Hello from Port Douglass, Australia!
I received a free hour of internet access when I booked my tour of the Great Barrier Reef so I figured I would update my faithful followers so that you may live vicariously through me :)
It's suuuuper hot here and very humid. But I'm enjoying nonetheless before I have to come home to the cold. Tomorrow, Sara and I are going Crocodile hunting! (Don't worry though, we'll have a tour guide) On Thursday, we'll be going on a tour of the Reef. Sara is just snorkeling but I'm going to take me hand at doing an intro dive! I'm a little nervous but I'll deal. Yesterday I faced a little fear by jumping off a baby cliff into Mossoman's Gorge- look it up, it's beautiful! And then on Saturday, we're going to hire a car and take our own tour of the rainforrest and go to the gorge again. Sara's a chicken so I'll be the one responsible for driving. I'm a little nervous about that one- I'll have to stay very focused with the whole other-side-of-the-road thing. I'm confident I can do it though :) Yesterday I drove around the block in a Manual that we rented with girls that we met here as soon as we arrived and I didn't even crash it!
Right now, it's roughly 96 degrees fahrenheit and I'm sweating bullets. So- rather than waisting anymore time on here, I'm going to go find Sara and drag here to the beach with me :)
See ya in 7 days, Ohio!
Monday, 12 December 2011
Thursday, 8 December 2011
The definition of bittersweet
Today was my last day of school. It was VERY sad and I'm still not fully believing that I wont be seeing these children again. On top of that, I didn't get a picture with all of them :( I got pictures of them, but not a full class picture with me. Talk about a bummer.
Now, all I have left is worrying about finishing my University assignments. Bleh. No real updating until I get them done... Sorry.
Now, all I have left is worrying about finishing my University assignments. Bleh. No real updating until I get them done... Sorry.
Monday, 5 December 2011
Christmas time is here... Happiness and Cheer!
It has been rather cold, here in Australia. It's almost if the Ohio weather is creeping over here and summoning me home. Not cool, Ohio, NOT COOL.
Anyway- tonight I spent my evening baking and listening to Christmas music :) It was the BEST. Yesterday, I went to the Blue Mountains with Sara and my host family. It was breath breathtakingly beautiful, and a really great time. I will post more about it once I make some significant headway on the six page paper I have to turn in by the end of the week.
It's really unfortunate that I can't escape the end-of-semester cram even from all the way across the world. Woof.
Alright- here I go... wish me luck!
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
For real..?
I just got attacked by yet another MASSIVE Australian bug. I swear they are out to get me. I was sitting in my room, minding my own business, doing some perusing of the internets for some things to add to my Christmas list when I hear this *zzzz, smack, zzzzz, smack* really loudly against the hall wall. All of a sudden this gigantic (no exaggeration for real) UFB {Unidentified Flying Bug} comes into my room, flying like crazy, invading my personal space (And giving me a heart attack). RUDE.
After quickly picking up a nearby shoe to swat at it, the stupid thing finally landed on the other bed in my room. Whew! I had a chance to regain what little composure I have left. Except I didn't know what to do with it there. I didn't want to get too close to it, I for sure didn't want it to start flying again, and it was waaaaay to big to just squish, plus it would have made a rather large mess, no doubt about it. I just so very desperately wanted it out of my room! Taking a page from the Molly Farris book of bug handling I went and got a tupperware bowl and a flat lid to trap it with. I successfully managed to trap it without fainting but I still didn't exactly know what to do with it. In real panic mode now because I was containing it in the tiny little bowl! Without any other options I very carefully opened the door to the foyer and threw the UFB as far from me as possible and quickly shut the door. Doesn't seem like that big of deal; however I had to do all of this without waking my host father sleeping very near the door. Also take note that I was shaking and my heart was beating pretty rapidly.
The UFB is still alive somewhere out in the foyer... Here's to hoping it isn't still there and seeking revenge tomorrow when I leave for school... Oye.
