We laugh Indoors

Time for a weekly update. I'm pretty content with myself if I post in this every week. A new goal of mine.

My life just got a whole lot busier. I went to my first day on the job today. It was a good experience; not the most interesting, but I'd never worked in an office situation before. And this place is huge! I think around 500 people are in the building. My company Thomson (www.thomson.com.au) occupies the top three floors of a red-brick, warehouse-looking building. I feel very important there, mostly because I get a photo-ID card. I'm totally sweet. Today I didn't do anything but look through files and update different sheets. Not sure if things will get better, but I think I get my own computer/desk. Sweet business.

The last week of classes was fairly low key. We received news of an assignment due within two weeks of the class. My Russian friend, Ilya, was all panicky. I on the other hand, remained my cool, collected self. As usual. But we have to Chinese students in our group, so I'll get a better sense of what working with them can be like (I'm sure a real pleasure.

Over the weekend I went to another Sydney FC game. And as usual, it was awesome. They conceded first, but then scored twice. Unfortunately, Adelaide managed to equalize right after. But the second goal was surreal. I was in the Cove (Sydney FC supporters section) and when striker Alex Brosque scored off a brilliant through ball from Juninho, I was showered with beer. I had never experienced anything like that. For a second or two, it was raining beer. My friend Eamonn, holding two schooners of his own, looked around, thought about it, and decided to hang onto his. No one else seemed keen too. As a result, my hair and arms were a sticky mess, not to mention the shirt on my back. It reminded me of the week before, when I walked home and got soaked in the pouring rain. But no worries. The match ended a 2-2 draw. But nevertheless good fun.

The next event of note occurred last night. Arsenal was playing at 10:30, and like a loyal supporter-wannabe that I am, I headed over to the Marly to catch as much of the game as I could. Unfortunately, about 20 minutes into it, the bar starts to crowd with a very gothic-looking crowd. But their all girls. I look up from my table, slightly confused. My confusion changed to discomfort. Then, after the over head music was cut out, delirium ensued. This group of girls (when I say girls, I mean women in their mid-20s that aren't well... you know) has a guitar. They start singing songs. And when I say singing, I mean screaming at the top of their lungs while I try and watch Clichy set up Fabregas for a goal. Or something like that. I think Summer of '69 was my favorite cover they did. I wish I could make up stuff like that, or that anyone reading this could have been with me to laugh at the situation. Completely and utterly ridiculous. But that is what I signed up for; I never in a million years would have been in a situation like that in Harrisonburg. Being pushed and challenged by so many different kinds of people will grow me and make me a stronger person, capable of loving whomever God choses to put in my path. And that is good. Cheers.