Shark Bay: An Aboriginal excursion....'like a Briddiya!'

So, again this has taken me waaayy too long to write and keep up. Soooo, since I have a lot more information to share I'm going to split up my posts (how they should be) and there will be a few posts in a short time. Here we go:::.... WOOOOO

Still taking in the sunsets!!!

First of all I am writing this while watching the Office, which of course is an amazing show, so be prepared for random jokes or extra 'Haha' moments. =) 

After an all-nighter trying to finish two papers before we left, we finally left for our week long excursion.  This was the big trip that all the St. Bens/St. John's kids go on, except instead of going to Broome we drove (34 of us) in a bus on a big road trip! It was amazing, to say the least! The first two days were spent at a convent that used to be an old school, and it was haunted!! With random phrases of "Help Me" and "Revenge" on the wall, we knew it would end up being an eventful experience.  Just think about it, 24 girls and ghosts mentioned... people are gonna freak! Also, a tiny mouse kept running around our beds and shoes so there was screaming all around the place! SOOO humerous! Quick little bugger, too!... During the two days we ate hot crossed buns, did Aboriginal art paintings, learned how to throw boomerangs and spears, played some basketball (with our teacher too) and even went on a bush walk where we ate a bunch of stuff grown on trees and whatnot. One was this plastic-tasting sap stuff, it was kind of gross. (And also made me really crave a bacon cheeseburger)... We talked with a few of the monks that live in the town and one of the guys was mentioning that he's actually been to America and visited a friend in a small town in Nebraska called NORFOLK! NO WAY, right!!? How much of a coincidence is that a monk in Australia has been to the small town that I was born in, in Nebraska! AWESOME!! At this moment, there was no doubt in my mind that I am supposed to be here! We listened to an elder about his life experiences and went through some pretty strong feelings as a group.  Each night we reflect on the day and talk about different things. It's a pretty amazing experience to have 34 people open up about themselves. Our group gets stronger and closer together each and every day, I love it!

Don't worry, I am STILL practicing my golf game!.... <---(exhibit A. to the left) maybe not with all the essential equipment, but my form is still spot on! Get ready for the summer! ;)

And, alrighty, well I've realized if I continue with details then I will basically have to write a book...so I'll try to skim it up a bit. All of you are welcome to ask me more details as well as see all of my pictures when I get home, so I hope you understand!

We woke up about 5:45 or 6 am everyday.... got old, but it helped us do a lot more!  We saw our first wild kangaroos and emus, as well as a bunch of sharks, sting rays, sea turtles, birds, dogs, sheep, and even some cows! Being Pre-Vet I LOVED the wildlife!!! Yeay animals! =) We visited the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, Eagle Bluff lookout, Aboriginal rock art, living stalagmites, shell beach (no sand, all shells, awesome), more beaches and lookouts....too many places with more than enough memories at each! Also, we would have like 8 meals in a day. (I don't know if they thought since we're Americans that we'd like extra food or what, but we were never starved)...okay actually its tradition to have many 'tea times' throughout the day. So we'd have brekky, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, then supper, and sometimes an extra Milo (like hot cocoa) before bed. Lotso food! =)

Our bus ride was awesome too! Just imagine, 34 people on a bus, some sleeping, but lots of time to really get to know people. There was usually music going, a movie, and lots of stories being told. Some of these memories I'm not going to ever forget....someone had a black neck pillow that I put on my head, I put on some aviator sunglasses, and took a picture doing the Elvis lip-curl. New impersonator, right here! haha.. Most of us would also stay up at night gossiping about random stuff or sharing more stories or body-talents. Things got funny REAL fast! With many more inside jokes invented!

