August 26

I took one last shower and then left my shampoo, etc with a note in the bathroom saying Free! I moved out at the same time as the new girl from London. I had to make a couple trips to the front desk to turn in all my sheets and stuff. Then I checked out, with the same guy who checked me in. Pretty silly.

Then I clicked my shoes together 3 times and repeated, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home!"

Kidding, I struggled with all of my bags to the train station and went off to the airport! Goodbye Brisbane... Don't know when we will ever meet again.... sigh.

August 25

Today is my last day in Brisbane! I had a doctor appointment so that she could put the implant in my arm. There was the doctor and a nurse who didn't seem to do anything but watch and hold my hand. It wasn't too bad at all. Just as the doctor warned, it was the local anesthesia that stung/hurt the most. The actual implant didn't hurt much at all. Before I knew it, they bandaged me up and I was ready to go! So, I went to get some chai before class and had my last class. The professor didn't get through all of the material so he said that he was going to make another class next week. GREAT. Oh well. I'm sure it won't matter too much.. After class, everyone said goodbye to me outside and we took some photos. Then we all went to the Red Room and ate some lunch together, I guess just prolonging the goodbye.. =( It didn't really feel like it was my last day. It just sort-of felt like all the other days, so it was very surreal. Then everyone went their separate ways and I reluctantly went back to my hostel. I got my suitcases out of storage and repacked them for the rest of the afternoon. I was supposed to meet up with Lina and Jillian for Salsa, but Lina was busy working on a paper, so only Jillian could come out. Neither of us really felt like going to bars, so we went to Max Brenner's and then took the train to the Barracks to watch a movie - Friends with Benefits. It was nice to have a quiet evening. Then home and bed! My last night in the hostel!!

Roommates: A German moved in to take Denmark's place, plus the girl from London and the German thong-wearer above me. I had to apologize to them all for taking up so much room with all of my suitcases.

August 24

Woke up kind of early because everyone else woke up a little early. But it’s just as well because I had to get up and go to campus. I headed there early, not really sure why, but carried another few books to the library. Then, I sat in the doctor’s office, waiting for my appointment. I was 30 minutes early and my appointment was 30 minutes late. But at least she gave me ample time when I met with her. She answered all my questions and seemed very positive about the implant contraceptive, so I decided to go with it, even though it was a bit more money than I thought it would be in Australia. She wrote me a prescription, then I took it straight to the Pharmacy and filled it. Then didn’t have much else to hang around for, so I came back to my hostel and made some breakfast. Someone’s syrup had dripped all over my bag and some of my food. How annoying. Came back to my room and read my last two books, which went super fast. I didn’t end up needing them! Whoo. I was so happy to be done earlier than expected, I would’ve hated feeling like I was rushing to try to get everything done. I went on the internet for an hour and then watched a movie – True Grit. Then I arranged with Manuel and Jane to meet for dinner. Manuel pushed Japanese/Korean. I suggested Chinese. Then Jane wanted me to try Thai. So I agreed to Japanese/Korean. I don’t want to offend Jane by not liking Thai! =( I would feel bad. I ate an apple just in case, because I was nervous about not liking it. Then I headed to the Valley to meet them. It was actually pretty good - BBQ, but it was expensive. Conversation was pretty dead, but oh well. At least I got to hang out with them outside of class to give them an extra goodbye. It feels so weird that I am leaving in two days. I still feel like a local here, so I can’t imagine that I’m not going to see this place again. Anyway, then I came back to the hostel and showered and went to bed early...

Roommates: The girl from London moved out, tonight is Denmark’s last night, so she’s getting drunk in the bar with all of her friends. The German girl who sleeps above me walks around in her thong, weird. And is very restless at night, shakes the whole bed. Kind of annoying.  

August 23

Woke up with a headache (I hate wine) and the Japanese and Canadian moving out. They both decided to move into a place together. How funny and random!! Today is laundry day, so I took a shower and as soon as I had chugged enough water, I gathered my clothes and put them in the wash. Then I went to the grocery store and got a bottle of Powerade, so that I could get cashback to pay the $2 I was short on for the dryer... Then I talked to my boyfriend and fought with him because my phone ran out of batteries last night and I didn’t say goodnight/let him know I made it safely home. Ugh. I fought with him for most of the day and didn’t get much studying done until he went to sleep. Then I studied for a while and got through quite a few books. Only 2 more to go!

