driving - my cousin and her husband had recently bought a new car, and thus had offered to me the use of their old car.  This is a great gift since cars are needed to get around in the Perth area, and thus by having a set of wheels to go around it, it is a blessing.  However, before I can use it, there are three small minor problems - I need practice driving on the other side of the road in a car where the steering wheel is on the other side of the car AND all my cousins' cars are manual, not automatic AND I don't have the keys.  So, this week, my uncle took me driving around in order to get used the rules of the road.  We went through a wildlife sanctuary (sorry... can't take pictures while I'm driving) then to a chocolate factory (if only I could send chocolate through the internet.. mmm) and then back.  One hour of driving, all of which I did well because I kept on telling myself "Hug the right, hug the right".  It seems that when I sit on the right side of the car and drive on the left side of the road, by hugging the right side of the road, I can stay in my lane.  However, at the end, I lapsed in my montra for a minute, and ended up out of my lane, but there was no oncoming traffic.  As for the fact that it is manual, I have had 1 1/2 lessons so far.  I have had 1 lesson that was about 2 hours long, and it was by a friend of the family here, in which manual driving was explained very thoroughly.  The 1/2 part comes from one cousin who gave up after 10 minutes of teaching, saying that I need to take lessons.  I think I just need 1 more lesson in manual driving, and a tom-tom, and I should be ok to go exploring.  :)

Job - This week has been a good job lead.  I had met with Assistant Professor Ian Howard of Curtin University, who has a post-doc position dealing with the diagnostics and prognostics of pumps.  In simple terms, this means that I would be basically applying what I learned during my PhD to pumps.  Now, I know what you are thinking - "That's great?! umm.. pumps!", which is what I was thinking as well initially.  However, I learned that the project comes from 2 water companies and 1 submarine companies that want to be able to tell if their pumps are failing from a far distance, instead of constantly monitoring them.  In the bigger scheme of things, since Australia is running out of fresh water sites to meet the needs of the people, there is actually a push in order to pump water in from the Pacific ocean to sites, where they would be desalinated, and then used by people for everyday use.  So, working on the project actually has bigger applications.  Hence, I am excited.   The problem right now is the funding.  The funds for the project come from a university in Queensland, and was obtained by a grant by 4 professors in Curtin.  However, as of right now, the funds have not been released, as so the Assistant Professor can't take me on full time with the anticipated funds.  So, tihs week I signed on as a "casual researcher", which basically means that I have to have a time sheet (I don't punch a card for time) to keep track of my hours.  And then hand in the time sheet to get paid.  This would go on til the end of the month, and then hopefully I would get on as a full time post-doc, but we would find out then what happens.  In the meantime, I figure that it is a start.  The second day I went in (Tuesday), the Prof Howard showed me around and introduced me to 2 other people on team, who I also found out where christians from the introduction.  I found this very interesting.  I was also told that I should not exceed the 75 hours per fortnight (37.5 hours per week) of work.  I asked why, and I was just told that everyone only does that, and thus do no more.  So, I guess I was warned about my "work-alohism"  The rest of the week (Wed through Friday) I tried to start brushing up on some topics that I would need once I get started, such as dynamics and system modeling.  So, I'm in the process of that.

Church - I think finding a church to settle into is one of the hardest things to find.  I am considering settling down to a church called All Nations Presbyterian Church for a few reasons.  The church is composed of people from many different nations - korea, china, japan, chile, spain, etc.  I was told that there is less than a handful of Australians, and maybe one couple (rumor has it) is from America.  So, if rumors are false, I am the only American in the bunch.  Last Sunday I went, and felt that the sermon was very applicable - it was about how to make godly decisions.  After service, many people actually came and talked to me - they had the welcoming ministry in full swing, where I was greated by about 10 people.  I was impressed.  One person called me on Friday to invite me to the bible study Friday night, which I attended.  The bible study was really nice - they served dinner first (it looked like a burrito, but the couple that made it is from Chile and called it pancakes), then a bible study on Revelations 21 & 22, followed by a discussion and fellowship.  Afterwards, since it was late at night, someone took my home.  On a side note, the person who took me home was very sarcastic, and it reminded me of my younger brother Richard.  I just had to smile.  I was impressed by the church's hospitality.  Out of the three churches that I was suggested, I think I would settle into this one because I would rather choose hymns + "meaty" sermons over great worship + fluffy sermons.  I kept on going back to Matthew 6:31 - 34, which says:

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

when praying about the matter, which helped me put things into perspective.

