Spring Break Saga: Chapter 1

I have just had the most amazing 9 days and 9 nights possible. Spring Break 2009 could not have been better. Courtney, Brit, Sasha, Andrea and I booked a trip through Extreme Adventures called One Fish Two Fish. We debated a while whether we should do it or not because we wanted to try and do our own thing, but we decided it was the most cost effective trip. We would see the most places and do the most, man this was the best decision ever!

It was so action packed I don't know where to start and how to even do justice to the experience. Im going to try but I'm splitting it up into chapters so I don't write 10 pages in this post! And I have some amazing pictures as well.Sunday morning at 4am we set off to the airport. We each brought a LARGE suitcase packed full. I was so tired on the flight I fell asleep immediately after sitting down, I didn't even get to put my seat back. We arrived in Brisbane and we were cutting it close to our meet up time with the trip. We are greeted by a guy running around the terminal with a blown up Kangaroo asking "are you one fish two?!?!" we then ran to the bus and we were the last ones (we were an hour late...woops) Since we were late we had sit scattered around the bus, but this way we got to meet some of the other people on the trip.

Our first stop was to the Australia Zoo (aka Steve Irwins Zoo) I was really excited about this part because me being the nerd that I am love zoos and love watching the crocodile hunter! I got to feed an Elephant a banana and he slobbered all over my hand..still pretty cool. We saw all the crocs and gators! We then went to the crocoseum and watched Terri Bindi and Bob feed crocs, they also brought out a HUGE anaconda and all types of birds.

We then hopped on the bus and took a long bus ride to Harvey Bay to stay at our first hostel. We had a booze cruise in the harbor and we all got a chance to meet each other and relax a bit. And we got to know our tour guides a bit better. Matty and Mouse are two of the craziest guys I have ever meet. In Aussie terms "off their head" both funny and outgoing and always down to do somethings crazy and they did do many crazy things on this trip! They are actually a bit of celebrities, the are rescuers are Bondi Beach and are on the show Bondi Rescue, Matty showed us an episode that features him and his incredible number of saves this summer ( a big zero!) Good news is that they live right near us and we will be seeing them again soon that's for sure.

Next day we headed off the Frazier Island. Unfortunately it was raining and a yucky day and we were all tired from the festivities of last night. We took an hour ferry over to the island which we all fell asleep on. We then got on a bus that was suped up on some crazy off wheeling tires and took off into the rain forest. We were bouncing around on the bus made me think of ace ventura. Funny thing was that every time I got on that bus I couldn't help but fall asleep, it was soo soothing. We went to two lakes that were made of only rainwater and it was beautiful. Every time we got out of the bus it started to rain tho and so we sat on the beach miserable in the rain. I packed a rain jacket, and of course I left it home this day (after that day I brought my rain jacket with me every where we went...even on the hottest days) Some interesting facts about Frazier, it has 7 of the 9 most deadliest snakes (including the deadliest), the island has tons of dingos and there are heaps of attacks, also the beach is the most dangerous place of all...its a shark breading area and if you are in knee deep water you are at risk of being attacked by a shark. Also the beach is a registered highway so there is no sunbathing there but that's okay because it rains 250 days in a year here. What a lovely place :)

At the end of a lovely day on Frazier we got back on the bus for an epic drive. Instead of staying at a hostel and loosing a day to travel we drove 12hours through the night to our next destination. We stopped every four hours and stretched our legs and got snacks. Naturally sleepin on the bus was uncomfortable...so I slept on the floor, wasn't too comfortable but atleast I got to stretch out and get some sleep. We also watched Role Models and that gave us some good laughs...this bus ride reminded me of the days of teenscape and all the bus rides we took, I miss those days :)

Next chapter- Whitsunday Islands and South Mole----check back soon :)

Fire Fun

Sorry for the lack of posting, but to be honest we haven't been doing to much lately. We all have had alot of homework so we haven't been able to travel and nights out are just nights out.