The day before our long drive back, was BY FAR the best day!!!! We spent the whole day at Shark Bay going sea kayaking, net fishing, bush walking, and hanging out with a baby joey named Nikki.---> Adorable. I want one, and I think I could pass it off as a really hairy baby....maybe. But we sea kayaked over massive sting rays and sharks, as well as big sea turtles and stopped in an area to snorkel and find pearl shells and cockels, which we later ate as part of our supper. Along with kangaroo tail stew, yummy! It was thee best day ever!! We even got in kayak water battles, which of course we won....like there was doubt! ;) Just kidding, little too high of myself there! Haha The Aboriginal man that brought us decided to make me the leader of the group. He from there on out called me Briddiya which means 'boss.'  It was an honored title, and it made the day even better for me =) ....like a boss! That afternoon we went fishing, which meant we basically swam with the sharks, fish , turtles, and rays. Pretty sure they wanted to eat my roommate Sydney at one point. But we all lived, and can live to tell the frightening stories. We listened to the two men tell about their live and their tribe. It amazes me about the attitudes people can have when they have gone through so much. They talked about how much they appreciated the land and really got us all thinking. It was, wow, can't really describe it, sorry... That night I got to witness the most perfect scene: on a beach, sunset, waves slowly washing on the shore, man playing the didgeridoo, campfire, and the most spectacular view of the stars. It was breathtaking, and a moment that no picture could even begin to capture..... You should be here to see this! (just sayin')

The final day was a long bus trip back. 4 movies, a couple stops, sleeping, and more talks. As well as a Diabolic sudoku completed. Boom! Done! I also didn't mention that the bus we were on had a locked toilet. So we had to wait (sometimes hours) before the next stop....made it interesting sometimes. Those bumps really got ya!  The Outback was amazing. The red iron dirt was such a sight! I took plenty of pictures, and brought back many memories. That week changed my life in more ways than one...

"Saaayyy Quokka!"

Sorry to everyone, I am obviously not good at keeping up with this. Hopefully I will get better soon, so until then please have patience in me....and I apologize because this post is going to be HUUUUGGGGEE! Okay, on to what I've been up too...

     Well, as you can tell, I've been doing some dancing with some roos! Yeay!!! All of the U.S. study abroad kids got to go to a Wildlife Park called Caversham where we got to feed kangaroos, pet koalas and wombats, and even milked a cow....yes, I milked a cow in Australia! It's not quite a new thing for me, but it's still cool to say it! We spent the whole day there seeing all of the different wildlife found in Australia. It was a soon-to-be Vet's DREAM! One of the best days here so far, by far! The animals were all so cute! I just wanted to take them all home with me! The day was even more fun because we went with the other study abroad kids from other school in the U.S.. There are kids from Univ. Portland, St. Marys, and Notre Dame.  Even though I don't fully know the people on my trip from St. Ben's/St John's yet, it's still fun to meet more people in the same boat we are!

      Classes have been slowly trucking along as well.  Nothing too exciting, some papers coming up soon, so that's all I'm going to say about that!  My tan is coming along great!! The weather has been between 35-40C (~110F) lately so it's been hott, and even with the patio door open at night we haven't had too many bugs.... Our netball team has played a couple more games since my last post, and unfortunately we lost both of them. The ref said we're the fastest American team to be able to pick up the game, so that's awesome! I feel we'll be awesome by the end of this! We've been practicing, and another player and I even came up with a simple play that will 'hopefully' work. We'll see I guess... but a plus is that the ref came up to me after the last game and asked me my name and if I filled in the other week for a different team, and when I said yes, she told me she just wanted to tell me I played really good tonight. So BOOYAA! My b-ball skills are coming back! =)

