You have not yet reached Australia if you don't see any Kangaroos, Koalas and Emos!

What a day! Despite the lousy weather we had today all day, I decided to "drag" myself to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Alma Park Zoo, Australia Zoo. It was a wet day alright; however, with my good spirits, I made the most out of it and tried to have a great time with meeting new friends: koalas, kangaroos, emus and others! As you can see in the blog. The first 6 photos are from http://www.koala.net/index.htm

Australia’s a holiday destination like no other. Unique animals like koalas and kangaroos are understandably on a tourist’s must-see list. Of course, many people think of animals if they think of Australia, especially the most famous symbols: koalas, kangaroos and emus.

As soon as I stepped off the bus, I could tell that I had arrived the zoo. The smell (odor) of the kolas and other animals were just powerful! The koalas were all asleep, except the ones that were on the mission of photo taking. They put the koalas in open cages and separated them into groups based on age rang. I have to say that they are absolutely cute and huge! Their weigh could go up to 16-18 kgs. As for the kangaroos, they were just adorable. I liked the way they hop, especially the small ones called wallabies...I even VDO taped them which you will see in my other blog.

We, students, Fiona, the coordinator, and I were there for about 3 hours. While we were there, we fed lambs and kangaroos, saw many sleepy koalas, and watching a sheep dog show. I almost had a photo taking with me holding a koala. I changed my mind then since it was a bit costly. We then headed back to the city. I hung out downtown checking out things and ended up having a cup of coffee and a meal set at Hungry Jack's (or Burger Kings). Anyway, the day was great...in the rain and wet!!

Riverside Market and a Great Time with The Collyers

Sunday 29, 2008

Thai food at Thai Orchid restaurant was just what the doctor ordered on a Friday night. Judy her family and I had dinner for our get together after she came back from Thailand. The food, I thought, was good, but the atmosphere was even more incredible, I guess most of all it has to do with people you are having dinner with. The place was packed after we got there for about 10 minutes. The Thai Orchid Restaurant is on Logan Road, Upper Mt Gravatt not far from the University. The prices are resonable. The dishes we agreed that we liked the most were Orchid Prawns, deep fried coconut coated prawns served with their special sauce,
Spring Rolls, and Massaman. Until we met again on Sunday.

Waking up early while others are still snuggling in bed in the nippy morning, this is what I would call it heaven. Taking a walk has become my weekend routine and I just love doing it. Spending alone time with yourself permits you to be with yourself, to learn the Self within you , to allow yourself to be in the present, and to appreciate things around you when you slow down.

I walked for about half an hour before Judy and her family picked me up to go to the River Side Market. Once we got to the Centre City, we saw the march of warriors who just returned from the services in Iraq. Off we went to the market, it's very nice there with stores selling different kinds of things from food to clothing. We walked for a while and bought some bread and had a coffee on the deck over look the river. I purchased some gifts for friends. We spent some time there and we moved to another mall. Then, we visited Judy's parents at a nursing home. At the nursing home, it's very functional and homey. I wish we, Thai people, have better welfare and management regarding retirement plans and facilities for retired people. As the Sunset was approaching, we left Judy's parents' house after we finished catching up and afternoon tea. Grandma's baking was somewhat out-of-this-world. Generally speaking, most grandmas are great at treating their grandchildren and children. Too bad, I never have a chance to get to know all my grandparents, not even my own father! Fortunately, I have other great host families, grandparents and friends from pretty much around the world. We visited Aunt Sue, Judy's sister-in-law, to appreciate her beautiful garden filled with vegetables, flowers and native trees. I was aesthetic to see her garden and hoping that some day I would love to have my own little nuke with a nice garden, love, warmth and happiness.

By the time we got home, it was already dark and we all were drained of energy. We however did not hesitate to treat ourselves with a home-made apple pie. I baked apple pies on Saturday for the landlord's family and for us to have for dinner. It was a great day, we thought. We talked and exchanged opinions (more likely I learned a lot from Judy's extensive knowledge and experience)about working and other things.

The "Fantastica," "Fantabulous" "Spectaculous" Third weekend!