I felt this was something worth posting though. Today was a rainy yucky day (which is quite unusual) so we all slept in and stayed in our pjs and watched Sex and the City. Around 2 a very odd noise came from our ceiling. Now its wasnt our fire detector, it was coming from what looked like an intercom. We call down to the front desk to see what was going on and no one answered, we were starting to get worried. Then the loud speaker starts speaking to us telling us to evacutate the building. We scrambled to grab our phones, keys, and sweatshirts and ran down the stairs. The whole building was standing out side on the curb and funny things was that we werent the only ones who slept in. Mind you most of our building is college kids that came in our program, so everyone was out side in thier pjs. Rumors were that there was a fire on the 4th floor, which was freaking us out becuase were on the 3rd! But it turns out that it was nothing, just a faulty alarm. But it was a big to do in the Tiffany buildings

But this is a good lead into another run into with the fire department. A few weeks ago me and Courtney went on a exploring adventure. We hopped on the train and took it to Kings Cross. We walked around there a bit and ate at a horrible burger place. We then walked by one of the cutest firehouses ever. (I know those firefighters would cringe if they knew I called thier fire house 'cute' but it was) Courtney said I should walk over there and ask for a picture witht he firefighters, and I told her no way they would do it and I was too embarresed. But she persisted and finally convinced me. So gald we did, the firefighters were so nice, they let us into the fire house and let us into all the truck bays and even let us in the trucks. I felt like a little kid again, it was so cool! It was cool to see the diffrences between thier trucks and ours. The fire house used to be an old convent and had beautiful courtyards and open patios. Makes me miss mine!

Best Weekend Ever!

As you know I am terrified of water, I don’t like being in it or the things in it. Surfing is the one thing I said I would absolutely not do. Well this weekend I claim temporary insanity... I got talked into surf camp! Friday night we traveled into Sydney to meet up with the bus that would take us 3 hours up the coast to Seal Rock where we would experience the intensity of surfing. We were greeted by 2 tan, beach blonde boys on a shabby old bus packed with other brave people. We cranked up the tunes and partied all the way there!

Soon I realize that there is nothing insight but trees and dirt roads, we have arrived. First thing I notice when I get off the bus is how many freaking stars there were! Never in my life have I seen so many and there were "heaps" of shooting stars! Amazing. Surf Camp consists of a cabana that is made up by a bar, patio and, pool. All exposed to the elements, no need for doors here, but bug spray was a must! I got eaten alive! We partied way into the night meeting all the other wanna-be surfers and all the surf instructors. Then it was announced that we had to be up at 7:30 for breakfast (aka brekky no joke) so we all dispersed to our cabin full of bunk beds with the blankets we rented for 5 dollars...good thing I was so tired or I wouldn’t have slept in fear of bug attack!

Up at 7:30 and ready for brekky...which was cereal that tasted like cardboard yumm! then we split up into groups and met our instructors. Naturally our group was the coolest and we had the hottest instructors :) We were nicked named team tough crowd because we weren’t laughing at any of their jokes because most were too hung over or asleep on the bus on the way to our surfing beach. When get to our beach, (Booti Booti Beach) we get our surf boards and carried them down to the water. This was the most un fun part of the trip because the board was double my size heavy and awkward to carry. We practically had the beach to ourselves and it was totally secluded from everything. We had some on the beach instruction of how to catch waves. We then headed out and just attempted to catch waves without trying to stand up, baby steps. I was so proud of myself I just walked right into that water like I do it all the time and didn’t even think about how scared I was. While learning how to catch waves I took many nose dives into the sand. The surfer term for falling is "eating shit" and that’s what I wanted to title this post, because thats basically what I did all weekend, but I know Dad wouldn’t like it. Later we attempted standing up and this was difficult let me tell you! I probably drank half of the ocean and got sand in every where possible and got nailed by my board about a dozen times. Wow this is fun! But finally I got the hang of it and got up! now these waves were nothing to write home about, but I was proud it was a good start until my surf instructor Donny told me that his three year old daughter stood up on her surf board when she was 2! We spent the whole day at the beach from 9 am to 4pm we had a small picnic in the shade but that was the only shade of the day. Dont worry mom we applied ALOT of sunscreen

We repeated this the next day after another long night of fun with the instructors and team tough crowd. This day I actually paddled out past the breaking waves, which was insanely difficult because they kept crashing on me! But when I got out there with the help of an instruct and with a little push I felt myself rise up on a huge wave and down the big slope, I dont even really know what happened because it was so fast but I stood up and rode down the wave and then it crashed on me and I whipped out hardcore!! and that was my last wave, but it was a successful one!

