Every Day I'm Amazed

First Beach Trip

This past weekend, a bunch of my housemates and I went to Byron Bay.  It's only two hours away, and it's the perfect beach to go for the weekend.

(would definitely recommend Backpacker's Inn on the Beach! Great location & price.)  

Three days were filled with sun, sand, and salt water.  And plenty of adorable dogs playing in the waves.  And LOTS of peanut butter sandwiches.  It's "so American" as I've been told over and over... but it was delicious, and the ease and convenience of eating peanut butter every day gave me an excuse not to cook for the weekend.  

The girls (Siobhan, Haley, Erin & MaryBeth)

and our Australian pal, Aaron, strolling down the beach

after a long day in the sun.

One side of the view from our walk up to the lighthouse.

After an hour walk, we made it to the top of the hill where the lighthouse is.

This is called Cape Byron, the eastern-most point on the continent.

...And we were very happy despite the long walk! Made it in plenty of time to watch the sunset.

We were probably judged for using our selfie stick, but all the other tourists had them, too.

"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, and the SEA."

The first night in town, we gathered our big, crazy international crew and went to a paint party at one of the clubs.  Our night was, by far, one of my favorite nights out so far.  Something about paint, good music, and dancing always make a night better, especially when all 3 are combined.

Part of our group... looking sunburnt, but very clean, pre-paint.

Duuuude... Totally.

I did not end up snorkeling with the sea turtles (I'll save that for another day) but I did go surfing. 

The feeling of laying out on a board (after not surfing for years), bobbing up and down in the waves, and trying to catch waves was absolutely marvelous.  I barely stood up 10 times in 2 hours, and really only completed a full ride half of those times, but I could not have been happier.  Also, I luckily made it back to shore without a single injury (or shark bite.)

I'm really glad I took advantage of a couple hours to go do something by myself, get some exercise, and try to feel like a surf pro, even though I'm far from it.  The sunburnt back and sore shoulders were more than worth it.  I can't wait to go again soon... and the best part is, I know I'll have plenty of chances to do so.

Our weekend ended perfectly with some of the best gelato I've had in awhile, and a nice nap in the best hammock spot I could find.  (I was so relaxed, in fact, that when Erin & MaryBeth tapped me on the shoulder to wake me up, I freaked out & almost rolled out of my hammock.)

You may have seen the video I posted on Facebook,

but I thought I should update the world on my magical discovery.

If I move to Australia someday, this will be on my list of reasons why.

Constantly Amazed

Every day I walk around Brisbane, (or the other places we travel) I am consistently amazed.  I'm in awe of the fact that I am here at all.  Walking around campus in the midst of thousands of other students, surrounded by nature, animals, and beautiful weather fills me with so much joy.  It's been rainy this week, but that doesn't dampen my mood one bit.  I rode the ferry back today at sunset just because.  Any time I take a bus home from the city, I pass all the colorful lights of the city and the Wheel of Brisbane, all glowing on the river and reminding me why I chose to come to this awesome country.

On Sunday evening, I went to mass at a cathedral in the city.  I chose a different church than the one I went to last time, ya know, just to mix things up.  It's in a cool location, and it's gorgeous!  Another perfect example of why it's always worth a try to look for something interesting or unexpected to do, and never stop exploring.

It was so fun to go to a church where they had

all the doors & windows open the entire time.

Missing Home but Not Homesick

I've never really been one to get homesick.  I guess I owe that blessing to being a triplet, going to camp every summer, and then heading off to college out of state.  For those reasons, I don't get homesick, and I'm very lucky.

Luke sent me a snapchat of my babies sitting

on my bed with all the clothes I left.

I guess they miss me :)

I definitely miss my family and friends at home.  I say that all the time.  I miss my bed, and my parents' cooking, and my dogs... but being here is 110% worth missing all that stuff.  Every day makes me happy, grateful, and simply awestruck at my surroundings and my new temporary life.

Thanks for reading my super cheesy post, amigos.

Check back soon because MOM IS VISITING next week!

We all know that'll be quite the adventure, and I'm looking forward to it so much!

Lots of love to all my pals on SPRAAANG BREAKKK.  Next time you see my blog, hopefully there will be pictures of me with mom... and some pictures of me with a koala! :)

Be Excellent.

xoxo

Jo Jo