Long Time No Blogging

G'day!

WOW cannot believe its been over a week since the last time something exciting happened to me. The rest of mid-semester break (spring break) was nothing too exciting. It was filled with studying, papers, watching tv, fearing cockroaches, going to China town with Sami and Jackie and of course tanning and the beach. Although, one night I made two Australian friends, they road tripped with Justin over break and spent a night in Sydney so we all went out. The night before everyone came home from their adventures the crew that was in the building including Alli, Sami, Liz and Claudia and Justin's British friends came over and we went out again. So don't worry I was not home alone by myself all week long, just some days! Since then Rachel came home from Thailand and Nicole came home from New Zealand. Week 8 of Uni started on Monday and let me tell you, man am I happy I only have 3 days of uni a week. My sports and culture class ended week 8 so I no longer have to go to that class (can I get a woohoo?). Over the past week I did get some exciting news, however. ITS OFFICIAL I AM GOING TO THAILAND! I have a lot of extra time at the end of the semester when most people have finals and since I only have one, I am going on a week long trip to Thailand. I am doing a student tour group which I am so excited about. Thinking about it gets me so happy. Going to Bangkok, swimming in the beautiful oceans, seeing the temples and cooking my own Thai food, I'm so excited. After to traveling to Thailand I would have been to 4 out of the 7 continents. I only have South America, Africa and Antarctica (probably never going there) to cross off the list. Like I said earlier I haven't really done anything too exciting but since it's the weekend I am sure I'll have some great stories later this week. I miss you all and love you all so much! 

From Down Under
Em

Unwelcomed Visitors

Hello!

Yesterday, April 20, was Easter and there is no better way to celebrate Easter than sleeping in and spending it in a bathing suit. Since I managed to sleep in (first time since being here) I made the decision to stay at the apartment and tan on the balcony while Kelley went to Clovelley. Later that night we decided we did not want to spend all night in the apartment so we made a spur of the moment decision to go to the Opera Bar for a drink and to observe the view. Shortly after arriving Kelley and I managed to get a table, lucky us. While I was at the bar, I came back to the table and Kelley had made some new friends. At first it looked to be a couple around their mid-30s. Later we found out no, they were not a couple but only neighbors. Their names were André and Lesley. Lesley was one of the nicest people we've met here and she was so sweet. We randomly both confessed our love for the racetrack and Kelley, Lesley and I might head to the race track this weekend! André on the other hand had to be one of the most popular people at the bar. He knew people getting drinks, bartenders, bus boys, waiters and even managers! Because of André, we ended up being in a group of people of 10 or so. Needless to say it was a great night and it was nice to meet new people. Sooner than later the clock struck midnight and we were all asked to leave because Opera Bar was closing early that night. Kelley and I then took the train home because we were getting up early today, April 21, to go to Palm Beach. After falling asleep I woke up about three hours later and had to go to the bathroom so I did. As I was opening the door I spotted a 4 inch long cockroach in my bathroom, I panicked and freaked out and did not step foot into the bathroom. I have never been so scared in my life. I sprinted back to bed but I've heard horror stories about cockroaches crawling in people's noses, ears and mouthes so obviously I could not fall back asleep. Mom told me to turn all the lights on so he gets scared and runs away. This happened around 4:30 in the morning and I did not fall back asleep because my eyes were staring at my door making sure he wouldn't crawl into my bedroom. Finally the clock struck 8:30 and I knew it was time to get up and get ready for the day at the beach. After a long 1.5+ hour bus ride of discussing the ways of de-cockroaching our house we made it to Palm Beach (northern beach). It was beautiful with mountains in the background, a wave pool, a jetti and many sail boats sailing in the waters. Laying on the beach I was able to get almost 2 hours of sleep since I was exhausted. Tonight I will spend my night relaxing and watching TV, I'm not sure what tomorrow has in store for me but I'm sure it will be and adventure. Miss you all!

From Down Under

Em

Winds and Waves on Good Friday

G'day!

Today upon waking up, Sami and I headed to Bronte beach for the day because the weather was beautiful. After getting off the bus and walking toward the beach we noticed no one was in the water and the waves were over 20 feet tall. We have never seen this before and were in shock. The water was filled with surfers and the shore was lined with tanners. After laying in the sun for a little I looked up and around and noticed Kelley, my roommate, was laying 20 feet away. I went over to her and we chatted. I then said something about the wave pool so we headed over to swim. It was awesome because the huge waves would crash onto the rock and come crashing into the pool. After a couple minutes of enjoying the crashing waves we saw my surf instructor from several weeks back at Bronte. Blake was actually not surfing but jumping off the edge of the wave pool into the huge waves after they've crashed. I thought about trying it but I didn't want to hurt myself or get laughed at so I stayed with Kel in the pool. After getting cold from swimming in the water and the wind blowing we headed back to our towels were we spend the afternoon tanning. Today was a relaxing day and I was able to take a nap on the beach. When I got back to the apartment I headed to the grocery store because I wanted apples and oranges but silly me forgot that everything closes early because it is Good Friday. Not sure what is going to happen tonight, seeing as how things might be also be closing early because it is a holiday. Hopefully we can find something fun to do tonight. We'll thats all I have to say seeing as how today was a pretty calm and relaxing day. Love you all!

From Down Under
Em

The ROYAL Blue Mountains

Hello!

