Hello all... so my body is totally out of whack... I am sitting on my balcony at the end of October, wearing no shirt and gym shorts. AND its 10:15 at night! It is SO beautiful outside and I am so glad summer is finally here! The only bizarre thing is that the Big W has started putting out their Christmas line and that is just crazy! It in no way feels like it is getting close to Christmas. I literally saw three decorated Christmas trees today and just busted up laughing. Though it was a joke at first, then realised that I guess Christmas really will be here before I know it.
Speaking of time flying, next week is the last week of school and I can hardly believe it! I have been working hard these past few weeks on getting my end of the year papers finished. I have three 2,500 word essays all due on the same day, so I trying to get them all done now, so I will just be finished with school! I also only have 27 days until I leave Australia and that is really starting to stress me out. I know that I'll be ready to go home, but the fact that I really only have 8 full days of freedom after exams are over kinda makes me sad! Best believe that I will be at the beach every single one of those days before I leave and head to the winter wonder land that I am sure will be blanketing the states upon my arrival... Nothing like a good, "hi ya, you are definitely NOT in Australia anymore, but welcome home.. p.s. its -20 outside!" Ok, maybe it won't be that bad, but coming from 90 everyday, it will not be fun!
Nothing too new really. I sprained my ankle on Monday, which meant I couldn't go out and do anything all week. My theory is that it was God's little reminder to stay in and do my work. All-in-all I think it was a blessing. I have basically finished my Irish history paper, which has truly been the bane of my existence. I don't think it is anything too revolutionary in thinking when it comes to making an argument about Ireland, but I at least have something to turn in. I only have one more paper to write about Ubiquitous Computing, exhilarating I know, but then I will be done with those and just have to take an exam on the 11th.
I was talking to Jordan the other day about how I wasn't homesick here, but I was really people and food sick. I am looking forward to seeing everyone around the holidays! I am also looking forward to putting ranch dressing on EVERYTHING I eat for like the next five months. Mom asked me to make a list of foods and I have really been craving Mexican, and Lasagna, really anything you bake in an oven. That is the one thing my apartment doesn't have and I never realised how many things I like to eat that come out of an oven... and really, in all serisousness I think I want a Dr. Pepper and a shot of ranch dressing waiting for me at the airport. I can't believe that Hidden Valley ranch in all its goodness has not hopped the border of America to spread its deliciousness with the rest of the world!
Ok... getting a little out of hand, so I'll bring it back home. I hope everyone reading is well and enjoying your fall into winter. I enjoy hearing from everyone on Facebook and Skyping with who I can. I'll try to write again a couple of times before I leave, but not making any promises. Until next time... no worries!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Spring Time
Hello all... So I sitting here at my computer having a spoonful of peanut butter and a glass of milk. I am absolutely craving a tim tam, but it is midnight and I have a whole fresh package of them and I know that I will eat more than one and don't need them, especially this late... any way, point of story is I am now writing this blog post to distract myself... after this, i'll just force myself to brush my teeth and then I won't have the desire to eat any more and it will be time for bed...
Anywho, the weather here is absolutely amazing! The sun has been out every day, the trees are budding, and people are EVERYWHERE! This past weekend, Casey and I went down to St. Kilda and laid out on the beach. Again, there were people all over the place, but it was nice. There was a lot of sport playing going on... cricket, football, Frisbee, we were dorks and didn't bring anything to do, but as it turns out, just laying out in the sun was just perfect. We decided that next weekend we are going back only this time we are packing a picnic and a frisbee.
Since New Zealand, not much has been going on. School is taking up most of my time. Classes are done on the 29th and I still have three research papers to write! I have started one, but the task ahead is still daunting. They'll get done, but I am ready for classes to be out! Lee and I have a trip to Sydney planned for the 4th to 7th of November. Her aunt lives there so that will be nice to get an insiders guide to the city! Sydney is really the last thing I have on my list of things to do in Oz, so once I tick that off of my list I think I will be complete. I only have 37 days left in Australia and I can hardly believe it. The good news is that I don't feel like I have missed out on any opportunities here. I feel like I have been taking advantage of all, or at least most of what this city has to offer.
