Oct 31 - Halloween

It's beautiful outside. It's just nearing 11am and it's gorgeous out. Now, when someone asked me if Halloween was a big deal in the States, I said yes, of course. She, an Aussie, explained that it just never caught on here. You know, I think it must be because it's sunny and warm and they eat pumpkins here (though they look more like a butternut squash). So for us, it's the fall leaves, the chill in the air, the excitement of dressing up at school or seeing the little ones all made up for the evening. It's fun to hand out candy, or as my parents have done some years -toothbrushes or some sort of dental supply. When I was little, it was all about traveling around our neighborhood, but especially next door to the Liddles and over to the Kellums because they would always have a special treat for my sister and me.
Tonight, instead of getting dressed up, I think I'm going out to dinner with Premi (if, in his busy going home to Lanka on Friday, schedule permits) and no, I will not be in costume. It's just so strange how the holiday here just doesnt happen. I did go get some "lollies" (candy) from the States for myself like Reeses PB cups, Nerds, Gobstoppers, and gummy worms and sour gummies just to rot my teeth on this special day. Teehee!

Anyhow, to all of you at home who will hand out candy to the tricker treaters... have fun. I am so jealous. I can't wait to see pics of L and E all dressed up in their costumes. Oh the little things (and little ones) I miss...

Oct 30 - Indecent Proposal

My aching feet!! Kim and I walked the city non-stop for 4 hours yesterday just familiarizing ourselves with the various streets and areas. Where there were demo apartments, we went and had a look. We didnt find anything promising. We do, however, have a list of some possibilities. Unfortunately, since we cant move in for at least another 6-8 weeks, these possibilities will be void at that time. Sooo... we discussed over dinner (our first break on the walking tour) our choices and we're going to keep our eyes open, but take a break from active searching (more or less).
Straight from dinner I went to work and was on my feet another 6.5 hours! It was a busy evening, but not overly so. It was a good pace. I caught the 12:19am tram back to the house and set my clocks ahead an hour for daylight savings. I talked to the folks and reminded them of the change. So now that I am another hour ahead and you guys are another hour behind, we are now +17hours ahead of you! So what was add 3 switch am and pm... is now add 5! It's crazy! Not that it matters b/c I am the one doing the calling out. So I have to do the remembering.
Anyhow, I got about 5 hours (fitful) sleep and went back to work this morning and was on my feet about another 6 hours. My feet and legs are SO sore now. Especially that dang right foot of mine that's having issues. So maybe next week when I get my innoculations for India, I might ask about getting a quick x-ray on that foot to see what's going on. That and some meds to get me over this lingering cough - if there is something. Dang allergies and headcold stuff!
Anyhow, I have a busy week coming up with project work and an evening commitment each day! It will be a good balance of work and play. Oh yeah, and speaking of work (again), I gave notice today that the 10th will be my last day.

Ummm... in other news that's not so relevant to you, we said goodbye to a floormate today who was moving in to his sister's home. So byebye Akshay. We will miss you.

Manjit flies home on Tuesday and Premi leaves on Friday. It's going to be wierd around here having people gone for good... or just gone for the hols. I guess I'll be leaving soon too... but it's so strange to already be saying goodbye to folks. I need to get my neighbours pics up ASAP.... hmmm... think I will do that now. Stay tuned.

Oct 28 - Awake

Well, it's official. I had my last class this morning. He handed back our papers and I got another 'B' which is exciting considering I was a bit nervous about it. So it looks like going into my final projects, I have solid Bs. I turned in my last Media Project Development paper today, and so that class is done. All things have been turned in. I have two papers left and I have a pretty good idea on how to do them, so I'm feeling good. I'm taking this afternoon off since I got about 4 hours sleep last night. :-) So it's nap time for now.

I'll try to get some pics loaded on the site soon. Now that my time is almost freed up entirely!!