Roommates: Denmark, Canada and Japan moved out so they could get an apartment together. A German girl from across the hall moved in above me and another chick from London, who was nice, but only here for 1 night. 

August 22

On Monday, I studied for most of the day, and then went to meet Clare on campus. I dropped off 8 library books and didn’t pick any up! I think I had some to pick up, but I can’t get any more new books, so they’ll just have to be forgotten. It felt good. Then I met Clare at the Red Room for a couple glasses of wine. Then her awesome soon-to-be hubby came and picked us up and drove us to their apartment. He made dinner while we chatted on the patio with some Champagne. The dinner he made was excellent. Just a simple chicken roast with an assortment of veggies and a delicious saffron, black truffle polenta. No big deal. WHAT. It was amazing. The chicken tasted like chicken, everything was just so flavourful and nothing overpowered the other. I don’t even like black truffles, but the polenta was incredible. He said it was because usually people make the truffle flavor the main flavor, when they shouldn’t. It should just compliment other flavors. So true! I hate it when it’s too much. But this was perfect. Anyway, then we had a glass of red wine and we decided to watch a movie while he put together a menu.. So, we watched a chick flick – The Holiday. Then I knew after the movie was my cue to go. I didn’t want to overstay my welcome like last time. So, I headed out and walked over to the train station and caught a train back into the city. Waiting for the train, I got a little sad about life and my sister. By the time I made it back to my hostel, I decided to seek out my roommate, who seems to be good at making sullen people happier. So, I went to the bar, looking for her. Ended up finding the guy that she usually hangs out with, so I walked up to him and he put a ball in my hand. I guess I was perfect timing for the next beer pong tourney and he needed a teammate. So, I played beer pong, but I’m terrible at it and ended up knocking over two of the cups, which pretty much lost the game for us. Great. Then he went to go smoke a cigarette and the other two guys who we were playing against started teasing me for losing. I found out one was Canadian (funny, because I hadn’t known before and I see him all the time), and so I tried to talk to him about that, but suddenly it turned into a making fun of America conversation and both of them were chiming in, not letting me say anything or defend my country. I felt like absolute shit and was getting furious. I didn’t know what else to do, so I just grabbed my coat and stormed out of the bar without looking back. Then I headed down the stairs and couldn’t find my room key between my purse, sweater, jacket, scarf, etc. And it was raining on me, with no cover as I struggled to find my key. So I kinda just lost it and started feeling really bad. Finally found my key in my jacket pocket and went to my room, where the Canadian girl was and I mumbled to her something about never feeling so ashamed to be an American. Then I got ready for bed and brushed my teeth. My Denmark roommate saw me in the bathroom, saw how upset I was and was telling me “Aww, they didn’t mean anything by it”, but I wouldn’t listen. I just wanted to get away and go to bed, so I went to the room and tried to go to sleep. The Canadian roommate chatted with me for a bit and I calmed down..

Roommates: Same, Same.

August 21

Today we got a notice on our door that they would be cleaning and spraying our rooms for pests, just part of a regular thing to make sure they don't get anything. So, we had to put everything on beds. What a hassle, especially because we did that only a few days ago for their standard cleaning. It was also cold and rainy, so I couldn't sunbathe. I made breakfast, went on internet for a while, then came back, showered, and they still hadn’t done our rooms. Ugh. Because it was rainy, everyone filled the lounge so I couldn’t study anywhere. I decided to walk downtown for a pedicure, then back, made some dinner and by then they had finally finished with our room. So, I moved all of my stuff back into place and studied for the rest of the night because I felt so unproductive earlier. 

Roommates: Same group - Denmark, Canada, Japan.

August 20

I studied during the day, then went out early to Limes Hotel for fireworks with Lina, Jillian, and Lina's friends, Travis and Mia. It was really busy and we only had a few drinks. I wanted to meet up with Christian who was supposed to be heading across the street, but Lina and Jillian were tired, so I went home with them. Back by midnight. Super Lame.

