International News

Joseph Chiedozie Patrick

21 January 2011

Welcome to 2011. Welcome, as it happens, to my last blog. It is a thing of sadness, yet a thing of joy. My heart is heavy with sorrow, yet my head is giddy with excitation.

My first blog on this page was written on the 18 March 2009. Oh how my life has developed since then! This page has been part of my life for nearly two years, and I am bound to miss it. I am bound to miss La Trobe University. The things I’ve written about: the library, the international college, the lecturers, the tutors, the staff, the students, the people, and everything else in between. But I have graduated and it’s time to move on, sad but correct. You don’t have to worry too much about what I’m moving on to do, let’s just say that it is something worthwhile, as it should be.

I feel good about 2011, and so should you. Since this is my last blog, and the beginning of a New Year, I will leave you with one word: Potential. Potential is all you need to see, it is all you need to confirm, it is everything you need to kick-start any successful venture.

So this year, put the potentiality test into consideration whenever possible. The question to ask is not really ‘has it been successfully done before?’, the question is ‘what is the potential for success?’. So whether it has been done before or not, and whether or not it seems possible or easy, it is doable if the potential for success is there.

Determining the presence of potential for success will depend on you. The kind of person you are; what you’ve been able to achieve in the past, and what you feel is achievable in the future. ‘Possibility’ is a dynamic word; it certainly doesn’t have a fixed meaning. That is why the question is not whether someone else has done something successfully before, but wether you feel you can do it successfully.

It is a thing of joy that I have been able to participate in the activity on this site. I am very pleased that I have done it, and now that it has come to an end, I believe that it is so for all good reasons. La Trobe University is a university of potential. So, potentially – depending on you – the possibilities that La Trobe University offers are infinite. That is a maxim with meaning: Infinite Possibilities.

So here it goes, ending the era of Joseph Chiedozie Patrick as a blogger on this site. For the best, I am sure. My final words: Recognise your potential; use it; improve yourself, so that through you, everyone and everything around you may be improved. Oh dear, this was not meant to be an emotional Goodbye, but it can’t be helped. I love La Trobe University. I love you all.

Stay well!

23 December 2010

Only days before 2010 ends, so I must use this blog to express my thanks.

Thank you to a great friend of mine who gave me his car when mine got involved in a minor accident. He gave me his car most freely, I took care of it, and I returned it in time. Something you’re not even sure you can do for someone, but another person humbles you by doing it for you. You are a great friend indeed. Thank you!

Thank you to the academic who taught me the Philosophy of Science in the second semester. I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the subject, but he explained it all in the first lecture. He re-structured it a bit from the previous year, and gave it what I thought was a most suitable structure within the Social Sciences. I genuinely enjoyed this subject. I have done well in it. Thank you!

Thank you to the gentleman with whom I lived before moving into my current flat. I never really got the chance to express my utmost appreciation for all the support you’ve given me. You were always willing to read through my essays and make some comments on areas for improvement. Truth is, I may never really express enough how much of a blessing you have been to me. But I really do hope that you can feel my immense gratitude somehow. You have a wonderful spirit. Thank you!

Thank you to the department of Legal Studies at La Trobe University. I have enjoyed all the subjects done as part of my degree. They have been very well structured and organised. My favourite subject was Crime and Psychology. It was intriguingly challenging. The most challenging of all Legal Studies subjects under the structure it had back then. I learnt so much from this subject and from others, including Crime and Criminology. I have finally graduated. The Legal Studies degree rocks! So thank you!

Thank you to my family and friends back in Nigeria. Your support has been intensely positive. You have provided me with this support on the phone, in emails, and through every other means of communication we’ve had. May this positive support last well into the future; and rest assured that I will return the favour as is desirable. You are in the background of the moving image of my life; therefore you shall never be invisible. Thank you!

Thank you to the editor of this site. Thank you to my friends in Australia and in all other countries. Thank you, indeed, to Australia. I look forward to a most fulfilling year for all of us in 2011. Thank you!

Send a comment at ltinews@latrobe.edu.au

13 December 2010

From Australia to Nigeria: A letter from the future

Dear Nigeria,

Please accept this letter of goodwill from me, in fulfilment of the promise I made you last year.

I must start by asking about your health. Gauging from events in the news, it looks like 2010 has been a very trying year for you. Well, despite all the setbacks, you’ve still come through in one piece. I heard about your big birthday which was ruined by some of your children. I hope much damage hasn’t been done, because it is very important that you enter the New Year in good health. I also hope, most importantly, that you embrace democracy in the longest possible term, as is most appropriate in the present time, and into the future. Accept my warmest regards!

In my last letter I saluted you as ‘home’. That has changed in this letter. And I will explain. Australia has captured my love, and I have decided to call it home. It’s a long story, but I’m sure that when the time is right, I will be willing to explain further, if you should require this of me. What this means, dear Nigeria, is that I have two homes now. You are home for me, and Australia is home as well. It feels like home, it has felt like home for as long as I care to remember.

This is a letter from the future, whatever that might be. For me, I hope for the best. And for you, dearNigeria, I hope for success, progress, and prosperity. I do not only hope. I shall also work toward these, for you and for myself, and in line with all the possibilities that I come by in Australia. Indeed I do not know the future. And if there was a way of finding out, I would do everything to avoid it. But one thing is certain; the future will say something about you, about me, and of course, about Australia.

Take care. I love you and I miss you. And I shall post my next letter in private express mail.

Best wishes for 2011!

Joseph

24 November 2010

Yet another argument between Jay and Joe:

Jay: The end of a year is approaching.

Joe: No, the beginning of a year is approaching.

Jay: The end of one year brings about the beginning of another.

Joe: Not exactly. The end of a year does not bring about the beginning of another year. The beginning of another year means that the year before it has ended.

Jay: Correct. But if one year does not end, then the next year will not begin.

Joe: That’s a stupid statement. How can a year never end? If years never end, then there would be no such thing as years in the first place. We have years because they last for some time; they begin, and begin again. And the beginning marks the end.

Jay: I still maintain that a year is coming to an end.

Joe: And I still believe that is incorrect, another year is beginning. That is why we celebrate the beginning of the New Year, and not the end of it.

Teacher: Students please! The end of the year is the beginning of another year because 2011 begins where 2010 ends. But you must know that you are both correct, because one of you expresses relief or regret that the year is ending, and the other expresses hope or anticipation that another year is about to begin.

So for you, dear reader: is the year ending, or is it beginning?

11 November 2010

Not much has happened since my last blog, but I have spoken to a few friends on how they feel about semester’s end.

As I predicted, many of them feel relieved above everything else. A few told me they would miss some classes, and since they all have exams coming up, they reckon the semester hasn’t really ended. Oh well, it hasn’t ended for me either.

The end of semester is the beginning of something new. And talking about something new, the homepage of this international news site has a fresh new look, and I think it’s gorgeous. You can probably guess why I think this, but never mind if you can’t. Yes indeed, it definitely looks like it’s been upgraded.

And talking about things that look like they’ve been upgraded, the library looks like a fresh new place now, although it isn’t quite finished yet, but it’s definitely shaping up as a state-of-the-art facility. I can only ask myself: Whatever happened to the second floor entry? But an entry is an entry, and I hope to get used to the new order of things with time. After all, the new ground floor entry makes for easier access to the bookshop and all the cool coffee places. Not to mention that small divine kiosk for fresh fruit juice. Yum!

And talking about fresh fruit juice, who has tried the Berri ‘Australian Fresh’ Apple and Mango Juice, or Apple and Pineapple Juice? All I can say is: after a good shake, one cold glass is all you need (I wasn’t paid to say that, promise!).

