My Thanksgiving will be spent touring New Zealand with friends from Australia. Monika and Anna are attending a wedding in the North Island and I will be meeting up with them following that. I leave on the 18th and will be staying with Jenna until the 22nd. Seems like Jenna has a lot planned for that short period, I can’t wait! On the 22nd I will meet up with Monika, Anna and their friend Clare to start touring the South Island. We are going to get in some of the sites from Lord of the Rings. The three of us will be returning on the 30th. I am so EXCITED!
Fun Fact #8 : Movies take FOREVER to be released over here. Last Friday was the opening night for the Time Travelers Wife.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Tuesday, November 9, 2009
The first Tuesday in November is always the Melbourne Cup. The Melbourne Cup is a horse race, known as the race that stops the nation. Before work we shared in a glass of champagne as we waited to see whose horse would win the race. After being the in the lead for the majority of the race, my horse came in dead last, so out of pity I got my money back. It last all of 2/3 minutes but it is a huge part of Australia’s identity.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Today was a perfect beach day. I only had work in the morning so I was able to head to Coogee right after lunch. The walk there is only going to get worse with summer coming; it isn’t too bad now though.
Before you get into the water the waves don’t look so big but once you are in them you can feel their strength as they toss you around they seem massive. You have to time getting into the water just right otherwise you can get pulled down, it is quite scary actually. Off to the side of the main part of the beach are built in pools. These pools are filled by the ocean waves; they are great for small children and night swimming.
While we were drying off, I noticed people standing and pointing at the water. Turns out there were WHALES! You could see them coming up for air and spitting water out their blow holes. There were at least three, they kept turning over and it looked like they were waving to us. It was the perfect end to a great beach day.
Before you get into the water the waves don’t look so big but once you are in them you can feel their strength as they toss you around they seem massive. You have to time getting into the water just right otherwise you can get pulled down, it is quite scary actually. Off to the side of the main part of the beach are built in pools. These pools are filled by the ocean waves; they are great for small children and night swimming.
While we were drying off, I noticed people standing and pointing at the water. Turns out there were WHALES! You could see them coming up for air and spitting water out their blow holes. There were at least three, they kept turning over and it looked like they were waving to us. It was the perfect end to a great beach day.
Friday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 18
On Friday I went to Luna Park, it is an amusement park right on the Harbor. Some of us took Monika and Anna’s little sister there. It was fun but the best part was the walk we did in order to reach Luna Park. The park is on the other side of the harbor bridge so we decided to take the scenic view across. It was a great view of the city at sunset. Hopefully pictures to come.
Saturday was a nice sunny day so I headed straight to the beach and stayed there for the better part of the day.
On Sunday Cassie, one of the girls studying at UNSW, invited me to go to St. Mary’s Cathedral to say good bye to the world youth day icon of Our Lady. It was the second time that I have attended mass there. It is has beautiful architecture and is very elegant. Mass can sometimes get distracting with tourist coming in and out during the service. This week’s experience was nice because the Cardinal was present. Following the service we meet up with a group of her friends at a pub down the road.
Fun Fact #7: Australia has KINDER EGGS!
Saturday was a nice sunny day so I headed straight to the beach and stayed there for the better part of the day.
On Sunday Cassie, one of the girls studying at UNSW, invited me to go to St. Mary’s Cathedral to say good bye to the world youth day icon of Our Lady. It was the second time that I have attended mass there. It is has beautiful architecture and is very elegant. Mass can sometimes get distracting with tourist coming in and out during the service. This week’s experience was nice because the Cardinal was present. Following the service we meet up with a group of her friends at a pub down the road.
Fun Fact #7: Australia has KINDER EGGS!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sorry it has been so long.
It is finally getting warm again. It was in the 40s/50s for 10 days, that wasn't the issue it was the rain and wind that we got on top of that they made me stay inside.
My weekend was spent doing indoor activities. Saturday I went to Maroubra, where they have an indoor swimming pool, it was really nice to be out and doing something however I will not get use to all the men wearing speedos!
Sunday I took a trip to the Sydney aquarium. Got to learn safety tips on crocodiles...stay away from them! Saw scary sharks in underwater tunnels...SO COOL! The aquarium is located at Darling Harbour so I had lunch there watching the boats.
Fun Facts:
#3 The light switches are upside down. You put it down to turn on the lights.
