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
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