Journal

There are new entries!!! Sorry for delay...thank the exams and hectic life :)

NEW!! NEW!! NEW!!

PICTURES!!!

Click the links and then you can click on the first picture to see descriptions and the picture a little bigger, sorry some pictures aren't great :)

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/Nights Out/?albumview=grid

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/Some Beach/?albumview=grid&start=20

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/Sunsets/?albumview=grid

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/The Land of OZ/?albumview=grid

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/?albumview=grid

Added Last Time:

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/Nights Out 2/?albumview=grid

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/Some Beach 2/?albumview=grid

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/Sunsets 2/?albumview=grid

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/Welcome Home/?albumview=grid

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/Australia/Sydney/?albumview=grid

New Zealand:

http://s45.photobucket.com/albums/f90/ShannonBell_photo/New Zealand/?albumview=grid

Monday, July 7^th 2008

            Today, at about 6:00am, I finally arrived in the big city of Sydney, Australia. Luckily, on my way through customs and immigrations, I met a girl who is also going on the trip to Lady Elliot Island. Her name is Amanda and she is also from Colorado, she attends the University of Colorado in Boulder.

            For the night we-Amanda, Nicole, Ashley, Marlis, Ben, James B, and Sammy-stayed in Coogee Beach in a dorm-style place. We spent most of our day touring the town and seeing the “Uni.” I was able to get online at the place we were staying and contacted my parents since my phone didn’t work and the company wouldn’t accept overseas credit cards. After that, we all went to dinner at the Blackbird Café in Darling Harbour. I can already tell these kids are big drinkers…but I already fell asleep on the bus ride home, so I’m out for the night.

Tuesday, July 8^th 2008

            Well, I was up at 6:00am today, lol. Got a chance to repack and send emails to everyone; plus, then I got to enjoy the beautiful morning.  But then it was back to the airport to catch a choppy plane to Hervey Bay; the perk was surely the free TV access.

            While at the airport I came to find out that one of the other girls that is going to Lady Elliot Island, will be my roommate in Sydney when we get back; her name is Jen and she attend Boston College. Once in Hervey, we walked to town for some lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening walking the beach-we got to see the most beautiful sunset. Once it was dark we headed to a restaurant for dinner and I got to have a delicious rump steak! But now it’s time for bed so good night!

Wednesday, July 9^th 2008

            Today began with a brisk 6:15am swim with Christine and Damon-both from Australia and attend UNSW-and holy cow was it ever FREEZING! From there it didn’t warm up till about 2:00pm at Fraser Island. We headed over there at about 7:30am via a ferry and it was windy as heck on the exposed upper deck. As soon as we arrived-all 21 of us-we jumped into a big 280 HP bus…the man was excited to share that it was a MIN from Germany with 9 speeds and front/back diff. lock. He didn’t think anyone cared, or understood, what he was saying, but almost everyone looked at me for approval of the rig that our lives rested inside of.

            So Fraser Island is the largest fully sand island in the world and still there are things thriving in its environment! Gotta tell the NATS professors at DU they stink because the tour guide taught me everything and more than my professors tried to, and he did it in one day! Anyway, the bumpy ride led us to our first creature sighting…a snake. I didn’t get a picture of it because it was little and blended into the ground too well. Then we saw Gum Trees and a Koala…a fake one I mean. They tried to trick us, and well they did cause I wasted a picture on it lol. After that we went and stopped at a nice warm, fresh water river to have snacks and FINALLY warm up. Then as we were driving ON the beach-since that is there highway (so weird)-we stopped to see the Maheno shipwreck; it was so amazing! We also got to go on and see the colored sands, which were oranges and yellows from the substances in the sand. From there it was on to a beautiful tour of the rainforest. And our final stop was at Lake McKenzie; it was beautiful and the water was unbelievable pure and clean. I saw a few fishes and then on my way out I saved a little boy who was so adorable! He was swimming after a rugby ball and just got to where he couldn’t swim anymore, so I swam over real quick and plucked him out of the water just before he went under, his dad was very thankful.

            From there we came back to Hervey Bay and I got to know Drew better on the ferry-ride home. To get back to the hotel, I got to ride on my first ever double-decker bus and it was SO COOL! After dinner with Lexy…I mean Nicole…we had a small class and found out our schedule for tomorrow…so I’m off to bed before my 6:30am flight..Night!

Thursday, July 10^th 2008

Early morning once again because today was our flight to Lady Elliot Island! Lucky me with my “B” last name I was on the 6:45am flight. Thankfully, Christine, Amanda, Jen and I were all on the same flight so when we got there we all explored and then went snorkeling.

            Snorkeling today was great! Jen, Christine, Amanda and I were together and taught Amanda what to do. In the mean time we saw 2 turtles, 3 mantas, a barracuda, and bright blue sea stars. Everything is so beautiful down there! Out of the water we saw about 4 whales and if you swam under water you could actually hear them! Class was shortly after that and then after dinner Christine and I went on an amazing walk. The stars are gorgeous and it’s amazing how the waves break at the edge of the reef instead of on land. We also sat down and were playing with corals and when we looked at them, they were….phallic looking and we laughed so hard for so long!

Friday, July 11^th 2008

            Today began with a great little reef walk, which would have been great if I had longer legs! But we saw some of everything really-crabs, corals, sea stars, snails, worms, and billions of sea cucumbers. After that we had class, which lasted all day long and just before dinner our groups were picked for the projects. I get to study sea cucumbers with Nicole, Jen, Marlis, James F, and Chris E. Now, at 11:00pm, everyone else is drunk…a not too happy goodnight.

Saturday, July 12^th 2008

            Wow, finally it has set in…I miss home! It seems like this was just going to be a short vacation, but in reality I am here for 5 months and 20 some odd days…I should have’s keep going through my mind and almost everyday I calculate the time and wonder what is going on at home. It’s strange how having NO choice of contact makes one realize how fast-paced and dull the world is. I mean if there was communication on this island, I guarantee I would completely miss its beauty.

            Last night ended on the beach…and this morning began there. The stars were amazing and wow it was just astounding waking up to the sunrise!!!

            Today, well it was a chill day-in all terms of chill. My group and I walked the lagoon and the coral gardens doing our quadrats and got to see an eel and a brittle star. We also snorkeled out our transects in the lagoon at about 2:30pm and learned 1) it’s scary snorkeling in 3 feet of water atop coral 2) fish don’t like you getting close the their homes (they puff up and bite you a lot) 3) it gets freaking cold when a big storm comes in and 4) it is so scary to think sharks are that close to you! But I saw Nemo and I think I saw a sea horse today! Most of the rest of the day I wrote my reef report with Jen in the Manta Lounge and now my hand hurts so I gotta stop. So night for today!!!!

Sunday, July 13^th 2008

            While you all are waking to a beautiful Sunday morning with no real tasks to do, I have been slaving away at homework and now get to sleep! It’s been a rough few days on the homework side of life and I hate people who think they are smarter than me. Honestly, I could have added some really cool things to our presentation if I had been able to use my statistics background!!! Good Lord! Jen and I will do great living together thought, we so think on the same page.

            Everyone is drunk again…even Christine and Amanda…

            Anyway today we snorkeled off the glass bottom boat and finally saw a shark! Then Jen, James F, Chris E, and I had to do more transects and the current was horrible. But we saw so much and ALMOST touched a turtle!

            Tomorrow is presentation preparation, field report, touch turtle, see octopus, see cuttlefish, and lose weight. A tired and longing good night…

Monday, July 14^th 2008

            Today was actually the coolest day ever!!!!

            So the morning was spent on group time and then at like 1:00pm Jen, Amanda, James F, and I went snorkeling for TWO hours. We went from the lighthouse all the way around to the coral gardens and Jen and I fulfilled one of our dreams…WE TOUCHED AND RODE SEA TURTLES!!!!!!! There was a bunch of times actually, but the one time we both reached out and the turtle took off and we could both barely get to the surface fast enough because we were laughing so incredibly hard! We also saw one ticked off fish with razor sharp teeth so we swam very quickly! Basically the rest of the day we worked on presentations and our group won the contest. YAY!

Tuesday, July 15^th 2008

            What a boring day to follow yesterday! All day I/we studied and then took our final. It sucked because the whole time we studied it was gorgeous and beautiful and then when we finished it was cool and cloudy….boo. But after the final it was back to normal…drunk people… I did learn a great drinking game though! Find a broom and one person holds the bottom of it, that person then looks at the head of the broom and makes ten turns (which everyone else counts), then they have to drop the broom and jump over it. Drew and I got to talk some more when I escorted him back to his place, but now he is in bed and I am peacin’ out!

Wednesday, July 16^th 2008

            What a day of travel! I, again, was on the early flight out of Lady Elliot Island, but at least this time it was at 9:00am so Christine and I were able to squeeze in one last walk in search of phallic corals. But once on the plane it was a one hour ride to Hervey Bay, then a 3 hour wait for our flight to Sydney. That sucked because Hervey Bay Airport is the size of the Bradford Airport, so I bought a book and read for 3 hours. And, sadly, the plane was all functioning correctly so no free TV…thus, I read for another hour and a half!

            Our place of residency is absolutely AMAZING! Barry (Baz) said, “You guys are super lucky because this place is brand new and there are only three rooms here with abroad kids because you all are trials!” And he was right about it being brand new! Jen and I were first to arrive and we walked in and our jaws dropped. We have a washer and dryer, two baths, two double bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a porch!!! Jen and I took the room that has a door to the porch, so our other roommates get the bigger bathroom with a bathtub. Everything in this place is new, the oven is spotless, as is the stove (which is a huge change from my last place)! The fridge is definitely brand new and there are big windows with easy-to-use curtains. The closet in Jen and my room is great! Not as big as my last, but huge in general! This is going to be a great place.

            Dinner was a chaotic mess, 20 some of us were trying to go to dinner in Coogee Beach. Finally, Jen, Amanda, and I were fed up and broke off the group to go elsewhere and get food because we were starving. Mandy, a girl who has been here from the US for a year and a half went with us and gave us good tips on lots of things. After that we met at Aubrey’s and she has a great place, but it was back to typical drinking, so some of us left. Good night all, I got more reading to do.

Thursday, July 17^th 2008

            Oh boy oh boy. We went to Sydney tonight for dinner and poor Christine. She set up a nice little meet for all of us and gave us ideas where to go and everyone wanted to go to the city, so she called places and found where 20 some of us could all eat together. Because we were in the city things were a little expensive, but that’s to be expected…I thought. People complained and complained to Christine about the price and all so we left 333 to go somewhere else and people wouldn’t stop complaining to her about this and that, so she broke away from the group and left us on our own. We went to another bar in the rocks, but it just wasn’t fun, so Jen, Charlie, James B, Sam, and I came home.

Friday, July 18^th 2008

            Today Jen and I slept in and got up like at 10:30am, we had big plans for the day, but we were a little short on achieving them. We spent a lot of the day just walking, checking Internet stuff at the Uni, and chilling out. We went and got some little essential things and went to a great little Thai place for lunch, and we managed to sneak in and get the lunch special even though we were late. But, for dinner we went out with Christine and a couple of her friends to New Town and had a wonderful time. It’s so nice to not have to be with all the young Americans for once and be able to meet Aussies! And while we were waiting for Christine’s boyfriend to pick us up, we ran into Lynda who was another of Christine’s friends and we went for dessert-berry crumble with caramel hot chocolate! MMM MMM MMM, Jen and I are going back there for some shopping soon, I need a belt and shoes and shirts cause people really dress up here to go out! I’m a Bell and I’m full as ever, so I am passing out.

Saturday, July 19^th 2008

            Jen and I woke up at about 10:00am and got ourselves ready for a nice brunch with Christine, her boyfriend Matt, and their friend Helen. We went to Clovelly Bay for brunch and had real good food-pancakes with bananas and an iced chocolate. Then we actually went to the bay and walked around. We found sea stars and squirts and even a little crab! It’s so beautiful there. Near the end of our adventure Damon and his wife and son came by to say hi, along with Nicole, James B, Archith, and Drew.

            After Christine, Matt, and Helen dropped us off we decided we needed to go buy groceries. What an event that was!!! 1) The store is tiny 2) everything is expensive 3) there isn’t much variety like there is at home and 4) carrying stuff home is a PAIN! The hills kill you and there is no easy way to carry as much as we actually needed to buy (luckily we bought bare essentials).

            Once we got home, we decided to have a beer and put the groceries away. When we were done we went to the porch, ate gummy worms, and talked about our boyfriends/family/pets. We listened to music that reminded us of them and just enjoyed the evening.

            We got a call at about 6:00pm and went out to dinner with some of the crew-James B, James F, Nicole, Marlis, Archith, Drew, Chris H, and Chris E. We ate at Five Oh’s and the food was the same price as the beer! Ten bucks total. But Pure Blonde is a very good beer here, as is Heineken.

            The end of our night was light drinking and a movie at our place with most the crew. When we got there, we realized one of our roommates had moved in, her name is Jody and she is from CU. She’s real cool and was easily able to fit in and mingle. But an excellent drink is Sprite, Finlandia Vodka(Grapefruit) and an orange soda-type beverage mixed all together…mmmmm. Night!

Sunday, July 20^th 2008

            Today was just a relaxing day, I have basically spent the day doing absolutely nothing and watching movies in the mean time. I watched The Notebook as I started entering my journals into my computer, then my roommates returned and we watched Driven, then Chris E came over and we all got pizza and watched Annapolis. It rained most of the day and was cold and dreary, thus the reasons for my unwillingness to go do stuff. But tonight is the start of a new book since I HAD to finish Marry Me this morning because it was just too darn good. Night!

Monday, July 21^st 2008

            Today Jen, Jody, and I strolled up to campus and let Jody enroll, and then the three of us met up with Christine. It seems like Jen is sort of taking over…that’s not the right way to say that, but it’s like she is becoming better friends with people I thought I was getting close to and I don’t know. It’s upsetting a bit and pushes me back to the old Shannon-quiet, secluded, and head-in-a-book feeling.

            But we are taking Jody to see the city and dang it, I need more nice clothes (yes mom, you were right) and nice shoes. There is a strict thing here where you can’t get in places with tennis shoes or flip flops, and well that’s all I brought. And as for shirts, they are all great for school, but not for nights on the town. I don’t know, I just don’t fit the “going out” type in any manner, but by not having shoes and shirts and jackets it makes it more so. Blah. But we are headed there now, and I didn’t want to forget to write, so I wrote before we left instead of before bed. A wondering goodnight…

Tuesday, July 22^nd 2008

            Well, last night was a dud because it was a Monday night…duh! None of us ever even thought of that last night, but oh well. We went to a pub and had some appetizers and a drink and then came back home and went to bed.

            This morning was nice, well kind of. I got to talk to Drake and to my parents, but I only called Drake because I was super scared he wasn’t okay because he somehow has an inflamed lung and was not feeling good at all. So I called my parents too. I need to refill my card soon for my phone because I didn’t think about how fast the money went. I am good with not spending my money on drinks and un-necessary things, but texting/calling my family and Drake is a place I need to learn management.

            Anyway, at about noon Jody, Jen and I went running along the coast to Clovelly Bay, and my asthma kicked in double time. But I gotta keep doing it because my pudge needs to be gone! After the run we showered and went to the rugby place to catch some free wireless and rugby on TV! Then we went to see The Dark Knight and holy cow is that amazing!!!! One because it just is and two because it only cost $7 to see! Well, now it’s bedtime again and another jog tomorrow morning…good night!!!!

Wednesday, July 23^rd 2008

            Today was one heck of a roller coaster! Happy Birthday Daddy!!! First, our internet stuff came at 8:00am (yay!) and so that woke Jen and I up. Then, at about 9:00am our last roommate came in from New York, her name is Stephanie (Penn). Jen and I decided to start setting up the internet, and well, the company (Dodo) sent us the wrong thing. After spending two hours on the phone (which was all that was left on my phone for the month) I discovered that it was our fault the salesman told us the wrong product to buy and that there would be no refund for the money we paid because we received it already. So my I called my parents and had them dispute the charge with the credit card company, and grrrrr!!

            After that mess, I had to go buy more minutes on my phone and then Jen, Jody, Chris E, and I went to Bondi Junction in search of school supplies, shoes, and a jacket. All of which we foun. So that topped off the day very nicely, and since we were so excited we wore our new stuff out and had a few beers at The Palace with other study abroad students.

Thursday, July 24^th 2008

            Wow, earliest morning so far in Sydney! Today was orientation, and well, it was cool and nice but at the end of the day, I’m nervous. I bought my package deal for spring break (yay New Zealand with Jen and maybe Jody!!!!) but it was expensive and come to find out didn’t include the coming and going airfare to Christchurch…so I have to figure out how to pay for that. I think I am going to get a job, it’s the only fair thing I can do.

            Now, I am staying in for the night, being frugal and figuring out my expenses and everything and trying to see if I think I should even go on any other trips…so nervous/frustrated goodnight.

            Oh and here are what my paper say about this spring break trip: “What better way to see Middle Earth by throwing yourself off of it, and getting up close and personal with it.” New Zealand has some of the most magnificent natural surroundings this planet has to offer, which will calm your nerves as you plummet 134mt (440ft) off the southern hemisphere’s largest bungy. It doesn’t stop there either, as we take a ride in a helicopter, jet boat through ravines on the Shotover, hike the glaciers of Fox glacier, white water raft the raging river and get downright crazy in the adventure capital of the world…Queenstown! All this and more, and you’ll still have a chance to soak up the serenity around the Magnificent Milford Sound, and enjoy Te Anau lake Glow Worm Caves. Top it off with a genuine Sheep Farm Experience and you’ll come to realize exactly what a Sheep IS for! Baa. What’s Included- Extreme Adventures crew, all accommodation, all transport on tour, full day Milford Sound tour includes boat cruise, working sheep farm tour, glacier hike, Te Anau lake cruise and Glow Worm caves, AJ Hackett Nevis bungy jump, AJ Heckett sky swing, white-water rafting, jet boating, helicopter ride, luge and gondola rides, A BIG RUSH, some meals. Go to www.extremeadventures.com.au.  I will post the itinerary later!

Friday, July 25^th 2008

            Today was the rainiest day yet…ALL DAY torrential downpour!  So after a few movies, Jody and Jen and I finally got motivated enough to go out and do something. We checked our emails and did some various searches online and then hit Five Oh’s for a cheap dinner and then prepared for the city. We went, and unfortunately, Stephanie forgot her ID so she and I came home and watched another movie until Jen and Jody came home a bit later. Not much exciting, but I did find an ice arena close by, so I am going to give them a call on Monday to figure out skating times and if they are hiring. It’s in Canterbury if anyone is interested in lookin at it!

Saturday, July 26^th 2008

            Much better day today, other than it flew by because we all got up at about 11:00 haha. But we went grocery shopping and we checked the internet and did some other little various things. Tonight is a big rugby game between Australia and New Zealand and since we didn’t want to pay $80, we are going to the rugby bar nearby to watch/learn/have fun with a new group of people! Tomorrow we should have internet and I will get books, and hopefully a couple of other essentials will happen. Good night all

Sunday, July 27^th 2008

            Today was such a beautiful day! It was sunny and gorgeous and boy oh boy! Jen and I were going to make cookies and finally today we did, well I wasn’t allowed to be involved because of the weird mood Jen and Jody have been going through where they do everything to exclude me. It’s stupid and lame and has been extremely frustrating for me lately, but whatever.

            School starts tomorrow!!!! I don’t know whether to be happy or sad cause I am so not ready for school, but I want to get away from the house and normalness of my roommates. Tomorrow I have Data Management….whatever that might be.

            Oh and last night was great. We went to the rugby house for the game and AUSTRALIA WON!!!! No one was nearly as excited as we were about the win, but, well, it was great.

Monday, July 28^th 2008

            Today was a late day because it was raining and was easy to sleep. So at about 10:30am Jen and I got up and got our day started. Jen was having another rough day, so she left for her run early, but Jody and I ran today. It was very cold and windy, so it was a short run, but still, we are getting healthy.

            Class. Oh I hate class. Today was so nerve racking because 1) I walked to class and it rained when I was so close it was pointless 2) I got lost on campus and was almost late 3) I was drenched in both water and sweat when I got to class because it was raining and I was nervous and 4) I am the only white person in my class (honest to goodness)! But my class is going to be pretty easy, it’s all about SAS (Statistical Analysis Software) and it’s very similar to Minitab, which I know. After class, I went to the bookstore thinking I would find all my textbooks, but no so I got two of my course-packs and it was under $50 for the first time ever!

            Now it’s relax time because we are all stressed about the day! So movie time and bed time and chill time. Good night love all!

Tuesday, July 29^th 2008

            Wow, that is really all there is to say about a day like today. The rain finally stopped in time for me to get to class, so that was a great thing today. But class, man oh man, Aussies are intense. So I finally found my classroom today; it was in G12C, where the heck would you look to find that?! So I found it and then looked up to find a note that said I had to find another class, I swear they try to freak me out here! So, again, in class today we just jumped right in. Seriously, it’s week one chill out! Hhhh! But then I went to lunch with Christine and tried a new dish…Shannon + allergy to seafood = bad with new things. So, the dish had shrimp for sure so I ate around it and didn’t eat the meat and no more than 10 minutes after the meal I started feeling it. So, I checked my bag for meds and didn’t find ANY, so I had to get the food out of me and then downed water like it was nobody’s business. I so didn’t know what to do, but I figured that was the best thing because I couldn’t go home cause I wouldn’t make it, and I still had another class. So, I made it through everything, I just felt like crap and then I was thinking about going home when I remembered (even though I was thinking about it all day) I was going to a show. Well, the show was GREAT! Weird, but great. We saw the Rocky Horror Show and it was at the Star City Theater, it was fun and even though I didn’t feel great I stuck with it. When we were waiting after the show, I got to see a Koenigsegg in real life!! It was gorgeous, but hardly compares to a Corvette for me. Then, we went for more Chinese, but I just had rice and now I took meds, talked to everyone on skype today, and am finally ready to sleep. Good night!

