"I've always said I do some of my best thinking in australia and this trip is no exception. There's just something about this place that I find so peaceful and inspiring." - Andrew McMahon
It's so easy to see why people fall in love with this country...I know I have.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
peaceful & inspiring
Saturday, February 21, 2009
skydiving & internship
This week was easily one of the best weeks. It has been so much fun and I'm realizing so many things. About myself, about others, about life...about everything, really.
The second month of the year is almost over and it's already probably been the best year ever.
Where do I begin?
MIRANDA'S 21ST BIRTHDAY
Last week was Miranda's 21st birthday so of course we had to celebrate! Miranda has a twin brother, and although she had the best 21st birthday celebration ever, I can't imagine what it was like celebrating without him! I feel like Sarah and I have been planning our 21st birthday for forever, whether our plans changed from Vegas to Disney, or neither since we will probably have finals on our birthday. But that's besides the point. I can't imagine celebrating a birthday apart.
Rachel and I decorated Miranda's door with streamers and balloons and waited for her to get back from the bar. There was lots of silly string, cake fights, and laughter once it became it midnight and Miranda got home! We had plans to go to the beach for the sunrise but we were all too tired and the weather wasn't worth it, so that is still on our list of things to do.
We went out to dinner for Miranda's birthday and she even got sparklers in her cake! Then we had a private party at Bar 360. We got there early and enjoyed the place to ourselves for a little while then spent the night with a bunch of our friends. Granted, by the end of the night it wasn't a private part anymore, it was still a great time! I am so glad I could help celebrate Miranda's 21st birthday with her. :)
SKYDIVING
So if you know me, you know that I'm not the bravest, most experimental, adventurous person. Yeah I like roller coasters and I'm occassionally try new things. But jumping out of an airplane? Me? Not likely...or so I thought.
At the beginning of our trip, some people had mentioned the possibility of going sky diving during our time here. I would listen to them talk but never thought I'd even want to be part of the conversation.
Last weekend Tara had mentioned going skydiving so I had begun to think about it. On Tuesday, Rachel told me she was going to go sign up for skydiving after class. Without hesitation, I asked her to wait for me to get my credit card. I wanted to come! I signed up and chose not to tell my parents until afterwards. Only a few of my friends knew beforehand. Matt and Eric had told their parents, but Rachel, Tara, and I chose not to until after. When we got there, they told us it was common for people to do that haha
We got picked up around 7:30am on Friday and drove to Byron Bay. Once we got there, we hung out for a little while and watched some of the skydiving videos that were playing until it was our turn. I started to get a little nervous but I was surprisingly really calm. We were all really relaxed considering what we were about to do, but we were all so excited to be doing it! After a little while of waiting, we got our skydiving pants and harnesses and learned the banana peel position that we would be taking when jumping out of the plane.
We got on the plane and 15 of us packed on to one little plane. Originally we all kinda decided on an order we wanted to jump in, but once we got on the plane there wasn't really any way of securing that order. It actually wouldn't have mattered because all 5 of us were out of the plane within a total of less than 5 minutes.
It took about 20 minutes to get up to an altitude of 14,000 ft, which is the highest you can skydive in Australia, which gives you about a minute or so in free fall once you jump. I got a little nervous when we were in the plane but I was so excited. I couldn't believe what I was doing, but I was ready!
Once we reached 14,000 ft it was time to jump! They opened the door and out we went, one at a time. I went 4th so it was cool to see people go before me. Once it was my turn, we got up to the door, got in position, and out we went! There was literally no time to think about the fact that I was jumping because I was focusing on being in the position. When you jump, the position has your head tilted back, so I wasn't even able to look down! Probably a good thing.
My diver told me to keep my eyes open, scream as loud as I wanted, and just have fun! I intended to do just that. I opened my mouth ready to let out the loudest scream...but nothing came out. We were in free fall for about a minute and I can't even describe what it felt like. It was so unreal and I was honestly so happy. I had a smile on my face the whole time and I was so excited. I didn't even think or worry about the parachute or landing. The minute in free fall felt so short but I enjoyed every second.
