3 Finals - Fiji - California!

Here I am already - my last week in Australia. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. This time next week I will be basking on a beach in Fiji - I can't wait! These past few weeks have been strange ones; everything is wrapping up and it is getting increasingly harder to not think about home and seeing people again. Classes officially ended on April 3rd, and since then there has been a lot of movie watching, hanging out, book reading, nostalgia, and some attempts at studying.
Corinne celebrated her 20th birthday, and we also went to an AFL game in Brisbane. AFL stands for the "Australian Football League" - but it's not football as we know it. It's a version of Rugby that actually looks like a mixture of basketball, soccer, and rugby. The game was ROWDY, ending with a victory for our local team in the last 5 minutes. I actually understood the game, which made it much more interesting and fun then our rugby experience. After the game they open up the field to fans, and we got to spend some time running around and trying to kick/pass the ball to each other.
I'm finding it more difficult then ever to study for my finals here; my mind is on going home and I seem to be forgetting (or at least wanting to) the minor detail of exams. Friday myself, Lindsay and Corinne were all bound and determined to get in some serious studying. However around 2pm we decided it would be a much better decision to take a 25 minute bus ride to our favorite ice cream place in Surfers Paradise. Without a doubt the best decision I have made all week.
Yesterday we went to Mermaid beach for what could have very well been our last Australian beach day. I have my first final tomorrow (Tuesday), another on Wednesday, and my last one on Saturday (weird, I know). On Sunday the 20th at 11:45 am I am flying from Brisbane airport to Nadi, Fiji, with my friends Tracie and Audrey. We are staying around the city of Nadi, and are hoping to get in a lot of swimming, snorkeling, and sun bathing. I think Fiji is going to be a situation that we have to figure out when we get there; I have no idea what it's going to be like or if I am going to have any way of communicating with people. If it turns out that I can get internet then I will let everyone know that I have arrived safe.
We leave Fiji Thursday the 24th at 10pm and arrive at LAX on Thursday the 24th at 1:20pm. No, that's not a typo. The flight is 10 hours long, but because of the time change I actually arrive home 9 hours before I left - pretty cool huh?! I am planning on staying down in LA visiting friends from APU until the 26th, when I am flying back to Santa Cruz!
I am full of mixed emotions about leaving Australia and coming back home. I can't believe that this study abroad experience is almost over - I have spent so much time thinking about it, preparing for it, doubting it, and stressing out over it, and now it's over. It's strange to think that I may never again be in this place that I have gotten so used to. I have met some really amazing people here, who I am going to miss dearly. I have to admit that I kinda hit the jackpot with Corinne and Lindsay - they both live in Northern California and also go to APU - so I am very grateful to know that I will be seeing them this summer as well as next year at school.
While it is strange to be leaving, I also feel like I have a lot of great things to come home to. I am beyond excited to see people again (warning, I WILL be crying). I'm looking forward to having the comforts of home back. And I think I may be a little too excited to eat American food (in those amazing American portions!). It is going to be really nice to get back to the familiar that I have been missing.
I decided it was a good decision to write this blog when I got tired of studying for my final tomorrow. I've also already taken down my photos and packed 1 suitcase as other distractions. I can't wait to get back and give everyone a massive first hug! Beware: you might not recognize me because I look so tan and Fijian.
Thank you so much for all of your support throughout this semester that has proved to be an amazing experience for me. I can't wait to show more pictures and stories with everyone!
Peace and Love.

SYDNEY

Sydney is arguably one of the coolest cities I have ever seen. I'll give you a quick recap of the busy weekend. After a smooth airport experience Malcolm and I arrived at YHA hostel in central Sydney on Thursday afternoon. We were pretty surprised at how nice the hostel was, despite the community bathrooms and 2 roommates who didn't speak to us. We spent Thursday afternoon walking around - a lot. We walked down through the beautiful parks down to the Botanical Gardens. We even found a museum on the way! All the parks were huge and filled with gorgeous trees and flowers - they all looked like something out of a movie. One of the things I noticed right away was how culturally diverse Sydney is. You can walk down the street and hear a handful of different languages being spoken all around you. By the time we got back to the Hostel our feet were aching and we were exhausted. Friday morning we woke up early and headed down to the Opera House for our 10am tour. We did have a little trouble finding it, and were forced to be stupid tourists walking around with our map asking how to get to the Opera House. The slight embarrassment was well worth it - the opera house is stunning. It was so strange to actually see something that I have seen pictures of for years; to actually stand in front of it and look at it with my own eyes was a very cool experience. The tour was worth it simply because we were allowed to go inside and see things we normally wouldn't be able to. After the tour we drank some coffee at the opera house cafe and looked out at the harbour bridge - it was a pretty surreal experience.