Wednesday, July 30^th 2008

            Well, this morning started a little later than expected, but I still managed to be on time! But I swear, the professors here, they want to push me to the limit where there is no return. At my lab this morning we were supposed to do a thing on the computers to learn about SAS, and well I couldn’t log into the darn computers! So I tried it like 10 times and then saw the computer dude who supposedly okayed everything, and….it still didn’t work. So, the professor had me log into his profile on the computer and do it, but when I saved things I couldn’t because I didn’t have authorization, so I spent an hour being frustrated and I get to do it again next week BEFORE lab. Sweet. Then I bought a book for one of my classes and went to the actuarial class (which I expected to be amazing), and it’s not. The professor is a jerk and he is so rude! So great.

            When I got home, I had a long skype conversation with Drake, so that was nice and then Jen and I went running. We ran to Clovelly Bay without stopping and then came back without stopping (it was a huge feat for me). When we got home we chilled and had dinner and now we are thinking about doing some homework. I think I better start on it since school is so intense here, good night all!

Thursday, July 31^st 2008

            Wow, long long long day. I had class at 9:00am, what a joke that was, and then a break until 3:00pm. I was supposed to have lab at 12:00pm, but it was cancelled since we hadn’t even met for class yet. So I spent some time at the library and then went to where my 3:00pm class was to be held and read for about three hours. After that class Jen and I met up and went to the Uni Bar, or the Roundhouse, to have drinks with the LEI kids. Sadly, I was super tired and wasn’t really having a great time so I was ready to go after a drink. But, as always, Christine stepped in with an amazing idea!!!!!!!!!!!! She called her mom and they took us to dinner. We went to this amazing Japanese place and Christine’s mom ordered everything and paid too! It was so nice and delicious, then she offered to have us over for a “home-cooked” meal later this week! Nice! So I am stuffed and just finished watching The Notebook, so I am off to bed!

Friday, August 1^st 2008

            Today was a waste…especially after the hype of last night. I got up around 11:00am and debated when I should shower, and was told I needed to take it before class so we could make it to dinner on time. So I did and then I headed to class; the wind was blowing like there was a hurricane and, needless to say, having straightened my hair and taking a shower, I was not too happy. Then, I got to class, and the useless professor didn’t know how to run the program that he was showing us how to run, so we left and that was class…I cooled off by doing some errands and such and then ran back to the house to make it there on time, since I was going to be holding everyone up anyway. Not true, it took everyone about an hour and a half to get ready…grr! The bus ride to dinner was free though, so that was nice. Then, oh my gosh, Orbit Lounge is great! It rotates real slow so that you get a 360 degree view of the city. The drinks there are super expensive so Christine and I shared a Vespa (yuck) and a Machiato (YUM!) and it cost about $14.50. Then we went to Bar 333 again for dinner and a few more drinks (I got three free drinks from the bartender-Jen would say all because of her…) before we moved on to karaoke. I am NOT big on that at all, so I pretty much watched from the side as I usually tend to do.

            I learned I am not the type of girl who needs to go out and be around people to be happy. I am quite content just being with my friends where we can talk and drink for cheap and eat for free…I just like being around people I am close to. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE meeting new people, but I don’t really like doing things that push me to where I just don’t feel comfortable or happy. Sometimes going out for dinner and some drinks is just too much for me, but I know if I don’t go then I look like a loser, and they (whomever does go) will brag about everything they did and saw and I’ll wish I was there to see stuff. I don’t know, this is a lot of rambling considering it’s 2:00am so night till tomorrow.

Saturday, August 2^nd 2008

            Well, it was a lazy day today because last night was just too eventful! I laid around most of the day and then finally got motivated to go to the grocery store and after that was a quick jog to let out some minor frustrations. Now my roommates and I are going to watch No Reservations and then probably head to bed. Night

Sunday, August 3^rd 2008

            Hhhh, I like weekends. Today was similar to yesterday except I think I got more accomplished. Woke up and tried to talk to my parents, and well that didn’t work well because our connection was all goofy, then all four of us in the house hit the books till 4:00pm. In need of a break, Jody and I went for a jog to Clovelly again. It’s really nice being able to run there and back because 1) you get a great sense of accomplishment 2) you can run off TONS of anger 3) you start looking good and 4) you can make people jealous lol. But anyway, I got home and did some abs and then hit the shower. Dinner was made and then another movie was on and now it’s back to the books. Tomorrow I have class at 3:00pm so I guess I’ll just chill out till I’m tired! Night

Monday, August 4^th 2008

            Today was just another one of those days. Seems like those come in bulk here! Well, I was able to get ready for class in my own time and then talk to my parents on skype! Class, well it was better, but it still wasn’t anything spectacular. Then Jen and I went to the underwater club meeting and I think we will probably do it in September or so. Other than that, nothing really happened…oh….Jen’s friend Sully came. He’s pretty cool, super talkative. Oh right, and Jen complained about not seeing anyone she knew and blah blah blah….oh wait NONE OF US HAVE and we don’t have people coming soon! Hhhh, but I had a really good wine, it a Sauvignon Blanc and the maker is Banrock Station.

Tuesday, August 5^th 2008

            Well, today was nice, but it stunk too. I got up early to turn some little paper in so that I can do a cruise on Halloween for a few hours…but then I got to get pretty organized so that was real nice. But then lab today was real boring, but we actually go to do something so that was a great change of pace. Then my three hour break…that’s going to kill me, it is so boring and there is really nothing to do because walking home is a waste and staying there is just boring! LOL. But then class was good too, it only lasted an hour and a half so that was GREAT! But then I came home to yet another guest…Ramos. He seems pretty cool, but I haven’t really talked to him much to know.  Let’s see, oh and then tonight was supposed to be movie out and yeah….it’s not because they decided they didn’t want to see anything and then they decided when they are going to go on a wine tour and they decided….is there a trend here? Yeah, I’m kinda upset right now. Oh well, good night!

Wednesday, August 6^th 2008

            Hhh, bad night of sleep last night, I don’t think I got more than an hour of sleep, and I have no idea why. Class this morning was actually nice since the computers worked so I could do my lab! Then my actuary class, well that’s not gonna be so much fun to get through; oh well though! Rained like you couldn’t believe today; luckily I was in class so I just heard it and barely had to walk in it. I have been doing really good about walking though; I have only ridden the bus maybe three times, that’s good since it’s a two mile walk and it’s been cold and rainy fairly often. But I got home and tried to take a nap, but that didn’t happen so after an hour I decided to start homework, and here I am, lol - still not doing any homework! It’s just Steph and I here right now because everyone else went out, but it’s just nice to relax in a very nice environment. Oh, and I got part of my blog up today…I know, I know, but better late than never. Okay, love you all!

Thursday, August 7^th 2008

            Today was one long day! I had class at 9:00am and then was able to switch into the 10:00am lab for another class so after that is a four hour break. Today I decided just to stay on campus, but later it will be nice to do whatever I need to do or go home or whatever! But by my last class at 3:00pm I was so tired! Just as I got to class it poured, completely out of the blue, and luckily I hadn’t stopped for coffee or I would have been outside in the bad weather. But by the walk home it was nice out again and I even had time to hit the grocery store! I got some real good pictures of the sunset. After Ramos’ dinner we watched In America-which I don’t recommend. It was Sully’s birthday, so we just relaxed and had ice cream and called it a night!

Friday, August 8^th 2008

            Today was the first time I ever really enjoyed class. It was amazing, I knew what was going on and actually made connections and everything…it was so nice! That was the extent of the day though, I mean I got more great sunset pictures and I went to the other store for good lotion, but it was another chill day topped off with watching the opening ceremonies for four hours! So for now, good night and sleep well!!!

Saturday, August 9^th 2008

            Today was a strange, but good day! This morning I woke up and Jody and I decided to go swimming for a change, so we went to the baths right by Coogee Beach. Well, our first sign that we were out of place was that we were the only females for the most part, our second sign was that we were in bikinis, and our third sign was that we were the only non-locals. We put our feet in and it was COLD!!!!!! Another lady that was in the bath told us we just had to jump in, so after a while of laughing at how stupid we looked we took the plunge. Now, Jody used to swim, like really swim, where I did it for fun, so she was able to get across the 50m bath in no time, but little old me was lagging behind. By the time we got to the other side I couldn’t breathe it was so cold! But we made a few laps back and fourth and decided we would do some treading exercises because the tide was coming in and that’s how the bath gets its water so we were constantly fighting the current anyway. After the swim we took quick showers and then hit the stores. We got a movie for tonight and our typical groceries. Then we tried to hit the books, but had to run back to the store because Jody forgot some things, then we tried the books again and that only lasted a few hours, lol. Then it was movie time! Needless to say, we picked another not so good movie, Friends With Money, so we finished that and decided to end on a good note…Signs. Now it’s bedtime so good night!

Sunday, August 10^th 2008

            Wow, late start today! I texted Drake at about 10:30am but he was busy so I must have gone back to sleep, then I didn’t wake up until 11:45am. Jen was in the same boat too though, well she had a weird dream earlier, but she went back to sleep. So her dream, because she found it so funny, was that she and Jody and I were watching a movie and out of the corner of her eye she saw a cat and the cat was staring at something very intently. Well, the cat jumped and Jen heard something behind her, then a MOUSE was climbing up her back. Intuitively (in real life) she reached for her back and felt something! So she jumped out of bed sort of screaming and I woke up and looked at her, and she was laughing so hard because she thought that there really was a mouse on her back and it just turned out to be her iPod, haha. So anyway, we got up and Jody and Jen went to the grocery store while I did work and took a shower. Just before sunset we went to the Coogee Bay Hotel to see about housekeeping jobs, but we need to go back tomorrow. So it’s back to the books and then The Notebook.

Monday, August 11^th 2008

            Well, today was boring. I mean Jen’s boyfriend and his friend came in, so we now have Mike, Ryan, Ramos, and Sully that are friends of Jen’s that are staying at our place, but that doesn’t make it any less boring haha. Now it’s just also a pig sty at the house…which I am going to talk to them about tonight because it is gross. But Jen made eggs and pancakes, so that was nice, then I went to class and actually got respect from the professor since I am not stupid. Yay! And then it was back to the pig sty for a movie and relaxing. Tonight is early bed-time since they are all going on a wine tour tomorrow….so we will have to see how tomorrow goes.

Tuesday, August 12^th 2008

            Wow, I never knew so many people that couldn’t be quiet or on time! The group was supposed to be at the bus stop at 7:00am, they didn’t leave our place till then! I figured I was going to get up then, but somehow managed to go back to sleep and slept till about 9:00am and then got up to a rude awakening. The pig sty was worse!!! It’s definitely going to be an issue I am going to bring up because there was crap everywhere and dirty dishes everywhere and clean dishes everywhere and beds everywhere….I understand they were running late, but they need to respect the place they are staying and always leave it how it was when they came.

            Class lightened my day a bit, well kind of. I am afraid I offended the professor a little because he asked why I was in the class and I said because it counted for statistics credit…which is true, but I think he was hoping I was really like into the subject, but honestly I just looked for classes that would count and figured I would learn from it either way. So I was being honest and so far I am enjoying it and paying attention so hopefully he sees that. But we were talking about asset management today, and he was writing on the chalkboard and was abbreviating it to….”ass man” which we all thought was funny cause he didn’t realize it till everyone was laughing!

            Well, now that it’s evening, this day has officially stunk. First I woke up to the noise and the mess, then I was supposed to meet my professor today for help and I didn’t know where his office was and didn’t see it on the syllabus, then I didn’t want to be a loser and admit I was the only person in class to do reading so the professor got mad at everyone, then I got home to an email from the professor I was to meet telling me I was basically stupid because his office was posted blatantly on the syllabus (which it was when I read it slow and non-nervously) and he told me he wouldn’t help me with the assignment that I needed help on, then when everyone got home they made a mess of the house again and watched a movie without so much as mentioning it to me, oh and they didn’t thank me for picking up their junk that was everywhere either. Since today obviously hasn’t been good, I didn’t even want to fight with the people about their mess so it’s going to be the same tomorrow and I have to sit here and figure out this assignment alone…beautiful. I know everything will be fine and whatnot, but I hate these days and I hate that there is no one here for me…L Night.

Wednesday, August 13^th 2008

            Today was hardly any better than yesterday. I mean, no one called me stupid so that is better, but man oh man. My roommates and everyone went to dinner at the Palace and Sully and I just hung out, but still here I am doing that darn assignment. Luckily, today I talked to one of my other professors and he is super nice and helped me…he is my first Aussie friend aside from Christine and Damon! Haha, and he is a professor…good job Shan! But yeah, I am just chilling here for tonight figuring out the rest of this assignment since it is due tonight. Welp, everyone is coming, I hear them…bye for the night!

Thursday, August 14^th 2008

            Hhhh, so much stress was lifted off me today, even if I did that stupid assignment all wrong, I don’t care, I turned it in. Also, in my class today I learned that I needed to teach myself linear algebra again…sweet! Apparently I was supposed to take it before two of my classes and somehow I got in without it, so that’s the job this weekend. But also, in lab, I met another guy, his name is something crazy in Japanese, but he goes by Alex, hahaha. The only Asians I have met here have been that way. In my one class, they call role and most the Asians correct their name pronunciation, but still go by it, except for two and those two immediately introduced themselves to me today-Jack and Helen. Weird weird!! But yeah, everyone is just kind of on edge tonight at the house, so Jody and Sully and I are hanging loose. We have really tried to stay out of everything, but somehow we get blamed for something or other. So at 1:00am the three of us decided to go sit at the beach before Sully left for a week, and it was so nice! We each were able to be open and talk and laugh and just enjoy each others company, that is something I really miss. People here are so uptight and in a rush and I don’t know, just chill guys! So it’s really late and I gotta hit the sack, it’s been a rough emotional day since I found out coach was moving. I know most of you are reading that thinking “so?” but she is my life. She is probably the second closest person to me and has been that way for 12 years…she has always been a huge part of my support system and she has always been there for me no matter what. She is the perfect person and she is honestly my very best friend, and I feel terrible. I didn’t tell her goodbye because I was too full of myself and thought it would be too hard. Now she isn’t even going to be there when I get home, my rock just figured out how to walk and it’s walking a long way away L It is probably the hardest thing I have ever had to get through, and I have no one here who understands, and I have no one here who even knows me enough to have a clue…and I have no drive to skate…until a better day, goodnight.

Friday, August 15^th 2008

            Man, I hate having an hour of class today. I woke up and poor Jody wasn’t feeling good so I ran to the grocery store to get her some little things while she called the doc. Ended up there were no appointments at the places she called today, but Jen found another place that took her in and gave her medicine for pink eye. Jen, Mike, Ramos, Ryan, and I went to Orbit Bar again and then they went to some clubs, but I came home and got to talk to coach a bit on the phone. It was nice, and I know she probably doesn’t understand me right now, but someday she will. And hopefully someday she’ll come home. I decided today that I am going to get a job at home and save money to go see her…I think that’s my goal. Oh, and she told me to call her like once a month…psh, coach if you are reading this, you are going to get more calls than that! Well, I am going to hit the sack and we’ll see what tomorrow brings! Night

Saturday, August 16^th 2008

            Wow, I think that my weekdays are so freaking hectic that I get to the weekend and die. I slept till late today and then did nothing till about 2:00pm, and all that we did then was walk to the beach to see the whales! But then we went to a Australian Rule Football game, and it was good, but everyone told us to go to the National Rugby League games cause they were better, so next time. The bus to get there is a joke…a bus and then two different trains, good thing that travel was included in our ticket! But I have more pictures and I will post them soon, I love you all and I’m sorry for my mood, give me some time okay? Good Night.

Sunday, August 17^th 2008

            Wow, what a nice peaceful day!!! Jody and I were the only ones home because we decided we didn’t have $200 to spend on one day. So instead we slept in and then decided to do some work while watching more Olympics and movies. Then we decided we needed to get out so we went to go out for dinner and decided that nothing sounded good, so we went to the grocery store and picked out stuff to make and came home and had chips and guac and gnocchi and tomato sauce and then went to make cookies but found out we were out of eggs…boys. So we had ice cream instead. Now it’s bed time before a long day tomorrow because of a bunch of work and one class!

Monday, August 18^th 2008

            Well today wasn’t anything exciting. I woke up and did some small things around the house and then decided it was time for class so I got ready and then Ramos and Ryan walked to campus with me to meet up with Jen and Mike. They took a tour of the campus then and I went to my one class. After class I decided I needed a break from the drama filled house and so I went to the library to get some work done. I was actually really efficient and finished a lot and when I was ready to leave, well it was pouring like a hurricane! So I waited out the rain till it let up a little and then ran to the bus stop because I didn’t know if my new backpack was water proof and I didn’t have a rain coat or umbrella. Then the whole time I was on the bus it didn’t rain so I thought it was looking good…but I got off the bus and it poured again so I ran home and was dripping and cold. So I just chilled out and watched Olympics and then I hit the sack. Mike and Ryan leave tomorrow so this drama-filled house might become pretty bad for a bit….stories to come! :)

Tuesday, August 19^th 2008

            Hhhh, what a stressful day today. Well, it started normal-shower, walk, class, break, class-but on the way home I just started feeling so much stress all the sudden. When the roommates and guest broke out in conversation it became clear what the stress was from. I really work hard to focus on what I say around certain people because I don’t want to offend people and I didn’t come here to fight with people about my opinions, but it’s sad that others can’t have the same respect. This is one conversation we had- we discussed the chemicals in the old Nalgene bottles and how they kill you and I said, “everything kills you, so why are you going to spend more money on something else that will soon be proven to kill you?” and everyone jumped the gun and was yelling at me for not caring and how if I cared about myself it should be worth it to do little things to lengthen my life. Well Jen had another one of these “studies” and this one was that when you cook things and they change color, like beyond the cooked color, then it makes your body age faster. Are you kidding?!?!? So people in the world should stop eating food they enjoy, stop drinking out of water bottles, not drink tap water, not drink whole milk, not eat meat, not be in the sun…..why in the heck are we living? Scientist really tick me off because they should be spending their time finding cures for things like cancer instead of wasting their time telling us that we can’t live! I understand that the only reason they have to find cures is because people do everything that life allows us, but really, if we can’t do anything what is our purpose? Then there is the environmental talk…this one really gets me. I know that there is a problem and I agree that people should start doing things, but nature cannot be stopped…the scientist should be able to tell you this. Nature is taking care of itself and no matter what we do we are going to have an impact and nature is going to react. Icebergs have melted before and Earth still exists; people will make it if we are smart enough and should. That’s my final solution, if we are going to die, die happy and don’t depend on the world to exist long enough for you to keep putting off the things that make you happy, do it now and be happy! Ahh, I think I feel a little better now so good night all my loves :)

Wednesday, August 20^th 2008

            Sully’s last night L The day itself wasn’t bad, but just having Sully leave in the morning is not going to be cool. He is just that genuine guy who somehow knows how to keep his cool and not be affected by other people. I aspire to be like that…I want to be able to let stuff slide again, but I just get so worked up inside and if I don’t say something then it just builds and builds. Hhh, but we watched Definitely, Maybe and I highly recommend it! It was great and even the boys liked it. Tomorrow is my early morning and I want to be up to say bye, so it’s an early night! Love you!!!

Thursday, August 21^st 2008

            Hhhh, these days just seem to be getting longer and longer….oh they are!!! (cause it’s going into summer haha).  But today was the RAMEN CHALLENGE!!! More like Ramos shoving his face and having to pay $50 for it, but it was worth it and I am proud of him. Jay could do it, I’m sure, if he liked ramen J It’s pretty much a huge mixing bowl with 1 kilo of noodles and some odd amount of broth and then meat. Poor Ramos, he tried and was really really close but his body just said no. But tonight was his last night, so I think that’s a night for the books!! Oh, and also today I felt very accomplished because I organized my whole blog (as you can see) so that there are new pics on and it will be easy for me to add to! There was some serious frustrations, but in the end all is well! Alright, well I got lots to do tomorrow, so I am hitting the sack!

Friday, August 22^nd 2008

            Geez, today was just one of those terrible days, I know that there are a lot of them in this blog and I apologize, but they just keep coming. Today started at 6:00am when I heard thunder that I thought was going to kill me, and then I got up at 10:00am and it was pouring!!! So much for running (ps I am way fat and need exercises…if anyone has ideas besides running that would be great!)! So I headed to the Uni for class and was waiting for class to start and found out one of my really good friends in high school passed away on the 19^th. His name was Joel Gast and he was the type of kid that never let anyone walk by without a smile, not because he made you smile but because you always just felt like smiling around him. He, David and I used to cause some havoc at lunch time my junior year and we were all choir buddies…so to any of you reading this who may have known him, he is in a good place now and like the obituary said, “he died doing what he loved” so lets just try to be thankful for that. From there, well it was another “bad day” at the apartment and who knows what anyone did wrong for it this time. It’s just getting old and really there is nothing to say because anytime ANYTHING is said, we get in trouble. So that is that! Class was okay today, but I really have lots of work for the weekend-test Monday, assignment Monday, assignment Thursday, and paper Friday. So tomorrow will be busy! Good night

Saturday, August 23^rd 2008

            Well, this is going to be the most boring weekend ever! Jody, Jen and I just hung out at the house all day doing all of our work because well, there is a lot of it. I got some stuff done, but there is still so so so much to do!!!! We decided, at 9:00pm, that we should run to the liquor store and the movie store and watch a movie and relax from our studies. Jen and Jody went and got themselves alcohol while I rented Ratatouille!!!! Then we just watched and laughed and drank! Great night haha

Sunday, August 24^th 2008

            Blah oh homework!!! Whoever said school was easier here-liar! Whoever said they give study abroad students slack-liar! Whoever said this would be fun-liar! Ok, well Australia itself is fun, but this school stuff is ridiculous! Not because I don’t like school and not because I don’t want to do it, but because there is no teaching here, it’s all self-teach, and I am good at that so long as I have the necessary tools…but they don’t even give you that! Jody, Jen and I all agree that classes here just expect you to know things, even if they weren’t part of the pre-requisites, you should just know them. So, as study abroad students, we are already at a disadvantage, but the fact that we are American is even more of a disadvantage. I can’t believe how much Americans are despised here! But I mean, I know everything isn’t always how people tell you it would be, but man, I had no idea what I was getting into. I am ready for home, and snow!!! I miss the snow so much, which is so weird cause I usually don’t think I like the snow, but man I miss it. Well, I gotta hit the sack because I have to get to campus to do an assignment and then study for the inevitable test that I am dreading. Good night!