Oct 22 - Home

Kim and I have been on the search for a new place to move into. It's going ok. We did a lot of walking around on Thursday just checking out the areas around the city. We have an appt today with someone.. I think it's one of those services that helps narrow down your searches. I could be wrong though. It might just be a management service to show us some properties. I like the fact that Kim is so proactive about the search, but it's a bit early. Neither of us can move for a month or two. I heard a rumor that the Grad House lady might be a bit flexible during November... so maybe she will let us both out of contract early. I dont know.

Otherwise, things are really stressful. I have lots to write and do in the next 2 weeks and I more or less have an idea of what I'm doing for my projects, but one is still stumping me and it should be the easiest thing to knock out. I just need a topic, but I dont have time to do a lot of research. I could use the idea from my Harry Potter paper, but I'm not quite sure what I would say... so I'll be thinking about that a lot next week.

I cant believe I am already down to the 3 week countdown to the big Asian adventure. This is going to be crazy!

Oct 21 - Catch Me If You Can

OK... so just to get back on track somewhat, I'll forego the daily gory details of my life of late. Instead, you'll get the intersting overview.

School is good. Just one more week of classes to go and then final papers. I got two papers back from earlier assignments. I got Bs on both. Not too bad considering I am doing third year work with a first year brain. The learning curve sucks and I'm doing my best to keep my head above water. It's not the subject matter that's so difficult, but rather turning in an intelligent paper.

I put in my reenrolment classes for consideration today... so I'll tell everyone what I'll be taking once it's all confirmed. But it's proof that I have another semester of learning to go.

I'm part of a Media Production team for the school's show: Darren and Brose. Website is currently down, and besides I dont know the address off the top of my head, so I'll put a link to it later. Anyhow, I've done quite a few spots with them on the crew. I've done director's assistant, sound, talent/extra, stand-in, makeup, camera assistant, and other small tasks without name.

My job at Mosskito is going ok. I dont like having to go in, but I usually have an ok time once I'm there. It's really quite a busy place. I found a write up on it
here. No picture of it, but it tells you more or less a little about it.

Kim and I are looking for a place to live in or near the city. There are so many cool areas around in/near the city and we would go do more discovering of those places if we lived nearer. Plus, if I find an internship for next semester, it would save me a lot of money if I'm able to walk. And if not, it will at least save me some time.

Kim and I have our Indian visas being processed now and we pick them up on the 27th. We leave in less than a month. For those who havent heard - India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Singapore will be visited over a 5 wk period. Thailand is the only place we are on our own. Everywhere else we are staying with people or have a friend as a local guide.

Jenn's plans for visiting are going well. We've got a pretty good itinerary lined up and I'm really excited for her to come. I'm NOT excited about seeing my next VISA statement though! UGHHHHH!!!

Guess that's the haps for now. I have to head in to the city with Kim (who has had more time for scouting locations) to start looking at some places. And then... from here til the 7th of November... I may go ghostlike again. Too much to do and such a short time to complete it all.

All my luv!

Sept 29/30 - Pete's Dragon

Since we had arrived so late to Cradle Mountain and we had to make the ferry by 7:30pm, the boys didn't have a chance to do their 8hour hike they had planned (oh goody!!). So instead, as we drove the windy path to Dove Lake, the rain and wind picked up and I told the boys (and Kim) to enjoy their 2hr hike to the other side of the lake. Kim opted to stay with me and we went to a nice lodge (something similar to a Big Cedar Lodge) for hot cocoas while we waited. I got to drive from the lodge back to the dropsite to get the boys. As Kim and I waited in the car, it started sleeting, at which point I was really glad that I had opted out of the walk. When the boys returned, they said that it was fine on the other side of the lake, just the initial/last 15 min of the walk is nasty. Regardless, I was warm and dry in comparison - no complaints!
We got on the road to head north to the coastal city of Burnie. We really wanted to go to the penguin observatory, but it was too early for the penguins to migrate back to the beach, so we opted for Fern Glade instead. Basically, it was a nice park that had tons of ferns and platypus/pi? if they were out, but they're nocturnal so we didnt see any. Then we went to the city of Wynyard, just 15min west of Burnie, to go to the Tulip Farm and lighthouse. It was really pretty. The farm itself cost too much for us to be bothered (like $7/person), so we just got some pics at a distance - which was fine. We took a hike to the lighthouse along the cliffs overlooking the coast. There was a nice rainbow suspended over the cliffs and I got a picture of it. It was much prettier in person.
From Wynyard and Burnie, it was time to head to Devenport. We grabbed some chow and then drove to the port to line up to board. Once we were on the ferry, we grabbed some seats in the lobby to eat and play cards. I fell asleep before the others stopped hanging out. I actually slept pretty ok considering the man snoring just opposite me. I was too tired to care.
We arrived back in Melbourne at 7am and three of us slept while our driver (Jo) drove us back to campus. I started my laundry, wrote some emails, and otherwise got myself unpacked and ready for the week. I had to work the night we got back, so after a quick refresher nap... it was off to work.

