so where do all those cards i send you go?!!

well ... they went on my wall as decoration that's where!! i still kept them even though i am moving on friday too-- 

WHOO HOO!!!!

I'm moving out this Friday!!! The couple that looked at lease took it and its all finalised!! I am going to be staying in a backpacker joint until I can move into my new apt on the 16 of FEB...I will have that exact address on the 6th so keep a look out for it. Only bad news is I'll be without internet for a few weeks so back to interent cafes til then.... WHOO HOO to the beach booooyyyeee!! haha

weekend...

Saturday night I went out with the American guy I met through Troy's friend Mike twice removed -haha- anyway there was about 12 of us that went out for sushi and drinks afterwards...and I had a really fun time! I met one person to go surfing with, a girl from kalamazoo, and one of his roomates is going to be a new gym buddy as he works in the CBD. They are all a bit older but it was nice to hang out with a different crowd.

Then on Sunday Sarah and I went to Coogee and watched part of the Australian Ironman finals but it was so hot that we only stayed a little while. I am hoping that I can go boating tomorrow with her and some of are friends and then I think I may be going up north on Thursday to the northern beaches with Jen from work.

I haven't worked since I have been back which has been VERY annoying but I am going to email my boss and annoy her again so maybe I'll get something. The problem is that I used to get all my jobs through James and he was fired over Christmas for being shady with accounts or something so now I have to buddy buddy up with this girl I guess to get some---hmmmm.

News on the Apartment: I just had a lovely couple come through twice now and as I type they are speaking with the management group downstairs about the place so cross your fingers and I will let you all know ASAP if they take it!!!

oy sake!

 

Sushi Night!!

 

the fireworks were AMAZING!!

Australians all let us rejoice, For we are young and free; We've golden soil and wealth for toil; Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in nature's gifts Of beauty rich and rare; In history's page, let every stage Advance Australia Fair.

the firework display in darling harbour was absoultly AMAZING -- i think it may have been better than the new years fireworks actually. all i can say is you have not seen a true firework display unless you have seen an australian firework show ... beautiful.

oh red!

 

car show

 

oz day

 

Australia Day

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!!

New email address

I have changed my email address to:

kim.kelsey@gmail.com

Wine Country--The Hunter Valley

 

Ohhh sooo sleepy Mr. Koala Bear

 

Geise and I at Mount Pleasant Vineyard

 

Wine tasting

Saturday was a looong day!! I had to be at UNSW for the bus by 820am to go to the Hunter Valley for the wine tasting. There were about 20 of us that went -- it is about a 2.5 hour drive north of Sydney. We stopped at the Australian Reptile park on the way there and saw kangaroos and koalas and things like that and then made our way to 3 different vineyards where we had private wine tasting. At each place you sample whites, reds, and sparkling--between 6 to 10 different wines -- so at the end you feel pretty good. What is neat is that many of the wines are only available at the vineyards and not at the local bottle shops. I got a lovely white semillon and a mix called Dragon's Breathe from 2 of the wineries. If I don't open the Dragon's Breathe before I leave you will all have to taste it...it is a chili schnapps and its HOT. After we got back about 8 of us went to Wolfie's and have a nice BIG dinner and then I took 4 of the boys around to one of the "local" bars. Unfortunately in Sydney places don't let guys in very easily so we could only get into the lower portions even after I used my amazing American charm to get us upstairs and the reply was "Yeah, you can go up but they can't" so it cut the night pretty short. But overall it was such a good day to be with Americans and hear about the NFL and MSU basketball and just US gossip again. They thought I was great too because when I talk I slip between American and Australian in mid-sentence -- I think I must just do it over here because I don't really recall doing this at home... Anyway it made for a nice Saturday.

Semi-good news

I have talked with the people at the study abroad office at uni and it looks like I will be able to move into a new apt. (on the beach) on the 17th of Feb. This is good as it is heaps cheaper and much closer to school and my friends. I spoke with my leasing agents and they are going to advertise my apt. As well so hopefully someone will want it before the 17th (keep your fingers crossed!!).

I go to the hunter valley tomorrow bright and early for wine tasting and then to a party at sarah's boyfriends house. Not too much else going on its been hot, humid, and rainy the past few days so that's no good but whatever. And hopefully I will hear from my work so I can start to make some money again--which I very much need to do!!

I also changed my uni schedule so I am done the 9th of June and am looking to move home for good around the 14th of June if all works out...

It's funny really-

Do you ever wake up and think god I love my life? Well somedays here I do; when I am walking down busy George Street, or laying at the beach I'll get that feeling of "WOW; I live in Sydney" and you know this is the seventh month of it! I have only been back a week but already I like the second half of my stay here better than the first 6 months.

Since I have been back I've gone out with so many people and have plans to do so many other things with just as many people that I can hardly remember when I was looking for friends. Now I have heaps--and they are really good people. Like for instance tomorrow I am going to the tennis in Sydney where I have ground passes (think walking and talking to the players) from one of my friends. I have a Hunter Valley wine trip on Friday with the MSU study abroad kids, I passed on a Harbour cruise with them last week. I can go to the cricket any time I please as well as the races or golfing at a private course too -- all because of the friends I have made. I'm going to Wollongong again to hang out with one of my Aussie girls and on Thursday I'm having dinner and a pool party with my friend Jen. There are others too but it's kinda like would I get to do all these amazing things in the states? Well I don't know. I do seem to meet the most amazing people wherever I go (Colorado, Vegas, Miami, Australia.....) and get to do things "normal" people only imagine. So I guess I am one LUCKY person and that makes me feel special and finally really happy to be here.

ahhh

at the moment i couldn't be more frustrated with my living situation. everything in my apartment is breaking down and they have been so slow to fix anything. i also asked about if i brought someone in to take over my lease what would happen and blah blah blah and it looks like it will cost be about 500$ to break the lease even with a subleaser to take it over. (i listed the apartment and may be having a couple come take a look at it next week) -- and if these people want it i am going to have my friend figure out if i really have to pay all these fees or not since he is a realtor. we will see but right now im sitting in the dark with basically no air (mind you its raining and not hot so that's good) and just ANNOYED!!

 

good times back at home for xmas

 

 

Sydney New Years Fireworks--midnight finale