Salt in my hair, and my viens.

First surf of the season. Cold, but warming in some metaphorical sense. The contact of my body with the board, fitting into my old moulds. The rush, the sensation of pumping down the line, seeing the tip of the wave deflating in front of me, watching the world soar past, hands free. The excitement of the open, clean face lined up ahead, endless possibilties. Watching my feet dangle in the water, catching myself out that my leash is a gigantic fish, swimming around me. Paddling trhough sets, getting crushed by powerful whitewash, tumble-dried and spat out. Laughing with friends, shouting and jostling, without a care in the water, real world forgotten. It's the best place in the world.

Now my arms feel like lead. It's a nice feeling.

Malheuresement...

Alors, peut etre les relations entre moi et le langage de francais n'etait pas etre. Je viens de avoir mon orale francaise et, bien que je sois un peu de confidence, il est alle mal. Tres mal. Malheuresement.

Mais, ce n'est pas un concerne pour moi. Le fac est presque complete et prochaine annee je serai en France. Est-ce que un concerne que potentialement je n'ai pas reussi dans mon orale francaise dans mon annee deuxieme de l'universite?

Bien sur, non.

BOOKED!

Girly high pitched scream is TOTALLY happening right now. I am beyond excited. Holiday extravaganza in full swing.

Sydney, HERE WE COME!!

And still....

Brain out the window, I was in auto mode. Making coffee's has become natural to me, well, as natural as it can to someone that's been making them for less than a month. Nevertheless, I was in my zone. Chilled out, not thinking. Focusing on nothing. Unaware. BOOM. They never come when you think they will, or do what you think they will. But it came, Mr Earthquake graced us with his unwanted presence at 11.34am this morning. Lights swinging, coffee cups falling, toddler time awry with small children crying and mothers in fear. Darting for the door, my focus was on myself. Selfish, but necessary. Under the safety of the doorframe, I watched the customers dart for cover, safety, whatever they could find. The rumbling went on, wrecking havoc with my norm, what I know, what was now being turned upside down by this fury of nature.

A small period of time later, though what felt like light years, and the swaying subsided. The lights continued to swing, but it was calming, chilled. Slowly our ground was remaining solid beneath our feet. Was that it? You never know.

I continued to make coffee for customers. Isn't that what you need in these desperate times? Either that or whiskey. But as customers left rushing for the exit, the loud speaker ushered us from the building, preventing our normal daily routine, telling us things won't be returning to normal. Telling us to 'get out'.

So we did, grabbing our bags and coats, we left behind the scene of our disaster, people spilling onto the streets, alarms blaring and important looking men in DayGlo fluro jackets running around furiously, doing their best to returning life to normal, reversing the trens of Mother Nature. Waiting was infuriating. Could we return? The roof had collapsed, the power was out, the sewerage had overflowed. Rumour mill was in full blow. I couldn't listen.

But life doesn return to normal. The camera crews came and left. The buildings were reopened, deemed safe. The news reports it, and moves on. Unaware of the trauma and ongoing destruction disrupting our everyday lives. We carry on but for some, its hard. Getting over it is not as easy as outsiders may think. The ground rumbles, but so what? No, it continues, and its control-less. As you begin to deal with it, you are shocked once more, forbidden from leading your everyday life, literally and metophorically shaking your life.

Thankful.

Thankful that the sun is shining,
thankful that love is blinding

Thankful that I'm here today,
thankful that I want to stay

Thankful that I have the best friends,
thankful that I don't have to pretend

Thankful that my family loves me,
thankful that I have opportunities

Thankful that I'm here and me,
just thankful that I believe.

Stupid.

Long time no blog. I know. Things are gettting hectic-ly busy in my neck of the woods. Talk about WAY too many things on my mind. My study is lacking. I must focus, or so I tell myself.

I'm going to a Tea Party on Friday, Stein to be exact. Naked and Famous. So excited. Sesible use of my study time?

Absolutely.

Hello out there?

Dear Mr Aftershock,

I'd really prefer if you went away and never came back. Its not that fun having you hanging round, shaking about. I'd like some alone time. Its not me, its you.

Please leave.

Yours sincerely.

Get me to a doorway, pronto!

BIG aftershock. They continue. On and on they go. Bit inconsiderate really. Little thought to how its affecting the lives of everyday people like me. Ravaging the town I call my own. A bit feed up really.

I hope I sleep through the night.

Long feet, sore day.

But never fear, already planning my next getaway with my wonderful friends accompanying.

Guess where?