Gee, no words can be uttered or described of how beeeeeautiful this weekend was. I slowly inhaled every single breath of the tranquil moment while taking my morning walks in the neighborhood and nearby. At least 20 miles I walked on Sat.and Sun. all together. I just loved every thing that I walked passed-houses, stores, trees, flowers and wild birds. Houses here are totally different from my favorite ones in Philly. That really made me become even more appreciated of the houses I saw in Philly. I missed my old times walking and looking at those old houses, especailly their unique structures, their gorgeous slate roofs, their stones and bricks. I was totally in an ecstasy of them. Here, there are either austere houses or modern ones which are nice, yet insignificant. Houses in Philly are more charming. However, I love it here so far and could not be any happier to be here!

At night on Saturday, I attended a party dinner which turned out to be a youth masquerade ball (did not anticipate to go to one. I thought it was just a party for a charity, nothing fancy). Apparently, I had got a pair of black pants and a top on without any mask! I went to the ball with the landlord and the family who are Filipinos. This event was initiated by Filipino Community Council of Queensland Inc Youth to support SOS Children's Villages Philippines. The party took place at Tattersalls Club on Queen Street. The ballroom was very nice, the food was great and every thing was just perfect. It's my first masquerade ball. Guests dressed up beautifully! The Consul General to Brisbane also came to the ball. It was an unexpected and unforgettable experience to me indeed! I was so very touched by the strength and love of the community they possess. They were very welcoming and I felt like one of them! Many of them even started talking to me in Tagalog because they assumed that I were one of them. That night I was very exshausted but I could not sleep. I had 4 cups of coffees that night since it's a bit cold. No wonder why I could not sleep! The weather here is getting colder. It's bearable though since they usually get mild Winter here in this part of the country. I still manage to survive and have my shower every day!!! :)

The next day, Kelly and I went to downtown Brisbane to just wander around and visited remarkable places here. We walked to Botanic Garden and visited places, shops, along Queen's Street, Elizabeth's Street (Borders Bookstore), Adelaide's Street (Krispy Kreme shop). I have to say that I was ecstatic to see Target, Boarders, Krispy Kreme here. They made me homesick really. I wished though they had got Manhatton Bagels (Toasted Everything Bagel with Creme Cheese or Eggs and Sausages and a cup of a Decaf Coffee!). Anyway, we stopped for a coffee in which I was recommended to try. The shop is called Aromas which is well known here in town. Then, we indulged ourselves in a Krispy Kreme donut each. I had Cinnamon Apple filled. IT WAS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED! Ummm! Yumm! My day and weekend ended up at "Woolly" for groceries! What a surprise!!

From Picasso and His Collection to Vegemite for breakfast (powerful stuff...yuck!) :P

This long weekend flew by so quickly! I managed to keep myself very occupied all right this weekend-grocery shopping, Picasso and His collection seeing and Thai dinner cooking.

On Sunday, after a long morning walk in the neighborhood, I went grocery shopping. It took me literally 2-3 hours. In making sure that I really got the best products and the best prices, I visited several stores in three different places which are in the same area near where I stay-Woolworths at Robertson Park, Coles at Robertson Plaza and a couple Chinese stores at Market Square.I just LOVE grocery shopping. Anyway, I came home and did some catching up on the news and the weather forecast.

On the next day,which was a public holiday, Judy and her family picked me up around 10 am. to head to the city center to an exhibition of Picasso and His Collection at Gallery of Modern Art. They said that it's the first time that Picasso's paintings and his collection are revealed out side of Europe. Brisbane is honored to be the first city to home the works of art. I have to say that his paintings are different from his collection of other artists such as Georges Braque, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Henri Rousseau. I liked the uniqueness of his works which reflect his life, techniques, ideas, moods and themes. Juxtaposed his own work to others,I think I preferred others. After the exhibition, we went for lunch nearby the museum and I had this wonderful crape and a great coffee which were just what the doctor ordered on the chilly rainy day like this! I have set my goal on tasting different coffee shops while I am here. They said that coffees here are very good. By the way, coffees first arrived and became popular in Brisbane around 1988 when they hosted Expo.

