March 27 – 29, 2019

The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.

 Eleanor Roosevelt

Sitting in my bed right now I feel nothing but grateful for everything. For being in Australia, for the opportunities that have arose while here and for just being alive living my best life. In the beginning of this week I got offered the opportunity to jump on a sea kayaking trip this week to Barwons Head. Of course I said YESS! I was offered to ether join in with the groups on the two days of activities which included sea kayaking one day and surfing the waves in a white water kayak another. If not then Meg and I could do our own thing and explore the town. Since it was so last minute we decided to just wing it do our own thing for the 3 days down in Barwons Head. I was able to snag a wet suit from somone else for if we tried surfing. Which if you see any of my social media you know was a good idea since I went surfing. We all headed out late Wed evening to the caravan park where we would camp out for the next few days. The second we stepped out of the van the warm salty air filled my nose with the sound of crashing waves close by in the distance. Happiness bubbled up within me as I was finally by the ocean. I set everything up then made some dinner ( noochie with cheese and tomato sauce YUMMY). After dinner the sun was set and stars began to wake up and light the sky up, a few of us walked over to the beach to sit on the sand by the ocean. Looking up you could see the milky way (although slightly different a little familiarity of home) millions more of unrecognizable constellations covered the black sky and with the sound of the crashing waves against rocks it felt as though I was alone in my own world even as I sat next to my friends. Everything in the world was just alright and I was filled with pure peace and happiness to be sitting in the soft sand watching stars by the Aussie sea.

Day 2

The next morning I was awoken to people shuffling about getting ready for their day out on the water, I relished at the fact I could stay in my warm sleeping bag a little longer since I was on my own schedule. Once people moved out to start their day on the water I finally squirmed out of my sleeping bag and got dressed to start the day ahead. Meg and I started by walking around downtown taking in the small quaint town and all the character it had to offer. I was determined to find some good pastries to munch on that morning for breakfast so Meg and I stopped into EVERY single coffee shop to check out what they had. There were tons of options to choose from but I finally stopped and picked one buying a coffee scroll. Which is better than coffee cake because its like a cinnamon bun but coffee instead of cinnamon! We window shopped while i slowly savored every bit of my coffee roll. After stopping in every place that was open we headed back to change into our swim suits to try and go surfing. Soon after walking to the beach our teacher messaged us saying that one of our professors who lives close by could give us a surfing lesson. Hyped we jumped on the opportunity to have a private lesson.

Ant (our Professor) showed up to grab us and drive us to the proper beach to learn how to surf. We started out on the sand learning how to stand and then headed out into the ocean to try it. The first few times was Ant holding our board and pushing us with the Waves. I was able to stay on for short periods of times and after a few attempts I even stood up. If anyone has ever surfed they know there is nothing like catching a wave (even though it was a short period). It is so exhilarating as the energy from the ocean transfers to your board and through your body as it carries you back to shore. I have never felt anything like it. I have found a new love and hobby that I hope I can do more while I am and also when I head back to the states! I want to be able to learn how to truly surf the big waves and continue to feel the energy of the ocean run through my body connecting me to a force thats bigger and stronger than imaginable. I am so thankful to be able to have the opportunity to have been able to learn how to surf in such a beautiful place.

That afternoon I headed back to camp a smile permanently on my face as the feelings of surfing still lingered within. The rest of my day consisted of walking around downtown looking for a place to grab a bite to eat and a casual drink. Finally choosing a small cute fish and chips place we stopped in I ordered fish and chips of course and a few calamari rings also a pear cider (which I would recommend over apple now). Once the food came out steaming I could not be more excited to eat. Everything tasted so fresh like it came right out of the ocean, I always say the best seafood is one that you can eat while smelling the salt in the air and hear the crashing of the waves in the distance. Hanging out for a few hours just enjoying each others company until we felt full and ready to roll back to the caravan park. We headed straight to the beach to sit down in the soft sand and soak up the late evening sun until everyone returned. Heading to the pub for dinner and watching the footy game was a great way to end day 2 of our small adventure.

