A friend of mine moving from Townsville (North QLD) to Sydney recently asked me if I, having previously survived the move, had any tips for her. She has lived in Townsville all her life so it's a daunting prospect.
I shared with her some of the things I have learned in the process, and decided it would be worth blogging in case anybody else finds it of use.
1. Find a Christian support/social network quickly.
Depending on the number of people you know in Sydney (I knew a grand total of about four), this can be easy or hard. Try and lock yourself into a church sooner rather than later.
2. Don't look for the perfect church.
Because, a) you'll never find it, and b) you really are spoilt for choice down here. There are lots of quality churches and you could spend ages looking. In the end, I didn't visit all the recommendations on my list as it would have taken weeks. I found one I was happy with and stuck with it. Remember that you can always go looking again later if it turns out to be not what you thought.
3. Sydney isn't Townsville
Obvious, I know, but the atmosphere is very different down here. People are very busy and always doing things. Fortunately that's a culture thing, and you're free to move at your own pace. Don't let yourself get swept into the current if you're not ready.
4. Sydney people aren't Townsville people
A friend and mentor of mine mentioned to me before I moved down that Sydney people act like they've got it all together. We Queenslanders are usually more honest when life isn't going so well, but you don't hear this so much with the Sydney-ites. As a result, it's easy to feel like you're the only person in the entire city whose life is screwed up, but it's not true. I have also found it to be harder to form relationships where you can create that dynamic of sharing burdens, but leading by example is a good tactic here - if you're open and honest with people, they're more inclined to be open and honest with you.
5. Friendships take time
When I first moved to Townsville, it took about five years before I finally had very, very close friends, and of course they are what I miss most about Townsville. It can be a scary prospect when you consider that it might take another five years to grow those kind of friendships again, but you have to be patient.
6. Don't be afraid to reinvent yourself
If you've lived in somewhere all your life, you've probably lived under a whole heap of expectations from family, friends, the church, etc. These can be great things which help make you the person you are, but finding independence and moving to a new place can be a great opportunity to make changes and be who you want to be. The people you'll meet will have no prior impressions or expectations of you, so the only person you should aim to please is God.
7. Remember: Nothing is permanent
If you get down here, and it's not what you thought it would be, you can always go home. A lot of people might view this as a personal failing, but rather than thinking of it as 'You weren't right for Sydney', think 'Sydney wasn't right for you'. You will always have people back home who will love you and welcome you back with open arms. This is a healthy perspective to keep, and will hopefully alleviate some of the pressure of the move.
What do you think? What would you be afraid of if you had to make such a big move? What have you done that's helped? What would you do differently next time?
SG
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
The first audition is always the worst
Oh please, let it be so.
I wonder if Elton John remembers his first audition. I wonder if it was messy, awkward and embarrassing, or if it sparkled with the confidence and self-assurance that it takes to wear whole outfits just as sparkly.
I had my first audition this week, and while it was an experience I'd sooner forget, I'm sure I'll remember it for a long time to come.
To cut a long story short, I was made to do an impromptu 'audition' to get into a Ensemble class for the semester (a class made up of small groups in different musical formats). Despite the fact that I'm a Composition major, and was hoping for the vocal ensemble (where I could comfortably blend in with some other baritones and sway in all the right places), they wanted to put me into a group with Contemporary Performance majors. But they had to check I was up to scratch.
Thus ensued my unprepared, unrehearsed, nerve-wracked piano and singing audition, and, after bumbling through a rather awkward recital of 'Georgia on my mind' on the keys, I was asked to sing something.
I. Had. Nothing.
Nothing.
Drawing blanks.
Good grief, this is so embarrassing! He must think I'm such a twerp.
"Um, what would you like me to sing?" I asked, stalling for time.
"Anything you want," said he.
Thanks for your help.
"Like what?" I persisted, silently pleading with God for either divine inspiration or a fatal aneurysm.
"Well, what you normally sing. What do you sing when you have a gig on a Friday night?"
Are you serious? I've never had a gig in my life! At least none that somebody's enjoyed so much they felt they needed to pay me for it! "Oh. Ok. Um..."
Nothing.
