Tsunami Warning!

After an earthquake in Chile earlier today, a tsunami alert has been issued to almost all countries that border the Pacific Ocean, including Australia.

Although all the beaches have been closed and evacuated, officials assure the public that there's no need to panic...alright, cool. (This is me not panicking!!).

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/27/2832153.htm

Sunshine, Rain...and Sunflowers!

   

Blast from the past:

Today Brony--as in Brony from Middleton, Tasmania--sent me pictures of the sunflowers I planted on her farm back in October. Clearly all that torrential rain Tassie experienced this past winter (their winter, our summer/fall) did those sunflower seeds some good! The flowers are BEAUTIFUL.

Hostelling, Hostelling, Hostelling

It's currently 5:15 pm here at Noah's Backpackers. So far today I've checked in ten people and balanced the till twice. Three people have asked me whether I'm American or Canadian, two people have asked me for change for the laundry, and one person has asked me for his mail. I've had to use an online translator for an elderly Czech man named Zdenek (note: "Sorry, sir. Your bank card isn't working. You'll have to see your bank" is supposedly "Ahoj sir. Váš kreditní karty isn pracovních. Jste červnu potřeba mluvit vaší banky" in Czech). I've also attempted to speak Czech to an elderly man named Zdenek, only to have him chuckle fondly at me.

I have another four hours before Dave comes in for his night shift. So many possibilities.

In other news:

1. I'm officially no longer a resident of Surry Hills. Bri and I are staying with our friend Jules until we get back from NZ, at which point we'll move in with two girls named Anna and Lauren, whom I met via Gumtree (Sydney's less sketchy version of CraigsList).
2. A man in one of Sydney's northern beaches was attacked by a shark a week or so ago...I haven't been in the water since.
3. Weather continues to swelter. I don't even know if "swelter" can be technically used as a verb, but I feel that it's appropriate in this context.
4. I've gone through four LSAT books as of today. Logic games are becoming second nature. Is that sad? 
5. My first real moment of homesickness occurred the other day when I realized I'd been wearing the same outfit for three days. According to Jules, homesickness is triggered by silly things. Truth. 
6. I'm going ice climbing on Franz Josef Glacier, paragliding over the Abel Tasman Bay, and more while in NZ! Pictures/reviews to come.
7. I miss everyone so unbelievably much...See you in July!!
8. And now, back to work.

5 Months!

In exactly 5 months, my Havaiana-clad feet will officially touch down on American soil after 9+ months abroad. Prepare yourselves, dear friends and family.

My New(est) Glasses

After accidentally sitting on--and subsequently breaking--my reading glasses for the third time in the past six months, I am now owner of the newest grandma-style readers.

Thanks to SpecSavers, the LensCrafters of Down Under, I was able to get a new pair for only 59 AUD. And I think they suit me just fine.Though some people here (coughcoughBriancoughcough) insist I look like I'm 23 going on 67, the SpecSavers salesman assured me that the style I've chosen to help my somewhat far-sighted eyes for the next five months is "actually quite popular" (among older women...).

Regardless, now I'll be able to pore through my LSAT books and finish my Audrey Niffenegger book without any sort of headache or eye strain...Hooray!

Nothing in Life is Free

Including Sydney's public tennis courts...$14-24/hr. I'm sorry, but what??

I found a cheap racket ($1.25, thank you very much) on eBay. Now, I just want to be able to go play when I'm in a tennis-y mood. That's all I ask. But no, Sydney prefers that you a) reserve your court ahead of time via their city website, and b) pay for your "court hire." Sigh. Sometimes I miss America...

GLEBE!

I will be moving to Glebe! I can barely contain my excitement. Although I love the Redfern/Surry Hills (it has a certain inner-city/dumpy charm to it), I'm finally moving to the neighborhood of my dreams. Think Berkeley, minus the hippies, plus Australian accents and rows and rows of gorgeous terrace houses.

Brian and I will be living with two fantastic girls: Anna and Lauren. We'll also be living right up the street from Jules (much to her chagrin, I'm sure...we'll be there ALL the time).

Yayyy. Our stay in Glebe will last about 3 months. We move in once we get back from NZ on the 8th, and will move out sometime in mid-May, at which point we'll commence our epic trip up the East Coast and into the outback (making sure to be back in Sydney by June 27th so I can take the LSAT lol).

"Hamburgers and Sanwiches (and Coca-Cola)"

It's one of those dumpy little hole-in-the-walls that, from the outside, looks as though it's not nearly worth a visit. Tucked between a Thai restaurant and a City Convenience Store (the Australian version of 7-Eleven) on Ross St. in the lovely neighborhood of Forest Lodge, one could easily walk by and miss it. It's practically invisible to the sharpened eye, to the rumbling stomach.

Oh, but I'm telling you: You gotta keep an eye out for this place. From $4 BLT's, to a $3.50 deli sandwich, to a $5 grilled chicken fillet, to a $1.50 Coke, this place not only serves delicious food, but it's cheap like whoa.

The shop doesn't even have a name because it's just that cool. In fact, I've come to the conclusion that it's some sort of Forest Lodge secret. No one wants their favorite sandwich and hamburger place to suddenly become overrun by obnoxious tourists (I don't count, of course) and other non-Forest Lodgeans. But if you happen to be in the neighborhood and your tummy is saying,  "Carlyn, I'm hungry!" then look out for the dodgy "Hamburgers and Sandwiches (and Coca-Cola)" sign. I guarantee your happiness.