After quickly picking up a nearby shoe to swat at it, the stupid thing finally landed on the other bed in my room. Whew! I had a chance to regain what little composure I have left. Except I didn't know what to do with it there. I didn't want to get too close to it, I for sure didn't want it to start flying again, and it was waaaaay to big to just squish, plus it would have made a rather large mess, no doubt about it. I just so very desperately wanted it out of my room! Taking a page from the Molly Farris book of bug handling I went and got a tupperware bowl and a flat lid to trap it with. I successfully managed to trap it without fainting but I still didn't exactly know what to do with it. In real panic mode now because I was containing it in the tiny little bowl! Without any other options I very carefully opened the door to the foyer and threw the UFB as far from me as possible and quickly shut the door. Doesn't seem like that big of deal; however I had to do all of this without waking my host father sleeping very near the door. Also take note that I was shaking and my heart was beating pretty rapidly.
The UFB is still alive somewhere out in the foyer... Here's to hoping it isn't still there and seeking revenge tomorrow when I leave for school... Oye.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
It's a big one!
I have a feeling that this post is going to be a whopper. I haven't updated fully in a while and a lot has gone on. Just thought I'd warn you...
Let's start at the beginning, shall we?
Not this past weekend, but the weekend before (18th-20th) Sara and I traveled into the city for the weekend. We booked a hostel and a really cheesy touristy bus that would take us around to all the major sights of the city. The bus was great; we could hop on and hop off the bus and spend as much time at the sites as we pleased; very nice. We saw the Opera House, Town Hall, the Queen Victoria building (which is this really giant, really beautiful, really expensive shopping center), Darling Harbour, The Hardrock Cafe of Sydney.
When we were having lunch at the hardrock Sara noticed they were having fireworks that evening in the Harbour so we decided to find a way to spend our time until it was dark. That is how we came across Wildlife World and The Sydney Aquarium... We got a package deal and got to go to both places for a reasonable cost and we finally were able to see all of the great animals of Australia up close. (This is the most exciting part...) At Wildlife World I even got to PET A KOALA!! :) This was the best part of my weekend, by far. I was like a small child at Christmas.... So. Pumped.
Although the sightseeing and outings of the weekend, the hostel that Sara and I stayed at left MUCH to be desired. We stayed in a 32bed room. Yep, you heard it right- there were 16 bunk beds. Occupying most of those 16 bunk beds were unfriendly, stinky, and drunken guys from England. They were so rude, so stinky, and all they were looking for was a girl to fawn over them. Since neither Sara or I fit that picture we were not welcomed very kindly. Also- when we arrived it smelled slightly like death in the room. Come to find out, on of the guests had a package of unopened, and uncooked chicken breast in the basket underneath their bed. SO GROSS.
After coming it out of the hostel alive I realize that it was very cheap for our stay, and we weren't there for very much time at all. If anything, we came out of it with many stories. So- I suppose we got what we paid for...
Something else I got from the Hostel was a nasty cold/flu type illness. I spent all day Tuesday in bed with a fever. Although I didn't enjoy being sick, I didn't mind the day asleep in bed... Last week in Australia there was also a monsoon. I swear it rained nonstop from Tuesday through Saturday. On Wednesday when I had to walk/bus to school I was nearly the victim of a classic Hollywood side-of-the-road soaking. It was so great for overcoming my illness... (Sense my sarcasm? Yeah, I thought so...) ALSO- not knowing how to drive in the rain is not confined to Columbus, despite what I used to think. Picture the terrifying Sydney driving made 10 times worse because of the rain. Scary.
Despite the rain and feeling like my head was going to explode, the week wasn't a complete bust. Last Thursday was America's Thanksgiving. Although I didn't get the day off from school or get to be home with my family, the friends Sara and I have made at BUC allowed us to have an Aussie Thanksgiving of our own :) I tried my hand at making pumpkin pie (From a REAL pumpkin, not one you get from a can!) and making corn casserole without a box of Jiffy cornbread to aide me! Both dishes turned out very successful and all of our Aussie friends loved them! I was quite proud, if I do say so myself :) I felt so blessed and loved.
