Saturday, May 28, 2005
Mt. Warning lookout
Hiking up to a lookout point was well worth it. Mt Warning is in the background. Bryon Bay, the most easternly point in Oz, can be seen on the coast line.
Kangaroos and Wallabies oh my
We kept a keen eye on the side of the road and just as we were giving up hope we pulled into this parking area and on the grass we saw like 10 wallabies. (Wallabies are just small kangaroos, they weigh something like 20 lbs when a full size kangaroo weighs the same as a person) They are super cute, they look like rat/dog/rabbit/kangaroos.
Drive on the left Stupid!
We took off one Saturday and went for a drive in the mountains, oh yes, they have signs like this all over the coast because of all the tourists driving around...and driving on the wrong side of the road!
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Still here...
Only a week left of teaching and I'm still standing. My class is good, fun, busy, loud, cute, bad, horrible, devils, angels, funny, and most of all tiring.
Today we had the 'stranger danger' talk with the policeman and an old video from the 70's. Too funny for us teachers who are cracking up while the kids are amazed with it.
After that I taught gymnastics...jumping on the trampoline, summersaults, balance beam and jumping through hoops. Needless to say it was a fun day.
But again, I'm zonked...its 9pm and I'm going to bed. I don’t know how my mom has done it for so long, or how I'm going to do it for so long....
Give me strength!
Today we had the 'stranger danger' talk with the policeman and an old video from the 70's. Too funny for us teachers who are cracking up while the kids are amazed with it.
After that I taught gymnastics...jumping on the trampoline, summersaults, balance beam and jumping through hoops. Needless to say it was a fun day.
But again, I'm zonked...its 9pm and I'm going to bed. I don’t know how my mom has done it for so long, or how I'm going to do it for so long....
Give me strength!
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Day 2 and still kicking
Day 2 in the classroom and I think I have perfected the balance of coffee and red bull to keep my eyes open during the day. Yep its very smart of the University to burn us out completely then, throw us into the classroom for a month straight without a break.
I'm teaching my first lesson officially tomorrow and guess what subject it is...yep, Math!
Good thing I'm all brushed up on my primary math skills now.
I’m teaching the concept of volume. It should be interesting. But here’s the big kicker of the day:
In the afternoon I'm teaching gym class... GYMNASTICS!
Who knew I would be so multi-talented! Ha ha, poor kids I'm going to have them doing summersaults and jumping jacks all afternoon.
By the way, I'm now a huge fan of Ritalin. I mean when it works for a child, it really works! Thank god or I would have one less kid in my class by now! Grin!
I'm teaching my first lesson officially tomorrow and guess what subject it is...yep, Math!
Good thing I'm all brushed up on my primary math skills now.
I’m teaching the concept of volume. It should be interesting. But here’s the big kicker of the day:
In the afternoon I'm teaching gym class... GYMNASTICS!
Who knew I would be so multi-talented! Ha ha, poor kids I'm going to have them doing summersaults and jumping jacks all afternoon.
By the way, I'm now a huge fan of Ritalin. I mean when it works for a child, it really works! Thank god or I would have one less kid in my class by now! Grin!
Saturday, May 07, 2005
The Job
So it's midnight and I’ve just gotten home from my first shift with the catering job.
I was working in Brisbane at the footy game. Picture the box seats at a hockey game, or at Sky Dome, 10 people per room, a kitchen and bar area in each of them and a server (that’s me), My first time and I had two boxes to take care of in the corporate sector. I was looking after Optus, which is a major cell phone company here, and BMW. Yep, I served wine, beer food and cleaned up after them for 6 hours. It was interesting but man am I tired now! 6 hours on my feet, smiling and running for more beer and I couldn’t even have one!
Anyway it was well worth the $130 I made.
Anyway I'm dying now and am going to sleep. So much for my party weekend off.
Did I tell you? Friday night after all the projects were handed in Julia and I had dinner and both of us passed out by 8:30 PM!!!! I had an amazing 11 hour sleep last night and am hoping to do it again tonight....
Goodnight.
I was working in Brisbane at the footy game. Picture the box seats at a hockey game, or at Sky Dome, 10 people per room, a kitchen and bar area in each of them and a server (that’s me), My first time and I had two boxes to take care of in the corporate sector. I was looking after Optus, which is a major cell phone company here, and BMW. Yep, I served wine, beer food and cleaned up after them for 6 hours. It was interesting but man am I tired now! 6 hours on my feet, smiling and running for more beer and I couldn’t even have one!
Anyway it was well worth the $130 I made.
Anyway I'm dying now and am going to sleep. So much for my party weekend off.
Did I tell you? Friday night after all the projects were handed in Julia and I had dinner and both of us passed out by 8:30 PM!!!! I had an amazing 11 hour sleep last night and am hoping to do it again tonight....
Goodnight.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Thank God that's over with!
