I knew October would be the death of me..

Seriously.

Just as I come back on here to update you all, I'm off to Melbourne tomorrow morning for the week! I'll be back Friday in order to be at work for Saturday. Tuesday is the Melbourne Cup and I'm so excited. The other days we're there we'll be doing tourist stuff like shopping, the Great Ocean Road, etc.

Robyn, Francis, Daniela, Alysha and I are going. Should be a nice girls week!

.. Before I start to update, I'd like to inform you that I need to complete a 1,000 word essay before I leave tomorrow as it's due this Friday and I won't be back in time.. and there's your essay update, brought to you by the letter E.

Oh boy, I'm losing it hahaha Uni has taken it's toll on my brain!!! hahahaa

Okay, let's cover uni first:
-DONE CLASSES FOREVER.. it's such a weird feeling.. I don't know how to feel!!!
-2 exams left: November 8th and 11th
-got 2 of my major projects back last week and did pretty well!!! I'm happy
-submitted my 50% of-my-final-mark essay for Fame and Celebrity on Friday.. I'm happy with it.. I think my writing was good
-Media Law exam was on Friday as well.. SO HARD.. ugh, I am hoping and praying I did well

That's pretty much it!

This past weekend was Halloween (obviously).. um, on a side note, pumpkins here.. like if we wanted to carve one.. TWENTY DOLLARS EACH.. FOR A MEDIUM SIZED ONE.. I nearly passed out! I'll save the cash and buy more mangoes.

Friday night a bunch of us went to the University Bar for their Halloween night. Everyone did a great job of dressing up. I was Katy Perry. On Friday I did my hair purple (like at the beginning of her "California Girls" music video) and on Saturday I did it blue (for the end part of the same music video).. I'm a nerd! But, everyone said they loved it!


Robyn (as Robin from Batman.. clever) and I on Friday!


The girls and I on Saturday at Kara and Robyns!

I'll put up more Halloween pictures as people post them. Each night, I had to wash my hair almost 4 times in order to get the colour out. It was just a spray, but man, there was a lot of it!

I've been walking along the beach for an hour each morning. I've just been so busy lately, I've had to get out and walk. It's so beautiful here. I wish I wasn't leaving for snow!!! hahaha

Mom comes in less than 2 weeks now. I still can't believe it. It's going to be so good! I'm going to rent a car to go pick her up. I think that will be best. I did it with Robert and he got to drive the car too. weee!!!

On Tuesday about 10 of us went to see Paranormal Activity 2 at the theatres. One, because it's in spirit of Halloween, and two, it's cheap movie night! I screamed so much.. it was so scary. But, it was fun at the same time to be scared with all my friends ahahaha

Jess' birthday is coming up.. must get her something nice. She got me a manicure and champagne. I like her. hahaha Last weekend was Geoff's birthday and it was nice to party with everyone all together, Metro boys, Paradise Island, Genesis and everyone. A few of us went for a stroll along the beach before heading to the bar and got sand everywhere.. oh my gosh it was so funny.

Gah, I should try and get this thing done.. grrrr.. okay, be back in a week!!! xo

Nanny My Love

Happy Birthday to my wonderful Nanny!!! I hope your day is beautiful and extra special! Thank you for being the best Nan anyone could ask for.


Madigan, Nan and I, right before I left to come to Australia!

38 days Nanny, and then we're going to take more pictures of the 2 of us!!! I love you Happy Birthday! xo

FAVOURITE BROTHER:

HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY!!!

I love you and welcome to your 20's!!!


Miss you and see you super soon! xo

Party like we're 14

Pizza Parties from Pizza Hut at midnight may sound like a good idea at the time, but then it leads to Goon-buying and Melba's dancing.

Awesome.

Nothing like a 2 hour nap before getting up at 6:30 a.m. for work.
I think I may have a problem. Too bad I'm having way too much fun!!! x

What a week it's been!

Of course the first sunny day in almost 2 weeks I work all day!!! That's okay, more money = more stuff I can do with my upcoming travels!!!

My work is having a bbq when Mom gets here as a going-away party for me. I'm really excited. Mom will love the Aussie bbq. I can't wait to make her try all these Aussie foods & drinks.. Hello Vegemite!!! hahahaha

This past week I had 2 major assignments due and a presentation. I got it all done and I feel good about them all, but I have so much to do in between now and then! But, afterwards, it's off to the Melbourne Cup!!! Whooooo!!! I really want to buy a new fascinator from the shop next to my work, they have some GORGEOUS ones!

