Settled In

There's so much to fill you guys in on, I don't know where to start. I'll try my best to keep it short!

I moved into my apt and it's gorgoues! We got lucky and got a corner apt so 2 of the walls are all windows. The same applies with a wall in the kitchen and each of the bedrooms. We have 2 balconies...an open and an enclosed one. The city is on one side, the beach on the other. The view is amazing.....the Sydney bridge and Opera House can easily be spotted.

I'm happy to report that my roomies are great so far.

Classes start on Monday.....a little nervous about the academic system here but still excited to get started.

A few friends and I are tossing around a few ideas for travleing. Our top pics right now are Sky diving in New Zealand and scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef. We have to wait til school starts until any final decisions are made.

So far things are wonderful. Thanks for all the e-mails and messages! I love hearing from you guys and wish you could all be here. Visitors weclome!!! :o)

For the folks that asked for my address:

Nadine Hanna
Apt #133
95-97 Grafton Street
Bondi Junction, NSW 2022
Australia

** pics have been posted on facebook throughout 4 new albums, check em out!! **

A Fun List of Fun Facts!

*prostitution is legal and regulated. prostitutes receive health benefits, must be regularly tested, and can not linger on the streets. there are certain places to go into in King's Cross to find a prostitue
* there are "safe use heroin" rooms.....if you go into one, you have to receive rehab after you shoot up
* Burger King = Hungry Jack's (The name Burger King was previously taken by the time the franchise was to open in Australia...the owner would not sell the name)
* no ozone layer!
* there are "needle deposit" boxes in all public rest rooms ..... study done on what type of needles are deposited, majority is diabetic needles
* an hour in the sun and you'll have the best tan of your life
* I like being called "mate"
* "you're welcome" = "no worries"
* drive on the other side of the road.....also means up/down escalators are flipped, pass someone when walking on the left, not right....look to the right and then left when crossing the road (that takes getting used to)
* if a guy buys you a drink, he is "showing you" a drink and you should "show him" a drink back
* there are palm trees!
* drinking age is 18...alcohol is a part of life (even at univeristy orientations...beer was given as prizes for answering questions correctly )
* life guards at beaches are volunteers....swim between the flags!
* Tim Tam's are amazing (chocolate cookie treat)

* the grocery store is a fun place
* 2 flush options for the toilets

* no greek life or house parties

* “aussie” = oz

* it’s not unusual for girls to be topless on beaches

* on/off electrical button on all outlets

* vegamite is gross! yuck

* the money is made of colored plastic, you can’t rip it

* there is no $1 bill, there are $1 and $2 coins

* when grocery shopping, to cut down on the use of plastic/paper bags, you should bring cloth grocery bags and reuse them

* the metric system is used
* THERE ARE NO REESES' PEANUT BUTTER CUPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and lastly.....for now (the list grows everyday)....

* it doesn't matter what the guy looks like as long as he has an Aussie accent... just joking :oP

A dingo ate my baby!

Hey guys! Thanks for all the e-mails and messages, I enjoyed all of them! :o) I've been in this city for 4 days now and I absolutely love it. There is so much I could say right now but you'ld be reading forever. I'll give you the jist.

Long story short: I was told I had to stay in LA overnight, talked to the manager of the airline, got back on my original flight, 2 min later it was delayed until 3 in the morning (tentatively speaking), and the airline put me in a hotel for the night. Oh, they destroyed my bags too. My lucky gnome finally came in handy when I randomly met a kid on the way to the hotel who is best friends with one of my roommates. Small world. I met a bunch of people at the hotel that were doing the same study abroad program I'm doing and we hung out that night. The next day, we were all upgraded to business class for the flight to Sydney. The seats were fully reclinable, the service was fantastic, we had 3 course meals, our own pop up tv screen to watch movies, tv, or play games, and free drinks the entire time. Oh, the seats were a back massager too!!! The flight flew by. I didn't want to get off the plane. But I did.

Again, I've been in this city for 4 days now and I absolutely love it. I love the palm trees!! It's like Hawaii and the best of New York in one. The weather has been a day in paradise everyday so far. The city and beaches are clean and I feel safe if I were to go out alone. The people give you a hard time for being "from the States", but if you have a good sense of humor, you end up joking around with them. The conversation is likely to turn to politics and can carry on for a while if you don't end it. Like last night, I swear two guys I met had a good cop/bad cop bit going on. For the most part, "dumb Americans" sums up what they think. But it's always a good time proving them wrong.

The orientation program has been excellent so far. We've been staying in the World Towers downtown which is a 5 star luxary hotel/apt type deal, we've been all over the city, spent a night in a back packers hostile in the Blue Mountains, went rapelling, went on a harbour cruise and had VIP passes to one of the best bar/outside lounges on the water. During dinner on the cruise, I looked out of the boat in the middle of a conversation and once again, saw the Opera House. Then it hit me for the 928371304th time, I'm in Australia. The life style is out of this world.

I move into my apt tomorrow which I've heard is just as nice as the World Towers and far nicer than what university kids will be living in. There is no doubt that we are being spoiled rotten. One of my roomies during orientation is my roomie for the semester. I've overlooked the fact that she is from IU. We have a very simliar mentality and we get along great, I have no worries about living with her. I meet the other 4 girls tm. That's right, 4 more. There are girls that Michelle (my roomie) and I don't care for on the orientation program and we're hoping our other roomies aren't like that. As great as the program as been, I'm ready to move into my apt, explore the area where I'll be living as well as the unversity campus, meet my classmates, join a few clubs, learn more about the gov't and culture, and travel.

I'm in an internet cafe right now and it's closing pretty soon. I just want to let you guys know that I do think about you...when I'm on the beach and you're all bundled up in 30 degree weather :oP

I wish you all could be here to experience this as well. So far, words do no justice.

Next post: a fun list of fun facts I've picked up!

*Pictures to come soon*

*Happy Birthday to Kyle Marcussen*

Today's the Day

I've never been a fan of online blog sites, but as a means of keeping in touch with cherished friends, I've decided to give in. To everyone that knows first hand how addicted to e-mails I've become, keep the e-mails ahcomin'! To those select few that I haven't talked to in a while, we should really do something about that. :oP

So I think I'm ready! I can't believe the day has finally come. I felt as if the day would never come during the past 6 weeks. This is absolutely crazy! I'm so ready though. Even though I have no idea what to expect and still need to get my thinking cap on that I have to go to class and it's a STUDY abroad program, I'm ready for something new.

So with that, as well as my suitcases that are twice the size of me and will hopefully be less than maximum weight, with a few books and my Lost dvds (thanks Tim) to keep me somewhat sane on the plane, and with my pocket size lucky gnome (thanks Christen)....I'm outta here!!!!!

Some of you asked for a phone number and address to reach me at. My cell is: 011 61 406781251

I'll give you guys my address as soon as I find out my suite #

*Happy Birthday to Kyle Ellis!*

Next post from Sydney, Australia!