Techno--Not for Me

Okay, whoever thought that blaring techno music for three hours straight had serious mental problems. A little bump, bump, bump every now and then is just fine and dandy with me- ask my friends they know I love to dance! But seriously after the 5th or 6th techno song I'm about ready to hit the hay. While we were in Sydney, we made it out to a nightclub in Darling Harbour and paid a ridiculous amount of money to get in only to find a mass amount of gay guys (and no, I don't have a problem with gays, I was just making an observation) and everyone sweatin' it out to the electronic beats and neon lights. As we were walking back from the club, we passed another house of dance and what do I hear? The sweet American hip hop I know and love. Now why didn't we go to that club? I blame it on the Canadians that were traveling with me.

But enough about techno.

Sydney and Melbourne were amazing! My travel buddies Trace (a.k.a Texas) and Thade were extremely fun to see the sights with and we managed to get some good travelling stories as well. Sydney consisted of: Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Tower, a viewing of Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D at the iMAX theatre, and the nightclub I mentioned earlier. We then proceeded to the Opera House and walked along Harbour Bridge then took a ferry back to Darling Harbour. There is so much to see in this city! The Asian population is enormous at times I felt that I was actually in an Asian country. Chinatown and all the markets are overwhelming but I was thrilled to take in all the sights. Sydney is definitely an international city with many diverse groups of people doing exactly what I was doing- being a tourist.

Melbourne is the art capital of Australia with many sculptures lining the city. I loved the atmosphere down there, very laid back, tons of historic landmarks including the Melbourne Gaol where the famous criminal Ned Kelly was hung. We even visited an ice bar where everything is made out of (you guessed it) ice! We witnessed our first AFL game (Australian Football League) and figured out what was going on by the 2nd quarter.

Needless to say, the trip was awesome and hopefully I'll be back to these cities, especially Melbourne because we didn't get to see all that we wanted to. I am now catching up on my sleep, school work, and I feel a sickness coming on. P.S. I've never seen my Australian bank account take a rapid plunge like it did after Sydney & Melbourne. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Infront of the Opera House!

Texas and I contemplating our lives in Australia on the Opera House steps.

Standing on the Harbour Bridge at sunset.

Alex, Texas, Thade, and I with the Harbour Bridge in the background. Who knew I was so short?

The AFL game in Melbourne. This is what the goal posts look like.

Me, Texas, and Thade at the ice bar in Melbourne with cocktails in hand!

Sitting on the ice throne in downtown Melbourne.

Feels Like Home to Me

After approximately 9 weeks of living in Australia it's feeling a lot like home. The scenery, the people, the general way of life has swallowed me whole and I'm more than okay with that. I can be worry-free and not have a care in the world and the Aussies would most likely high-five me on that accomplishment alone. In fact, back at home I was always in a big worry-debate about something. Have to finish that paper, work til 11, time to study for that test, have to make a trip back home, get in some quality time with friends, orchestra rehearsal tonight, pencil in a time to call my best friend in Florida. Not this time! Aussies take it one day at time, they go with the flow and never look back. And this cultural norm has me hooked. Why can't we play a little more and freak out less? Life in the U.S. had me speeding around in my Escort (oohh how I MISS that car and driving with the music cranked up!) trying to get from one place to the other. Heck, even if I had my arm chopped off I think I would barely even notice with all the things on my plate. I know once I'm home again it's back to my speedy reality but for now, I will relish in this country and in this moment to slow down and enjoy life. My life.

This week I am off to Sydney and Melbourne for the Easter holiday with two of my good friends! Can't wait to get out and see a big city and definitely lots of action for us to get into. Have a very

Happy Easter everyone!

(my American friend Brittany and I, St. Patty's Day)

Here's to you, Australia! Thanks for showing me another good side to life.

Conversations with an Australian, Pt. 3

Australian: "This is this first time I've ever had a bagel."
Me: "Wow, really?"
Australian: "Look at me, I'm an American- I love bagels!!"

Meebun-bia: The Australian Bush

My first camping trip in Australia. 3 days and 2 nights. 20 SCU students, one teacher, and 2 camp guides. One of my favorite camping trips to date.

All of our things: food, clothes, rain gear, sleeping bag were carried in backpacks while we hiked around the bush. The bush is more like a huge forest. We had many activities including challenge courses in which we used harnesses to walk along wires tied to trees. Lots of climbing and making our way across makeshift bridges and ladders while being suspended 20-30 feet in the air. Intense!