Day 3

Waking up to people talking loudly and head lamps flashing about as everyone slowly gets up to pack up camp before the sun even as awoken to signal the beginning of the new day. I dragged myself out of the warmth of my cocoon to slowly pack everything up. The night before we got offered to join the group that was going out to learn how to surf the waves in white water kayaks and I of course jumped on it knowing it would be sick and once in a life time experience with the safety in place to learn properly. We started out in the river to practice getting in the boats with a partner. Let me tell you white Kayaks are not like normal flat water kayaks they are small diamond shape boats that you squish your knees up against the sides of the boat with a skirt that hugs your waist and the opening of your boat locking you into the boat. The boat in a way becomes one with your hips and body. We partnered up and headed out into the river to practice the feel of the boat on its edges. We had to flip upside down to get used to being underwater while in the boats our partners stayed close by to flip us back around when we tapped the top of the boat above water. After practicing everything we would need to survive the ocean, including escaping your boat under water if no one is around to flip you back over. I did say survive because we were about to send it into the big waves with the unpredictability of the oceans current. Our partners stayed with us in the beginning as we went over waves, practiced low bracing (which is countering the waves energy as it hits you from the side so you do not flip) and surfed them with our partners on the back of the boats. When you perfectly catch a wave it is like nothing else as the energy carries your boat in a surge of strength. I tried to surf alone but flipped my boat as the waves pull you sideways and you need to counter the waves energy as it hit from the side (low bracing). It is scary to be under the water not being able to get up or roll your kayak but my partner was right there to flip me back in a matter of seconds, I did also have the ability to escape if I needed to but I had faith my partner would come help me. She did. After spending a few hours out in the surf we headed in for lunch only to head back out for a few hours after. I went out charging straight onto the waves and over them. Some waves even send you airborne as salt water sprays on your face and whips through your hair. It is also a very similar feeling to surfing on a surf board. Just like nothing else in the world. It is truly exhilarating to be out in the water feel the earths energy roll through every wave that crashes onto the beach. I am so happy I was able to experience it in two different but similar ways this past few days.

As we packed up the bus there was nothing but laughs and smiles as people talked about the day we all just experienced together. Feeling closer to the people in my subject then before I knew we all experienced this for the first time. As I spoke to a few others people said it was nothing like white water kayaking but a whole different beast to tackle and experience. As we drove off in the van with a layer of salt hugging my skin I was tired but feeling appreciative that this is my life and I am truly living my best life. This semester has been nothing but new experiences, friendships and endless happiness from everything I am experiencing! I am still almost in shock that this is my life and its amazing.

March 22 – 24, 2019

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

This past Friday I left for THE trip of the semester, this is the trip that was the reason I chose to come to Australia to study abroad. Me and two other third years led a group of 7 first year students for two days through the bush environment of Kooyoora state park. We had to teach the students everything they need to know on basic backpacking, camping outside, hygiene, cooking and the stories of the people that once occupied the land.

I left with a group of 10 third years to Kooyoora State Park on Friday(we go out a day earlier then the first year students), it was beginning to rain as we sat there waiting for the other half of the class to return from their two day trip. (half the class lead hikes Thur-Fri) Let me just say that summer rain in Australia is not like rain in the states every drop that hits the dry earth splashes up dust instead of water, rain storms only lasting 5 minutes tops causing most of the rain drops to instantly evaporate back into the air. I leaned against the gear shed watching millions of tiny dust explosions hitting the earth until the van pulled up alerting us to pack up and jump on, leaving the rain behind. We arrived at the main campground of Kooyoora set up camp, cooked up some dinner and went over the logistics of the next two days ahead as leaders. We all hit our sleeping bags pretty early that night in attempt to get a good sleep before the big day. But of course Mather Nature did not allow that to happen, throughout the early morning it rained off and on with cracks of thunder far off into the distance. Normally rain would be calming and lull most to sleep but this rain happed to be coming down sideways soaking anyone who slept on the outskirts of the tarps we set up. Although the thunder and lighting was far enough away to not be concerned it still left me uneasy in fear it might be moving closer to us. Typically I love thunder storms but that is within the safety of a home with big windows to watch not out in open land with nothing to protect you from the elements. Luckily this night we did not have any students to worry about, only ourselves. Soon after the rain let up the sun was beginning to rise and it was time for us to start our day. Although tired, I was very excited to get to know the students I would be leading and teach them all about the basics and what the park was about.

