the elevator incident...

Everyone recognizes the sound of technical/electrical failure... it begins with a low tone which continues to decline until the frequency is subdued such that one can no longer hear it. But one can feel it. This plummeting sound ends with a ratcheting that one can only fathom to be the last hope of any remaining electrical impulses attempting to keep up their function, but failing miserably as whatever system that has now deteriorated with its final sudden jolt leaves a silence that gives unreliability its definition. (quite the run on sentence, sorry for that).
As for me, I had the "pleasure" of experiencing those sounds and feelings this afternoon. I rode back from uni, relieved to be "home" and went up the elevator to level 5 like always with my bicycle. G... 1... 2... 3... 4... ... (this is where the above paragraph fits in). Everything goes dark and you think... "oh GREAT" (I actually though something else, but won't release it over my blog).
I tried pushing a few buttons and nothing. So I pinched my fingers between the two metallic doors and felt like Arnold Schwarzenegger as I slowly used all my strength to separate the doors enough just to see that I was only about 2 feet away from my final destination. I attempted to utilize my "Strong man" maneuver again with the next set of doors which would release me directly to the 5th floor (along with a bit of a step from the elevator out into the hallway) and was unsuccessful...
To top this experience off, the emergency call button wasn't working. Does this even happen??! It made the most ungodly high pitched noise that a human, or any living thing with ears, should never have to hear as long as they live. It almost reminded me of Jim Carrey's "wanna hear the most annoying sound in the world" speech from Dumb and Dumber... below the button read, "Press and hold button for 5 seconds to call an operator." It's not like I could plug my poor ears while I pushed this ear deathtrap for 5 seconds (PS I had to hold it for longer and push it about 5 times before I received anything from the outside world...) I figured I could hold my ears and press the button with my toe or elbow or something, but I just sucked it up and went for it.
The final cherry of many for this story was the little bee who liked me (or disliked me) a little too much. I felt a sharp stabbing/pinching/owww-ing pain on my left hip and low and behold was mini bee that had been trapped in my shorts (I probably hit it while on my bike ride home and he held on for dear life prior to retreating into my nice sheltering warm shorts...)
Anyways, he got me twice, but this little life was no more after (picture this): a broken elevator. in a virtually dark enclosed environment. with nothing but the buzzing getting stronger and weaker as a bee circled my body for another attack. me. with my bike. swinging my sandle into the abyss. jumping up and over with only the sound and slight light to guide my judgement. trying to take out a killer bee. (sigh)... I got the fucker (excuse my french but that was the only appropriate word for this beast of a bee).
Post bee killing, I gave a sigh of relief and slumped my stinging sides to the itchy carpeted floor of the elevator. I laid my head against my backpack and enjoyed the silence that is usually "unheard of" in a city like environment, until the electrical sounds and light that keeps our society in it's comfort zone returned me the extra 2 feet to my 5th floor apartment.

The Land of OZ... aka The Gold Coast... aka my new home??? I think so...