3 weeks of hell.... done
Classes.... done
Group work.... done
3 major projects.... done
Lack of sleep.... done
In the last 2 days I've put together 2 amazing projects with a grand total of 130 pages!
One project was 9731 words; I can’t believe that it’s all over.
I start in the classroom on Monday for a month straight, and I cant wait! No more homework, no more lectures, no more essays YEAH!
So if you don’t see me on line for a while you know why.... I think I've burnt my retinas from working on the computer for so long.
I start work tomorrow. Serving at an Ozzie Rules Footy game in Brisbane. I know, I know I never stop!
Wish me luck.
Classes.... done
Group work.... done
3 major projects.... done
Lack of sleep.... done
In the last 2 days I've put together 2 amazing projects with a grand total of 130 pages!
One project was 9731 words; I can’t believe that it’s all over.
I start in the classroom on Monday for a month straight, and I cant wait! No more homework, no more lectures, no more essays YEAH!
So if you don’t see me on line for a while you know why.... I think I've burnt my retinas from working on the computer for so long.
I start work tomorrow. Serving at an Ozzie Rules Footy game in Brisbane. I know, I know I never stop!
Wish me luck.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Another Math Exam
Grr, another one is here. Why is it always math. I feel like I've had 2 exams for this already and its only the midterm...Oh wait that's because I have! What kind of math class is this?
Wish me luck...Who would have thought in Grad school my biggest problem would be primary math - you just have to laugh at yourself sometimes, and hit the books.
blah.
Wish me luck...Who would have thought in Grad school my biggest problem would be primary math - you just have to laugh at yourself sometimes, and hit the books.
blah.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
C is for crock of...
The cookie monster is obese? Okay we get the point: eat your fruits and vegetables but come on! Does cookie monster really have to go extreme? I mean couldn’t Sesame Street have just played Cookie monster a little less, or introduced a new character? “A cookie is a sometimes food” That doesn’t even have a good ring to it. You’re messing with my childhood memories here people!
Since when is it TV’s job to teach our children about how to be healthy. Man, parents are becoming so lazy. Poor Cookie Monster, I hope they let you eat big cookies with lots of chocolate, but only sometimes!
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Sunny side up, over hard or Benedict?
So Pope Benedict eh? Another traditional conservative on issues that I find important; sexuality, women’s rights/roles, and homosexuals. At 78 maybe the point of voting him Pope is to ease the transition of Catholicism into the 21st century as painlessly as possible for the diehards; but most likely that’s just wishful thinking on my part.
I mean the one religion with the most power and influence on people, with the largest amount of followers, the ones who can make some serious change in this world and they don’t have the guts to own up, take notice of the times that are at hand. I mean one small word can change so many lives, save so many lives, and educate people on how to survive…..condoms.
Don’t get me wrong, Catholicism has made a lot of good changes in the recent past, I mean they are even recognizing that there are different religions out there and not everyone follows the words of the bible. But you would think with a population of one billion followers they would try to help solve some of the world’s problems instead of ignoring them. But maybe its just me.
I mean the one religion with the most power and influence on people, with the largest amount of followers, the ones who can make some serious change in this world and they don’t have the guts to own up, take notice of the times that are at hand. I mean one small word can change so many lives, save so many lives, and educate people on how to survive…..condoms.
Don’t get me wrong, Catholicism has made a lot of good changes in the recent past, I mean they are even recognizing that there are different religions out there and not everyone follows the words of the bible. But you would think with a population of one billion followers they would try to help solve some of the world’s problems instead of ignoring them. But maybe its just me.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Very quick, but funny.
Today at 6:30 am the report on the radio was..."There is a snake loose just outside downtown this morning on the beach. Be aware, a snake loose on the beach, its a cute one but its there." This is about 6 blocks from my apartment.
No joke...This is truly being announced on the radio. All they’ve confirmed is that its not a brown snake and that its about 1 meter in length. I will not be walking on the beach this morning that’s for sure!
ha ha, where do I live?
No joke...This is truly being announced on the radio. All they’ve confirmed is that its not a brown snake and that its about 1 meter in length. I will not be walking on the beach this morning that’s for sure!
ha ha, where do I live?
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Ibis
Okay so on my run today I found the coolest little park. There is a nice path that goes all around these different ponds and all over the place there are DUCKS, swans, peacocks and Ibis (the white bird in the picture). You could imagine that I was freaking out loving it. I could barley keep my feet moving in the right direction. It was so cool. Right in the middle of the city this great hidden place, I was loving it. Ill be hitting it up everyday im sure.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Math Wiz
85% Baby!
I got my math test back…. Yep I’m a super star. For a girl who is bad at math im pretty proud of myself.
School is just sooo busy with projects right now, I cant wait to just get into the classroom for a month and not have to worry about projects and whatever.
I have a meeting next week to talk to the man in charge, to see if I can go to New Zealand for my final internship. I’m excited about that opportunity.
Okay well back at it, I’ve got a 1200 word paper to write for math and another project due later in the week. Another fun weekend is ahead for me!