OH and have I mentioned.. MANGOS???! HELLO! They're in season and more delicious than ever!!! OMG I bought like 6 the other day and I love to cut them like this:


Seriously, the talents I posses are endless. Anyway, they're amazing and I'm trying to eat one everyday.. as well as kiwi's haha

I don't think I've ever talked about the coffees here... They're way different from home:

EVERYTHING here is made from Espresso.. no brewed coffee in this land! There are 5 main coffees:
1.Flat White = Espresso with Steamed milk.. no foam
2. Latte = Espresso with S.M .. a little foam
3. Cappucino = Espresso with S.M. .. a lot of foam and chocolate sprinkles on top
4. Long Black = Hot water with Espresso
5. Mocha = Espresso, chocolate mix, S.M. and chocolate sprinkles on top

There you have it. So if you ever come to Australia, you'll never be confused on the coffee names. We also have to have to correct foam so I can do stuff like this:


Yes, I can do this. Hearts too. It's so fun!!!

My hair is super long.. I'm pretty happy about it. When I get home I'll probably get lighter highlights. Oh boy, "home" what the heck am I going to do when I get back? I'm going to start applying for jobs while I'm here so I'm not COMPLETELY welfare when I get home.

Halloween is coming up. They don't celebrate it here. Like, seriously. How could you not? Apparently there are just a few things for adults to do on Halloween, but, no trick or treating, kids stuff, etc. Weird. Anyway, us Canadians are still going to dress up. This is what I want to be:


Does this not make you laugh out loud? Omg, I could totally see me doing this!!! HAHAHAHA!!!

Alright, more later.. Jurassic Park 2 is on.. WHOOOO xo

Only 1,000 words to go and it's due tomorrow..

.. in that case, let's have a blog break!

Listen, I can't help that I work best the night before.. apparently it works if my marks are as good as they say!!! Weee!

I'd like you all to meet my new babies. One is named Platy .. the other, Pus. They're beautiful!


Yes, me cuddling them to sleep. hahahaha
Thank you to Nanny, Mom and Dad and The Vacon's for the birthday money to buy these boots. I've been eyeing them for so many months.. I'm in love with them! I got the one's with the fur on the bottom back.. Omg, they're just perfect!!! Gah! Thank you all again!

I have this stupid P.R. assignment due tomorrow.. my advertising project due and I work Thursday.. work all day Wednesday.. Media Law presentation Friday.. HELP! hahahah!

After that, I need to complete my Fame & Celebrity essay AND my Media Law essay before Melbourne.. oh, and my Media Law exam.. awesome..

All this, and I'm taking pictures with boots. Good for me.

I went to the library's 2nd floor today where it's "Quiet and Silent Study Area" helped me big time. I get too distracted at home. Hence me being online right now. UGH!

.. ok, should really go finish this xo

Canada: Happy Turkey Day!

I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving. We really all have so much to be thankful for! Me, I'm thankful to be almost done uni.. until then, homework, studying and the closest thing to Thanksgiving dinner for me!!! hahaha xo

November 11th - Remembrance Day aaaaand..

Michelle's last day of University!!!

That's right, we got our exam schedule today. I have one (Advertising) on the 8th.. and the other (Public Relations) on the 11th! WHoooooHoooo!!! Actually, I'm not at all excited for the exams.. just to be done them! hahaha!

This upcoming week, and actually the 3 weeks coming up, are going to be full-on with assignments, presentations and essays. Then, the week before exams, I'm off to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup with my girlfriends! I'm really excited, but can't get too excited.. too much to do in between now and then!

Everyone at work keeps telling me how much they don't want me to leave.. gah! It breaks my heart! Thankfully, I told them that Francis is available to work and could take my place at Muffin Break. She had a meeting with Maree today and I'll be training her at the end of October. It's perfect though, because she doesn't need much training! I'm glad I'm not leaving them hanging. They're the best.

Tonight (Saturday) I'm staying in and working on school stuff. Blah. How boring. Last night, Alysha, Kara, Fran and I went to Clock Hotel for Ladies Night and then Twenty1 for a sweet DJ from New York! Even though it was raining, I had a great time.

Jess and Kevin rented Paranormal Activity the other day. We watched it at 3:00 p.m. and I was absolutely terrified.. what a crazy movie. Don't watch it if you like to sleep at night!!! .. oh and another random fact: Mangos are back in season.. om nom nom!!! Too bad they're 4 bucks a pop!!!

Fiji flights booked, New Zealand booked, flight home booked. Countdown is on. xo

Gosh darn it I'm sleepy!

