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

This balance has weighed out our heart's desire; I'm trying to make it alone.

Faces in Disguise by Sunny Day Real Estate

these fears come rushing in when i enter here
another layer on my back
a blazing fire where our glances meet
the largest feeling towering over me
faces in disguise
not a trace of desire...

i long to take you to a secret place
where we could lay aside our past
we'd throw the world away with all it's pain
to shine like stars through storm and clouds and rain
faces in disguise
not a trace of desire...

go face the day, go and see new things
go face the day, but you'll remember me...

i see a tear inside when you're turned away
another wound that i'd take back
if i could fill your heart just once
and then i'd take you now
where we could live again
faces in disguise

not a trace of desire...
faces in disguise
not a trace of desire...
go face the day, go and see new things
go face the day, but you'll remember me.

*****

This song is so relevant to how I feel, and have felt for sometime. I've also met quite a few people here who are experiencing the emotions so beautifully portrayed in this song.

When you meet a new person here one of the first questions they ask you is "Why did you decide to come to Australia?" Now, I've touched on this before, but what I haven't discussed is how common the answers are here. Everyone is running away/to something. A lot people are running to find excitement and joy in a life they found so dull back home. When you get people talking past their surface answers, you realize how many people in this world are hurting just like you and looking for that one thing to grab onto and make them happy. I'm not saying everyone is here under false pretenses and putting on a fake smile in hopes of magically being happy one day. What I mean is that we all are so similar, we just never realize it until tragedy brings us together.

I have met people from every continent (minus Antartica, for various reasons...) and I've had at least a couple people, from different countries, say they came here to heal a broken heart. Now, it's not the only reason they came here. They also came cause they hated their job, hated their living situation, and wanted an adventure. But, a big reason for country-hopping was because they were in love with someone and that love fell apart. And, really, everyone in this world makes decisions based on who they love and who they don't... even for a cynic on love like me, I can tell you, love really does make the world go round.

A lot of us are here to figure out whether what we have back home is worth it. I know I eventually have to go home (sadly, the Aussies won't keep me forever) and I think all the time how it's going to be when I arrive on American soil again. Will my friendships be the same? How about the relationship with my family? And, the one that hurts me as much as it gets me through the day: how will he and I be? It's too far off to dwell on now, but it's amazing how much I am like hundreds of other people all around the world. We are all hurting and loving in the same ways, just speaking a different language.

I'm so happy here and am thankful for every day I wake up and am able to look out and see the ocean and know that I am in paradise. Last night was the first night in my apartment and I got to wake up, at 6am, and eat my cereal while sitting in my living room looking at the ocean. I could've sat on our balcony, but even in summer, Sydney is cold at 6am. I smile more than I frown and I rarely get homesick. So, don't think I'm pouting. I just think all the time how much we try to hide whats really killing us inside because we think we're alone, when really the next person next to you could be going through the same thing.

Who knows where my future leads, but I do know that this experience is making me more able to approach them with a level head and an open heart.

Now, back to work...

Cheers!

Sweet as sugar.

Aussies/Kiwis eat this wonderful dessert called a Caramel Slice. It's very sweet and hits the spot when a sugar craving hits. I thought I would share the recipe and definitely recommend it for your holiday parties (obviously you'd have to switch the measurements and temperatures to "American!") They sell them everywhere here and will probably be the cause of a 20 pound gain!

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/9164/chocolate+caramel+slice

Enjoy!

I'm off to move into my apartment... BEST. DAY. EVER.

Oh, also, thought I would share that Hilary and I got a free McFlurry at 3am in the morning from Macca's (That's what they call McDonald's here)... we are THAT awesome!

Cheers!

Travelling: It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A few friends and I (consisting of 4 Irish, 3 Americans, and possibility 2 British (my new roomies)) will be cooking Thanksgiving dinner tonight. We're going to have a feast, however, there will be no Turkey. They don't really have any here right now... we hear rumor they have them out for Christmas but not for this time because they don't actually celebrate Thanksgiving. I learned that they celebrate Boxing Day, however, and that's there big shopping day of the year, like our Black Friday.

