MUFASA HOCKA!

....loogi that is.

I dont know how you spell it (loogi? lugi? luugi? lou-gee?) but you know that slimy substance that comes out of your lungs/throat/mouth when you couch and cough and cough.... yeah.

MUFASA had a serious hair-ball this morning.

He literally woke me up with his hair-ball hocking this morning in the vile bathroom that we have.

It's all tile so it echoes when you make a noise and BOY was he echoing this morning!

...at 5 am. Yes. I'm serious. That's what I got to wake up to at 5 am.

Just thought you guys would enjoy that story.

Between the creepy crows and the MUFASA HOCKA its a wonder I get ANY sleep.

Lucky me... perks of communal living.

Like this perky picture....

it doesn't do the vile bathroom justice.

You can see curly hairs.

SECOND DAY OF SCHOOL!

Once again I absolutely love my class & professor!

Professional Skills: Counselling and Managing Conflict.

(Yes in Australia it is spelled with two ll's.)

The teacher Christine (I forgot to tell you guys that teachers in Australia prefer to be called by their first names... they don't care if you know they are a doctor of whatever, they're way laid back and cool) has had many years of practice and is a psychologist. The atmosphere in the class is very comfortable and informal. She said that she doesn't want us to feel like we are in a counseling session in her class, but she does value participation and sharing of experience.

There is an emphasis in the class of counseling as it pertains to offenders, and working with criminals. We all introduced ourselves and talked a little about ourselves. She did a brief introduction then we did an activity that taught the value of placement/circumstance/proximity in communication.

She had us partner up (I partnered with Tammy, a sweet lady I met who is nervous about being an "old" student--she's a mom and probably in her 30-40's) and Christine had us communicate about 3 subjects in 3 different ways.

1. We had to stand about 7 feet apart and talk about how school was going so far.

2. We had to stand back to back and discuss the upcoming election

3. We had to stand face to face with our toes touching and discuss our feelings on abortion.

It was a really eye-opening activity and I liked it.

1. Taught us that too much space between you and your client makes you feel panicked. Its hard to listen and understand each other when you are that far apart, and you hold back information in fear that you might offend someone.

2. Taught us that its hard to communicate without eye contact. You end up feeling like no one is listening and no matter what you turn your head in an effort to listen and talk to each other more easily, and also, when you don't have eye contact you get distracted by other things going on around you.

3. When standing too close you feel violated and embarrassed, and find it hard to talk (ahhh bad breath!) but it's easier to talk about such a passionate/hot topic because you are in close proximity, and you are SURE the other person is listening.

It was a cool activity. She lectured some more and then we were free for the day. She was ver approachable and funny and I really enjoyed her! 

I took some pictures of the classroom (while other students stared at me) but the rooms are SO MUCH NICER than sac state. I know this UNI is new-er than sac state but still... sac state should step it up...

Its hard to tell in the picture but that wall is composed of giant doors 

that slide completely open like Papa's house.

The cloudy part of the wall is actually "white board" and can be drawn on and erased- super cool!

The wall directly across from the white board wall is this one

It has flatscreen tvs to show the power point

and the green panels are also "white board" that can be drawn on and erased

I love the desk/tables.

the shape allows them to be single desks 

or put together in various shapes.

Above is the front of the classroom very nice computers, screens, and teaching area.

some sunset pictures just because I love the sunsets here!

Just call me Suzy...

Suzy home-maker that is... *insert smirking emoji*

I COOKED TODAY! AND IT WAS SOOOO GOOD!

I'm not lying... the best meal I've had since I've been here.

When I went shopping the other day I bought chicken filets, frozen veggies, brown rice, tortillas, eggs, and multigrain bread. Today for lunch I had chicken and veggies and it was amazing. I bought some honey bbq sauce and some mustard and I mixed the two and it was fabulous! I'm making more right now to put in tupperware for tomorrows meals. So proud of myself! My body has been dying for protein and it feels so good to consume some!

Leftovers for dinner... YUM!

For Mom, Trevor, & Annie

Alright I already wrote this post once and it somehow got deleted so it probably wont be as funny the second time writing it all out from scratch but here goes....

You think I'M a pig? You think living with ME is bad?

You guys would have a (stickball) FIELD DAY with my roommates. They are disgusting.