Tonight I made my chili.. and in the process of it cooking, a swarm of cockroaches came out from behind the microwave/toaster/window.. EVERYWHERE!!! I went to town on them with my work shoes.. ugh, so gross.. while doing this, I BURNT the bottom of my chilli!!!

I had to share that.

I really need to wax my eyebrows and stop eating so much.

OTHER THAN THAT.. I work Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.. hello money!!! I'll be saving these funds for my upcoming trips. I'm so excited. 2 months until I'm home.. it's going to be so weird!!

I won't be celebrating Thanksgiving this year as I work on Sunday and then have a group meeting in the evening. This actually doesn't bother me because I would feel better getting my work done early.. AND they don't have cooked, canned pumpkin so I can't even attempt to make my Nan's pumpkin pie! Poop! It's all good though.. I will celebrate when I come home!

Okay, off to get some rest.. xo

Fraser Island - Day 5

Day 5: Last day. Our package for Fraser included "Free Dolphin Feeding" on Friday morning. So, we all woke up at 6:30 in order to catch the 7 a.m. boat. It was a lovely boat ride through Rainbow Beach into Tin Can Bay - where the feeding takes place.

Sadly , my camera died so I had to steal the few pictures Cheryl took that day.


Apparently I have my days mixed up.. this is clearly still on the island.. in the 4x4.. with a bra out the back window.. hahaha


Ah, here we go! The group of us who went to Tin Can Bay on the boat over.


One of the dolphins! There are 2 that come into shore daily. Volunteers run the feedings and there's always a ton of people! It wasn't really free though.. $5 to feed them one fish. We all opted to just watch and get some great pictures. They were so amazing.


Beautiful birds joining us for coffee in TCB!


Omg, pelicans. These things are HUGE.. I tried to take a photo with one of them by squatting beside it.. the thing tried to eat my head!!! Everyone watching had a good laugh.. and really, so did I! Silly birds.

After we got back to shore, we went back to Pippies, checked out and headed home! Francis drove on the way back while Larry and I napped in the backseat. I felt like a kid again driving up to the farm.. all dazed and confused in the back seat! hahaha

We stopped at a service station for lunch - we all had Subway! Mmm! At the service station, there was a fruit market.. omg, such great deals on local fruit! I bought 2 HUGEMUNGEOUS pineapples for 3 dollars, I wish I could have shown you all.. they were like the size of my head!!! Unreal.

We all got home safe and sound. Great trip! That evening, I went over to Alyshas and we watched movies and dyed each others hair. I loved it!

FRASER ISLAND 2010 = A SUCCESS!!! xo

Fraser Island - Day 4

NOOOOO! Our last day on Fraser Island!

Well, we started off by waking up early, packing up our tents, coolers and 4x4's. Our car was horrendous with sand, booze, dirt, garbage, etc. So, I took it upon myself to empty everything out, sweep/clean the whole lot. Afterwards, once I packed everything in, we were ready to go!!!

Such a great campground. I loved it there. So glad I saw a dingo the night before!!! They're so cool.


Entrance to our camp :)


Our dirtsack van before I cleaned it.. yes, I did!


On the way to Lake Birabeen, Flachs decided it would be funny to bring in a couple air fresheners for us.. straight from the source.. what a dork!!!


Poor trees! I couldn't stop laughing.


Ah, ocean. I love thee.


We drove all the way to Lake Mackenzie's sister, Lake Birabeen. It was so beautiful, yet so freezing! Whatever, you can't pass up a swim in this lake!


Lake Birabeen Sign.. I'm cool!


All of us brave souls getting in there!


Larry made me a sand-wich.. get it?? He's special.. ahaha


I love this picture.

After Lake Birabeen, we headed into the only "town" in Fraser for some lunch and a bathroom break. We stopped at a little cafe and we all had french fries.. or chips, as they're known here. Oh boy were they good.

We drove all the way back down to the Ferry we caught on our first day. Let me tell you, in the instructional video they showed us, they warned about back and neck pain from riding in the cars.. the ride back to the Ferry was SO HORRIBLE.. omg my bum STILL hurts.. it's just from the different sands.. soft = bad bad BAD.. hard sand = good Blah!!!

We made it to the Ferry alive and enjoyed the windy ride back to Pippies!

Our unreal group!!! xo

Fraser Island - Day 3

Good Morning!!! Up early today for our trek to Indian Head! We packed our lunches (pb&j and fruit for Francis and I) and hopped back into our stinky 4x4 hahaha! A bunch of sweaty boys and sand and saltwater doesn't mix well!!!