T-minus 2 days until Apartment move in! I have never been so excited for a closet in my life... for the last month I have had to live out of a backpack... no, not a suitcase with a big open top where you can view everything easy, but a top-loading backpack that is a blackhole for everything that I own. No matter how often I shower, I feel dirty. Doing laundry in a hostel is a joke (an expensive one, at that). I did a "load of laundry" the other night, and by that I mean I washed all my underwear in the sink with some OxiClean knock off brand. Talk about classy. I didn't want to pay $6 PER LOAD for 10 pairs of underwear. I can't wait to have my own free washer for 2 months to finally feel freshly laundered.

One of my little annoyances about here is about how bad the public transport system is. Sydney has four different types of public transportation: bus, ferry, train, and monorail. They go all over the suburbs and inner city and it's so finely detailed, you think they would have a good schedule down for how to work them. Well, they don't. Buses very rarely ever run on time. I will give them a thumbs up for their train system, as it does have times letting you know when they will arrive and if they will be late. I haven't rode the ferry or monorail yet, however, the bus experience has been enough to turn me away. I ride the bus at least twice a day every day, and I usually spend 30 min, at least, each time just waiting at the bus stop. Bus says it's supposed to arrive at 5:10pm... it will come at 5:35. I left at 8pm last night to catch the 8:05pm bus to Bondi Junction (20 min bus ride) and it came at 8:30, with the 8:35 scheduled bus pulling in right behind it... talk about efficient! ha! Then, I had to wait 35 min at Bondi Junction to catch my next bus into Bondi... the walk from Coogee to Bondi take about 1 hour, one way... I could've walked it in that time! It's a little ridiculous, but it's just something you have to take in stride. "No worries, mate" as the Aussies say.

Eat some good food today, and have some Turkey for me!

Cheers!

You've got to reach out, can't be too careful anymore.

"And I'll face the one who made my disgusting heart from a lump of clay. Should he ask what got me through, If he asks me, it was you." -Cemetery by Say Anything

How could I have forgotten the new Say Anything album came out Nov. 3??? I feel so isolated from my world! Everyone should go listen to Say Anything's new self-titled album... I love them. But, I just would like to point out how much I hate self-titled albums. Seems a bit narcissistic.

All that aside, everything is well here. I'm working on a Sunday, which sucks a bit, especially because I had to pay $20 to take a cab to work because the buses don't start running on this line til 8am and I had to be here at 7:30 am. That's one hour of work to pay for my cab ride! Oh well, it's a slow day, so I'm just Internet-ing it up. It's just me and another fellow backpacker here, and he's watching True Blood. We're so cool.

I also had a breakfast of champions: instant coffee and grilled cheese, on brown bread. No, not wheat bread... brown bread! That's what they say here "White or Brown?" Makes sense, I guess.

Another thing I'm getting used to about living in a beach town is that people go everywhere barefoot and in their swimsuits! I'm talking people are grocery shopping in beach gear... no shoes and sopping wet. Is it like this in all beach towns, or just here?? It doesn't bother me, or anything, it's just weird. Not sure I'm at that comfort level... I like to be clothed when outside the beach.

Speaking of the beach, I finally went into the ocean on Friday. Almost lost my bottom of my swimsuit, but I survived and had a blast. I wear sunscreen all the time and I've still gained a tan... way more tan than I've ever been in my life. I like it, but I will probably return with the souveniour no one wants: skin cancer. Eek! *goes and slaters on the cream*

Yea, they call it suncream, not sunscreen.

On Friday we went to an Australian campus bar and partied with 20 year old Aussies. It was a great time because I finally got to see Australians! I hang with so many foreigners, sometimes I forget I'm actually in Australia.

And, on a side note, being here has gotten me thinking. Before I came, so many people were so confused as to why I wanted to go to Australia. People even had the nerve to tell me I wouldn't make it here and not to get my hopes up. Even a few who told me I was naive and shouldn't be so optimistic... Well, to all those disbelievers out there, I did make it. I an apartment with three awesome roommates. I have a wonderful job and make good money (better than being an Assistant Manager for Atlanta Bread Company). I am living on my own without parental help. I am the happiest I have ever been. I've met the coolest people that I get a long with so well. I know what I did isn't for everyone, but it still makes me sad when I see so many people who don't chase after anything because they are too scared of what bad might happen. Sure, I've fallen many times, but I pick myself back up. Life isn't about succeeding all the time, but it is about adventure and seeing how far you can go. For the people that live their whole life scared of what you can't see, I have a few words of advice. Go out and have an adventure today. Whether it be small or big, do something new. Go somewhere unfamiliar. You'll be amazed by what you see (both around you and inside of you).

