Noooooosa

 

You can't tell from this picture just how powerful the waves were in this stormy day in Noosa but it was super scary thinking how I could be swept away in an instant and no one would know cause I'm alone on this coastal walk. Once you get over the thought of death, the awesomeness of the view kicks in.

Alternative lifestyle

When, in Canada, could you ever do this in December? If I can't be home for parties and Christmas, at least I can wallow over my misery on a beach.

Australian sunrise

Woke up mid-way through the overnight bus from Airlie Beach to Hervey Bay just in time to see the beautiful skies during sunrise. I guess there are benefits to taking the Greyhound.

Can't beat freshwater!

 

As nice as beaches are, swimming in freshwater is so much nicer. Especially here at Mossman Gorge with all these huge white rocks you can lie on or jump off of. I only did one of those things.

The edge of the earth

 

Peaceful Anzac Park in Port Douglas, Queensland. I think this is looking towards the Solomon Islands.

Steaks on a Sunday afternoon

 

 A different kind of end of term celebration, but awesome nonetheless: grilling your own and enjoying yummy steaks on the patio of The Oaks on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon. Nom nom nom.

In the heat of Christmas

 

Sydney Town Hall is all dressed up for Christmas. Happy (not merry) Christmas!

 

 

Who doesn't love these things?

 

Starting to feel like Christmas, even though it's super hot out. Random Santa Festival at Darling Harbour. He was EVERYWHERE! Plus, I love it when little kids go crazy when they see Santa: pure unadulterated fanatical joy.

View from the top

 

Just a little over half way on the 9.1km walk from Spit Bridge to Manly, I am awarded by sweat, aching feet and this amazing view. The only thing putting a damper on this awesomeness: 2 more hours til Manly.

The Rocks Village Market

 

Ballroom dancing in the streets...

 

and mini Dutch pancakes with bananas and chocolate sauce

= the stuff I love about markets, fairs and festivals. Oh my.

Sharing a Coke

 

I couldn't find my own name, so I had to settle for sharing a Coke with the next best thing - some guy named Dave.

A day in the life of awesome

 

Perfect, beautiful day for the beach. Not too hot, just the right amount of sun to get a good tan, and the water was just right for jumping waves. Nice quieter beach than touristy Bondi.

Treat of the week

 

More like treat of the month since poor students can't afford to eat out. Mmm, mango sticky rice with coconut milk from Chat Thai. YUM.

Fire in the skies

 

Amazing orangey-pink skies on my way home from the CBD. Awesome.

The saddest occupation

 

The Occupy Sydney info desk is quite sad looking.

Stuying the outdoors

 

Writing papers isn't nearly as painful when you're doing it on a picnic table outside. Well planned, Australia.

Kindergarten class

This was a PowerPoint at one of my lectures. Looks like someone had fun with Paint.

Purple rain?

That's the only way I can explain the purple trees in Australia. I've never seen anything like it. So pretty! They're called Jacarandas. Apparently, you know it's time to study when the Jacarandas start blooming since they bloom in October just before exam time. Luckily, Jacarandas blooming mean nothing to me cause I don't have exams.

And the whole country stops

 

for the races.

My lecturer stopped our class to stream a live feed of the Melbourne Cup and people from the halls even came into our class to watch the race. Ironically, right after they took off, the power went out in our classroom and we had to listen to the 3-minute race being broadcasted on Internet radio. This is what the 40's must feel like.

My favourite Aussie term

Maccas = McDonald's.

I'm lovin' it.

Ready, set, COOK!

 

Too bad Jamie Oliver wasn't actually there (although I only realized this the day before). But it was still yummy and an awesome time making lunch on a beautiful day in front of the Hogwarts building.

Lawyers have all the fun

 

The law library at Sydney Uni. This is clearly where all the school's money goes to cause the medical library looks like this library's great, great grandpa.

Only in Australia

Didgeridoo lessons?! Awesome.

Waterloo in Sydney

Check out my new sweater. I think it accentuates my curves.

Night noodle market

Feels like Asia - Asian food smells, tons of people out eating noodles, rice, roti and desserts with crushed ice. I love stuff like this. I had Peking duck in pancakes and then these mini dessert pancakes topped with caramel, cinnamon and sugar. Mmm mmm good.

If the shu fiks..

I think they fiks shus, maybe...

Patience is a virtue

that I don't have cause I've already eaten like 3 of these in the time it took to get a shot for this post.

Soup it up!

My latest: udon noodle soup with bok choy and dumplings.

Chicken in the morning, chicken in the evening

Chicken at supper time. I like chicken, you like chicken. Chicken all the time.

The stuff superhero stories are made of

That sounds like a challenge.

Bomb threat

Doesn't bode well for a present when my roommate leaves it outside for a week cause she thought it was a bomb.

How can it be a memory without a souvenir?

 

I want you, and you, and you in the green over there.

Instead I went vintage which was 1/4 of the price of trendy.

Yolks of orange

The most orange egg yolks I've ever seen. But just as yummy as the rest of them. Breakfast on Day 5 in Byron Bay.

"The most easterly point of Australia"

Should it be easterly or easternly? The former conjures up feelings of chocolate and bunny rabbits. But maybe that's just me. Although the only thing missing from this view is a little chocolate.

And a bunny wouldn't hurt either.

Breakfast of champs

Or maybe chumps since you'll have a heart attack before you win anything after having this delicious goodness. Breakfast on Day 1 in Byron Bay.

Animals can be such jerks

As a meat-eater, I'm shocked and intrigued. As a vegetarian, she didn't get the difference.

Things I've learned since I've been here

Bogans: The red necks of Aussies

A go: A chance, try

Fair go: Cause everyone deserves a fair go

Aussie Battlers: The Australian working class. Before someone explained this to me, I thought they were talking about a sports team.

How you going: How's it going? How are you doing?

TimTams: Yummy

I actually don't know a whole lot about Australia

How I know that the capital is Canberra: When I was on my semester in Europe, I was in Austria and I met these Australian guys who asked me where I was from. Most times I tell people I'm from Ottawa, they look at me blankly and ask if that's close to Toronto. When this happened again, I was like, "Ugh, well, it's just the capital of Canada."
"Well, no one knows the capital of Australia."
Uh oh. "Sydney...? Melbourne...?"
"No. Actually, it's Canberra."
 BAM. Roasted.

It's colder than I thought it would be. Okay, maybe not really. Rather, when it's cold out, you never get warm.

Pashing: Really, really making out

Beaches are nice. And the sun really will kill you here cause there's no ozone above the entire continent.

Nappies: Diapers

People are nice here. Like Canada, but not Toronto.

My pre-paid monthly phone plan here is probably better than some 3-yr contract data plans back home.

They have these birds here that make this weird wailing noise, that the first time I heard it, I thought it was a baby crying.

I ♥ markets

This is the second time I've been to the Glebe Market and the second time I've come home un-empty-handed. Or, what's the opposite of empty-handed? Full-handed? The second time I've come home full-handed. This hippo from Indonesia is just like the batik elephant tribe I got in Singapore. I ♥ it and I ♥ markets.

Student-living, what?!

Who says you can't do gourmet as a student? Baguette with tomatoes, cheese, avocado & Prosciutto, with - ya, that's right - extra virgin olive oil. Booyah.