Let's start at the beginning, shall we?
Not this past weekend, but the weekend before (18th-20th) Sara and I traveled into the city for the weekend. We booked a hostel and a really cheesy touristy bus that would take us around to all the major sights of the city. The bus was great; we could hop on and hop off the bus and spend as much time at the sites as we pleased; very nice. We saw the Opera House, Town Hall, the Queen Victoria building (which is this really giant, really beautiful, really expensive shopping center), Darling Harbour, The Hardrock Cafe of Sydney.
When we were having lunch at the hardrock Sara noticed they were having fireworks that evening in the Harbour so we decided to find a way to spend our time until it was dark. That is how we came across Wildlife World and The Sydney Aquarium... We got a package deal and got to go to both places for a reasonable cost and we finally were able to see all of the great animals of Australia up close. (This is the most exciting part...) At Wildlife World I even got to PET A KOALA!! :) This was the best part of my weekend, by far. I was like a small child at Christmas.... So. Pumped.
Although the sightseeing and outings of the weekend, the hostel that Sara and I stayed at left MUCH to be desired. We stayed in a 32bed room. Yep, you heard it right- there were 16 bunk beds. Occupying most of those 16 bunk beds were unfriendly, stinky, and drunken guys from England. They were so rude, so stinky, and all they were looking for was a girl to fawn over them. Since neither Sara or I fit that picture we were not welcomed very kindly. Also- when we arrived it smelled slightly like death in the room. Come to find out, on of the guests had a package of unopened, and uncooked chicken breast in the basket underneath their bed. SO GROSS.
After coming it out of the hostel alive I realize that it was very cheap for our stay, and we weren't there for very much time at all. If anything, we came out of it with many stories. So- I suppose we got what we paid for...
Something else I got from the Hostel was a nasty cold/flu type illness. I spent all day Tuesday in bed with a fever. Although I didn't enjoy being sick, I didn't mind the day asleep in bed... Last week in Australia there was also a monsoon. I swear it rained nonstop from Tuesday through Saturday. On Wednesday when I had to walk/bus to school I was nearly the victim of a classic Hollywood side-of-the-road soaking. It was so great for overcoming my illness... (Sense my sarcasm? Yeah, I thought so...) ALSO- not knowing how to drive in the rain is not confined to Columbus, despite what I used to think. Picture the terrifying Sydney driving made 10 times worse because of the rain. Scary.
Despite the rain and feeling like my head was going to explode, the week wasn't a complete bust. Last Thursday was America's Thanksgiving. Although I didn't get the day off from school or get to be home with my family, the friends Sara and I have made at BUC allowed us to have an Aussie Thanksgiving of our own :) I tried my hand at making pumpkin pie (From a REAL pumpkin, not one you get from a can!) and making corn casserole without a box of Jiffy cornbread to aide me! Both dishes turned out very successful and all of our Aussie friends loved them! I was quite proud, if I do say so myself :) I felt so blessed and loved.
On Saturday night, my host mum took me to the New South Wales school spectacular. It was PHENOMENAL. There were roughly 3000 students, ages 5 through seniors in high school putting on professional grade performances. I was so blown away. And, naturally, I loved every minute of it!
Those are just small snip-its of the amazing show.
On Sunday Sara and I spent the day at the beach :) Something I am definitely going to miss when I go home... I'm pumped to go back to snowy Ohio with a really great tan ;)
Whew, that was a doozy! Alright, I'm done. I won't torture you anymore. I think this is the longest post in the history of posts. Sorry for that...
Love,
Katey
Friday, 25 November 2011
Reader's Digest Update
Hullo all-
Sorry I haven't posted in roughly 30 years; there's been a heap going on here. So- I'm going to give you the reader's digest version of my life and then update more soon. Hopefully tomorrow (we'll see)
- Sara and I stayed in a hostel in the city last weekend. Interesting, to say the least...
