-Getting an apartment (well, let's not go overboard, it's really just a room, but a very comfortable, affordable room!)
-Getting flowers delivered to me in person via an unexpected knock on my motel door (I was so surprised that for a moment I truly believed that the hotel was sending bouquets to all their residents for valentine's day! Thank you Henry, my chivalrous valentine!)
-Getting enrolled in courses at UniSA
-Enrolling in courses that only fall on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
-Meeting Eliza, a darling sweetheart who has just returned from Toronto after going on exchange to Ryerson. I was paired up with her at UniSA to help me enroll and she is the best!
-Meeting Eliza, who also turns out to have a bicycle she likely doesn't need! Yay exerciseful commutes!
-Stumbling upon the most delicious indian food I've had since Grandma's cooking
Happy Valentine's Day, all my beautiful valentines!
Much love and kisses and hugs all around!
Feb 14, 2012
Feb 13, 2012
Adventures in Bug Killing
Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
I'm in Adelaide, it's amazing, sunshine, hot heat, parks everywhere, very friendly people abound, I love it here! I must admit, I woke up this morning still feeling pretty ill, groggy, grumpy and self-pitying. After some grocery shopping, central-market exploring and getting pooped on by a bird, I felt ten times better and that feeling only increased with every apartment I visited and every person I spoke to. I'm so elated that Adelaide is the city I've ended up in, out of everywhere I've been so far this place feels like home. (Which could also do with the fact I've been repeating the mantra 'Adelaide: Home, Adelaide: Home' for months haha).
Everything was just peachy up until about ten minutes ago, when out of the corner of my eye something big and black and shiny moved.......a COCKROACH!!!!!!!! ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! So sick, my killer instinct arose and I picked up my shoe and squished that little baby right into the hotel's carpet. ohhh yaaaaaaaaaaaa! I was so proud until I realized I may have just wrecked my one pair of footwear that isn't a flip flop (or thong, as Aussies relentlessly call them). I was mulling over my (perhaps) poorly thought out cockroach killing when another thing moved out of the corner of my eye................a CRICKET!!!! I'm happy to note that at least the gods of bug invasion have indulged my love of alliteration.
Not willing to sacrifice the right running shoe, I grabbed a handful of kleenex, waited to pounce like a natural born killer but............I just didn't have it in me. I'm not the killing type. Even something as nasty as a cockroach filled me with remorse so I knew something remotely cute, that I used to catch and play with as a child, would make me feel even worse about myself.
Thank goodness for 24 hour reception service. A very kind concierge came over with a big thing of raid, he was kind enough to clean my shoe off for me (lift it too, I was scared the roach would still be living, trying to get it's vengence) and spray around the door and other potential bug-problem sites in the room.
This is probably a good time to mention that while it may claim it's a "hotel", "motel" would be much more apt. As in, I'm on the ground floor, my huge window opens up to the beautiful morning sight of sunlight glinting off car windshields. I can't open my blinds at any point of the day for fear of someone glancing in and......I dunno, seeing me watch TV? Eat oatmeal? What can I say, I'm a private person.
Anywho, apartments are looking good, now it's just decision time. I have one more place to see tomorrow, wish me luck!
I'm in Adelaide, it's amazing, sunshine, hot heat, parks everywhere, very friendly people abound, I love it here! I must admit, I woke up this morning still feeling pretty ill, groggy, grumpy and self-pitying. After some grocery shopping, central-market exploring and getting pooped on by a bird, I felt ten times better and that feeling only increased with every apartment I visited and every person I spoke to. I'm so elated that Adelaide is the city I've ended up in, out of everywhere I've been so far this place feels like home. (Which could also do with the fact I've been repeating the mantra 'Adelaide: Home, Adelaide: Home' for months haha).
Everything was just peachy up until about ten minutes ago, when out of the corner of my eye something big and black and shiny moved.......a COCKROACH!!!!!!!! ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! So sick, my killer instinct arose and I picked up my shoe and squished that little baby right into the hotel's carpet. ohhh yaaaaaaaaaaaa! I was so proud until I realized I may have just wrecked my one pair of footwear that isn't a flip flop (or thong, as Aussies relentlessly call them). I was mulling over my (perhaps) poorly thought out cockroach killing when another thing moved out of the corner of my eye................a CRICKET!!!! I'm happy to note that at least the gods of bug invasion have indulged my love of alliteration.
Not willing to sacrifice the right running shoe, I grabbed a handful of kleenex, waited to pounce like a natural born killer but............I just didn't have it in me. I'm not the killing type. Even something as nasty as a cockroach filled me with remorse so I knew something remotely cute, that I used to catch and play with as a child, would make me feel even worse about myself.
