These are the four students I hung out with most and got the closest to:
Colin-
He is a sophomore and is a very caring, fun, and loving guy. We became very close on this trip, sharing problems and stories about home, friends, and relationships. We gave each other a lot of massages---I am grateful to find someone who loved them as much as me and didn't care if we did them all the time--score!! After getting to know Colin, I knew I could count on him for anything and everything. He was such a great guy, he gave me a lot of sarcasm, but I dished it right back. He unfortunately is transferring to William and Mary (he got in the last day we were in NZ-such excitement that day). I am so proud of him, sad that he is leaving, but excited for him to start something new!
Colin is part of band called Dreams of University. He plays guitar and is sick beat-boxer. His band is pretty successful-he has done many concert is multiple states and at many universities, however, his singer has recently resigned. The band did just pick up a new singer, but at this time they are not performing and on a hold. Colin's style is pretty punk, he does own and wear girls pants (which came in handy one evening when I needed his white pants in Sydney because I could wear his). He also loves the artist Childish Gambino who is a rapper and great one liners in his songs. He had a severe mohawk too when we go to Lennox until his hair grew out.
Colin is a great listener and always there to comfort, support, and help me and any other student. Lots of the students went to him to talk and he was always waiting with a hug. He is a very psychologically focused individual and helped a lot of students with issues/problems they were having with bf/gf/emotions.
Abby-
She is my cabin-mate and a junior at BSU. She was my assistant who helped me a lot over the semester. We started out sharing a room since one of the cabins wasn't ready when we arrived and two other students lived in my cabin, but once they moved out, Abby and I decided to still live together and just have a spare room. I liked having someone to talk to right before bed and some always there. She was a mom to the whole group and me. She did a lot of the cleaning and cooking in my cabin when I would be running around taking care of things. She talked her mom 2-3x/day on skype and her mom became my mom. Her mom would send Abby, Colin, and I packages for all the holidays and for no reason at all---so sweet!! Abby was a worry wort though--she always expected the worst and was not a huge risk taker, but she grew a lot this semester. She stepped out of her comfort zone and backpacking trips and even camped a few times in a van when we traveled in NZ. I look forward to the dinners and sleepovers we plan to have next fall.
Casey-
She is freshmen who was very competitive and loved soccer and volleyball. She is very sweet girl, I went over to cabin 1 one morning and crawled into her bed with her. Shes quite tiny but hugging and cuddling with her is perfect because when standing she fits right under my chin! She can rest on my chest and I can place my chin on her head--we fit like a puzzle. She also loved to play scrabble as do I which is great. We had a long over 2 hr conversation one day when we kayaked on the lake talking about relationships and future plans. She unfortunately is transferring as well, however, she is just going to St. Francis in Indiana so I will be able to see her still.
Cami-
She is a tall, red head senior who loves biology. She is such a warm person though she is very opinionated. She loves to snuggle and play chef! She is a very religious individual though very comfortable with her sexuality (smacked my behind a few times when I wasn't even that close to her yet). Her cinnamon apples were the best and he made an awesome pineapple upside down cake mmmmmm!
Australia Spring 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Second May 1--arrived in LA, explored Santa Monica
After arriving in LAX, it took only an hour or so to get through customs. Customs consisted of waiting in a long line to get my passport checked and then finding my bags and bringing them to get checked. No one else's bags got checked but mine because I said I had an apple and it is not allowed to bring in Fruits and Veggies into other countries. All I had to do was send all my bad through a scanner and give them my apple and I was good to go!
I was expecting American customs to be more harsh from what others were saying, but it was not invasive and rather simple. I had to then drop my bags at the connecting baggage and proceed out.
Colin and I had to get our boarding passes for the next flight so we figured we would just get it now. Colin had a little trouble getting his boarding pass due to some confusion with the airline, his ticket was under another students name but we got it all figured out.
Then his dancer friend came to get him and I left to hang out in Santa Monica. I just took a free shuttle to the bus stop and then public bus for $1 to the pier and promenade. I walked to the beach, walked the pier, and looked at the stores at the promenade. It was kind of nice to have some time alone and I just walked where I wanted to go. I got free internet at the food court so I sat there for a bit checking my email and tried 7 different flavors of frozen yogurt in the promenade. By this time it was about time to head back to the bus stop. Again the fair was only $1 and then hopped on the free shuttle to the airport.