Dove Lake from the parking lot... looks cold, no?

Fern babies

Rainbows are pretty.

Group photo. Last day and we still love each other. I so totally dig my self timer.

Tulips! Fields of tulips in Wynyard - city of tulips!

Lighthouse... and Kim told me she's never seen Pete's Dragon, so she has no idea why I was singing "I'll be your candle on the water..."

Coming home. Melbourne at about 6:15am.

Sept 28 - Climb Every Mountain

It was another somewhat early morning so that we could do a hike and then make it to the next place to maybe do a walk there. Unfortunately, Krishna takes more time than a typical girl who styles her hair and does her makeup. So we ate apples and waited 30 minutes for him to be ready. We got over to Clear Lake and it started to mist through the windy, cool conditions. We had missed the ferry to the other side to do the walk back, so we chose a different path. We did go to the ferry dock and just looking at the chilly, grey water and the fact that a knowledgeable surfer could catch some short rides on the oversized white caps coming in to shore made me glad that we missed the ferry. I doubt I would have made it across without turning green!
We got on our way and did a nice hike around the lake - but it was protected by the tree-lined path. It was a lovely walk. I came across another opossum while I lagged behind due to my still very sore and tight calves. I also played "name that scat". In the visitor's centre when we first arrived there was a scat (poop) display so you could ID the wildlife. There was wallaby (human-like poop to pellet-like), opossum (pellet); tasmanian devil (looks like a long hairball - mixes with feathers, fur, and bones since it's a carnivore); and my personal fave - the wombat (looks like boullion cubes - square with roundish edges). So as we walked they would ask me what scat we were seeing as a joke.
After our walk we got driving to Queenstown to refuel and get groceries for the evening. To get there you go over these mountains that are iron ore and have pretty colors where the water has run down it - yellows, purples, rusts. Then we drove on the Montezuma Falls, but our time was already too short so we didnt see them. We got back on the road to Crater Lake where we had a cabin booked and checked in. It was too dark to do anything more for the day other than unpack and unwind. We had a great time playing cards, drinking Tazzy wine, listening to a guy play his guitar and keeping warm by the fire. I also made a friend on the way to the toilet - Miss Muffet's spider (see below)!!


Bridge over a stream on the Clear Lake Aboriginal culture walk.

There were lots of these cool dead trees around, so I found one big enough for us all to fit and set the self-timer.

Wombat scat question - How does a square come out of a circle? This really doesnt show how square they really are - it's really quite freaky.

To Tasmania! Cheers!

I dont know if it is friend or foe, but it sure was a BIG, brown spider!