I didn't think I would say this yet, but the Gold Coast has become my home. I know "they say" that everyone goes through the stages of culture shock when they enter a new country and culture; (1) Excitement: this occurs when you love the country and uniqueness of the new country and feels like they're vacationing or "honeymooning." (2) Withdrawal: the people and culture are confusing and unpredictable so the person withdraws and becomes anxious. (3) Adjustment: acceptance and understanding the culture and ways, as well as getting into a routine. (4) Enthusiasm: When the person feels as if they're at "home."
I have experienced all of these (not in this order though) and many times some phases will creep back for a bit, but it's all part of the process and I love that. I had a conversation with an Aussie about how some people are content staying within their comfort zones once they've found it. I respect their decisions, although I don't agree with them. There's too much to learn, too much to see, too much to experience in this world and life to just not challenge yourself every day you wake up.
Sometimes we get caught up in the chaos of our own lives and internally closed environments, and we don't break out to "tri" new things. I'm not saying every person, every day should go out and meet random people and just travel the world and be a nomad. There needs to be balance and family, stability, and comfort go on the other side of the scale. But at the same time there's so much to give back. If each person contributed a tiny bit of their own personality to their closed environment around them or even branched out, what would that do? Spark anothers interest and inspire them? I'm sure. Challenge another to think outside what they know? Hear others opinions? I'm really happy for my mother because she's always been involved with people and volunteering (as well as her life with raising us 7 wackos/kids). But she's a doula now, who is someone who trains to be with women for support while they give birth. The idea was put into her mind when my sister Kristen gave birth to her second child. Her and Mike allowed my mom and I to go in during the birth and we held her hand, legs, and I held the video camera at some points ;) Regardless, it was powerful and one of the most beautiful things a person will EVER experience. This then sparked my mom's interest to seek out a position at the local hospital where she currently keeps up with being a doula :)
On another note, I love a good dispute. Because it usually results in me thinking, "Ah that's interesting. I never thought of it like that..." Whether or not I agree with what was said is irrelevant because it doesn't matter. Notice I said GOOD dispute. There's no need to have a conversation with someone and get frustrated just because they see life differently. It's their right and you may try to enlighten them and they may change their mind or they may not. But either way, it's a great way to learn/a great way to actively engage your mind.
Australia has pushed me out of my comfort zone and my withdrawal stage lasted for about a day and then it was done pretty much. I tend to be more realistic and less emotional when I go away or travel now. I didn't used to be like that. I credit Ethan for it and although I would never want to be like that all the time, it's a protective mechanism that has allowed me to fly half way around the world and not even think twice about it.
I miss my family more than I can say. I was suppossed to "see" my niece today on skype and was really upset when I found out my sister had left. I don't know why, but the hardest part of being away from my family is not seeing my two nieces and nephew. I miss my grandparents, parents, siblings, friends, but it's Zoe, Hailey, and Dylan that I find myself thinking on often. They grow so fast and I feel like I'm missing out on pure memories. Especially seeing Joe, Tammy, and Zoe this summer makes me miss them even more. I saw Jay and Jess (Riv, Ily, and Theo) a lot this summer because I was over with him at his house and they came to the lake often. Jenn came from Washington and it had been ages since I saw her. Hung out daily and sang, laughed, yelled, ... ... , ... ... ... :) and became closer because of our time together. I hadn't seen my brother John since Christmas I think and he's doing some awesome stuff out in Cali with comouter animation. I've found I jive with him in the realistic, travel, and experience sense of our lives, which I've begun to truly appreciate. I got to see Kristen, Mike, Hailey and Dylan for a week here and there all summer and we had some GOOD times :) And Emmy and I were roomies at the lake, which I don't know if we've been roomies since we like 10????? :) My baby girl grew up soooo fast. She's a young woman out on her own now and it's REALLY weird to think about. But she's got a damn good head on her shoulders and can hold her own :)
Incase y'all didn't know. Those are ALL my siblings. And we are a kick ass squad together...

le blue mountains...