In hindsight, I could have sung a Disney song. I've done a couple of those at weddings. Or a Casting Crowns song - I had some good feedback on those when I'd performed at special church services.
Nothing. Nada. My head was as blank as the expression on my face.
And so, grasping at the first and only thing I could think of, that's how I came to sing 'Advance Australia Fair' for my audition into a Contemporary Performance class.
What. A dork.
If the bloke assessing me was laughing on the inside he deserves a damn medal for keeping himself composed. I don't know what he would have found funnier: my unrehearsed, off-pitch singing or the fact that the nervous fiddling with my necklace as I sang probably looked remarkably like holding my hand to my chest in a dedicated show of patriotism.
Please, just let the ground open up and swallow me whole...
Strangely enough, instead of my enrolment being cancelled on the spot, I was accepted into the class.
(As a pianist, fortunately...)
So now, whenever I hear our beloved National Anthem, I know I'm going to remember my first ever audition in the big, bad music world. And cringe.
Oh hell. The Olympics are on this year.
I'd better steer clear of the swimming.
I wonder if Elton John remembers his first audition. I wonder if it was messy, awkward and embarrassing, or if it sparkled with the confidence and self-assurance that it takes to wear whole outfits just as sparkly.
I had my first audition this week, and while it was an experience I'd sooner forget, I'm sure I'll remember it for a long time to come.
To cut a long story short, I was made to do an impromptu 'audition' to get into a Ensemble class for the semester (a class made up of small groups in different musical formats). Despite the fact that I'm a Composition major, and was hoping for the vocal ensemble (where I could comfortably blend in with some other baritones and sway in all the right places), they wanted to put me into a group with Contemporary Performance majors. But they had to check I was up to scratch.
Thus ensued my unprepared, unrehearsed, nerve-wracked piano and singing audition, and, after bumbling through a rather awkward recital of 'Georgia on my mind' on the keys, I was asked to sing something.
I. Had. Nothing.
Nothing.
Drawing blanks.
Good grief, this is so embarrassing! He must think I'm such a twerp.
"Um, what would you like me to sing?" I asked, stalling for time.
"Anything you want," said he.
Thanks for your help.
"Like what?" I persisted, silently pleading with God for either divine inspiration or a fatal aneurysm.
"Well, what you normally sing. What do you sing when you have a gig on a Friday night?"
Are you serious? I've never had a gig in my life! At least none that somebody's enjoyed so much they felt they needed to pay me for it! "Oh. Ok. Um..."
Nothing.
In hindsight, I could have sung a Disney song. I've done a couple of those at weddings. Or a Casting Crowns song - I had some good feedback on those when I'd performed at special church services.
Nothing. Nada. My head was as blank as the expression on my face.
And so, grasping at the first and only thing I could think of, that's how I came to sing 'Advance Australia Fair' for my audition into a Contemporary Performance class.
What. A dork.
If the bloke assessing me was laughing on the inside he deserves a damn medal for keeping himself composed. I don't know what he would have found funnier: my unrehearsed, off-pitch singing or the fact that the nervous fiddling with my necklace as I sang probably looked remarkably like holding my hand to my chest in a dedicated show of patriotism.
Please, just let the ground open up and swallow me whole...
Strangely enough, instead of my enrolment being cancelled on the spot, I was accepted into the class.
(As a pianist, fortunately...)
So now, whenever I hear our beloved National Anthem, I know I'm going to remember my first ever audition in the big, bad music world. And cringe.
Oh hell. The Olympics are on this year.
I'd better steer clear of the swimming.
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Pachelbel Rant
A friend of mine shared this on Facebook the other day.
While I may be a little late to the party on this one, as a cellist' I found it resonated with a certain tone of Truth.
While I may be a little late to the party on this one, as a cellist' I found it resonated with a certain tone of Truth.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
To infinity and beyond
What an optimistic title to this blog.
That's so unlike me...
Still, it captures pretty well what this post is about.
January 2012 marks the start of something new for me. I have pulled up my roots in Townsville, and am currently on my way south, as I relocate to Sydney.
I've had the pleasure of spending the last nine years in Townsville, having moved there straight after finishing high school to study and then work as a pharmacist. I will always look back on these years as a huge blessing - the beginnings of independence and getting to know myself as a person, and really coming to terms with the meaning and implications of my faith.