Indian Head is known to the Aborigines as "Tuckee" (stone). It's distinctive shape of the rocky cliffs makes it one of Fraser Island's most notable landmarks. How about that! It was stunning up there.. although, muddy to walk up to! hahaha

We saw a family of whales (2 adults and a baby) sharks, manta rays and sea turtles! The rain didn't stop us from loving all of it!


Rainy on Indian Head!



Whale Family! So gorgeous!


Gorgeous rocks and scenery!


Sad Lysh


You can't see that well, but the sharks are down there!



Lovely ladies enjoying the rain.. hahaha!


On our way to the Champagne Pools.. just North of Indian Head: Fran using my Drinking-Goon-in-4x4-Method


RIP OFF TIM TAMS! SO GOOD


CAR 3 REPRESENT


My lovely Kare Bear!



The stunning pools!


I love this girl so much..


..because she likes to jump too!!


Beautiful

After the champagne pools, we drove South for a while. I think we drove a lot longer than we thought. But, I had a great group of people in my car and time went by way too fast. We had good tunes, good laughs and good drinks!!


We arrived at Waddy Point after Brad told us there was a great lookout here!


.. sadly, the walk to the "lookout" was terrifying.. loaded with run-over frogs and weird puddles.. I wasn't impressed


But I love this picture we got of the girls and I!!! Myself, Robyn, Kara, Lysh and Francis.. who seems to be doing a strange squat face!! hahaha


When we got back to the cars, the boys pulled this prank on Francis. I couldn't help but laugh!!!

On this trip, we spent a great deal of time travelling in the 4x4's. We covered most of the island which is pretty impressive.. I loved how we saw everything we wanted to see!!! You can't travel the West side of the island for some reason.. I don't think that side is drive-able. Anyway, the East side is stunning.. so I can't complain!

It was our last night staying on the island and we had a great time at camp. Brad said a huge storm was coming that night and we could sleep under the bbq area if we wanted.. so we set up our tents under it and did it rain? No. hahaha Apparently though, the storm hit Surfers Paradise!! Crazy!

This was the night a saw a dingo in camp!

I went to bed early, even though neither Francis or I brought a pillow, and somehow fell asleep. I love Fraser :)

Fraser Island - Day 2

We were all up early to get our stuff packed and to check out of our rooms! We were all assigned a 4x4 group the day before (I was in Car 3) and we had to spend a lot of time doing checks and packing everything from coolers, dry boxes, luggage etc. It was a lengthly process.. we were itching to get going!!!

Here's Car 3:
-Michelle
-Francis
-Jennie (Sweet girl from Holland we met.. LOVE her!)
-Kyle (our driver)
-Grant (Kyle's brother visiting from home)
-Flachs (Kyle's room mate)
-Tiny & Mike (Flachs' friends visiting from home)


Oh boy!!! HAHAHA!
So we took off with 3 in the front and the rest of us in the back. It wasn't that bad!

We have to take a ferry to get on and off the island, so we drove onto it and took some sweet pictures.







Once we got on the island, we were on a tag-along tour so our guide, Brad, was in the 1st car and he took us along the beach and to the infamous Lake Wabby. It was so hot and humid that day, and the walk was over 3km so Larry and I were sweating our little bums off! But, once we got there, it was absolutely stunning. This little hidden lake in the middle of a sand island. I wish you could have all been there.

We rolled down the sand hills, swam for hours, drank goon, and the girls skinny dipped together. It was lovely.











After we left Lake Wabby we hopped back in the 4x4's and headed along the beach towards Eli Creek and the famous shipwreck. I loved being the the 4x4. Here's some proof:


These are the boys' bums, FYI.


I loved Goon this week. Barf.


CAR 2


Jennie and I!!!


Dingo just chillin' on the road!


Fran & I love to jump!

We stopped at the famous Maheno shipwreck to take some pictures after Lake Eli. It was really cool!







These are the pinnacles, coloured sand. Absolutely beautiful!!!

After the Maheno, we headed to our campsite. It's owned by Aboriginals and had showers, toilets, everything you need. They were really cool too. They loved to come and talk with us. They took a few of the girls on a Ghost Walk and taught all of us how to play the digereedoo .. or however you spell it.







When we first got back, we all went to the beach. You're not allowed to swim on the beach off of Fraser Island because the currents and rips are extremely dangerous. Also, the amount of sharks in the water is unreal. So, we all just played in the sand. Larry did some fishing from the shore and a couple of us found crabs on the beach.




On the beach! Don't get in the way of the cars!

That night we had s'mores and tons of fun. Up early tomorrow for our trip to Indian Head!! xo