Hello, I just posted everythingthat i have written up so far. Internet is difficult.
Had such an Amazing weekend! I'll briefly tell you because I need sleep soon!
Friday evening had dinner on the beach then went to see a really western australian film at the cinema. Was so nice to so somewhere with air con! It was about 35 degrees on Friday, but only about 30 today... sound hot but after these last few days it is much cooler!
Saturday managed to meet up with the other interns from england- Emily and Brian. We went to investigate Perth centre. We went down to the bell tower at the river and visitied Kings Park! such a beautiful place! Sat evening went to a youth group in this really awesome church, like soul survivor watford. Massive stages, really nice cafe. Hopefully going there next sunday morning.
Me and Eleanor the host i am staying with went to St Peters Chruch this morning. Was really nice, the youth are a bit younger than me and there is a big age gap between them and the adults. I think there is a cafe church where people my ages goes to next sunday.
Went for a really lovely walk along Hillarys Boat Harbour this avo. With Eleanor and Brian.
This week is quite busy. Tomorrow and tuesday I am going on the Scripture Union Western Australia Satff Conference (about an hour north of Wanneroo) where i am now. That will be team building- games and stuff. Then Wednesday I am moving into a new house not as far away from everything as the one i am in now. Thursday I will be in the office preparing for the school clubs starting soon because the kids go back to school tomorrow after thier summer holiday. Friday and Saturday I have swimming training and lifeguard training at Hillarys Boat Harbour. Cannot wait for that, but we need to be able to swim 400 metres in 15 mins to pass the bronze.
Then Week after that I have start the Warriuka training- for like white water rafting canoeing etc. Which again, i cannot wait for! so so good. and really enjoying myself =)
Hope everyhthing is well in Cambridge/ England
Sleep now !!
Sunday, 31 January 2010
First day
Kent said not to worry too much about what time to make it in to the office because I had had a long day and need to get as much sleep as possible.
The buses in Waneroo are not as frequent as the C7 (cambridge bus) unfortunately. They are about every half hour at peak times. Then every hour during the day. So I got the bus about 11. It is quite a walk from the stop to the office, I started to walk but Amber pulled up on the ʻsidewalkʼ and picked me up which I was grateful for because it was so so hot!
Eleanor said it was 35 degrees today, which apparently isnʼt that hot! (I just laughed!)My first day at SU was nice and relaxing. I had a meeting with Kent where he was telling me what sort of things I will be doing in the next month... it sounds SO good, and really fun! Iʼll tell you briefly what im doing but I will probably post things once I have actually done them.
Monday and Tuesday (1st and 2nd Feb) there is the SU staff training for everyone in
SUWA (Scripture Union Western Australia) so Im hoping I will get to see Brian and Emily there (the other two interns from England and Ireland who I met at the SU training weekend in Oxford in October).
Im moving in to Jan and Laurie Duffys house on the Wednesday so prayer for that would
be really helpful.
Friday and Saturday (5th and 6th Feb) I have a swimming training/ Lifeguard training thing!
I think it is for them just to see how I can swim and get some Lifeguard training too... which I have always wanted to do!
8th and 9th of Feb I have some Warriuka Training (I think I explained Warriuka above)
basically adventure camps for young high school children.
Week beginning 15th Feb I am starting helping at the SUPA clubs in local primary schools.
When I say Local theyʼre not down the road, Perth is very spread out, so SU have a few
cars which I can use to get to these. Hopefully I will be fine driving on the roads, most roads have two lanes at least and cars seem to dodge in and out quite a lot! But Iʼm sure itʼll be fine.
Week of the 1st March I have a ʻFoundation Warriuka Campʼ. Im not sure if that is me
being a small leader at one or training for part of it.
11th and 12th March I have more Warriuka Training which is going to get more fun
because I think itʼll be learning all the crazy out door sports like Absailing, Rock climbing,Canoeing etc!
Then this does have question marks next to it- ʻWarriuka overnight Hikeʼ I think (and hope) the team will see how I get on with the training and go from there.
I still havenʼt managed to get internet so I will post everything I am writing all in one go.
Anyway I think I need some more sleep!
