I finally traveled to Sydney… IT WAS AMAZING! I went with a  fellow crusader Elizabeth and new friend from USC Jen. Together we climbed the Sydney bridge, saw the Australian Ballet perform at the Opera House, and visited world famous Bondi Beach! I’ve attached some pictures… check em’ out!

Today marks the fourth month of my being in Melbourne! It’s amazing how time has flown! It’s wierd to think that just four months ago I was nervously walking off of the plane wondering if I had made the right decision to come to Australia.

Well, it is now four months later, I am in the midst of final exams, stressed beyond belief, PRAYING for it to end so I can get away from ALL that is Melbourne University!!! BUT, despite all of the stress  of exams I am soooo happy that I came to Australia!  Even though I have spent my four month anniversary with lovely Melbourne studying for my Biology final, my day has been pretty great!

I told myself I would be better at blogging. I know, it’s November. Unfortunately, my boring life paired with a very, very busy work and Uni schedule tends to prevent me to do so. But, it is Nov and I am going to make a better effort…

I have been here for almost four months and  all I have done is work, attend university ( & do uni work), and socialize. The time has flown by, and now it’s time for final exams! I never thought I could be so stressed in the world’s most laid back country, but here there are fewer exams and they are larger percentages of the total grade in the class. As of now, I have two 50 percent exams, and two 70 percent  essays to write. No pressure! I just can’t wait until the summer. I can’t wait to travel.

I have yet to really travel. But that is all about to change…I have booked my first REAL trip. On Nov 27th after final exams this girl is going to SYDNEY! I cannot wait! My first REAL traveling since I have been in Australia. I am also planning to go to Tasmania for New Years and to travel to New Zealand. So that’s what I am looking forward to at the moment.

I am so excited for all of the new and exciting things that await! But, as of now, my papers are calling…

I have been here a little over 11 weeks now, and after numerous occasions of being confused with the new Australian terminology and sayings, I finally think I may have it down…hopefully. So, I have listed below some of the many new words/phrases I have learned (& have been attempting to incorporate into my vocabulary).

Arvo- Afternoon

Aussie- (pronounced Ozzie) Australian

Bloke- Man

Brekkie- Breakfast

Blind- Very intoxicated

Bush- Outside the city

Cabbie- Taxi Driver

Chewy- Chewing gum

“Couldn’t be bothered”- Had no time, energy, or interest to do something/ complete a task.

Ex. I was going to clean my room, but I just couldn’t be bothered.

Doona- Quilt, Duvet

Drop Bear- Mythical aggressive bears that jump down from trees and attack people. This myth is told by Aussie’s playing jokes on unknowing foreigners to scare them. **If you are gullible like myself, you will discover this to be a joke only after weeks of being hesitant to walk by trees late at night.

Fanny- CAUTION when using, NOT to mistaken for one’s backside, it is actually quite the contrary.

Footy- Australian Rules Football

Fortnight- Two week period

Full On- Intense, relentless

“G’Day”- Hello

“Good Onya”- Good for you

Heaps- Lots, Many (One of my favorite)

“How you going?”- How are you doing today?

Jocks- Men’s underpants

Kiwi- Someone from New Zealand, or an endemic Australian bird

Loo- Toilet, Bathroom

Lolly- Candy

Maccas- McDonalds

Mate- Friend, or associate

Note- Currency that is not in coin form

“No Worries”- (Another favorite of mine) Your Welcome, No Problem, It’s okay, etc. A phrase with endless possibilities.

Oz- Australia

Prawn(s)- Shrimp

Pudding- Cake

“Reckon”-  I think that

Ex. I reckon it will rain today.

Rock up- To turn up, to arrive

Seppo- American

Slab- Carton of 24 beers

Sticky Date Pudding- One of the best desserts ever created, consisting of cake, caramel sauce, and dates.

“Ta”- Thanks

Tim Tams- Delicious cookies explaining why there are no Girl Scouts in Australia.

Toilet- Bathroom

Uni- Short for University

Ute- Small utility truck, looks like a pick up truck that has been lowered

Vegemite- A dark brown Australian spread made from yeast extract. **Also, another opportunity for Australians to mess with foreigners, usually by having them smear a thick layer of vegemite on toast and “try” it, which is NEVER recommended.

