Big & Little Take on the World

I couldn't be happier that my little, who is one of my closest friends, has a father who is a pilot 

 which means she can get flights across the world for a super reasonable price

AKA MY LITTLE AND HER TWIN CAME TO VISIT ME IN AUSTRALIA! 

What a perfect week filled with sight seeing, snuggles and big/little love

Some of the highlights that were new experiences for me were:

Badde Mannors Cafe in Glebe

The Sydney Wild Life Zoo

The Sydney Aquarium 

Maddam Tussauds Wax Museum

The Governor's Palace 

Paddington Markets- I got my palms and face read by a "Goddess of the Gypsies"

Just some more pictures of my lovely week with my little and her twin

it was so nice to see a familiar face and to snuggle her for a while :) 

I'll miss her until December. 

Beaches, Service & More Food

Okay I'm all settled and have seen a lot of the sights in central Sydney 

it's time to see more and do more

I've missed the beach so much 

Now that it's getting warmer out I was off to go explore Bondi Beach

The beaches over here are different than US beaches

 they look like coves tucked away between beautiful high cliffs

Bondi Beach leads to a cliff 

which leads to Bronte Beach 

which leads to a cliff 

that leads to Coogee Beach

The view is perfection, the water is so clear, the surfers take over the waters

it's just as you would imagine an Australian beach to look like

It's safe to say it was love at first sight.

I was passionate about finding a way to serve in Australia

I miss the work I was doing with the homeless community in Tampa 

I had to find a place to serve while I'm abroad

The first place I got to lend a hand was St. Peter's Catholic Church in Surry Hills 

at their convent with a bunch of sisters! How cool is that! 

I had never been to a convent before 

It definitely was an experience I am thankful for

We prayed the rosary in their Chapel

We prepared and served a big meal to about 30 hungry men in Sydney

I'm glad that I got to be a small part of the selfless work these sisters are doing 

in the lives of those who need them most. 

On a more selfish note, I found the best chocolate shop that exists in all the land

Max Brenner, The Bald Man's Chocolate 

It is indescribable

So far I've tried the coconut hot chocolate, mint hot chocolate and double chocolate brownie

The coconut hot chocolate is the most heavenly thing I've ever tasted 

every chocolate lover needs it in their lives

I try and stay away from Max Brenner as much as I can to avoid a chocolate death 

Next time I go there the chocolate waffles or the chocolate pizza is on my list 

Mouth watering, I know! 

Food, Class & Work

One week of exploring Sydney under my belt 

I moved into my first and beautiful apartment to start the real adventures. 

I have three roommates who are all studying at the University of Sydney 

Super nice and easy to live with

I have been so blessed 

Each time I've gotten a random roommate it has always worked out so well! 

Since it is my first apartment, it is also the first time I've had a kitchen outside of my parents home. 

I've fallen in love with food but in a really great way 

I'm in love with healthy, colorful, creative and clean recipes. 

I started shopping at Paddy's Market for my produce so I get all fresh fruits and veggies 

I've loved buying food that I've never eaten before and experimenting with it. 

Some of the staples that I buy every week and am obsessed with are:

avocados, tomatoes, spinach, kale, carrots, green apples, eggs, bananas, strawberries and zucchini. Some of the food I've been experimenting with are: 

eggplant, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, quinoa, cacao powder

and so much more that I can't even think of right now. 

Healthy eating is far from boring and so so delicious! 

I made these quinoa, oat, cacao cookie balls that were so good! 

I'm becoming such a foodie!

I am taking four classes at the University of Notre Dame over here: 

counselling couples & families 

introduction to the New Testament 

community psychology 

social justice 

I have never been happier with a school schedule or more excited to learn in my life. 

Since the last year of high school I have wanted to study Psychology and be a counsellor 

but I have never taken a counselling class before

After only the first day of that class it became so clear that it's what I am meant for

I want to work everyday helping families through their problems 

This class is teaching me so much already! 

Introduction to the New Testament is amazing

I only opened my Bible for the first time about 2 years ago 

 when I decided to start living my life for God

The class is teaching me so much about the time period of the Bible, 

about the people who wrote it, 

about Jesus 

and how much evidence there is supporting the Bible. 

It is really great to be educated about it 

I can't wait to keep learning more. 

My social justice class had a really cool unexpected surprise 

An internship where we are doing 40 hours to learn social justice in a hands-on environment

The internship is at Wesley Missions 

Wesley is an organization that helps people in the community who have intellectual disabilities 

 It is the beginning of an incredible learning experience. 

Oh and my uni is beautiful, just look at it:

I thought it would be a good idea to get a part time job while I'm here for the semester 

Minimum wage is crazy high, it's $19/hour!! 

I applied to Randstad Education and got the position within an hour

It is an education agency that places me at different schools around the area to work in after school care. I've been working at Woollahra Public School every week

I love the staff and the kids and the fact that I get paid triple the US minimum wage 

just to play tag and color :) 

I am loving this semester already 

I have lovely roommates

 I'm learning to cook

 I have the best classes and the most fun job I can think of. 

What a good life!