#4 They don't know what s'mores are well didn't. I was a good American and showed them, this was a difficult task considering they don't have graham crackers or Hershey bars. They were made with M&Ms, cookies and marshmallows. It was a failed attempt.
#5 In exchange for teaching them about s'mores, I was taught how to do a Tim Tam Slam. Tim Tams are to cookies with chocolate in the middle then dipped in chocolate. When doing a Tim Tam Slam you need a cup of hot chocolate. You bite of opposite corners and sip hot chocolate through the cookie. This causes the cookie to melt so we for it melts in your hand you slam it into your mouth...SO YUMMY! (Chris, I will be sure to bring some back for you and teach you how to do this!)
#6 Cotton candy is called fairy floss. Guys try ordering that one!
My weekend was spent doing indoor activities. Saturday I went to Maroubra, where they have an indoor swimming pool, it was really nice to be out and doing something however I will not get use to all the men wearing speedos!
Sunday I took a trip to the Sydney aquarium. Got to learn safety tips on crocodiles...stay away from them! Saw scary sharks in underwater tunnels...SO COOL! The aquarium is located at Darling Harbour so I had lunch there watching the boats.
Fun Facts:
#3 The light switches are upside down. You put it down to turn on the lights.
#4 They don't know what s'mores are well didn't. I was a good American and showed them, this was a difficult task considering they don't have graham crackers or Hershey bars. They were made with M&Ms, cookies and marshmallows. It was a failed attempt.
#5 In exchange for teaching them about s'mores, I was taught how to do a Tim Tam Slam. Tim Tams are to cookies with chocolate in the middle then dipped in chocolate. When doing a Tim Tam Slam you need a cup of hot chocolate. You bite of opposite corners and sip hot chocolate through the cookie. This causes the cookie to melt so we for it melts in your hand you slam it into your mouth...SO YUMMY! (Chris, I will be sure to bring some back for you and teach you how to do this!)
#6 Cotton candy is called fairy floss. Guys try ordering that one!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Address
For those of you who are interested and asking, mail can be sent to
P.O. Box 224
Kingsford, NSW 2032
P.O. Box 224
Kingsford, NSW 2032
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tuesday, Oct. 6
This past weekend was rainy and cold so I accomplished a lot of reading. We had daylight savings so we turned our clocks ahead an hour, now there is a 15 hour time difference:-/ Monday was a public holiday labor day for New South Wales so NO WORK for me! Some of us went around the city for an art show. The trick was that you had to find the art work. It was a great way to get acquainted with the city some more. I will post pictures when facebook will allow me to. I think the internet at McDonalds is just really slow. (For those of you who don’t know, McDonalds has free wireless so I go there as often as I can and will continue to until I get kicked out for not buying:-p)
This week I am making up hours today by working all day. I got up at 5:15 to go to the market, it is pretty much a produce market but HUGE! You have to drive around to the different warehouses. Forklifts are everywhere and could care less if you fall into their path. I loved it there it was a crazy organized mess. Then I got back just in time to have a quick breakfast then work in the kitchen from 9-12:45 and then again from 2:45-6:15.
This week I am making up hours today by working all day. I got up at 5:15 to go to the market, it is pretty much a produce market but HUGE! You have to drive around to the different warehouses. Forklifts are everywhere and could care less if you fall into their path. I loved it there it was a crazy organized mess. Then I got back just in time to have a quick breakfast then work in the kitchen from 9-12:45 and then again from 2:45-6:15.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, Sept. 30
I had work in the morning, which consisted of making pizza for lunch. Came out good considering it was homemade, I was just impressed that it was edible.
Following lunch I was so excited to receive my tax file number because that meant I could get a cell phone…not the case. I went over to 3 to set everything up and it failed miserably. Apparently I am not a good candidate for them, even with 3 forms of I.D. I was told that opening a new bank account would solve the problem because somehow that shows that I am “financially stable”. Let’s see how much longer I can go without a phone.
I tried meat pie. Same idea as chicken potpie except it is beef. They eat it with tomato sauce on it. It tasted good without the tomato sauce.
Following lunch I was so excited to receive my tax file number because that meant I could get a cell phone…not the case. I went over to 3 to set everything up and it failed miserably. Apparently I am not a good candidate for them, even with 3 forms of I.D. I was told that opening a new bank account would solve the problem because somehow that shows that I am “financially stable”. Let’s see how much longer I can go without a phone.