Missing England.
The buses in Waneroo are not as frequent as the C7 (cambridge bus) unfortunately. They are about every half hour at peak times. Then every hour during the day. So I got the bus about 11. It is quite a walk from the stop to the office, I started to walk but Amber pulled up on the ʻsidewalkʼ and picked me up which I was grateful for because it was so so hot!
Eleanor said it was 35 degrees today, which apparently isnʼt that hot! (I just laughed!)My first day at SU was nice and relaxing. I had a meeting with Kent where he was telling me what sort of things I will be doing in the next month... it sounds SO good, and really fun! Iʼll tell you briefly what im doing but I will probably post things once I have actually done them.
Monday and Tuesday (1st and 2nd Feb) there is the SU staff training for everyone in
SUWA (Scripture Union Western Australia) so Im hoping I will get to see Brian and Emily there (the other two interns from England and Ireland who I met at the SU training weekend in Oxford in October).
Im moving in to Jan and Laurie Duffys house on the Wednesday so prayer for that would
be really helpful.
Friday and Saturday (5th and 6th Feb) I have a swimming training/ Lifeguard training thing!
I think it is for them just to see how I can swim and get some Lifeguard training too... which I have always wanted to do!
8th and 9th of Feb I have some Warriuka Training (I think I explained Warriuka above)
basically adventure camps for young high school children.
Week beginning 15th Feb I am starting helping at the SUPA clubs in local primary schools.
When I say Local theyʼre not down the road, Perth is very spread out, so SU have a few
cars which I can use to get to these. Hopefully I will be fine driving on the roads, most roads have two lanes at least and cars seem to dodge in and out quite a lot! But Iʼm sure itʼll be fine.
Week of the 1st March I have a ʻFoundation Warriuka Campʼ. Im not sure if that is me
being a small leader at one or training for part of it.
11th and 12th March I have more Warriuka Training which is going to get more fun
because I think itʼll be learning all the crazy out door sports like Absailing, Rock climbing,Canoeing etc!
Then this does have question marks next to it- ʻWarriuka overnight Hikeʼ I think (and hope) the team will see how I get on with the training and go from there.
I still havenʼt managed to get internet so I will post everything I am writing all in one go.
Anyway I think I need some more sleep!
Missing England.
Arrival day!
What a day/ two days it has been! Firstly Iʼd like to say I am here, and safe!
Me, Mum, Dad and Ella got to heathrow airport 2 mins (6.50 AM) before the check in desk opened- which was an answer to prayer because we thought we would be stuck in traffic on the M25. We said our goodbyes around half seven eightish. It was so difficult saying goodbye as Iʼm sure you can imagine. Normally I would say to Mum and Dad ʻsee you after workʼ, or tomorrow. But this was like ʻsee you in six months!ʼ Donʼt think it really hit me I was actually going until I let go of Mums hand and walked through the barrier.
It was a really tough journey because it was so long and I am not the best flightier
especially on my own. It was 12 hours from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur, which was
alright because I had a good seat and there was a spare seat between me and this other women (who was really lovely) so we both spread ourselves out a bit!
Kuala Lumpur to Perth was only 5 hours but I was a bit ill at KL airport, so I didnʼt really want to eat anything on the plane, and I was sitting on a row with 3 other kids on!
After going through customs at Perth Airport (took agggeeessss!!) I collected my baggageand Mum donʼt worry, yes I did use a trolley thing, I had three heavy bags. I then got ushered through quarantine (I think where they check your bags for crazy foods being brought into the country). Then straight out into the arrivals, which was much more of a happier place than Heathrow departures! Everyone was wearing shorts and tee-shirt. I
was still in my long sleeves and thick tracksuit bottoms- big mistake for not changing because it was so so hot!
As soon as i walked through these three friendly faces all yelled ʻHi Martha!ʼ It was so nice someone knowing my name and who I was and all been so welcoming, especially after such a long time on my own and only smiling at strangers! It was a really nice welcome.
Kent Morgan (my SU supervisor) Amber Flynn and Sheryn Binks (both from the SU
schools dept) all came to welcome me. They bought me a little welcome present too which was so nice of them!
