Everybody say U KAAAAY

I'M BACK! After 28 hours of travelling, I finally made it back into my mum's arms.

It's day 3 of being back and I'm still adapting to the dim lighting effects that this side of the world seems to have. Seriously, it's like a bulb has  broken or something. It is SO dark. No wonder why everyone looks so miserable! I opened my wardrobe to a whole set of jumpers which I had completely forgotten about, reminding me that I am indeed English.

One thing that really took me by surprise was how bloody comfortable my bed is! I had forgotten how spongey and marshmallow-like my mattress was. Definitely won't be taking that for granted any more. Of course it is amazing to be back with my family in the comfort of my own home, with my puppy. What a re union that was. My dog is like my baby, so the guilt I had leaving him was awful. There are a lot of belly rubs to be given for compensation.



Today I am heading back to Exeter. How weird is that? I am going to be back at my home uni. Didn't I only just leave?

The flat feeling that I am anticipating is slowly creeping in, but hasn't taken over my mind yet. Too many wonderful people to spend time with for that to happen yet! Jet lag has finally kicked in though. Today I woke up at 5 am, and went for a run in the pitch black, freezing cold weather. Madness? No, boredom. Feels good to start the day nice and early though. But I think I have a bit of frost stuck inside me.

Time is up!

That’s right, my time is up. Tomorrow night I’ll be heading home, on a 26 hour journey back to sunny England.

Hervey Bay and Fraser Island was the perfect way to end what has been an epic journey. Our hotel at Hervey overlooked the Marina and sat beside one of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at. I tried Kangaroo for the first time since I’ve been here, and I was very impressed! Shame I didn’t have more of that, don’t think they sell it back home.

Our tour at Fraser Island was amazing. We had a busy group of around 40 people, young and old. Our tour guide Billy loved Mackenzie because they are both aussies, so we were in with the boss. We stopped at places like Lake Mckenzie (typical), Eli Creek, Central Station, Lake Wobbee and Indian Heads. Jelly fish, sharks and much more roamed the sea so that was a no go. Instead we swam in fresh water lakes, even better. Eurong Resort definitely gave us our moneys worth in terms of food, the scales proved that when we got back to the Gold Coast.  It’s impossible to really describe how beautiful the island is. You won’t know until you see it with your own eyes.

 

One week to go

That's right. I have one week left in the great land of Australia. How? I don't know.

I cannot believe how fast the past 5 months have gone. One minute I am in my uni bedroom, skyping my family and thinking how far I have to go until I see them again. Now my mum is sending me messages saying '9 days to go'.

Siobhan flew back to Brisbane with me from Melbourne after booking a spontaneous flight after a drunken night out. She wanted to surprise Spencer, and I was going to deny a flying buddy. So, me being sober and her being drunk, I gave her a nudge in the right direction. We had our long goodbye at the airport on Thursday night. I'm already missing my partner in crime, but constantly remind myself I'm lucky she only lives round the corner at home!

My last week will plan out like so:

Tonight- Tommy's birthday celebrations. Macca, Zoe, Ben, Tom and myself have a room booked at the casino, and a night out in Broadbeach planned. Macca and I are currently baking Tom an amazing chocolate cake. Macca is a domestic goddess when it comes to making cakes, takes after his mum.

Sunday- Probably hungover. But will still try and make it to the gym.

Monday- Macca and I will set off for Hervey Bay, where we are staying at the Mantra Hotel overlooking the Marine.

Tuesday- Our ferry departs for Fraser Island! Tuesday night will be spent at a motel on the 75 mile beach. Magic.

Wednesday- Another day on Fraser Island, returning to Hervey Bay in the evening and spending another night at the Mantra Hotel.

Thursday- The drive back to Gold Coast will begin, stopping off at Noosa on the way home. Noosa was too hard to try and find a hotel because of 'Schoolies'; a two week bender for the 17 and 18 year olds who have finished our version of sixth form.  Strange, because Noosa is known as a very expensive and posh area, so I have no idea how it will be invaded by squealing teenagers.

Friday- CHRISTMAS TREE TIME! Mackenzie will turn into a wood chopper as he goes to find the family's very own natural tree and cuts it down all by himself. Decorating will then commence, just in time for December 1st.

Saturday- Back to England I go...

The Great Ocean Road

ROAD TRIP!

The Great Ocean Road is a magnificent road trip stretching across Melbourne. Being a group of 10, we hired two five man 'wicked' camper vans, including a tent on top of the roof which folded out. We swopped between the two vans at each stop we took, picking names out of a hat to choose who goes where.

Lucky for us, we stayed over night at camp sites which had hot showers and surprisingly clean toilets. Not quite the dirty camping trip we expected. A few different stops we made were the 12 Apostles, Bells beach, London Bridge, and a road which was overwhelmed by koalas. Zoos are now out of the window for me after seeing the real thing up close, in the wild. We saw a female koala bear climbing a branch which made her look like she was tight rope walking, with her baby on her back. It was truly spectacular. Take a look:

WHAT A SHOW!

It was all a bit of 'shits and giggles' as Anna frequently said. This photo sums it up:

Sydney to Melbourne

TRAVELLING HAS COMMENCED!