Alright, I'm done preaching. That's not what this blog is about, but I had just been thnking about how many people didn't believe in me at all. I believed in myself, I knew in my heart I wanted to be here and that I would make it. I really have never been happier!

Well, I should get back to work. Sadly, work doesn't do itself.

Picture to right >>>>>>>>>>>> is of Coogee Beach at sunrise. This is where I live now :)

Michaela

"When I was ten years young, my douche best friend
Decided that I was just not cool enough for him
My awkward frame and buck-tooth grin
Were no accouterments for one with a new skin
Well, late last week I saw that man
He was far too high to grasp that I shook his hand
I’ve got my pride and my rock band
Singing words that he don’t understand"
-Young, Dumb, and Stung by Say Anything

Go listen: NOW!

The Crazies Came Out To Play

I decided to call it an early evening, showering and crawling into bed at 9:30pm. I was having a wonderful, undisturbed sleep, that was until about 1am. I woke up to a commotion out in my living room (I’m staying in a hostel room with a living room, beds off to the side, separated by a wall, and two separate bedrooms in which you need a key to access. There was a lady going on and on about her cousin who had screwed her over and she was throwing furniture, packing, and unpacking her items, and speaking in a monotone voice about her cousin and how she is a tramp. My roommates were trying to ask her questions, but it was like she was in her own world. It kept escalating to violence against our furniture (the stuff is glued down to the floor... not anymore!) and she was tossing them into our big windows in front of the balcony. I’m surprised they didn’t shatter. I was just sitting in my bed, wondering what was going on, until the girl who had been trying to calm the woman down, went into one of the bedrooms and they closed the door. I didn’t want to be alone with this woman, so I hightailed it over to their door, the woman behind me, and knocked. Once I got in, there were 8 of us locking ourselves in from her. One of the girls did decide to be brave, however, and went out of the room and downstairs in order to get help. The owner of the hostel came in and made the lady get out. There were a lot of yelling, and the fighting continued in the hostel common room until 3am, when the cops came to arrest her. I believe I met my first nutter (or crazy person as we call them back home)! I am safe, however, and after a big cockroach incident after that at 4am, I finally got to have a good nights sleep until I had to wake up at 730 am in order to get to work!

How was your night?? :)

Things are finally looking up.

I HAVE A JOB! That's right... I'm officially a real person again. I am working at a call center for a company called CityMove (www.citymove.com.au). I just give people quotes for their upcoming moves. Not really exciting, but it pays really well... $20 an hour! Way better than anything I've ever had back home.

A lot has happened since the last time I wrote, so much that I can't even remember. But, I have enjoyed my days laying on the beach, hanging out with friends, and eating good food (by the beach).

I figured I would just update to let you know I am alive

Random, but there is a coffee vending machine next to me, and I just realized the options:

Espresso
Cappucino
Caffe Latte
Mochaccino
Mocha Latte
Hot Chocolate
Chicken Soup

Anything out of place there? Not sure I want chicken soup out of a coffee machine...

Also, just a few random things I have noticed before I go.
1. They don't like to label streets/buildings here. It's really annoying riding the bus and having no one/no sign announce what street they are stopping at. And, buses only stop if you tell them to, even at big stops, and will only pulll over to pick you up if you flag them down. Even if you're standing at the bus stop, they will drive straight past you unless you wave at them.
2. They say "no worries" a lot. It's their lifestyle.
3. Nude beaches: definitely was shocking. Every beach is a nude beach... if you want to go topless, go for it. It's... different!

That's all for now.

Cheers!

Poor Kangaroo,but you taste so good!

It's been a couple of days and a lot has happened! I'm not sure I can even begin to express how crazy the last couple of days have been. I have met a lot of people and done a lot of things. Sydney is amazing and I still can't believe I'm here. I love it and I never want to leave.

