So the day has finally arrived...
Today was my last day at Wesley and tommorrow I will be leaving for New Zealand. Tomorrow I will be saying goodbye to my host family, Sydney and everything I have come to call home and boarding a plane to New Zealand where I will be staying there for a week and then I will be on my long way home. This goodbye is going to be so difficult and I don't want to leave. Everyday it has become harder and harder to be able to say goodbye to this place that I have come to love so deeply. Australia is a part of my heart now and I feel like I am leaving part of me here.
Some of our Australian friends are having a little send off for us tonight so we can officially say goodbye. My host family is going to be having Mexican for the last time as it has come to become a weekly tradition for us. Australian lingo has become a part of my everyday banter and I know that this place will stay with my forever because I feel it in me. I can see it in the way that I act, speak and even react to things. Even though I am so sad to leave I know that by the time I leave New Zealand I will be ready to come home. I am so ready to eat NY Pizza, have my moms stuffed shells, NY Bagels, hear american accents, hug my family, sleep in my own bed, see the NYC skyline, drink a good cup of coffee, and talk all night with my friends.
In about a week I will be home and hopefully seeing most of you really soon. If you want to get together and maybe buy me some good food and all that nice stuff give me a call...
Cannot wait to see you all and thank you for everything you all have done while I have been down under. I have really appreciated all the emails, letters and prayers that you have sent my way. So thank you all!
I hope I will be able to update while I'm in New Zealand...otherwise talk to you all soon.
xoxo
Krystin
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Sydney, you have a place in my heart...
WOW, can we just say that I am leaving Sydney, Australia in 4 days. WHAT THE HECK?!?!??! How did that happen. I remember getting here what seems like 2 hours ago. Where did all the time go. I have SAT, SUN, MON, TUE and then we leave for the airport on WED morn.
I have to pack
I have to see my fav places in the city
I have to study for a final and finish my takehome final
I have to hangout with Gail
I have to hug my roomies
I have to pack 4 months of my life in two suitcases and a backpack
I have to get the recipe for Gails favorite pasta
I have to see the rest of the places that are on my list
I have to watch the sunrise over sydney
I have to pack
I have to say goodbye to Sydney
I have to say goodbye to my aussie friends
I have to say goodbye to my home
These are just some of the things going through my head at the moment and I really have no clue what the heck and how the heck I am going to be able to get through the next couple of days because no matter how excited I am about coming home I am equally upset about having to leave everything here that I have come to hold so dear...[this can be seen in how I have cried 4 times in the past two days whenever someone brings up something about leaving Australia]
What am I going to do? I'm really not ready....
I have to pack
I have to see my fav places in the city
I have to study for a final and finish my takehome final
I have to hangout with Gail
I have to hug my roomies
I have to pack 4 months of my life in two suitcases and a backpack
I have to get the recipe for Gails favorite pasta
I have to see the rest of the places that are on my list
I have to watch the sunrise over sydney
I have to pack
I have to say goodbye to Sydney
I have to say goodbye to my aussie friends
I have to say goodbye to my home
These are just some of the things going through my head at the moment and I really have no clue what the heck and how the heck I am going to be able to get through the next couple of days because no matter how excited I am about coming home I am equally upset about having to leave everything here that I have come to hold so dear...[this can be seen in how I have cried 4 times in the past two days whenever someone brings up something about leaving Australia]
What am I going to do? I'm really not ready....
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Whitsundays, this is how we do...
So let me just start off this post by saying that this was one of the best trips/adventures that I have ever been on...It was so amazing to just be with our group of people and actually love being around each and every one of them. That was so awesome!
On Saturday Derek and I left on a trek from hell to get to the airport [and let's just say that it reaffirmed my hate for Sydney Transportation]. I missed my first bus, then I missed the train to get to Central [by this point I sat down at the train station and broke down and cried because of all of the frustration]. Luckily we caught a break and made the next train we were trying to make to get to the airport, because if we didn't we prob wouldn't have made the flight because you have to be CHECKED in 30 min prior. After that disaster, our flight landed and we all headed to the hostel. The hostel let me just tell you was a little dodgy, we had booked three 5 share cabins that *magically* turned into 6 share cabins, so there were people in our cabins that we didn't know which was fine but we booked them for our group like that on purpose. And let me just tell you that the pics on their brochure, yeah they were photoshopped. But all in all it worked out and we had super fun staying there and all we really did was sleep and eat there anyway. That night we just went into town and got some cheap food which was so good because by that time I was super hungry, and just hung out in town. It was a fun night of bonding over the 2 km walk there and back to the hostel.
On Sunday we tried to sleep in and ended up getting up at 7 AM. So we ate breakfast and headed out to find a beach to lay on/water to swim in. We walked the long way along the board walk into town but there were def some gorgeous views. I loved it. Every beach we walked by had a *hazardous marine life* sign on it so we decided that might not be such a great idea to go in the ocean. We ended up at a man made lagoon in town which was just awesome. We all hung out there all day and just chilled. Got real sunburned too it was AWESOME! *note the sarcasm* Man I am peeling right now as we speak, but I will be tan in November! Haha, YES!
On Monday we had our Great Barrier Reef Tour which was AMAZING! We got a sweet deal and took a boat ride out to a pontoon on the Outer Reef. The food was great and there was even a water slide on the pontoon haha. But that all took second place to snorkelling out on the reef. Derek and I snorkeled like our lives depended on it. We were out there almost the whole time and then came in for lunch and went on the semi-sub and the glass bottom boat rides. Those were sweet to go on because it gave you a break from the snorkelling. Then we headed back out until they made us come back in. That was just be-a-u-ti-ful to see... I cannot even tell you how gorgeous it was. Breathtaking...
On Tuesday we decided to go on another tour that made three stops. You got to go on a hike up to a lookout which overlooked Hill Inlet, then we went to Whitehaven beach and then snorkeled at the Inner Reef. It had been raining a bit in the beginning but it was good because it was mostly when we were taking the ride out to Whitehaven so it worked out really well. Hill Inlet was as Amazing as the pictures show it to be and Whitehaven beach was so white, I can't even tell you how beautiful it looked. Fun fact for you: Whitehaven beaches sand won't get hot like the other sand, it always stays cool. I thought that was pretty cool...We even saw a stingray in the water right off the beach, we couldn't get close but it was cool to see anyway. That night we all went out to the city for our last night in town. We just chilled and had a good time. There was a scissors, paper, rock contest at one of the pubs and a couple of us did the contest. the prize was $500 dollars so it would have been nice if one of us won the money but we didn't, oh well, better luck next time.
On Wednesday we all just packed up and headed out to the lagoon/town for the morning and then we had to be back at the hostel to be picked up at 1:40 to head to the airport. Then we all went our seperate ways and headed home.
It was an AMAZING trip...def topped my list of fav. trips.
Wish I could go back already
I'll put pics up of the trip on my photo site soon...
xoxo
On Saturday Derek and I left on a trek from hell to get to the airport [and let's just say that it reaffirmed my hate for Sydney Transportation]. I missed my first bus, then I missed the train to get to Central [by this point I sat down at the train station and broke down and cried because of all of the frustration]. Luckily we caught a break and made the next train we were trying to make to get to the airport, because if we didn't we prob wouldn't have made the flight because you have to be CHECKED in 30 min prior. After that disaster, our flight landed and we all headed to the hostel. The hostel let me just tell you was a little dodgy, we had booked three 5 share cabins that *magically* turned into 6 share cabins, so there were people in our cabins that we didn't know which was fine but we booked them for our group like that on purpose. And let me just tell you that the pics on their brochure, yeah they were photoshopped. But all in all it worked out and we had super fun staying there and all we really did was sleep and eat there anyway. That night we just went into town and got some cheap food which was so good because by that time I was super hungry, and just hung out in town. It was a fun night of bonding over the 2 km walk there and back to the hostel.
On Sunday we tried to sleep in and ended up getting up at 7 AM. So we ate breakfast and headed out to find a beach to lay on/water to swim in. We walked the long way along the board walk into town but there were def some gorgeous views. I loved it. Every beach we walked by had a *hazardous marine life* sign on it so we decided that might not be such a great idea to go in the ocean. We ended up at a man made lagoon in town which was just awesome. We all hung out there all day and just chilled. Got real sunburned too it was AWESOME! *note the sarcasm* Man I am peeling right now as we speak, but I will be tan in November! Haha, YES!
On Monday we had our Great Barrier Reef Tour which was AMAZING! We got a sweet deal and took a boat ride out to a pontoon on the Outer Reef. The food was great and there was even a water slide on the pontoon haha. But that all took second place to snorkelling out on the reef. Derek and I snorkeled like our lives depended on it. We were out there almost the whole time and then came in for lunch and went on the semi-sub and the glass bottom boat rides. Those were sweet to go on because it gave you a break from the snorkelling. Then we headed back out until they made us come back in. That was just be-a-u-ti-ful to see... I cannot even tell you how gorgeous it was. Breathtaking...
On Tuesday we decided to go on another tour that made three stops. You got to go on a hike up to a lookout which overlooked Hill Inlet, then we went to Whitehaven beach and then snorkeled at the Inner Reef. It had been raining a bit in the beginning but it was good because it was mostly when we were taking the ride out to Whitehaven so it worked out really well. Hill Inlet was as Amazing as the pictures show it to be and Whitehaven beach was so white, I can't even tell you how beautiful it looked. Fun fact for you: Whitehaven beaches sand won't get hot like the other sand, it always stays cool. I thought that was pretty cool...We even saw a stingray in the water right off the beach, we couldn't get close but it was cool to see anyway. That night we all went out to the city for our last night in town. We just chilled and had a good time. There was a scissors, paper, rock contest at one of the pubs and a couple of us did the contest. the prize was $500 dollars so it would have been nice if one of us won the money but we didn't, oh well, better luck next time.
On Wednesday we all just packed up and headed out to the lagoon/town for the morning and then we had to be back at the hostel to be picked up at 1:40 to head to the airport. Then we all went our seperate ways and headed home.
It was an AMAZING trip...def topped my list of fav. trips.
Wish I could go back already
I'll put pics up of the trip on my photo site soon...
xoxo
Thursday, November 1, 2007
We don't need no education, no more teachers dirty looks...
Well classes are officially over [which is crazy to think about, considering that November just started] and I am currently finishing one paper that is due tomorrow. We have all day debrief tomorrow for ASC class and when I say ALL DAY I mean all day...were having debrief from 9am -5pm. Oh dear I am really hoping that it is not going to be a bore...
Then I am off to the WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS which are supposed to be the whitest most beautiful beaches in all of Australia. Where I am going to have fun with friends, snorkel and hopefully sail to some of the other islands. I cannot wait for that...
Tell ya more when I get back!
I am so ready for 5 days of a wonderful work free, stress free vacation!
xoxo
Krystin
Then I am off to the WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS which are supposed to be the whitest most beautiful beaches in all of Australia. Where I am going to have fun with friends, snorkel and hopefully sail to some of the other islands. I cannot wait for that...
Tell ya more when I get back!
I am so ready for 5 days of a wonderful work free, stress free vacation!
xoxo
Krystin
Monday, October 29, 2007
Video Killed the Radio Star...
I keep forgetting to post a couple of the videos that our ASC Director Kimberly has made...so here they are before I forget:
Canberra Video:
Outback Video:
Bush Video:
They might be a bit choppy if you don't let them load first...I hope you like them! =]
xoxo
Krystin
Canberra Video:
Outback Video:
Bush Video:
They might be a bit choppy if you don't let them load first...I hope you like them! =]
xoxo
Krystin
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Australians are artists...
So for the past 3 and a half months, on Sunday and Monday nights, promptly at 7:30 my hostfamily and I sit down in front of the T.V. entranced for an hour. Not because Australian T.V. is all that great, or because we only have 5 channels here [which makes me feel oh so much at home] but because I have come to see Australians, in general, as Artists...
When I tell you what show we watch here you are going to laugh because back home it is not what it is here. I have become entranced with Australian Idol. And I am not just a fan of the show and think that one of the guys on the show are attractive [which many are] but because of the way that they handle the arts here. From the beginning of the show you wouldn't think that much is different from American Idol, because they have the same opening music, and lookalikes to Ryan Seacrest [even though they are way funnier] and they still have those 2 weeks of the crappy auditions and take way to long to get to the good people. But it is apparent when the first true contestant walks into the auditions with their guitar, or they have a piano waiting for them. You would think that they are lying when they say that they write their own songs because they are so amazing you wouldn't believe that a 16 year old could write them. But this is only the begining...
Ever week the contestants and judges ceased to amaze me because they are so serious about this, ok they do have their parts where you wonder why they even said that, but then there are the times that make me hate Paula and Randy and just want them to actually speak the truth and not give the contestants the crap advice that they give them. The contestants on the show have been the most amazing bunch of artists/singers/songwriters that I have ever heard...and I cannot wait until I get to hear their songs.
