Shopping

OYE is the shopping here fabulous. Today, since I have no internship yet, was spent exploring (which in Michelle terms obviously means shopping for the clothing I've convinced myself I needed after leaving similar things at home). Well let me tell you, Sydney is just shopping central, so many super cute boutiques and stores that I'm sure are chains but to me just seem amazing and exotic. One of those, which I would say is a cheaper form of American Apparel meets Forever 21 minus all the cheese--enter Supre. Now I don't only love this store because of the amazing basics and neutrals they have--shock and awe I bought black, maroon, olive and beige--who am I? I learned from my new best friend, who I think is a drag queen by night (hello even better) considering he told me that he owned several of the things I tried on, that Sydney fashion can be summed up in 'black, baggy and buns'. Luckily I was to lazy to do my hair so I had the bun covered. He also decided to use me as his personal lifesize barbie and dress me in some of the craziest outfits (one of them was a pancho Ugly Betty style paired with a crushed velvet skirt and unitard, needless to say I respectfully declined that one after dying silently in the fitting room). This man, never got his name sadly, was the best self esteem boost I've ever had in my life, brace yourself, he brought me XXS shorts and a skirt to the fitting room. Now, even though they didn't fit over my ankles I died thinking that he expected me to fit into them. He convinced me to buy way more than I had anticipated, but I am now on my way to being properly outfitted in basics--and what I bought makes a ton of mix and match outfits so hello.

Now off to utilize my free gym pass--double bonus, I'm going to come back fit and find a professional rugby playing boyfriend while I'm there.

First day of classes

Well, until today I completely forgot about the educational aspect of this summer trip. Dreading going to my first 5 hour class (oh yeah I thought 3 hour night classes were bad), I was very pleasantly surprised when I ended up enjoying the class a lot. The professor is hilarious (for those dub jayers out there he is the mix between Mr. Kane and Mr. Systek, for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, just go with he, he's a cool man. Not only did I learn all about the building of the bridge and a man who is a national hero for robbing banks and killing people (strange), I also was called out for living in the midwest and asked, by the professor (this was a record time) if I in fact lived or worked on a farm, to which I laughed and boldly denied. Woohoo even in Australia people think all that exists in the midwest is farms. Could anyone picture me working on a farm? I'll answer that for you, absolutely not. He should have known that from taking one look at me.

Other than class nothing to exciting was on the agenda today considering its monsoon season here. I really need to learn to overcome my desire to escape the rain by never leaving the building. Its just the thought of trudging in the rain with no idea where I'm going while attempting to look good and impress my future Aussie friends and husband is to much to handle at once. It's a good thing we don't get Law and Order down here otherwise I really would never leave. Oh well, apparently I have this week free of work so I will do tons of exploring (and by exploring I actually mean shopping) during the week.

until next time, a pure blonde (can't believe I actually found a beer I like, and I could say it was named for me but we all know my blonde is not pure so ehh) cheers

4 Shielas and a Bloke

Well last night was beautiful, we had a 2 hour boat cruise around Sydney Harbor, which I obviously overdressed for and froze in my skirt oh well! After the cruise, which was apparently was a floating night club complete with 2 glasses of free pink champagne (ohhhhh my god my new favo

rite drink) and very very loud dubstep euro club music (weird since it was 4pm--it didn't exactly

match the ambience).

After the cruise we walked to a few different bars, one of which we went to the roof and got to see the Sydney Opera House lit up for the Vivid Festival (sooo cool). Post-wondering around the streets with a group of 13+ Americans, freshman in Allston style, a few of us broke off for the group and decided to head home sans large touristy group. We ended up at this bad called the Ivy--4th floor pool deck of course (bahh! who am I hanging out with young professionals in suits relaxing after a long day of work). So you know, that was fun. We then decided to really head home (HAHA), which proceeded to be about a 2 hour walk from start to finish through the streets of Sydney, good thing it was only 8pm. I have become a grandmother here in bed at 10--according to one of our orientation sessions need for more rest is a sign of culture shock so tuck me in and call me shocked.