Thoughts -  So overall, things are looking up.  I did venture out to a town called Joondalup this week to go shopping, sat in a coffee shop one day for 3 hours studying (here it is "Gloria Jean's Coffee" and not starbucks or dunkin donuts), and walked to the local library that was "just around the corner".  On a side note, if an Aussie says "its down the block", that's anywhere from 10 min to 30 min walk.  And "just around the corner" is an hour walk.  And most shops here have the "no return policy" which is annoying at times. 

I did go to another Engineers Australia meeting this week, where they talked what it means to be a "chartered professional".  This basically means that an engineer is recognized by the country to be so compentent in his area of expertise, that he can sign off on governmental papers dealing with projects.  I listened to the guy talk about it, and the long road ahead of an engineer who wants to apply for it, and I was thankful that I heard about it now in the beginning of my engineering career so I know that I should keep a journal of what I do for later on and what I should look out for, rather than later, when it would be hard to plan for it.

I was pondering over the statement that the Curtin professor made once in passing, that the project that I am going to do took 2 years to get the funds for.  And then after he introduced me to 2 of the other 3 professors on the team and said they were christian, I started pondering over whether I am an answer to a prayer that they had about finding someone to fill this role.  And maybe they started praying around the time that I first visited Australia.  That would be amazing.  And due to long bus rides, I had time to ponder over the "coincident" timing in my job and academic career - how funding ran out in PhD work and a teaching job just so happened was placed on my advisor's lap that he offered me to do; the available position at my first school in a math dept in which religion was freely talked about; asked to work in a school as a science and math teacher at the point when I was going to leave teaching to help start a new school... how trying to hear God and desiring to follow Him opens up doors that I would never had walked through otherwise, and I can see His provision for me each step of the way.  My PhD advisor, C James Li, once told me that he used to only take candidates that had years of industry experience and none that came straight from undergraduate work into the PhD program.  However, he said that God told him to take a risk on me, and the feeling didn't leave him regardless of how many times he prayed about it.  He sometimes said I was the exception to his rule.  I'm amazed.

My aunt and uncle are constant sources of advice daily.  We meet around the dinner table almost daily, where they dispense business, career, and life advice, which so far has been very helpful.  I take it from the point of view that they were pioneers once, moving their family from the Philippines to Australia, similar to what I am doing, and hence, they advise me through a migrant's perspective.  My aunt has the nickname "dragon lady" by some, but all it is really is that she is a straight shooter, and tells it as it is.  When she tells stories, it means to listen up because there is something she wants me to remember and usually not repeat.  I have not yet had "the talks" or "the look" that she says, as well as some cousins, she gives when she is upset.  My uncle is a dreamer and a visionary.  He works with people around the globe trying out latest technologies in the ultimate vision of locating resources underground without disturbing the ground, and creating a city that is sustainable at the site of the resource, even after the resources are depleted with energy sources that are natural and long lasting.  I can't really get into details, since it would take up a long long time to explain.  Late nights, we chat about stuff in general, such as the other night - the end of the world as seen through several civilizations and the Bible.  It is quite fascinating to talk to him at times.  I think their main push at times is to go explore, try new things... if you fail, be sure you have a back up plan of how to bounce back then figure out what you learned from the failure and try again.  And if you don't explore and don't try, then basically you're just not doing life.

I miss you guys.  If you know of any website to post huge amounts of pictures, I'll post the pictures I have with comments, if possible.  Otherwise, I'll send out an email again soon with new pictures of places.  Write back if you can...

5 things I miss from NY, 5 things I'm excited about in Oz

5 things I miss from NY
1.  Hanging out with family and close friends on friday nights and weekends.
2. Teaching
3. 24/7 public transportation
4. Convenience of local shops just a walk away
5. Junkfood that doesn't cost soo much.

5 things that I'm excited about in Oz
1. Starting over - the wonder in all of it.
2. Learning about and interacting with family here.
3.  Different culture, different people, different places - exploring
4. Ability to save instead of just making ends meat.
5. Trying out engineering and seeing what happens.

First Month in Review (August 2010)

It has been a little over one full month since I have been in Oz. It has been a learning experience more than anything else, and there is nothing that grows faith and encourages prayer than being out of one's comfort zone. There have been many things to get adjusted to: the language, new family members, looking for a job in a foreign market, solitude, new surroundings, and the sense of not knowing many things in general.


My uncle Nap here says that I should make a journal as to what happens, so that I can pass it on to my kids someday because by then, when telling stories, I would forget. So, as a result of that suggestion and a bunch of friends asking what has happened so far, I've decided to keep this online journal. I'll post as often as I can, when things develop, to keep an on-running log of things. So, here it goes...