Victoria Bitter- Beer

Wanker- An insult, directed toward rude or egotistical people

XXXX- Queensland’s Favorite Beer

Yank- American

“Yer”- Yeah

Z- Pronounced “Zed” not “Zee”

Surf

sunset

When my friends asked me to go to the  prom-I couldn’t refuse. It wasn’t what I had expected, and was absolutely NOTHING like prom back home. No, there were no dresses or corsages, this was Wilsons Promontory, known by locals as ” the prom”. Wilsons Promontory is located in Gippsland, and is the most southern point on the Australian main land. The prom is beautiful, boasting several amazing beaches, and a lush green landscape. Not only is the scenery breath-taking, but Wilsons Prom is also home to a diverse range of Australian wildlife.  It was truly an amazing time, and nothing like the proms I’ve been to before- it was  better!

An early morning it was to get my brother on the bus back to the airport and a bit of a sad goodbye for me. But lucky for me, I had a nice dinner and show to look forward to with the Holy Cross group and Silvia.  I am really am so lucky to have the opportunity to see so many theater productions here in Dublin.  And in doing so, I compare it a lot to the theater I do back at Holy Cross and the theater I see in New York City.

We went to a new restaurant called Blas and we saw another production at the Gate theater called The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard. A pretty good show which made me laugh but also made me laugh to hear all the 60s American music playing because some are favorites of mine as well.

I can’t believe how fast the weeks are going! Before I know it, St. Patrick’s Day and then Easter will be here.

My brother arrives this morning!  I thought he would want a nap, but he was eager to be on the move and once again enjoy being in Ireland. Lucky for us, the Ireland vs. Italy rugby match was on and we met up with my brother’s old friends taking the Luas into Beechwood. It was a great afternoon, watching the match in their favorite pub.

The next day, I showed my brother all my favorite spots in Dublin as well as the important landmarks.  I pointed out the Book of Kells and the Old Library and we walked along Henry Street and of course Grafton. We ended the day in another favorite pub, The Ginger Man, (near Trinity) where we met up with Holy Cross friends.

Another day we strolled St. Stephen’s Green.

Another fun trip- CORK! We spent 2 days in Cork and visited friends at UCC. There were a couple of music events on as well and we went to see Charlie Paar, a bluegrass musician from Minnesota, in a pub called Crane Lane. Charlie Paar would also be playing in Dublin.

Back in Dublin on Thursday, we meet up with friends and showed my brother the Pav, Porter House, and Trinity favorite Doyles.

Friday we went to a concert on the North Side in a place called Twisted Pepper.  A different style of music- dubstep- but overall, I really liked it.

Saturday we watched some matches and Sunday was a visit to Howth.  Still love it there!  It was a sunny day and about 11 seals were swimming around in the harbor waiting for someone to throw them some fish.

Monday we took the Luas over to the big shopping center in Dundrum to look for the Irish rugby jersey worn in the 6 Nations matches that are on now.  It was funny to go to this “mall” because it definitely reminded me of the big shopping malls in the states and even more so of the New Jersey malls back home.  After some shopping for friends and family we took a break in Avoca café back in city centre and met with friends for dinner.

A weekend in Scotland! Fellow HCers and I visited other Holy Cross students studying at St. Andrews.  Personally, I had the easiest trip there- it’s a long story- but it was great to get a taste of the UK.
St. Andrews is beautiful and we saw the castle, the golf course, and the beach! Have some great pictures!  After touring around the favorite spots in St. Andrews (and wondering where Prince William used to live), we spent a day in Edinburgh.  Loved it! It was a few hours on the bus to Edinburgh from St. Andrews but it was great to see Scotland’s countryside.  It quite reminded me of Ireland’s countryside and the West. Once in Edinburgh, we walked the Royal Mile and took a tour The Palace of Holyroodhouse where we saw Mary, Queen of Scots living quarters and heard again her history. We took a picture underneath the arch at Edinburgh castle and stopped for tea at The Elephant House- the birthplace of Harry Potter! With the snow in the early afternoon, I was a little worried about my flight- but all was well. Once reaching Dublin, I again was excited to be back home. Handing the guard my passport and Garda card, she asked the normal questions: where I was studying and how long I’d be here and added “How do ya like it?” Glad to be back in Dublin, I must have had a huge smile on my face and responded: “I love it here!” To which she answered: “You’re not looking forward to June then, huh?” It was a nice reminder that Ireland and Dublin are places for me.

Another busy week. Had a nice lunch with our cultural advisor, Silvia to catch up after the holidays. Siliva had mentioned a few theater performances, so another friend and I went to see La Dispute playing in the Peacock Theatre- a smaller theater in the lower level of the Abbey Theatre. Quite an interesting show, but another thing I appreciate about living here in Dublin is the close proximity of everything.  This Friday I had a few classes, got together with friends at the Science Gallery Café, and then went to see the show.  It’s funny to learn how quickly you can discover a city and walking around with my friends, I realized how much I will miss being in Dublin after my year here.