A whole lot of time has passed

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I have yet to update in a good amount of time. I apologize to all of those eager readers who click refresh and refresh repeatedly for a sign of my existance.

Ta da. Here you have it.

I finished my ISP paper with plenty of hours to spare, but not many. I printed it out 3 times which cost me $75 in the local secretarial services pad. bummer, but it had to be done. I came up with some pretty cool stuff, which I'm willing to share with any of you who ask. As a reminder, I created a number of educational tools for backpackers to the Byron Bay area. I created a kit which I've yet to distribute around town. I'll do that soon. I gave a 20 minute presentation on the project with only a powerpoint in front of me. It contined swear words and sexual innundoes in order to capture the attention of the crowd that had to listen to presentations all day long. We laughed, we cried, we talked educational materials.

The class headed down to Evans Head where we had two apartments and a house for the 15 of us. I ended up feeling quite sick during this time and I resorted to watching movies and falling asleep early. I'm feeling better. From Evan's head, I was transported to Brisbane with my classmates. Some flew back to the states, some to Adelaide, some stayed in Byron Bay, and I flew to Cairns. I met up with Gabe, Jeny, her cousin, and Nico, we rented a large bus with ninja turtles painted on the side and proceeded down the coast. We stopped at many beaches along the way, camping, having fires on the cool sands with high tide threatening our position. Our trip took us to the Mission Beach, Whitsunday Islands and Whitehaven beach, near bushfires, to the barrier reef, Arlie Beach, the glass house mountains, and back because we left 4 pairs of shoes, and then to Byron Bay, where I am currently sitting.

It was an amazing trip; however, most was spent in the van driving. We didn't really have enough days to get all the way to Byron and still have the ability to see much. I wish we'd had about 4 more days. But no complaining necessary, it was very enjoyable. Road trips need to be included often throughout the rest of my existance.

I'm excited to be back in Byron Bay where the ocean waves are tall and the bodies are beautiful. There is such a great vibe here. The best way I can explain the feeling is one of a welcoming invitiation. Everyone feels welcome and happy here. No one judges but accepts the beauty of life. I'll be here until the 26th and then I head down to Sydney and then home!

Only a few days remain for me so I suspect to be thoroughly enjoying them as much as I can. Then I have to head home to the, ohmygod-don't-remind-me, winter in Nebraska and then Wisconsin.

I love you all.

I send you a warming of your heart from down under.

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Photos

Mike
helping with dinner in Evans Head

The final nights
in Evans Head with the classmates.
Kelsey and Emily.

Christmas Vomits
waves on a bar in Evans Head

Rainbow
The beauty through the storm at Evans

So much beauty from the plane.
great barrier reef and islands from above.

the van
cowabunga, dood.

Jeny
in the van.
she's always wanting to bite something.

Travelling
south of Cairns

Nico
sleeping in the van

Horrified
when Jeny tried the stick.

The invention of sports
on Mission Beach.
Gabe and Nico.

Fire wood gathering
myself. with palm branches and wood that didn't end up burning.

my fire hat
bonfire picture experienments.

burn, baby.
burn.

Morning
on Mission Beach

Sunset
at the Whitsundays

Snorkeling
at the Barrier Reef.
Nico.

The walk of shame
yet excitement, as our van is fixed.
we spent the night across the street in the convenient store parking lot. wouldn't be a road trip if the car didn't break down.

sleeping
in the van.
as usual.

Comments

[Mom]

summer to winter
Oh, yes, Nebraska winter... Actually, you will find that it is not as bitterly cold as some winters you have experienced. What magnificient water you've been seeing! We need your flight info so that we can pick you up. Bro made it home on the train. We'll eat a candy cane on Christmas in your honor. Love, Mom

[Dad]

Your final project/presentation
I'm wondering whether you can post all or parts of your final project/presentation on your travel blog ... I'd like to read what you've "crafted" in the context of your blog. See you soon, Love Dad.