What an amazing, crazy adventure

I'm home now in Chapel Hill again. It's been over a year since I lived in Sydney, and over a month since my last visit - to see Amanda settle there.

 

This experience really changed my life, and I hope that everyone can be so lucky as to visit Sydney, or the place of their waking dreams, within their lifetime.

Ding Dong My Laptop's Dead.
Mood:  irritated
Hey there everyone! Sorry it took me so long to update the blog with just my spring break trip, more will be coming soon, I promise! I still have to write about the IH Formal, Kelly's birthday, classes winding down, and ladies night out with Zoe.

BUT, most unfortunately, the motherboard in my laptop is dying. The computer barely runs for 30 minutes at a time IF I'm lucky. Reformatting proved useless. Thank GOD I managed to copy all the important files from my hard drive (read: Australia and New Zealand photos plus, oh yeah, class notes that I need for my Uni Syd exams) before it totally crapped out. Even the spring break blog entry was published from the I-House computer lab (after my laptop died and I lost 6 days worth of unpublished entries... UGG). Needless to say it will be hard for me to consistantly check emails, get on AIM, or update the blog while I am comptuer-less.

More unfortunately, I can't have the laptop fixed because I don't have overseas insurance for it and having it worked on by non-IBM-certified technicians invalidates the warranty. So, until I get home and back to the ITRC Lab at UNC in December, I won't have a laptop. Please be patient and send the love via post if you can. Thanks for understanding!

From one sad panda,
*Aimee*

The Fabulous and Wondrous IH Ball!
Mood:  celebratory
Now Playing: I'm With You by Avril Lavigne
The 2005 IH Formal Dance and Dinner was an absolute hit!
The Darling Harbour view was much appreciated, the food was delicious, the decorations were funky, the music made everyone get up and dance, the guests looked beautiful, and you couldn't have asked for better company... ok, maybe having my boyfriend for a date would have been nice. ;) BUT getting everything ready before the Ball is a story all on its own...

As most of you know, due to some serious laziness on the part of this year's IH Social Coordinators, nothing for the Ball had been planned even a month before. I offered to give input and research venue options... which turned into me organizing the entire thing. Yay. But looking at the positive, it was a good experience and in the end I had a great time doing it. :)

So in one month I...
found a venue -- the Star Room in Darling Harbour
arranged music with the DJ -- Rupert, nice guy
picked out the dinner menu -- of two options, I had Tasmanian smoked salmon with dill mustard creme fraiche, grain-fed sirloin with mushroom and red wine au jus on a bed of potato rosti, and raspberry coulis covered spongecake with king island cream
selected beverages -- 4.5 hours of unlimited Tortoiseshell Bay wines and Toohey's beer, plus juices and pop
sold tickets -- 89 residents plus special guests in attendence
signed the contracts, made the deposit -- damn I feel official!

And then, the day of...
We didn't know what kind of budget we'd have for decorations until 2 days before Formal, but, having class and all, I had no time to arrange them prior to October 6th (the day of the Ball). Right after class, me and Candice (my godsend!) ran all over Broadway mall, Chippendale, and Newtown searching for decorative inspiration. We found it in an Indian design store. For centerpieces I purchased multicolored reeds in fuschia, blue, green, and yellow with silver beads. I also bought fuschia glass votives and tea light candles to brighten up the dinner tables. Simple but elegant, and everyone loved it!

Running late as usual, arms full of 4 foot long reeds, taxis utterly failed to pick up Candice and I decked out in our gowns, high heels, and snazzy hairdos. So we caught the bus... Hilarity ensued.

Once arrived, a fair amount of guests were already settled into drinks. Candice and I, with the help of a truly understanding Star Room staff, decorated the tables with flair in a flurry. From then on, it was pure enjoyment. We ate, we drank, we danced, we took silly pictures, we drank some more, and then after the Ball was all over, a bunch of us went out dancing at the Three Wise Monkeys (sooo not the kind of place you go dressed up)... more hilarity ensued.