The bus pulled up to our starting point and the first years in my group stumbled out of the bus quietly and unsure of themselves and what lay ahead. As the leaders we were all very uneasy as we did not know what to expect and if the group would vibe with eachother. We started off with a fun name game that involved saying animal thats name starts with with the same letter as your own and make the sound of the animal a long with an action (Monkey Michelle). At first the the group felt awkward and embarrassed to make the sounds and do the noises but soon people embraced it. It ended in us all laughing at all the goofiness. The day only got better from there as we trucked along the track teaching along the way. We stopped for lunch at one of the teaching spots and this comes to the explanation of my title name. All the people in my group included my co leaders were quizzing me on Australian facts and just grilling me with questions. Until one asked “how many states are there in America” without hesitation I said 50 but they all gaped at me and said “no way youer lying there is 52 states in America.” I denied this statement but the banter continued as everyone was convinced that there was more than 50 states in America. This also continued throughout the trip as randomly throughout the days a few of the first years would just say “just so you know its 52 states in America” I often times would reply with rolling my eyes telling them it was 50 and to count the stars.

The trip consisted of lots of walking and teaching about the land, culture and the skills needed out in the bush. We played games of ninja in free time after meals (awesome game if you haven’t played). We all headed to bed early under the open sky that twinkled with stars in between passing clouds. The next morning we woke up early to eat breakfast and watch the sunrise. Shortly after I taught my lesson about the celestial pools. We packed all our stuff out and headed out for the day summiting Mt. Kooyoora and seeing the European Granite mines. We ended the day at the Melville Caves and going into the warm holes (see pictures below). We did our debrief there talked about everyones high and lows of the trip. It was a great way to cool down and also have closure to such an amazing trip.

Ending this trip was a feeling of pure happiness and content. This trip was the reason I chose to study i Australia for my major and not some where else doing general education classes. I was able to take on a group of students and teach them everything without being in the shadow of a teacher. This trip I was able to learn so much about myself. I learned more about my teaching style, things I should bring on trips in the future, what to do and what not to do. I am so extremely grateful that I was able to come to Australia to learn and grow as a person and a leader. This trip confirmed everything and made me feel like everything I went through to get here was 100% worth it. I would not change a thing. I also wouldnt of learnt as much with out the other two amazing leaders by my side helping me and teaching me about how their outdoor ed program runs.

March 21, 2019

“‘It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

J.R.R Tolkien

Today was a early one I woke up at 5:45 to get up and make breakfast for a long day ahead. I had a pretty big yummy breakfast of cinnamon oatmeal with peanutbutter, honey and fresh cut up fruit. I rushed out the door shortly after eating and cleaning up to walk over to the buses. We had to be at the busses by 7am ready to rock and roll. None of us knew what to expect for the day except that we knew we would be canoeing and bushwalking and to prepare accordingly for anything. I rocked up in my crocs ready carrying my hiking boots and bushwalking stuff in my pack ready to go. We ended up starting out with a scenario right away after we separated into groups of three. The first group of “leaders” had to get everyone on the bus and all the equipment needed to go canoeing on the trailer attached to the bus. People who were not leaders were representative of 10th graders and a few were pulled aside to cause problems that the leaders had to deal with. Being a participant was fun to cause the leaders trouble, I basically just channelled all the troublesome or annoying campers I have ever had as a camp counslor and improved some scenarios on my own to have some fun. The first scenario deffinently took longer than anyone expected as we didn’t leave until 9am. After every scenario we debriefed with the teachers and group on personal experience and how we thought we did and then how the group thought we did.

Next was my turn to lead and I had to safely get everyone off the bus in pfd’s and teach basic paddling skills. The second the bus parked the other leaders and I had to deal with people running out of the bus to the bathroom without informing the “leaders”. I went off to gather people and tell them that they need to inform us when they were going to the bathroom. I taught the lesson on how to put pfd’s on while using my usual bubbly and enthusiasm. Going around checking each individual for proper fitting. Next we taught basic paddling strokes, dealing with people who needed more breakdown for the lessons. Our section ended shortly after this and we debriefed, most people complimented us on controlling the group and maintaining a calm demeanor. We figured out that next time we should talk to the group before anyone leaves the bus.

The morning followed with us going out onto the lake and “learning” paddling techniques but really learning to deal with different emotions that could be running through kids before an activity like this. We had a fake storm pass over and two boats capsize. The leaders had to figure out how to get the boats flipped back over and the students back into the boats while maintaining everyone else. We finished up the canoeing section of the day around 12:30 and ate our lunch before heading off to Kooyoora for the bushwalking part. The continued as we went through all the different potential risks of bushwalking with 10th graders. During the fake lightning storm we all run to each other under a dying tree, yelling and pretending to freak out. I even climbed a tree to add to the effect. Most of the scenarios ended in controlling the situations but laughing at our friends being dramatic and acting the different situations out.

