Merri
Merri Estren Joined: August 8th 2007
Logged in: January 18th 2008
Logged in: January 18th 2008
Travel Blog Posts
Living Room
So I think this will probably be my last entry, unless I randomly decide to update again after my brother and I go on our annual skiing trip to Squaw Valley, California. It's been really fun updating this blog from home too, since I've gotten into so much of a pattern of doing it over the past few months. Each one of my visits to friends has been unique, and Dallas was no exception. I admit that I probably wouldn't go to Texas of my own accord, but having not seen Taylor for two and a half YEARS was more than enough reason to go, not to mention the fact that I was dying to meet Genna, his fiancee (and now his wife!). It was so amazing to get to catch up with him in PERSON ... read more
Lobby
So, on Friday morning, I headed to the airport to go from NYC to Montreal. (For some reason, the way I had booked the flights, I had a stopover in Philly...which took extra time, but whatever, I think it was cheaper.) When I got there around 5 pm it was SNOWING and I was incredibly excited. Of course, this meant it took extra time to get into Montreal, but it looked so beautiful I didn't really care. Also, I was amazed upon landing and realizing that this was literally the first time I have ever been to a country where there is another language spoken. And I guess Quebec is a good place to start because everything in French is also in English. It's so cool how basically everyone who works there (like at airports, restaurants, ... read more
Christmas Tree
So as most of you probably know, I am back in the US. It's weird that I've only been back for a little more than two weeks because it feels like so much longer! I have the good fortune of being really happy wherever I am, so even though it was really hard to leave Australia, it is SO good to be home. Plus, I still am doing a whole bunch of traveling, which is why I feel totally justified in still updating this blog. :) First, I went to Duke, which was amazing because I got to see everyone! The first nine days I was home were pretty insane because I was so excited to see everyone again that I don't think I went to bed before 3 am a single night. I have literally ... read more
One wall
For my last morning here, I wanted to do something memorable, so I decided to get up at 5 am to watch the sun rise over the Opera House. It was so odd to see the city practically asleep as I headed up to Circular Quay on the bus - only a couple places were open and there was no traffic at all. I am now sitting the Rocks side of the Harbour, with only seagulls, pigeons, and annoying flies for company. Unfortunately, there is cloud cover right now, but the wind is shifting them, so I’m going to just stay here till I see the sun. As always, the combination of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge never fails to take my breath away. The city is so peaceful at this time of day. It’s ... read more
Kayaking
So my first final was a couple days ago, I have two finals next week (Monday and Wednesday), and then I LEAVE on Thursday. I am kind of in shock right now that pretty much everything I am doing, I am doing it for the last time. I went to Paddy's and the Rocks markets yesterday for the last time, the Glebe markets today for the last time...this is my LAST WEEKEND here. I can not even believe it. Unfortunately, the weather has been COLD and rainy, but of course, today, the day when I have decided to buckle down and really study space engineering (as can be evidenced by the fact that I am writing this right now, haha), it has turned sunny and warm. I'm just going to try to concentrate really hard today ... read more
The Market
I would just like to take a moment to explain how finals work at Sydney Uni as opposed to Duke. Duke: Friday - classes end The weekend + Monday - FRANTIC STUDY TIME FOR EVERYTHING Tuesday- finals begin, lasting through Sunday Merri's schedule - normally includes three finals three days in a row; other people's schedules often have two finals per day (each three hours) and often three in just 27 hours! Worth - 30 to 40 percent of final grade in class Sydney Uni: Friday - classes end Saturday to following Sunday - study vacation, fondly known as STUVAC! :) Following two whole weeks - finals (none on weekend) Merri's schedule - one final the first week on Thursday, two the second week, one on Monday and one on Wednesday, all in the afternoon Worth ... read more
Ready to explore
Continuation of the Melbourne trip: Sunday morning, I woke up at the nice late hour of 10:30, ready to go exploring for the day! My goal was the Queen Victoria Markets, the biggest and most famous open air market in Melbourne. Since the tram system had kind of annoyed me, I just ended up walking around everywhere for the rest of the trip, so that was a lot of walking. But I truly think the best way to explore these cities is totally on foot if you have the energy (which obviously I do, since I am like a power explorer…haha), because it makes a lot more sense when you are walking around with a map. These markets were overwhelming. And I have been to a LOT of markets over the past few months too. The ... read more
At the Opera House
Wow. I have had yet another set of absolutely INSANE days. For those of you who want the short version, the highlights of my life in the past week: - Classes ended! And they ended WELL! - Some of my best guy friends from Duke came to visit (they’re studying in Townsville which is a couple hours north by plane from here) and it was CRAZY. - I went to MELBOURNE! And… - Stayed in an incredible hotel - Saw people from New Zealand! - Explored a beach suburb - Went to some museums - Generally pampered myself (i.e. bath, hot tub, massages, sauna) - Went to the biggest open air market I’ve been to yet and bought some awesome gifts (just when I thought I couldn’t spend any more…yeah right) - Went to the most ... read more
HAPPY me
Wow, this weekend has been SO relaxing and amazing. Just what I needed after a totally not stressful life. Well, maybe last week was slightly stressful, with preparation for these final projects and quizzes and the like, but it's nothing like DUKE stressful...haha. Anyway, now that I have less than four weeks here (????!!!!?????), I have switched into HIGH GEAR shopping and exploring Sydney mode. I feel like for the rest of my time here, I'm basically going to be treating this like a full-scale vacation (minus the finals). I am trying to find just the right souvenir for everyone so this has already resulted in spending unbelievably large sums of money. (A warning in advance, my dear parents. But you guys are going to get REALLY cool gifts!) Seriously, when I get home, don't expect ... read more
Just wanted to do a quick entry to say how GREAT it is to be back here for a time period of more than a week! The last time I was here for a full weekend in Sydney was a full month ago, which is pretty crazy. I am really glad this week is over, too...unfortunately, it had to end with a GROSS quiz in Mechanical Design (aka worst class ever), but you know what, I only have two days more of that class and then I am done with it FOREVER. And even though I was in a pretty bad mood, all I had to do was go into the center of the city and within minutes I was gloriously happy. Sounds cheesy, I know, but it really is true. I am getting into serious ... read more
