Gone surfin'

Random day---basically just relaxed. We did go down to the beach later in the day, layed in the last sun of the day and then walked around the shops :) Found a couple favorite coffee places--they blow st. arbucks out of the water!---and its cheaper to get an iced coffee than ice cream, score!

favorite verses of the day:

"lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you." --Psalm 25:5

"For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow..."
--James 1:3,4

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone."
--James 1:5-6

"Come close to God, and God will com close to you." --James 4:8

"what you ought to say is, 'if the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.'" --James 4:15

----basically, just read James before i write the whole thing....


am i dreaming? or do i really get to go surfing all weekend! Ill find out tomorrow! off to byron bay dudes!

sometimes I forget that im actually in australia---i loveee to remember!

hang loose!.... in the words of the gidge "its the absolute ultimate!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSZRyUYUQhI&feature=related ( about 1min in)

dude theres hope!

cuz when the gidget goes australian....

she goes australian all the way!

Week one of classes--complete!

This 3-day only class week is something I could definitely get used to! The trade off of the classes being long and pushed together gets made up for by the 4 day weekend! (this is my attempt to not complain about class---it came pretty natural I think?)

Cold weather today--and by cold mean 75 :) gotta love it! The rain couldn't make up its mind whether to stay or go, so the day was spent at the mall! I finally quenched my craving for an iced coffee, and caved and got a cell phone :/ ( the cheapest one with free texting b/w everyone who has virgin mobile!--which is 90% of ppl here) I also got some toothpaste---thought that would be a nice thing to have around---your welcome roommates!

Went to the Suncoast church music practice last night! All thanks to my new aussie friend Jenna who picks me up! It was great to have a worship practice again! Now i cant stop singing--sorry roommates! The people are really friendly and easy going there, I'm looking forward to getting to know them more :)

Got a letter from Aunt Tashya, Uncle Randy, and little Kassy today! made my day! Kassy's picture is hanging on my wall! And for the record---don't worry about me getting hitched quite yet--the aussie dudes here haven't really given me the greatest impression---unfortunately they are muy guapo! ( very good looking in espanol i think) and the accent--that helps

well i clearly have nothing else to blab about--beach day tomorrow if weather permits! I should probably sneak some studying in there somewhere---weird thought

well over and out from the sunny coast!

(p.s. tomorrow is surf camp eve....just sayin...also my Indian roommate is throwing a party, that could get real interesting and obnoxious--going to find a place to camp out for that night most likely--its up at 530am the next day for camp!.. the joys of college life)

P.S.S.

we saw a double rainbow! (nothing like the youtube video)

And this is for you dad :)

all to myself!

Return of the Routine

Church was really great last night! You know when you feel like God smacks ya in the face with something? Ya? well that's kinda how it was--the whole time. The topic was: Faithfulness. It was a motivator for sure. I also thought it was cool that it was 3am on the US's side of the world, but only 6pm on this side---meaning that church is going on everywhere all the time. I met some really great aussies! ( the only ones ive liked so far) I also talked to a couple people from the music team, and if everything goes as planned I'll be heading to practice tomorrow! yay!

Started class today (hopefully today wasn't the last 90 degree day of the year). I really love USC's campus--all the architecture screams "beach school"--theres even a covered deck on the library ( it smells like new stain---love that smell). At 8am this morning there were just a bunch of kangaroos chillin in the grassy area in the middle of campus--so odd, but cool. Classes seem like they might be somewhat interesting, but they're  still classes none the less. I wasn't ready to give up the summer vacation life :) I do realize, however, that if there were no classes to take-- then there would be no Australia for me---so I'm thankful.

Only 3 more days until surf camp! wahooooo :) ( i must disgust you all--i wont complain about class anymore---deal?)

Off to bed para me! Good morning Poho!

Crikey! Tigers, Koalas, and Crocs--Oh MY!

Crikey! its been a wonderful weekend!

We ventured to Kodililla Falls and beyond yesterday exploring waterfalls and rainforests! I could've spent a whole lot more time there. The tour people didn't give us much time :( I think the plan is to go back again, or find some more falls :) Swimming in the rock pool at the top of the biggest waterfall made me a little nervous --but i guess crocs aren't around these parts--that they know of :/ eek! Im still alive. The water was incredibly refreshing tho!

Then today was spent at the Australia Zoo-home of the one and only croc hunter! We saw some "gorgeous" crocs and some crazy cute Koalas :) I got to hold one! I also fed a a giant asian elephant a piece of melon ( ya me!)...its name was Siam, the biggest one there. Really wish Steve Irwin coulda been there though! The croc shows just aren't the same without him.

hmmm...what else? I finally found a connection so i can get to church tomorrow! yippeee! Im really excited about that. I very much like the people i've met so far, but I'm anxioux to meet some more ppl who aren't living to get krunk shwasted 24/7. I think were also heading to the local markets down by the beach tomorow, and rest up after our long weekend! More to come yo!

Kondililla Falls

Siam the asian elephant!

cute little guy!

El Sol!

Finally! the sun is out after three days of rain! Rain can be depressing so bring on the sun!...Don't have plans for the day yet...im pulling for a beach day. (surprise!)