Thank goodness for 24 hour reception service. A very kind concierge came over with a big thing of raid, he was kind enough to clean my shoe off for me (lift it too, I was scared the roach would still be living, trying to get it's vengence) and spray around the door and other potential bug-problem sites in the room.
This is probably a good time to mention that while it may claim it's a "hotel", "motel" would be much more apt. As in, I'm on the ground floor, my huge window opens up to the beautiful morning sight of sunlight glinting off car windshields. I can't open my blinds at any point of the day for fear of someone glancing in and......I dunno, seeing me watch TV? Eat oatmeal? What can I say, I'm a private person.
Anywho, apartments are looking good, now it's just decision time. I have one more place to see tomorrow, wish me luck!
Feb 11, 2012
Another Last Day in Armidale
Hi guys!
Today marks the last of my 'last days' because next stop will be Adelaide, my new home, and I have no immediate plans for leaving that city, yay! I'm at Linda's right now, just eating some breakfast before my flight to Syd, then a layover at their airport (at least they have free wifi!) then on to Adelaide! The usual headache of house-hunting (or apartment-hunting) is magnified due to a bit of a cold I have right now but I'm sure with lots of rest, tea and funny youtube videos, I'll be feeling better in no time. And, knowing me, the excitement of being in a new city and exploring will be the perfect medicine.
The last few days have been good, if a little crazy. I spent Thurs night in the Brisbane airport, didn't sleep a wink and I'm 99% sure that's when I got sick. I flew in the world's smallest passenger plane from Brisbane to Armidale and that also may have contributed to my stuffed up ears and nose. The safety demonstration was performed by one of the pilots who knelt in the aisle and told us to read the safety handout in the back of the seat and replace it when done. Cool, thanks Mr. Pilot, I feel so much safer now........
Also, the plane itself was so small, I had to stoop over and kind of scuttle to my seat. There was a fly that hung out with me the entire trip, I kept trying to covertly shoo it on to my neighbour but they would only shoo it back to me, resulting in a 'bat the fly' game until I fell asleep and woke up to the fly on my face. Gross!
Anyway, I must go but just wanted to give you all a quick little update. Can't wait to post from Adelaide AND finally upload some of the gazillion photos I have!
Love you!
Today marks the last of my 'last days' because next stop will be Adelaide, my new home, and I have no immediate plans for leaving that city, yay! I'm at Linda's right now, just eating some breakfast before my flight to Syd, then a layover at their airport (at least they have free wifi!) then on to Adelaide! The usual headache of house-hunting (or apartment-hunting) is magnified due to a bit of a cold I have right now but I'm sure with lots of rest, tea and funny youtube videos, I'll be feeling better in no time. And, knowing me, the excitement of being in a new city and exploring will be the perfect medicine.
The last few days have been good, if a little crazy. I spent Thurs night in the Brisbane airport, didn't sleep a wink and I'm 99% sure that's when I got sick. I flew in the world's smallest passenger plane from Brisbane to Armidale and that also may have contributed to my stuffed up ears and nose. The safety demonstration was performed by one of the pilots who knelt in the aisle and told us to read the safety handout in the back of the seat and replace it when done. Cool, thanks Mr. Pilot, I feel so much safer now........
Also, the plane itself was so small, I had to stoop over and kind of scuttle to my seat. There was a fly that hung out with me the entire trip, I kept trying to covertly shoo it on to my neighbour but they would only shoo it back to me, resulting in a 'bat the fly' game until I fell asleep and woke up to the fly on my face. Gross!
Anyway, I must go but just wanted to give you all a quick little update. Can't wait to post from Adelaide AND finally upload some of the gazillion photos I have!
Love you!
Feb 8, 2012
Last day in Byron beach bliss
Hiiiiii!
I'm typing this on my uber handy touch in a very sand and sun-y type cafe in Byron so please excuse any likely typos that will arise. It's raining buckets but since it's been sunny all week and it is my last day here, complaining about the wet weather doesn't seem quite fair.
This morning I went to the most eastern point of B
Australia at the Byron lighthouse. Even in the rain it was epicly beautiful, with a very tropical forest lining the cliffs and an incredible vantage point over the pacific. It was difficult to tell the difference between water and sky. Had I been thre a couple months earlier I could have watched migratory whales in the water from above. There's also much talk about dolphin sightings but the water was too choppy ( and my terrible eyes sans glasses also contributed to the problem haha) to see any marine life.
Next stop is Brisbane where im planning an airport slumber party, though depending on the setup when I get there I could be persuaded to get a hotel room instead.
Yesterday rach josh and I hit up dreamworlds, a wonderland-esque park complete with free running lizards the size of my arm and an awesome waterpark! Sooooo fun!