In fact, it commenced almost a week ago. Siobhan and I got the flight to Sydney (well done shiv) on Monday morning, heading to New South Whales University to stay with Shiv's friend Anna. The week consisted of sight seeing, drinking, a lot of fro yo and a lot of stealing flat mate's food.

Highlights include:

Mounting the DJ booth
Fro Yo
Ketch up explosion
Chewing gum assault
Chinese shouting
Salad stealing

None of that makes sense to anyone but Siobhan and I, but you can make your own story up.

Sydney reminded me a lot of London. We turned up to pouring rain and freezing winds. The city was constantly busy, and they even had a Zara and Topshop. Luckily the rain cleared up mid week and we returned to our newly found Australian selves; at the beach attempting to surf.

Last night we arrived in Melbourne at Monash University (the one I could have gone to), and headed straight out for our fourth night in a row. Most of our group were from Leeds University, because they are everywhere in Oz. Not a bad thing though, they're all great. I woke up to a chocolate bar wrapper beside me and some remains in my hair. I then saw Shiv on the floor and Amy next to me which was a relief seeing as I wasn't sure who actually made it back. I'm not sure of the plan today, I don't think anyone can see past their pounding head aches at the moment.

Goodbye Griffith!

In the blink of an eye, my semester at Griffith has finished. Tomorrow I move out of my flat and say goodbye to my lovely flat mates.

We've had a king's feast to finish off my time here. It all started at the Beach house bar & Grill, followed by Baskin & Robin's ice cream, topped off with chocolate and popcorn whilst watching 'The Heat'. I am now sitting at my desk feeling 9 months pregnant. Why is it that I just do not know when to stop eating? I might be able to get away with it whilst I have the campus gym next door to me, but what happens during the next couple of weeks when I am travelling? I'll pack the running shoes just in case hey…

I really did get lucky when I moved in to Griffith. The thing with campus accommodation is that you can be thrown in with any bunch of people. My bunch of people happened to be kind, welcoming, hilarious and a lot of fun. I'll always be grateful for that. We even got a new international student called Miki, who moved in around three weeks ago. In just three weeks a friendship has formed, I just wish I had more time to spend with her! Our flat must attract good people.

My bags are packed and I am ready for Sydney on Monday! I just hope me and Siobhan make it there in one piece. Preferably together. I know you're reading this Siobhan. Set your alarm please, we have a flight to catch.

Having a moment

I'm having a moment of reflection. A moment which is making me feel extremely grateful for everything I have experienced so far, but also reminding me that in just over five weeks I will be leaving what I have here, and returning to the UK.

Everyone knows that time goes fast, but I never would have thought it would go this quickly. How is it that I have such little time left here in Australia? I remember at the start of my journey it felt slow, nicely paced in fact. Then all of a sudden, I woke up and it was September. Now it's coming to the end of October. This Thursday is Musti's leaving party/ everyone's good bye party. People are starting to jet off travelling now and so we thought we would all go out together for one last night in 'The Valley'.

Of course I am excited to see my family and friends, and celebrate Christmas back home. But it hurts me so much to think that I have to leave behind all the brilliant people I have met here. When I left the fabulous people in my life back in England, I knew I would be returning. But I don't know when I'll see my Aussie friends and family again. I am dreading going to the airport with Macca and having to sit on a plane for almost 24 hours, alone.  Him and his family have done so much for me and given me a home here, something which I never would have guessed would happen. I feel guilty prancing off back to England, but I know they will always be here if I return.

This weekend we went to Coolangatta, where we first met. It's one of my favourite beaches I've been to in Australia, because of the memories I have there but also because of how chilled out and beautiful it is. Siobhan and I had the best weekend there back in August. I blogged about it previously so take a look, it was one of the funniest weekends I  have had.

Siobhan has played a big part in my Australia experience. I don't know what I would have done with out her really. She helped me settle in when I arrived, took me on many adventures, introduced me to wonderful people, understood me and most of all- entertained me. Thank god she only lives round the corner from me in London.

This week I will give in all my assignments and complete my semester at Griffith University. After that, I hope to go to Fraser Island (possibly on my own), just for a few days. Siobhan and I have a flight booked to Sydney on Monday 11th November and after that we are heading to Melbourne. In my last week, Macca and I are planning to travel to Noosa and a few other spots on the Sunshine Coast. He has taken time off work, because otherwise I would have a lonely last week!

I'm going to head off before this becomes a depressed blogging session. I don't want it to be depressing because I am reflecting on having the best time of my life. The best 5 months which have challenged and surprised me....

and I wouldn't change it for the world!

MID-SEMESTER BREAK!

A week full of beauty and wonders. That was mid semester break.

Siobhan, Amy and myself took a trip up north to the little city of Cairns, followed by a cruise around the Whitsunday Islands. Of course, it had to start with a little bit of drama...

So I wake up on Friday at 4am, ready to leave the flat to catch our 6am flight. The moment I wake up I text Shiv and Amy 'WAKE UP!'. Amy responds, Shiv doesn't. I have this very strange instinctive feeling that something will go wrong. Usually I ignore my instinct, this time I couldn't. When Amy and I are outside the uni ringing Siobhan and she doesn't pick up, we realise that she has indeed slept in and won't be waking up anytime soon. The worst part is, she was in charge of our lift to the airport.

