Happy Australia Day!

What an improvement!!!!!!!!

Like I predicted, such an amazing weekend :) Simon graciously took Maca and me Four Wheel Driving at Rainbow Beach and it was soooooo fun! He even let me drive! Let me just say 4WD is like nothing I've ever done before, it was seriously wild... I must admit, I was slightly freaking out and making lots of odd noises but certainly having blast. I came to the conclusion that driving on sand is like steering an arcade car - basically you're never e.v.e.r. in control. However, once I (sort if) figured out how to handle the car, I felt like we were all much safer :) We met up with some of Maca and Simon's friends from high school at a campsite on the beach - the beach was packed with people preparing for Australia Day. We spent all day on the sand and in the water. The water is awesome everyday but it was absolutely perfect on Sunday... it was the water you see on surfing competitions - clear straight through every wave. Fortunately there weren't any surprises on the other side!

 

On the road again...

Stay in the tracks!

Ehhh here we goooo!

Avoid oncoming traffic!

Oh yeah... I got this!

Maca's turn!!!

It doesn't get better than this!

Or this :)

We ended up leaving a little later than expected and were concerned about making the barge - which would mean stuck in Rainbow Beach overnight. Normally I would not complain about such an opportunity but Maca had work and I had class in the morning... In order to compensate for time, we took a "short cut" Well, what would have been a short cut if the tide weren't quite so high. Mom, Dad, Jessi - do you remember that jeep submerged in the tree debris?? Yeah, that was nearly us... But it wasn't! :) Simon and "The Paj" had it under control! Simon has a (nearly) indestructible Mitsubishi Pajero. The Paj was known as indestructible, never bogging (getting stuck in the sand) once! Unfortunately it had it's first bog just as we were crossing our last dune to the barge. Poor Paj... it's ego was definitely hurt... But, no worries, another car (with rope) drove past just in time! And we even made the barge! I think it was a close call...

Crossing through the wild -

It's just like Jurassic Park!

The "indestructable" Paj!!!

Reppin' ;)

We made it before dark!!!

Poor poor Paj...

Back to safety!

Happy Australia Day!!!! We had such a great day! Simon had some people over at his dad's house - pool, tennis courts, hot tub, sauna, pool table, rock band... he had it all! We got there in time for a lunch barbeque. Simon's dad, Peter, fixed sausages and hamburgers but I brought my own steak, pasta, and salad - I like to be prepared :D We chilled all day in the pool, ran around the tennis courts, watched a movie = perfect day

I LOVE AUSTRALIA!!!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie... Oi oi oi!!!

PRAWN on the barbie, mate?

Now that's skill...

the flag was in her hair!

Loving the pride :p

Ohhhh puppy!!!!!!!!!

Her name is Yucky :)

How many Aussie tatoo's 

(STICKON) can you find?

Hehe note the flags in my hair

Simon's sister, Laura, 

coaching me in tennis

In action!

Thank the good Lord for an awesome beginning of the week because the last half consisted of studying for exams for my two summer classes. Both exams were on the same day - it was a nightmare studying for but sooo nice to get them over with! 

I'm still actively job-hunting... it is not easy! But I have a whole month completely free until uni semester starts so I'll need something to keep me busy (and my account from echoing)!

Tomorrow we'll all be preparing for Maggie's arrival! She gets in from Sweden at 19:35 so Cat and I are headed down a few hours early to spend the day in Brisbane. I can't wait to see her!!! The house will be a little crammed for a bit - if you remember, Tate and Ben (roommates from Varsity) moved into Maggie's room (both with separate mattresses!) to pay the rent while she was away and they were finding a new unit. It has been great to still have them here but it looks like Mags will be in my room for just a little bit longer until they get a new place. Haha it'll be quite the experience with 5 of us in a 3 person flat... good thing I love my friends!!!

Who knows what's in store this week - talk to y'all soon! Send my love to each of you...