They all took me back to the office to show me around and introduce me to people. Amber and I then drove to Waneroo to the temporary Billets for this first five nights (whilst my normal billets are away till monday). For now I am living with Andy& Eleanor who are friends of Jan & Laurie (my normal Billets). Andy & Eleanor are both so lovely and welcoming. They have a really pretty house quite far from the SU office (takes about an hour each way on the bus) Andy works ʻout on the fieldsʼ helping endangered animals- he has so many stories its amazing. And Eleanor just doing two days a week of work not far
from here. They have two daughters both in their late 20s. One is married and the other lives here.
Last night (weds 27th) we all had dinner and Eleanor drove me to the bus top to show me how to get there in the morning which was so kind and helpful.
Got to bed about half nine, which is 1.30 PM in England. But I was so tired I just zonked out until half twelve when I woke up thinking it was morning, look outside and it was still dark.... my body clock is very confused! But for the first nights sleep I think it was ok. Lets see how I get on tonight!
I am writing this on Thursday 28th Jan. Andy & Eleanor have wireless but they are finding the password for it. So in the meantime I am writing this on pages, then Iʼll post it on the blog later.
Me, Mum, Dad and Ella got to heathrow airport 2 mins (6.50 AM) before the check in desk opened- which was an answer to prayer because we thought we would be stuck in traffic on the M25. We said our goodbyes around half seven eightish. It was so difficult saying goodbye as Iʼm sure you can imagine. Normally I would say to Mum and Dad ʻsee you after workʼ, or tomorrow. But this was like ʻsee you in six months!ʼ Donʼt think it really hit me I was actually going until I let go of Mums hand and walked through the barrier.
It was a really tough journey because it was so long and I am not the best flightier
especially on my own. It was 12 hours from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur, which was
alright because I had a good seat and there was a spare seat between me and this other women (who was really lovely) so we both spread ourselves out a bit!
Kuala Lumpur to Perth was only 5 hours but I was a bit ill at KL airport, so I didnʼt really want to eat anything on the plane, and I was sitting on a row with 3 other kids on!
After going through customs at Perth Airport (took agggeeessss!!) I collected my baggageand Mum donʼt worry, yes I did use a trolley thing, I had three heavy bags. I then got ushered through quarantine (I think where they check your bags for crazy foods being brought into the country). Then straight out into the arrivals, which was much more of a happier place than Heathrow departures! Everyone was wearing shorts and tee-shirt. I
was still in my long sleeves and thick tracksuit bottoms- big mistake for not changing because it was so so hot!
As soon as i walked through these three friendly faces all yelled ʻHi Martha!ʼ It was so nice someone knowing my name and who I was and all been so welcoming, especially after such a long time on my own and only smiling at strangers! It was a really nice welcome.
Kent Morgan (my SU supervisor) Amber Flynn and Sheryn Binks (both from the SU
schools dept) all came to welcome me. They bought me a little welcome present too which was so nice of them!
They all took me back to the office to show me around and introduce me to people. Amber and I then drove to Waneroo to the temporary Billets for this first five nights (whilst my normal billets are away till monday). For now I am living with Andy& Eleanor who are friends of Jan & Laurie (my normal Billets). Andy & Eleanor are both so lovely and welcoming. They have a really pretty house quite far from the SU office (takes about an hour each way on the bus) Andy works ʻout on the fieldsʼ helping endangered animals- he has so many stories its amazing. And Eleanor just doing two days a week of work not far
from here. They have two daughters both in their late 20s. One is married and the other lives here.
Last night (weds 27th) we all had dinner and Eleanor drove me to the bus top to show me how to get there in the morning which was so kind and helpful.
Got to bed about half nine, which is 1.30 PM in England. But I was so tired I just zonked out until half twelve when I woke up thinking it was morning, look outside and it was still dark.... my body clock is very confused! But for the first nights sleep I think it was ok. Lets see how I get on tonight!
I am writing this on Thursday 28th Jan. Andy & Eleanor have wireless but they are finding the password for it. So in the meantime I am writing this on pages, then Iʼll post it on the blog later.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Farewell England!
