This week classes were soooo boring and it was a struggle to get through. Thankfully, my friend Ashley texted me frantically on Wednesday asking if I ate dinner, and I didn't so I knew exactly what she had in mind.
People in Australia LOVE McDonalds and the rumors were spreading about how it tastes much better than the states because a 1/3 of the menu changes to keep up with health-food trends. I'm sure you're thinking, McDonalds? Healthy? Absolutely not. Especially when you go all out and get a Big Mac, fries, and a McFlurry like I did....
And let me tell you, better. So much better. The fries were less salty and they had a Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry, which I of course had to try. It was the most disgusting amazing meal I have had.
Also... this is the only time I have said McDonald's since I have been here because everyone calls it Macas and the name is starting to grow on me so... looks like I'm bringing a new name back to the states. Oh and that isn't the only thing that is different. No one orders at the register in Macas...it's all done by these cool kiosks.
This past weekend a friend, Ashley and I, headed to the Royal National Park, specifically Wattamolla Beach. This is a huge National Park known for it's "figure 8 pools." Unfortunately, we had a sucky beach day, and it was too dangerous to get to the figure 8 pools.
BUT, we ended up making the most of the entire day and ended up having quite a few laughs.
The day started with some lovely park bathrooms (I am being sarcastic, of course). But once that was done, we took a little hike to th Providential Point. At the point we goofed off a bit, and decided to be daredevils and go off the course to the more dangerous rocks. But don't worry, once we were done 'rocking' our little photo shoot we took some good pictures too!
After that little hike.... that took only 30 minutes, we noticed that it was 11 o'clock, so we needed to find a scenic lunch spot. We found this lovely stable rock to eat lunch at. The view wasn't too bad either...
While eating lunch we watched people jump off the waterfall into the water below. Three sisters about our age were also jumping, but one of them kept chickening out, so we rooted her on, and she chickened out time after time, until FINALLY, she did it. Although it was a bad day, we had our swimsuits and we questioned doing it. I told Ashley I'd do it if she wanted to, but she was nervous so I left it up to her.
After lunch we headed on another hike and found a cute little spot where we took another little photoshoot which involved hanging off the edge of rocks and.. even planking on random rocks just to look athletic.
After that hike we got changed and decided to do the plunge from the waterfall. Before there were so many people doing it and watching, but this time it was just us. Everyone around didn't realize people regularly jumped from the spot, so we looked like daredevils, and we were okay with that. Here's a little video of my jump...if you want a laugh please put your sound on for what Ashley says at the end!
So we did it! We both ended up with some battle scars, mine from the rocks, and Ashley's from her new nose piercing. But we will live!!
One near death experience completed! Many more to come.
This past weekend was full of new things, none super exciting, but they still were pretty momentus to my stay in Aussie.
Friday night was a night full of studying for two upcoming quizzes and packing all of my stuff back up into my suitcases for our move the next day. Courtney, my roommate, and I have been staying on Bronte Beach (one of the nicest beaches near campus if you ask me!). The only draw back is that we had to take 2 bus rides to campus which meant we had to wake up super early for class, so we decided to get a place closer to campus, and lucky for us it happens to be right across the street. So Saturday morning we made the trek to the new place. The place is gorgeous! And now the two of us has turned into three as we meet another exchange student, Emily, who is now our third roommate.
Saturday night after grocery shopping and doing some light unpacking Courntey, Emily and I decided to go windsurfing with the Surf Club that we all joined. It was terrible weather for a day on the beach, but the wind was great for windsurfing! Even though Emily and I were leary, we had a blast and were so glady Courtney dragged us out!
Later on that night, Courtney and I ventured out to a pub crawl with all of the UNSW Rowers. It was quite a night that ended with some Baskin Robbins ice cream!
Can you guess which one of us drank at the pub crawl? (p.s. it wasn't me)
Sunday, I ventured out with my friend Ashley and one of her other friends to get something new themselves... That something new happened to be a nose piercing, but no worries I was only there for moral support! Before we got there though we tried a local favorite here in Australia. Vegemite! It was awful. For those that don't know, Vegemite is a spread that is made of yeast. Australians spread butter on toast and then top it with a light spread of vegemite. It's salty and just plain disgusting, but hey, it photographed well!
Cheers to never eating this again!
Speaking of photographing well.. here are some doughnuts from a place we went to reward the girls for being so brave and getting their noses pierced!
