First Day of Uni

Well my week certainly did not surpass Kawana Waters but it has been great! Wednesday, Maggie and I were walking back from a meeting at Uni and decided to spontaneously hop on a bus and go somewhere. We went to Kawana Shoppingworld and got two cardigans for $30 – I was very thankful to have it later, it’s so cold when the sun goes down. That night we had another delicious bbq. The boys love to do the grilling so I get fed quite well! And y’all know how much I love my food J  

"Let's hop on the next bus!"

Spontaneity :)

Mmmm getting fed breakfast...

I like it here!

And dinner! 

Rehan, South Africa; Magnus, Sweden

But Maggie and I owned - we did sooooo good!

On to school - I strategically scheduled my classes to be on Thursday’s and Friday’s only so I have the whole week to travel and relax… I mean study!!!  This was the first week of classes and they were quite interesting. I know I’m really going to enjoy my nutrition courses – I just love learning about it! Altogether I’m taking two nutrition courses, an accounting course, and a history course (although I don’t think the history will last long). I may be switching a few around but overall they are great.

The fourth roommate, Tate, finally arrived!

He's in the Army Reserves, hence the outfit

The first day of Uni!!!

Yes yes, studying away already

It is so interesting to be going to school in a different country. Uni is similar in some ways but, overall, it is like getting an entirely different education. I just know it’s going to be such a good experience with a different perspective. I’ll keep y’all updated as the semester proceeds.

Big Uni Night #2!!!

I made fried rice for everyone tonight and it was quite delicious! We are just hanging out now – off to the beach tomorrow J As you all know, the beach is my favorite thing in the world. I’m sure I’ll have lots of pictures for you again soon.

 

Love and miss you all

Destination Unknown…

Today was AUSSome!!! It just may be tied for best day in Australia so far -

This morning I finally did laundry. Daniel drove us to the mat just up the street – it was much cheaper and we got coffee J Afterwards Maggie, Daniel, and I went to the Uni gym. It was small but perfect for what we needed… unfortunately students have to pay to get a membership, so we just paid for one session… guess we won’t be going back there!

 Beastly, we know ;)

Destination Unknown: Kawana!!! Kawana is quite close, probably about a ten-minute drive - Macaela was an amazing tour-guide for Maggie and myself. She took us to a place similar to Bed Bath and Beyond so Maggie could pick up a few things and we dropped by the second largest shopping mall in Aus (yayuh!) where Macaela tried to pick up a pair of shoes she ordered. Kawana is just another suburb of the Sunshine Coast, similar to Mooloolaba and Maroochydore. They all sort of run into one another but they each have their claim to fame.

Kawana has Point Cartwright – it was amazing! It is said to be one of the most romantic places in Aus and it definitely proved to be true. We walked up a path to this incredible point where, just past the grass is cliffs and incredible beaches. The view was gorgeous from every direction. It drops from vibrant green to deep blue… I could have sat and stared all day. Apparently August is whale-watching season as well so we’ll have to come back for that.

 The path to the point

Side 1

Point Cartwright

Side 1

Side 2

Equally as impressive

We walked down this sweet path to the beach… I swear the beauty never stops here! On one side is a sandy beach, which is absolutely flawless, and the other are these rocks called coffee rocks. When the tide is low, the waves crash onto them but the rocks are so soft that when the tide is up, people can carve into them and water looks brown like coffee – amazing either way. After we got hunger enough, we headed out.

 The path down to the beach

(This isn't the Atlantis Kreekree!)

We found a photographer!

Macaela, Aussie; Maggie, Swedish; myself

He's not hand-gliding, parasailing, skydiving... what is it??

We ate gourmet Australia food, fish and chips, on Mooloolaba Beach while the sunset. I know I keep saying this but I can’t believe I’m in paradise!!! Tonight was like nothing I’ve ever seen before – I feel like I don’t deserve it, it’s so incredible! It was nice to be with a local, Macaela,who could easily give us the history and detailed info everywhere we went – she said it was refreshing for her as well to be with tourists because the locals forget that they live in absolute heaven.

 Macaela and I enjoying our

fish and chips :)

The sunset went from...

purple,

to yellow,

to red. What a night!

After the sun goes down, it gets pretty chilly so we headed back – it’s winter, don’t forget! I feel so blessed after a day like today. Ever step was something new and simply breathtaking. I am so thankful to be here and experiencing new things. We’ll see what tomorrow brings!

Love

Uni Starts!

Well neither laundry nor beach worked out yesterday but, no worries, good day nonetheless. The morning was soo relaxing – Cat, Daniel, and I chilled on the balcony at Maggie and Eric’s for the latter part of the morning and early afternoon. After a while we decided to be productive. Cat and I fully intended on being active and walking to Woolworths – over a miles walk per way but after realizing just how much we needed, Maggie hopped in the car with us and we drove J We then rented “He’s Just Not that into You” and “Seven Pounds” to watch in the function room after dinner. There was a good group of us there but after the movie’s we went our separate ways to bed.

