The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round...

Dear world,
Long overdue post here, but before I begin I'm letting you know that these posts will be coming 2xs a month (if you're lucky). So, suffice it to say they will be long and involved. Let's begin.

Wed: I landed at 7am here by myself and waited for the ASC people. I was sitting, waiting when one walked right up to me and I introduced myself and asked, "How did you know it was me?" And she told me it was because I looked American...not what I wanted to hear. My whole point of packing and dressing was to blend in (it's what they told us to do). But oh well. I met a bunch of Wesley students who were helping with orientation and they are all a blast. Well, we finally got everyone and then piled on a bus to come to the college. While we were on the bus, Lauren (pronounced Loren) told us about the worst creatures in Australia: drop bears. And in order to avoid drop bear attacks we would have to put vegemite on our foreheads. Vegemite is black jam-like stuff that stinks...ugh. Needless to say none of us believed her because well, they aren't real. (i'm going really fast...ask questions if you need to). Oh, and I met the Bocks, my host family. They are super nice and love having us around the house. We passed out at 9pm...jet-lag sucks.

Thurs: We went down to the Harbor for a scavenger hunt which was so much fun. A bunch of Americans running around looking like Americans...awesome. Ok, before I go further there is something you need to note: all those pictures of Australians as laidback, casual dressers is false. They dress like models and Europeans...I need to buy some spandex to fit in. Seriously. I'm going to buy spandex later...there's a picture for you...hahah!! So, we are running around not in skinny jeans, with our hair not done, wearing bright colors, and with few peircings (spelling?). Lips rings, eye-brow rings, nose rings ABOUND in Sydney. So, after we were obvious Americans we hopped on a cruise in Sydeny Harbor at sunset and watched this HUGE sun set over the Harbor Bridge. And I forgot to take pictures...oh well. After that we ate Mongolian BBQ that is exactly like Ghengis Grill, but soooooooo much better! Once we were finished, Kimberly (our American leader) took us to the train station and said "go home." So we had to find our way home which was fun, but we had few hitches. Our house is about 10 minutes from the train station, so we walked home and passed out early, again...

Fri: We mostly had boring sessions with Kimberly who told us all about Australians, etc. Then we went home...end of day. (That's an exciting one. haha)

Sat: We got up and went to Macka's (McD's) and used the internet. Then we went shopping in Burwood which is a train ride from our house. After we were there for a while Hannah, one of my housemates, and I decided that we wanted to go to Bondi beach, a straight shot from where we were. So, we got on the bus labeled Bondi and 2 hours later ended up an hour from the beach...do not take the 400 bus!!!! It makes a "V" and took FOREVER!! So, we were too tired to do anything but stay on and go home, the same way. So 2 more hours later we ended up at home, starving, wet, and too tired to do anything. So we went to bed early again...

Sun: We went to Hillsong! If you don't know what that is...shame...it's one of the 2 mega churches in Aus (the land of Oz). I was so overwhelmed by the people and the intense nature of the church, but we are going to try out their youth group for 18-25 year olds. Anyway, then we missed the bus and had to find another way home. So by the time we got home we were, again, exhausted and cold. So we pooped out. I made dinner last night (spaghetti...difficult i know) and then made tea which is dessert basically.

Today I start classes at 2 so I'm just in the library right now wearing bright green and orange...American I am. Sydeny is lovely and yes, i would totally move here!! I am having a great semester so far! Love and miss all of you!