O-week has begun

So...what's new...

Louis has been gone for a few days, but before he left some of us did make it to the top of Mt. Kiera. Only reason Amalia and I didn't before is because apparently at some point during the hike you have to just cut straight up a dried up creek. Basically just boulder up. Gotta say, I was quite winded at the end, but the view was amazing from the top!! On the way down, I jumped down from a rock and almost jumped onto a snake! About 5 ish feet long and was starting to get angry. Definitely quickly moved away and Louis got a few pictures of it on my camera. Couldn't identify it at the time, looked for venom sacks. Later looked it up online and I'm pretty damn sure it was a tiger snake which is apparently extremely dangerous...fabulous. Run in with death number two. I think I've only got, what, 7 lives left?

Anyways, went out dancing all night. Good night, if I do say so myself. Went for a dip in the ocean with some friends post clubs, but of course didn't go very far out. Got to be careful.

Last weekend, Amalia and I went up to Sydney to visit my mom's friend. All I have to say is, wow, I absolutely loooooove Sydney!! I totally understand why people come here and don't go home. First night there (well first thing I did was buy sheets and pillows, so amazing) went for a stroll along Manyly Beach, took the ferry across the harbor, went to dinner at the oldest pub in Sydney, walked across the Harbor Bridge and walked along the harbor. Pretty successful and wonderful. Spent the next day at Manly Beach. Watched some street performers and walked around. We walked over to Shelly Beach, also, and it is just a scene out of a travel book. Hike up a little hill and found a great view. Pretty relaxed day. That night, went out to Manly Warf Hotel, again fabulous. Met some nice guys, one of which is a Kiwi, so I've got some insight into my upcoming trip to New Zealand. Just found out today, actually, that a major earthquake hit Christchurch yesterday. Really sad and I hope everything is alright over there! Next day Anna (the woman we were staying with) threw a bbq for me and Amalia. Omg the food was amazing!! Got some tips from her hiking friend regarding where to go and what to see. I think we're planning on meeting up and taking some small hikes.

Rode the train back to the Gong, but of course got off at the wrong stop. Had to wait for the next train, but alls good. Met an Aussie who is obsessed with American beef jerky...weird. Along with vegemite. Probably the worst stuff ever. I'm not a picky eater and I'll eat a lot of different stuff, but damn, vegemite is disgusting. Tastes like pure salt. Don't understand how the Aussies love it so much. It's like a butter spread, but loaded with salt and a cardboard after taste.

O-week started for us that day, so we had a block party. I live in Hospital (name of the building), so you can guess our theme: doctors and nurses. Pretty fab, really good time. But things got out of hand and everyone got kicked out of the pub. I guess a fight broke out? Hm...rowdiness continued, though.

Next night, there was an organized pub crawl. Totes fun! People doing it had to get a shirt and a wristband and those without a shirt weren't allowed into the bars...kind of lame. Bouncers kicking people out and shit. Anyways, rowdy night, of course lots of dancing. Got up with the DJ and got help pick out some music which of course was great. Came back to the dorms and there were pancakes waiting for everyone! Score

Last night, house party, good time. Been some pretty loose nights, but go big or go home! I guess this is what o-week is all about.

Oh totally forgot, had to get up at 8 yesterday to go to an international student orientation, that was lovely, especially after a bar crawl. Pretty boring stuff. Watched a video about beetle sex that some professor that was presenting showed. Interesting subject, I guess. Walked around campus, nice campus. Really pretty. Went for a run later that day. My goal is to be able to run with Amalia who is insane and runs to the lighthouse and back all the time. That's probably 6 km if not more. Woah, gotta work off the goon somehow (goon=super cheap box wine that everyone drinks around here since alcohol is so expensive).

Today, probably going to the fruit and vegetable market, or at least picking up some food somewhere. Very exciting. But tonight is some formal night at a pub, as always, should be a good time :)

Need to get some trips organized. First thing will be sky diving over the beach here in Wollongong and the Blue Mountains just outside of Sydney. Can't wait!

