I'm in the middle of a 2-week period of essays and presentations, but despite that I'm having an AMAZING time watching the rest of my semester here unfold! I dyed my hair today, as I tend to do when I crave change, and while ordering groceries I was struck with inspiration to cook as many meals as possible from scratch, SO I ordered mostly raw ingredients and am planning on having fun as a chef for the next month and a half. I've also been super productive and have so many fun times ahead of me!

May 13: Vampire Weekend concert in Sydney with Nick, Laura, and Ryan

May 16: Surfing all day at Manly with Christine

May 22: Sydney Swans Footy Match with the AIFS crew (AFL--Saw a game in Melbourne and it's SO much fun to watch live... possibly a new favorite sport to watch)

June 5-10: Australian Outback/Uluru/Alice Springs with Meredith and Laura (Thanks Dad for the most amazing birthday present I could ask for!)

Last weekend I went to the Sydney Opera House to see the Sydney Symphony Orchestra preform Rodgers and Hammerstein musical songs. The Opera House is much more beautiful from a distance but it is unbelievable walking up the steps and seeing it up close! The foyers inside are breathtaking. The auditorium itself surprised me; it is much smaller than I expected and the weird light brown/mauve color scheme threw me off. Nonetheless, it is gorgeous and now I can say that I've seen a production there! So wild!

On top of my plans so far, I'm trying to plan a weekend trip to Byron Bay; a day trip to Hunter Valley to do a wine and cheese tour; a tour of all of the free museums/Luna Park in Sydney; and visit Canberra for a day or two. I still REALLY want to ride a camel down the beach, as well.

I'll post more pictures as they come!