Semester's End

It's hard to believe that the end of the semester down under is coming to a close. Next week is the last week of classes, then I get to travel for a couple weeks, return to Brisbane to take an exam, finally get to see my parents and brother and then I will be back in the good ol' U.S. of A.

But I am getting ahead of myself, how about a little catch up first:

A few weeks ago we had our Mid Semester Break. It was a pretty relaxed and low key week off from school. I took a trip one day to the local XXXX Brewery to learn and taste the beer that they make there. It was a very fun afternoon, the tour took you all throughout the factory and we got to see the assembly lines, and how everything works. At the end, you get to taste the beers on tap, which include the Summer Lager. It's the only place in the world that you can get that beer on tap.

The rest of the week was spent outdoors, doing different things around Brisbane. The final weekend of the break we took a trip to Noosa on the sunshine coast which was lovely and relaxing. Unfortunately, it is rainy season here so the weather hasn't been too friendly, but it didn't affect us too badly.

The past two weeks have been pretty busy because of school work. Sadly, I couldn't convince my lecturers and tutors that I was on a four month long vacation and therefore had to write some essays and study for a test. I did however get the royal treatment for my fashion article. I am writing about all of the "hotspots" in Brisbane, and because of that, I got to go get a manicure and a day at the spa, all for free! I just have to write about it. I enjoyed an hour long massage, and a 45 minute hot tub session with champagne and dark chocolate. I tell you, I have had such a hard hard semester down here. I have no idea how I am supposed to renter the real world.

Next week is the final leg of school. The classes are wrapping up and the semester's end is very very close. After classes on Monday and Wednesday I will be done, and I will be leaving Wednesday night for a two week trip down south. I am starting in Melbourne, but only staying there one night before going to Hobart, Tasmania. I will spend three days there catching up with a few friends from the Orientation way back in June. Then it's back to Melbourne for 5 days. Then I will be taking the train from Melbourne to Adelaide. I will have one day in Adelaide before I get a bus for 11 hours into the outback to Coober Pedy. After two days in the outback its back to Adelaide and then right back to Brisbane. The best part of this two week trip is that I will be living out of a backpack. And mark my words, I will be able to do it. I can pack light despite popular belief :).

After my trip I have to study and take my one history final. Then I have a week to pack and get things in order before my parents get to Australia. I am so beyond excited to see them. After a week traveling around in Australia, we start the journey home but stop first for a week in New Zealand where Joey (my brother) is meeting up with us. I am so excited to see everyone. Then it will be back home.

I can't believe that it is all coming to an end so quickly. Here's to livin' it up for the last few weeks!