And talking about things I am paid to do, work is fine. I now find myself in a supermarket where most staff members are lovely. It adds to my working experience; gives me a good reason to come back, and to endure some inevitable annoyances. And frankly, I don’t think I can work with not-so-nice staff, especially in part-time employment.

And talking about part-time employment, this blog ends here, because I need to get ready getting ready for work. I’m sure you know what I mean by that. Cheers!

28 October 2010

After this week come the exam weeks at La Trobe. Everyone’s gearing up for it. I finish my essays in the coming weeks, and then I’m done for the semester; and the year.

Another student in my philosophy class told me how much she would miss the class: the lectures, and especially, the tutorials. The subject has been immensely interesting for me as well: the discussions, the arguments, the lessons, the broadening of our minds. The last lecture and tutorial take place this week, and then we’ll wait for the final essay marks. Hopefully when we get the essays back we would have a greater reason to love the subject, ha.

It is always a good thing when you love the subjects you choose, and you never really know till you actually start doing the subject. There is just no way of telling. Thankfully, I haven’t had to change my mind mid-way of any subject so far. And next year, in Honours – fingers crossed – I will enjoy my subjects as well. This semester beats last semester though. I can’t remember what it was but I was unusually stressed last semester. Oh yes I remember now, and I’m not telling.

If you could, write me a word or two, or perhaps three, which describe how you feel to be finishing semester. I’m sure many people will feel relieved. I do too. But is anyone going to miss anything? Let’s hear about it. Write about it in my next blog.

Cheers!

Send a comment to ltinews@latrobe.edu.au

7 October 2010

I’m not sure how I feel about going back to uni this week. The mid-semester break was a stress-filled one for me.

Transferring between stores is indeed a tricky task. It’s the second time I’ve done it now. The first time because the shifts at the new store were more favourable, this time because I have moved from where I used to live in Melbourne’s East. From East to West, that has to be good. But only time will tell.

It’s very stressful when you get caught in the middle of some really tricky situation and no option seems to be the better one. Every option has its very attractive benefits. But in the end you must choose, because that is the only way of moving on in life.

That is what I had to do over the semester break, and in more ways than one. I also typed a word or two into my final Philosophy essay. Don’t ask me what the essay topic is, because if you do I’ll have to refer you to at least 15 books at the uni library. But yeah, the essay seems to be coming along well. I’ve got two more to go, and they are all heavy essays indeed. I suppose this my lot for being in the Humanities. But to cite Maxwell Smart of KAOS, I’m doing it, “and loving it”.

Semester will end soon, and the year soon after it. I hope for myself, and for university students everywhere, that it all goes well, in and out of uni. All the best!

23 September 2010

I dedicate this fortnight to independence with a bit of poetry:

It is good to live alone,
To take liberties and to answer to no one,
To keep things somewhere and still find them there,
To keep the place as clean as you desire,
And to relish the day-to-day pleasures of independence

It is good to complain,
About the ever-rising cost of living,
The energetic midnight-vocal dog next door,
The expired perishable items in the fridge,
And the day-to-day annoyances of independence

It is good to invite company,
To know what to expect and how to plan,
To share your own space and to entertain guests,
To lose control only to regain it when everyone is gone,
And to share the day-to-day privileges of independence

It is good to ask the question,
Is that all there is to living alone?
Look at me as I nod in reply,
Yes, it is good to live alone,
For the good is good,
And the bad is good,
In the end, you will be happy to learn the lessons of independence.

7 September 2010

I would really love two weeks off uni, starting right now.

Then perhaps after that I’d ask for one more week, just to recuperate. Then who knows what might follow after that?

The mid-semester break doesn’t happen until much later in semester, but what about those of us who need it right now? Oh well, I suppose we’ll just have to make do with what we’ve got. I’ve got a big essay due next week, and then a mini assignment on top of that. I’ve got the reading subject demands too. All these are taking their share of my very limited brain space, but as they do in today’s federal politics in Canberra, resources spent in one area would have to be covered by savings in another area. Perhaps I could apply this principle to my brain space allocation, we’ll see.

This year has been enormously interesting for me, in and out of uni that is. Whatever happens from here on, I think I’ll always have this year in mind as a significant one. And when that mid-semester break finally comes, we will all make the best of it. For by then it would have been long overdue.

Best wishes!

Send a comment ltinews@latrobe.edu.au

20 August 2010

Memo to self, a reminder:

Gradually moving into the flat; make a list of things to do in what order, if possible
Turn the main power switch off at the new place before the electricity guys or girls come over.
Try to finish my readings for the week and continue with my reading subject outline.
Expect a call next week from insurance; expect good news for a change.
Hire out a moving truck, although the cost is ridiculous.
Make a list of agencies, businesses, and companies that need to know about the address change, it’s not only good to do so, it’s also the law.
Stop stressing too much, well, if it can be helped.
Make sure nothing breaks during the relocation, although there has already been a scratch or two in one or two places.
Get used to the new neighbourhood, check out some great restaurants.
Smile to the neighbours, who knows who they will turn out to be?
Get some more stuff for the new place, the list is never-ending

End of memo. Well, for now.

5 August 2010

New semester is fully setting. No, scratch that, new semester has fully set.

Today I went to the library and got some books out. I need to start getting ideas onto paper regarding my reading subject for the semester. Thankfully I’m allowed to do an essay for it this time around, and not the literature review requirement of last semester. Two other subjects demand my attention in the semester: one in Legal Studies, the other in Philosophy. It’s the last semester of third year and a very important one.

Reading subjects are very demanding, but yet so rewarding. They make you think, research, find things out, and work on a self-directed piece of assessment. Yes it’s good, but it’s difficult as well. Sometimes as an undergraduate student you would just prefer to be given a topic to write on. When you’re told to ‘select a topic of interest’, your head spins in a huge circle. The question then would be: which one of my interests do I choose, and how do I specify it well enough to create a sound piece of assessment? It’s totally exhausting. But I reckon the skills you gain in the process will definitely come in handy at some point in the future.

It’s my third year, and there could very well be a fourth, thank Goodness that I have come this far. I hope you have got something for which you can be thankful. And let’s hope that at the end of semester, we will all look forward to the long break, knowing that there will be something satisfying and rewarding for us during and after it.

All the best to us all!

Send a comment ltinews@latrobe.edu.au

23 July 2010

This is the last week of the semester break, and contrary to what most people might think, I’m actually quite happy to be going back to uni. Well I suppose I’ve learnt one thing: the longer the break lasts, the longer it takes to finish uni.

A very significant thing happened during the break for me. I’ll keep you guessing, and chances are that you might guess correctly. Over the past few months I have invested a lot of energy in a process that meant a lot to me as a person. I got stressed out many times during the process. I chased things up and rang the same number countless times, even though I promised myself I’d make only one or two calls to that number. In the end it’s finally paid off, and I am exhilarated indeed. What I have learnt from this experience is that patience is good, but impatience should never really be discouraged. Waiting for things to happen, especially when you absolutely need them to happen, may not be the best way to achieve desirable results. Sometimes it’s productive to allow a bit of impatience in and chase up on things. So when one officer tells you to wait, it might be a good idea to ask the other officer if you really have to wait. And when that email does not receive a reply, it might be a good idea to pick up the phone and start with the line, “I’m so sorry to disturb, but I thought I might ask...”