I got my math test back…. Yep I’m a super star. For a girl who is bad at math im pretty proud of myself.
School is just sooo busy with projects right now, I cant wait to just get into the classroom for a month and not have to worry about projects and whatever.
I have a meeting next week to talk to the man in charge, to see if I can go to New Zealand for my final internship. I’m excited about that opportunity.
Okay well back at it, I’ve got a 1200 word paper to write for math and another project due later in the week. Another fun weekend is ahead for me!
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Whit Sunday Islands
Back from our trip, and I think everyone was happy to be back in their own beds.
We started our week getting off the plane to weather that was back in the summer temperatures. It’s been getting cooler in Surfers so we were all happy about that change. Our flight was only an hour and a half and we were there. We got into the taxi on our way to town and saw our first Kangaroo. Unfortunately it was dead on the side of the road; they're just like deer back home. At dusk and dawn they come out to the road to eat and they get smacked by trucks or cars. A sad sighting to say the least but the cabbie got a good laugh out of us.
When we got to our palace it was a little more rustic than some people were use to, I mean the bathrooms weren’t even in our rooms! It was a good little hostel but even I was happy to get out of that room the next day. We had a day about town checking out the sights before our boat trip, so four of us booked another boat trip out to the reef for some diving and snorkeling.
It was a great day and I was beside myself with excitement about being on the Great Barrier Reef. However with all the tourism there wasn’t too much to see. The dive was good, although our whole group seemed to want Brooke and I as their partners and we were crowed together on the whole dive. However I had a good time checking everything out and the Batfish are amazingly huge and friendly. We snorkeled for the rest of the afternoon and had a blast with Julia and Lisa screaming at every fish they came across, but they loved it and Brooke and I got them hooked on underwater life. Julia is convinced that she is going to become a professional snorkeler!
The next day we found Captain Ron and he showed us to our boat that we would call home for the next few days. New Horizon, it was a good sailboat, nothing fancy and our room was in the stern of the boat just under the Captains chair. I wasn’t thrilled about the stairs going up and down form our room but I actually got good at them, even when the boat was rocking.
So we set sail, had dinner, hung out and crashed. Most of the girls were feeling pretty sick the next day as the swells were big and the boat was rocking a lot. Nothing scary, just a whole lot of rocking back and forth. I was strong though and kept everyone in check! We got to our morning spot and got shuttled into shore on the dingy. We hiked up to the lookout and saw the most beautiful spot. White haven beach. Its voted one of the top five beaches in the world, and oh my god I can see why. Because it’s in a Marine park protected for the reef, there is no tourism on the beach, or the whole island for that matter. It was white, white, white sand, soft as baby powder as far as you could see. I’ve never felt anything like it before. The sand is so soft it can clean your silver jewelry. Our boat hands even told me that this sand is the sand used in the lense of the tubule telescope. Amazing. However there is a chance of stingers in the area. Tiny Jellyfish that can really harm you, so we all had to wear these great black wet suits any time we went in the water. It was quite the look. After a bit of chillin on the beach and swimming in the sandy bottom ocean it was time to head back to the boat.
The Captain decided rather than have everyone throw up on the boat and go back to the swells, we went to the bay where we will spend the night and got off the boat. We headed for the scuba spot and got suited up. There was only Brooke myself and Giean who were certified divers so guess what…we got to go alone. Yep we jumped in the water and dove by ourselves. I mean we couldn’t really get lost but I was still a bit nervous. This reef was amazing; it was alive with fish of all kinds. I was partial to the parrotfish that were the size of dogs. And the huge bat fish that followed us around. 37 minuets later we popped up and found out that we were nowhere near the beach. We had to call captain over to pick us up in the dingy. We passed over our equipment and headed to the beach snorkeling our way over. We spent the night in this bay and had sunset on the beach with drinks. It was a nice break from the boat.
The next morning we took off for one more bay and some more scuba. This was another great part of the reef and it had tons of caves to check out. The visibility under water wasn’t perfect but we had a batfish be-friend us and he followed us our whole dive. Again we got to go alone and check out everything. Then it was back to main land and a bit of shopping. The funny thing was we all had land sickness. When the land feels like it’s moving like a boat. A strange and unpleasant feeling but it went away after a good nights rest.
A couple of drinks at the bar with everyone from our boat, a mechanical bull ride later and I was crashing and out like a light.
So a bit of sun, tan, and burn later I’m back at it with major projects due this week. Man, am I ever glad I went to see all that though.
Check out the pictures at http://sarahscene.myphotoalbum.com/
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Off to the WhitSundays
So I’m heading out on my first real trip here in Oz. We are going to the Whit Sundays and I can’t wait.
Ill be spending the week on a sailboat and scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef.
Ill let you know how it goes, but I’m mostly just excited about getting out of Surfers.
Talk to you in a week!
Ill be spending the week on a sailboat and scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef.
Ill let you know how it goes, but I’m mostly just excited about getting out of Surfers.