All in all, organizing the Ball was a pain in the ass but fun in the end. Worst case scenario, it was a good resume-builder. ;) The Ball itself was absolutely wonderful and has given me great memories of IH and Sydney. I can't wait for the next big event!

New Zealand -- One of the Most Beautiful Countries in the World
Mood:  special
My spring break adventure to New Zealand was an absolutely amazing experience and completely unforgettable. With its beaches, mountains, lakes, geysers, rainforests, glaicers, and even its sheep farms, New Zealand is truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. Before you die, get there!!

Now on to my adventure...

Six lovely ladies -- five Americans and one Cuban, all unique, all a little crazy -- shared this trip together. Jamica and Candy are black women from Vanderbilt, proud members of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. If you see the pictures, you'll see the Delta sign! ;) Nikki is a vivacious Cuban woman born in London and a citizen of the USA, always with something to say. Ashley and Melissa are sweet southern gals from Georgia, on the same program here with UNC. And then, of course, there's me!

On the evening of Sunday September 25, we all took a plane from Sydney to Christchurch. Arriving at almost 12:30am, there was little to do besides find the hostel and crash. We stayed in the all-female Sanctuary at Base, which I highly recommened -- free Aveda products and a fluffy towel, whoo hoo!

We rose early (a peachy 6:30am) and caught a ride to the train station. From there, we boarded the TranzAlpine and chugged along from Christchurch to Greymouth. Arthur's Pass was spectacular, especially when enjoyed from the open-air observation car. It was COLD but the views and the photographs were worth the frozen fingertips. There is no better way to see the mountains, lakes, and valleys of Arthur's Pass than by train.

Once in Greymouth, the six of us chartered a bus tour to the Punakaiki beaches and the Pancake Rocks. First we tramped (Kiwi for 'hike') through a rainforest and spotted tons of tropical ferns, one of the symbols of New Zealand. Then we came out onto the beaches and saw the Tasman Sea, which was powerful, beautiful, and cold. (I should know, I accidently got my feet in it!) The Pancake Rocks and the geysers were fun too. I especially liked one rock formation that looked like Maori animal spirits and other legends. There is totally an otter there! Approaching sunset, we drove back to the city and settled in for the night.

Another early morning and we caught the Magic Bus to our next destination -- Franz Joseph. The day was a bit gloomy with grey skies and rain, but the scenary was still amazing. Ashley, Jamica, Candy, Nikki and I enlisted for a half-day hike up Franz Joseph Glacier; Melissa is afraid of heigths so she stayed at the hostel. The five of us suited up in rain gear and climbing boots, plus a hip bag with ice cleats for when we reached the ice. Lead by our Kiwi guide Sam with a giant ice pick strapped to his back, our group set out for the mountain. After a short bus ride we tramped through a rainforest and then through a giant desolate valley which could have been Mordor from the Lord of the Rings movies. (It wasn't, but damn was it close!) At the base of the glacier the group paused and we all put on our ice cleats with considerable effort. Bending over and working thin straps on your feet isn't easy with five layers of soaking wet clothing and gloves on! ;)

The hike was really challenging. And by challening I mean DAMN HARD, even for someone like me who is in good shape and thinks this sort of thing is fun. Some of the steps were the height of my waist. There were rarely any hand-holds except for where the guides had run ropes across the ice walls (to keep you from falling off the ledges and into the ravines). There were several foot-wide bridges across pits and unstable ground. The pace was gruelling at times and we got absolutely filthy. But MAN it was worth it! The views were completely exhilerating, especially once we reached the top. We all felt a real sense of accomplishment once we were done. I was especially proud of Nikki, who didn't think she could make it at times but carried on still laughing. What a trooper! :)

But I have to sing the praises of our hostel in Franz Jospeh, the Chateau. For NZ$21 a night, we had our own room for six, a private kitchenette, a private bathroom, plus our own TV and VCR! Ashely and I also took advantage of the hot tub. Group consensus is that it was the best we had in all of New Zealand. ;)

The next morning it was off to Queenstown. On the way we stopped at Lake Wanaka and enjoyed the views of the Reflecting Point. We also stopped at the pleasant touristy town of Lake Wakatipu with its lovely mountain horizon and fun giant park art.

