It has been way too long since I’ve written! So much has happened…
Last weekend Katie and I went to Manly beach together, just the two of us. It was fun to enjoy our first day at the beach! We rode the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly (30 min.). It was a beautiful day and the perfect temperature. We had fun getting tan and drinking diet cokes on the beach.
Quick story…In L.A. when I was in the long line to check-in at Qantas, I met a guy from England traveling on his own for 6 months around in the US, Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and China. We talked for about 40 minutes and exchanged emails so that he (Ryan) could contact me when he arrived in Sydney. Anyway, he arrived on Tuesday, so my friends and I met up with him at one of the bars downtown called Scruffy Murphy’s. It was so fun to catch up with him and his travels! It was such a random meet, but so fun.
I also met up with the Burchett family’s friend Liz Hawthorne. Liz is a student at Sydney Uni, and when the Burchett’s lived in Australia, the girls were friends with Liz, and have still stayed in touch with her. We finally had coffee on campus together after talking via facebook for awhile. She is such a sweet girl, and it was so fun to meet face-to-face! We are planning on getting together again before I leave.
This weekend was absolutely wonderful! I went with six other students from my program to the Kangaroo Valley. We volunteered for the weekend with CVA, Conservation Volunteers Australia, in Chakola, a camp recreation area. Chakola is Aboriginal for Lyrebird. It was a beautiful weekend—the weather was sunny and breezy, in the high seventies. We stayed in cabins with bunk beds and cooked together in the kitchen.
On our way to Chakola we stopped at Kiama Beach, home to the biggest blowhole in New South Wales. The beach and rocks were amazing. When we arrived we got settled and then got dressed in our “work” gear. This consisted of long sleeves, long pants, bright yellow neon vests, and fishermen’s hats—the traditional Aussie nature hat. We looked so goofy, but it was fun to get the whole Aussie experience. We raked the pathway down to Kangaroo River and stopped on the way to enjoy the green bush.
On Saturday we worked at a national park about an hour from Chakola. Our guide, Matt, came with us everywhere and we met up with another man from CVA and a girl from Wollongong. We went in the swampy area to pull these huge weeds that looked like mini trees, however, the land rover type vehicle got stuck in the mud! We spent most of our time there trying to get the car out, but finally managed to after a lot of stick gathering and digging. The rest of the day we chopped down weeds in the bush and poisoned them so that they wouldn’t grow back.
When we came back to Chakola my friend Lisa and I went to look for kangaroos and wallabies. The paddock (field) that was part of the property was filled with about 15 kangaroos/wallabies. It was hard to tell them apart since we were far away, but we saw them hopping around. We also saw a herd of cows, and they came running up to the fence, right by where we were standing. It was pretty cool to be face-to-face with six cows.
At night we had a bonfire with s’mores, and we also made muesli cookies for dessert. Muesli is my new favorite breakfast food. It’s similar to granola, but there’s more fruit and nuts. They have really good muesli bars here too…I’ll have to bring some back! Anyway, this morning we did some more weeding on the property near the river, and then ate lunch and headed back to Sydney. On our way we stopped at Fitzroy Falls, a gorgeous waterfall in the mountains (near the Blue Mountains). It was stunning! Australia is unbelievably beautiful. I have never seen such beautiful landscape. The mountains, green hills and valleys, rivers, waterfalls, etc. You all should spend the money and come sometime, because there is nothing else like it!
I was sick with a head cold most of the week, so I am finally feeling better. A weekend away did miracles. This week will be really tough since I have a consultancy report due for my science class, and a group media kit for my media relations class both due on Friday. My mom and dad arrive early Friday morning, and I absolutely cannot wait!!! Then it’s off to Melbourne and the Outback for SB 08 #2. Your prayers are always appreciated, and I will keep you in mine too.
xxx Megs
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Spring is coming...
Uni is in full swing and I am very ready for spring break. Only 2 more weeks! I am so excited to see my parents, explore Melbourne, and camp under the stars in the Outback.
This past weekend I went to Cronulla with my friends to enjoy a day at the beach! It wasn’t quite warm enough to wear a swimsuit, but it was fun to sit and lay out in the grass overlooking the beach with huge waves and Aussie surfers. It was about an hour train ride from Sydney Central Station, so we just spent the morning and into the afternoon exploring Cronulla, getting some sun, and admiring the cutest Australian family ever! It was Father’s Day on Sunday, so there were tons of families out walking, playing catch, and riding scooters. My friends and I sat on a grassy hill, and a young couple came with their three little boys to play catch. Noah, Joel, and baby Will were adorable Joel came over and talked to me and Danielle. His accent was so cute, even though it was hard to understand him since he was only 2. Noah was probably about 6 and he was playing catch with his dad. It was so funny because he was just learning to catch, and when his dad threw the baseball it almost hit his face. Noah said, “Dad, you nearly whacked me in the face!” We all tried not to laugh, but it was SO funny and cute. I love kids with accents.