Talk to you in a week!
Nick and Julia
Nick came over for dinner with the ladies. We had asian night, Nick also lived in asia for a year teaching. I made sushi and he made an asian salad. What a yummy dinner!
Monday, March 21, 2005
Taipei?
I found this on the internet. Is it me or does that look like Taiwan? Taiwanise cops, scooters, street and...bird?
Seems like a typical day for a cop in Taiwan.
Seems like a typical day for a cop in Taiwan.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Lifesaving Competitions
Then we hiked down the beach for about 2 hours and checked out the races for the lifesaving competitions. Aussies are famous for thier lifeguards and I saw why today. Man they are hard core!
Katie and Julia in the master bathroom
Yep, im standing in the room taking the picture. The whole apartment is designed so you can see the view from anyroom. The whole place is glass.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Q1
The world's tallest Residential buliding. Today we went to check out the open house and see the apartments...I think im in love with the 1.2 million dollar one.
Check out the web page for more info
http://www.goldcoastaustralia.com/106236.php
Our new pet
This crow comes to say hello to us everyday. I swear we are going to come home one day and find him IN our apartment hanging out. If you cant tell he's HUGE!
Friday, March 18, 2005
Yep 5 am!
So I started my teaching this week and yep...I got the school where you have to get up at 5 am, to catch the bus at 6 am, to drive an hour to get to school. But at least I get to see some amazing sun rises!
It’s a nice little school in Tweed heads about 45 minutes away over the boarder into New South Wales!
I am teaching in a grade one class, its nice and the kids are fun, but I can tell already I have one little boy that is going to be my buddy the whole time I’m there. Ky. He seems special, like ADD kind of special. A nice little challenge for me I guess!
My teacher is pretty nice, she's been teaching a long time so it will be good to learn from her. The school is really laid back, you should have seen all us city kids coming in on the first day. High heels, skirts, blouses etc, I mean we all looked dressed to the nines, then we met the staff in their surf clothes, shorts, t-shits and runners...I mean this is my kind of teaching gear!
For the next month we go into the school only on Thursdays and then after exams we do 4 weeks straight. That should be interesting. Ill be asleep by 7pm every night!
Lots of homework to get done this weekend, Easter break is coming up and then all our projects are due. And I don’t want to be doing any of the work on our sailing trip around the Whit Sunday Islands.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
School and Sleep
Trying to write a paper and get up for the morning classes is starting to get to me. I’m so tired I'm going to bed at 9 pm tonight. I’m such a party animal.
We have a paper (2500 words and at least 20 references) due on Monday and everyone is freaking out about it. Imp pretty calm about the whole thing because im so tired I don’t really care.
This program has lost its luster and is finally showing itself to be the evil time eater it is.
Although I am having fun on the side planning my trip to the Whitsunday Islands and I joined the scuba diving club where we are going on a dive trip to Vanawatu (Where Survivor was filmed!) Plus we do day dives in the area and there is a trip planned to Brisbane for a couple of days and 8 dives. It’s going to be a crazy diving trip. But right now its amazing animal season and I've been told that Ill see a shark!
Tomorrow I find out where I will be doing my first practical teaching placement. God I just hope its close to here because if its not I have to take a bus at 5 am to make it to school on time...can you imagine?
We have a paper (2500 words and at least 20 references) due on Monday and everyone is freaking out about it. Imp pretty calm about the whole thing because im so tired I don’t really care.
This program has lost its luster and is finally showing itself to be the evil time eater it is.
Although I am having fun on the side planning my trip to the Whitsunday Islands and I joined the scuba diving club where we are going on a dive trip to Vanawatu (Where Survivor was filmed!) Plus we do day dives in the area and there is a trip planned to Brisbane for a couple of days and 8 dives. It’s going to be a crazy diving trip. But right now its amazing animal season and I've been told that Ill see a shark!
Tomorrow I find out where I will be doing my first practical teaching placement. God I just hope its close to here because if its not I have to take a bus at 5 am to make it to school on time...can you imagine?
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Fire Alarm?
Yep a fire alarm went off around 10 pm and we only heard it because our door was open. It was on another floor. So the fire trucks came and we took pictures not knowing if there really was a fire or if it was a false alarm. Although our buliding had fire alarms going off 2 or 3 times that week so we took a good guess that it was a false one.
Friends
Julia my roommate, Liam the Aussie, and Annie the nextdoor neighbour (also in 'the program')
The Sarahs
These are my two good friends, Sarah and Sarah. Then theres me, the original Sarah. I think in total there are 6 Sarah's in my program. Ive never met so many before in my life. Maybe we should start a club!
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Australian slang that Ive actually heard!
Ace! : Excellent! Very good!
