September 19, 2009

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Well, it's been a rough first week back to classes, but I think I've finally got my upcoming assignments under control. My next things are due on October 12. They are a Major Essay (and the last thing I have for the semester to do in the class) for Anthropology, which I'm little more than half done with, my simulation model of how pH, climate change, and fire frequency affects spinifex, mulga, and Callitris boundaries in Australia, which we've finally gotten the computer software to work and it seems like we're making some good progress, and then I have to do a floral survey, which I haven't started but will be done in mostly one day, since I have to go out to some land and collect a bunch of plants.

I only have 8 weeks left here. It seems like time is just going faster and faster and now I feel rushed to fit everything I wanted to see and do in. The good news is, they finally FINALLY put out the dates of our finals. That means I can solidify my schedule for the rest of my time here. This is what it's looking like:
Class this week, then on Friday or Saturday (9/25 or 9/26) during the day I might try to go see the Swan Bell Tours by the river and go to the Fremantle prison for a tour. Then the next week begins October and my last full month here. That weekend (10/2 or 3) I may try to make my way out to the Swan Valley region, which is only about 25 minutes away. Its a big wine region, the biggest one is Margaret River, but its 3 hours away so I've given up on going all that way I think. Especially since I heard that Swan Valley is practically the same thing. Then the next weekend (10/10) we're supposed to go to Rottnest Island overnight on Saturday. Then its October 12 and I have my three things I've been working on that I talked about above due. and my Anthropology class is over on the 13th for the entire semester (it ends a week ahead of my other classes for some reason). Then the next week is the last week of classes and the study break begins. So I'll probably spend that whole weekend until the 28th studying. Because from 10/28 - 11/1 I'll be in Cairns getting to see the Great Barrier Reef!!

I have a final on 11/2, 11/4, and 11/9. From 11/5 - 11/8 I want to go up the North side of the West Coast and check out some stuff they have up there, like stromatolites. I think those would be really cool to see. Then on 11/9 I'm done. So I need to decide what I want to do, if anything, and what I have money to do. My flight home doesn't leave until 11/15. My Sydney to LAX flight leaves at 3:00 pm that day and I get home at midnight the same day with the time change. So I might move up my flight from Perth to Sydney and spend my last couple of days there? And/or I might try to go to Melbourne for 2 or 3 days and visit one of my friends from Denison.

I will write when I know for certain, but it's just what I'm thinking of right now. It all depends on how much money I spend and how much time I end up having. No matter what happens, it looks like it's going to be a really busy last 8 weeks in Oz! = )

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Comments

[Anne KRESS]

your last month there
it seems, in life, that all the rare and beautiful things pass too quickly, and all the painful, dirty things last forever..... so enjoy every minute, because once you get back, it will all seem like a dream.....don't forget to bring me a small stone or shell from the beach (quarter size)......because you are doing something I would have loved to do....Kiss all the Aussies goodbye....we couldn't have won WWII PAC without them...and if you have the money, buy a cassette or copy one of your friends down there of the old Aussie songs.....I know I'll hear from you before you return, but it really has been fun reading your blogs....I look for them every day....love, ga