We then made our way over to the ferry, which we rode around the harbour. We got off at Luna Park, which is a historical amusement park, and walked around there for a little bit. A lady gave us free passes as she was leaving, so, upon Malcolm's request, we went on one ride, and I am glad to still be living after it. It must have been 70 years old....and I really was concerned for my life. Anyway, we promptly left the park and, not wanting to pay $100+ to go across the top, walked across the bottom of the harbour bridge. By the time we got back to YHA we were beat and crashed pretty quickly.

Saturday we slept in and took a short walk down to Darling Harbour, where we ate an amazing fish and chips lunch. Then we went to the Sydney Aquarium in the harbour, where we saw tons of cool fish, a platypus, sharks, and the biggest stingray I have ever seen. I'm not exaggerating....it was literally the size of a small car......insane. We spent the rest of the day walking around the harbour area. Darling harbour was my favorite part of Sydney, there were restaurants, parks, and shops; it was really peaceful but still had a lot to see and do.

Sunday we took a bus to the famous Bondi Beach. I was afraid that I was going to be overwhelmed because it is sooo big and sooo popular, but strangely I was not bothered by the crowds or the size; the beach was not as touristy was I had expected and created a very laid back environment. It was a great relaxing day, and a nice change of pace from our normal "walking all over" day. I have so many more pictures that I wish I had room to show you - I guess they will have to wait until I get home!

We arrived back safely to the Gold Coast on Monday just around 1pm. It was a great weekend, and am so glad that I got to share it with Malcolm. Sydney is a huge city, which was slightly overwhelming at times, and I was so thankful to have an old friend there experiencing it with me. I did find myself feeling homesick for Bond, and missing my friends from here, which made me realize how hard it is going to be to leave for good in 1 month. Thankfully the people that I am closest to, Lindsay and Corinne, go to APU, and it is comforting to know that our friendship will continue when we get home.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the Australia Zoo, home of the former Croc Hunter Steve Irwin. Lindsay and Corinne had 2 friends from APU in town for spring break who had rented a car, so we all drove 2 hours North up to the Sunshine Coast. The zoo was pretty cool, especially the Croc show. It was really weird to think that if we had been there 2 years ago, Steve Irwin would have been doing that same show. His picture is still everywhere around the Zoo, along with his wife, daughter, and son. They had a whole tribute section of the zoo set up, with tons of photos, old videos, and letters people had written to Steve and his family after his death. There was even a poem that his daughter had written. And yes, I definitely cried. Despite that downer experience, it was a really fun day.

This week has flown by. I have been busy working on papers and homework and getting ready to leave again. Tomorrow at 1pm a big group of us are leaving for Toowoomba, a town about 2 hours inland, to stay with our Australian friend Alex and her family for Easter weekend. There is a huge Christian concert also happening in Toowoomba over the weekend, which we will be going to. I'm so excited to get to stay in an actual home with an actual family, and I am also looking forward to seeing the country. I will give you another update sometime soon, probably during a break from writing papers!

I am beginning to realize that my time here is winding down, and I have alot of mixed emotions about it. I am so incredibly excited to see everyone again, and at the same time I am sad that this time in my life is coming to an end. I am going to do my best to cherish every moment I have left here. It is comforting to know that I have something so amazing to come home to - you all continue to be in my thoughts daily. I hope you have an amazing Easter, talk to you soon!

(PS - the picture of me next to the kangaroo is for Chris Morris, who challenged me to lay next to a kangaroo. Challenge completed Chris!)

I'm skipping town

Well, it's finally here, the trip I have been thinking about since before I left California....Malcolm and my adventure to Sydney!! We leave tomorrow morning at 11am, and arrive in Sydney around 12:30. I'm veeerrrrryyy excited to get there, and hoping that all travel and accommodation stuff works out as planned. We are getting back Monday afternoon, and I will be giving you an update all about the trip shortly after that.

This past week has consisted of alot of homework; it's time for final papers, so I have been working hard to get finished or started on some of them. We also took a tour of the rain forest last Friday, which was really cool. We got to go fruit tasting at Tropical Fruit world, where I had some of the best Mango I have ever tasted. Then we continued on to the Hinterland, where we saw the Natural Arch water fall, along with 4 other amazing look outs and waterfalls. It was a great day.