I found some of the students were sitting at the gate and we all hung out until boarding at 11PM. Once we all boarded, I guess the plane was having some safety issues and we had to have 3 mechanics come to try and fix it, however, the plane was telling them that it was unsafe to fly. I guess I should be grateful that we didn't take it and something unfortunate happened, but this meant we were delayed an hour and a half and we had to get off and board another plane. We got off around 12:45AM and took off finally just after 1 AM.
I slept on most of this plane which was nice, but I was really ready to be home. This pilot performed the best landing I have ever experienced. He graced the bottom of the ground, never touching it on the landing. I never felt the plane hit the ground and couldn't tell we were even on the ground, thats how softly he landed.
We got to the gate around 7:20AM which put everyone who had a connection a little delayed.
All the Indy connections were made because Dr. Avila got them to hold the flight for them to run through the airport, however, Colin missed his so I waited with him to reschedule his flight. Once he got it straightened out, I went down to baggage check to find my family. Right as I came down the elevator, Brando and Lauren ran to me. I saw my mom and dad with both of my suitcases already off the belt, making their way to me. I got a bit teary eyed seeing them running toward me. My mom was crying and I gave her and my dad huge hugs!! It felt so good to be back home!
We went right out to eat at LaPetite---mmm American food!!! It was very weird to be in a car though and be driven on the other side of the car. I think that will be the biggest adjustment for starters, going back to the right side of the road and the left side of the car. (When I drove the first time the next day, I pulled out on the left side of the street and also put the windshield wipers on and not the turn signal---oops!)
I had a lot to unpack and show when I got home. I went and surprised Kylie at her soccer game, but I think the jetl-ag was setting in because I kept falling asleep at the game and it was only 5PM.
The best feeling though was seeing everyone in my family and getting into my own bed!!! It feels great to be back and I can't wait to share all my adventures!!
I was expecting American customs to be more harsh from what others were saying, but it was not invasive and rather simple. I had to then drop my bags at the connecting baggage and proceed out.
Colin and I had to get our boarding passes for the next flight so we figured we would just get it now. Colin had a little trouble getting his boarding pass due to some confusion with the airline, his ticket was under another students name but we got it all figured out.
Then his dancer friend came to get him and I left to hang out in Santa Monica. I just took a free shuttle to the bus stop and then public bus for $1 to the pier and promenade. I walked to the beach, walked the pier, and looked at the stores at the promenade. It was kind of nice to have some time alone and I just walked where I wanted to go. I got free internet at the food court so I sat there for a bit checking my email and tried 7 different flavors of frozen yogurt in the promenade. By this time it was about time to head back to the bus stop. Again the fair was only $1 and then hopped on the free shuttle to the airport.
I found some of the students were sitting at the gate and we all hung out until boarding at 11PM. Once we all boarded, I guess the plane was having some safety issues and we had to have 3 mechanics come to try and fix it, however, the plane was telling them that it was unsafe to fly. I guess I should be grateful that we didn't take it and something unfortunate happened, but this meant we were delayed an hour and a half and we had to get off and board another plane. We got off around 12:45AM and took off finally just after 1 AM.
I slept on most of this plane which was nice, but I was really ready to be home. This pilot performed the best landing I have ever experienced. He graced the bottom of the ground, never touching it on the landing. I never felt the plane hit the ground and couldn't tell we were even on the ground, thats how softly he landed.
We got to the gate around 7:20AM which put everyone who had a connection a little delayed.
All the Indy connections were made because Dr. Avila got them to hold the flight for them to run through the airport, however, Colin missed his so I waited with him to reschedule his flight. Once he got it straightened out, I went down to baggage check to find my family. Right as I came down the elevator, Brando and Lauren ran to me. I saw my mom and dad with both of my suitcases already off the belt, making their way to me. I got a bit teary eyed seeing them running toward me. My mom was crying and I gave her and my dad huge hugs!! It felt so good to be back home!
We went right out to eat at LaPetite---mmm American food!!! It was very weird to be in a car though and be driven on the other side of the car. I think that will be the biggest adjustment for starters, going back to the right side of the road and the left side of the car. (When I drove the first time the next day, I pulled out on the left side of the street and also put the windshield wipers on and not the turn signal---oops!)
I had a lot to unpack and show when I got home. I went and surprised Kylie at her soccer game, but I think the jetl-ag was setting in because I kept falling asleep at the game and it was only 5PM.
The best feeling though was seeing everyone in my family and getting into my own bed!!! It feels great to be back and I can't wait to share all my adventures!!