Then tonight I watched the Arias [which are comparable to our Grammys] and I found so many more amazing australian artists which just adds to my idea that Australia has some of the most amazing unknown artists that I have heard in a long time. [check out Missy Higgins, or the John Buttler Trio...because I have only one word for them AMAZING]
Your probably wondering how this ties in with anything, but I have also come to know these artist on a personal basis. No, I'm not talking about the Australian Idols [even though we have tried unsuccesfully to get on the show] but I am talking about the many muso's that I go to school with at The Wesley Institute. Everytime I see a drama performance or a music performance or just hear them practicing as I am waling out of campus, it just never ceases to amaze me how blessed I have been to be around these wonderful people for this time, and how talented these students are.
I guess I just want to say that I love them....
When I tell you what show we watch here you are going to laugh because back home it is not what it is here. I have become entranced with Australian Idol. And I am not just a fan of the show and think that one of the guys on the show are attractive [which many are] but because of the way that they handle the arts here. From the beginning of the show you wouldn't think that much is different from American Idol, because they have the same opening music, and lookalikes to Ryan Seacrest [even though they are way funnier] and they still have those 2 weeks of the crappy auditions and take way to long to get to the good people. But it is apparent when the first true contestant walks into the auditions with their guitar, or they have a piano waiting for them. You would think that they are lying when they say that they write their own songs because they are so amazing you wouldn't believe that a 16 year old could write them. But this is only the begining...
Ever week the contestants and judges ceased to amaze me because they are so serious about this, ok they do have their parts where you wonder why they even said that, but then there are the times that make me hate Paula and Randy and just want them to actually speak the truth and not give the contestants the crap advice that they give them. The contestants on the show have been the most amazing bunch of artists/singers/songwriters that I have ever heard...and I cannot wait until I get to hear their songs.
Then tonight I watched the Arias [which are comparable to our Grammys] and I found so many more amazing australian artists which just adds to my idea that Australia has some of the most amazing unknown artists that I have heard in a long time. [check out Missy Higgins, or the John Buttler Trio...because I have only one word for them AMAZING]
Your probably wondering how this ties in with anything, but I have also come to know these artist on a personal basis. No, I'm not talking about the Australian Idols [even though we have tried unsuccesfully to get on the show] but I am talking about the many muso's that I go to school with at The Wesley Institute. Everytime I see a drama performance or a music performance or just hear them practicing as I am waling out of campus, it just never ceases to amaze me how blessed I have been to be around these wonderful people for this time, and how talented these students are.
I guess I just want to say that I love them....
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
So little time...So much to do
Ok so here I am just about to get ready to go to school and I cannot believe that I only have a week and a half left of classes. This semester has flown by and I can't even tell you how much has happened here in Australia. I have changed so much and I don't know whether or not I can leave this place in 3 and a half weeks...
These past couple weeks have been crazy trying to get schoolwork done and everything. I had 3 papers due within a 4 day period and then this past Monday I had my photo journal and excursion assignment due. This friday I have an Oral Presentation due and then on Monday I have my Photography Portfolio due. After that I am home free!
For STU-VAC (which is our break before finals) I will be heading out to the Whitsunday Coast to spend 5 days on the beach and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. I cannot wait until I have no worries and can spend time just hanging out with the friends that I have made here and soaking up every second of fun that I can with them.
Last weekend Derek and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary...which was crazy to think about but so AMAZING! He took me to Palm Beach and we had a picnic and just relaxed on the beach....it was so nice =]
Then on Sunday we went to Featherdale wildlife park with some friends and I got to hop around with some roos and I even boxed one...haha. Even though he was kind of nice to me ;) It was super fun!
This weekend I will be heading out to Luna Park on Friday night, Luna Park is kind of a carnival park that is open year round, to have some fun after this crazy week. Saturday night I will be going to community day which is a day where the australians can bring food that is "specifically australian" and then we do the same with food that is "specifically american". Were going to play games and just spend time with eachother which should be amazing! Then I have my flatmate Haylee's Dace Recital that night. I am really excited to see her dance!
Well I thought I would just leave you with a list of some of the things that I am going to miss about Australia:
1. My Hostmum Gail and my flatmates
2. Lisa
3. My other aussie friends
4. seeing the harbour brige every time I go in the city
5. ASC Crew
6. thursday night movies with Melanie and crew
7. angela janes coffee
8. taking a ferry over to Manly
9. being able to hop on a bus/train/ferry and go anywhere in the city I want to for FREE!
10. Boost Juice
11. Beaches, EVERYWHERE!
12. Doy Tao Thai Food (A-MAZ-ING!)
13. the pool outside my apartment building
14. movie nights with my roomies
15. water EVERYWHERE...so beautiful
16. my spot in the park, by the water, down from my apartment
17. aussie accents/phrases/words
18. three muskateers...
19. the amazingness that is Sydney at night
20. everything about this amazing place that I have come to call home =[
I know that in 4 weeks I will be sad but ready to come home. It will be a bittersweet ending to the 4 months that I have been living here in Sydney, Australia...and it will be so hard to say goodbye...
lovexoxo
Krystin
These past couple weeks have been crazy trying to get schoolwork done and everything. I had 3 papers due within a 4 day period and then this past Monday I had my photo journal and excursion assignment due. This friday I have an Oral Presentation due and then on Monday I have my Photography Portfolio due. After that I am home free!
For STU-VAC (which is our break before finals) I will be heading out to the Whitsunday Coast to spend 5 days on the beach and snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. I cannot wait until I have no worries and can spend time just hanging out with the friends that I have made here and soaking up every second of fun that I can with them.
Last weekend Derek and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary...which was crazy to think about but so AMAZING! He took me to Palm Beach and we had a picnic and just relaxed on the beach....it was so nice =]
Then on Sunday we went to Featherdale wildlife park with some friends and I got to hop around with some roos and I even boxed one...haha. Even though he was kind of nice to me ;) It was super fun!
This weekend I will be heading out to Luna Park on Friday night, Luna Park is kind of a carnival park that is open year round, to have some fun after this crazy week. Saturday night I will be going to community day which is a day where the australians can bring food that is "specifically australian" and then we do the same with food that is "specifically american". Were going to play games and just spend time with eachother which should be amazing! Then I have my flatmate Haylee's Dace Recital that night. I am really excited to see her dance!
Well I thought I would just leave you with a list of some of the things that I am going to miss about Australia:
1. My Hostmum Gail and my flatmates
2. Lisa
3. My other aussie friends
4. seeing the harbour brige every time I go in the city
5. ASC Crew
6. thursday night movies with Melanie and crew
7. angela janes coffee
8. taking a ferry over to Manly
9. being able to hop on a bus/train/ferry and go anywhere in the city I want to for FREE!
10. Boost Juice
11. Beaches, EVERYWHERE!
12. Doy Tao Thai Food (A-MAZ-ING!)
13. the pool outside my apartment building
14. movie nights with my roomies
15. water EVERYWHERE...so beautiful
16. my spot in the park, by the water, down from my apartment
17. aussie accents/phrases/words
18. three muskateers...
19. the amazingness that is Sydney at night
20. everything about this amazing place that I have come to call home =[
I know that in 4 weeks I will be sad but ready to come home. It will be a bittersweet ending to the 4 months that I have been living here in Sydney, Australia...and it will be so hard to say goodbye...
lovexoxo
Krystin
Monday, October 15, 2007
I have 5 weeks left....what?
Here is a post from an email update I sent out earlier this morning:
Ok so it occured to me the other day while sitting at my favorite beach in all of Sydney that I only have 5 weeks left in this wonderful place that I have only begun to truly call home. When I first left the states, I thought to myself that 4 months would be more than enough time to see all that Australia holds for me. But now 3 months into it, I can't believe that I only have a month left to do all the things that I want to get done before I leave. This next month is going to be packed full of everything that I want to get done before I leave, along with all the school work I need to get done, which is quickly piling up. I have two more big trips before I head back to the states...a bunch of friends and I are planning on going to the Whitsunday Islands/Great Barrier Reef a week before our last school based trip to New Zealand. I cannot wait for that because I will officially have no more school work by that time. This next month is going to be hectic but I know that I'm going to love it because I want to pack in every last bit of this place before I head home to the states. And while I am so ready to slip back into the normalcy of home and eat the foods I miss like there is no tomorrow I don't know how I am going to be able to leave this place that is so near and dear to my heart now. Even though I am making lists of things that I want to do when I get home, like hugging my parents so hard when I get off that plane, drive my car instead of sitting on a bus for an hour, eating NY pizza and bagels as soon as I get home, I cannot help but wonder what I am going to do when I have to leave this place. I cannot even imagine leaving my hostmum because I know I am going to miss the way that she sings the latest pop songs while making dinner, my flatmates and the way that we make eachother laugh like there is no tomorrow, being able to hop on a train and see where it takes us. And these are only some of the things that make me so sad to have to leave this place in 5 weeks. I am emotionally exhausted, physically tired, but so happy. It is going to be bittersweet to leave this place that I love. Because while I am so sad to leave Australia, I am so happy that in 5 weeks, I will be home spending Thanksgiving with my Family. Love and miss you all, Enjoy the fall weather for me!
xoxo
Krystin
ps. I will update this blog when the craziness of writing papers has settled down, which will end tomorrow afternoon, thank goodness...
Ok so it occured to me the other day while sitting at my favorite beach in all of Sydney that I only have 5 weeks left in this wonderful place that I have only begun to truly call home. When I first left the states, I thought to myself that 4 months would be more than enough time to see all that Australia holds for me. But now 3 months into it, I can't believe that I only have a month left to do all the things that I want to get done before I leave. This next month is going to be packed full of everything that I want to get done before I leave, along with all the school work I need to get done, which is quickly piling up. I have two more big trips before I head back to the states...a bunch of friends and I are planning on going to the Whitsunday Islands/Great Barrier Reef a week before our last school based trip to New Zealand. I cannot wait for that because I will officially have no more school work by that time. This next month is going to be hectic but I know that I'm going to love it because I want to pack in every last bit of this place before I head home to the states. And while I am so ready to slip back into the normalcy of home and eat the foods I miss like there is no tomorrow I don't know how I am going to be able to leave this place that is so near and dear to my heart now. Even though I am making lists of things that I want to do when I get home, like hugging my parents so hard when I get off that plane, drive my car instead of sitting on a bus for an hour, eating NY pizza and bagels as soon as I get home, I cannot help but wonder what I am going to do when I have to leave this place. I cannot even imagine leaving my hostmum because I know I am going to miss the way that she sings the latest pop songs while making dinner, my flatmates and the way that we make eachother laugh like there is no tomorrow, being able to hop on a train and see where it takes us. And these are only some of the things that make me so sad to have to leave this place in 5 weeks. I am emotionally exhausted, physically tired, but so happy. It is going to be bittersweet to leave this place that I love. Because while I am so sad to leave Australia, I am so happy that in 5 weeks, I will be home spending Thanksgiving with my Family. Love and miss you all, Enjoy the fall weather for me!
xoxo
Krystin
ps. I will update this blog when the craziness of writing papers has settled down, which will end tomorrow afternoon, thank goodness...
Monday, October 8, 2007
Lifetime piling up....
This week has been crazy so far, I am almost done with one paper and have two more papers to go....soon the stress and all of the work will be over. Then I only have Photography to worry about but I don't think that it will be too bad.
I just wanted to post this link of a video our leader made of Canberra, one of the first trips that we went on.
Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-b_GItlNp4
Check it out...she made a couple more but I don't think there on You Tube yet.....when they are I'll pass them on to you!
ok well I'm about to head off to bed to get some rest before the rest of the week...
xoxo
Krys
I just wanted to post this link of a video our leader made of Canberra, one of the first trips that we went on.
Here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-b_GItlNp4
Check it out...she made a couple more but I don't think there on You Tube yet.....when they are I'll pass them on to you!
ok well I'm about to head off to bed to get some rest before the rest of the week...
xoxo
Krys
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Birthdays, Bush Trip, and everyday happenings in the "City Down Under"
So I have been super busy but bear with me because this is going to be a long post to catch you all up.... =]
Ok let’s start with my birthday, the BIG 20! [Thank you all for the cards/e-cards that you sent and everything! I really appreciated them] Well it was actually a 4 day birthday celebration! Derek took me out on Saturday night and gave me my wonderful birthday presents. He got me earrings and a shirt from Roxy! Then we went to get Mexican, which was AMAZING! I always love that Mexican food! mmmmmm....
On Monday it completely felt like a fall day, which made me so happy because I had missed those fall days back at Messiah. It really felt like my birthday! Well I dressed up for my birthday considering I have been kind of a bum since I have been here lol, when they tell you not to bring as many clothes as you want it kind of gets to slim pickings.... but anywho...we had class and my friend Casey made me cookies and remembered the story I told her about last year when my friends made me a cookie dough cake. Well she made cookies for the whole class and then gave me the leftover cookie dough! She was AMAZING! Then the whole class sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, which in Australia is followed by HIP HIP HOORAY! said many many times....