There is reward in determination, and much strong focus could only mean a fuller discovery. I feel good today. I feel optimistic about the future. It makes me feel like dancing right now, but I’m sure I can wait till Friday night. It’s always refreshing when things go according to plan. Sometimes it makes you feel like you’ve got a bigger person somewhere making things fall into place. But in the end you realise that a bulk of it comes back to the effort you put in, and the quality of determination you possess. You should always seek out ways to bring out the best in yourself and in those people and things around you. If something is worth doing, then it’s worth doing well. If an idea pops into your head, be quick to note it down and carry on. There is a starting point to every idea, even the best ones, and it’s all in the human head. Oh yes. But life is tricky, as most would know. Success comes, it lasts as a novelty, and it wears out. The important thing, I suppose, is that we always photograph the good moments (in our minds and cameras), and preserve them as a keepsake. The successes will get us through the low points, and the great moments, we hope, would outnumber the dull ones.

In the end, it is important for us to always express our gratitude to the source of our joys and successes. Even though we put plenty of effort in, there is a certain system that enables and authorises our success. So we should stay grateful, whether or not we express it. Our feelings drown out our words and actions, indeed the things we say and do are mostly determined by what we feel.
So for me, in the spirit of gratitude: here’s to Australia, the source of my most recent success, the success that will shape all my future successes. Long live Australia!

Send a comment ltinews@latrobe.edu.au

13 July 2010

This fortnight I present you with a puzzling argument. An argument between Jay and Joe; an argument about nothing:

Jay: Some people tell me I’m good for nothing.
Joe: Well, at least you’re good for something.
Jay: No, they say I’m good for nothing.
Joe: If you’re good for nothing, then you’re good for something.
Jay: How can I be good for something when I’m good for nothing?
Joe: You are good for something because you are good for nothing. That ‘nothing’ is what you’re good for, so that means you’re good for something.
Jay: I disagree. A person who is good for nothing cannot be good for something, because such a person is good for ‘no thing’.
Joe: If a person is good for nothing, then that person will be good at doing nothing. Do you agree?
Jay: Yes
Joe: Right. Let’s say a film producer wants extras for a scene, people who will sit or stand in the background doing nothing, don’t you think this person will be good for the job? (The end)

So tell me, dear reader, do you agree with Jay or with Joe?

Send a comment ltinews@latrobe.edu.au

29 June 2010

My challenge to you a fortnight ago was to suggest a topic for me to write on. The topic of popular choice, as I’ve seen it, has been the World Cup. I know that this sounds a bit too broad, but Mark, on Facebook, has simplified it. He says I should write about 'how the World Cup brings the world together.' Thanks Mark.

I will show some kindness by not writing about scores; wins or losses. I will instead, write about the game in general, in line with Mark’s comment.

I remember Korea/Japan 2002 back in Nigeria. Oh the good ol’ days! In Nigeria, songs are recorded for each World Cup and played on the radio and on TV. The song for Korea/Japan was particularly catchy, and I still remember the main parts of it to this day. Sport and music are a very interesting mix. And I have always said that these two are capable of what politics can only dream of achieving: bringing a variety of people from different cultures together, to share the one and only culture – the game culture or the music culture. A blend of sport and music is capable of uniting peoples, of blurring boundaries, especially racial boundaries, and although this should not be overstated, it does make a very impressive impact. But it is also correct that sport, as a result of its unifying force, brings people in contact with one another, and thus, could raise some ‘difference’ tensions in a minority of instances. This is good though, because then we can get to address these issues, should they ever come up.

The World Cup is arguably the biggest sporting event of the present time. It is a competition of teams, but as a student of the social sciences, I am more intrigued by crowd support and inter-crowd mingling; unfortunately though, I couldn’t say the same of the vuvuzelas. Occasionally, there are complaints of ‘crowds behaving badly’. I’m not sure if this is to be considered part of the spirit of the game, but I guess it’s the job of the boys and girls in blue (or black, perhaps) to decide. I suppose we should always keep in mind that if the crowd were removed or discouraged from offering active support, then we would run the risk of having some sporting activities made into video games for cinema-sized screens.

In the end I think we should give it up for soccer, a game that has taken Africans to Europe, Europeans to the Americas, Americans to Asia, Asians to Africa; all for the fun of the game, and with no strings attached. Oh well, looks like Australasia is missing.

Come on people; let’s bring the whole world here, in the name of soccer.

Send your comment (ltinews@latrobe.edu.au)

11 June 2010

Two weeks ago I promised to spend a fortnight thinking about what I could write about apart from exams and essays. I guess it’s time now to keep that promise. You’ll have to forgive me; I’ve got nothing.

The thing is that I’ve been too occupied to think. I’ve sat my exam and the literature review is due soon. I’ve been trying to sort out subjects for next semester, putting a number of things in the equation. On top of all that, there’s also been my private life to attend to. I haven’t been out much, as you can imagine. It’s cool though. I know I’ve had my fair share of the fun in fabulous Melbourne, and I’m definitely not stepping off the fun wagon yet.

I challenge you to give me a topic to write about. Think of something: something fun, not complicated, not too boring, and not over the top. If you ask me to write about the weather, I may write about my luck with it, given that heavy rain always comes while I’m under a roof or on the road in the car, and then it always seems to ease when I get to my destination. If you ask me to write about shopping, I may write about the new range of banana bread, cakes and muffins at Woolworths stores. Yes. The ones I can’t stop thinking about. If you ask me to write about my passion, I may write about my academic interest in the implication of the words we choose to use in various situations, to describe certain things. And if you ask me to write about my life in Australia in general, I may send you countless pictures that will make your heart sing.

Oh well, I guess I’m just a no-frills guy.

Send a comment - ltinews@latrobe.edu.au

Comments

Hey Joseph!! First of all good luck with the exams! Second, I dare you to write about the World Cup!

Beware, lots of sensitive (but possibly funny) material there for Aussies now! All the best

28 May 2010

Exams and essays are the last things I want to write about this fortnight, so I will try to work my way around this.

So why don’t I want to write about exams? Well, because I’ve actually got one this semester. It’s not like one of those semesters that I find myself writing only essays and staying put till the marks came online or till the essays got returned with the marks. When we get the essays back in tutorials, what I normally do is thank the tutor, fold my essay up, and walk out. I will keep walking, not looking back, not looking to see if someone I know is hanging around, unless the person were to see me first and shout out. I will keep walking, till I get to some place, maybe the library, where I can comfortably express satisfaction or dismay. Then I will settle down, and look at the mark. When these marks are posted online, I normally shut my eyes till the page has fully opened, and I always check from home. High marks encourage me to break my record next time or to keep it constant, and low marks tell me ‘dude, you had better talk to your tutor.’

And why don’t I want to write about essays? I have a 5000-word literature review to submit in the next few weeks, that’s why. It’s for a Legal Studies reading subject, and I’ve been both challenged and gratified in doing the subject, but that doesn’t mean I am going to flout my ‘essay collection’ procedure. I think this one would be posted back to me. Surely there would be no opening of the envelope until I’ve got into the house and shut the door behind me. I have a draft of the review now, and I will go from there.

So what do I want to write about this fortnight? Well, let’s just say I’ll spend the next fortnight thinking about it. All the best to y’all!

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17 May 2010

In dedication to myself, my family, my friends, and everyone else:

Knock on my door,
Step on my floor,
Feel the warmth in my hand,
It is I, the plain African boy without a wand.

If I had a wand, I would make me perfect,
If I made me perfect, then I would have no defect,
But oh, if I had no defect, then what would become of me?
Will I be human, or will I become a distant super being?

Nay, my defect I will preserve,
My flaws will find me what I deserve,
Without my defect I am not alight,
And being not alight is being not alive.

I shall stay alive, so says myself,
So when you come in, hold not thyself,
Be free, be incomplete, live thy imperfection,
For in life, you shall find affection,
And within affection resides perfection.

