May 31, 2008 - Mannequin's Everywhere!

I was over study so I took the day off. Maybe not the best idea but it seemed good at the time. I spent the morning on the internet, then the afternoon I went to my friends Sly & Andres’s soccer game. Which was fun it has been a long time since I have been to an actual soccer game with uniforms and referees, it made me want to play on a team again. After dinner we watched a little Rugby Union then we channel flipped for movies in Vinnie’s room. But we took a little break from channel flipping to go ‘borrow’ the clothes from the girls that had gone out to the bar and dress the 12 mannequins Steve happened to have borrowed and then we displayed them dressed in these girls clothes all around RMC so they will be in for a nice surprise tonight when they come back so we will see their reaction. I am sure I will hear them from my room.

May 30, 2008 - Guess What Happens...

I woke up at 9:30am to continue my study. The paper was due at 4 pm so I spent the day working on it and finished around two and then came back and did modge podge till dinner. We decided to have a low key movie night. So we made popcorn and High School Musical on the big screen in the common room. It was great! There was like 15 20+ something’s watching this cheesy film made for preteens. It was Phenominal! It was quite the effort finding the movie. Only one girl had it and I went to so many different rooms and people were like “Oh my 8 year old niece loves that movie, she does like the sing along” and I am just like Yep, been there done that! Or I am like my sister loves it too… But wait she is 20 also ;) So this photo is of a waterbottle that had been sitting on my desk for about 1 week. I left OJ in it, who knew that was bad...

May 29, 2008

Study keeps seeming to be a common thing through out my days Who would have thought. But I guess that is how it goes with the end of the semester fast approaching. The other thing that seems to fill my time during finals is Modge Podge. I think I use Modge Podge (it’s a craft thing) as a stress reliever. Because I got on a modge podge kick last finals week and I seem to get my friends hooked also. Then we had bible study on the book of Amos then ended the night hanging out at the Uni Bar. Because where else do you go after Bible Study. It was nice this week because there weren’t very many people there so we just got to hang out and we didn’t have to really deal with drunk people. Which is always a perk :)

May 28, 2008- It’s raining it’s pouring

I did study all morning because my paper is due on Friday then I had a meeting with the Master of RMC that went well. He was just trying to get me to stay for another semester. Then I had class and it started to pour while I was in class so I had to run home in the dark in the rain which didn’t make me a happy camper. Tonight was gals bible study where we looked at Women and the church. Then back to my room for more study then Ange and Simo came over and hung out for a little while now off to bed to get up to do more study.

May 27, 2008

It is Tuesday so that means class. It is crazy though because everyone is talking about the finals and for a couple subjects it was the last class. During my break I went over to the mall and got my haircut. After dinner we had one of our last netball games we are waiting to see where we are in the seeding to see if we go to the semi-finals game. We had hot chocolate in Vinnies room as a pick me up because we were down because of netball. The photo is Vinnie reacting with displeasure over D-mac's closeness while looking at Footy photos on facebook. Then I was suppose to be doing my paper on how democratic Australian media is but instead friends stopped over and we ended up chatting for a couple hours which was good… just not quite what I was suppose to be doing with my time but is about relationships right. Or maybe that is still how I consule myself.

May 26, 2008 - Noisy Birds

I had a lovely morning chat with Paul on Skype and then I had class and I spent the afternoon researching for my paper due Friday. Dinner was fun everyone was giving me a hard time but I know it is because they love me (at least I hope so… :) Then back to my room to do more study and upload all of the photos I took over the weekend since we have the internet back in our rooms.

May 25, 2008 – Touch Footy

For all the UN productivity in recent days this weekend was really busy and very productive. Maybe not in the study arena but I had a LOT of fun and that is what really counts right? J I went to Hillsong this morning then had a quick bite to eat then we headed over to the playing fields for our touch footy game (touch Rugby) vs. DLC. Which we won 3-2 Angela, Jennifer and I each scored a Try (goal) mine was a breakaway so I sprinted about half the field. Then the guys played DLC and MUV back to back and completely cleaned up the total score for both games was 14 - 0. My camera had 847 photos on it from today alone but I deleted 100. (I didn’t take all of them) so I had 747 photos to choose from for today’s photo of the day.