After a wonderful day of classes, I got to head home to a meal cooked by my lovely host-mum! She made me garlic bread, spaghetti, and omgoodness you should have seen all of the food on the table.
Then I was supposed to go out to get Gelato with the School Class President Lisa and all of my roommates and Derek, so she picked us up and after much suspicious activity we got on our way...We had to make a stop off at school for one of Lisa’s folders *suspicious*! It turned out that a bunch of my friends were there to surprise me and spend my birthday with me! It was amazing! The best birthday ever in Australia!
Then we were off on Sunday on an hour and a half trip north of Sydney to the Bush. It is part of our Indigenous Cultures class that we went to this youth camp right near where our teacher lives. It was really interesting to see, we were placed in groups called totems and it was so beautiful where we were. We went out on hikes everyday and learned about the Aboriginal cultures, it was a really nice relaxing time to just think about a lot of things and hang out with the ASCers for our last group trip before New Zealand…which brings me to my next point which is……
I ONLY HAVE 46 MORE DAYS LEFT HERE! I cannot believe that time has gone by so fast! I am kind of freaking out because I have so many things I still want to get done here…But I am also super excited to go home and be with everyone. It’s def going to be bittersweet leaving here because I love all of my friends here and love everyone at home and its going to be hard to leave.
This past weekend we had our ASC break which was definitely well deserved! We had some people over on Friday for a Pool Party and then on to Mexican food, which was fun, fun, fun! Always love that Mexican Food and pool parties! On Saturday I lazed around and hung out with Derek and then went SHOPPING prob for the first time since I have been here…which is pretty good for me. I got two dresses, and I guess that Australia has been good to me because I have lost some weight, which made shopping oh so much better. Then on Sunday Derek and I went to Katoomba for the day and saw all the sights of the Blue Mountains. We found out that Australians are literal when they say things like “Giant” specifically talking about the “Giant Staircase.” We walked down the staircase which was super steep and then walked about 2 hours over to the other Giant Staircase near the Katoomba Falls. The hike was gorgeous! The falls didn’t have as much water as I had hoped but that’s ok. Then we walked around this part of the park that showed the old land mines that were over there, which was really sweet! Then we smartly decided to take the “steepest train in the world” up the mountain instead of hiking back up which would have taken another hour. It was totally worth it!
Well on a bad not I have been sick for the past two days and haven’t really been able to do much of anything. It must have been the stomach flu and it wasn’t fun…but Derek, Gail and my flatmates have been good to me and the sickness is finally over…
Just in time for me to get all my work done…This week will be a busy one!
Well that’s prob the longest update your going to see in a while! Haha
School is going to take over my life….catch you all later
Xoxo
Krys
ps. check out my photo website because I have a bunch of new pics up from all of these happenings! =]
Ok let’s start with my birthday, the BIG 20! [Thank you all for the cards/e-cards that you sent and everything! I really appreciated them] Well it was actually a 4 day birthday celebration! Derek took me out on Saturday night and gave me my wonderful birthday presents. He got me earrings and a shirt from Roxy! Then we went to get Mexican, which was AMAZING! I always love that Mexican food! mmmmmm....
On Monday it completely felt like a fall day, which made me so happy because I had missed those fall days back at Messiah. It really felt like my birthday! Well I dressed up for my birthday considering I have been kind of a bum since I have been here lol, when they tell you not to bring as many clothes as you want it kind of gets to slim pickings.... but anywho...we had class and my friend Casey made me cookies and remembered the story I told her about last year when my friends made me a cookie dough cake. Well she made cookies for the whole class and then gave me the leftover cookie dough! She was AMAZING! Then the whole class sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, which in Australia is followed by HIP HIP HOORAY! said many many times....
After a wonderful day of classes, I got to head home to a meal cooked by my lovely host-mum! She made me garlic bread, spaghetti, and omgoodness you should have seen all of the food on the table.
Then I was supposed to go out to get Gelato with the School Class President Lisa and all of my roommates and Derek, so she picked us up and after much suspicious activity we got on our way...We had to make a stop off at school for one of Lisa’s folders *suspicious*! It turned out that a bunch of my friends were there to surprise me and spend my birthday with me! It was amazing! The best birthday ever in Australia!
Then we were off on Sunday on an hour and a half trip north of Sydney to the Bush. It is part of our Indigenous Cultures class that we went to this youth camp right near where our teacher lives. It was really interesting to see, we were placed in groups called totems and it was so beautiful where we were. We went out on hikes everyday and learned about the Aboriginal cultures, it was a really nice relaxing time to just think about a lot of things and hang out with the ASCers for our last group trip before New Zealand…which brings me to my next point which is……
I ONLY HAVE 46 MORE DAYS LEFT HERE! I cannot believe that time has gone by so fast! I am kind of freaking out because I have so many things I still want to get done here…But I am also super excited to go home and be with everyone. It’s def going to be bittersweet leaving here because I love all of my friends here and love everyone at home and its going to be hard to leave.
This past weekend we had our ASC break which was definitely well deserved! We had some people over on Friday for a Pool Party and then on to Mexican food, which was fun, fun, fun! Always love that Mexican Food and pool parties! On Saturday I lazed around and hung out with Derek and then went SHOPPING prob for the first time since I have been here…which is pretty good for me. I got two dresses, and I guess that Australia has been good to me because I have lost some weight, which made shopping oh so much better. Then on Sunday Derek and I went to Katoomba for the day and saw all the sights of the Blue Mountains. We found out that Australians are literal when they say things like “Giant” specifically talking about the “Giant Staircase.” We walked down the staircase which was super steep and then walked about 2 hours over to the other Giant Staircase near the Katoomba Falls. The hike was gorgeous! The falls didn’t have as much water as I had hoped but that’s ok. Then we walked around this part of the park that showed the old land mines that were over there, which was really sweet! Then we smartly decided to take the “steepest train in the world” up the mountain instead of hiking back up which would have taken another hour. It was totally worth it!
Well on a bad not I have been sick for the past two days and haven’t really been able to do much of anything. It must have been the stomach flu and it wasn’t fun…but Derek, Gail and my flatmates have been good to me and the sickness is finally over…
Just in time for me to get all my work done…This week will be a busy one!
Well that’s prob the longest update your going to see in a while! Haha
School is going to take over my life….catch you all later
Xoxo
Krys
ps. check out my photo website because I have a bunch of new pics up from all of these happenings! =]
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Outback = Kangaroo Spotting, Boomarangs, Didgeridoos, and beautiful SUNSETS.....
Heading out to the Outback was about an 8-hour trip into the middle of Australia. We left at 6:30 in the morning so it was mostly filled with sleep and movies. We watched “The Dish”, which was an Australian movie about the first landing on the moon, and then we watched “Finding Nemo.” Which happens to be funnier after you have lived in Australia for tow months and have heard them say all of the sayings that they use in the movie. There are so many little things that you miss until you’ve lived here. Finally 8 hours later when we arrived it was about 5 o’clock. We headed straight out into the field to see our first Australian Outback Sunset. It was gorgeous. The first night was the best, it was so gorgeous, and all of the colors were so vivid. That night we had some free time before dinner and then had Burgers. They were really good, we had one of the host families who are chefs cooking for us the whole weekend. After this we had some time around the bonfire where we shared our life stories. It was a great time to get to know each other. Then we went to bed because everyone was so tired from the trip and everything else.
On Saturday we woke up and had breakfast. I was asked after breakfast to help with the worship service for the next day. It was nice to get back into doing that I had forgotten how much I love it. I think I’m going to get back into doing that when I get back to school. We saw a sheep being sheared and I got a video of it. It was really interesting to watch and see how much wool they get off of the sheep. Then Max and Gloria came with their foster child Dylan to sell us boomerangs and didgeridoos. They helped us paint and burn into the wood on our own. They were amazing to talk to about everything. The flies were crazy while we were out there though, especially while we were painting. It took us a long while to all get our painting done so we had a bunch of free time after. I played a lot of Dutch Blitz. I love that game; I definitely want to buy it when I get home. I love when we all go on these trips because it’s like were dorming together and I really miss that while I’m here because we can’t really go to each others houses at night because the buses stop running and we would have no way to get home. That is the only thing that I don’t really like about this program. I love my host family but sometimes I wish I could live with all of the other students because we lose that time of bonding together. That night we had dinner, which was lamb stew and Johnnycakes. Johnnycakes are circles of dough that cook on the campfire and cook up kind of like pita bread. It was really good; I really liked making part of my dinner on the campfire. That night we went “Kangaroo Spotting,” It was so much fun! We ended up seeing 11 Kangaroos that night! And looking at the stars, it was unbelievable how many stars you could see out there. There were no obstacles in the way, you could see the stars/sky from horizon to horizon. We shared more life stories after everyone got to go kangaroo spotting and then we went to bed.
On Sunday morning I had Breakfast Duty…We made “One Eyed Jacks”, or “Toads in a Hole”, or “Eggs in a Basket” whichever name you want to choose. It was so much fun to help the cook make breakfast. It was really good too! It really reminded me of my brother though, I missed him a lot when I was helping cook. Then we had a time of worship and then we went to go explore the farm! It was so much fun. We all piled into Ute’s and Land Explorers and drove around the farm stopping every once in a while. He showed us how he plows the 35,000 acres that he has worth of farmland. He says that it takes him about 3 months to just get the certain paddock ready to be used for crops. Then we saw a Gecko, which was super cute. I wanted to take him home with me! We climbed one of the huge hills that was on their property and sat up there for a while just looking out and thinking about the land and the Outback. We saw a Kangaroo on the way back so our driver drove off chasing him and it turns out that he had a Joey in his pouch it was so cool to see the Kangaroo in the daylight. They are such amazing creatures! When we got back we had lunch and some of the students went to go chase a pig and a baby Emu. They caught both and people have pictures with them. Apparently after lunch they butchered a sheep and one of the students in our group passed out. I am so glad that I missed that; I probably would have passed out as well. We had a bunch of free time and went to see the final sunset in the Outback and I can’t tell you how GORGEOUS IT WAS! I still can’t get over that fact.
Check out the pictures on my Photo Website because they can explain it more than I can…
http://web.mac.com/k.lay/iWeb/asheilanamedkrystin/KLays%20Photo%20Albums.html
xoxo
Krystin
On Saturday we woke up and had breakfast. I was asked after breakfast to help with the worship service for the next day. It was nice to get back into doing that I had forgotten how much I love it. I think I’m going to get back into doing that when I get back to school. We saw a sheep being sheared and I got a video of it. It was really interesting to watch and see how much wool they get off of the sheep. Then Max and Gloria came with their foster child Dylan to sell us boomerangs and didgeridoos. They helped us paint and burn into the wood on our own. They were amazing to talk to about everything. The flies were crazy while we were out there though, especially while we were painting. It took us a long while to all get our painting done so we had a bunch of free time after. I played a lot of Dutch Blitz. I love that game; I definitely want to buy it when I get home. I love when we all go on these trips because it’s like were dorming together and I really miss that while I’m here because we can’t really go to each others houses at night because the buses stop running and we would have no way to get home. That is the only thing that I don’t really like about this program. I love my host family but sometimes I wish I could live with all of the other students because we lose that time of bonding together. That night we had dinner, which was lamb stew and Johnnycakes. Johnnycakes are circles of dough that cook on the campfire and cook up kind of like pita bread. It was really good; I really liked making part of my dinner on the campfire. That night we went “Kangaroo Spotting,” It was so much fun! We ended up seeing 11 Kangaroos that night! And looking at the stars, it was unbelievable how many stars you could see out there. There were no obstacles in the way, you could see the stars/sky from horizon to horizon. We shared more life stories after everyone got to go kangaroo spotting and then we went to bed.
On Sunday morning I had Breakfast Duty…We made “One Eyed Jacks”, or “Toads in a Hole”, or “Eggs in a Basket” whichever name you want to choose. It was so much fun to help the cook make breakfast. It was really good too! It really reminded me of my brother though, I missed him a lot when I was helping cook. Then we had a time of worship and then we went to go explore the farm! It was so much fun. We all piled into Ute’s and Land Explorers and drove around the farm stopping every once in a while. He showed us how he plows the 35,000 acres that he has worth of farmland. He says that it takes him about 3 months to just get the certain paddock ready to be used for crops. Then we saw a Gecko, which was super cute. I wanted to take him home with me! We climbed one of the huge hills that was on their property and sat up there for a while just looking out and thinking about the land and the Outback. We saw a Kangaroo on the way back so our driver drove off chasing him and it turns out that he had a Joey in his pouch it was so cool to see the Kangaroo in the daylight. They are such amazing creatures! When we got back we had lunch and some of the students went to go chase a pig and a baby Emu. They caught both and people have pictures with them. Apparently after lunch they butchered a sheep and one of the students in our group passed out. I am so glad that I missed that; I probably would have passed out as well. We had a bunch of free time and went to see the final sunset in the Outback and I can’t tell you how GORGEOUS IT WAS! I still can’t get over that fact.