We said our goodbyes to our instructors that we all developed massive crushes on and got on the bus for the three hour trip home. Unlike the trip there the bus was completely silent. Everyone was passed out and exhausted for one of the best experiences of our lives! I didnt leave camp with out any souvenirs to remember it by. And they are, 1) A large scrape on the inside of my arm thanks to the coarse surfboard 2) A sweet wetsuit tan and board burns on both knees 3) a mini sharkbite ( not really but it looks like it) on my finger that is now looking very gruesome 4) sunburnt feet 5) and heaps of sand and dried saltwater (because we didn’t shower all weekend...fresh)

And to conclude I just thought it would be fun to let you in on some surf lingo...a wetsuit is called a "wettey" a rashgaurd is called a "rashey" your leg rope is called a "leggey" sunglasses are called "sunnys" and of course breakfast "brekky"

Sorry this is so long but it was an action packed weekend and it was the most fun I have had to date in Australia!

Four Leaf Clovers & Green Beer

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! (a bit late) this is my favorite holiday of the year! A year ago I was in Ireland on my spring break with my mom and dad. This was the best spring break ever! (so far...this spring break I'm doing an East Coast tour) We flew into Dublin and rented a car and started our grand tour of the green country. We went to Kilkenny, Kinsale, Killarney, Doolin, Galway, and then back to Dublin. We left the day before Paddy's day but we still witnessed some of the Irish craziness! I loved every minute of the trip and looking forward to my next trip back!

This year in Australia we celebrated in good fashion. Me and Courtney went out and bought a case of beer for our celebrations and attempted to carry it back to the apartment. We got so many funny looks because it was little me carrying the case and Courtney directing me, we looked like alcoholics. We bounced around from room to room and saw some crazy Irish outfits! We then went to a local Irish Pub called Cock and Bull...you can imagine what everyone actually calls it. It was PACKED! just as it should be though and there were tons of Irish people there and a live band. We then ventured to the Gaff in Sydney, one of the girls in our group works there so we got in free and drank for free too...great! It was really fun but kind of rowdie there were a few fights. All and all a good Paddy's day!

One thing that was missing was my favorite event of the year, the White Plains St. Patrick's Day Parade with my fire department. This is the second year in a row that I have missed it, but this year I was especially sad since its the first parade that I'm 21 for. Its my favorite parade and made me a bit homesick thinking about all the fun they were having together.I missed being in the BlackBear with my wild firefighter friends and listening to good Irish music and the bagpipers that make an appearance in the crowded bar!But I know there are many more parades to come. :)

Goodbye Sweatpants and Comfy Clothes!

At school in Indiana I barely make any effort to look nice for class. Most of the time I roll out of bed and throw on my baggy sweatpants and a sweatshirt and I'm off to class. Which is not that big of deal, a lot of people dress that way at school too. But not here, that's for sure, everyone gets really dressed up for their day at school. Probably more dressed up than I would if I was going out! Its crazy, heels and everything. So unfortunately I cant roll out of bed and go to class, I need to get incredibly dressed up therefore get up early. Yuck!Anyway I have completed my first week of classes at University of New South Wales (UNSW) and other than getting dressed up, it has been great! I am taking some very interesting classes and I really like the campus. I am taking four classes, Intro to film studies in which I have watched "Do The Right Thing" and "Rebel Without a Cause" and I am also taking an Australian Cinema and TV where we watched a very interesting movie "Ten Canoes" --for you artsy movie buffs that want to see a good Aussie film I suggest looking it up. I am taking two more classes, Intro to Criminology and Australian History class, both are interesting but we havent learned much yet since its still so early in the semester. I really like my criminology teacher, hes from England and very fabulous!Campus is beautiful too, it has large courtyards and grassy areas that students sit and hang out in between classes. The campus is very green, there are tons of trees around campus and fountains down hidden pathways, and also cool modern sculptures (my fav one above). I really like how the campus is full of very modern new buildings but its littered with trees and green spaces. I'm unsure if UNSW campus is much bigger than IU it feels like it. But there is defiantly more people on the campus, most students stay on campus all day and hang out, where at IU that doesn't really happen.