Arvo : afternoon
Amber fluid : beer
Aussie : Australian
Beaut, beauty :great, fantastic
Big Mobs : loads, a lot of
Bloody : very
Dodgy :poor quality
Bull dust : rubbish
Cactus : dead, broken
Click :kilometre - "it's 20 clicks away"
Come good :turn out ok
Cost big bikkies :expensive
Cut snake :(mad as a)very angry
Deadset :true / the truth
Docket :a bill, receipt
Doco :documentary
Exy :expensive
Fair go :a chance / break
G'Day :hello!
Give it away :give up
Going off :good fun
Good oil :useful information, a good idea, the truth
Good on ya :well done
Grouse :great, terrific
Heaps :a lot
Have a go : give it a try
Iffy :dodgy
It's gone walkabout :it's lost, can't be found
Kick the bucket :to die
Knock back :refuse
Mate's rate :cheaper than usual for a friend
Mate's discount :cheaper than usual for a friend
No worries! :no problem / its okay
Pig's arse! :I don't agree
Quid, make a :earn a living
Rack off :get lost! get out of here!
Reckon! :for sure
Right :okay
Ripper :Great
Rooted :ruined, broken
She'll be apples :It'll be alright
She'll be right :it'll be okay
Stoked :very pleased
Too right :definitely
Thursday, February 24, 2005
The walk up to Cape Byron
For a mini break we went to Byron bay for 2 nights. We hung out on the beach and enjoyed the small town feeling of the area. (Think Canmore with ocean and sun instead of mountains and snow) After a day on the beach, in the pool, in the sun, and eating at amazing little cafes and restaurants, it was time for an adventure. 3 out of 7 of us hiked up to the lighthouse. Running shoes, beach and an amazingly strong sun started this wonderful hike! Yep, I love sand in my runners. Anyway we found the trailhead and I was happy to be out of the sand and onto the stairs...wait, what? What is this, stairs? Yes its true lighthouses are located on TOP of BIG hills.
So sweating our faces off and sand in our shoes we hiked the million steps to one lookout. The most eastern tip of Australia. Whew! That was worth it. THEN, we hiked higher and into the area with no trees or shade of any kind, and it is now noon so even if there could have been shade it wouldn’t be there at noon with the sun right on top of us. I swear, I thought I was going to pass out. So this beautiful lighthouse, which looked like all other lighthouses I've ever seen, was finally in our sights. I got to the top and found some shade and plopped down.
The 3 of us sat there for about 20 minutes just enjoying the temperature difference. So when we decided to head down to town again, low and behold we found an ice-cream vender! Ice cream to the rescue again! This ice cream is special too, it was voted in the top ten in Australia...well no wonder why, everyone who finds this guy is dying of heat and thinks that an angel has come to deliver them cold, wonderful, sweet ice-cream. I would have voted it the best in the world when I got there.
Okay so back to the hike, we took the easy route down, yes I said easy. We hiked down the coastal rainforest path, which was all downhill, Remember that all lighthouses are located on top of BIG hills, so now we had to go down. Through the woods, I was loving the shade of the trees, but the other two girls freaked themselves out about spiders and snakes and they started to run. Then Julia, my roomie, actually saw a snake and all hell broke loose. Running downhill, tired, laughing at ourselves and Julia actually thinking she could die in this forest. Anyway I kept them in reality check, you know me I had the situation under control (read as too tired to run) Anyway we hit the sand and I was more than happy to leave that hill behind me. We went straight to our rooms for our bathers and jumped into the freezing cold pool...beauty.
So my legs are sore and I can hardly walk and I need to study for my exam, ON SUNDAY! Boo. School starts on Monday so the adventures will be on hold for a bit while I figure out this education gig.
Till the next amusing bit of life...
Monday, February 21, 2005
The Fam
After a day at the beach we came back to the apartment for nachos. The boys are loving the homemade nachos. I think we’ve eaten 6 bags of chips, 3 pounds of tomatoes and 6 avocados since they’ve been here.
Oz Food
Out for our ‘Aussie’ meal, crocodile and kangaroo. The Roo was a bit like steak cooked too well done, and the crock was a taste between fish and chicken. Strange, but not bad. I’m just glad I don’t need to eat it again!
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Time Off
So I am officially on vacation! Summer school is over and I only have one more exam and a paper due. So far in my Lifespan Development Psych course we have had an exam and I received 76%. I guess its okay, I’m just happy that I get to relax for a few days while the boys are here. Tonight there is a party to celebrate the end of summer school. Tomorrow we are renting a car and figuring out what to do. We may go to Byron bay for the day, or go see a small town famous for their 'hippy' culture. But then again you never know where the day will take us...
Thursday, February 17, 2005
On line again!
The sun hasn’t stopped shinning, and its hot here.
So of course it’s a perfect time for Chad and Josh to come and visit. The cousins have invaded and it’s so great to see them.
The boys are spending time on my couch and with my TV while they cook dinner for my roommate and me. They’re relaxing from their busy stressful lives of traveling, ha. I think they’re pretty happy to sit down and do laundry. They’re playing basketball with the guys in my program and hanging out with my friends. Tonight we are going out with a guy they know from London, Jeff, who is in my program AND my other cousin, Kevin’s girlfriend Becky. Small world eh?