Since typing all this on a micro keyboard has given me a finger cramp I'm gonna head out. One last thing before I go:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love you so much, am so proud to call you dad and am inspired by you constantly! Thank you for teaching me how to be adventurous!
I'm typing this on my uber handy touch in a very sand and sun-y type cafe in Byron so please excuse any likely typos that will arise. It's raining buckets but since it's been sunny all week and it is my last day here, complaining about the wet weather doesn't seem quite fair.
This morning I went to the most eastern point of B
Australia at the Byron lighthouse. Even in the rain it was epicly beautiful, with a very tropical forest lining the cliffs and an incredible vantage point over the pacific. It was difficult to tell the difference between water and sky. Had I been thre a couple months earlier I could have watched migratory whales in the water from above. There's also much talk about dolphin sightings but the water was too choppy ( and my terrible eyes sans glasses also contributed to the problem haha) to see any marine life.
Next stop is Brisbane where im planning an airport slumber party, though depending on the setup when I get there I could be persuaded to get a hotel room instead.
Yesterday rach josh and I hit up dreamworlds, a wonderland-esque park complete with free running lizards the size of my arm and an awesome waterpark! Sooooo fun!
Since typing all this on a micro keyboard has given me a finger cramp I'm gonna head out. One last thing before I go:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love you so much, am so proud to call you dad and am inspired by you constantly! Thank you for teaching me how to be adventurous!
Feb 6, 2012
Sunburns, Savasanas and Smoothies
Good morning! I'm sipping possibly the best juice/smoothie concoction ever! It has kiwi, carrot, ginger and a lot of other stuff that mixes together for a zingy, spicy, refreshing taste. All I can think is how proud my grandma (queen of healthy smoothies) would be!
I can now add ears as a part of my body that is newly sunburnt, so random right? Does this happen to a lot of people? I feel so inept at dealing with these new sunny afflictions because I've always been one of those slightly smug people saying "Oh, me? I never burn, I always tan." Karma is paying me back for all those smug moments, all those summers going without a really bad sunburn.
But enough about my skin! I went to a yoga class last night at Byron Yoga Centre, it was a restorative class and SOOO relaxing! There was a huge set of windows wide open letting in a breeze and the sound of all these nighttime birds chirping. I left on such an amazing cloud of zen!
Today's a bit overcast and there's a wicked breeze which helps cool everyone down. It's still warm and gorgeous, just less hot. yay!
I can now add ears as a part of my body that is newly sunburnt, so random right? Does this happen to a lot of people? I feel so inept at dealing with these new sunny afflictions because I've always been one of those slightly smug people saying "Oh, me? I never burn, I always tan." Karma is paying me back for all those smug moments, all those summers going without a really bad sunburn.
But enough about my skin! I went to a yoga class last night at Byron Yoga Centre, it was a restorative class and SOOO relaxing! There was a huge set of windows wide open letting in a breeze and the sound of all these nighttime birds chirping. I left on such an amazing cloud of zen!
Today's a bit overcast and there's a wicked breeze which helps cool everyone down. It's still warm and gorgeous, just less hot. yay!
Feb 5, 2012
Things I've learned in byron
Always put sunscreen on, BEFORE you leave the house, and put it on EVERYWHERE, even when you think your bathing suit will cover it. I have the craziest sunburn lines along the perimeter of where my bikini covers, likely due to my laissez-faire attitude to sunscreen application, liberally smearing it on legs and arms while overlooking other areas completely. Case in point: I was reading on the beach yesterday, holding the book up to block the sun out, resulting in a sore red underarm area. Before this monumental discovery, I had absolutely no clue that such a place could get burned but now, boy oh boy, that's the body part I'm MOST aware of haha.
Today was another boilingly hot day but I was better prepared with perfected sunscreen application skills, and a keen sense of what consequences await me if I deviate from those techniques. Never one to miss out on sun, even I'm feeling a bit "burnt out" (hahaha, a better description escapes me at the moment). Even the water isn't that refreshing, it being as incredible warm as a swimming pool. Ha, I never thought I'd see the day I was speaking of warm water and hot beaches in a negative term.
Tomorrow on the agenda is a potential visit to an amusement park in Gold Coast with Rach and Josh. I really hope we can go, I'm so excited at the prospect of an Australian Wonderland! And you can bet sunscreen will be a main player along for the day trip!
Today was another boilingly hot day but I was better prepared with perfected sunscreen application skills, and a keen sense of what consequences await me if I deviate from those techniques. Never one to miss out on sun, even I'm feeling a bit "burnt out" (hahaha, a better description escapes me at the moment). Even the water isn't that refreshing, it being as incredible warm as a swimming pool. Ha, I never thought I'd see the day I was speaking of warm water and hot beaches in a negative term.
