Hi!
Sunday, May 25, was a very early morning. The girls and I have been talking about waking up to go to Bondi Beach to see the sunrise for several weeks now. I set my alarm Saturday night for 5:16 in the morning. When it went off I dreaded the thought of getting out of bed. After a couple minutes, Nicole and I began to get ready. Around 5:45 in the morning Drey came and met us at our room, we were the three musketeers that were dedicated enough to wake up and go to the sunrise. After walking to Seven Eleven to buy bus tickets we headed to Railway Square to catch the 5:59 Coogee bus where we wanted to go. Unfortunately, after waiting for several minutes and witnessing a very intoxicated blonde Australian boy fall asleep on the Asian man sitting next to him on the bench, we decided to sprint to the train and catch the next one to Bondi Junction hoping that the 333 was running. We caught the train and life was good until we arrived at Bondi Junction and found out the 333 was not running until 9:00 am. Sh*t out of luck, we decided we'd take a cab, 5 minutes later we arrived at the beach just in time. We walked down to the water and camped in the sand over looking North Bondi at the beautiful pink, orange and yellow sky waiting for the sun to rise. It was very chilly but surfers filled the waters. After the sun rose and we took a photoshoot (of course) we headed to the Eastern Beaches Coastal walk which is a 6km walk from Bondi to Coogee passing all the beaches in between. After an hour or two we finally made it to Coogee, the sun was not shining at that moment, I was freezing and tired so I headed home. Upon walking onto the bus I noticed all bus ticket readers were faulty and I did not have to use my ticket which saved my a$$ in the end because of the cops that were at the stop before mine (I was a rebel and bought a concession ticket). Freaking out because of my illegal actions, I got off at the next stop, double checking for cops and since it was clear I booked it. Unfortunately, it wasn't the closest bus stop to my apartment but I didn't want to risk it so I hopped off and walked the 10 minute walk home. As soon as I got home I hopped in bed and took the most glorious nap of my life. That night, I didn't do much but watch a couple TV shows.
Today, May 26, was a very busy day for me. I had Spanish in the morning and skipped my Asian lecture at noon because of a Spanish final oral exam I had to work on. It's a dialog between myself and two other girls which has to be memorized for Wednesday, I'm the world's worst Spanish speaker! After finishing the dialog I walked over to the Co-Op to pick up some Uni hoodies for me and my mom then strolled home. Seeing as how I was starving, I made myself some lunch and hopped on my computer to write a paper. UGH. Last one of the semester thank god! I've been working on this paper all night long but thankfully its not due for another week. Soon I will be sending it off to my editor, aka Al, for her to probably re-write the whole thing cause I'm bad at writing. Other than that not much has been going on. I have 5 more days of Uni and I cannot wait to just relax in Australia. This weekend Sydney, Sam, Libby and I are planning adventurous things. We plan on going to Hunter Valley one day soon and the Blue Mountains. I also need to go to the Harley Store to get Rick's shirt, hopefully I can do that on Wednesday.
Well for now, love ya!
From Down Under
Em
Hi!
Last night, 23 May 2014, was an amazing night. It was the start to Vivid Sydney which is a light, music and idea festival that happens every year for two weeks at Circular Quay, where the Opera House is. Since several people had work and other plans, Sydney Libby and I headed down to Circular Quay at 6:30 to grab a few drinks at Opera Bar, look at the artwork on the Opera House and experience the Vivid Sydney experience. After shattering a glass at Opera Bar, digging glass out of Sydney's toe and taking tons of pictures, we headed across the Harbour to Argyle for dinner, a couple free drinks and to see Rachel, who works there. On our way to Argyle we were able to see more light and music shows. It truly is something everyone should see! Approaching the Argyle I noticed that the Rocks Market tents were up but this time they were not selling knick knacks. They were selling food! Let me tell you, this food was amazing, they had all different types of food ranging from Chinese food to soft pretzels to kebabs to cheeseburgers. I ordered a meatball pita with cheese and lettuce, it was absolutely delicious and so cheap! After finishing our food we headed up the street to Argyle and got a couple drinks because everyone started showing up. I had no idea that everyone from Oaks Harmony was showing up but it ended up being a great night. We all bonded and danced and laughed. I really am going to miss these people! Since I did not know I was going to be staying at Argyle until 1:30 in the morning, when Sami and I left and took the last train home, I was dressed in jeans, a sweater and sandals, definitely not a going out outfit for myself but I rocked it. After a couple drinks and tearing up the dance floor Sami and I called it a successful night and headed home. Upon arriving home I went to bed. I had my alarm set for 5:30 am to wake up and go see the sunrise and Bondi beach and do the coastal walk but Rachel suggested we do it tomorrow, 25 May, and we all agreed. Tonight will be a relaxing night home after last nights crazy shenanigans. I plan on headed back down to the Opera house to see the lights because they change every night.
Miss you all!
From Down Under
Em
WOOHOO!