After minutes of 'This can't be happening', 'no she is coming', 'I can hear her coming now...oh wait, it was just a bird', we ring a taxi. Luckily, because of the time, it came straight away and the traffic was clear. We caught out flight to Cairns, but I couldn't help wishing the seat next to me was filled too.

Not to worry though, Siobhan caught a flight the next day and all was merry in the land of Oz. So lets get to the fun part.

Diving in the Great Barrier Reef is not just a highlight of the week, but a highlight of my life. I could not feel any more grateful to have that experience. The reef is mind blowing and the water is unbelievable. Everything looks like it has been photoshopped or taken off of Google. The fish looked as if they were glowing as they swam around us. We even saw this good looking fella;

I have to say, I did feel pretty cool all suited up. My Lara Croft persona came back. We were the three musketeers on a mission to, eeermmm, do something. Haven't figured that out yet. I had a bit of a problem with my first mask. It was too big and wouldn't stop filling up with water, no matter how many times I used the de-filling, waste of time technique! So, when we came up on board and everyone is excited about seeing Nemo the fish, I am puzzled. Amy tells me i had a picture with it, so I must have seen it. When the photos came back to us and I looked like that >>>>>>
everything became clear.

MY MASK is the reason why I didn't find Nemo. The evidence is in my photo. I look like I'm passing out when really all I'm doing is praying my mask behaves itself.

After leaving Cairns on Monday night we took a 12 hour greyhound coach to Airlie Beach, where our boat departs. We were on the Condor, previously the WORLD'S FASTEST SAILING SHIP. Yep, thats right. We were on it. As we sailed round the magical islands, all that surrounded us was the ocean. Me and Shiv even slept on top deck, underneath the stars, listening to the waves. I have never in my life seen so many bright stars. Food was great, people were great, life was fabulous. It IS fabulous.

One of the beaches we stopped off at was Whitehaven Beach, ranked the third best beach on earth. The picture on the left shows the lookout point. Need I say anymore?

The sand is so pure you can polish your jewellery with it, and it looks brand new. Stingrays were swimming to the shore, following us as we walked along the beach. I wish I got a picture of us wearing stinger suits. We looked beautiful as you can imagine.

After two day and nights on the boat, I was ready to head back to land. We spent a night at Airlie beach, where we met up with the boys from uni and ended our trip. Airlie beach is somewhere I can picture living and working for 6-12 months. It's super chilled out and full of people who just want to enjoy life. It seems a lot of us Pommies have headed up to North Australia to settle and escape from English weather.

Don't worry mum, I'm still coming home. Can't miss a traditional English christmas!


All in all, it was a great week. I have only really told you a quarter, if that, of our experiences. But if I told you everything, we would be hear a long time. My advice to you is....

Come to Australia and experience it yourself.

Check In

Hey,

Haven't checked in properly for a while now, spare time doesn't seem to come around often anymore! I worked every day last week as well as going to uni and everything else. But it feels good to be working and earning money, it'll make travelling feel well deserved.

It's week 10 at uni now, which means I have been in Oz for 11 weeks. Mum was definitely right when she said that time would start off slow and then suddenly speed up. This is the last week of uni before mid semester break. Siobhan, Amy and myself fly to Cairns on Friday morning! I can't wait. I can't believe I'll be diving in the Great Barrier Reef and cruising round the Whitsunday Islands in a boat; way too dreamy to be real life.

Everyone is beginning to book flights for when they travel after uni finishes and it's FREAKING ME OUT! First of all, my flight home is way too early. When I booked it I was told it would be cheap to change my flight, now they're telling me it'll be 250/350 quid! It is peak season though so I understand. Currently my flight is booked for 30th November, arriving in England on 1st December to kick start another month. I am starting to think I need more time though, so might be changing it to the 16th instead. I guess with a job now and my student loan coming through I can afford to do it.

At the moment all I have planned, in my head only, is to visit Fraser Island at the start of November, move onto Sydney and then Melbourne. By the time I'm back it'll be 30th November and time to go home. However if I stay longer, I would love to see Bali! Thailand and New Zealand popped into my head as well but I can't do everything.

I just can't quite keep up with life. I don't understand how it goes so fast. It's ridiculous! I just got here and I am filling out forms to terminate my residency in my college halls. I really do feel settled here now and have made a good group of friends, got myself a job and the latest news is... I've gone and got myself an Aussie boyfriend. It's a bit silly really, seeing as we both know I'm leaving soon, but you can't plan everything. He's the guy I mentioned in previous posts by the way; Mackenzie.

This weekend he took me on a surprise adventure to a beautiful National Park near Springbrooke. There's a spot called Natural Bridge which has amazing waterfalls like this:

I sort of felt like I was in Batman's cave. There really were Bats though.

Anyway it was such a nice surprise. Theres also a point called 'world's best look out', and it goes a little something like this:

    The view is unreal! So peaceful too. 