HOOE-LEE fdkjadliuh today was one of the most fun days I've had in a while. We did a scavenger hunt type thing called the Drop Bear Cup (named after an animal that apparently Aussies like to lie to dumb tourists about existing when actually it's a fake animal). My team, 4 Shellas and a Bloke kicked ass, well at least in my mind considering we don't find out who wins until next week. This was like the BU Sydney version of Amazing Race aka my dreams came true minus the reality TV cameras following my every move and the glorious dollar prize at the end. We went EVERYWHERE today, according to Cal our program director we covered 10 kilometers, now let me tell you I still have not fully grasped he idea of the kilometer but all I know is it was a trek-to say the least. I ran for the first time since I "ran" cross country at the WJ, which was super interesting considering, in true Michelle style, decided to wear fashionable shoes rather than functional ones so I now have 3 beautiful new blisters on my feet (and walk like an idiot to avoid putting pressure on them, such a pretty sight). We ended thelong (very long) day at Bondi Beach, which was beautiful minus any professional lifeguard sightings (they were no where to be seen, which just means I'll have to go back, no worries).

(below) 'wedges with sour cream and chili' I really wish these weren't so good because they were $9 and probs a bizillion calories but they are for sure a repeater

Well the busy day ruined all plans I had to go out tonight considering I got home and passed out on the couch watching Everyone Loves Raymond--it's amazing how many cheesy American shows are on TV here (the Wiggles included but I guess they're an exception since they're actually from here but still fruit salad yummy yummy will likely be on in the next 2 months--awesome).

Until next time, cheers.

Well I signed up for surf camp last night. For those of you thinking, hmmm Michelle is not the most athletic person in the world--you're right, this may be humerus but hulllo so much fun! And even though it's winter here, I get to rock a super cute wetsuit (or sexy suit as its called here by some of the tourguides) so obviously that will be something in pictures coming soon (I'm going next weekend).

Today is my interview for my internship--BAH so excited/nervous, especially since I have to explore the city of Sydney by myself to get there, let's hope I don't get lost. (fully armed with a google map ayoo)

So I've been told to look chic and trendy for this interview, so hello fully channeling my college fashionista side (fingers crossed what I pick out is acceptable and lands me a job). Apparently at this time in Sydney they wear a lot of black--awesome considering I don't own any--looks like I'll be going on a little shopping trip :)

More details to come--tonight is the harbor cruise woohoo!

Apartment Pictures

(left) little taste of home CityCo. right down the street--holler

(right) hello Sydney shoe collection--more to come I'm sure







The Buzz does Sydney (on my desk)

some organization--clothes (obviously)

overview 1 of my bed/desk area

common room/living space (where I slept last night, thank you jetlag)

kitchen, complete with microwave/grill contraption

Hello Sydney

Well, for all of you out there who have been wondering what I have been doing for the last 4 days (1 of which I never actually had, good thing Tuesday wasn't my birthday) here is the first update on life as an Aussie.

The trip started out bumpy, which let's face it was probably karma for bringing a shoe bag for a 2 month trip, but whatever. I almost missed my connecting flight to LAX after sitting on the runway in Dallas for 2 freaking hours smushed between the window and an chubby emo girl who insisted on eating smelly toast. Let me tell you, that was the smallest airplane seat I have ever encountered, my knees hit the chair in front of me, and I took up the entire width of the seat and we all know, I may not be a size 0 but I'm not huge, how tall fat people fly on American is beyond me. Anyways so after running to my next flight, making it with 2 minutes to spare, starving, sweating and having to pee I was on my way to LAX, again wedged between the window and a chubbster (apparently it's in my flight record that I request the presence of fat people in my row). The best part was, this girl was super chatty so I got to learn all about her international club and how this was her first flight in 11 years, as if I couldn't tell from her shrieking with every bump and turn. The nice part of that flight was they played Country Strong, which was a fabulous movie and by the time it was over we were in our decent to LA so easy flight all together.

