First Week

Hey guys,

I can't believe it has only been a week! It feels like a month, I've done so much!

So Monday I got all of my swipe card and housing stuff sorted. It was really just an errands day, nothing exciting.

Tuesday, Housing hosted another event - Laser Tag! Very exciting! I actually did quite well given my prior track record.

Then we went back to one of the other dorms and hung out. I played chess on a huge board with pretty big pieces. It made me think of Harry Potter.

I love the dorms here! They are so cool! Why can't we have this in Texas?!?

On Wednesday, I watched Glee with some friends but realized that I should probably get out and see the city.... :)

A new acquaintance who is from Sydney, showed me around. Which was completely awesome because now I know my way around!

First stop was Hyde Park (named after London's Hyde Park). There are lots of beautiful things in Hyde Park such as the ANZAC Memorial, St. Mary's Cathedral, and Archibald Foundation.

The ANZAC Memorial surprised me. It was so beautiful, thoughtful, and reverent that I almost didn't want to take pictures.





Those are military stars on the ceiling, representing each New South Wales volenteer in WWI.




Next up was the Sandringham Gardens (a memorial to King George V and King George VI, the last being the current Queen's father). Here's an interesting fact I didn't know - Australia is still a commonwealth of the UK. They celebrate the Queen's birthday and everything.



The Australian White Ibis...they are all over the city!

My first glimpse of St. Mary's!




and then we got closer.....


Gotta love JP2!!!!


Sadly, no pictures were allowed inside, but let me just say that it is one of the most beautiful interiors of a church I've ever seen. It rivals its elders in Europe for sure.



The Archibald Foundation...


And all this was in Hyde Park - how amazingly awesome is that?!?!

Then we walked through the city centre and to The Rocks (one of the oldest parts of Sydney because it is right next to the water).

We ended up at Observatory Park, which had a great view of the Harbor Bridge.



Needless to say seeing this freaked me about climbing the Bridge in a few days!


The next post will be about my friend's visit and the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb!

Love you all

-Karen