Today was a once in a life time opportunity. Samm, Phillip and I caught the 10:18 train with a couple seconds to spare  to the Blue Mountains after a simple sprint through Sydney and the train station. Once on board we knew we had a two hour train ride, which was packed, until we got to see the Royal family. After experiencing a painful train ride with a mother constantly screaming at her child and teenage boys next to us munching on candy the whole way we finally made it to Katoomba where The Three Sister's is located. This monumental spot in the Blue Mountains is where the Royal Family was coming. Luckily enough we got there with plenty of time to spare. Walking down toward the thousands of people we knew we didn't miss them. Although we were not the first ones there we did get an ideal spot for pictures. We witnessed them drive in, get out and get back into their car after their meeting (less than 15 min wait). After being in awe over Kate Middleton, we headed down to the look out to take pictures of The Three Sisters. Finally the crowd cleared out so we were able to ask the information desk on how to get to Wentworth Falls which apparently is one of the most amazing waterfalls in Australia. We then had to the train back two stops to Wentworth and go on the Charles Darwin trail, they estimated it'd take 3 hours but we didn't believe them. Coming across waterfall after waterfall within 30 minutes we thought we were fast walkers or we weren't on the right path. After about an hour of walking we heard loud rushing water, we knew we were close. Finally in the distance we saw the one and only Wentworth Falls. It was huge! Approaching several sets of downward steep stairs we got energy and excitement and couldn't wait to get to the pool in which everyone goes swimming. After hiking some more and going down stair after stair we came across a sign that said the pool was another 3 hour hike down. Seeing as how it was 4 pm we refused to do that and settled with playing in a smaller pool under the top of Wentworth Falls. We got some amazing pictures from where we were. Unfortunately, going down stairs is a lot easier than going up, we learned that today. Going up almost 2,000 extremely steep and high stairs made all of us want to fall over and die. If I don't have a really toned butt and legs tomorrow than obviously I didn't do enough stairs. The walk back we were exhausted so we hardly talked but we have never been so excited to see flat land in our lives. Finally after another 1.5 hours of walking we made it back to the station, as we see a train pulling away. Just our luck right? We had to wait another hour until the next train in the FREEZING cold. Okay maybe not freezing cold but I sure did have goosebumps and numb fingers. The train ride home wasn't too bad it was shorter than the two hour train ride there. Once I got home I wanted to share my news with everyone. I SAW THE ROYAL FAMILY! Since I was starving and sweaty I decided to make another pizza and shower. Nicole and Rachel leave tomorrow for their spring break trips and I am so excited for them. I cannot wait to hear their stories and see pictures from their trip. Sunday I plan again to go see the Royal Family, Kate Middleton is literally perfection and I wish I could be a princess too. At least in my mom's eyes I am one. Well today was so much fun and I had a great day, love and miss you all!

From Down Under
 Em

Kayaking My Way Through Sydney

G'day Friends!

Yesterday, Friday 11th April 2014, was an amazing day. Alli, Drey and I woke up early and headed to the train station for the 9:02 train to Bondi Junction. At the train station we met up with Jordan and Sami because we all were headed to the same place. TEAN arranged a day for TEANers to head to the Sydney Harbour and kayak for the day. I was happy I was doing this with my friends. After getting to Bondi Junction via train the group of 35 students and the leaders took the 386 bus over to Rosebay to get suited up and head on to the water. Luckily enough for me I claimed one of the two person kayaks which made the 3-4 mile kayak trip much easier with Drey as my partner. Our first stop was Shark Island, its not called Shark Island because its infested with sharks its because the island looks like a shark from above. The Sydney Harbour is indeed filled with thousands of sharks. Not Great Whites but still dangerous sharks live in the Harbour where I was kayaking. After taking in the view of the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the Sydney skyline we headed back onto the water and headed over to a secluded beach with a little cafe where we were able to get a quick snack. As we are all lounging around enjoying french fries and popsicles Jo, the TEAN leader told us to hurry back to our kayaks and head back onto the water to head back to our starting point because of the storm coming. Yes, we did get caught in the middle of the Sydney Harbour in a storm. The rain was not an issue because we were all already wet from kayaking. It was definitely an adventure kayaking in shark infested waters in the middle of a storm. After 3 hours of kayaking I was happy to finally reach the beach where we started. Trying to get home was an adventure within itself. Soaking wet from the rain with towels cover our heads in bikinis waiting at the bus stop for the bus to bring us to the Edgecliff train station so we can get a train back to central. Once we got back to Central I have never been so happy to see Oaks Harmony Hotel. Grocery shopping was number one thing on my list to do after drying off and relaxing for a couple minutes seeing as how I had no apples left :( While at the grocery store I got apples, oranges, jalepenos, onions and broccoli. Just my typical grocery list. For dinner I made sautéed vegetables and put a little bit of soy sauce on them it was delicious. That night we headed up to the 19th floor to pre-drink with all the TEANers in the boys room. We all headed out to Cliff Dive luckily enough for us the rain passed before we had to walk there.

Today, Saturday 12th April 2014, is a relaxing day. Yet again, it is in raining in Sydney. I'm going to be productive and start writing a 1000 word essay due next Friday. This upcoming week is spring break I cannot wait to explore more of Sydney.

From Down Under
Em