Peru Trip Entry

I sent this email out today. Not sure if I will blog the rest here or not, but I will blog them somewhere! Anyway, enjoy.

Hi guys,

This email is going to be a very short one because it's late here now, but I'll make up for it later I promise!

Well I made it safely here yesterday night, and here I am at my friend Dan and Narelle's place after a full day of checking out Lima. Also with us is Rodo, an employee and friend of Dan's, who is our local guide and resident comedian. Today he and Dan convinced me (or did I convince myself?) to order coffee under the name Juan. In FLAWLESS SPANISH (it was totally flawless!) I ordered said coffee and gave my name. The lady behind the counter did not seem to believe that I would have such a Spanish-sounding name, which is odd because, as I mentioned before, my Spanish was FLAWLESS! (Really!... No really!)

; )

I saw the Presidential Palace today and the local markets. Tomorrow I'm going to visit a family who are friends of Dan and Narelle, as well as visit Lomas - the town Dan's NGO works in - for the first time. On Sunday it looks like we will be going to Cusco and Machu Picchu, despite recent protests there blocking off the trains. On Sunday night a group from Melbourne is going to arrive, and I'm really looking forward to meeting them.

I will probably be blogging my updates in future, but I'm not sure exactly where on the internet that blog will be at the moment. I'll let you know. In the meantime you can receive updates via my Twitter, and I'll have pictures soon (I forgot to bring my camera today - never again!)

Anyway, I hope this finds you well, and I will have more news soon.

Rohan

Apologies if you read this

Did you know it takes a full ten minutes for Blogger to load this blog-writing page? It really does.

I actually have nothing to write about, but I feel like writing. I like reading people's blogs that are updated every day, but I feel like my life is just too boring to actually sit and write a page about every day. My life can handle Twitter because something dumb-or-amazing happens to me every day, but generally speaking it can be dealt with pretty succinctly.


Some times my friend Hendra from Sydney sends me a text telling me something or asking me something. Just randomly. I think he gets lonely. Today I got one from him saying "Sydney randomness: i saw an asian spiderman holding a giant blue plastic penis" It brightened my day.

I just had a brain wave. If you've known me for a bit you'd know I wear Converse shoes an awful lot. You'd also know I got my first pair signed by a DJ called Andy Hunter. I'm thinking I can get my current pair signed by John Green when I go to Melbourne. Then people will be all "Who signed your shoe?" and I'll be like "Billie Joe Armstrong" and they'll be like "REALLY?!" and I'll be like "No! Better! John Green!"

My imagination is a wonderful place sometimes.

SLGBSPEE - Melbourne

Before I go on my Grand Peruvian Adventure I am going on the Slightly Less Grand But Still Pretty Exciting Excursion to Melbourne. Partly I'm going to catch up with my friend Dan (who I am going to stay with in Peru) but I also scheduled it to coincide with the Melbourne Nerdfighter Gathering, featuring John Green.

Tonight I booked my accommodation - meaning I have finalised the last thing for the Slightly Less Grand But Still Pretty Exciting Excursion. I am, as you might assume, pretty excited. I get to go to Melbourne and see my friends Chris, Leuke and Rob. I also get to mix with Australian Nerdfighters. And I'll get to meet John Green! OMG!

Unsure how I will handle meeting someone who I count amongst my inspirations, I sent a tweet to his friend and fellow Young Adult fiction author Maureen Johnson. "Maureen" I said, "What do you suggest I should do when I meet John Green in Melbourne?"

She was prompt in her reply:

I suppose there is nothing for it. Maureen has spoken. I hope someone will film this because both my hands are going to be occupied with the shaking.

I hope John will still sign my books afterwards.

(Incidentally, doing a Google image search for the term "Nerdfighters" is probably one of the more awesome things you can do on the Internet.)

A Bright Future

I feel like writing something personal and honest here, but I'm afraid it'll be misunderstood by 98% of all who read it.

Using percentages to talk about people is completely unsexy. Let me rephrase:

I feel like writing something personal and honest here, but I'm afraid it'll be misunderstood by pretty much everyone who reads it.

Better. Continue:

The truth is, I am fundamentally different from you. Either because I come from a different country, I follow a different religion, I'm of a different gender... whatever. I'm different to you and my values are not the same as yours.

If I was to say something shocking - SHOCKING! - like "I don't care whether I get this job in Sydney or not" it doesn't mean that I don't care. I say this to ensure such a thing won't be misconstrued as indifference by a potential employer reading this blog *waves at Andrew Denton*. That is not how I feel. I just want to make that clear from the start. Can you imagine the opportunity this job is? And that I made the short list? And that I might actually be employed by the ABC?

The thing is, though, it's true. Lately I've been reflecting on it, and I've found I'm really, really happy with the way things are right now. It's not even as though I've had a particularly easy couple of weeks. Mid-semester has been and gone and now I've just got one deadline after another flying at me. I haven't slept properly for the past eight or nine days because of assignments or early shifts at work.

That sounds, you know, terrible, but I'm content. I love my friends here. I love my job. I love making videos for my personal YouTube channel. I love my church. All these things would change if I were to get the job in Sydney. That's not to say that would be a bad thing, but if it didn't eventuate I'd be okay.

Like, I'm at a place right now where I will be uber-excited to be accepted or rejected for the position. They could call tomorrow (er... today), I could hear either outcome and legitimately jump up and down for joy. That probably sounds odd to you. I'm sorry. I don't mean to be strange.

So. This is far from a "I don't want the job." No. Nononononono! Nor is it an expression of contempt for the opportunity I've been given. I don't know how I can stress that enough. This blog has been sounding pretty anti-Sydney so far and that really isn't the intention. The idea of working in Sydney and working with the ABC is delicious. And hanging out with Nikki, Min and Queenie! And possibly Chris! And my friend Hendra! And being paid to make videos! Delicious! NOM NOM NOM.

This isn't even an indication that I'm setting myself up to fail - softening the blow. I honestly don't know what's going to happen. I'm just saying that the Gold Coast is equally delicious as Sydney.

I hope you understand. I'm really excited for the rest of the year, no matter what happens.

Email from my Lecturer

There are particular people who inspire me. The course convener for my class Ghosts and the Gothic is one of them (although I'm sure he doesn't know it).

Why? Let me share with you an email he sent out to all students in the course:

Hello!

Two announcements about pending assessments.


1. The diary.


The diary is due for submission on the 29th of May before 5.00 pm. You do not need to print this (admittedly precious) document on vellum or papyrus - plain A4 will do splendidly, thank you. Nor should you feel that your diary must be bound in shagreen, velvet, eelskin or yak fur - a staple or paper clip composed of non-precious metals will surely do the trick. Most importantly, do NOT place each page in a clear plastic slip. As it is unlikely that I will be reading your diaries underwater or during a food fight, such precautions are unnecessary and will irritate me beyond measure. I trust this answers all possible questions, however, if I missed something feel free to email.


2. Final Essay Questions


I know you are all clamouring for the essay questions and I wanted to reassure you that your wait is almost over. They will be posted tomorrow.


Kind regards,
David

I think that speaks for itself really.