One: I have an apartment.
I was in the IEP office (the program that I'm with) and a girl, who I had been facebook friends with, came up to me and asked if I wanted to go apartment viewing with her and another girl. We ended up getting a beachside apartment in Coogee, Sydney, Australia. It's right ON THE BEACH! And, it's fully furnished and really cheap. I'm really excited. It's four of us in a gorgeous apartment that has a HUGE balcony that looks right over the beach. It's about a 1.5 minute walk to the sand. I definitely don't have that back home.

Two: I have friends.
:D I was so worried coming here that I wouldn't meet anyone. I am a pretty shy person normally and tend to have difficulty meeting, and keeping, friends. But, I took a deep breath before coming here and told myself it was a "now or never" type situation. I opened up immediately to lots of people and have made sure to say yes to every situation that presents itself. Already I have done so much more than I ever have back home, and I've already been here a week. At the moment I have friends from America, Sweden, France, Norway, England, Germany, and Australia.

Three: I went on a date. WHAT?
I met this Swedish guy and we hung out a couple of nights with friends before he asked me out on a date. This was where I tried Kangaroo. That's right: KANGAROO STEAK! It was really good! I swear it tastes just like filet mignon, but he swears it tastes much better and richer than that. But, he's a Swede... so what does he know?? :P I also went bowling with him and his Swedish friends a couple of nights before the date, taught them how to play pool, and went to a strip club. I know, you're thinking "uh...??" but, they wanted to go, and it was free, so we went. I'm not a strip club regular, so I can't say I can compare it really to anything back in the states, but it was quite an experience. We had a stripper try to sell us a lap dance AND exctasy in one sentance. I'm proud to say we denied her, but I think it's the first person I've met (knowlingly) on drugs. I'm glad that it's a rare occurance in my life. Not really my thing! But, all the crazy stuff aside, he is a really cool guy and it has opened my eyes to a totally different culture (Swedish) than mine... like, he had never seen a bum before (apparently they don't have them in his town), so we had to stop and chat with the first bum that we saw. This is not something I would normally do, but it actually opened my eyes to not necessarily be scared of homeless people (I still won't give them money)... but, I had an interesting story to tell from talking two minutes to a corner bum.

I've realized a lot about myself already in the week I've been here. Australians are very laid back and very friendly. I'm still getting used to the whole "look right THEN left" situation, but I haven't been hit by a car yet, so this is a plus! Other than that, it's really pretty similar to back home. They are a nice combination between Europe and America.

I'm still job hunting, but I could possibly have a job or two... I will find out tomorrow. Fingers crossed! Also, I went to the aquarium today and will share pictures soon! It was cool to see animals way different than back home! Of course, I have pictures of the opera house too. :)

Now that you've gotten a glimpse into the last (crazy) week, I'm off to go to bed. I move out to Coogee tomorrow, which is about 30 minutes southeast of Sydney. I'm ready for the beach, because it will be a nice break from the hot, sweaty city!

Cheers!
Michaela

How are you going?

Another post?? What?  It's rainy outside and I spent a good couple hours walking around in the rain, getting my bearings on the area.  I had cheesecake for lunch and now came back to share some pictures with everyone!

But, first, a little recap of yesterday.  I applied for a few jobs (as well as today), and walked around Darling Harbour.  It was gorgeous there, sitting by the water.  I could definitely do that for a living!  But, the highlight was getting to go to Bondi Beach and layout for an hour or so in the 100 degree weather!  It's a famous beach here is Australia and it was amazing.  Then, Sarah and I went down to a German Pub and got some drinks... I'd say it was a day well spent.  I got a call this morning from one of the cafes I applied to, so I'm crossing my fingers for that job! The only thing is it is in northern sydney (across the harbour), so it will be a little rough if I end up moving in with a few people i've been talking to, because we'd live in Bondi.  They are about 30 min driving away from each other!

Anyways, enjoy some pictures and I will update in a couple of days... don't get used to this everyday stuff.  I'm just having trouble filling up 16 hours of tourist activities... there is only so much a girl can see in one day!  I'm off to apartment shop with some other girls after this!  

Click me for photos!

G'day Mate!