Sept 27 - On the Road Again

Our morning in Hobart wasn't all that well spent. We walked to Salamanca Square where the market is on Saturdays, however it was Tuesday, so though it was a nice area... who cares? Then we went to the marina area where we had eaten dinner the night before and took a couple pics... but who cares? Then we walked back toward the hostel and the guys got info on the Cadbury Factory at the information centre (tours booked thru the following week) and we made our way to get lunch. Over lunch we discussed our options. I really wanted to do one thing, which had seemed possible at the time we had discussed it that morning, but as the day went, Jo seemed less keen to go a bit more south for it, preferring to get up north for other reasons. So as we discussed things more, I brought up the fact that Mt. Wellington was awfully close, had great city views and we might as well take the hour to drive up since it was apparent that by NOT going south, we would just drive north until nightfall where we would be unable to do anything anyhow. So why sit at a cabin all night when there were things we could do right there in Hobart before leaving. So we went up Mt. Wellington. Nice view. Would have been better to have done it in the morning instead of wasting it, but we're talking about bitter issues here that cannot be changed. Anyhow, after Mt Wellington we left to head to the Cadbury shop (also another issue of contention), but the guys were out of soap and needed to stop for products so we went to the store and Kim and I got groceries and then sat and waited for them for what seemed like ages. By the time we left and got to Cadbury, it was closed... 4:30pm. I could have screamed because I kept thinking the entire time at the store - why are we doing this now? Why not AFTER... and then... well... disappointment. That day seriously had ISSUES! So we got back on the road again to head to Derwent Bridge at the south end of Cradle Mountain Nat'l Park at Mt. St. Cloud/Lake. We were on wallaby watch as dusk set in and with a couple swerves we convinced Kim to put her seatbelt on. We, fortunately, made it unscathed and checked into our cabin where after getting dinner ready an opossum was sitting at our door and scared the bejeezus out of me. It did NOT look like our critter at home. He was bigger and black and had a thick, furry tail - not the wirey, curly one ours has. We pretty much chilled out in the kitchen area playing cards after dinner and keeping warm by the fire.

PS - Post Wineglass Bay I woke up this morning with calves so tight I could barely walk. It was a pretty funny day trying to get them to loosen up and just when they would start to feel a bit better - we would be right back in the car again. UGH!

Victoria Harbor (I think?)


The summit at Mt Wellington


The view of Hobart/burbs/Tasman Bridge below Mt Wellington (about 1/2way down the mountain)


The rolling hills as we were driving lulled us all pretty much to sleep on the way.


Johannes both keeping the fire going and "baking" our garlic bread. We lacked an oven at the cabin kitchen.

Sept 26 - Red, Red Wine

We woke up early to leave Bicheno to continue our drive south. We were out of gas completely, so Johannes went straight to the petrol station, but it wasnt open yet. Kim and I went to get snacks at the grocery, but it was open yet. So we walked to the bakery, which was the ONLY thing open at 7:15am apparently. We stacked up on goodies and the gas man came a few minutes early, and we were on the road just after 7:30am. Our first drive was a short one to Freycinet Peninsula to hike to Wineglass Bay. This was a 2.5-3hr return walk and it was all pretty much uphill for the first hour with stone and plank steps which, though helpful to gain your footing, were a real bitch after a while to lift my aching legs up on. We went to the lookout point first and then began traveling down to the beach where my calves had decided to shake uncontrollably as I took off my shoes to put my feet on the pristine sand. We had a nice sit on the beach for a bit before heading back over the mountain (gasping for breath...am TOO old? out of shape? weak? to do this!). By the time we packed up the car and refilled our water bottles it was just near 11 or so. We started to head off and I heard something fall off the top of the car. I got out and realized it was my water bottle which now had a nice crack through the lid and although the nalgene plastic part was intact, it was no longer usable as a water holding device to be thrown in my bag. They (nalgene) should really rethink the breakable lid portion! So bummer... water bottle #2 to be replaced. Anyhow, we got on our way and passed Kate's Berry Farm in Swansea as we headed south some more to Port Arthur, just east of Hobart about 1.5hrs. Port Arthur was a prison town accessible only through the port. It was first established in 1830 as a work camp and later in 1833 as a punishment station for repeat offenders until 1853 when they stopped transporting prisoners in and it finally closed in 1877. It was 2:30 when we arrived and got our tickets. Our tour started with a harbor ferry cruise to see the entrance from the sea, Point Puer (the boys prison where at the age of 7 you could be sent after being tried as an adult), and the Isle of the Dead - the prison/staff cemetary on an island off the cove, and the view of entering the area from the watery entrance. At 4 we did a walking tour. The park closed at 5 so we kinda skipped out after 30 min of the talking in order to explore the ruins ourselves. The grounds were beautiful. Once we all joined up again, we were back in the car and headed to three close points of [some] interest: the Blowhole, Tasman Arch, and Devil's Kitchen. The Blowhole wasnt really blowing since the tide was not in our favor. The arch was ok. The Devil's Kitchen was the final result of what happens to the arch in the end. Basically, the water eats out the stone and leaves a big hollow space and then the ceiling collapses leaving a gulch. So after we had traipsed around seeing those, it was just beginning to get dark. It was off to Hobart where we crossed the Tasman Bridge and checked into our hostel and went to a place called Fish Frenzy for dinner. (I had some yum seared scallops!)


