Vivid Last Call

Friends!

Well...looks like Vivid's last night was Saturday. Thankfully, I got a notification about it so I forced myself to go see the botanical gardens. Unfortunately, it was pretty underwhelming so I walked around The Rocks, which is the center of all the bars and food scene in Sydney. 

The Botanical Gardens had a huge line, so I thought it would be pretty exciting, and believe me, it was beautiful with all the lights on the threes, but there wasn't many picturesque things to show you all...except for these Kiwi's. Check em out. 

Pretty cool how they look like light bulbs, right? 

Part of the garden display was filled with these block letter reflections with an inspiring message. Pretty cool. 

After the Gardens I just walked around and found some other cool lit displays, like this alley filled with umbrellas. If only I didn't go alone, I could have got some awesome pictures like Mary Poppins!

Lastly and most random I found this very colorful mailbox!

The last night of Vivid was a success that included some awesome raspberry pink lemonade, a pork belly bao bun, and a performance by some aboriginal kids.

Well...back to studying and packing for the next five days.

See you soon!

Christine

Vivid Take 2

Hi everyone!

I am down to my final week here in Sydney, so it is time to say goodbye to all the things I will miss, and time to see things that I have yet to have seen during my time here. Amongst all of this I need to pack, study for my last two exams, and get excited to see everyone when I get back!

Today I took a walk that I have done a few times, but not in full. I walked down memory lane I guess you could say, when I walked the coastal walk all the way from Coogee Beach to Bronte Beach and then I ended up at Bondi Beach and then walked all the way back. All three beaches I have been to during my time here. After living in Bronte the first month I was in Sydney, I have to say, that was the one I will miss the most.

Maybe if Jersey beaches looked like this I wouldn't have to miss it so much...

Another adventure today was to the Toronga Zoo, to continue my Vivid festivities. The whole thing was pretty awesome, minus the wandering kids in the dark and the many parents freaking out when their child wandered three feet away. So check me out being a kid...

Grace's favorite animal!

Family photo?

A lot of the animals were changing colors and moving too which was cool. But I was kind of upset there was no kangaroo or penguin displays... :(

My next Vivid adventure will hopfeully be at the Botanical Gardens so stay tuned!

Peace & Studying,

Christine

P.S. I AM OFFICIALLY DONE WITH FINANCE AND I THINK I PASSED! Cheers mates!

Last 12 Days Down Under

Hi Everyone!

For those who didn't know, my friend Ashley and I had a 5 day long trip to Phuket, Thailand planned for after our Finance exam today. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the trip so my next week and a half won't be as eventful as originally planned. But, fear not, I have some better news.

As of today, I will finally be done with my finance class. For anyone who has been keeping in touch with me, they know that Finance is kicking my butt. I have been studying for 2 weeks for this exam and still feel pretty unprepared, thankfully, it is a pass/fail class. Classes abroad are unlike any in the States and they are extremely harder, even though you'd think they'd be a breeze. So as of today I will be halfway through all of my exams!

So...now that I don't have a trip planned, what am I going to do?

I have one more exam being held here before I leave, and it should be considerably easier than finance so I need to keep myself busy with other activities before my departure. Currently, there is a festival called Vivid going on in Circular Quay, where the Opera House is held. It is a display of lights, music, with some cool food. I went a few days ago as a send off for Ashley, so here are some pictures to give you an idea...

There are several attractions including one at the Taronga Zoo and another at the Botanical Gardens. I plan on going several nights out of the week to see all of the show that I can. There are plenty of other activities as well that I wasn't going to get to...so now's my chance.

Stay tuned for a post about all of my last adventures down under...

See you soon,

Christine