all the instructors were seriously adorable. typical surfer types -- blonde, tan, ripped. we had a "lesson" every day, but really, aside from day 1... they pretty much just toss you to the waves and let you learn through trial by error. witness the slow progression of me standing:
it was sooo tiring. i told my instructor that now i know why surfers are so fit!! half the battle was getting over the freaking waves!!! and while they may not seem big from the shore, when you are out there paddling your little heart out, they may as well be tsunami waves. i probably swallowed 1,000 gallons of salt water over the course of five days. normally the days went a little something like this: wake up and surf, eat breakfast, surf, eat lunch, surf, eat dinner, drink around a bonfire, sleep, repeat.we traveled to a remote little town called crescent head (so gorgeous!) and another little town called arrawarra. i ended up going skydiving at arrawarra!! i'm going to try and figure out how to upload the video. it's really cool :) the experience was amazing. i've been wanting to go... and at arrawarra you can land on the very beach we were surfing at, so emily and i decided to sign up!
finally, we ended up in byron bay. i seriously fell in love with byron. it was the cutest, most laid back little town. it was pretty crowded because right now it's what australians call "schoolies," (i.e. summer vacation), so there were a ton of teeny boppers in town. that aside.... the hostel i stayed at, arts factory lodge, was seriously the coolest hostel i've ever been to. also, my friend tom (we worked together in sydney) was staying there. i got to spend some time with him and his friends, who were also really cool/fun, which was nice. i missed him! we always have these great little heart to hearts. i have so much to write about byron, that i don't even know where to start! i won't bore everyone with the details. suffice it to say that i'm only staying in sydney until new years, and then i'm definitely leaving! this little mini-break reminded me of how much i love traveling.... how many awesome new people there are to meet.... and how sydney is only a small part of what oz has to offer! OH. i also went cliff diving. new moon style (which i saw and loved!). just outside of byron there was a place called the quarry. i jumped off a 70 foot cliff into the water. crazy huh? that was honestly WAY scarier than the skydive. i was the only girl to do the jump though. all the guys were pretty impressed, which i can't deny made me feel like a bit of a rockstar. and lastly, i got a hair wrap. it's so cute -- and so byron style. i haven't had one since i was like 12, but i love it! all the girls from my room got one as well. one of them is actually in sydney this week, so we are going to get together at some point.
well, i'm back in sydney. *sigh.* back on the job hunt. *double sigh.* my friend claire is back in town though after having worked in perth the past few months. i haven't quite sorted the details, but i think she is going to take my roommates' room while they are in brazil for the holidays. i hope it works out, because it would be nice to have someone to chill with around bondi. (sabrina always works days and i typically work nights so there are weeks where we barely see each other!)
i'm going to a thanksgiving dinner tonight. it seems as though a bunch of people are going, so it should be nice. i'm in charge of dessert. i was going to attempt to bake, but i think i'll just buy some dessert instead. haha.
things i'm thankful for this year:
1. my amazing family who support all my hopes and adventures.
2. australia! quite possibly the best year of my life.
3. the fact that things just get better and better.
4. all the amazing new friends i've made lately (both in the peace corps and in oz)
5. my continued optimism in regard to love and relationships. it's shocking how cynical people are.
6. the beach. i find such clarity around the water and sun.
7. good music. enough said.
much love! xo
