Back to busy Sundays!! Mass reading and announcements, then a quick lunch, meeting at the Chancery (Curia) for some World Youth Day planning, then a short afternoon rest and off to our first youth BBQ.... Man there was alot of eating!!!! I played cricket for the first time and some Australian Footy (almost like rugby, but the Australians would never admit that!!;)
Woah!! What a hot day!! Temperatures are risin'! I spent the day doing some administration and song-writing today. Enough about me.... I want to talk to you about a friend of mine!
This morning I took the train into the Melbourne City centre for an interview on SBS radio, then I had to rush back to Bendigo for a short TV interview on Waltzing Matilda (for Malta's PBS and Australia's SBS channels). I also had a 2 & a 1/2 hour lecture for a children's camp I will be doing in a few weeks. Working with children here is not taken lightly at all... I had to sit for training, have the police check my records and attend many briefings on the weekend! It's all good but it's also so sad that we have to take things so far!!
Had a full day yesterday as I began my 3-day break. I woke up, prayed, went to the gym and then drove down to Melbourne. My terrible sense of direction and lack of patience to plan well were the cause of me getting lost for half an hour or so!! Once I arrived I helped make a chocolate cheesecake, then rested a little and went out to eat a barbaric meal (huge steak and fish platter)!! We met up with some friends later for a coffee and then they came home and we watched the movie "Click" . Expecting yet another great day today!!
A fantastic coupl'a days! Fancy dinners, lots of preperation for meetings, meetings and plans for more meetings!! I just love being around teenagers. As time goes by I'm finding myself moreand more surrounded by youth!! My heart burns for them to see the Truth!!!
Hey... anyone wants to add me to their MYSPACE? I just got one going: www.myspace.com/robgalea. I just came back from the cemetery.. we had a mass in a really spooky graveyard in the middle of nowhere! I had to be careful where to put my guitar and stuff down as it was full of worms and creepy crawlies!!! But it was a wonderful mass anyway!
I just returned from a meeting... I arrived what I thought was 10 minutes late so I apologised for that.. after 3 or 4 minutes the meeting was over!!! I asked why it was over so soon. I had apparently gone to the meeting 1 hour late!! No wonder they gave me a strange look when I announced 'sorry I am late'! Anyway... another blushing moment!!
The spring weather here is at its best!! Though most of my day was spent indoors catching up on e-mails and updating my website and other sites. I also added some more songs to my PureVolume page. I may eventually add some more songs (any suggestions?). 2 busy days ahead with a packed teaching time-table. I have really come to admire teachers and the energy they need.
I was out in the bush at a barBQ today playing a game of tennis... then I heard a bang and children screaming!! I ran out to the road and see children crying, full of blood being pulled out of a small car. The car crossed a road and did not realize that a motorbike was passing... it was a 100Km/h road!! The biker smashed into the side of the car and flew meters into the air. I know it is gruesome, but when I went to see him I nearly fainted... his leg was almost off... pieces of bone along the street!!! almost dead... A horrible site to see. One of the children in the car was all blood, but the paramedics (which arrived after about 10 minutes in ambulances and helicopters) did not really worry about her! Man.... Makes you think!!
service last night - what a fantastic experience!!! Beautiful singing and worship, and a great tattoo-covered preacher! I think I have so much to learn from these guys!! This morning I woke up to a healthy, fat-free bacon and poached egg breakfast, and after visiting a mega shopping mall I headed back home to Bendigo!
Thanks for the video feedback!! Its been a busy few days at Catholic College. I'm now soon off for a great adventure. I'm driving solo to Melbourne to visit a few Maltese friends for a few days. I'm excited... need to prepare a good music compilation, sit back, chill and enjoy the riiiide!!
Here is a home-made music video of my latest single "What do you say?" compiled by a seminarian in Malta... please leave your feedback on the comments link below!
Today and tomorrow are very special days... my dad's and my bro's birthdays!! Happy Birthday to both of you!!!
Sunday... the busiest day for the Church!! Woke up, had breakfast, went to pray then to mass. This afternoon we had our 4th youth meeting which went really well! God is good!!Divine!!
