My First Vlog Post

I'm still learning how to use the iMovie editor and YouTube. It's also pretty hard to become comfortable in front of the camera - but so far the vlog has been fun to create. It's always a bit scary to put yourself out there and try something new, but I truly believe that if you do what you love then opportunities will present themselves to better your life... so here's to hoping for something good in the near future - hopefully making money and traveling will be involved :)
Check out the following email I sent to some of my friends. I would love some participation!
Hi guys,

I'm trying something new and starting a project for Global Tumbleweed.

I'm interested in all the transitions many of you are going through - new job, new city, new plans - it's been a busy year for all of us and I want to use this as a chance to reconnect regardless of the fact that everyone is all over the place.

Send me a video clip - as many as you want -of a nice moment in your week. I see all the Instagram shots and Facebook posts of cool shit you're doing - so just take a couple seconds to video record (horizontally preferred) on your smartphone. Then email, iMessage or Whatsapp it to me (over wi-fi only, please!) It may even be faster than writing an email.

You may already have a video you want to share! I know I have so many Mokey videos. Send me something nice/funny/inappropriate from that road trip, vacation, or walk to the office you just took. The clip can include you or not, have audio or a voice over, you can address me or just include a scenery shot- just make a little more use of your camera.

I would love to find a way to incorporate it into my vlog. I will be doing my best to post every two weeks and the videos will only be a few minutes long. I would love to include at least two clips that are not my own. I'll be posting for about 3 months (6-8 posts) until I start my new assignment at the end of January.

Some things I'm looking forward to sharing are my visits to a few more Australian cities, a music festival, a day in Fiji, Christmas in San Francisco, New Year's in Vail, and Mokey reunion in Maine. What about you?

My first post will be up after the weekend. Hopefully it will give you a better idea of what I'm trying to accomplish.

I hope this can be fun for you. I look forward to reconnecting - let's start some conversations :)

Love,
Raquel

iMessage: chaveznguyen@gmail.com
Whatsapp: +61 406 66 9612

Surfing is No One-Night Stand

Surfers make riding waves look so effortless. I'm awestruck every time by how graceful a guy can maneuver a board and look like he's dancing on water.

I've always been drawn to finding my balance - gymnastics, figure skating, cheerleading, cruising on my skateboard... so surfing is something I've wanted to pick up for a long time - I've just been waiting for the right environment.

I have been in Bondi for 5 weeks. I'm out in the water at least four times a week for about an hour or two at a time. Before coming to Australia, my only experience surfing was two hours in Bali with an Indonesian who pushed me forward in the white-water so that my board zipped straight to shore - with that type of help, of course I was able to stand up. I'm glad I got that lesson though, because it whetted my appetite for the surfer's lifestyle.

Let me be clear, I am not a surfer. I am someone who can barely surf. I haven't had a lesson since I've been here so most of what I've learned has been from watching. I spend the majority of my time battling the breakers with my foam long board, trying to get to the back before the waves start picking up. My board doesn't allow me to duck underneath the waves, so depending on the conditions, I'm constantly getting tossed around, gulping seawater, and having brief moments of panic when I think I can no longer hold my breath.

Despite feeling like a fish out of water, I can't wait to get to the beach. I only go out there during lunch hours or after work and I avoid the weekend crowds - so conditions aren't always ideal. I may only catch a handful of waves, but I'm already infatuated with the process.

Sometimes the swells roll in constantly and there's a buzz of energy from the surfers paddling fiercely to get the last push before the wave breaks - other times the ocean looks flat for miles and there's a moment of peace as everyone floats around waiting for the next set to appear.

I can think of few activities I can do that allow my mind to be completely focused on the present moment. From the moment you arrive on the beach and start checking for the best entry point, you are forced to reconnect with nature. You have to evaluate tide, wind, and currents. There is no technological distraction (I leave everything, including my shoes, at home) and time does not matter.

So far, the best feeling is racing to catch a wave I think may be a bit too big, giving that full push and feeling my board drop in front of the wave, popping up on my knees or feet (if I'm lucky), and riding along the line where the wave breaks. I'm always surprised and it happens rarely, but it's enough to keep me coming back for more.

I'm going to miss Bondi. I'm really fortunate to have spent 9 weeks here and build the foundation of my surfing abilities. It's an activity I've fallen in love with, despite the challenges and slow progress. It's more than just being able to stand up - it's about appreciating everything that needs to come together in order to ride the wave. I'm excited to continue the journey.

*Photographs were taken using the LifeProof case :)

Sightseeing on Sunday

Sydney Opera House

This past Sunday we took a ferry to the Taronga Zoo in Sydney. It was a beautiful day and almost all the animals were out. Here are a few of the stars:

BABY ELEPHANT.

This little flirt was putting on a show for us. Look! He's bitting his flipper and swimming in circles for us.

My new favorite animal: KOALA.

Check out a few more animal posts on Instagram: global_tumbleweed

This Week's Australian Digital Discoveries

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of interviewing the Deputy Premier of Australia, the Honorary Andrew Stoner. He is a nice guy and it was great to see a politician be so laid-back. He had a lot of great insight, but he shared some facts that really popped out at me...

DID YOU KNOW????

• The Australian Government wholeheartedly believes it invented Wi-Fi in the 1990's. They have a patent on the technology.

• Google Maps was invented by the Australian team.

• Julian Assange is Australian. Our house has three TV channels and for the last month we have been watching previews during every commercial break for Underground - the Australian, made-for-TV, special on Julian Assange. So my housemates and I spent Sunday night watching a horrible drama about Assange's adolescence.

Happy 20th Anniversary Barack and Michelle