Study, study, study

I haven't done any posts for the last week because I've just been studying! I knew the party would end at some point. I have an exam tonight, papers tomorrow, presentations and exams next week. Fun, fun :) This Friday we are going to visit this Lebanese town somewhere in the suburbs of Sydney. Kerry also has a bunch of friends coming to visit from Brisbane. I'm pretty excited that now I have wireless so I can lock myself up in the library during the day but still have fun at night :) I will post more pictures soon, especially ones of me making some awesome tacos this past weekend. Everyone was very happy to have a home cooked meal.

Stargazing at the International House Cabin

Saturday afternoon they took a bus to stargazing at the International House cabin. We didn't see too many stars because it was overcast, but it was still a lot of fun. We roasted marshmallows! They taste really different here- chalkier. And there are no graham crackers for s'mores. Then about 10 of us actually spent the night in the log cabin, which was a blast. We went searching for kangaroos and actually found a dead and live wombat instead. Pretty awesome :) I hope we can go back there again when the weather warms up!

Around the fire...

Kerry, me and Saeed (can you tell we hang out a lot?)

I wish Saeed was smiling!

IH Cabin and van... they actually will let us borrow the van for trips on the weekend!

Quick Update

Last night Kerry and I went meet her family friend at a sushi restaurant. This girl, Channing, is from Chevy Chase, MD and was here for the last few months interning at the Four Seasons hotel. It was fun hearing about the experiences she's had. We also got stopped in the bathroom by a woman from Utah who has been living here for the past 2 years. She was very excited to meet Americans (I don't know where she's been hiding because I think I meet a new American every day) and actually thanked us for having good accents, which made me laugh. Kerry & I got confused on the bus on our way back and the driver said, very excited, "Are you from California?? Welcome to Australia!" hahaha.

We also met a guy last night who gave us a detailed itinerary of all the fun places to go in Sydney on the weekends (weekends being Thursday through Sunday nights). Kerry and I really enjoying going out and dancing so I'm looking forward to it. I don't think I can keep up with everyone who goes out Wednesday through Sunday- it's pretty crazy, I guess some people just don't have enough work to do! But we will spread out the fun over the next few weeks :)

Saturday night we are going stargazing at the International House cabin. It is somewhere in a national park about 2 hours from here. It looks like a group of us will be spending the night there too, which should be cold but a lot of fun.

In addition to my internship, I also got a small paying job, which I'm excited about. It's just taking notes for my class for disability services. I figure I have to take notes anyway so I might as well get paid for it. I've noticed job postings around campus like for things at International House they need help with on weekends. Wages are pretty ridiculous here (to help out at a campus fair or drive a city bus is $21/hour)! Hopefully if I pick up a few things here and there it'll give me some additional spending money for trips. Now that I have my work authorization, I don't have to worry about being deported!

Last Photos from the Blue Mountains...

I finally got the last photos from Saeed- he took some of the funniest pictures so I hope you enjoy!

Kerry and I trying to be penguins... I want to take one home with me!

Saeed making a pretty scary face...

Wildlife and I just don't mix- these birds were a lot scarier than they look in this photo. They were flying around our heads making all sorts of noises. I should just stick to the city

Our tour guide that looked a little like Adam Sandler

Saeed is such a ladies man

Hard to read but the sign says "Seat for Bored Husbands"

Our water and my milkshake

Paige (U of Miami) and me

Best lunch ever- vegetables with melted cheese and salad, yum yum :)

Trying not to fall off the mountain

Windy day

Enjoying the view

Aren't we so cute? :)

Caught me with my glasses on!

More Photos from Blue Mountains

Going home on the bus

I finally know what a wombat is! I hope this useful tidbit will help me beat Saj in Jeopardy one day :)

Me trying not to get close to the emu's claws!
Sleeping koala

Baby joey!

Perfect sign after being starving for weeks and then having a wonderful lunch!

Us enjoying the best lunch everSteep hike

Enjoying the view and sunshine

I liked the tree

Blue Mountains and Featherdale Wildlife Park

I was so excited to see a kangaroo up close!

Me excited and also a bit terrified. They don't look as cute up close with those huge claws!
Me praying he won't hop away!
I was sooo excited about the penguins! They are so cute- only about 6-8 inches tall.Yes, it was August 12 and about 75 degrees outside but the poor Australian kids deprived of snow think that shaved ice is just as fun!

Beautiful Blue Mountains- they look blue from the distance due to water evaporating from the eucalyptus leaves

Hiking into the valley

Kerry and I weren't matching on purpose, I swear!

There are houses in the area that have this view...

Saeed, Kery, Melinda, Me and Paige

Waterfall

Out in Darling Harbour

Kerry and I at Malaya at Darling Harbour
Australian guys

They were showing rugbee in the women's bathroom at the club!On the bus