Since I have lived here I am the only one that takes out the trash. I honestly think they would just let it overflow, or Oscar might decide to move in because it looks so inviting and trashy.

The kitchen is always a mess. I've cleaned the microwave TWICE and yet every time I go back to use it, it's disgusting and dirty-- coated in filth and grime, crusted sauce... The counters are covered in crumbs and more crusted sauce, there is always a pile of dishes in and around the sink. The sponges in the sink look like they have been in use for AT LEAST a year and are the color of poop brown (used to be yellow...) I literally watched Michelle scrub something on the floor with it the other day (because she spilled something on her pants so she wiped the floor in that one small area also) then watched poor Kieran clean his dishes with the same sponge the next day.... BARF.

The bathroom.... oh sorry, I just got chills thinking about it... is covered in hair. MENS HAIR. short. mens. hair. (DAMN IT MUFASA SHED SOMEWHERE ELSE!) and even some curly hairs... I'll let you do the math there...
Theres a toothbrush next to some men's body wash in the shower and I literally saw a bug crawling on it yesterday when I took a shower.

Its revolting. I can't stand it. I took the bus to the mall today to buy cleaning supplies, a small vacuum, more sponges, air spray, clorox wipes, and a the team of cleaners from HOARDERS but when I got to the mall it was closed...It closes at 5 (DAMN IT)

So I'm stuck to live in filth for the time being.

My point to the story is this.... IM NOT THAT BAD! THERE ARE WORSE PEOPLE THAN ME! Bet you guys never thought I would be the cleanest one in a house eh??

WELLYOUREWRONG! HA!

Going with the TV and Movie Theme...

I really miss TV. and movies.

Know I know all of you are saying "Like... OMG... how can you miss TV and movies when you're in AUSSS-TRAAAIIIILLLLL-E-UHHH?!"

easily.

Hanging out with my new friends is great, my classes are great, exploring Joondalup has been great... but once you get home and you just want to chill out all I have is my itunes and youtube. Netflix doesn't work in Australia for some RUDE horrible reason (curse you netflix--aussie discriminators!) and I miss So You Think You Can Dance, switched at birth, duck dynasty, and all my other TV shows I can't think of right now.

Additionally since my mom bought  me a new computer it doesn't have a disc drive (they will be outdated soon) so I couldnt bring movies to watch via my computer.

SO ENJOY ALL YOUR TV AND MOVIES GUYS.

I love Ellen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJmDavBXrw

Copy and paste that link and watch the video. I love Ellen, she is so great!

Or.... click the one below. The choice is yours....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJmDavBXrw

First Day of School! First Day of School!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWXOurnVTYg

Watch the above video... then proceed.

All done?

OK! That was me! I wasn't able to belly flop onto my father but I was equally as excited! Although I did have a hard time getting out of bed this morning..

My first class was International Human Rights at 8:30am-11:30am. This was my last choice as far as classes went on my wish list but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought that it could be interesting, but I also thought it had tremendous potential to be wicked boring...but luckily that wasn't the case!

The class is taught by the ever passionate Dr. Ann Claire Larsen. She has been teaching at ECU for 12 years and has a masters degree in Human Rights. She emphasized that this class has no textbook as current events provide enough information for us to observe, study, and discuss. Also she said she thinks textbooks are a waste since they are so expensive and you only use them for a few short months.

We spent class discussing the Declaration of Human Rights (which I didn't know existed) and other various introductory elements of Human Rights and what exactly that means. Its a philosophical class in the sense that we aren't focused on learning cold hard facts, but rather thinking critically and exploring the theoretical ideas of Human Rights and the practical/possible application of a universal equality when it comes to Human Rights. (I don't know why I keep capitalizing that... I'm going to stop now)

I'm excited for this class because I don't pay attention to global news... if it doesn't happen in America I don't really know about it, so this will force me to pay attention to the news as we are urged (required) to keep up with current events that concern human rights then discuss them in class. There are only 2 assignments for the whole semester and that makes up your grade (which is scary!) But I am excited for the critical thinking aspect of this class and to see how it will challenge my ideas about humanity and the world and equality.