May 24, 2008 - Rugby and the City

I woke up early to go over to the Uni to use the wireless to get work done. We don’t have internet in our rooms for the weekend because of some Trojan or something or other… I don’t really know I just know it doesn’t work. So then I went to the Mall and did a little gift shopping. Because I am kind of realizing all of the stuff that I was like oh I have plenty of time I will do that later… well this is later because my time here is quickly coming to a close. Then Sly, Ange, Vinnie and I went early into the city to Lord Nelson which is one of Sydney’s oldest pubs which was fun because it was a real pub not a bar. Then we headed over to the Rugby Union match. The Waratahs vs. the South African Sharks for the semi- finals and Waratahs won. It was sweet there were 20 RMC people at the game and we were right off (like 20 feet) off of the try line (end zone) it was sweet. When we yelled the players would actually look at us. Then we came back to RMC and Ange and I were dreading seeing our rooms because Steve didn’t go and we had payback coming but he was to busy doing study. However some of the girls weren’t but they were unable to get into my room so they chose to prank Sly and D-Mac’s room. So then they all got thrown in the pond. Oh great fun!

May 23, 2008, See You at the Pole, Footy & Talent Quest

We had ‘See You at the Pole’ this morning at 7:30 though I was up at 7 getting the music ready and making pancakes. We had about 20 people turn up which was a nice size. Steff and I played a Better is one day, We want to see Jesus lifted High and a rousing Spanish guitarish version of Blessed Be your name which was pretty sweet. I then wasted my morning study period by making a photo album to get printed when I get back and after lunch we had touch footy practice. The night ended with the culmination of Arts week and the RMC Talent Quest.

May 22, 2008

I awoke to the fresh victory of NSW which is always a nice way to start off the day! I had one class and was able to get a little bit of study done. After dinner I met with Steve and Simon to discuss ‘See You at the Pole’ which is tomorrow morning. Then had Bible Study where we started Amos which was good. A little difficult to understand but by the end it was starting to make more sense once the history/background was clarified. I don’t know what I am going to do once I have to leave my interactive history book (Aka Johnny). I guess I will just have to learn it myself, which I am working on. Steff. and I got together to practice the musical worship set which was so fun! I have missed just playing and singing to God spontaneously with friends. Now off to bed because See you at the pole (aka bbq pit) starts at 7:30 am and I have to be there early to set up etc. The photo is of my hall mates decorating our ‘C’ for C Block. We are in the middle of Block Art Wars.

May 21, 2008 -State of Origin

I had class in the Avo then I got back to dinner where Johnny, Steve and Simo were all dressed up and doing We Love NSW cheers! It was great fun! Tonight was the State of Origin’s Game which is Queensland vs. New South Wales in Rugby League ( kind of like our super bowl kind of at least in emotions) except they take the best players from the state and make a team just for this tournament. It was great fun! I love competitions J because we are in NSW we far outnumbered the Queensland people. It was a great game there are another 2 games throughout the year winner is best out of three.

May 20, 2008

Today was supposed to be classes all day but I decided to have a pajama morning and I had an extended quiet time which was really nice. I am reading Job which has been good. I then went to my last two classes of the day which were a total waste of time. I played a little guitar before dinner which was nice, since I haven’t played much since being here. Then we had a netball game which was sweet! We played really well and won 20-12. Then I hung out with friends and watched dumb telly which was fun. It is amazing the dumb things people do on TV.

May 19, 2008 Only 1 month left Down Under!

I led prayer meeting this morning then I pretty much fritted away my day. It was productive in the form of cleaning my room and writing thank you notes but not what needed to get done like study. After dinner I went and watched some friends tennis match and I got to drive home which was exciting and It no longer feels odd to be on the wrong side of the road. It actually feels like the ‘right/correct’ side. So who knows what will happen when I am home in a month.

May 18, 2008 Happy Birthday Mom!

