restless

Sure, I can enjoy doing nothing, but at some point I have to start doing something. Having pointless stay in the house days makes my nights feel a lot longer than they really are. I feel like my mind is going to implode at the level of frustration I'm experiencing as everyone goes about their own lives like normal and I bum around at home.

The roads are shit and my driving skills? wouldn't even know. cuz i haven't even been behind the wheel. why? because my parents have reclaimed their puppet strings and decided that i'm just not ready. heck, lets dump my car and forget it because waiting to get behind the car would ensure that one day i will be ready..? huh sure.

FINDING A JOB

The usual places one would expect has a constant turnover of employees have at least three copies of my applications, each. So jobless and broke for the holidays is not the kinda swagger i like to roll with. It's quite aggravating. Sure, while everyone is busy they say that I'm the lucky one without the stress of responsibilities and whatnot, well when sleep is all their is to do, it aint that amazin.


bit rocky in the world of vu.

these four walls.

Minnesota has welcomed me home warmly despite the bone chilling ( although i hear this is quite tame) weather outside. The reactions of everyone who have finally seen me again really warm my heart. Since when has one really seen other's appreciation for their presence? Sad that you really have to be gone for a while to really get it, but since i've got it, watch me bask in the glory of my return.

To be honest, being back is a bit strange. Minnesota is certainly not in the state that I had left it and neither am I. I'm not going to glide back into the little life I had prior to leaving, so how do we modify everything to finally fit? WHO KNOWS. My parents' tight grasp on my shackles is not sitting well with me, especially since I've been without for so long. the fun can't be over just because I'm back home, the definition of my life wasn't those last three months, the 'living' i did certainly doesn't end past Australia's borders.

Other than that, I LOVE BEING BACK. My friends and family really do need me and I'm readily eager to help in any way possible. The loving company I've always loved and found comfort in is back in my life, it's quite refreshing to snuggle back up to what i've adored and consider safe. The catching up we've been doing these last few days reminds me of the void I'd felt in my low times in Sydney.

I can't help but feel as if the last few months are just a figment of my imagination. The sights, sounds, emotions, and thoiughts of Australia can only be visualized in my head and expressed through my words. All i want to do is to take my loves and run them through the course of my experience. that's the kinda sharing that's necessary to fully understand all this.

I'm here back in my room, laptop as my cuddle buddy once again, yet I'm restless. These four walls of comfort aren't going to cut it, a lot of my days were wasted in here, wallowing at what I wasn't satisfied with and burying myself into the world wide web. My room will be a place of refuge. Not the setting of my life.

changed? you could say that.

ready for it? lol for a change, as a matter of fact, I am.

homeward bound

I haven't updated in about two weeks, in which i'd gone on two more trips and futher explored Sydney. I'll update afterwards once i can upload the pictures.

I'm currently on my flight to the twin cities and with whatever battery life I have left, I'll jot down my final thoughts.

I haven't been doing much outloud reflection because I honestly hadn't been in the greatest of spirits post capa program. Australia simply wasn't the same without the people it all began with. Despite that, my last two weeks of exploration were quite successful. I was able to eat at my favorite places one last time, shop til I dropped-a few hundred bucks- on randoms that are to be christmas gifts for my loves, and simply take in all my favorite sights one more time.


I've changed quite a bit from the ann that originally bawled her eyes out at the brighten beach novotel the first day. I feel like that little naive ann, the one who'd never been away from mama, was still curled up in that hotel room when I saw it from above. I don't feel like I relate to her anymore, which was the precisely the point of why I needed this.

One really important thing I've learned was that location has little meaning. Sure, Sydney is a place I relate my great experiences too, but leaving doesn't make a difference. They'll still be there, what really matters is the people I meet. I honestly stopped missing America, I didn't care Australia had enough to offer that America was just the place where I lived, got my distinctive accent, but there was no sentimental meaning attached to it anymore. It's the people.  I'm going home to my family and friends. That's what I want to go back to, because honestly, I love the sights, but if I don't get to see my Aussie loves again, I wouldn't care to turn around.


my thoughts are clogged up in a tangle and I can't seem to spew out any thoughts, quite rare I must say, but its alright, I'll check back in once i'm all settled back HOME.

loving it

Lily Sweeny cried her eyes out when I left my last day of work. I won't make much money but I'm loved a shit ton more than anyone working in some cubicle.


Parting with my babies was just as difficult as I anticipated. With my tendency to getting attached to people, it's only obbvious that I'd be in tears walking away from my internships gates. Well it's going to hurt when you got your heart on your sleeve. I'm only asking for it.


I've learned so much during my time here in Australia, but it's difficult to paint it all out in text. My mind doesn't work that way. Oh well, it'll show up for sure in conversation. I find  it mroe and more difficult to write out everything in my head.


In this phase of indecisiveness when it comes to career paths. It comforts me to know that so long as I'm in the company of children, I'm doing SOMETHING RIGHT.

to the ends of the earth

One thing I decided I must do while in Australia is snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, it was so much more than I'd ever imagine. My words alone won't accurately describe the emotions, the sounds, and the sights I had while underwater.


Being a very safe player in the game of life, constantly trapped in the cookie cutter world of ann vu's, I'd been very naive about the world. I'd always figured that if I just go through the regular milestones of life that I'll just grow and that's it. My experience over here has made me realize that I have a responsibility to reach for opportunities, explore and quit lying around waiting for life to happen to me. If I hadn't chosen to hop on a plane and see this part of the world, I would have missed out on so much.

on a lighter note...

