I'm a local.

When I returned from the outback, it was back to the grind. Ughhh you mean I actually have to go to class again?! I joined a gym for the next two months, and it is feeling so good to work out again. Traveling sure is fun, but of course I miss my routine a little bit. School was pretty uneventful for the most part that week. Went to the Beach Palace for $5 steak dinner on Wednesday and watched 500 Days of Summer with a group, enjoyed a night out at CBH on Thursday, saw American Reunion at the cinema with some friends and laughed my ass off on Friday, and had a great Cinco de Mayo picnic at that park by the beach Saturday afternoon-complete with sombreros, margaritas, and burgers, and perfect weather. Also-the supermoon that week made for an absolutely incredible view on our porch every night. And my parents sent me a great package that made me smile-thanks mom and dad!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Now that uni is winding down, professors are piling on the assignments. I have three 3000 word papers due next week (Psych and Law report, U.S. History research essay, and History of Sexuality research essay)... So I have essentially been locked in the library for a majority of this week. I made friends with an Australian in my U.S. History class, and he and his band are having a gig at the Oxford Act Factory in the city tomorrow night, so I am expanding his fan base and going to check out the show (if I can crank out the rest of paper number 2!). I am in love with their music-you should seriously check them out: The Driffs. Notice it is not DrifTs... This is because he explained Australians cannot pronounce the letter T very well. So it just sounds like Driffs. Hence, the name. Love it. I rewarded myself on Wednesday with a night out with the girls at the Golden Sheaf. After I finished classes for the week, I went to the Opera House Thursday night with a friend to see the ballet Onegin, performed by the Australian Ballet Theatre. Oh my god.. It was to die for. Such an incredible experience to watch a show at the actual Sydney Opera House. And the prima ballerina was arguably the best dancer I have ever seen in my life. We capped the night off with pizza and the Double Yum drink to share at the Opera Bar, overlooking the Harbor Bridge and Opera House. A truly perfect evening. After working on one of my papers all day on Friday, my roommates and I rewarded ourselves by booking a trip to Fiji!! Yes, Fiji. Thanks heaps to our travel agent Barry-such a gem. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be traveling to Fiji (especially at the mere age of 21). We are going to an all inclusive resort for our study break in June as one last hurrah for the four of us. I am so incredibly excited. As I continue to say, this life is not real. I essentially feel like a local now: I went to a show at the Opera House, worked out at the park, listened to a local Australian band, actually walk on the left side of the sidewalk now... It's weird how lost I was only three months ago. We decided to begin a "fit for Fiji" workout plan, so we embraced the beautiful day and went for a run along the coast. We regrouped at the park and set up my speaker and did a circuit training workout. It was hilarious and a great workout. It was just getting dark as we finished, so we concluded by laying in the grass, listening to relaxing music, looking at the stars, and wondering how in the hell we got so lucky to be here. One of life's biggest tragedies is getting so caught up in the mundane activities of life itself (such as writing my papers) that you forget to appreciate all that you have. I love having those moments where you can completely let go and just be in the moment and thank God for the incredible things you have. Life is good!! Only 6 weeks left in this magical place... can't time just slow down for a little bit please?!