Week After Exams

Hey Everyone,

I know I haven't written in over awhile I had 3 exams last week two of them on Saturday so I spent most of the week studying.  Haven't gotten the results back from two of my exams but I got a 41 out of 50 on my International Relations exam.  I am trying to find out the grading scale because they don't use ABCD here.

This week I have been catching up on sleep, planning my mid-semester break, and starting essays and I project I have due after break.  Of course I have found some time for relaxation as it has been a really warm, sunny week!

Yesterday, I went on about a 10 mile run from my apartment to the highway which crosses over a marina and then eventually leads to a long path that stretches alongside of the ocean! It is so nice to run and look out at the ocean so I've been finding myself running that route at least a couple times a week! It doesn't get old! One of these days I'll borrow a bike and take pictures along my route so you can see just how awesome it is!

Today, it was really nice again probably around 80 degree and sunny.  I had class until 11, then went and got my haircut (it'd been over 2 months so it was getting really long), and then grabbed a textbook and headed off to study at the beach! I actually find it less distracting to go to the beach and read then staying in my apartment or going to the library.  Something about being at the beach makes reading a textbook not so bad. I grabbed lunch at a little cafe type place right next to the beach and got a great deal on fish and chips for $5! Then had to get my 50 cent ice cream from Maccas, which has become a ritual every time I'm at the beach.

I finally have my plans finalized for my mid-semester break which begins a week from today, which has taken a good deal of effort to figure it all out and fit in everything I wanted to do.  I will be going with my friend Jackie, as most of my friends opted out for cheaper smaller trips for the break. My roommate Elin is thinking about coming and meeting up with us for a few days.

My itinerary looks like this: First 3 days are at Fraser Island were we will be doing a 4 wheel drive tour along the beach.  Fraser is known for seeing dingos so hopefully we'll be lucky.

Next its a bus to Airlie Beach which is where we will take off for our 2 day 2 night sailing trip aboard a yacht  in the Whitsunday Island which is home to world famous Whithaven Beach!

After that, we will make our way up to Cairns.  In Cains we will be taking a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef.  Included in the package will be an introductory scuba dive (since I'm not certified someone will be with me helping me).

We'll be spending our last day in Cairns doing a Daintree rainforest tour.

Then we'll fly back from Cairns to Brisbane and then take the train back to the Gold Coast.  Total trip will be 12 days!

Will probably be spending the next couple days continuing working on my essays and project since I will only have a week to complete them when I get back from my trip.  Also I will be looking into and helping plan my trip when my Dad comes out toward the end of May!

Tonight is Tav night so I will be taking a break from studying to have a good night out!

It's crazy to think I'm already approaching the halfway point of being here!!

Will be writing again on Sunday after a day trip with my program! Have a great weekend everyone!

-Bryan