I'm going to dump everything I have into this blog with promises that it will end nicely. I have this notorious habit of harboring all my feelings ( mostly the negative ones) in my head until I can't take it anymore and cry rivers into my pillow. Well two months of whatever and how little of an irritation I experienced was enough. The urge to cry is similar to hunger, can't suppress it and the more you do the more you tend to binge later. I had a few episodes of self pitying tears throughout the three days of my weekend ( so glad it's conveniently over the days I'm not working or in class) and I feel sooo much better.

I'm still not sure what would be better. Addressing and confronting everyone about my minor peeves or saving it up for a sudden firework show in my head. I've always been the one to gather it all up and dump it when necessary. I don't like causing problems, and I hate being that person who openly has problems with everything ( I much rather hide it, but for my sake? or for others? not quite sure yet)

Another reason why this little phase didn't surprise me was because it's always bothered me ( with everyone) This is when I realize ( well I've always known) but this is when I'm flat out shown that I'm totally the source of the problem. which sucks cuz then it'll be an issue wherever i go. My passiveness or i dont know what other term to use but it's my tendency to be too easy going. It never bothers me until i come to the realization that I haven't been doing anything on my own agenda and have become just a shadow companion for someone else. it's a little thing, till you find that there's only 6 measly weeks left of the trip, three of which will not be spent in Sydney. Not only that but I was also coming down with a cold which wouldn't phase me the slightest if I hadn't already dispensed all the medicine my mama so thoughtfully packed for me. Sigh negatives always come in sequences don't they.

Well the good news is, what comes down will always come back up. I'd decided that Halloween was not going to be celebrated this year ( like a real Australian) and rebuild my spirit up from what was left of it. I started my sunday morning with starbucks ( little home comforts like these are taken only under extreme measures, i'm here to experience NEW things) for the sake of my condition starbucks is a must. I've been reading Eat, Pray, Love and for a girl who likes to go out and eat like I do, the time she spent in Italy ( the EAT portion of the book) was of the least interest. It wasn't until she started really praying that I couldn't put it down.

ahh theres never enough time to finish and i apologize to those who actually read this...everything seems to be all over the place.

well rightfully so, its a window into my mess of a mind and tangle of thoughts. I'll finish...eventually. promise.

okay...sigh I hate having to stop in the middle, this is my third long intermission.

Okay, so reading..yes I read before church, and during church uhmm same old except the homily's don't speak to me. It's like the teacher in Charlie Brown wah wah wah. I was so used to great homily's done back every sunday at home and this just doesn't seem to cut it. Think, it's hard to be more personable when you've got a cathedral of regulars and tourists. So, nope didn't speak to me, but that's alright I had more to say this time anyhow. Ahhh i feel like this is really important although I no longer have the urge to blog it.

Here it all goes fast forwarded...
I went to David Jones which is pretty much Bloomingdales of Australia but more expensive cuz they have to import anything American inspired. I walk in on a mission for a lipstick shade ( can't hurt to switch off a new color and my regular pink pink) but I was distracted by a pianist playing with his eyes shut on a baby grand piano. Just as I was asking for one to play with, God has me watch someone else play...lol mysterious ways he works. But the man noticed that I was no longer shopping and there just to listen to him play and asked if I had any requests...DO I EVER? lol Only three requests and anyone who really knows me could guess at least 2/3rds of what I asked for. I felt that right there I was being kind of restored to my own cheery self. It was like a blanket of calmness back in and I didn't feel like everything was wrong anymore. I honestly didn't give a damn. This would have been a lot better if I had access whenever I felt the urge to write. Oh well. Can't win them all. It's a preventative measure that ensures that I don't spend my entire trip scoping the internet lol.

PERTH

While my peers all headed to beaches in Fiji or the Gold Coast for spring break, I headed to Perth : the quaint supposedly boring city located on the opposite coast of Sydney. I'm surprised how much of a trooper I am about flying after sitting 20 hrs just to get here, 5 hours was weaksauce this time around.

What amazes me the most about this time in Australia is that I'm still blessed with so much. I'm sure everyone had a good time, but I'm positive that no one had a time like I did. Everything is still catered to me, even if my parents aren't the ones to hand it on a silver platter. I'm always thankful and a little confused as to how I could be so lucky, not complaining..but still..how..why???

Perth is beautiful and I have to admit, I like it a lot more than I like Sydney. It's so much more comfortable to me because it's more Minneapolis than Sydney is. I was closer to home there than anywhere else I've travelled to. The people I met a long the way, I'll never forget. As I boarding the plane, teary eyed and aching I couldn't help but wonder if I preferred not meeting everyone. It would have been so much easier, and I wouldn't experience such a void. But along with everything else, these people were brought into my life for a reason. It shows how easy it is for me to really care about people, and difficult it is to leave when you're unsure when you'll meet again.

North of Perth : Pinnacle

Two hours north of Sydney is this desert looking place, by the ocean. It was beautiful, and a great day to go, it wasn't too hot, just crisp and windy. It was very cool to see all the different shaped stones protruding from the sand as if they grew right out of the ground.  I think it was believed that these were originally tree trunks gradually concreted with sand over thousands of years...who knows? Very cool place, I loved seeing them in person.