I'll always look back on these years with joy and thankfulness, not least of all because of the people who made it happen. I left a lot of friends behind, but took with me treasured memories. And I take comfort from the fact that, for those of us who are united together in Christ, there are no Goodbyes.
So so long, Townsville, and thanks for all the fish. You were great, but it is time for a sea-change. One can only stand their soul being ground away in the public service for so long before something snaps. And my something did snap. So it must be time to try pursue something I actually enjoy!
And so to Sydney it is, where I'm aiming to work part-time as a pharmacist while I go back to uni and study music (composition and music production, to be precise). Yes, I'm petrified, and yes; it's a far-fetched goal, possibly chasing after an even-further-fetched dream, and no; I have no idea what I'll possibly do with it at the end, but...
Well, actually, that's it. That's the truth of the matter. Still, it's worth a shot.
While studying, I'll have the pleasure of living at Moore Theological College, in the single men's residence. This, I must say, I am really looking forward to: Halls of Residence are petri dishes well suited for breeding (among other things) great friendships.
And since I'm taking my coffee machine, I'm hoping it'll give me a head start.
That's so unlike me...
Still, it captures pretty well what this post is about.
 |
| If I had wings like this, perhaps I'd've done this sooner. |
I've had the pleasure of spending the last nine years in Townsville, having moved there straight after finishing high school to study and then work as a pharmacist. I will always look back on these years as a huge blessing - the beginnings of independence and getting to know myself as a person, and really coming to terms with the meaning and implications of my faith.
I'll always look back on these years with joy and thankfulness, not least of all because of the people who made it happen. I left a lot of friends behind, but took with me treasured memories. And I take comfort from the fact that, for those of us who are united together in Christ, there are no Goodbyes.
So so long, Townsville, and thanks for all the fish. You were great, but it is time for a sea-change. One can only stand their soul being ground away in the public service for so long before something snaps. And my something did snap. So it must be time to try pursue something I actually enjoy!
And so to Sydney it is, where I'm aiming to work part-time as a pharmacist while I go back to uni and study music (composition and music production, to be precise). Yes, I'm petrified, and yes; it's a far-fetched goal, possibly chasing after an even-further-fetched dream, and no; I have no idea what I'll possibly do with it at the end, but...
Well, actually, that's it. That's the truth of the matter. Still, it's worth a shot.
While studying, I'll have the pleasure of living at Moore Theological College, in the single men's residence. This, I must say, I am really looking forward to: Halls of Residence are petri dishes well suited for breeding (among other things) great friendships.
And since I'm taking my coffee machine, I'm hoping it'll give me a head start.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
My New-Year Resolutions
So Happy New Year, and all that.
The start of 2012 means a lot of different things to different people. For me, the year ticking over means it's probably time for another blog post.
Don't get confused. This post shouldn't be misinterpreted as some kind of New Year's Resolution to start blogging more regularly. It's not. Though any rational individual might take comfort from this fact, as it means it's more likely to survive past the first twenty minutes of January.
I have made a few resolutions this year. When I started writing this blog post I had two. Now I have three. And no; 'blogging more regularly' didn't just sneak in there. Incidentally, I was also going to include 'Be Optimistic' on my list, but excluded it after I decided that was probably too optimistic.
My first resolution... Hang on I forgot. No, that's right. My first resolution is to
Read my Bible every day.
Even if it's just a chapter. Or a bit of a chapter. Or a portion of a bit of a chapter. The point is, I need to make more of an effort. Even if the resolution fails to reach optimum potency and I manage once a week, that'll still be an improvement on this past year, and I'm glad to report that at Luke Chapter 5, so far so good. I decided to start with Luke's Gospel as a refresher course on the God-man Jesus - His life, His teaching and the amazing thing He did for us on the cross at Calvary. The centre of the Christian faith (and my relationship with God) begins with Jesus, so my resolution probably should, too.
