October 1-31, 2006

Well what a month!!

Work, uni and my social life have kept my feet moving and my heart pumping!

On the work front, I have been averaging 50 hour weeks with my Woolworths job, cleaning with dad, English tutoring, car washing and gardening. I must say, however, that doing a whole range of jobs keeps me not only active, but continually motivated by work. Simply doing 50 hours stacking of shelves in a supermarket would be monotonous and depressing!!
I am also starting a new job (yes you read right!) in the next couple of weeks - it is just an admin job in a firm in the city - to gain some office experience - and to fill up my hours once I finish uni.

Speaking of which, I complete my undergraduate Bachelor Degree this week (unofficially) with classes completing this Thursday. I then have one week of study (STUVAC), before 2 exams on the 13th and 15th of November. Then I will be officially finished, with the graduation ceremony not until next year (sometime between March and May).

As I have said before, Kazuya is arriving in Sydney on December 1st, so between my final exam and then I will probably be working 70 hours weeks for 2 weeks to save up more money. On December 1st I am planning on having a house party (joint party for my b'day and to welcome Kazuya back to Australia) which should be a great chance to let out my hair (so to speak). December 2nd I have booked a hotel room for Kazuya and I to stay in and a special dinner has been organised for him too. December 3rd I am sitting for a Japanese Proficiency Exam which will be the first language skill-determining exam I have sat for Japanese.

From Dec 8th-19th Kazuya and I will be travelling to Adelaide to spend a couple of days with my Grandma, before hiring a car and driving down to catch the boat across to Kangaroo Island and a few other places.

The plan after that is to work until the end of February in order to save up enough to pay for my Masters Degree, which I begin on the 1st of March down in Canberra.
I have not found out whether I have been accepted to the degree yet, however, I applied for two separate degrees, so I think my chances are high!

Since the last monthly email, I have had another Japanese friend come and stay. She was an old friend of my host mum's, so was nice to show her around Sydney for the day, after she had done so much for me when I was in Japan.

I have also applied for an internship opportunity as a Youth Ambassador to the United Nations for next year. If successful, I would travel to New York for 2 months and represent Australian Youth at the UN General Assembly. The chances are extremely small, but I figure, you can't win the race if you're not in it!

On the business side of things, I have started up my own Ebay account and have had some success so far selling a few books and some old Tennis magazines. The plan is eventually to team up with my friend from uni and start some online importing and re-selling of some popular items, such as fashion and jewellery lines. Could be quite successful around Christmas time I am sure.

The rest of the family continue to do well - Alana is enjoying her new job, but I hardly ever see her as she is almost always with her boyfriend (when not working). Mark is doing very well at school, and plays gold once a week on Sundays. Mum is going well to, having been away the last 2 weekends at a wedding, and down in Tasmania, and this weekend she will be away again - travelling up to Brisbane for a Softball Masters Championship for 10 days.

Hope to hear from everyone soon. Take care and keep in touch.

Tim
xoxoxoxox

September 4-30, 2006

Hello all

A hectic 3 week period that has seen many things happen - let me update you all and take you on a ride.

I had my Japanese friend from Maebashi stay until the 15th September, and we had a good time together. He enjoyed his time here in Australia including a trip away to the Blue Mountains. His mum came and stayed in Sydney (in a hotel, not with us) for 1 week beginning the 7th September. She also enjoyed her stay, despite a week full of wet weather - the entire time she was here!!
It was good, however to have a slight break from guests at my home once Takuya left on September 15th....well, only a couple of days. On The 19th, 20th, 21st had another Japanese friend - one of the girls whom I taught English to when I was in Tokyo. She came to Sydney as part of her 3-city trip - she also visited Perth and Brisbane. I showed her around the city, including a great day out to see the Opera House and Botanic Gardens. As soon as she left on the 21st, I met another Japanese friend from Tokyo. I met him at a party back in June, and I offered to show him round and help out when he was in Australia. I booked him into a hostel in the city and had a fun night out with him on the 22nd.

As if you thought that wasn't enough guests for my schedule! The next guest arrives in October - around the 20th - my host family and a friend of theirs will stay in Sydney for a couple of days, so looks like I will have to play "tour guide" again!

Meanwhile, I have been cramming my busy study period with a lot of work away from the books. Am still helping my dad do the cleaning contract at the golf club three mornings a week. I continue to teach English to a Japanese couple on Monday evenings. And my Woolworths job now sees me doing upwards of 30 hours per week.
Recently I have also been keeping consistent with my gardening and car washing clients and have also done some baby-sitting and house-sitting!! One thing I must say to all those skeptics that I will "simply collapse one day" - by doing a range of jobs, my interest and motivation remain high and I don't always feel "exhausted."

On the university side of things, I had the last week in September off, so managed to catch up and get ahead on five assessments that are due in the coming weeks. A lot of work still to be done on a few essays, but I am slowly getting there.
Last week I volunteered at a human rights conference helping out with the logistics of the week-long meeting. On the Friday evening I helped cook the BBQ for all the guests, ensuring that they were presented with the most delectable Aussie beef!

On the family side, everyone remains well. Mum is in Tasmania this week with Karen - they have managed to get some time away! Mark is up at Hawke's Nest with his mate from school, on a week-long fishing-snorkeling-swimming adventure, and Alana is about to begin her new job! Dad is also keeping busy, although this week has an infected eye and has been advised not to drive. I will be picking him up for cleaning in the morning as well as dropping him off at his work.

Next weekend I will be away in the Blue Mountains on a volunteer weekend; for the same organisation that I went away to Costa Rica with. It is a 2-day adventure weekend to help prepare the outgoing participants to Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama etc of the "challenges" that await them!

I have finalised my preparations for ANU University for next year. I applied for 2 different degrees; a Masters Degree in International Relations - 1 year full time, and a double degree of a Masters Degree in International Relations coupled with a Masters Degree in Diplomacy, 2 years full time. I will be informed of my acceptance in December. Courses begin February 2007.

Kazuya arrives in Sydney on December 1st, so I am very excited about that. We are planning trips away to Adelaide, Canberra and the Gold Coast - taking my opportunities to "see Australia" now!

I finish university and this course (attaining a Bachelor Degree in International Studies) at the end of November. I will then cut my work hours down, while Kazuya and I spend some time together and travel until Christmas.

Look forward to hearing from you all soon.

Tim
xoxoxoxox