I am so thankful for this opportunity to come to Australia and learn about and from a different program then mine back home. Today I was able to learn so much from watching as a participant how other leaders handled situations and from how I handled different situations. The debriefs were a helpful way to keep notes of all the potential dangers that we have to look out for as leaders and be aware of. The purpose of this trip was for everyone to get an idea of the different dangerous there are in different setting that we will have to account for when writing our safety plan out for these two places. I am happy to be able to experience the dangers in the feild instead of just someone telling me about them. This trip will stick in my head as I lead future trips as anything can happen. I will be more mentally alert and know what to look for when out in the field. This also allowed for me to prepare better mentally for my leading trip coming up tomorrow at Kooyoora. Stay tuned for that trip and all the crazy stories to hopefully come!

March 16, 2019

“To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.”

Bill Bryson

Growing up I have always been super active and involved in team sports, If I traveled back in time and told my past self that I would be playing a sport and college and soccer none the less I dont think she would of believed me. I have always loved soccer but it kind of got pushed to the side for hockey once I started playing, until my Junior year in High school when I was told that I might not make varsity due to my skill level. Something changed within me and I wanted to make the varsity team my senior year more than ever, I begin to put in hours of extra work on the side of practices and that paid off, I made the team. Once college came around soccer was definitely not main focus in choosing a college, but once I fell in love with Plymouth State University it became a top interest. Again though I was told my skills would not be good enough to make the team in the fall. So I pushed in deeper and worked harder everyday that summer to prove them wrong. Once the day came around, I made the team at the walk on tryout. Soon after soccer became one of my major focuses in school and even though waking up at 6am for practice is definitely not my favorite part of the process, once I step on the field with the girls that have become like another family to me it didnt matter how tired I was because I found a passion and love that has become a part of me and shaped me. There is not one regret I have these past three years being able to play for Plymouth. Of course I am studying abroad and instead of just sitting around being sad that I am missing the spring season with my team at home I choose to get involved here at La Trobe with their club soccer team. Now I have been able to continue to grow within the sport and meet some incredible people here in Austrailia. A few of us even meet up 1-2 times a week to run conditioning and work on foot skills.

The quote I chose for this post I feels fits perfectly with this post because soccer is something that is very familiar to me and has become routine (the favorite part of my day). It has been hard to readjust here to how they run everything from practices to warm ups stretching and even coaching games. This has given me a whole new look on the game. The club team I am playing for is very new and has a few players who have never played, often times I am coaching them on the field and off. I have to slow everything down and really think about the game and how to explain it to someone who dosnt know anything about the sport. I am always happy to share my passion with everyone but this has given me a new love for the sport as I someday hope that I can coach later in life. I am grateful to be able to play in a different country and meet the incredible people who are on the team. Every single one has taken me in and be so warm and welcoming even though I have only been playing with them for a month they are becoming some of the closer friends here at Bendigo. I can not wait to go back to the states with all the stories and finish out my senior season strong. Shout out to all the girls at Plymouth to kick ass this spring season and get ready for the best season yet coming up this fall!! Cant wait to be back playing everyday with you all!

March 7 – 9, 2019

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.”

Hellen Keller

Im embarking on my first adventure today and I am very nervous but excited to see a Australia like most people dont get to see. This trip is for us to plan out our route as leaders for a trip in 3 weeks we will be leading first years on. Already I have learned so much about myself and skills im going to bring back home. I am very excited to continue my learning here on this short trip and over this whole semester.

