Carling and I are back in the US now, and have also parted ways. I have gone to stay in Bryn Athyn, PA over Thanksgiving and Carling to her house in Kempton. I thought I would write a little something about being home, sort of a final post for Sarah.
The plane flights weren't as bad, or as long, as they were going to Australia. Michelle, Angela and Margaret Heldon had seen us off at the airport and gave us some gifts for the flights home. The girls had made us a scrapbook of photos, with comments, of our good times spent together. Such a precious gift, thank you ladies. It is different being back because I no longer have Carling at my side. The first morning I woke up eating cereal and sitting on the couch just wasn't the same. I have my niece, Adara, to play with, she is such a joy. She had learned to walk while I was away so I've had lots of new tricks to catch up on. The weather is very cold here, and since all of my stuff is packed and distributed at different houses, I haven't found a coat warmer than a jacket. My sister Denielle, has kindly given me some gloves and a scarf, which I bring everywhere.
Thanksgiving is coming and I am thankful for it. Its great coming back to the States with over a week to adjust, get rid of jetlag, hang out with friends, and see my family. My parents are coming out from Michigan soon and I can't wait. I think getting back into the swing of school won't be as bad as I imagined, but we'll have to wait and see.
I do want to thank everyone who has read this blog. Carling and I loved putting up new posts and pictures, and looking to see if anyone had commented. I recommend making a blog, or at least keeping a journal, if you plan on traveling because it is a great way to look back and see all that you did and experienced. I also would recommend planning a visit to Australia one day. It is an amazing and beautiful country, with friendly and welcoming people. I'm just waiting for the next excuse I get to get back out there (possibly a wedding?).
Now a little note to my significant other while on this internship: Carling Wyncoll. If you don't know this girl, just imagine a talented, joyous, and relaxed person. She and I got along so well I couldn't have asked for a better person to have gone to Australia with. We knew each other before leaving the US, but not all that well. It turns out we are similar in many ways, we both love to dance and laugh. Our friendship is so strong now that I know we'll be there for each other in the years, hopefully decades, to come. Thank you Carling, for coming on this trip with me and for our many talks, laughs, dance parties, and cries. Keep a lookout for the wombat.
Glad to be back at home,
Sarah Marie Elder
Shoutouts:
To Michelle and Angela- thank you for the scrapbook, I will treasure it forever.
To Margaret- thank you for your love and wisdom.
One day we will meet again...
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Our Last Weekend :(
The time has come to fit in last minute trips and say our goodbyes. This past friday we went out dancing with our mates Angela and Michelle Heldon, a few gems among the rough. It was pouring rain but made it all the more memorable. The evening ended with us breaking out our Kevin Bacon Footloose moves in an 80's dance club.
Saturday we visited the National Art School where Michelle's art was on display. We are so proud of her. The school used to be a prison where England's convicts were sent due to the overflow in their own prisons. History could be seen by the bars still on the windows and chalk tallies counting the days a prisoner had been there. The cell walls and stairs are taken out, leaving the room perfect to display artwork. In the center of the jail is the chapel, where the convicts would go to repent. Unfortunetely, we were not able to go into the chapel but were told it is beautiful. We headed for what was once Sydney's red-light district, and hopped on a bus tour that gave us the history of streets, bridges and buildings of the area. We sat atop a double decker bus, much like those in London, and had a great view of the sights. Besides being informational, it was a good way to soak in and have closure on our amazing internship. We jumped off and went into the infamous Aquarium and got up close and personal with some sharks! The seal and shark tanks had underwater tunnels for people to walk through and get an incredible look at the many sea creatures. Along with the sharks were huge stingrays, giant turtles, and vibrant fish. We definitely recommend this aquarium and give it 5 stars.
Sunday was our last service in the Hurstville New Church. After singing we headed to our house with the congregation for a farewell party. Sad as it is to say goodbye to this society, we are looking forward to seeing our family and friends back in the States. We were very humbled by the nice speeches and thoughtful gifts we received from the society. We were given some Australian songbooks, cd's and beautiful charm bracelets. Carling's bracelet has a kangaroo charm, for her bouncy joy, and Sarah's has a kookaburra, for her love of birds and great laugh. We were so touched by the love from the community it is going to be an emotional farewell boarding the plane.
