Hello family and friends!! G'day!!
Since I am not very good at sending out mass emails, I've decided to use this blogging system to keep everybody updated. It's only been a little over a week and I've already done so much!
I've been doing a lot of beach hopping and swimming (or getting waves dumped on me). The sunshine is seriously amazing here and I feel so blessed to be enjoying it. I seriously wake up every morning with a huge smile on my face, knowing there is so much I can do and want to explore. I've been visiting surfers paradise and burleigh heads beaches the most. There is actually a surf competition that I'm going to tomorrow in Coolangatta...
Here is the website if you want to check it out. - I have no idea how I made this whole thing underlined, and linked to a picture, so you'll have to copy and paste the web address, sorry.
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/07/02/104_gold-coast-world-surfing-titles.html
I also went to the junior pro competition last weekend. The surfing was amazing! I've never seen waves like that, or imagined the kind of tricks they were doing. I met a surfer Owen Wright, well I kind of stalked him and got a picture with him. I made him laugh though, so it was worth it. (pictures down below)
I just got back from Byron Bay, where I went on a Orientation field trip. It was HEAPS (the aussies say this word so much) of fun. The weather wasn't that great, it was randomly down pouring through the days we were there.We went to a wildlife center- where I got to hold a koala and feed kangaroos. And you bet I chased down a Emu! I only checked out the crocodiles for a few minutes because they scared me. We also went surfing, and went on a hike to the most eastern point of Australia (the lighthouse). It was quite a hike, but the view was well worth it. I went to go skydiving... but the weather was too bad. I had already paid and waiting in the hanger to head out for the jump... so I was really bummed out. But I get to go back next weekend on a free shuttle and go, just something else to look forward to! (pictures of all this down below)
The culture here is very different. Their lingo cracks me up, they seriously say "heaps" and "crikey". It is "mate" this and "mate" that also. The most valued activity besides surfing is drinking. They take their drinking very seriously. I was shocked when we arrived in our housing and our instructions were "if you have over 20 people in your place, let us know so we can party proof your place with the furniture." I looked around to see the shock on everybodys face, but everybody was just nodding in agreement...It is currently "O" week, which is a week long party of planned day drinking activities for the university, its pretty different then back home. We have a bar on campus, and were given free drink coupons after our orientation. I tried veggiemite. It's disgusting. I must say my favorite thing so far was when I went to the grocery store and they had an entire isle dedicated to candy and cookies (biscuts). I mean A ENTIRE isle, with one side cookies, and the other candies. I giggled I was so excited.
I love my flat. (apartment) I live with 4 other girls. 2 are from China, 1 from Dubai, and the other is from New Hampshire. They are all very nice and I feel very comfortable at home. We each have a very spacious room, and share 3 showers and 2 toilets. Our kitchen and living room are kind of small, but still very nice. Oh and our T.V. has 4 channels... VERY DIFFERENT from home. I guess I'll just have to catch up on t.v. and movies when I get back. My room has a great view of bushlands and campus. Campus is about a 45 second walk, so that is very nice. I've yet to check out where my classes are because i've been much too busy at the beach...
I also got to listen to a concert the first weekend I was here, I couldn't see it too well, it was about 100 yards away from my room. It was pretty awesome though.
http://www.parklandsgoldcoast.com/events.asp?id=182
Well I hope this is a helpful update for everybody... I probably forgot loads of stuff, but it is all I could think of. I've been having so much fun and am thinking of home constantly! I wish I could share the beauty with everybody I love.. pictures just don't do it justice. I'll be trying to blog as much as I can, thanks so much for all the support! Love and miss you all.
The pictures are:
1-view from Byron Bay hike
2- me @ surfers paradise
3- the surfer and I
4-me @ Burleigh Heads
5- holding a koala! YES its real
6,7- the most easterly part of Australia