Macca also showed me a place called Sovereign Island. It is insane. I have NEVER seen houses so big and so over the top. Clive Palmer lives there and instead of a car parked next to his home, he has a bloody big boat. Every single property is worth over 1 million and every single car parked outside looks it too. I literally can't imagine how much money the people who live there have. I would love to know what they do for a living. 

So although I might not be able to live there, we could afford to have lunch on the water. Australian's are so lucky they can do simple things like that whenever they want! It was so luxurious to look at a view of water and boats whilst eating rather than a motorway or whatever else you might see. I really did eat too much this weekend. How will I live without Tim Tams in the UK? They are these yummy Australian chocolate biscuits which come in about 5 flavours. I haven't met a single person who doesn't like them. 

The ice cream places here are amazing too. There is a new place in Southbank called Nitrogenee which we went to and you watch them make the ice cream from scratch. Just picture blow torches, steam and white dungarees. Then theres Cold Rock which I still need to try. Baskin and Robins is another place which is insane. See why I'm concerned about the amount of food i've consumed? Thank god I'm a gym and chicken freak during the week. I don't know how I'm going to work around that when I leave campus though.

This post was a bit of a long one which I apologise for, but now you are all up to date with my Australian Adventure.

G'day!

Taking chilled out to a new level

Alrighty, it's time to address the difference between education in England and education in Australia. I'm not really talking about the curricula, more the attitude.

The thing that confuses me the most are tutorials. As I do drama, my tutorials are actually called workshops, minus one. Understandably, workshops are more relaxed and focused on interaction with the lecturer. They involve a lot of talking and sometimes moving about. However, this to me does not mean make yourself at home, lye on the floor, pop in your headphones if you feel like it and perhaps even have a doze.

I'm serious. I had a tutorial earlier today on Australian Theatre and actually began to laugh because all around me were people lying on the floor as our lecturer was trying to teach. Its more than just getting comfortable, they actually look like they are sleeping. I just don't get it. This is happens every week in every tutorial and is clearly something which has always happened here.

Every time I notice these kind of things, I try and imagine what would happen if I did the same in Exeter. To be honest, I can't imagine anyone doing it. Our lecturers want us to look alive and as if we are participating. Sure you get the odd day where your lacking energy and feel a bit sluggish, but you cover it up!

Attendance at Exeter is monitored like a hawk. Turning up half an hour late is not an option. Walking in and out whenever you want to does not exist. Guess what? All of this is acceptable at Griffith. Students have honestly walked in 45 minutes late to a lecture or 'tute' and no one has flickered an eye lid. It's a free for all.

I'm trying my best not to sound like a snob or teacher's pet because I know that to many it will read that way. It's really just me analysing and trying to comprehend student life over here compared to back home. I can't say that I'm not judging though. I don't think its good how all of this is allowed to happen so casually. It just makes university feel a bit immature and sometimes pointless. I guess it's a positive that the students here feel as if they can 100% relax around their lecturers, and will perhaps then allow them to be more honest and open. It definitely breaks the barrier between teacher and student.


I'm not going to let myself fully adapt to such a relaxed environment at uni because otherwise I'll get a shock when I head back to Exeter.

I hope I don't sound like too much of a twat during this post, sorry if you feel that I do. (Sorry not sorry).

A weekend on the water

Another great weekend has been and gone. This time I was lucky enough to visit the beauty that is Stradbrooke Island, our transport being a jet ski.

So my friend Tom lives on the water. Literally, his house is basically on the water. Of course that means you have to own a jet ski as well as boat, or like some of the residents there, five boats. A few of us went out on the jet ski and travelled across to South Stradbrooke. Words can't describe how amazing it is! It is un touched, un polluted, perfect stretches of sand.

The picture doesn't even do it justice because it was taken on a blackberry (shitberry).

I've never seen sand so white in my life, it almost looked fake. The sea wrapped around the island and greenery filled up the edges of the land. In the distance you could see the built up Gold Coast, but apart from that I felt as if I was part of the film Castaway or The Island. I didn't think the locations you see in films could ever compare to real life but this topped it. I found this little guy wondering around in the sand too:

After that I ventured out to Surfer's Paradise and experienced my first night out there. I've been warned many times about this place and so was fully prepared for the seediness of the club strip. It didn't bother me at all though. Anywhere where there is a strip of cheap clubs you're going to find cheap things and people. But, to be honest, I thought there were a good crowd of people and didn't find any trouble. It was a good night out which ended with me being piggy backed home and having a domestic with a man from Bali who got too big for his boots. Standard.

I'm back at Griffith now and of course I walked into a flat which hasn't been cleaned one tiny bit since I left. It's gross. No one wants to take responsibility and empty the bins or do their washing up. I'm certainly not doing it again that's for sure.

I'm into the second week of my job now and already I'm feeling the 'I don't want a job attitude'. It's stupid because it's so convenient and the hours are perfect but it's always a drag to work. But it'll be worth it when I'm diving in Cairns in 3 weeks! So I've got to suck it up and get on with it. 

Got to go treat this bugger of a mozzie bite, it's killing!

Lara Croft

That's my name. Sort of. Not really. But I felt like it could have been for a brief moment this weekend because...

