LONG OVERDUE ENTRY

I realize it's been a LONG time since my last post, but there are a few reasons for this:
1) I was in a play
2) I had 6000 words to write in a week and a half
3) I got sick
4) I've been planning my spring break
5) My computer broke

Therefore, let me attempt to update on what has happened in my life since the beginning of September.

On the first Thursday of September, I ended up finally meeting with my Australian cousin, Rafal. He's the most delightful mix between a stereotypical Polish guy and an Aussie it's ridiculous. He also seems to have a fair bit of money (he was going to have his personal driver take me back to Whitley from the center of Melbourne). He also is very keen on getting to know me, and the American side of the family, better. This means he won't mind terribly when I come with two suitcases and knock on his door in November.

The weekend of the 8th was Grease weekend. It was really fun to do a musical again, even if I wasn't the lead. Before the Saturday show I went on a wine tasting in the Yarra Valley. This ended with me being ridiculously pissed and giddy- making my choreographed moves for Grease much more over the top than they usually are. The winery tour was absolutely lovely- we went to four different wineries, had a wine and cheese picnic, drank wine on the bus, and generally enjoyed the weather and the company. I really appreciated the fact that most of the people on the tour were international students and not Americans.

I really wish my computer was working right now.

Anyway, Grease went tremendously well- I took tons of photos which I may or may not be able to show you, depending on whether or not my computer is revivable or not. I am really glad that I was involved in the production since it helped me to get closer with a lot of people from Whitley.

Last week was essentially the week from hell. Post-Grease brought the realization that I had three papers due on Friday, once of them being a research paper that I hadn't done any research for yet. It also meant that my break was around the corner and I hadn't made any travel plans yet. Someone, I managed to write three really good papers and arrange some sort of travel plans. I am traveling by myself, but I'm pretty excited about what I'm doing.

So far, I have gone to Glo Camp with a group of people from Whitley, which, although religiously based, actually wasn't that religious but was TONS of fun. Like my experience with Grease, Glo Camp really let met get to know people a lot better. The theme of the camp was secret agents, and my agency was "Control." We won all of the activities (including trivia night) and had strong comebacks from behind each time. We were an absolutely terrific team.

I've come to the realization that I am far more skillful at doing certain things here than I am at home. This namely applies to physical/athletic/social things. I organized a volleyball match yesterday (and appropriately declared my team the Mozzies after the mosquitos that were attacking us all weekend) and had a victorious win. I kayaked (and fell out into really cold water, which probably hasn't helped my cold much). I went sailing, played on the beach, ran around in the woods, got dirty, bruised, sore, and loved every minute of it. I love Australia so much and I'm really excited for what the rest of break has in store for me.

Tomorrow, I am going to see SILVERCHAIR AND POWERDERFINGER!!!!! I am going with a friend of mine from Uni (sadly not my blonde haired/blue eyed/Greek/Australian/Jewish future husband) who actually reminds me a lot of Christine. Wednesday I am going to see Hairspray with Emma, and then I leave Thursday for my grand adventure.

Thursday: I am leaving Whitley at 6 in the morning to leave on my three day bus trip to Sydney. I'll be going to Wilson's Prom and more of Gippsland where I spent this past weekend.
Friday: More hiking in Snowy River area, Mt. Kosciusko, and general outdoorsiness. Basically lots of really nice views and fresh air.
Saturday: Heading to Sydney with a stop in Canberra. I am hoping to stay with Steph Hilton in Sydney for a few days and see some things, if not I may end up calling Rafal.
Tuesday morning: Flying out of Sydney for Hobart, Tasmania. Spending the day in Hobart, probably resting from the madness that will likely occur in Sydney over the weekend.
Wednesday: Checking out Port Arthur and Australia's delightful convict history.
Thursday: Tassie beach day.
Friday: Beaches, waterfalls, rainforests, etc. Ending in Launceston.
Friday night: Going to Claire's house!! Staying with her and going to Cradle Mountain until Sunday morning.
Sunday: Taking a bus to Devonport, where I'll be taking the Spirit of Tasmania back to Melbourne.

So that's roughly my break. There will definitely be some spontaneous things that happen in between, but that is part of the reason I'm really excited. I am really enjoying this ability to just do whatever whenever and have it not really matter that much. My grades are fine (I got my first paper back last week and did surprisingly well), I'm happy, I'm sick but getting better, and nothing really can ruin it. It would be lovely if my computer worked, but I am optimistic that someone can figure out what's wrong with it and get it back to normal so that I can show you all the wonderful pictures I've been taking. Otherwise Facebook might have to be all that's left of my time in Australia :)

Anyhow, my computer doesn't work, so don't expect me to be on Facebook much/terribly prompt with emails. I will be leaving Thursday morning, so you'll hear even less from me after that. I miss you all and hope that this entry helped relieve any worries/curiosities/etc. I'm alive and I'm thriving and therefore you should not be concerned.