Settling in...

Hey everyone!

Well, if you can believe it I am settling in quite nicely here in this tropical paradise. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am not really on vacation and I do have some grades to work on. Don't you worry, though, I am bound and determined to be a skilled beach studier by the time I leave :)

So contrary to popular belief, I actually do attend classes...when I am not exploring and soaking up the rays. I only have class on Monday and Tuesday, which is pretty normal for an Australian schedule. Hardly anyone has class on Fridays, and rarely Thursdays. I am taking International Business and Services Marketing and so far they seem ok, and actually interesting to have a professor talk in terms of Australia versus what I am used to, the US. I have realized that not a lot of outsiders think the US is really that great of a place, and the election of Obama was a much celebrated day. I am kind of excited to learn about the US and business from the perspective of an Australian professor and textbook.

After my 2-day week of class I had my internship interview on Wednesday in Darlinghurst, which is right near Sydney and also Sydney's red light district King's Cross (prostitution is legal here). I was a little nervous about what to expect seeing as I hate interviews and I figured one in a foreign country could not be a good time. The place is called 33 Interactions and it is a online marketing boutique, with only 7 employees. It actually went well and right after we finished talking they asked when I wanted to start, so I guess I was unnecessarily anxious...weird. I will be doing a lot of different things, mainly online web design, copywriting, account management, blogging, and basically a lot of social networking things. I think it is going to be a great experience so I am really looking forward to it. It's 10 hours per week and I get 4 credits for it, which means one less class to take and no work on Fridays :)

This weekend in Sydney was so much fun. I spent the entire day at the beach on Friday w/ friends and soaked up as much of the rays as possible and then headed home for dinner w/ my roommates. The boy from Holland, Marc, is quite the cook and it is so nice to have someone make dinner once in awhile. If you can believe it, all us girls all love him and the neighbors are jealous of our family time :) Saturday was the biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the world, and here in Sydney it is the gay/lesbian one. Oh, and Australia is much more liberal in terms of nudity and openness...so needless to say I was a little shocked. I have never seen so many naked people and gay love in one place before! The parade started off w/ the infamous Dykes on Bikes and was followed by floats of flambouyant crowds and dancers. It lasted 4 hours and it never got old to see lubed up men in speedos doing choreographed dances. Don't worry, I took lots of pictures of the ladyboys and lifeguards. I rolled home at 6 a.m. and now can barely keep my eyes open.

Well, that's it for now. I think it goes without saying that I am having the time of my life. I am enjoying the freedom and feeling of confidence that I have from knowing I can survive wherever I am and whoever I'm with. I am not gonna lie, it is much easier w/ mom around to make me dinners and do my laundry occasionally :), but not quite as exciting. The weeks are going so fast already, I can't believe I have almost been gone a month! I am keeping a journal daily and it is already fun to go back a read from a week ago. It's nice to hear from people while I am away, so keep me updated on how you are doing.

Love you heaps,
Sunny