My Last Days in Australia

Well my time here has wound to an end I leave in 2 days, I am one of 3 American's left so Uni-Central is pretty quiet these days. I have been to the chiropractor every day trying to get my back fixed up, apparently I sprained my back (I didn't know it was possible either) but walking isn't a problem anymore, so I have that going for me which is nice.
On Wednesday I toured the XXXX Brewery again with Lindsay(MN), Lindsay(NY), and Rachel(NY) and then last night was my last Tav night so we all went out of course. Today I had my exit inspection, no fines (hopefully they don't check under the bed when I leave), so all I need to do now is finish packing. I am looking forward to being home and seeing everyone.


~Andy


Picture: Lindsay (MN) and me on the way back from the brewery

Talk about going out with a Bang

As it turns out instead of doing some traveling around Australia before I go home, I will only be traveling to and from the chiropractor. Last week I was playing tennis, planted my foot and that was the end, I sprained my back and basically can't walk. I have spent the last few days basically on bed rest, I can't really sit up in a chair without being in pain, and walking is a horrible. Today my friends left for Melbourne and I am here waiting for my next visit to the chiropractor. People have been going home each day making the timing of the injury even better. Hopefully I will be doing better today after my visit. I will see you guys soon. I will be home June 26th.

~Andy

I am done, but it is hard

Well I finally finished up classes here in Australia, and I am pumped about that. With the end of the semester comes some very hard goodbyes. People have started leaving already, and I am surprised how hard it is to say goodbye to these people. I still have not finalized anything as far as trip are concerned so I have basically been hanging around Uni-Central just taking it easy. Before I leave I will visit Melbourne and maybe some smaller trips to the Gold Coast and Brisbane again, but for the most part my travels are done. This has been the trip of a lifetime and there is nothing I would have changed. I have made some great friends, seen some amazing sights and all in all had an amazing semester. Right now I am torn, I am looking forward to catching up with everyone at home, but it has been an emotional week of saying goodbye. I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer at home, and in no time I will be there with you.

~Andy

End of the Semester Parties

In the past week we have just been having a good time and relaxing. Campus held a cocktail party for all the study abroad students on Friday night and then on Saturday night we went to a "Hat" theme party. I guess there are more theme parties to come before everyone heads their seperate way and return home, so I am sure there will be some interesting picutres to come. I have uploaded the pics from the cocktail and hat party so check them out, they are entertaining. This week I will be finalizing my final trips for the semester and preparing for final exams. I will be home June 26th and will be in Eden Prairie for the summer working at McFarland Construction again.

~Andy

Picture: Me and Jake with the winning costumes for the Hat party

The Last Week

In the past week I have just been hanging out and getting projects finished up for the end of the semester. We had a few birthdays last week so we went out a few times. Over the weekend we saw The Da Vinci Code, and played a lot of tennis, as the weather was nice on Saturday and Sunday which was a nice change from the rain. This is my last week of classes, then I have a week of final tests, and then some time to travel before coming home. Time have flown by the past few months, I am torn between not wanting it to end and being excited to come home. I still plan on seeing Alice Springs and Melbourne before I leave, but if it works out maybe more. I will get some pics up as they come, but there hasn't been to many things going on that are picture worthy.

~Andy

Picture: Tim, Toni, Norbert, Me, and Jake at the Tav on Beth & Amanda's Birthday (Thursday)

Sydney Was A Success!

Jake, Tim, and I just got back from our trip to Sydney, and it was a great weekend, it went a little something like this. We flew out of the Sunshine Coast on Thursday night, this airport is so small that we walk out onto the runway to get on the plane. We got to Sydney around 11:00 and went and checked in to our hotel, the Harbor Marriott, where we could see the Opera House from our window, and then went and walked around the wharf for a few hours. We called it a night pretty early that night. On Friday we did the tourist thing and walked around Sydney, saw the Opera House, the harbor bridge, and the botanical gardens and basically walked around Sydney all day. At night we had happy hour in the executive lounge, where are there is free beer and alcohol as well as appeteizers, and then we headed for the Hard Rock Cafe to meet up with the others from Uni Central. As it turns out they had to leave early to see a show so we had a small bite to eat and then walked around King's Cross, and eventually made our way back to the hotel. On Saturday we headed to Bondi Beach for the majority of the day, it was alright, but personally I think the beaches are better up here in Queensland. When we got back to the hotel we got cleaned up and headed up to the executive lounge again for a few hours. That night we saw a comedy show at the Sydney Opera House and then spent the night out at the bars on the harbor. Today we got up and did some quick souvenir shopping and then had a last trip to see the Opera House, it was only a few blocks away from our hotel, and then headed to the Olympic Village via the harbor ferries to see a rugby game. The game was a good experience, these Aussies sure love their rugby, but we had to leave early to catch our plane. So all in all the trip was a success, we got to see some of the iconic sites of Australia and had a great time doing it. I will have the pics up either tonight or tomorrow.

Happy Mother's Day Mom


~Andy

Picture: Me at the Opera House

Reef Trip

I am about to leave for the weekend, we are going to Lady Musgrave Island to go see the Great Barrier Reef. This week has been pretty uneventful, a lot of tennis, a lot of reading (I read the Davinci Code) and of course some fun at night. I am still getting around to sorting through New Zealand pics so it may be some time still.

~Andy