SeaBird Rescue

Today for Australian life & culture, we went to the SeaBird Rescue. It was an organization that rescues birds and sea turtles. The staff member first showed us a film on how much plastic is being carelessly thrown into the ocean and how many animals it is harming/killing. Then we went into the turtle's vet room. There was a big tank that held 4 sea turtles, ageing from 10-40. They has been rescued and were in heir final stages of care before being let go into the wild again. There were 2 smaller tubs that each held 1 sea turtle. The one turtle has eaten fishing line and it was possibly entangled in the turtles digestive track because some fishing line was hanging out his back end. THe other turtle had probably eaten a plastic bag (like those from the grocery store) and was causing problems with the turtles ability to naturally let out gases and oxygen, so it is getting stuck in the turtle which turns him into a balloon that can't swim under the water. This prevents them from feeding, so if the bag doesn't kill them, they will starve because they can't swim underwater. Really sad stuff. Over 100 thousand marine animals are killed each year from "rubbish" being wasted into the water. (When we had surfing & scuba lessons, they touched on this subject and told us to grab any plastic/trash that we see in our jackets/wetsuits because it harms so many animals).
The organization also rescues and saves many birds/pellicans. They offer courses on how to catch them in case of any indangerment. We could not see any of the birds due the how easily birds get scared- I think the turtles loved the attention though.
Really cool day, I think that it made us all want to take a boat out and start cleaning the ocean.
When we got back we had our intramural volleyball tourney- I hit the ball a few times!! Then we had another spaghetti night made by the cooking committee! Always good meals made by us!

Now homework..

Another good thing about today- I got a package & card from home!!! YAYYY!!! :)

The other pictures that I am including are a Walking Stick that our group members found and from the Seabird Rescue & turtles.

Tenterfield

The 21st through the 23rd was spend in Tenterfield, about 2-3 hours into the 'bush' from Lennox. It was a little old town with about 5,000 people. It was first developed in the 1850s. We first started hour walking through the Thunderbolt Hideout. They were these huge boulder rocks that we larger than the size of cars, or even 2. IN the same area of the mountains we saw a World War II Tank Traps- I can't say I really know what they are but I'll do some research. We went a little farther into the mountains and started climbing Bald Rock. It was absolutely amazing. It was the highest granite point in New South Wales. It is something that would be highly restricted in the US but in Australia, people climb without a care. Before we went back the Golfers Inn Motel, we went to a wine tour/tasting. It was really neat to see how the process was done and taste the variety of wines the produced. It was a small time winery but really neat. That night we had our concert between our group. Just outside our motel, we just sat and some of the students sang along to Taylor swift, or did a rubix cube under 2 minutes, sang along the Backstreet Boys, created a kitchen cabinet band. It was surprisingly really good! We have a pretty talented group.

On Tuesday, we went sapphire fossicking. We started by getting a shovel full of dirt/rocks. We seperated out the bigger rocks, then washed the smaller particles in a water tube. Once clean, then we put the rocks out on a barrel top and checked with tweezers for sapphires or other neat stones. Some people sound jem quality stones but I only found a few small pieces. Just after fossicking, we had tea and a traditional Aussie snack. Bread with butter with syrup drizzled over it, pretty good! We then went to Pioneer Village had lunch- sausage, steak, sweet rice, salad, and dessert! We looked around the village that contained what a typical small rural community would have looked like many many years ago. There was a doctors office, blacksmith, school, church, photography shop, house, etc. Its amazing to see how people used to live. Later on that night we dressed up and went out to dinner at the country club.

On Wednesday, We toured the first hours build-in 1850. With my love for big old houses- I loved it! It was a white house that had a complete wrap around porch. The house hadn't really been kept up due to previous caretakers but the new caretaker can't wait to get some work done on it! Then we had a lady give us a tour the Tenterfield town where we learned about the founding of the town and met the major.

2-19

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Pictures from yesrerday at the beach!
-Liz & Liz
-Jake & I in our sand seat