Our third day in Sydney... wake up at 5:45a to be ready to go for a 2-3 hour bus ride into The Blue Mountains. They're called this because the most wide spread species of plant in the forests are the Eucalyptus tree, which creates this blueish haze/tint all throughout the mountains. It's beautiful and although I've never seen the Grand Canyon first hand, many people say that the blue mountains (especially the three sisters which is the rock formation in the picture above) looks like a forested Grand Canyon. I can only imagine... it was vast and gorgeous. Also if you look at the picture, to the right of the third rock formation there's a Magpie flying by. It's a black and white bird that's everywhere in Australia and makes the weirdest sound when it calls. It sounds like a crying baby... they're cute though... moving on!
When we arrived there it was tres cold. Probably around 45 degrees! Luckily I had packed my SWIX cross country skiing spandex (no I'm not a racer in the X-C ski sport... but I had picked them up at a bike swap because they looked like warm running pants, which they are). Those things kept my little legs warm all day. We hiked down to a couple rock faces where this German chick taught us how to abseil (rappel in German). We tried a small cliff out, then a slightly higher one, and finally an even higher one! It exciting to do it with everyone and the high one had an over hang so you had to lower yourself such that your feet were above your head then push off the cliff with your legs and you would fall JUST below the hang... phew! One of the girls got scared and almost hit her head, then let go of the rope... Luckily there was a woman below backing her up.
We then hiked back up and ate lunch. Post lunch some of the group went to a much higher abseil spot while myself and some others took on THE ROCK CLIMBING! I hadn't been in FAR too long... I thoroughly enjoyed myself though. I was surprised at how difficult the climbs were. They were said to be beginners but the second one I did was really difficult... For each of the climb there was an overhang that you had to surpass in order to complete the climb. The first climb I did was not difficult. The beginning overhang wasn't bad and it was sweet because I had to traverse across this TINY section of rock, but the rock face itself was nice. Straight up... the angle didn't incline as you climbed higher, yet it wasn't a slab either. On the other hand, the picture below depicts the beginning of the second climb I did. As one can see... my little nubbins (aka legs) are extremely short. So this climb was ENTIRELY different for me then, let's say, for my friend George who is like 6'2" haha. He stepped onto the rock quite easily (as the overhang started at his knees whereas for me at my chest) and I struggled like a falling squirrel from a tree helplessly trying to grasp on for dear life! My muscles at the angle I was positioned, had to produce mucho more force to get me up past the overhang then I had planned. Fortunately I just said, "screw it" (in my mind of course!) and I decided to jump and hope for a hold... and did I ever get one! It was a great hold that, well, held me well. I continued the climb and it burned that great feeling through my arms that feels almost like home... It's the feeling one gets when they run, race, swim, bike ;) or "just tri" any kind of exercise that challenges their cardiovascular system.
Climbing is a great feeling because it works all the tiny muscles in one's forearm to the max... I wish I had brought my shoes and chalk bag. Speaking of chalk bags, I wouldn't have needed it here. Underneath the climbs, there's a fine dust that comes off the whatever type of rock material the face is composed of and it settles on the ground; it is the perfect consistency to rub into your hands and use as chalk!! Anyways, I believe I'm getting far too excited about rock climbing and may need to move on to the next topic... wait one more thing! We saw, what used to be, one of the most difficult climbs in the world! It was really cool but it was pretty much a flat rock face... no holds and the angle of it was slightly inclined which must have been a hoot of a climb eh?
After a much exhausted bus full of "uni kids" piled off the bus, we all showered up and went out to an Irish pub. I thought it would be a GREAT time, but unfortunately, the Irish absolutely HATE... HATE Americans. They don't care who you are or what your story is... I had one guy in my face saying how Ireland secretly ruled the world... I thought to myself... it doesn't really matter. I ended up peacing out early (which I usually do when we go out drinking). I like to have fun and have a couple beers, dance a bit, etc but only on occasion will I stay out til the wee hours of the night "partying." I just rather do other things I suppose.
Our last night in Sydney consisted of a beautiful harbor cruise dinner! We all dressed up and ate an AMAZING pesto salmon dish with coos coos, broccoli, carrots, and champagne :) I don't know how Study Australia budgets, but we stayed in the NICEST accommodations, had all inclusive meals (not always, but EVERYTHING in Fiji and all dinners), and went to some pretty wonderful places. Sean, who started Study Australia, came with us to Sydney and spent a lot of time with us. He walked us around the city and we had two orientation sessions where he explained the Australian culture and ways, things to be aware of, and much more. It was great to see the entrepreneur of our program be so involved!

the land down undah!