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30 April 2010

This fortnight I write my blog on campus for the first time. Just before the lecture for my sociology subject. It has not happened by chance, but according to plan.

I am on the third floor of the library, and I can hear a few noises coming from the first floor. The library is expanding, improving, growing, increasing; think of all the words you could use to describe a process through which something that is already great, is made better. I have lost count of how many books I’ve borrowed from this library, I’m sure many students have. And I cannot say exactly what the new look will be, I’ve seen a few pictures, but I look forward to the real thing. I’m sure the new look would add a thing or two to my studying experience.

Studying in Australia began for me at the International College of this university, just a few minutes down the road from the main campus where I am at the moment. The two semesters I spent at the college have been, in some ways, the most important. It was a high school environment – more or less – and I got to meet people with whom I now have a close friendship. Yesterday I spent time with both of them and we reminisced about those ‘good old days’. If it were not for my studies at the college, first year uni would have been much more difficult to deal with. Starting on that level when I got here made me look at first year uni as a continuation, albeit on a higher level. This ‘foundation’ which we got at the college has been priceless.

So now, I have to end my blog, print out my lecture notes, and head for the lecture. If it were up to me, I’d spend all morning writing about the college and uni. If you’d like to know more, then visit the library and the college.

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16 March 2010

Some months ago I read that the internet had been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. I couldn’t help but think that was unusual, but in a very interesting way.

To paraphrase from Alfred Nobel, the Swedish man who instituted the Nobel Prizes, the Nobel Peace Prize is for people (and things – I guess) that have made an impact in the lives of people in areas of cross-national cooperation, reduction in the use of the armed forces, and general promotion of peace/human rights. I’m not quite sure whether it could be said that the internet has actually performed along these lines, but it has definitely been a tool in these processes. We can hardly do without it these days.

The other day I had just got home from uni when I jumped on the internet to send an important email. No connection. Damn! I felt like I had been denied access to the whole world, even to my neighbours living next door. I rang the service provider, only to be told by the machine that 'problems have been reported, and will be resolved soon, with no fixed timeframe'. The phone was working, electricity was as good as ever, the TV had a comedy show on, but the absence of the internet threatened to ruin the entire afternoon for me. I couldn’t wait for the service on the computer, so I gained access to the internet on the phone and did a few things I had planned to do. Don’t ask me how much it cost, let’s just say I would have been better off getting about 8 litres of petrol.

A few months ago, a friend of mine from Nigeria emailed and told me that he saw my blog page here. I was very surprised. I didn’t know it had gone that 'global'. Apparently he had googled my full name and the blog page showed up. Oh well. When I ring family and friends back in Nigeria, I’m able to discuss news and information from Nigeria with them. It’s almost like I never left, apart from the fact that I can only be told how delicious the food tastes (believe me, even if I had the same meal here in Australia, the taste is rarely the same; must be something with the air that blows locally in Nigeria).

In one way or another, the internet has notified individuals, groups, and governments of important human rights related events occurring locally and internationally. All news media use the internet in one form or another. Just weeks ago the chief editor of Rabelais, our student paper at La Trobe, told me that his email to the White House had been replied. Information is easily made available through the internet, and events that would have otherwise gone unnoticed, are made topics for global debate.

So, in my blog this fortnight, I send my little support to the internet. I’m not sure whether it would be of any help. But I’m sure that some people out there will share this support. Win or not, the internet has facilitated life as we have come to know it in our world today.

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31 March 2010

Have you heard of the young guy who attended a customer service job interview wearing a casual T-shirt with the question 'Do I look like a people person?' clearly written in front? That’s the kind of scenario I like to imagine these days.

It’s a bit like the story of the banker who hates the smell of banknotes, or that of the stand-up comedian who can’t stand loud audiences. But there’s one that comes to mind more often than the others: that of the student who, once he starts studying, can’t wait to finish. One of my friends mentioned it to me last week; I laughed. I didn’t want to say anything like 'same here'. After all, that’s probably the main reason he’s still studying, because he wants to finish. Sounds like a paradox; a brain teaser.

Bear with me, but I have to recall another workplace event. A female customer wheeled her trolley into my section of the supermarket; she had her little girl sitting in the trolley, looking very comfortable. When she came to the counter, the little girl pointed at me and said 'look mum, there’s a man'. She grinned and her mum agreed with her, 'Yes, it is a man'. She looked happy, she had got it right!

I couldn’t help but ponder on that scene for the whole evening: the mere fact that she did not use any categorical adjective to specify the 'kind' of man I was. She recognised my gender beyond the colour of my skin, and just called me 'a man'. I thought that was wonderful. The evening reassured me once more that I made the good choice in coming to Australia to study. I felt like I belonged, and wasn’t just a 'foreigner'.

I do ponder a lot on things like this when they happen. I suppose it has a bit to do with my area of academic research interest. So then, I have to keep thinking about job interview guy, and also keep the little girl’s remark in mind. They both keep me going; among other things.

Now, did I mention the car salesman who can’t stand indecisive customers?

19 March 2010

Hug me and tell me that everything will be all right. Please do it now.

The past fortnight has been quite trying for me. I’ve been under a bit of pressure and feeling some stress as well. I’m doing two subjects this semester, and as light as that sounds, there’s a lot of off-class work required to get through those. One is a sociology subject centred on research, I think it’s a very important subject for any student in the Humanities, but it does have quite an unexpected workload within it. The second is a reading subject, a self-directed subject which I am structuring myself. It’s my opportunity to read extensively about one topic of great interest and write a 5000-word literature review on it. As exciting as this has been so far, I still feel overwhelmed with academic responsibility.

I think it might actually be because of the things that are happening outside uni. I was at work when the recent hailstorm broke out in full strength. I was standing there, looking small and helpless, as the hailstones mercilessly pounded on the panels of my car. What an afternoon! I imagined that it would go on for hours, hoping that it would stop the next minute. Apparently that’s how I got through the episode. Thousands of cars suffered the same fate all through Melbourne, and a customer told me it was the first of such weather in a century. After the episode everyone stepped out to see the extent of the damage to their cars, but I waited, just to let the whole thing sink in.

I expected the worst, but hoped for the best. I said to one customer, ‘Gee I hope that hasn’t done much damage’, to which he replied, ‘Oh, it has done a lot of damage for sure’. Thank you very much, I said within myself, here I was, looking for a positive comment, and this is what he tells me. The other guy came in to relieve me, asking me to go see how my car was. I went out, refusing to look at the car till I got closer. ‘Oh my baby, what have they done to you?’, I said within myself, as I ran my fingers through the countless dents on the surface. I saw the broken light covers, the broken mini rear spoiler and the smashed external mirror. Then I looked up and saw another car as it slowly drove by, the windscreen was smashed to pieces. Oh well, at least none of my screens got smashed or cracked, but still. Insurance hasn’t been very effective in relieving my distress either; I guess they’ve got hundreds of people like me, calling in every other day, asking for a solution to nature’s kindness.

The challenge now is to ignore all these distractions and focus on the semester subjects. I should find a way. My happiness is that I’ve got a very understanding tutor for the sociology subject, and a very accommodating supervisor for my reading subject. Oh dear, I’m badly in need of that hug.

4 March 2010

Image from my relaxing break in Apollo Bay

I haven’t been to work in three weeks, I’ve been on leave: gee that sounds good. I’m back this week though, and back at uni too.