All classes have two components, a lecture and a tutorial aka "Tuts". I am usually the only American in the Tuts which is interesting because they always ask me about the American point of view, which sucks because I was hopping to blend in. I am really self conscious about my accent here because there is no hiding that I'm an outsider. And everyone whips their head around to hear the American! scary! I haven't yet figured out the homework yet, which I should hurry up and do because I think I have some due tonight! ekk! So I better go and plan my outfit for tomorrow (joking) and get my homework done!

Whatever Nemo....I like the Big Fish

Sunday was a rainy yucky day, we stayed in our PJs all day and were recovering from Mardi Gras. Then at the end of the day we got our act together and braved the rain and went to the Sydney Aquarium in Darling Harbor. We took a bus to the city, but I made the group hop off at what I thought was our stop, but it wasn't we weren't even close. So then we were wandering around the city looking for the aquarium or something recognizable. And did I mention that it was pouring rain! ops, my bad. We hailed a cab and got front door service!

The aquarium was cool, but it really annoys me that its nearly impossible to take pictures! You cant use the flash because it just reflects back and if you don't use the flash its too dark or blurry. But I managed. Anywho I enjoyed seeing the crocodiles and all the exotic fish. There were some stairs you could go up to get an over head view of the croc, and with that there was the funniest sign ever! "if the fall doesn't kill you...the crocodile will" it even illustrated it! I saw the biggest lobster ever! although it probably wasn't a lobster because I have never seen one this big! It had to be the size of a small child! At this point I started to develop a huge crazing for seafood, especially a lobster of that size! There were three special exhibits that were really cool especially the design of them. We went to see the Dugong aka the Mermaids of the Sea. They are almost identical to Manatees, but Alexis really wanted to see them. The tank was an extension of the building and built right out into the harbor. You walk down a ramp for seemed forever and then you end up in these glass tubes and you are basically walking through the tank and the Dugons are swimming above you! So cool! This was also the set up for the Sharks and Great Barrier reef exhibits too. It was really cool/scary to see these mean looking sharks gliding so close to me! Ekk! but it makes for good photo ops!

Of course we found the Nemo's and Doris, but I though the Bruces (aka sharks), stoned sea turtles and Steve Irwin's favorites... the massive sting rays were much cooler! Glad I got to check that off my list of things to do!

Mardi Gras...Aussie Style

Early Saturday night we got ready for the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in downtown Sydney. We got all dressed up in bright colors and glitter, although, we looked like squares compared to everyone else. I guess anything goes outfit wise for this parade, there were people with angle wings and face paint, to full on Halloween costumes, to tall sequined boots paired with sparkling underwear and wigs. It was WILD! There were tons and tons of people there more people than I have ever seen at a parade in NYC! We got there a bit late but surprisingly we were able to again manage our way to the front of the crowd and get a good view. The parade started with the lesbian bikers on their Harley's trailing rainbow flags, then the techno started...the crowd was so lively everyone singing and dancing, even the security guards were gay and they were dancing along with the crowd while we waited for the floats to come. Then the floats started to come, we only saw 5 or 6 but they were extravagant! I liked that some of the people walking in the parade had choreographed dances and themes. Some were odd and not very distinct but my favorite one was the lifeguard one, there background music was beach boys and they were all wearing their Speedos and they had water guns and were spraying the crowd. We didn't stay the whole parade because it was getting a bit claustrophobic...but all the restaurants around the parade grounds stayed open late and set up outside stands, smart move. We grabbed some pizza and jumped on the bus to go home (we are getting pretty good at this bus and public trans thing) All and all it was such a fun night!!

Unfortunately I had an awesome video that I spent quite some time editing and making and now I cant up load it! Ugh! Ill try again tomorrow but I really hope you guys get to see it! I worked really hard on it and I'm really proud of it!