Ok... So here is something new!! A new and easy way to pay-per-download! You can now download my latest singles for a few cents - including one never-heard-before song called "Glory to You". Just click HERE or on the pic, then once on the page click on 'Music'! This may soon replace the need to produce CD's ;)
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome! This is the only word I can use to describe the last few days. Youth meetings over the weekend, working with teens at Catholic College and yesterday on a whole-day retreat with 17 year-old College guys and gals and today giving communion to old people with dementia... what a lovely bunch of people. Honestly, this experience here in Australia is giving me a love for humanity!
You can now listen to my latest song What do You Say, and other tracks online at PureVolume.com. I'll soon have my previous album More of You available for pay-per-download!!
Today was easy to handle... chilled administrative work, then a bit of shopping, cooked some extravagant omelets (which looked horrible) for me and Fr Alex (vice parish priest), then baked some bread (I took a picture of it-> and 'photoshopped' it a little). [Yesterday I also cooked a Mediterranean pasta for us.] Then I went to mass and was told I had to play and sing!! I was unprepared... and I have to be prepared here as they sang ancient hymns and I donno many of them. But three courageous young girls and one guy came to the rescue. I sang and played along with them. After that I went out for a piping-hot pepperoni pizza (notice alliteration) and now I am stuffed and ready to laze by the TV!! It's a seminarian's life!!!
Its been a hot tow days. From summer in Malta to a hot, dry summer here. The people are a little anxious at the beginning of the summer because of the drought! The rainfall here has been well below average for the last 10 years. With not enough water to feed the animals, and no water to put out the increasing number of bush fires you can't really blame them!!
This was my first day at Catholic College. I went to five classes to introduce myself and answer questions about the things I said... and translate some phrases to Maltese for their entertainment. The age group was from 13 to 16 year old boys and girls. I loved it, though because it was so hot today I got a tad tired. After College I rested for 1/2 and hour and went to the gym and then had a meeting. I'm now off to do some night-time grocery shopping with Joe (Parish Priest).
It was a hot, sunny Australian day which I spent cruising on the Murray River on a steam boat with the elderly people of the parish!! I came back feeling totally exhausted, but it was worth the while. It's as though I stepped into history for a day.
I had a good, relaxing day yesterday!! Woke up late and then chilled out catching up with little nothings. Today... Responded to some urgent emails and then attended a funeral of a 99 and 1/2 year old man. The parishioners were impressed to see me in my cassock (pic). After that I attended a few long meetings... one at the Catholic College, and the other was a finance meeting here at the parish. It's amazing how organized and professional these guys are!
This was a good day. A very good day!! I played a song (Only By Grace) at a few masses in the bush (Countryside) and then played at a meal for a group of 60 people. After that I prepared the last few things for the youth meeting and at 4:45pm the youth started arriving to our pre-meeting jamming session. We were 13 in all - thank God... a few more than the last week! The meeting went really well!
Today saw the unofficial launch of my CD Closer here in Australia. I think I make the same mistake over and over. I sing a song that is not on the CD (I Surrender) during a public 'performance' and that is the song that people want!!! What to do? I think I will get the song they want out as a single. I have so much to learn about performance and CD marketing!!
Another jam-packed day! Meetings, a lovely Chinese meal in a beautiful country house and more meetings... then a workout at the gym, and another meeting after that. The last meeting was interesting - a group of 8 people meet with me every 5 weeks to give me feedback, making sure I am living up to he Papal document Pastores Dabo Vobis on my work here and support wherever I need.
I was a bit under the whether today... one of those days when you wake up tired... and with a bit of a cold. The day was busy nonetheless!! I began my day with my daily prayer time, went to the city centre to meet my Aussy spiritual director/confessor, then off to visit the Poor Clares (Klarissi) nuns, whose monastery is close by. Some administrative work after that (Youth meeting e-mails and planning), and then I rested and went cycling. I was temporarily re-united with my bicycle for some exercise. Going to have some supper now and then off for an early night!!!!!
Monday... a relaxing day for me. I spent most of this day in my room writing and recording a song for next weeks Y4J H2O weekend. I used a new midi Keyboard console I just bought to add some orchestration to the song. After resting in the afternoon I went to the gym and then went out to a pub for supper with some of the local priests - I was the driver for the evening! After supper we had some coffee and watched 2 episodes of Fawlty Towers. I'm now off to sleep... a busy week ahead!
