Home

Welp, we're leaving in a few days.

We have today and tomorrow left in Australia. Then it's time to go home.

I feel like I should have a lot of really profound things to say. Frankly, I have tons of packing to do, last minute errands to run, and basically not enough time for any of it.

I don't want to leave one bit. But I cannot wait to come home.

It's insane to realize how long we've been gone. Between Skype and Facebook I feel like I never even left.

Am I allowed to blog about Australia after we leave?? I still have tons to say about it. I will almost definitely have time to waste at home.

I think the best part about going home will be realizing what I've learned while on exchange. At this point, it seems like something has changed but I can't quite put my finger on what exactly that something is.

Ok, time to finish exploring Australia.

No!

The goodbyes have begun. So have the tears.

It's not goodbye, it's not goodbye, it's not goodbye.

I still have to cry.

Without Fail

Just so you know, everyday of the week, the Retro House wakes up at 1p.m.

Everyday.

1p.m. is prime time for breakfast, morning coffee, and a chat around the kitchen table.

Tomorrow I have an exam at 9a.m.

This is an accident waiting to happen.

A whole year later.

Well, today was the big one year anniversary!!

[When do we stop being considered Newlyweds??]

We did lots of exciting things and got up way too early. [Now, the plan is to hop into bed with a few episodes of The IT crowd. [You should definitely check out that series. Hilarious.]]

But first, a re-cap.

We spent tons of time in the city! We went to a mall that we have never seen, [Chris even liked it.], went to the Docklands, [I’m pretty sure I got sunburned there], wandered around the city some more, had dinner, and then went to St. Kilda beach to visit the penguins. [Uh huh, I said penguins.] We're going to try and spend every June 12th on a beach. [Even if it's the crummy beach of the man made lake near our house.]

A tree I befriended at the Docklands.

Penguin!

When we got home one of our housemates wrote this on our chalkboard. It's in French so we had him translate it. I cried. Don't worry, the picture is meant to be the author of the poem, not Chris.

Orangina

I've been meaning to mention that everyday, out our bedroom window, I get to stare at the most beautiful orange tree.

That's right, I said orange tree. [When we first got here, I thought it was a lemon tree. When the fruit didn't change colour, I decided it was a lime tree. After cracking a 'lime' open and seeing it's orange insides, I came to the conclusion that these babies were oranges. About a day later the skins started to turn orange, too.]

I'll remind you one more time that right now, on June 11th, it's Winter. And my orange tree has just reached it's prime. No big deal.

This bad boy resides in our backyard, too.

Speaking of oranges, I'm starting to get pretty sick of Fanta. [You know, the orange flavoured soda.] Pretty soon I'll be able to basque in some glory that is Dr. Pepper. Or maybe I'll just enjoy a nice Orangina.

Winter into Summer

Have you ever wondered what Winter in Australia looks like?

A little bit like this...

I would be pretty jealous if I weren't here.

Ok, that's probably not true, considering it's Summer at home.

[And, despite the beautiful flowers coming into bloom, it's dang cold!]

Today marks the end of our second to last week of Uni.
That means after next week we're completely done! [Until August.]

Chris and I both have an assignment due on Monday that we'll slave over tomorrow.

On Sunday we are taking a break from school work to celebrate our one year anniversary.

It's completely amazing [and crazy!] that an entire year has already passed by!

Hope you folks in America are enjoying your Summer!!

D?

I just received a graded assignment via the internet.

I opened up my grade to reveal a D.

For a good five minutes I had a panic attack and mentally prepared myself for a low grade in the course. [Obviously it's one of my two classes that transfer directly to a class at BSU.]

But, after I pulled myself back together, I realized that a D in Australia is not a D in America. It's a D for Distinction, equivalent to a B.

All that positive feedback makes a lot more sense.

Phew, I feel better now.

Back to homework. [So I can avoid getting a P for Pass, the real equivalent to an American D.]