The Village

I chose to live on campus in the UWS Village because I thought it would be a good place to meet other students, and also an easy way to get to and from campus. Although I was correct in those assumptions, I was unaware that it was also a place for people to live who have bad credit, jail time, and psychiatric problems. Apparently you don't have to be enrolled in classes to sign up. Oh, joy. Without background checks and permanent lease agreements this place is the perfect place for anyone, literally anyone. I was lucky and got assigned to a room with four other girls, three of whom are students and one is.. well... I'll just stop there. That's the point of going somewhere new, though. To experience different people with different ways of life either good or bad. I just hope I don't come back to the states more racist than I left! Ha-ha, but seriously.. It's definitely broadening my view on the world and the stereotypes that go along with it.
But don't worry mom! It's relatively safe here :) I promise!
The friends that I have made here at the village are worth every second of living in such sketchy conditions. I just feel bad for the families that come here for two weeks thinking it's a hotel.. The temporary stays this place offers are sometimes advertised incorrectly.. Yiikes..

The good parts about the village are obvious: There's always something going on since majority of the residents are actual students who like staying active. We spend our days lounging in the heat by the pool and lathering on sunscreen to protect against the non existent ozone layer here. Everyone comes out and plays volleyball or soccer (football) and talks about how much they dislike their crazy roommates. It's all good fun.

 There's also a grill out front for everyone to use, so the girls and I have been shaping up our barbecuing skills every week. It makes me feel so self suffiencient! Wooo! Kill it cut it grill it eat it!
Our first family dinner was chicken, pork, sauteed onions and peppers, with garlic bread and pasta salad on the side. Andddd of course lemon and garlic shrimp, or prawns as they commandingly correct you.

But what's a barbique without throwing a little Shrimp on the Barbie, mate?!?
Here's a picture of me eating my first "shrimp on the barbie". You could say I'm heaps keen for it.. Also it was my birthday so I was in the best of spirtits. Notice the new Nixon watch - I was instructed noooot to open it until my birthday so wondering what was wrapped in that box for two weeks killed me. Totally worth it, though. Thank you so much love! <3

And also here's a couple pictures of my lovely bulletin board if you curious cats are wondering what I look at everyday while I'm errr studying.. It always makes me think of home and all the people I love and miss so much. Ya'll are with me all the time!

Cool stuff! Huh??? Oh boy.
I've only been here for a month and a half and it already feels like a year. Only three months left until I pack up and return to you all! Can't wait but at the same time I'll enjoy every moment here until then. Stay tuned...! :)

Darling Harbour, darling

Darling Harbour is one of the main ports in Sydney. It's right in the middle of Town Hall, surrounded by restaurants and cafes and a multi level shopping mall to spend your money and time on a nice day. It really is darling, darling.

 The girls and I took a day trip one afternoon to explore and take pictures and play in the fountains like the good tourists we are. Enjoying the sun and getting our feet wet as we let it sink in that we would be in Sydney for the semester. The foreign landmarks and new environment stirred up an excitement within me, a sudden yearning to get up and get out and to stay curious. Knowing that there is sooo much world out there that I have yet to see and experience makes me feel really small, but at the same time, ready to accept as a part of life. 

We continued on to none other than, the shopping mall. How foreign right? We plundered around looking at tacky gifts and overpriced clothing stores until we stumbled upon an Oxygen Bar set up in the middle of the mall. It pumps you full of O2 while you sit there relaxing, playing with Ipads for 20 minutes. We all started taking goofy pictures that will eventually end up on their websites if we're lucky; here's to hoping, eh?

Feeling quite refreshed and oxygenated, we went to the other side of the harbor to find a different kind of bar. We wanted to sit down and grab a bite to eat with some early bird cocktails before heading back into town for the night. This restaurant called Black Bird Cafe looked really retro so we settled in for some fresh coronas and chips to wrap up the day.

Manly Beach

The first week before school started was spent between trying (and failing) to learn the bus schedule and making day trips to the beaches around Sydney. We had heard that the US Open for surfing was going to be at Manly beach and so we loaded our bags and trekked down for the 2hour commute to this famous landmark. The sight of 20 international students, looking like a school field trip as we padded down the street, must have made the locals laugh, as we were laughing at ourselves. But we made our way to the wharf (with help from an iphone, of course) and loaded into the ferry that would take us straight to Sydney.

The ferry ride was great, the wind and the sun on our faces made this trip feel even more like a grand adventure. We passed huge seaside homes with multiple boats out front, wondering  to ourselves what it would be like as a child to have an ocean in their backyard instead of a swing set. We saw the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and the people brave enough to walk across the top (you can pay $200 be one of those tiny people, but I choose life). I then saw the Opera House for my very first time and that's when it officially set in that yes, I was in Sydney. P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sydney! I found Nemo!

After another ferry ride we finally got to Manly Beach, packed with tourists and families and plenttty of surfers. We found a spot down near the water and finally rested in the softest sand I've ever felt. I was eager to get in the water so we walked down to where the currents weren't as strong and waded into the waves. The water felt refreshing and cool on my skin, the incredible amount of salt made my eyes burn and teeth clench up but I soon realized I was floating without even knowing it so I let my head rest back and my body rise and fall with the waves. I was in heaven, so happy and so carefree. Until I remembered the jellies and the sharks and I quickly got into attack mode - you never know. They're out there, you have to be ready at all times. :)

We left the waves to go check out the competition further down the beach. They had a band set up and music playing as well as a mini ramp and a skate competition right on the beach. It was the perfect day. My first Australian beach experience and I couldn't have asked for anything more.
The storm clouds eventually rolled in and we had to make the journey back to campus, but not without a gelato first :)