Now for the comic relief... Because I am a total dork and silly things always happen to me something embarrassing had to happen to me on my first day! There was a really interesting bloke in my class who sat in the same row as me and he was constantly contributing to the discussion and challenging ideas presented and contradictions in thought (For example...in the Declaration of Human Rights it obviously stresses the importance of universal equality for all people, but then it also advocates for cultural relativism (which means that there are differences in cultures that must be respected and not interfered with) but if some country's cultural relativism means they get to cut off every woman's right leg so they cant escape the men in their household doesn't that violate their human rights? When do you interfere and when do you respect "cultural relativism") This dude blew me away with how smart he is. So naturally every time he talked I would look at him and gawk at his brilliance.

Well... Just my luck, I walk by him on my way out the door after class and he totally pulled a Hermione and said "Hey you've got ink on your nose...just there (and he points) ...you might want to take care of that ya??"

Great.

So I said thanks and pulled up the camera on my phone to examine the damage and it was quite an ink smear on the front of my nose (between the two nostrils). Ugh!

My next class wasn't until 5:30 so I had a break. I went to the mall and bought a hair dryer but couldn't find a curling iron that I liked. I'll just have to blow dry my Simba mane until I find one I like.

5:30 rolls around and its time for Criminal Justice and Forensic Science. This class is the one that I have been most excited about. It was my first pick! Taught by Stuart Bartels Superintendent of the Western Australian Police Department. SERIOUSLY?! Can this class be any COOLER?! This man has 20+ years experience in law enforcement so he knows all about practical application, and he is super high as far as chain of command goes. Its like being taught forensic science by a combination of the police chief and head medical examiner at home in the U.S.

How amazing of an opportunity is this! I am so so so enjoying this opportunity. The class did NOT disappoint. (It also helps that he is easy on the eyes and has a beautiful accent ;)

He has guest speakers lined up for us for every specialty... ballistics, blood spatter, homicide, fingerprinting, DNA.... I'm like a little kid on Christmas right now I am so excited! His connections are endless and the resources I will be getting to experience are priceless. There are no final exams in this class... we have one online test that is open book, and the rest of the assignments are based on how we solve REAL crime scenes. That's right folks... he takes real solved crimes from the police department and 2 sundays this semester we spend the whole day walking through the various actual crime scenes; his officers that work below him will present us with the actual evidence (pictures of it because we can't touch the real things for obvious reasons) and without him helping us we have to solve the crime based on the forensic science knowledge we learned in the class. HOW FREAKING COOL IS THAT?! SERIOUSLY?!

Our 3 long class was composed of watching an hour long episode of CSI, then an introductory lecture, then photos and the story of a real crime scene (which I won't talk about in detail because its horrendous) and then he dismissed us having shown how hollywood has glamorized the forensic science world, when in reality it is a ugly traumatic yet necessary occupation.

It was an amazing first day and I am looking forward to the rest of the week! :)

Random Photo Catch-Up

I have a bunch of photos that I've taken for various reasons that I have yet to post so I am going to post them all now!

My Kitchen Pack

Complete with bottle opener!

Tipping isn't a tradition/expectation/habit here

These are millipedes. Ick.

Pretty from my walk with Michelle

They literallt told us... "If you see or hear a snake RUN AWAY! They are all poisonous!"

More pretties from my walk

Yard sale! This is the "Take it if you want it" piles

My kind of book in the bookstore!

Shapes and TimTams. Two aussie staples. I didn't really like the shapes.

My lunch every. single. day.

$8 chicken sandwich... paperthin chicken breast.

Giant inflatable T-rex for sale in the bookstore....?

more freebies

Matt & Callyn's place

Nerf in action.

Red Bull DJ car, super cool!

My lunch: Chicken cheese and avocado sandwich on multi-grain bread

SO BOMB.

Also in the bookstore... I don't get it.

Have sex...be a hero.. save a life...save the world ... condoms? 

weird.

Safari Snorkel. These are on a lot of cars here and I don't know their purpose. 

I will have to google it.

Jelly Belly on the bottom shelf in the store!

Representin!

I usually like to park my car in the middle of the sidewalk too...

Seems like a good place...

Nice and logical...

That's all for now!

MUFASA!

"OOOHHHH!! say it again!"

OK not really... its MUSTAFA. (moo-stoff-uh)

My new roommate that is! He moved in today and is middle eastern looking. I talked to him in the hallway. He got here today and is a mechanical engineering major. He seems nice.

Every time I see him though I'm going to want to tell him NOT to go to the gorge where the stampede happens because Simba will miss him so much, and Scar is a prick... but I think I will abstain.