I tried meat pie. Same idea as chicken potpie except it is beef. They eat it with tomato sauce on it. It tasted good without the tomato sauce.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
I had Tuesday off, so I walked to the beach with a good book and sat down on the rocks to read. That was my view...just breath taking. The water would spit up and the breeze would carry it. The sprinkle of salt across my face was so refreshing. This was at Coogee Beach.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, Sept. 28
I worked for the better part of the morning…in the kitchen again:-/ After lunch I went to set up my bank account…it only took an hour and half. I kept getting told I needed one thing and not the other, would come back to with it and then be told I needed something else. I didn’t expect it to be so complicated. Getting a cell phone was even worse. I need three forms of Australian I.D., my passport, bank statement and something else. First I was told that I could use my travels insurance as a third form of I.D.…when I showed up that was not the case. I am currently waiting on a residence letter stating that I am residing in Australia. Who needs a phone anyways?
Following dinner I wowed the Aussies with my Cotton Eyed Joe dance moves. I decided it is a must that I attend a Bush dance while down under. It is the same as a barn dance just much cooler…or so I have been told.
Following dinner I wowed the Aussies with my Cotton Eyed Joe dance moves. I decided it is a must that I attend a Bush dance while down under. It is the same as a barn dance just much cooler…or so I have been told.
Sunday, Sept. 27
Everyone either had to work or study so Jenna and I were all on our own. Up the street there was the Ecoliving fair, which we decided to attend. It would have been a lot more fun had it been warmer and not so windy. We did get freebies which is always a plus.
Somehow we forgot how windy it was and decided that a picnic would be a great idea. So we headed to the Gap. The Gap is an ocean cliff at Watsons Bay, near South Head, Sydney. Having a picnic in a wind storm is a great experience and one that only needs to be done once before realizing that it is a terrible idea. Actually it doesn’t even need to happen that many times, it is a terrible idea. Excluding lunch our trip to the Gap was well worth it. The wind was pushing us around the entire time. Jenna said it felt just like home (home being New Zealand). The view was breath taking and could not be captured on film, though I did try.
Among our site seeing experiences we decided to take in some history and go to the Vaucluse House, “home of William Charles Wentworth (explorer, barrister, patriot and agitator for self-government”. We were too cheap to pay for a tour but not ashamed enough to peek inside every open window. The estate reminded me of where the Von Trapp family would have lived and the gardens were straight out of a picture book.
For Jenna’s last night we did karaoke…it turned out to be a memorable night!
Somehow we forgot how windy it was and decided that a picnic would be a great idea. So we headed to the Gap. The Gap is an ocean cliff at Watsons Bay, near South Head, Sydney. Having a picnic in a wind storm is a great experience and one that only needs to be done once before realizing that it is a terrible idea. Actually it doesn’t even need to happen that many times, it is a terrible idea. Excluding lunch our trip to the Gap was well worth it. The wind was pushing us around the entire time. Jenna said it felt just like home (home being New Zealand). The view was breath taking and could not be captured on film, though I did try.
Among our site seeing experiences we decided to take in some history and go to the Vaucluse House, “home of William Charles Wentworth (explorer, barrister, patriot and agitator for self-government”. We were too cheap to pay for a tour but not ashamed enough to peek inside every open window. The estate reminded me of where the Von Trapp family would have lived and the gardens were straight out of a picture book.
For Jenna’s last night we did karaoke…it turned out to be a memorable night!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
FYI
Some people have been asking what the Unibar is...it is just that, the bar at the university. The atmosphere is really relaxed here in Sydney and shoes are hardly worn. At the Unibar people were all dressed up but had no shoes on. Weird I know! You see it quite often around Sydney.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Today was more shopping:-/ Paddy’s Market, which is just your basic flee market except everything is Australian. There were some nice back scratchers made of kangaroo paws:-/…I would have gotten pictures but they weren’t allowed, odd I know. Then it was to Bondi Junction for more shopping…if nothing else I am understanding how the bus system works. You have to flag down the bus as it is coming up otherwise it doesn’t stop. To get off you must request the stop. It all makes sense because why waste time stopping if no one is getting on or off.
Friday, Sept. 25
Friday was my first day at work. I have to work 15hrs to pay off room and board, which includes 3 meals a day. I worked in the kitchen preparing lunch for us and the boys who live in the residence next door. It was a short shift yet I was still counting the minutes, I was so out of my element in the kitchen. After work I was determined to go and set up my bank account but threw that to the wind when an offer to go to the beach came along. Every time I see the water my heart starts skipping beats and my feet pick up speed fast. I jumped in this time, the waves were HUGE and the water COLD. I can’t wait for summer to officially arrive.