Started out today with Hillsong which was nice then back to RMC for lunch. I spent the afternoon doing laundry, returning emails, talking to the fam on the phone, watching footy and defragmenting my hard drive… Who knew you were supposed to run hardware maintenance. Not me. The photo is of Ryan this is after the shocked faced that I had no idea what he meant with all of his computer lingo. It is suppose to take just a couple minutes to do but because I had never done it, it took several hours and I found out that I actually only have 13 gigs of the 93 available left. So I might need to do some clearing when I get back. After dinner I was on welcome duty at church, and then we had gladiators which was Sweet and always is good for laughs.

May 17,2008

We left for Laser Tag at 9:30 and we played 3 games. It was great there was 30 of us playing and for one of the games I got 6 place and the second 9th place so that was super fun. Then I spent the rest of the early afternoon on my computer then Angela, Sly and I went out and practiced Touch Footy. We worked on our passes and technique. It is really difficult because instinct tells us to run so they can pass to us but you have to wait back because the person with the ball does the running and can only throw it behind them. So you being the receiver do short sprints, stop and wait for there sprint then you do a short sprint. But it’s great fun. Then we went (plus Steve and Kerry) to Simon’s Field Hockey game which was fun. It poured almost the entire game but there was cover. We missed dinner so we stopped at Macer’s (Mcdonald’s) and got dinner. Then Ang and I spent the evening watching The Man from Snowy River II and Evan Almighty. Everyone else had plans and it was raining so we just weren’t in the go out and do something mood that and we had been going all day.

May 16, 2008 - Sport

I woke up at 9:00 to go play tennis with some mates which was fun and a nice athletic way to start the day. It has been a really long time since I have played so it was nice to be back on the courts. We got back in time for me to waste some time on the internet then lunch. Then Angela, Steve and I went to the mall and did our errands then we had touch footy training which was a blast. They broke us up into groups novices and people that know how. Pretty much American’s + international students then the Australians. But it was a blast we are getting ready to play DLC the other college so I am really looking forward to that and the monthly RMC updating newsletter came out and I got Football(Soccer) player of the year which was nice then we ended up back at the mall for lolly’s (candy) for our movie night then we watched The Castle Which is an Australian flick pretty much about bogan’s (rednecks) and it was great because most Americans watch it and think it is the dumbest thing because they don’t get the jokes but I got so many of them because I have spent so much time with Australians and learning about Australia. It is Great! :) The photo is watching the movie obviously not everyone stayed awake. Oh AND I made Kool Aid which Jennifer sent me becuase they don't have it here, I am still working it out because of my lack of resources (aka a pitcher, a measuring cup, etc.)

May 15, 2008

I spent the entire day working on my essay that was due at 5pm. It wasn’t to stressful because I had so much of it completed so hopefully I will get a good grade because I spent a lot of time editing and proofreading it. Then once I got it done of course I couldn’t make myself work any more. So I went to Angela’s room and hung out then after dinner we got ready to go out before bible study. So I let Angela do my makeup because I just do the simple basics and it was Hollywood at the Uni Bar so I go to Bible Study with this eye make up like caked on, it was pretty funny/ scary. Then we headed to the Uni Bar and we had a good time. It wasn’t that crowded so we just got to chat and hang out which was nice, and to just not be in my room typing was a nice relief. I got back at like 1 and then started reading Job when the fire alarm went off so I got up and put on trackies and a jumper (Sweats and a jacket) because the loud speaker comes on and says Standby.. Please wait for instructions ( or something like that) but it wasn’t anything someone just burnt popcorn

May 14, 2008

I had class today and more study. I went with a couple other RMC to a college fair at the Uni to promote RMC and try and get students (Australians) to come and live here. Which went ok, Most of the students were from Sydney and the attitude is very different here. So many students at Macquarie live at home and commute up to 2 hours to come to class instead of moving out and living near the Uni. The photo was their idea of how to greet students at the fair. Then I had a presentation in Media on talk back radio that I think went really well. My teacher is a total talker so I just directed the conversations so she did my presentation for me. It was great! I got back to RMC for dinner and then Gals bible study where we discussed what it means to have Godly relationships and to be single. Then back to study. This paper is due tomorrow at 4 so that will be nice to have done though I need to find an older person to check my facts to make sure I am not making this stuff up. Because I am discussing Australia’s response to Vietnam and from everything I have read I would assume it is the same as the US but I just want to double check before I hand it in. J