WE WENT ABSEILING!

Lulu, Siobhan and I felt like doing something adventurous this weekend and so, with Lulu working for an events company, we bagged an abseiling lesson for half price. I've got to admit it, it was one of the scariest things I've done and for a moment I thought I wouldn't make it down. Mainly because all coordination between you hands and feet is forgotten and for some reason your bouncing around on the side of a cliff. I also was severely hungover from a wonderfully messy night on Thursday.

However, it was also one of the coolest things I've done so far. I took a moment to look down/behind me and this was my view:

That's when I forgot about being scared. This was at Kangaroo Point, just next to Southbank. It really is beautiful and I can't believe it's taken me seven weeks to see it! Yep, seven weeks I've been here now. That's two months next week. The time is flying! In keeping with Lara Croft theme, I've spent my day  on a dirt bike track. I went to visit a friend down near the Gold Coast and found myself surrounded my people who love to go crazy and ride motor cross bikes. I spent half the time closing my eyes to save myself from witnessing a crash or some sort of tragedy. Turns out, there was a bit of a tragedy. I don't know what happened but there were 4 'ambos' (ambulances) and a helicopter.

Anyway I had a very spontaneous and adventurous weekend which was just what I wanted. It's good to get away from Griffith on the weekends, clears your head a bit. Next week I start my job on campus, perfect timing as we are booking Mid Semester break soon. We've decided on the Whitsunday Islands (paradise). It'll break the bank but it'll be worth it.

Seeeeee ya

P.S.

I forgot to mention...

I GOT A JOB! On campus, doing work. Got my high fashion (terrible) work uniform sorted the other day and I'll start training on Monday. 

With every down there is an up right?

The land of Coolangatta

I have just come back from a night and day in paradise on the Gold Coast.

Siobhan and I took a trip to Coolangatta last night after being invited down to visit some friends. It's only a quick train journey so we felt like being spontaneous and after much deliberation, decided to go. Thank heavens we did!

We turn up at the train station and get a ride back to the hotel. Yes thats right, HOTEL rather than a grubby hostel. Even better, we didn't pay a penny. The guys snuck us in and gave us their room. It was right on the beach front and was rather impressive. After spending a bit of time there, we discover that we have actually intruded a stranger's birthday weekend. Our friend's inform us that they have booked us a seat at the restaurant where they are all going for a birthday dinner. As you can imagine, that's slightly awkward, given we don't know who the birthday boy is.

Anyway, we turn up to Hog's Breath drunk and giggly. By now we have a feel for the group and how the night is going to go. One of the guys has already bought us alchohol and made it clear that he himself is drunk and therefore does not care paying for anything. So, we order a nice big meaty stake each, topped with calamari and curly fries. Followed by two fabulous cocktails. Not forgetting to mention we polished off the birthday boy's cake. We go to pay, fully knowing that it's already been paid for, and yep, we were right. We hear the words 'Oh, use are covered'. Meaning, we've got this. BRILLIANT. I know I'm sounding like a sponger right now, but it was all self inflicted, we didn't ask for any of this.

The night continues at a bar where again, we don't spend a penny apart from entry fee. It wasn't a great bar but, when you've been fed red meat for free and drank other people's money, you feel on top of the world. I was in one of the best moods I've been in since arriving in Oz. It just so happens that whilst being at this bar, I meet a guy who loves pommies (that's us English people). We talk a bit, swop numbers etc etc.

Shiv and I wake up the next morning to the most beautiful view. Take a look at this:

FOR FREE.

Being a student makes you very aware of the money your spending, hence the emphasis on money 24/7. It is stunning though! After being woken up at 6am by the boys wanting to down more vodka and generally cause chaos, we sleep through till 9am and take ourselves to the beach. This is where I discover a second paradise. Here you go...

The place literally took my breath away. When I got in the sea I had the moment I had been waiting for. I said the words 'I love Australia'. I looked around me and all I could see was a stunning coast line and an empty ocean, with me in the middle of it. How could I not be happy? My tummy was full of this

(Avocado and Tomato on toast) and my heart was content. The only thing I wished for was for my mum to be able to see such a wonderful place. Anyway, enough of the soppy long ass speech.

Later on, the guy who we met last night came down to see us. I was pretty impressed by the fact that his sister's name is Pia, which is my middle name. Never have I ever met/known any one else of that name, normally people are like 'that's not a name that sounds like the piano man song'. IT IS A REAL NAME. I love it. Mackenzie gave us a lift to the station, we were cutting it short so we bombed it down the motorway. We caught the train in time and the trip ended as smoothly as it possibly could have.

I feel extremely lucky to be here. I've had the best weekend away in the most beautiful place with the most wonderful people. Tonight it continues in Brissy at some course friend's house warming party.

The new kids are getting cool ay.

EKKA EVE WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?

I found myself dreaming about downing pints of water, followed by milk and finally shoving a doughnut in my mouth. I then woke up and realised; 1) I was severely dehydrated 2) I was craving milk 3) I shoved a doughnut or 3 in my mouth last night.

Then the happenings of Ekka Eve dawned on me....