Monday, August 25^th 2008

Wow, long long long long day! I was at school by 10:00am to do an assigment, then I studied until my class at 3:00pm and then had my big test at 6:00pm. What a test that was. I think I did maybe ok, I mean I did what I knew and was in the middle of guessing on what I didn’t when he called time and apparently if you have your pen in hand, that is academic misconduct and you get in big big trouble, so that was rough. But that is the first test I have ever not finished, and man I am nervous. Before I was confident about passing classes here, now, I am nervous. I figured that I need to pass at least two for statistics and the rest I can make up at home if I have to, but oh my goodness. I have never had to think about what would happen if I didn’t pass a class!!! SO STRESSFUL. Now, I am not saying I won’t pass, Mom and Dad, I am just saying that I am doing everything I can and if that isn’t good enough I want to make sure I am not screwed for graduating on time. But then I got home and did more work and now Jen and Jody are making me drinks, I literally have three lined up on the table right now…so I should go and then it’s an early night cause I get to talk to the FAMILY TOMORROW!!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 26^th 2008

            YAY! I just had my week made because I got to talk to my Mom and Dad and Brother, my Grandma and Grandpa, my Uncle Jeff and Aunt Angie, and two of my cousins!!!!! Hhh, this week has been so rough with the passing of my friend and all the stress, but that just seemed to lighten my load quite a lot.

            Immediately following that conversation that made me feel so great…I lost my phone. Yep! Wonderful, that feeling lasted long. Thankfully, Jen and Jody and Drake continually called it and texted it and a security officer took it to the office where I could get it. Thank goodness for that, otherwise who knows I would have been in tears and just hated being here, lol.

            But tonight I needed sleep so I took a nap and then did some work, tomorrow I have to write a big essay and then finish another linear models assignment so it will be quite stressful. So I need some sleep now, Love you and Good night.

Wednesday, August 27^th 2008

            Well, I have never put so much bologna into an essay before. I had to write an essay about how the fishing of sea cucumbers is killing coral reefs. Can I just say that hardly anyone eats sea cucumbers, and that their population is hardly being effected by the few people who do. Lol, but I am meeting my professor tomorrow about this Linear Models stuff so hopefully he isn’t a dink about it again and he actually helps me. But today, what happened????? Well, I went to class and had NO problem finishing my lab, wow it was so freaking easy and that professor is amazed by me as it is so that is great. He was like, “Wow, you get what is going on?” and I said “yep, this is no problem!” He really likes me and he is really enjoying talking to me and learning about the States and all that J Then actuary class, hmm, it’s not going to be my career I don’t think. It’s so depressing!!!! All we do is calculate death-the probability you will die, the amount of money you can get when you die….I wanna HELP people not give them that kind of news! But it’s really good to learn this stuff, so I am looking at it that way.

            To be honest, I don’t know what I want to do with stats, I just know that I wanna do stuff with stats. My goal is to be like the guy on Numbers, that would be great, but maybe even biostatistics…I don’t know, I just know it’s not precisely actuarial work. Well good night all!!!

Thursday, August 28^th 2008

            What a great DAY!!! Started earlier than I would like, but heck, it was great anyway. I had a good time laughing with the guy in my actuary tutorial…his name is something close to Zungzoo (?) but we laughed about how differently I learned the stuff that we were doing and how either way he was lost. Then I went to my linear models lab, and to my surprise, it was actually good! We worked on something I actually knew and the professor was surprised with what I knew!!! Then I met with him for help catching up with whatever might be going on in his class and he was so helpful. Even in class today he explained things a little more and kind of looked at me to make sure I didn’t look totally lost. It was so nice!!! And he realized that I am not dumb, I just am totally lost because of how different things are. But once we get passed all the calculations and such, I should be good in his class cause we were talking today and we went on a tangent and he was really surprised with what I knew and he said that that’s what we would work on in a while! So yeah, and I got hot chocolate today, and turned in my paper, and yeah I just feel relieved right now. It’s a great feeling!!!

Friday, August 29^th 2008

            Man, Fridays are no fun!!! Having class for one hour is not ideal here, lol. It takes three hours to get to school, have class, and get home….BLAH! But the roommates and I, well we had a great evening. Not in terms of really doing anything, but it was just really really fun!! Honestly, I am super super tired so good night!

Saturday, August 30^th 2008

            Phew, what a lazy day! I don’t think I was off the couch for more than like an hour and I slept until noon!!! Hot dang! Tomorrow Jody and I are going to the market in Bondi, so I’ll have news on that, but really nothing is going on to share about. We are trying to plan out our weekends, umm, and figure out when we can workout! Oh, on Friday Jody and I went swimming at the RSL Club and it was so nice! So tomorrow it’s TURBO TIME!!!!  Haha, good night

Sunday, August 31^st 2008

            Wow, nice day; not in terms of the weather, but in terms of doing something new! Jody and I got up and went to Bondi to see the market, which wasn’t great, but then we toured the five story mall and found her a camera and me some earrings. It was just nice to do something!!! Then we came home and did turbo jam and homework and just, well the normal. But Jody and I are planning on a trip to the Blue Mountains on Thursday night and I can’t wait!!!! I have so much to do though and no motivation to do it, but I will get it done..I will. I am exhausted now so I am going to bed. Good night all!

Monday, September 1^st 2008

            Happy September!!!!! Well, today was a very nice day, I got up and did Turbo Jam, alone, and then slowly got myself all ready for class. Class went real quick once I got there, it seemed like it took a long time because it was so freaking hot! But yeah, it was still nice on my walk home so I stopped at the fruit market for some fresh fruits. Man, the banana price jumped from $3.80 to $4.99!!! So I got strawberries 2 for $4 instead haha. But then I got home and had a yummy dinner…veal tortellini with cheese and avacado and I watched some TV, probably not the best idea to watch TV but I was worn out. Then I hit the books and didn’t get to bed till 5:00am!!! Oops, but I really gotta go now…oh yeah and I got in trouble again today…hmm, sensing a trend.

Tuesday, September 2^nd 2008

            Hmmm, well five hours of sleep, not bad not bad. I had to get ready in a sort of hurry though cause I was a little later than I had planned, but again I basically died on the walk to school because it was so hot. See, I could walk in shorts and like a tank top, but when I get to campus I am freezing because campus is somehow situated just right that it is cooler and there is a constant breeze, so I wear jeans and a tank top to walk, but I think I am going to have to start carrying exercise clothes and workout clothes because I am so freaking hot when I get here and so cold once I am here! But class, well it was class, I am trying to be really good about my homework this week so that I can do the Blue Mountains and not be stuffed with work next week, so it’s going, but I need to hunker down a little more. Well I am about to go to my other class, and tonight I am going to go see Baby Mama with the flatmates, so I will talk to you all tomorrow…sorry about the delay with the posts, I can’t post on the weekend because it takes too much internet memory…just a side note lol!

Wednesday, September 3^rd 2008

            Today was a good day, kind of. I didn’t want to get up, but then had a nice little walk to school, where I saw another little kitty (ps I have discovered that any time I pet an animal, my day automatically gets better). Then I had my classes, and today was my short day so I got home before dinner!!! Then I chilled because I am EXHAUSTED!!! And then I did turbo jam and homework and talked to Drake and my parents and brother and Bella, hhh, good day for the most part. Bed time

Thursday, September 4^th 2008

            What a terrible day…like this one takes the crown for my entire life. I, not only got some not so good new about my grandpa last night, but I also got news this morning about my grades. I have not worked so hard for good grades for a very long time, and this morning I was told I have a very high chance of failing one class and I am pretty sure I have the same likelihood in at least one other class. Also, I was called stupid in two classes and told I should question my existence…But this means I am not going to graduate on time…poof to that! Then, I was doing homework and well, f that cause I couldn’t figure it out and as usual people just think I am a complete idiot for asking any questions. So that will probably be class three I fail. Then, I am basically an ignorant American now because I have no clue what is going on at home…I can’t help that I can’t watch the news, don’t have time to read papers, and don’t have the energy to do whatever else I can. I can honestly say, I have not felt so stupid, or whatever this feeling is right now. I just keep hearing people tell me how dumb of a question it is or how I should know the answer, and then I hear people at home asking why I failed classes and employers wondering why I failed classes and then back to being stupid. This really really sucks. Tonight Jody and I are going to the Blue Mountains, my first trip since school because I have been putting so much time into school I thought I was doing well and should get a break (HA!), and when I get back Saturday, I guess it’s straight to the books since I am apparently stupid.

            Happy note, HAPPY 21^ST CHELS!!!

Friday, September 5^th 2008

            Well, this stinks! It’s POURING rain…and so we can’t even see mountains! We here last night and it was really really gloomy and scary and when we woke this morning, it was a down-pour. So we went to breakfast at the Blue Hour and it was SO good and then we kind of walked around but were freezing so we went back to the hostel. But then we were just too cold to go back out, we eventually went to dinner at Lime 3 and it was really good food too. But it seems like I just bother everyone. Jody was upset with me for making her decide everything, and honestly I don’t care about a lot of things, if I do care, you will know. I am easy going and a lot of times, just in it for the experience or to get away (which is exactly what I needed this time). But I just always upset people, either by saying too much or not saying enough…I hate it. Good night for now.

Saturday, September 6^th 2008

            Back to Sydney it is…it is still pouring out and we can see even less today. For some reason, it just seemed like we should come home, I liked it there though, so relaxed and no school. I want to live there, lol. It was strange, I was in fair spirits waking up, but as soon as we got on the train, it was like there was a dark gloom we were heading for. I am just not happy with Sydney since my professors called me stupid on Thursday…it’s just not something I appreciate at all, and I am not a bad student. If I am failing, and working my butt off, something isn’t right. But I am here now, and I am back to the books…so much for enjoying the country haha, I am going to have to fully focus on school. I have lots to do, so I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

For Grandpa

You always loved to give me hugs

And sit out to see lightening bugs.

You came to see me graduate,

And some day I hope to meet you at the gate.

You were one of the best grandparents I could’ve had,

Now that you’re gone I will miss you real bad.

Your family here loves and misses you,

And now you have the chance to guide us all through.

Now I want to tell you something new,

My first daughter will be named after you.

Charlee Ann is the name I love,

And I wanted you to know before you were up above.

But I love you,

I miss you,

And I wish you the very best.

I’ll keep you posted on all the rest.

~Rest In Peace Grandpa 04.12.  -09.05.08~

Sunday, September 7^th 2008

            I got up real late today and then just chilled out. I didn’t go out with my roommates last night, and I am thankful for that, I was able to relax and do some work and I got to talk to my parents. But it’s Father’s Day here in Australia, so Happy Father’s Day Daddy. I was really homesick today, I think that’s a big factor of my failing here, I mean I know the fact that people get upset with me asking questions does it too, but I just miss home. I want to be there so badly, and I have been this way for a while, but I haven’t wanted to admit it. I just don’t want people to feel bad about me being here, it’s a great experience and I know I will grow from it and be so much better for it, but I am a home girl. I miss the mountains, the weather, my family, my puppy, my kitten, my friends, my school, my everything! I miss it all and I just want to go back and be with people who I know care about Shannon, not just people who care about themselves. But then I think, what have I got to show for it, what stories can I sit down and tell and well there aren’t enough yet and that sucks. I know I am here for school, but it is holding me back from so so much. I am scared of failing and scared of not doing things right, so I don’t go do things, but still I am failing. This week I have about 400 pages to read for one class…who does that?! The worst part is that I am being a much better student here, and it’s not doing anything to help me in the least. I just don’t want people to be disappointed, but no matter what I do, it’s going to happen…hhhh, life.

            But on another note, I went to dinner with the roommates tonight, and it was nice. We went with two boys that Jen works with and it was just nice to have some meat! The company was fine, but the things they complain about and all the petty things they think are so important, well they are starting to get to me. And they bash everything about Republicans and everything about McCain and Palin, and it’s really getting old. I try to see their point and all this and that, but I listened to part of one of McCain’s speeches and didn’t hear much Obama bashing, and all Obama did when I was listening was McCain bashing. Since when did politics become about bashing one another? Shouldn’t it be about the best for the people, promises that will be upheld, and plans that seem great for our country’s future? I’m not saying Democrats are bad or wrong or that Obama is even bad, I would just like people to be sure that before they speak they think about the people around them and that they know what they are saying when they are saying it. I learned that the hard way once, and I have tried to be good about it since, if I am offending people, I really am sorry I am not meaning to. I think I am doing too much deep thinking right now…I have to do lame reading that does very little for my future so good night everyone. Oh, and I love you all, even if I don’t say it much, I notice myself saying it more, and I am sorry if my blog offends anyone, please tell me if it does and I can change it. I mean, in the end, this blog is for all of you so tell me what you want! Night!

Monday, September 8^th 2008

            Oh boy, it started out as a very stressful day, but somehow it ended well! I got my assignment turned in on time and then had time to come home and do turbo jam and work. I still miss home though, it is a place I tend to wander off to when I am supposed to be doing work, which is a bad thing because I just never stop thinking about it and then none of my homework gets done. Oops, course I am stupid and all that anyway right?! Blah, but I took it pretty easy today and talked to my parents for a little and talked to Drake for a little, so that made the day better. Good night!

Tuesday, September 9^th 2008

            Well, the day has yet to go how I planned. I thought I would get up and do turbo jam and then do work and go to class and then do more work and then more class and then home for more work and then a movie, but I don’t see it happening. It’s almost 8:00pm and I am just starting the work, this morning I laid in bed for almost an hour, and my professor today suggested that I just let my other professors know what all is going on in my life so that they understand and don’t call me stupid anymore. So now, I am hoping that that professor will give me an extension on my assignment that is due tomorrow, but instead, I guess I will stay up late and finish it and then see how tomorrow plays out. All the professors have been super understanding about everything, so that made today really nice. I mean, as you may have guessed, or know, my grandfather passed away and I know I am supposed to remember the happy times and be thankful he went as easily as he did, but it’s still hard especially being half a world away from anyone and anything (sorry to bring it up). But yeah, now the one professor is suggesting I put in a form for “consideration” in which case I have to talk to a counselor and blah blah blah…no way dude. What am I supposed to tell them, I want to be home and the fact that I am not keeps me from doing my work or focusing in school? That sounds like a typical student.

            So, anyway, sorry about that, it was on my chest, I am sitting here wondering what in the world I should do with this assignment that is worth 20% of my grade that is due tomorrow. I am slowly getting it done I guess, but I gotta get it done faster, I am so worn out. So, not technically good night, but good night!

Wednesday, Sept 10^th 2008

            Today was such a long day!! Well, not really, actually it was a pretty good day; I only had class until 2:00pm and I came home and did some turbo jam and then it was homework time. Weird thing though is that I tried doing homework but got nothing accomplished. My mind is elsewhere these days, lol. I did get to talk to my parents and grandma briefly, that was a nice change. Everybody looks good though, so that was reassuring. Well, I know as soon as I lay down I won’t be tired, but I think I need to go to bed now, so good night all!

Thursday, September 11^th 2008

            Yay for a change!!!! I am spending the night with Christine for two days!!!!!! Today was great, I mean we didn’t do anything too exciting, I had class till 5:00p and then we went to the market and then to get hot chocolate at this amazing place, and then we went home and I did homework while she made chicken curry for dinner! It was so nice to have meat and she is such a great person for having me over. It’s nice just to have a change and a break from normality. Lol, you would think that me being this far from home would be a change from normality, but seems like I just do the same thing everyday here. I need to figure out how to change that, I am wasting time here. I think next weekend is Christine’s b-day party and then Sunday I am going to Canberra. The weekend following…well that’s mid semester break!!! From there I need to go to Melbourne, Perth (long trip), the Outback, and the south coast. So I don’t know how to do it, but I will…that’s my goal. So good night, I have planning to do!

Friday, September 12^th 2008

            Hahah, I can only handle cold water so many times. Today was not the day. After class today, Christine and I tried to go swimming but it was freaking cold! I got to sit on the beach with her though, and that was the first time in a very very long time. Tonight we just chilled and made burritos and gingerbread and then watched Step Up. Not really much to say about the day except that I am on my way to being much happier here, love you all.

Saturday, September 13^th 2008

            Well, finally I slept in!!! Only until 11:00am haha and then I headed home but it was so so so hot. It would be a great day to go to the beach, but it’s going to be packed, so maybe not. I decided to do work instead and tomorrow I can maybe walk to Bondi just for something to do and that will keep me outside but a little further away from the crowds. I have nothing to do or get in Bondi, but it might be great to do! Tonight I am planning to do turbojam, watch a movie, and sleep. Oh tomorrow I should call coach, and my parents, it’s a plan I’ll talk to you tomorrow!

Sunday, September 14^th 2008

            Wow, well the roommate b****iness  level has reached a new maximum. How can a person not be respectful when they wake up early on a Sunday. She sets four alarms, which I have learned to get over, then she makes more noise than the war in Iraq would! So I went to bed at 3:00a because I couldn’t sleep, and was up by 9:00am. I did some homework and stuff and then decided to get ready and walk or go to Sydney when…..IT POURED!!!! Like it rained so hard that it looked like it was snowing, but it wasn’t! Holy cow, so it was an in day and I did some homework and more turbo sculpt and ab jam and then more work. So I feel pretty good about things, and tomorrow I will go in early to hopefully finish a project I need to do for next Monday :D Now I am just winding down and getting ready for bed and yep, tomorrow should be good!!! Good night!

Monday, September 15^th 2008

         Thank you my very loyal 3 readers, I appreciate you. Well today has had it’s ups and downs, but the biggest up was that it was GORGOEOUS. I went to campus at about noon and worked my little butt off trying to get my project done, but I’ll have to do more work on Thursday or Friday, I was going to do it tomorrow, but MY CLASSES WERE CANCELLED!!!!! So I am just going to meet Christine at about 2:00pm and then it will be work and relaxing all day.

            So guess what?!?!?! MY PARENTS ARE COMING!!!!! Oh my goodness, I am so excited, and Drake…well there isn’t anything to share there. But my rents and I will maybe go to an auction or two and we will get to be here together for like two weeks!!! I cannot tell you how happy I am…I am looking forward to it so very much. I wish Drake was coming, but I don’t see it happening, especially after everything that’s gone on over the years and yeah…I don’t see it. But, anyway, I don’t even know what to show my parents, I didn’t in a million years think they would really really be able to come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh gosh, okay I have to get some sleep but I love you and I love you and I love you!!!!!

Tuesday, September 16^th 2008

            What a nice day…well with the exception of getting very little sleep. I stayed up to see the sunrise! Oh my gosh how amazing it was, I wanted to walk to the beach and see it, but I just didn’t think I should. So I went to sleep and got up at 11:00am. From there it was just a nice day, I did some work, did turbo sculpt, and then Jody and I went to the beach and tried to do some work :) Hhh, wow it’s just so nice not to have to do anything, to actually be able to take in where I am. I feel like I am always running and studying and going to classes and getting help I have just missed the whole idea that I am in Australia. I don’t even know how to explain it, but I hope I get to see downtown Sydney soon…still haven’t been there in the daytime… Sad. Well, I am off to bed, I hope. I’m not sleeping much…nor am I sleeping well. I miss my bed warmer, even if he does take the WHOLE bed sometimes and pushes me off…he’s a good boy and a great little (well I guess not anymore) snuggler. Hhh, only 81 days till I get a nice sloppy kiss from him, can’t wait! Night.

Wednesday, September 17^th 2008

            What weird weather they have here!! I mean, Colorado is weird, but I understand Colorado I guess. Here it rains and then is HOT and as soon as clouds come and cover the sun it is FREEZING…I don’t get it. But classes were okay today, same old. And then I came home and on the way got some Tofu and some vitamins cause I rarely eat meat (like steak) and I think that’s having it’s effects on me, so I got some things that should help, we’ll see. But then I have vegged all day, my asthma has been retarded today and really kicked up for no reason at all. But I talked to Drake a little and soon I will be talking with my parents, I think, so YAY!!! Well, I got to go prepare, so talk to you tomorrow!! Oh and more pictures will be up…tomorrow I think!!!! Some of the house, and whatever else I have!!!

Thursday, September 18^th 2008

            Goodness…I just don’t like being up two hours before class, haha. But things are getting to be refreshing sometimes :) I got up a little late, but must have been speed walking to class because I was early. But then I had two hours of class and a break so I got some work done and then went and met with Dorian. It was weird meeting with him because I felt like I got nothing out of it, but now I have a task to complete and I kind of feel relieved about my class work and everything. I just want to enjoy Sydney, and somehow in seeing that I realized that the world doesn’t end when I don’t get straight A’s. Yeah I know, but I am just a perfectionist and it’s hard to let that be okay, but I am trying to let it be. After that I got the best thing ever: 1 I talked to chels 2 I talked to drake and 3 chels sent me songs!!!! It was so nice to hear new stuff and catch up with friends and sit in the sun and get a tan and just be. Then class ended early so that made it a great day! I came home and did some work and actually had a very relaxing and productive night. Now I am headed to bed!

Friday, September 19^th 2008

            Oh Fridays, I finally got to sleep in, it was great. But then I had to go to class and did a good “roommate deed”. I got to class and was early so I printed off Jen’s paper for her, and then I went to class. I got done at 3:00p and Jen’s paper had to be in by 4:00p, but I had to do an assignment in the computer lab that I was at, so I luckily did that quickly and then went up campus for Jen’s paper. Luckily I got it in on time, but man was I ever nervous!!!! Haha, Jody and I met up to walk home together and it was nice not to rush, we just strolled. When we got home Jen was writing another paper…that girl has paper after paper and she procrastinates like none other. So Jody and I returned the movie (Things We Lost In The Fire which is great) and then sat on the beach till the sun when down. Then, we came home, ate, sat on the porch and I got so much work done!!!!! It was great, now it’s just studying and so I can do Sydney on Sunday :) Can’t Wait!!! Love you everyone!!!!