May 13, 2008

It’s Tuesday so that means class… I spent the day over at the Uni and I got back to RMC with enough time to change and grab a piece of toast then head off to our Netball game where we got creamed. We were playing against the Uni’s club team and they were down a player and totally schooled us but it wasn’t like it was an unexpected loss. The score was 7-25. We were just happy we had gotten 7. Got back to RMC had heated up our late dinner that was waiting in the fridge then I got a little bit of study done then it was down to the common room for the C block supper (the dorm I live in dessert time) Which was nice and I preceded to “waste” 1 ½ hours chatting with people though I don’t consider it a waste it just wasn’t academically productive. Scott , RMC’s Pastor was trying to figure out what it would take to get me to stay here another semester. The photo is of my friend Steff (she has been in here a lot she is just one of those people that attracts a camera) So her philosophy on life is IFL… Immature for life. This is why she is riding a razor scooter. She was late to class so scootering is faster than walking so she scootered over to Uni.

May 12, 2008

I woke up by jogging to the library to return my books before prayer. I spent the day doing homework. My class was canceled when I got there. So I finished the afternoon out in the library studying. Then back to RMC for dinner and more study. After this week though it should be pretty easy going, I believe I will have another essay or two and then my finals. The photo is of Angela the other girl from WA. Everyone here is convinced that Americans are obsessed with Peanut Butter because Ang and I eat Peanut Butter with everything, like toast, apples, and ice cream (that is Ang not me)

May 11, 2008 Happy Mothers Day!

Everyone kept telling me to call my mom but then I had to explain to them that Mothers day really isn’t until tomorrow for my mom. I took Angela and Diane to Hillsong with me this morning which was fun and then we spent the afternoon at the library trying to productively work. That went ok. I was able to get lots done but its research so it seems like a waste. That and it is actual books so I can’t highlight I have to copy it over as opposed to normally how I print articles off of online journals. Then back to RMC for Worship team practice, a quick dinner and then Trinity Chapels Evening service that went really well. We wrapped the 3 week series on the Trinity which was very enlightening. We had a guest pastor/professor from Moore Bible College giving the sermon. Then we had Gladiators! After Gladiators we just hung out and chatted for awhile which was really nice. The photo is of us watching gladiators. Yes there were other girls there we just were divided and all the girls were on the same couch as me so I couldn’t get them in the photo.

May 10, 2008, It's not all about study... It's about Relationships...or at least that is what I keep telling myself!

Although it is Saturday I had to go to the library early to see if they found my keys which luckily they had. I then came back to RMC for the Anglican church affiliated with RMC’s Picnic. It was a fun time. I was in charge of the Get to know you games/ice breakers which I love that is what the photo is of. Then I went out to tea with a couple friends and then came back and watched several of Summer Heights High which is an Australian mockumentary a satire on Aussie high schools and it was funny but not quite funny enough to hold my attention. Then we watched 8 seconds which I would totally recommend about the life a crazy talented Bull Rodeo rider.

May 9, 2008

Another day of homework and wasting time on the internet, I believe I left my usb drive in the library with my keys attached which is a real bummer so I get to get up when the library opens in the morning and see if they are there which hopefully they are because that could be a really expensive mistake. I spent my Friday evenings with the Navigators which is a discipleship group that does one on one mentoring with Uni students. It was just a dessert gathering and one of my friends gave a talk on the validity of the bible and it was just a fun time than Diane, Angela and I came back and watched Mean Girls.

May 8, 2008

I spent the entire day writing my paper on the Green Party and the obstacles that minority party’s face in Australia’s Bi-Polar Government WHOOPPEE! Then I had a really good bible study continuing in Galatians. The photo is from my lunch break I love living at RMC because there are just wonderful people all around and when the sun is shining we all just hang and chat in the courtyard. It is really a great atmosphere.