South of Perth: Margaret River

About two hours south is Margaret River. An area sprinkled with vineyards and chocolate factories, caves and beautiful forests, it was another tourist 'must-see'. Despite my vow never to go wine tasting, I didn't feel like I had a choice but to sip a few glasses while I was there. I don't have a taste for alcohol, although I doubt many people drink it for taste so much as the effects. Either way I'm not interested. It was fun nonetheless, these little road trips allow me to see as much of Perth as I can in the short time span I do have.

The Kari Forest was my favorite. I'm no artist but I want to draw this when I get back. The mystical stillness, the way the light glittered the trees and the seemingly endlessness of the forest was beautiful. It reminds me a lot of avatar minus the glow in the dark features of course. This was THE highlight of all the road trips, I'd never seen anything like it and I doubt I ever will.

Strawberry Field

It's the little things that really stand out to me. For a strawberry lover such as myself, this was utopia! I loved picking my own strawberries, all ripe and sweet just the way I like them. It was a beautiful day as usual, Perth's weather is perfect! Strawberries are picked and packaged by hand, made to order. Everything is fresh and business was BUSY. The field looked endless with tiny red specs scattered in the leaves. This was my FAVORITE. 

What sold the entire experience for me was my new little friend Mary. I have a hard time with people my age but I'll meet a child and come out a friend. Interesting how real children are. I can't ever say that about a peer. She taught me how to pick strawberries ( there is a specific technique to it btw) and from there we became the best of friends lol. Very cute this little one, nothing like an Aussie accent on a little asian girl. Mine is in the works but it's a sorry excuse for a cool accent I'll tellya that.

So many more things to document, but I feel like this entry is more photos and captions than anything else. It would have been a lot more interesting if I'd done it right away. I've neared almost two weeks after and the zest for the trip is a bit lost and my recollections aren't as accurate.

Today is my time out day for I'm feeling every overwhelmed with unfavorable emotions which facilitate the homesickness I hadn't experienced for weeks. I'm sitting out of the halloween festivities and decided that I will regain my sanity this weekend.

Faith

I'm finding that I learn so much more when my professor passes off the baton and lets someone else lecture. Not surprised, but I learn so much more when we go one field trips rather than twiddle our thumbs in class. Although I've seen and experienced a lot here, one of my most memorable experiences is when our class went to the Gallopie Mosque in a very diverse city whose name doesn't seem to come to my mind at the moment. The reason why is because I'd never been given the opportunity to see what other people believe, how other religions operate, and the basis on which their faith lies. Being a very spiritual person myself, I was rather intrigued by all I was learning. Through this experience, I've broadened my own opinions about religion and I feel like they weren't originally as accurate only coming from the narrow perspective of a little Catholic girl. It's important to know your specific beliefs, but also as important for you to try and understand them in relation to others. They're not all entirely different. I never fully understood how similar everything is. If you do have faith, no matter what it may be, it will play the same role in your life.

My hour of internet purchased only to speak to my sister, whom I'm unable to get a hold of, is expiring. BOO.

at last.

It's been a while since I've been able to blog. There is so much to document its ridiculous. I can procrastinate  on homework without giving the slightest bit of mind but skipping blogs just ruins messes with my head. There really isn't a custructive way to do this but to start where I left off and go from there. Most of this may sound like rambling, but that's simply how my brain operates.

Back in Sydney

A week in Perth was all the time it took for me to make it feel like home and fall in love with its residents. LOVELY for the dreadful flight back to Sydney where I sulked and spited the fact that I was returning. Okay, maybe it wasn't that dramatic but I really wasn't ready to go back to school and work in Sydney yet. It was fun, but I was welcomed/overwhelmed with Sydney's hectic life and responsibilities so I won't have time to upload any blogs/images till later. BOO. I'll procrastinate with my assignments but I really enjoy blogging right away, good reflection time for reals.

On a different note, today was the most stressful work day I've had here. Now let me start by saying that when working with kids, it takes a while for me to lose my patience and I'm not typically phased by it. Toddlers were unbelievably demanding today. Throwing food, running around inside,  shouting, chewing on all sorts of things, painting on the tables, screaming in protest of sleep time...you name it. The repetitive reprimanding wasn't getting through to them. AND I"M ONLY AN INTERN. I can't imagine what it must be like for the full timers. Good grief. BUT I have to add that the kids and I are pretty attached so I can only imagine my last day....=/
Okay, that is it for my rant.

On another note, I am already half way through my program and to be honest, I'm not ready to go back yet. Too much to do, and the thought of not coming back for a while--i hate it. There, I said it, I don't want to go back. Not like it'll make a difference, I'll still be on a plane back to the states whether or not I like it. Who knows? Maybe things'll change in a few weeks and I'll be packed a week ahead all ready to roll.

alright that is it for now, till I have time to sit at my quaint little cafe.
G'day

sand dunes, whale tail, and wine...lots of wine..

The CAPA International Program here in Sydney has various organized trips offered over the course of the semester. Since I opted out of the surf trip last minute, the port stephens trip is the only one I decided to go on. I'm not one for jampacked itineraries and schedules, I like to decide where I want to go, when, and for how long. The only thing that made this trip in particular the one I would go on was, the price, and the wide spectrum of activities we'd be doing. Not sure I enjoyed much of the trip, but it was definitely an experience of a lifetime, something I can say I've done and never feel the need to do again lol.