If you haven't seen the Lion King you don't have a soul.

The last few days...

Here is an update on my last few days!

Yesterday was a really fun saturday. I spent hours (literally) talking to my amazing boyfriend Ryan. He makes my heart flutter and puts a smile on my face that no one else can. I love him so much!

Once he went to bed I hung out with my new group of friends. After meeting Callyn and Matt they introduced me to their group of friends and they were very accepting of me. Callyn and Matt live in the building directly in front of mine, and all of the girls live in the unit above them. All in all, there was a group of about 25 of us yesterday, and being over at their units is MUCH MORE the on-campus college life I expected.

Their units are much more open and welcoming (I tried to take more pictures but I am not comfortable enough yet to take a bunch. I did take two as a total creeper tho so you can see the environment.) Callyn and Matt always leave their sliding glass door that leads into their living room open, and Steph and Emily who live above them, always leave their front door open so anyone can come hang out any time. May sound sketchy, but its really safe here. Plus its so nice to just walk over (since I dont have a phone) and go hang out anytime, no warning or invite needed.

So in the downstairs unit is Callyn, Matt, Scott, Reddin, and 2 other guys who I forgot their names already. Above them live Steph and Emily along with 4 other people who I forgot their names but Steph and Emily are absolutely incredible! The sweetest girls ever and I am glad to call them my friends :)

Yesterday while I was on the phone with Ryan Callyn knocked on my window and told me to come over when I was off the phone and so I did. Their house is a teenage boys dream with skateboards, nerf guns, remote controlled everything, huge tv, game systems, and junk food. Its amazing, I love it! There were about 20 of us all in the living room playing drinking games for hours and just goofing off and having great fun. They all decided to go out in Perth last night, and I was planning on going but around 9 I remembered I had to go to UNI early today so I decided not to go. Also I wasn't feeling well. So I sat last night out, but we're going out Wednesday night. Wednesday is THE NIGHT to go out here.

Today I was at school until one p.m. talking to kids about America and studying abroad, then after I went to the mall to grocery shop. I bought way more than I thought I was going to, and since it is Sunday and the buses don't run I was stuck walking home with a ton of heavy groceries. It was starting to sprinkle rain, and all my groceries were too much to carry, and I was only one block away from the mall into my journey home! I'm waiting at an intersection to cross the street and I hear "KYYYY-LAH! KAAYYYY-LAH!" I looked around and I see this cute little blonde hanging out her car window waving at me! I wave back but had no idea who it was! No one here knows me well enough to spot me from that far away I thought... but I was wrong!

It was Sophie, Matt's girlfriend. She is form England and she is here for a month staying with Matt (who is also from England but he moved here for UNI to get his masters) and Sophie is THE MOST adorable sweet girl you will ever meet and I am so enjoying her company! I am going to be so sad when she has to go back home :(

So Matt Sophie and Callyn rescued me (then chastised me for not asking them to give me a ride to and from the store) and we all went and got milkshakes before going home. Once we got back I changed and we all went out to dinner at a nearby irish pub. It was really good! ($16 chicken sandwich) and it was a group of 10 of us including Steph and Emily (the girls from upstairs) who I also absolutely love. Steph is so like me in so many ways. Super uninhibited, loves to burp out loud, super outgoing, plays soccer, and the friendliest person I have met since I got here. We had a great time as a group and got home around 9pm.

I am SO HAPPY that I have friends now. They are all such laid back amazing fun people! The other day I was hanging out at the boys place and Matt says, "You're a laddie thats what you are" I said, "Well fill me in on what that means!" He explained to me it means i'm "One of the boys" which I am totally ok with! It is a very accurate description. The girls were all upstairs talking and hanging out, but I stayed downstairs with the boys watching AFL (this weird rugby football like sport) eating pizza and having nerf wars. I eventually went upstairs and had an equal amount of fun with the girls. :)

I am very happy! Can't wait to get pictures of all of us so you can put names to faces. I see great times ahead for me :)

Australia vs. USA (part one)

I was thinking the other day that I should do a US vs. Australia post talking about what I love and hate about back home and my new temporary home. I named it part one because I am sure I will add to and amend this list as times goes on.