Once we reached a certain altitude, he released the parachute. I was very relieved! It was so awesome to be able to take in the scenery, relax, and collect my thoughts about what I had done. After a few minutes parachuting, we had a safe landing, thank goodness.
There were computers at the skydiving place so I e-mailed my parents right away and said:
"Hi Mom and Dad! Guess what I just did?I went skydiving! I was gonna tell you earlier but I figured I would save you a panic attack and wait until I actually went. I'm alive! I loved it! I will have pictures and video later :)
Love you!Michelle"
My mom called about a half an hour later with plenty of questions and wasn't mad at all! She was actually happy I waited to tell her until after haha
It was such a great experience and I'm so happy I did it! I would totally go again sometime in another place! If you want to watch my DVD then next time I see you we will have to watch it! Pics are up on facebook!
INTERNSHIP
So I had my interview a little over a week ago and for the past week I have been so anxious to hear back about my internship. On Friday morning, I got an e-mail saying that I got the internship! I will be interning with Universal Music this summer!!!! :)
The second month of the year is almost over and it's already probably been the best year ever.
Where do I begin?
MIRANDA'S 21ST BIRTHDAY
Last week was Miranda's 21st birthday so of course we had to celebrate! Miranda has a twin brother, and although she had the best 21st birthday celebration ever, I can't imagine what it was like celebrating without him! I feel like Sarah and I have been planning our 21st birthday for forever, whether our plans changed from Vegas to Disney, or neither since we will probably have finals on our birthday. But that's besides the point. I can't imagine celebrating a birthday apart.
Rachel and I decorated Miranda's door with streamers and balloons and waited for her to get back from the bar. There was lots of silly string, cake fights, and laughter once it became it midnight and Miranda got home! We had plans to go to the beach for the sunrise but we were all too tired and the weather wasn't worth it, so that is still on our list of things to do.
We went out to dinner for Miranda's birthday and she even got sparklers in her cake! Then we had a private party at Bar 360. We got there early and enjoyed the place to ourselves for a little while then spent the night with a bunch of our friends. Granted, by the end of the night it wasn't a private part anymore, it was still a great time! I am so glad I could help celebrate Miranda's 21st birthday with her. :)
SKYDIVING
So if you know me, you know that I'm not the bravest, most experimental, adventurous person. Yeah I like roller coasters and I'm occassionally try new things. But jumping out of an airplane? Me? Not likely...or so I thought.
At the beginning of our trip, some people had mentioned the possibility of going sky diving during our time here. I would listen to them talk but never thought I'd even want to be part of the conversation.
Last weekend Tara had mentioned going skydiving so I had begun to think about it. On Tuesday, Rachel told me she was going to go sign up for skydiving after class. Without hesitation, I asked her to wait for me to get my credit card. I wanted to come! I signed up and chose not to tell my parents until afterwards. Only a few of my friends knew beforehand. Matt and Eric had told their parents, but Rachel, Tara, and I chose not to until after. When we got there, they told us it was common for people to do that haha
We got picked up around 7:30am on Friday and drove to Byron Bay. Once we got there, we hung out for a little while and watched some of the skydiving videos that were playing until it was our turn. I started to get a little nervous but I was surprisingly really calm. We were all really relaxed considering what we were about to do, but we were all so excited to be doing it! After a little while of waiting, we got our skydiving pants and harnesses and learned the banana peel position that we would be taking when jumping out of the plane.
We got on the plane and 15 of us packed on to one little plane. Originally we all kinda decided on an order we wanted to jump in, but once we got on the plane there wasn't really any way of securing that order. It actually wouldn't have mattered because all 5 of us were out of the plane within a total of less than 5 minutes.
It took about 20 minutes to get up to an altitude of 14,000 ft, which is the highest you can skydive in Australia, which gives you about a minute or so in free fall once you jump. I got a little nervous when we were in the plane but I was so excited. I couldn't believe what I was doing, but I was ready!