In the evening, we had Green Curry and Fried Rice and ended up with Taro and Pumpkin in Coconut milk for dessert. Judy and her family really enjoyed my Thai cooking big time. After two years of home cooking in Philly and an on and off cooking in Thailand, my cooking still remains...wonderful :)

From the powerful works of art of Picasso from the day before to the POWERFUL VEGEMITE I tried for breakfast, I thought I was to be envied! Well, for us Thais, let me warn you about the Vegemite! I will certainly miss Australia big time, but the Vegemite! I am just kidding....I had a great start of the day with lots of food for breakfast provided by my dear coordinator and friend, Judy. Off we went to Nathan Campus to a meeting with Margarette, the Director of GELI. We talked for a bit and I had a chance to express my deepest gratification to be hosted by GELI. Then, I met with Patricia, a DEP (Direct Entry Program) teacher, and went with her to her class to learn the management of the program. In the afternoon, I went into Annette's EAP class and then looked for materials to co-write a book and a research paper. I ended up my day with a great activity--grocery shopping to make a dish to bring to a surprise party throwing for a teacher at work! I do like dynamic they have around here at work!

"It's my SHOUT!" SEX and the CITY

วันนี้เป็นวันเสาร์แรกที่ตุ๊กต้องหาอะไรทำเป็นของตัวเอง ไม่น่าเชื่อเลยว่ามาถึงที่นี่ได้อาทิตย์นึงแล้ว รู้สึกว่าเหมือนพึ่งมาถึงเมื่อไม่กี่วันนี้เอง อย่างไรก็ตามวันนี้ตั้งใจว่าจะออกไปหาซึ่อของมาทำอาหารไทยให้ Judy และครอบครัวของเขาทานกันวันจันทร์นี้ซึ่งเป็นวันหยุดพิเศษเนื่องจากเป็นวันเกิดพระราชินี Elizabeth ของอังกฤษ ซึ่งคิดไว้ว่าจะทำ ต้มข่าไก่ กับข้าวผัด และตบท้ายด้วยแกงบวดฟักทองกับเผือกให้เขาทานกัน น้องสาวของเจ้าของบ้านไปกับตุ๊กเด้วยเพื่อจะได้พาตุ๊กไปสถานที่ และร้านที่จะหาซื้อของ Asian ด้วย ต้องบอกว่าห้างที่ตุ๊กไปนี้อยู่ไกล้บ้านมากๆ เดินไปเพียงแค่ 10 นาทีก็ถึงแล้ว ห้างมีชื่อว่า SunnyBank Plaza ที่นี่มีร้านขายของทั่วๆ ไปเหมือนบ้านเราเหมือนอย่างที่ Top or Lotus ใหญ่ๆ ฝั้งตรงกันข้ามก็เป็นอีก Center เรียกว่า Market Squareซึ่งเรียกได้ว่าเป็น China Town เล็กๆ เพราะมีคนจีน และร้านขายของชำขนาดเล็กถึงใหญ่อยู่หลายร้านมาก ที่นี่ส่วนใหญ่จะมีคน Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese and Arabic (some Thai) เยอะเพราะสถานที่ดี ทีภูเขามีแม่น้ำ

ต้องบอกว่าห้างที่นี่ดีมากตรงที่จะรณรงค์ให้ลูกค้าใช้ถุงที่ทำขึ้นโดยเองโดยห้างของเขาหรือลูกค้าจะนำมาจากบ้านเองก็ได้ เพื่อมาใช้แทนถุงพลาสติก ซึ่งในขณะเดียวกันที่บ้านเราในเมืองไทยห้างหลายๆห้างก็เริ่มนำวิธีนี้มาใช้เพื่อลดจำนวนขยะ และรักษาโลกของเรา แต่อย่างไรก็ตามการประชาสัมพันธ์และการรณรงค์ยังคงไม่ดีนัก ที่นี่เขาทำมาได้นานแล้วแล้วคนที่นี่ส่วนใหญ่เขาค่อนข้างมีจิตสำนึกที่ดีในการช่วยกันประหยัด และรักษาโลก ที่นี่โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งรัฐนี้ที่ฝนตกไม่มากนัก จึงทำให้หลายๆ ครั้งที่ทางรัฐประกาศให้คนใช้น้ำให้ประหยัด โดยจะจำกัดการอาบน้ำให้แค่คนละประมาณ 4 นาที และห้ามลดต้นไม้หรือล้างรถที่บ้านเลย เพื่อเป็นการประหยัดอัตราการใช้น้ำมากที่สุดเพื่อที่จะได้มีน้ำสะอาดไว้ใช้ได้นานๆ ดังนั้นจึงเป็นเรื่องปรกติที่คนที่นี่อาบน้ำกันแค่ 1 ครั้งต่อวันโดยเฉพาะหน้าหนาว โชคดีที่ตอนนี้เขาได้ระงับกฎการใช้น้ำเพียง 4 นาที่เพราะฝนตกอยู่บ่อยครั้งเมืออาทิตย์ที่ผ่านมา ตุ๊กคิดว่าการประหยัดเป็นสิ่งที่ดีที่เราควรทำกัน และเห็นความสำคัญของทรัพยากรธรรมชาติที่มีอยู่อย่างคุ้มค่าและรู้ค่ามากที่สุด

