Rock 2 Reef part 1. <3

23 days with 40 sum exchange students.
half know each other the other half know each other..
2 districts of rotary exchange students brought together for a trip around Australia.
Neither district knowing the other.
The first day we left at 6 which meant that most of us were up at 4 a.m or earlier.
It was really weird getting on the bus because the trip was finally here we had been thinking about and excited about this trip all year and we where on our way. Our bags packed ready to go, another adventure. We met up with the other district about 5 hours later.
We hopped off of our bus and onto theirs. So that meant they already had their seats which meant they were all in the back. so through out the day we slow mixed going back to the back and sitting in empty seat or switching seats. Do the normal exchange student run down.. Hi my name is.. I'm from... I've been here.... I live here in..... I leave..... Then it’s the other exchange students turn..... Then you talk about things you've done with the other exchange students.. Your best trips.. Favorite.. And worst families (that is if you've had any.) something will hit during the conversation that you both have in common and BAM! Your friends. Just like that exchange students are so much fun.
Now most of you at home will not be able to say this town's name properly now it's not your fault. Australian's I believe have pride in spellings and saying words so different you wonder what were they drinking when they deiced to spell that or say that...? =]
Day 2 we went to Coober Pedy- Australia Opal mining capital.. Which is out in the middle of the country (well almost) and there is nothing there except for the crazy people that live there. And it's so hot that most digs into hills and lives underground. It was nice to visit but I’d never live there.!
Day3 more driving! (This country is big!) We were headed to Ulura/Ayers rock (once again most at home will not be able to say this.) it’s a bloody big rock 9 1/2 km walk which took about 3 hours.
We ended up staying 4nights at Ulura camp site.. Because my buddy Clay (who is Canadian) broke the air con. In our first bus by getting a kender surprise bar (chocolate bar) stuck along with Anne's tweezers. The walk around Ulura was amazing and lots of fun. The people I walked with made it heaps of fun and the 3 hours passed by quickly. The pictures I took wow.!
King's Canyon walk.. Well it wasn't a walk it was a freakin' Climb that seemed to go for ages!! Over 500 steps sure we all thought pshh.. 500 steps no worries well when u seen the steps and then after going up them those evil 500 steps where killer but well worth it. Some people say its one of the most beautiful sites in Australia but i say it's nice and I’m glad i got to climb and see it but I’d only go once.
Alice Springs. By now days weren't really being counted and we all felt like we had known each other for ages. i think it was day 5 or 6. Alice springs is pretty much in the middle of Australia and is known for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (which i would like to come back and work for but only for only about 6 months) and also known for School of the Air School of the air isn't a school to teach people how to fly but its a school with maybe 200 students from the ages of 3-15. And because the out back and people do live out there they still need schooling so they are shipped their homework and have classes on the web. i thought that was pretty cool.
Undrar national park(Queensland) - this was a really cool place it's one of the worlds largest (found) Lava tube systems. We were giving a tour through part of it and got to walk down to the start of a few tubes. It was beautiful in its own way and very interesting.

For one whole day 11 hours we sat on a bus but the drive was well worth it we were then at Ellis Beach which was the start of the coast! At Ellis beach we had a few hours to play in the ocean. But we had to go in the roped/ netted part so we weren’t stung by the deadly jelly’s or just in case there were sharks.. I’m glad to say we all survived the swim. The next day we went to Kuranda Market’s which was a lot of fun had lunch and went on a sky line thing that took us from the mountain tops back to the beach. Then we went to Tjarapai (don’t ask how to say that..?) Aboriginal Centre. That was one of my favorite places we got to learn about the Aboriginal culture and actually partake in a few activities.

Airlie Beach which is Australia’s Back packer town’s it was a lot of fun and alive. We had the night out (meaning we bought our own tea that night and got to go shopping)

The next morning we had a boat ride out to the Great Barrier Reef which was my favorite day! We went Snorkeling all day the colours, fish, coral, the water, the whole day was indescribable. All I can say is if you plan on going to the Great Barrier Reef Go to Airlie Beach and take a boat (I’ll find out the company’s name) and it’s well worth the money it’s a day you’ll never forget. Fish with colours and designs you never thought could possibly be true but they are its truly amazing. I felt like a 5 year old at a lolly’s’ shop only the lolly’s I took home were memories.

Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin’s Zoo!) and yes his family was at the Croc Show. =D it was a lot of fun and the Crocs’ were freakin’ monstrous!!! Why what large teeth they have. Haha

Gold Coast.! <3>

The current was horrible. You would take one step and a wave would hit you and you’d be 6 feet back and have to start over. The surf teacher was to die for and what we all around the world picture Aussie guys to look like. (yes My crazy Mexican Friend Maria and I got a picture with him) haha. But the Surf teacher said that the current isn’t usually that bad. And I did surf I stood up and rode some waves! Not just 5 but almost every wave. There were a few wipe outs mind you there were 40 some people out in the water(crazy exchange students =D) You should have seen me carrying the stupid Surf Board it was HUGE! I had to carry it on my head when out of the water and if I didn’t I would fall over. =D

The next day we spent at Dream World. It was a lot of fun. But I like our amusement parks/ water parks better.

Sydney (our trip is almost over)=(…

Sydney wow it was a great day Amazing actually but I’d never live there it’s not as fun as Melbourne =P. but the Bridge and the Opera house! Was beautiful, we had a private tour of the Opera house. It truly is as amazing if not better in real life. And the history is very interesting.

Canberra (Australia’s Capital!) haha everyone else would believe it to be Sydney or Melbourne. Melbourne was Australia’s capital for about 15 years. While Canberra was being built. By the way Australia’s Capital City is designed by an American (although I don’t really like the city nothing’s really there..) and the Capital Building is designed by two American’s one of the designers now lives in Australia. =]

America’s ever where.

The trip was wow! That’s all I can say to make you understand how amazing and unbelievable great it was.

It wouldn’t have been this amazing of a trip if it wasn’t for the exchange students on the trip. I’ll never forget any of them. Some I became close with than other’s and so many inside jokes I could write a book on it maybe two. But only 20 or so would truly understand it all. HIII-GH. 4! =] I can’t wait to see them all again in the next month and the years to come.

Pictures in the next Blog (they take to long to upload should be there next week)

XXX

Racism

Racism Yesterday i was taking the train home from an afternoon in the city.
A white guy stumbled clumsily on to the train if his entrance on to the train didn't show to you that he was drunk then the stubby he had in one hand and the bag of the remainder sure would have.
Then he preceded to sit down. He looked around and there was an Asian, a guy that was part Black and an Indian guy sitting in the same area of the train as him. As soon as the drunk guy seen who he was sitting next to he did one of the worst things i think a person could ever do.
he opened his mouth and demeaned each one of these men(black,Asian, and Indian)... My respect for these three men i never spoke to and never caught their names grew. They handled this man in the most reasonable way. If someone would have spoken to me in that way i would have told him off. Each man kept their cool. the Asian got off on the next stop the Indian got of 3 stops later. And the Black guy moved and sat next to me. The drunk guy got off the stop before me and the Black guy. I told the Black guy i was so sorry he was drunk and stupid and that race doesn't matter it's the person you are inside that counts not the colour of your skin, your religion, or ethnicity. The guy just smiled and said that's what he was told growing up. and that he would never judge people by a bad experience and that theres always a bad apple in a bunch.

I hate Racism i seen no point in it it shows that you have no respect for u or anyone else. And that you have a narrow mind.(step out of that little box and see that we are all different thats what makes the world go round.) I've met some of the most amazing and life changing people, and over half of them are of a different race,religion, or ethnicity if i let race take over my view on people i wouldn't have the opportunities i have open to me. These races cultures and ethnicity make our wonderful world go around.
It makes people who they are. and why should you be the one to judge them? well your not to judge them that's God's job(and by saying God i mean what ever God you chose to believe in that is if you chose to.)
I love the fact that everyones different it keeps things intresting if everyone was of the same colour religion how boring would our amazingly diviser would be?
It's a way for us to test our selfs would you be willing to help someone anyone (no matter the colour or difference) it's easy to say 'Yes' but its harder when put to the test.
When you where a little kid in pre-school you played with all the kids not just the white, black, green. so why do we start to see a differnce when we grow up.
=D<3

