Thoughts from Down Under-Part 2

Hi all! I have now been in Sydney for an astonishing two weeks. I can't believe it! It feels like I've been here forever, but at the same time, it's going by very fast. I have completed another major goal: Goal #11-Dive the Great Barrier Reef. It was one of the best things I have done, and I will cherish the memory for my whole life. Once again, I am not homesick yet, which amazes me. I think that it is because it is going so fast, and I know that as soon as I know it, I'll be back in the States, so I want to make every moment count. I haven't spent too much time in Sydney this week, since I was in Cairns, but on Saturday I did buy a pass for admission to the Sydney Aquarium, Wildlife World, and the Sydney Tower and Oztrek. I went to the aquarium and wildlife world yesterday. The aquarium was fun, especially going through glass tubes surrounded by sharks, but I must say, I don't think that any aquarium can ever be nearly as good anymore, after diving the reef. The wildlife world was also good, and I came face to face with some big spiders-but they were not as big as the ones I saw in the rainforest. I also saw more Koalas and Kangaroos! I still get very excited everytime I see them, and I hope that feeling lasts. Today was comprised of greasy chinese food, planning, and figuring out classes. That's right! I actually start class tomorrow. I can't believe that while Northeasterners are headed off on their Spring Breaks, I am headed off to the classroom for the first time since December.
It looks like I will be taking the following: Conservation Biology and Applied Ecology, Cell Biology, Brain and Behaviour, and Global Transformation. It should be a good course load, but hopefully a bit easier than what I'm used to. I'll write more about the classes once I've actually been to them. I really feel like once the classes begin, this trip is going to really fly. I am now only 6 weeks away from my New Zealand trip, which I can't believe! I am trying to decide if I want to go in for the long hall, and take a day and a half train ride from Auckland to Christchurch. It is said to be very scenic, but it is, clearly, VERY long. So hopefully I'll decide by the end of the week, and can make all necessary travel arrangements. I have also just booked a weekend to the Blue Mountains! I will be staying in Katoomba, from March 20th to 22nd, and be hiking all day Saturday and Sunday. This is the site of the famous Three Sisters, and some great bushwalking trails, so it should be a great time. I'm also working on booking trips to Melbourne, Tasmania, and either Thailand or Bali. So much excitment ahead! Well, I'm off to do more travel research, but of course I must first talk about my lessons learned this week!

#7: Before hiking an unknown mountain, be sure to get a map, or you might go in a very large loop, landing yourself straight up at the top.
#8: Bring sheets to any hostel, even if they are said to be clean. You will likely have brown stains on your bed, and need to use a towel as your cover.

I think that is all I've learned for the week--hopefully I'll learn much more in the coming week.

Until next time...