On Tuesday I spent the night at Katie’s house in Gladesville, two bus rides away (about 40 minutes) so we had fun watching my skydiving video, eating Domino’s pizza, watching “The Guardian”, and relaxing. The next day I went to Kate’s favorite coffee place, Angela Jane’s, in Drummoyne where her school is, and studied for a bit before heading back to Sydney Uni for class. It was nice to get out of my apartment for the night and be with my sister. I am so happy that we are here together!
This weekend Kate and her friends and my friends and I are going to see a symphony perform at the Opera House. I am so excited, because although I have seen the Opera House many times, I have never been inside. The Sydney Symphony is performing a show called ‘Crime Time’, and they’re playing music from ‘crime’ movies like the Bond series, Secret Window, and the Sixth Sense. It should be great. I am also happy because it will count as one of my required concert viewings for my music class. It may be warmer this weekend as well (about 76 degrees) so I think my friends and I are going to go back to Wollongong and hang out on the beach.
I hope you are all doing well now that school has started and fall is on its way. I think about you often and miss you, no matter how much fun I am having! Have a great weekend.
Love,
Megs xxx
This past weekend I went to Cronulla with my friends to enjoy a day at the beach! It wasn’t quite warm enough to wear a swimsuit, but it was fun to sit and lay out in the grass overlooking the beach with huge waves and Aussie surfers. It was about an hour train ride from Sydney Central Station, so we just spent the morning and into the afternoon exploring Cronulla, getting some sun, and admiring the cutest Australian family ever! It was Father’s Day on Sunday, so there were tons of families out walking, playing catch, and riding scooters. My friends and I sat on a grassy hill, and a young couple came with their three little boys to play catch. Noah, Joel, and baby Will were adorable Joel came over and talked to me and Danielle. His accent was so cute, even though it was hard to understand him since he was only 2. Noah was probably about 6 and he was playing catch with his dad. It was so funny because he was just learning to catch, and when his dad threw the baseball it almost hit his face. Noah said, “Dad, you nearly whacked me in the face!” We all tried not to laugh, but it was SO funny and cute. I love kids with accents.
On Tuesday I spent the night at Katie’s house in Gladesville, two bus rides away (about 40 minutes) so we had fun watching my skydiving video, eating Domino’s pizza, watching “The Guardian”, and relaxing. The next day I went to Kate’s favorite coffee place, Angela Jane’s, in Drummoyne where her school is, and studied for a bit before heading back to Sydney Uni for class. It was nice to get out of my apartment for the night and be with my sister. I am so happy that we are here together!
This weekend Kate and her friends and my friends and I are going to see a symphony perform at the Opera House. I am so excited, because although I have seen the Opera House many times, I have never been inside. The Sydney Symphony is performing a show called ‘Crime Time’, and they’re playing music from ‘crime’ movies like the Bond series, Secret Window, and the Sixth Sense. It should be great. I am also happy because it will count as one of my required concert viewings for my music class. It may be warmer this weekend as well (about 76 degrees) so I think my friends and I are going to go back to Wollongong and hang out on the beach.
I hope you are all doing well now that school has started and fall is on its way. I think about you often and miss you, no matter how much fun I am having! Have a great weekend.
Love,
Megs xxx
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Picture Slideshow!
Hey all! I created a photo album/slideshow of my pictures thus far. I tried to put it directly into my blog, but couldn't figure it out. You can go to www.picasaweb.google.com/meghanfore to view the slideshow. Just copy and paste the URL into the browser, click the album, and then click the slideshow button in the left hand corner. Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
"You belong in Bondi!"
Today has just been one of those really good days. Nothing too exciting has happened, but as I walked around through the campus I was just thinking about the fact that I’m in Australia, across the other side of the world, meeting new people and interacting with people from all different backgrounds and places in life. How cool is that?
This morning I woke up, and instead of going to the gym like I would normally do, I decided to catch up on my journaling. I sat out on my apartment balcony, just reflecting on my life here while the sun shined on me coming in and out of the clouds. Then at 9 am two of my best friends Emma and Emma and I talked on Skype for an hour and a half. The video finally worked, so I got to see their beautiful faces! I cannot even tell you how great it was to talk to them. To talk to two girls—besides Kate of course—who really know me was so refreshing. We have a past and previous life together, whereas here, I’ve only known people for about two months.