Saturday 2-19-11

Slept in after a loooonngg hike yesterday! Getting out of bed was quite interesting and I never thought the 2 stairs into my cottage would be so hard. We all relaxed around our cottages before hanging out at the beach doing homework. The ocean was really weird, the rip tides were strong enough that they pulled the sand to the sides and back out creating a sand island in the shallow parts. A rip is when the water comes into the beach through a wave and has no where to go, so the access water begins flowing perpendicular until it pulls enough water to flow to the ocean. The rip is really strong, like the current and can pull you from shore to back behind the waves. People die from fighting this instead of relaxing swimming along with it, the letting a wave to you back to shore. It looks really scary but cool to look at.
After the beach we had a quick snack, went to the lake for a few mins. On our way into town we ran into a few students chatting with teen Aussie girls. It was really neat because they were asking questions about America. They basically think America is Gossip Girl and other TV shows & movies. They were saying that in school they watch movies about America that say that we sleep with guns under our pillows, that a typical house has bars on the windows, and that we can buy guns at the bank. We corrected them saying- definitely not! We talked about the language differences. They don't say Good'ay Mate, like we think they do. They had so many questions about Americans in America and what things are like. Most Aussies seem to be very interested in where people are from and enjoy learning about us. They really want Jake & I to visit their school to show us around and tell their teacher that he was wrong about America.
After talking with the girls J and I rode into town, went to the ATM (finally got money out, after having some troubles before!) and to the grocery to get a few items for dinner.

Climbing Mt Warning

Last night we left camp in a bus to Mt Warning cabins. We all slept in cabins for a few hours before we woke up at 3:30AM to begin hiking up Mt Warning for the sunrise. We had to start out on the road that was basically an uphill incline, it was a rough way to start the morning! After an a little over an hour of walking up the road we finally reached the pathway, consisting of some sidewalk, mud, and rock boulders. The hike was intense but really glad we got to do it! The last portion of the hike was by hanging on to a chain while pulling yourself up boulders. We rested at the top and took a ton of pictures of the view. The way down was a ton easier & took a lot of pictures of misc things! For not being a huge outdoors girl- I did really good! I even lead a good portion of the way back down the mountain/volcano! Our feet hurt pretty bad once we got to the bottom making the walk down the steep road very difficult! The hike up the mountain was 9 kilometers and the walk on the road was 3 kilometers, approximately. This was about 7.5 miles all together! Quite the work out & I will def feel to tomorrow. I already hate the 3 stairs into my cottage! Just relaxing/homework

for the rest of the weekend!

2-17-11

Wednesday, I don't have class and most people do, so I had a nice long day to myself to work on homework.
Today, we went to the grocery at 8:15 and got back around 10:40ish. Then World Lit at 11. Today's class a was a bit better than last week. Quick lunch & nap before Events Management. In Events we talked about some of the places that we are going to be going or volunteering at. We are going to the Dog Races and a football (AU soccer) and then volunteering at a rugby tournament local event. Then our class plans a End of the Term event for our study abroad group, so we were coming up with ideas on what kind of event we would like to do! Interesting class!
Now, getting ready to leave to go to Mount Warning- volcano! We will get up at 3/4ish tomorrow morning and hike up the volcano! We heard that it was a pretty intense hike, parts you have to pull yourself up by rope. It will be interesting for me! I'm sure I will not be able to move by the time we get back! Will share & post pics when we get back later tomorrow!!

It's been a while!

By the end of the day, when I usually do my blogging, I'm exhausted and dozing off at my computer!. Let's see, the last time I wrote in, I had just completed my first 2 dives in the Open water at Julian Rocks, just about 10 minutes out of Byron Bay.
Sunday, we did the last 2 of our 4 dives to complete for certification. This time I got to see an octopus. Our Instructor could see the legs/arms (?), stuck his fingers down by it and a leg wrapped around him. Josh, the instructor tried pulling him out but he only came out a little until quickly going back in! I got to see a good part of him though! It was awesome! We dove about 18 meters, which Jake found out was about 45 feet! We completed our skills, taking our mask off underwater and putting it back on, practicing an emergency recovery, and other little things. SunDive brought us back to Lennox because the buses had stopped running by the time we were done. When we returned we ate dinner and went to bed! Today was also our professor/director's birthday.
Monday we had our lecture portion of the Australian life & culture course, focusing on the Aborigines in Australia. We learned how when the Europeans arrived in Australia they took over and pushed away the Aborignies. Build and cleared over sacred places and began slaughtering and killing Aborigines, sometimes for no reason at all. After lecture & lunch we took off on our 2nd field trip. We first went to a site right in Lennox that was a sacred place for aboriginal ceremonies. It is no longer used, but in respect is prefered that no on walks on it. Because this site was behind a neighborhood, I noticed a mailman. He was riding a little motorized scooter through yards dropping off mail. We must get a LOT more mail then Australians because he somehow had it all in his jacket or scooter.
After the site we went to the Naval and Maritime Museum. It had part of ships, and aboriginal boat, along with records of each war- documenting how many Australians were in listed , injured and killed. It was really neat to see everything in there. Then we went to a Tea Tree Oil Plantation called the Thursday Plantation. It was business that started in a trailer making tea tree oil and has grown into a big business making a variety of products and shipping to over 32 countries. This is really cool because we have a tea tree lake where we stay that feels amazing and makes our skin feel super soft. So these products were all really good!
After the plantation we went to the Byron Bay Lighthouse. It was really pretty since it so high up on the rocks! Looking down we could see sting rays and sharks swimming around, some even saw sea turtles and dolphins. We took some amazing pictures that I will post!
After the lighthouse we went back to Lennox and we have a group that makes dinner for everyone. So we made breaky- french toast, canadian bacon, apple sauce, and muffins (thanks to Mrs Avila). I made the french toast on the flat top grill outside & didn't even burn them!!
Tuesday, wasn't a very busy day. I had marketing class from 9-12 then worked a little around the cabin, went to the beach, then had a group meeting reviewing the up and coming weekend trips then out to dinner with Jake for a late Valentine's day dinner. We had dinner at Quattro, again the food was amazing! Then got ice cream & did a little grocery shopping before heading back to camp!
Today/Wednesday, is a catch up day. Most everyone but a few of us are in Marine Biology. They have lecture & fiels trips, so I get a few hours to catch up on things here and have some time to myself!