The summer break has been quite long, though not long enough as usual. My friend at a housewarming party on Sunday thought I was joking when I asked him whether or not he had classes the next day. That single question ruined his evening. Well, that was definitely not my intention; I just wanted to keep the conversation going. I’m sure you get that sometimes: you catch up with a friend after a while and you’re both excited to see one another, then at some point you get the impression that you’ve talked about all the fun stuff. The silence comes, your laughs last longer, maybe at the same jokes, and then you start asking the ‘no-fun’ questions, just to keep the conversation going. I think that’s what happened with me on Sunday.

I’m looking forward to uni, and to the few days of work. I need to see those smiling customer faces, well, for the customers who do smile. Some other customers just want to make you smile or laugh, and others want to grab their shopping and get on with their life. Quite understandable really, life would be so boring and monotonous if everyone behaved the same way. I had a customer once who was so keen to grab their merchandise and move on, that he actually scanned the bottles himself while I was standing right there, then he had the correct change as well! Before I knew what was going on, all I could see was his back, and a faint deep voice telling me to ‘keep the receipt’. If I have too many of those I will probably find myself being transferred to the logistics department, whatever it is they do. Ah, good stuff.

So yes, semester has resumed, work has resumed, all in the same week. An Asian saying goes that one should ‘expect the worst and look forward to the best’. I’m not sure if that’s what I’m doing, but you’ll soon find out. All the best to all!

18 February 2010

A poem in dedication to my current holiday destination in Victoria, Australia:

The box with an apple logo is in,
The camera and cables are in,
The suitcases are in,
The tank is full,
Zoom zoom,
Off we go.

A bright rainy day,
Few cars on a busy road,
Sounds of happy music,
Smooth tarmac,
It’s a holiday!

A drive with nature,
A wet and misty afternoon,
The road of a million curves,
The car that speaks to my soul,
Drive me on, it says,
It’s my day.

The air is clear,
The wind blows still,
Green leaves, happy faces, and wide streets,
“G’day” goes the greeting,
We’re here,
It’s the Bay of Apollo.

4 February 2010

I recently attended an event where one of the speakers said a few things that I don’t quite agree with. Well, he was addressing final year students, so I guess he just wanted to tailor his words to the audience. He probably overdid it.

His comments were about formal education. To summarise, he reiterated the importance of being formally educated, and said that if it weren’t for his education, he probably would have been working in a ‘factory somewhere’. To him, this would mean a lack of success in life. Formal education, as he saw it, is the only door to knowledge and especially, success, through which everyone should pass. He told us a poignant story of his upbringing. How he continued his education on his father’s strong guidance and insistence. His father, according to him, did not have much formal education.

The importance of formal education (at university level, I suppose) is well evident in today’s society. However, I don’t think that we should draw analogies of those with it and those without. Formal education ‘formalises’ our knowledge with documentary evidence. We learn to improve our skills and also learn formal workplace etiquette. So, without formal education, we still have our skills, and these skills can be developed through well-established social channels.

And of course, education can be obtained informally. In many ways, this is the form of education that teaches us life and determines who we are: things like historical lores, family teachings and spiritual or religious beliefs. And historically, those people who mix formal education with knowledge obtained informally have been passengers on the ship of academic, artistic and scientific excellence.

So then, formal education is highly important. But it is even more important that we do not disregard informally obtained knowledge. This is the foundation of knowledge. And we certainly cannot do without it.

22 January 2010

This week has been all about the summer school workplace practices subject for my degree, so it’s been very busy. And even though it’s study, it’s quite a lot of fun.

It is conducted at La Trobe University’s Melbourne city campus, just a two-minute walk from Queen Victoria Market. I went to the market on Tuesday: so many things to purchase, and many more to overlook. It was quite exciting actually, probably because it was my first time.

The market has an arrangement that is very much like that of African markets: much more informal than supermarkets, many more people out and about, the sellers have spots next to one another, and most of them can only take cash. I had to stay conscious of every turn I made, just so I could find my way back to the campus. A friend tells me that I should check out the night market, and maybe I will.

I hope the subject progresses well. As for the market, my exploration has only just begun.

7 January 2010

It is the start of a new year and a new decade. It’s 2010. Welcome!

It doesn’t matter whether or not you have a resolution for the year. The important thing, I think, is that you take all the steps that you feel are in the right direction for you. This year is all about you, not in a selfish way, of course, but in a self-gratifying and fulfilling way. Most people would expect the economic climate to improve considerably from last year on an individual, national, and global scale. I am one of these people, and I welcome the year with open arms and much hope.

This year some of us hope to find something new: something exciting and fulfilling. Others want to break free from some form of limitation or another. Whichever one we are, and whichever way we choose to go about achieving our aims for the year, always try to keep these in mind:

‘When you discover something that you believe to be the truth, do not assume that everything else you knew before it was false.’

‘No entity is perfect, indeed perfection is arguably a flaw in itself.’

‘The length of life does not span from birth to death, but from when you start living to when you stop.’

And remember:

‘To be truly successful, you must believe in your capacity to achieve success.’

My wishes for you and for myself: have a great year and an even greater decade!

11 December 2009

I received a reply to my email to the Victorian Premier. Good stuff. Even though the email travelled quite a distance and ended up in a department of the Federal government, it was finally replied to.

Do I hear you asking what my letter was about? Oh well, I wont tell. It’s between myself and the Premier, or maybe the government department. I’ll tell you this much, it was related to my status as a student, derived from what I feel to be the reality of things around me, and based on what I understand to be an educated guess. Doesn’t make sense? I know!

But yeah, I received a reply. A fine pdf attachment it was. I read it, it wasn’t quite what I expected, and the officer even reiterated this in the letter. How kind of her!

Well, for one thing it gives me a certain sense of belonging in a society where citizenship means a myriad of things and determines even more. That is why I am a tireless advocate of democratic values in any government or organisation. Well, it’s the main reason. Even though the answers may not always be what we expect, at least there is an answer. There is the active existence of responsiveness, even if not much else sometimes. To me, this forms the foundation of foreseeable progress in society.

So, I dedicate this blog to democracy. Even though there are clear flaws as a result of the ‘majority’ benefit, democracy is, as one of the academic articles I read for my politics subject last semester calls it, ‘the least-worst system’; although I do not really think of it as a system, but a principle, which is compatible with not one, but a few systems of governance.

Let’s continue this discussion later. For now, my wishes are of long life, good health, and desirable growth and development for Australia’s democracy, and for all democracies around the world.

25 November 2009

To Nigeria, from Australia: A letter to home.

Dear home,

I’m sure you still remember me. It’s only been 2 years since I left. I hope there have been improvements to your health and wellbeing.

As you know, I am writing from Australia. It is a country and a continent. The people here don’t dance as well as your people, but I’m getting used to it. I’m a student here. And I cannot think of anything that I require that is missing. I even reckon you could borrow a leaf from the way they run things down here. Of course they don’t have as many responsibilities as you do, with over 140 million mouths to feed and cater for, but they do the best with what they have. I think that’s the most important thing.

One commonality is that you share the same colonial roots with Australia, although I cannot say the same of your colonial experience. You are both sisters in the same Commonwealth of Nations, although your sisterhood is a rather distant one. You have oil; they have coal. You both share the same democratic values, although unlike yourself, her democracy has not seen any interruptions since Independence Day. I could go on and on, but I will not.

Australia is taking very good care of me. Her people are generally down-to-earth, carefree, and humorous. In fact, she is not very far from what I would like to call another home. I’m sure this is fine by you. I just have to ask her when the time comes, and depending on her response, I might call her home too. But first I will finish my studies and hopefully, do some more studying. I’m starting to think that she’s quite well suited for my interests and future prospects. But as I said, it all depends on whether or not she wants me to stay.

I will write you again, maybe at the end of 2010. I love you and I miss you. Please take good care of my family and friends. Whatever be the case, I will always call you home.

