Back in Action!

My computer is fixed! Finally! It was a close call for a little bit, they tried to tell me that my International warranty no longer covered accidental damages, but after a long time on the phone, they finally realized I was right, and they came to fix it on Friday. Molly- 1, Dell-0 Anyway, now that my computer is back I can post more pictures for you!

This is the entrance to the Rotary International House, where I am living this semester. It's pretty awesome to get to look at a row of palm trees every time a walk back.

This coocaburra was making a lot of noise as I was wandering around campus one day. They are so cool!

These are my favorite birds here so far. I'm pretty sure they are Rainbow Lorikeets. They are so bright! They can make a lot of noise but that's alright... for now.

This was taken down at the Strand (the beach). They take their jelly fish pretty seriously here, probably because they will kill you! Don't worry they have stinger nets and a rock pool that are protected from the stingers!

Alright I'm off to climb that big rock at the back of this picture. It's called Castle Hill. I'll post pictures later, probably before any of you wake up... except maybe Mary and Phil!

Whoops!

So hi there everyone. Just thought I would write a quick update! Everything down here is going well! I'm just enjoying my last free days before classes start on Monday (well Tuesday for me because somehow I lucked out and have Mondays and Fridays off!) Not too much has happened recently except I spilled water on my computer. Yeah yeah yeah I know what you're thinking... A few things- 1. it wasn't because I was drunk. 2. Yes I am an idiot. But anyway it should be up and running by the end of next week, I've decided that Dell has much better Australian Customer Service than the do in the States, but I reserve the right to change my mind, I've been screwed by Dell in the past! The only problem was that I had to switch my warranty to become an International Warranty so that is making it take a couple days longer than it should. But they are going to come to my room and fix it on the spot, so that is definitely a bonus! Well I'm going into town tonight so I have to go make dinner and shower since I just came from a pool party. Jealous?

Toga Party

So by popular demand here are pictures of the toga party. It could have been better if I had more material to work with, but the people that tied mine did their best! I'm searching for a better picture of it, but I haven't had any luck. Left to right it's Kish (she's from actually from Australia), Caitlin, Allison, and me. Please keep in mind that it's a million degrees out here! If I find a better one I'll post it asap!

Kangaroo and Joey

I just had to share this picture with everyone! I didn't take it, but it was taken right outside of my building. Thanks to my friend Peter for taking it and letting me steal it. I've actually only seen the joey outside of the pouch. I just had breakfast out on my balcony, which has quickly become my favorite place here, and I saw a kangaroo hop by. I wonder if I'll ever get used to that...

Giant Bats

So I spent the evening reading out on my balcony. I watched a thunderstorm roll through... amazing. Anyway so I'm out there reading and one of my friends spots this giant bat hanging from one of the trees next to the balcony. He was just munching on some berries, hanging upside down. It had to have had a wingspan of 2 feet. That's not an exaggeration either. He was HUGE! Just thought I would share my newest encounter with Australian wildlife, they don't make them like this at home that's for sure!

Hello from Down Under!

I thought I would finally post on this thing because I promised I would. I arrived safely in Melbourne on Sunday. We went and had lunch in St. Kilda, a town outside of Melbourne. There was a big festival going on which was really cool. There were street performers and tents you could shop in. I wish we had more time there, but it's probably better that I couldn't shop there! We spent the next couple days in a small beach town called Sorrento. It was beautiful! I loved it there. We could hike around the Sorrento Back Beach, which had incredible views. I've never seen anything like it before. The picture is from there; it was low tide and we walked out on the edge of the rocks and the waves would splash up. The waves are so intense!

We went to Melbourne after Sorrento and it was really cool. There was a river that runs through the city and the riverfront was really nice. I'm pretty sure that was the touristy place, but it was fun to see anyway. Wednesday we finally headed up to Townsville. After a near death experience on the plane we made it! It was raining and really dark when we got here. I walked into where I'm living with my friend Allison and it reminded us of a prison. It's alright though, we moved in and brightened the place up! It doesn't look like a prison anymore! So for the past few days I've just been getting used to Townsville. I went food shopping and got stocked up on some food and things I needed. We adventured to the beach yesterday. They have stinger nets to keep the jelly fish out and they check it all the time, so don't worry about me dying or anything. We walked home from the Riverview Tavern Thursday night, which was not such a good idea because it took about an hour, and about halfway home it started POURING! So after a half an hour walk in the rain we made it home and felt like we had just taken a shower!

There is all sorts of wildlife outside my dorm. I can look out my window and see insane birds that I wish I could identify and every once in a while there will be a kangaroo. I've even seen a joey, which was possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen. I feel like I'm in the middle of the jungle!

This is orientation week, and it is basically filled with crazy parties. I guess the biggest one is the Toga party Tuesday night. I bought pink and white polka dotted fabric to make a toga out of. It's going to be awesome!

I'm off to go get my James Cook University ID, more to come later!