Check out the pictures on my Photo Website because they can explain it more than I can…
http://web.mac.com/k.lay/iWeb/asheilanamedkrystin/KLays%20Photo%20Albums.html
xoxo
Krystin
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Never Forget
This year September 11th happened twice for me. Most years I can only bear to get through it once. That day has affected more than most people know. It was my first day of my freshman year of high-school. That day has changed me in so many ways...There are no words that could describe how I feel on that day, but these words come close:
I am a New Yorker. I was raised on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Plaza, the Yankees or the Mets, Jones Beach or Robert Moses Beach or one of the beaches on the sound. I know that "THE END" means Montauk. Because I am a New Yorker.
I am a New Yorker. When I go on vacation, I never look up: skyscrapers are something I take for granted. The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are part of me. Taxis and noise and subways and "get outa heah" don't rattle me, because I am a New Yorker.
I am a New Yorker. I was raised on cultural diversity before it was politically correct. I eat Greek food and Italian food, Jewish and Middle Eastern food and Chinese food because they are all American food to me. I don't get mad when people speak other languages in my presence because my relatives got to this country via Ellis Island and chose to stay. They were New Yorkers.
I am a New Yorker. People who have never been to New York have misunderstood me. My friends and family work in the industries, professions and businesses that benefit all Americans. My firefighters and police officers died trying to save New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers. They died trying to save Americans and non-Americans because they were New Yorkers.
I am a New Yorker. I feel the pain of my fellow New Yorkers. I mourn the loss of part of my beautiful city. But then I remember:
I am a New Yorker.
And New Yorkers have:
Tenacity, strength and courage way above the norm
Compassion and caring for our fellow citizens
Love and pride in our city, in our state, in our country
Intelligence, experience and education par excellence
Ability, dedication and energy above and beyond
Faith--no matter what religion we practice...
Terrorists hit America in its heart, but America's heart still beats strong. Demolish the steel in our buildings, but it doesn't touch the steel in our souls. Hit us in the pocketbook; but we'll parlay what we have left into a fortune. End innocent lives leaving widows and orphans, but we'll take care of them, because they are New Yorkers.
Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are. There are New Yorkers in every state and every city of this nation. We will not abandon our city. We will not abandon our brothers and sisters. We will not abandon the beauty, creativity and diversity that New York represents. And most importantly, we will never forget.
Because we are New Yorkers.
And we are proud to be New Yorkers.
[Anonymous]
****************
this is my city
my east side
my west side story
my heartbeat
my first love
my tradition
xoxo
Krystin
I am a New Yorker. I was raised on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Plaza, the Yankees or the Mets, Jones Beach or Robert Moses Beach or one of the beaches on the sound. I know that "THE END" means Montauk. Because I am a New Yorker.
I am a New Yorker. When I go on vacation, I never look up: skyscrapers are something I take for granted. The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are part of me. Taxis and noise and subways and "get outa heah" don't rattle me, because I am a New Yorker.
I am a New Yorker. I was raised on cultural diversity before it was politically correct. I eat Greek food and Italian food, Jewish and Middle Eastern food and Chinese food because they are all American food to me. I don't get mad when people speak other languages in my presence because my relatives got to this country via Ellis Island and chose to stay. They were New Yorkers.
I am a New Yorker. People who have never been to New York have misunderstood me. My friends and family work in the industries, professions and businesses that benefit all Americans. My firefighters and police officers died trying to save New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers. They died trying to save Americans and non-Americans because they were New Yorkers.
I am a New Yorker. I feel the pain of my fellow New Yorkers. I mourn the loss of part of my beautiful city. But then I remember:
I am a New Yorker.
And New Yorkers have:
Tenacity, strength and courage way above the norm
Compassion and caring for our fellow citizens
Love and pride in our city, in our state, in our country
Intelligence, experience and education par excellence
Ability, dedication and energy above and beyond
Faith--no matter what religion we practice...
Terrorists hit America in its heart, but America's heart still beats strong. Demolish the steel in our buildings, but it doesn't touch the steel in our souls. Hit us in the pocketbook; but we'll parlay what we have left into a fortune. End innocent lives leaving widows and orphans, but we'll take care of them, because they are New Yorkers.
Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are. There are New Yorkers in every state and every city of this nation. We will not abandon our city. We will not abandon our brothers and sisters. We will not abandon the beauty, creativity and diversity that New York represents. And most importantly, we will never forget.
Because we are New Yorkers.
And we are proud to be New Yorkers.
[Anonymous]
****************
this is my city
my east side
my west side story
my heartbeat
my first love
my tradition
xoxo
Krystin
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Were heading Out Back....
This past week has been so crazy...I have had to write heaps of papers, get a fly net, and do so many other things. How you going? (thats how they say how are you doing here in Auz....it always throws me off guard).
A thought that I have had in the past week is that th teachers here are so AMAZING! They are so laid back and they really want to know what you have to say. Yesterday the teacher for my Arts and Culture class, Grenville Kent, surprised me in so many ways. First of all he had been away for the whole first 4 weeks of the class and another 3rd year theology student was teaching us. He was really great too. So on to my story, first of all he is so interested in what the students wanted to say which is so interesting to me because teachers back in the states are always right back to the point...The second thing is that two students were lauging in class and Grenville looked over and asked them what they were lauging about (at this point I thought he was going to yell at them) and they pointed to another student who at that time was out cold sleeping, and I mean head lolling to the side sleeping. (I then proceeded to get tense waiting for him to freak out...) But he proceeded to wait as the student was woken up and looked around and proceeded to apologize profusely. Grenville then smiled and said that he had a story for us, because that was nothing compared to how he did that one time. He then proceeded to tell a story about how when one of his children were really sick one night and he had been up till all hours of the night. He went in to give the lecture and had fallen asleep during the lecture! It was so funny because the whole time I thought he was going to yell and then he was completely understanding about it. It still amazes me when teachers here are like that =]
A quick note, derek and I found a Mexican restaurant in Manly Beach that is so good! We were so happy when we found it, we have been there twice already! I love Mexican Food!
These past couple weeks here in Asutralia have been absolutly AMAZING! and I don't know what has changed but everything has been so great! besides doing all of the work that we have to do for our classes. If I didn't have to take classes while I was here I would have to say that would make it so much better! I have been really connecting with so many people that are on this trip. I have had 3 coffee dates this week already...and I am so excited for this weekend because were heading to the Outback. Candobalin, Australia is where were going which is about 7-8 hours west of here. I am actually looking forward to the bus ride because were going to watch Finding Nemo and Crocodile Dundee! and I am also going to be able to talk with a lot more of the ASC students and get to know them better which makes me happy!
My birthday is in 9 days and I am so happy! I cannot wait to turn 20!
Well I will post when I get back from the Outback!
love, Krystin
A thought that I have had in the past week is that th teachers here are so AMAZING! They are so laid back and they really want to know what you have to say. Yesterday the teacher for my Arts and Culture class, Grenville Kent, surprised me in so many ways. First of all he had been away for the whole first 4 weeks of the class and another 3rd year theology student was teaching us. He was really great too. So on to my story, first of all he is so interested in what the students wanted to say which is so interesting to me because teachers back in the states are always right back to the point...The second thing is that two students were lauging in class and Grenville looked over and asked them what they were lauging about (at this point I thought he was going to yell at them) and they pointed to another student who at that time was out cold sleeping, and I mean head lolling to the side sleeping. (I then proceeded to get tense waiting for him to freak out...) But he proceeded to wait as the student was woken up and looked around and proceeded to apologize profusely. Grenville then smiled and said that he had a story for us, because that was nothing compared to how he did that one time. He then proceeded to tell a story about how when one of his children were really sick one night and he had been up till all hours of the night. He went in to give the lecture and had fallen asleep during the lecture! It was so funny because the whole time I thought he was going to yell and then he was completely understanding about it. It still amazes me when teachers here are like that =]
A quick note, derek and I found a Mexican restaurant in Manly Beach that is so good! We were so happy when we found it, we have been there twice already! I love Mexican Food!
These past couple weeks here in Asutralia have been absolutly AMAZING! and I don't know what has changed but everything has been so great! besides doing all of the work that we have to do for our classes. If I didn't have to take classes while I was here I would have to say that would make it so much better! I have been really connecting with so many people that are on this trip. I have had 3 coffee dates this week already...and I am so excited for this weekend because were heading to the Outback. Candobalin, Australia is where were going which is about 7-8 hours west of here. I am actually looking forward to the bus ride because were going to watch Finding Nemo and Crocodile Dundee! and I am also going to be able to talk with a lot more of the ASC students and get to know them better which makes me happy!
My birthday is in 9 days and I am so happy! I cannot wait to turn 20!
Well I will post when I get back from the Outback!
love, Krystin
Friday, August 31, 2007
With Arms Outstreched...
So this week has been crazy trying to get work done. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I have papers and stuff due as well....haha. I think I have been doing a pretty decent job though considering. I have gotten an A- as my first grade so far. I don't think this is going to be a problem. Derek and I went to the beach yesterday. It was so nice but windy...I can't wait for it to get really warm here though. I'm getting tired of it being 50's one week and then 70's the next. It's throwing me off!
Next weekend were going to the Outback so that should be a trek! It's going to take us 8 hours to get there. I don't know if I can be cooped up on a bus with 36 other people for that long. I hope it goes well!
I have been having an awesome time this week getting to know other people in my group! It's been AMAZING! Oh I can't wait to see what else is in store for me!
Ok I have to head off to class...
love
Krystin
Next weekend were going to the Outback so that should be a trek! It's going to take us 8 hours to get there. I don't know if I can be cooped up on a bus with 36 other people for that long. I hope it goes well!
I have been having an awesome time this week getting to know other people in my group! It's been AMAZING! Oh I can't wait to see what else is in store for me!
Ok I have to head off to class...
love
Krystin
Saturday, August 25, 2007
EMAIL UPDATE....
Here is an email I wrote to a bunch of people earlier today I just wanted to post it.....
I hope you all have been having a great summer! I know I have been having a life changing time here in Australia. It has been pushing my limits more than I could have imagined. Not the same as if I was in a third world country but at times it almost seems like I'm not on earth anymore. No matter how much people say that Australia is Americanized I would never, ever compare it to America in any way shape or form.
Right before I left I thought to myself, "you know what at least they speak english and it seems like america." Boy was I wrong, you could say they speak english here but half the time it's a shortened version of all of the words that we use and all of their aussie sayings. And it definitly does not seem like america, sure they have McDonalds (not the same by the way) and Subway but they also don't have a lot of things. Like Ketchup, mexican food, Graham Crackers, and a bus system that actually comes on time. Oh do I miss Ketchup!
But in a way I have come to love it here, because they have so many things that America doesn't have like sweet chili sauce, nutri grain, wheat bix, the most amazingly beautiful people I have ever come to meet. Australian's don't only go out of there way to say G'day they also go out of their way to make you feel more at home than you ever thought possibe, especially when you are missing home the most. My hostmum when I came home the other day, after having probably the worst day here so far, proceeded to tell me that she had gotten me a sushi roll. Now this may not seem like much to you but to me sushi is one of my favorites and I had quickly mentioned this in my delirious, jet lagged, had just been on the plane for 20+ hours and up for two days straight state. It just goes to show my how much she wanted to make me feel at home. Which I do here because my hostmum and roomates are just so wonderful to me.
So even though I have been having this life-changing wonderful experience half way across the world, I miss home more than anything: I miss my parents and my brothers, I want to hug my best friends right now, I miss buses that actually come on time instead of 45 min late or 15 min early, and I miss driving...but more than that its a feeling that I just can't place. I have only been here a little over a month but time is flying...I know that when it comes time to leave this place just as I was when I was leaving the states I will be moved beyond words.
I miss each and every one of you! Keep me updated...I love the emails I have been getting, because I am so badly trying to stay in the loop.
Love,
Krystin
ps. if you want to send me anything I know i would love it! =] Oh but nothing that can't go through customs ;)
For Packages:
Krystin Lay
ASC - Wesley Institute
5 Mary Street
Drummoyne, NSW 2047
Australia
and for Letters its:
Krystin Lay
Unit 3 "Maquarie"
247 J Burwood Road
Concord, NSW 2137
Australia
xoxo
I hope you all have been having a great summer! I know I have been having a life changing time here in Australia. It has been pushing my limits more than I could have imagined. Not the same as if I was in a third world country but at times it almost seems like I'm not on earth anymore. No matter how much people say that Australia is Americanized I would never, ever compare it to America in any way shape or form.