Then I went to my Media class at 11 am, and afterward my group for the campaign proposal we have due on Friday got together. The three girls in my group are all really nice, and we all have worked well together, doing our share of the work (sometimes hard to come by these days!). One of the girls Emma is Australian, and Sarah is an international student from Singapore who has lived in Australia for a couple of years. Kim is also from the US, in Connecticut. I ate my ‘sack’ lunch, and then walked back to my apartment to put some jeans on (the weather is so weird!). I stopped at Hoochie Mammas, the café and coffee place that Sydney University Village students get money to, and bought a flat white coffee. The Aussie guys there are SO awesome…probably in their late 30s. Two of my favorite guys were working as usual (one of them always says “Hi darling” (“daling” with the accent) to all of the girls that come in. We all love it! Or like today, he said to me, “Thanks love” when I picked up my coffee. Anyway, while I was paying with my U-card, this guy (I should know his name by now…) said to George the other guy, “She could pass as an Aussie, couldn’t she Georgie?” He smiled and shook his head yeah, and then I laughed and said, “Why, because I have blonde hair?” And he shook his head yeah again and said, “You belong at Bondi.” (Bondi Beach). Haha I just laughed and smiled, thinking ‘Yes! I look like an Aussie! Now I just need to work on my accent!” Needless to say, it made me feel good, and kept me smiling till my next lecture.
We watched a movie in my Australian Multicultures lecture today about a Chinese family who moved to Australia. The unit we’re studying now is about Australasia. It was really interesting and funny to see the drama they faced when they first arrived from Hong Kong. I have another group project in that unit as well, and so my group met afterward to discuss our presentation. I got blessed with another good group, and the two girls are also really fun to talk to and hardworking. It’s refreshing to know that school isn’t meant to be a big stressor here, which I find SO amazing since studying sometimes consumes me at Hope. “No worries” is the mindset here, so I am constantly keeping that in mind and living life to the full! Tonight I am going to the Hillsong college group, and then just chilling and studying a bit. Thanks for your support and prayers everyday—they don’t go unnoticed!
Love, Megs
This morning I woke up, and instead of going to the gym like I would normally do, I decided to catch up on my journaling. I sat out on my apartment balcony, just reflecting on my life here while the sun shined on me coming in and out of the clouds. Then at 9 am two of my best friends Emma and Emma and I talked on Skype for an hour and a half. The video finally worked, so I got to see their beautiful faces! I cannot even tell you how great it was to talk to them. To talk to two girls—besides Kate of course—who really know me was so refreshing. We have a past and previous life together, whereas here, I’ve only known people for about two months.
Then I went to my Media class at 11 am, and afterward my group for the campaign proposal we have due on Friday got together. The three girls in my group are all really nice, and we all have worked well together, doing our share of the work (sometimes hard to come by these days!). One of the girls Emma is Australian, and Sarah is an international student from Singapore who has lived in Australia for a couple of years. Kim is also from the US, in Connecticut. I ate my ‘sack’ lunch, and then walked back to my apartment to put some jeans on (the weather is so weird!). I stopped at Hoochie Mammas, the café and coffee place that Sydney University Village students get money to, and bought a flat white coffee. The Aussie guys there are SO awesome…probably in their late 30s. Two of my favorite guys were working as usual (one of them always says “Hi darling” (“daling” with the accent) to all of the girls that come in. We all love it! Or like today, he said to me, “Thanks love” when I picked up my coffee. Anyway, while I was paying with my U-card, this guy (I should know his name by now…) said to George the other guy, “She could pass as an Aussie, couldn’t she Georgie?” He smiled and shook his head yeah, and then I laughed and said, “Why, because I have blonde hair?” And he shook his head yeah again and said, “You belong at Bondi.” (Bondi Beach). Haha I just laughed and smiled, thinking ‘Yes! I look like an Aussie! Now I just need to work on my accent!” Needless to say, it made me feel good, and kept me smiling till my next lecture.
We watched a movie in my Australian Multicultures lecture today about a Chinese family who moved to Australia. The unit we’re studying now is about Australasia. It was really interesting and funny to see the drama they faced when they first arrived from Hong Kong. I have another group project in that unit as well, and so my group met afterward to discuss our presentation. I got blessed with another good group, and the two girls are also really fun to talk to and hardworking. It’s refreshing to know that school isn’t meant to be a big stressor here, which I find SO amazing since studying sometimes consumes me at Hope. “No worries” is the mindset here, so I am constantly keeping that in mind and living life to the full! Tonight I am going to the Hillsong college group, and then just chilling and studying a bit. Thanks for your support and prayers everyday—they don’t go unnoticed!
Love, Megs
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