Well, I've really run out of things to say, so I suppose I better go brush my teeth and avoid the deadly tim tam box! If you haven't done so already, I posted the majority of New Zealand pictures on my facebook, so you should check them out. Talk again soon, and until next time... no worries!
Anywho, the weather here is absolutely amazing! The sun has been out every day, the trees are budding, and people are EVERYWHERE! This past weekend, Casey and I went down to St. Kilda and laid out on the beach. Again, there were people all over the place, but it was nice. There was a lot of sport playing going on... cricket, football, Frisbee, we were dorks and didn't bring anything to do, but as it turns out, just laying out in the sun was just perfect. We decided that next weekend we are going back only this time we are packing a picnic and a frisbee.
Since New Zealand, not much has been going on. School is taking up most of my time. Classes are done on the 29th and I still have three research papers to write! I have started one, but the task ahead is still daunting. They'll get done, but I am ready for classes to be out! Lee and I have a trip to Sydney planned for the 4th to 7th of November. Her aunt lives there so that will be nice to get an insiders guide to the city! Sydney is really the last thing I have on my list of things to do in Oz, so once I tick that off of my list I think I will be complete. I only have 37 days left in Australia and I can hardly believe it. The good news is that I don't feel like I have missed out on any opportunities here. I feel like I have been taking advantage of all, or at least most of what this city has to offer.
Well, I've really run out of things to say, so I suppose I better go brush my teeth and avoid the deadly tim tam box! If you haven't done so already, I posted the majority of New Zealand pictures on my facebook, so you should check them out. Talk again soon, and until next time... no worries!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Back in Aussie
Well I am back in Aussie now and let me tell you, this city has come alive!!! We left chilly NZ to come back to beautiful sunny 75 degree weather here in Australia, and there are people out everywhere. All of the cafe's are full and people are laying out in parks. Today, Claire, Casey and I went and played frisbee in a park that is close by, it is just so hard to not be outside. This new found necessity to be out enjoying the warm weather could prove to be bad when trying to complete schoolwork, but I suppose I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
So, where I last left you was in the stench of a town that is Rotorua, NZ. We all opted to sleep in the next morning and got up at 9. We ate brekky and checked out. It was raining out, but we still headed north to our beachy destination in hopes the sun would come out. We finally made it to Tauranga, and the sun never showed its face, so we didn't spend much time at the beach. After cruising around town, we just decided it would be best to head on in to Auckland. On our way there however, we did stumble upon where they filmed Hobbiton and the Shire in LOTR so that was pretty neat. Once we were about an hour outside of Auckland the traffic got really heavy and our two lane road finally turned into four. (the first four lane road we had encountered in NZ I might add) I was driving and Claire was navigating. Come to find out, Auckland is bigger than London and is like driving in LA, so needless to say I had never driven or encountered anything of that magnitude before. We somehow made it with ease though. I suppose it helps that both Claire and I are like walking GPS's. Once we found our hostel and unpacked we headed to the beach. We spent about an hour there just relaxing and watching these two kids running around chasing the seagull's. As it was our last night in New Zealand, we decided to go out. There was a nice bar in the basement of our hostel so we just went there. There was some good music and dancing and a good amount of people. We turned in early however, because we had to be up at 4:45am to make it to the airport on time. Everything on the flight was fine until about 30 minutes into it. I don't want to sound mean, but the plane was 75% full with asians and they were all screaming at each other in whatever they were speaking and there was one screaming baby in the row behind us, so needless to say our plans of sleeping on the flight home were down to nil. I love flying, but never in my life was I so ready to get off of an airplane. We finally landed and ventured back to our rooms. I tried to lay down and nap, but it never happened so I just went to the market and picked up some much needed food. I ended up fall asleep last night at 10pm. I was watching a movie on TV and just absolutely zonked out from exhaustion.
