Thoughts from Down Under-Part 3

Hi all! Well, here is my third edition of my weekly thoughts. I cannot believe I am now going into my fourth week here in Sydney. I can honestly say, that these have been some of the most exciting weeks of my life...Never a dull moment. In addition to classes this week, I have been trying to set up my extracurricular life as well. I have looked into many of the clubs on campus, and have already joined a few. My favorite is the Bushwalkers Club. I went to the first meeting/slide night on Wednesday, where they provide food and drinks (boxed wine of course) and look at slides from previous trips. The slides of course contain a drinking game, so it was a lot of fun. I was supposed to go on my first trip today, to the Royal National Park, but I am not feeling very well, likely getting sick. But next weekend is a trip that I am deciding if I will go on, an overnight beginners Canyoning trip! For those of you who don't know what canyoning is exactly, it basically includes, but is not limited to, the following; hiking, scrambling (rock climbing with (usually) no rope), climbing, jumping (off ledges/cliffs), swimming, and drifting down rivers on Lilos (a sort of raft). I really want to go, just am thinking of the possible risks on my knees. So I will decide a little later in the week, and if so, I need to go get some equipment. The next big trip will be from the 28th to the 29th, another overnighter. This is the "Freshers Trip" and goes to Shoalhaven Gorge. This will include hiking, jumping, swimming and fishing, among other things. I am really excited for this! They also post several hikes a week, usually on short term notice, so I'm sure there will be many more I'll go to in the coming weeks.
I've also joined the Equestrian Club, Buddy Club, and Red Cross Society. As you all know, I love to be busy and active, so all these things are going to be really great. I'm also working on applying to volunteer at the Sydney Children's Hospital, which would be great so I can learn about the Aussie health care system, and continue doing what I love.
I have of course, continued to do some touristy things. Friday afternoon I went on a walk down to Darling Harbour, then down King Street to Hyde Park. On the way I saw a Bollywood Star going into her wedding, which was showcased by TONS of photographers and news crews. I then went to the Hyde Park Barracks, and walked around the museum for a couple hours. It was not what I expected, but was very interesting and informative about the beginnings of Sydney's Prisons and Asylums. I then went to St. Mary's Cathedral, but unfortunately the crypts were closed, but the church was beautiful. I then walked to Wooloomoolooo (best suburb name EVER), Darlinghurst, and Kings Cross, and then back to Unilodge. It was a great afternoon, finished by a fun night out with friends.
Saturday evening was Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. It was one of the most fanastic things I've ever experienced! I got there early, and was going to meet up with some friends, but there was no way to get from one place to another, so I stayed where I was, and eventually got to the front row. I made friends with some definite characters around me, and got some great videos. There were over 125 floats/performances, 400,000 in attendance, and innumerable amounts of barely (if at all) dressed people.
I've continued to work on the broad goals I have, and have still not been homesick! I've been able to talk a lot this week with friends and family, which has been amazing. I'll give a shout out to MESHER because she is amazing and always comments on these, and I am talking to her right now...I LOVE YOU!
The most important and exciting part of my week though, is that I have booked a flight to Bali, Indonesia. This is a place I have wanted to go to for as long as I remember, and has always been a dream of mine. I'm not planning too many of the logistics yet, such as hotel and activites, but I will be there from June 7-June 14th. It is also starting to get close to my New Zealand trip, so I need to start planning that more thoroughly...About 5 weeks away, which is crazy, since it is about the halfway point of my trip.
Alright, time for the weekly lesson portion of this blog. Here goes!

#8: If studying abroad, don't skip the majority of orientation, where you would learn things that would actually benefit you when classes started, and you wouldn't be so lost.

#9: Do get to Mardi Gras at least 3 hours early. If not, you will get knocked to the ground by some very drunk people trying to get in front of you.

#10: Do not stay up until 6 am...Twice in one week. It's just a bad idea in general.

#11: Do join as many clubs as you can. They will provide you with alcohol at all the meetings.


Alright, that's it for the week. Also, I found out this week I have been selected to be a Resident Assistant (RA) in a freshman dorm next year! That means I can spend my seven weeks of summer relaxing, studying for the MCATs, and hanging out with SMAK!!!!!!!!!

Until next time!