Friday is my last day of summer school, thank god, 2 weeks and 2 credits later its time for a bit of a break. So we are going to rent a car and do some day trips around the area before they fly out on Monday. Then during the week the girls and I will be heading to Byron Bay to hang out on the beach. I know, I know, I live on the beach, but this is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL! Byron Bay is where all the surf competitions are and amazing waves. The boogie board will be hitting the waves this week for sure!
I have a paper to work on and an exam to study for, but besides that I'm really looking forward to this week off.
And the beat goes on…..
So of course it’s a perfect time for Chad and Josh to come and visit. The cousins have invaded and it’s so great to see them.
The boys are spending time on my couch and with my TV while they cook dinner for my roommate and me. They’re relaxing from their busy stressful lives of traveling, ha. I think they’re pretty happy to sit down and do laundry. They’re playing basketball with the guys in my program and hanging out with my friends. Tonight we are going out with a guy they know from London, Jeff, who is in my program AND my other cousin, Kevin’s girlfriend Becky. Small world eh?
Friday is my last day of summer school, thank god, 2 weeks and 2 credits later its time for a bit of a break. So we are going to rent a car and do some day trips around the area before they fly out on Monday. Then during the week the girls and I will be heading to Byron Bay to hang out on the beach. I know, I know, I live on the beach, but this is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL! Byron Bay is where all the surf competitions are and amazing waves. The boogie board will be hitting the waves this week for sure!
I have a paper to work on and an exam to study for, but besides that I'm really looking forward to this week off.
And the beat goes on…..
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
View from my apartment
So I finished my first exam, i am now an expert in behaviour management in a classroom. Studying for an exam again was a bit nerve racking but with this view it was pretty easy to sit down and study. I am now writing a 2000 word essay that is due on friday and i have another exam on Monday. And i thought this would be easy!
So far my life has really been about school. I havent gone to do anything Aussie yet other than drink beer that costs $7 a BOTTLE!
My roomate and I are getting on great and have lots in common as well as wanted to be healthy since we are here and we can. She lived in Asia too so she understands where im coming from. We are eating lots of veggies and fruit and great sauces and dips and cheese and well anyhting you can think of. We are both on a mexican kick right now becuase they have sour cream here! its amazing to be away from home and be able to eat like this.
Well im off to class again. Child development. I think ill like it if its not too 'textbooky'
Ill write again soon.
Friday, January 28, 2005
Front of the house at Christmas
Geeze I do NOT miss that snow!
Sorry for all of you caught in it right now...maybe Ill hold off on the pictures of where I live now...I dont want any jealous angry letters coming my way!
Sorry for all of you caught in it right now...maybe Ill hold off on the pictures of where I live now...I dont want any jealous angry letters coming my way!
Thursday, January 27, 2005
How you going mate?
So I'm here, My flights were fine...LONG but it was all good, and I got all my luggage (THAT I was impressed with!)
Once I got off the flight a strange old lady picked me up in a mini van, and it was just me. She was the driver who was going to take me to my hotel. An hour later we pulled up. It was a nice hotel, nothing special, more along the lines of a motel. But whatever, it had Air-con so I was happy. With sweat dripping down my face I got my huge bags into my room and had a shower to freshen up. I called my friend Amy and she came to pick me up and we went for dinner. I crashed pretty early so I went back 'home' for the night. I shared my room with 2 other girls and the next day I went to the mall to get a phone. First things first...cell phone!
So I got that sorted and went back to my room. About 30 mins later there was a knock on my door and it was the lady from the office saying there were 2 girls waiting for me in the office. I went down and met this girl named Julia and her friend. She went to the uni to see if there was anyone who arrived on their own that she could maybe room with. So after a chat we thought we would be a good match, she taught in Korea and is 25 years old.
The two of us hit the streets and found a couple of places but nothing great. After a few more days of this we were getting tired, sunburt, and frustrated. Then we went to check out this one last place...Oh my god was all I could say...I almost peed my pants when I first went on the balcony and looked at the view. It was clean, nice and with the most amazing view-we took it!
its a lot of cash but so are most places. We are paying about 20 more than the cheaper places we were looking at, so really, its worth it.
Since moving in on Monday we have been trying to get ourselves all together. Its been raining and cold for that the last few days. (cold I mean 20C) so we haven't done much but watch TV and sleep and go shopping for our apt.
We had a big night out on the town with the others from our program. It was nice to meet some people but to be honest I don't really remember their names! Ah well ill have tons of time for that.
School starts on Monday and its going to be hard. In our first week we are studying Psych and development, have a paper due and an exam. In week two we study classroom management etc and again have a paper and an exam. This summer school stuff is going to be much harder than regular semester classes. But from the folks I've been chatting with it will go fast and its not as bad as it seems.
We are getting the internet hooked up as soooooon as possible so ill be able to update this better in the next bit.