I wrote the above paragraph before I left for my short adventure on Thursday evening, running out of my Terrance I left feeling like a mess and I was forgetting something. While when people say you should listen to your gut they are probably right. As I was riding in the van with all these all classmates I had only briefly in a short conversation was told we would be returning on Sat afternoon not Friday Afternoon. I was speechless and slightly irritated at the misinformation we were given. I had only packed enough food for one days worth out in the field. I knew I was going to have to ration my food in order to be tolerable and not become hangery. (which is not a pretty sight if anyone has seen me become so) We arrived at Kooroora State Park and all bustled out of the vans grabbing bags and throwing them down on the dry cracked ground. People quickly through on their gators to protect themselves from snake bites. It didnt take long for us to just start the trip. We were pushing a long to get to the first camp site with a few short stops on the way for lessons from the professor. He stopped us a lot to teach us about the land and culture that will pass down to the first year students when we lead. Once arriving at our camp it was on a rock slab almost on top of the peak. The sunset up above everything was stunning. (see Below the pictures dont do it justice) With bright orange and bumble gum pink colors bouncing off the clouds. After the sun crawled past the trees I made dinner appreciating being outside in a different country learning so much new. I split dinner in half to make sure I had enough for the second night. After dinner we talked about the next two days ahead and what we should be doing. My group met briefly to discuss potential places we can go before heading to bed. I crawled into my sleeping bag and realized it was going to be a long night on the rock without a sleeping pad. If you have never slept on straight rock let me just say it is not that comfortable. In my attempt to make rock a sutible bed for the night I rolled on my back and looked up. I stopped trying to be comfortable and just started stright up into the sky. It was crystal clear night with millions of stars twinkling above my head. The sky reminded me of a planetarium they were so surreal and stunning especially high above any trees. They are nothing like the stars at home but they brought a smile to my face as memories flooded my head of all the summer nights spent star watching while camping instead of sleeping. As I stared out into the sky I knew it was going to be a good night even if I didnt sleep because there is nothing like being far enough away from any civilization to see every star in the sky. While staring at the stars I found myself drifting off to sleep with the sweet memories of my childhood star watching on my family camping trips. The next morning I was awoken to the sunrising over Mt. Koorooya (see above photo). I loved the way the sky began to slowly explode with color behind the mountain casting the mountain in all black.

The next day was a slow start because we had to talk to our professor about our plan for the day as individual groups. Once we actually got moving I was able to see the park more for what is was, we started by going to see the caves on the side of Mt. Kooyrooa which were small and not like the type of cave that comes to your mind when you think of one. It was more like an opening below a few bounders that you could crawl into from two different sides. We after went to the top of Kooyrooa and tried to bushwhack our way down to go to this tree called the Funeral Tree, the tree was used in the aborigine culture, Jaja for funeral services. We followed a river on the map to get to the funeral tree but a river in this part of Australia is just a dried up cracked river bed with not a drop of water in sight. The continued on bushwhacking through most of the park stopping at different sites we planned to teach at.

That night after dinner our professor took up up to these Celestial pools to teach us the background information about their purpose. Everything I was learning was extremely fascinating. I am able to appreciate the Jaja people who lived and used the land before any European settlers came in. Their culture although still has many holes in it is amazing. I love being able to learn and understand how a person used to live or currently lives in this world. Every person has their own life and every person grew up very drastically different from the next from culture to culture. It fascinates me to learn what makes a persons place a home to them. Through this trip I am getting pieces of what made this place a home to the Dja Dja Wurrung people.

The trip was overall a great experience to learn how a different program operates from mine back at home in Plymouth. I was able to learn a lot about the Dja Dja Wurrung culture which is a deep rich history of Australia. I learned how to ration my food and what I need to make sure I have for future trips. I am excited to learn more about what Austrlia has to offer and to teach the first years in this program all I have to learn in a few weeks.

March 2 – 3, 2019

“If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.”

Rachel Wolchin

This past weekend I went to Phillip Island which was the first time ive traveled in Australia. Gettting there was a slight adventure because three of us had to get down to the other La Trobe campus which was 2 hours away. We ended up finding a ride down but had to be up to leave at 6am. The ride was smooth and gorgeous as I got to watch the sunrise on the way down. Once we got to the other campus we hopped on a tour bus, with a ton of other international students from the other campus, to head to Phillip Island. Once arriving we went straight to the pub to get food and I got a parma. It was very mouth watering and scrumptious. Shortly after we headed to the cape woolamai beach. We pulled up to the beach and stepped out of the van a warm breeze softly blew through my hair carrying the familiar smell of summer beaches with it. I smile played across my lips as excitement began to bubble within as the realization hit me. I am in another country in beautiful 80 ℉, clear blue skies about to go play in the ocean with a ton of other people from around the world on this trip for the same reason.

We started off by walking on the beach to the cliffs that overlooked the beach below. (see pictures below) I was in awe by how gorgeous this place was and how the ocean reflected back the vibrant color of the sky. I am so happy and appreciative of the opportunity to see such a gorgeous place. Everyone in the group started off quite and a bit awkward as many of us did not know eachother, but the second we hit the water all barriers came down. We spent the majority of the next few hours laughing, talking and diving through waves. I even brought my gopro out to test it out, I was able to get some cool shot of friends and I diving into the waves. (those will hopefully be up at a later point somewhere).