So Ekka is Queensland's famous annual event and today is the official public holiday, which means a day of uni to recover from the night before, hooray! Last night we went to 'The Met', managed not to throw any mcflurrys at anyone and actually had a bloody good time.

It was one of those nights that goes super smooth but super quick. I felt like I was only there for about an hour. But as my memory is starting to recall, it was much longer. Don't you just love it when the puzzle starts coming together? So far I have recollected;

• Someone thought I was on drugs because my pupils are too darn big
• I put a light in my hair because I thought it looked cute (it looked shit)
• I paid 8 dollars for a drink right before getting a free one, typical.
• A guy bothered talking to me for half an hour THEN decided to say 'oh hey, I have a girlfriend'
• I ate a disgusting amount of peanuts and doughnuts when I got home
• I told an Australian man to explain his views on women, then lectured him on how they were wrong

Got a good listing going so far I think, seeing as it's only 9.30 am. Why do I always wake up early after a night out?! I don't know if I can handle walking around Ekka festival today. I don't feel like it's a walking day at all.

I still feel like someone has poured a bucket of sand in my throat whilst I was asleep, so I think it's a sign that I should stop writing and drink some water. Perhaps even a BOOST JUICE at some point today (an overly priced smoothie that everyone loves because it makes them feel healthy and better about eating doughnuts). 

See ya when I feel human again.

SUNNY C

FULL OF VITAMAN D. So much so that I am now a walking red blob.

So this weekend we took a visit to Mooloolaba, a beautiful spot on the Sunshine Coast.

Yep thats me and Jo acting like we know how to surf.

Mooloolaba felt like what I always imagined Oz to be. Surfers, tanned people everywhere, muscly men playing volleyball on the beach, juice bars and most importantly; a beach which is reachable from any point in the town. It was just what we wanted. Everyone was feeling a bit homesick or run down when we left Griffith, but the Sunshine Coast worked it's magic.

The weekend got even better when my flat mates turned up, along with Musti. We ended up in a club which was full of strange people, (including a bisexual who had a boyfriend but decided to hit on Naomi) and stank of cheese. Even stranger, it was called 'The Wharf Tavern' but everyone calls it 'Fridays'. You think this is because it's amazing on a Friday night right? Wrong. It's best night is Thursday....told you it's backwards.

Anyway we still had a good night together and a beautiful day today.

I had my first typical traveller's situation, where you meet someone in a random place, who happens to live 20 minutes away from your home town. I was embarrassingly excited. It was a guy from Watford who over heard my 'good pommie accent'. He moved here two years ago and has picked up the Aussie twang, so at first I didn't pick up on the fact he was British. Then he revealed he was a Watford boy! Back at the hostel there were a few guys from Croydon too which isn't that far, but they kind of made me feel a bit sick so wasn't as excited about that. They were the type of people who are proud to drink from 10am till 5am the next day and end up wetting themselves (or worse). Jo also met a girl from Plymouth, and her being such a proud Plymothian, it made her night. Maybe even her weekend.

Me, Giac and Jo shared a room with a German guy called Matteus. He has come to the end of his travels after doing a semester abroad at the Sunshine Coast University and is heading home this Tuesday. It made me realise again how quick my time will go. He also reminded me what a banging tan I'll have by the time I go home because he did not look German anymore! We also met two Scottish girls, best friends in fact. They only have four weeks left in Australia which is shame because they were so lovely. 

It's funny how many people come and go in hostels. Some people stay for weeks or months, some only for a day; but still that one hostel will be part of so many people's memory. They usually arn't too shabby either. I don't mind them at all.

Anyway, this trip definitely cured my lingering home sickness! A beach does wonders.

Homesick

Why? I don't know. I'm not a sucker for homesickness, usually.

This Thursday it'll be a month since I left the UK. I'm hoping after this two week wave of missing home, it'll pass and the rest of the time I'll forget about it. With such a long time period there was bound to be a good chunk of it where I felt like this, and I predicted it would be near the beginning. I also think once I start travelling in October the time will just fly and I won't think twice about it.

I never thought I would miss the UK but I really do. I can't pin point what about it though. I keep craving a good old English Christmas too. I know I will read this at Christmas and think 'bloody ell just enjoy your time there!' but for now I can't help it! I want to be on my sofa snuggling my dog ( or as I see it, child), with my mum and everyone else, drinking hot chocolate. HOW BORING OF ME. I don't care though, I have no shame in this confession. It's comfort that I miss.

I miss my friends, the people that know me. It's tiring having to to try and make friends every day. I don't really think I'll make any close friends on my courses, they all have their friendship groups from semester one. I've made some good friends in my flat though, and of course all the international students.  So I'm not lonely or anything, I'm lucky to have the friends that I do over here.

These are all early feelings and maybe I'll write again in another months time about this topic, to compare. I hate the feeling of being lost. I get it too much because I THINK too much about everything. I've tried to change that about me before, hasn't worked. I'm a thinker for life unfortunately.

I really don't want this post to sound overly negative or give the impression that I'm horribly depressed, because that's not it. I'm still finding my feet, that's all.

If you find 'em, let me know.

 

A burger from 'Grilled'. Beef, bacon, cheese, mayo, wholemeal bun and plenty more.

