USA here I come!

So, I'm sitting in my extremely bare room just 2 short hours from leaving for the airport and about 5 hours from the start of my travels back to the US, and I'm thinking about all that has happened in the 4 months that I have been here. So, I figured I would give a little recap of my experience in Australia.

1. First experience with not so nice LA people (ok that was on the way over, but I'm still counting it.) and sprinting to the next terminal to barely make my next flight.

2. Pat-downs in security. It's become a habit of mine to be "patted down". Apparently even though my cardiologist (Who by the way has a DR. in front of his name and a good bit of experience with pacemaker patients) has told me that I can go through metal detectors, the people working security do not allow it. So, I am mentally preparing myself for feeling a little bit violated. :-)

3. Jet-lag. I'm really dreading that feeling again.

4. Late luggage and HOT Australian summer weather in SC winter weather clothing.

5. O-week! Meeting amazing people who I would grow closer to through my time here!

6. Classes... Really BIG classes at that....

7. Public transportation --> First time ever, but I've gotten pretty comfortable with it now! Plus, I'm really good at reading bus schedules now! :)

8. Tonsley Nights

9. Sydney and New Zealand! Both AMAZING.

10. Hillsong One Day Conference! Life changing is the only way to describe that day!!

11. Barossa Valley tour

12. Millicent/ Mt. Gambier trip with Tess!

13. SUATVAC and exam weeks with good food, studying, and a healthy portion of procrastination

14. Sports... Sports... Sports...

Now, I'm in my last few hours here and am wondering where the time went! There definitely have been times that I thought today would never get here, but now that the time has come I'm wondering how those 4 months went by so fast. There are so many places I still wanted to see and so many things I wanted to do. Guess that means I have to come back for a visit at some point Australian friends! My experience in Australia has been one that I will never forget and will always cherish. I was told by several people that I would come back a different person. Looking back I can say that is partially true yet not completely. I am still the SAME person with the same values, joys, struggles, personality, etc. with a good bit of acquired confidence, independence, experiences, and a stronger relationship with God! Although I will miss all of my friends here, I look forward to going home and seeing all of my friends and family as well as experience all God has in store for my future!

Final Stretch

So, when they came up with the idea of exam week(s) (whoever that bright person was), they obviously did not think about the negative effects that it would have on the poor college students having to go through them. We all know the obvious: lack of sleep, elevated caffeine levels, junk food, etc. (I have done pretty well in avoiding the usual negative effects... except the occasional sweet, but a little bit of sweets never hurt anyone, right?) But, there is also a hidden one: an aching back. Now, some of you may know from experience that hunched over a desk for hours a day does damage to your posture and does not feel great! So, since I am now preparing for my last exam and have been in that position for the past 2 weeks, I decided to move to my bed. That is not any better unfortunately, but it does help build your strength if you're trying to withstand temptation. :-) Because let me tell you, my bed is really comfortable when I lie down. But, I only have 2 more days of studying and then my final exam is on Friday! So, I can do this! (Does anyone else hear the little engine who could in the background? "I think I can... I think I can... I think I can..." )

3 days until this will be true for mind AND body:

The Intimidation Factor

So, exams are normally stressful for people. Well, this semester, I have not really been stressed about my first 2 exams. I knew the material, I studied as much as I could, and I went in pretty confident... Until I saw the way the exam was set up. Ok, so my first exam was on Wednesday, and I had another this morning. Now, I am used to PC where we take our exams in the same classroom that we've been in all semester long with the same 15 people who we had been in class with and the same professor giving the exam. Now, if you haven't picked up on the key word already: SAME. Well, exams here are different. You take your exam in a gymnasium along with about 200 other people (who may or may not have been in the same class)and your professor is not even present. So, nervous for my first exams in another country? Not really. Intimidated by the amount of people taking the exam with me? Definitely so.

A little sidenote: I ran out of internet Tuesday and didn't see the point in paying $40 for less than 2 weeks, so I am currently writing this on a computer in the library. Well, the guy at the computer beside me was cussing and making signs at the computer earlier. He has now moved to opening the CD drive and putting a pen in it to stop it from going back in. I don't know whether to be afraid or bust out laughing. Considering it is the end of the first of two exam weeks, I'm thinking laughing is not a good option.