 The famous Woolworths (or Wooly's)!

Monday has been an awesome day! I have all my roommates – YAY!!! Everyone is so nice and, I think, will be great to live with. Ben and Macaela are both originally from New Zealand and Tate is from Australia – all locals to me (although they would strongly disagree!).

Today was the first day of Uni. Unlike most students, I strategically scheduled all of my classes for Thursday and Friday so I could have as much traveling time as possible! Maggie and I walked to Uni after lunch – I was debating buying my books but I think I’m going to wait until after my lectures to make sure they’re actually required. However, Maggie got her books today - so while we were there I was taking a look around noticed that one of my nutrition classes has the EXACT text from the course I took last semester!!! So ironic! Normally I would try to add a different class but I’m already getting separate credit for it and it was my favorite course I’ve ever taken. (Plus, I made an A!!! Let’s hope I can do it again) I’m such and nerd and love nutrition so much that I’m actually really exciting about it J

Afterwards, I talked to mom for a bit, headed back to the home and the new roomies, and girlfriend, and I made another Wooly’s trip. I made a very Aussie purchase - Weet Bix (wheat biscuits). You put them in milk or hot water - they're very similar to oatmeal. After eating dinner I headed down to the bbq where everyone was eating and hanging out but Maggie and I were feeling anti-social so we snacked back at my house. We chatted with Macaela for a bit and she, so sweetly, invited us to go to on a little road trip tomorrow afternoon! Honestly, I can’t remember what the town was called but it’s just south of Mooloolaba and it’s supposed to be very romantic! We so excited!

 An Aussie delicacy - Tate, new roomie

and I went halvsies... very good and quite healthy!

Loved by American's as well :)

Projected plan for tomorrow: Maggie and I are doing laundry at 9am, working out at 10am, and headed to the unknown destination at 2:30pm… sounds like a good day to me!

Love you so so much – I should have better pictures and some fun updates for you tomorrow J

 

Uni Night

Well I’m sorry for the great delay but not too much has happened down here. Picking up from Cat’s bday – Thursday was a very relaxed day and the first official Uni Night! I cooked steaks for Cat and me and then she left so we could get ready. Uni Night is every Thursday where buses take us into and out of Mooloolaba for free! We had a great time but got home wayyy too late and I ended up sleeping all day! 

Headed out

The Canadians!!!

I literally did nothing Friday… that night, Cat returned the dinner favor and baked delicious chicken, asparagus, and cream cheese wraps. We were planning on baking cookies but were too full.

Sweet Chili Sauce is all the rage and

Maggie (from Sweden)

 had Maggie's Sweet Chili Sauce :)

Bbq - after Cat's delicious baked wraps

Today, Saturday, I kind of stayed to myself. I’ll admit… I ended up watching Twilight three times haha a bit embarrassing but true! Once Cat dragged me out of my room, we baked cookies and then went for take away. (‘Take away’ is just another term for ‘To go’. So many phrases to keep up with!) Overall, a perfect dinner.

Homemade cookies never look as 

appetizing as they taste!

Random Irish boys Cat and I met 

while getting our take away

I wish I had some juicy details but I haven’t been particularly thrilling lately. I’ll try and pick it up for y’all J I hope everyone’s having a great Saturday! On the agenda for tomorrow is laundry and beach so we’ll see just how productive I am.

 

Love you 

O Week – Day 3 & 4

Well instead of Orientation, I slept in till 12:30 yesterday J Much needed!

It was Cat’s birthday so I gathered everyone together and we headed to Mooloolaba for a delicious lunch on the boardwalk. We had a good time hanging out and, surprise surprise, Erik and I got ice cream!

At lunch for Cat's bday

The bday girl and me!

We headed back and chilled for a little while. I half watched a movie but mostly just relaxed… I guess I slept too late because I was exhausted.

Connie (German and one of Cat’s roommates) insisted that we go out for dinner in celebration of Cat’s one-year 21^st anniversary! A big group of us got the bus and went to a restaurant called Hog’s Breath. I learned something new about Aussie’s – they don’t split checks! It’s crazy!! Being a waitress, I know that it’s not that big of a hassle to split a check eight ways. Instead we had to go the cash one at a time and tell her our order… such an odd way of doing things! After we got that straightened out, Cat wanted to play pool so we headed to Mooloolaba Pub. A few more friends met us down there – we had a great time!

 The group at Hog's Breath

Our AMAZING dessert that 

easily fed all of us :)

Shaho showing us up 

Believe it or not, I think

I actually made this on in!!!

At Mooloolaba Pub

Swedish, German, Kurtish, French, 

Aussie, and American :)

We headed in around 12 – a few of us had an early morning. Maggie and I signed up for an “Assignment Writing” class. It was supposed to prepare us for the Aussie way of referencing and writing reports and essays but it wasn’t exactly beneficial. Let’s just say, after the first half, Maggie and I peaced out! I physically cannot sit in a lecture hall for four hours… Don’t worry mom, all the info is online! ;)

What we wished we were doing...

