Long Time No Blog

Well it's been like forever since I've put anything on this. And heaps of stuff has happened. So I thought I'd clue you in on some of it. This particular photo is after four days of Bush walking in the Grampians. I'd say I look pretty sexy :) That's four days of no showers, no running water (aka long drops. . .), drinking from creeks and hauling your life on your back. My rucksack weighed about 18 kilos, about 40 lbs. But that wasn't the problem. I was quite happy to be in the bush, sweating like a pig and smelling like death. The only problem I had was with the massive mountain I had to haul my pack up. 5 Kilometers!! I just about died. Plus it was 33 degrees (95) and I was just miserable. Other than that, I was little miss optimistic the entire time.

This is the view from the top of Brigg's Bluff which was a side hike we did on the third day. We ditched out packs and walked about 3 k's to the top of this thing. The view was amazing, cause it's a pretty easy hike up to the top and when you get there, it's just a massive drop off. This is Jackson, I know it doesn't really matter cause ya can't see his face, but in case you were curious.

These are some of the other genius's I went on Camp with. L to R: Brody (Harps), Traun, Ryan (Matho) and Matt (Grosser). This was the top of Mount Difficult when we stopped for lunch. By the time we got to the top, we were absolutely rooted (dead tired). So that's when we made the decision to take the shorter path to the closer camp where there was NO guarantee of water.

What a mistake that was. . .This is Lindsay (Linz). That bottle is full of water, not piss, water. It was dark yellow and had gum leaves floating around in it. We had to drink this for about a day. Even though it was boiled and we knew it wasn't going to give us any diseases, it was still revolting. . .
These are the other three girls who joined me on camp. Jakarra, Linz and Jess. Jess was my tent partner. All amazing girls. We had some good times on camp. They were my winging buddies :)
New subject!!!I moved host families on November 17th. For my last day we had a Thanksgiving dinner. It was nothing like Thanksgiving but it's the thought that counts right?? I made Pumpkin Pie for the event. As you can tell, I'm about to kill Claudia. NOT! It was totally posed. I love that kid to death. That same day Claude and I walked from Kyby to Victoria. It was something like 8 K's. I have no idea why but I've always wanted to be able to say "I walked to Victoria". And now I can.

This is the heap of shit that I had to take with me when I left. I cam here with those two massive suitcases. Which was way to much to begin with. But, point is, I've accumulated so much more stuff!! I never thought that I would have to pack up everything that I owned and move it four times. I just thought I had to get it there and get it back. But no, I have to pack up everything I own and move house three or four times while I'm here. It's quite a hassle.

I also went shearing with my Rotary Counsellor Trevor Hahn. I didn't actually do any of the shearing but I did the Rouse-Abouting. Where you pick up the wool and what not. Both the shearers were Kiwi's. There is something very funny about the way that they talk, but I can't quite pick it out. I can't even hear the Aussie accent anymore. Which is such a dissappointment cause I LOVE the Australian accent.
My next adventure would take me north. North to Renmark. I spent a week there visiting an. . .old friend? His name is Nic Crouch. I met him at the interview weekend for my exchange in Colorado cause he was on exchagne to Colorado from Australia. And we've kept in contact ever since. Pretty amazing really seeing as that was a year ago and we had only met once. . . I was his Prom date. . We'll get to that later. . .This particular photo is of Headings. It's a look out in Renmark. It's probably on of the things I like most about OZ. Renmark. I love the Murray and how it reminds me of Durango. Most would say the Durango is the exact opposite of Renmark, Durango actually know's what a mountain is. Renmark is just flat, flat, flat. But something about the town and the River just remind me of Durango. Dunno. . .Anywho. . .

This is Nic. It was his brother's 15 birhtday the second day I was there. We made him an ice cream cake that would have knocked your socks off. He got a Wii. Nic was more excited than he was . . . Bloody useless. . . Kidding, he knows I love him to pieces :)

This is A park in Peringa that we spent a lot of our time at. Dunno why, we just did. It was green and right on the River. Nic was a lame host and didn't actually get me out on the River. Oh well, that just means I'll have to go back before I leave. Bummer. . . :)

This was the Rotary meeting I went to in Renmark. Nic's dad (David) joined Rotary after Nic went on exchange to Colorado and that's him farthest to the left. The woman in the middle was the guest speaker of the night, she talked about animals. Then it's Nic and me. The place Rotary was held was right on the River, it had the most amazing view. The trees were this colour of green that I just loved.

This was our grand entrance. We arrived in this 1940's nazi staff car, that was AMAZING!!! And had to walk down the red carpet thingy in front of at least half the town. Talk about nerve wracking!!! I was so happy that I stayed upright the entire time! My heals were massive and I'm so proud at the fact that I could walk in them! YAY!

This is Nic and I all dressed up for that Formal thing. They call it a formal here in Naz, but it's Prom in Renmark. It's a big formal dinner. And yes, I made Nic get his hair cut. I wasn't about to be seen in public with someone with a mullet like that!! Anyways. . .There isn't a whole lot of dancing and thank God for that because I am the worlds worst dancer. As is Nic. But I'm good at the whole propper eating thing, I've got those manners down :)

This is me on my own. I just thought I'd throw it in there cause I was so damn sexy :)

Moving on. . .After my trip to Renmark, I headed right off to Mount Gambier for a Rotary weekend. I got to give advice to the Outbounders of District 9780, cause they leave in January and I'm now the one with all the experience. The weekend wasn't to entertaining as it was a bunch of lectures on things that I already know or have personally experienced. But I guess it was good cause I was helping the other kids out. The best thing was getting to spend time with my fellow exchange students. I love seeing those kids!! They're just plain awesome! Every one of em. And I can't wait to see them in January for the Mini Safari!!

This is Amanda and Camilla, both from Brazil. And, obviously, we as exchange students are masters of good photos. . . .I love it girls :)

This is me and Maddy, she's going to Switzerland on exchange in January and I'm so happy for her. There's just somethign about this girl that I like. I think she'll do very well on her exchagne and I can't wait to hear about it!! (aka keep in touch!)

This is another one of those bloody marvelous photos. Starting with me (Australia jumper) and giong left we've got Luca (Germany), Kevin (Switzerland), Amanda (Brazil), Seglien (France) and Johanna (Germany). I love these kids. I love that even though we've only met twice, we're friends for life. It's amazing to think that I've now got friends in every part of the world. I love it.

These are my mates here in Naz. Yes, I have managed to make some friends :) we've got Lucy, Jakarra, me, Jess and Ash down the bottom. Kate's got the camera. This was at the pre year 12 camp we went to at Robe. We basically got to spend three weeks bummin around on the beach. Twas fun.

This is our jump photo. We spent forever taking pictuer after picture trying to get a good one. There might be three or four decent ones out of the 20 we took. It was good fun though. This one's got Lucy, me, Gaby, Jakarra, Kate and Ash.