..OI=D

Oi!
well im with a new host family my host sister Gabby went on exchange last year to Brasil. As my 1st host dad Ken said we get along like two ducks in a pound.
The whole family is great.! Their down to earth and a lot of fun.
The weather is driving me nuts Summer was great but it was up and down with the temp. never in the same range. Then again that how Melbourne weather is bi-polar! =]
This weekend My family is off to the city not a clue of wat is planned but i cna't wait!
Then next weekend i have a bike ride for 6 days (600 klm!) pray i make it the whole way =]
and then a few weeks after that i'm off on my Rock to Reef trip for 26 days! =D
Oh and school is good lots of homework but its good i enjoy my classes. =]
short but sweet i got to go =]

Bush Fire

The Bush fires here as all of you i'm sure have heared are well a story all its own.
Yes there has been an arrest made but as far as i know they are still collecting evidence. I think most people are upset that someone would actually set a fire and kill so many people, destroy so many homes and the toll on the wildlife has been out outrageous. I think there is one or two more fires thought to be set but nothing else has been said. Most people are focused on helping the burned victims and people in need of help.
The fires are still burning but i'm not really close to where the fire's are.
But everyone here has come together to help any any way. and money is being raised to help them. i'll post more later..

it's been awhile!

sorry it's been so long since I've last posted.! I've been so busy. so much to say and so little time. NO snow,No cold weather(at least not like ours) I'm not sure that this Christmas will feel like a real Christmas. i think I'm kind of dazed at the moment.. i can't believe it's already December! and it doesn't feel right. so unusual. last weekend i was in shorts! it's not suppose to be summer it should be winter cold and wishing for snow! such a change. I've moved host families and i will have a Swedish Christmas which they celebrate on Christmas eve and then i will make my way back to Chris and Ken's for Christmas day lunch(Aussie style) with their family. oh and we are on summer holidays. did u know they give homework that has to be finished over the holidays! talk about ruining a holiday!=D
I've started to think when people ask about my family I now tell them I'm a lucky person because i have even more family than i thought ever possible rotary, blood, friends, exchange students, and host families. so many people! I don't think anyone realizes how large My family is now. =D i still don't have a full grasp on it.
well i've done so much in so little time i only have 6 short months left.
but with in my 6 months i'll do the rock to reef tour which is a 26 day trip and we have a lot planned for that(all inbound exchange students), bike ride(400or 500 kilm. which is around 200/300 miles.) i'll do this within a weeks time i couldn't do that in a day haha!
i'll go camping, sailing, fishing, and school some where in between all of this =D.
thats it for now i'll add some pictures soon
ta(thanks)
stay warm all! =D merry christmas and happy new years! <3xx

beautiful.=]

well i'd like to start this blog by saying thank you to my rotary club (in alleghany) for the card and money!! =]
now lets see Australia well is the most beautiful place you could ever see.! and i haven't see the whole country just yet =P. (but i will) .
i've say bloody hell now and beautiful,Mint(means awesome) and tut(i think thats the correct way of spelling and it also means thanks) =P
i actually enjoy coffee =] and i love avocado but they cant stop me from eatting p.b&j's =D <3 class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">American in me right.? oh i still haven't picked up the accent but they're all gettin' good at the southern accent haha. they learn fast too.
my teachers have all picked it up and i can't help but laugh at them all.
i've been really busy thats why i haven't had any new post lately sorry everyone..
this weekend i'm going to an aussie wedding.! it'll be good. can't wat and it'll be 30*C. i think thats around 80ish*F.. but i know it will be hot. yay!<3
right now it is spring and they truely have 4 seasons in a day if u don't like the weather one mintue then stick around a few more and it'll change for you.
this can be annoying at first it was for me but now i've gotten use to it carry an umbrella and sweater with you and dress in layers.
Summer will be another story i will live either in the ocean or the pool not sure which one yet =P haha. school is out dec. 5th but really school is out the 21st nov. =] exams.
i've also changed host families and they are great love them as much as i loved ken and chris (my first host family). I have 2 host brothers both in college and i seen them about twice a week and i've seen a few of their footy games and cricket matches . cricket is well boring! not sure why they like to play it.. =] i also have a host sister thats almost 19 she lives at the house and we get along very well we have the same interest so we hang out a lot even though shes older than me =D. so everything is going great love it here and can't believe its almost been 3 months! its going way to fast can some one press the pause button for me.!
but thats about it for now i'll write soon mates=D<3

