sun here contains high UV

It has been raining heaps here since arrival, which is particularly odd since the rain usually passes within an hour. But it has been sticking for the duration of the day today and yesterday. I suppose it makes me feel like I am more at home since Michigan comes with its fair bit of rain.

Today marked the first day of classes. It's weird that all those people at home are almost to Spring Break and I am over here just starting my semester. The classes that I am taking here include: intercultural communication (so I can communicate in my new surroundings...), an anthropology introduction, and discovering archeology (so I can seek treasure). You might be wondering what my major is, well, let me just say that I am a very well rounded student.

These classes make a very awesome schedule; I only class Monday through Wednesday. I don't know what I will do with all of my free time on the weekends, but I'm sure I won't have a problem filling up my time.

Something that struck me today was how difficult it was to get back into the swing of school after 2 and half months off. Part of me loves the routine that it will bring to my life, but the other part of me has gotten extremely lax. I'm praying that my old drive for learning comes roaring back soon because it seems to have hopped on a plane back to the US.

Pictures soon to come. I finally bit the dust and bought a battery charger to recharge the batteries that I may or may not have zapped with Australian voltage....

Cheers!

home at Uni

Just to clarify...I am 15 hours ahead of you, not 13. I don't know what I was thinking.

So I made it to Uni yesterday afternoon. At first, I was really overwhelmed because I didn't know where anything was, people aren't all over to ask, things are a lot more expensive here and my room isn't homey. AH! So I decided the best thing for me to do was go to be early and start over today.

This morning I walked around Uni, opened a bank account, and had a Aussie girl here take me around in Brisbane. It was the first time I've taken a city bus I believe. Its quite big here in Brisbane, definitely not Holland anymore!

The place where I am staying is called the Women's College. When I first got here, it looked like a prep school and I was terrified that it was going to be really strict. But everyone is really friendly and helpful so I feel much better today. It sounds like they get a lot of college parties together and mingle with other colleges (dorms). So hopefully I picked a good spot.

I'm off to put my room together. I finally got hangers. I am really starting to appreciate a lot of simple things. How wonderful. Cheers!

Taking on the Jellies

Today was really awesome…Great Barrier Reef day!! We headed out this morning at about 7:30a and went down to the marina to catch the boat. Its about a 2ish hour boat ride out to the reef. Once there, our guides then showed us how to snorkel properly and also a quick lesson on scuba diving. Off we went, 80 Americans out to enjoy the pristine beauty that Australia has to offer. I snorkeled and scuba dived. It was crazy awesome! I saw lots of fish, Nemo, different types of coral, sea cucumbers, starfish, and even a shark. Now, now, it wasn’t a dangerous one at all...no worries! Oh yeah, of course, there were lots of jellyfish. I got stung twice, but they felt like little pin pricks that stung for about 5 minutes then went away. Quite the experience.
Later that afternoon, we went to a different location next to a bird sanctuary island. They said that up to 50,000 birds can be on the island at once. Even though the chances of getting pooped on were exponentially high, I managed to luck out and escaped just as clean as I went in as…
This was absolutely beautiful. It looked like something straight out of a magazine. Sandy white beach, crystal clear water and the reef...what more could you ask for!? (Especially in February) After snorkeling a bit more, it was off to sunbath on the boat for a couple hours while we headed back. I have the burn lines to show it…
I’m still trying to get used to Australian humor. They all seem to joke sarcastically with a completely straight face. Its quite hard to catch, at least for me.
Tomorrow I leave for Uni. I’m pretty excited to live in my own space and not out of a suitcase in a cramped room with 5 other girls. It is a beautiful place here up in Cairns; I am sad to go. But it’s hot all the time and I think it will be great to get into the city and finally meet some Aussies for real.


p.s. I just realized that it is free for all incoming calls to my new phone. So therefore, if you would like to talk to me, please feel free to call me anytime! (well, not anytime, be aware that I am 13 hours ahead!) My number is 0451609969. I believe Australia’s country code is 67 and you may have to drop the 0 in my number. So I think its 67451609969. yeah, call me!

Rainy Sunday

Today was a fantastic day. After a night of learning Aussie lingo, going out to dinner and going to bed at about 9 pm., I was ready to go for my first real day in Australia!!

They get us up early here...we had brekkie at 7:30 at a hotel this morning. We had some down time, so a few girls and I walked around in the city here in Caines and stopped at a open market. It was quite cool. They had all kinds of fresh produce, clothes, jewelry, or even a massage for those who felt the need. I tried this really strange fruit that had red rubbery spikes on the outside and was different than I have ever tasted. The texture was strange, I didn't like it because of it, but hey, it was worth a try.

After walking around, we all hopped on a bus and drove up the twisty road up a mountain that brought us to a magical place called Rainforestation. Here, I held a koala, wrapped a boa constrictor around me like a shawl, and snuggled up with a few kangaroos. We also were introduced to the aboriginal people and poorly threw a boomerang. So much touristy fun here.

When we came back, two other girls and I walked to McDonalds to find free wi-fi. Yeah...it about over a 30 min walk, which would have been fine except we were all carrying bags and its hot. I think its probably about 80 degrees but its really humid (it has been raining most of the morning.) I can't wait for the sun. I have a free day tomorrow so you'll be able to find me at the pool. Oh its going to be great.

Later this week we are going to the Great Barrier Reef and I will finally get to go to the ocean. Oh how beautiful it will be. I'm already excited!

Now its time for some ice cream. I probably shouldn't sit here in Mc D's and use free wireless and eat my own cookies..thats just bad form... haha.

Hope you are all well and I will post again hopefully soon.

Love :)

G'day!

Hello everyone!
I have made it here safe and sound after a seriously long day(s) of traveling. Over 30+ hours in the airport or in the air. It all went very smoothly...I'm just sick of airplanes!! The neck pillow that Steph suggested was the best thing ever...definitely worth the 9 bucks Mom!!

So...Australia is wonderful! First impressions is that it is hot, has gorgeous landscape and lots of friendly people. Everyone says "no worries" to you. Apparently I am a very worried traveler or something. They drive on the left side of the road that I had forgotten about...that was funny and with all those roundabouts...haha. I hope someone will let me take their car for a spin! (just kidding..that wouldn't be legal...)

Internet is definitely different, I have to pay so thats why this is short.
We arrived at our hostel about an hour ago so I am eagar to jump in the shower and feel normal again.

Talk soon! (no worries..haha)
Chels

P.S. the one disappointment so far is that when I went to flush the toliet, the water came straight down so I couldnt even see it spin the opposite way!

one more day

I've spent most of the evening packing, trying to figure out what bag(s) to take, deciding to leave this or that item at home and sitting/pushing on the suitcase to make it all fit. After years of waiting, the moment when all my dreams come true is almost upon me. But now I'm starting to think that after all this time, I'm not ready. Apparently, two months of break was not enough to prepare myself.

Now that I think about it, when will I be ready? I have no idea what to expect leaving all that I know behind. It's a strange feeling, leaving the security of comfort for the feeling of adventure. Maybe there is comfort in knowing that I don't know anything? Whatever. I won't try to analyze too much, but just try to take it all in stride. It's going to be great!

Tomorrow is my last day here in the States. Unfortunately, I can't work on my base tan here in Florida because of the rainy weather. I know, poor me....sorry to all of you Michigan people hit by the snow! So instead of laying out, I'll be zooming around the Cape, picking up last minute things for my travels. If there are any good book suggestions, I'll take 'em...