Thursday July 11th- Sippy Downs

On this day, I continued with no internet or wifi, and no means of communication but text. And I could not facetime or see any of my family or friends. Yes, it was hard because I just wanted to see their familiar faces and talk when everything surrounding me was different. But just like in freshmen year of college, not going home for the first two weeks to feel comfortable with a new life at University, the few first days without calls to my family gave me time to fully embrace my new life in Australia.

Still no roommates. I hear them come in, and I go out to say hello, and they disappear. So far my roommates are nonexistent. Waking up at 5:20 this morning, I had lots of time to waste before my plans for the day. I got dressed, filled out room paperwork, then called mom. I was okay at first, but every time she said another word, something cracked inside. As tears rolled down my face, a creation I could not fully understand, I tried to keep my composure as I told mom about my travels, and arrival. Yes, I guess I was a little homesick. Never feeling homesick before, I was worried about costs, and a new country, school, classes, my tears formed from something else. The thought of hearing her voice, as well as my other family and friends voices, being away for 6 whole months, and unable to run into their arms. Something that has been so close my entire life, out of reach. Now I’ve never been homesick before because I’m too distracted by the beauty of the places I stay. This morning was harder, but as the day continued, the thought of my family stayed as excitement for Australian adventures grew. So we said our goodbyes, then I sat in the sun on the balcony along with a cup of tea. Afterwards, I started with cleaning my room, as it was left fairly dirty, and I felt uneasy within it. Once I felt comfortable, I left to have coffee with my new German and Australian friend. We sat a talked for hours. Relaxing. Breathing. It was everything I needed. 
So let the day begin. 

The Beach-
After coffee I went to the front desk, where they sell internet and routers, but the new routers had not arrived yet, letting another day go by where I can’t really talk to my family. Slightly frustrated, I shook it off, and the two girls and I went to go buy a bus card to head to a beach. Finally. A beach. Eventually when we figured out the bus system, and we had to wait about 40 minutes until our bus arrived. So we took that time to wonder around campus. Hanging right next to a classroom building in the grass were three kangaroos!!! I saw my first kangaroos!!!

After the exciting moment we bused over to Mooloolaba beach. It was a beautiful, long sandy beach lined with shops full of life. People filled the sand, yet there was plenty of empty beach to explore. We took pictures as we walked up and down the stunning blue coast. Then we stopped and grabbed a bite to eat at one of the beachfront shops, and stayed to watch the sun set over the water. It was quite the speculation. And that’s when I fell in love.