     This past weekend was a lot of fun too! The typical weekend here begins with a few games of the card game 500. It's a game sort of like Euker, Hearts, or Pitch; and if you don't know how to play any of those games, I'm sorry, but look 'em up because they're all fun to play! There's about 8 of us that know how to play now and we all have fun team names with certain partners. The classics are Trip T's, Epic Name, Team Elephants, and Pee-Hay-tch. I doubt any of you know, but in Australia they say their H (ay-ch) as Hay-tch. And in my Microbiology class the professor will constantly say pH (pee-hay-tch). Thus where the name came from!...Last Saturday our Bennies and Johnnies group went to an Island called Rottnest (Rotto), known for the large rat-like marsupials called the Quokka. It's only about a 30 min ride by ferry, off the coast from where we live. We biked around in groups all morning on a photo scavenger hunt. Come to find out later that all but two of the groups split up and did their own thing, but we rocked it out and took some amazing pictures! It was a lot of fun to see the different scenic views of the ocean! I do have to say that our favourite spot HAD to have been a Bathurst Lighthouse. It wasn't on the scavenger hunt list, but we kept seeing it off in the distance and were determined to find out how to get all the way up there. So we biked around a bunch of loops and on and off paths until we came to a (now known) walking path, that happened be downhill, very bumpy, rocky, sandy, and even had some huge gaping holes..... like a champ I biked the crap out of it! Lost my water bottle down the hill and slid a few times, but wow what a rush! I advise to not bike down it, or at least not start going down it from a lot of built-up momentum while being on a straight trail. Hahaa. =) We eventually made it to the lighthouse, which had the most gorgeous views. That's exactly where I'd want to be at sunset every night!! We asked these cute older ladies to take our picture, and they made the extra trip totally worthwhile! There was about 7 of them that take a girls weekend every year to Rotto and have been going for 21 years now. They were so hilarious, we couldn't stop giggling just listening to them talk. It was great!..... Each bay of the island had something new to see. There were tons of beaches, snorkeling spots, boats, and waves. Sooooo breath-taking all around, I can't even describe it... easier to just show you one:

See what I mean?!... After lunch, our whole group got together and headed for a beach to hang out, snorkel, swim, and just lay there and tan. Such a relaxing time... like a huge vacation. Brought my tan back too! ALSO, I got to hold a SEAHORSE!!! A small group of the girls were wading and playing in the water when one brought up a handful of water and realized there was a seahorse in their hand! It was so small! About the size of a silver dollar. Never thought I would see, let alone hold, a wild one of those before!! I also possibly got stung on the lip by a jellyfish, but I didn't see it, so I'm not for certain.... and no, no one peed on me. That'd be gross....As I said before, very random comments will come up so be keen to jump topics quickly.....That night (St. Patty's Day) consisted of going to an Irish pub called Rosie O'Grady's where a bunch of us sang and danced the night away, with a couple of pints of course. I wanted a green beer, but they were all out of the food colouring by that point. Oh well, it was still a fun night!

     Since last weekend it has been pretty chill. We heard some more about our big group excursion; about what we're supposed to bring and whatnot, but they still wont tell us what we get to do.... which just makes it that much more exciting! =) It reminds me of the TEC weekends! (No one knows anything about it going into the trip, the whole experience is life-changing, and afterwards you really can't talk about it) So after the trip, I apologize now if I don't give too many details.....once I get home I'll tell you more though =).  Already I feel 100% blessed and watched upon throughout this journey. I know He is keeping close to me and by me every step of the way.  As well as all your prayers from back home, keeping me safe. Thank you!
     Already I've gone on wayyy too long I feel, but I suppose that's what I get for not keeping you guys informed sooner.  I've gone through many episodes of The Office while writing this, as well as a 'study' break of three games of 500. Go Team pee-Hay-tch!!....I also got some kettle corn from a street market today, DELICIOUS!!! Reminds me of the fair!....and half of the bag is gone already.... I should probably go back and get another bag. Until then, I need to get to some actual studying. Cheers mates!

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."          -Harriet Tubman

P&O: Presidents and Ozholes!

Week 2 of classes is almost done!! Yeay! Although most of this week was pretty easy, especially when I really didn't prepare before any of the lectures. But hey, that's what Sunday is for right?! Well this next week I'll try to be a little bit more prepared, it's just too much fun doing other stuff. Plus I'll be fine, I don't have to start worrying for a few weeks yet. =) Monday was ANZAC day so we had that day off, and Wednesday I don't have any classes anyway, so it really wasn't fair to study for some and not all was my thinking! Haha.