2-12-11 Open Water diving (dives 1 & 2)

While Scuba Diving: got stung by 2 jelly fish and saw schools of fish, beautiful coral, eels, giant sea turtle eat, tons of sting rays & touched a leopard shark!! Awesome day & no freak out moments while diving! So excited! Another day of the same thing tomorrow!!

2-11-11 Day 2 of Diving Certification

I really surprised myself today- I did good actually scuba diving! The 2nd half of the certification group did their pool session today from 8-3. 6 of us woke at 6 to get to Byron Bay by 8 to scuba for about 7 hours! It was a long but exciting day! We worked and practiced many drills having to do with our gear, masks, equalizing ourselves, helping others in need, etc. It was really cool. I was anxious because I get worked up when I can't see, breath or move. I was thinking that those things would be struggles to get used to but I did fine! THe biggest & most helpful advice I have been given was to relax and take long/slow breaths!
After diving, we shopped around at local shops until our bus came. The clothes are very expensive here. We walked into shops where clothes were on SALE for anywhere from $30-$150. I also noticed that not every person is on their phones talking or texting! Of all the people I see walking or driving, I saw ONE person talking on their phone!
Yet again tonight, I plan on doing homework and going to be early. Tomorrow we do our first 2 Open water dives in the ocean. We don't have to be there as early but it will probably be even more exhausting!

Rainy Day Pictures

Dog running with beach wood, lizard (?) on cottage at night, postage stamp, and sky views..

Busy Day & Busy Weekend 2-10

This morning we went to the grocery store at 8:10. Instead of Coles, we went to Alde's, which has slim selections but basics and pretty cheap. There were still little things that we needed from larger grocery stores, so went to Coles & Kmart right after. I don't remember if i mentioned this but in Australia you are charged for plastic bags and there are no paper bags when you shop. THey charge 10 cents or so and sometimes even charge for shopping carts. Note to self & anyone else, always bring "green" bags with you! After the grocery, I went to World Literature, which I feel is going to be a rough class. We spend the class finding out the incredible amount of reading expected- cause we don't have any other classes or things to do, and explaining our grading system versus the Australian grading system. Last semester, all the World Lit students received a final grade of a C, which is not good for us. The Australian grading system is a HD (highly distinguished 85%+), D (Distinguished 75-84%), C (Credit 65-74%), P (Pass 50-64%), and F(same as Am.). Have to admit that I am less than excited for that.. But on the bright side, Events Management was great! The teacher is extremely sarcastic and fun, her gets his stuff done and will take us to different sporting events. We will set up a intramural sports events for our group and a end of the semester dinner and will be able to volunteer at rugby tournaments. It should be a really exciting class! The rest of the day we hung out, cleaned our cabin, ate and worked on homework!

Tomorrow 6 of us leave for Byron Bay to work on our pool course of the Open Water Diving Certification. We should arrive in Byron by 7:30 and be done with our course at 3:30ish. It should be a long day and know that I will be exhausted! Saturday & Sunday we will complete our scuba certification/Open Water course in the ocean. The next three days will drain me but will be really exciting too!!

Oreo's don't taste the same!

After Marketing class we all just hung out in our cottages doing homework. Jessica, Jake & I went to town and bought stamps, notebooks and a few grocery items. Because it rained almost all day, we got soaked while riding our bikes. I bought oreo's at the store due to major craving but found out that they do not taste the same. They are not as sweet which makes them taste like a bland biscuit. After the Oreo disappointment I worked on my Music History online class.