Tomorrow on the agenda is a potential visit to an amusement park in Gold Coast with Rach and Josh. I really hope we can go, I'm so excited at the prospect of an Australian Wonderland! And you can bet sunscreen will be a main player along for the day trip!
Feb 3, 2012
Byron Bay
yo peeps!
I'm writing this in a free wifi internet cafe hangout type place in Byron Bay, it's insanely hot here, very summer-y indeed. I got a killer sunburn yesterday on the beach, all the back of my legs is lobster red (not beet red, because beets are purple as I learned from Rach last night haha). I lotioned them up so much but because it's so hot and sweaty here they're all slippy and gross now.
I'm staying in a hostel with 5 other people, 3 bunk beds and a very small room, though there is a patio! 2 girls from Melbourne, 3 dudes from Sydney, they're all pretty nice but it still feels weird sharing your sleeping space with strangers, ya know?
Last night Rach and I drank a bit and went out but nothing good was going on. She got in a cab back to Josh's and I got pizza and lost, trying to find my hostel while carrying this huge pizza, paranoid that someone was going to steal it from me. My purse? Nope, not worried about that at all, just my pizza. But, it's Byron and everyone here is so chill and nice and friendly. A group of 3 Aussies helped me find the hostel, I offered them pizza, we chatted about Canada, yay friendly strangers!
It's absolutely gorgeous here! I'm trying to upload photos but this internet connection disconnects every 20 minutes or so which is incredible annoying-it's free though so i can't get too worked up. So, no pictures yet, I feel like I'm making all these empty promises but HONESTLY the moment I have unlimited connection to wifi photos are the first thing I"ll be givin y'all!
I think today we'll be heading the beach again, the water is like a pool, a very salty pool! The tide is pretty wild, it pulls the sand out from under your feet so it feels like things are crawling under you-eek! The waves are huge and there are more surfboards than people (my estimate, likely not true at all). It's like a waaaaaaay cooler Grand Bend. Well, no comparison really, just the whole beach-town feel is evident in both places. The crowd here is young, fun and friendly, everyone smiles and has fun. It's sweet, I love it!
Rach and I previewed our room yesterday, the one we're booking into together tomorrow and it's BAAAALLLIN! Private ensuite, double bed, patio, kitchenette, all this in a hostel????? Luxury at a cheap price, yay! I have to go before this internet connection disappears again.
Love you all!
I'm writing this in a free wifi internet cafe hangout type place in Byron Bay, it's insanely hot here, very summer-y indeed. I got a killer sunburn yesterday on the beach, all the back of my legs is lobster red (not beet red, because beets are purple as I learned from Rach last night haha). I lotioned them up so much but because it's so hot and sweaty here they're all slippy and gross now.
I'm staying in a hostel with 5 other people, 3 bunk beds and a very small room, though there is a patio! 2 girls from Melbourne, 3 dudes from Sydney, they're all pretty nice but it still feels weird sharing your sleeping space with strangers, ya know?
Last night Rach and I drank a bit and went out but nothing good was going on. She got in a cab back to Josh's and I got pizza and lost, trying to find my hostel while carrying this huge pizza, paranoid that someone was going to steal it from me. My purse? Nope, not worried about that at all, just my pizza. But, it's Byron and everyone here is so chill and nice and friendly. A group of 3 Aussies helped me find the hostel, I offered them pizza, we chatted about Canada, yay friendly strangers!
It's absolutely gorgeous here! I'm trying to upload photos but this internet connection disconnects every 20 minutes or so which is incredible annoying-it's free though so i can't get too worked up. So, no pictures yet, I feel like I'm making all these empty promises but HONESTLY the moment I have unlimited connection to wifi photos are the first thing I"ll be givin y'all!
I think today we'll be heading the beach again, the water is like a pool, a very salty pool! The tide is pretty wild, it pulls the sand out from under your feet so it feels like things are crawling under you-eek! The waves are huge and there are more surfboards than people (my estimate, likely not true at all). It's like a waaaaaaay cooler Grand Bend. Well, no comparison really, just the whole beach-town feel is evident in both places. The crowd here is young, fun and friendly, everyone smiles and has fun. It's sweet, I love it!
Rach and I previewed our room yesterday, the one we're booking into together tomorrow and it's BAAAALLLIN! Private ensuite, double bed, patio, kitchenette, all this in a hostel????? Luxury at a cheap price, yay! I have to go before this internet connection disappears again.
Love you all!
Feb 2, 2012
Feb 1, 2012
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