What an intense 2 days! Meetings, masses, meals, driving around! I loved it... The youth meeting went great... 9 people turned up which is great!! We sang, ate and discussed. Thank God... the nerves I had before and during this meeting were enough to kill me, but as usual, I can now see that it was just unnecessary tension. God sent two angels (Ronda and Marcia) to help out! The bishop called on my mobile during the meeting... that was cool!
My eyes need a rest! I have spent the last 2 days in front of the computer... designing a website and experimenting with some computer music recording stuff! The highlight of my day was doing communion rounds for the sick! I also went for a short walk to the shopping mall to see if my sunglasses are ready yet... they should be in my hands tonight!! I'm now off to meet with some priests top didcuss ideas for Sunday's homily! There are a few conferences on healing, youth and other subjects in the Bendigo area which I am looking forward to soon!!
I was supposed to spend today and the next few days in Melbourne, but there was a sudden change in plans. My day was spent designing a web page for the Sandhurst Diocese World Youth Day. I found out that the car I am driving is a Holden, just like the one in the pic... but not as new-looking and grey in colour.
3 weeks have passed since I got to Australia... and today I was given (or rather lent) a car. It' s huge V6 or V8 automatic engine car! I don't even know what make it is (Toyota I think) ... I'll check that tomorrow. So this afternoon I drove to the city and then to the gym. The morning was spent in the parish office preparing for this Sunday's first youth meeting. I pray and hope that some teens will turn up!
Monday is a good day... it is my official day of relaxation after a busy weekend and week! I woke up a bit later than usual this morning and had a good time of prayer. Then I went cycling to the city and bought some gym shoes and the new Nickleback CD. After lunch I rested and cycled to the gym where I did a good workout! Now Im going to relax with a few friends by the TV and eat my fish and chips!!
I just came back from a long trip. It took us four hours driving to the place where bishop Joe was to give a one-hour talk. After the talk we had lunch and drove 4 hours back to Bendigo. I drove part of the way back. My driving went very well until I had to stop to change drivers. We were going 120km/hour and then I forgot there was no clutch so I really braked hard and nearly gave the sleeping bishop a heart-attack! The joke is I could not figure out what I was doing wrong! Yet another embarrassing event!! Oh well!! I saw an interesting looking pub along the way... take a look at the building in the pic.
Had a fantastic 3 days in Melbourne city. I met some Maltese priests, had lunch with a Maltese family and I just got back after having supper at the bishops house. I spent this morning in the city and had two embarrassing incidents. First I went to a coffee shop... I had a few dollars in my pocket so I got the smallest coffee I could find. I calculated that I had just enough to buy a small biscuit with it. As I went to pay I realized I did not have enough for the biscuit... I had to return my 90 cent biscuit!! Then... I went to the seminary in Melbourne and when I left they opened the electric gate for me. It opened and closed with a fancy green button, and as it was opening I could not resist... I pressed the button... and the gate jammed! I broke the blooming gate!! M'hemmx taghmel!
I woke up later than usual this morning as I was up kinda' late last night watching a DVD - Failure to Launch - not a very good film! I lazed around for a while, wrote a long article for the religious newspaper here and then went to the city centre with my newly aquired means of transoport - a bicycle. I bought some flashy lights for it and a plastic-looking helmet... so embarrassing;) Its ok here I guess! I went to the city to buy an international calling card! So guys and girls... stay close to your phone... the next person I call just might be you!!!!!
I was invited to the birthday party of a Filipino woman. It was a nice evening in the country-side. There was enough food to feed a regiment... and a whole pig to eat too!! Please note... that is not blood on the pig but some BBQ sauce or something!!
Today proved to be my busiest day since I've arrived here in Australia. I began my day with mass, then went to visit some of the elderly and sick at their homes. I love doing that!! After that we had a big meal here at home (11 people) after which I went to buy a bicycle. The roads here are fantastic for cycling! Everywhere is flat. I went to a second-hand shop to buy it... Unbelievable... I bought a mountain-bike for $5 (Lm1.50). Now I have to get a safety hat (helmet). Ok... Then I came home, discussed some plans with the bishop, spent some time composing a song and then I went to the gym(right)!! I hope to go to the gym 3 to 4 times a week... issa naraw!!