- We were mega tourists and spent way too much money (but got some Christmas shopping out of the way!)
- Yesterday was Thanksgiving :) We did not have the day off of school or get to spend it with family; but it was special, nonetheless.
- I've been bedridden and a walking zombie for the past four days. Oh- and it's monsooned for the whole time I've been sick (not ideal for catching buses/walking to school).
Alright- it's 10:37 on Friday night here and since I'm SO cool I'm going to bed. But only because I feel like my head may explode and it's still continuing to rain. I'm not that lame (sort of).
G'Night beautiful people!
Sorry I haven't posted in roughly 30 years; there's been a heap going on here. So- I'm going to give you the reader's digest version of my life and then update more soon. Hopefully tomorrow (we'll see)
- Sara and I stayed in a hostel in the city last weekend. Interesting, to say the least...
- We were mega tourists and spent way too much money (but got some Christmas shopping out of the way!)
- Yesterday was Thanksgiving :) We did not have the day off of school or get to spend it with family; but it was special, nonetheless.
- I've been bedridden and a walking zombie for the past four days. Oh- and it's monsooned for the whole time I've been sick (not ideal for catching buses/walking to school).
Alright- it's 10:37 on Friday night here and since I'm SO cool I'm going to bed. But only because I feel like my head may explode and it's still continuing to rain. I'm not that lame (sort of).
G'Night beautiful people!
Monday, 14 November 2011
Sara & Katey VS the spider (and other exciting tales)
First thing's first- I am NOT cut out for the bugs here... They know I'm a wimp, and are unyielding in their efforts to give me panic attacks. After a long, yet productive day of school work, Sara and I wanted to relax by the pool. We get up there and what do we find? You guessed it- another flipping spider! Only this time it was particularly menacing and rather large. It was floating on a flower IN the pool. Ugh. This spider looked uncannily similar to photos of Funnel Web spiders I've been warned to look out for. Using a bit of our poor judgement, Sara and I decided to throw a ball at it. Several unsuccessful attempts later, we finally hit the spider, smack on the flower, knocking it off of it's comfortable resting place. We thought we'd done a good job- that it'd just drown and we wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. But then it start SWIMMING. What?! Is this real life?! This spider is swimming it's little heart out to the opposite side of the pool. I felt bad for the poor thing for just a split second, but then I was also too terrified to do anything about it.
While I was feeling anxious and a bit amazed Sara look up the Funnel Web spider on the computer and found this... "They are attracted to water and hence are often found in swimming pools, into which they often fall while wandering. The spiders can survive such immersion for up to twenty-four hours and can deliver bites when removed from the water." PERFECT. After that bit of news we decided it was best if we just go on our way and leave the spider to the pool... I didn't leave, however, without mustering up enough courage to get close enough to get a picture (with my camera zoomed as far as it would go of course).
So that you can share in our terror...
We're thinking it was just a baby one, or even just a male (as they are smaller than the females). However, it was terrifying nonetheless. Let me just add- I went back up to the pool the next day, and it was STILL THERE. Just floating on the thermometer. Needless to say, I had my host father take care of it straight away. Never have I ever been so nervous to go out and lay by the pool! Woof!
Alright- I think I've ranted enough about that. Moving on...
On Sunday night after our bug scare, Sara and I went to BUC again for their young adult service. It was great, just like the week before. And we left feeling happy and uplifted, just as we always do when we leave there :) It's very bittersweet though... We realized that we really only have three more Sundays there before we return home :( As excited as I am to come home to my family for Christmas, I am developing a "family" of people here. The people here are some of the kindest, most genuine people I've ever met; both at school and at BUC. Their love of God and others just radiates off of them. They make me want to be a better person, just from interacting with them. It's refreshing and reassuring that the world might not be quite so doomed after all :)
Last night, I sat on a panel at the local Rotary meeting (to which my host father belongs) about the difference in education here in Australia, and back in the States. It went very well; though I was particularly nervous. My host father said that I spoke "beautifully" and no one gave me dirty looks so I must not have said anything too terrible. I also got a lovely bottle of Rotary label specific Shiraz as a sign of their appreciation. The dinner beforehand was delicious and I didn't make a fool of myself so I would say the night was a success!