Well its the night before I go! Its so scary to think this time tomorrow I will be up in the air, almost landing in Kuala Lumpur actually.
It has been really nice this week doing things at home and getting organised before I go. Saying goodbye to friends has been hard but not really looking forward to tomorrow morning saying goodbye to Mum Dad and Ella. I am trying to think of it as the beginning of an exciting adventure, which it is I spose. Prayers for the morning would be greatly appreciated. And getting used to the time difference too.
Not sure when I will be able to write on here next. Hopefully some time at the end of the week or once I get there I can let you know I got there safe.
Farewell
It has been really nice this week doing things at home and getting organised before I go. Saying goodbye to friends has been hard but not really looking forward to tomorrow morning saying goodbye to Mum Dad and Ella. I am trying to think of it as the beginning of an exciting adventure, which it is I spose. Prayers for the morning would be greatly appreciated. And getting used to the time difference too.
Not sure when I will be able to write on here next. Hopefully some time at the end of the week or once I get there I can let you know I got there safe.
Farewell
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Remains of the snow in Histon
Only ten more days to go! Im getting really excited looking at Emily and Brian's facebook seeing what they are doing. I keep checking the weather in Perth too, it seems to be getting hotter and hotter... its meant to be 45 degrees on tuesday which is going to be a massive shock!
It is becoming very real now that life in Cambridge is coming to an end for me because I started to say goodbye to some friends last night. Saying "see you in six months" to people is very strange.
Last day at John Lewis on Monday though so Mum and I have been cramming in some last minuet purchases with our discount! Then for the rest of the week, I think it'll be time to start packing up my room.
I am still very anxious about flying alone, so prayer for that would be appreciated. And also they haven't found me a family to stay with yet. But I am not too worried about that.
Let the packing commence.
It is becoming very real now that life in Cambridge is coming to an end for me because I started to say goodbye to some friends last night. Saying "see you in six months" to people is very strange.
Last day at John Lewis on Monday though so Mum and I have been cramming in some last minuet purchases with our discount! Then for the rest of the week, I think it'll be time to start packing up my room.
I am still very anxious about flying alone, so prayer for that would be appreciated. And also they haven't found me a family to stay with yet. But I am not too worried about that.
Let the packing commence.
Monday, 4 January 2010
Before I go...
Hello all.
Thank you for taking the time out to read and catch up on my adventures. And thank you to those who helped me to raise money by buying my photography work back in september, it has mad such a difference.
The date im leaving is getting really close now (26th Jan). Its a really scary to think this time in one month i will in flip flops and shorts half way across the world!
For those of you who need brushing up on what i will be doing ill try explain now... I will be working with Scripture Union Western Australia (in Perth) for the whole six months i will be there for. (https://suwa.org.au/index.php) They are a Christian organisation that work mainly with children and young people across the world.
I am doing two of the three placements SUWA offer. 'Warriuka' Adventure camps (https://suwa.org.au/warriuka.php) - schools in the local area sign up for a week of fun basically! We teach kids to go white water rafting, flat water rafting, canoeing etc. There is also time in the evening for Bible studies and discussions.
The second placement which I will be combining with the Warriuka camps will be school work. (https://suwa.org.au/schools.php) So I will be going round schools in the area... which are all very far apart because Perth is SO spread out, but luckly SUWA have a car which we can drive. (not sure how ill get on with a four by four truck but we'll see!) We will be going around doing assemblies and after school clubs with mainly primary school children. There is a SUPA (Scripture Union Primary Age) club already set up which I will be getting invloved with and also a CHIC Programme, designed for girls to teach, challenge, and mentor students, and help them to develop new life skills.
I will be staying with a host family in Perth. I have not heard from anyone who exactly it is but I think I will find out when I get there perhaps on the Wendesday 27th.
I still have 3 more weeks in the UK so I hope to catch up and say goodbye to as many people as possible. If I do not get round to seeing you it'll be so nice to hear from you, just drop me and email mecglass@googlemail.com or a letter... post is alway so exciting when you go away! I will put my address up when I know where I will be. Prayers for the flight over would also be really helpful because I am worried about flying alone!
Thank you =)
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