Then there was LAX. Let me tell you, whoever made the signs in that airport should be fired because I walked up and down the same terminal 6 times before realizing where to go to take a shuttle to my terminal. Now thinking since I was in LAX the food and shopping would be fabulous, I hopped on the janky bus and decided to just explore once in my area. BAD CHOICE. Got to my terminal to see 1 snack stand and nothing else, awesome considering I hadn't eaten since the yogurt I inhaled on the way to the airport at 9am. So I got a turnkey wrap, slightly sketchy but I was starving, and little did I know it came a la bug--needless to say I ate half of it and called it a day. After eating I sat with a couple of other kids also going to Sydney and had a lovely chat--woohoo making friends already. By the time 9:30 rolled around I was itching to get on the double decker plane, why I was so eager to go sit in the seat I wouldn't leave for another 15 hours I have no idea but whatever, I was armed with Twizzlers, Vogue and Elle and ready to get the show on the road (or in the air hahaha).

So we get on the plane-let me tell you this was THE NICEST plane I have ever been on. The chairs reclined, we had a personal TV with movies (I watched 2 1/2) and a camera that let you see the outside of the plane (not actually as cool as it sounds, it made me kind of sick) and super friendly flight attendants (all with Australian accents so I was obviously in love). After the 15 hours of napping in awkward positions and exploring all of the buttons on the TV we were finally there, too bad my first memory of Australia was me trying not to throw up on my new friends from the rocky landing. Anyways, we land, go through customs, which was super intimidating the man eyed me up for a good 2 minutes looking back and forth between me and my passport--I kept smiling and held myself back from making a joke about the horrid color of my hair in the picture (he didn't seem like the joking type). So I ventured to baggage claim and watched every single other person on my flight haul their bags off the belt, obviously mine were no where in sight. I surprisingly managed to stay in a happy mood despite the fact it was 7am I had been traveling for 48 hours, missed Tuesday, smelled kind of funky, was hungry, and was now in a foreign country with nothing but a pair of jeans, metallic gold sperrys (which obviously have been complimented several times already-old reliable), a hanes v-neck, a DG hoodie and my "Hello Sydney I've arrived" outfit which included a neon striped crop top and a knit cardigan. So armed with my pillow and bag of fun (computer, dead cell phone, Twizzlers, camera and enough lipstick to last me until February) I flew through the second round of customs/immigration and hopped on the bus to the apartments. Everyone thought I packed light--HA no one saw me drive the struggle bus at the Cleveland airport lugging around all the shit I insisted I needed to bring.

So after arriving and settling in a little bit we got a little tour of the neighborhood around where we're staying. Who ever would have though that my first shopping experience in Sydney would be in Kmart and Target, but hey a girl needs underwear and leggings. An hour later, complete with a trashcan, hangers and bedding meant for a Barbie playhouse (the kids sheets were cheaper so naturally I gravitated to the hot pink set) we headed back to the dorms for another info session.

Last night they had a lovely barbie (what they call BBQ here) for the entire group. Sidenote--EVERYONE SPEAKS IN ABBREVS HERE I am actually in heaven. So we got to the cafe after trudging through the rain (which of course I had no umbrella or anything so I showed up looking like a wet dog). Anyways it was supes nice being able to order a glass of wine with dinner--mom you would be proud of me, wino after your own heart. Mind you I didn't actually eat much after the split pea soup and loaf of bread I inhaled while in line for wine (the alcohol line was 84x longer than the food line--welcome to a college trip in a country where we are all of age). I had chicken that had weird hairs in it--one of the boys told me its from cooking it but I didn't really buy that, last time I check chickens have feathers, not hair.

After the bbq we wondered back to the dorms and fell asleep on the couch while attempting to stay up to watch the big rugby match that was on at 8. The fact that I couldn't even make it to 8pm is hilarious. I also don't remember walking to my bed from the couch so that's good--hello to jetlag, the new drunk.

Forgot to mention the fact that I already stand out as a tourist considering I have yet to grasp the walking on the right side of the sidewalk rule that apparently exists here. I have run into so many people and yet still forget. Oh well!

Other than that nothing new here--today is a lot of orientations, MY CLOTHES FINALLY CAME AYAYAYA, so I'm officially moved in (pictures to come soon).

Tonight will be more friend making and exploring (after the 'pizza and bevvies' we're having with the group), and some trip planning for the future weekends.

Internship interview tomorrow, updates to come on that one.

love and miss you all, more to come

cheers! (I'm an Aussie already ayo!)