Just before Queenstown we hit up the Kawaru River Bungy Center, the first commercial bungy-jumping site in the world. And I did it!! I enjoyed the most expensive and most AWESOME 60 seconds of my life! I took a 43 meter dive off the bridge and touched the Kawaru River (and by touched I mean soaked to my waist). I felt nervous standing at the edge and looking at the fall, but then it was hard to be scared surrounded by hot Kiwi men blasting heavy metal music and yakking it up... plus a 10 year old girl went right before me (it was a family thing, how random)! It was REALLY good fun and I recommend it to everyone! I've got some awesome video that everyone will see once I'm home as evidence. ;)

After foraging the town for food, that was the end of day 1 in Queenstown. On day two, Nikki, Ashley, Melissa and I went horsetrekking through the countryside. We saw Candian Elk and Yellow Deer being raised commercially, went trotting through pastures, and saw the Remarkables mountain range and Coronet Peak in the distance. It was great to ride again and the experience was wonderful. Next, the six of us went jetboating in Shotover Canyon. Jetboats are specially made so they can glide on about 3 inches of water at 80kph, highly maneuverable, and really fun! The driver races through the canyons, pretending to crash into rock walls and hazards in the river, spinning around and doing 360s while all the passengers just scream. It was a really good time! For a low-key end to an adventure-packed day, Nikki and I visited the Queenstown Kiwi Sanctuary. The kiwis were sooo cute but way bigger than I expected! Their bodies are larger than basketballs and they have some vicious-looking claws, but the babies are vulernable and often killed by predators, hence why kiwis are endangered in the wild. We also saw many tropical birds and a tuatara, an ancient species of reptile unlike dinosaurs, snakes, or amphibians. All very cool.

Up again at 7am and we boarded the Magic Bus for Dunedin. Once there, Nikki, Ashley and I took a tour of the Cadbury Factory. We had to wear oh-so-fashionable hairnets, got to eat candy bars fresh off the line, and even saw a chocolate waterfall -- one ton of chocolate in 30 seconds! The kid in me was highly pleased. The rest of the day we meandered the city streets, gawked at the "Ginger Bread House" train station, shopped, and then Nikki, Candy and I shared a fabulous dinner at a high-class Italian restaurant. Mmmm... so much better than IH food...

The next morning we set off for Lake Tekapo. Along the way we climbed Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world, and saw the Boulder Beaches, completely beautiful. We also saw the majestic Mount Cook, famous and named for being shrouded in clouds but clear on that day, just for us! Our stay at Lake Tekapo was a total contrast to our stay in Queenstown -- it was quiet, relaxing, and energizing. Candy and Jamica took a canoe out on the lake, Ashley and Nikki read on the pebble beaches, Melissa went hiking. I did a lot of gazing. That night, Nikki, Ashley and I admired the stars in the natural darkness. We counted 8 shooting stars and made lots of wishes, that and a lot of Blair Witch jokes -- quality girl-bonding. ;)

Soon after sunrise we bid farewell to the peaceful Lake Tekapo and embarked on the last day of our New Zealand journey, heading back to Christchurch. There we met up with Ashley's friend Emily who was studying abroad and she kindly showed us around the city. We purused a street market, wandered through the gorgeous Royal Botanical Gardens, and enjoyed a great dinner all together at a place called Coyote. Then we retired to the hostel, where Nikki amused us by tallying up her expenses and wailing.

We got to sleep about 2am only to get up at 4am for our flight. We bid New Zealand a fond farewell as our plane took off around 7am. It was an amazing adventure and I hope all my readers will be lucky enough to journey there someday. I will never forget it, neither should you!

