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!