Final farewell

December 4, 2011

No matter how far away I go (this happens to be on the site of the 2000 Olympics), I guess it will always be there.

The biggest Chinese Gardens outside of China!

Unfortunately, this was the only photo we were allowed to take of the exhibit, which featured authentic "historical artifacts" used in the movies.

The name Blue Mountains was derived from their appearance in the distance.

This Australian icon is the most photographed structure in the world!

Like the rest of my Australian experience, I will always remember and cherish climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Destination hopping

November 27, 2011

Besides white sand and blue ocean, we encountered hundreds of little crabs on Airlie Beach.

The weather and water were perfect for snorkeling.

This owl at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary sure kept its eyes open.

 A highlight of the trip was finally getting to see a real Tasmanian Devil.

The gothic church we visited had beautiful stained glass, including the American flag and bald eagle!

Our last day in Brisbane we checked out an art museum.

Bittersweet goodbyes

November 20, 2011

Thankfully I survived my stay in Townsville without seeing any live spiders this big.

The morning of my birthday we watched five turtles who had been nursed back to health get released to sea.

Later that day for the first and last time we were able to sight wild koalas. 

I like to think this is the microwave that Tarun threw over the balcony when his floormate caught it on fire last year.

My birthday presents from Lian...

...and from my RA :)

The start of the end

November 13, 2011

Water tower graffiti

More water tower graffiti 

After my first exam, the train whisked away my beloved friend Stephanie.

When our exams were over, Holly was the second friend I had to bid farewell.

Ultimate procrastination

November 6, 2011

Random peninsula we passed on the ferry approaching Magnetic Island

Perfect wedding location according to the brochure

The view waiting for the bus

One of many paths we explored

Horseshoe Bay

The secluded trail up Mt. Cook

The home stretch

October 30, 2011

Homemade pumpkin shakes are so much cheaper than buying them from Burgerville!

It must still be spring because the trees continue to bloom.

The first side of a random work of graffiti art

The other side

Once again my RA made his specialty, curry--pumpkin this time, of course! 

Buzzing above the flowers is the biggest, blackest bee I have ever seen.

Ready for the break

October 23, 2011

Someone else beat me to submitting this on failblog.org, a site I visit far too often. Note that since pennies don't exist in Australia, the price would be rounded up to $9.90--a total savings of 1%. What a bargain!

Lian and I returned from the store Friday to discover that the kitchen lights didn't work. This didn't stop Lyss from cooking chili or deter her, my RA, Steph, and her RA from watching a couple horror movies.

Saturday morning Lyss made permanent the feathers she used to only wear as earrings.

After another weekend of baking, I received this note from Lian, definitely one of the most thoughtful people I have ever met.