Heaps fun this weekend!

So this past weekend was an absolute blast and I really feel like I'm finally getting to know this "junglesesque" place! I say this because there are dozens of different species of birds swooping down as you walk. I have a bird that sits outside my window and whistles a soothing tune in the morning, but has this treacherous "SQUAWK" at night time. We have cockatoos, lorikeets, and kookaburras. It seriously sounds like it's dying. We have these other birds that sound like wild monkeys, which is kind of cool. But the overall atmosphere looks like an actual jungle. There are trees everywhere and some swampy looking areas.

My first week here, I went for an exploratory run through campus and passed one of these swampy areas. My first thought and biggest fear was crocodiles! I quickly sprinted, like my life depended on it, past the swamp. When I returned, I asked my floor mates if there were a lot of crocodile sightings on campus. Needless to say, I was laughed at. There are no crocs in Newcastle apparently. It's too chilly for them here.

But back to my weekend. Friday night was TEDS formal dinner. Everyone got dressed up and kept it classy by actually sipping goon out of a wine glass rather than simply chugging it from the box! hahah. We got to wear these awesome Harry Potter robes and eat a "delicious" meal.

The next day, Lauren, Tori, and myself met up with our friend Gina who lives at Bar Beach. We successfully completed our first attempt at public transportation. Besides getting lost on our way back to the train, almost missing the train, and risking our lives sprinting across the highway, the train was a breeze!

We ventured to Darby Street, which is a main shopping and cafe spot in the city of Newcastle. We looked in heaps (catching onto the lingo!) stores for jewelry, dresses, and bathing suits. I found an adorable owl necklace that I'm very excited about, and I got a new bathing suit on clearance! When in Australia, bargain shop!

After we got back from out day out, we finally fed ourselves and began planning for Easter break. Our thought right now is traveling to Melbourne! Then, at the last minute, we decided to join my awesome floor mates for a night out. I got to bond with some of them, and meet some other awesome people. We caught the train again and went to Finnegans, an Irish Pub, and danced, danced, danced. It was a blast. Then we walked through the city of Newcastle and went to the Brewery, which is this awesome bar that sits right on the harbour. It was an amazing view, and so Australian!

So after a long night out, we went to the swimming carnival today. Each residence hall here is known as a college, so I live at TEDS college since I live in Edwards Hall. Our biggest rival is Evatt House. There's a song, but it's not very appropriate! Anyways, the swimming carnival took place all afternoon, and it was a competitive swimming competition between the colleges. Edwards won, and everyone was happy.

I left early though for church, and met some new people again! We had another delicious potluck style picnic, and afterward, we all played a game of soccer. It was so much fun and such a good workout.

So to wrap up my whole weekend, all I can say is I had heaps of fun! I'm looking forward to a long night sleep and my second week of classes, and then this weekend it's off to Sydney for a weekend surf getaway!

Check back to hear about my attempt at surfing, if I don't get eaten by the sharks first!