So it's been a little while since I've been able to update, but I am finally in Australia and have access to a computer and internet (VERY EXCITING) and I'm ready to update away!

It is currently 5:25 p.m. on Sunday, February 17. We are about 17 hours ahead of Wisconsin here. It's so weird to think I am a day ahead of all of my friends and family! It's like I'm living in the future......weeeeeeeird. haha anyway

We first flew into Fiji on the 12th and took a ferry out to our the Beachcomber Resort which happened to be it's own island. For two days we simply lounged around the beach, snorkeled in the crystal blue ocean, kayaked around the island and soaked up as much sun as possible. We left our little island on the third day and spent the last night on the mainland as to catch our plane in the morning. Note: it was probably in the high 80's or 90's the whole time. I'm not gonna lie, it was almost too much! haha

ps- one not fun thing about swimming in the ocean; there are actually sea lice! They sting you kinda like a little fire ant, or bee sting. Not fun!

Anyway, on Friday morning we flew into Brisbane and took a double decker bus to Lismore. The country is more than beautiful; beyond words. The last couple of days have been spent moving into our rooms, meeting new international students and they shuttle in in a constant stream and making trips into town to explore and make essential purchases.

Today all the international students took a trip to Byron Bay for a visit to the beach. There was a great surf and beach backed by a lovely town! It's described as the "hippie town" but is simply adorable. I unfortunately neglected to apply sunscreen today and now am in quite a bit of pain. However it was still an amazing afternoon. More updates to come.

From down under,
Tabi

Life is a waiting game.
I'm not a big fan of that game, but it's gotta be played from time to time. However, when the wait is over, I think it is worth it. My big wait; to leave for Australia. For weeks people have been asking me if I'm excited. Of course I am, but now I am REALLY truthfully excited. Before it was very surreal and now that I am just a couple of days away it is starting to feel a bit more real. Although I am HARDLY packed at all! (I'm just like that though.) I really am saying my last goodbye's to people and packing my days full of coffee dates and dinner dates and movie dates to get everyone in last time before I leave. For those of you who have gone through this before, I'm sure you know this exact feeling.

Something else just slightly less exciting happened to me yesterday. You may not understand my joy, but I'll try to be as detailedas possible. Okay, so I am a pretty avid rock climber, and excitingly I have improved quite a bit this year. The rating system in rock climbing is a decimal system starting at 5.4 being the easiest climb requiring a belayer. It continues on through a 5.16 I believe being the most difficult. This is professional difficulty however. The higher the number the more strength and technique required. So back to my excitement; Last night I almost completed a 5.12, which is HUGE! This is definitely an expert skill level climb. Well, maybe not quite expert, but it's pretty freakin' awesome! So it is my goal to complete this route by teh end of the week! Wish me luck.

good-day mate