Saturday, September 20^th 2008

            Haha, well it was a different morning. The not sleeping long wasn’t unusual because I have only been getting about 5 hours max, but at 7:30a I jumped out of bed because of a nightmare I had…it was crazy, so I just stayed up and got ready for pilates. Jodes and I decided to do the pilates class at the RSL (rugby) club and it was just okay. Hopefully I feel it tomorrow, but it seemed very basic and rushed and not hard. I think my elastic body needs a little more lol. Now we are going to go to the beach, but I think I am going to lay on the patio and do some studying first :) I’ll chat more when we get back!!!

Sunday, September 21^st 2008

            THE BEST DAY SINCE BEING IN SYDNEY. I got up really early to get some work done and then at 1:00p Jodes and I hit the city :) We went to the Botanic Gardens and we walked an area called “The Rocks” and went to the markets and I got a wallet. What a wonderful day!!!! So pictures will come up tomorrow :) I promise. But that was just a nice break cause I am doing so so so much studying for my darn test tomorrow…it really can’t go wrong with how much I have been studying! But I have to get back to you so good night and I love you!

Monday, September 22^nd 2008

            I am absolutely livid, like livid beyond belief and more livid than a human should be able to handle… AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This stupid stupid class just got right up under my skin. I worked my butt off getting ready for this test today, and I KNOW for a fact that a 60% is the best I can get on it. And that’s only if I did it THEIR way instead of the US way! Every single problem I looked at tonight I knew how to do it…at home, and then I was like, “no you cannot think about that way” so I would work through it get lost a little and end up back on the US way! I HATE THAT CLASS!!!!!!!!!!! It really gets to me that every class I am in is a class I have already done, but just done some other way and then I end up on stuff I have done already at home, all but two and those are the two that I think I am doing okay in. Hhhh, I wish I could explain this and make it make sense, but I walked home and made a new record….fifteen minutes! That’s half the time as usual. It’s was a good walk.

Tuesday, September 23^rd 2008

            Oh Tuesday. It actually wasn’t too too bad today, especially after yesterday. I slept till about 8:30am and then headed to class…I had to ride the bus though because it was cold and raining, eww, but I got to class and my tutorial went well, except I got my grade back on my assignment and I am now on the verge in that class too…great, but I’ll do better on this next one. I also had the chance to talk to him and he really helped me and understands what I am saying and is so nice! He was very sweet about everything and completely wants to sit and help me with anything he can, so that’s two professors now who really do care! Then I also uploaded pics on here, as most of you have probably seen :) And then, I don’t know, I couldn’t really sleep so I worked on a project and just hung out. I am leaving for New Zealand in two days!!!!

Wednesday, September 24^th 2008

            Another good day! For the most part anyway. I had class kind of early, but it was nice and warm so I wore shorts and then when I got to school I got through my lab really quickly so I had lots of time to just sit in the sun and get some color :) Then it was my stupid actuary class, blah on that, but it wasn’t bad, I just don’t blend with that class. And I have a big project due when break is over with a partner and she is just so strange. They don’t know how to do group work here!! So I am stressing on that, plus just everything is so up in the air…I mean, I don’t know. For one, I want to be able to travel more here but my classes and finals really have me screwed over on that one…did you know it’s only $189 round trip to Tasmania?! Yep!! But then I also feel terrible and am wondering about a few things for when my parents come because they are coming while I will be in Port Stephens…sorry mom and dad, I just feel bad, but Christine already paid and you guys did too, but maybe you can come up too! I just don’t know what to do!!! I can’t even explain my nerves are just on end for a few reasons, but tomorrow is New Zealand, I hope I didn’t miss anything packing and I hope that everything works out!!! Well I need to chat with my rents, so good night all! Hugs and Kisses until October 5!!!!!!!

Thursday, September 25^th 2008

            What a nice way to prepare for my mid-semester break! All I did was go to one hour of class because my one lab was cancelled, and in order to make my plane I had to miss the other class. But, my morning did sort of suck; Drake texted me to wake me up, and also said we can no longer call or text, at all. So that really put a damper on things, but it’ll work out I suppose. So then I did a few trips that I needed and got some stuff.

            Jen and I hit the taxi a little later than I had hoped, but we managed to make it all on time. Thank goodness I was prepared because Jen wouldn’t have been able to get on the flight! But we picked up Kahlua and some milk and had some really good drinks on the plane.

            We arrived at 12:00am and man is Christchurch a dead place at that time, lol. But God, New Zealand is BEAUTIFUL…even at that time of night. I should have come here for school, what was I thinking? But I am rooming with some strange guy that will be on our trip so I am hitting the sack. Night!

Friday, September 26^th 2008

            Well sleeping sure didn’t happen; that kid snored so loud! But I was up on time and essentially that is all I was concerned about, so all is well :)

            Today’s long bus trip was the best thing ever. The mountains are so much like home, it felt so nice to finally see them. And the water is undescribable; some rivers are so so so blue from minerals in the glaciers and then other rivers are chalky white because of all the sediments that have melted out of the glaciers-it’s just amazing. And the grass….it’s the greenest grass I have seen in all of my life! Everything is so amazing here, I love it. Oh, haha, and I got plenty of pictures for you all to see….about 130!

            So tonight was interesting too. The leader/guide had us each chip in $5 and he bought all the stuff to make Sangria, and it was so good! Most people went to the pub after, but of my 3 other roommates only 2 went. Samy and I stayed back and we had a great talk about school (here and home), family, friends, life, everything. It was so nice because she is actually a lot like me. My other 2 roommates here at Fox Glacier are Jen and Michelle. Michelle is from Buffalo, goes to the University of Buffalo, and goes to the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia…but goodnight for now!

Saturday, September 27^th 2008

            Wow, between today and last night, I haven’t been as happy as I am now my entire time I have been abroad.

This morning when we got up it was rainy and yucky, but to the glacier we went. We got rain coats, pants, boots, and socks and then we piled in the bus for a short drive and prepared for our long walk. We started down near the river bed below the glacier and worked our way up to the firn line, or just below. At the base it was amazing because this glacier used to stretch to the ocean and in 250 years it has retreated over 20m, and in 40 years the cliff edges have fallen and covered part of the glacier so that today, where we stand on the bed of the river, we can see ice coming out of the ground and where the glacier has cut the mountain walls. Also, interesting, is that 98% of the world’s glaciers are retreating and this is one of the 2% that is increasing, and in a day you can see it!!! So from the bed we climbed the hill side (a new path had to be made because of a rock slide) and then on the glacier!!!! It was great. Not as good as Canada because we didn’t get that crystal clear water, or the crisp white snow, but the ice was SO blue and gorgeous, even with all the rain! We got to climb through some really tight crevasses and through a little ice cave. The hike back was a little worse though because everyone was so cold and complaining. I actually learned a really cool trick, if you focus on a body part and imagine sending all your warm energy to that place, you can actually warm it up! Amazing!

Once we got back to town we had some coffee at the café and sat by the fire to dry off or warm up. It was so nice to get to know Michelle that much better. We also talked to the sweetest older lady who warned us about daylight savings tonight! Thank goodness for her or we would have really missed that one. So as soon as the rain stopped we ran to the convenience store for some lunch and headed for the hostel. Not long after we were supposed to walk around a lake, so there three of us (Jen, Michelle, and I) got ready  and then found out that no one wanted to go because of the rains, so we decided to venture town anyway. Right in the center of town (between the only gas station, the 3 cafes, and the only convenience store) Jen acted like an insane bird and had the people watching us rolling on the ground. We also got to see some sheep and stuff and then we headed back. After we were all cleaned up and settled in, the sun came out…and it was blue sky outside. Go figure.

But I got to talk to my parents, my dad I talked to earlier, but I told them that I was going to skydive…from 15,000ft. That is illegal everywhere else in the world! I am sooo excited and scared but YAY!!!! That should be happening on Thursday :)

Then before dusk, the group decided to do the long walk around the lake that we were supposed to do earlier. IT WAS GORGEOUS! We walked around Reflection Lake and the name says it all. I got some great pictures; you can see Tasman Mountain and Mt. Cook…and their reflection in the lake, but these pictures don’t do justice. But on the walk back, in the pitch black dark, James B and another kid scared the CRAP out of Jen, Michelle, and I by hiding in the trees and waiting for us. Holy crap, we were just talking about how we thought everyone left us. AGH! But the sunset was amazing too…oh gosh…it’s just amazing here altogether.

Tomorrow is another long bus day, but to Queenstown, so it will be an early night tonight. I love you all . Good night!

Sunday, September 28^th 2008

            Today we were us bright and early for a lovely long bus ride, according to Pat (our tour guide) it was the most beautiful drive too. And boy was it! I am having concerns about Jen though because 1) she is becoming a groupie 2) she is drinking a lot and 3) she is flirting tons.

            Anyway, the ride. It is beautiful here, I can’t describe it and the pictures do it no justice at all. The grass is just so green and luscious and the tips of the mountains are covered in snow-GORGEOUS! But our first stop was at a salmon farm, I got a nice warm hot chocolate and then watched the fishes swim circle after circle. Then back to the bus to head to Wanaka for lunch. But before we got to Wanaka we past the best views ever. Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. WOW! I have never seen water so beautiful with so many mountains and so much color and so many types of vegetation and HOLY SH**! Ahh, I don’t know how to describe it. Okay, for Coloradans, think Lake Dillion x 10(size) with water that is the color of the water you would see in Tahiti, but not salt water. Wow, and like 3 times as many mountains.

            But lunch was alright, in Wanaka. Some jerky girls in our group jumped ahead of me in line at one the of the few cafes that catered to my allergy so I had to wait FOREVER for my little cup of soup and the server pushed me to the back of the line to order since the boys behind me said they were eating with the jerks that jumped in front of me. I HATE SNOOTY PEOPLE! But the dessert made up for it…cheap and amazing ice cream, yummy!

            From lunch it was about a two hour drive to Queenstown, the craziest city in the world. The next four days are going to fulfill so many of my life dreams :) The town is a very typical ski town, much like Breck, but a little smaller with smaller mountains, but one HE** of a beautiful lake.

            Instead of going out, like most the kids did, I walked the town and the hills tonight. I came to the discovery that the solitude and peace I found there created the feelings I crave and thrive on, and for that one minute I realized that’s what I came on this trip for. I needed to get away from everyone and everything and just think about Shannon and be Shannon, and I just sat there looking down on the town and up at the stars and I was as peace; it’s rare for a person to get that and I don’t even know how to get it again! It was amazing there high atop the hills/mountains looking at the town and the stars and realizing that I couldn’t have asked for more from my entire study abroad experience. It just told me so much about me and gave me so much happiness and it made me just realize exactly who I was. I am a girl who is independent, I don’t NEED anyone, but I love those who respect, love and trust me; I am stronger than I know and I am more capable of anything than I may ever understand; I love with everything in my body and I follow my heart to the end. This trip is a gift from God, well everything has been a great gift from both God and my family-I can’t wait to see my family.

Monday, September 29^th 2008

            Slept in! Of this adrenalinely long day, that was the nicest part, lol. At about 9:30a our group met up to go out for activities 1, 2, and 3 :) Jet boat on the Shotover River, helicopter ride through the canyons, then white water raft down the Shotover River.

            The jet boat was really cool because 1) we went up to 80 km/hr 2) we were right next to rocks/shore/trees/etc. and 3) we did 360’s! We got a little wet, but overall it was just a blast to defy death like that and to get all the cool views. Straight from there we got our wetsuits on and prepared for the helicopter ride. Of course, with our luck, while we were outside waiting for the helicopter to come back, it began to rain and it got so cold! But we pressed on :) The ride was great. A girl, Becca, and I sat up front because we wee the smallest and the view was so amazing! Nothing much different than CO, but the ride was exhilarating!!! We got dropped right along the riverbed and into the rafts we went, freezing water, freezing weather, and freezing rain. Again, my size meant I was “special” so I sat in the very back next to our guide, Jesse; he was hilarious. He intentionally ran us into a rock to see how many of us would fall off, only one did (Becca) and he made up everything he said-someone asked what the little animal was on the cliff edge and he said it was a bear even though it was clearly a billy goat, and the best part of it was the Jen would believe everything he said…then we hit a class 4 rapid haha. We made it, but it was more than we thought we had bargained for. Then he also tried to guess where people were from and he said that everyone looked American except me…I looked and acted Australian. I asked what that meant and he said I was the only one who was willing to laugh at myself. Haha, the other girls got jealous because Kiwis (New Zealanders) think Australian women are basically the most beautiful women in the world…hahahaha…but it was a nice compliment. After that we hit a few more class 4 rapids and then we got to go through this really cool, and quite long, tunnel, what was on the other side shocked EVERYONE. A class 5 rapid that was worse than expected because of all the rain!!!!! Our whole raft went under and the back got caught in a current, so Jesse and I were clinging to each other and were just about pulled off when finally the boys in front were able to paddle us out. Once we got our feet back on land, I got to play with the cutest little puppy and remember my lil Gunnar at home.

            After a nice warm dinner, Jen and I went to find some fudge and we hit the mother load at a place called the Remarkable Sweet Shot. We tried almost every flavor and I ended up buying Macademia, Marshmellow, and Bailey’s….mmmm! Then we came back and again everyone went out and I finished my amazing book-Twighlight. READ IT!!! It only took me a total of six hours because I could not put it down after I started it! But I enjoy that, much more than going out, being forced to drink, and then being forced to dance. But the book was great, highly recommend you all read it! Night.

Tuesday, September 30^th 2008

            Another late day, but this one is a long day….bungy jump, sky swing, and luge! Holy he** the preparation from jumping 134m (440ft) to the bottom of a canyon with only a rope tied to your feet is no easy feat.

            We got weighed, the 8 of us left who got shoved in the final group, and then we were told it would go heaviest to lightest…great…again my small frame put me last. Being out on that cable car watching 17 other people jump, waiting, anticipation, preparing, calming, pumping, it was all such an emotional overload. Walking to the edge was the HARDEST part. Aside from that the guys knew I was the last one so they were giving me a hard time and were saying things like that the rope was going to break but that I would probably be okay and then when I was standing there waiting to jump they just left me. They were like “okay go to the edge and jump, see ya”…so I had to ask them to count down for me and then…I jumped…and it was great! I only was scary for like 2 seconds then it was just great. After we got back to land we went straight to the gondola that took us up to the sky swing and the luge. Sadly our group (of 8) really got screwed because we only had time to ride the luge twice of the five-time pass we had and we barely made the swing, but we did it! So the luge was first and when we got ready to go…it snowed! Boo! But it was basically like the alpine slide, but longer and a bit better. So after one ride we ran to the sky swing to make sure we didn’t miss it and as soon as we were supposed to go…they decided to go on break. So we rode the luge once more, and then got warm drinks. When we got back to the swing, Jen went first and there was a way to wrap your feet around the cables so you could be upside down and it looked cool. So then I went and did the same thing and took my camera to take pictures (Vivien-from Hungary-took hers on the bungy and videoed it, so I thought pics would be cool). And although I didn’t take tons of pictures, the view was great. I swung super high because that whole motion thing is pretty natural to me and the crew LOVED me and they shouted about how high I was…the guy who pulled me up said he had never seen anyone swing that high before…how cool?! But right after that, the park closed :(

            We rushed to catch the group dinner and honestly, it sucked. We went to a pub and had pizza, but I only got 4 pieces of the 60 pizzas that were ordered, and poor Vivien was a wreck because her boyfriend broke up with her, so she and I got pretty close and just ended up calling it a night. Jen is again going out, and I think she is going to get herself in a hole. Last night she made out with James F…but she is in a relationship. When she told me I just looked at her and then she yelled at me for looking at her and said, “I’m just not going to worry about Mike!” But my honest opinion is that she just cheated on the poor kid, and she has done this to him before. She always gets so mad at me when I don’t care to go boy hunting or when I don’t go nuts over some guy she points out, but I feel like I have no need. Honestly, the second I do, I am going to be on the phone with Drake because I believe that if someone gets that feeling about another person when they are in a relationship, then they shouldn’t be in that relationship. I understand you can think someone is cute or hot, but you should never have that urge to kiss another person…right? I don’t know, I get that she misses Mike, but man, I can’t imagine how he is going to feel. But anyway, she is out with James again, and we are supposed to skydive at 8:30am tomorrow, whatever though, her life! I am so pumped for tomorrow!!!!!! AHHHHHHH, I gotta sleep though, or try ;) Night!

Wednesday, October 1^st 2008

            Well what a day. Our skydive was re-booked 4 times, cancelled, and then unable to be refunded. Seriously it was one heck of a wasted day. By 4:00pm Michelle, Jen, and I finally decided skydiving was a for sure no, so we went fudge shopping and went to the pharmacy because Jen was dancing on a bar last night and feel off and completely killed her foot. Honestly she has been fine attitude-wise, but what she is doing goes against EVERYTHING I stand for and believe. Getting trashed, staying out till 5:00a, and spending the night with a guy twice when you are in a relationship with another guys is NOT okay. I talked to her about it today and I am hopeful that she will change what she is doing, at least the being unfaithful part.

            To make our night better after the long long day, we got to go to the ice bar for a half hour!! It was so so cool! Literally :) Um, we are only allowed to be in there for 30 minutes, we are given boots/gloves/parkas to stay warm, and everything inside is made of ice! Cups, statues, walls, bar, stools, you name it; the only non-ice things are the actually alcohol bottles. But I went for that sweet experience and then came back to the hostel.

            Shortly after I got home Michelle came back, so we had a chance to have another real good talk and just chill out. Haha, then we thought of FergBurgers and we couldn’t stop salivating. So at midnight we went across the street for some amazing chicken burgers and fries. We knew we couldn’t leave Queenstown in the morning without trying FergBurgers because people told us that and dang were they right! My belly is so full though. Uhg :) But Jen still isn’t home and tomorrow we have to be on the bus at 6:45a…so I am going  to bed because I know I’ll have to wake/pack her. Night!

Thursday, October 2^nd 2008

            Holy freaking early morning! 6:45am is way too early for this crew, in particular Jen. I am done being her mom. This morning she came back at 5:00am to change, went and slept with James F for an hour and then came back to our room and got in bed. I woke her up twice and finally with 10 minutes till the bus left I was so frustrated that I ripped the covers off and told her to get her butt out of bed and that I was leaving and would tell Pat to go with or without her. Still she didn’t get up….Anyway…

            Today was Milford Sound day; man it was astounding! Our group, however, has terrible luck with weather…it rained  and snowed all day, but even that couldn’t take away from the majesty of the place. So in the bus you could see the steep, tall mountain sides with waterfalls everywhere, and it’s green everywhere too (these mountains had snow on top, waterfalls in the middle, and rainforest at the bottom). Then at Milford Sound (which really is a fiord) it’s just these huge cliffs that go straight down into the water. Before we even got on the ferry/boat I got be by a darn sandfly…on the lip…so that’s why I have a fat lip in the pictures lol. But then the actual 2 hour trip was great. I really do have the best time when I am alone here. At first everyone was outside and snapping pictures, but after the captain nosed the boat into a waterfall, most people went inside because of the rain/snow and low visibility (and Diana F and Courtney G got soaked), but not me :) I just had to watch, I couldn’t not watch and wonder and look. It was great out there! Like I said I was really the only one who stayed out, most people went and played Mafia. But we went all the way out to the open ocean; on the way back in it actually cleared a little and wow. This one couple and I were the only people still out and we got some of the greatest views, and the greatest pictures-I hope they captured it. I saw seals, penguins, and dolphins; the penguins were the best because I have never actually seen them in the wild! After that wasn’t much, just the ride to Te Anau for the night. But dinner is worth mentioning…I had pizza that had cream cheese, chicken, and apricots on it and it was delicious…try it! And then the typical night began and I haven’t seen Jen since…night!

Friday, October 3^rd 2008

            These mornings are going to end. Jen’s stupid stories, stupid excuses and stupid stupidity are at their max. But today was Glow worm caves, I had no clue what to expect…I can tell you now that I am the only person who was scared on this day of the trip.

            First, Te Anau Lake is huge, and it is the freshest water I have ever had straight from a lake. And the boat ride to the caves had some cool views (most of which I couldn’t capture). But riding atop the boat was so cold, windy, and embarrassing because of how badly “Americans” act; I just looked at the mountains and tried to say nothing. When we got there I didn’t know what I was in for. Everything seemed fine, good, normal, but as soon as we started the walk into the caves, everything came crashing down. I had to face my all-time worst fewar…those grates that you can see through...they were everywhere and the water was rushing below them and I couldn’t get around them and the water was so so high and going so so fast. I was shaking. The caves and worms were okay. It just looked like stars in the night sky and we weren’t allowed to take pictures, but it really wan’t that cool. They glow a little when they are hungry to attract prey, the brighter they are the hungrier they are; to catch bugs and such they secrete like mucus strands and they hang from the ceiling and wait…that’s it. But I was so scared! I got out and looked at Jen and had the biggest eyes in the world and was shaking and Jen and Diana kept asking what was wrong and finally I said, “WHY DID THEY HAVE TO PUT THOSE STUPID GRATES IN THERE?!?!?! I AM SO SCARED OF THOSE!!!” and Diana laughed so hard because she had never seen me this loud or passionate. Lol.

            After that was a long bus ride to Dunedin, a super super green ride with tons of sheep. The land went from white-capped mountains to green green green rolling hills. Once we got to Dunedin there was little to do. Michelle and I roamed through town, but everything was closed-we saw Cadbury and the train station and neat shops, but all were closed. Then I opted out of the $5 dinner to eat stuff I had leftover, and apparently that was a VERY good idea because 1) people said the food and surroundings were terrible and 2) the bar smelled and the people in the city were terrible. Everyone seemed to have an early night, except for you know who. But it was great listening to all the stories as people came home because there were a few of us in the lounge right by the main door. But it’s time for me to get my rest…goodnight!