Right before I left I thought to myself, "you know what at least they speak english and it seems like america." Boy was I wrong, you could say they speak english here but half the time it's a shortened version of all of the words that we use and all of their aussie sayings. And it definitly does not seem like america, sure they have McDonalds (not the same by the way) and Subway but they also don't have a lot of things. Like Ketchup, mexican food, Graham Crackers, and a bus system that actually comes on time. Oh do I miss Ketchup!
But in a way I have come to love it here, because they have so many things that America doesn't have like sweet chili sauce, nutri grain, wheat bix, the most amazingly beautiful people I have ever come to meet. Australian's don't only go out of there way to say G'day they also go out of their way to make you feel more at home than you ever thought possibe, especially when you are missing home the most. My hostmum when I came home the other day, after having probably the worst day here so far, proceeded to tell me that she had gotten me a sushi roll. Now this may not seem like much to you but to me sushi is one of my favorites and I had quickly mentioned this in my delirious, jet lagged, had just been on the plane for 20+ hours and up for two days straight state. It just goes to show my how much she wanted to make me feel at home. Which I do here because my hostmum and roomates are just so wonderful to me.
So even though I have been having this life-changing wonderful experience half way across the world, I miss home more than anything: I miss my parents and my brothers, I want to hug my best friends right now, I miss buses that actually come on time instead of 45 min late or 15 min early, and I miss driving...but more than that its a feeling that I just can't place. I have only been here a little over a month but time is flying...I know that when it comes time to leave this place just as I was when I was leaving the states I will be moved beyond words.
I miss each and every one of you! Keep me updated...I love the emails I have been getting, because I am so badly trying to stay in the loop.
Love,
Krystin
ps. if you want to send me anything I know i would love it! =] Oh but nothing that can't go through customs ;)
For Packages:
Krystin Lay
ASC - Wesley Institute
5 Mary Street
Drummoyne, NSW 2047
Australia
and for Letters its:
Krystin Lay
Unit 3 "Maquarie"
247 J Burwood Road
Concord, NSW 2137
Australia
xoxo
You call it madness, but I call it Love...
Hey all....omgoodness this week has been so busy!
So first of all we had my roomates Haylee's 21st Suprise Birthday Party on Tuesday! It was super fun and she had no idea! It was the best time. Gail was going to be out for the night because her birthday is on Wednesday so she told Kara, Stacey and I that we could have the house and a bunch of people over for Haylee's Birthday. It ended up being about 25 people, ASCers and Australians. It was just so much fun to be hanging out with all of them outside of school. Sometimes I really miss the dorm life. I posted pictures on my photo website from her birthday and all of the other pictures that I have taken here in Australia. The website is at the end of this post.
Then this Friday I had a Oral Presentation with my group so we were gettting ready for that all week. It ended up going really well but I was still nervous because our teacher Kim is a really hard grader and everyone else that had gone so far had gotten C's (american grading) on their presentation. But everyone said that we were the best yet even though I didn't think that we did that amazing. Although you can never really tell, especially when I'm up there shaking the whole time...hahaha. Oh well I guess we'll see in a week or so.
Oh I got my first assignment back in Old Testament and I got a D-! haha You're probably wondering why I'm excited that I got a D- right? Well here they grade differently, a D- means a distinction which in the American Grading System would be an A-! YAY my first grade was an A-, let's just see if I can keep that up! =]
Well this weekend is going to include a lot of work because not only did I have to do all of the above this week I also had to be working on a 7-10 page position paper along with all of my other classes work! AHHHHHHH! I actually need to start working on that right now.... boo =[
Check out my PHOTO Website: http://web.mac.com/k.lay/iWeb/asheilanamedkrystin/KLays%20Photo%20Albums.html
xoxo
Krystin
So first of all we had my roomates Haylee's 21st Suprise Birthday Party on Tuesday! It was super fun and she had no idea! It was the best time. Gail was going to be out for the night because her birthday is on Wednesday so she told Kara, Stacey and I that we could have the house and a bunch of people over for Haylee's Birthday. It ended up being about 25 people, ASCers and Australians. It was just so much fun to be hanging out with all of them outside of school. Sometimes I really miss the dorm life. I posted pictures on my photo website from her birthday and all of the other pictures that I have taken here in Australia. The website is at the end of this post.
Then this Friday I had a Oral Presentation with my group so we were gettting ready for that all week. It ended up going really well but I was still nervous because our teacher Kim is a really hard grader and everyone else that had gone so far had gotten C's (american grading) on their presentation. But everyone said that we were the best yet even though I didn't think that we did that amazing. Although you can never really tell, especially when I'm up there shaking the whole time...hahaha. Oh well I guess we'll see in a week or so.
Oh I got my first assignment back in Old Testament and I got a D-! haha You're probably wondering why I'm excited that I got a D- right? Well here they grade differently, a D- means a distinction which in the American Grading System would be an A-! YAY my first grade was an A-, let's just see if I can keep that up! =]
Well this weekend is going to include a lot of work because not only did I have to do all of the above this week I also had to be working on a 7-10 page position paper along with all of my other classes work! AHHHHHHH! I actually need to start working on that right now.... boo =[
Check out my PHOTO Website: http://web.mac.com/k.lay/iWeb/asheilanamedkrystin/KLays%20Photo%20Albums.html
xoxo
Krystin
Monday, August 20, 2007
Canberra, the coldest place on earth.....or at least in Australia
Well I'm back from Canberra (pronounced Can-bra) as of Sunday afternoon. We left on Friday morning at 6:30 for a 3 hour bus ride to Canberra. It was filled with catching up on lots of sleep because I had been up late finishing packing and getting homework done. When we got there we immediately went to the Papau New Guinea High Commission. It was a very short visit but he treated us right and gave us morning tea which is something that we have come to love here in Australia.
The Group at the Papau New Guinea High Commission
Apparently they love morning tea and afternoon tea here, which is something that I have come to love dearly...Then we were off to lunch which was SUBWAY! (haha it tasted just like home) and we ate it at a park. A bunch of us ended up finishing early and going off exploring....guess what we found? a playground that we acted like we were 5 on and a huge hill that we decided to roll down. We have a video that I have to get and I will show you all because it's super funny. We kept rolling down the hill and runing into eachother.
Then we were off to the US Embassy and it looked so much like home. As soon as we walked in they said "welcome to US soil." Everyone smiled, it was funny to be on US soil in Australia. We had a tour and we talked about what they do on a day to day basis. On the 7th of September we have the APEC summit here in Sydney which is a huge deal for Sydney. We happen to be going out of town on our Outback trip that weekend which is good because it will be crazy here. President Bush is coming as well as all of the major leaders of the world.
After dinner we went to the hostel that we were staying at, had a group presentation and then we had a commissioning service for the group. Then we hung out for most of the night, playing games and going in the hot tub and pool. It was nice to just hang out with all of the ASCers in the group. We played dutch blitz which is one of my favorite games now, I'm addicted to it =]
Saturday we went to the Old Parliment House which had a Portrait Gallery there we went to look at, then we went to the National Gallery of Australia and the Australia War Memorial last. It was really nice to be able to see all of these sites. I just wish that they gave us more time to go through all of them.
Eternal Fire in the War Memorial
War Memorial
Poppies at the War Memorial...
We had the end of the commissioning service on Saturday night and talked about our reading that we had to do for the weekend...We also talked about our paintings that we made the night before. My painting if you can tell is the one with the yellow sun and the blue ocean and sunset/sky.
All of our paintings from the commision service...
On Sunday we left for home and it was raining the whole day. We went to the National Museum which was really sweet and I really wish that we had more time there. I have some pictures of cartoons that they had on display there with Australian Phrases, I'll post them later in its own post.
A sweet window in the Museum...
Well it was a tiring but fun weekend...It ended up not being that cold and it was ok because we had a hot tub anyway =]
Haylee's birthday is tomorrow! So I will post when I get pictures from that too! =]
xoxo
Krystin
The Group at the Papau New Guinea High Commission
Apparently they love morning tea and afternoon tea here, which is something that I have come to love dearly...Then we were off to lunch which was SUBWAY! (haha it tasted just like home) and we ate it at a park. A bunch of us ended up finishing early and going off exploring....guess what we found? a playground that we acted like we were 5 on and a huge hill that we decided to roll down. We have a video that I have to get and I will show you all because it's super funny. We kept rolling down the hill and runing into eachother.
Then we were off to the US Embassy and it looked so much like home. As soon as we walked in they said "welcome to US soil." Everyone smiled, it was funny to be on US soil in Australia. We had a tour and we talked about what they do on a day to day basis. On the 7th of September we have the APEC summit here in Sydney which is a huge deal for Sydney. We happen to be going out of town on our Outback trip that weekend which is good because it will be crazy here. President Bush is coming as well as all of the major leaders of the world.
After dinner we went to the hostel that we were staying at, had a group presentation and then we had a commissioning service for the group. Then we hung out for most of the night, playing games and going in the hot tub and pool. It was nice to just hang out with all of the ASCers in the group. We played dutch blitz which is one of my favorite games now, I'm addicted to it =]
Saturday we went to the Old Parliment House which had a Portrait Gallery there we went to look at, then we went to the National Gallery of Australia and the Australia War Memorial last. It was really nice to be able to see all of these sites. I just wish that they gave us more time to go through all of them.
Eternal Fire in the War Memorial
War Memorial
Poppies at the War Memorial...
We had the end of the commissioning service on Saturday night and talked about our reading that we had to do for the weekend...We also talked about our paintings that we made the night before. My painting if you can tell is the one with the yellow sun and the blue ocean and sunset/sky.
All of our paintings from the commision service...
On Sunday we left for home and it was raining the whole day. We went to the National Museum which was really sweet and I really wish that we had more time there. I have some pictures of cartoons that they had on display there with Australian Phrases, I'll post them later in its own post.
A sweet window in the Museum...
Well it was a tiring but fun weekend...It ended up not being that cold and it was ok because we had a hot tub anyway =]
Haylee's birthday is tomorrow! So I will post when I get pictures from that too! =]
xoxo
Krystin
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Australian clothes are Awkward and the Bus system is not the Best....
So this past weekend I got to talk to my brother and sister-in-law, my grams and my parents. It was great to talk to all of them and just hear what was going on in their lives. I really miss my family, sometimes you just take for granted how much you interact with your family on a day to day basis and when thats missing you realize just how important they are to you. Someitmes I just can't wait for Thanksgiving! =]
Well, on Sunday we went to Toranga Zoo for FAMILY DAY! It was a lot of fun. We headed to the train station and met Derek there. We all took the train in and caught the Ferry over to the Zoo. Gail bought us Ice Cream while we were waiting for the Ferry, it was my first Ice Cream bar since I've been here...and thats a big thing in my family haha, cause you all know we love our ice cream =] The ferry ride over was gorgeous but cold! The wind was blowing every which way. But when we got there it was so beautiful. We took the bus up to the top of the Zoo because the Gondala that you usually take up had a really long line. Once we got there we split up for a little bit and Haylee, Derek and I went off to start exploring. It was so much fun to see all of the animals. We walked into this part of the Zoo that was called "Wild Australia" and the Kangaroos were literally a foot away from you. Most of them were resting because it was a hot day.
The Kangaroos!
Koalas....
Then we met up with Gail, Tinga, Stacey and Kara. We decided to go the the Seal Show but the first time at 1:15 was really crowded so we decided we would come back for the next show. But before we came back for the show we walked around a bit more and saw a bunch more animals. It was fun to just hang out and see something new in the city with the Fam. So then we went back to see the seal show, because they are always my favorite =] I even got a seal stuffed animal at the gift shop, it's so cute! The show was really awesome. I got a video of it to show you guys when I get back.
Pretending to be Seals before the Seal Show!
Stacey, Haylee and I (roomies!
Alex the Seal
Gail left before the seal show because she has been to the Zoo so many times with her other students. So we just met her at home for dinner. After the show we went to see the Asia and Africa Exhibit. They had an amazing exhibit with huge elephants! It was so amazing =]
Giraffes (Mom I know these are your favorite, this picture is for you!)
The Frilled Lizard like in "Rescuers Down Under"
Meerkat catching some rays...
The view fo the harbour from the Zoo...
All of the Roomates minus Gail on an Elephant...
Ok well before I left so many people told me that the Sydney Transportation system is the BEST! ummm not really. Ok ok maybe the trains only because they are always on time and I love that about them because that means that they make up for the buses that come whenver they want. You think I'm exagerating? haha listen to these stories that I think will make you laugh:
So the other day my roomates (Haylee and Stacey) and I were in the computer lab right before were about to head home and Stacey headed down to the bus stop, but Haylee and I stayed and talked to one of the other ASCers (the people in my study abroad group as I would like to call them) Max. So we were talking and I said to Haylee that we should go meet Stacey for the bus because it was supposed to be coming soon. Were in the process of walking down to the bus, taking our time and talking. When I look down the road and see our bus go by. So I said to Haylee, "Oh I think we can take that one (because we can take a lot of buses to our apartment) and Haylee was like yeah I think so too." and we kept talking with Max. Max stared at us and was like "you guys should run for the bus because it's at the bus stop." So Haylee and I start running and I uncontrollably was screaming "STOP WAIT FOR US, STACEYYYYYYY, STOP, WAIT, STACEY WAIT FOR US" and ran up to the bus door. It was the funniest thing because when we got to the bus everyone was staring at us because the bus had been about to pull away...but they heard this garbled voice screaming at the top of her lungs. So when I got on the bus I was hysterical laughing and Stacey hadn't heard a word I had said.....
