Christmas on the beach.

PICTURES!

(Pages 5,6, & 7 are new!)

Love,

Michaela

I finally figured out this thing...

I changed the comment settings where ANYONE can comment. So, for my family who was wondering how to comment, you should be able to now without having to register! Just choose Anonymous from the drop down menu, but don't forget to put your name in your comment!

Sorry about the lack of posts, but I've honestly had so much going on I've got nothing to say. Weird, I know... but, hopefully I'll be able to put it into words soon!

Cheers!

...and it's gone as quick as it began...

It's now the 26th of December, which is Boxing Day here. Apparently it is the biggest shopping day of the year here (like our Black Friday), but I plan on staying far away from the malls. I spent the day on the beach yesterday, which is obviously very different than my normal Christmas, but it was amazing.

I don't really have much to update about at this point, but do expect a picture update very soon... hopefully some videos too, as I have shot a few.

Go drink some egg nog for me... I can't find it here. :(

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the waaaaay!

It's Christmas Eve here so I figured I'd jump online and tell you all:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It is about 80 degrees outisde, feels nothing like Christmas, yet there are Christmas decorations surrounding me trying to make me believe it is...

Anyways, hope your holidays are everything you want and more!

Love,

Michaela

Picture Post.

Click me.

Just random pictures of some of my friends out and about and us going to Hunter Valley.

Enjoy :)

Michaela

These are the best days of our lives.

I had an interesting weekend, to say the least.

Thursday evening I went into the city with two of my friends and went to Sidebar, which is a bar underneath a hostel so it's packed with backpackers. It was a dance party, however, and danced the night away. I paid for two cabs this night... which was a nice start to the weekend that would drain my wallet.

Friday the buses were on strike. From 4am to 4am on Saturday there would be no buses. I didn't have to go to work, which was nice as some of my friends had to scramble to find ways to get to work with no method of transportation readily available. Yes, the trains (the subway) were still running, but they only connect certain areas and Coogee is 30 minutes from the nearest train station. I spent the day in, as it was also cold and rainy, and watched Superbad with a friend. I'd say it was a day well spent. Friday evening it was my friend Jon's birthday so we were meeting in Bondi Junction, thus three of us split a cab to get out there. The night started off bad and it should've been a sign for me to just to turn that cab around and go to bed.

As soon as I got into the bar different friends of my were coming up to me and telling me different stories about two friends of mine. Looking back, the stories are ridiculous and in no way make sense, but at the time I was like "they wouldn't lie to me, so I should look into this." My damn curiosity and need to know everything always bite me in the ass. So, needless to say it ended up being one of our "friends" was spreading lies about everyone and spreading rumors around trying to start something. The night ended up with a lot of different people in tears, headlocks, and very expensive cab rides home alone, because we were all too mad to ride in one together. So, that's day two of very expensive transport.

Saturday I woke up nice and early to meet two friends in the city so we could rent a car and drive up to the wineries about 2 hours north of the city. Karina is British so we let her take the wheel, as Hilary and I probably would have injured ourselves and many bystanders if we attempted to drive here. We rented a cute little compact car that was a lovely pee-yellow color and was about the size of a glorified jelly bean. It was shit on gravel roads (there are a lot of them in the country) and I was pretty sure the tires were about to go flying off and us go careening down the mountain we were driving on. We made it, however, and spent the day tasting very fine Australian wines in the most gorgeous landscape. It was a mix between Napa Valley and Tuscany. All the vinyards were small so you could walk right up the vines and see and touch the grapes. I also got to try homemade olive oil and try olives right off the vine. I bought a bottle of homemade chocolate liquor (it tastes like a fancy hershey's syrup, and I plan on putting it on ice cream) and a red wine from one of the smaller wineries. The car cost me a total of $40, which wasn't bad, but after I look at my bank account after the weekend, I know where it all went: driving me from one point of sydney to the other.