Amazeballs.

Australian Men

ARE DISGUSTING.

Seriously, they are the most backwards, rudest people I have ever met. They have no manners, no respect and no morals. They are living in a world where women are objects and males are superior to everyone else.

So we were on our way home from a night out, two guys get in our cab asking to go to QUT. That's fine, if they pay the extra 35 bucks. They don't want to so we ask them nicely to get out and get in a different cab. In response to this, they start a fight. They push my friend Musti and become violent. So I  stick my head out the door and tell them to go away. He says 'fuck off you slut'. I throw my Mcflurry in his face.

Where on earth did all that come from and why did it even happen? Because I won't let a vile male talk to me like that or treat my friends like that for no reason what so ever. Now I am sitting here at 3am writing a blog based on my dislike for Australian males. At this moment right now, I just want to go home.

The image that foreigners create about Australia are simply idealisations and not reality. Australia has many problems, it's not all sandy beaches and surfers. In fact, you only see that if you go to the tourist spots. Hence why everyone has this idea about the country. Try living here.

Anyway, I'm off to bed, I will try to sleep off the anger. I wish Kiah was here to moan about this with me.

Night.

SPLENDOOOOURRR GRRRR

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2013. Oh yeh, I was there. Rumour has it, it's Australia's biggest festival of the year.

So Siobhan, Tim and I hired a WICKED camper-van for the weekend. No, not wicked as in I'm using this word to be cool. Wicked as in the name of the infamous camper-van company. Little did we know, they're well known for painting their vans something like this...

Thats the driver there, happy as anything, ready to head back to Byron Bay. We were landed with the Grand Theft Auto van, classy. Three in a bed, kitchen in the boot, and an engine that sounds like it's ready to die at any moment. It was brilliant. I honestly think that travelling Australia in a camper would be the funnest way to do it. Especially when theres two blonde chicks driving a van which looks like it's been painted by a teenage boy caught up in a video game.

The music at Splendour was amazing. Quality music all round. Alt J, Haim (who I have been dying to see live), Of Monsters and Men, Alison Wonderland, Flume, Empire of the Sun, Mumford and Sons...just to name a few. I have to say Haim where a highlight purely because of their enormous talent vocally and musically. It made me wish I took up the drums when I was younger like I planned to. I think mum was a bit concerned about the noise it would cause.

All of us were working as volunteers, which gave us a free wristband to the festival. Picking up trash turned out to be fun when you were being offered drinks and watching bands. It's the way to go if you can't afford a festival! Also, you get your own 'Vollie HQ' where you can make food, shower, socialise and like me, make porridge at 2am because you're that addicted to it. Shame that it exploded in the microwave. Another highlight has to be watching a grown woman wet herself in public, in front of me, with no shame. Urine came flooding out of her and I really did not know what I was witnessing for a moment. Is she about to give birth? Am I imagining this? Can anyone else see it? Oh no, she's just pissed herself because she's smashed. 

Siobhan and I giggled our way through the trip whilst old man Tim stayed in the van and slept. I don't think the German was quite prepared for Splendour. Tensions were a bit high at times and I definitely found out that Germany and England have larger cultural differences than expected. But I won't go into that here, because most of the time Splendour was spent like this:

Happy.

It's funny how you just click with certain personalities. Not to get soppy, but I always think it's special when you find someone you get on with so easily and comfortably. Fair enough you might have a lot of friends, but theres only ever a handful which you can say are actually 'you're type of person'. I feel like I've known Siobhan for years already, when it's only been three weeks. Luckily we only live 10 minutes away from each other in England. Bizarre. 

So that's the SPLENDOUR ADVENTURE for ya.

Delayed check in

It seems I have been slacking a bit with my updates, so there is a lot to catch up on;

BYRON BAY! Yes we went to the magical little bubble of happiness revolving around surfing, drinking and sleeping. Everyone on this island seemed so content with their lives and were the most relaxed people I have ever met. Mind you, when you're living on this:

why wouldn't you be?

I had a skydive planned, against mum's wishes, but luckily for her it got cancelled. Bit of a disappointment, but there will be plenty of opportunities to do that. We met a lot of the 'Gold Coast' students on this trip and it seems they are a bit more cooler than everyone here on Nathan Campus. The herd of Americans I had been searching for live there along with the beach that I want to wake up to every day.

This weekend I am heading back to Byron Bay for 'Splendour in the Grass' festival. Me, Siobhan and Tim are hiring a camper-van (200 bucks each OUCCCCH), driving down and doing some volunteering work in order to gain a wristband. Hopefully it'll be sunny so whilst I am moaning and picking up litter I'll be catching a tan. Knowing Brisbane and it's temperamental mood swings at the moment it will probably rain. It's all part of the fun! That 200 bucks just on a camper-van is bugging me though, so yesterday I gave out a bunch of CVs and fingers crossed something will come of it.

CLASS HAS BEGUN.

Being the new kid sucks and is such an odd feeling. It's like you have a bug on your face and nobody wants to come near you, apart from the brave few. Gradually people start to talk to you and ask questions which makes everything a lot easier, rather than standing there looking like billy no mates.