Another time Haylee, Derek and I were heading back to the apartment after school and we were waiting for the 502 which takes us straight to the park right down from our apartment building. So we watch bus after bus go by and Derek keeps asking Haylee and I if we can take them, and of course we're partial to the 502 bus because it stops so close to our apartment and we don't have to walk as far, and we keep telling him "don't worry its going to come, we can just wait for it" So finally we see the 502 bus and I signal for it (because here you have to hold your hand out to signal the driver to stop because a lot of buses stop at one bus stop) and he starts to slow down, puts his blinker on and goes in the left lane to stop at the bus stop. So I turn around to say something to Derek and Haylee while I'm getting my bus pass out and he speeds up and drives right by us. We ended up walking home from Burwood Mall because the bus didn't come for 45 min.
A couple of other funny things about the buses here...if you don't get to the bus stop 10 min early you can miss the bus because sometimes they come 15 min early, sometimes they come 15 min late and sometimes the don't come at all. It's so funny because they never come at a regular time. Well, This is Australia...
I went shopping with Derek this morning and didn't get anything because I have realized that I am either too short or actually have hips because it is so obvious by there clothes that Australians have neither of those. The clothes that are oh so popular in Australia right now are leggings, dresses to go over leggings, shirts to go over leggings, long and I mean long dresses and boots that leggings go under, oh and did I mention that they like leggings. Which I am so sad to say none of which looks good on me. Ahhhhhh...It's only a little bit frustrating haha, because I want to get into their style but at the same time, I would look like a crazy person if I walked around in these things in the states.
Were going to Canberra this weekend to visit the Capital. It's supposed to be 1 degree celsius to 13 degrees celsius this whole weekend, which is about 33 degrees to 55 degrees. I have a feeling were going to freeze! It's been pretty decent here since we have gotten here the range from 55-75 degrees fareignheit. So hope that this is a good weekend and we have a lot of fun. The up side is that there is a Hot Tub, the downside is that there is 35 of us. AHHH! Let's hope we don't freeze to death. Well I have to go pack because we leave tomorrow morning at 6:30.
xoxo
Krystin
Well, on Sunday we went to Toranga Zoo for FAMILY DAY! It was a lot of fun. We headed to the train station and met Derek there. We all took the train in and caught the Ferry over to the Zoo. Gail bought us Ice Cream while we were waiting for the Ferry, it was my first Ice Cream bar since I've been here...and thats a big thing in my family haha, cause you all know we love our ice cream =] The ferry ride over was gorgeous but cold! The wind was blowing every which way. But when we got there it was so beautiful. We took the bus up to the top of the Zoo because the Gondala that you usually take up had a really long line. Once we got there we split up for a little bit and Haylee, Derek and I went off to start exploring. It was so much fun to see all of the animals. We walked into this part of the Zoo that was called "Wild Australia" and the Kangaroos were literally a foot away from you. Most of them were resting because it was a hot day.
The Kangaroos!
Koalas....
Then we met up with Gail, Tinga, Stacey and Kara. We decided to go the the Seal Show but the first time at 1:15 was really crowded so we decided we would come back for the next show. But before we came back for the show we walked around a bit more and saw a bunch more animals. It was fun to just hang out and see something new in the city with the Fam. So then we went back to see the seal show, because they are always my favorite =] I even got a seal stuffed animal at the gift shop, it's so cute! The show was really awesome. I got a video of it to show you guys when I get back.
Pretending to be Seals before the Seal Show!
Stacey, Haylee and I (roomies!
Alex the Seal
Gail left before the seal show because she has been to the Zoo so many times with her other students. So we just met her at home for dinner. After the show we went to see the Asia and Africa Exhibit. They had an amazing exhibit with huge elephants! It was so amazing =]
Giraffes (Mom I know these are your favorite, this picture is for you!)
The Frilled Lizard like in "Rescuers Down Under"
Meerkat catching some rays...
The view fo the harbour from the Zoo...
All of the Roomates minus Gail on an Elephant...
Ok well before I left so many people told me that the Sydney Transportation system is the BEST! ummm not really. Ok ok maybe the trains only because they are always on time and I love that about them because that means that they make up for the buses that come whenver they want. You think I'm exagerating? haha listen to these stories that I think will make you laugh:
So the other day my roomates (Haylee and Stacey) and I were in the computer lab right before were about to head home and Stacey headed down to the bus stop, but Haylee and I stayed and talked to one of the other ASCers (the people in my study abroad group as I would like to call them) Max. So we were talking and I said to Haylee that we should go meet Stacey for the bus because it was supposed to be coming soon. Were in the process of walking down to the bus, taking our time and talking. When I look down the road and see our bus go by. So I said to Haylee, "Oh I think we can take that one (because we can take a lot of buses to our apartment) and Haylee was like yeah I think so too." and we kept talking with Max. Max stared at us and was like "you guys should run for the bus because it's at the bus stop." So Haylee and I start running and I uncontrollably was screaming "STOP WAIT FOR US, STACEYYYYYYY, STOP, WAIT, STACEY WAIT FOR US" and ran up to the bus door. It was the funniest thing because when we got to the bus everyone was staring at us because the bus had been about to pull away...but they heard this garbled voice screaming at the top of her lungs. So when I got on the bus I was hysterical laughing and Stacey hadn't heard a word I had said.....
Another time Haylee, Derek and I were heading back to the apartment after school and we were waiting for the 502 which takes us straight to the park right down from our apartment building. So we watch bus after bus go by and Derek keeps asking Haylee and I if we can take them, and of course we're partial to the 502 bus because it stops so close to our apartment and we don't have to walk as far, and we keep telling him "don't worry its going to come, we can just wait for it" So finally we see the 502 bus and I signal for it (because here you have to hold your hand out to signal the driver to stop because a lot of buses stop at one bus stop) and he starts to slow down, puts his blinker on and goes in the left lane to stop at the bus stop. So I turn around to say something to Derek and Haylee while I'm getting my bus pass out and he speeds up and drives right by us. We ended up walking home from Burwood Mall because the bus didn't come for 45 min.
A couple of other funny things about the buses here...if you don't get to the bus stop 10 min early you can miss the bus because sometimes they come 15 min early, sometimes they come 15 min late and sometimes the don't come at all. It's so funny because they never come at a regular time. Well, This is Australia...
I went shopping with Derek this morning and didn't get anything because I have realized that I am either too short or actually have hips because it is so obvious by there clothes that Australians have neither of those. The clothes that are oh so popular in Australia right now are leggings, dresses to go over leggings, shirts to go over leggings, long and I mean long dresses and boots that leggings go under, oh and did I mention that they like leggings. Which I am so sad to say none of which looks good on me. Ahhhhhh...It's only a little bit frustrating haha, because I want to get into their style but at the same time, I would look like a crazy person if I walked around in these things in the states.
Were going to Canberra this weekend to visit the Capital. It's supposed to be 1 degree celsius to 13 degrees celsius this whole weekend, which is about 33 degrees to 55 degrees. I have a feeling were going to freeze! It's been pretty decent here since we have gotten here the range from 55-75 degrees fareignheit. So hope that this is a good weekend and we have a lot of fun. The up side is that there is a Hot Tub, the downside is that there is 35 of us. AHHH! Let's hope we don't freeze to death. Well I have to go pack because we leave tomorrow morning at 6:30.
xoxo
Krystin
Saturday, August 11, 2007
I'm wide awake, It's morning...
So I tried to sleep in, I finally got a day where I could sleep in and I couldn't. I woke up at 8 am and then 9 am so I finally got up and ate breakfast. Oh well, let's see what has happened since I last posted...
Derek and I went to the Chinese Friendship garden on Thursday our day off and it was so beautiful! I loved it... The Chinese gave the garden to NSW in honor of their friendship. There were so many coi fish in the pond it was crazy. I made Chili for my host family +derek and it went over really well. Gail was so surprised it was fun!
On Friday we went to Parliment and we had to dress up and be all snazzy....It was cool to see how the Australian government works. It's a lot like ours but they use different names. We had a tour around the parliment building and this man decided to join ours it was so funny because I think he thought that we were just a tour and not here for a special tour because he completely just joined us and was walking around with us. He even sat in on one of our talks, it was so funny! He finally got the hint when we went in for morning tea and one of the students got up to give our presentations. He got up and walked out....haha.
Derek, Sarah, Haylee, Stacy, Jami and I all went to Bondi beach after the Parliment tour was over. It was really nice there. We just walked around and hung out. Then Derek and Haylee and I came home and watched a movie. Derek and I played Scrabble, he won...booo =]
Oooo we watched Rugby for a while on TV it was so funny to watch and Derek and Haylee got really into it. I kind of fell asleep because I was really tired...haha. It was cool to see how different it is from football or even soccer. We might go and see an actual game sometime. I hear we can get decent tickets for a good price =]
Well I'm about to head off to Bondi again today and go watch Derek and Kory (another ASCer that lives with Derek in Concord housing) go surfing. I think I'm going to bring my homework and read for a while. Then tonight were going out to eat and then to the IP's at school, the IP's are where all of the Drama kids do their major performance, it should be really fun! I heard it's really funny =]
Well thats all for now!
peace
Krystin
Oh here are some pics:
A Wall in Manly Beach, it reads " Manly, seven miles from Sydney, a thousand miles from care..."
a picture I took for photography class
Derek and I in the Chinese Gardens...
The street into our apartment building complex
The pool outside our apartment building, its too cold to use it yet =[
Derek and I went to the Chinese Friendship garden on Thursday our day off and it was so beautiful! I loved it... The Chinese gave the garden to NSW in honor of their friendship. There were so many coi fish in the pond it was crazy. I made Chili for my host family +derek and it went over really well. Gail was so surprised it was fun!
On Friday we went to Parliment and we had to dress up and be all snazzy....It was cool to see how the Australian government works. It's a lot like ours but they use different names. We had a tour around the parliment building and this man decided to join ours it was so funny because I think he thought that we were just a tour and not here for a special tour because he completely just joined us and was walking around with us. He even sat in on one of our talks, it was so funny! He finally got the hint when we went in for morning tea and one of the students got up to give our presentations. He got up and walked out....haha.
Derek, Sarah, Haylee, Stacy, Jami and I all went to Bondi beach after the Parliment tour was over. It was really nice there. We just walked around and hung out. Then Derek and Haylee and I came home and watched a movie. Derek and I played Scrabble, he won...booo =]
Oooo we watched Rugby for a while on TV it was so funny to watch and Derek and Haylee got really into it. I kind of fell asleep because I was really tired...haha. It was cool to see how different it is from football or even soccer. We might go and see an actual game sometime. I hear we can get decent tickets for a good price =]
Well I'm about to head off to Bondi again today and go watch Derek and Kory (another ASCer that lives with Derek in Concord housing) go surfing. I think I'm going to bring my homework and read for a while. Then tonight were going out to eat and then to the IP's at school, the IP's are where all of the Drama kids do their major performance, it should be really fun! I heard it's really funny =]
Well thats all for now!
peace
Krystin
Oh here are some pics:
A Wall in Manly Beach, it reads " Manly, seven miles from Sydney, a thousand miles from care..."
a picture I took for photography class
Derek and I in the Chinese Gardens...
The street into our apartment building complex
The pool outside our apartment building, its too cold to use it yet =[
Monday, August 6, 2007
Truth, Bitter Truth
So it has been a hard past week. Really hard, I don't know what else to say other than that. I miss home a lot. More than I ever thought possible. I miss my parents really bad, my brothers and my friends. I wish that I could be there right now actually. I guess just adjusting has been hard for me here because it's not like I can just go somewhere. I really have to make sure that I have a plan because of the transportation.
I have also been sick for the past week so that hasn't been helping. Sleeping has been far and few between, but luckily it seems like I might be coming to an end. I am feeling a little bit better but not fully up to par.
Another thing that has been happening is that Derek and I have had two meetings with the one of the directors of the program about us dating. Apparently they don't have a problem with us but I some people have been feeling uncomfortable around us. Which my roomate Haylee says is ridiculous because she feels like we are completely approachable. She was saying that we never make her feel uncomfortable and that we are very considerate. It's so hard though because they make me feel like we are being attacked just for dating when two weeks ago they said it was totally fine. Its hard because I try to be so considerate of people and make sure that they don't feel uncomfortable but I guess you can't always please someone. So many people have different views and its not like I will be able to please every person that believes something different. It has been really hard because of that, I don't really know what they want us to do because even my hostmum is always like you and Derek are so considerate.
