It's the 9 of diamonds

Glorious Gloria Jeans Coffee Shop! I have found wi-fi, fo free, just down the street. This may sound like no big deal, but truly it is. At the hostel I was paying four precious dollars for one hour internet time.

Since I left the hostel, Anneliese (whom is from UofA but we only met once before coming and have now become good friends) has graciously let me sleep on her couch while I anxiously await to move in to my new place. Which is tomorrow! Anneliese is living in this apartment just around the block of where I will be and she has quite the eclectic group of roomates. Ben is a local who is just starting Uni and is always willing to give us Aussie info classes (which is great). Han is from Korea and is working for a year while travelling Australia. His "American name" is Carl...I love the names that Asians choose. There is one other girl but she mostly stays in here room from which we often hear the Simpson's blaring.

But back to moving to more permanent accommodation....I can't wait to buy food, cook meals, and no longer live out of a suitcase. So exciting. Actually it has been a bit of a slumber party here the past two nights because Ali (also new and good friend from UofA) is in the same position I am in. Things have fallen into place since I've been here very well. Today I came back from reading down by the beach and Han was making lunch for us! He made a pork dish called (well, phonetically) pu-go-gee. Korean for delicious! Served on steamed rice with appropriate spices. We are planning to make a good southern home cooking breakfast for the roomies tomorrow! Ha, what a wonderful multi-cultural house. After lunch Han brought cards out and did magic tricks...it really freaked Anneliese out. But then Han offered to teach her and now she will be practicing for hours. Haha. I was impressed.

The sun has moved out from behind the clouds so we girls are headed to make the most of our day--shopping on Hunter Street and then straight to the sand! No time to lose :)

Well it's been one week

I found a home!! I am so excited--accommodation is much more difficult to come by than one might think. The place I've found is just a small walk from the beach and Hunter Street which is Newcastle's cute area of shops, cafe's, salons, cell phone stores, etc. Its also conveniently located directly across from the police station! The landlord is a nice guy and I came about the place after meeting two people (at different times) who gave me the number of their "really great landlord." My move in date is the 25th which gives me a little bit of time to travel!! I think I may head up to Byron Bay...or Lake Mcquarie...or Sydney...or go on a Hunter Valley wine tour. We shall see.

I went to dinner for Valentine's day with a local who is a really nice guy (wow, I describe a lot of people that way...well in a younger and cooler way than the landlord). Since he was from Newcastle we went to this really cool place on top of a hill that overlooks the whole city at night....so beautiful! It was definitely Newcastle's make out point because there were like 5 cars 16year olds making out. ha. I also learned a few things about Australia's healthcare, education, and laws. Personal fireworks (well except in Canberra) are illegal. Gun control is a big deal so when Harrison said those few people who did have handguns were supposed to only use them for "tiger practice", I was shocked!! Thats the thing about accents, words like "target" sound unmistakedly like "tiger".

We had a rain storm which resulted in a bitter sweet aftermath. On one hand the evening was cool and breezy, but on the other, the mossies were UNREAL. Yuck. I think I'll start incorporating more garlic into my meals...that should keep the blood suckers away.


Cheers!

Livsmarie

Across the International Date Line

I'm in the land down under! I left Muskogee in a whirlwind of downy flake and boarded my flight to LAX. Because of the snow in Tulsa the de-icing of the plane eliminated what time I would have had at Houston airport and I had to sprint to catch my connecting flight. I jumped off my plane at LAX and had a lovely 8 hr layover. I made my first international friend, Mary O'Mally from Dublin, Ireland. A sweet 60yr old woman. My 13 hour flight into Brisbane went well-we left the states at midnight Monday. I let a sip of Australian wine and a tylenol pm lull me to sleep. On a plane of 415 people there was an empty seat between Andrew from Sweden and myself so this aided in my restful 11 hour sleep. Upon landing in Brisbane early Wednesday morning I went through customs which was exciting because my passport now has its first stamp! I boarded my plane in Brisbane and made the final stretch south to my destination. Whoo!

I'm staying at a hostel called Backpackers by the Beach and the name is so appropriate. I've met a ton of fun kids my age from all around the world. The sun has been awesome. From
the door to the beach is just a 2 minute stroll! Since I'm still in such a stage of jittery excitement I haven't been able to sleep any later than 7 in the morning. It seems that everyone else in Newcastle is starting to get up about the same time though. ^ Brisbane to Newcastle ^ Thursday morning I decided to go for an early explorative jog around the town. I spotted the Christchurch Cathedral on the hill and made that my destination point. I ran along the harbor which is so pretty and calm. En route to the cathedral I saw this beautiful and enticing building. The doors were large and beautiful so I walked up the steps and this well dressed man opened the door and greeted me "G'day". I told him I was just out exploring and he let me know that I had discovered the Newcastle Gentleman's Club. Ha. I smiled awkwardly and was on my way.

I was walking along the beach and this local was walking his pup. We chatted for a minute and he let me know that I'd "have to watch out for the mossies at the uni." Well I was rather confused and it took me a moment to understand that means the university has a lot of mosquitos! That is a perfect example of the "lets get on with it" Australian attitude...everything is
shortened!

^ Building on Hunter Street ^ I've only been in Newcastle for four days and yet it seems like at least a couple of weeks--the town is so welcoming and the people very charismatic. So far I haven't been too homesick, occasionally I'll see a family out and about and miss my own at home. But all in all life in newcastle is brilliant!

I know this has been a long post but so much has happened and its all so exciting! Oh and Happy Valentine's Day!

Cheers,

Livsmarie