This trip has been 2 years in the making... exactly two years. I first visited my family here summer 2008 (summer in NYC), and have now migrated in summer 2010 (which is winter in Oz). And in the process of applying for migration, there have been times of doubt and concern. If you had asked me about migrating before 2 years ago, I would have definitely said no. However, due to changing family situations, I had prayed and decided that I needed to move so that I can possibly sponsor my mom to come over and have her retire with her sister (my auntie Jett) here. Getting the permanent residence visa was a result of things falling in place that I can only say are a result of God's hand and His timing. Things such as getting little time to hand in medical forms to the Australian government and finding only one doctor that was sanctioned by the Australian government that fit in my schedule, and the blood work came in quicker than usual and it was sent to the visa people just in time. Another thing that stands out is that my profession was not on the list of occupations that are needed now in Australia so that would mean that the visa could be given as late as 2012, if at all - however, after I applied, my profession (secondary school teacher) made the list. So, that meant my visa got bumped to the 15 month list for a visa. And each step of the way I prayed that if this isn't God's plan, for Him to stop it... but I'm here right now.

On the plane ride here, I was fortunate to sit in the aisle. There was this asian lady that sat in an aisle seat on the opposite side of the aisle that caught my attention. She had her computer on when everyone was sleeping, and I could see her screen, which talked about christian discipleship in churches. I had the urge to talk to her (I don't know why). She looked old, and the guy next to her had a young looking (baby face), so I thought that she was his mom. (On a side note, I think that there are some chinese people that just look old, even though they are young. When growing up, there was this group of chinese people that used to get on the subway at 59th st from chinatown, and they were... old looking. They looked nothing like any chinese friends I knew, so I thought that when all chinese people grew old, they looked like that, until I actually had a friend that is my age, and looks like the "old" chinese people.... but still, I think they look old.) So, in any case, I couldn't shake off the urge to talk to her, so I prayed "God, if this feeling is from you, and you knowing the great spiritual guy that I am, then set up a situation in which to talk to this lady because I am in way just going to get up out of my seat to approach her now. And if it isn't, make this feeling go away." Yup, very spiritual, aren't I? I think I am like Gideon many times. So, knowing that God answers prayer, the feeling didn't go away, but a fog happened to surround Brisbane and we had to make an "unexpected" fueling stop at a small island of Noumea. Let me just say, I have no clue where Noumea is, never heard of the place before, and all I know right now, it exists somewhere off the east coast of Oz. So, as a result, I went up to the lady, explained how I saw her putting together a powerpoint presentation, and asked her about it. She mentioned that her husband was a pastor. Soon her husband (not her son - remember the perception of the old before?) came over and we started chatting. He is a pastor preaching in a chinese church in Michigan, but grew up and went to seminary in Perth. He gave me a list of 3 churches to check out in Perth, and told me that I may want to consider going to seminary for christian education.

When I first got here, I was very hopeful that a job would be landed within the first week or so. I must admit that I thought I would have a job before 30 days were up. And now, it is over 30 days, and I'm still waiting. I had thought that with good credentials coming from the US, that I could easily get at least an entry level position in some company. However, I was greatly mistaken. The first week I was here, I got a driver's license, tax file number (so that I can get a job), bank account, signed up for a job bank with "centrelink" (which is the government agency that helps the unemployed), signed up for Engineers Australia (the organization for engineers), revised my resume to fit the "Australian way" and to emphasize the engineering over the teaching, and went to 2 socials given by Engineers Australia. At the end of the week, I was very hopeful... any day now. I was told by multiple people that it is more of who you know, who remembers your face, then how much you know, so I went to 2 social events to meet engineers. I figured, if I want to be hired by an engineering company, then I have to go to where the engineers are. Between the two events, I got about 5 contacts... so it sounded hopeful. Oh, and transportation... the bus that goes to town (which takes about 50 minutes) stops on the corner which is about a 3 min walk away. A one way ticket is $3.10, and there is no all day pass or monthly pass like NYC, so when I get to the city, I try to walk around or take free rides on the CAT (Central Area Transport - 1 of 3 buses that are free that go around the city). Being frugal is the key word...

(Quick side story... on the Engineers Australia website, it describes a very complicated way of getting membership, which involves getting a member to check your background and to see if it matches the standards set by the organization. So, since it sounded hard, I decided not to apply. However, I had heard of the two social events and wanted to go which meant I had to sign up in peson. So I show up at the office and ask to sign up, and the lady there said I need to be a member, and noticed my accent was different. So we talked for about half an hour, afterwhich she gave me a form to fill out and told me to take out a resume. When I was done, she called a member from the back room for verification, she asked him to sign, he asked me then her if everything is true... I said yes, and then he signed off on it. And so, I became a member of Engineers Australia. I was amazed, and thanked God for taking away the stumbling block.)

