Part I: the nitty gritty

Ok! So now that I have a semi-permanent residence and free internet, I feel like I can finally write a proper blog! Where to start?! I suppose the trip to LA first and foremost.. the beginning of my journey.

So, I spent two days in LA before I went to Sydney. My friend Jennie, a friend from work/college, was nice enough to let me crash with her (since I purchased my ticket from LA to Sydney and bought my own connecting flight from Atlanta). I loved LA!!! Ironically, she wasn't too thrilled with the city and is actually considering moving back to Atlanta. I understood where she was coming from though when she told me why. I didn't have a lot of time there. My flight from Atlanta was canceled on Thursday, so I ended up getting there Friday afternoon. (I have the WORST luck with flights :P). But we went to her friend's apartment... apparently the same building where Kristen Cavillari and Tommy Hilfiger's son live... and chilled at the pool. Then we went out for one of her friend's bday's to a dive bar in Playa Del Ray. Saturday we went to Santa Monica (my fav area of all we saw) and had lunch, walked around, etc. It was nice and relaxing.

Saturday night I checked into the airport. My flight was scheduled to leave at 10:30, but was delayed for an hour. (told you i have the worst luck with flights...). The flight itself was ok. A bit turbulent in the beginning actually. Totally full flight -- blah. (One day I WILL be able to afford first class and have one of those little cocoons!!) The food was horrible, but I expected no less and had adequate snacks. I watched "He's Just Not That Into You." Sooooo good!!!!! Definitely in my top 10! Then I started to watch Twilight (*Robert Pattinson*Sigh*), but I was getting drowsy and dozed off. I was pretty much in and out of sleep for the majority of the trip. I had a window seat, so I propped myself against the window and somehow managed to get a little rest. I woke up at one point though and REALLY had to use the restroom... but the other two women on my row were sleeping and I felt bad waking them up. I mean, I know how hard it is to fall asleep in the first place... so I just held it..... for a realllllly long time. Other than that, the 14 hours went by quicker than I thought it would! By the time I looked at the "flight path" on the little tv screen, we only had 2 1/2 more hours!

I got to the hostel around 9:00am. I was rooming with a British Girl, Si Si, and a Korean girl. I forgot her name. She woke up at 7:00 every morning and did not come back to the room until 9 or so that night, upon which she promptly went to bed! haha. She was sweet though. I loved Si Si. Like Amanda said, there's just some kind of chemistry between me and the Brits. I swear, my destiny is in London!! Moving on... there was a German girl in our room for two days and she was quite strange and annoying. That's all I will say about that. The hostel itself wasn't bad, but it wasn't that cheap. Plus, I have soooo much stuff that it made me nervous to know that it was sitting in the room just waiting for someone to take it!! I had a lot of really nice clothes, jewlery, shoes, computer stuff... everything!! And sadly, you just can't trust people these days. So I was really ready to move out and really feeling the pressure/stress of finding a decent, affordable place!!

On Wednesday, I had my orientation with BUNAC, the company I applied for the visa through. The girl who lead orientation was really nice and really Australian, but in a totally endearing way. I was kind of hoping to meet a few more people... but there was only one other Canadian girl and she was with a friend. It made me a little sad actually, because I really wish Lindsey was here. It was a lot harder to say goodbye this time around. I think I mentioned that already, but what I can. She is my life partner, after all.

*SIDE NOTE: at my friend's bachelorette party, a girl asked if Lindsey and I were friends and I said "yes, more like life partners." I didn't even think about it... well apparently, the girl thought Lindsey and I were lesbians for the rest of the evening. HA. oops!*

Anyway, BUNAC referred me to this housing agency, Sleeping With the Enemy. (cute, huh?). I made an appointment to see the place and was immediately sold. It's a share home, so I'll be sharing a room with another person, which I did NOT want to do at all. But, housing prices here are insane and I don't have a job yet... so my options are a bit limited at the moment. Plus, the house is soooo cute and brand new! They just renovated and opened it 3 weeks ago.

Ok, now I'm going to break the blog into two parts, b/c I have SO much to say about the house, and this will just get ridiculously long!