Yours lovingly,

Chiedozie

5 November 2009

Eight more weeks and it’s 2010... under 60 days!

This year has flown rather quickly. Well from my perspective I suppose. I think it’s a good thing that it has, although one cannot exactly tell if there’s a lot to be excited about in 2010. Well of course we do have expectations and hopes for the year. And yes, we should do away with all negative thoughts and plan on staying alive. That is the bedrock of having our expectations come true.

What is the difference between 31 December and 1 January? Really. I guess the difference is that we like to keep count, and it helps us to tell how we are advancing towards some things, and away from others.

I had a customer the other day who got slightly annoyed (in a funny way) that I didn’t ask her for ID before serving some bottles of wine. To end the matter I just said, ‘I’m sorry, I’ll remember to do that next time’. I’m supposed to ask for ID if the customer looks under 25, and if I verify that the customer is over 18, then I can serve alcohol or tobacco products.

When we’re younger, we desire age maturity, but when we get there, we start to indulge in youthful traits and desires. And I don’t think there’s a stage between ‘younger’ and ‘older’. When I made a quick mention of my thoughts on getting older to my former tutor, who is himself a very advanced teacher of Philosophy and English, he told me ‘It’s all in the mind’. Oh yes, I’ve heard that before, some people say, ‘You’re as old as you think you are’.

Is it true? Oh, hang on. I don’t believe in any such concept as ‘truth’. So I’ll rephrase the question.
Do you think it is correct?

Well, I think there are benefits in believing that it is. So I’d say yes it is correct, to a very reasonable degree.

22 October 2009

The king sits on his throne, his queen sitting by his side. The look of anxiety is well evident on his face. Everyone in the court is silent; the only person allowed to break such silence would be the king himself. He is expecting his only son, the prince. News has spread all over the kingdom that the prince has found himself a bride in the most unexpected of families. The prince comes in alone. And the dialogue ensues:

King: What is this that I hear? You have proposed to a peasant?
Prince: Yes father. I love her.
King: My father did not marry for love, I didn’t, and neither will you. We married to keep our royalty unblemished, we married to preserve our blood. I’m afraid my son, there are sacrifices you must make in order to enjoy the great satisfaction of rulership.
Queen: (Interrupts) I’m right here you know.
King: I know my dear, but I’m trying to talk sense into this foolish boy.
Queen: I don’t care. You do not have to tell the entire kingdom that there is no love in our marriage.
King: We’ll discuss this later my dear, privately. For now, the future of the kingdom is at stake.
Prince: Father, I will marry for love. Shame on me if, one day, I should sit where you sit, and say what you’ve just said, about my wife.

(To be continued)

The mild stress of the end-of-semester essays has put me in a story-telling mood, and this is only part one.

This semester has been particularly challenging. Indeed the second year of university bears little resemblance to the first. But I’m okay, I cannot complain, I have made the choice. The king is correct about making sacrifices, but he seems to have read the wrong books about a few other things. Well, maybe not from his perspective.

My economics teacher told me that for every choice, there is a forgone alternative. What matters in the choice we make, I suppose, is our personality: our needs and requirements. So although it may be hard or impossible for others to understand the choices we make, we should always stay committed. As long as it is necessary to do so, according to how we feel.

In the end, we do know that while other people have the ability to organise their priorities, we can also organise ours in a way that suits us; as long as this does not impose on the freedom or freewill of others.

Time now to return to my research essays.

8 October 2009

Critical thinking is a first year philosophy subject that I am very happy I chose to do. I am not sure what made me choose it, but whatever it is, I am grateful it nudged me on.

It is one of those subjects that you don’t realise how useful they are until after you’ve done them. Oh yes, I remember now, I chose it because I thought that as an elective subject of mine, it would not require much work. I was wrong, but I don’t regret it. It is a subject that anyone can do, regardless of majors or specialist degree. It touches on all aspects of human thinking and communication: speech coordination, diction selection, and argument structuring. I did not realise this while I was doing the subject, but I do now, and so will any student who does the subject.

The high point for me was the tutorial debate for which we had to form groups and organise arguments. Through this practice I further discovered and explored my penchant for philosophical and academic arguing and critique. I probably wasn’t very good then, first year student you know. But if I should get the chance again, I’d probably do it better. Because I think I have improved, after doing the subject and connecting the concepts to the reality of my surroundings. I also think I have learnt effective ways of constructing arguments without leaving holes of logic in-between. Well, at least I try.

Oh yes, and I also got a letter notifying me of my membership to a select group of ‘critical thinkers’. I just hope I don’t disappoint when they call the meeting. Hang on: we don’t meet, we think. Fair enough then.

If I am glad I did the subject, then it is possible that other students are also glad they did the subject. If other students are also glad they did the subject, then it is possible that all students who do the subject are glad they did it. Therefore, if I am glad I did the subject, then it is possible that all students who do the subject are glad they did it.

That’s the sort of logical reasoning you learn under critical thinking.

24 September 2009

I’ll share with you the 12 do’s and dont's of university study as I see it.

Do ask questions if you feel confused. If your lecturer and tutor can’t answer a question, forget it, it’s not relevant to the subject.
Do try to chat with a few other students in the same tutorial. That will come in handy when you’re told to select a partner for a group assignment.
Do try to be early for lectures. If you’re not there for the first 15 minutes from when the lecturer starts talking, you need to download the slides and read through.
Do try and hand in your assignments on time. Try to avoid two extensions in a row, unless absolutely necessary.
Do bring issues up with your tutor. If you want to draw the lecturer’s attention to a big issue, try to keep it until after the lecture.
Do your best on your assignments and exams. In the end, that’s really all you can do.
Don’t get too closely acquainted with your tutor during that semester. If you do, your low marks will be all the more painful.
Don’t be shy in classes. If there is an issue you’re embarrassed to mention, send it in an email.
Don’t expect to get special treatment. If you get high marks this semester, don’t expect that the same will automatically apply the next semester.
Don’t hesitate to put more effort into understanding a subject when your tutor’s name salutation is ‘Dr’, especially when this tutor is different from your lecturer.
Don’t ignore comments on your marked assignments. Read them and try to improve on the next one.
Don’t hesitate to see your tutor personally if need be, it’s your future we’re talking about here.

And yes, your experience might be substantially different from mine.

2 September 2009

I will not write anything this week. Don’t ask me why, but I’ll tell you anyway.

The past two weeks have been full of activity for me. I transferred to a new supermarket, which I happen to like. The transfer took a lot out of me, much more than I thought it would. The transfer papers were put through and then they went missing. How convenient! I had to pursue them myself and arrange for new forms to be filled in. This time I picked them up myself and took them straight to my new store.

It’s a much bigger supermarket, and my co-employees are quite nice (that matters heaps!). One of them said to me, ‘they’re starting to like you already’. I was quite surprised to hear him say that, but I guess you never know how much people talk about you when you’re just not there. But it’s cool. I don’t expect everyone to like me anyway; that is never too good. It makes you feel internally pressured to meet some standards that may not even be the real you. I believe in being the real me, well, depending on place and time.

Things are going very well at my new store so far. The store manager is one of those who don’t say much, but expect quite a lot. It’s good though (if done in moderation), otherwise people forget why they’ve been employed – more or less.

That is not the only thing that has happened in the past fortnight. I’ve had some developments in the automotive sector as well. And yeah, did I mention that I also handed in an assignment? I’m even working on one right now, due next week! But should I complain? I think not.

So yeah, I will not write anything this week. That’s right, this is me not writing anything.