Today again was a beautiful day. Frisbee was fun and I have been cleaning for the remainder of the day with my balcony doors open, listening to the cars and birds as they pass noisly by. I am not looking forward to going back to school tomorrow, but what can you do... Fortunately I only have 4 weeks left as classes end on the 29th, but I still have four research papers due on the 8th of November, so I will still be busy this month. I only have 49 days left in Aussie and I know they are going to fly by! I am anxious to get home in some ways, but know I will be sad to leave. I think its really the comforts that one grows up with that I miss the most. You know, the things that you can just run out and get or do... basically everything that is familiar. I am sure it is the same with anyone who travels from their home land... There are just things that you know and miss. For me those things are mainly food... Like Dr. Pepper, Ranch Dressing, Mexican, and Good ole American Chinese food, and of course my family! But I have also really come to like Australia, and all it has to offer. Needless to say it is a catch 22, but I will survive when I come back to the States!
Well, it is my turn to cook dinner in the Sunday night ritual, so I guess I better go and get started! Keep reading, commenting and talking to me on FB I love hearing from home! Until next time... no worries!
So, where I last left you was in the stench of a town that is Rotorua, NZ. We all opted to sleep in the next morning and got up at 9. We ate brekky and checked out. It was raining out, but we still headed north to our beachy destination in hopes the sun would come out. We finally made it to Tauranga, and the sun never showed its face, so we didn't spend much time at the beach. After cruising around town, we just decided it would be best to head on in to Auckland. On our way there however, we did stumble upon where they filmed Hobbiton and the Shire in LOTR so that was pretty neat. Once we were about an hour outside of Auckland the traffic got really heavy and our two lane road finally turned into four. (the first four lane road we had encountered in NZ I might add) I was driving and Claire was navigating. Come to find out, Auckland is bigger than London and is like driving in LA, so needless to say I had never driven or encountered anything of that magnitude before. We somehow made it with ease though. I suppose it helps that both Claire and I are like walking GPS's. Once we found our hostel and unpacked we headed to the beach. We spent about an hour there just relaxing and watching these two kids running around chasing the seagull's. As it was our last night in New Zealand, we decided to go out. There was a nice bar in the basement of our hostel so we just went there. There was some good music and dancing and a good amount of people. We turned in early however, because we had to be up at 4:45am to make it to the airport on time. Everything on the flight was fine until about 30 minutes into it. I don't want to sound mean, but the plane was 75% full with asians and they were all screaming at each other in whatever they were speaking and there was one screaming baby in the row behind us, so needless to say our plans of sleeping on the flight home were down to nil. I love flying, but never in my life was I so ready to get off of an airplane. We finally landed and ventured back to our rooms. I tried to lay down and nap, but it never happened so I just went to the market and picked up some much needed food. I ended up fall asleep last night at 10pm. I was watching a movie on TV and just absolutely zonked out from exhaustion.
Today again was a beautiful day. Frisbee was fun and I have been cleaning for the remainder of the day with my balcony doors open, listening to the cars and birds as they pass noisly by. I am not looking forward to going back to school tomorrow, but what can you do... Fortunately I only have 4 weeks left as classes end on the 29th, but I still have four research papers due on the 8th of November, so I will still be busy this month. I only have 49 days left in Aussie and I know they are going to fly by! I am anxious to get home in some ways, but know I will be sad to leave. I think its really the comforts that one grows up with that I miss the most. You know, the things that you can just run out and get or do... basically everything that is familiar. I am sure it is the same with anyone who travels from their home land... There are just things that you know and miss. For me those things are mainly food... Like Dr. Pepper, Ranch Dressing, Mexican, and Good ole American Chinese food, and of course my family! But I have also really come to like Australia, and all it has to offer. Needless to say it is a catch 22, but I will survive when I come back to the States!
Well, it is my turn to cook dinner in the Sunday night ritual, so I guess I better go and get started! Keep reading, commenting and talking to me on FB I love hearing from home! Until next time... no worries!
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