Sydney!

Just arrived in OZ today at 830am. Left the Zoo-ish airport at around 1030, after waiting for baggage for a while. The flight was fine, and comfortable on the A380 we got to fly on! The A380 beast (plane) really lives up to its expectations. The smoothest flight I've ever been on... no turbuluence at all! It was a gorgeous aircraft and had lots of nice features, such as the little footnet and heaps of entertainment.

Sunrise somewhere over the Pacific on the A380

I slept for about 6 hours, which was pretty good. We met a guy on the plane who was traveling to Antarctica, as a doctor, to work with the scientists for the next year or so. Very awesome. It is amazing to finally be here... and I am completely self conscious of my accent.

Stephen and I waiting at LAX for our flight!

After making some phone calls via skype to home, Brickman and I wasted no time! We just got back from downtown Sydney. It is beautiful and about 80 degrees here! I got my mobile topped up, as well.

After my cousin Lyn dropped us off in town, we walked around George Street and went to the Queen Victoria Builiding where I got my favorite iced coffee. Coffee in NZ and Aussie are very similar and blow US coffee out of the water. For example, my iced coffee was coffee + vanilla ice cream. AMAZING. But not in a slushie form, just like, as if it was whip cream, added on top...
Coffee, not an iced one, but Brickman's!

Then we walked to the harbour and got some nice shots of the Sydney Opera House and watched a contortionist on the street. From there we walked to The Rocks where there was a market and we stopped for a celebratory beer. T'was nice not to be ID'd! Then we walked across the Harbour Bridge back to Lyn's house. It was such a nice walk, very simple and easy, and only took about 45 minutes. Even though I'm exausted, I figured it would be a good thing to do. And it was!

Me with the Sydney Opera House in the background

So far, Sydney is amazing..It's a great city, with wonderful public transportation and plenty to do.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Australia in T-6 Days...

I'm starting to feel the anticipation and excitement of leaving for Australia in 6 days. So much to do, til then, so little time. Winter break has sped by, and now all I can think of is Australia Australia Australia. Packing seems like the worst part of it, though, and I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to fit ALL of my favorite shoes, plus my favorite clothes, etc etc. I have LOTS of favorites. Either way, all is bound to fit, and I'm just going to have to grin and bear it.

My travel buddy! Pre-traveling :)

I leave January 29th from JFK-LAX-SYD.
More to come, when I actually have something interesting to write about...AKA when I get there..

In the meantime, watch this video that has been on my mind since I got accepted into the Melbourne program..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeMarRzd28w