20 August 2009

It’s the second semester of second year at uni for me. Assignments have already started trooping in! It’s like an army of formidable soldiers on dedicated duty. But it’s quite peaceful. Yes, I’ll come out of it in one piece.

The good thing is that I’m very happy with my subject selections for this semester. There seems to be a smooth correlation between them, the readings at least. I find this quite handy, because there is always the slight possibility of using one subject’s readings as a valuable resource in doing an assignment for the other subject.

It’s interesting how career alternatives for a university student can change from time to time. It’s quite difficult to stay fixated on one career path that you feel you definitely want to tread. Embracing reality, the best thing is to keep your options open. That’s what my former mentor, a teacher at La Trobe International College told me, and I think it’s very true. Today my interest lies in academia and criminology, tomorrow it might swerve into entertainment and media (a bit of a swerve I know). You never know.

Let’s hope the semester goes well. I’ve still got a couple to go before the end of my first three years at uni. Then who knows what will follow? Well for one, I know it would be worth my time. That’s enough for now.

06 August 2009

My words of appreciation for those who have helped shape my academic standing here in Australia.

To the first, a lady: I had my first Australian class under you. It was at the International College of La Trobe University, and I remember it quite well. It started me off and introduced me to the Australian education system. For this, and for all you did (and still do for me as one of the referees in my CV), I thank you.

To the second, a gentleman: Your subject at University gave me the much-needed opportunity to partake in a process I have a side passion for. It was one of the core Media subjects, and I got to work with a group of students in putting together a 20-minute TV News project. I was one of the newsreaders. That experience shall never be forgotten. Thank you.

To the third, a lady: I did not like your subject very much at first. I was quite worried that I would not meet your high expectations and demands. But over time, I came to see, and indeed I know today, that everything I learnt under you was priceless. The news writing skills, the simplicity, and the coherence; you taught me to improve on these skills. Indeed I’m not perfected yet. I may never be. But I thank you so much for your professional approach.

To the fourth, a gentleman: You tutored me in two Legal Studies subjects over two semesters. You gave me good advice when I approached you in my confusion after the first year. We were friends, although you assessed me most objectively and marked me down when I deserved it. Your advice has been priceless. Thank you.

And to all my past teachers, lecturers and tutors (whether or not you still remember me) I am pleased I studied under you. No subject of mine has been worthless, and I’m sure it will continue to be so. Indeed learning is a continuous process as the old Igbo (Nigerian) wise man would say, and I intend to get my fair share.

Be it yesterday, today, or tomorrow, you will all always be part of my life. Thank you.

23 July

I feel a sense of solemness today, and I wish to share some of my sane wild thoughts.

Sometimes I wonder if people consciously keep a list of importance. Well, if they do, what would happen if the item on top of the list would, all of a sudden, disappear or be reframed?

This reminds me of a rather popular story in my part of Nigeria. It is about a man who, after collecting his severance pay and work gratuities in cash, was attacked by armed robbers on his way home. They said to him, 'Your money or your life', and after giving it a thought he replied, 'Please take my life, I’ve got so many things to do with this money'.

Yes I know it’s rather funny, but it also tells of people and their priorities. And although there is a very slim chance of a person actually being the man in the story, the message very much relates to our list of importance.

So, when we give in to something in order to get somewhere we really want to be, are we blindly giving up on something else that we cannot do without?

9 July 2009

Don’t ask me to tell you the final scores of a game. Don’t ask me to tell you whether or not the team changed its coach or captain. I would have no idea. I know it’s not particularly ideal for a male who comes from a country that always vibrates with sporting activities, but hey, I’m not really your ideal kind of guy. So bear with me.

I was discussing the current footy season with my host dad (Australian version of football, called Aussie rules). He barracks for Richmond (aka the Tigers), and he expressed his slight disappointment in their performance in the current season: ‘They had good draft choices, but made bad picks,’ he told me. He still enjoys watching other teams play though, and he told me he thinks Melbourne (aka the Demons) will be the ‘wooden spooners’ of the season (the team with the lowest of scores). It’s amazing how he handles his team’s defeat, and sometimes even though his team loses, he manages to call it a ‘good game’. Oh well.

In my country the frenzy is usually about soccer (British/universal football), and people have different ways of handling victories and defeats. Once when Nigeria beat Brazil in one groundbreaking game no one could get sleep with both eyes shut. Young people were driving around with only one person inside the car (the driver), and the rest on top of the vehicle, singing, dancing, and beating drums. It was nice though. That’s one thing with sport; it practically blurs lines of difference among people. No one asks ‘who’s that?’ before shaking hands or grabbing a beer bottle from the same six-pack. It’s heavenly – more or less.

The frenzy goes both ways though. On one occasion we heard rumours that a man who lived on the third floor of a building was so excited about the game that he went to his pregnant wife, who was getting some fresh air on the balcony, kissed, hugged, and then threw her off the balcony; all in the frenzy. The rumours were that he wasn’t happy only because Nigeria won, but he had also won a bet on the game himself – a rather huge sum.

My experience from supporting a team has led me to conclude that there isn’t enough space in my ‘sadness area’ to accommodate events that do not affect me in any direct manner. Maybe some of such events, but definitely not all of them. Yes I know I felt rather sad to hear of Jacko’s death, although it didn’t directly concern me, but that’s the type I can handle. When my team loses again and again, perhaps in the space of a few weeks, the sadness and disappointment are rather hard to handle. Well, for me.

But I could change my mind tomorrow. Or perhaps create more space in my ‘sadness area’. Who knows? But yes, I love sports; I support all teams, all crowds and all supporters. Just don’t ask too much of me, well for now.

25 June 2009

My short holiday has not started yet but I’ve already started thinking about it. How will I spend it? Where, if anywhere, will I go? It’s winter now so I may want to go somewhere warmer than Victoria, spend a week or even a weekend. But there is a problem. There are so many nice places to visit. So where will it be this time?

Last time I travelled to Tasmania by boat and spent a week there. Oh, how lovely it was. It felt like another country to me. I was surrounded by nature, and I had time to drive down to Port Arthur and witness the incredible history of the place. I wrote an account of every day I spent. And I’ve taken turns on my laptop computer’s desktop with the pictures I took over there.

Maybe I should go back. I know it’s a colder part of Australia but hey, it was awesome right? I could do it again. Only that this time I probably won’t be travelling by sea again. Don’t ask me why. Let me just say I might be in a hurry to get there and flying over would be quicker.

Wherever I go after my studies, I think I might end up having a holiday home in Tassie (as the Australians call Tasmania). It is lovely. The cities are smaller, the freeways are freer of vehicles (big plus if you ask me), and there is always a bit of nature around.

If you’ve been, you’ll agree with me. If you haven’t, well what can I say?

11 June 2009

I hope you won’t mind if I tell you another one of my ‘customer’ stories. But I had a customer who spent quite a while with me at work today telling me a joke.

He said that an elderly man and his wife were shopping at the local supermarket, when an armed robber attacked. He ordered everyone to lie on the stomach and cover their faces, so no one would see his face. Most people did, and some didn’t. When he noticed that some people had seen his face, he ordered them to get on the back of his van, threatening to take them to a very dark place where the only thing they’d see would be imagined. According to him, this punishment would teach them to listen and adhere to commands. When all the people who had seen his face boarded the van, he asked if there was any other person who had seen his face. The elderly man touched him gently, pulled him aside, and said, ‘I think the Mrs had a quick look’.

