G'day Mates! I apologize for my blog taking so long for me to finally get started. Due to lack of wifi and my computer cord getting fried, I haven't had my laptop running for very long. But I'm up and running, and ready to share my shenanigans!
Sadly, my computer wasn't the start of my problems!...My trip had to start off with my first flight being pushed back a day.....due to a delay I missed my flight out of the US towards Australia, on Wed. Feb 15th. This meant I missed an entire day in Sydney, but I made the most of it; got to spend some extra time with Mom and Dad in Minneapolis! We came to realize it was the first time we actually had a chance to sit down and talk for quite a while, as I was kind of a busy bee hanging out with my friends and going out for my 21st the week of my departure. So it was nice to have that extra time with them....and the impulse Olive Garden dinner that night! =)
I flew from Minneapolis to Dallas, with my next flight delayed 2 hours due to a leak of hydraulic fluid, but eventually boarded the very long 16 hour flight to Brisbane, AUS; eventually ending in Sydney. Total time from Minneapolis to Sydney was a little over 30 hrs. I was ready for a nap, and to actually see someone I knew; but it was 11:30am when I finally arrived in Sydney, and my friends had JUST left the hostel before I got there. And with only one day to sight see, I just HAD to make the most of it! I took the ferry that traveled passed the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, to Manly Beach! And after lots of walking along the water, I finally met up with some girls from my trip! We had a blast! Stayed in a fun hostel with really cool people and events every night. There were some hostel neighbors of ours that became really good friends that we hung out with all day and night! They've been in Sydney for a while so they new the places to go that would make the most of our trip. I already want to go back! By the picture below you can see why...
Sadly I had to leave a lot sooner than I wished to, but I met up with a new group of girls at the airport and to Perth we went! Upon arriving we couldn't find a place to stay, so for an added adventure, we ate, changed into PJs, and slept at the airport! Wooo!...The next day we moved into our new home for the next 4.5 months: the P&O. It's located in Fremantle (Freo), Western Australia, literally a block and a half away from Bathers Beach...what a life! I have a fun roomie (Sydney Henderson...coincidence?! I think not) and I have a balcony! The weather has been highs of 85-100F everyday, the sand is finer than anything in MN, and I am tanning quite nicely! I still can't believe I get to stay here for an entire semester....unreal!!
The first week of classes went very well. I am in Aboriginal People, Archaeology of Western Civilization, Microbiology, and Australian History and Society.... it will be quite the change having mostly history-based classes. Thankfully I feel at home in the bio class, but this is about trying new things and I think I'm going to learn a lot! Each of my classes meets twice a week (1 lecture and 1 tutorial) and they're usually on the same day. And I have Wednesdays off!...I don't think I'll mind the 'added homework day' (aka Beach Day!) haha Although, I have learned through experience that Beach Day can turn into lots off jellyfish in the water when it isn't very windy. But getting to see the wild dolphins jumping about 100 meters off shore isn't a horrible Beach day either!
Every moment has brought something new so far. Lots of 'go-with-the-flow' moments (which are right up my alley) and many many times when I've had to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming this all up! I still can't believe my parents actually let me come half way across the world for 4.5 months! They make me SO blessed to be their daughter. I thank my parents for everything they've done to help me be the person I am today, none of this would be possible without their influence pressing me to achieve my greatest goals. They have never let me settle. I have become strong, driven, independent, and an Aussie! Thank you Mom and Dad...for EVERYTHING! I love you both soooo much!
Ok, I'm sure I've written more than enough as of now, and I hope I haven't bored anyone yet! I'll probably be super random at times, and most likely explain things wayyyy too much into detail (I've been told that I do that with all my stories)! But oh well, it's who I am! haha... Anywho, I hope you enjoy my trip as much as I do! Until next time....Cheers!