The first May 1--Auckland city to airport, flew to LA
I woke up around 8:30, repacked me stuff and checked out around 10 from the hostel. We walked around Queens Street which was the main drag for about an hour and then took the Airbus back to the airport. We had to get our bags out of storage, repack my bags to get them the right weight and then check in. Luckily I got to check two bags at check-in and I marked them fragile to keep my souvenirs safe.
Auckland airport had free internet on three computers and I decided to check my email which meant I had to wait for a computer to become open and then jumped on.
We proceeded through security and surprisingly I got through with all my food except for one jar (I had two) of peanut butter (and it was the gross pb anyway). I had a jar of jelly and another jar of pb which they didn't even touch. Once we passed security, I met up with a few more BSU students and we hung out in the lounge area. I walked around to the other shops to waste time and a pb&j sandwich for lunch. We had about 3 hours to hang out so we played card games and shopped around. More and more students started meeting up and then the Avilas came too and we all headed to the gate. About 6:45PM, we all boarded the plane. The plane again was huge, however, not as high-tech (no touch screens this time, we had small remotes in the arm rests). All of us sat relatively close, either in the same aisles or across from each other.
It was freezing on the plane when I stepped on, but there was a pillow, a blanket, and headphones awaiting me at my seat. I started a movie ("No Strings Attached") right away when I got on. About an hour in, we were served dinner--I got a vegan meal just to be safe and got a fruit cup, salad cup, 2 rice/corn patties, steamed vegetables and beans--it was okay, a little bland but was filling. After dinner, I went to sleep and slept solid for about 4 hours. When I woke up, the plane was dark and everyone was sleeping. I had to get up and walk around a little, but then I laid back down for another 3 hours.
When I woke up this time, breakfast was being served. I had: 2 corn patties, mushrooms, 2 manicotti-looking things, OJ, cereal and soy milk, and a fruit cup. Again it wasn't bad but rather bland---kinda disappointed with the meals on this flight and the other students got pancakes----How are those not vegetarian it beats me.
After breakfast, I got up and stretched in the back of the plane for about a half hour and walked around. I listened to music for the rest of the flight and filled out declaration sheets. The plane ride went very fast for me, I mean I slept more of it, but it felt like only a few hours and we were landing. I guess there was some really bad turbulence and I just slept right through it. I also felt like I was eating the whole time. New Zealand Air took very good care of me and always made me feel comfortable.
We landed at 12:30PM in LAX to relive May 1st all over again.
Auckland airport had free internet on three computers and I decided to check my email which meant I had to wait for a computer to become open and then jumped on.
We proceeded through security and surprisingly I got through with all my food except for one jar (I had two) of peanut butter (and it was the gross pb anyway). I had a jar of jelly and another jar of pb which they didn't even touch. Once we passed security, I met up with a few more BSU students and we hung out in the lounge area. I walked around to the other shops to waste time and a pb&j sandwich for lunch. We had about 3 hours to hang out so we played card games and shopped around. More and more students started meeting up and then the Avilas came too and we all headed to the gate. About 6:45PM, we all boarded the plane. The plane again was huge, however, not as high-tech (no touch screens this time, we had small remotes in the arm rests). All of us sat relatively close, either in the same aisles or across from each other.
It was freezing on the plane when I stepped on, but there was a pillow, a blanket, and headphones awaiting me at my seat. I started a movie ("No Strings Attached") right away when I got on. About an hour in, we were served dinner--I got a vegan meal just to be safe and got a fruit cup, salad cup, 2 rice/corn patties, steamed vegetables and beans--it was okay, a little bland but was filling. After dinner, I went to sleep and slept solid for about 4 hours. When I woke up, the plane was dark and everyone was sleeping. I had to get up and walk around a little, but then I laid back down for another 3 hours.
When I woke up this time, breakfast was being served. I had: 2 corn patties, mushrooms, 2 manicotti-looking things, OJ, cereal and soy milk, and a fruit cup. Again it wasn't bad but rather bland---kinda disappointed with the meals on this flight and the other students got pancakes----How are those not vegetarian it beats me.
After breakfast, I got up and stretched in the back of the plane for about a half hour and walked around. I listened to music for the rest of the flight and filled out declaration sheets. The plane ride went very fast for me, I mean I slept more of it, but it felt like only a few hours and we were landing. I guess there was some really bad turbulence and I just slept right through it. I also felt like I was eating the whole time. New Zealand Air took very good care of me and always made me feel comfortable.
We landed at 12:30PM in LAX to relive May 1st all over again.
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