madteckhead’s blog

Hi Friends,
I just got back downunder after one hell of a experience overseas! I’m settled in Brisbane again after being OS for 8 months. No doubt we have a lot to catch up on, so I’d love it if you could come along for a traditional West End picnic/BBQ at near the ferry terminal this Sunday. Nothing heavy just a bit of food, a drink and story or two. If this doesn’t suit and you want to catch up for a coffee or something another time just drop me a line.

What: BBQ & Picnic in the sunshine!
Where: Park beside the West End Ferry terminal
When: 1-3pm Sunday 29th of July
Bring: Some food to share (or hoard), a smile and a story or two.

Look forward to catching up with you!

Nathan

p.s. Check the contact page for my new contact details.

Wow, What a trip. Just a short post to let you know I’m back safely on the Gold Coast in Australia. What a head spin - I have total jet lag.

Both legs of the trip (Frankfurt > Singapore > Brisbane) I was sitting close to crying babies, (although on the second flight it did sound more like a dieing alien). The Quantus entertainment system was great (except for the time when I had to watch an hour of the movie I had just seem play in reverse).

I met a nice German man on the first of the trip, and we found the Cactus Roof Top bar at the Singapore airport. Where we drank the lovely Tiger (Thai) beer in souring humidity at 30deg. Very Cool. But not as cold as the 2degC record breaking morning in Brisbane. Ouch!

Cactus Garden (with bar), Singapore Changi Airport

Photo courtesy of Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore

Was a really clear sky when we arrived this morning in Brisbane, here is a photo to give you some idea what it was like.

Photo courtesy of www.crusty-n-kaz.com

First thing I did when I got back was buy a large banana smoothy (this this was massive - complete with fruit salad straw) then head down to Duranbah beach with Liam, my brother. He went for a body board, while I walked up and down the beach, and just about fell asleep in the sun, listening to the calming sound of the ocean. I realised how much I missed the sound of the ocean.

Duranbah beach, Gold Coast, Australia (photo courtesy of www.tweedsandbypass.nsw.gov.au)

Now 11:30pm, I’m wide awake having just woken from a 7 hour nap. I know you are supposed to stay awake all day to try and recover from jet lag, however I think that assumes you have more that 4 hours sleep in two days, and don’t have a headache from crying/dieing babies.

I’ll write more as life unfolds,

Yours truely,

Nathan

Well its only hours now until I jump on a plane, headed for that Great Land Downunder. Which, despite all our differences, I still call home. It will also be where Ellie and I part and go our separate ways, at least physically until November, when we hope to meet again in India. In the mean time we will be religated to communicating over video link up.

The Überland adventure nach Deutschland has truly been one hell of an adventure on so many levels, physically, mentally, intellectually… if you want to find out more about it, check out the archives from November 06 to March 07.

Over the past few days, I have been slowly saying goodbye to all the friends I’ve made. Words can’t express how you have helped me to understand another little piece of our modern world. Thanks you. I had a wonderful stay in Germany and I hope to be back to Europe soon to visit some of you, and check out some bits I inevitability missed.

Anyhow, deep things aside. Some good news, I passed my Neural Network course!! Having finished on Monday leaving me exactly a week to get back to Australia and start the new semester at Griffith University. I’ve picked two of three courses and am struggling to find a third, which is necessary if I wish to receive Centerlink pensions.

I haven’t had many chances to take photos lately, however here is a photo of the Italian’s I’ve been studying with here: Claudia, Lorenza, Electra and Ellie.

Might take awhile for me to adjust to the new time zones, but I’ll be sure to post a note here as soon as I get back. So see you on the flip side.

Nathan