May 7,2008

Today was a homework/ study day. I had a couple classes which were ok. Though I wasn’t looking forward to the sociology one because we were discussing religion and that always turns out to be a Christian bashing session which today was no exception. It is amazing how people can talk about Islam in a open and non confrontational way but when it comes to Christianity everyone has to take jabs at it. Not only were we talking about Christianity today but we were talking about Hillsong which is even more of a hot issue here. This is the reading we had to do. I then came back for a lively dinner with childhood stories of people wetting their pants in grade school then we had Ladies Bible Study which is always a lovely time. Then back to studying!

May 6, 2008

I started out the day by kind of freaking out because I had no idea how Marxist ideals were or weren’t apart of Australia’s Welfare state and I had to present on it. So I get to class to present and the teacher pulls a no show because she was sick so it worked out splendidly and the other guy I was presenting with had only ½ read one of the 3 articles we were presenting so it was great. I then spent the rest of the day preparing a politics essay and going to class. The picture is dinner. It was rather uninspiring and one of those meals were you chew and try and swallow so you don’t know what it is you are eating. Because though they say it is chicken… we aren’t always sure. The salad was just there to add color to the plate because I knew I was going to take a photo. Come to think of it... It might have been bad because it wasn't dressed... maybe next time I will remember to not try and eat just plain greens. (Now why didn't I think of that while at dinner) Then we had netball were we killed the opponents 32-8 it was a nice boost to go back and do lots of reading.

May 5, 2008 - Blonde No More!

I started out today with Monday prayer and homework then one of my friends dyed my hair back to somewhat of my natural color. It did end up being a lot darker than planned but I like it better than the blonde. I had class and then I have spent the rest of the day doing homework which is a real bummer but I have to do it sometimes :)

May 4, 2008

I have to say there isn’t much in college that is quite as satisfying as waking up and knowing that your prank was high quality . It was a little difficult getting up for church this morning. But I walked into breakfast and I just couldn’t keep my face from smiling. And by this time everyone knows about it but they don’t know the details. I went to Hillsong and it was a unique Sunday there was no preaching it was a prayer/musical worship service it was quite lovely. I get back to RMC for lunch and it is just great. Not only was it a sweet prank but the 3 biggest pranksters got it good not only from girls but from Yankee girls :) It was Great! The guys acted like they were mad which they were last night but by this morning they saw the humor in it. Though as they talk about revenge it should be interesting…. Sly said as soon as he walked in and saw his room he knew I was behind it and then Dan said once he saw how cunning it was he knew it was me. Which I take as compliment :) so it was great fun. I spent the afternoon ‘studying / on the internet then I had worship band practice then evening church that went well. Then I spent the next 3 hours having some really good conversations with friends on all kinds of topics. It was a great weekend! The photo is of my hair because tomorrow it is bye bye blonde.

May 3, 2008

I did attempt to get a little work done but yet again that didn’t really happen. I went and watched a rugby game which was a nice break from wasting my time. The three guys we went to the Snowy Mountains with are the biggest pranksters in college and they all went out for the night to a friends b-day party so Angela (the other yank from WA) and I decided tonight was the perfect opportunity to turn the tables on them and return their pranking ways. Which ended up in a great time for us and a lot of clean up for our friends. It was sweet! We went to Woolworths and bought all of our supplies. Then we headed back to the college to get started. There was only two people in college left with master keys and it turns out we are friends with one of them. So we were able to get in all of their rooms. It was great. So we spent the evening ‘decorating’ their rooms. We did lots of little pranks that will keep on giving until they find them all. The main big ones were the web we created. We passed string all around there room so it was a trap and then we borrowed their scissors. We put flour in their showers and beds, we taped the wheels of their rolling desk chairs, put q-tips in all of the pockets of their pants, and salted their tooth brushes… etc. the list goes on but I can’t give away all of my ideas J So it was great. We got done with plenty of time so Angela and I were watching a movie and watching for their return. They finally got back about midnight so Angela and I were laying on my bed looking out the window with all the lights off and we heard them discussing and going to check each others room then I hear my name yelled and we are fighting so hard to keep our laughter in then we heard voices outside my room and all of a sudden the door opens (they have a master key) and they barge in hit the lights and we are dieing of laughter. They grab us and carry us down the stairs and throw us in the pond so we are soaking wet, freezing in our jeans and jackets but it was so worth it. FYI the photo doesn't do it justice because most of the pranks were little annoyances they will be finding for days.