great ocean road. =D<3

Great ocean road. part one.=]<3
I went down the great ocean road. The weather is ever changing just like the ocean she has many moods and they change quite often and work wonders together(the ocean and the weather). Their moods changed from sunny inviting, then dark cloudy and rainy, with a few breaths it was windy (which it stayed that way the rest of the day) , then sunny but yet still windy and cold to the bone. My first glimpse of one of God’s most beautiful area’s. I want to paint a picture in your minds but its not that easy this view is well you’d have to see for urself. As I walked up the bushy path that I could barely see over. There was a mist that was carried by the winds coming of the ocean. I could smell the salt, inviting but caucuses at the same time. The mist, the view, the weather all of it added up together it put me in a daze that I’m not really sure im out of. It was all breath taking and it sure as (excess me but..,)hell knocked the wind and all the vocabulary out of me. I had no words, no thoughts I had to keep reminding myself breath. and it took me awhile to convince myself that wat I was really seeing was real. I think it was the quietist I’ve ever been in my life and longest too. =] Can u say unbelievable, glories , spectacular, amazing, breath taking, mesmerizing, picture prefect. Then again no of those words seem to even come close to or fit describing the sincere that I saw today. No picture could even show the beauty of the place I walked through and experienced. In order to get a full grip on the feelings, thoughts, or even what I seen you have to see it for yourself. Or be able to reminds=] Then again it could be different from what I felt and seen myself. as soon as we got to the coast and seen the first view I couldn’t even speak, I had no words in my vocabulary to even come close to this spectacular view that was set here before me. All I could say minutes later was wow, look!, and aww.. I didn’t know where to point my camera first I just started snapping photos. But not one photo suffices the views I seen today and experienced myself. photos can be beautiful but they don’t really capture the full beauty of it all. The expressions on your face the way it all makes you feel as your taking it all in for the first time. For me it was like I had never seen the beach, felt the wind on my face, the spray of the ocean carried by the wind as it rapped itself around you until you where capture in this scene never to be released. The wind in fact took my soul and heart with it, showed me what being free was really like and the true beauty of god’s wonderful creations like I had never seen anything before well at least not clearly. Everything seems new and clearer. So much out there that I need to see but so little time, I found that I love life more than most people allow themselves to ever do so in a life time. Maybe it’s because I know first hand that it can all be taken away from you at any moment. So why not follow your heart no matter how crazy it may seem. God works in mysteries ways, right?? Even if you live until your 100 years old do you truly do all you want to in life? 100 years may seem like a long time but it really does slip by you like a blink of any eye. Something that happens, so quick and so natural that you don’t seem to notice until after it has pasted and happened again. Each moment gone with out a real thought about it, how scary it that.? don’t get me wrong though I love my family and where I come from. it has all made me who I am today. All of it will always be a part of me a part of what makes me who I am. How can anyone forget that and put that behind them, and I know I don’t ever want to. =] but life blinks by to fast, gone and past you before you’ve had time to realize it or truly experiences it. But if ur lucky something like wats happened to me will knock you back and make you realize that time truly is precious so soak it up, take with both hands and your heart. And see what God has given you and make everything you can out of it and then some. Don’t waste it, do everything no matter how little it is. Looking back the little things will be the things you look back on and cherish most. Just as simple as a view of the ocean or a road trip could change your life. So take chances. Live a little laugh until your sore, and cherish every moment God has given you/ <3 thats it for now. so peace, love and sweet dreams=D




my 2nd and 1st veiws of the great ocean coast line<3(its backwards i know 2nd, then 1st)=D

12 apostles(well now theres only 7)=] and don't comment on this picture it was windy:P