First stop: Shark and Stingray Feeding

Eyes on the Top, mouth on the bottom it felt like I was feeding its belly.

Let me start by tell you how ridiculous it feels to be in a wet suit. It's like trying to squeeze into a sticky jumpsuit that's ten sizes too small. I felt like my circulation was being cut off by the hems. It was interesting trying to feed the little stingrays and sharks because there mouths are so far under that you feel like you're shoving food right to their bellys.  I spose I knew this from finding nemo but it still caught me by surprise. Interesting the things you learn from Disney cartoons lol, gotta love that!We were provided with little portions of squid, being the little viet girl I am, I wanted to toast it up and eat with with hoison sauce....mmmm. I've been deprived of real vietnamese food for far too long. You can't see, but I was dry and I was the only dry member of the group. As comfortable as I thought I had become around animals, I didn't have the gull to stand in a tank with little stingrays. I got in the water up to my knees and ran back out cussing when a shark was swiveling in my direction. I'm getting used to animals, but I'm not trying to move mountains, sharks and stingrays were not going to touch me. Right before I left, my roommate convinced me to climb in a tank with a bigger shark, he wasn't swimming too fast so I felt a bit more comfortable. Honestly, I only did it for the picture. I enjoyed feeding them from the dock just as well, I don't feel like I was cheated out of the experience. I mean I still fed them, that's legit.


Sand Dune Boarding : Anna Bay

 

The only other sand dunes I'd been around were the ones in Vietnam, this was very reminiscent of that experience except for the fact that it poured right before we made it out there. Just before we were able to slide down the sandy slopes, we were draped with rain all nice and damp. Every grain of sand caught onto my face, hands, feet, clothes, I was covered. I wasn't too happy about it, but I spose it was a detail that made my experience a little bit more interesting. The pictures aren't as cool without the sand stuck like another skin layer. It was fun, I loved the rush down, but it balanced with the dreadful walk back up. The slopes were very vertical and as you can imagine, going up was just the same. No stairs, nothing steady just a ton of determination and sweat that went into that journey

Whale Watching

   

I can't speak for anyone else, but my whale watching experience was similar to staring into the night sky in hopes of finding a shooting star. Except, I've seen more shooting stars than I have seen whales. 3 hours it was that we were at sea, in the rain and the challenging waves. All for a few puffs from a whale's blow hole and the tail of one, just ONE. I'm not sure if it made since, but I expected to see a school of them, splashing on our boat, coming in and out of the water. It was hardly as glamorous. Once the rain stopped (as you can see in this picture) I was drenched by a wave. I was the ONLY person to get this wet on the boat, which the man in the tan thought was very funny. I was a good sport on the outside, but I was very bitter on the inside, very bitter indeed. So, one would think, oh it's raining out on the deck, why not go inside? Well, the inside of the boat was where all the sea sick passengers gathered and vomitted. I'm not good around vomit, the smell and the sounds are enough to set me off, even if I'm feeling just fine... It was cool to be out in open water, feeling the waves (after a little while you feel a bit woozy, even for a little swimmer such as myself), and seeing a bit of the whale's tail. Again something I can say that I did, I can't tell you enough how happy I was to being on solid ground.

Wine Tasting: Four different wineries

Wine tasting felt too extensive to me, I'm positive it's because I don't fancy it much. I learned a lot though; I didn't find that I enjoyed much of these experiences but I take it that not many get the privelege to as well as the fact that there's so much I can learn from all these experiences ( especially since I wouldn't typically like them). Australia is famous for their wines and beers, Australians know it, and they love it. So many wineries, so many different types and beers as well. I was able to taste, compare and really learn what wine is like, how it's paired with different foods, and many other things. I'm glad I went although most of the time I poured the contents of my little glass to my friends.

It was a tiring weekend, but I feel like it's all a part of being here in Australia so I wouldn't take any of it back.

As I get nestled into routine, and gradually more and more comfortable I'm enjoying my life here a ton. I'm no longer overwhelmed with differences, I am able to look on the brighter side of things, and finally be myself. I've come to realize that although I'm very resistant to change, if given the time I'm really able to adapt well and eventually the change becomes my regular and I return to happy ann again.

I find that my classes here are jokes. Literally, but in between the time wasting and incomplete syllabus I'm learning a lot about the country. I've already acquired so much from these last few weeks, I can't imagine what it'll be like come a few more. Being one who learns from experience, I've gained heaps of knowledge, I should have invested my tuition money into travels. Think of what I'd be like after living in a few different countries...I could be a very good cultural studies teacher.

Another thing, I used to complain about my lack of internet access, but since I've gotten here, I haven't been glued to youtube, facebook, or any other sites. It's refreshing, I honestly can't remember the last time my laptop was so neglected. It's sad to think about all the time I spent online. I'm afraid that once I am back in my old contexts that I'll go back to my old habits. I don't want to, so I'll make an effort to keep off my computer screen and actually live.

I finally called my mom the other day, it was a really good talk. I was so homesick initally that I couldn't stop crying as I dialed, so I never made a call. About a month in I've regained my bearings and I'm finally able to talk to my parents, I think they were feeling neglected but I feel like I needed to wait till I wasn't a mess. Instead of bawling and complaining I'm able to tell them about my life. whooot.

Well that's it, I'll be flying out to Perth which is the opposite side of Australia. It's exciting that I'll be all over Australia before I leave, I'm seeing the entire country first =) I'm not a fan of flying another 5 hours to get there, but if I do the time I'm sure I'll get a lot out of it.