May 2, 2008

Today we had another game in our college cup series. Today’s sport of choice was Netball. Sadly the girls didn’t pull out a win. This was discouraging but oh well. The boys however got there first win of the series and there game was intense and really physical/violent and fast paced. It was fun to watch. We hustled back to RMC right before Dinner closed and then right after dinner we had to change into our color costumes. Tonight was the RMC Mid-Semester Rubik Cube Party. So the idea is you dress in all one color and then during the course of the night you trade clothes with other people to end up being all different colors.

May 1, 2008

I set out to make today productive… however that really didn’t happen. I got some errands run at the Mac. Center and then I got back and had lunch and then went to Class in the Avo. Then I had Netball practice because the RMC girls have a game tomorrow vs. the DLC girls. Then dinner, and bible study which was really good. We are in Galatians 4 and 5 After Bible Study I pulled some music because steff and I are going to have a worship jam session which I am excited about. Obviously I was low on creativity. This is some game that was on the coffee table at bible study... I have no idea!

April 30, 2008- Banana's In Pajama's are running down the stairs, Banana's in Pajamas are chasing teddy bears.

Wednesday’s are also bad days on the class schedule. I don’t really enjoy having to go to class. The classes themselves are fine it is just the act of going that I don’t like. Life would be so much better if they took Study out of the “Study Abroad” My program coordinator did bring lunch for us on campus so that was pleasant. I don’t like having to walk home in the dark from class and my class doesn’t get done till 6 pm so I am in class till dark and that just puts a damper on my mood. But then I had girl’s bible study which was good it helped lift my spirit. We discussed women in the bible and how they portray the fruit of the spirit. Then we all chose one fruit of the spirit to work on this week. I chose Gentleness. We will see how that goes. The picture is of a kiddie ride in the mall. Do you remember Banana's in Pajama's it was a tv show when I was young. Apparently it was an Australian show. Who Knew!

April 29, 2008

Today is pretty much 100% class. It’s nice to get it out of the way but it makes for a long day. After Dinner we had a Netball game which we won. So it is always nice to win and we had an enjoyable time. Then I came back to RMC and watched a movie during the movie a friend came and got me to show me the “cute” opossums outside her window. All the girls sitting on the bed weren’t to happy with my comment that while they are cute they are mean vermin that are road kill in the US. (They are protected here because they are native… I know I was shocked to hear that also.) This photo is for those that said they wanted it to be cold because I look to warm in all my photos. My feet in sandals were a little chilly today :) The building in the background is where I live.

April 28-

I started off with our weekly rmc prayer meeting which is a great way to start the week. Then I unpacked my room and rearranged it and set it up. And then wasted more time on the internet, plus I had class in the avo. I was walking by the maintenece shed to get my sleeping bag off of the clothes line and saw this and it made me laugh that they had enough issues they had to write these rules

April 27, 2008 - Delirious Concert

I went to the Hillsong morning service at the Mac. Center and it was nice and I actually met a couple people this week. (I went before the service had started) I had an hour to kill at the Mac.Center (a shopping mall) between church and lunch. I went back for lunch and then headed back to the Uni to waste more time on the internet. Plus I got a chance to chat with mom and Jennifer and buy my plane ticket for SLT so I am officially going because I registered and bought my ticket. Now I just need to raise the funds. Then at 4:00 I caught the Hillsong bus with a couple friends to the Hillsong church Hills (main) campus for the evening service where Delirious was having a concert. Which was a good time and going to the main campus was quite an experience.

April 26, 2008 - Back at RMC

It’s probably a good thing we came back a day early because it gives us all a chance to get caught up so we can start off the second term on a good foot. I spent the day returning emails, uploading pictures, sharing and rotating photos and then watching rugby and doing more photo editing. We had to go to the Uni because our internet is turned off until Monday.