Dear Parents,

A couple of weeks before I left to head back to the States, I wrote my parents a list of items and foods that I had to have As Soon As Possible when I got back!  Here is the list:
1. Hummus
2. Cottage Cheese (okay, laugh if you want- but the Barber's kind is REALLY good!)


What is our first stop off of the airplane in LA? A DR PEPPER Stop!



3. Beef Stroganoff (I am realizing now that these are odd things)

4. Stuffed Chicken- it is this delicious dish my mom makes

5. BROWNIES (Aussies need to experience real American brownies!)

6. Wraps. . .preferably a chicken & chipotle wrap

7. Gyros (they had them in Australia, but I missed a Greek Cafe near home)


8. Blackberries/blueberries/raspberries/strawberries

9. ICE (ice cold drinks ROCK!)

10. Omelet- preferably with Velveeta Cheese (yes, I know that Velveeta is one carbon molecule away from plastic but it is sooooo delicious!)

11. Grilled Cheese Sandwich (again, with Velveeta Cheese- but preferably not the same day that I have the Omelet because that would be too much cheese!)

12. Whole Wheat Bread- yummmmm

13. Chicken Salad


14. Ice Cream. Definitely.

15. Mexican food (It is okay & completely acceptable if it is "Americanized" Mexican food)

16. Dr. Pepper. . .Mr. Pibb is acceptable

(Some of these items were available in Australia, but the prices were a lot higher.  For example, Dr. Pepper was $4 for a can because not much was imported in Australia.  Ice cream was also expensive- it was at least $5.50 for one scoop.  And for many other things on this list, I just missed what I was used to eating back in the US)

Sincerely, Me!

Follow Up on Foods. . .

Follow-Up Blog (after a couple months in the U.S)

1.       Hummus- ummm-DELICIOUS!  I make sure that we have it at all times!

2.       Cottage Cheese- I eat it way to much now J

3.       Beef Stroganoff- I.ACTUALLY.HAVE.NOT.HAD.IT.YET!  Perhaps dinner tonight?

4.       Stuffed Chicken- Yes, it is a classic!

5.       Brownies- Once or twice. . .but I have made PUPPY CHOW (I forgot to put it on the first list)

6.       Wraps- I have one for lunch often

7.       Gyros- yuuuum!

8.       Blackberries/blueberries/raspberries/strawberries- (I admit, I LOVE fruit and have them every day!)

9.       ICE- now appreciated in all drinks!

10.   Omelet- I have had one or two this summer- They are delicious

11.   Grilled Cheese Sandwich- so.good. (PS I didn’t eat them on the same day)

12.   Whole Wheat Bread- I have it every day!

13.   Dr. Pepper (and can I add to that Coke Icees?)

Northern Beaches, here we come!

What.A.Day.Of.Hiking!

     Megan and I had a mission- we were going to walk by as many beaches as possible (while allotting a little energy for the return to ICMS).  The beautiful landscape, variety of beaches, friendly people, and amazing weather make the northern beaches one of the best places to visit in Sydney.  Just pick up a Sydney Travelors Guide or any tourist information and I am sure that the northern beaches would be listed as a top site to see!

     And lucky us, because we did not have to take a ferry or any transportation to start this trek, because the location of ICMS was perfect for the start of this hike.  The plan was this: begin at ICMS and walk past Manly Beach first, then continue to the north.

     In the morning, we went on a small 3.5 mile hike around NorthHead.  Now, I can't remember why- maybe as a preparation for our super-intense one that we had planned, or because we did not think that our legs would be GEL at the end of the day after walking so many miles, or maybe it was because our time in Sydney was winding down and we wanted to fill our days full will adventure.  Very full with adventure!

     Megan and I walked by Shelly Beach, Manly Beach, Queenscliff Beach, Curl Curl, Dee Why, and Long Reef.  We continued walking to Long Reef point, where we were able to see Collaroy Beach and figured that it was a perfect place to turn around! 

     Though I must admit that we might have looked a little goofy- mostly because I had my ipod earphones hanging out of the backpack so we could listen to some tunes while we hiked.  We felt like serious, prepared hikers.  Sure, I know that people were wondering where the music was coming from. . .but they should know it is coming from us, the "walking jukeboxes," haha.

     Though we were absolutely EXHAUSTED when we got back (especially walking up Darley Road which is the steepest, highest hill EVER), it was such a cool experience.  Later on that night, I put our course in the mapmyrun.com to figure out the mileage and it was 6 miles one way + 6 miles back + 3.5 miles in the morning = 15.5 miles!!!  Through sand, dirt trails, and pavement. . .What.An.Adventure!

Our Route

      

One of my last trips into Sydney (for now!)

The Opera House from the Harbour Bridge

     With three days left in the study abroad trip, I wanted to make sure that I had seen everything in Sydney!  I had two things that I still wanted to do in Sydney which were seeing Luna Park and walking across the Harbour Bridge (why have I not done that yet???)



Sydney



     Luna Park was on the other side of the Harbour Bridge, so everything worked out very well.  Sarah, Kelly, and I took the ferry to Sydney and then walked across the bridge.  Of course, we stopped to take some pictures!  It was such a beautiful day and a perfect day to spend in Sydney!  

     Luna Park was our first stop!  When we arrived at the entrance, we were greeted by uhhh. . .a somewhat creepy smiling clown.  Actually, the entrance WAS the clown- you walk through the mouth to get to the park.  

      On a different note- want to provide hours of entertainment and laughs?  Take a picture of the entrance to Luna Park and upload it to Facebook.  Then, tag whoever you want as the creepy clown face.  If you are feeling particularly funny, add something in the caption.

     I did this to my brother.  After I tagged him in the picture, I wrote, "It has your eyes!!! And your smile!"  Secretly thinking that I got him, then he wrote back, "and your rosy cheeks." He is so funny. NOT!

     Anyway, we walked around Luna Park and Sarah got cotton candy!  In Australia, it is called Ferry Floss!  The view of Sydney and the Harbour Bridge from Luna Park was a new perspective for me and was absolutely beautiful! 

     Afterward, we went in the Skytower and to Darling Harbour.  In Darling Harbour, we watched a dance street performance that was great (many people play instruments, do arts, dance, and draw on the Sydney walkways for people walking by!)
     It was a beautiful day and exploring Sydney was the perfect way to spend it!