It seems Australian Theatre has this huge battle with itself about identity and self discovery. To me it seems a bit over the top and to be honest I reckon they should just get on with it and make some cool theatre. There was a lot of 'new country' talk and 'we hate Britain' comments, awkward when I began to speak in a British accent.

I guess this is all part of the challenge when you study abroad, and I'm hoping in the long run it'll pay off. 13 weeks of lectures to go, then I'm free to do whatever I want. For now, it's 8.20 am and I need to catch the bus to my 'writing for performance' lecture. To go and be the kid with the bug on her face again.

See ya

Possums and Goon

So the title has some reflection on the past couple of days here in Brissy....

I was walking back to my flat when I saw, what I thought was, a Koala bear. Obviously this led to me prancing around like an excited tourist. Until I was told it was actually one of these:

The Possum. Australia's rodent which is apparently a bit snappy at times. It looks quite cute in the picture but what you can't see is the long creepy tail which follows. I still like them, it reminds me I'm on the other side of the world where creatures like this roam the bushes. Not forgetting Turkeys of course, they are everywhere! You'll find them crossing the road with you!

Onto the 'Goon'; Australia's infamous cheap alcoholic beverage consisting of dirty sour wine. Well, thats what the red tastes like, the white isn't too traumatic. It comes in a foil bag which is placed inside cardboard wine crates, perfect to guzzle down if you're in a rush, not so perfect if you're trying to impress anyone. Our first flat party went a little something like this:

...and the spillage of Goon ended up with me a little something like:

The hairdryer had to come out, it was essential. Us international students have formed a rather nice family all in the space of 2-3 days. It's funny how we forget that it is possible to connect with people who might not initially have anything in common with you, and may seem like the kind of people you don't usually hang out with. They are the ones that usually turn out the most interesting and diverse. It's crazy how we have people from Germany, Italy, France, South Korea, England, America and Denmark all sitting in the same tiny room. It's also strange that even though all these nationalities are present, everyone can speak English. It almost makes me feel stupid that these people can speak and write and pronounce the language perfectly, yet I know just the one. I wish I had made more effort with taking languages seriously. But, it's never too late!

My eyes are closing and the screen is becoming blurry which tells me I need to get to my bed. 6am alarm set as we are off to Byron Bay in the morning, can't wait!

OVER AND OUT 

Australia's 'Winter'...

I made it!

I'M HERE! The eight week countdown quickly vanished and now I find myself sitting in my new flat in Brisbane.  I arrived at about 10pm and since have found out who my flat mates are, demolished a pizza, and began to un pack.

So far I have only met one on my flatmates who is indeed AUSTRALIAN! Her name is Naomi and she is truly lovely. Thankfully she's a bit of a gym freak like me and so I'll have some motivation to keep myself healthy whilst I'm out here. I feared being lumbered in a flat of all internationals as they do back home at my university, but I was proved wrong when I found out I will in fact be living with quite a few Aussies.

The flat is surprisingly nice and I've even got a king single bed! I know your probably thinking 'great, well done, clap clap', but I have never ever had anything bigger than a standard single. Not so luxurious is the bathroom, one shower shared between eight people and two toilets. To be fair it isn't bad at all, and we have weekly inspections so it has to be kept clean.

So it's nearly 1.30 am here and it's 4.25pm at home. I think I might try to sleep so that tomorrow can be a cracker. Up early to get some food, a phone, bus pass, gym pass and all the boring bits in between.

I'll have more detailed updates and stories coming soon, but for now G'DAY MATE.

Eight weeks to go

So here goes my first post...

Yesterday started the 8 week countdown. Eight weeks till I take off from London and begin my travels to Australia. Eight weeks to lose the wobbly bits. Eight weeks till I say goodbye to my best friends and my amazing family. Eight weeks until I start what should be the best five months of my life.

Probably about six weeks till I have a pre departure panic attack. 

Besides the pre departure panic attack, I really am excited now. Booking my flight at Easter meant that it was decided, I was definitely going. It meant that all the worrying I had been forcing upon myself quickly went and I finally began to realise how incredible this opportunity is. I had always sat and wondered whether I should have taken a gap year before going to University, but this has solved my problem. I get to travel and study at the same time, living in a city on the other side of the world, completely different to anywhere else I have been before.

My main issue was FOMO. Fear of missing out. I was stressing out that my flat would be moving in to our house without me, spending a whole term together whilst I wasn't there, meeting new people who I wouldn't know and having banter which I wouldn't understand when I rejoined them. But then two things struck me.

1) They are the most brilliant friends I could have ever wished for, which means that all of the above can happen time and time again when I am with them.

2) I will (hopefully) be having my own fun and the time of my life.

Five months sounds like a long time, but in reality it's not. My first year of uni has flown by and has proved to all of us just how quickly time goes. Sure I'm going to be home sick and just want a cuddle from my mum at times, but before I know it, I'll be back doing exactly that. 

SO, i've decided to stop freaking out and get excited. *Cliche approaching*. Life is too short to wonder what if this and what if that, I want to take the challenge and see where it takes me. Good or bad, I'm ready. 

Almost.