That evening we walked the night markets which was in China Town. It wasn’t very exciting; it felt like I was in Boston. After that I wasn’t ready to go home and either was Jenna, Jenna is visiting from New Zealand so everything is new to her as well, so a few of us walked the city. It was a beautiful skyline.
That evening we walked the night markets which was in China Town. It wasn’t very exciting; it felt like I was in Boston. After that I wasn’t ready to go home and either was Jenna, Jenna is visiting from New Zealand so everything is new to her as well, so a few of us walked the city. It was a beautiful skyline.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thursday, Sept. 24
I finally made it to some sites. Maria took me out to see the Sydney Opera House, where we ate lunch on the steps. It was way bigger than I was imaging it. Not going to lie, the entire time we were there I was replaying Finding Nemo in my head. After lunch we walked through the botanical gardens which was beautiful. The scenic made the time pass fast and soon we found ourselves at St. Mary's Cathedral. St. Mary's Catherdral polished up for world youth day last year. The trip into the city was good experience because I am finding it hard to cross the street on my own. Not a simple as you think, first right then left then right again.
Shortly after we arrived home I met up with Darren, Josh's buddy, at the Unibar. Casey wasn't able to make it because he was picking up the car for their road trip this weekend. Darren gave me a lot of good advice and we decided to keep in touch for the reminder of their stay.
Fun Fact #2: The moon is all wrong here. It goes bottom to top instead of left to right.
Shortly after we arrived home I met up with Darren, Josh's buddy, at the Unibar. Casey wasn't able to make it because he was picking up the car for their road trip this weekend. Darren gave me a lot of good advice and we decided to keep in touch for the reminder of their stay.
Fun Fact #2: The moon is all wrong here. It goes bottom to top instead of left to right.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Wednesday, Sept. 23
I woke up to a red sky. Apparently we are in the middle of a dust storm. Everything is covered in red sand. It is beautiful.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/plasticbag/galleries/72157622310168099/
Fun Fact #1. Vegemite...not so yummy. I tasted it at lunch. The Aussies eat it on toast with butter. It is black and tastes like a bullion cube all mashed up. Not my kind of thing!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/plasticbag/galleries/72157622310168099/
Fun Fact #1. Vegemite...not so yummy. I tasted it at lunch. The Aussies eat it on toast with butter. It is black and tastes like a bullion cube all mashed up. Not my kind of thing!
Tuesday, Sept 22
The flight from L.A. to Auckland was unbelievable long! I was able to watch 3 movies, 2 tv shows, listen to an entire album, sleep, read, and got not 1 but 2 meals on the plane. The layover was short in Auckland and soon I was right back on a plane.
When I arrived in Sydney, Alison was right there to pick me up. On our drive to the college (dorms), I thought we were going to die, the concept of driving on the wrong side of the drove keeps messing me up. I was able to shower and unpack before lunch. The girls were all very nice and welcoming. After lunch I walked to the beach, which was about a half hour, with two of the girls. The waves were big and the water blue. We made it back just in time for dinner at 6. I didn’t last long after dinner; I went straight up to bed.
When I arrived in Sydney, Alison was right there to pick me up. On our drive to the college (dorms), I thought we were going to die, the concept of driving on the wrong side of the drove keeps messing me up. I was able to shower and unpack before lunch. The girls were all very nice and welcoming. After lunch I walked to the beach, which was about a half hour, with two of the girls. The waves were big and the water blue. We made it back just in time for dinner at 6. I didn’t last long after dinner; I went straight up to bed.
Sunday, Sept. 20
I left Boston with such love and support, all five siblings, Mami and Papi sent me off. As a surprise Fran showed up with Chris, Tori and Danny, all bright faces considering the early morning hour in which I left. From Boston I headed to L.A., where I was greeted my Dana and his buddy Brysan, I couldn’t have been in better hands. The guys took me to Vince Beach where both Dana and I decided to go swimming in our clothes (good thing I packed extra clothes in my carry-on). After that we went to Santa Monica and walked around. For dinner Dana treated us to Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, which was delicious! Following dinner it was back to the airport for my connection to Auckland, New Zealand.
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