Saturday, October 4^th 2008

            Well this mornings little test turned out quite funny. I left the room before Jen even came up, and she went nuts and forgot stuff and almost missed the bus. But, don’t worry I am not that mean. It was just nice that she realized that I am not always going to take care of her, I didn’t sign up for that one.

            But today was full of driving, movies, and a home-cooked meal at the sheep farm. We started the morning with Lord of the Rings, which was lame because it was the second one so I slept since it made no sense having not seen the first. Then breakfast was at Boulder Beach; I had eggs but during the wait for them to be served Michelle and I went to see the cool boulders and get some seashells. The boulders were cool because they were like perfect balls! It was interesting to see, but there were just WAY too many people, so Michelle and I got some really cool shells :) Breakfast took so dang long, almost an hour to come out, so then we had to inhale it and jump back on the bus. I slept more and then we were at the sheep farm. Wow, it was so good! A real home-cooked meal was so nice to have; we got lamb, sausage, pasta salad, bean salad, cabbage salad, peas (eww), and rolls. Then, we were surprised to get dessert too-frozen strawberry pudding, fruit salad, and hokey pokey ice cream-YUM! Wow all was so good. We then got to see Jade herd in all the sheep for us. Then we got to watch the guy sheer the sheep, hold a two day old lamb, pet a ten day old baby cow, and meet Molly and Ginger (the other two dogs). The funny part of this farm is that of the 4 people living in the home there are 4,000 sheep and 250 cattle. Sadly, wool isn’t worth much these days so everything is raised for the meat…but it’s good meat!!

            After we got back on the bus we watch Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and then we were in Christchurch. Michelle and I opted out of the last group pub crawl and decided to search for some ice cream. Needless to say we didn’t find any, except for McDonald’s, but it was nice walking the town-walking Queenstown was better, but it was all still pretty cool :) Tomorrow is the flight to Sydney…I think I will get some gifts tomorrow but that’s all there is left to do here. Good night.

Sunday, October 5^th 2008

            Well, home I am, weird to be back. The day was pretty long and almost a little scary for Jen. She didn’t come home again last night and we had to checkout by 10:00am even though our flight wasn’t until 6:45pm. Lucky for me, Michelle was staying an extra night, so I was able to leave my stuff on her bed, and she and I went shopping. To our surprise when we got back, all of our stuff was GONE! Jen decided to put all our stuff downstairs, instead of trusting that we aren’t as dumb as she. Needless to say it was a little frightening and scary and Michelle and I were very upset, but I guess Jen had good intentions, she just needed to listen to what we had been telling her the night before I suppose-that’s what made it frustrating. But Michelle and I learned that there isn’t much open on a Sunday in Christchurch, it’s a dead land. But we still managed to find some great gifts, I think I will mail them home soon :) But at 4:00pm Jen and I were supposed to catch the last shuttle to the airport…Jen missed it. But somehow, she called and got the guy to turn around and go back for her…and we all had to wait as she kissed her new boy goodbye…so awkward. But the flight was amazing Yes it was three hours of being on a plane, but Emirates is a wonderful airline!!! We got free movies, brand new movies, and our own personal TV’s and dinner!!!! It was great! Then it was to Duty Free so Jen could get more alcohol, I thought about it but all I want are Kahlua and Baileys and they are expensive -2 for $49 :) So I passed and then we caught a cab home. Long day, or long afternoon, but it’s good to have everyone home again. Good night!

Monday, October 6^th 2008

            Boo on this welcome home! It is raining, like pooring, and it has been all day mostly. I had to wake up early to meet my “partner” for our “group project” at the library. 1) a partner doesn’t make a group 2) the “group work” skills with Australians are way lacking because they never have this kind of thing and 3) this project makes no sense. So it’s for my actuarial class, so obviously this project is about death (nice); we have to figure out, from the insurance companies standpoint, how to invest the assets so that when the policyholder dies we can payout and still make a profit. That’s plain and simple what his 8 page description with random information asks us to do. That’s EASY!!! But not how Australian’s do it. Everything here is so round about and backwards and not how I know. The worst part is I can make suggestions to my partner on how to do this, but most of the time she hasn’t learned what I am saying. So that means I have to simplify, but it’s as simple as it gets!!! And she doesn’t understand anything I say because there is a much bigger language barrier than I had thought…it’s so hard. If I just make it out alive I will be happy. Hhh, but we were there for about 10 hours and I am exhausted. Good night all, I love you.

Tuesday, October 7^th 2008

            HHHH, I hate school life! Seriously, how do you come off a week like last week that was so amazing and great and wonderful, and then have a week already this bad? Today, well there wasn’t anything in particular bad with today, but my brain is just everywhere. I was sitting in tutorial and could hardly focus on the professor even though I was staring at him and trying to follow him. Then in my help session for my lame project, I couldn’t focus on anything people were saying, I was so everywhere and didn’t understand and gah! Then, lecture was the exact same way, I mean I was sort of there, but hardly. This is not the time for this!!! Brain, work right! :) That fixes things right?! I hope.

            But today it was beautiful outside, blue sky and sunshine!!! And the sun set later since we are in daylight savings time!! But I got home at 7:00pm and enjoyed some rice while I “did homework”. That means I sat on my computer with facebook, myspace, and my email open waiting for something to change on any window for about 6 hours…even though I knew nothing would change…retard. I think it’s funny that I do it, know that nothing will change, say I am going to do work, and still end up in the same spot, haha. But I’m not slacking yet, everything is getting done, I just can’t catch my brain right now. Blah. But it’s real late, so tomorrow I will write again!! Night.

Wednesday, October 8^th 2008

            Okay, so I was going to start with how terrible my day was earlier when I was thinking about writing this, and then I talked to my parents. Ahhh, how I love them and miss them.

            Anyone who knows me knows that the hardest thing for me to do is admit defeat, or allow myself to fail. And right now, after everything I have been doing here, I am failing my classes, and the stress is killing me for two reasons 1) I can’t fail and 2) sometimes I just think “meh, who cares since I am failing anyway” and that thought stresses me out because that’s not me and that’s not okay. But my parents told me something interesting today, although I did come here for school, my grades aren’t what I am taking away from this. I am learning about me, and I am learning about how to deal with different types of people, and I am learning about different cultures, and I am gaining experience and strength from being completely on my own, and in ten years people will see that long before they see my grades. I mean yes, that thought scares me because it’s like saying it’s okay to fail, but I can’t keep pushing myself like I have been, well I can, but there is a limit and I am quickly reaching it. Somehow I either need to figure out this system, or figure something else out. I know for a fact I am graduating on time, I don’t care if I have to take 5 classes these next two quarters and do stuff over spring break, if I can figure this place out great, if not I’ll make it work. Life isn’t always about passing or failing, but about adjusting and still making things work best for everyone-that’s how I am going to think.

            Oh, and something that absolutely just made me the happiest girl alive…my parents bought me a new car…my grandpa’s car! :) I am not even going to bother writing about anything else bad about the day, I am going to go dream a little dream!

Thursday, October 9^th 2008

            Well, a few down days, but I am confident I am on the up again. Today, well, it was much like yesterday…except I was yelled at in Chinese in the middle of the Quad (it’s much like the big lawn that is typically in the middle of campus) and I got my most recent failed test back and my internet on my computer crapped out. So tomorrow I am going to IT because I can’t even get on the internet at home now, crappy…but I have a new car:) That’s my new thing, I decided on my walk home because it makes me happy just thinking about it. Like how amazing does 1) driving sound? 2) being in a REALLY nice car sound? 3) heated seats and sun/moon roof sound? 4) the fact that it belonged to a really really important person and I get to carry it on sound? Every time I think about it, it lightens my load. And a huge thanks to my parents, not only for the car, but for being so amazing the past couple days. I really have no clue what I would be without you guys and I am glad that you are so proud of me even if my grades aren’t acceptable to me…I’m starting to see that not everyone can have a perfect streak and that, like everyone says and my dad said yesterday, “it’s not about how many times you fail, it’s about how many times you get back up.” So I’m just going to do what Shannon wants now, I will give my respect and attention to the professors, but I just need to enjoy what’s left here and maybe in that I will learn something new about me :)

            But today there was beautiful weather and it was just a day where I finally hit the point where I said, screw you I am going to be happy. So I came home and had a nice peanut butter sandwich (my new comfort food) and took a nap and watched TV and then cleaned. Tomorrow people are coming to appraise our property, so I thought it should be clean :) Definitely got that from mom! But I’ll finish up in the morning, and I’ll take our alcohol bottles out because I don’t think we are allowed to have it here, hehe. We are old enough so whatever! Okay, good night all and sorry about the wait on this and my pics, I’ll post some soon I promise! Love you all!!!

Friday, October 10^th 2008

            Well, today went from being blah to amazing :) I mean, it just kinda started relaxed and easy and not much going on and ended with trying new things and having fun. Okay, so I got up like at 9:00am and started/finished cleaning the house since the school had people coming to visit our apartment to value it. Since I didn’t know what all they would be looking at/doing we all figured the place should be clean, but I was the only one to clean. So I showered and then cleaned the main room and the kitchen. Steph and Jody got up just after I finished everything and managed to make a mess of most that I had done, but then Steph and I looked at our wine rack…which was full of bottles still. We decided we *thought* it would be fine, until the doorbell rang and we rushed to hide all 30 some bottles haha. But the people seriously just came in and said, “okay, two rooms with two bathroom, one bath tub, kitchen, and balcony, and an in-home laundry room,” and then they left. Steph and I laughed so hard because we basically panicked to hide everything! But then the three of us started a movie cause Steph needs to watch them for a paper, but I was the only one to finish it. And then I headed for class. I made another nice call to the parents, shoot I need to call Lynette soon. Um, but then class was boring and the professor rushed it since it was SO gorgeous outside. But then I got my computer fixed and met with Christine to begin a really fun night! First we had to go to STA to book/plan Christine and Matt’s upcoming trip, then we met up with Jess (Christine’s friend)  for dinner at Jess’s place, and then we got boba tea (I had Tarro Milk Tea w/ Pearls), and finally we watched the last 3 episodes of 90210 since it was cancelled in Australia. But now it is way too late for me to be up, so I am going to bed :)

Saturday, October 11^th 2008

            Wow, so I definitely missed half of the day today. Christine and I didn’t get up until 1:00pm…oops. On top of that, I got NO homework done because I helped Christine clean (since I owed her something for everything she has done), and then came home at about 6:00pm and then had dinner and went to the store really quick and when I got back Jen had friends over :(  So I  waited until they left and then *planned* to do work, but that didn’t happen. Instead I brushed up on some Australian culture I have completely missed out on…music! I spent hours just listening to songs by Australian bands, and I loved it. I am going to try getting up a little earlier than I had planned tomorrow and doing some work, and then I will make the walk so long as the weather is nice enough :) So, now that it is almost 5:00am, I think I am going to go to bed. Good night!!

Sunday, October 12^th 2008

            You know what?! This isn’t fair. I am working harder than majority of the kids in my class and I am probably the student with the worst grades. You should see how freaking gorgeous it is outside, and here I sit doing WORK ALL DAY! It’s not right, I am in a new country and all I ever do is homework. Tonight, Jen and I took a nice walk though, but then it was back home to more work. This sucks!]

            Oh, but this morning was nice because I got to talk to my parents. We had a nice long talk and it was just so nice to see their smiling faces! I miss home so much, but only a little over a month until they are here and then things will fly by. I can’t wait for them to get here! Night :)

Monday, October 13^th 2008

            Hhh, so I woke up early, did work. Went to school early, did work. Came home, did work. Do you notice any trends? Yeah, two weeks left of class and I feel like I am being drown with more and more and more work but really I think my nerves and emotions are just worn. I just can’t believe how hard I have worked and how it hasn’t gotten me anywhere. Really, every time I look at my work I wonder, what’s the use?!

            But I have decided to start taking lots of random pictures of whatever I see because that makes me happy. And you know, if my school work doesn’t happen it can’t hurt me anymore since I am failing anyway. Oh, here is what I have to do everyday: 1. Limit time on Facebook/Myspace (cause when I don’t want to work I find random things on these two sites for entertainment) 2. Do at least 1 Turbo Jam activity per day 3. Write in my journal everyday 4. Call Mom, Dad, and Lynette every couple of days 5. Update blog more often 6. Take lots of pictures and 7. Keep your mind on the prize. So let’s see how it goes, shall we?

            I would write more right now, but it’s 2:30a and I need to get up at 7:00a to do more work :) So goodnight all, I love you!

Tuesday, October 14^th 2008

            Well, I played hooky today and it felt good. I have not ditched a class yet while I have been here, not just by choice at least, and I feel really good about it. The professor just said I could discuss what we did this week with him in a few minutes next week since we were meeting anyway, and he is letting me do my tutorial presentation then too. All I told him was that I needed a day to get back together and that today seemed good if everything was fine with him and could be taken care of without a problem and he said, “no worries, we all need those days once in a while. Thanks for letting me know, you can do your presentation next week and we can chat before class still.”  And that was it! No hassle, no grief, no nothing. He is a really cool guy though, and he is one of the two that seems to understand study abroad students are quite different than all the other students in class, not only because they are from somewhere else but because they learn differently and answer things differently. He’s so nice!! So, I was up at 8:00am, so it wasn’t like I slept in late and missed class cause class wasn’t until 12:00pm, and writing my assignment. I then took a brake to talk to the Drake man, which lasted like two hours, and then I talked to my parents. It was nice to get that brake. So then I came back to my computer and finished everything up, sent that in, and started work on the next assignment.

            In the midst of the two assignments, Chels got online…oh man. Talking to that child online always takes a huge load off my brain. It’s something about the two of us, but 1 we are inseparable no matter what the heck we go through 2 we are funny funny children and have very vivid imagination :) 3 she is somehow really good to talk to about random things and 4 I love her to death. I know you may not all need to hear that, but maybe you should take a second and think of who that one person is to you, and make sure you don’t lose that person and if you think you are growing apart, make sure it’s worth it. I have been lucky with my friendships because I have had the chance to realize what I was losing and get it back before it was too late, but sometimes you aren’t that lucky…so make sure that person isn’t you.

            I feel like I have become a box full of wisdom while I have been here, it’s enhanced itself while I have been here, lol. I just realize all those things that are so little that most people over-look them, and when I am here they are what I miss oh so much. So, I am currently learning that I can’t tell people not to do something or help people learn things that they need to do on their own, but if you are the type that learns based on others’ experiences, then this is for you. Take each day and each moment and ask yourself what makes it so beautiful, if it were gone tomorrow what would you remember about it, and then be appreciative of that thing. It really helps make your days a little brighter, it’s helped me this past week :0) I love you all, goodnight from down under!

Wednesday, October 15^th 2008

            Oh my gosh. Today should have been a nice relaxing day, but no, not possible. I have so so so many photos to get on the internet from break!! Sorry everyone, you’ll have to be patient because well, it’s taking me a lot longer than I planned. My ones from Facebook are up, those are just quick albums, but I have more :) Photobucket wasn’t working, it just kept closing out and messing all the picture orders up and BLAH! So that’s what made it frustrating!

            Other than that, well class was the same old….week and a half left! But, after that I spent four hours doing pictures and headed home to find Jen up to her old stuff. She went to steak night, I was just too tired, but it doesn’t start till like 8:00pm and she left at 6:30pm to go to James’….that girl. So I made my dinner and Jodes came home and then Jen got back later and she was trying to make us feel bad for not going and then told us about how bad she was but didn’t care…Jody and I started skyping each other messages to ignore her…it’s old. Oh and then Jody was making all these really nice suggestions and giving ideas of what we could do and so on, and Jen yelled at her. We have TOO many women! Ahh!!! Lol. But then we all settled into our work and Steph came home and I went for Turbo Jam and then a shower and….GOT TO TALK TO MY PARENTS AND JAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So nice :) Today was a homesick day for some reason, Jody and I were both feelin it today. But it’s 2:00am, I need sleep!!! Love you

Thursday, October 16^th 2008

            Man, this headache will not go away! But anyway, today was pretty laid back. I can see the homesickness kicking in because I just didn’t care about my assignment today, I just really didn’t care. But it’s funny what you start to miss. It’s not just the people and the big things in life, but it’s driving and going to work with my dad and getting late calls from my brother to come get he and his friends. I really miss that stuff!!!! I also miss the hugs, no one can hug like a true friend :) But soon I will be back there, soon enough.

            Today was a day of realization. I figured out that I am too much of a mother to people, that I assume everyone will bend over backwards for each other like I do, I hold on to things that are really important to me and I don’t let go, and that I get upset about the dumbest things. I knew all this before, but since I have been here, slowly all those things have really shown, and I am finally ready to be sure to change those…the thing I worry about is at what risk? But in the end, I think it’s what is best for me, so I am going to do it, become a better person and a more mature adult. Starting today :)

           So, class, blah, it was pretty lame, but somehow on that stupid assignment that I did with the Chinese girl that yelled at me, we got a 65% which is like a B-. Oh, yeah the grades here are nuts, a 50% is a D-…that does not make sense! Anyway, my lab was pointless, I learned nothing…again. And class was really boring cause our professor was running on no sleep and couldn’t explain anything so we finished an hour early. Most kids were stoked because today is Oktoberfest…it was the strangest thing to see kids walking through campus with bottles of beer that they were drinking!!!! A couple kids even came to class with beers! It was insane, but I tried to work on my assignment and just decided I didn’t know what I was doing and that my throbbing headache wasn’t going away. So I walked home and relaxed all alone all night long. Now it’s way too freaking early for me to be up, so I am off to bed. Oh and today I got to talk to my cousin Kelly on AIM and it was amazing :D Tomorrow is the CAR SHOW!!!!! Night!

Friday, October 17^th 2008

            This day was so fun..haha okay well tonight was. The morning was like a morning from you know where…see my roommate pulled ANOTHER I’m not coming home night. And well, she didn’t have her keys, so at 8:00am (which isn’t early, but still) she continuously rang the doorbell because she was supposed to be at work at 8:00am. Yeah. I was livid, cause then she called me and said, “Hey I am ringing the doorbell, can you let me in I am late to work.” UMM THAT’S NOT MY PROBLEM!!! Now, usually I don’t mind helping people and whatever, I mean I would walk through fire for basically anyone, but this is a bit over the top. So I went to let her in and the door unlock button didn’t work so I had to go down and let her in and she was mad at me! WHAT THE HE**?! I just ignored her then, and in that moment I realized I need more change than I realized..haha. But anyway, she was saying how we needed to talk about her life and finally I looked at her and said, “Jen, 1) I am sleeping now 2) I have tried to give you advice and YOU DON’T LISTEN and 3) No one can tell you what to do anymore because you have taken things way too far, so I’m sorry but I am going back to sleep.” And that’s exactly what I did. Gah! So when she finally left I got up because I am like my mother and can’t go back to sleep once I am literally up. And I went to school and worked on my assigment for like 4 hours and then went to class and then…CAR SHOW!!! Yay!

            So the car show itself was pretty cool, the kid that went with us though, was not so cool. I have grown up around people who have a passion for cars and some have a passion for all cars, some have a passion for a certain kind of car, so I am used to the lingo and the way people talk about it and so on. But this kid was beyond anything, he seemed to only know information because of a magazine and he only knew it so he could be cool. It was strange and in about three minutes I decided I was not going to have any good car conversations with him…which I seem to miss by the way :) And so when we got there, we learned that Audi and BMW were no shows…lame. But that’s okay, the auction company that was selling some of the cars was “Shannon’s Auctioneers” ahaha. Umm, but Volkswagon, Maserati, Lambourghini, Puegot, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Ford, Suzuki, Subaru, Holden, and some others were there. The coolest looking car was the Mazda Taiki, umm the Koenigsegg CCX was there, Lotus, and some other really cool/nice cars were there. But the guy that was working with the Koenigsegg (making sure no one touched it) was hilarious. Steph and I asked him to open and close the door cause we heard it looked cool, so he laughed and showed us and then was talking a little to us and eventually asked where we were from and Steph told him the States. So first he asked where more specifically, but then he asked, “So you like Chevy right?!” And Ryan (the stupid kid) came back over and said, “Who would ever want to drive a piece of crap car like that?” My face must have turned red because Steph took a step back and was like, “Ryan, that was not the right thing to say.” But then the guy working with the Koenigsegg and I had a great conversation about Chevy and it turns out he is re-building three or four of them right now, I couldn’t understand what but two in the 50’s (I think Chevelle??) and then one in the late 60’s that I think he said was a Camaro. But he also said that he loves Chevy so much, he gets them to ship him his cars over here! He was really cool :) But that was basically my night because when I got home I was SO tired. So I am trying to stay up to talk to my parents, but I think I am hitting the sack. Night!

Saturday, October 18^th 2008

            Oh how I LOVE weekends! So this morning was another Jen morning…aren’t they all? Haha, she set her alarms…again…and she slept out on the couch because she was supposed to do work, but didn’t. So her alarm was blaring at 7:00am and I got up and came out and was like, “JEN YOUR ALARM!” and just walked back in haha, and she ran in and got in the shower…and her other alarm went off while she was in there. GRRRRR! So, I shut it off to and then tried to sleep, but she is so dang loud! SO at 8:00am I finally fell asleep, but not for long. Thus, I got up and just came out to the kitchen and started cleaning, our place is a mess. These girls, they just let things get gross and I sweep constantly, and I clean the stove constantly (but I hardly ever use it) and I clean the counters always. I don’t get how they can let things get so darn dirty! So I did that for about three hours! Then, the fun hit. I talked to my cousin Steve and his wife Amy, it was sooo good seeing them, I enjoy seeing family :) So we caught up a bit and then I talked to my Dad for a while and we had a really good chat. Then I called my Mom, poor her she was at the office until like 9:00pm :( But I called her as she was driving home so that was nice for both of us :) And then…I talked to Chelsea too!!! And I actually got a short message back from Drake!!! Man, what a day!!!! So I was a happy girl all day long. After all the commotion Jody and I went to the store and then we came back and just vegged. Did some homework, listened to music, organized my iTunes, and just vegged. Then Jen got home.. :( Hhhh. She’s going out again tonight, and this time I am taking Chels’ advice, I am shutting her alarms off after she leaves. She isn’t coming home, I can guarantee it, and she’ll set them just as she walks out. I’ll let you know how that goes lol. But also, good news for her, she finally broke up with her boyfriend, that poor guy. She cheated on him, and she lied to him, and she kept saying she would quit and didn’t…oh I feel bad for him. But this is good for him, I would rather him be single than me carry the guilt of letting her do this to him. Blah, I still just feel so bad. It was to the point where he would IM me and ask where she was and I had to go around the truth…I almost told him but I knew it wasn’t my place, but I was not going to lie to him. Gah, I hate knowing all the information and then getting stuck in the middle. Anyway, yeah I think I am going to watch a movie and do some studying and some work and then Turbo Jam time and bed time :) Good night peeps!