Spring Break is here!!
Mood:  a-ok
It's been another busy week, but it's finally done and spring break is here! This time in two days I'll be on a plane leaving Sydney for Christchurch, New Zealand. :)

Mostly this week has consisted of doing schoolwork and finalizing details for the IH Ball, plus sleep whenever I could catch it! I turned in my psych report on Thursday and then went out with Ashley, Melissa, Nikki, and some Sancta Sophia ladies for cocktails at Kuletos. It was a fun but low-key night. The highlight of my day today was (FINALLY) getting my paycheck cashed for the leafleting job I did earlier this month (long and irritating story as to why that took so long) and getting a really sweet card from Di in the mail. Thanks girl!

Tomorrow I'm going to Yam Cha (another name for Dim Sum) down in Chinatown at 10am and then hopefully hitting up the Glebe Markets in the afternoon. But afterwards I'll have to bust some ass on my Indigenous Australia essay if I don't want to have it hanging over my head while I'm enjoying New Zealand. :/ Wish me luck!

That's it for now. All my love to everyone back home!

Phew!
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: Beautiful Day by U2, courtesy of Aussie radio
Wow... what a week it has been!

Melissa and I went downtown on Wednesday for free make-overs and some girl-bonding time. Check out the new pictures in the photo album -- it was actually fun! I signed the contract for Star Room (the I-Ball venue) on Friday, so now all that's left is selling tickets and prepping decorations for the event. On a side note, this experience is sooooo going on my resume. The Fashion Show and I-Night happened Saturday. Kelly and I were a sensational hit as "the fashionistas" and all the acts were fabulous. Plus, now that the show is over, everyone in the House is a bit more relaxed. ;) My girl friends and I all booked our week-long bus tickets for New Zealand and hostels are next to be arranged. I finished my philosophy essay (first ever!) and will be submitting it tomorrow. My psychology report is about half done, but my Indigenous Australia research essay... still needs to be started. It'll get there!

On a less exciting note, Chaz won't be coming to visit me in October. I'm absolutely disappointed and broken-hearted over it. It really sucks... that's all I'm going to say about that. I'm sure that before I know it, October will be over and all my attention and energy can go to entertaining Ryan, Mom, and Kimmi! Yay!

But, it's just about 2am here and sleeping is first up on my busy agenda. Night folks!

...
Mood:  sad

Life.

Sucks.

That is all I have to say about today.

Exercising in my Undies!
Mood:  cheeky
Now Playing: One Week by Bare Naked Ladies
So the title of this blog entry isn't as random as it seems... it's what I'm doing right now, or was doing just before I decided to sit down and write. ;D
My arms are in good shape from rock-climbing, so hopefully I won't struggle with my trombone when I get back from Oz like Helen did after Chili. (Fatty... just kidding! I love you Helen!) But sadly I am losing my nice abs thanks to the greasy IH food and being too tired to do my regular evening crunches. I'll have to remedy that before I hit the Australian beaches hardcore in my bikini. :)

This weekend has been fabulous - busy, relaxing, fun, and productive all in one! Friday I had just my 9am class and then made the booking at Star Room for the IH Ball. Later I decided to get some pictures developed, so I walked out of IH and across the road I see Taylor, my blue-haired friend from UNC who goes to Uni NSW! Totally random, but a really nice surprise. I showed him around the better parts of Uni Syd, discovered a cool garden and short cut to my classes, and then we hung out in the trees in Victoria Park and chatted for an hour. Eventually he had to bounce off to meet some friends downtown, but we agreed I'd come visit him for a day at Coogee Beach. ;)

Back to IH and Faith in the office was incredibly happy to see me. She called me over to the desk and whipped out a giant box from beneath the counter, which I prompty opened to find half a dozen gorgeous red roses. I love my boyfriend! He's made me the envy of half the House women. Now, instead of looking at the clutter of papers and books on my desk and feeling overwhelmed, I can look at my roses and smile and feel loved. *shine*

Still beaming, Zoe and I met up for a girl's night. We went down to Newtown where she got some much-longed-for Indian food and I FINALLY got my giant bowl of Japanese noodles. For desert we bought a quart of strawberries off a farmer's truck -- I love this city! Later we caught the bus to her flat in Stanmore and watched Dirty Dancing and whatever else came on TV that night (we were more involved in our girl talk, which was great!). I was happy to spend a night out of the House and Zoe was pleased to entertain her first guest.