I can't believe that it is almost time for me to be heading home. Only 2 more weeks of normal classes left! Thank you so much for the continued love and support - it means the world to me!

My Bad.....

OK, I'm really sorry for not updating this in almost a month....that's not good...i know. I openly admit that I stink at blogging. It also leaves me in a bit of trouble, because so much time has passed I am having some trouble remembering what I have done over the last 20-something days. I honestly have not been doing many exciting things this month, it's been kind of slow. I've been forced to spend alot of time at school because of homework and midterms. I literally just turned in my final midterm projects about an hour ago, so I'm feeling relieved and ready to relax. One advantage of sticking around campus is that I am spending less money, and I've been getting to hang out with alot of really cool people. I've definitely encountered alot of questionable people here, and I've also encountered some really great people. I feel like I have adjusted to being here pretty well, and I am feeling comfortable with my environment and the people around me. But I am REALLY going to appreciate certain things about home when I get back, like having a car, knowing my way around, and Mexican food.

I would say that one of the best, most exciting things that has happened this month was Malcolm finally getting here!! If you don't know who Malcolm is (her first name is Katie also), she is one of my oldest friends who I've known since elementary school. She is studying abroad on the Gold Coast also at Griffith University. We got to see each other for the first time last Friday.....it was magical to say the least. It was pretty surreal for me to see her here, but it was exactly that familiar comfort that I have been missing and needing. We spent Friday hanging out around my school, going to the shopping center (Oh, and I got my hair cut!) and watching "Friends". On Saturday we headed to the beach for a little while, but it was so unbearably hot that we couldn't stay for very long. By the way, I was definitely that person who had to go sit in the shade because I thought I was getting heat stroke. Looking back on it the whole situation was pretty comical. From the beach Malcolm and I parted ways and I headed back to school to work on papers.

This past Monday we went on an amazing adventure with our Australian friend, Alex. We were all in serious need of a break from studying and papers, and this was the perfect solution. After we were all out of class, we loaded into Alex's car and drove south towards New South Wales, stopping at multiple beaches and lookouts along the way. We even found a 7-11 and got Slurpee's! I was reminded of how convenient it is to be in a car; we got to go places and see things that we never would see taking the bus. Alex knows the area really well, and she was an excellent tour guide. The beaches here are really beautiful, with gorgeous blue water, fine sand, and awesome cliffs. Some parts actually remind me of Westcliff Drive in Santa Cruz. Alex, bless her soul, was also really good about taking stupid tourist pictures with us, which we were very thankful for! The night ended with dinner at a local beach restaurant and a 5o cent ice cream cone from McDonalds (they call it Mackers here). We had such a wonderful time that we decided to make "Mini Roadie Mondays" a tradition. It's only Friday and I am already excited for our adventure next Monday. Alex has been such a blessing; she is so willing and excited to help us and show us around. We couldn't have met a cooler Aussie.

So here I sit, on Friday afternoon, drinking hot chocolate and finally having some time to relax. Tonight us girls are going to a laser maze called "infinity" that is supposed to be really cool....we'll see what its actually like. Tomorrow there is a pro surf competition happening that I am planning on going to, which should be sweeeet! I am excited for March and all of the adventures (like Sydney!!) it is going to bring. I promise to be better about writing these things next month :) Thank you so much for the comments, emails, and letters. It makes me so happy to hear from home. You know whats crazy, I'm going to be home in less then 2 months!! Time is flying......I'll see you soon :)

Zorb, Zorb, Zorb, ZORB!

Alright, I'll just be honest, I always feel really awkward writing the beginning of these blogs. Do I say hello, or do I just start talking? And who am I saying hello to? I don't even know who reads these things. Should I say "G'Day!"? Or does that just sound really stupid and tourist-y, like I'm trying to act Australian? These are all the things that run through my head when I start writing. Probably over-analyzing....but whatever. Anywhoooooo.....Here's an update on what has been going on these past few weeks:

Last weekend we went to the city of Brisbane on Saturday for Australia Day, which ended up being quite an adventure. After about an hour train ride there, we arrived around noon, ate lunch, where I squirted "tomato paste" (a sorry excuse for ketchup) all over myself, and walked around Southport, which is across the bridge from Brisbane. Southport has a huge park, where there was some festival thing for Australia Day going on, and it was cool to explore around there. Then we crossed the bridge into the actual city, where the main street basically consists of lots and lots of shopping (not a good activity, considering my current financial situation). After browsing through some shops we explored more of the city, which is much more historic and beautiful then I thought it would be. There were alot of big beautiful buildings, statues, and parks. We then again crossed the bridge back to Southport to watch an Amazing Australia Day fireworks show (they coreographed it to the "I come from a land down under" song!). After Lindsay, Corinne, Hayley, Lauren, and I went to see "27 dresses". This is where things got a little "dodgy". After the movie got out at 11:30pm we had to hurry back to where we thought the nearest train station was, because the last train back to Bond was leaving sometime around midnight. Ofcourse, we had trouble finding the train station, which was not helped by all the late night Australia Day celebrations going on all around us. We knew the train station was located on the same street as all the bars were on, on kind of a sketchy end of town. To be lost, American, young, and female were NOT good things in this situation. To make matters worse, I was getting a really creepy vibe from that whole area....creepy drunk guys were lurking all over...and the whole area was just out of control. But not to worry, being the competent adults that we are, we found the train station and got some safely, but veeeeery late. It was actually a very accomplished, independent feeling to figure out a city we have never been to before, in a foreign country, and figure out transportation.

This past week of school went by very quickly, actually most of the school weeks go by here very quickly. Not having classes on fridays is magical. The only thing that I'm going to say about school is that I'm annoyed, and slightly concerned, about the amount of work I'm realizing I have. I have a few projects and papers coming up, which I should probably be working on, but I'm finding it really hard to focus on school like I normally do. I mean, I'll get it done ofcourse, but I'm almost surprised to remember that I'm actually a student this semester....because most of the time I like to forget that I am.

This weekend has been a really great one. Thursday we went to varsity tavern with a pretty big group of people; it was a fun place to just hang out and have good conversations, while sampling some authentic Australian beer :) I think that Pure Blonde is my favorite....but it's really the only kind I have had. It ended up getting rowdy, with loooooots of crazy people pouring in around midnight, so we hightailed it out of there.

On Friday we went......ZORBING! (See the video at the bottom of the page, it's of Suzi and I going down the hill in the zorb, sorry there is no sound!) What is Zorbing? I actually didn't know until Lindsay found a pamphlet and suggested that we go. Basically what happens is you get in a big plastic ball (think of that movie "bubble boy"), with water in it, and roll down a hill. Going into it, I had no idea what to expect, but it turns out that Zorbing is amazingly fun! We were all laughing hysterically watching each other roll down the hill in this thing, while chanting "ZORB, ZORB, ZORB!" It was sooo awkward that it was awesome. By far the most awkward part is when you have to enter and exit this thing, through this hole that Corinne accurately described as "the Zorb's vaginal canal". When you get out of it you are literally birthed out onto the ground (the water pours out with you as you plop onto the ground)....sooooo hysterical. I think the pictures describe it better then I could in writing....but we all came out soaking wet and laughing. Infact, we liked it so much, we went twice! The first time I went in the Zorb with Suzi, and the second time I went in with Lindsay and Corinne.....we were sliding all around and knocking into each other. It basically takes away all body control as you are rolling down the hill and slipping around. The boss told us that around Easter they are going to fill the Zorb with chocolate instead of water......we really want to come back for that!

Today (Saturday) we went to a water park called "Wet & Wild" and....well....it was wet and.......wild. I'm actually really upset that I did not get more tan, but it was really fun to go down the slides, pay way too much money for over-priced park food, and float around the "lazy river" for extended periods of time. The bummer of the day was the bus situation....as usual it took us way too long to get there and back....I'm really going to appreciate having a car when I go home! Tomorrow I am planning on going to church in the morning, and then having some serious homework time. I have group projects coming up....and I don't want my group members to hate me.

On a more serious note....I have been struggling alot with missing friends (and family too ofcourse!). I've been feeling it since I've been here, but I think it's hit me hard recently...I hear that the 1 month maker is a tough one. The group of people I hang out with is really cool, and I like them all alot, but they all are here with a best friend from home. Corinne and Lindsay came together; Hayley and Lauren came together; Nate and Bjorn came together. I think it hit me the hardest today when the 7 of us were at the water park, and when we got to the top of a 2 person ride, I had no one to go with. I know this isn't really a big deal....but it was more the meaning of it that killed me. I miss having a buddy, and I feel like everyone else does. I keep thinking about how nice it would be to have someone here, and it's even harder when I'm surrounded by people who are best friends. It's like being a 7th-wheel. Now, I know that this is a good experience and lesson in independence for me, and I know that things worked out the way they did for a reason, but it is just a little lonely somtimes. I'm really hurting for a buddy. I'm not the type that likes to go down water slides alone. But I guess sometimes I have to. I don't mean to complain or whine, because I'm really happy to be here, but this is just how I have been feeling today. If you are the praying type, I'd appreciate any prayers you would like to throw up for that.

