The day is here. I am leaving. It is very surreal. Even though I am sitting in an empty room surrounded by my luggage, I can't believe it. I wonder when I will believe it. All I know is that this is NOT goodbye, Australia. I WILL be back someday. I still have a dream of moving here; it's just more intense now.
I honestly couldn't have asked for a better last week in Sydney. It was beautiful every day, when originally it was supposed to rain everyday. For once, luck was on my side. Rundown of my last few days here:
Last last Friday: End of the semester party here in the village. It's amazing how much fun you can have partying with RAs!
Last last Saturday: It was Cait's last day in Sydney. Courtney, Cait and I ventured to the Opera House, walked across the Harbour Bridge, and walked through Luna Park all while taking gorgeous pictures. At the end of the day, we witnessed a rainbow by the Opera House and the Bridge. It was picturesque and one-of-a-kind! Then we had one last Chinese sit-down dinner. Beautiful ending to a beautiful friendship that started from day one with Cait.
Monday: Spent the day at the Botanical Gardens with Angelica and Sarah. It was my last Monday night poker night.
Tuesday: Courtney and I went to Coogee to take pictures galore and hang out on the rocks reading and sunbathing. I also enjoyed my last $5 Tuesday pizza and didn't have to see Mr. Creeper there either. Huzzah! That night we hit up Scruffy Murphy's and for once, I enjoyed myself! The highlight would have to be when Adelia, Abbey and I walked home by ourselves and stopped in the park to play on the zipline. Smart moves for 2AM.
Wednesday: Last minute souvenir shopping at Paddy's markets. That night we headed over to Marly to hang out with the guys, another enjoyable night.
Thursday: I really did nothing all day, but that's okay. One last hurrah at Kelly's for karaoke. I will miss that place! I have so many memories there. Oh, but this was the most awkward night of my life too.
Friday: We tried to go to Watson's Bay but failed due to ferries. Angelica, Sarah and I shopped around The Rocks and Circular Quay. That night, I went to Darling Harbour for the opening ceremonies of the World Cup and the first game. It was FREEZING but such a great experience! I wish the US was more into "football".
Saturday: Finally made it to Watson's Bay after talking about it for days! It was beautiful and a nice way to spend the day outside. Our IES Farewell Dinner commenced that night. Courtney and I had a blast together, including a drunk ferry ride back to the city. How many people can say they did that? :)
Sunday: My last $6 Thai for lunch. That means, no more Thai for awhile since Belleville is so expensive! Then we headed to the Olympic Park to miniature golf. I had been wanting to go there for MONTHS and it never worked out! We finally made it! It took us an hour and half to find the Golf Center though. And miniature golf was the lamest ever. It wasn't necessarily easy, but it wasn't challenging either. We made it fun though! Once we got back, we had an impromptu night of poker.
And now I am sitting here waiting to be picked up for the airport. AH! I'm sure I will make one of those "It's so weird to be home" blog entries once I get there. But I have to get home first. Ew, 14 hour flight, I hate you already!
Until next time, Sydney.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Home Stretch
One week and 2 days left. We are in the home stretch. I just got back from taking my early Philosophy exam. Here's to hoping that I passed and never have to take a Philosophy class in my life again. I have one more paper before I can say that I am officially a senior, but first I have all of next week to spend time with people and do some last minute touristy things.
It's the strangest feeling thinking about coming home. Yes, I am very happy to see everyone I love- my parents, my sister and brother, all of my friends at home and at school. But yet, I am still sad. The other night, we were talking about how long we waited to go abroad. Personally, I knew before I even entered college that I would study abroad. Granted, the place changed a few times and there were quite a lot of obstacles along the way, but I finally did it. And now, it is over. Life is funny like that. You wait for years and years for one thing, and in a flash, it becomes only a memory.
You know what is strange? I have started swamping USA numbers and Skype names with my friends here. It's crazy to think that I will be saying goodbye to these people that I have seen almost everyday for 4 months. I have to say goodbye to Al tonight and Cait on Sunday.
Yesterday was interesting. For my last philosophy tutorial, our tutor held it in a bar, ordered us jugs of beer and let us philosophize and drink at the same time. Only in Australia. Then we went to Kelly's for another hurrah of singing. Al and I sang Jessie's Girl, and Sarah, Angelica and I sang Bad Romance. What a blast! Yes, that is what I did instead of studying for my final.
You know what is AWESOME about leaving? I am leaving a rainy winter for a second summer! I am calling it "Summer 2010 Part Deux!" I wish I still had a tan though.. maybe I will get one back now that I have been under the influence of Australian sun.
It's the strangest feeling thinking about coming home. Yes, I am very happy to see everyone I love- my parents, my sister and brother, all of my friends at home and at school. But yet, I am still sad. The other night, we were talking about how long we waited to go abroad. Personally, I knew before I even entered college that I would study abroad. Granted, the place changed a few times and there were quite a lot of obstacles along the way, but I finally did it. And now, it is over. Life is funny like that. You wait for years and years for one thing, and in a flash, it becomes only a memory.
You know what is strange? I have started swamping USA numbers and Skype names with my friends here. It's crazy to think that I will be saying goodbye to these people that I have seen almost everyday for 4 months. I have to say goodbye to Al tonight and Cait on Sunday.