Masterpiece of Light

We are all here for a purpose. Each one unique and special. There is no purpose that is the same. The beauty of that is that each purpose fulfilled comes together in a beautiful masterpiece that God has created. I see each purpose as a color. When mixing colors, you have to start out with the three basic primary colors. Now, I make the connection that there are also three branches of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We each need to have a relationship with the Son, and through our relationship with the Son, we know the Father. Also, before the Son left for Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit into us. So, we have three primary colors in our lives to start off with. As long as we have those three colors, no matter what mistakes we make in the mixture of those colors, we will always have a purpose. The resulting colors are limitless, and no masterpiece is complete without each color required. Light is also a mixture of all the colors. Combined, they form something so bright that it is hard to hide. With each purpose fulfilled and working together, the body of Christ forms a light that cannot be hidden. So, not only do we all have a purpose; We all have a unique and special one. There is only one “me” and one “you” in the world, and that person is special, unique, and has a God-given purpose. No one else can live my purpose out as well as I can, so it is my responsibility to do so.

A little bit of country Australia and Swotvac!

Well, I went to Tessa's last weekend along with Ceina and Sabrina. It was a lot of fun and was good to get away from the Hall for a few days and just relax and have fun with friends. Also, it was neat to see other parts of South Australia. Tessa is from Millicent which is close to Mt. Gambier. I would be really impressed if any of you know where those places are, so for all of my friends at home: it is about 5 hours away from Adelaide. Both places were beautiful! It was the countryside of Australia.

So, once we got to Tessa's house Friday night, we joined her dad at a pub for dinner (apparently that is pretty common?). They did have pretty good food! After dinner, we went fox hunting. That was my first and LAST time hunting. Before we got going, I asked Tessa what they usually do with the animals (I was thinking maybe cook them... I had never heard of a dish with fox at home, but Australia does have different foods.) Well, she informed me that they usually just feed them to the dogs. Ok! Stop right there. So, you mean to tell me they just go kill animals for fun?! They asked me if I wanted to trying shooting the gun, but there was no way I was shooting anything! (I mean... I might would have shot at a tree to see if I could, but I definitely was not shooting an animal for fun.) I even had to close my eyes and look away when they got close enough to shoot it. While we were chasing it on the truck, I was secretively (or maybe not so secretively...) cheering for the rabbit to get away. I just felt so bad for the poor things! So... needless to say, I will most definitely not be going fox hunting again. We ended up going shopping, sight-seeing, and to Tessa's younger brother's footie game as well.

Now that I'm back at the Hall, the studies have officially begun. Everything is going pretty well in the studying department, but equally as well in the procrastination department also. At least I know how to balance my time! :-) I have completed 2 assignments and even turned one in a day early! So, I would say that is pretty successful! On another note, the food has been amazing and is supposed to be equally as good for the next 2 weeks. Apparently, they hold out for the end of the semester instead of cleaning out the kitchen like PC! I mean we have little treats spread out throughout the day for the next 2 weeks plus soup! I didn't realize how good soup is on a cold day until I went without it for a few cold weeks! I am definitely enjoying the vegetable soup!

Countdown to USA: 15 days!

Weird to think about...

Since I have been in Australia for almost 4 months, it is really weird to think about going home. I am ready to see all of my friends and family, but it's a different feeling going back home than it was coming here. When leaving for Australia it was hard to leave my family and friends, but I knew that I was going to see them again and when I would see them. When I leave my friends here, I don't know when I'm going to see them again. I don't know how long it will be before I can come back for a visit or when they might be able to visit me. While this semester has had its challenges, it just doesn't seem real that it is almost over.

With only just over 3 weeks left here, that means I have only just over a week before exams. Yikes! I'm not so sure how I feel about taking exams that are going to count for over half of my final grade. It's a different world than at PC where I had more assignments and tests throughout the semester. Now, I have enjoyed the lack of assignments and tests, but it has been really hard to stay caught up in my classes when exams seemed so far away! So, now that exams are a lot closer, it is panic time! Just kidding. I'm not stressed about the exams, but it is time to start preparing for them. :-) Since next week is "reading week" and is apparently the most stressful time since we're supposed to be studying hard then, Flinders Uni Hall brought in a dietician to tell us all about brain foods and nutritional energy foods. You mean to tell me that midnight breakfast, chocolate, and coffee are not nutritional energy and brain foods? Well... That just goes to show what good my PC education has done for me in the exam preparation area. Exam time is really different here, because I have a whole week of study time and 2 weeks to take 4 exams. Now, I'm used to PC where I have had 5 exams in 2 days before! Talk about a stressful time! 2 weeks for 4 exams is nothing! Bring on exams! I have a feeling I will be one of the calmest people in the hall for the next 3 weeks. Yeah right...