Again, I'm missing everyone continually, and thank you so much for the comments and e-mails, I love them!

I'm actually in Australia....

Hi every one! Thank you so much for your comments and emails, I absolutely love getting each one of them! So here is what I have been up to these past few days: Friday (the 18Th) I went to an event called "Rec Crawl", which is put on by the christian group on campus. A group of about 50 of us took a bus down to Surfers Paradise, where we went to this really cool arcade downtown, complete with bumper cars and laser tag (they call it laser skirmish here....weird).

Naturally, our team won at laser tag. After the arcade, we all went to a pizza dinner and then on to...of all places...an indoor ice skating rink. I had no idea that these even existed in Australia. I was pretty skeptical about ice skating, since I had never done it before, and I was determined to not fall. The rink basically looked like a roller rink that they froze over (I felt like I was at a 3rd grade roller rink party all over again). There was also basically a layer of water on top of the ice, which according to the boys from Minnesota, is not ideal. This only added more motivation for me not to fall; being soaking wet and cold did not sound like a good way to end the night. So, went around slowly for a while and eventually got somewhat comfortable with it....and I didn't fall! It was fun to try it, but I don't know that it's something I would suggest doing. I was basically in a state of constant worry about slipping up and eating it. All in all it was a really great, fun night where I got to spend time with some awesome people.

Saturday was another beach day, capped off with finding a Domino's pizza, and eating it while sitting on the curb waiting for the bus. By the way, my biggest frustration with Australia so far is not having a car. There is not much within walking distance of school, so we have to resort to the bus. The bus is less then desirable; slow, expensive, and a huge pain. There are a lot of places we have wanted to go, but transportation is always the problem. If we can't get there on the bus we don't really know how else to get there. It's times like these when I really wish I had a motorized scooter.

Sunday we went to our friend Teri's church, called Surfside. It was a really cool church, and I liked it a lot, but once again, transportation is the problem. There is no way we can take the bus there, so we are trying to figure out if we can get rides there. We'll see how that works out.

This week has mostly consisted of classes, which have been good. On Tuesday I had my first "sex, society, and the movies" class, and I am really excited about it! Each week we learn about a new theme, and then watch a movie about it! This week we watched "Some Like it Hot"; and I officially am now a Marilyn Monroe fan. My goal is to start watching more classic Hollywood movies (which was our topic this week), I really haven't seen very many, so if anyone has any good recommendations - shoot 'em my way!!

Tonight Bond sponsored this free rock climbing thing an an indoor rock climbing place about 10 minutes from school, which Lindsay, Corinne, Suzi, and I went to. I've never been rock climbing before......so I was just going to see how I felt about it. After my first climb I realized that I am, in fact, not a rock climber. Which, I mean, I kinda knew before I went. Here are my issues with it: 1) It really hurts my hands 2) it really hurts my arms 3) whats the point? I'm indoors on a fake wall...I don't see the motivation 4) the feeling of being up high and hanging on for dear life just doesn't spell fun for me 5) maaaaaaaybe if I had more upper body strength I would like it more. Anyway, I think it's safe to say that I will not be rock climbing in my free time.

I have one class tomorrow and then it's the weekend! I don't have any for sure plans yet; we are thinking of doing a girls night out tomorrow night, and possibly taking the train to Brisbane for Saturday/Sunday. Monday is Australia Day (their equivalent to 4th of July), so there is cool stuff going on in all the cities this weekend. Hopefully we will get there.

And just a sidenote.....so far Australian guys are not all they are cracked up to be. I am yet to find that Australian man of my dreams.....the search continues. I'll keep looking for good ones to bring back for you girls too :)

Oh also......if anyone feels like sending me a postcard/letter/care package, that would be just fine with me. I hope everyone is doing well, I miss you all alot ofcourse. Much love!

Pictures!!

Alright, so I got my cord and I finally have some pictures!! They are mostly of some animals, our campus, and the beach. I don't have much new news, except that I got sick at some point during the week; sore throat, coughing up gunk, heavy head, stuffy nose. It's no good. I love you all and miss you very much, hope you enjoy the pictures!