Well better get back to studying....
Till next weekend's adventure to Australia's Royal National Park...
This past week was kind of chilly in Australia, and by that I mean 65 degrees and rainy, so still nothing compared to the snow that is falling in the States. Thankfully, it warmed up this past weekend to 80.
On Thursday of last week I went on a party boat in the Sydney Harbour. The boat was filled with other exchange students, free drinks, pizza, and lots of drunken dancing by my peers. The views were fantastic, coupled with the humour created my the drunken idiots, it turned out to be a great night!
Just a touristy picture from the "booze cruise"
The lovely view from the boat of the Opera House and Sydney
Friday night my roommate, Courtney and I went to get a tour of Sydney with her friend on the rowing team. The tour included a walk around Darling Harbour, a trip on a ferry, and dinner at the Opera Kitchen, which is located right by the Opera House.
The ferry ride with my roommate, Courtney!
He said we are his favorite Americans...after Donald Trump of course
Saturday, my friend Ashley and I went to an event called, "Taste of Sydney." This event was supposed to be filled with free food samples and wine tasting. The wine tasting was plentiful but there was barely any food, and after paying $25 to enter, we didn't really feel like pay $10-$15 for a few more crumbs. So after feeling the wine from the tasting, we found our way to an Uber that took us to Max Brenner's, an American chocolate bar that is on campus. Our dessert was fantastic, maybe because we were starving at this point....
Cappuccino in a "kangaroo cup" and White Chocolate Cheescake! Yum!
Sunday was a huge beach day. So feel free to be jealous. Back to school work....
My amazing fruit and yogurt and my
first decent coffee drink in Sydney!
This past Sunday, Ashley, my friend from Drexel, and I took on our first day trip. Since we have been in Sydney for a few weeks, we decided it was about time we see some kangaroos and koalas!
But before the day began we of course had to get some breakfast.
The day was quite rainy.. but despite it, there was never a moment a smile left our faces. Speaking of smiles... here are some. (Click photos to see them larger)
Had to pose with my cute
letter for the besties!
Oh, and for those who don't know. My best friends, Abby and Grace wrote me 41 of the most adorable "open when" letters. I got to open two today. "Open when you see a crocodile" and "open when you see a kangaroo." Kangaroo makes sense, right? But crocodile? Well...if anyone knows Steve Irwin they know the crocodile hunter was from Australia. And if anyone knows my bff Grace, they know she HATES crocodiles and alligators. So of course...I had to take a good pic for her.
You're welcome Grace! xoxo
Oh and of course the day had to end with some dessert... So I got this gelato sandwich thing. Don't worry though, it replaced dinner!
This past Saturday was the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. It's super big and crazy here. Everyone wears costumes and goes all out with pride. So a few friends and I decided to go and take part in the festivities!
My roommate, Courtney and I striking a pose
Just a casual picture of me and a Police horse
The entire parade crew!
As you can see, everyone was super into their costumes. Personally, I was wearing rainbow fairy wings that came with a headband and a wand! Very me, of course.
The first week of classes was quite short, but my days were super long. In a normal week I have classes Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, meaning I have a 4-day weekend EVERY weekend. Hard, I know. But the first week I somehow got lucky and only had class Tuesday and Wednesday because all "tutorials" (or as we call them in the states, recitations) were cancelled. So I was only on campus two days this week, but both days I was there I was there for at least 10 hours so I had plenty of time to get my work done, but with living off campus at the moment they are super long days because it's kinda far to go home in between.
On a side note, my Finance professor is from Jersey and the first day of class we spent the whole time talking about hypothetically opening up bagel shops all over Australia. Turns out there are no good bagel shops in Australia. Sad thing to find out for a girl who loves bagels. Guess I'll have to wait until I come home. Good thing I know of a great place to get some bagels. (Shout out to my faves @ Schmear It!)
On Tuesday, the first day of classes was also my Australian 21st birthday. (If you didn't know we are a day ahead so our Tuesday is your Monday!) So my two friends; Courtney, Ashley, and I ventured to a cool gelato place to get some dessert!
Looks pretty cool, right?!
Here's to the rest of my Semester being this easy! Cheers to 21!
Also... this is the only time I have said McDonald's since I have been here because everyone calls it Macas and the name is starting to grow on me so... looks like I'm bringing a new name back to the states. Oh and that isn't the only thing that is different. No one orders at the register in Macas...it's all done by these cool kiosks.