Ill add pictures when I can!
Allllright mates, I'll catch you later right...No worries.
Once I got off the flight a strange old lady picked me up in a mini van, and it was just me. She was the driver who was going to take me to my hotel. An hour later we pulled up. It was a nice hotel, nothing special, more along the lines of a motel. But whatever, it had Air-con so I was happy. With sweat dripping down my face I got my huge bags into my room and had a shower to freshen up. I called my friend Amy and she came to pick me up and we went for dinner. I crashed pretty early so I went back 'home' for the night. I shared my room with 2 other girls and the next day I went to the mall to get a phone. First things first...cell phone!
So I got that sorted and went back to my room. About 30 mins later there was a knock on my door and it was the lady from the office saying there were 2 girls waiting for me in the office. I went down and met this girl named Julia and her friend. She went to the uni to see if there was anyone who arrived on their own that she could maybe room with. So after a chat we thought we would be a good match, she taught in Korea and is 25 years old.
The two of us hit the streets and found a couple of places but nothing great. After a few more days of this we were getting tired, sunburt, and frustrated. Then we went to check out this one last place...Oh my god was all I could say...I almost peed my pants when I first went on the balcony and looked at the view. It was clean, nice and with the most amazing view-we took it!
its a lot of cash but so are most places. We are paying about 20 more than the cheaper places we were looking at, so really, its worth it.
Since moving in on Monday we have been trying to get ourselves all together. Its been raining and cold for that the last few days. (cold I mean 20C) so we haven't done much but watch TV and sleep and go shopping for our apt.
We had a big night out on the town with the others from our program. It was nice to meet some people but to be honest I don't really remember their names! Ah well ill have tons of time for that.
School starts on Monday and its going to be hard. In our first week we are studying Psych and development, have a paper due and an exam. In week two we study classroom management etc and again have a paper and an exam. This summer school stuff is going to be much harder than regular semester classes. But from the folks I've been chatting with it will go fast and its not as bad as it seems.
We are getting the internet hooked up as soooooon as possible so ill be able to update this better in the next bit.
Ill add pictures when I can!
Allllright mates, I'll catch you later right...No worries.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Okay, okay so I'm a slacker!
Alright already,
I haven't written in forever....But really what am I to tell you? I've been shopping, lying on the couch, eating Mom's food/cooking, hanging with old friends and SLEEPING! Man I feel like I haven't slept in forever. I pass out for a good 10 hours a night.
Hopefully I will get back into some kind of routine in time for classes!
So I am now in the process of packing.....AGAIN. My life in 2 suitcases, its amazing that I can do it.
I leave on Sat and it is coming up so quickly. I have officially taken over the living room with my suitcases and clothes which are everywhere. The folks are loving it!
So in my visits home I've managed to see quite a few old faces, high school friends, the camp girls minus 2, Uni buddies who I haven't seen since graduation, and my family new and old. Ben, cousin Katie's little boy and my god son, was here so I got to meet him, hold him, adore him, and be there for his baptism. However now when I get back from being down under he'll be talking! I cant believe ill miss all of that...
At least now I have a good reason for sending presents...Crazy Auntie Sarah! Man do I love that title...Anyone else want to make me an aunt?
alright, so I may be off line for a while till I am able to hook up the net in my new beach front pad. So keep safe, stay away from title waves and email me tons...I miss everyone so much. Moving onto my next phase, doing it all again from scratch.
Missing you,
I haven't written in forever....But really what am I to tell you? I've been shopping, lying on the couch, eating Mom's food/cooking, hanging with old friends and SLEEPING! Man I feel like I haven't slept in forever. I pass out for a good 10 hours a night.
Hopefully I will get back into some kind of routine in time for classes!
So I am now in the process of packing.....AGAIN. My life in 2 suitcases, its amazing that I can do it.
I leave on Sat and it is coming up so quickly. I have officially taken over the living room with my suitcases and clothes which are everywhere. The folks are loving it!
So in my visits home I've managed to see quite a few old faces, high school friends, the camp girls minus 2, Uni buddies who I haven't seen since graduation, and my family new and old. Ben, cousin Katie's little boy and my god son, was here so I got to meet him, hold him, adore him, and be there for his baptism. However now when I get back from being down under he'll be talking! I cant believe ill miss all of that...
At least now I have a good reason for sending presents...Crazy Auntie Sarah! Man do I love that title...Anyone else want to make me an aunt?
alright, so I may be off line for a while till I am able to hook up the net in my new beach front pad. So keep safe, stay away from title waves and email me tons...I miss everyone so much. Moving onto my next phase, doing it all again from scratch.
Missing you,
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Christmas
Wow, Christmas is here already.
2 days left and I feel like i have very little done. Well at least it has started to snow and it now looks like Christmas. Ive been running around like crazy and havent been home in a week.
2 days left and I feel like i have very little done. Well at least it has started to snow and it now looks like Christmas. Ive been running around like crazy and havent been home in a week.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
helmet.flag
Zai Jen!