Wineglass Bay lookout



Wineglass Bay from below.


Kate's Berry Farm - novel for the name. We didnt actually go.


The prison from Port Arthur's view

The non-denominational church (ruins) is a popular place for weddings in the Port Arthur area. It would be a beautiful outdoor venue. The Anglican church that still has services is in the foreground.

The grounds at Port Arthur

Tasman Arch


Devil's Kitchen - the best I could do hanging my camera over the edge with it getting dark so my camera was open all the way... hard to keep my hand still!

Sept 25 - No Mountain High Enough

From Launceston we headed east to Mt William National Park to climb the summit and hit the beach. Then we continued down the coast to the Bay of Fires. Gorgeous! And the sand squeeks! It's crazy! After some down time there, it was farther south to Bicheno to see the fairy penguins, but alas the tour was booked. We checked in to the hostel and the reception guy told us where to go see them free. The noises those little dudes make is crazy cool! We did see a few in the dark. No pictures or lights allowed unless it's filtered (which my cell phone's pink light is basically that) so we saw one up close. It couldnt have been taller than 8 iches! We grabbed dinner after the free penguin show (nothing like the 200 from the beach where the tour goes, but hey...) and went to bed.

It took us only 20 of the supposed 45 min hike to get up on the summit. I think I was about to die.

View from the top toward the park.

View from the top toward the beach.

Mt William's beach area from sea level - I'm not fat, my shirt is just THAT big!

Wallaby and her joey. I wanted to hold it. There were 4 wallabies chilling at the park near the beach and 2 of them had babies in their pouches and were very sweet. You could almost pet them. This picture makes me happy.

A stop between William and the Bay of Fires

Bay of Fires looking back into the bay

Bay of Fires looking out to the ocean

Sept 23/24 - I'm Soooo Tired

Spring break (how weird is that for September?) was spent in Tasmania with Kim, Johannes, and Krishna. Here are the daily highlights:

We took the Spirit of Tasmania ferry between Melbourne and Devonport (3rd largest city in Tasmania). The four of us, packed away in the Volvo, got on around 8pm, it left at 9pm and we arrived at 7am after very little decent sleep.


Goodbye Melbourne!

Hello Tasmania!


We drove straight from Devonport to Launceston (2nd largest in Tazzy) so the boys could be sure to have a place to watch the AFL Grand Final (think Superbowl Aussie footy style). We got there, had some brekkie, and checked into the hostel before heading to Cataract Gorge to kill time til the game.
Cataract Gorge (the three people on the bridge are K, K, and J)

The Longest Chairlift in the World

My reflection on the ride - I was the only taker. Eventually I might have a pic of me b/c Krish took one of me riding.

After the trek back from the Gorge (which was half the time and a much easier incline than our walk there), Kim and I chose showers and naps over going to the bottle shop with the boys. We caught the tail end of the AFL game (Sydney Swans won) and then went to the grocery store to get dinner. It happened to decide to pour rain on us on our walk back and we returned to two boys who had passed out from lack of sleep and too much beer. They woke up for dinner and went back to bed at 830 and we didnt see them until the next morning at breakfast!