Sunday, October 19^th 2008

            Well, so much for getting anything done today. This is so hard! I have no more patience for studying because I have worked my butt off for 11 weeks to find that I can’t be passing, what’s the point in trying on these tests?! But truth is, if I can somehow pull out a good grade on these tests, then I can pass the classes. So much stress. And on top of that, whenever I sit to study, I have realized that’s when the homesickness kicks right on in. And it’s weird what you realize in those many hours of just sitting and thinking about home, and checking emails and facebook and myspace every hour or so. It’s not sad that no one says anything, lol, it’s sad that they aren’t even up to do so and I am still checking haha. I dunno, I have had a great weekend though and this is the last week of classes. So wahoo!!!! I just have to pound out tomorrow’s assignment miraculously, and then study for my presentation on Tuesday…hhh, “Hang in there Shanny/Beaner/Bucket/Winkie/Shan/Babe!” I hear that all the time…you all are always right here and you have no idea how good that feels :) Well, I’m sorry to cut this short, but it’s 1:30am lol. I need to go to bed!

Monday, October 20^th 2008

Wow, what a day!!!!! Sometimes I don’t even know where to start typing, this is one of those days. Okay, let me finish with last night/yesterday. So, I did nothing yesterday except stare at my computer all day, look at my assignment, and think about home. Then for dinner, one of the two high points of the day, Jody and I made beef panang!!!! It was delicious :) And we still have some beef left over to make other stuff with mmm mmm! Then, somehow we (Steph, Jody and I) were talking about White Noise, a movie Jody and I watched earlier in the day. Well, we were discussing something about it and I was saying that I was scared to sleep alone because Jen doesn’t come home anymore, and Stephanie was telling me where I could sleep in their room. Now Stephanie is usually quiet, down-to-earth, very wholesome, but elegant…I don’t know, a kind New Yorker, and she says, “Well Shannon, there is always a gap between our legs!” HAHAHAHA, what she meant to say was that there was a gap between their beds… so that was high point two. Then it was time for bed…well after we made cookie dough and I did turbo jam. But then I also got bit like four times by a mosquito, dumb bugs.

So now, back to today, what a day. So, it started at about 8:00am when I finally decided I had to get up, I was at school by 9:30am and working away at this assignment. I worked until 11:30am and had nothing, and then for 20 minutes I had a strike of brilliance and I thought I had it, but no. Something was missing. Then I saw the girl who was supposed to be helping me, long story there, but I called her over to see if she finished and she looked at the code I had and gasped because I had half the question and she had the other half, so we put it together and bam! So then I had lots of time to actually talk to Drake. It was a good conversation, I love skype :) Then class seemed fly by, and then bad news hit. Nothing terrible mind you, but it is for my scuba diving. See, a lot of places don’t allow asthmatics to dive, any sort of asthmatic, even if they grew out of it…so I may not be allowed. Bummer!!!! But I think I’ll talk to the parents about it, and see what the company says, and then decide, I think I’ll go either way and just snorkel if anything. Aside from that, poor Mike-Jen’s boyfriend. A while back, with Jen’s permission, I told Mike that if he needed to vent or just needed support he could count on me. And today he needed me, he broke up with her and was really really really upset. Now Jen is acting upset, but you see Jen told Mike that he was the one and all this and that, and she still slept with James. And Mike today was having such a hard time knowing that and all this and that…I don’t know but I feel bad for that kid. He was like, “No one should ever feel this way,” and man do I agree. But luckily, I am in my high spirits and helping a person while not being involved, really makes me feel good. I told him I didn’t want to be in the middle, I was just willing to be an ear and share my experiences, and he is really good about keeping that. But poor kid. Then, well now, I am “studying” haha..missing my family and friends more like it. BUT OH OH OH OH, I got a card from Chelsea!!! Oh, I feel bad, I’ll send hers tomorrow…I am a space case. Oh well, it was great, and tomorrow I will hopefully be able to pick up my package from the post office. YAY!!! :) So yeah. That is my day, and now my head is still killing (from that headache weeks ago), I think my back is really f***ed up-everything literally kills. My neck, back, knee, and ankle are constantly in pain. Then, my shoulder, hips, and elbow hurt really bad after turbo jam…oh man I need to do something. I think I may try a story at the local chiropractor and see what I can get. Okay, love you babes!!! Night

Tuesday, October 21^st 2008

            Hhh, disappointing day. Well, it had it’s ups and downs, but one overall down…that darn boy. I cannot figure him out, but I know I am not supposed to either. Anyway, let’s see, today I got up quite late because, oops, I was tired. Lol. I set my alarm for 8:00am and finally got up at 10:30am. So I did a quick study of my Quantitative Risk notes and then walked to class at 11:00am. My tutorial (where I was supposed to give a 2 minute presentation on a topic that was chosen just before I gave the presentation) was a joke. I am a visual person, things like that just don’t happen. Okay, so I went to class and picked a number and then got a topic to think about for 2 minutes then told the class about it. Now, the reason the professor did this was because in a job you need to be able to explain what you are doing…but the thing is, you don’t have to know everything, you just have to know who to ask when you don’t know. That’s something I learned with being an RA and president and even working for my Dad! So, since I did horribly I just figured, oh well I know what to do when I gotta do something :) Then I got some time to talk to my parents before things went down with Drake, so that was really nice. I love talking to them and just getting to pretend that I am there, it’s nice. But then I talked with Drake and gosh, yesterday I thought things were promising and we were working in the same direction, today I got none of that. I felt more like he wanted less to do with me than ever before…man. And Mike, he’s doing well, not that any of you care, but he actually seems to be hanging in there, so I’m doin the same :) Then my class was pretty fun, we got free food and a nice review! The walk home was a bit brisk, but I made it before the rain! Steph and I then went to see some movie with George Cloney and Matt Damon, it was something like Burn After Reading or something. But Matt Damon was HILARIOUS, the movie was strange and kind of twisted, but he was so so so so funny. Umm, yeah, that pretty much was the night, now I am exhausted more than could be believed, so I am going to bed.

Wednesday, October 22^nd 2008

            Haha, good thing somebody up above is keeping track of me because I did the same thing this morning as I did yesterday. The whole, just keep sleeping thing :) I got up with about 20 minutes to get ready, but realized it was pooring, luckily that meant I had extra time cause I could just take the bus! So Jen and I walked to the bus stop and then headed our separate ways to class. My first class, as always, was a joke. Then I had some spare time so I went and sent my card to Chels, yay! From there I had my stupid actuary class, we just watched a movie and learned about “ethics” which needs to be taught here more anyway. Then I decided to catch the bus home because it looked like it was going to start raining any second. I came home, sat down to just relax and passed out….for three hours!!! Ooops!!! So, I did nothing and just hung out. My roommates went to steak night and then went out, but I just wasn’t in to it. Tomorrow I promised them I would go to the last night at the Uni Bar…so we’ll see what that does for the spirits :) As for now, I am just watching Cinderella Man and wishing I could get some hugs in, I miss you all and can’t wait for the time when I see you!! Love and hugs!

Thursday, October 23^rd 2008

            WOO HOO!!!! CLASSES ARE NOW OVER!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness, no one has any idea how excited I am at this current moment in time, it’s like first kiss excitement, like wow. I made it here! You might not believe it, but I did not think I would make it.

            Okay, so my day went a little like this, I woke up…late and missed my tutorial for the class I really don’t care too too much about, and then I got to campus just in time for my lab. After that I waited until 1:00pm to skype with Drakey before I get a move on it to Cairns with the roommates. It was so nice, well in a strange way...something is going on there…but I am assured that nothing is happening so okay! Then it was off to my class, hehe I kept instant messaging Drake though cause I just didn’t want to say bye. After class I headed home. Steph and I decided to rent a few movies and not go out, so we watched Ironman and then I accidentally passed out, well so did Steph haha. So I got up quite early and moved into my room, where Jen was NOT at. Lame, but so yeah…even though it is now the next morning, I would have said GOODNIGHT to all of you :)

Friday, October 24^th 2008

            Today was such a lazy day! I woke up at about 10:00am when Steph turned on Mrs. Pettigrew and I sat and watched that with her; last night I saw  Leatherheads after Steph when to bed because I couldn’t sleep. Then, once Jody got back from the eye doctor at like 11:00am, Steph and her got on their plane to Cairns for our FLATEMATE WEEKEND!! I got a little while to talk to my parents to plan some things for while they are here, and I just can’t wait. I really wish Jay and Chels and Drake could make it :( But once we called planning quits I ran through the shower, packed, returned the movies and got some cas. At 5:30pm Jen and I began our leg of the adventure :)

            At the airport, hen and I must have stood our or something because people would NOT stop staring at us! So Jen and I went through the rest of the airport skipping, holding hands, and singing the Yellow Brink Road song from the Wizard of Oz. Strangely, no one even looked at us after that! The flight was three hours of non-stop chatting with Jen, which actually was really good because I saw a lot of things in me that I had forgotten and feelings that I had not remembered as far as my “man situation” and how Drake was feeling. But we did bicker a little about environmental stuff because she really thinks I am dumb, but that’s okay I expected that one. When we landed it was 9:30om and suddenly it hit…I AM DONE WITH SCHOOL! Well, class at least! I know I need to focus on finals, but I also just am glad I made it, honestly I wasn’t sure I would. I wish I could tell all you people about what I have gained as a person, and woman, here but I’ll save that for a face-to-face with you. Now it’s late and we are at our hotel, Aspen Central, so see yea tomorrow!

Saturday, October 25^th 2008

            Oh boy, oh boy! Joshy has me hooked on that saying, but it describes everything PERFECTLY! Okay, so this morning didn’t start early or anything but we all got up and walked the Esplanade and went to the markets near the lagoon. First, I found my mom the PERFECT birthday girt. I can’t even explain how excited I am. Then, I also got a really nice little necklace, and got to talk to my parents :) Then, Jen and Jody and Steph and I went and sat by the lagoon for a few hours. I was supposed to be studying but instead I people-watched, relaxed, and swam :) Then, at about 4:00pm we decided to go crazy and sky dive! Yep! 14,000 feet, reaching terminal velocity in 12 seconds, fre falling 60 seconds, and gliding for 5-6 minutes! OH MY GOSH!!! It’s booked for Monday morning at 8:00am. We also, the four of us, booked a snorkeling trip for tomorrow, but for tonight we are drinking Good and hitting the town. Oh, and a funny story, Steph and I went to the grocery store for something…I don’t know what, but she was showing me how to dance as we walked up to check out and the checker laughed so hard..something about it was really really funny. But, talk to ya tomorrow!!!

Sunday, October 26^th 2008

            Oh man, lesson learned the hard way on that one! Shannon should not be egged on the drink, Shannon should not get on a boat when hungover, and Shannon will not be drinking wine for a while.

I woke up feeling totally fine, but I think I was actually still drunk from last night…but the time we were on the boat and it was too late to get off, I started feeling CRAPPY! Umm, well I fell asleep and woke up throwing up…haha. Oops! It was okay though, the crew was really nice, they totally understood, they helped me get feeling better and they checked up on me all day. It was so nice, but honestly so terrible too. But I also wasn’t the only one who got sick on the boat, but it was embarrassing. I pretty much felt like crap all day…I didn’t want to move at all, but getting in the water was so so nice! Jen and Jody and Steph went on a Discovery Dive, I couldn’t due to my asthma, but I snorkeled the whole time and it was just nice to swim! The reef was really depressing though because there was like NOTHING there! I mean, hardly a fish in sight, dead reef, and nothing fun. When I was done snorkeling I sat up on the top deck and sunned myself for HOURS! I’m a little burnt, but I felt better and it was beautiful. Then we got lunch, which I hardly ate, and stopped at one other place to snorkel. The reef was much prettier there (still nothing compared to LEI) and Jen and I saw a sea turtle!! So we followed him for quite a while and got to see him eat a jellyfish!!!!! It was so nice roaming out there…but there were HUNDREDS of jellys, they were everywhere! They started really freaking us out, so we called it quits and got back on the boat. After a little while the boat then headed back for shore; aside from all of our massive hangovers it was a nice day.

When we got home Jen and Jody hit the town, but Steph and I called it a night. I watched a little TV, but we both passed out really quickly. So I gotta go because I am about to pass out again. Night!!

Monday, October 27^th 2008

            Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh my gosh!! What an amazing, astounding, wonderful day!!!! None of those things come close to describing the first part of my day. Jody, Steph, and I were on our way to do the most crazy thing by about 8:00am this morning. Poor Steph was so scared, but Jody talked her into coming with us at least so that she could skydive even if she didn’t feel like it quite yet. There were 6 of us on the bust-Katrina and Ian (Scotland) and the three of us and Sadie (New York)-and we rode in terror for the hour and a half ride south. I really never thought about what I was about to do so I was good, but Katrina and Steph were flipping out. We got to the house, had a quick learning session and then we were off. Steph decided she couldn’t but she was still really cool about being there and so stocked for Jodes and I. Jodes and I were on the last, forth, plane trip because they could only take two jumpers and two instructors at a time, so it was a long wait. Then, Greg, my tandem instructor, harnessed me up an did some video, and we were in the plane in no time at all. The pilot was named Moonray and he was from Detroit, such a funny guy. Story about him, there was a beetle (a big beetle) that was in the plane and it flew in front of his face and FREAKED him out…then it landed near his foot and he was scared to death. Once he got it to move it ended up in the front windshield near my instructor and he pushed it into the side paneling and then SMASHED it! He looked at the pilot and was like, “well, I’m sure there is a mess in there now, but gone!” Haha. Then, the views were amazing! Dave, who was Jody’s guy, was showing us the reef and the banana trees and sugar cane and telling us stories about seeing sharks/crocs/turtles in the water from way up there! He said he saw a turtle that’s shell was about the size of the four of us huddled together!!!! And then in no time at all I was jumping on Greg’s lap (which they joked about because Jody and I just jumped right on their laps…they asked if we would do that to them in a club and Jody said yes lol) and I was getting strapped to him….and then BAM! The door was open and my legs were dangling out and my arms were crossed, head back, and I was ready to fall :) And I did! I can’t even tell you the rush, I screamed and couldn’t hear myself!! Oh and we went through a cloud!!!!! AMAZING!! And I got to steer the parachute for quite a while, oh my gosh!!!! Really it is indescribable. But Greg said I did a really really good job and he wanted to take me again. He said I made his job so easy and that he had never had the happen before, he then told me I should get my license :) Hmmm, that way I can dive alone or work at a place like that!!! There was actually another kid there from Sweden and he was trying get his license and they were in love with him. There are nine stages that usually take weeks to get through…this kid had been there three days and was finishing level 7!!! The ride back to Cairns was very quite, but everyone was just finishing the adrenaline rush so most people passed out. Gosh what a day.

            As soon as we got back, Jody and Steph went to sleep and I called Chels and Jay and my parents. It was so nice talking to them and just being alone. Another moment in my life when I realized more about myself :)

            Once Jen got home, we all went to the city and had a really nice dinner at a little café and got some dessert. Then it was time to come home because Jen and I fly out tomorrow morning. I need to go to sleep though so I can get up, so good night! :)

Tuesday, October 28^th 2008

            What an early morning. Seriously, up at 3:30am to catch a freaking flight to Sydney. Holy cow. But we made it and all this and that, and our flight wasn’t too bad! Jen and I are the *we* I was speaking of so you know. Then, I came home while Jen went to the bookstore. To my surprise Drake was on skype when I opened up my laptop, so I wanted to tell him ALL about skydiving. It was just something I knew he understood and would be so happy I did. Well, wrong. I really just don’t have anything good to say about him right now. A quick glimpse…he is seeing another girl. When I calm down I’ll tell more but rather than shouting the names I feel like, I am going to walk away.

            My parents were so good about it, it was nice having their support, but the rest of the day was crap. I have a big final tomorrow, and I didn’t study at all. Well, I tried, but I couldn’t get anything to stick. I just want to go home, that’s all. I don’t even know what to say right now, so I’ll write tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 29^th 2008

            Well, it was raining again today, it was actually really nice, or at least I loved it. Jen wasn’t here again, she went out and I doubt she’ll ever come back, lol. But this morning I talked to my parents, and then called my cousin, and talked to Chels. They are all trying so hard to help me, but I just don’t know that there is a way. I want to be optimistic and I want to forget this, but it’s not that easy. At like 1:00pm I decided to walk to campus, I like walking in the rain. On the way I called my coach, it was good talking to her, but it’s not the same. Everything is going to be so different when I get back…everything that was going for me is no more. I mean a lot of the things, certainly not everything, but just a lot of things. Not that I didn’t expect it, I did, but not like this. I didn’t expect to lose one of my best friends…I never would have dreamed that. But here, I wrote this on facebook today…it’s long but it’s me :)

Well here I am in Sydney, Australia writing a note about my life to anyone who might possibly be interested in reading it. Don't worry, no hard feelings if you don't read this, or if you stop reading it, but for those of you who like me sharing my wisdom...here is what I have got for you.

 

My life, as some of you know, has been less than a dream since I have been here. I have faced the loss of a really good friend and the loss of my grandfather, as well as having my skating coach of 13 years move to Texas. Needless to say this alone made me want to go home immediately, especially with my nagging desire to be with the ones I loved and the ones who loved me. But I made a decision to come to Australia, and I decided here is where I needed to stay-and my friend, grandfather, and coach all would want me to stay here too.

 

My grades really began slipping at this point, and finally one professor approached me and directed me to a counselor. I have been against counselors for some time, especially since my "boyfriend" spoke to one while I was dating him and then stopped talking to me, but I knew that by talking to one the school would know that I was having a problem and maybe help me. Well, that was hardly the case, I have never felt like a school didn't care about its students, but I felt completely forgotten. So now, I have lost a friend and my grandfather, my coach, my grades, and...well me.

 

Spring break was around the corner and finally I had something to look forward to-New Zealand. Getting there was such a difficult task, but I managed; I kept focused on the goal and regardless of how I got there, I did. New Zealand was great. It gave me time away from city life (which I hate) and it allowed me some reflection time and some mountain time :) I took a walk alone one night and just realized that I needed to make myself happy and I needed to figure out how to find myself. Within a week I became a whole new person, with a whole new lease on life. I began by having faith, and then by living my life by MY standards. I set goals that seemed attainable yet something to reach for and I told myself that things may have to change, but that it was a start. And the biggest thing I told myself was that it was okay to fail, for once in my life it was okay for me to not pass my classes; in return, however, I needed to enjoy my experience here and do things I dreamed of doing.

 

So I came home from New Zealand and met my first test. A group project with someone who naturally spoke Chinese, and who thought she was God's gift to this world. After having her call and talk to her friends about me (while she sat next to me mind you) and then having her yell at me in Chinese in the middle of campus, I finally was done with the project. And for the first time, I saw the positive in the situation. Positive point #1: my parents realized how unhappy I was and made themselves available to talk to me whenever I needed it. Positive point #2: I realized that my partner had no reason to degrade me like she did, and that I was not going to give her the power to put me down like she could have. Positive point #3: I started talking to my friends more and making myself happy.

 

Since that experience my new self had faced many many tests and had yet to falter, until yesterday that is. I didn't think there was anything left to go wrong in my life that I had left in the US; I thought that by securing who I was here, I could go home and enhance what was left there. But God had another plan in mind, I think He wanted me to have a completely clean slate to start my new self with. Over an instant message the last of my heartbreaks came true-my "boyfriend" found someone else. This "boyfriend" had been mine on and off for 3 years, and I gave him everything I had, and I was always willing to do anything for him, not to mention the fact I thought we were soon to be getting back together. But this "boyfriend" didn't even respect me enough to tell me the truth to my face, or over video, even though I offered to. As my heart was ripped from my very being I called on my new self as for what to do because I was determined not to let this break me. So I called my best friend, and then my parents. After they calmed me down a bit, I told my new "ex boyfriend" that we were forever over and then I wished he and his new girl the best of luck and that I would see him next year. Instantly I blocked the kid from being able to contact me on anything except email, not that he would have the decency to contact me, but I left him one option. And then I called on my friends and family again to get me through studying for my final today.

 

I can't say that I got any studying done, or that I even passed my final today, but I can tell you I haven't broken yet, I will not let him have that. I have changed and become a beautiful young lady, a smart young lady, an optimistic young lady, and he obviously doesn't deserve me anymore. People always say that he will eventually see what he lost and come back, but to be honest, I hope he doesn't. I'll be his friend, but I don't ever want him to think I am dumb enough to take him back. I will always love him, I will always be there for him, but I will never again be with him.

 

I have learned so much since I have come to Australia, so much that I can't even tell you. For those of you who knew the old me, I think you might see a difference in how I handled all these situations. I know that it's okay to call on your friends in an hour (or six months) of need, and it's okay to be down for a bit, but it's not okay to lose yourself. And in the end, it's okay for your life to crash before your eyes because there are so many lessons to be learned. If you are having a hard time, I'm here and I will listen.

 

I really don't know the best way to end this, but I am so incredibly passionate about who I am now that I want everyone to know! I also want everyone to know how much friends and family mean...they are MY WORLD. Chels, you know I would be nowhere without you, you are my light in the dark and my eyes when I am blind. Mom and Dad, I wouldn't have even started to find myself if you hadn't been there to cheer me along when it seemed like there was nothing to cheer for. Nate, you always have my back and your love amazes me every time we talk. Heather, I want to be here for you...you know how much I love talking to you and giving you advice, you always make me happy! Christine, your words of wisdom and comfort take my breath away, especially since you have only known me for maybe 4 months, I love you and you are a HUGE part of my lifeline. Kelly, your crazy stories make me laugh so hard, but I love how anytime I need you, you're there with names to shout and dreams to share. To everyone else, you all mean so much to me, you do, even if I don't tell you, even if I didn't single you out...you mean the world to me. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! Every one of you has helped me to realize the past is left in the past, and the future is too far away, so today...we live and we live happy.