Oh, I also spent a ridiculous amount of food and am now trying to figure out how to keep myself fed for the next couple of days without spending any money. Dumpster diving anyone?

On a side note, I want to say congratulations to those of you who finished up this semester! Hope finals went well and now you can enjoy the holidays! I work this monday and tuesday, but I have wednesday, thursday, friday, and saturday off! Can't wait to spend it on the beach :)

Michaela

PICTURESSSSSS!!!

Merry (early) Christmas! I bring pictures. I'm the modern day (Mrs.) Santa. Enjoy here!

Until next time...

Ignorant people make me laugh.

I watched the Oprah Christmas Special with the Obamas last night. I was sitting on the couch with my two British roommates, and I caught the last 30 minutes. But, it was the last statement Obama made that made me speechless. I can't find the transcript online, but it went along the lines of: the 21st century is America's century, and we are the best, and that's my Christmas wish... blah blah blah. Now, yes, I know that every country says they are the best and acts pompous and everything so totally political-like, however, it's statements like that that cause the remarks I get when I travel: "Oh, you're American? I'm sorry... it's not your fault." Now, I'm proud to be an American. I really am. I bleed red, white, and blue. But, I'm sick of being portayed as an ugly American before I even open my mouth. Obama: you sounded ignorant and egotistical. He wanted to be different, change American politics, but, he's become the same as everyone that came before him, regardless of skin color. It's sad, really. But, enough of that rant...

Christmas is next week. It hasn't completely sank in, and I don't think it ever will; however, I did see Santa Claus driving a bus yesterday. I'd say that's a trade down from that fancy sleigh of his. I need to go by a Santa hat. We're all going to party on the beach in our swimsuits and Santa hats. That's definitely how Christmas should be. I don't miss the cold weather one bit! :) I could use a nice glass of hot chocolate or some egg nog, however. My mom used to make this real delicious hot chocolate with extra chocolate chips, whipped cream on top, and a candy cane. Mmmmm... I want one of those right now! ...Even though it's about 80 degrees outside right now...

My goal tonight is to make Kangaroo steak tonight with some type of veggie... I need Iron and greens, they are severely lacking from my diet. What's weird is that I have been craving Collard Greens with Bacon so bad lately... God, how southern of me. And, random... but, apparently some people pronounce "southern" as "south-ern," not "suh-thern." Weird, right?

Happy Hump Day!

Michaela

The writers weren't kidding, but the good things will live in our hearts.

(reposted from Sunday because there was an inappropriate comment left on it that I couldn't figure out how to delete...)

What a week it has been... plus, I was looking at that last post, and it doesn't even feel like it's been six days... time flies when you're having fun?

Friday night we had a house warming party, where about 16 of us broke in our new apartment with good food and games. We went around the corner to the famous Coogee Bay Hotel for some dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Then, proceeded to lay in bed until noon or so the next day. Best Saturday I've had in awhile.

I don't sleep in here... I've gotten used to waking up at 6:30am in order to get ready for work by 8am that I just can't sleep in on my off days. And, even though I was wide-eyed, and bushy tailed at 8am Saturday morning, it was so nice just to lay in bed and chat with friends for the next couple of hours. Nothing like sleepovers with a few of your closest friends. Remember when that was what we did as kids? I want to go back to those days.

I also wanted to mention that I can't get on facebook anymore at work (they finally put a filter on... damn them!). So, I haven't been on in a week or so... I feel so disconnected from my world back home! If anyone does have a twitter, please add me so we can keep in touch better! I can access twitter at work. I never said I would get one of those damn things, but it's proving to be a good way to communicate... *sigh*

I'm also starting to get to the point where I decide want I'm doing... will I go back in May like I originally planned? If I do, my plan is to go back and study for the LSAT, take that in September, then apply for Law Schools, and begin school the follow fall. But... I could stay here and work... travel Australia and escape the reality that is home for just a little longer.

I know I have to grow up eventually, but right now I'm having too much fun being right in between.