หลังจากเดินซื้อของอยู่นาน ก็ชวนดูหนังเรื่อง Sex and the City ตุ๊กต้องบอกว่าตุ๊กมักจะพบเจอแต่คนที่ดีอยู่เสมอๆ Mellie เขาออกค่าหนังให้ตุ๊ก ซึ่งทำให้ตุ๊กได้เรียนสำนวนของคน Aussie ที่ว่า It's my shout/ I will give you a shout (shout = treat) แปลว่า มื้อนี้ออกให้หรือเลี้ยงให้ ตุ๊กเลยซื้อขนมขบเคี้ยวให้เขาทานในโรงหนังด้วยกัน หนังสนุกมาก ถ้าเข้าบ้านเราเมื่อไหล่ ตุ๊กขอแนะนำให้เข้าไปดู แต่มีอยู่หลายตอนเหมือนกันที่ค่อนข้างจะ "Rate R" หนังจบก็เดินกลับบ้านพร้อมกับของมาทำกินอาหารไทยเต็มมือ!


Saturday 07 June 2008, waking up early to do the cleaning, washing, and of course, writing my diary. The weather did not seem to cooperate very well; however, the day turned out to be wonderful! Mellie, the sister of the landlord, invited me to go to SunnyBank Plaza to just show me around the area since it's so close to the house. We walked from the house to the plaza, which took us in no time to get there. SunnyBank Plaza is not very big, but it has many things to offer. There are different stores that they have in America such as Warehouse, Kmart, Cole and other gift shops and lots of Chinese restaurants. Obviously, this area is multicultural--Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese and Arabic (some Thai). Opposite the plaza the is another shopping center called Market Square; there is a little China town, where you can find 3 or 4 Chinese grocery stores. There are lots of cheap vegetables,fruits and other Asian ingredients or items. I just love grocery shopping especially here in Brisbane. Here almost all stores try to promote customers to use a company-made tote bag or the customers' own tote bag to store their food home, so the use of plastic bags will decrease. I start to get used to use my own bag now. Anyway, after about 2 hours of shopping, I got some ingredients for my Thai dish and dessert as a treat (or a shout) for Judy and her family on the coming up holiday. This Monday is the Queen's Birthday.

After wandering around for hours, Mellie gave me a shout (Aussie slang for a treat) to see a movie, Sex and the City. It was very nice and kind of her to do such thing. The story was great and I really enjoyed it a lot. It was about being in a relationship and how to deal with problems that inevitably occur. It's just a matter of how to circumvent such problems. What I got out of it is problems are always there in any kinds of relationship...neither a big diamond ring, a huge wedding ceremony, a spacious mansion nor the wedding vows do the trick to keep people together for good. It all comes down to two mature individuals who have got to be forgiving and be putting each other first...like it is said in the movie, "Once you are on the bridge, you have got to leave every thing in the past..." Now I feel a bit guilty that I have been having a great time here while I should be working on my duty as a visiting/exchange teacher.