Today, I was not with my normal Kindie class, but with the special education class, instead. There are only three students in that class and they do a lot of fun activities. Today we did some gardening, bug finding (I know know what you're thinking- bugs? Yes, bugs- but I put on my brave face for the children... And made sure not to touch a one of them!) and ended the day with a lovely craft to help the students remember the parts of an insect. It was a lovely day.
This weekend Sara and I are traveling to downtown Sydney where we will be staying in a youth hostel! We will be taking a cheesy tourist bus around to all the highlights of the city and I'm sure we'll have a great time (And Sara will get sun burnt). I cannot believe how quickly my time here is passing. It feels like just yesterday that I arrived... yet it feels as if I blink too slowly I'll be stepping off another plane, greeted by Ohio snow. Ugh- I don't even want to think about it.
For now, I am going to lesson plan and curl up with my book for the evening.
Goodnight all! (or Good morning to most of you who read this)
Love,
Katey
While I was feeling anxious and a bit amazed Sara look up the Funnel Web spider on the computer and found this... "They are attracted to water and hence are often found in swimming pools, into which they often fall while wandering. The spiders can survive such immersion for up to twenty-four hours and can deliver bites when removed from the water." PERFECT. After that bit of news we decided it was best if we just go on our way and leave the spider to the pool... I didn't leave, however, without mustering up enough courage to get close enough to get a picture (with my camera zoomed as far as it would go of course).
So that you can share in our terror...
We're thinking it was just a baby one, or even just a male (as they are smaller than the females). However, it was terrifying nonetheless. Let me just add- I went back up to the pool the next day, and it was STILL THERE. Just floating on the thermometer. Needless to say, I had my host father take care of it straight away. Never have I ever been so nervous to go out and lay by the pool! Woof!
Alright- I think I've ranted enough about that. Moving on...
On Sunday night after our bug scare, Sara and I went to BUC again for their young adult service. It was great, just like the week before. And we left feeling happy and uplifted, just as we always do when we leave there :) It's very bittersweet though... We realized that we really only have three more Sundays there before we return home :( As excited as I am to come home to my family for Christmas, I am developing a "family" of people here. The people here are some of the kindest, most genuine people I've ever met; both at school and at BUC. Their love of God and others just radiates off of them. They make me want to be a better person, just from interacting with them. It's refreshing and reassuring that the world might not be quite so doomed after all :)
Last night, I sat on a panel at the local Rotary meeting (to which my host father belongs) about the difference in education here in Australia, and back in the States. It went very well; though I was particularly nervous. My host father said that I spoke "beautifully" and no one gave me dirty looks so I must not have said anything too terrible. I also got a lovely bottle of Rotary label specific Shiraz as a sign of their appreciation. The dinner beforehand was delicious and I didn't make a fool of myself so I would say the night was a success!
Today, I was not with my normal Kindie class, but with the special education class, instead. There are only three students in that class and they do a lot of fun activities. Today we did some gardening, bug finding (I know know what you're thinking- bugs? Yes, bugs- but I put on my brave face for the children... And made sure not to touch a one of them!) and ended the day with a lovely craft to help the students remember the parts of an insect. It was a lovely day.
This weekend Sara and I are traveling to downtown Sydney where we will be staying in a youth hostel! We will be taking a cheesy tourist bus around to all the highlights of the city and I'm sure we'll have a great time (And Sara will get sun burnt). I cannot believe how quickly my time here is passing. It feels like just yesterday that I arrived... yet it feels as if I blink too slowly I'll be stepping off another plane, greeted by Ohio snow. Ugh- I don't even want to think about it.
For now, I am going to lesson plan and curl up with my book for the evening.
Goodnight all! (or Good morning to most of you who read this)
Love,
Katey
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