Operation Nova Aquila Update 3

For those who don’t know, that is what I have decided to name my time here in Australia. Three months of my time having been here complete, it’s time for another update.

Objective 1 (Lose weight): Well, since my one year anniversary of weight loss (starting Feb 15, 2009) I’ve lost 10 inches off my waist. Since then however… no losses off my waist in the last two weeks or so; though my neck is now officially what it was in High School, and I look like all the other Italian’s in Griffith with my Father’s gold chain that I haven’t been able to comfortably wear in a few years.

Objective 2 (Find job): Been busy all month, picking plums, oranges, and working at the grain storage facility. There are still Grapes next week whenever my back feels better from hurting it at work.

Objective 3 (Get Ripped like Jesus): Though it is dependent on Objective 1, I can now actually poke my belly, and below the layer of fat feel a fairly firm set of abs developing. I can’t wait to uncover them!

Objective 4 (Save Money): Dependant on Objective 2, but, also seems to be going on course.

Objective 5 (House Makeover): The shipping containers are 100 percent. “The Swamp” as it has been nicknamed due to Paul’s love of the classic gem of television “MASH” looks quite awesome. Complete with band area, lounge section, Exercise corner, and pool/air hockey table.

Objective 6 (Quit Pepsico Addiction): In the LAST trimester! In the time I have been working on it, I have only slipped once and taken one extra Pepsi then my daily ration. The last trimester though I think I am reverting back to one a week. I was hoping to finish early by taking two a week away, but, the other day I had a terrible withdrawal headache, so, maybe I’m not totally ready to be off.

Objective 7 (Learn new life lessons): I think I am allergic to hay/straw. Also, I am incredibly selfish.

Objective 8 (See all states/territories of Aus): The Estonian’s and I are considering renting a van in mid June and road tripping to Darwin and Perth via Alice Springs so that we can all see the remaining states that we have yet to go to.

Objective 9 (Re-learn how to ride a motorcycle): No sign of a working motorcycle. This is something that I am fine waiting till I return to do, but, I’d still like to get it out the way down here.

Objective 10 (Drive manual left handed): Had another go at it, on actual streets! I only stalled a few times. Still a laughable attempt, but Paul and I survived it.

Objective 11 (Dive in GBR): Need money, that’s it, the moment I have the money, I’m going diving. EVERY SCUBA diver, who knows about the Great Barrier Reef, wants to go diving in it, and here I am, so close, and yet penniless (quite literally, Australia has no $.01 piece).

Objective 12 (See one other country): Same as Objective 11, just need the money.

Objective 13 (Learn Estonian): I have learned a few more things since last time, but not much, and it will be even harder now that they have moved to Griffith.

At this time, having completed my third update of Operation Nova Aquila, I’d like to share with you some words by the great (American) Football coach, Vince Lombardi who once said,

“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.”