Until next time,
Good day

a good friday

It's difficult having such a busy schedule and as I mention in every blog...the scarcity of internet access. There is so much I want to jot down in random moments in my day but have no way of doing so and then I forget once finally get the chance.

Let me start by saying that after counting the cash I have left, I made the executive decision not to go on the scheduled surf trip. I'll still go for sure, just closer to home and not this weekend. Oh and might I add that while wallet gets progressively thinner, the Australian dollar is getting stronger, good for them economically, bad for me since my dollars are worth less. Couldn't y'all have waited just a few more months? It's only a few cents but it all adds up, well in my case it all gets spent.

So since I opted out of the trip I've got the entire apartment to myself and I am not complaining by any means. As much as I enjoy everyone, I am thanking my lucky stars I get this time out. It's fabulous.

It's only Friday, so my activities list is short, I'll update another one later in the weekend with the next installment of my adventure list.

Pancakes on the Rocks

 It's a place I'd heard word about since I'd gotten here and it was also where the CAPA program decided we should all get together and mingle. Though some people opted out, I actually decided to go since I've secluded myself from everyone except for Tonia since I'd gotten here. I also wanted to meet other people in the program who arrived not too long ago. Just to see if I meshed with them a bit better. It was a good experience overall, the pancakes were delicious - not to die for, but I'm not too choosy. I order blueberry heaven and it lived up to the name I have to admit. My spited my choice of dinner so this is a one-time-only experience.

Art Gallery of New South Whales

Beautiful architecture

 Every time I see any work of art I automatically think of my two sisters who are both good artists. I admire it so much because I can't produce anything artistic unless decide to call it abstract. The historical pieces were very European influenced and for some reason I found some of the contemporary pieces difficult to understand if I didn't read the descriptions. I guess my mind works in too logical of a way to comprehend them? Who knows. I found myself people watching more than artwork gazing at the museum. I spent a lot of time eavesdropping on the teachers with small groups of students talking about the artwork. Seeing the couples walking around paying more attention to each other rather than the art, and others who really studied the work in front of them. Very interesting. I found a sense of peace from some of the scenic pieces, I really enjoyed myself today. Goes to show one can have a good time, FOR FREE.

Art Park: Hyde Park

Very pleased to be able to add to it. I would have sat and done the rest but I figured that wouldn't be too much appreciated.

 In order to get to the art gallery we had to go through Hyde Park. This park is right in front of the new church I've started attending instead of the Vietnamese one and right across from the starbucks I'm trying to quit visiting.   For the next month or so, there will be different works of art displayed throughout the park. One brilliant artist let onlookers participate in her piece. I thought that was brilliant. I as well as many other were able to make minor contributions to create one great piece.Kinda loserish but I'm not gonna lie, it made my day.

So here I am, Friday night with the entire place to myself relaxing to a mt dew and Disney's Aladdin. Life couldn't be better, thank heavens some comforts of home can be found so far away.

Paddy's Markets

The smells, the crowdedness it's all reminiscent of Vietnam. All except the prices. boo.

 One ridiculously large building labeled Market City, hundreds of vendors, and masses of people make Paddy's Market one of tourist must-shop stops in Sydney. The can't say that the quality is great, but I can't afford any quality here so Paddy's is good enough. Lots of souveneirs ( a lot of yours will probably come from here) and plenty of other sweet nothings no one needs but will end up buying. I liked walking around and seeing all the merchandise from various different cultures. Lots of india inspired clothing, asian things, aboriginal crafts and I <3 Sydney shirts. I found it difficult to resist the temptation to buy everything I seem to like. I'm a junk hoarder, a habit that goes back to my g-pa lol. What can I say? It's in the genes. =)

All by my lonesome, what am I going to do? Shit, I'm gonna explore, call my own shots and do everything I enjoy.

My two good friends Tami and Tuvan bought me a pocket Sydney Guide for my birthday and since I've gotten here I've been checking off the sites mentioned. It fits perfectly because the areas listed in the book are a walking distance from where I live. I can't say enough how great the location of my apartment is. I'm five mins from a station that can take you anywhere in Sydney. The guidelines for my solo weekend are to check off as many places as I can. First destination, Manly Beach! =)

Despite the fact that my group members from Capa aren't particularly my type, this program couldn't fit my cause any better. Besides the fact that I'm not meeting as many Australians as I'd hoped, I'm working with children, taking care of myself, and exploring a completely foreign city on my own makes this fit me. I complained about the commute at first, (and having work at 8am, best believe I will continue complaining about my long commute) but I love having to take the train station, bus through downtown and making detours to whatever place that catches my eye along the way.


On that note, before work wipes me out again on Monday, I have many adventures to embark on this weekend.
'till I update about it again, gday!

baby, it's cold outside

Sooooo Tonia and I ventured out to the beach and guess what? It's no fun when it's freeezing. You don't see it in the picture but right after the shot this exact wave soaked my jeans up to my knees. The waves come and go with more force than anything. Figures. It's winter! Way to suck the fun right out of beaches. Speaking of freezing waters, I'll be surfing in them this weekend...wish me luck. My Minnesotan gater-skin-to-the-cold stayed in Minnesota, I shouldn't complain too much considering my return will be a lot more extreme. I have cooler pictures of the beach that'll go up on facebook as soon as I get to a place where I'm not paying for the internet lol.