The last few days have been about prawn pizza ( its prawn for shrimp not cron, I was way off), euchre and rummi with the canadians and our french friend, failed attempts at catching the bus to the zoo and cookin on the barbie.

Tomorrow we have plans to go on a Hinterland tour. Three spots: Kondalilla Falls ( self-explanatory), Maleny ( a tourist town), and Mary Cairncross Park ( giant fig tree rainforest with a view of the glasshouse mountains!)

We saw a warmup for an iron man competition yesterday at Mooloolaba beach. Runner's, kneeboard surfers, and surf kayaks. Tons of them---all convienently in shape and sporting speedos...gotta love aussie land... ⚓

Anywho--off to see what's up!

PEACE  ☮

Take two--Livin in da land down under

Rats! I deleted my whole post after i wrote it--i was just trying to spell check!

Take two.

Yet another day spent in the sun! Basically spent the majority of the day by the pool soakin up some serious rays---it was hot! I did however get caught in a crazy downpour when I was at Woolys earlier in the day. Luckily it didn't last very long :)

The second part of the day was spent at the Buderim Tavern. We went to listen to some live music by a couple people who live at UniCentral. Nice little place with a nice view of  aussie land. It was soo loud tho I think i lost my voice just trying to talk to people! sheesh

We ended the night playing a little euchre with our canadian friends. There was a frenchman in the mix too. Orientation bright and early tomorrow! Glad to finally start a routine ( I think) At least it will be a good way to meet more people =D

☼ Well over and OUT from the sunshine coast ☼

87 degrees

So...the past two days have been spent at the beach! Yesterday (after getting bikes at the store and putting them together) we went to Alexandra Headlands beach. The coast is so awesome here. Parts are really sandy and others are full of big rocks and tide pools. There are surfers everywhere you look ( WHY DIDNT I BRING MY BOARD?) At Kawana beach today the waves were giant!--we all had a lot of fun taking waves in the face and trying to body surf. I can't wait for surf camp--dude there is some serious wave riding hope here! I like Kawana beach the best so far--and the sun is most definitely stronger here. Luckily I had my spf 50--or else I'd be french fried like everyone else is. It's great knowing that its February and I'm playing in the ocean. rock on.

I'm livin like a true college kid this week. The bank isn't open on saturday here meaning i have like 2 bucks to my name until monday!--more toast and peanut butter comin my way. ( i can hear  rolling stones beast of burden comin thru my window from the drunk ppl outisde--dey loud) anywhooo---all the stores close super early here, mostly around 5:30.

i could really get used to these sweet barbeques we've been having--yesterday steak and taters and tonight burgers, taters, grilled corn, and grilled zucchini all on the barbie--YUM--next show me da fish!

More words:

schoolie>>spring break trip?
sunnies>>sunglasses

can't think of any more?

now off to bed with the wonderful lullaby of random national anthems being sung out obnoxiously by the drunks across the way!---happy saturday to all at home!

night!

I LOVE IT HEREEEEE

G'day mates!
    I heard my first real live G'day mate today! and also saw my first kangaroo! So far the sunshine coast is wonderful! I could definitely live here :) There are surfers, palm trees, and hot muggy weather..what more could one ask for? (I could do without the apartment invading geckos and the bugs and snakes)
    Today my time consisted of a bike hunt at the Sushine Plaza ( a giant riverwalk/mall--very cool--could def do some $$ damage there). The bike hunt however was a fail because A) its illegal to take a bike on the bus, and we don't know the way back to our apt yet without the bus and B) they're heavy-- you have to put them together, the guy who can do that won't be back until next thursday....plus we have no tools. Tomorrow were gonna try and borrow some tools and learn the way back to campus,  probably making a pit stop to Mooloolaba ( the sweet beach, pronounced Muloolubah--all together like Tallulah :) ) We also found some tennis rackets at the local Kmart so we can improve our skills (just consider us the next sharapova or williams sister when this semester is over) Our apt has a tennis court basically right outside our door, and also a pool a few steps away to jump into when were all sweaty from rippin up the court :P rough lives were livin....

Australian words I've learned:

• Jumper (pronounced--jumpa) = sweater/hoodie

• cron )spelling?--idk but say it like crawn--with a sweet accent) = shrimp ( so, cron on the barbie-not shrimp..that was just for us dumb americans i guess)

• thongs--yep they don't say flip flop here

• Cairns= cans not carns--didn't know that

hmm...that's all i remember right now!

pretty tired now--soooo nite yall! ( i can feel the breeze at night, the sun comes through my window around 4:30>>>> YES) ---I belong here, just sayin ☼
CHEERS!

P.S.--bought some tim-tams--pretty good little chocolaty things--not brave enough to try Vegemite yet :/ food is wayy more expensive here! and the subway doesn't have vinegar, banana peppers, or oregano and they call american cheese "english cheese" ha...( i know I'm supposed to eat local while i'm here- but i was HUNGRY and needed somethin quick, cheap, and delicious--- oh, its a $7 dollar foot long here..puh-lease!)

View from my balcony :)

dont know how to rotate yet :/

a roo! it got scarily close to us--cool!



they walk oddly