I have arrived!  Well, technically I arrived at 6am yesterday... but, I am finally sitting down to write about my first day.  Talk about a long one, too.  I didn't go to bed until midnight, after getting only 5 hours of sleep on the plane that night, and only 4.5 hours the night before!  I had planned on going to the local hostel bar and having one drink and then going to bed, but things didn't exactly turn out like that.  I was sitting at the bar sipping on my Bulmers (cider beer) and a canadian couple started chatting with me, and after a little while they offered me some of their beer.  I denied, but they kept insisting.  They bought four pitchers!  So, needless to say, I had a good night chatting and drinking Snakebites (a local specialty, apparently!).  They had so many questions about being an American, and I of course questioned their Canadian-ness.  :)  Haven't met any aussies really (besides the ones that have helped me at the bank, hostel, etc), but I've met scottish, irish, english, swiss, and german.  

I opened a bank account and have began applying for jobs.  I've hit the ground running!  It's a short update for now, as I have only been here a day and haven't even really seen the city.  I plan on doing that today!  I've only seen one small portion of it.  Although, it surprised me how asian it is in this area... there are A LOT of massage parlors!  I'm stayin' clear of those.  

I'm loving it so far.  The weather is GORGEOUS and the people are so nice.  Everyone is laid back and willing to help with anything.  Hope all is well back in the states and I will update very soon with more exciting details... once I've actually done something exciting!

WRITTEN WHILE ON THE PLANE TO LAX.

I hate flying.  Every time that I have to take a flight I wake up that morning with the worst stomach ache.  I cannot eat or drink without feeling nauseous.  The feeling usually goes away once I'm in the air, but it's the anxiety beforehand that gets to me.  The anxiety for this flight began two days before.  I think I lost two pounds in two days due to not being able to eat (although, I did do a pretty good job at putting away a hefty amount of food at Macaroni Grill last night!).  The thing is, I love to travel and I would never give it up; thus, I have to fly.  I'm not even sure why I hate flying so much, since I have been ever since I was a little kid.  I don't mind the packing, the waiting in line, sitting and waiting, or even the long hours you have to spend on the airplane.  What I do mind is how much everything is out of your hands.  I willingly put myself into perfect stranger's hands, trusting them to carry me, and 200 of my closest strangers, through nothing buy sky, thousands of miles and land safely on a short strip of asphalt.  I don't like it, not one bit.

That aside, my flight is going very smooth!  I'm currently over New Mexico (according to our lovely Pilot, who could very well moonlight as a tour guide).  There is some sort of gorge below me, and it's gorgeous.  Although, not as spectacular as seeing the Grand Canyon from the air!  I believe we have two more hours left (two have already flown by, pun intended!).

This whole moving to Sydney thing really hasn't hit me yet.  I said bye to family and friends, but it still hasn't hit me yet.  Perhaps when I land and am stranded in the middle of Sydney, alone, it will smack me right across the face.  More like a nice punch to the face than a smack.  It will definitely be forceful and rudely awakening.  I'm, in a really weird sense, looking forward to that.  Hello adventure!

Next time I update I will be in Australia!

Love, Michaela

The Final Countdown

Here I am, four days from departing for Sydney, Australia.  I have yet to pack or do anything more than make my resumes/cover letters and prepare my bank accounts and cell phone for over seas.  I should probably start getting everything together, but how do I pack for a year?  I'm going to be living out of a backpack (one of those large framepacks made for hiking).  For someone who owns enough clothes to not do laundry for a month and not wear one dirty thing, it's a struggle.  But, I'm ready to jump in head first and see where this takes me.

I get asked all the time "Why are you doing this?"  It's not an easy answer, but I feel that I can say with certainty I hope to find myself.  Hope to realize something about myself and get out of the bubble that is my normal life.  I tend to be shy and reserved on first meeting (as many of you know), but can be a crazy, neurotic, talk-your-head off type a person too (as many of you have told me ha!).  I want to meet new people and do new things.  Perhaps I'm running away from things, from the fact that I have no idea what I want to do with my life or that the last year of my life I went through some really tough times.  But, I like to see it more as a running to something, not away from.  

Anyways, this is just an introduction to get me started on a blog I hope to update weekly with pictures and video in order to well document this amazing adventure!  I will post my phone number and my address as soon as I get them!

Michaela