I get AWESOME hot water here in my dorm. My showers are incredible. When I want to fill a pan with hot water or make hot chocolate, I turn the hot water side of the faucet on and HOT. WATER. COMES. OUT. It's mind-boggling.... I know. But if you've ever been to my moms house you know it takes 10+ minutes of running the water before it gets mildly luke-warm.
Winner = Australia

Related to the above point is the fact that the tap water here is delicious! I bought a bottle of water the day I got here and I just keep refilling it with the water from the faucet... It's so good! Obviously my mom gets great purified water from the fridge section but the tap water in America just cannot compare.
Winner = Australia

People! I kid you not when I say that every single person I have met here in Australia has been amazing! In the sense that I literally have not met a single mean person... (so far) All of my new friends in the dorms, the people I have met on campus, restaurant employees, every social interaction I have had has been positive. I'm not naive, I know I will eventually run into mean people, but overall I am super impressed at the Australian attitude and how they treat people. Americans are way more crabby, rude, and non-empathetic. (If I had randomly asked someone for help in San Francisco in the way I did in Perth the other night do you think I would have had such a positive experience? I think not...)
Winner = Australia

Eating out... everything is suuuper expensive, and very rarely do you feel like you get what you're paying for. Additionally, they hoard ketchup like its the 'Grand Ketchup Drought of the Century' and most of the time they make you pay for ketchup! Codswallop! In America if you pay $16 for a chicken sandwich its going to be the thickest juiciest chicken breast and its going to be given to you on a golden plate with enough french fries (chips here in aussie land) to clog your arteries in one sitting.
Winner = 'MERICA

Drinks: In Australia people drink two things... Alcohol and water. No joke. A soda is 3.50-4.00 and other drinks are either Red Bull, Coke, milk, or Iced tea. THAT'S IT. If you go to the grocery store you'll see some juices and other energy drink varieties, but its pretty slim pickins' Same with restaurants... Coke, water, or some type of alcohol. Those are your only choices. A cafe at school has coffee, energy drinks, coke, orange soda, milk, and tea and that is the widest variety I have seen.
Winner = 'MERICA

Education: If you need a class and its full, as long as there are 10 or more students that also need that class they will open up another one. You want to change your classes? No problem... just go see a counselor in your Major (called your 'course' here) and they will change it for you! No questions asked. They are much more accommodating and focused on your success. Additionally, they have doctors, tutors, and counselors that are paid for by the university and completely free for you to utilize (I'm sure its in the student fees, but no additional cost if you go to see them) They are very committed and focused on you being a 100% healthy individual and are very determined to see you succeed.
ALSO, I think their system here is much more practical in preparing you for the real world. Your 4 years of college (UNI) are split into 2 parts... the first two years are classes, and the second two years are PRAC (for practical application, like internships) You spend one day a week in a class or two, and the rest of your time in actual physical practice of your study. For example, my friend Callyn is studying to be a P.E. teacher and he spends one day a week in one three hour class, and every other day M-F actually teaching P.E. to high schoolers (under supervision). That makes soooooo much more sense than our broken system where you have to battle to obtain classes, memorize a bunch of useless garbage for tests, then forget everything, graduate and have no real world experience
Winner = Australia


Well, that is all I can think of for the moment! So pretty much to sum it up... the only thing that makes the USA great is its drinks, its love of free fancy ketchup packets and getting food that provides the bang for your buck! Just kidding of course... I guess I should have called this post "Why I love Australia so far" but I already named it so oh well! Deal with it!

Silly Videos

BEST ADVENTURE EVER!

**This blog is dedicated to Erica, my loving friend and dedicated reader who totally cheered me up the other day when we talked :) I know you will enjoy this long story, and Eric, my big brother who I know is going to be so proud of me after reading this!**


With that being said, I just had the BEST NIGHT since I've been here. This is going to be an extremely long blog post.

