Coogee and The Cat Empire

On Friday, our whole group went down to Coogee beach where we grilled up a few sausages and learned a little cricket. Trust me, it's a lot more fun to play cricket than watching it on TV. Then we just chilled on the beach for awhile, went swimming, and took a walk around on the boardwalk to a couple different beaches and bays. The sights were awesome. We also wandered around in a tidepool for awhile which was pretty cool too. Saturday, a few of us woke up early and spent a few precious hours by the beach and hurried back to get ready and head out to the concert. We got to the concert, picked up our tickets, and went to the gate. Apparently in Australia they have two sets of standing room areas. Josh and I were in the front row, but the rest of the group got stuck in the back and the bouncer wasn't having any of them trying to get up front. The concert was awesome though, the opening act had a couple accordians, a bassist, a violinist, and a guitarist. They played some classical european music with a little kick. The Ca Empire then came on and put an awesome show and we got to see everything from the front row.

Life Down Under

So I'm almost finished with the first week of class, all seem to be pretty good except for my AUST300 but it's all good. A couple days ago a few of us went for a quick run so I've decided to try to do some sort of exercise each day. Yesterday because a few of us went to the beach for a little while, I decided to do a couple count downs of sit ups and 6inches. Today a few of us went for a run, longer than the first. Ya know you have to get that beach body haha just kidding. But the first week of class is almost over and on Friday were going down to Coogee beach for the day and BBQ-ing. Saturday were going to the Cat Empire concert so it looks like we should have a good weekend coming up.

First couple days of classes

So we started classes yesterday, Monday, and of course as I was registering for a new class, that class was currently going on. I show up for the lecture like 40 minutes late, great first impression, I know. Luckily the prof was cool and I had a tutorial with him directly after. It was my AUST300 course, envisioning Australia. It's going to be TONS of readings. No tests thought, just a few papers, participation, and a presentation. Then today I had my first Intro to Marine Science class which seems like a really cool class. On Fridays we have practicals and one of them is just doing precautionary snorkeling tests in the pool on campus. The later on in the year we go on a weekend-long field trip where we'll be snorkeling and seeings all kinds of cool stuff in the bay.

Manly

Today we had it in our plans to attend our beach of choice so far, Manly. We woke to clouded skies but still decided to head to the beach. Luckily as we arrive the sun began to pour through the clouds and what at first seemed a terrible day for the beach turned into one of the best. We got there early afternoon, not really sure when? maybe around noon-ish. We started the beach day off with one of the great culinary experiences of Sydney, the meat pie. Then we proceeded on just to hang out on the beach and frolic around in the waves. A couple of us headed back due to a little sunburn, but hey! were in Australia! Tonight is probably just going to be a chill night because classes start tomorrow, I thought I forgot about something.

So yesterday, Saturday, was a fun day. We woke up to cloudy skies around 10 and all made plans to go to the aquarium. We waited and we waited and waited some more but we finally left and made it through the torrential downpour to downtown. Once we got downtown it was pretty clear skies with clouds later on in the day. We walked over to the aqaurium where we spent a good 2 hours. They had all types of native Australian fishes and sharks along with a manatee. We came back to our apartments had some tacos for dinner and then headed downtown for the night where we went to Argyle. The night rolled on, met some chicas from Melbourne, nice to meet some Australians for once, but eventually headed back to our apartments.

First week or so

So I arrived here early on Saturday the 14th of February and after a long wait in customs, beagles sniffing all of my bags for like 25-30 minutes and finding out where to catch the airport transfer to my school, I finally made it to my apartment. The first couple days were kind of boring just because I was down here earlier than most other people. It included a lot of running around finding stuff for the apartment and just walking around trying to get my bearings. A few guys from above me and the girls from below me all decided to head over to the Ranch my 2nd night here for a few drinks and just hang out. The next day the rest of the people with the group I'm traveling with showed up and we just ran around getting their stuff to settle in and had dinner together up at the Ranch. We finally went to downtown Sydney the next day and it is absolutely amazing down there. We took a bus tour and saw most of the famous sites around Sydney and went to the ever popular Bondi beach. Yesterday was our first really nice sunny day out so a few of us decided to head to Manly beach and catch some Australian waves and go for a nice swim. Manly is an awesome area and were for sure going back there. Then last night two others and myself wondered downtown to the Harbour and walked to the Opera House and later met up with our program director and his brother and friend and a couple girls from our program for a beer and to share some stories.

ONE WEEK!

So I am one week away from leaving the country for nearly 5months for a semester abroad in Sydney, Australia. I have absolutely nothing ready to go haha and it is really setting in on how far away I'm going and that I am basically going there not knowing anyone. I'm working once again at the Boys and Girls Club, trying to scrape some more money together to spend in Sydney. I have also been getting more and more exciting just reading the number events the program is offering to us. They offer us trips from the Great Barrier Reef to the Blue Mountains to rugby matches to BBQs on the beach. All it is now is a waiting game and preparing, making sure that I don't forget anything too important. Speaking of that, I should probably try to get something done.......