So, yesterday I went down to the beach for the first time to swim. It wasn't dirty or crowded, but the water was cold. It's going to take some time getting used to swimming in the ocean. Seven skydivers landed on the beach. It's only about $80 here, so yes mom I'm considering it!

I was upset to hear that I probably won't be seeing a koala unless I go to a zoo. They told me that they're around, but you just don't see them. Apparently they just sleep in trees all day and don't really move. The kangaroos live in and over the surrounding mountains, so I'll be very likely to see one before I leave. Very common to see right outside of the city.

I walked up to the University. Very beautiful, but a longer walk than expected (25 minutes or longer)! It's located near the base of the surrounding mountains (Mt. Keira I think. There are several on the map).

Today I went on a hunt for some things I'm still missing. Fans are all sold out everywhere I go (no a/c in the house) and I can't find a hair drier cheaper than $95. One place had them for $20, but of course they were sold out. I found peanut butter today! Four dollars, but at least the suffering is over. I also bought some Tim Tams, an Australian biscuit (cookie). Two chocolate wafers with chocolate filling... covered in chocolate. I hope I can find these back home! Also, their Caramello bars are Caramello Koalas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caramello_Koala)! Rice Crispies are called Rice Bubbles, and Frosted Flakes are Frosties.

Not as much junk food at the grocery stores. No Count Chocula here. Also, their produce isn't as "pretty" as it is in the U.S.. Smaller fruits, and bruised but they taste better.

Mostly small cars in the area. SUVs are rare. The ones around are small, nothing like the big Suburbans or anything we have back home. Pickup trucks here are like Subaru Outbacks, but with a pickup bed in the back instead of it being a station wagon. Lots of Mazdas, Toyotas, Subarus and Mercedes. They have a Ford dealership, but I've only seen one around. I didn't recognize the model of the car though.

The house isn't anything like I expected. I thought it would be closer to campus, but it's located in a neighborhood. The kitchen is crowded, and I'm not yet used to sharing the bathroom with a bunch of random guys lol. Two guys wanted to have a conversation with me while I was brushing my teeth. I wanted to spit, but it just felt awkward. I won't keep any food in the kitchen because I know it will disappear. Someone bought beer and all of it disappeared.

No, I'm not editing this blog. If I spell something wrong or if my writing is random and doesn't flow, tough cookies. Don't complain.

-Air

North Wollongong Beach and Area

Outside of where I live.

Home is just a few miles that way.

Now that I'm all caught up, the time stamp is coming off of my pictures.

Arrival in Wollongong (17-02-2009)

Wollongong is 50 miles south of Sydney. The drive was beautiful!

Coming up and over the mountain you can see the city below and the ocean.

Departure and Arrival (2-15-2009 to 2-17-2009)

The flight went well for the most part. Except... I couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep, and the food was terrible. They served dinner right after we took off (around 10:45 pm L.A. time), but just the smell of it made me nauseous. A few hours later they served a turkey sandwich (I think). It must have been made last month and frozen. So dry I couldn't get the whole thing down. Breakfast was served about two hours before landing, and it wasn't much better. Pancakes with apple pie filling. Bring your own food.

They played three movies, but none worth watching. I did get to watch an episode of The Office, so I was entertained 30 minutes out of the 15 hours. Fantastic. Trying to watch or listen to anything on your iPod is useless. That was the loudest and most turbulent ride I have ever experienced.

Slow progress. I really wish they wouldn't have done this. Over a span of 15 hours it was like watching grass grow. Times on pictures Kansas City time.

I woke up to find that the pilot too had just woken up.

Sun just coming up.

Yay, the Sydney Opera House! After landing, my knees hurt really bad even though I got up and walked around during the flight. They hurt just as bad as after the 1/2 marathon in January.

Walking out of customs, which was easy. They asked what I had in in my bags, but didn't really bother to search through them. Don't lie because it's a $60,000 fine if they find something. So just declare it! I declared my grandmamans cookies because they said no food. The woman looked at me funny and let it go, but I didn't want to risk it.