Orientation is over and I have nothing to do from now until Monday when school starts. The only exception is a presentation I am doing for students on Sunday who want to study abroad in California. With that in mind, I woke up this morning feeling glum... with nothing to do and no friends I figured I would be spending another day with Isaac and my books. *groan* While I was laying in bed pondering my incredibly exciting options for the day (go on a walk...with Isaac, talk... with Isaac, sit in my room....while Isaac stares at me awkwardly, read a book with headphones in so I can ignore Isaac's knocks on my door...) I began to cruise through my WhatsApp app. It goes through your contacts and lets you know who has the app, and they can type a status next to their name. For example mine says "Kayla Parkinson...Living in Australia. (WhatsApp is an app used to text people over wifi internationally with no charge. I got it to text Ryan since he's the only person I know who doesn't have an iPhone so I can't iMessage him... silly boyfriend! :P)

Anyway, I come upon Sean O'Brien and his status says "In Bali" NO WAY! I thought. Since I was considering visiting there I figured he could give me some good info. I shot him a text and he wrote back right away. Our conversation went something like this:

K: I'm in Australia and I was considering visiting Bali! Give me some info!
S: No way I'm headed to Australia today!
K: Thats cool! You're probably going to the opposite side for Sydney though... I'm in Perth. :(
S: Are you serious? I have a 6 hour layover in Perth on my way to Sydney! I'll be there at 630!

BOOM.

It was decided. I was finally going into the city tonight. ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!

I visited the public transit website and planned my trip. I would take a bus to the train station, then the train to Perth, then another bus to the domestic airport. Sounds like a pain in the arse, (yes arse) but I was excited! I finally had something to look forward to, it would be an adventure, and I was getting to see someone I know and talk and hang out. It was a win-win all around.

Yes I knew there was tremendous potential for things to go wrong but thats where the adventure starts (right Eric?!) Especially since there is major construction going on in Perth and some of the train lines are closed... but I wasn't worried! Armed with a fully charged cell-phone, my iPad, my purse, my favorite uggs, and my favorite jacket I was off to see the wizard! I mean Sean...

First things first, I was talking to Michelle about how excited I was to go to the city and I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing and I locked my wallet in my room. Haha, not a great omen but whatever! At least I realized it right outside my door and not when I was in the middle of Perth. Needless to say I had to go get an RA and have her let me into my room so I could grab my wallet. As I am walking to the office I spot two guys have a nerf gun war on the grass. That looks like fun. I thought. I need to be friends with those guys!

Once I got to the office I made some small talk with the RA and I told her how I was bummed about my roommate situation and I felt like I was in a house of hermits and she totally agreed and sympathized with me. I told her that if there was an extra room anywhere and I could move and change houses that would be awesome. Once I said that she said "Actually... that just might work!"

Turns out there's a girl in a dorm a few buildings over from me and she's very introverted. She is the only girl in a house full of 5 boys. She hates it and argues with the boys CONSTANTLY and its causing a huge riff in the house. OH. EM. GEE. "We should trade!" I said. "She would fit in perfectly with all my recluse housemates!" So she is going to see if the girl wants to move, and if she does I will be on my way to more-fun housemates!

With that possible good news putting a spring in my step I left my room (WITH my wallet this time) and headed for the bus stop.

I saw the two guys playing nerf and I said "I am starving for friendship. Please hang out with me. I love nerf fights." One of the guys looked at me, shot me in the face, and then said "Well.. you seem alright I guess!" We laughed and exchanged numbers and they told me what building they are in and to come by any time I want to hang out and they're more than happy to include me.

THIS DAY JUST KEEPS LOOKING UP! Finally some friends! Callyn and Matt were their names. I'm so looking forward to my nerf war.

The only bad thing about meeting and talking with them was I missed the last bus to the train station. I had to walk to the train station instead but it wasn't bad. Only takes like 10 minutes. Totally worth it to make friends. Once I got there I loaded up my SmartRider card with $20 and waited on the platform for Perth. (I wished it was platform 9 and 3/4... if only!)    *SmartRider cards are discount cards for students at UNI and its much cheaper prices. Between allllll the buses and trains I caught, it cost me a little less than $5.00*

Once I arrived in Perth I asked a lady at the info center how to get to the domestic airport and she gave me the correct bus to take, bus 37. I had to walk two blocks to get to the bus 37 stop from the train station, but once again, I didn't mind. I was soaking up my new surroundings and enjoying every second! The bus arrived shortly after I got to the stop and I was on my way. It was about a 25 min bus ride to the airport and I got there around 6:30, right when Sean's plane landed...Perfect!

While I waited to find Sean I was able to see all the miners coming home from the mines. Apparently thursday night is the night they all come home for the weekend and there were hundreds! Seeing them all reunite with their wives and kids made my heart ache for Ryan... but our time will come! I don't know how long they spend away from their families but it was touching to watch. Men and women miners alike.

