A DAY IN SYDNEY & WORLDS LARGEST FOOTRACE

On Wednesday (5th), I had a lovely opportunity to go to an oyster farm up near Botany Bay (for Fisheries and Aquaculture). Interesting, but it provided me with another example of what I don't want to do when I grow up... I think I would rather scrub fish tanks at Sea World (and I'm not being sarcastic this time).

On Thursday (6th), I spent the entire day in Sydney with Alex, a new friend from France. I had to pick up my race packet, and he had to get something done at the French embassy. We wandered around Hyde Park a bit, had lunch in front of the Opera House, and walked across the Harbour Bridge. He always has to stop for coffee. I find it funny that he can drink half a litre of Lebanese coffee and not crash. I also finally had a beer that I like, but I can't remember the name at the moment. We had dinner at a Japanese restaurant, and like always, I was not happy with what I ordered. I had my first taste of sake though! Oh, and I bought some really good tea called Brisbane Breakfast (black tea with mango)! Yummy!!!

Today I ran the 14K City to Surf. The race started in Sydney's Hyde Park and ended at Bondi Beach (a beautiful beach! I need to spend more time there). The only part I had a difficult time with was Heartbreak Hill (I only ran up half of it). At the top of the hill there was an amazing view of the Opera House and the Bridge. It would have been nice to have a small camera with me. Heaps of people dressed up, and some people in neigbourhoods were handing out beer to runners. According to my watch, I ran the race in 1 hour and 29 minutes. My official race time will be printed in Tuesdays Sun-Herald newspaper. I have blisters on the tips of my toes (probably from running back down Heartbreak Hill) and my knee hurts, but other than that I'm okay.

I was also part of a world record today! This years City to Surf race became the worlds largest footrace, larger than the London and New York marathons combined. About 75,000 people ran the race today. (All according to The Sun-Herald) I made sure to wear my Captive shirt too, just in case I had my picture taken for the paper (not likely).

A good week I think! Sorry this post wasn't very organised...

-Ari

Pictures from Winter Break

I've been back in Wollongong for a few days now. Here are a few pictures from the end of June and some just taken yesterday.

Cockatoos in the Botanic Garden next to the Uni.

I love the rock platforms in Shellharbour.

Being attacked by seagulls in Kiama while eating fish & chips.

Morning in Wollongong

Sunrise in Wollongong

At Sydney Olympic Park, standing next to Ian Thorpe's pole. Makes me feel even shorter!

Whales off of Grand Pacific Drive Bridge!!!

Canberra again

Inside Parliament House

Aboriginal carvings in Blue Mountains (Blue Mountains 24 July)

Beautiful cave in Blue Mountains!

Aboriginal marking of kangaroo tracks.

Learning about Aboriginal culture.

Blue Mountains

Mt. Keira hike again. (Mt. Keira 25 July)

I have so many beautiful pictures, but I can't post them all! For more, look at my Facebook site. I'm also working on a Flickr account, but I can only upload so many pictures each month. I'll let everybody know when that's up and running.

Our Sad Kitchen

Went into the kitchen today and noticed... nothing to cook with. Not that I cook much anyways... BUT!!!
We have three toasters! Figures. Hmmm, what can I do with heaps of toast and hot water? I wonder if the kitchen upstairs has 3 pots.

Another random thing... whenever there's a wetsuit hanging in the kitchen or bathroom, it always startles me when I walk into the room. It's like the invisible man in there watching... or maybe I'm just paranoid...

Rock Climbing

Needed a study break today, so I went rock climbing with a small group at a place called Hangdog. I didn't think I would do very well since I'm afraid of heights, but with my dependable and encouraging partner Scully, I did extremely well. I managed to get to the top of a very difficult climb.

For some reason, we were able to catch a bus to the place, but not back. So... we had to walk to the Coniston train station. Paid for a ticket to North Wollongong station, but we later found out the train terminated at the downtown Wollongong station. So we had to walk from the downtown station back home (with a stop to 7-11 for Slurpees and many boxes of doughnuts first). Funny thing... just as we were about to come around the corner and arrive home (35 min walk later), the bus passed by us...

Farewell Dinner and Atlas to the Vet

Putting the clock up on this blog has done nothing. The other morning, mom called me at 3.50 am.

Mom: Ariana, am I interrupting anything?
Me: Well, sort of...

At least I tried.

On Friday we had our farewell dinner. Not very sad this time since I'm not leaving, but I'm sure I'll be upset next semester. Now that I think of it, yes, I was upset. Why does it seem like I'm always the one watching other peoples drinks at events? There's a part of me that says, "Don't care, it's really their responsibility," but the other side of me that will feel guilty if something happens to someone. At times I feel as if give up my opportunities to have fun for others. Need to stop doing it so often! I was, however, more than happy to help Michael stumble back to IHouse.

This morning, Michael and I took Atlas to the vet. I figured he would be more than happy to go on the 25 minute walk to the vets office, but was surprised at his reaction when the vet came around the corner to greet Atlas. Atlas got really excited and bolted towards him. Atlas has a small ear infection, and is a bit overweight (he's a lab, so no surprise here!) but other than that he's healthy! Oh, and the vet was a very good looking guy. Couldn't have been older than 25 or so. If I ever end up moving out here, I know where I'm taking my dog! Haha.

Finals are coming up, so I've just been studying for that. It's nice to get a whole week off to study before finals.

Should have posted these back in February... but this is my room and my view out of my window. The only difference now is my shelves are now filled with books, papers, and food. My desk is also cluttered with more papers... and more books lol.

Botany Bay and Royal National Park (30 May 2009)

Heading to Botany Bay where Captain Cook landed in Australia on his ship the Endeavour.

Showing us the soap lather from the leaves.

Where the Aborigines could see the ships coming in.

Where Captain Cook and his ship the Endeavour landed.

Source of fresh water for Aborigines and the Endeavours crew.

Reads:
Forby Sutherland
A seaman on the Endeavor under Captain Cook.
The first British subject to die in Australia was buried here.
1st May (I.OC date)
2nd May (Calendar Date) 1770
R.A.H.S.

Some pictures taken just south of Sydney.

Michael

Storm over the Sydney skyline.

Royal National Park