On a better note, I had an good weekend. On Thursday we went to the beach, Manly beach, it was gorgeous. It was nice to just relax for a day. Then on Friday we went to the New South Wales Library and the Art Gallery of NSW. It was so nice there, I loved all of the artwork. It was fun to look at all of the Australian artwork and see how it was different from other kind of art.
On Saturday I went to my service project, I work with IMPACT kids and its a Saturday program for Aboriginal children in the community, lets just say that there was only one word for it: CHAOS, complete and utter chaos. I was so tired after that morning. I got to read that afternoon though and just relax...then Haylee, Stacy, Derek and I all went to the BBQ at the Townsends. It was alot of fun and the food was so good =] Sunday we went to this Anglican Church in Manly. It was really nice but not one that I would go to all the time. We have to try out 4 different types of churches while were here: Anglican, Catholic, Uniting and Pentecostal.
Australian Idol started last night! It was so much fun and a lot like American Idol but I thought they had better singer/songwriters. They let them take a guitar in the Audition. I'll let you know who my favorite is soon.
peace
Krystin
ps. I will post some pictures on soon, I have to go do some homework now...
pss. Please pray for the situation with everyone here and Derek and I. Thanks in advance...
psss. Oh if you ever want to leave comments click on the link below, I would love to hear who is reading this! =]
I have also been sick for the past week so that hasn't been helping. Sleeping has been far and few between, but luckily it seems like I might be coming to an end. I am feeling a little bit better but not fully up to par.
Another thing that has been happening is that Derek and I have had two meetings with the one of the directors of the program about us dating. Apparently they don't have a problem with us but I some people have been feeling uncomfortable around us. Which my roomate Haylee says is ridiculous because she feels like we are completely approachable. She was saying that we never make her feel uncomfortable and that we are very considerate. It's so hard though because they make me feel like we are being attacked just for dating when two weeks ago they said it was totally fine. Its hard because I try to be so considerate of people and make sure that they don't feel uncomfortable but I guess you can't always please someone. So many people have different views and its not like I will be able to please every person that believes something different. It has been really hard because of that, I don't really know what they want us to do because even my hostmum is always like you and Derek are so considerate.
On a better note, I had an good weekend. On Thursday we went to the beach, Manly beach, it was gorgeous. It was nice to just relax for a day. Then on Friday we went to the New South Wales Library and the Art Gallery of NSW. It was so nice there, I loved all of the artwork. It was fun to look at all of the Australian artwork and see how it was different from other kind of art.
On Saturday I went to my service project, I work with IMPACT kids and its a Saturday program for Aboriginal children in the community, lets just say that there was only one word for it: CHAOS, complete and utter chaos. I was so tired after that morning. I got to read that afternoon though and just relax...then Haylee, Stacy, Derek and I all went to the BBQ at the Townsends. It was alot of fun and the food was so good =] Sunday we went to this Anglican Church in Manly. It was really nice but not one that I would go to all the time. We have to try out 4 different types of churches while were here: Anglican, Catholic, Uniting and Pentecostal.
Australian Idol started last night! It was so much fun and a lot like American Idol but I thought they had better singer/songwriters. They let them take a guitar in the Audition. I'll let you know who my favorite is soon.
peace
Krystin
ps. I will post some pictures on soon, I have to go do some homework now...
pss. Please pray for the situation with everyone here and Derek and I. Thanks in advance...
psss. Oh if you ever want to leave comments click on the link below, I would love to hear who is reading this! =]
Monday, July 30, 2007
From the Edge...
I had two of my classes today...
The View from Australia which was surrisingly interesting and I didn't mind being in for 3 hours. Keith Suter talked to us today about the geography of Australia. I really enjoyed it because I was worried that it was going to be what I had just read in the book, "In a Sunburned Country." But it was refreshing to hear a little about history and a geography that I had never heard about before.
Then I had Photography which was good but not as amazing as last week, we just did all the technical stuff this week. Next week were actually getting some photo shoots in class. So I'm excited about that. We get to go on these excursions on 3 saturdays, so that we can do some photo shoots on location. I can't wait for those.
Then I just went home and hung out there, it was nice to relax for an evening and just get some stuff done. It was kind of a so-so day today. I just had a lot of fun socializing at lunchtime with some ASCers and the Australians. The student body president told me today that she wants to take a bunch of the ASCers out and show us the city. She said it was going to be a surprise though, so I don't know when were going though...She is so lovely I really like her =]
I finally got to call my dad tonight. It was hard because I miss home so much, I wouldn't have thought I would because I have been kind of trying to think about this trip as if I was a freshman again. You know I can't go home until Thanksgiving, but its almost harder because I can't really call as much and I know that I can't go home if I need to. I really miss my parents. It's been fun while I have been here, but I miss them a whole lot and it was so good to talk to my dad tonight. I really needed it. =]
Tomorrow night we have our first movie night at Kimberlys apartment (our director for the ASC program). I think it should be really fun. I can't wait to spend some time just hanging out with everyone...
Ok well I guess I should go to bed....
peace
Krystin
The View from Australia which was surrisingly interesting and I didn't mind being in for 3 hours. Keith Suter talked to us today about the geography of Australia. I really enjoyed it because I was worried that it was going to be what I had just read in the book, "In a Sunburned Country." But it was refreshing to hear a little about history and a geography that I had never heard about before.
Then I had Photography which was good but not as amazing as last week, we just did all the technical stuff this week. Next week were actually getting some photo shoots in class. So I'm excited about that. We get to go on these excursions on 3 saturdays, so that we can do some photo shoots on location. I can't wait for those.
Then I just went home and hung out there, it was nice to relax for an evening and just get some stuff done. It was kind of a so-so day today. I just had a lot of fun socializing at lunchtime with some ASCers and the Australians. The student body president told me today that she wants to take a bunch of the ASCers out and show us the city. She said it was going to be a surprise though, so I don't know when were going though...She is so lovely I really like her =]
I finally got to call my dad tonight. It was hard because I miss home so much, I wouldn't have thought I would because I have been kind of trying to think about this trip as if I was a freshman again. You know I can't go home until Thanksgiving, but its almost harder because I can't really call as much and I know that I can't go home if I need to. I really miss my parents. It's been fun while I have been here, but I miss them a whole lot and it was so good to talk to my dad tonight. I really needed it. =]
Tomorrow night we have our first movie night at Kimberlys apartment (our director for the ASC program). I think it should be really fun. I can't wait to spend some time just hanging out with everyone...
Ok well I guess I should go to bed....
peace
Krystin
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Aussie Aussie Aussie, oy, oy, oy!
Oh so much has been going on...
We went to Manly Beach for one of the ASCers birthday. We met up with them after taking the ferry there, we were late because we missed the bus to the train station. It was a bit of at trek considering we had to walk to the train station and then take a train and then a ferry just to get there. But it was a fun time. We all bonded over the experience of having to walk 30 min to the train.
On of the other students actually went in the water at Manly. It was chilly I wouldn't have wanted to go in....
I went to Spiro Camp on Thursday. It was awesome. We were up at the base of the Blue Mountains. I can't even begin to explain how beautiful it was up there. I didn't really like the speaker but I loved the worship. The band is so talented and they sang a lot of Hillsong Church songs that I really liked. We came back on Friday afternoon, we were all really tired. So I decided to stay home and watch a movie that night. We got back to the aparment just in time for dinner.
A Kangaroo! They had some at the Spiro Camp...
I took this pic while I was watching Derek play Rugby...It was so beautiful there!
Derek came over then and we all watched "Step Up." I love that movie, the dancing is so amazing. Haylee (my housemate) is a dancer so she really enjoyed it. Then Derek and I just hung out and talked for the night until Gail drove him home. She was going to an Organic Food Market at 1:30 anyway. I actually got to sleep in the next day....which was nice because I had been waking up really early every day since we got here, jet-lag and all. It helped to sleep in.
I went over to Dereks on Saturday so we could head into Sydney on our date at Darling Harbour. We went to the Aquarium and it was so awesome! They had all of the Australian animals there. They had these sweet underwater walkways where you could watch the seals and sharks swim up above you. It was really scary but alot of fun. They also had this Great Barrrier Reef Exibit which had a lot of fish and coral in it. That was sweet because they had all of the fish from finding nemo in there. It was so cool to see the actual fish.
A pic of derek and I when we were in the Underwater Seal Tunnel
Then Derek and I went out to eat at this place called Blackbird Cafe in Darling Harbour. It had good food and great music. I really enjoyed just hanging out without the whole group of ASCers because sometimes it can be just a little overwhelming.
On Sunday I just slept in and then started on some homework for Monday. Then Derek came over and we watched "Under the Tuscan Sun" which is a funny movie. After that was over we went out to the mall because we needed to get an art book for class and I needed to get a calling card. We came back and finished our homework and then had dinner. We watched the notebook, which is one of my favorites.
All in all I would have to say that it was a good and relaxing weekend. I have photography tomorrow and I'm really excited because I think that is going to be my favorite class.
Well I'm off to bed...
xoxo
Krystin
We went to Manly Beach for one of the ASCers birthday. We met up with them after taking the ferry there, we were late because we missed the bus to the train station. It was a bit of at trek considering we had to walk to the train station and then take a train and then a ferry just to get there. But it was a fun time. We all bonded over the experience of having to walk 30 min to the train.
On of the other students actually went in the water at Manly. It was chilly I wouldn't have wanted to go in....
I went to Spiro Camp on Thursday. It was awesome. We were up at the base of the Blue Mountains. I can't even begin to explain how beautiful it was up there. I didn't really like the speaker but I loved the worship. The band is so talented and they sang a lot of Hillsong Church songs that I really liked. We came back on Friday afternoon, we were all really tired. So I decided to stay home and watch a movie that night. We got back to the aparment just in time for dinner.
A Kangaroo! They had some at the Spiro Camp...
I took this pic while I was watching Derek play Rugby...It was so beautiful there!
Derek came over then and we all watched "Step Up." I love that movie, the dancing is so amazing. Haylee (my housemate) is a dancer so she really enjoyed it. Then Derek and I just hung out and talked for the night until Gail drove him home. She was going to an Organic Food Market at 1:30 anyway. I actually got to sleep in the next day....which was nice because I had been waking up really early every day since we got here, jet-lag and all. It helped to sleep in.
I went over to Dereks on Saturday so we could head into Sydney on our date at Darling Harbour. We went to the Aquarium and it was so awesome! They had all of the Australian animals there. They had these sweet underwater walkways where you could watch the seals and sharks swim up above you. It was really scary but alot of fun. They also had this Great Barrrier Reef Exibit which had a lot of fish and coral in it. That was sweet because they had all of the fish from finding nemo in there. It was so cool to see the actual fish.
A pic of derek and I when we were in the Underwater Seal Tunnel
Then Derek and I went out to eat at this place called Blackbird Cafe in Darling Harbour. It had good food and great music. I really enjoyed just hanging out without the whole group of ASCers because sometimes it can be just a little overwhelming.
On Sunday I just slept in and then started on some homework for Monday. Then Derek came over and we watched "Under the Tuscan Sun" which is a funny movie. After that was over we went out to the mall because we needed to get an art book for class and I needed to get a calling card. We came back and finished our homework and then had dinner. We watched the notebook, which is one of my favorites.
All in all I would have to say that it was a good and relaxing weekend. I have photography tomorrow and I'm really excited because I think that is going to be my favorite class.
Well I'm off to bed...
xoxo
Krystin
Thursday, July 26, 2007
On the Run.....
Ok this is going to be short and sweet because it's already 12:30 here and I need to head to bed because were waking up at 6am tomorrow to go to SPIRO Camp, from thursday to friday. It's spiritual emphasis camp that the Wesley Institute sponsors and the whole school goes. I think it should be interesting and I have heard good things about it. Plus were going to have one on one time with the Australians and get to know more of them =]
Well today, wednesday, was interesting. I went to meet derek at the concord house and then we went to the mall. We got a phone while were here because it was going to end up being cheaper than calling eachother to meet up on the landlines. Everything is so expensive here. I guess I just really didn't believe it when everyone told me how expensive it was.
Then we had "the gathering" which is there type of chapel. It was really interesting, I liked to see how different there chapel was from ours back in the states. I guess to could say they were more charasmatic and parts of it seemed like a concert. But the part that didn't make it seem like it was a concert was that they were so into it. You could really tell that they meant everything that they were singing, the australians have such an energetic feel to them. It's hard not to catch on.
I had my only class of the day which was arts and culture. It was really interesting, we have two papers, along with all of my other ones. I think I want to get some of them out of the way soon because I am feeling really overwhelmed with all the work. Especially in my ASC class, they gave us the most work out of all of them.
