Step by step
I feel as though I have been kidnapped and whisked away to this comfortable sparkling bubble. After the past several months of hopping planes between one intense experience after the next, I am gratefully though uncharacteristically accepting this UQ existence. I have been feeling my body slowly releasing all its pent up stress and tension into the serene, calm, organized Brisbane air.
In a matter of two weeks, the administration here has facilitated a quite successful "plug-in" to "uni" life. Another peace fellow and myself found an apartment, we've enrolled and attending two weeks worth of classes, we've been shown our office complete with our own individual computers, we've got our bank accounts, identification cards, and even pens and notebooks are supplied to us here... I'm blessed with a campus that is closely surrounded by the natural world-- the Brisbane river runs around three sides of campus, there is plenty of green, and quite a variety of birds, including the ibis that enjoys hanging around the cafes ready to pounce on any trace of food left unattended.
I'm currently taking courses in Peacebuilding; Culture, Conflict, and Reconciliation; and International Relations Theory. My professors are excellent, and courses are organized in a fashion that promotes dialogue between students... of which there are a large number of internationals. In a nutshell, the climate is ripe for accelerated thinking on these issues. Though I don't think I'll ever shake this solid pit in my stomach that watches as the violence escalates in the world and we ponder things from the comfort of our cushy chairs while sipping our lattes. Naturally, I'm following up leads on ways to connect to the Brisbane community, hopefully working with youth... we'll see, as life slowly continues to align.
As always, I welcome all visitors to this vast and beautiful continent. My info:
12/74 Sir Fred Schonell Drive
St. Lucia
Brisbane
Queensland 4067
Australia
cell: 011 617 431 293 824
home: 011 617 337 2973
much love,
Amanda
In a matter of two weeks, the administration here has facilitated a quite successful "plug-in" to "uni" life. Another peace fellow and myself found an apartment, we've enrolled and attending two weeks worth of classes, we've been shown our office complete with our own individual computers, we've got our bank accounts, identification cards, and even pens and notebooks are supplied to us here... I'm blessed with a campus that is closely surrounded by the natural world-- the Brisbane river runs around three sides of campus, there is plenty of green, and quite a variety of birds, including the ibis that enjoys hanging around the cafes ready to pounce on any trace of food left unattended.
I'm currently taking courses in Peacebuilding; Culture, Conflict, and Reconciliation; and International Relations Theory. My professors are excellent, and courses are organized in a fashion that promotes dialogue between students... of which there are a large number of internationals. In a nutshell, the climate is ripe for accelerated thinking on these issues. Though I don't think I'll ever shake this solid pit in my stomach that watches as the violence escalates in the world and we ponder things from the comfort of our cushy chairs while sipping our lattes. Naturally, I'm following up leads on ways to connect to the Brisbane community, hopefully working with youth... we'll see, as life slowly continues to align.
As always, I welcome all visitors to this vast and beautiful continent. My info:
12/74 Sir Fred Schonell Drive
St. Lucia
Brisbane
Queensland 4067
Australia
cell: 011 617 431 293 824
home: 011 617 337 2973
much love,
Amanda
posted by Amanda Joy at 7:29 PM
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