An Excursion to Rozelle

Continuing our tradition of finding fun places to visit on Saturday, we took a trip to the Rozelle Markets today.

It's kinda fun comparing the different markets up here. Glebe is pretty hippy and has a fair range of hand-made stuff; Paddington feels a little more 'proper', there's more 'nice' stuff; and Rozelle is full of second hand stalls. They're all in lovely settings, too. All worth a visit.


We found some cheap kids books, some baby clothes, and some cheap CDs. There is a vast array of second-hand miscellany: the sort of stuff my folks would love, I reckon. We'll have to take you there :)


Just across the road from the markets we stumbled across Belle Fleur Fine Chocolates. This whole 'fine chocolates' obsession seems to be developing into something of a theme for us...


We just grabbed a bar of milk chocolate and kept exploring, but we didn't leave before we noticed this little creation. Or should I say, this monstrous chocolate coffee grinder. It's entirely chocolate, and it's, I dunno, about 400mm high! Huge. It's not for sale, either.

I imagine we'll make it back to Rozelle sooner-or-later. But for me, I think Glebe is still my favourite, not least because the Glebe Markets remind me of Salamanca - but without that South American band ;)

Three from Holidays

My Greek exam went well, by the way...

So what's on between now and holidays? There are three big things that are on my 'work' radar - beyond that is some precious time in the promised land ;)

First, and looming largest, I have an essay to write for New Testament 2. My question is: "What is the role of the law, according to Romans?". The joy in preparing the essay is definitely in getting stuck into God's word in the book of Romans... It's so rich and wonderful and such darn good news!

Second, I'll be preaching at church again on Sunday week. This time on John's prologue (1:1-18). It's gotta be one of the most mind-blowing and life-transforming passages... I'm a little fearful that I'll botch it up, make it boring, make it too 'thinky' (academic).

Third, a Philosophy exam on the last day of term.

Plenty for prayer!

EQUIP

I (Katie -!) went to my 2nd Equip conference on the weekend before last. I get quite a buzz from being surrounded by thousands of women who care about God and the preaching of his word. It's such a well-run conference and I'm really glad I get the chance to be involved while we're up in the big-smoke. To make it even better, my conference buddy was Jan (my wonderful sister-in-law), and we had a lovely day out together.

The preaching at the conference was very good - encouragement from God's word to trust that all things are in God's hands; we should be patient until the end and pray with confidence to the God that has redeemed us.

One thing I've been thinking about with regard to women preaching is what we should expect from a woman in comparison to a man. A couple of friends have commented on women preaching often being weak/wussy and so being not nearly as effective as some male preachers. I think women preachers are often much more aware (and perhaps too aware) of sensitive women in their audiences, or are perhaps quite sensitive themselves. I also think women have a natural tendency to say things gently - which is usually a wonderful quality to have.

I just wonder how much, if any, of these sorts of things should be brushed aside when preaching. I do think women can and should say 'the hard things' and be able to present the Bible as it is without unnecessary disclaimers, but maybe it's not happening enough? How should a sermon from a woman compare to one from a man? Is there/should there be much difference at all?

Any opinions, let me know!

Handmade Chocolate Goodness

One of David Allen's big things about keeping your organisational-life in order is this: if you make something hard for yourself, you'll never do it. Take filing for example: if your filing system is a nightmare, you will resist filing until it hurts. That was my life, until Saturday when I bought this beaut little filing cabinet: at last I can actually get at my files easily. GTD bliss :)

But what does that have to do with 'Handmade Chocolate Goodness'? - I hear you ask. Nothing, except that we bought the cabinet on the same day we paid a visit to this little place...


Adora Handmade Chocolates is over in Earlwood. I guess they're kinda like Blackamoor Confections (which I mentioned recently) - boutique little outfit, lots of tiny morsels of yummy-ness with price-tags to match, a nice vibe to the whole place.
Did I mention how busy the place was? Very. Yes, it was a Saturday arvo; but there really were a lot of people jammed into a small space as we tried to place our order.


We had truffles (a black sesame, and an almond, I think!), a hot chocolate, and a coffee; and I think we'll be back soon.

It's Greek, Ya Know?

What's the value of learning New Testament Greek grammar? Here's an example:

I learned today that NT Greek (almost certainly) does not use the word 'you' in that generic kinda way that we do in English sometimes. For example, we say in English, "How do you become an unbeatable street fighter?" And what we mean is "How would someone become an unbeatable street fighter". We say, 'you'; we mean 'someone'. In Greek, by contrast, when they say 'you', they mean 'you' - the person being spoken to.

Look out for it next time you're reading the Bible and see if it clarifies any ambiguity in the English!

