the last trimestre

I don't believe I received the "JO! you're moving continent! Stop faffing around uploading photos and start making some PLANS!" memo! and yet somehow I'm only 10 weeks til D-Day with a not-so-completed list in the 'planning department'...

What should I do? Where do I start? When do I start? What do I need? What don't I need? Should I worry? Should I act worried? When should I worry/start acting worried? What happens if I forget something? What happens if I take too much? What's more important: looking good or keeping warm/cool? What's more important: Don Quixote or my reference bible? Debit card or travellers cheques? VISA or mastercard? Immodium or laxative tea? Diary or Macbook - he he? Suitcase or backpack? Scarpas or espadrilles?

ABORT ABORT ABORT -> SOMEBODY TAKE THE PRESSURE DOWN

I'm still adjusting from my last move. Yes I'm serious...I've still got unpacked boxes, and not just the 'stowed out of mind in my parents' garage' variety; unpacked boxes in my room: fully visible!!!!!!! Not to mention the stuff I left...ah-hum I mean, lent to my old housemate:)...how can this be happening again?!

It may be cliche but there is truth in the words: 'time flies'

This time a year ago I was pondering what to do with my life; casually reading a past year book about how the preaching work started in India, weighing up what would be harder - Vietnamese or Nepali? weighing up what would be more of an experience - Barcelona or Nepal? considering whether or not 'I'm that kind of person'? or is it even possible?

And now, I'm here. Leaving for Bangkok in 76 days, and arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal (my home for the next 12 months) in 87 days.

But the exciting news is:
'guess who's back? back again?
[Chasty's] back, tell a friend,
guess who's back? guess who's back? guess who's back? guess who's back? do do do...'

Yes, my partner in crime (AKA Alana) just returned from her 4-month stint in Nepal, and we are now getting down to business-> 'it's business, it's business time!'

I've booked my flights, and just got my leave of absence approved - thank you Gilbert! (insert French accent), we've got a place to live (high-5s for Chasty!), we're discussing different VISAS (the permit, not the CC), and are investigating ways to heighten language absorption (rapping is a possibility). So yes, we appear to be in 1st gear!

Unfortunately each time I open my check-list it seems to lengthen rather than reduce...which is a little unnerving as I was hoping this would be the 'once in my life' where I'd have everything all-together and terrifically sorted before I hit the tarmac. Is it too much to ask that I can be well-rested, neatly packed, beautifully dressed, on time and under the baggage weight limit???

I hope not friends, as this is my mission!

Nepali group goes official

It is now Wednesday afternoon, just over 24 hours left until we pass the next frontier, our first Nepali congregation book study.

The whole affair will last only 15-20 minutes and yet, the preparation, the anticipation, the heartbeat: intense!

Opening night we are inaugurating the meeting in a study from the ‘Growing Older Together’ chapter in ‘The Secret of Family Happiness’ book. I think I was sub-teen when we studied this in the English, and as I prepped (prepared) my appreciation for advice on a 'not so spoken of' subject soared: How to maintain our happiness as we grow older.

I’m on the precipice of 25, so not quite dependent on a walking stick, but it is apparent in society that youth and beauty are synonymous with happiness, and as these fade so can contentment in one’s self and/or mate. (Incidentally the first subheading is entitled, ‘Adapting to Your Children’s Independence’…hmmm could it be that for some, letting go of their children is like letting go of their youth - hence the knot in the apron strings?)

Though this topic interests me in Times New Roman, once the Devanagari script appears, meditation is quickly transferred from thoughts such as ‘a man will leave his family and stick to his wife’, to, ‘does this word end in “sha”, “sa”, “sh” or “s”!?’ – who needs a mintie?

I've undertaken the task of finding my own answer so I actually learn something...but given the length in time I've spent perusing my dictionary for words like 'buddhi' (wisdom) and 'buudhaa-buudhii' (FYI folks: the elderly), I'll be satisfied with just the one comment - short and sweet.

Someone shared a tip with me once that they always answer right at the beginning so they can relax for the rest of the meeting. I have stolen this plan and am endeavouring to answer in the second paragraph (think I'll need my scuba-tank;)...

Yes nerve-racking as they are; exciting times they be!

If y'all ever find yourself in Marrickville on a Thursday evening circa 7:30 pm, feel free to drop by (315 Enmore Road).