I finally saw my first kangaroos! First I saw a number of dead ones beside the road... then... there they were... hundreds of them... wild roos!! I could not get close enough to take a good photo! Ok, enough excitement!! Next venture - Koala! We just came back from Feathertop, four and a half hours in the car and all I feel like doing now is watching a film... but I have no film to watch:( Maybe I'll just finish off the book I'm reading!!
Managed to get some internet access here in Harrietville (pic), a small skiing village, in a resort owned by the Church (under Bishop Joe). This is 4 hours away from where I am living... just beneath the mountains. It is really cold here at night, but during the day I have been going swimming!! In an indoor pool though:)
Bendigo, the city I am living in is going through a water crisis. There is a big lack of water. The city gets its water from 2 big reserves which are now down to 6%! It has been low for 4 years, but now is somewhat critical. People are not allowed to water their lawns, wash their cars (though all cars look clean to me) with fresh water. The city needs rain, and lots of it!! I went to visit one of the almost-empty reserves yesterday (right).
Have not gone up to the mountains yet... apparently we are leaving tomorrow!! Could be the Australian accent, got the day wrong. Just as well... had a great day today! I went to play at some masses in the bush (countryside) today and met a few teens!! I invited them to a youth meeting we would be starting soon - they all seemed excited - especially the part when I told them we would be getting drunk ;) Hmmmm!!!
took some photos of the local wild birds. Some were too fast for me to snap a shot, but I did get some of the wild parrots. Incredible!! Parrots, cockatoos and other beautiful birds are as common as our local sparrows – they just run wild (or rather, fly wild). I did some research to find their Latin names (ref. to pic:).
Getting into parish life here, which I must say is much more relaxed than that in Malta. I noticed a great lack of youth here, so we are going to try and get a band started with some of the local teens and also organize some kind of youth meetings. Slowly, but by God’s grace surely!! Played at mass this morning for some more school kids at the parish here (pic above-next door to where I live) and then went around some houses to give Communion! This evening I am going to meet some other priests with the bishop. Next week I will be going up the mountains for a weeklong seminar on public speaking!!
So here is what I have been up to!! First of all... I've been waking up at 3am every morning - still jet-lagged you see!! Yesterday I went around to take a look at the parish area, and after that I 
went to the curia to speak to the national Catholic youth director to organise some workshops and stuff for youth, and visit Bishop Joe. This morning I went to a mass and to speak to some 11 year-old kids whom I may be working with soon. I also went to a beautiful lake (Weeroona Lake - strange name!!) and then to the city centre (pic on the right)! Oh yeah!! I also got a 3 month membership to the local gym!
AQUADEXTROUS (ak wa deks'trus) adj. Possessing the ability to turn the bathtub tap on and off with your toes.
CARPERPETUATION (kar'pur pet u a shun) n. The act, when vacuuming, of running over a string or a piece of lint at least a dozen times, reaching over and picking it up, examining it, then putting it back down to give the vacuum one more chance.
DISCONFECT (dis kon fekt') v. To sterilize the piece of confection (lolly) you dropped on the floor by blowing on it, assuming this will somehow 'remove' all the germs.
ELBONICS (el bon'iks) n. The actions of two people manoeuvring for one armrest in a movie theatre.
FRUST (frust) n. The small line of debris that refuses to be swept onto the dust pan and keeps backing a person across the room until they finally decide to give up and sweep it under the rug.
LACTOMANGULATION (lak' to man gyu lay' shun) n. Manhandling the "open here" spout on a milk container so badly that one has to resort to the 'illegal' side.
PEPPIER (pep ee ay') n. The waiter at a fancy restaurant whose sole purpose seems to be walking around asking diners if they want fresh ground pepper.
PHONESIA (fo nee' zhuh) n. The affliction of dialling a phone number and forgetting whom you were calling just as they answer.
PUPKUS (pup'kus) n. The moist residue left on a window after a dog presses its nose to it.
TELECRASTINATION (tel e kras tin ay' shun) n. The act of always letting the phone ring at least twice before you pick it up, even when you're only six inches away.
I begin my long trip today! Consequentially I will not be able to update my blog for 2 or 3 days, until I arrive and get internet access!!
Last-minute preperations undarwey!! I'm getting somewhat excited for the trip... I will be travelling for 25 hours, 23 of which will be in the plane!! The "What do you say?" single has been released on local stations and the Pro-Life Campaign will soon be launched!
