Time for an update!

Thanks to Patricia who reminded me that I had not written in my blog in a long time, I am sending out an update about what I've been up to. :)


Rewinding back a bit, I did end up taking the job at Lil Sister just down the street from my apartment.  I have only worked a few times, but it has gone pretty well!  They don't have a website, but here is a link to their facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=56929660560&v=wall#!/pages/Lil-Sister/57019223432  It's not the most enjoyable job I've ever had, but the pay is great.  On top of making $18.00 an hour, my tips have ranged from $40.00 - $90.00 depending on how busy they are.  Any tips made are bonus; tips are not expected or required at restaurants/bars in Australia.  They say, "Keep the gold and leave the silver."  The manager is very flexible about hours for me.  I just work ten hours a week - five hours Friday night and five hours Saturday night starting at 9:00.  He is also letting me have off all the weekends I want to travel!  Now to the worst part of the job.  Being low man on the totem pole, I have to clean the bathrooms. :( And let me tell you, it is beyond disgusting. They only have one bathroom each for men and women, and a couple hundred people use the bathrooms at night.  I won't go into details on here about what I've had to clean up in the men's bathroom already; you're welcome!

I went on a weekend surf trip with MOJO Surf  http://www.mojosurf.com/  from January 28-30th.  I was so excited to finally learn how to surf!  The weekend included three two-hour surf lessons, and then we were able to hang out at night around the campfire. 

It was so much fun when I caught a fast wave and was able to stand up!  I could have stayed out there all day; I can understand how one could become addicted to surfing.  After the weekend was over, I just felt like surfing every day.  I looked into getting a board, but decided against it due to cost.  They are expensive, and a beginner quickly progresses through board sizes.  A few of my friends bought them, though, so hopefully I can still go a few more times. :)

The surf instructors were cool haha.  It was the first time I spent time around surfers, and I felt like I was immersed in a different culture.  They definitely have a laid back, chill, fun lifestyle, and I loved the surf lingo. :)

We went kayaking down a river in the afternoon inbetween lessons.

Sarah and I met some awesome people!  To the left is Ronnie from Israel.  She is backpacking through Australia and New Zealand with a couple friends, but came on her own to surf camp.  Sarah and I really enjoyed getting to know her!

We also met three girls from the Netherlands.  They have been backpacking since November and don't fly home until the end of March!  They earned their bachelors degrees last year, worked for six months, and are now travelling before starting medical school in the fall.  Hearing about their experiences makes me want to backpack and continue travelling the world sooooo bad.  A backpacking trip through Europe to visit my friends from Norway is something I have to do; I just have to figure out when would be the best time (and more importantly-when I'll have the money) to take a couple months to do that.  But I'll figure something out!  There are so many things I want to do while I'm young and am without commitments.  I am also talking to a recruiter about the possibility of joining the Peace Corp following graduation.

It just so happened to work out that the girls from the Netherlands, a couple guys from the Netherlands, a guy from England, and a girl from Germany (all who we met at the surf camp) were coming to Gold Coast this past weekend.  We let them stay at our apartment so they didn't have to pay for a hostel.  It was so much fun having them here! 

I had forgotten from Norway how nice it was to cook a meal with people and sit down to eat together!










I just back from a run on the beach, and there were a couple guys doing martial arts as the sun was setting.  I thought of Jake and how much he would love to be doing that.  I miss him a lot!


My days during the week basically been spent at class, swimming in the ocean, laying on the beach, or watching movies with the roommates.  I love that it's warm and sunny out literally every day.

Sarah and I are going to the Great Ocean Road this coming weekend, Thursday - Monday.  We fly into Melbourne Thursday afternoon so we have time to explore the city a bit. We will spend the night in a hostel in the CBD.  Friday morning, we leave for a three day camping tour along the Great Ocean Road and into the Grampians.  You can check out what we'll be doing by clicking this link:  http://www.bunyiptours.com/great-ocean-road/grampians.html

We'll get back Sunday evening and will stay at the hostel again.  Monday morning we'll have some more time in Melbourne before flying back home in the afternoon.  I can't wait!!!!