Adapting to Perth

The last two weeks have been filled with activity of one kind or another as I catch up with old friends and adjust to life in the west. One thing that has really shocked me is how expensive everything is here when compared to the Eastern states! (A colloquial term for everything and everyone east of the WA boarder) Coffee is $4.00 and some places its $5.00!! Thank God I brought my coffee machine with me!

I have really enjoyed catching up with friends and family since my returned. My second weekend back in Perth I went north to visit a good friend and fellow bible college student Louise and husband Paul who have asked me to house sit and keep their cat company while they take a break in Dec. I stayed Sat night and joined them for the Sunday service at the Whitfords Church before accompanying them for lunch at the local shopping centre.

We discussed amongst other things the differences in Perth compared with elsewhere. I have even found myself saying some of the things found in this clip on things Perth people typically say about living in Perth. If you want a laugh here is the link… please excuse the bad language.

The following week I headed south to catch up with another friend and her husband from bible college days who were also members of the church I had attended at the time. After lunch I continued south and spent 4 days with my Ex Sydney friend Grace. She had wanted me to return for some time so was glad to know I was back for a while. Grace is a midwife from Nigeria who has a similar vision to the Wakisa Ministries. She has a desire to open a birthing unit for the poor in Nigeria. Many mothers and babies die due to the lack of medical care through childbirth as they cannot afford a hospital stay. I had a lovely time catching up with the family and discussing her vision. On Sunday the family and I attended Victory Life Kwinana which was founded by Margaret Court (prior tennis player for Aust). I was then invited to join them to celebrate the first birthday of a fellow Nigerian. Lots of children, food and fellowship, Nigerian style.

During this past week I had decided I was going to get back into Krav Maga. I started Krav in Sydney having finished my year’s membership with the gym. I thought a bit of self-defence was a good idea before travelling overseas. I learnt a few moves to defend myself from someone or a group of people attacking either with their fists, knives, guns or sticks/poles and how to get out of a strangle hold in various positions like on the ground, with your back to a wall or from behind. It was lots of fun and a great way to keep fit too but I often came away with bruises or injuries for some kind or another. Most of the students were men but there were a few other women all of whom were just as tough as the guys!

After the first week of my 3 month membership I received an injury to my chest (felt like I had cracked a rib) from not defending myself well against my opponent who was about 20yrs younger than me and 6 months more advanced. Later that same month she also kicked me in the elbow (fortunately it was the right one this time having fractured the left elbow 18 months prior). I didn’t want to see the doctor as I knew what I would be told – rest up and no more Krav, so I battled on and just tried to protect it. I think overextending when boxing didn’t help! Still I was having too much fun to bother about pain in my elbow! About a week before my membership ran out one of my young sparing partners, noticing that I was favouring all my injuries said to me “Don’t you think you’re too old for this?” I paused trying to find the right answer (I wanted to say – “Thems fighting words” but instead said “So if someone attacks me on the street I should hold up my hand and say ‘just one moment please…. I think I’m too old for this?” What did she think I was doing the course for? FUN! Well it is fun but no, I had a purpose in doing this course…. to protect myself! …. and if that means getting injured in the process then so let it be!

When my course finished my doctor suggested a scan which revealed I had torn the ligaments in my elbow. He asked if I played tennis as I had tennis elbow. I said no, I was kicked in the elbow by a police woman who was learning Krav Maga. Krav Maga is from Israel and is taught to the soldiers of the Israeli army.

Anyway what I was getting to was that when I was in Sydney I asked my instructor if he knew of a place in Perth where I could learn Krav. He suggested Krav Maga Perth run by a friend, Michael Chan. I went on line to see where it was and saw it was about 10 mins drive from where I would be staying at my mother’s place. That was convenient! I emailed Michael and told him I’d like to join when I arrive in Perth and told him Jarred had suggested I contact him. To cut a long story short Michael offered me the first month free! Praise the Lord!

So now that I felt a little more settled I was looking forward to starting a bit more of an exercise regime and contacted Michael about joining the class. I’ve been to two sessions now and I’m enjoying being back in the fight so to say. There are three classes a week two at night after 7pm which is a bit late for my liking but it’s the only choice I have and one on Saturday 10-11am. In the Sat class there are 4 girls one who also comes on Wed night.  The first time I turned up I came without shoes, in Sydney we had padded floor mats so no shoes were allowed. Here everyone wears shoes. During my first class I was a bit trodden under foot 😉 I made sure I was well prepared for the Sat class.

In the next blog I’ll tell you what else I’ve been up to.

I am also selling my little Mazda 2 (Manual) as I plan to be overseas for quite some years.  So if you know anyone who might be interested please don’t hesitate to contact me.

One owner – bought new Jan 2014. 10,000km (mostly from driving from Syd to Perth). Rego till 15 Jan 2015.  Extras include: reverse sensors, front seat covers, steering wheel covers, floor mats front & back.  Colour: Blue Reflex

Neo Sport comes with:

• Two year Mazda warranty
• 1.5 litre in-line 4 cylinder DOHC S-VT engine
• 5-speed manual
• airbags front and side
• engine immobiliser
• power locking
• central locking
• ABS (antilock brakes)
• 15 inch alloy wheels
• Halogen headlamps
• Power mirrors and windows
• Air-conditioning
• Cruise control
• Tilt adjustable steering wheel
• Auxiliary audio input (3.5 mm MP3 player compatible)
• USB input (iPod© compatible)
• Petrol – unleaded