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Toward the end of my summer break I had the opportunity to work on a number of different freelance design projects, one of which was this business card for Zawadi. Although originally designed to be three Pantone® colours, the final product was printed four colour process on a 350gsm silk artboard, finished with a matt celloglaze.

Well, the curtain is about to come down on what has been a long summer break (I can’t emphasise the ‘long’ part enough). I’m gearing up to head back into university on the twenty-second to commence the final year of my clinical studies. The past two years have gone by so fast that I don’t forecast there being much of a change this year. I’m really looking forward to getting this degree under my belt.

Before the academic year ended in 2009 we were advised to choose our preferred hospital and unit for our speciality placements in our final year. For me, it was a simple case of picking either one of the two largest children’s hospitals in Brisbane. The problem was there wasn’t a great deal of difference between them. Although it was a serious decision, I would have honestly been happy to flip a coin.

I remember there being a great air of uncertainty late last year. I thought to myself, this is my future right here, on this bit of paper. If I were to be denied a placement in paediatrics then it would be a massive setback for my future plans. Paediatrics, from what I hear, is hard to get placed into. In my cohort alone there are unprecedented numbers all vying for a placement in paeds, let alone other universities. There are simply not enough places in the hospitals.

To add to the uncertainty, not long after I submitted my preference I began second guessing it. I often wondered if I made the right decision to go with the hospital I chose, almost to the point where I began wishing I had chosen the other hospital instead. I can’t explain it but it was just a deep-seated feeling that I had. I knew something just wasn’t right, even though I would have had a more than abundant opportunity to learn at the hospital I chose.

Fast-forward three months and I received a phone call this morning from the clinical administrator at ACU. She was ringing to inform me that my preference had been declined due to a lack of available positions. They were going to send me to a hospital that had no paediatric department at all. I was pretty bummed until she informed me that another student had retracted their paediatric placement at the last minute. It works out she retracted from the other children’s hospital, the one I felt I should have gone to in the first place. The clinical administrator rang to give me first preference to the new opening. Needless to say I didn’t hesitate to take the placement, even though she told me there was quite a long list of people wanting the position if I didn’t take it.

I’m just so thankful. It was one of those moments where I knew in my heart that this is where I’m supposed to be. I don’t believe in things happening by chance. I believe there is a perfect reason and timing for everything. I feel so blessed at this moment. I feel that this is confirmation after hearing God’s voice in that little church in Africa all those years ago that this is the path I am to walk down.

This weekend I packed my bags, raced out of town, and headed for the the picturesque hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. A few guys from church were meeting together for a prayer retreat at a macadamia nut farm just outside the township of Maleny. It was a great time away. Without going into sensitive details, I had a real intimate time with God while there. It did my soul a world of good.

By the time the retreat wrapped up at about noon on Saturday I could smell a Judd Green steak on the BBQ, wafting in with the easterly ocean breeze. I left the farm and drove to the coast to spend the rest of the weekend with the Green family while they were on holidays at Alexandra Headlands. There was plenty of eating, swimming, and laughing going around.

Between both days I can’t begin to describe how relaxed I feel right now. I just hope I’ll be able to snap out of the daze before university starts up in two weeks time.

I didn’t take a DSLR, but rather a little point-and-shoot digital and took some shots (inconspicuously) while wandering around the farm early on Saturday morning. The last shot shows the view from the table we had dinner at on Saturday night.

It had been thirteen years since I last went to a cricket game at the Gabba. Back then a school mate invited me in to see England take on the Queensland Bulls in a day-nighter. Thirteen years on history repeated itself yesterday when a mate invited me to see Australia take on Pakistan. What people find to love about cricket is beyond my understanding. I’ve searched for this passion a few times in the past but have come up short every time. In all honesty I’ve never got into it and it seems futile to try and escape the game this nation so warmly embraces. Since cricket is so engrained into our culture it wasn’t surprising to see people of different generations all eagerly watching athletes who were pretty handy with a bat and ball. Fathers with their young sons, young men turning up after work in suits and ties, taking in a few sips of the amber ale, all the way up to elderly gentlemen taking in a few breaths of oxygen through a mask while bound to their wheelchairs. Is it the game they love, or is it something more?

Although I love my country, I don’t count myself to be overly patriotic. Although we all come from different backgrounds and cultures I count everyone all on the same level. We are human, not human based on nationality. When I was at the game last night I did however feel a greater love for my country when I was seated in a stadium full of people all united for Australia. After this, I guess it was safe to say that people use the game to channel their love for this great land. I certainly did.

As I watched the Pakistani players on the field I was reminded of the cricketers who were fired upon in Lahore last year. I thought about how they are free to play in this land without fear of being shot. As I watched the Australian players on the field I thought about the Australian athletes that are gearing up to play in the Commonwealth Games in India with all the speculation of threats to their safety hanging over their heads. Yet, in this land these Australian athletes are free.

By the time the skies overhead transformed into night I had well and truly lost that zeal I had for the game six hours prior, but as I sat back with my mates and had a good look around at my fellow Australians, I counted myself immensely fortunate to be both born and to have lived in this land, particularly while growing up. With Australia Day next week, going to the game last night set me in a great mood to celebrate and reflect on what it means to be an Aussie.

I did record the above vid in 720p HD but for whatever reason it’s not allowing me to imbed it here. To view - http://vimeo.com/8925711?hd=1

Compiled after a recent ride and trek around the greater Brisbane area. The compression is a little naff, sorry.

I gave that relatively new sushi place at Carseldine a crack with a friend last night. Although I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the food, I quite like the novel idea of food rolling past on these little plates. It certainly proved to be a place where I could work on my indecisiveness.

I’ve only been to a sushi train twice in my life and for some reason while there last night it prompted memories of airport baggage claim. Probably a sure reminder that I’ve been grounded in Aus for too long.