At the end of the first week, I visited All Nations Presbyterian church in the city, which is one of the three churches that was given to me by the pastor on the plane. It is a small (50 people) church, very small singles ministry (sometimes I feel as if some married people look at singles like the plague and stay away from them, so single sometimes means being ... well.. alone & lonely). Great preaching, singing hymns and an elder came up to me right after service, introduced himself, struck up small talk & asked me about my profession then introduced me to 2 teachers and an engineer. I was impressed - that was good hospitality. However, their followup was non-existent.

Second week came and went, and I was hopefully applying for jobs. I went to Seek.com, looked up any job for mechanical engineering, and applied to all graduate level jobs, anything that sounded interesting, and anything that said it required less than 3 or 5 years experience. At the end of the week, I was still hopeful, but hope leeks. I had talked to friends back home on line over skype, and talking to them helped keep my spirits up. I cried once after talking to one due to homesickness, but not since. I stayed inside mainly at my aunt's house every day. I wanted to maximize my time job hunting, minimize cost, and minimize time doing other things. It is cold in my aunt's house. When I sit still, I feel like I am need like 3 layers of clothes on to keep warm. I didn't want to put on the heater, which is found in the living room (I'm in the study and no, i can't just move the heater) because I don't want to be a large burden on my aunt. At night time, my room gets cold.. it was around 50 degrees, but it felt like high 30s. I caught a cold, and sprained my ankle along the way. I understand the cold, but don't know how I sprained my ankle.

Second week, I went to the second church on the list from the pastor from the plane - Riverview. This place is huge - about 2000 people packed the service. The worship is written by them and was good. However, the unpacking of the sermon was err.. light. Not very impressive.

Third week came and went, and it was similar to the second week. I got an interview with a company called Rapallo. This didn't come from filling out forms on line, but instead from a contact that I had met at one of the social gatherings at the beginning of the month from Engineers Australia. The interview went well, and my hope got a little boost. I thought that they would call soon... but soon is such a long time.

I try to spend as much time on weekends as possible with my cousins, and so if they ask me to hang out, I'm there. I went through a 12 km walk with one, Mara. It went through a majority of Perth. It was an easy walk - about 6 miles. I was told that if I am going to do it next year with her, I would have to complain more, since I didn't complain at all about the length of the walk.

Fourth week came by this time no one shows up on Skype anymore and hope started to fade more.... People I would see and chat with once in a while during the first two weeks no longer showed except for one person. This week was the hardest... I finally felt I was alone. I started going to the library at the suggestion of my aunt, who said that staying inside was not good for me. However, I could not shake the feeling of being lonely and alone. Thoughts of "if I missed my chance at love" started to come in; thoughts of "did I make a mistake" and "should I go back? there is still time!" started to linger. Even though I had seen cousins on weekends (some more than others), and they tried to encourage me, and I would see my aunt at night for conversations over dinner, during the day, I was alone... no one I knew was around. Stranger in a strange city, and it finally hit. I emailed a pastor friend of mine from upstate, and he told me to listen to a song called "Table for two" by Caedmon's Call. If you haven't heard of this song, check it out at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcQE2FvhhKc

It's a song about a guy who goes through the same thing I was feeling... and what I found comfort in is the part that says:

Because I'm so scared of being alone that I forget what house I live in
But it's not my job to wait by the phone
For her to call
Well this day's been crazy, but everything's happened on schedule
From the rain and the cold to the drink that I spilled on my shirt
'Cause You knew how You'd save me before I fell dead in the garden
And You knew this day long before You made me out of dirt
And You know the plans that You have for me
And You can't plan the end and not plan the means
And so I suppose I just need some peace
Just to get me to sleep

which reminded me of Jeremiah 23:11 - 13 and Isaiah 40:27 - 31 (Msg). So now, at times, when I pray, I end it with "but You, Father, knew that this day would come, and you brought me here. And you don't plan the ends without the means... so I will trust in You." It got me through the slump.

