So the first week of class is officially over. Overall, I think it is going to be a good semester. I went on Wednesday and Friday to Bondi beach with 2 other girls to learn how to surf. The first day was rainy and cold, but ironically, it was pretty warm in the water with the wet suit on. Friday was much better, with sunny weather. I managed to stand a couple of times but for only a short time. Hopefully by November, I will be better. Other than that, I have just been hanging out. Getting groceries, cooking with the roomates, or eating $3 dollar sushi rolls. Last night we went out to the UNSW welcome back party. It was pretty fun and pretty crazy for a party at the school. I think I am just going to take it easy today, and do some reading for my class on Monday. Till next time.

Here are the housemates. Blake, back left, is from UT. Soufyan, back right, is from Amsterdam. The girls in the front are from England. From left to right, Anna, Anna, Kate, and Amy. We are standing on the cliffs somewhere on the walk from Coogee to Bondi. It is surreal that I actually live here. It's beautiful.

I just attended my first class at UNSW. So far, it doesn't seem too bad. The professor prided himself on being a lenient grader. Just what I was looking for! It is meant to be a first year class as well, so that could also work in my favor. The weather is cold again today, sadly. But I have alot of things to look forward to this week. Two other girls and I booked surfing lessons on Wednesday morning. Should be interesting to watch. And then on Thursday, the housemates are going to the zoo up north. Maybe by then I will have some pics of kangaroos and koalas to post. Tonight, we are going to the scubar. It is another backpacker's place. You can pay a dollar for a hermit krab and race them. Should be pretty exciting. Now that I have access to the university wifi I will actually be able to post some pics.

So the past few days have been pretty relaxing. On Friday, the housemates and I walked from coogee to bondi again. That night we threw a house party. It was pretty big, and I think there were about 100 people there from all over the world. It is pretty fun talking to people from different countries. It was also pretty fun watching them learn beer pong.

The next morning we cleaned up the house and headed to the shopping center to get some groceries and hang out. Last night we went out to a club called The Gaff. We got a free meal and free drinks. The bar and food were pretty shitty because it was a backpackers place. But eventually the downstairs opened up and it turned into a club with techno and dance music. I have made alot of German and English and Dutch friends. I live with 5 English girls, and apparently I am starting to sound English. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Two people thought I was Canadian upon first speaking to them. I will try to post some pictures of the housemates and friends.

Orientation is over and class starts next week. I just joined an aboriginal gender identities class. I am having the best time ever. I really love my housemates. Last night, we taught them all how to play beer pong but with boxed wine because we are cheap students. It was hilarious. They are addicted I think.

Tonight, we are throwing a house warming party for all the exchange student friends that we have met. I am really excited. I think the house mates are going to walk from coogee to bondi again. The weather has been beautiful. I am really in the honeymoon stage of the study abroad process (that is what we learned about at orientation). I am going to try and post pics soon.

No Internet

I am sorry I have not posted for a while. I am sitting in the McDonald's down the street from my apartment because I currently have no internet, but I will soon. I have moved into the apartment and I really love it. The people are great. I am living with a Dutch boy, a group of English girls, an Austrian girl, and a French girl. They are all very nice and fun, so even though the apartment is lacking some, I came for 5 months to experience things with new people, and I feel that I am getting that from where I am living.

Last Sunday, all the exchange students went out for drinks. Then we walked to the harbor where they had these big screens up to watch the final of the world cup. The final was at 4 in the morning. By the time it was over, we were walking through town to go home when everyone was just getting to work. Even though I do not really like soccer, it was really fun since I was watching it with people from both the Netherlands and Spain. It was definitely an experience I won't forget, even though it was difficult trying to stay up 24 hours straight.

We had orientation the last 2 days. The weather was beautiful today, and after orientation, everyone took the bus to the opera house and walked around the bridge and through these beautiful gardens. It was really wonderful, and everyone is so fun to be around. Everyone gets along very well, despite all our different backgrounds. I love talking to everyone. I took so many pictures this afternoon. I will post them once I get my own internet. Tomorrow we are going to this island in the harbour where there is an art festival, so it should be interesting. I am going to try to get into this aboriginal class, so we will see how that goes. But anyways, I hope all is well in the US.

The walk to Bondi

So yesterday was the first sunny day we had. It was beautiful. Nice enough that people were at the beach and tons of people were surfing (with wet suits of course). Blake and I decided to be touristy and take the walk from Coogee to Bondi. A good 6 mile walk that took probably 4 hours. It was amazing though. A beautiful coastline. Every now and then you would pass little inlets of small beaches. Tons of people were out either walking their dogs or playing soccer and rugby with the kids. Every place closes on the weekends, so it was nice to see everyone in the town out with their families. Today, we are moving into the new place. There is no internet there, so it might be a while until I post again. Tuesday starts orientation and then class starts the following week. Very exciting.

Note to self: adjusting to people driving on the left side of the road is more difficult than you would think. I am constantly looking to my left when crossing the road. Even people walk on the sidewalk on the left side. I tried to go up an escalator and by nature went to the right, when the up side was on the left. Who knew that we were so accustomed to everything on the right?

Found a place to live

So, yesterday was a very productive day. My friend Blake and I found a place to live. Its close to the beach, shops, restaurants, groceries, etc. It is not ideal by any means, but it will work for 5 months. Its a small studio apt. with a little hot plate and fridge and such.

Unfortunately, it has rained every day, so its been hard to explore the city. This morning, I went to the university to check out my schedule. As of right now, I only have class on Monday-Wednesday. Ideal for traveling. It was sunny for the most part this morning. It felt really nice. So Blake and I took a bus to the city center. The streets were lined with Asian places, but it was really neat being in the actually city. We went in to grab lunch, and all of the sudden the blue skies turned to rain. I don't understand this crazy city's weather yet. We are about to head down and sign our lease, so I am hoping the rain will stop as it randomly does. Unfortunately, I am still not on a good sleeping schedule, but some exchange students are going out tonight at King's Cross which apparently is the 6th street and red light district of Sydney. Should be interesting.

Finally Here

Hey everyone,

Sorry it has taken me a while to post, but I haven't had the easiest time getting internet. The plane ride was easy. I slept most of the time. It has been a little cold and rainy. I met some very nice exchange students from all over, Germany, England, Netherlands, etc. We all went out last night and hung out, ate $5 steaks, had a drink. I woke up this morning and headed to campus for pre-orientation to set up my student account and such. Now I am about to head out and look for housing in the Coogee beach area. Wish me luck! Anyways, I hope all is well in the US. I will post more later.