After we all headed back to the hostel to clean up, this was the first hostel I have ever stayed in. It was very clean and cute with rooms of 4-8 bunk beds. Everyone showered and then got dressed for dinner and the Penguin March. Dinner was pizza by the ocean and the boardwalk. There was a cute little festival going on at the time with live music and a ton of tents set up with people selling jewelry, clothes, shoes, food and gelato. I got a coffee and chocolate gelato mix which was very rich, creamy and smooth. I savored every last bite! This is also the closet thing I can get to soft serve because they only have vanilla soft serve from McDonalds (which let me tell you is NOT the same as soft serve twist from a good icecream shop in the states). I was happy to settle for the gelato though while swaying to the bands music that happily pulsed through my body. After we headed over to the place where the Penguin March took place. This is a daily event that happens where people can go watch these tiny cute penguins wattle in from sea from their daily feeding. It was the coolest experience yet! The penguins were absolutely adorable (see pictures below). After people can walk along the board walks and see the penguins waddle off to their little nests. I sat around quietly observing groups of penguins behaviors and interactions with each other as time slipped away from me. Soon I realized the time and that I had to meet the group on the bus or Ill be late( I ended up being the last one on the bus…whoops). We headed straight back to the Hostel to change and hang around the common room. Everyone was sitting around talking about the days events or getting involved in an intense game of mafia or UNO. I played mafia (even though I think warewolf is better) till almost 11 at night. After many people headed off to bed but a small group of us went for a walk to the beach to look at the stars. You wouldn’t think of it but the stars are completely different over here then back in the states. As I looked up at the twinkling stars above I was looking for the Big Dipper or the North star but instead I saw a sky that I did not recognize. I sat on the warm sand and looked up to appreciate the different view I am getting to see because of the amazing opportunity I have gotten to study in this beautiful Country. I am so appreciative to be alive living this life everyday because everyday is a great day to experience a new adventure in life.

The next morning I woke up early to the sun peaking in through the windows and my bunk mates rustling as they got out of bed. Shortly after the smell of pancakes wafted through the building pulling me out of bed. I threw on a jumper and hopped out of bed to see what was cooking. The leaders of the trip cooked up tons of pancakes for everyone to chow down for breakfast. It was quite scrumptious even though they had only nutella for spread instead of maple syrup. After breakfast we headed to a field to learn how to throw boomerangs then we headed downtown to walk around and grab lunch. I ate a cute fish restaurant right on the water. I tried to solely enjoy my fish bites and chips but a ton of seagulls were getting WAY to close for comfort. In a lot of ways though if felt like home at our beaches where seagulls will no joke take sandwiches out of your hand. (it happened once to my family) These ones at least would flee away after you yelled at them but still sat around begging for food like a homeless puppy just way less cute.

We got to watch a pelican feeding. Their bills are huge! It was so cool to see them up and close but i didn’t get any pictures sadly. After everyone finished up food we headed out to the zoo to see the roos and koalas! We arrived and all quickly shuffled off the bus excited to see a koala and take a picture with the cute animal. Most of the others hadent seen any kangaroos since arriving in Australia unlike the few of us from the Bendigo campus which has them hopping around EVERYWHERE. I dont think I have gone a day without seeing a kangaroo. I have not gotten to pet one or feed one so this was really cool to be able to get close and personal with the kangaroos at the zoo. The koala was also awesome although sleeping (they are sleeping practically 90% of the day) they are still adorable animals that I can now say I have seen and got to pet! There were a few other reptiles and animals but you couldn’t touch or get too close to these ones. Before I knew It the trip was over and I was on a 2 hour train ride home. As I was watching the land scape rush past me all I could think was what a fantastic way to start off my semester and if this is the start then it will only get better from here. I can not wait for all the adventures to come this semester and how it will shape me as a person.