Last week in August. One of my cousins invited me to go with him and his family to a dinner in Sydney (east coast... I'm on the west coast) and to look for jobs there. I agreed, and we left on Friday. Before that, I was job hunting, and I emailed a professor in Curtin university, a local technological university, that I have been in contact for the past 2 years and have been visiting everytime I come. I asked if he knew of any companies hiring, and he responded with asking me to come in for an interview for a postdoc position at Curtin under his and 3 other professors' guidance. He asked me to come in to talk to him, and to bring a resume. So I did... he said he was looking for a postdoc (a person who recently finished his phd) who had a series of skills (which I mainly had due to the nature of my phd, but need to brush up on). He had a series of phds apply for the job, and so I was surprised when he asked me about it since I didn't know about it nor applied for it. After half an hour with him, he sent me to his colleague, who had an old copy of my resume. I talked for him for a while, about stuff in general, and then he pulled out an old copy of my resume where I wrote down I was the Leader of the Educational Ministry at NBT. He inquired about it, and I was a bit hesitant to answer. But then he told me that him and Ian were christians, and that is why he inquired about my role and how much responsibility I had. So we talked about it. Afterwards I voiced my concerns to him, and then to Ian. Today, I called up Ian, and he said that it is 95% certain that I can come on board, however, he needs one more signature + he is waiting for the people in another university to finish signing some papers. So hopefully, sometime next week. I have conferred with my aunt on this, being my concern is that I will be seen as an academic, when I want to go into industry. She said that my problem is that I have no Australian experience, and if the university takes me, then I will have some Australian experience, and it would look like I just graduated... so as if the last 7 years that currently hinder me from getting a job would be wiped away. I hope it works out.

I went to Sydney for 5 days with another cousin (Tan-tan), his spouse and daughter, and 2 employees of theirs. They went to a conference on beauty products, since my cousin and his wife owns a hair salon. I must say, I was totally out of my element for the entire trip - knowing nothing about beauty products and such, and the others were mainly talking amongst themselves the entire trip. It is lonelier to be in a crowd of people you somewhat know and feel ignored than to be alone.  It's not their fault, really... just not much to connect on plus it was business for them most of the time.  I went to the fancy dinner on a Sat night that they invited me to. Afterwards, they took me to a night club. I went, and there was loud music, a dance floor so packed that really no one was dancing, but most people were drinking up a storm near the bars. After an hour, I left with my cousin and his wife, and left his daughter and the 2 employees there. I was relieved that that was it for the club scene. For the last 3 days of the trip, I walked around Sydney by myself, absorbing the sites. I went to Hillsong on Sunday (I got pics), Sydney opera house, Sydney harbor, the rocks, chinatown, chinese garden, the piers, the science and design museum and wandered around town. I ate most meals on my own, and spent about 2 hours per night reading and talking to God. We left on Friday morning, came back Tuesday night. I did get a haircut and have it a bit styled (check out my facebook pic or I can send it to you) and I am considering getting contacts at some point (but the whole putting my finger to my eyeball is hard). And my cousin's daughter and I spoke for a while, as she tried to explain to me the importance of style in clothing, which I thought was useful. I also had a talk with my cousin and his wife, and their daughter (separate conversation) where they tried to convince me that the reason why I am single is two reasons - style of clothing & hair, and that I have too many items on my list that I am looking for in a person. Mind you, I went down the list and got to #2, and they had issues. I started with female and christian. They tried to convince me that I was going about it wrong, that people convert for spouses here and so it shouldn't be on the list, etc... 2 hours of this for each conversation. I tried to defend my reasoning, but they weren't listening. At least for the second one, with the daughter, she flipped it a bit and asked would I try another venue and go on a date, on which to eventually ask about the person's faith - like going social dancing, asking someone out there, and then asking on the date about it. I agreed to it, since it doesn't sound bad. I felt at times it was "let's attack Kris' dating life now so we can marry him off soon" weekend... it was hard.  I know they mean well, but it was still hard.

And so, this brings us to the present.  Came back from the Sydney trip on Tuesday.  Called up Rapallo a few times, and left a message, but no response.  I have a 2nd interview with the Curtin professor on Monday to discuss the whole project.  My cousins and my aunt say that this would be a good starting point - it would look like the university backs up my credentials plus giving me my first job here.  The hardest part about getting a job here is that they value Australian experience over credentials, but how does a foreigner gain experience in a job market that requires it from its applicants? Catch 22 - you need to have it to get it.  If I get the job, I want to live simply and saving a lot, since I am living as a single. 

I have lost a few pounds since I've been here - been watching portions of food, exercising a bit, and cut out most junkfood. And the kindle gets used everyday now - almost done with "Dug Down Deep" by joshua Harris and I am starting Solo all over again since it is also on the Kindle.

Chad, another cousin, just had his first baby.  Her name is Jorja (like Georgia).  Cutest asian baby with blue eyes.  Just saw her today in the hospital.

So that is basically it.  I'll write more as the story unfolds.  God is good all the time.  Pray for me, if the Spirit moves you to.