 

If you need me I'm here, if you just want to chat I'm here, if you want me to piss off I will! Your happiness is a part of my happiness and I owe it to all of you to do anything I can. I'm sorry this ended up so long, if you want to know more, ask me, I would love to share because this note doesn't do any justice to anything mentioned...there is so much more, but it's a good clip :)

 

Okay, I love you and miss each and everyone of you guys...hugs hugs hugs...we'll see each other soon enough :D

And so that is that, I am going to do my best, but I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE ONE BUMPY RIDE!

            Oh right, my test today was the most insane thing I have ever done, I was so scared because of the administration of the test not even the test. Gah! I can’t wait for November 19^th. Night all.

Thursday, October 30^th 2008

            Well, yet again I have hardly slept…I got more news today. My parents can’t come. I respect it and understand it, but fu** does it ever suck! Seriously I must have done something so wrong for all this luck, or lack thereof, to be going this way. Honest abe.

            I randomly woke at about 9:00am and hopped on my computer, really for no reason because no one is usually on. But to my surprise my friend Kelvin actually was on, hhh it was nice getting his perspective on things…I don’t know what to do though. It’s so hard! But then, at noon Jen and I met Christine and some of her friends for Yum Cha…that was interesting. It was like a Chinese buffet where you sit down and carts go around and you pick things off the carts. The hardest part was the whole NO SEAFOOD because they tend to stuff random things in their food. But after the main course Christine got us some sweet tofu dessert thing and mango pudding…yum! From there we went shopping for Jen’s Halloween costume. What a pain in the ars that was! She is the most aggravating person to be around sometimes…I really can’t even explain it to you, but we spent four hours shopping for her underwear, tights and tank top. Holy crap. Once we finally got home, I basically vegged (surprise) and Jen went out. I watched Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Imporium, Nancy Drew, and Two Weeks. In the middle of which I spoke to my parents and got the news :( Rough day…It’s now 4:30am and I think I will hit the sack, so good night.

Friday, October 31^st 2008

            Well, Happy Halloween people! Ha. Today started with Jody and Steph making plans to go to the sea sculptures…so I just invited myself to go along too and that really seemed to upset Jody. Grr, but it was HOT out, cloudy and hot, there were so many darn flies that it was gross. As we just began the walk to Bronte (where the sculptures began), my next stroke of bad luck hit. My camera broke…yep…great week. So when we finally got to the sculptures Steph took lots of pictures for me. When I get around to putting them up you’ll see. But when we finally caught a cab home, we were all so tired that I think we could have slept right there! But we made it home, and when we got home my heart sank…Jody found out her grandmother unexpectedly passed away. What a trip this has been for this little apartment.

            When Jen got home she and I ran to the little store to get more stuff for her outfit and I got a cape and mask. I wasn’t going to go, but I decided that if Drake ever saw pics of tonight, then maybe he would think he didn’t get to me…I know. But so my outfit took all of five minutes to prepare and then the fighting began. Haha, yes, drama Jen got all sassy with all of us because we had no idea how to help her color her hair and make it stand straight up on her head. So, we all backed off and just waited for her to ask for help, which made it worse. Finally, Jody and I decided to call a cab because we were going to be really late and maybe miss our boat (at this point Steph has decided that going was NOT worth it). So the cab comes, Jody runs down, Jen yells at me, I calm her down, I leave, and our cab is gone. At this point Jody yells at me and walks off…I had no idea what to do, I really didn’t even want to go! So I called Steph and asked her to push Jen out the door, and while I was on the phone a cab pulled up to drop people off…Thank the LORD! I screamed Jody’s name and then took off to find her while the people got out of the cab…and as soon as I saw Jody I told her to get her A** moving because I got us a cab. Then I had to run back to the cab and hold it for a few minutes while the other two finally got in. It was now 6:30pm (we were supposed to be loading the boat right now) and the drive takes 30 minutes on a good day, and we were in the middle of rush hour. In case I didn’t mention it, Jen was a troll, Jody was a fairy, and I was the devil (fitting I know). Well, we got to the dock at 7:00pm and luckily they are NOT smart about how they do things here so we were hardly late. We got on the boat and I realized, I did not want to go, but I was there. So, I followed Jen around and then finally just found a safe spot outside to enjoy the views and stay away from the crowds-note for people who are claustrophobic, being on a boat that isn’t supposed to fit 500 kids is a bad idea. But the views were great, some kid whose name was Nate was hitting on me for about an hour when I finally shagged him off, then Chris E (from LEI) saved me by coming over and acting like my boyfriend-bad thing too cause I remembered how much I missed that feeling-and then he got cold so he went inside. Mind you all, I have shorts and a tank top on and I am freezing, but NOT willing to go toward the mass of drunken kids that were everywhere else. So I stood there, and of course Nate came back…got rid of him again and then Jen found me. She and her friends somehow must have been talking about me because Eric (who went to high school with me..random) came up to me and says, “hey I heard, was he a Chatfield boy?” Wow, that is weird that some guy I hardly know knows my story…so I am guessing Jen was telling it…wonderful. But then, three hours later after drunk BOYS peed off the boat next to me, drunk BOYS thought they would be able to drag me around with them, drunk BOYS thought hitting on me would be funny, I was off the boat and heading home. I know, walking alone is bad, but I just had to leave, I had had enough! I started walking and happened to follow three other kids leaving the cruise and not going to the after party so we all walked together to the bus stop. Their names were Marco (Italy), Olga (Poland), and John (Australia), they were so nice and talkative and just all-around a great little group :) Definitely the high of the night and the day! From there, I came home and Steph and I watched a movie, and now I think I am going to pass out…on the couch. Night!

Saturday, November 1^st 2008

            Well, hey there. This has been such a long day! Maybe that’s because it is now….4:36am and I am still wide awake. Gah! So here’s today:

            I woke up once, on the couch, because Jen came running in at 7:50am and she was to be at work at 8:00am…seriously I don’t get it. But she managed to make more noise than a jet engine race car. So I got up and checked my emails, and then she left, at 8:30am, so I went back to sleep. Then at about 10:00am I was up for the day. Since I feel asleep during Phenomenon I finished it, and by that time Jody was up as was Steph. Jody was hung over so we didn’t eat at Pancakes on the Rocks, but we did watch more movies :) I then got the chance to talk to my parents and discuss my options for coming home. Goodness, I just want to get there at this point! Then, I tried to study…that went nowhere, so I played online. Finally, at 6:30pm Jody, Steph and I decided we should go out to dinner seeing as this might be our last night…Jen has wasted so much of her money that she couldn’t afford to join us-that’s another story. The food was amazing, we just had salads at a café, but man! Then we also splurged for dessert…yummy ice cream!! Steph and I decided that 10:00pm was too early for bed, so we went to the video store AGAIN :) Since she is leaving tomorrow for the outback, we picked one movie for tonight, Waitress, and four for me cause I will be alone for the next ten days almost, No Country For Old Men, Fried Green Tomatoes, Tin Man, and The Prestiege. Now, at 4:30am, I have seen Waitress and Fried Green Tomatoes and I think I should hold off on the others this time, lol. So, I think that was my day…mostly. You know this whole Drake thing sucks…I can’t get it off my mind, if I could I wouldn’t be up right now…I just keep remembering and then thinking of what he is doing right now, with her. Whether they have kissed, held hands, cuddled, gone to the movies, gone for night drives, hung out with Drake’s family, if she is going with him to his mom’s big event in two weeks, everything runs through my head at all hours. That’s why I sleep on the couch, I watch the movies until they put me to sleep…but somehow today was better. I was confident about not needing him, not caring, not whatever…but yet it all still comes all the time. Hhh, anyway.

            Okay, back to the Jen thing real quick. First, as you may have read, since spring break and her thing with James F, she has been late to work EVERYDAY. So first I want to know how she hasn’t been fired. Then, on days like today, she comes home all pi**ed off because she didn’t get her share of tips, which (as usual) she claims to have earned all on her own anyway. Okay, so don’t you think maybe that’s how the boss is punishing her for being late EVERYDAY!! Second, Jen makes like $600 a week…WHERE IS THAT MONEY GOING THAT SHE NOW ONLY HAS $40 TO HER NAME TOTAL?!?! Is that not a sign to not go drinking?!?!?! Holy crap. And third, I don’t want to hold things against people, but the fact she is doing the same thing to Mike as Drake is doing to me kills me everyday. It’s like I am living with Drake while he goes out with another girl…I HATE IT! Hopefully, I’ll be asleep soon, night.

Sunday, November 2^nd 2008

            Hehehe, oops!!! So I woke up at…oh NOON!!!! That’s okay though, I really had nothing to do and the weather is crappy so I didn’t miss a thing :) Aside from that I didn’t actually get to sleep until 5:00am or a little after. My mind, as soon as the sun goes down, just runs wild. I can be fine and happy and ecstatic all day, but at sunset…bam. I’m working on that part though. At least I am happy during the day now!

            So I got up, and then talked to my parents on Skype..I think I am coming home on the 21^st, I really want to be home. I keep thinking about how excited I am going to be as soon as I get to DIA…I won’t be able to walk and I am sure I’ll be crying. Lol. I can’t think about that yet…too far ahead! So when I was done talking to them Jody and I watched a couple movies and I did some studying. From there it was straight to cooking a quick dinner and then saying bye to Jen for the next 24 hours…she has a paper due tomorrow, 3000 words, she has yet to start. Frustrating, but NOT MY PROBLEM!!! :) Lets see…from dinner Jody and I checked what else was on TV and watched The Prestige and then she went to bed. Me? Well, it’s 4:00am and I think I will retire to my room to play Sudoku and try falling asleep! Good night.

Monday, November 3^rd 2008

            SHE’S BAAAAACCCCCK!!!!! She is referring to me, the new me, the happy me :) Today everything has just sunk in and the weather is nice, and I am just happy and totally okay.

            I got up a little later than I thought, but decided it was fine. Then Jodes and I walked together for a little so she could go to the gym and I to the post office. I went to send home some gifts and my camera because I don’t want to declare anything…I’ll have one more thing to send home, but I may just send it to Chels, or maybe home…I haven’t fully thought about it :) But I took a box in just with stuff I could send and asked the man how much it would cost….umm it was $150! Sooo, I put a couple things in a smaller box and sent that, LOL. Then I brought the rest of the stuff from the big box home and headed to school. At school, I took TONS of pictures, talked to STA, and then I headed home!!

            On the walk home I had a brilliant moment and suddenly was over Drake, well I mean not fully, but I was happy and okay and relaxed and willing to just enjoy everything. I think the weather was a huge factor, but still it was great. Of course then Jen had to spoil the mood…or try…with her attitude and her sass about that paper I was mentioning yesterday. Whatever though, Jody and I just nodded and ignored her because she was blaming us for why it wasn’t done…ummm okay. Now it’s about 6:00pm and Jody and I are relaxing with the door open! I am studying and just feel…content :) What a wonderful day!

Tuesday, November 4^th 2008

            I am guessing you all are wondering why I am so bad about posting things on this blog these days….SORRY!!! It’s mostly because of high stress and just losing my head and not being on campus much to put pictures up…but soon, I promise I will change things!

            So today…basically Jody and I sat at home, she painted and I studied…and then she and Jen went to Scruffy’s and I studied. Sweet huh?! This final tomorrow will be a joke, literally I can’t make myself care about this class. I know, that sounds nothing like me, but really I just want it all to be over. The weather was pretty crappy today again, but there was a little bit of time where Jody and I sat out on the patio and just watched them fly on by. The clouds here move at a ridiculous speed…I have decided that, very educational I know. But that was my day!! Oh, I felt sick all darn day too and I skyped my parents. It made me sad when I realized I wouldn’t talk to them for a couple days…funny what you really think about after being gone for so long.

            Okay, this is my brilliance from this trip, yes I know there has been lots of it. I have really been trying to justify my actions here…and for the most part there is a reason for everything, but that bothers me. I don’t want to act based on stupid excuses. Like earlier I had to tell myself it was okay to fail, but I’m scared that now I need to convince myself that I can’t slack off. It’s not because anything has really changed, but I liked the girl who cared so much. Hmm, I think a lot of it is just being so homesick and not caring because I just want to get home, I mean, how many attached 21 year olds have been literally on the other side of the earth from everyone and everything they knew. It’s strange because I learned/realized something else. Everyone I know, including my roommates, knows someone who came to UNSW, that they really are friends with…I didn’t. I know no one here. It’s just me and I have no one from home that is here with me. That’s really really hard. Jody was saying that she just needed to be with someone from “home” the other day and that’s why she completely ditched me at the cruise, and suddenly a huge lump of sadness hit me and I realized that. That is one thing about this house that’s getting a little old…everyone thinks they are alone…they complain about missing friends, dogs, parents, and so on…guys we all miss those things. I do my best not to mention it because I know I get more sad when they do it, but they don’t give up with it. Sort of like how they don’t give up on telling me how pathetic I am for voting for McCain…that’s way old too. Gah, I just gotta keep my cool; I’m still very good at that :) Okay, it’s 1:00am, so I am going to bed…sorry about rambling on!!

Wednesday, November 5^th 2008

            Hahaha, so this morning was funny and frustrating all at once! Funny because I got up at 7:00am to make sure everything went okay with my classes (and it did, yay!!) and then I started studying…well I fell asleep until 11:00am. OOPS!!! But when I got up Jody came out to tell me that Jen left the pub early last night and that she was being her typical self and left her purse and everything there…so they had been calling Jody ALL MORNING. So then, Jen came home, Jody has now gone back to bed since she got home at 7:00am, and Jen rips through the house and looks at me all mad and asked me where her purse was..HOW SHOULD I KNOW?! So I told her she apparently left it at the pub and they have been calling Jody all morning about it, so she should just go back and get it. Like she listened to me. She banged down Jody’s door and then basically woke everything in our apartment up because she can’t be quiet about anything. And hhhhhh….keep calm. So then I was really studying, and do you think Jen could be quiet or leave me alone…NO! :| I was not a happy camper. So on my walk to my final I called my rents because I was flustered about a lot of things, just how things are going and how things have totally not gone as planned. Which, I know they can’t and that just cause it’s not the same doesn’t mean it’s bad, but it is disappointing in a way. But, they supported me as always and just told me to do what I could. So I did.

            Ummm, yeah, I knew NOTHING on that final. Maybe two or three questions, but all the rest, I “baffled them with bullsh**” because that’s all I had. Hhh, and I still can’t get over how strict they are. This time, no bags were allowed in, but you weren’t supposed to leave personal belongings outside??? Okay…and then there was no leaving when there was 10 minutes left in the test…ok?? And the last one, they collected our tests, individually off our desks (no efficiency there), then the statistics tables (individually again), and then they let us go out the door by row, but they were standing at the door yelling at people who were just about to walk out the door about talking!! They would say, “hey, no talking until you are on this side of the doors!” But really, what the heck difference does it make?! Blah.

            I called my parents again and figured I would cry for two reasons, 1. I just failed my first class EVER!!! and 2. While I was sitting there, a new president was chosen at home…and I missed it. But there was no crying, just trying to breathe…I think my emotional side is going back to the old Shannon…solid as a brick unless I am completely alone. I’m not sure if that is good or bad, but that’s sure how it is. Anyway, then I got home and watched some news, teared up at McCain’s speech because he handled it so well but you could tell he was disappointed in himself. Then I packed and walked to Randwick to meet up with Christine’s mom :) Then, the two of us drove downtown to pick Christine up from swim practice…how I love riding in cars!!! Umm, and then we began the journey south.

            We got to Wollongong at like 10:00pm and went to find a place for dinner. We picked up Christine’s dad and then grabbed some Thai food to take home and eat:) Yummy in my tummy! Christine’s family is so cute!!! Her mom loves to spoil people, it is so nice, and her dad is so respective! We were talking about the election and they had all these questions cause they really don’t know, and her dad kept saying, “Well, ask Shannon…she actually lives there remember?!” It was funny and nice because it was the FIRST time that someone wasn’t criticizing that I was from the US. That’s legit. I think I can read through all 80 pages here and not once say that someone was happy I was from the US, except maybe the skydiving pilot. But seriously, it was so cool, cause he just kept looking at me and was like, what do you know or think or like or dislike. So my opinion was actually listened too!!! Then after dinner, Christine and I just laid on the one couch and had a heart to heart…we do that a lot. We talked about Drake, and politics, and shopping, and friends, and I don’t know. It was just nice because I realized even more that didn’t make sense with Drake and I, and I also realized a bunch of positive things that have happened lately. Like I got my flight home on the day I truly wanted, I will have a new car at home, I have gotten to talk more to so many of my friends. There are so many things that usually I would over look, but between the ride here and that talk, I saw so much and just smiled for a bit because I never really sought to find those positives and tonight I did, I wanted to find more, and I just kept finding more…among all the bad and all the sad, there was so much good:) I really like this girl, she amazes me. She being me, lol. I just surprise myself so often, I don’t even think to say me…it’s so different and exciting in itself. I wish I could explain all this to you!!!! But you’ll see, and I’m sure you’ll notice and I’m sure it will all click pretty fast from there!! But it’s 3:00am so I am off. Good night loves, I’ll talk to you soon!!!! Email me if you want, I swear I will get back ;) xoxoxoxo

Thursday, November 6^th 2008

            What a full day!!! So, we all (meaning Christine, Agnus (her mom), and I) woke up a little later than we thought…like 11:00am :) Oops!! But we got up and got ready for a long day. First, Agnus and I sat downstairs and ate breakfast and read the paper…something I realized that I miss from home, lol.  Also, we got some pictures taken from their porch here…what a view!!! Mountain/plateau on one side, ocean ahead, city to the other side. This house is great!!!

Then, when Christine and Agnus were ready, we headed out on the road for the Buddhist temple…the largest one in the Southern Hemisphere!! It was beautiful!! It was really interesting because I mean, that’s one religion I know nothing about. So it was cool listening to Agnus explain everything and sort of give me the history of the place and Buddha. When we got to the first temple, we had to take our shoes off to go in and then inside, it was beautiful. There was a statue-I don’t know who it was-and it had like 16 hands for all the things that mean something in their religion. I am doing terrible explaining it. But it was gorgeous…and then we went to the big temple and I was astounded. The walls were covered with little Buddha’s with names on them. Well, what families do is go in there and light a candle for the ones they have lost so that they can “follow the light” essentially. But the ones on the wall were special for some reason, and they had Christmas lights in the box for eternal light…how cool!! So then Agnus took us to this really good lunch at the Dew Drop Inn that was at the base of the temple and we had some real vegetarian Chinese food…we had spring rolls, satay sticks, veggie nuggets, and veggie dumplings with Lotus tea…so good and pretty. The tea literally had a lotus in it and, yeah pretty!

            Then we went to the Wollongong beach, Agnus dropped us off there while she went to an appointment and Christine and I thought about swimming-but it was freezing-and then walked to the lighthouse. The beach here is astounding…this is what I thought Australia was. There are plateaus and all these beautiful trees and just relaxed. I don’t know, I like it here though, a lot. When we were done, we had some gelato and then we started walking towards one of their family friend’s home.

            This place was not a home…it’s a $5 million apartment! Let me say this, Christine’s parents live a very very nice life, without showing it whatsoever. The only way I saw it was because her mom LOVES taking people out and completely spoiling them :) But anyway, this friend of theirs…she is pretty well off, she is a beautiful Italian lady and I have no clue what she does, but you know how you can just see drive in a person….she was full of it! Oh my gosh, this apartment, by the way her name is Ginna, I can’t even tell you. She basically has the most immaculate place I have EVER seen for myself. Christine and I walked in and she offered us a seat…literally a couch-style seat at the bar part of her kitchen. When I looked to my right there was a fridge, like with clear doors, and it was PACKED with drinks. I have never seen that much beer and she was like, “Okay girls, what do you want?!” So we both had a little red drink that was a Bitter’s drink and it was delicious. While we sipped those down, she finished making dinner and then made tea and cookies for the gardners. When she came back, well she offered us more drinks and we finally rested on coffee. To our slight disappointment-not really-her cappuccino machine wasn’t working…it was like in the wall…so she made us espresso which was from Italy. OH MY GOD!!! And then she got out these little truffle things. That’s when Agnus arrived and the two of them were so funny. By the end of it, I had a full tour of this AMAZING place, and a brochure with pictures and such, amazing drinks, amazing pictures, amazing coffee, amazing cake, amazing everything! And then Joe came home, her husband. He was a funny funny man. He actually has been losing hair and since they have extra money, he got this procedure done where they take hair from the back of your scalp and basically replant it where you need it…it’s amazing. We spent like an hour talking about it, but Dad…you should consider that one when we have extra cash. Hhhh, I wanna know more of that woman, she was so amazing, so nice and that family was astounding to me. Umm, but as we left Ginna told me to come back with my family and she wants to make us a big dinner….so I am SURE AS HECK coming back :D

            From that extravagant little outing, Agnus, Christine and I went to dinner with Christine’s god family basically. We met her dad, Eric, there and then her godmother and father, Donna and John, and their daughter and family, Audrey and Daniel and daughter Sahara. Sahara and I kicked it off :) I helped her color most of the time, she was the most precious four year old…gosh I miss those little cousins! Hhh, but she was soo so much like Libby and Ellie I just loved it. And then dinner, well more Chinese of course, but it was great. Once Audrey and her family left the adults talked more to me, and for the first time in a long time I reached the point where I just couldn’t stand being here. I mean, don’t get me wrong whatsoever, this family is amazing and all these people I have met today have been so kind and generous to me…I haven’t spent a dollar….they are wonderful people that I owe a lot to, but they hate Americans. Christine does it all the time, she will say something that she doesn’t like, and automatically it’s America’s fault. This is where I get pi**ed off! Ok, ranting going to happen, skip to the next paragraph if you don’t want it. They asked if I had culture shock when I got here, and I said no because there were so many American things here. And then Donna and Christine were like, “yeah you guys influence everyone,” but it wasn’t in a nice way they said it. And my first thought was that we don’t force ourselves on them, I mean if you don’t like it, make it stop. Why don’t you make your voices heard in your own country and tell them that you don’t want American shows, music, or movies if you freaking don’t want them. As Americans, we share…we give opportunities to anyone who is willing to take them, obviously people in your country like what we are doing because you are so much like us. If you want to be different, then stand up for yourselves, don’t just blame Americans!!! People here are so damned lazy!! Physically and emotionally. If they are going like 20 blocks, they take a bus…IT’S CHEAPER TO WALK!!!! If they don’t like how something is, they blame it on the American influence…Honestly?! Then they were discussing how the Chinese are beginning to learn English with an American accent instead of British. I was like, wow, there are worse things in the world, and maybe it is because they are ALWAYS doing business with us! I mean, sure Americans could learn another language, but that might be where we are lazy, or maybe that is just something that we don’t feel is necessary. I don’t know and don’t want to go into that, but they rambled about how ridiculous the American accent was…um hi my name is Shannon and I am from AMERICA and I HAVE AN AMERICAN ACCENT AND I AM SITTING RIGHT HERE!!! How fing rude! And then, hhh, they brought up more crap about how freaking terrible the US is, and at this point I pulled the nod and smile but think about other things. I mean, I would love to stand up for America, but I don’t want to make a bad impression here, there are times when it is appropriate, but this wasn’t one of those times. Then, Christine, she doesn’t stop talking…ever, I just get so fed up with her American bashing sometimes, and her constantly putting others down. I mean, she belittles everyone and really it bothers me, but I don’t want to tell her that because when she isn’t doing it, I love her and love being with her. I just, I can only handle so much and thankfully I get some alone time at night to cool down for the next day…Hhh, there is more, but I just can’t type it and you don’t want to read it…lol.

