July 23-July26

G'Day! It's Sunday evening for me over here in Australia and everyone back at home is sleeping since its 2:30am in the states. It has been a rather slow first weekend here in Australia, but oh well what can you do. So Thursday I went on the dolphin cruise through the orientation stuff they had planned for us and we drove about 45 minutes north on the coast to Nelson Bay Australia. We got there around 10:30am and they expected us to shop in the very expensive botique shops till 1pm. Well so more or less we all just walked around and then sat by the bay until 1pm. I did however buy a 4 post cards ($2.60) and a package of 5 stamps ($7)and together that costed me way more than I ever thought postage should ever cost. So sorry everone I don't think I will be sending too many postcards... I just would rather email and save some money... I know I am cheap but I think you would do the same if it costed you that much as well! Anyways the dolphin cruise was fun. I was able to see about 12 dolphins and some beautiful scenery! Later that night I took the free bus to Jesmond shopping center to get groceries and a few things for my room. The reason there is a free bus on Thursdays is because it is there shooping day since people get paid on Thursdays and so everything is open later. Once my roommates and I got back from Jesmond we went over to the movie night in the Basement of Edwards Hall (Celler). We watched a really lame Australian movie. It was really terrible. They don't know how to make good movies.

For orientation on Friday they took those of us that wanted to go on a tour to the Hunter Valley vineyards. The Hunter Valley area is gorgeous! I tooks a few really good pictures. It was about an hour ride west of Newcastle to the Hunter Valley. I only wish there would have been grapes on the vines, but I guess I can't have everything!

Saturday one of the RA's named Desmond showed me around town Newcastle. We went to a few different second hand thrift clothes shops because he needed some stuff for the Rock in Roll party they threw on campus that night. After that we headed towards the beachs. We got out and walked on Nobby's beach. I finally got to walk on the sand and touch the water. Unfortunately the water is soo cold... Its going to take a while before I will get fully into that water! That night then I hung out with lots of different International students, including Jenna Wolf, Desmond Littles, and a few other girls.

Therefore that leaves today, Sunday. Today I got up and did another morning run around campus and a little bit into town. Talked to my wonderful dad for about an hour and half, walked with Lisa and Emma to Jesmond for a few more things, did my laundry (which I don't have to pay for!), and am going to go try out a church service here on campus at 7pm. I am hoping to meet some Christians there that I will hopefully be able to trust and confide in during these next months.

Well I promised some pictures so here are some of everything I have been doing. I have lots more pictures up on my facebook though, so feel free to check those out!

My First week In Australia (July 15-22)

G'Day Mate!

So I arrived in Sydney, Australia last Friday, July 17, after being in airports and airplanes for a little over 30 hours! Let me tell you... if you ever plan on coming over to the outback be prepared for feeling greasy, tired of airports, crapped up legs, falling asleep by 7pm, and for everything to be completely opposite of the US! Friday I met the other two people in the study abroad program with me (Jenna Wolf and Desmond Littles). We walked around Sydney during the morning and then in the afternoon we went up into the skyline tower. From the tower we had a great view of the city. By 7:30pm though that night I was fast asleep! Saturday we went 2 hours west of Sydney by train to get to the Blue Mountains. It was a gorgeous National reserve that extends really far within Australia. It was a lot like the Grand Canyon except that it had lots of trees. Sunday we went to Taronga Zoo in Sydney. I was able to see kangaroos (even was able to pet one!), platypuses, koalas, and lots of other animals. I enjoyed the zoo. Then we took a cab ride up to Newcastle and were dropped off at the university. I was able to unpack a little bit before we had to go and do some icebreakers with all the international students that had just moved onto campus.

So far this week has been orientation on campus. Including a bunch of things I had to go through my freshman year in college. Some things have been helpful but most of it has been a waste of time. It has really been a challenge because basically I have had to figure out everything on my own, like how to get a student id, how to sign up for courses, get my Internet working, figure out bus schedules, my way around campus, where my classes are, so basically everything. It has been killing my nerves and my body is pretty much shot... although I am slowly recovering a little bit at a time each day. Campus is huge too by the way... much bigger than Eureka. About 30,000 students total and I feel like I am in a forest when I am going through it.

Today I finally got to see Newcastle through a tour they had for international students. It is a pretty big city of about 360,000 people. Lots of different sections to it. I also got to see the beach!Then the rest of the day I have spent organizing my room finally, going through all the information I have received this week, cleaning my desk, and understanding the computer network for my classes. I will eventually post pictures but in the meantime you can check out my facebook profile to see the pictures.

My mailing address is

Natalie Wetterauer
Edwards Hall
The University of Newcastle
CALLAGHAN NSW 2308

And you can also get a hold of me through email nwetterauer@eureka.edu or skype natalie.wetterauer

I want to ask one thing from you if you don't mind me asking. I would love it if you can all continue to pray and think of me. This week has been one of the most challenging weeks of my life and it is slowly starting to get better. I know though that I wouldn't be here though if God didn't have a plan for it to impact my life or someone else's in some way or form. So for now I will just Psalm 62 in my heart and mind.