Sea Change?

I've always told myself and others that after school I'm going to move out of Tasmania. Although, I've never actually thought about where I would move to, and why I would move there. I've always wanted to move to Melbourne - for the shopping and city life. I don't think they are good reasons anymore, plus it would be costly. I've also gone through a phase of wanting to move to Adelaide, but that was only because that was where the university I liked the sound of was there, but I don't want to do that anymore.

So what now? Fall inlove with another Australian city? Think about moving overseas? Or stay in Tasmania?

Tasmania is beautiful.
Tasmania is comfortable.
Tasmania is relevatively cheap.

I have friends in Tasmania.
I have family in Tasmania.
I have memories in Tasmania.

Do I move somewhere else to make new friends and memories? Or do I stay in my comfort zone, with my family and friends.

I don't know what to do. I can see myself doing either. I feel like though, if I stay in Tasmania, I will be left asking myself "what if...?"

Meet Tom Goddard. Junior Australian Athlete.

This is my first ‘interview’ write up in my new little project. I chose to write about someone I know very well, who is close to my age and continues to inspire me.

Meet my cousin Tom Goddard; he is 17 and attends Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston, Tasmania. Even though I don’t get to see him much, the time we do spend together is filled with fun and a lot of laughs – usually involving some sort of sporting match! If I was going to describe Tom in just a few words, I would use: dedicated, motivated, smart, athletic and always striving for excellence.

Tom excels strongly in school, scoring 44.2 tce points in year 11, through studying Physical Sciences, English Communications, Maths Methods and Sport Science. He was runner up dux at his school last year. This year he is studying Maths Specialised, Physics, Chemistry and Computer Aided Design. “Pretty full on!”

For as long as I can remember, Tom has been the ‘golden boy’ in my family, being selected and competing for Tasmania in various sports. He has been travelling around Australia since year 4 representing Tasmania in cross country and athletics state teams, and later on adding orienteering to the list. He has also been Tasmanian Captain for all three of these sports! Thus showing he is not just talented, but also a leader and someone people look up to.

Tom’s current sporting focus is on MTB. MTB is basically navigation on a bike, the aim being to do so as fast as possible. Races can last from 20 minutes to two hours, depending on the distance. Tom is the current under 19 state champion for the sport and has recently been selected for the 2011 Australia MTB Orienteering Team. In August the team of four athletes will be flying to Italy to compete.

Tom will be spending a month in Italy, training for the first week, competing for the second and travelling with his family for the last two weeks (lucky thing!) In the second week he will compete in 6 races, against a field of 70 competitors from around the world in the junior age group (ages 17-20).


In training for selection, Tom went to Victoria in January to train and then again in April to do his trials. He states that training was pretty hard. He did a lot of group riding and competed in MTB races. In preparation for Italy, he now trains on the road – including two 6am rides a week! He has also started doing road races to help train for Italy, he recently completed a 90km race from Campbell Town to Bicheno.


Next year Tom plans to take a year off from studying, to work and ride, hopefully regaining his spot in the Australian Team. Next year the competition will be held in Hungary. He is planning to go to The University of Adelaide in 2013 and study a bachelor of engineering, specializing in sports engineering. “This course is the only thing that I am truly interested in and I’m really keen for it!” His dream job in the future is to design bikes.

I wish Tom the very best for the years to come. He has already achieved so much in his 17 years and I’m sure will continue to do so. Wherever life takes him, I’m sure he will continue to strive for excellence and make the most of the opportunities given to him.



Tom on the right holding an Australian flag after being selected for the 2011 Australian MTB Orienteering Team



 

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

I've been lucky enough to have already traveled in my short time of living around Australia, Europe and Asia. My latest overseas trip was a school trip to Japan. The trip was a great experience on the diverse culture and beauty of another country. I would love to go back with my family and share with them the experiences I have had there.
The first picture is of the first place we stayed at in Japan, Miyajima Island.
After 2 flights, 3 train trips and a ferry ride, we had finally made it to our first destination. Feeling tired, dirty and extremely grotty, dragging my heavy suitcase around and taking in the amazing scenary. These few the first few happy moments I felt whilst being in Japan.


This picture is really special as we took hundreds of photos over our two week stay, but I just really enjoy looking at it as I like seeing myself look happy.

Day 1 - A recent picture of yourself and 15 interesting facts abuot yourself.

1. I used to be vegetarian, but no longer am.

2. I am obsessed with the colour green.

3. At aged 14 I became an aunty.

4. I have been lucky enough to travel all round Australia, and to parts of Europe and Asia.

5. I had a massive phobia of dogs, which I successfully overcame.

6. I have 4 siblings. A brother and 3 sisters.

7. I want to move to Melbourne when I've finished school and study at university.

8. I have participated in: tennis, soccer, athletics, softball, basketball, netball, cross country, gymnastics, ballet, hockey, jump rope...i think that's all!?

9. I would love to one day own a dog. Either a golden retriever, husky, labrador or border collie.

10. I am very lucky to be a babysitting to some lovely little girls.

11. My first name (Nicole) means Victorious and my middle name (Catherine) means Pure. I like this :)

12. My hair is naturally dead straight.

13. I don't really like water. I don't like interracting with sea life.

14. I LOVE plane flights!

15. I'm literally addicted to eating frozen peas and jelly belly jelly beans.

2022 Soccer World Cup

Japan
Korea
Qatar
USA
Australia

So it was announced yesterday that Qatar would host the 2022 Soccer World Cup. Being an Australian and a soccer lover, I should probably be disappointed, but after comparing the videos of the Australian and Qatar campaigns, I have to agree with the decision at hand. Australia's video was corny, poorly put together, and showed successful Australian (such as Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe.) It showed nothing about how much Australian's love their soccer and how big a part it plays in so many young Australian's lives. After seeing the video last night, I was left thoroughly disappointed in the end result. I decided then that we did not deserve to win the bid, as we looked greedy and boastful.

I don't know much about Qatar, but from some of the campaign commercials I have seen, they have proven to me that they are a soccer loving country. Their commercials had the exact content that Australia's SHOULD have had. It will also be a boost for Qatar's soccer and (hopefully) economy. I also liked the idea that after the world cup, they will be donating their soccer stadiums to less fortunate countries. I think this is a really nice idea and shows the connection they have will their neighbouring countries.

Last night I thought about who I would like to host the world cup out of the five candidates. My personal preference would have been Japan. As I will be 28 at the time, it will probably be a perfect opportunity to go to the world cup, as I have always wanted to. I absolutely adore Japan so going there to the world cup would have been wonderful. Alas, it is being held in Qatar, which now interests me and I am seriously considering going :)

Duck of my life.
Nikki