Roommates: Same group - Denmark, Canada and Japan

August 19

Tried to sunbathe, but it was too cold. Walked with my two new roommates (Canada and Germany) and went shopping downtown. I bought a skirt, 2 tank tops, a going out top, bandeaus, and gold shoes all for $140. Then I went home and went to go make lunch but saw that my plate got stolen! WTF Right out of my bag!! Like, Ok if you want to use it, but then put it back at least! And I wonder why they didn't take the rest of my dishes, too. Just the plate. Ugh. That means I won’t get $2 back at the end and now I have to use my bowl as my plate. Oh well. Then I studied for a bit, showered, talked to the Canadian about a bunch of things and then went out to Victory with Jillian. But I was supposed to meet all of my classmates. It was really hard trying to mix the friend groups because I didn't know what to talk about. Oh well. My classmates started dancing, so I ended up sneaking out early. 

Roommates: Denmark, Canada and new quiet girl from Japan that doesn't speak much English. 

August 18

Today was a busy day! I turned in a bunch of library books, checked out 4 more. Then I bought a plug, got chai, and went to class. We had a guest lecturer, Ian Patterson. During the break, I helped Antonella who has missed the first several weeks of class. Then, I headed to meet with Jan about the financial aid lady. Christian, Lina and Jillian all met me and we discussed all of the problems for over an hour. It felt really good to get EVERYTHING off our chests and the woman did not seem to have any idea that these things had happened. I really hope that things change for the better and other students don't have to go through what we went through. Then I walked with the girls to the health clinic because Lina needed to see someone and I had an appointment. The doctor I met with wasn't very helpful at all and didn't tell me much about this new birth control I was looking into. Instead she just told me that if I was interested in it, I needed to schedule an appointment with another doctor. So, I did, but I'm really running out of time to get this done if I want to do it in Australia, before I go back. Then, I dropped off the books I borrowed from Roy Ballantyne in his office and he was meeting with someone so I didn't get a chance to talk to him, which is OK because I didn't really need to. Then went home and studied for a bit. Later, I went out to Salsa with girls and Christian and Gerardo and Umberto from Peru.

Roommates: Denmark, Canadian moved in, whoo! And a tall, blonde girl from Germany

August 17

Today was the Ekka holiday. I tried to sunbathe, but it was cold so I went back inside and talked to my boyfriend for a while. Then I studied and was very productive and got quite a bit done.

Roommates: Denmark stayed, English Girls moved out. No one took their place. So, we had the place to ourselves! Whee.

August 16

Today is the day before Ekka, one of Brisbane's biggest holidays. A year ago today is one that I would love to block out in my memory. Haha Oh well. I didn’t go to the TSA meeting since the last one I went to was worthless. I studied for most of the day. Then convinced Lina and Jillian to go to Mexican food!  We went to Guzman y Gomez, then tried Agave for some drinks, across the street. It had some really disgusting Sangria that tasted like watered down cranapple juice. Horrible. Then I went home and met up with Jillian to go out to the bars. Even though it's a Tuesday, everyone goes out because tomorrow is a holiday, so it's really like a Friday! We went to the Victory downtown and then got some pizza and that was about it. Kinda boring. 

Roommates: Denmark and Two English girls

August 15

Sunbathed, studied for most of the day. As usual. 

Roommates: Denmark, plus two English girls moved in. They were nice. One was very organized the other was a little slow. But insisted she wasn’t slow/stupid, just got easily distracted. She seemed a little bit of a space case to me. 

August 14

I studied all day, then went out with Jillian in the evening. We went to get burgers in the South Bank and catch up on life, then got Max Brenner's chocolate chai and walked around the city until late. 

Roommates: Denmark stayed, Taiwainese girl said it was her last night and asked if I could take a photo with her. So I did my standard wannabe Asian Peace Sign. I looked half-asleep in it because I was already in bed when she asked. Oh well. She seemed to be satisfied.  

August 13

Sunbathed for a couple hours, then talked to my mom, then studied a really crappy, slow book all afternoon and evening. Ugh. Boring day.

Roommates: English girl moved out in the morning. Denmark goes out and gets drunk every night. Taiwainese is always asleep from 11pm-10am. I guess she's jetlagged.