We sat and watched the sun go down,

Picked a star before we lost the moon.

Youth is wasted on the young,

Before you know its come and gone too soon.

Cheers!
Michaela

Now you can't turn back, cause this road is all you'll ever have.

No Shirt. No Shoes. No Problem.

I'm in Macca's (McDonald's) and can look to my left and see two people not wearing shoes, in their swimsuits, enjoying Big Mac meals in a booth, accompanied by a nice Cherry Coke frosty.  No one in America would stand for that.  Bare feet? *GASP* Germs!  Sand? Salt-watered clothes?  *DOUBLE GASP* It's funny how a little bit sand that's shaken off you in the doorway of your local grocery store is just swept under the rug (literally).  Hi extra-tan-hottie in the boardshorts, please drip your salt-watered body all over my produce.  Thank you.

It's just a little something I call adapting... however, don't expect me to be walking around barefoot anytime soon... I still am very much afraid of foot germs.

Another little change is that I'm in Macca's using the Internet.  And, I use that statement very loosely... it's more like I've spent the last forty minutes angrily trying to load Facebook, and have instead resorted to rocking out to my iTunes and writing out my complaints.  I'd say it's worth the $1.75 I spent on the hot fudge sundae I bought just to sit here and steal (sucky) Internet.

Weekend Breakdown: 

Saturday night my friend Hilary and I went out to Kings Cross for a couple of drinks. Hilary, being the socialable person that she is, met some random Aussies on the street while taking a cigarette break (while I'm sitting alone inside... like a cool person). They ended up paying our cover and buying us one drink to enter in the bar next to the one we were currently in (appx. $28 per person!). I ended up hanging out with the Australian University students until 5am, talking about random things and just laughing at the ridiculousness of my night: crashing a 21 year olds birthday party in the heart of Sydney. Reminded me of my college years... oh wait, that was only 6 months ago! Seems like forever ago.

Sunday I spent the day on the beach... a good six hour chunk of my day was spent lounging in the sand with some friends and then hanging at the barbeque with a couple of my other friends. Nothing like good food, good beer, good friends, and some sun for a day well spent.

Monday I only had to work four hours, so afterwards I ventured down to the beach with a friend for a little more sun. It was so much fun to get into the ocean and play around in the waves! It's like being a kid again.

Errr... Check Please?

I'm also still not used to the fact that places here usually have you order your food before you sit down and you usually pay up at the counter.  Real nice restaurants don't, but service is still shotty.  Although, you don't have to tip.  Now, if I could just get service like I do in America without having to shell out %20, then I'd be set.  You've got to flag down waitstaff for everything here, and you still might not get what you need.  But, hey, it's all part of the experience and nothing to get angry about.  If I did get angry every time someone didn't pay the amount of attention to me I thought I deserved I would've died of a stress-induced heart attack yesterday.  Remember "No Worries."  *Sigh* Sometimes I realize just how "American" I really am...

Speaking of being an American, I should probably get out of this McDonald's.  I've spent a little more than an hour here, which I believe is way too much time to spend sitting in a plywood chair, wafting in the fresh french fry aroma. "What's that lovely perfume?" "Oh this?  Just Macca's... free at the corner of Coogee Bay Road and Arden street."  I'm so classy like that.

Now that this blog has gotten awkward... heh... I'm off for home.  Time to sleep and get up bright and early to work again.  When can I get back to that vacation I thought I was on...???

Cheers!

Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

Yesterday was my day off and instead of sleeping in until 10, watching TV until 12, and then lounging on the beach until 5, I decided to be a productive tourist and went to the Blue Mountains with my friend Arron.

It's about a 2 hour journey outside of Sydney, through a small town called Katoomba. We walked from the train station to the mountains (about 30 min total), then proceeded to climb down the mountain for the next 5 hours. The views were gorgeous and even though the scenery resembles places back home, the palm trees thrown into the brush gave me a nice reminder that I wasn't just on some Tennessee mountainside.