Once we reached 14,000 ft it was time to jump! They opened the door and out we went, one at a time. I went 4th so it was cool to see people go before me. Once it was my turn, we got up to the door, got in position, and out we went! There was literally no time to think about the fact that I was jumping because I was focusing on being in the position. When you jump, the position has your head tilted back, so I wasn't even able to look down! Probably a good thing.
My diver told me to keep my eyes open, scream as loud as I wanted, and just have fun! I intended to do just that. I opened my mouth ready to let out the loudest scream...but nothing came out. We were in free fall for about a minute and I can't even describe what it felt like. It was so unreal and I was honestly so happy. I had a smile on my face the whole time and I was so excited. I didn't even think or worry about the parachute or landing. The minute in free fall felt so short but I enjoyed every second.
Once we reached a certain altitude, he released the parachute. I was very relieved! It was so awesome to be able to take in the scenery, relax, and collect my thoughts about what I had done. After a few minutes parachuting, we had a safe landing, thank goodness.
There were computers at the skydiving place so I e-mailed my parents right away and said:
"Hi Mom and Dad! Guess what I just did?I went skydiving! I was gonna tell you earlier but I figured I would save you a panic attack and wait until I actually went. I'm alive! I loved it! I will have pictures and video later :)
Love you!Michelle"
My mom called about a half an hour later with plenty of questions and wasn't mad at all! She was actually happy I waited to tell her until after haha
It was such a great experience and I'm so happy I did it! I would totally go again sometime in another place! If you want to watch my DVD then next time I see you we will have to watch it! Pics are up on facebook!
INTERNSHIP
So I had my interview a little over a week ago and for the past week I have been so anxious to hear back about my internship. On Friday morning, I got an e-mail saying that I got the internship! I will be interning with Universal Music this summer!!!! :)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
horoscope.
Today's horoscope: "You may find it frustrating that you don't know which of your soon-to-be-golden eggs will hatch first. But the good news is that hatching will commence, and shortly."
Let's hope so. Some golden egg hatching right now would be excellent.
Let's hope so. Some golden egg hatching right now would be excellent.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Casino!
We went to the casino for Tara's 21st birthday and since I'm only 20, I can't gamble at home so this was my first real casino experience! It was so fun! I only played on the slot machines, mainly because I'm not a high roller and I don't know how to play anything else.
I came home with $6 winnings... I broke a $50 when I got there to buy a drink. Then I spent a total of $18 on drinks, $4 on food and $5 on a cab ($27 total) and out of that $50, I came home with $33. So that's how I figured out my $6 profit.
It was a good time and I won a couple of bucks!
The girls at the Casino (Rachel, Tara, Kerri, Kayla, me):
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Surfing Trip
I just got home from an awesome weekend that was spent on a surfing trip. It was a lot of fun, but it's probably needless to say that a surfing career is not in my near future.
We got picked up Friday night and had a couple hours drive to Spot X (Arrawarra Beach). When we got there, we just hung out for a little while and went to bed since we had to be up early the next morning. Spot X is a gorgeous beach which is owned by the company so it is secluded. We woke up early on Saturday and headed out to the beach.
We got picked up Friday night and had a couple hours drive to Spot X (Arrawarra Beach). When we got there, we just hung out for a little while and went to bed since we had to be up early the next morning. Spot X is a gorgeous beach which is owned by the company so it is secluded. We woke up early on Saturday and headed out to the beach.
After a quick lesson and some stretches, we were in the water. The instructors were so helpful, and after many failed attempts, I finally managed to stand on the board! I didn't last very long, but I got up...so I accomplished something. We practiced for a little while, took a lunch and rest break and then headed out to the beach again. I tried a couple more times, but the waves were much bigger in the afternoon, as if I wasn't having trouble already.
One wave hit and my surf board hit me in the nose. When I saw blood I decided it was time to call it quits for the day.
One wave hit and my surf board hit me in the nose. When I saw blood I decided it was time to call it quits for the day.
We relaxed, showered, had dinner, then partied the rest of the night. It was everybody staying there, not just our group so there was lots going on. There was a campfire, guitar playing, drinking games, and one of the surf instructors (who was only 16!) did some flame throwing.