After class we came back to eat with Gail (my host mum) and then we (the housemates) were off again. We had to walk to the bus station because we missed our bus (We always seem to miss that bus) it took us about 30 min to walk. Then we met Derek and Kory at the Quay and took a ferry over to Manly to meet some of the ASCers for Beckas birthday. We went to the beach and just hung out there. It wasn't that cold so it was nice....
Well I have to get some sleep, I will update you on how SPIRO camp was when I get back on Friday!
peace
Krystin
Well today, wednesday, was interesting. I went to meet derek at the concord house and then we went to the mall. We got a phone while were here because it was going to end up being cheaper than calling eachother to meet up on the landlines. Everything is so expensive here. I guess I just really didn't believe it when everyone told me how expensive it was.
Then we had "the gathering" which is there type of chapel. It was really interesting, I liked to see how different there chapel was from ours back in the states. I guess to could say they were more charasmatic and parts of it seemed like a concert. But the part that didn't make it seem like it was a concert was that they were so into it. You could really tell that they meant everything that they were singing, the australians have such an energetic feel to them. It's hard not to catch on.
I had my only class of the day which was arts and culture. It was really interesting, we have two papers, along with all of my other ones. I think I want to get some of them out of the way soon because I am feeling really overwhelmed with all the work. Especially in my ASC class, they gave us the most work out of all of them.
After class we came back to eat with Gail (my host mum) and then we (the housemates) were off again. We had to walk to the bus station because we missed our bus (We always seem to miss that bus) it took us about 30 min to walk. Then we met Derek and Kory at the Quay and took a ferry over to Manly to meet some of the ASCers for Beckas birthday. We went to the beach and just hung out there. It wasn't that cold so it was nice....
Well I have to get some sleep, I will update you on how SPIRO camp was when I get back on Friday!
peace
Krystin
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Give way.....
So we officially started school this week and it has been hectic. I started the week off on Monday with our ASC class which is The View from Australia. It seems like it would be pretty interesting. Then I had Photography which was AMAZING! I can't even wait for that class. I wish I could take all photography. Our prof is so awesome, he really has fun with us since we are a small group of about 8 people.
Then on Tuesday I had Old Testament and Theological Foundations. I have a feeling those two classes are going to test my limits. Both are three hours long and to me they just drag on. The only good thing about Old Testament is that it's getting me to read it. I am actually excited because I think I am going to start my devotions our second book Ruth. It's short so i am hoping that I can really delve into it.
Tomorrow I have "The Gathering" which is a chapel for the whole school at 1PM. Then I have a two hour break and my Arts and Culture Class at 4. It should be interesting but at least I get to sleep in tomorrow and possible have a chance of getting over this jet-lag that is still in my system.
On Thursday till Friday we have SPIRO CAMP which is spiritual emphasis camp. The whole school is welcome and I think that we just listen to a speaker and get to hang out with the aussie students. I am really excited that I get to meet more of them.
I went to the Concord House tonight, where Derek and Jess live, with my housemate Kara. We got to hang out with the other australians. Kara was playing dutch blitz with them, which is there new favorite game (besides ultimate frisbee) because there last house parents were from the states and taught them a bunch of the games. It was fun to just be able to hang out with them. Sometimes it gets a little quiet here at the apartment so it's nice that they Concord Dorms are only a 25-30 min walk away from me.
I would have to say if you asked me right now what I would describe my experience here as so far, I would have to say overwhelming. This has been the most overwhelming past 5 days of my life. There has been so much information thrown at us that sometimes it is just so hard to focus. I hope that once the semester gets underway that it will become second nature to us. I always forget that this study abroad program is just like freshman year all over again.
Well the Jet-lag is kicking in again so I am going to have to head off...
Peace
Krystin
p.s. I'll update the photos from the bbq dinner and the botanical gardens soon......
Then on Tuesday I had Old Testament and Theological Foundations. I have a feeling those two classes are going to test my limits. Both are three hours long and to me they just drag on. The only good thing about Old Testament is that it's getting me to read it. I am actually excited because I think I am going to start my devotions our second book Ruth. It's short so i am hoping that I can really delve into it.
Tomorrow I have "The Gathering" which is a chapel for the whole school at 1PM. Then I have a two hour break and my Arts and Culture Class at 4. It should be interesting but at least I get to sleep in tomorrow and possible have a chance of getting over this jet-lag that is still in my system.
On Thursday till Friday we have SPIRO CAMP which is spiritual emphasis camp. The whole school is welcome and I think that we just listen to a speaker and get to hang out with the aussie students. I am really excited that I get to meet more of them.
I went to the Concord House tonight, where Derek and Jess live, with my housemate Kara. We got to hang out with the other australians. Kara was playing dutch blitz with them, which is there new favorite game (besides ultimate frisbee) because there last house parents were from the states and taught them a bunch of the games. It was fun to just be able to hang out with them. Sometimes it gets a little quiet here at the apartment so it's nice that they Concord Dorms are only a 25-30 min walk away from me.
I would have to say if you asked me right now what I would describe my experience here as so far, I would have to say overwhelming. This has been the most overwhelming past 5 days of my life. There has been so much information thrown at us that sometimes it is just so hard to focus. I hope that once the semester gets underway that it will become second nature to us. I always forget that this study abroad program is just like freshman year all over again.
Well the Jet-lag is kicking in again so I am going to have to head off...
Peace
Krystin
p.s. I'll update the photos from the bbq dinner and the botanical gardens soon......
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Do you come from a land down under?
Well I thought that I should update you on the last couple days....
On Friday we had the last of our orientation and we didn't get out till 5PM. It was a long day and most of us were still jet lagged. We got our schedules and all of that good stuff. Then we ended up deciding to meet in the city and hang out. We were supposed to meet up with the whole group but me and my housemates missed the bus and had to wait 20 minutes for the next one and then take the train into the circular quey. We got there a bit late so the people were already gone. So we decided to just walkabout. We were walking towards the harbour and wanted to take some pictures. I happened to spot the group so we hooked up with them and went to Pancakes on the Rocks. Its open all night and has amazing pancakes! Then we walked around the city and headed home because we were all crashing pretty fast....
My two housemates and going on the train into Sydney!
On Saturday we had the last of our orientation. After a long meeting we went into the city and had a picture scavenger hunt of a bunch of sites in the city. It was fun but I think I pulled a muscle in my leg. AHHH! it hurt but I'll be fine! =]
Then we went on a Cruise around the Sydney harbour and it was Amazing!!!!
sydney harbour bridge...
opera house...
Mary and Matt being silly...
Our director Kimberly posing......
luna park...
We went out to eat after the cruise and had a fun time but we were all pretty tired again when the night was over.
On Sunday Derek and I went into Sydney for a date since we finally had day off, we went and visited the botanical gardens. It was Beautiful! So much fun to just walk around and not worry about being somewhere and having to do something every second. We went to McCafe which is McDonalds here.....it was not the same (weird mayo on the burger) so I have decided not to eat anywhere that I know because I will only be dissapointed. Then we headed over to the rocks because there was this Aroma Festival going on, you could taste coffee for a dollar a cup. There were people singing and everything, it was awesome I didn't try any coffee but it was fun to walk around and everything! We also walked around the Rocks Market, its like an outdoor street fair, it was super fun to look around at, had some fun stuf I might pick up before I head back to the states.
Then we went back to dereks dorm and hung out with some aussies, and just chilled. Later on, we came back to my apartment for dinner with my house mum, my housemates and jess who lives with derek. It was fun!
Well classes start tomorrow, so I should head off to bed.
Peace!
Krystin
p.s. the picture option isnt quite working yet I'll have to figure this out but when I do I will upload a bunch so you can see them all ....
On Friday we had the last of our orientation and we didn't get out till 5PM. It was a long day and most of us were still jet lagged. We got our schedules and all of that good stuff. Then we ended up deciding to meet in the city and hang out. We were supposed to meet up with the whole group but me and my housemates missed the bus and had to wait 20 minutes for the next one and then take the train into the circular quey. We got there a bit late so the people were already gone. So we decided to just walkabout. We were walking towards the harbour and wanted to take some pictures. I happened to spot the group so we hooked up with them and went to Pancakes on the Rocks. Its open all night and has amazing pancakes! Then we walked around the city and headed home because we were all crashing pretty fast....
My two housemates and going on the train into Sydney!
On Saturday we had the last of our orientation. After a long meeting we went into the city and had a picture scavenger hunt of a bunch of sites in the city. It was fun but I think I pulled a muscle in my leg. AHHH! it hurt but I'll be fine! =]
Then we went on a Cruise around the Sydney harbour and it was Amazing!!!!
sydney harbour bridge...
opera house...
Mary and Matt being silly...
Our director Kimberly posing......
luna park...
We went out to eat after the cruise and had a fun time but we were all pretty tired again when the night was over.
On Sunday Derek and I went into Sydney for a date since we finally had day off, we went and visited the botanical gardens. It was Beautiful! So much fun to just walk around and not worry about being somewhere and having to do something every second. We went to McCafe which is McDonalds here.....it was not the same (weird mayo on the burger) so I have decided not to eat anywhere that I know because I will only be dissapointed. Then we headed over to the rocks because there was this Aroma Festival going on, you could taste coffee for a dollar a cup. There were people singing and everything, it was awesome I didn't try any coffee but it was fun to walk around and everything! We also walked around the Rocks Market, its like an outdoor street fair, it was super fun to look around at, had some fun stuf I might pick up before I head back to the states.
Then we went back to dereks dorm and hung out with some aussies, and just chilled. Later on, we came back to my apartment for dinner with my house mum, my housemates and jess who lives with derek. It was fun!
Well classes start tomorrow, so I should head off to bed.
Peace!
Krystin
p.s. the picture option isnt quite working yet I'll have to figure this out but when I do I will upload a bunch so you can see them all ....
Thursday, July 19, 2007
landing down under.....
I am officially in Sydney, Australia now. The time here is 7:33 PM, I am extremely jet lagged and don't know how much longer I will be able to stay awake. It is about 5 in the morning in NYC and we have been moving non-stop since we got here.
Flight #1: 5 hours and 30 min
Flight #2: 12 hours and 45 min
Flight #3: 3 hours and 30 minutes
all in all totally worth it for spending 4 months in Sydney.
We got here this morning at 10:30 sydney time and it was July 19 because we skipped a day coming over here. Actually on the 18th it was someones birthday on the plane so his birthday actually got skipped completely. As soon as we landed we got put on a bus and taken to the College where we will be studying for the next four months. It is such a cool campus but totally not what you would expect. It literally takes 1 minute to walk from one side of the campus to the other. On our tour of the campus we were shown all the cool places to frequent during your breaks from classes. They call the as station that they like to pick up snacks at the SERV-O.
We then did the normal meet and greet games and then were sent off to email the family quickly...
My homestay mom picked me and four other students up at the campus. Her apartment is awesome and she even has her own terrace. We are about a 15 min drive from campus and a 40 min bus ride to campus.
Tomorrow we have to wake up early and head in for Orientation. I actually should head to bed because jet lag is kicking in quick.
I will take some pictures tomorrow of the campus and the apartment and post them....
Peace
Krystin
Flight #1: 5 hours and 30 min
Flight #2: 12 hours and 45 min
Flight #3: 3 hours and 30 minutes
all in all totally worth it for spending 4 months in Sydney.
We got here this morning at 10:30 sydney time and it was July 19 because we skipped a day coming over here. Actually on the 18th it was someones birthday on the plane so his birthday actually got skipped completely. As soon as we landed we got put on a bus and taken to the College where we will be studying for the next four months. It is such a cool campus but totally not what you would expect. It literally takes 1 minute to walk from one side of the campus to the other. On our tour of the campus we were shown all the cool places to frequent during your breaks from classes. They call the as station that they like to pick up snacks at the SERV-O.
We then did the normal meet and greet games and then were sent off to email the family quickly...
My homestay mom picked me and four other students up at the campus. Her apartment is awesome and she even has her own terrace. We are about a 15 min drive from campus and a 40 min bus ride to campus.
Tomorrow we have to wake up early and head in for Orientation. I actually should head to bed because jet lag is kicking in quick.
I will take some pictures tomorrow of the campus and the apartment and post them....
Peace
Krystin
Monday, July 16, 2007
You have to go there to come back...
HELLO!!!
In just about 2 days I will be heading down under to Australia! On July 17th I will be traveling on a 14 hour flight over to Sydney. I will be posting on here about my travels and thoughts while I am down under. So keep checking back here to see some photos and just hear about my time in Australia. =]
Especially considering I won't have a phone and the time difference deal.
peace
In just about 2 days I will be heading down under to Australia! On July 17th I will be traveling on a 14 hour flight over to Sydney. I will be posting on here about my travels and thoughts while I am down under. So keep checking back here to see some photos and just hear about my time in Australia. =]
Especially considering I won't have a phone and the time difference deal.
peace
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