Yesterday was interesting. For my last philosophy tutorial, our tutor held it in a bar, ordered us jugs of beer and let us philosophize and drink at the same time. Only in Australia. Then we went to Kelly's for another hurrah of singing. Al and I sang Jessie's Girl, and Sarah, Angelica and I sang Bad Romance. What a blast! Yes, that is what I did instead of studying for my final.
You know what is AWESOME about leaving? I am leaving a rainy winter for a second summer! I am calling it "Summer 2010 Part Deux!" I wish I still had a tan though.. maybe I will get one back now that I have been under the influence of Australian sun.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
For the first time in my life, I feel WICKED...
My Australian experience is complete. I got to see Wicked from for the third time from the FRONT ROW! Best Wednesday night ever!
You see, there is this lottery every time that there is a show. You show up at 5:30, put your name in a drawing and wait until 6:00 for them to call names. There are 10 people called. If you win, you get 2 front row tickets for $30 each. Can you say fantastic deal?
Last week, when Natalie came to visit Al, I went with them to try to win. Naturally, Natalie won and the two of them went to the show. Abbey and I still wanted to see it though, so we went tonight. Abbey couldn't make the drawing to put her name in, so Al came along for an extra person.
At about 5:45, Abbey calls to say that she is on the way and hopes to make it to put her name in. Al decides to just write her info down and put it in, in hopes that she will make it on time. Of course, I think this is a bad idea for our positive mojo! What if she were to win and she wasn't there yet?
And guess what... that is EXACTLY what happened! As soon as her name was called, I looked at Al and slapped him on the arm saying "I TOLD YOU THAT WOULD HAPPEN!" Her name was passed up because you can't just claim you are someone else; you must show photo ID. From that moment, I thought I would not be seeing the show tonight.
MIRACULOUSLY, Al's name was called too! I "litrally" SQUEALED for joy! I was officially seeing Wicked from the front row! I felt bad for Al, even though he had seen it already, because if Abbey would have been there, he would've been able to go as well!
With some time to kill, we had some meat pies with mashed potatoes, gravy and mashed peas on top. Not that yummy, but an Australian delicacy. And we walked around the real Chinatown. Al eventually left us and Abbey and I went inside. We bought some drinks, basically just to get the awesome light up martini glass.
I was giddy with excitement the entire show! Once it was intermission, I wanted it to start over from the beginning! I didn't want it to end!
From My Front Row Experience:
*Flying monkeys are even scarier up close!
*Defying Gravity was absolutely stunning- I had to literally look up!
*You notice interactions between the ensemble that you do not see from far away.
*EVERYTHING IS BETTER!
*Elphaba was absolutely BRILLIANT.
*I should have pursued a degree in technical theatre.
OMG. CAN I PLEASE GO SEE IT AGAIN?
Now, I am going to stay up and listen to the soundtrack while writing the rest of my paper. I could go to sleep, but 1. I am too giddy still and 2. I don't sleep anymore. Might as well get the paper done!
Al is my favorite person ever now.
PS- I am not a very lucky person. Every person that I went with to win these tickets got their named called, except me. Coincidence, I think not. I blame the fact that I have never had an extra candle on my birthday cake, aka the luck candle!
You see, there is this lottery every time that there is a show. You show up at 5:30, put your name in a drawing and wait until 6:00 for them to call names. There are 10 people called. If you win, you get 2 front row tickets for $30 each. Can you say fantastic deal?
Last week, when Natalie came to visit Al, I went with them to try to win. Naturally, Natalie won and the two of them went to the show. Abbey and I still wanted to see it though, so we went tonight. Abbey couldn't make the drawing to put her name in, so Al came along for an extra person.
At about 5:45, Abbey calls to say that she is on the way and hopes to make it to put her name in. Al decides to just write her info down and put it in, in hopes that she will make it on time. Of course, I think this is a bad idea for our positive mojo! What if she were to win and she wasn't there yet?
And guess what... that is EXACTLY what happened! As soon as her name was called, I looked at Al and slapped him on the arm saying "I TOLD YOU THAT WOULD HAPPEN!" Her name was passed up because you can't just claim you are someone else; you must show photo ID. From that moment, I thought I would not be seeing the show tonight.
MIRACULOUSLY, Al's name was called too! I "litrally" SQUEALED for joy! I was officially seeing Wicked from the front row! I felt bad for Al, even though he had seen it already, because if Abbey would have been there, he would've been able to go as well!
With some time to kill, we had some meat pies with mashed potatoes, gravy and mashed peas on top. Not that yummy, but an Australian delicacy. And we walked around the real Chinatown. Al eventually left us and Abbey and I went inside. We bought some drinks, basically just to get the awesome light up martini glass.
I was giddy with excitement the entire show! Once it was intermission, I wanted it to start over from the beginning! I didn't want it to end!
From My Front Row Experience:
*Flying monkeys are even scarier up close!
*Defying Gravity was absolutely stunning- I had to literally look up!
*You notice interactions between the ensemble that you do not see from far away.
*EVERYTHING IS BETTER!
*Elphaba was absolutely BRILLIANT.
*I should have pursued a degree in technical theatre.
OMG. CAN I PLEASE GO SEE IT AGAIN?
Now, I am going to stay up and listen to the soundtrack while writing the rest of my paper. I could go to sleep, but 1. I am too giddy still and 2. I don't sleep anymore. Might as well get the paper done!
Al is my favorite person ever now.
PS- I am not a very lucky person. Every person that I went with to win these tickets got their named called, except me. Coincidence, I think not. I blame the fact that I have never had an extra candle on my birthday cake, aka the luck candle!
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