On Sunday, we went out to surf for a couple hours, I got up on the board again but staying up was still difficult haha After that we had lunch and headed to Byron Bay. It was a cool area with a beach and lots of little stores. I wish we had more time there, but maybe I'll go back for a weekend sometime.
Here are some pictures from my weekend surfing trip:
Friday, February 6, 2009
Jack's Mannequin/Matt Nathanson tour
Jack's Mannequin/Matt Nathanson tour. this spring.
If you know anything about me, you know that Jack's Mannequin and Matt Nathanson are two of my favorite artists in general, and favorites to see live. So this is pretty much my dream tour.
Except for the fact that the shows are while I'm still in Australia.
I am not a happy camper.
Their fan bases aren't exactly the same so I think that will be interesting. I hope that everyone learns to appreciate the greatness of both artists if they are only going for one. Seriously, if you like one of them, please go, you will come back loving the other just as much. Or if you've never seen either live, treat yourself. You WILL thank me.
This tour pretty much screams Sarah-Michelle-Jess-roadtrip.
Of course it happens while we are not together... Go figure.
At least Sarah and Jess might be able to go to the tour.
I miss going to shows and I know of a bunch I'm missing being in Australia but I can honestly say this tour is the only one that I'm legit upset about missing.
And Jack's has shows May 2nd and 3rd, I think. That means no Bamboozle.
Needless to say that I am not pleased.
sigh.
please go to a show for me.
If you know anything about me, you know that Jack's Mannequin and Matt Nathanson are two of my favorite artists in general, and favorites to see live. So this is pretty much my dream tour.
Except for the fact that the shows are while I'm still in Australia.
I am not a happy camper.
Their fan bases aren't exactly the same so I think that will be interesting. I hope that everyone learns to appreciate the greatness of both artists if they are only going for one. Seriously, if you like one of them, please go, you will come back loving the other just as much. Or if you've never seen either live, treat yourself. You WILL thank me.
This tour pretty much screams Sarah-Michelle-Jess-roadtrip.
Of course it happens while we are not together... Go figure.
At least Sarah and Jess might be able to go to the tour.
I miss going to shows and I know of a bunch I'm missing being in Australia but I can honestly say this tour is the only one that I'm legit upset about missing.
And Jack's has shows May 2nd and 3rd, I think. That means no Bamboozle.
Needless to say that I am not pleased.
sigh.
please go to a show for me.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
everyday is the start of something beautiful
"meet jessica stone"
"we create so much conflict and struggle
for ourselves, where there should be joy.
we have to fight the urge to fill experiences,
and the holes in between them with static,
and shit that clouds what really matters.
watching someone triumph over REAL struggle,
REAL loss slaps us sober
it provides a clarity that is crucial.
it inspires us to be present and
to appreciate all we take for granted.
meet my friend jessica.she is a bad ass.
she reached out, and included me in her life.
i am lucky to have her.
be inspired.
(apologies for having to endure the commercial before) http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5665944 "
Matt Nathanson posted this on his website a few months ago.
I've watched it a few times since and wanted to share it with everyone.
I can't even imagine how strong this girl is, it's inspiring!
Warning, you might want to grab a tissue before watching
If you enjoyed watching, share it with someone!
"we create so much conflict and struggle
for ourselves, where there should be joy.
we have to fight the urge to fill experiences,
and the holes in between them with static,
and shit that clouds what really matters.
watching someone triumph over REAL struggle,
REAL loss slaps us sober
it provides a clarity that is crucial.
it inspires us to be present and
to appreciate all we take for granted.
meet my friend jessica.she is a bad ass.
she reached out, and included me in her life.
i am lucky to have her.
be inspired.
(apologies for having to endure the commercial before) http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5665944 "
Matt Nathanson posted this on his website a few months ago.
I've watched it a few times since and wanted to share it with everyone.
I can't even imagine how strong this girl is, it's inspiring!
Warning, you might want to grab a tissue before watching
If you enjoyed watching, share it with someone!
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