The flies were there following us around the entire time, persistent as always. I saw a white cockatoo, large lizard and lots of butterflies. No Kangaroo though. Probably for the better, because I most definitely would have kidnapped it and sent it home to everyone I have promised a Kangaroo to.

Speaking of Kangaroo... the day ended with a nice steak burger made from its meat. Yes, they are cute, but they taste pretty delicious too.

While the rest of our friends went out on a Friday night, Arron and I were so exhausted from walking down and up a mountainside that we called it a night in. However, I was woken up to my roomie coming in, from going out in Kings Cross, at 5am and she baked me a crumpet. I say it was a good day!

I am at work today (8 to 5, although I showed up at 7:40...) and then I'm off tomorrow! I hope it's nice tomorrow so I can go to the beach! It's looking a little dreary and chilly outside right now, but usually that changes once afternoon hits.

I have had a pretty chill week (last two weeks have been very laid back, really)... I've just been working and going to bed early. I'm trying not to get sick, but failing miserably, and trying to save my money at the same time. Thus, I'm lame and going to bed at 9:30 every night.

On a side note, I've been doing interesting things to fill my time. Things have changed a bit since Monday, and I'm thinking that they've changed for the better. My mind is clearer and my heart isn't hurting as much. It's a complicated situation, but I chalk it up to being in Sydney and my life back home can wait. I didn't come here to be tied down to home... I came here to be free from a life that I wasn't sure was right for me anymore. Sitting at bus stops I play my iPod, as opposed to calling people from back home and when I'm bored I don't run to an Internet cafe to chat, I go sit by the beach or give a friend a call. Who knew such little changes can uplift someone's spirit so much. Really, I never knew how much it was dragging me down until Monday.

I guess it's gonna have to hurt,
I guess I'm gonna have to cry,
And let go of some things I've loved,
To get to the other side,
I guess it's gonna break me down,
Like falling when you try to fly,
It's sad, but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life,
Starts with goodbye.

It doesn't mean I don't care or that I have forgotten... it just means I've realized I need to spend more time caring about myself and less about what people are doing back home. That's why I moved 8,000 miles away, right??

My goal for today is to get back into running. I've done it a few times since I've been here, but not enough to equal what I did back home. So, tonight I plan on going for a jog before hitting the town for the night... but, first, I must survive work. 2 hours down... 7 to go. (Yes, I really have had this blog page up for 2 hours...)

Cheers!

Michaela

Would someone care to classify broken hearts and twisted minds?

I am a pretty, pretty princess.

I bring photos... check 'em out above!

Work today, off tomorrow. Think I'm going to the Blue Mountains! Whoooo... first sight seeing outside Sydney! It's about time.

Anyways, enjoy the pretty pictures...

Michaela

It's a bugs life.

I've been here a month!!! So weird, but so cool...


You know those rumors you hear about bugs in Australia. You know... the ones that say they are bigger, badder, and in mass quanities compared to the rest of the world. Yea... just to let you know: it's true.

The cockroaches:
They're massive and even twice as disgusting. They're everywhere and have no problem crawling over your toes as you are walking down the sidewalk. Ewww.

The flies:
They are more persistent than any flies I've met. They are not scared by the hand and cannot be shooed away.

The spiders:
Also everywhere: the city... the country... my bed. The biggest I've seen was the size of my palm and was crawling down the street in downtown Sydney. I've also seen small hot pink spiders, black and red, and ones that have big white butts that are not scared of you and will chase you.

Not a bug... but The bats:
EVERYWHERE! They are creepy and ugly and are in every tree that you walk under. Saw the face of one very up close and personal the other night. I died a little bit.

I got one spider bite two weeks ago, but I didn't die (obviously... there is no Internet in Heaven). Pretty sure it wasn't poisonous, it just made about a one inch diameter spot of my leg swell up and hurt real bad for a week.

Until next time... unless the bugs get me first...

Michaela