So Saturday is Philip's birthday. We are hosting a relatively small birthday part for him on Friday night! It's going to be at 8:00 pm and we're having cake, ice cream, cookies, and of course drinks because he is turing 21!! It should be fun. Then on his actual birthday, Saturday, we're going to downtown Sydney for the day and coming back for dinner because my roommate (Crazy Montana) and Philip are hosting a BBQ. That should be fun!
I really like it here now in Sydney. I guess part of it is because I blend in a little more now. I walk on the left side of the footpath (sidewalk). I have Aussie friends (They text just like they talk!!! I think it's so funny! They don't even type R's). I enjoy my classes (not the homework and studying though.) I like the music here and I enjoy the all around atmosphere. And Sydney has got to be the most breathtaking city in the world. I asked an Australian today if they still think Sydney is beautiful even though they've lived here their whole life. They said that every time they look at the Harbor Bridge they are still astonished. It makes me happy that Sydney is truly a beautiful city and it's not just me liking it because it's new.
I've been away from home for a month now. How weird. I can already tell that I'm changing. I don't have an accent. I don't wear my makeup differently. (I actually don't wear makeup at all... haha.) But my mind has changed. Before I came I was a lot more self centered. I thought that if you didn't do something the way I did, you were wrong. I was rarely wrong in my eyes. I didn't even realize that I was like this until now. I think Fiji kicked that right out of me. I saw how simple and different they lived. I saw how happy they were with the smaller things. I saw how family was first. It was definitely out of my comfort zone, but it didn't feel wrong. I felt like THEY were right. I want spend time with my family. I want to spend time outside and not just watch T.V. I want to eat healthy and take care of my body. And even Sydney is different, but I embrace it. I'm not here to feel like I'm in America. I like the feel of change.
Here are some differences between the U.S. and Australia
*In Australia it is not illegal to drink and drive. You can't if you are under 20, but once you turn 20 and obtain your "full license" you are allowed to drink and drive. My Aussie friend told me that you "just have to know your limit."
*In Australia, bars open really early. And unis (universities) have their own bars lol. For lunch, you can go get a beer at the UBar on campus.
*I'd estimate that 70% of the population in Sydney is asian of some sort. I didn't know that!
*Although Australia is extremely racist, they are very tolerant of homosexuals. There are more gay bars and clubs than straight ones!
*Seeing a Koala is not a big deal for an Australian. They laugh when I get excited about seeing one.
*Some of the cockatoos probably weigh over 20 lbs. They are so stinking huge. The caged ones we have at home as pets are like as big as their heads lol.
*The parrots and cockatoos here munch on grass lol. Our brids eat worms.
*I honestly can't tell the difference between some birds here and crying babies. Oh and some birds in Sydney's rainforest sound like monkeys!
*You can't own a gun in Australia unless you have a permit, and they rarely give these out. You have to have a very good reason and can't have anything- even a misdemeanor on your record. This is thanks to some guy in Tasmania a few years back went crazy and killed a ton of people with a .22 cal. I think that outlawing everyone else is stupid because now only the criminals have guns.
*Michigan winters get down to 0 degrees. Sydney (Southern Australia- where it's "cold") gets down to 65. Brrr lol. The Northern Territory gets down to 80! So cold! haha
*Some trees here seriously look like huge pineapples.
*Most of the lakes here are salt water.
*You get on buses on the left.
*It's illegal to play a musical instrument on a bus.
That's all I can think of right now! I miss you all very much!!
Brittaney
P.S. Still no mail ;)
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