Resolution number two is to
Stop being so self-deprecating
I've always been my harshest critic, but rather than leading to self-improvement, it drives me to despair. Rather than being inspired by people who are better than me, my gut reaction is one of 'What's the point? Leave it to them.' And I give up. Not quite the ANZAC Spirit famed in Australian History. So I hope to change this, and let inspiration fuel me rather than cut me down. The truth is, there will always be people around you who are stronger, faster, smarter, more-talented, funnier, Godlier, charismatic and better-looking than you are (I'm stopping this endless list here as it's starting to get depressing), so if that gets you down, you're going to be disappointed for the long haul.
Finally, resolution number three is to
Gethealthy healthier
Yes, I know this is frightfully generic and cliche, but I'm a pretty generic kind of guy. I managed to start some gym action late last year, which in turn made me feel guilty about what I was eating (let's face it: guilt is one HELL of a motivator). Continuing gym on my new budget may be a little tricky, so I'm going to adjust my plans a little. Food-wise, the goal is portion control, and since I'll be living in the Halls of Residence at Moore College this year, I'm expecting the incentive to be baked into the food. Exercise-wise, 30 minutes a day of SOMEthing that's not sitting around on my butt, grazing. (I may come from cattle-country, but the similarities have to stop somewhere.) If there are any other Moore students who might happen to be reading this, looking for an exercise-buddy, I'll motiviate you if you help motivate me (use of cattle-prods permissible only in extreme circumstances).
So that's the plan. 2012 is the start of a whole new life for me, so hopefully some (long-overdue) positive changes in areas of health, self-perception and God-life will be well-received, and make it through to 2013.
Or at least into February.
The start of 2012 means a lot of different things to different people. For me, the year ticking over means it's probably time for another blog post.
Don't get confused. This post shouldn't be misinterpreted as some kind of New Year's Resolution to start blogging more regularly. It's not. Though any rational individual might take comfort from this fact, as it means it's more likely to survive past the first twenty minutes of January.
I have made a few resolutions this year. When I started writing this blog post I had two. Now I have three. And no; 'blogging more regularly' didn't just sneak in there. Incidentally, I was also going to include 'Be Optimistic' on my list, but excluded it after I decided that was probably too optimistic.
My first resolution... Hang on I forgot. No, that's right. My first resolution is to
Read my Bible every day.
Even if it's just a chapter. Or a bit of a chapter. Or a portion of a bit of a chapter. The point is, I need to make more of an effort. Even if the resolution fails to reach optimum potency and I manage once a week, that'll still be an improvement on this past year, and I'm glad to report that at Luke Chapter 5, so far so good. I decided to start with Luke's Gospel as a refresher course on the God-man Jesus - His life, His teaching and the amazing thing He did for us on the cross at Calvary. The centre of the Christian faith (and my relationship with God) begins with Jesus, so my resolution probably should, too.
Resolution number two is to
Stop being so self-deprecating
I've always been my harshest critic, but rather than leading to self-improvement, it drives me to despair. Rather than being inspired by people who are better than me, my gut reaction is one of 'What's the point? Leave it to them.' And I give up. Not quite the ANZAC Spirit famed in Australian History. So I hope to change this, and let inspiration fuel me rather than cut me down. The truth is, there will always be people around you who are stronger, faster, smarter, more-talented, funnier, Godlier, charismatic and better-looking than you are (I'm stopping this endless list here as it's starting to get depressing), so if that gets you down, you're going to be disappointed for the long haul.
Finally, resolution number three is to
Get
Yes, I know this is frightfully generic and cliche, but I'm a pretty generic kind of guy. I managed to start some gym action late last year, which in turn made me feel guilty about what I was eating (let's face it: guilt is one HELL of a motivator). Continuing gym on my new budget may be a little tricky, so I'm going to adjust my plans a little. Food-wise, the goal is portion control, and since I'll be living in the Halls of Residence at Moore College this year, I'm expecting the incentive to be baked into the food. Exercise-wise, 30 minutes a day of SOMEthing that's not sitting around on my butt, grazing. (I may come from cattle-country, but the similarities have to stop somewhere.) If there are any other Moore students who might happen to be reading this, looking for an exercise-buddy, I'll motiviate you if you help motivate me (use of cattle-prods permissible only in extreme circumstances).
So that's the plan. 2012 is the start of a whole new life for me, so hopefully some (long-overdue) positive changes in areas of health, self-perception and God-life will be well-received, and make it through to 2013.
Or at least into February.
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