Mt. Kiera Attempt, Sunny Beach

Haven't updated in a couple days, been a little lazy...trying to keep up

Sunday, Amalia and I tried to hike up Mt. Kiera. Well, we finally found a sign with a map, after hiking and around and going the wrong way. Tried to follow the path and needed to reach a trail that shot off the main path. That didn't happen. Trailheads are very poorly marked. Instead of getting to Mt. Kiera, we made it to Mt. Pleasant? Meaning, we passed Mt. Kiera. On the way saw some little black creature that looked like a porcupine, maybe, but was black and had yellow spots. At the end of the Mt. Pleasant track, I found a leech on my ankle! Never thought I'd get a leech on me whilst hiking...for some reason I decided to wear ankle socks instead of hiking socks.

That night we all went out. They had a party bus, a bus with pulsing lights and the middle was for dancing, take us too and from the bars...FO FREE! How convenient is that? Greeeeat night out. Lots of dancing. Tried to get on stage where the band was playing, but the guitarist wasn't having it :( lame. Came back to floor and more of a good time ensued.

Next day, Valentine's Day, bright and early at breakfast Louis showed up!! So awesome, so glad to see him. Walked down the beach with some people and got smoothies. On the way back it started pouring down rain and we got caught in it. Kind of fun, but super cold.

Today was much better weather! Before lunch the sun started to come out and it was glorious. Spent most of the day on the beach, sunning and enjoying the beautiful ocean. Played in waves a lot, except until I almost drowed! The waves were getting pretty large and I got carried away a bit out further into the ocean. Then the current kept pushing me towards a section where you weren't supposed to swim since the waves were too big. Luckily, one guy and Louis swam over to help out...even the cute lifeguard started wading into the waters. How embarrassing!! Scary, but I survived and burried Louis in sand.

It's sooo nice here, I love it and all the people! Tomorrow, I think Amalia and I will try to actually find Mt. Kiera. Hopefully we get there!

Pillows are some of the most wonderful things!

I am quickly coming to the realization that I need to invest in a pillow. And sheets. I'm currently sleeping in my sleeping bag, on a mattress with a stack of quarter zips as a pillow. Tried stuffing my stuff sack with plastic bags I had...didn't work out well.

North Gong

Loving the Gong and the people here. The Aussies on my floor are super nice and lots of fun. Last night, the girls decided to go out to this bar, North Gong. Lots and lots of fun...learning quickly that drinks are expensive here. I see lots of cheap box wine in my future. Also, turns out people are not so unfamiliar with IU. In fact, one guy at the bar listed off heaps of info he knows about IU, odd. But I do get the "oh, so you're from America" business haha. Bar closed super early, midnight early, so started walking to another one. Took a detour and got kebob and tried to break into a pool. Sadly, people were on the porch by the pool, so next stop the beach. It was drizzling so some of us decided to take off our shoes, good idea right? Wrong, feet hurt like Hell and still sore today. Brilliant plan on my part. I figured it wouldn't be that far of a walk...I was wrong. Stopped at the beach and we wanted to swim buuut some creepy, old, fat man decided to plop down in the middle of the beach and watch, so that plan was nixed real fast. Disappointed, came back to Campus East (the dorms/pods w/e where we live).

Heaps of fun, though, a little tired today. Post lunch walked to the train station and to the uni. Made it, but it's quite a walk. The campus is nice, very green and pretty. I need to find a hiking trail soon, though! Too much just hanging out in the dorms. Need to go out and explore :)

Made it!

AAHHH!! It's so beautiful here!

Finally made it to AU and to the Gong, as they Aussies call Wollongong. So much drama with my flights, though. First one was delayed so I wouldn't make the next flight, had to completely switch everything around. Got put on a flight to Denver. Met a cool guy in Denver. Avid climber for about 20 years, had a lot to say about that, interesting to talk to. And the guy on my other side, well, he smelled like pine needles and tree sap. On the flight from LA sat next to another girl going abroad and a woman from AU, but living in the States. Looooong flight, and I slept through it all. Oh, and one of my suitcases feels like and smells like it was doused in vinegar. Lovely

Made it to the Gong and just settled into my room. Haven't met the roommates yet, but apparently I'm living with 2 girls and 2 guys. It'll be interesting... It's a bit cloudy, but at least it's warm and there's no snow!

Well, I should go explore the town, maybe spend some time at the beach :)

Last day in Indiana

So this is the beginning of my adventure. I'm leaving today and I"m getting pretty excited! Hope my flights aren't delayed with the weather and that my suitcases make the 50 lb. cut.....

Hopefully I'll keep up with this blog thing and keep you posted anything cool down under