Two of my favorite challenges that I accomplished while in Meebun-bia was the "Flying Fox" a.k.a ziplining. I ziplined across the Australian bush for over 300 ft at a height of atleast 60 feet. As soon as I jumped off the platform I yelled out over the bush (and my fellow campers), "GIRLS SCOUTS OF AMERICA!!!" Because ziplining and I have had a history throughout Girls Scouts and in particular Troop 1586. I thought of you girls the whole time and was wishing the people I camped with knew the words to "Hey Josephine" or "There Was a Great Big Moose" Don't worry, I sang to it by myself :) My other favorite challenge was the free fall, where I was attached to a rope through my harness, climbed a gum tree, and fell backwards from 40 feet in the air. It was so exhilirating!

All in all, it was extremely physical but so worth it. The possums kept getting into our food and literally hung out with us around the campfire. The possums here are a lot cuter and fuzzy but nonetheless I had trouble sleeping knowing the possums could crawl in any time looking for food. Our tents weren't possum-proof, just a bottom and top tarp with open sides.

Below are some photos I snapped between navigating through the bush and doing challenge courses (I wish I had photos of the challenge courses but no worries, our teacher, Steve a.k.a Chuck Norris, videotaped our entire trip and will be posting it online at the end of the semester) The sunset was incredible. We hiked up a hill, which in my opinion was more like a mountain because it was sooo steep, and took in the view. Our camp guides, Hollie and Feeney, told us to sit by ourselves on the hill to have quiet time to take in the sunset. Sitting there- I had no thoughts, no worries, no complaints. My sense of self got quiet and I prayed a bit- taking in all that was infront of me. In that moment, I felt truly blessed to see, feel, breathe, smell this beautiful land. Thank You (You know who You are!)

Surfer's Weekend

Academic update- okay, before I go into my weekend of learning how to surf, I thought I'd let everyone know that yes, I am still going to class! Contrary to popular belief, I am actually taking some challenging courses. I am currently trying to start my first paper in my class Australia, Asia, and The World. This class talks about Australian culture and how it is connected with other parts of the world. It is very interesting especially since we have such a diverse group (ages 18-50 something, Chinese, Americans, Australians, Kiwis, religious, non-religious, etc). We have a lecture once a week and then a small group recitation (they call it tutorials down here) once a week as well. The tutorials are extremely entertaining because we talk about religion, thought process due to cultural awareness, politics, nothing is off limits! I am also learning a lot from my 3 other classes- Communication in Organizations, Outdoor Education (we are taking a field trip this weekend to Meebun-Bia- for 2 nights/3 days in the Australian bush!), and Management in a Global Context. I am only allowed to take 4 classes as part of the study abroad agreement. I will be coming back to K-State with 15 transfered credits which is awesome. :) Now, onto the surfing...

Yes, that is me surfing!!

Went back to Byron Bay this weekend with my Canadian friend, Ashton where we both took two 3 hour lessons Saturday & Sunday. I was able to stand up on the board after my third try and it was an incredible feeling. Our instructor, Ainsle, has been teaching people how to surf for over eight years and she has been surfing for a total of sixteen years. My muscles are so sore from surfing. It exercises your arms, back, legs, everywhere! If I could, I would go surfing every weekend (might end up living by the ocean at some point after graduation... hmm). Byron Bay is a great place to get away to surf, relax on the beach, people watch, and eat some really good sushi.

Doesn't that look good?

After lunch, we were able to meet up with some friends and relaxed on the beach complete with beach towels, snacks and SPF. Our second day of surfing we were taught some tricks to move faster on the surfboard and trying to turn the board. Ashton and I thought it'd be a good idea to catch a wave together to get a great photo for the scrapbook (Note: will have several pages to make once I'm back home).

Ashton and I getting up on our boards

Looking good on our boards!

Ashton starts to lose her balance...

She bellyflops into the water right next to my board, but I decided to keep going!

My amazing surf instructor, Ainsle!

*Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the website, I posted a YouTube video of Byron Bay so you can really see what the beach looks like!

What does Lismore and SCU look like?

Well, I'm glad you asked. Here are some pictures I've taken over the past 5 weeks (have I really been here that long already?) and I will post more over time!

Looking down the street, downtown Lismore

Walking down Ballina Road towards the shopping centre and downtown

The share-house that I am living in for the semester, about 10 minute walk to Uni

Walking down to Uni from Orion College (Orion is actually campus accommodation for students) Killer trying to climb this thing back home!

Walking onto campus now. Library is at bottom right.

At the very bottom of the hill and still on campus is the Plaza. A lot like the K-State Union. Both have places to eat, book store, and student center. This is the middle of the Plaza where local bands play during O-Week (orientation week) and a great place to hang out with friends.

Conversations with an Australian, Pt. 2

Australian- "So, are you from America then?"
Me- "Yes, I'm from Kansas. It's in the middle of the States."
Australian- "Oh, isn't that where Dorothy's from?"
Me- "Yeah," (sighs loudly)