March Madness

As of 5:00 today the constant anxiety that has haunted me for weeks has vanished and my chest can finally rise and fall to its full capacity again. At least for now…
Uni is really giving me hell while showing me what most other people have to deal with during their college career. No wonder everyone else was so ready to graduate. It’s a good thing that this is my final semester in school, because it is wearing me down to my wits end. I’m so grateful to have had such a fun major at Appalachian. Learning anything in the Graphic Arts department never felt like work. I wouldn’t change a thing if I were to do it all again…

But my existence in Sydney is not only about school (although it should probably take a liiiittle more of my time. This is debatable though). This past month has absolutely flown by and my time here continues to speed. I'm already more than halfway done with my exchange here in Australia and the thought of leaving really makes me sick. I want to try to recount my last month but that might take ages to write, so I’ll write with light (for those who don’t already know, that is the breakdown of the word “Photography.” See, you read my blog and get to learn new things! ).

So, starting from where I last left off- Early March.

St. Patty’s Day: Because last year I was only 20, I have never been able to celebrate St. Patty’s along with the masses. If I was in Australia last year, or the year before, or the year before that….I could have celebrated. But alas, I am here now and I must not think of what could have been because it’s a wasted thought.
So, I suited up in my best green outfit, met up with my international crew at the Irish pub in Newtown, and we proceeded to have as much fun as we could on a school night.

St. Patrick's Day is perfect for me because I looove Guinness.

"Uni Sucks"

Amen!

The next fun event was Irene’s birthday. My beautiful Italian friend decided the theme of her evening BBQ would be a “pink party” and everyone had to come dressed in something pink. I always love a theme, so I came equipped. The night was really lovely with good friends and delicious Italian food & birthday sweets to be eaten under the speckled night sky.

Me & Paola

Josanne, Me, Roos, Jane, & Marietta

The rest of that weekend was filled with a few fun excursions around the city: Glebe Market, Paddys, an evening with the wake board & water ski club, visiting Massimo’s high rise apartment, and a Sunday afternoon ferry to Manly beach.

Looking out from Massimo's World Tower Apartment balcony.

The people look like ants. Vertigo?

Out with the Wakeboard & Water ski club.

Ferry to Manly Beach

Then came the weekend of Surf Camp. I’ve always wanted to learn to surf, but living 4+ hours from a beach my whole life has been quite the roadblock. This was such a golden opportunity- 2 full days of surfing punctuated by wild nights and really fun people. It was hands-down one of the most fun weekends I’ve had in Australia, and also in my entire life.
On Friday night when I was boarded on to a charter bus that was brimming with Americans I had a little apprehension about the weekend ahead. I don’t know who I’m kidding, it was more than a little apprehension…I had full on culture shock. Lauren and Paola were the only Americans that I have had any contact with in Australia, so a busload was really overwhelming. It was the first time I’ve been able to step into the shoes of a foreigner and feel the uncomfortable anxiety that comes with being surrounded by a giant group of loud laughing/screaming/obnoxious American 20-somethings. The only non-Americans on the bus were my friends and my frustration rose as I saw all of my hard work melt away, for I have spent the past 2 months trying to convince them that not all Americans suck. Despite the initial shock, I managed to make a couple of friends on that bus and our “middle-of-the-bus crew” ended up staying close the entire weekend.

The camp was located about 3 hours North of Sydney in the small town of Seal Rocks, population 26. The beaches in Sydney are pretty nasty and super overcrowded, but when it's all you see for months you get used to it and stop complaining. Once my feet touched the soft and clean sands of the Seal Rocks beaches I was instantly addicted.

Saturday morning at camp.
A breathtaking view after spending 2 months in the cement-filled city. I sure missed the wilderness. This was followed by a troop of wallabys hopping through the misty field. If you don't know what a wallaby is, Google it and you shall see what would happen if a bunny and kangaroo mated... So adorable.

The Middle of the Bus Crew.
Federico (Italy), Eddie (Oz), Xavier (France), Fabian (Germany), Me, Sasha (US), Gabby (US), Irene (Italy), Lauren (US)

Lighthouse beach, Seal Rocks NSW
Voted in top 10 most beautiful beaches in Australia

Eddie and Fabi getting on their wettys

Fabi, Eddie, Lauren, Me, Irene

Considering this was before our first lesson, my position on the board isn't that bad.