We got free lunch and headed back to Varsity (the apartments).

 Free sausage sizzlers!

Why not?

Maggie, Erik, and I walked to Sam’s to pick up a few household items… waited forever for a ride… cough cough Daniel… and I just finished up dinner with Cat. I cooked steaks and veggies and she brought some gravy. Tonight is the first official Uni Night so there is no cover charge at the Tavern and there’s free transport home! Woohoo!

Update you tomorrow J Looooooove

O Week – Day 2

Today was everyone’s favorite day of O Week – Market Day! On Market Day all different companies (cell phone, banks, therapy, etc.) set up tents in the courtyard giving away free things. The Aussie’s call this swagging scog, pronounced with a long “a” and long “o”. I’ve been receiving Aussie accent lessons lately – should I try for a new accent or stick to my Southern Pride?

 A few of the tents

It was great walking around getting free water bottles and brochures… Most importantly FREE COFFEE!!! Instant coffee is very common here. I’m not particularly fond of it but it does the trick if need-be. I was also introduced to Tim Tams today. A Tim Tam is a chocolate covered biscuits (cookies) with a neat Australian trick. If you bite off opposing corners, you can suck it like a straw and then shove the half melted cookie into your mouth. Maybe not ladylike but quite delicious! Afterward we mosied back to the apartments and I was feeling very lazy. I ended up just hanging around the apartment chatting with my roommate, Ben – easy to distinguish because there is only one! He is such a nice guy and living with him should a quite easy.

 Delicious!!!

Quintessential Aussie lifestyle - Haha

The "Cheese Grater"

My friend Chris, from the UK, took Shaho, Swedish guy, and me to the store later in the afternoon. The smart one I am left my camera and, more importantly, my wallet in my room so Shaho had to temporarily pay for my groceries. You can’t believe how bad a felt – I paid him back quickly but I felt awful anyway. He told me to Stop worrying about it!!!

 

When I returned, I got some dinner together and headed to Erik’s. They were playing Texas Hold’em so I jumped right in. I don’t gamble for money but I few rounds of poker never hurt anyone J We spent the night mingling around and my friend Cat, a local, and I ending up meeting two wonderful French guys! There is always someone/thing interesting here – I love it! We spent the rest of the night chatting on the balcony, mostly about ignorant Americans, seeing as they know SO much more than I ever will about the US. Sad sad.

 My new Swedish and French friends

My friend Cat just turned 22 at midnight so we should be going out for lunch to celebrate this morning and then probably out again tomorrow. But I guess it will be a surprise for all!

 

Love love love and miss you all!

O Week – Day One

Did you guess it? The one and only, famous Jackson Chicken Pasta Salad!!! And it was a hit like always J We hung out enjoyed this classic American dish at my apartment.

CPS! 

(Chicken Pasta Salad)

Can't you tell just how much

they're enjoying it :)

Funny story: Every night we go to some one else’s place for dinner and such but last night I suggested mine because I was still roommate-less. In the middle of dinner, lo and behold, my first roommate arrived!!! Even though I was so excited about having a roommate I felt bad - it was the first night I didn’t have everything spic-and-span, just in case a roomie showed up. However, he was awesome and did not mind at all! His name is Ben and he is from New Zealand. Moving on.

Today was the first day of Orientation (O Week)! It was specifically for International Students - it was so cool to see all of us in one place. I believe there are 400 internationals out of 5,000 students at USC. We’re 1/10 of the population! We got a Student ID cards and went to a few very informative lectures. It was not the most interesting but I’m thankful for a lot of the info. There are so many things to know, living in a different country. I’m sure I’ll be asking questions up until my last day. Afterward orientation a few of us played doubles tennis – I think I’m getting better already! My goal is to be a pro by the end of the semester J

Woohoo O Week!

Just a few Internationals

By far my favorite slide of the day!

These are actual photos:

That's his tail, not leg, he's balancing on

Showing off my Student ID

SWEET campus!

It's at the base of a national park

Second favorite slide of the day ;)

Tonight we had another bbq. I invited a few new friends, which was great! Everyday I just want to meet more and more people. How amazing to know people all over the world?! Through living in Australia and talking to new people, I’m already developing a very different view of the states. I’ve never sat back and thought about living in the US and visiting various states versus living in Europe and visiting different countries. And a President versus a Prime Minister. People ask me the craziest things ranging from Obama to Hollywood. I had no idea how much others new about the US that I, shamefully, do not! Even though we are taught things like the metric system in school, our emphasis to actually learn them does not exist. We are, sadly, quite self-centered. I think because are land-locked to only Canada and Mexico we feel like we are our own world where no one else exists. People outside the US feel this way too – embarrassing! I’ve been here for five days and I can’t wait to conquer the rest of the world! I guess I need to take it one country at a time…

Barbecuing

The pictures don't scare me off!

Love!