However, to tie the movie to the academic side, I have learned that I have got to leave the problems or failures behind(more likely frustration when my students don't fallow my instructions). Instead, we should start our new day nice and fresh with no mistakes in it (yet)! Phewwww, I think, a line from one of my favorite movies has just saved my life here! lol :)

A trip to Gold Coast: Surfers' Paradise

เริ่มต้นวันใหม่กับวันแรกของหน้าหนาวที่นี่ แต่ก็ยังไม่ค่อยเท่าไหล่นัก Judy และครอบครัวของเขามารับตุ๊กแต่เช้าเพื่อที่จะไป Gold Coast ซึ่งเป็นเมืองสวรรค์ของนักโต้คลื่น ออกจากบ้านประมาณ 10.00 โมงเช้า และนั่งรถเพียงแค่ประมาณ 40 นาที่ก็ถึงที่ Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus เขาพาไปดูมหาวิทยาลัยที่นั่น ที่ตั้งของมหาวิทยาลัยดีมาก ที่ชายหาดที่นี่ถือว่าเป็นชายหาดที่ยาวที่สุด เราเดินกันในเมืองจนรอบแล้วก็ได้มีโอกาสได้ขึ้นไปบนชั้นที่ 77 ของอาคาร Q1 (the World's Tallest Residential Tower) ทิวทัศน์ด้านบนเมื่อมองลงมาสวยอย่างที่สุด ได้นั่งคุยกันเกี่ยวกับเมือง และก็ไม่ลืมที่จะคุยเกี่ยวกับโอกาสที่จะได้เข้าพบคนสำคัญๆ ของมหาวิทยาลัย

อย่างหนึ่งที่ค้นพบที่นี่คืออาหารของเขาแต่ละอย่างมีขนาดใหญ่อย่างหน้ากลัว จนรู้สึกว่าอาหารหนึ่งมื้อที่สามารถทำให้อิ่มไปจนถึงมือถัดไปได้เลยทีเดียว เราอยู่ที่ทะเลกันจนถึงประมาณบ่าย 3 ก็เดินทางกลับ ระหว่างทางแวะที่ Woolworth Market เพื่อหาซื้อเสบียงเอาไว้ทำกินตอนเที่ยงที่มหาวิทยาลัย ต้องบอกว่าชอบซื้อของมาทำกินเองมากๆ และทำให้นึกถึงสมัยที่ยังอยู่ที่ Philadelphia เกือบทุกอย่างที่นี้คล้ายกับที่เมืองไทยและ Philadelphia ที่ตุ๊กไปอยู่อย่างมากจึงทำให้รู้สึกคิดถึง Philadelphia และเมืองไทยขึ้นมาทันที่ แต่อย่างไรก็ตามต้องบอกว่าวันนี้ได้เหมือนกับอยู่ในสวรรค์จริงๆ แต่เป็นสวรรค์บนดินของที่ Brisbane, Australia

What a day! Stopping at the mall to ask for the best deal for a bus ticket was a great start of the day indeed. We tried to explain to the guy at the register of a newspaper store, who must have been in his teens still and perhaps had not been awake quite yet, about purchasing the best bus ticket to commute to the Uni. and sometimes downtown;however,it did not seem to work out! It turned out to be a joke of the day after all. Since we told him that I was from Thailand and would stay for the time being, he asked if I wanted to get a pass to use in Thailand! We all could not help but laughed for him so bad . This is a great start of the day with laughter, I guess. After a 40-minute ride, we reached Gold Coast, the longest beach in Australia. On the 77th Floor of Q1 building (The World's Tallest Residential Tower)Judy, her family and I had a chance to relax, had a cup of coffee with a big piece of carrot cake and a great chat.Yet, I remembered to ask Judy about GELI (Griffith University Language Institute) to see if I could see any important administrative figures while I am here for 2 months. It's one of the most beautiful view tops I have ever seen in my life before, and I was totally speechless to had a chance to visit such place. It's located in the Gold Coast area, and I was there today to check out things and another campus of Griffith University. Gold Coast is the best place to go surfing, so it's called "Surfers Paradise." It made me think of Stone Harbour where I used to go visit during the Summer. Relatively speaking, everything here reminds me of Bangkok and Philadelphia. People here are very friendly. There are a lot of sail boats and that also made me think of Maryland in the States!

After we had our lunch, we wandered around town and stopped at some gift shops. Then, we headed back home in Brisbane. On the way we stopped at a grocery store for me to get some vegetables,fruits, bread and other things for my lunch. I have to say that I really like grocery shopping and make my very own food. It really reminded me the time I had in the States and the things that I used to do!

Well, after all, I can say that I was in a paradise today: a paradise on the earth!!!