Other adventures this week...Hmmm let's see. I can't tell you enough how exhausting work has been, I'm almost reconsidering my ability to tolerate kids for a full work shift.. On a brighter note, I'm learning so incredibly much every day. The staff uses a lot of child psychology in their practices so here I am at work learning more about psychology than I would sitting in a lecture hall for the rest of my life. So this is why I'm not getting paid...No hard feelings, can't wait to get back to my students at home! I'm gonna be a better teacher! I hope.

This weekend was great but my wallet has been suffering from bulimia...I can't even tell you how much I spent in these last few days... It's tough not having any income, and I'm dreading the day that I have to ask my parents for more money. I've exhausted all the money I have saved up...and it's only been THREE WEEKS. Sigh....

Sydney Opera House : Pirates of Penzance

 My very first opera, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would it might be stupid of me but I always thought operas consisted of viking hats and fat women. This was nothing like it, I spose the more classical ones would be but this one was smart, funny and the musicians were brilliant. It was similar to a musical but with opera singing and not as glamorous of a setting (as seen here). There's a character, the captain who carried the personality of Jack Sparrow of the pirates of the Caribbean in the show. (thats where most of the humour was from). Very fun, but I can't say I enjoyed it enough to go see another opera. I'm more a broadway soul, which is A LOT more expensive here so I'm going to wait till I get back home to see them.

Sydney Tower: Observation Deck

Sydney, as well as any other city ever would be beautiful from the sky tower. I almost wish that it was night time when I was out there. The streaks over the water to my left are sailboats ( something else on my to do list). Sydney Tower is in the middle of the city where you can walk around and see everything, from the bridge and the opera house to the aquarium and even the zoo in the distance. It was very cool and the views were breathtaking. Nothing like a bird's eye view.


Anyone who knows me fairly well can vouch for my shopping habits and how it's my favorite past time aside from eating. EVERYTHING IS EXPENSIVE. So I can't shop. I shouldn't be surprised since I do live in the central business district and the biggest city attraction in the country, but still. That's something that's taking a little bit of adjustment as well as the fact that I don't like to be recognized as American. Not for anything personal but let me be the one to tell you that America does not have a good rep. "Aren't you American, you should be crazy" (dear lord, for me to be that kinda crazy? don't hold your breath.)

Something else I'm trying to get used to are the different terms people use
chips: french fries ( i shoulda known that but i didnt)
jumper: sweater
rubbish bin: garbage can
walk path: sidewalk
after thank you they say  "it's okay" (thats what i use when someone says sorry..)

As far as the accent, I can't do an impersonation but in a convo I start sounding like them. They don't understand how cool they sound. As far as my accent, they think its awesome. I'd say its a fair trade if it worked that way.

oh yeah, and everywhere I go I've been accumulating souveniers, thats what I get for having so many friends and family. I won't forget any of you, promise!

Ozzie quote " Are you half filipino?" -No, I'm Vietnamese "Oh half Vietnamese" uhmm I'm full Vietnamese.
Never reffered to myself as full/whole Vietnamese but there are so many biracial relationships here, many people are half. Not something Americans think of huh

OH and speaking Vietnamese, you can't say my trang because my=american. white people aren't american here so they were pretty confused as to who I was referring to. again, something I never thought about.

goodnight folks, till next time
latah!

:(

Funny how the smallest things in the world become a big deal when you're away from home. Work was great yet it took very little for my day to take a turn for the worst. I decided to document this just for the purpose of looking back and thinking 'uh yeah that was stupid to be upset over this'.

I've been feeling a bit down about the friend situation. Easy solution, one would think - go make new friends. Yeah, you talk to people, you're friendly, easy peasy. Well I guess it was a bit easier on my turf. Thinking about my friends back home puts me into a bit of a puddle, yearning for my old security blanket of support. It now rests solely on my newly met girlfriend Tonia. As great as she is, it simply isn't quite the same. I think that contributes to my emotional-ness. Not only that, but I miss my mama and daddy. I'm 21 but I will certainly own up to that. One can never be too old to miss the two people who do everything in their power to fix your problems.

Now for the culprit. The stupid bus. It ate my bus/train ticket. This is like the cell phone equivalent to public transportation. I feel naked without it. It would be okay had this been the end of the week, I could live with that. But seeing as though I have to go to and from work these next few days churns my tummy. I have to pay the fair. FML it's fine for a working girl, sucks ass for a girl who has no income what so ever. Okay after writing all of it down, I'm feeling embarrassed about how stupid it is.

Well that is my vent, and upon reading how ridiculous I sound, I feel loads better.
Now I can do hw without this weight at my throat, g'day.

Ozzie quote ( 3 year old at work) " What does your jumper say?" -minnesota, can you say that? "Minisooooda. why does it say that" -Because that's where I'm from, it's my home. " but why.."

sydney must-sees

As exhausting as my week is, I've gotten off my ass every weekend to enjoy the 'tourist' portion of my experience. As with any other place, there is are plenty must-see's in Sydney and I promise to note them in my blog as I go to them.

