He just smiled...and gave me a Vegemite sandwich

Sorry it has been a couple days since our last post. We have just been busy...ha ya right. Actually we have just been lazy. First off I wanna say thank you for everyones prayers about my hamstring. I have sat out for two weeks and practiced full go tonight! Everything went well and I felt really good, so thank you. The next thing I want to do is give kind of a shout out to Jerry and his family. Some of you never got a chance to meet Joe (Jerry's dad) but you honestly couldnt imagine a better man. I can remember seeing Uncle Joe at games and everytime you talked to him you couldnt help but smile. The best part about Joe was that no matter what was going on in his life, if he was feeling bad or had other issues, you wouldnt be able to notice. He always had a smile on his face and took close care of his family. What an honor to say that Marcus and I had a chance for him to be a part of our lives! Our prayers go out to you Jerry and Lisa, along with the rest of the family. With all that being said, you can imagine how happy he is now that the pain is gone. Our prayers are with you guys...

Well I woke up this morning and turned on the broadcast...to hear the game. Yes you know the one we are talking about. I have to be honest. I CARE about a LOT of Huntington people. I mean I really do. Between Shives, Sheckler, Eames, Krista, Kock, Kendra, Gower, Mock, Logan, Alyssa, Chase, on and on, I really enjoy a lot of them. But I still have to say...I HATE Huntington lol. I mean I know hate is a strong word, but it seriously may not be strong enough. KJ always had a thing about Bethel, and I know everyone has this thing about Bethel...whatever. For Marc and me, HU is our rival. Which is strange since we both have so many friends that go to school there. I think its all the old timers who sit in the stands and dont have any clue about basketball but think they are all head coaches. Sure every place you go has bad fans, I mean I'm sure there are some Gracies right up there with the best of them. But ahhh losing to HU just puts me in a bad mood! We'll see where the rankings put us now, it might be REAL close whether or not we go to Branson. I hope so though, there really is nothing like the National Tournament in Branson. What an experience!

Alright ending this post I am going to do a top 10, well two top 10's. Things I miss and things I dont miss about home. So sit back, and enjoy. Yeah even you Huntington people too ;-)

THINGS I MISS ABOUT HOME (aka the US in general)

Receiving votes...television. I never watched too much as it is, but I do miss movies. I'm sick of having three channels and they all suck. If anyone needs to know about the cartoon Larry the Lawnmower I can explain in GREAT detail. It sucks, but I find myself watching about 2-3 episodes a day. I'm embarrassed.

Also receiving votes...girls that dont wear there pants/shorts/skirts above their belly buttons. Apparently its cool to wear your pants really really high. Umm yea not sexy...not sexy at all actually. I dont know who decided that it was 1983 in Perth, but they need to change that rule real quick!

10. Driving my car...and driving it on the RIGHT side of the road. Ha today Marcus drive a pickup truck, shifted gears left handed and everything. I was impressed.

9. Being near EVERYTHING. Sure there are a ton of things to do here, I mean there are 2 million plus people. Shopping malls, the beach, movie theatres, and entertainment all over. However everything is spread out about 30 miles. It's kinda crazy.

8. Basketball. I know I know, I'm playing basketball here. But I mean BASKETBALL! March madness is coming up and there is nothing like it. All these Aussies do is talk about cricket and rugby!

7. American sports in general! Seriously, I would probably even go for watching a soccer game at the moment. Ok maybe not that extreme but I need some baseball, football, and basketball in my life. Not cricket, rugby, and Aussie rules football (better known as smear the queer for lack of a better word).

6. American conversations. Its amazing how much you miss having a conversation with someone that actually knows what you are talking about. Sure there are similar things here, but you get the idea.

5. Variety of restaurants. There are a ton of different places to eat here, but a LOT of cafe's. I'm sure I havent found the best places yet so this will probably change at some point.

4. Paying 5 bucks or less for a meal! If I spend under 10 dollars I have got myself a deal. Everything here is expensive...from food to clothes. For example, I ate subway today. A footlong meal cost me 13 dollars. No 5 dollar footlongs here baby!

3. The comfortableness of knowing where I'm at. I decided to go down town yesterday because I really wanted to go to the library. As I walk in to the so call library (Ahmed the security guard told me it was this big building...apparently Ahmed didnt graduate primary schools because someone doesnt know North from South) I noticed that it was def NOT the library. It was museum that was closed. And somehow I MacGyvered my way into the locked building where I was about arrested and charged with breaking and entering. Thanks Ahmed! Real cool.

2. My friends. I dont exactly miss home but I miss my friends like craaaaaazy. Its nuts because you dont realize how important these things are until you dont have them at your side. I miss all of them like you wouldnt believe and I cant wait to see there faces in 6 months!

1. My family. Its tough being away but I know that God has us here for a reason. We think about our family a lot...and its tough when you can be there for things like what happened to Joe. You almost feel useless...But soon enough! No worries mom :-)

THINGS I DO NOT MISS ABOUT HOME

10. Working...ha. No not working, but I wouldnt have the chance to play basketball as a profession if I was home. Not exactly what you would call NBA material so, the international basketball is fine with me!

9. The cold. It was cold here the other day...it was 78. Yes 78 is freezing. I laughed at a bunch of ladies in think sweaters walking along the beach. I'm sittin here sun bathing and it feels like winter to them haha.

8. The snow. This goes along with the cold but snow is boring after Christmas and New years. Just bring on spring already.

7. People who are rude. Seriously, everyone is nice here. I feel like it is a huge Grace College. No one is angry. I think Americans need to come take vacations here and check out Perth. People are almost too nice.

6. Paying for healthcare. Its sweet over here. The team will take care of us if we get hurt, and there seem to be no extra costs. Go figure first time I get sick or hurt I'll probably be sent home on a boat. Lets hope not!

5 thru 2. The business. Everyone is go go go, and I felt like the last 4 months in Bloomington I was on such a tight schedule to get everything in. It's almost like I didnt even have time for myself. I remember in Bloomington I was pumped when I was able to rent a movie and just sit down alone in my apartment to watch it. I was ALWAYS working, lifting, running, with friends, going out, on and on. My Christian walk has been the best it has been in a while here, and that is because I make that a priority instead of those other things.

1. My cell phone. Ha I know, terrible number one right? Ok I miss the simple things like getting a text from a friend, or being able to just pick up the phone and make a call to anyone. But it has almost become a necessity for us to carry around our cell phones. It's like we are naked without them. Seriously, leave your phone at home one day and see if you actually can go throughout the entire day and not seriously wish you had it with you. I have been forced to live without it and I really dont miss it that much!

Alright this is long enough (thats what she said!) ha, I am the funniest person I know. Time to bounce though, hope everyone is doing well and miss you guys! Outdoor movie theatre tomorrow! Marley and Me, I heard it was a good one. And yes I'm actually bringing friends this time haha!