August 12

Too cold to sunbathe. I guess I can't complain since it is Winter here in Brisbane! I ended up sitting on internet for most of the day, emailing to schedule a meeting with Jan (the financial aid lady's boss) and lecture Jillian about boys. Then I studied for a while. Friends cancelled on going out again, so I studied in the evening. 

Roommates: Denmark, English Katy and Taiwanese

August 11

Woke up early for class, then bought a chai while I waited.. As I was sitting outside the room, reviewing my presentation notes, I felt something on the back of my neck, so I rubbed it away and when I looked down at my hands, I saw a dead, crumpled spider!!! OMG, It definitely felt like it pricked me, so I felt around on my neck a little. I panicked a bit and when Jane came to class, I asked her to look at my neck. She said it was red, but just looked like I had rubbed it, not like a big spider bite. I watched myself for the rest of class, thinking Ok, just don't pass out before my presentation!! Ack. Anyway, I felt ok. The place of the bite felt a little numb, but it didn't feel like it was affecting my whole body, so I guess it was OK, not one of the deadly spiders... My presentation went well and then I went by the clinic to schedule a doctor's appointment. Not for the bite, but to ask about a new form of birth control that I heard about from the English girl - an implant in your arm that lasts 3 years! After, I went back to the hostel, skyped with my parents and boyfriend, then studied for the rest of the day. I watched a couple movies in the evening and was supposed to go out, but my friends cancelled on me. Oh well. 

Roommates: German moved out. Taiwanese girl moved in. English girl was supposed to move out a couple days ago, but didn’t. So who knows when she’s leaving. I guess Denmark and I are the semi-permanent residents. After 3 days in a row of working at the bar, Denmark quit. She hated it and the booty shorts they made her wear! haha

August 10

I wished my mom a happy birthday because it's the 9th back in the states. Then I laid out in the sun for a bit. I had library books due today, but I decided not to turn them in because it would cost the exact same in bus fare as the late fee would be. I decided my time was more valuable. I studied all day and worked on my presentation for my thesis that is coming up! 

Roommates: All the same. English girl talks to me while I’m trying to study which is a nice break, but also distracting. 

August 9

Money got deposited, Finally!! But I don't care, I'm still going to demand a meeting to get our main contact fired or something. She's totally inept and has screwed up everyone's money from the US... This is war!! Then I had a TSA meeting, which was totally worthless. I have officially transitioned out. I didn't do anything but sit on my phone and send emails during the meeting. I had nothing to contribute. I don't think I'll go again. I studied in library until class, then went for a second, but when the class moved to the computer lab to do something I had already done, I walked the other direction and just went home early to study.

Roommates: All the same. English girl and German are very nice. 

August 8

I woke up at 6am on Clare’s couch with the worst headache of my life and stumbled back to the hostel on the bus. Thought I was going to have to tell the driver to pull over so I could puke outside the bus, but I made it to my stop and then stumbled to bed. After a long shower, I made myself some food and then watched a couple of movies. With no food left and still no Financial Aid money, I went to the store and used my credit card again. I got an email from the financial aid people saying it should be deposited, but no money. Very frustrating. Then, I studied for a bit and got a good night’s rest.

Roommates: Both Germans moved out, Denmark stayed and 1 English girl, Katy moved in, as well as 1 other nice German. Denmark got a job working in the bar of the hostel. She has to work long hours and wear booty shorts. 

August 7

In the morning, I sunbathed for a bit, then studied in the afternoon for a while. The usual routine. Then, I got ready and bussed over to Toowong to meet Clare for dinner. I bought wine at the bottle shop and then walked with Clare to her apartment. We drank the first bottle and then ate dinner that she made. It was Chicken with honey, sesame and mustard, super delicious.. We just talked and talked and talked for hours about everything, mostly serious stuff like my sister and her friend and working hard and getting through hard times. It was refreshing to be able to talk to her about things so candidly. Before I knew it, it was already midnight and so I watched a movie and passed out at her house (no more busses on a Sunday night). Whoops

Roommates: New German moved out, Denmark stayed and other German who lives above me stayed.