Syndey Opera House

Since he spent a few years in the seminary, my dad has a lot of priest friends in various countries all over the world. Coincidently, he's got a besty in Australia who's pretty much been my guide since I've been here. He lives a five hr flight away but flew into Sydney my first weekend here. He introduced me to this family who take me to Vietnamese church with them on Sundays, and he was also the one who took me to this notorious symbol of Australia. As expected, it was much greater in person than it appeared to be in 'Finding Nemo', complete with a perfect view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Also a very majestic structure, one I recognized from the Olympics quite a few years back. I haven't gotten to go inside yet, but my friend and I plan to see a show or two very soon!


Aquarium-Darling Harbour

The aquarium as very large and the main exhibit was sharks, particularly because most of the deadliest sharks are found in Australia.( yeah can't wait to go to the beach despite hearing that one). It was a good day out but I wouldn't say it was anything I hadn't seen before. The set up is kind of like the on at MOA where you walk through the aqauarium. The fish were beautiful and the sharks were enormous. Tonia and I spent five bucks to feed the fish, I was under the impression that we would be tossing smaller fish into the tank. All we had was a pinch of fish food found at target and fed the coral fish. It's okay though we floated above the huge tank where the occasional shark dorsal fin would pop up by the boat just like in the movies. It was cool to see so many of the coral reef fish, they're abundant considering they live pretty close.

Taronga Zoo
Forecast said it was going to rain but by lunch time it was gorgeous so we decided all systems go for the zoo only to be rained on not too much later. The zoo here is nothing like the ones back home. The animals don't appear to be held captive in the ways that I've usually seen the kept. Everything is out in the open, since there aren't any harsh winters to worry about. There are also parts of the zoo where the animals go about their business with no fences while we're able to walk through and visit them. There was a sky safari from where we were dropped off by the ferry that took us to the zoo entrance via the sky cart things that allowed us to see the animal habitats from above. First thing we did when we got there was go see the seal show. I've seen these before and I wasn't the most excited camper to see another one. But to my surprise the show was great, the animals were trained so well and the show flowed with such ease in incorporating the seals' movements and the dialogue spoken to us. It was an amazing show. The rest of the day was pretty normal, it was great time spent up close and personal with all sorts of animals. I'm working on the animal fear deal, it's coming a long way =)

Royal Botanical Garden

The botanical garden is a bit past the opera house and it's a beautiful place for a walk or even a cute little picnic. The paths are scattered with beautiful trees and flowers on one side and the other looks out to the harbour sprinkled with sailboats far off in the distance. It's a great area for pictures but unfortunately I wasn't able to see all of it. I'm hoping to go back soon.


I went to one the girls' in the family's confirmation mass. I had just gone to a confirmation celebration before I left so it was nice to be able to compare the likes and differences of the two. At first I felt very homesick being involved with this family, but in reality no one else I know is getting this while they're here. It's more of a blessing than anything to eat at a round table with a close knit family some nights and celebrate birthdays and confirmations just as if I was a resident here. I'm making an effort to reap comfort about of this rather than use it as an excuse to be a puddle. Who else is getting the independence of being on their own with the moments of being part of a family here? None. So why fret eh? It's just one of those things and I'm lucky enough to have =)

well I think that's all I've done so far, minus the smaller encounters I probably don't recall. I'll try to retain more as I experience more. The homesickness isn't as severe as it used to be which allows me to enjoy my time here a lot more than before. I feel like I've been here for ages rather than the realistic three weeks I've had so far. I'm feeling more familiar with my surroundings and a lot more comfortable here which makes life to be a lot easier than it was. Just a little adjusting did the trick.

Ozzie note : pop = ecstacy lol ask for soft drinks or people will get the wrong idea

Bubbbies

I would post a picture if it wasn't against the rules to upload pictures of other peoples kids. I could not ask to be placed in a better fitting internship.

Willow Cottage is an Early Learning Center geared for children ages 0-5. These children are coming from very affluent families considering it costs about 100 AUD a day for them to be cared there. The building looks like a house on the outside but the inside are baby safe school-like rooms custom fit for each of the age groups. The food they eat is catered, brought to the center every morning before they arrive and as far as nap time goes...they are each rocked or back rubbed into slumber every day. ( I fell asleep rubbing their backs the other day...a typical ann move for sure.) All the staff have degrees from Child Psych, like myself, to elementary or secondary education. It's pretty interesting to be able to observe all the theories I'd learned this past semester.

I'm exhausted of all my energy everyday doing what I enjoy most, so pretty much what I always did on Sundays. I go in to work three days a week, and each day I'm assigned to work with a different age group, babies, toddlers and preschoolers. It isn't as if any of the days is more of a break than the other, each age group comes with very different demands and all sorts of responsibilities. I tend to come home from work complaining about all sorts of things such as the portion of the sandbox I've collected in my shoes, all the diapers I've changed, and all the coughs, sneezes and boogers up in my grill. With that said, I would much rather be complaining about that than any other positions other people have been placed with. Although it would not be as physically demanding ( I need it anyways) I doubt that I would find it even the slightest bit as rewarding as portraits of me drawn in crayons and little hugs before leaving. Not to mention the absolutely adorable accents!

Father's day was last weekend, and I spent it with a family that has kind of taken me under their wing for the time I'm here. ( It settles my dad for a bit knowing that there's someone looking after me at least from a closer distance than he can) It wasn't quite the same, being around someone else's cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. I felt a little out of place and extremely homesick for my own loves. But it's okay, we can't have it all now can we? If I could uproot my entire family and move them to Australia, I would do it! It was nice though, eating food I didn't cook ( my cooking's improved btw) and talking to people outside of my program ( not too much a fan of them).