Ah Taiwan, do I ever miss it!
3 years and 22 million amazing people!
Thanks for it all, I dont think I could forget a minute of it.
Smooooooch!
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go!
12 days left, how is that possible?
I haven't quite figured out how I am going to do this. I have so much to take care of and so many people I need to see to feel like I get a proper goodbye. Today is my last day with my class. The little buggers are so cute I cant believe that I have to say goodbye to them. They aren't sure what to do with me right now...They still think I'm joking about leaving. When I told them tomorrow is my last day, forever, they just sat there, stunned. I didn't know what to do with them. How cute, they're 9 and 10 years old and they are asking when I am coming back...I said I'll be in school for 3 years. They actually did the math and replied "but I'll be in grade 6 then, and I won't even be here at this school anymore!" Little cuties.
So on top of that, although I must say I am more than happy to have the free time right now, I need to pack...For real. Get everything ready as if I am leaving tomorrow and then only have a few clothes to wear and wash and toss. I still need to get lots of banking and stuff done...Plus find people to take my room! Man could leaving a country, packing up your life, moving to another place where you know no one or anything and you have no place to live, get any more complicated? Yep it can, you can toss in a best friend/boyfriend that you are leaving behind.
Welcome to my messed up, emotional, unorganized and stressed out life thus far.
Hopefully I get it all sorted and put together before next Sat (ie- my huge going away party that is going to be amazing at the local bar with basically everyone I've ever known in Taiwan attending) I think that will be a bit of a messy night in which I will need to be all packed and ready to go. What a way to end it here. I cant wait until that night...However I feel like I could still put it off for awhile, I'm just not ready to say those words, "goodbye, its been fun!"
I haven't quite figured out how I am going to do this. I have so much to take care of and so many people I need to see to feel like I get a proper goodbye. Today is my last day with my class. The little buggers are so cute I cant believe that I have to say goodbye to them. They aren't sure what to do with me right now...They still think I'm joking about leaving. When I told them tomorrow is my last day, forever, they just sat there, stunned. I didn't know what to do with them. How cute, they're 9 and 10 years old and they are asking when I am coming back...I said I'll be in school for 3 years. They actually did the math and replied "but I'll be in grade 6 then, and I won't even be here at this school anymore!" Little cuties.
So on top of that, although I must say I am more than happy to have the free time right now, I need to pack...For real. Get everything ready as if I am leaving tomorrow and then only have a few clothes to wear and wash and toss. I still need to get lots of banking and stuff done...Plus find people to take my room! Man could leaving a country, packing up your life, moving to another place where you know no one or anything and you have no place to live, get any more complicated? Yep it can, you can toss in a best friend/boyfriend that you are leaving behind.
Welcome to my messed up, emotional, unorganized and stressed out life thus far.
Hopefully I get it all sorted and put together before next Sat (ie- my huge going away party that is going to be amazing at the local bar with basically everyone I've ever known in Taiwan attending) I think that will be a bit of a messy night in which I will need to be all packed and ready to go. What a way to end it here. I cant wait until that night...However I feel like I could still put it off for awhile, I'm just not ready to say those words, "goodbye, its been fun!"
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
CNN
Strong quake shakes northern Taiwan
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- A strong earthquake hit northern Taiwan on Monday night, shaking buildings in the capital, Taipei, for several seconds. No injuries or serious damages were immediately reported.
The magnitude 5.7 quake's epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean, about four-tenths of a mile from the northeast coastal city of Ilan, the Central Weather Service said. Ilan is about 30 miles southeast of Taipei.
The entire island felt the temblor, the weather bureau said. A magnitude 5 quake can cause considerable damage.
Earthquakes frequently rock Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage. However, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck central Taiwan four years ago killed more than 2,300 people.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- A strong earthquake hit northern Taiwan on Monday night, shaking buildings in the capital, Taipei, for several seconds. No injuries or serious damages were immediately reported.
The magnitude 5.7 quake's epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean, about four-tenths of a mile from the northeast coastal city of Ilan, the Central Weather Service said. Ilan is about 30 miles southeast of Taipei.
The entire island felt the temblor, the weather bureau said. A magnitude 5 quake can cause considerable damage.
Earthquakes frequently rock Taiwan, but most are minor and cause little or no damage. However, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck central Taiwan four years ago killed more than 2,300 people.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Halloween
No we weren't drag queens. Just 2 girls with wigs (Julia and friend) a guy dressed as pippi long stockings (Chris, Jordan's roommate) and me the really drunk belly dancer who kept loosing her hair. We were dancing on stage infront of about 1000 people at this party in one of the biggest clubs in Taipei. Yes this picture is posted on the web for the promoters of the party. Check out www.liquid-lifestyle.com if you want to see more of the party.
aren't you all proud of me and my foolish ways? I know I am!
PS- this is why I spent all of Sunday on the couch unable to move!
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