After staying in a 5 star resort in "Nandi" Fiji for one night (it was quite a tease), we took off on a plane ride to Sydney where we went on a walking tour (IT'S FREEZING!!). We then took a ferry through the harbor to a restaurant called "The Blackbird." I ordered a 35 dollar steak, which surprisingly was NOT the best steak I've had. In fact, the one I had on my last night in America with my mother and Auntie Colleen was much better :) I did try kangaroo though and it was really good. The only thing I didn't care for was that we had to eat it rare... and I mean bloody. I would've rather it been cooked more even if it was more tough.
We stayed in really nice apartments for the week, which overlooked the Sydney Harbor, Opera House, and the bridge. It was gorgeous there (see the plane in the sun from the picture above??). The next day we went to a wildlife sanctuary and saw many anaimals including wallabies, kangaroos (It's rather backwards that I have a picture of me with a cute kangaroo after just describing how great they taste....), koalas, weird birds, dingos, and more! We got to pet and hold them, it was sweeeeet. We went out in Sydney that night. It was a very expensive city, but truly beautiful as well... in some parts it felt modern, in others I felt as if I were in England and other parts of Europe and then even other parts reminded me of the houses in Italy that I saw a few years ago. There are NO homeless people here. Not that I would mind anyways if there were (they often are great to chat with and have great stories), I just find it interesting. The streets are all clean here, but there are no garbage bins... I've NEVER had such a difficult time finding a place to throw away my rubbish... but nevertheless, it still remains clean!

to surf the swell...

Surfing is a thing that one can not understand,
Unless he gets up on his board and feels the wave beneath his hand.
I've only done it once,
I must say it was fun!
You must listen to the wave,
You and it must become one.

For if you don't, I can tell you,
You'll tumble through the sandy waves,
And post surf, you will notice...
The aches and pains for days.

But if you only listen!
Quiet out your frenzied mind.
The wave will guide you all the way
Until you can no longer find...

This wave... this chariot,
For whom you put your trust in,
Has returned itself to the ocean.
But someday soon, you will realize then begin,
to ride it with devotion.

Most untamed things are misunderstood;
Just need the right ear to hear their voice.
They speak so softly, it takes time and practice,
Take on the challenge? It's your choice...

Bula!

