Mt. Nebo and D'Aguilar National Park

Southeastern Queensland: Where there's at least 300 days of sunshine.

With all of the pristine weathe it's a sin to stay inside.

On Thursday, I awoke from the sun's glow through the cracks at the edge of the dark curtains. A crisp breeze tickled my nose, one of the most glorious feelings that arises from sleeping with the door open. After watching Queensland's sad loss against New South Wales on Wednesday night in the State of Origin footy game, today was a new day filled with unlimited possibilities. As we prayed for no surprise rain storms, my friend and I set out for a drive to the mountains outside Brisbane.

 Mt. Nebo was quiet and relaxing. Far above the towns below, the only noise pollution came from squawking crows, which, surprisingly enough, look the same but sound different from the crows at home. These crows make multiple noises, all equally annoying.

 After sunbathing on an outlook bench, we ventured further up the mountain range and stumbled upon national parks. As I entered the rainforest trail, I felt as though we'd just entered Jurassic Park. The gigantic trees with their mysterious twisting trunks made me wonder if a Dilophosaurus was around the other side.

The light and temperature gradually dropped, like springtime in the Appalachians, the further we hiked through this prehistoric forest. Then, we reached our destination...the falls. The water trickled and weaved through the worn crevices in the rainforest rock. It flowed haphazardly downward towards the drop off and the molecules that didn't make it to the edge collected into pools.

I slowly captured the damp air in my lungs and held it there for a couple seconds before exhaling it through my lips. It felt light and innocent, free from the waste that crowds the air at home in America. I stood silently, feeling my heart beat and listening to the quiet cooing of the birds that I could not see. In that moment, everything felt easier. Breathing, seeing, feeling, thinking...it all felt..

easy. 

People ask me how I like living in the land down under...

How could I not adore somewhere that is so easy to love?

Keeping it Klassy

Every day at the University of Queensland St Lucia campus, I'm surprised at the....unique...clothes that students wear. It's extremely different from what I experienced at Virginia Tech. There is such a range of clothing styles that these students flaunt around campus. Some girls prefer leggings that  outline too many areas (vomit)...some wear short shorts that show their butt cheeks (extra vomit)...some wear see through tops so that you see their black bras..For guys..some wear tiny skinny jeans...others show some leg (and thigh) with short shorts....       

 Enjoy.

Who wears short shorts?

Total r0cKstaAr.

eclectic?...

I just died a little inside.

Let's show all my professors my butt cheeks..that's professional.

Zipper = easy access?

No.hope.


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SWOTVAC

As the semester ended, University of Queensland students entered a week called SWOTVAC.

What is this mysterious week and why does its name remind you of the Holocaust, you might ask. Well, we are in the same boat. I asked around and, turns out, it's not a horrifying week at all. It apparently stands for "study without teacher or vacation". According to Wikipedia (the most trustworthy source ever to grace the internet), SWOTVAC is a "one week long and free of classes or assessment, permitting students to spend the period revising material, generally in preparation for final exams."
   
An entire week to study? Nerd heaven.

However, for the group of students who are not nerds...or are just doing a dual degree in Communication and Journalism...it's a vacation. I can't be the only one that doesn't have any exams...can I? With only two assignments and one 15 multiple choice online quiz to close the semester...this SWOTVAC deal is amazingly convenient and welcomed.


My SWOTVAC began with the JACS Ball. The Journalism and Communication Society rented out a nightclub/bar in the "Valley" in Brisbane and sold tickets for a night of fun at Oh Hello. There was an open bar (price of ticket) and a cotton candy machine (the best part). The decorative lights glowed and spread a flattering light over the room, while the DJ was on stage pumping some solid tunes.

The day after, I attended Triple J's One Night Stand Concert in Dalby. The line up included: The Temper Trap, 360, Stonefield, Matt Corby plus Unearthed act Mace And The Motor. It rained the entire concert, which would have be a-okay had it not been an outdoor concert -_-  Halfway through 360's performance, sheets of heavy rain pelted on the crowd. I was getting drenched from all angles and the rain crept all the way up my jeans. My Sperry's were occasionally eaten by the murky mud. People succumbed to mother nature. No, they did not immediately leave...but rather they began to swim. Splashes could be heard around the showgrounds. Then the concert abruptly stopped. Too much rain. Crashed the electronics. Then, with the final words "F* you mother nature" from 360, we made our way to Mary's pub.


The rest of my SWOTVAC, so far, has been filled with movies, food, and laying out in the sun. But mostly food.


Happy SWOTVAC to all and to all a goodnight :)