            Sorry about the rant. But after that we came home and I got to have a great little chat with Eric about things….which again ended with how stupid Americans were…I told you. I think they forget I am from there, but whatever. Until that topic we had a great conversation about the differences and how things are done and even politics. Then, Christine and I watched TV…well she talked the WHOLE time, and then I decided it was bedtime. So here I am at like 1:00am talking to no one…lol…oh well, this will end soon.

            Can I tell you about some of my better thoughts today? So, first I learned why I am so quiet in the car and why I drive when I am frustrated. I think without even thinking…it’s like programmed into me and when there is nothing to think, I sleep. It’s great! But in the car, I just had this moment where I felt so scared that I would come home and lose who I have become, so right there I made myself a promise that I wouldn’t let that happen, and right here I am telling you about how I am going to do that. First, I am going to go snowboarding, I am going to go on road trips, I am going to drive to the mountains more, I am going to leave time for myself, and I am going to only count on myself for things. I have learned that about myself. I take other people’s word very seriously, so when they let me down, I feel like I have failed myself as well, thus, if I don’t count on their word I don’t get so upset about things…I am more willing to go do it on my own which I love. Also, I tend to be very outgoing, or attempt to be, and that’s something that I love and hate. I liked that part of the old me…the high school me…that was quiet, but sturdy if you know what I mean. I really really like that, and I am going to keep that. I am not shy about things, but I don’t just speak out right away, I don’t know how to describe this stuff…it’s all just a mess in my head right now, and I am scared that it is going to disappear if I don’t write it…I need to be in a car right now, lol. I don’t know, I am going to come home and I am going to be more self-reliant and also more mysterious, all the while being friendly and respectable. I am going to change and keep changing, but I am also going to stop and self assess because then I know what is working and what isn’t. That’s how I have gotten here, I see how I react and others and then I adapt. I like that about me, I am well adaptable, even if in my heart all I want is to be home where I feel welcome.

            Okay, sorry for how long today’s entry is. I love you all and I am off to dream of that super amazing house I was in today :) good night all, I really really do love you and I don’t mean to sound rude at all in anything and it isn’t that I don’t trust, it’s just going to be hard to earn and easy to lose….how it actually should be. There are a lot of people who have my trust though, don’t be afraid of that!! Okay, I have said too much, good night I love you all and will see you soon!!!!

Friday, November 7^th 2008

            FINALLY!!!! Today, Christine, Agnus and I went to Simbio and it was AMAZING because I saw my first koala and kangaroo…and Tasmanian devil!!!! Wow, that’s what I can say. So we started by seeing the red pandas…aww they are adorable. And then we got to look around a bit and then we saw the Tasmanian devil and then it was straight to the koala and I got to pet it :) SO CUTE!!! Then we looked around for quite a while and I fed a cow, deer, a kagaroo, umm, we saw pigs and lizards and monkeys. Oh my gosh, this one monkey was freaking hilarious…he was like modeling for us and then he spread his legs apart and started…well yeah…it was so extremely funny. I really got to see so so so so much, I LOVED it!

Then we had such a nice drive along the coast, it was beautiful…this is Australia. Seriously, this is it! We had lunch in a little town and then came back up the coast to have coffee and see the amazing views. From there it was straight for home.

I got back to an empty apartment, Steph’s parents came in early, so that was really cool for her. She got back and this is her last night now… sad face. I actually ended up liking Steph a lot more than Jen…strange considering how everything started, but it just goes to show you don’t judge! Umm, we really just kind of hit the sack, so good night!!

Saturday, November 8^th 2008

            Blah blah blah…Steph was gone before I even got up, she and her parents had a full day planned I suppose, but now the house is my own. I like it…I know I won’t in a bit, but I like it!

            I can basically tell you my day in one word…Twighlight. Yes, Steph left me the second book of the series and I decided to go between it and studying today, I just forgot to put the book down. All 600 pages…done in less than 15 hours…apparently it’s really good. I cooked my dinner while reading, I went to the bathroom while reading…that book never left my hand! If only life were as it is in the book…my life would be complete :) Haha, but it’s not so shoot! But now I am real tired…so I’ll talk to ya tomorrow!! Night Loves!

Sunday, November 9^th 2008

            Well, hmph…it sure is getting lonely here! I can’t believe it. I tried to study all day and just couldn’t. I get so side-tracked! So I went ahead and did a little grocery shopping and present shopping and then came home, and still I got nothing done. I don’t even know where time went today. But now I am watching the sun come up…yeah I know. I am going to be up at 9:00am and it’s 6:00am…maybe I should go….blah. Not tired. Oh I met Steph’s parents today, they are so so sweet!! Umm, and I think there is something in my ear…like a creature or something…it’s really really bothering me, but I’ll wait till I get home :) Hhhh, I can’t even tell you how pretty sunrise is :) But really I need to go to bed…don’t worry, there is nothing to tell about anything anyway, lol. Good night!

Monday, November 10^th 2008

            Finally, I talked to my parents, my roommates came back, and Nicki is here. She is staying cause she had to leave her place early, so she is in Steph’s spot right now…she is from Germany and she is a sweetheart :) Umm, but today I got up and was feeling sick again so I stayed at the apartment. I talked to Kelly and Andy, and I laid outside so it was all nice. I actually got a little studying done, I really am going to do some tomorrow, I think I will force myself to go to school. Seems like a good plan for me right now anyway! Hmm, what else. There really isn’t much else to tell. I mean, I got lots of new music from Jody tonight, cause we shared our stuff, and Jen got mad at us again, and Nicki is still sweet! Haha, really nothing is happening…oh except Jody missed her art final!!! They are letting her make it up though, no probs on that, so that is good. If I missed anything, they would tell me “sucks for you!” Stupid maths department! Okay, now it is 1:00am and I am planning on being efficient tomorrow!!! So goodnight all…11 days according to CO time :)

Tuesday, November 11^th 2008

            Hhh, and another full day of study…I mean for real…a FULL day. That is all that I did today. Haha, I really don’t even know what to write because I did so little! I talked to Kel again and Chels….that was really really nice. I don’t know what else to say though!! So I guess good night! :)

Wednesday, November 12^th 2008

            Ok, one more to go. I talk to my parents and Jay and Wes today, that was nice, but my test…gosh I hate tests here! They are ridiculous. I mean, the test I think went fine, I just kind of did everything I knew and tried what I didn’t…which is exactly what you are supposed to do so, yay!! Haha, but after my test I came home, saw some facebook frustrations, had a few drinks, went to the beach and then went to steak night. Gosh, that Drake kid really knows how to hurt a person. I was talking to Jody tonight and I was crying…okay whole story is that he is already with this girl, Suzy, and both of their profile pictures of them together…like yeah you know. Well, considering it’s been two weeks, that’s a little harsh and leads me to believe he lied to me. But anyway, I was talking to Jody and I was like the thing that really and truly hurts the most is I don’t see ANY good in him anymore. I can’t find anything! Not because I’m not looking, and not because I am frustrated with him, but because it’s not there. Even people who are my enemies I can find something in them…but for once, I can’t see a damned thing. That realization hit so hard because how can a person be that way, how can you love them that much and be treated so poorly by them. He doesn’t even care what he did…I emailed him the other day just saying that what he did really hurt especially how he did it and whatnot…and he didn’t care. Hhh, I know everything about this situation, I know he isn’t worth it and I deserve someone better than that, my head gets it. But I can’t get my heart to just go with me on that; I hate that too. But anyway…I studied and now it’s about 3:30am and I need to be up at 6:00am so night!!!

Thursday, November 13^th 2008

            Done. That’s it for this dang school! I have had the strangest day in the world. Okay, woke up and Jen’s bed was gone…freaked me out. Turned out she was sleeping with her fling and his sister in our living room, which sucked cause I couldn’t make noise. Then, my exam…I think the proctor jerks just have it out for me…for real. I walked in with my wallet and my phone and my ipod and the lady freaked out because she thought I had a calculator, so I showed her I didn’t but she still watched me the whole test! Oh, and the location of this test was at the horse track…our class looked out over the field…how distracting!! Then, people were making beeping noises in the one corner, like they were doing laundry…that was a pain!! Plus there was a bird’s nest in the corner of the window looking at the field…so there was lots of chirping and blah. And the test, OH MY GOSH, some of those things we never learned!!! So I just did my best, I really just want to get home…I think. Today was the first time I had apprehensions about going home. I decided to walk home from my test, just get some air, and well I got lost. But I kept running into older couples and couples and just things that reminded me so much of home…so much of home before I left. It’s so hard to think how different home is going to be now, so much has changed and while I know all the big changes, they haven’t hit me…until today kind of. I just kind of realized when I go skating, Lynette isn’t going to show up, she won’t be there. And Drake won’t be there to welcome me home and take me to the place he promised to take me, or do the things he promised to do with me. And at Christmas…grandpa won’t be there to give me that hug that just always makes the world seem better. I mean, I know it’s okay, and I know it’s really sad, I don’t mean to bring anyone down, but that stuff really hasn’t hit me yet. I am still in la la land and think they will all be there. I still think that I will be calling Joel and meeting up with him to show him the pictures and tell him about everything and catch up like we said we were going to do…but I can’t. How strange is all of that? So it’s been a long day. On top of all this I went to Christine’s and wound up doing all their dishes (which is cool because she has done so much for me) but then was so tired I passed out and didn’t help her pack much and she missed her train. So I feel terrible about that now too…hhh. Now everyone wants me to go out because I said I would, but I just don’t want to go…they don’t get that. I got yelled at by them because I didn’t want to go out, they were like, “we just want to be with you and since we go out then you have to come.” I was like, “HELL NO, I don’t have to do things just because you are doing them!” I got really upset, it’s like it’s not okay to not be a typical American…and I already know I am not a typical person, let alone a typical American. I don’t have to just hang out with Americans, and I don’t have to be at huge parties, and I don’t have to be rude…the kids here give Americans such a bad name, I hate it.

            Okay, enough of my rambling, I am just going to go in peace now, lol. You all enjoy your night or day and I love you and miss you. Not much longer!

Friday, November 14^th 2008

            Well today didn’t have much happen! I woke up and thought that my roommates would be able to help me clean, and after waiting for three hours for them to wake up, I quickly realized that it was a lost cause so I began cleaning. And then at about noon I realized I had to kick my butt in gear so I re-packed my luggage and then got a shower. From there, I hit the bank and closed my account and then Jody and I went to find me a cute dress, since I had yet to buy anything for my “new style.” Then I went to the beach and said good-bye to Jen, James F, Diana, James B, and Ben and then I went to the apartment again.

            After that the stress kicked in and I went into high gear getting my bags downstairs for the taxi which took me to Christine’s apartment. Bleh!!! I say that because then I had to carry all my bags up the stairs to the top floor! Luckily, Cordelia helped me, but I gotta re-pack again and get rid of some things! From that, I just sat around for a bit until Matt got here and then we started our drive to Port Stephens :) After about 3 and ½ hours of driving we were finally there. Now it is definitely time for dinner (at 11:00pm) and then straight to bed! Night!

Saturday, November 15^th 2008

            This morning started like most others, with the exception of me being up before 8:00am, lol. I got up and everyone (Lauren, Jess, Christine, Matt and I) got ready and had breakfast. Then we drove to the dive shop where the other four were going scuba diving and getting their licenses. I hung around there for a bit, but then I headed down for my whale cruise. It was sort of a crappy day with the weather, but man was the cruise ever amazing!

            Okay, so we started out of the port and the rocks and the islands and stuff were just amazing. Then the one of the boat guides started being really funny and was showing us all different sorts of things with the whales, lol (ie-mating, waving, breathing, birthing, etc). Then I actually started up a conversation with two other couples on the boat (a girl and her husband and her mom and dad) and we spoke most of the time. They were very very nice and were from Australia. Umm, but then we were about an hour into the cruise when hundreds of dolphins swarmed the boat, it was so so so amazing. I got tons of pictures because Christine was kind enough to let me take her camera. But then, when we were all thinking it was over and we wouldn’t get to see a whale…there was a mother and her calf :) We had just barely seen them and they went under for a while, while we were waiting though, we saw a super amazing sight-a hammerhead shark! It was so cool! But then, for about another hour, we followed the mother and calf humpback whales and got to see them very close up because the baby was so curious :) After that excitement the rest of the cruise was just views, and man were they great views!

            When we got back, the other four were on their lunch break so we all met up for lunch and then Matt and I went for a hike up a “mountain,” it was something like Tomaree mountain. Well, it wasn’t much of a mountain, but they had those darn grate things I had to walk over that scare the living sh** out of me…lol. But the views were just AMAZING. I was so beautiful up there!! Sadly, just after we got up there a storm rolled in so Matt and I hurried back down. Then we went back to the dive shop and straightened out our stuff for tomorrow so that we can just go in the morning :) I get to snorkel with them because they aren’t going to go on a boat due to bad weather! I can’t wait!!

            When we got home we basically all slept :) We were so so tired! But then Christine woke me up and we walked the beach at Shoal Bay. It wasn’t warm or anything, but it was just so pretty! The sand is so soft here, and the shells are so pretty :) I picked up a few for home, lol, I couldn’t resist. But we stayed out there for a good two hours just roaming and all that, it was so pretty! Then it was an early night cause we were all still so exhausted :) So night.

Sunday, November 16^th 2008

            Wow, wow, wow, wow!!! I have now seen it all! I got to see an octopus today when I was snorkeling! How absolutely amazing is that?!?!?!?! I can’t even tell you how excited I am, I sat and watched it for probably 20 minutes haha, it was so cool. I have now seen a shark, an octopus, rode a sea turtle, heard whales, seen millions of fish, felt jellyfish, and seen all the beauty in the Great Barrier Reef. Holy crap! I am just so beside myself right now. Really I can’t even type because it is all so exciting to me! Phew!

            So yes, after we were out this morning we came back and basically packed up and Matt drove Christine and I to Newcastle and the rest of them headed back to Sydney. Christine and I are going to do a wine tour tomorrow so that’s why we aren’t going home. But, the weather is cold and rainy, so Christine and I just hung out for a little until there was a break in the weather and then we headed out for dinner. Lol, we were going to go to the brewery, but that was more like a club and we didn’t feel like that so we walked and came upon a cinema. So we decided to grab a quick bite to eat at KFC and then see the movie Newcastle. It was a really dumb movie, but it had great cinematography and I really got to see Newcastle that way! :) Tomorrow is the wine tour, so I am sure I will be eating tons of food tomorrow :) Night!

Monday, November 17^th 2008

            Ugh, I hate getting up early!! But I suppose it’s all for good reason :) We got to the bus stop right at 8:15am (which was when the bus was supposed to get there) and we were afraid we missed the bus, but luckily the bus was running late so we were good. After a two hour ride we were in Hunter Valley and boarding the tour bus for the wine tour!

            We started at a cute little winery called Kevin Sobels Wines, where there was a beautiful St. Bernard named Gus. He was what attracted my attention :) But we learned how to hold a glass and got to try about ten wines. Mind you it was about 10:30am…guess you can’t start drinking too early! Lol, but I really liked their merlot!! Interesting cause I usually don’t :) Lets see, from there we went to the Hunter Olive Center…stop number one to try and soak up alcohol in my belly :) They had some great Dukah and some really good olive mixes, mmm. Then it was to Robyn Drayton Wines. The setup was different here, we actually sat at tables and tried ALL of her wines, but it was weird cause it was like a business setup instead of a personal setup like the last place. But none of her wines were that great, with the exception of the white port and the wine called Foreplay, which is described as “an orgasm in a bottle” lol. But it was DELICIOUS!!!! After that we headed to Golden Grapes Estate and got to try some dessert wines…YUM! They had a few ports that were great and then there was one that was like bailey’s-yum-and then my favorite was a Chili Schnapps…yes I bought a little bottle and I am making everyone try it! It was delicious!!!!! Oh man. Then it was lunch time…thank goodness. So Christine and I went to a little place where I got a chicken pastry thing at the Hunter Valley headquarters basically.  From there, we actually went to the most beautiful winery I have ever seen. It was the Audrey Wilkinson Wines and they are located on the top of a knoll overlooking the valley and everything…oh man, beautiful! My goodness. And, since we were a group of four people, the guy at the counter, Ross, gave us a lesson on wine tasting. He actually took a course in college about it and so he condensed his class into a 30 minute lesson…it was so cool, and will be very useful I am sure!! And we got to try a wine that typically costs $60 per bottle!!! Just cause!!! Man, it was so cool! Then it was to the Smelly Cheese Shop; the cheeses were good, but not like regular blocks of cheese, they were all spreads!! Weird! The last stop was Mistletoe Wines, and really nothing there was that great…and the lady wasn’t nice either, lol. But the last stop was a great change…it was a brewery!!! And they had the cutest dog named Nicki…aww, she was a sweetheart!! Oh and my favorite beer there was the dark black ale that tasted like coffee…mmmmm!

            Anyway, then we caught a bus back to Sydney and met up with Matt for waffles for dinner. It was an early night cause Christine has a makeup exam in the morning, so I am actually off to bed because I am just so darn tired! Night!

Tuesday, November 18^th 2008

            Hhh, little bit of a late morning, but that’s okay! I got to rest up and it was nice. When Christine came back we watched 90210 and then we decided it was time to hit the city…another rainy day, but oh well. We walked across the bridge, which was so so so cool, and then we met some of her friends-Shamona and Emma-at Pancakes on the Rocks and had a few drinks, some food, and good conversations :) We decided it was still to early to go home, so we went to the Rocks Café and ordered warm drinks to get us all ready to bear the cold again :) Apparently the waiter was flirting with me, but as usual I didn’t notice. Lol. The others as soon as we walked out were like “damn Shannon, you had that guy in a tizzy!” Haha, so that was really funny, I guess I should start paying attention since I can!

            After that we all headed our separate ways and Christine and I cleaned the house a bit and then retired for the evening, so good night!!! Oh and ummmm TWO DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my hell!!!

Wednesday, November 19^th 2008

            Well, another day I got to sleep in and do whatever I wanted :) I woke up at about 9:00am and decided to start re-packing…that was useless…my bags are heavier than crap no matter what I do! But then I finally, after three hours, went to the city. I got a lot of really cool things for everyone, I can’t wait to give it to them!! Sad day though too. Chels’ dad had an episode and will be having surgery on Friday, so my love won’t be able to make it to the airport :( But it’s okay, I’ll just go to UT or she can visit CO instead…family is family, I know I would be heading home early if my dad had a problem! And then, well, goodness I won’t even go into that mess. But, I had a nice day, got home a few hours ago and Christine was sleeping and still is, so I am just chillin for the night :) It’s supposed to rain yet again tomorrow, so we’ll see what we do. Maybe I will just get my parents gifts and then hit a movie or something…we’ll see. Good night.

Thursday, November 20^th 2008

            Wow, it’s my last full day in the land of OZ…here is when I realize that I don’t want to go home. I mean, I really realize how bitter sweet it really is!

            So today I was up at about 9:00am, but Christine slept till almost 12:00pm :) In the mean time I tried to figure out how I could get to see Chels before Christmas and I did everything to avoid thinking of what I would be doing tomorrow. And then I got to skype with my parents while Christine got herself ready for the day! Then I got ready and we decided to go to China Town and get some last minute gifts and then see the new James Bond flick. So we went to the Uni to grab my photos and then headed for the markets in China Town. I got what I needed there and we went to get our movie tickets! We decided all this because it was raining ps. Then we got a nice Chinese lunch and some pearl tea and watched James Bond on the big screen. Actually wasn’t a bad movie at all!! From there we headed to Christine’s parents so I could try on some clothes and take home some new stuff :) I got a couple dresses and skirts and shirt from her and then Matt brought us back to the flat. Here, well the three of us had a nice cheese and wine night :) And that’s when it hit me…I’m gonna miss this place, and I am really going to miss Matt and Christine. We had some of the cheeses that Christine bought from our wine tour day, with some of the liquors and dessert wines…like the Fourplay one. It was fabulous! Then I had to repack my bags and now we are sorting pictures. How strange it will be!!! Good night all