I was just about to head out the door one morning when Noah wanted to wear my back-pack... we found him one of his own so he could be like his daddy :)

Jamie's Rhubarb Crumble with a Twist

I'd hate to give the impression that I actually think about anything other than food ;) So here's another post about yummy little foodie delights!

Jan stayed with us last weekend; it was lovely to catch up with her and hear a bit about the Hobart scene. On Saturday night we had dinner together, so I made the Rhubarb Crumble from Jamie At Home - a great little recipe. But I did it with a twist, and I think it really worked, so I wanted to share it with you other Jamie-philes.

The twist is this: rather than using the juice and zest of an orange, use the juice and zest of one mandarin plus half a lemon. Also add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar (in the simmering stage). The mandarin really works with the rhubarb... just beautiful :)


At the end of this week I have a Greek exam. It's on the particular ways that verbs are used to get across the 'type of action' that the author's driving at. So maybe you're trying to get across the difference between trying to punch someone, beginning to punch them, punching someone once, or punching them a dozen times... well, (New Testament) Greek gets at the difference in it's own special way, and that's what I have to get to the bottom of.

Jamie's cooking and Greek punching... they pretty-much occupy my mind :)

Fruit & Veg while you Sleep

One of the coolest things worth getting up at 5:20am for is our Fruit & Veg co-op.


The Flemington Sydney Markets are a sight to behold at the delightful hour of 6am. The first time I ever went was absolute craziness: super-busy, forklifts driving backwards at break-neck speeds, more forklifts than people, palates of fruit flying around, cars have no right-of-way, packed with people yelling and smoking and pushing rickety wooden trolley-things, and... you get the picture: a huge shed (several sheds, in fact) packed with grocers. (I've now been a bunch of times, and I've realised that the first time I went was uncharacteristically wild: a bit of a trial by fire, I guess).

But it really is fun. Where I live there are about twenty families in a co-op. So we take our turn and use that buying power to get boxes of yummy, yummy fruit and veg. I think today's highlights were probably the delectable little new potatoes and the snow peas.

My favourite ever experience of the markets was (on that first visit) being sold nectarines by an angel - at least that's how I remember it. This middle-aged lady had a couple of palates of white-flesh nectarines; they were some of the best I've ever tasted. And then when I went back to buy some more... she was gone! Vanished. Sold nectarines by an angel ;)

Term 2 and how College Feels at the Mo'

Term 2 kicked off today. In many ways, that means only minor changes: we just pick up some extra Old Testament classes (English classes, in addition to our Hebrew OT classes), and a few of our lecturers pass the baton to other lecturers.

How's college going? Well, let me draw two points of comparison with first year:

1. This year began in earnest right from day one. And it hasn't let up since. It really is assumed that you remember most of the first year stuff (especially in languages). So that makes it more intense and much harder to feel 'on top of'.
2. The material is, if anything, even better. There's heaps to learn in every class. The readings (the ones that I get around to reading!!) are all excellent... So I'm more engaged by the stuff that I'm learning this year, as well. (Which sometime makes it feel more defeating when you get behind!)
   

A couple of things I'm excited about at college right now:

• Barry Webb lecturing us (he began today) in Isaiah and the other latter prophets. Top stuff!
• Our study group is half-way through sharing some reflections on our Church History essay work; there's been some really cool stuff so far. Pete and Nick talked about the biffo between Erasmus and Martin Luther back in the 1520s (stuff that lay at the heart of the Reformation). I think this week we'll hear about Thomas Cranmer (who was eventually killed by Queen Mary), the Anabaptists, and more! Learning from each other about exciting stuff is really brilliant.
  

The Highlights of Europe

Thanks to Kate's Nanna and Poppy we enjoyed a lovely dinner at a Bohemian restaurant last night. There was lots to like about the place: yummy food, large serves, nice atmosphere, sauerkraut, and, of course, great company :)


One thing, especially, stood out about this place: the beer menu. It's phenomenal. Between Poppy and I we tried several different beers. I especially enjoyed the Delirium Tremens: "Elected Best Beer in the World! Full bodied palate and a dry finish with subtle hops flavours"; and the Chimay Blanche: "A golden amber Trappiste tripel with a malty flavour, fruity aroma and fine head." Wow. The place is called La Boheme: a must for beer-lovers.

In other foodie-style pursuits, Kate and I headed down to Rockdale recently to run a couple of errands. We came across a Macedonian bakery that sells a bunch of delicious morsels.

The Burek was yummy. But the surprise of the visit was their home-made doughnut. It was basically oliebollen, without the fruit, and shaped into a (rough) doughnut-shape (ring). It made me think of the Oliebollen festival back home!


During the same trip we ducked into Blackamoor Confections. I'll let the pictures do the talking.


In College news... Term 2 is about to start.