I found it quite funny, although not ethically so. Generally, customers are nice and friendly. And in providing customer service, anyone would find out that the behaviour of customers reflect the entire society and the values embedded within it. So from my experience, I’d say that customers, and indeed, the Australian people, are among the most accepting and funniest I’ve ever seen. And I enjoy this, because I don’t mind a laugh from time to time, and I try not to take myself too seriously. And when you’ve got the stress of study coming from all angles in and out of semester, you’ll understand why I enjoy doing the work I do and meeting the people I meet at work.

It is a pleasure to study in Australia. I am here, I should know. And yes, I do know.

27 May 2009

Give me one pack, no, give me two packs, in fact, give me the entire box. I need energy. Those energy drinks don’t do much these days. Or maybe I’m expecting too much from them.

Semester will be ending soon. It’s gone rather quickly, although when you think of all the assignments and the check the dates you got them back, the time will probably seem longer. It’s always good to see the end of semester. I wonder what it would be like for the students who graduated this week, all looking colourful and bright, snapshots here and there. It must be weird not to have classes anymore, not to worry about those assignments. But instead to go out in the world and do the real thing. No more made-up case studies, but the real thing to grapple with, and to conquer. At the same time it must be exciting too. Yes it has to be! And I suppose for some, it would be a start of the race to the finish line, Honours, Masters, PhD, and the like. Whatever it is for one, I’m sure it would be gratifying.

Well for me, all that is yet to come. For now I’m giving up the energy drinks. A few trips to the University sports centre should do the trick. Exercise for the body and reinvigoration for the mind. Top shelf.

13 May 2009

One thing I should tell you is that in Africa, we love telling stories. We call them folktales. I remember those days (call them the good old days if you like), when we used to sit in a semicircle around my friend’s mother, aching to hear her tell a folktale. I’ll tell you one:

‘Sometime long, long ago, the housefly and the elephant decided to stage a public fight to establish who would rule the animal kingdom. The first party to land on their back (on the bare sand) would lose the fight, and the other party would take up rulership. When the day came, all animals gathered at the village square to watch the historic bout. The housefly was filled with bravery and audacity, and the elephant believed it was a done deal; victory was his. Everything set, the adversaries standing face to face, the drums were beaten as an indication that the fight had begun. Then the housefly, in its wisdom and astuteness, flew straight into the elephant’s trunk and drove him berserk! The elephant lost balance. His opponent had got him. His only concern was to get the creature off his trunk. So he thudded on his back as an admission of defeat and victory went to the housefly.

Back then we would always wonder why such stories were told. I realise it was because the adult storyteller would always ask what lessons we had learnt from the story. For this story, the lesson was, ‘Size or strength doesn’t matter as much as astuteness in life.’

Now that I have told my story, it’s time to return to the 3,000-word politics essay.

30 April 2009

One week off uni, and not enough. It’s never enough when you’re a student. So what did I do during the break? Well, I could sum it up as… let’s see… nothing much. I did a bit of work, got a bit of a rest, and you won’t believe it, finished my assignment which was due on the very day of returning to uni. Wow!

At least I had a bit more time in my hands and thus could afford to broaden my smile at work – it’s one of the things you must do! I had a female customer who made me laugh and ponder. She came to the counter with all these things she had picked up from the shelves – a few bottles of wine, loaves of bread and so on. After I had scanned everything and notified her of the total price, she paused as if something had hit her, put her hand in her red leather handbag only to grab her spectacles. She put them on, took a step back, and made a very detailed observation of everything listed on the customer display. Then she shook her head and said, ‘On the card please.’ To which I replied, rather jokingly, ‘These things do add up don’t they?’

I don’t blame the poor lady; everyone knows that times can be hard. The credit crunch is really starting to munch on people with fresh gusto. And we’re hoping that whoever does what they do, they had better do something right and get people out of this mess.

So, I’m back at uni now. I have handed in the assignment. And although the break was not long enough as usual, I’m glad I had it. Let’s hope things get better for everyone. Optimism is the best weapon, with sufficient amount of realism of course. Stay well.

Joseph

2 April 2009

Challenge me to do something you didn't think I could do! Just mention it and leave the rest to me!

I feel rather happy today. And I am thinking to myself: is it because I've got two essays due in less than two weeks? Surely not! Is it because a work colleague has just been fired of his own doing? Oh, absolutely not! Oh well, is it then because I have a future to look forward to? A future that requires me to stay strong and happy today in order to attain it? Well, it might just be.

I probably shouldn't be writing about happiness, because lately I've been rather slightly sad over nothing really. But I have come to understand that it is one of those things we all go through once in a while, especially when we're students. Sometimes I feel like having a rather weird alternative: finish my studies in, say three to six months, earn my degree certificate and be on my way to conquer the workforce. But of course this is a wild fantasy. I'm happy that I do understand this as a fantasy. If I took it to be some sort of achievable reality, then my slight sadness might've turned into something a bit more chronic.

Thank goodness my university has sufficient measures in place to address melancholy in students. They must've known it before I did, that this state is natural for all students at some stage, in varying degrees. I may have to book myself in. Oh, hang on; I just said I was happy. And I am.

Though it seems there isn't much to be happy for, the future gives me a reason to be happy anyway. This is not the only reason of course, but when you have positive thoughts about your future, it helps you get through the tougher times. It is a wonderful solution that works many more wonders than any known scientific solution to human problems.

So, challenge me to something! I'll get right on it once I'm through with my essays, assignments and readings. That's in two years' time, maybe three if I proceed to the Honours year. Can you wait that long? I sure can.

18 March 2009

I received a message last year on YouTube from a Kenyan friend who wanted to know more about studying in Australia. He said he had heard it was a good environment to study and develop skills and intellect. After reading his message I did not know what else to add to what he had heard, and I figured it was because he had already heard it all. The next step, to me, was for him to come over and enjoy the experience.

Yes I'm a student at La Trobe University, Australia. Yes I'm enjoying the experience. And yes this is my first blog. Welcome!

I do not say "international" student as most would expect, and this is because from my experience, once you've commenced your university degree in Australia, you're just like any other student, local or international. Nigeria is my home country. I still have family there. I miss them a lot. But I cannot say that my being here is akin to some sort of torture, because I believe this is a necessity of life, and what's more? It's for a better tomorrow. When you're a student in another country the best thing to do is concentrate on what you're gaining rather than what you're missing. Because then, your concentration will guide you to see that your studies are being made for a reason, and that you will get skills and qualifications that will stand the test of time. By maintaining constant communication with family, listening to Nigerian music whenever and wherever, watching Nigerian movies when I'm home, I keep the necessary "Nigerianness" in me and maintain a strong-enough existence with the environment which saw me grow up as a child, nurtured me as a teenager, and raised me into adulthood.

Semester has just resumed after a long summer break. I have already chosen my second year subjects and the choice I've made seems to be best suited for me. After my first year, confusion began to set in a little. I wasn't quite sure whether or not I wanted to continue the same degree in the second year. And I set out to make enquiries. That's why one of the first things you're told when you arrive here is ‘Don't forget to talk to someone if you get in trouble or get confused about anything', and believe me, that is very true. The worst thing for a confused student is to keep to himself or herself, because if they do the confusion will multiply ferociously and they could find themselves where they'd rather not be. My faculty office helped me out immensely with course information and career prospects. I also had to trouble some of my tutors and lecturers - past and present. And it was okay. My emails were replied and appointments kept. In the end I'm glad I did it all because it has resulted in a more certain, focused, and happy me.

Australia is one of those places you'd like to study in, and Melbourne with its fabulous multicultural form is a splendid location. You can travel back and forth between the city and the suburbs if you like, and freely practice your religion and legal lifestyle. And what's more? You can make out time between semesters to visit some of those lovely tourist attractions that people from all over the world come to see. Yes, it is the ideal place for everything.