Adelaide

So, I'm here! :) It has been a long journey and feels like I've been gone for at least a week with all the traveling. The plane rides were very interesting. I first had to take a plane from Chicago to San Francisco for about 6 hours. It went pretty fast but I wasn't able to sleep at all on it. San Francisco is beautiful though and I loved landing right by the water. Then I had my plane ride from San Francisco to Sydney that was about 14.5 hours. Since I was missing home a bit already I watched Dora the Explorer for the kids and Greys Anatomy. I also watched the movie The Women. We each had our own little tvs which was nice since then I could watch whatever I wanted. I also had my first alcoholic drink on a plane which was really fun since the little wine bottles are adorable. It helped me sleep a little too which is just what I needed. I slept probably in all about 6 hours I think. It was hard to sleep since I was in a middle seat between a cute little Asian girl and a middle aged man, both of whom were traveling to Australia to visit the person they are engaged to. How funny is that? It was good to have such talkative people around me though, it made the ride much faster. After that flight was over we only had one more to go...but the plane landed a little late and we weren't able to make it through customs in time to get on the next one so they placed us (and by us I mean the two other girls from U of I that I was kind of traveling with) on another plane a little later. That actually made it better because it was a little less stressful and we were able to rest a bit. The last plane ride was about 2.5 hours from Sydney to Adelaide and I was able to pretty much sleep right through it with my ipod on. 

Then we were all picked up by a man from the University that drove us to where we each were staying. I am living at a place called The Village which is in the city and there are townhouses and apartments. I am in a townhouse on the 2nd floor. I had requested to be with all females but when I got there the woman who was showing me my room told me that she thought I would fit in better in a more social room that just happened to have 2 other guys and 2 girls. There wasn't much I could do since all the rooms were booked so I just followed her to my townhouse. It is pretty nice...a bit different than I expected though. The outside is beautiful of the place. You have to walk through the front door where the front desk is and it is really secure so you have to have your keycard to get anywhere. When you walk into the main area of The Village there is a front desk and a little entertainment area with a big screen tv, ping pong, and pool. If I want to go to the townhouse area I have to go through another security door and then they are all out back. The townhouse has 2 rooms on the first floor, both doors were closed when I got there but I was told the two boys live in those. Then me and another girl have the second floor which also has a bathroom to share which is nice. (and the toilets do not swirl so I cant tell you if the water goes the other way) Then the next level has the kitchen and living room which are pretty nice. Then the next level has another girls room with another bathroom I think, I actually didnt go up there. The room is pretty big and spacious and I am pretty happy with where I am living. I was a little upset that they were trying to tell me that people are supposed to sign in and out if they are visiting and if they are staying the night they are supposed to pay...I wonder if this is really strict or if kids have people stay the night without them knowing. It is kind of ridiculous for people to have to pay to stay on my floor. I am planning on asking around to people who live there as soon as I can since I know I have people coming to stay with me and I am an adult and all. I do still have to set up my internet though and that wont be until probably next week since I need my ID card I guess to do it. I have orientation on Monday which will be good to start understanding what is going on. I did go with Jackie (another girl from U of I) to where she is staying. She is all the way across town on the north side not in the city which first of all made me sad. There is a bus that goes to her place but it doesnt run at night so I have to figure out how to get back at night. I just ended up staying at her place last night so I didnt have to pay a cab. Her place is amazing. I am actually really jealous because she has an apartment like set-up but she lives in a place called St. Marks College so they provide food and social events and she already has her internet hooked up. It is also a lot more beautiful over here because there is more open land and parks. She is a city girl and lives out here, I am a country girl and live in the city...how did this happen? So it's hard not to be frustrated with myself for choosing the place that I could actually cook my own meals and live in a townhouse over a place that would have probably helped me feel more like I am here for school than just trying to live in Australia on my own. I haven't met any of my roommates yet too so I think that may be something that is missing at this point. 

Anyways, I am feeling a little homesick and really hoping that I end up liking my place more than I though. Maybe this is my time to just live in the city since I dont want to in the future? Pray that I start to feel more comfortable and find transportation around to school, to Jackies, and anywhere else. It is really confusing because this city is so big! I know it'll all be fine but it is hard to really love something when I am so far away from comfort. 

Today Jackie and I are going to the beach on the ocean. I'll be sure to put on the 45spf since the sun is really strong around here. Hopefully the relaxing and exploring will help with the adjustment. 

love you all. thanks for being so supportive. pray that I start to like the place that I am living in and appreciate things about it but that I can also visit Jackie. pray that I get along with my roommates and meet other people around town. I hear Australians are really nice so I am sure that I will. :)