It's official I have an apartment in Tampa with two of my good friends. We are very lucky to have this apartment, and it means so much to us that our parents are allowing us to live in such a great place. Its a beautiful two bed two bath apartment in the most perfect location. As stated before, Ashley and I will be sharing the master and Kelsey, who has a very long and crazy school schedule, will have the other room to herself. She is a nursing student and we agreed to let her have the room to herself. I literally am the happiest camper in the world looking at the pictures of this place. Thanks to mom and Rick for doing some secret investigating we were able to sign and send the lease with no problems at all! I am so proud of myself for handling uni and trying to find an apartment in Tampa from 10,000 miles away and 14 hour time difference. I had many long nights calling via Google phone contacting realtor after realtor and calling ad after ad. This apartment is the apartment we had our eyes on for a while and it is our dream to live here. I guess it is true, dreams do come true! Thank you mom and Rick for letting me live here! You're more than welcome anytime :-*
With good news always comes bad news...Unfortunately, Thailand is in a small but dangerous civil war in Bangkok because of the government issues. This could stop me from going to Thailand as planned in three weeks. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to make it there because going to Asia is on my bucket list. Please lets all keep our fingers crossed that I will be able to get to Thailand this semester!
Today, May 21, was Sam's birthday celebration. In Sydney, Wednesday night is one of the best nights to go out. The 17th floor held pre-drinks and we all sang happy birthday to Sam with little miniature cupcakes, of course I got a fireball picture. Seeing as how I did not get much sleep last night I planned on not going out. I hung out while everyone got ready to go out but went to my room once everyone started to leave. I am happy that I decided to stay home because I really need my sleep.
This weekend, Kelley Rachel Nicole and I have big plans. I cannot wait to keep you updated with everything we plan to do. I only have 5 weeks left in Sydney (so sad I know) so we are trying to conquer everything a tourist should do even though we live here. We have a whole list so I cannot wait to share pictures and keep you updated.
Miss and love you all!!
From Down Under
Em
HI!
Last night, May 16, was amazing. At first I had no intentions of going out but I did want to hang out with the people who were going out so I headed upstairs while they were all getting ready to go out. Eventually, Justin & Sami convinced me to go to Big Mike's brand new pent house. Apparently, it was a pent house that was in Darling Harbour with an incredible view, I was not going to believe it until I saw it. After a long walk there, finally all 8 of us made it. Big Mike is our friend from Newcastle, he was senior at school but only had 2 classes to finish so he decided to study abroad to finish those classes. A couple days/weeks ago he was informed that his school messed up his credits and that he had enough credits to graduate. Because of this news Big Mike dropped out of TEAN and Newcastle and got a job in Sydney and moved into a penthouse with 6 other people. This pent house was amazing, the kitchen was bigger than my whole apartment. When we walked in there were people from all over the world from Germany to London to USA. The view was amazing, you could see all of Darling Harbour and the Harbour Bridge. After hanging out for a little Sami and Cassie and the boys and I decided to head home. That is when the trouble started. Lets just say we didn't know there was a thing known as a service elevator but last night we found out because we couldn't get to the lobby it would only bring us to a trash room or kitchen or other floors of the apartment complex. We were freaking out for close to 20 minutes before we decided to head back to the pent house to ask for help that is when we discovered what a 'service elevator' was. Yes, we might be dumb. Finally after getting in the right elevator we headed to Harry's Famous Meat Pies since we were in Woolloomooloo where we were on our orientation for TEAN. Knowing we were in Woolloomooloo we realized how far away from home we were. Luckily enough for us, we payed attention during our Sydney walking tour and knew how to get home. We did have to ask how to start our journey back because at night you cannot walk through the Botanical Gardens and that was our plan. Finally after 1.5 hours of walking we made it back to the Oaks Harmony Hotel! Phewf, never thought I could be so excited to see my cockroach infested room!
Today, I woke up early this morning to FaceTime with the boys from Tampa. I was so happy to see them! Good news, Ashley and I found the most perfect apartment and are working on signing a lease!
From Down Under
Em!
Hello!
Nothing too crazy has happened since I last checked in with all of you. This past week I was able to venture around Sydney and try out new restaurants. I went to Tom N Toms on Friday, May 9. Tom N Toms is a coffee shop that sells soft pretzels. Not as good as Auntie Anne's but still pretty good. Last night, May 10, Sam and I headed to Pancakes On The Rocks because we didn't want to go out. The pancakes and hash browns were amazing. I woke up extremely full this morning May 11 so I knew I ate way way way too much last night. The pancakes were totally worth it though.
Other than trying new foods I am on the hunt for an apartment back in Tampa. I am so excited that I will be living with two of the greatest girls I know, Ashley and Kelsey. Although there are 3 of us living together we compromised for a 2 bed room 2 bathroom apartment, Ashley and I will be sharing the master bedroom. This might seem strange to many people but if you think about it, at college we shared a small room with sometimes 2 or 3 girls so it will be no different. A 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment is far much cheaper and easier to find than a 3 bedroom place. I cannot wait to live with these two girls.
Well for now I have nothing else to say but I hope Alli gets better soon!
From Down Under
Em
