So I guess I'll just start with our first study break, seeing as we are coming up on our second one right now (or ending it, since it's taken me a week to write this blog. Man, I put the pro in procrastinate). My first study break was consumed with a class field trip for Australian Ecology leaving Thursday and coming back Sunday evening. I left Thursday in a panic - my Australian history paper was unfinished, I threw some random clothes in my bag and I was sleep deprived. I was in no state to go away for three nights, yet excited at the same time. Luckily, my teacher allowed me to use his computer and e-mail my paper out that night, so I woke up the next morning refreshed and ready to learn about Australian environments. We spent our trip traveling from the coast moving inland and learning about the relationships of plants, animals, and people to the environment. We got to go on a nice hike, see some kangaroos outside my window, get COVERED in red dust from the world's largest aluminum bauxite mine, and experience the country (as in not a city) Australia. Because I have so much to update y'all on, I better keep my experience short. The rest of the week I spent babysitting Nicole's kids - taking them to the park, doing arts and crafts, and calming the crying Zoe.
And now in the interest of getting a lot of weeks in in a short amount of time and space, I'll summarize in bullet points...you might be able to tell I'm done writing in 'essay' format.
Things I have done recently:
- Visited the Western Australian Maritime museum and spent too much time there - on a submarine, using the rowing machine (Katherine and I are "not too bad"), and just being kids. It was a blast and very informative.
- Had the aim of making nachos to watch during round two of the footy final, but took too long planning them out at the grocery store. And then proceeded to eat nachos and cookies for our next five meals. Or something like that.
- BIKING in the swan valley. Stop #1) iced chai. Aka - chai with ice cream in it. Stop #2) the chocolate factory. A great day with Katherine and Krystal, even though I slipped off my bike in the rain.
- BIKING in Rottnest. BEST WEEKEND EVER. Yes, that did need caps lock on. A group of 7 of us from Port Lodge, plus one girl's friend visiting from home, spent a Saturday night camping out on Rotto, which is a 30 minute ferry ride from Freo. We rented bikes for the day, swam, biked to the lighthouse, biked to the far side of the island to see the "humpback highway" (yes, we did see a whale in the distance), had a broken pedal on a bike and walked the 10kms or so to the campsite, ordered pizza for dinner, enjoyed the company of quokkas, ran a 10k road race the next day, and collapsed on the beach to nap. Cleo's (another dorm full of Portland kids) was on the island camping by us as well, which made our trip extra fun. I can't even describe how great this "family vacation" was. Mini golf? check. Strongbow cider? check. R&R? check and check! It was perfect and just what I needed (since I was done with all my assignments by then).
- Study retreat. 5 girls. Chili for dinner, breakfast, and breakfast again. Mmmm. Thanks giving, loving, sharing, movie watching, $37 pumpkin carving, carnival ride spinning. An awesome weekend away to reflect and clear the head for exams
- Walked from Cottesloe beach to North Fremantle, after a failed attempt to see Heath Ledger's grave. But we still had fun.
- Dinner in the city with the girls I am traveling to the land of The Lion King (aka Tanzania) and Dubai with in two weeks. So good to have their company outside of the classroom setting.
- Studied for finals? I'd like to say that happened, but let's be honest here. A whole week of to study? Nah. A whole week off to de-stress, and re-stress myself.
- Worked - or 'volunteered' my time as a swim instructor, taking both the AUSTSWIM and CPR class here in Australia because they don't recognize my American certification.
- Got lost on my way to my other job with the Department of Sport and Recreation.
Catch y'alls later! Please, I'd love, love, love to tell you more about my time here in Australia, just don't know what you want to hear...so ask away!
Love, Megaroo