I met Sean at the terminal and we had dinner at DOME a nice restaurant/cafe. Expensive ($24.00 for a sandwich and a coke...they charged me twice and had to refund me with cash) but that's how expensive everything is here. Sean met a girl on his plane from Colorado who was leaving Bali for Melbourne and she joined us also. We had such a fun time talking and catching up. If you travel you can relate to the relief and comfort you get from hanging out with people from your home country. It was good vibes, good times, good stories all around. I forgot her name, but she had a really bad experience in Bali that would take me forever to transcribe all the bad details (stolen wallet and passport, over $1000 wasted, etc.) Sean had a great time though, and he's in Sydney for 4 days before heading back home to the states.

At 9:00 we parted ways because I had to catch my bus (if I missed it the next one wasn't for another hour) and they had to make their way though security. I thought the bus left at 9:20 but it didn't come until 9:50. (I tried summoning the Knight Bus but it didn't work much to my disappointment) By the time the bus got back to Perth city it was around 10:30. I walked my way back to the train station (ALL BY MYSELF ERIC AREN'T YOU PROUD! I DIDN'T GET LOST AND NAVIGATED SO WELL!) ...but then my heart sank. All these bright yellow barricades were all around the station and they weren't letting anyone in. CRAP! There must be a closure! But I asked the lady at the info booth before I left and she said there wouldn't be any closures on my line tonight... so WTF?

I talked to the transportation personnel and they told me it was an "unexpected closure" but I could still get home to Joondalup by taking a bus to Leederville, then catching the train there to Joondalup. to which I said "GET DOWN BRING ON THE ADVENTURE MATE!"

With a huge smile on my face and filled with determination I walked to where I thought the bus stop would be... Not sure of where I was I immediately asked these two girls I saw talking (CAN YOU BELIEVE IT ERIC?! I JUST ASKED LIKE A BIG GIRL!) I explained to them I was new to town and trying to make my way back to Joondalup. One girl (Heidi) told me she was going the same way and I could chat with her, she would show me the way! People in Australia are seriously so nice. I haven't met a mean person yet.

We talked on the bus that took us to Leederville, then waited 20 mins at the train station for the train, and then sat on the train talking more. She was so sweet and so helpful. She works as a UNI advisor trying to get more kids to go to UNI. She gave me advice on absolutely EVERYTHING that has to do with Perth. Places to see, when to go, how to get there, everything. She was a god-send. I thanked her profusely and said goodbye as she got off 3 stops before Joondalup.

Finally, around 11:45 I made it to the Joondalup train station. However, between Leederville and Joondalup it started POURING rain (for the third day in a row). If you know me, you know I love the rain so this was not an annoying thing to me. It only made the smile on my face spread wider.

The train station is only like 10 mins from my dorm (no buses this late) and I skipped, ran, twirled, splashed, and danced in the rain all the way home. I swear my smile was literally lighting up the streets. I was laughing and dancing and having the time of my life. I'm sure I looked like a loon to anyone that saw me, but I was on cloud 9! I made my way to Perth and back, on public transit, by myself, ran into some hiccups, overcame them, met good people, and got to dance in the rain. What isn't to love?! I AM SO HAPPY!

Soaked to the core, with the biggest smile on my face, I arrived to my dorm at midnight. I couldn't have imagined a better evening. I thanked God for my safety, my good friends, the nice people I met along the way, and for the first great evening of my semester abroad. AMEN.

Cool mural I saw walking to the train station. Wish I could have gotten a better pic.

Pretty sky.

OK... this was supposed to be a spinach pesto chicken sandwich... 

I dont know what it ACTUALLY was, but I was starving so I ate it.

Weird right?

Look who I found...Sean!

Our new friend from Colorado.

This building was wicked! Its a plain white building but there is a giant projector across the street that projects different images on it all night. I tried to snap a pic when it had the "haunted house" wallpaper but I missed it and it changed to this when I clicked. Still rad.

Taking pictures of my reflection in the window

Feeling accomplished.

Happy girl on Cloud 9!

Hey Eric look at this pinchy fella!

SOAKED!

Boots soaked through.

Couldn't be happier!

**If there were random sentences in the blog you didn't understand its because they were Harry Potter references and I only expected Chelsea to catch those ;)

Good night!