We had the beach to ourselves.

Lighthouse Beach

The campsite wasn't exactly four-star and it's water system produced brown water that smelled like eggs. To avoid an egg-shower, we stopped at a national park and "showered" in a freshwater lake. This was the first time I've experienced clear water in a lake- it was breathtaking.

Night #2 at the camp with Fabian

The first day of surfing was less than successful, but how good can anyone be the first time out? I didn't really expect anything better, so I wasn't frustrated and had a real blast. I spent the majority of my time fighting the giant waves to get out far enough to catch one that wasn't crashing right on shore, but in the process I wasted most of my energy. I came back to camp cut up, bruised, and 2 shades darker, but happy as a clam. What can be better than a full day on the beach with beautiful weather? The answer is: 2 days...

Day #2 on another beach. Equally as beautiful, but smaller/gentler waves.

Lauren, Gabi, Sasha, & I with our babe instructors

Sydney Uni Peeps in Team Epic.
Federico, Irene, Lauren, Fabian, Me, Eddie


Team Epic!!!
This picture is rumored to be used in the next Waves brochure. I'm leaving my legend in Australia...

One of the best parts about being in Australia is that when you come "back to reality" after a great weekend away, reality= Sydney. I love it.
So Lauren and I made our way through a few more days of school and hopped a train for another weekend adventure. This week's destination? Newcastle for a Deep Sea Fishing excursion!
When Lauren and I flew into Sydney in February we met some really great study abroad students from Kansas who were going to school in Newcastle. After spending our first night in Australia together we all exchanged information and have managed to keep in touch since then. They graciously invited us on their deep sea fishing trip and we didn't hesitate for a second to accept.
So the plan was this: I finished class on Thursday at 9pm, we were to get the 10:15 train to Newcastle and arrive around 1:15. Then on Friday morning we would rise before the sun at 5:30 and meet the boat's captain at 6:45 in a neighboring town. This was to be followed by a day of sunbathing, catching sharks, and having an afternoon on the blue ocean that we would never forget. That was the plan....

Safely on the 10:15 pm train. Scheduled arrival in Newcasle: 1:15 am

The 3 hour trainride got a little dull, so my trusty D40 kept me entertained.

About 30 minutes from our destination the train stopped and everyone was required to get off and ride the remainder of the trip on a charter bus. I would normally have been upset but this was a charter bus like no other. Leather seats, silk curtains, blue mood lights. How could anyone be mad as they cruise through Australian roads in high class? Lauren's excitement in this picture just about captures our amazement...

Our arrival in Newcastle now became 2:15 am.

So we snagged as much sleep as we could, but the alarm at 5:30 seemed to go off the second my head hit the pillow. Our excitement got us up and going and we made it to the dock just in time to see the sun rise...



And after about 30 minutes of no Skipper in sight, a few phone calls were made and it was soon discovered that the trip was canceled due to a huge swell from flooding in Queensland and a rip caused by a broken sandbar. Our boat wouldn't be able to make it past the giant waves that were being created where the swell and rip collided. Needless to say, I was disappointed. We had gone all that way for nothing! BUT, Lauren and I were determined to have fun regardless. So, our gracious hosts spent the day showing us around Swansea and Newcastle. Because our day began at 5:30 we had a rather full day of activities. In the end, really enjoyed spending my day with some new faces and my camera...

Pups making friends by the waterside.

Morning Catch

Lauren

Dan

Josh

This picture is funny because I spent a good part of the morning taking pictures of this boat because of the way it was being reflected in the water, and not long after we discovered that it's the boat we were supposed to go out on.

Australian spiders are never small. Ever.

We found shade from the Aussie sun while waiting for the bus.

We were so determined to have fish that at the end of the day we trekked to the Newcastle fish market and bought the fresh catch. In traditional Aussie fashion, we had a Barbeque. It was the highlight of my weekend.

I take a lot of pictures of food, don't I? I've been floored by the great meals I've had here. This pot of tea and chickpea curry was was from an adorable local organic/locally grown-only restaraunt by the train station in Newcastle. If I ever make it back to Newcasle to attempt the deep sea fishing again, I will definitely eat here once more.

I should have gone in to meet my Australian relatives...

Stay tuned, because I have another massive post about my most recent travels to Queensland.
As always, I miss everyone heaps! Keep in touch...