Marketing Class

This morning I had marketing class with the BSU director that is with us, Dr Avila. When we have classes we have class for 3 hours once a week. Monday's we have the Australian Life & Culture, Tuesday is Marketing 200/300, Wed is the marine/wildlife Biology, and Thursday is World Literature and Events Management. In marketing we talked about some differences and similarities in commercials and advertising from Australia to America and how marketing intertwines through our lives. It was really interesting, especially being able to compare Australia to America. There isn't as much advertising here, for example, work vans don't really have advertising on them, and commercials different. There was a cancer/anti-smoking commercial of father coughing blood into a hanky and a McDonald's commercial that showed a hamburger for a period of time then the McDonald's logo with no music, just plain. It's just a little off here. Overall the first class was really interesting and I think the field trips we will take for it will be interesting. One of the field trips we are taking is to John Deer and Brisbane to talk to the senator and other government officials. Should be fun.
Now we are going into town to get stamps and a few things from the grocery.

1st Day of Class

We had Australian Life and Culture class this morning at 8:30. We began by talking about current events in Australia- the mass fires and cyclone. Then we talked about what we are going to do and talk about in class- similarities/ differences between America & Australia, history, etc. We are going to do a variety of field trips for this class to different places. Today, after class the professor took us to Dorroughby FSC about an hour away from Lennox. We ate kangaroo, crocodile, salad, bread, macadamias, and teas. The kangaroo was really good, it was made in a meatball form with special sauces made by the cook. The crocodile tasted & looked like chicken but had the texture of a very tough steak. The fresh salad & breads were amazing. This facility that we went to specializes on building up and "correcting" the rain forest. The guide had so much knowledge of the plants and food chains surrounding him- along with how they are or were being affected by past events or new animals. After we ate we took a short hike to a waterfall. After crawling across the waterfall we played in the water for a while and enjoyed the amazing view.

After the waterfall we drove to a park that had thousands and thousands of fruit bats. The bats were in the trees and flying around and looked like big birds with the body of a large rat. We then drove back to camp to relax for a while before we had hotdogs off the grill, mac & cheese, chips & fruit while watching the taped superbowl. The guys had a really hard time not checking he scores online but seemed to be pretty excited to watch it finally.

Tomorrow I had marketing 200/300 at 9:00. After class I hope to work on my online class finally..

Byron Bay- Surfing Lesson & Diving Training

Friday morning we took a bus from Lennox to Byron Bay for surfing lessons with Surf Byron Bay at 11:00. THe Surfing Lessons were a lot of fun, we all got up on the board and caught a few dives. After surfing we went to a restaurant called The Rail, that had HUGE burgers. Then we checked into our Hostel- not like the movies. We had a room with 5 twin beds in it & our room was all the BSU students. We relaxed for a while before we all went out for the night at a local club.
This morning we woke up at 7:15 and went to breakfast then went to out Scuba Lesson (to be licensed), and stayed until 4 before heading back to Lennox Head. We had pizza and just relaxed after an exhausting weekend away! Tomorrow is the first day of class. The Australian culture class is tomorrow and we are going on a field trip to a waterfall and eating kangaroo & crocodile. Will update tomorrow!

Kayaking

At 1:30 we all went Kayaking in the Ainsworth lake. It was really nerve wrecking but I never fell in and only struggled with the wind pushing us across the lake. A lot of other people fell in. After we kayaked we hung out in the lake, then split off- some going to the lake swing & some to the pool. I walked over to the pool & burnt my feet. The pool is great because about 2/3 of it have a shady cover on it, which was nice for my sunburnt shoulders & neck. We are now back, relaxing, playing volleyball (not me), journaling, doing hmwk, and figuring out what we are doing for the next few days. Tonight out cottage is making spaghetti & going to a bar, then tomorrow we are going into Byron Bay for surf lessons then see the town & stay in a hostel, returning to Ainsworth Sunday!

Misc Pictures from the sunrise

Pictures from the sunrise!

Fri Feb 4th

So far today we woke up at 3:30AM to walk down the beach & hike up the point to watch the sunrise. it was about an hour & half walk/hike. While walking on the beach we had to watch for all the crabs out- i jumped & screamed many time.. Once we got to the point We got pretty muddy but got a good work out! We watched & took pictures from a landing. It was still pitch black dark out when we arrived, but still seemed to get some pictures of town as the sun began to rise. Over the ocean we thought there were trees but really clouds hanging in the horizon. It wasn't he best day to watch a sunrise but it was still pretty amazing to capture. We hung out on the landing for about an hour and then began venturing back. While talking back we walked along a busy road into town, through construction that began at 7am, rocks along the ocean, and through about 20 aussies working out on the side of the point- carrying tires up the steep hill. On the way back, we found a small starfish about the size of your palm. When we got back we had a 2nd breakfast cause we were so hungry from walking so much!
At 1 we are taking the kayaks out onto the lake! Pretty excited for that!

Today's Top Pictures!