Back to some fun stuffs: The Bathers Beach Triathlon was this week!!! And we didn't lose!!....we didn't do anywhere close of winning either, but we had a great time! Molly Jarrell did the 200m swim around a couple buoys at Bathers Beach, Sydney Henderson (roomie!) did the 3km run around the park in the scorching sun, and I did the novelty event--grabbing a 2L milk carton with holes in it and running to fill it up in the ocean and go back and forth to fill up a big bucket till it overflows. Ha it was a chore, but SO much fun!...It started at about 7am on Wednesday and as soon as it was done I went back to bed for a nap til 11. MUCH needed! My day of exercise was not over yet though....Netball started that night! It is sad to be more of a 'girls sport' but it's a Co-ed league and the guys seem to like the new challenge. We needed a team name, so since we live in the renovated P&O Hotel, I thought we should include P&O in our name. Since we've been playing cards a lot lately, I naturally thought of P&A (Presidents & Assholes, for those of you that don't know the game) and I changed it to Presidents & Ozholes!....hehee clever side coming out!! =)  The game is similar to basketball in which it is played on a court, there is a ball (like a basketball), two hoops (with no back-boards), and a semi-circle at each end around the hoop--much like the 3-pt line. However, there is no dribbling, no running with the ball, no contact (have to be 3 feet away from  everyone), there are 7 people that play at a time on each team, and each player has a specific title in which they can only go within certain sections of the court. Seems very confusing, I know....because it was, until we got the hang of it! I advise you to look it up on YouTube if you still don't understand, and want to watch a silly (and long) video about it. Honestly, we watched it and at any point I was expecting to hear Patches O'Houlihan chime in with the 5 D's of Dodgeball!! Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive and...Dodge! Haha....Dodgeball movie reference, for anyone that didn't get that! ;) .....But for our first game ever as a team I think we did pretty well! We scored 2 points so that was awesome! (the other team scored a lot more, but we're focusing on us now). I believe we are the only team that hasn't ever played too, so that's our excuse. Only two people on the court have the title to be in the semicircle and shoot, so it's hard having been in basketball and wanting to just pop a 3 when the timing is right, but you can't. Plus you can only get one point for a made basket, which has to be in the semicircle. It's only a matter of time to get used to it... Also, the next game after ours needed an extra girl for one of the teams, so naturally I volunteered! It's a sport that I didn't really know how to play, and here was an opportunity to play with Australians that actually knew the game; no doubt I'd do it!! I really didn't do much, but it was a workout and our team scored around 50 points (which is a lot)! They were super nice, remembered my name, helped me learn more of the rules and what to do, and even giggled when I pronounced their names with an American accent. It was an awesome experience! I can't wait til next Wed to play again! Luckily I have some insight to pass on to my team from playing with experienced players! Go P&O!!

I just have to say I love this place.... yes it's like a vacation, but there is so many new things I've experienced already that I'm going to take with me forever.  There are already nicknames for a bunch of people and inside jokes that are filling up my notebook so I can remember to put them in my scrapbook to turn in at the end of the semester. This is going to go soooo fast, but I'm ready for each part of it!....This weekend we get to go to the Wildlife park called Caversham! I"M SO EXCITED, I just can't hide it! haha There is going to be kangaroos and koalas and emus that we can all feed and hold and pet!! Eeeeeee.....being the animal nut that I am, I'm getting worked up just thinking about it now! My camera is already charged! (I will post my favorite picture (or two) in my blog next week!...and the rest on facebook so anyone who's my friend already can see em all! They even said that we can possibly ride a camel while we're there!! YEAY!...but I'm hoping to hug a koala. I hear they are quite aggressive, so I want tap into their loving side, and maybe steal it and bring it back to Bemidji with me.......just sayin! Who'd not want to make friends with a girl with a koala!? Seriously!.....Also, since our big group excursion no longer includes the trip to Broome, we wont be able to ride camels along the beach at sunset like all the groups that have previously been on this trip. (SO not fair, but that's a whole other topic I don't want to get into). Instead, we're going on a very long road trip up to Shark Bay! I'm being optimistic and just hoping for the best. They won't give us too many details because they don't want to ruin anything, but I've heard these excursions have been life-changing, and I know the school would try to make the new trip just as inspirational. So we'll see I guess... For now, I'm just enjoying the present! =) cheers!

And it's only the Beginning

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!