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

This week has been a world wind of meeting people, introduction classes and fun nightly activities put on by the school. The week opened up with a food truck festival, which if any of you know me know that is my ultimate happy place. I mean come on whats better then food on the go?? Obviously nothing. This was a great start to an even better week. The week continued on to Tue which had Market Day ( where students can see all the clubs the uni has to offer). I joined the women’s soccer club, running club and The Mob, which is the outdoor ed club here. There was a ton of free food so I walked around in the blazing sun catching up with people Ive met from the week before and eatting all the free food i could fit into my stomach. Which has kind of been the pattern since arriving here. That night was a kick off Summer Vibe party. There was performers and Djs who came in and played. The event had free food and a mechanical bull, of course I went on the mechanical bull and lasted proximately 20 seconds before being thrown off. Immediately after I went for the free food and got two snags. The night continued on with lots of dancing. We left shortly after to be bussed to the night club in town. The best part of the night was grabbing tater tots and eating them on the bus ride back to Uni.

Thursday was the next big event which was the mystery bus tour. This was a pub crawl where we could pick from ten different themes. Meg and I picked 80’s, we got bussed from multiple pubs to end up at one club with all the other themes. I danced the night away with loud music pulsing through my body and surrounded by fun people who made the night worth remembering. We stayed out and danced late into the night until we were bussed back to campus. The bus was filled with Aussies singing songs and chanting cheers.

Week one was a perfect way to start the semester off right with tons of fun events that I was able to meet some fun and incredible people that I hope to connect with throughout the semester.

“Adventure is worthwhile”

Aesop

I have always wanted to study aboard and see the world since I was little and my desire grew when I went to Italy on a school trip my sophomore year of highschool. Ever since then I have had this strong desire to see the whole world, I knew I wanted to learn everything about someone else’s culture. I wanted to learn about the people, art, nature and traditions that make a destination a home. Now finally the time has come where I am beginning my adventures for more than a week somewhere else in the world. This is the start of not only a semester, but my life of traveling everywhere. I could not be more excited to begin this journey. The hardest part is leaving all the amazing friends I have made behind at Plymouth, in Melrose and most importantly my extremely supportive family. I know through this journey I will grow and learn a lot about not all the the places I will see, but also myself. I am excited to expand my horizons.

Before I left I got to have one last gathering with all my closets friends from Plymouth, I could not of asked for a better way to leave the people I have grown so close to. They all came over to have a few drinks, cake and hangout with me before I left. Most people just talked to me about how Australia has so many dangerous animals and insects and warned me not to die out here. I mostly rolled my eyes knowing I would be okay. The night last long into the night and will be one that I always remember. For anyone who came thats reading this thanks you and I appreciated your presence that night it truly meant a lot.  I went home the next day to see my family and it was nice to spend time with them before my big departure. I was able to see both my grandparents and I was very appreciative of all their love they sent me with. Thank you to everyone who helped get me ready to leave on this next big chapter of my life, I cant wait to grow and share all my adventures with everyone who reads this blog.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

-Mark Twain

I have created this blog for my friends and family to follow me through my new adventures abroad in Australia. It all started after touching ground in the Melbourne airport, I had a good, but long flight over seas to Australia. Sat next to a nice Australian man who who made good conversation when I wasn’t sleeping…which was most of the flight because other wise I would be too fidgety to sit still. Anyone who knows me knows that I would probably drive the whole plan insane if I wasn’t sleeping most of the 14 hours. Once landing everything was utter chaos and trying to find where I needed to go to grab my bags and to meet up with my ride to my campus.

Stepping out of the airport I was hit with a wall of heat and I could already feel myself sweating in my leggings and t-shirt. A student, Dom, who had been in contact with me before my trip picked me up from the airport. Riding up to campus still felt surreal. Driving past tan dry cracked land, short trees and shrubs every where. Everything was so flat and dry. It was strange to be seeing hills when Im used to being surrounded by miles of green or white mountains(depending on the season). The ride was short, but filled with good music, lots of questions about the land I will be residing in for the next few months and the semester ahead. Once arriving on campus Dom helped me get my keys to my “dorm” and bring my bags inside. I choose to live on campus in the Terrances which are small one story houses that sleep eight people, four rooms and a bathroom on each side with one shared kitchen and common room in the middle. I met most of my eight roommates and they are all very kind and welcoming among with everyone else I continue to meet here. People have been nothing but welcoming and friendly and it reminds me a little bit of my Plymouth home.

The first night I got to go to the pub to meet most of the second year outdoor ed students. I was most asked a million questions of where I was from and what the outdoor ed program was like back in the states. I was able to learn more of what to expect from the teachers and some classes. I was able to try a Parma, which is basically chicken parmesan with ham under the melted cheese and chips (french fries) on the side. All I can say about that is WOOW. It was bomb and made me very happy as my first meal in Australia.