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!