That was only the beginning to an amazing Sunday. We drove to the very well known, Bondi Beach, with Michelle, Angela and Kristen. For the month of November, an art exhibit called Sculptures by the Sea, was on display along the rocks of the beach. We cannot even begin to describe any of the sculptures, so make sure you look at our photos.
For the next 2 weeks a group of Aboriginal students are visiting the Sydney area and are staying in the church's Baringa. Sunday evening there was a welcoming ceremony where we were blessed with water and got the privilege of seeing an Aboriginal dance by a few women. The kids were a bit shy but a few came up to us and chatted about their first trip to Sydney. It was great to have the opportunity to meet some Aborigines before we left for the States. They still have many of their traditions and the dance was powerful because it showed the honor they feel for the land. By nightfall the mossies were coming out and everyone went back to their homes.
We are treasuring each final moment we have here in Australia. We have finished our 200 hours for the internship but there is still so much to do. We are thankful for the time we have spent here and the love we have felt from the society. They will all be missed.
Shoutouts:
#1 Margaret, for being the BEST supervisor ever.
#2 Michelle, for sharing her joy and beautiful artwork.
#3 Angela, for her love and affection.
These ladies are pure gems.
with love,
Sarah and Carling
Saturday we visited the National Art School where Michelle's art was on display. We are so proud of her. The school used to be a prison where England's convicts were sent due to the overflow in their own prisons. History could be seen by the bars still on the windows and chalk tallies counting the days a prisoner had been there. The cell walls and stairs are taken out, leaving the room perfect to display artwork. In the center of the jail is the chapel, where the convicts would go to repent. Unfortunetely, we were not able to go into the chapel but were told it is beautiful. We headed for what was once Sydney's red-light district, and hopped on a bus tour that gave us the history of streets, bridges and buildings of the area. We sat atop a double decker bus, much like those in London, and had a great view of the sights. Besides being informational, it was a good way to soak in and have closure on our amazing internship. We jumped off and went into the infamous Aquarium and got up close and personal with some sharks! The seal and shark tanks had underwater tunnels for people to walk through and get an incredible look at the many sea creatures. Along with the sharks were huge stingrays, giant turtles, and vibrant fish. We definitely recommend this aquarium and give it 5 stars.
Sunday was our last service in the Hurstville New Church. After singing we headed to our house with the congregation for a farewell party. Sad as it is to say goodbye to this society, we are looking forward to seeing our family and friends back in the States. We were very humbled by the nice speeches and thoughtful gifts we received from the society. We were given some Australian songbooks, cd's and beautiful charm bracelets. Carling's bracelet has a kangaroo charm, for her bouncy joy, and Sarah's has a kookaburra, for her love of birds and great laugh. We were so touched by the love from the community it is going to be an emotional farewell boarding the plane.
That was only the beginning to an amazing Sunday. We drove to the very well known, Bondi Beach, with Michelle, Angela and Kristen. For the month of November, an art exhibit called Sculptures by the Sea, was on display along the rocks of the beach. We cannot even begin to describe any of the sculptures, so make sure you look at our photos.
For the next 2 weeks a group of Aboriginal students are visiting the Sydney area and are staying in the church's Baringa. Sunday evening there was a welcoming ceremony where we were blessed with water and got the privilege of seeing an Aboriginal dance by a few women. The kids were a bit shy but a few came up to us and chatted about their first trip to Sydney. It was great to have the opportunity to meet some Aborigines before we left for the States. They still have many of their traditions and the dance was powerful because it showed the honor they feel for the land. By nightfall the mossies were coming out and everyone went back to their homes.
We are treasuring each final moment we have here in Australia. We have finished our 200 hours for the internship but there is still so much to do. We are thankful for the time we have spent here and the love we have felt from the society. They will all be missed.
Shoutouts:
#1 Margaret, for being the BEST supervisor ever.
#2 Michelle, for sharing her joy and beautiful artwork.
#3 Angela, for her love and affection.
These ladies are pure gems.
with love,
Sarah and Carling
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Pancake Breakfast
Here are some photos from the pancake breakfast that Sarah and I put on last Sunday before church. We were nicely helped by Angela and Michelle and it was a great success, as well as super delicious.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
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