With exams also comes preparing to go home. That is probably going to be the most stressful thing about the next 3 weeks. I have to decide what is important for me to take home and what I can give away/ throw away. I do know that I have a pair of jeans and a dress to throw away. Let's just say NZ was hard on those jeans and not matter what my mom does to my dress at home, those grease stains that have been on my dress from a gyro my first month here are just not going to come out. However, I still have a few things that I need to go through, some accumulated things, and some souvenirs to pick up! I may just be over the weight limit. Oh well! I will worry about all of that when it gets closer to July 2. I can't exactly pack my room up and study for exams. Next week, I will start that whole process!

I know I haven't posted very many pictures lately, so here are some from Formal Dinner 2: Circus theme. I was a ringleader. It was the simplest and least expensive (AKA free) thing to dress up as! :)

Jess and me

Emma and Me

32 days?!

First of all, let me say I have absolutely no idea where my time has gone here! I could have sworn that I just got here! I now have 2 weeks and 3 days left of class, and 3 weeks of the exam period left. Basically only 32 days left in Australia. I have so much to do before then!!!!

So, since the end of the semester is approaching, I have had to buckle down on my studying. This semester hasn't been too strenuous b/c most of my grade depends on my exam. Uh oh... That means that during the entire semester I was supposed to be reading and studying to prepare? Oopss... :) Well, while I may joke saying that I haven't done much, I really have kept up with my schoolwork pretty well (definitely considering I am in AUSTRALIA with a lot of distractions!). But, since I only have 3 weeks before my exams start, I really feel like I should put even more emphasis on my class readings and studies. Naturally, that means I have been finding more ways to procrastinate (Isn't that always how it goes? You decide to study more and end up finding more things to distract you? It's weird.) Anyway, my current distraction has been American Idol. Yes... I am definitely a fan. I love music and singing (and even though I am an ok singer, I am definitely NO American Idol.). So, since I love music and singing, I love the last few episodes of the show. You know the ones where the people are actually really good and have wonderful voices? I don't particularly care for the first few episodes where there are people trying out whose friends and family should have told them to look elsewhere for their calling. Well... I could not decide on who I wanted to win this season, because I loved both. I will say that I did like Scotty's deep singing voice! Definitely Josh Turner-ish... :) So, American Idol then led me to doing a little catching up on my favorite former American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood. Can you tell I am a country music fan? While hearing all of her new songs (that I LOVE), I also found out that she is going to be in the movie Soul Surfer. If you have not heard anything about the movie, it is definitely one to see! The movie trailers and interviews will leave you inspired and believe that with God anything is possible, so I can not even imagine how the movie will leave you! I can not wait to go see it in theaters! Anyway, in one of the interviews, Carrie was giving a recipe for a personal pizza. Since I have been trying to come up with new lunch options (I'm getting a little tired of sandwiches) that are healthy, this seemed like the perfect recipe to try. It is delicious and not bad for you at all! I have a feeling I will definitely be bringing that recipe back home. :)

Ok... Don't think I have been in my room watching American Idol and listening to music all day. You know Australia has way more to offer than that! I have been taking swing dance classes and attended a hip-hop/jazz dance class last week. They are both so much fun! Also, I have gotten in the habit of spending Sundays in the city before going to church. This Sunday I ended up going to the city and walking around for a few hours in Rundle Mall as well as doing my devotion in a coffee shop. Sundays have always been my favorite day of the week, so I'm glad that I've found a way to enjoy my Sundays here in Australia like I do at home. After a wonderful church service, a nice woman took me to the bus stop so that I did not have to walk about a 1/4 mile to the bus. So, now that I have finally gotten in a schedule that I enjoy, it is almost time for me to leave!

So, I have been doing a couple different devotionals (Rick Warren on youversion.com and a daily one from Jesus Calling). That time with God daily definitely keeps me in good spirits and I can tell when my time has been cut short! So, I want to leave with a message from Jesus Calling that I absolutely love!: "Approach each new day with desire to find Me. Before you get out of bed, I have already been working to prepare the path that will get you through this day. There are hidden treasures strategically placed along the way. Some of the treasures are trials, designed to shake you free from earth-shackles. Others are blessings that reveal My Presence: sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, answered prayer. I have not abandoned this sin-wracked world; I am still richly present in it. Search for deep treasure as you go through this day. You will find Me all along the way." So often I find myself just going through the day without paying much attention to things around me. I'm in a hurry to get to my next class or I'm trying to get back to my room to get some work done. After reading that, I have been trying to pay attention to everything around me. If God has placed treasures around me, I want to see and experience them!!! :)

Have a great week everyone!