Sleepover accomplished, Saturday morning I hopped the bus downtown and arrived just in time to join a group of IHers going to the Sydney Fish Market. It was my first time, and it was great! We shared a huge lunch of fresh shrimp, sashimi tuna, sashimi salmon, and 2 dozen raw oysters! (I actually kind of liked them this time. The fresh water ones from Oz are WAY different from the salt water ones back home... which I gagged on.) The weather today was BEAUTIFUL (sunny, breezy, and 80F) so we all wasted time in Darling Harbour to avoid going back to homework. It was a valiant effort. :)

Eventually we did come home. I finished (I hope) my Indigenous Australia presentation for Tuesday, added 200 words to my philosophy essay, and finished the comparative readings for my psychology report. I also talked with Ashley about our NZ trip and got the details on our bus passes -- a good route but steep price (AU$340, ouch). Ah well, I'm saving at least that much in airfare, and it could always be worse!

A brilliant weekend and still not over, that's all for now!

AAHHHHHHHH!!!! *gasp* AAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Mood:  rushed
Good god my life is nuts!! Did my last entry actually mention a boring day?! I barely have time to sleep, let alone update, but here's a quick overview of the last week and a half...

Assignment due dates are rolling in... I handed in my first Uni Syd assingment on August 29th (got it back today with a mark of 70 = Credit). I have a presentation on September 13th, then a 2000-word essay due on September 19th and that same week a 1500-word report due on September 23rd. I also have another 2000-word essay due October 7th, the week after spring break.

Now all that might be fine, except I'm also... running the Fashion Show for I-Night with Kelly, trying to work out details for my spring break trip to New Zealand with the gals, organizing the IH Ball (the House's formal dance and dinner) with the help of ONE other person and less then one month to plan, and preparing for Chaz's visit the first two weeks of October.

PHEW!

Some days are bad and stressful, but most of them are just busy. And I haven't broken down in tears yet so WHOO-HOO! Success! After these next two hectic weeks, however, life will be EASY. Only one more assignment due at the very end of October and then no events except parties. Yay!

...

Really Mom, I'm fine. Stop worrying. ;D It's no worse than having a job and a full course load during marching band season. After that, this is a cake walk! :)

Wading in the Eel Pond
Mood:  chillin'
Even on the boring days, I see the most interesting things...

Today was a usual Monday. I had class from 10-11am, ate lunch with my Welsh friend Zoe on the front lawn, and then had another class from 1-2pm. After that I wasn't feeling motivated enough to launch right into homework, so I grabbed a pack of crackers from IH and went down to Victoria Park to feed the ducks. I stood on the bridge over the pond and lazily tossed a few bits into the water, but the eels seemed to be hungrier than the ducks today.

Gazing around the park I noticed a mini soccer ball bounce into the water, and thanks to the gusting wind that always graces Sydney, it blew straight into a cluster of reeds in the very center of the pond. Here come the concerned parents and the not-so-concerned child, a toddler boy who seems more amused by chasing the ibis than where his soccer ball has gone to. The parents look dismayed and stare at the ball, the father sticks a hand in the water to see how deep it is (calf length, maybe), takes off his shoes and socks... and then takes off his trousers.

So wearing nothing but black nylon briefs, the father makes his way across 20 feet of murky, eel-infested pond water to retrieve this mini soccer ball. The funny thing was, this didn't seem to bother anyone at all. A few people, like me, just watched the scene half-heartedly because it was the most interesting thing going on at the time. Everyone else just went about their picnicing, playing fetch, reading, etc.

Ha! We're not in Carolina anymore, Toto.

After some chuckling, I plopped on the bank and was content to feed the ibis and the occassional hungry mallard. Chaz rang me up and we worked out some dates for his visit (the first two weeks of October, YAY! And he'll get to go to the IH Formal with me!). At dusk, I retired to IH for dinner, did some homework, and then watched a random Australian comedy called 'The Castle' before bed.

Who knows what I'll see tomorrow...