To be honest I haven't really seen much of Australia from a tourists' perspective since I'm drowned in the work/school part of life right now. I try to break out of the week cycle and take small trips over the weekends. I'm the type to want to curl into bed when I get the chance I'm ashamed to admit it but it's taking quite a bit of motivation for me to see the sights... I'll get out there though, the time is already flying by and I'll be dragged back to the states kicking and screaming before I know it.

I'm really loving life over here, it's different enough, and certainly not the same as back home.

Alright I have to head home it's been a long day...and it's only 6 pm...oh yeah, and I'm not nuts about coming home from work/school and having to cook before being able to eat. I totally took my mama and her cooking skills foregranted. It'll best believe it'll be a whole different story when I get back.

g'day all.
Ozzie quote "Is high school in America like in the movies?...like are there really popular people?"

I knew going into this that Australia would be different from the States in various ways, but for some reason I did not anticipate the scarcity of internet access. I'm sitting at a cafe with a drink I probably won't have two sips of just so that I can email my parents and check my facebook updates.That is also one of the reasons as to why I haven't updated at all since I flew out over a week ago. First of all, I blame google because my first day in I came on to update my blog and google decides to lock me out of my acct because I logged in from a different country. Not only that, but it also requested that it text or call me the verification code, something that couldn't happen until I got my phone. Now that I'm all settled I'm going to try to make it a habit to at least update my week since internet is not even near as accessible as it used to be.

Something Ann would do: Arrive in a foreign country a full day ahead of the move in date.


After a tearful goodbye to my parents and siblings I wiped my tears and set out to fly, first stop. LA. I felt more than out of place with puffy eyes and scrubby attire seeing as everyone who was going to LA was on vacation or returning home. That, with the exception of the girl behind me, someone I overheard was also going to Australia and whom I later found out was in the exact program I was. " So I was going to find a hotel to stay for a night since we're early but my host mom told me I could stay with her anyways." .....uh. early? So here I am heading to Sydney with now no idea as to where I'm going to spend the night. I catch my second flight and end up sitting next to a group of Vietnamese Californians who caught my attention by speaking in the normal decible level of a Viet person. what are the chances? It was nice getting to know them and it was cute how they were all so concerned that I had no place to stay. I reassured them that I'd be fine and wandered around to find a phone or any possible way to book a hotel. The nearest one was beachside and 150 for the night, I had no choice so there I was all alone in a beautiful hotel. It was great, only all I could do was think about my parents and sob into a pillow for a good while, or more like random parts of my day. I took taxis to malls walked around a lot of the city and just tried my best to distract myself from feeling so...pitiful. The night ended pleasantly with my pack of ramen noodles I brought for my flight and Miss Universe on TV. Next thing I knew, I fell asleep and woke up thinking that I was in my bed at home...

My apartment is beautiful. Close enough to the city to get there in less than 20 mins, far enough from there to be out of the way from the masses of crowds strolling through everyday. I share the apartment with three other girls, so one can only imagine the havoc inside after the pictures were taken. I've been trying to cook for myself and one other roommate. Things were a bit rocky the first few days, simply eating potatoes and sausage for dinner, but it's been looking up. By the end of these four months, I hope to improve my cooking skills to somewhat delicious.

Last note!
I'm not one to discriminate between your furry family member and the next random animal I come across, I am typically scared of all of them.
Since I've got a clean slate in this place I've never been, I am determined to overcome my fear of animals. Starts with kangaroos and koalas, and eventually I won't be afraid of everyone's beloved doggies. lol

Quote from an Ozzie " OMG you sound just like the girls in the movies! You've got to be from America!"

Alright that's all the internet my little cup of cocoa got me. Till next time!

last night

I absolutely love my family and how we can be there for each other 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Today was hectic. I had a list of things to run around and do before I left-my day flew like none other. I had a bbq with my family, all cousins were able to make it =). Outside of holidays we really don't get to hang out much, even then we're always a bit divided somehow. For my going away though, everyone made it out to spend the day with me. It gives me a sense of peace when I have my family together, I honestly don't know why. I feel like I get this from my grandpa - he was always making sure we stuck together.

Friday night my friends had me over for a bbq where they showed me a video they made dedicated to me. It really shows how much I mean to them and it moves me beyond words to think of the trouble ALL my friends went through just to send me off.

I'm the luckiest girl ever to have so much support from everyone! Although it's bittersweet, I'm ready to take hold of this opportunity and start this new chapter of my life.

Last night in my own bed, bittersweet indeed.
Goodnight

road to paradise-song that pretty much sums up my outlook =) keeps the tears from flowing too much, this is a good thing.

less than two weeks...and counting.

so much I want to bring, so very little room

A few days shy of two weeks before my trip, my first battle is deciding what to pack.

I'm going to be living out of two suitcases for four months, I'm struggling not to over-pack. I try to keep in mind that I'm going to be carrying everything I bring and a girl no bigger than a fifth grader will not be able to pull off lugging much.

I've never had to prepare myself to be so far away from home...alone. I'm feeling insecure about travelling on my own, moreso for the loneliness than anything. I'm sure I'll be okay but my tendency of over-worry every aspect of my life is on overdrive. Definitely something I picked up from my parents.

I'm trying to spend as much time with people I care about as I can. It's good to a certain extent but it's healthy to have some ann time too. I'm feeling a little burnt but hey, days are flying.