As my achy numb body peeled itself off the cushion supporting it for the past 11 hours, I felt so relieved to be at my destination (even if only for a few days). A bunch of the Study Australia students were aboard the plane from LA to Nadi, Fiji, including my roommate, who I met just prior to boarding. I sat next to an Australian dude from Melbourne, who's now residing in Alabama for a few years. He was an engineer for airplanes and helicopters parts (which was ironic, seeing I dated and was engaged to a pilot for a fews years who trained in Alabama). I have made copious trips "down south" and although it's a beautiful place, we chatted about the people there and the "blah-ness" in that area of the country. We exchanged stories and told each other places to visit in our home countries and after chatting (when we probably should've been sleeping), we exchanged info and went our separate ways. Just got a message from him today though... Travelers should ALL have facebook. It's so convenient.
After all the study abroad students met up, we took van taxis to the water and boarded a 3 hour ferry up to Naviti Island. There's a slew of Islands north of Nadi (pronounced Nandi) and we drove by many in the boat. Almost all had no roads on them. Just trails to a local village which pretty much consisted of houses, a church, and a school.
We finally arrived at the Boataira Resort, where the locals met the ferry out in the cove and we all boarded a small boat to take us in to shore. I remember all of us laughing at this little Fijian boy who grabbed the ferry boldly, was speaking TRES quickly in Fijian to another man near the motor of the boat. The little boy seemed so on top of everything. He would spring onto the front of the boat, hold it with the rope while we boarded, then just "chilled" there while we went in.
As we drove through the most vibrant blue water one has ever seen towards the whitest, softest sand, we looked up at the main balcony of the resort and saw a dozen or so natives and realized that they were holding instruments and dancing while singing us a welcome song. Most of the songs in Fijian ALWAYS consisted of the word Bula, which was Hello/hey/hi. It was so pure sounding and joyful.
We jumped off the boat into the shallow water. I had pants on, which became wet after my bound, but it didn't matter at that point because we were all taking in the culture and people. The natives continued to sing while they walked down onto the beach to greet us with fresh juice squeezed from fruit on the island. All of the food we ate at the resort was fresh from the island gardens and farm or ocean!
We all got settled in our bungalows. There were 6 in ours: Nicole and Steph stayed in two beds pushed together, then Em and Allison, and Jeremy and me. The huts were simply thatched roofs with a small porch out front. The shower was outside but surrounded by stone. I felt as if I were in an extra large chimney while I was showering one morning because I could the the palm trees, stars, the moon, the mountain, then some clouds and finally the colors from the sun as it rose during my quiet shower.
The meals were at specific times every day and we all ate together. Never once did we eat inside, and never once did we see rain. We had access to kayaks, snorkeling gear, and many hammocks all along the beach, nestled in the palm trees away from the intense heat, whenever we wished to use them or relax in them.
Because of the time change, I would wake up around 5 every morning (which was AWESOME!) The first morning Steph (my new roomie) and I ventured to the left side of the island where there was this huge black rock we climbed up and took pictures on of the sun rise. The second morning, Jeremy came along and we tried to find a trail that would lead us up to the highest part of the island, so we could watch the sunrise, but we ended up walking through the gardens and onto a path which lead to a Fijian man's house. It was simple with nicknack's all outside strewn around and he was cutting up fruits that he had just picked from the many trees around his yard. He was a grunter (that's what I called him). We weren't sure whether he just couldn't speak English or not, but he seemed blind a bit as well (an aged man). Later we found out he was deaf and dumb and resides there to help fish for the resort etc. He was so proud of his place though. He showed us skulls from animals he had killed (small goats we thought), then even a rusty "bench press" that was homemade out of wood with a simple barbell press. It looked heavy though and he insisted he was strong with his universal gesture for strength (the flexed arm and grunt, then the point to his bench press and then he flexed his arm again ensure we understood, grunted, and laughed as he walked away to his fruit table. Jeremy thought he resembled Baloo, the character from The Jungle Book, so that was what we called him. When I pointed to my chest and said, "Bula, Megan" then pointed to his and gave a curious face he returned with a finger to his chest and rambled off some ridiculously long Fijian name; we had no idea what he said and simply, "Smiled and nodded..." haha
Mornings were great and quite. The last morning Heidi, Joe, Jeremy, and I finally made it to the nighest peak. The pictures can not describe the beauty we saw that morning. Afternoons were lazy... I read one day, then went for a "workout" swim. The water was the saltiest I've ever been in, but the coral reefs that were in the cove were absolutely flourishing with fish and color. Some say the reefs in Fiji provide better snorkeling than the great barrier reef. I'll have to get up there to compare I guess.
We would have lunch then have a few more hours before afternoon tea. Which consisted of tea or coffee and a sweet bread (carrot cake the first day, then banana, and the last day some other sweet type of bread). SO GOOD THOUGH...
Each day after tea, we would all get together with the locals and play volleyball. I didn't know how I'd like it, but it was great fun and we played everyday like that 'til we left. The little Fijian boy from the boat before was the "offical" for volleyball. His booming personality infected each and everyone of us in some shape or form. Whether it was looking up to see him in a tree picking coconuts, or playing around with a soccer ball, or telling us we needed to do a serve over again in volleyball because it was OUT. "Tharee-One... Fuur-Two... Lahst Surve!" His name was Siti (we all called him Steve at first) and he was awesome. When it came time for him to leave (he had to go to the mainland to start school) Sana, Knox, and Sela (older natives) said they couldn't find him because he was hiding under his bed crying because he had so much fun with us and didn't want to go. It was sad to say goodbye to little Siti.
The natives sang to us during lunches, tea times, and dinner every day. The harmonies, voices, and overall sound was unforgettable. The first night's meal (Fiji Night!) was rather inedible... I couldn't really put anything down unfortunately, but every other night the food was incredible. Fresh fish, chicken, lamb, pork... you name it. We had the best shrimp kebabs and chicken in tortillas the last night. mmm I miss it kind of now actually...
The best time I had there was the first night when all the villagers came over to the resort dressed in gorgeous attire and did a Fijian song and dance night for us. There were seats they arranged in the middle of a field RIGHT off the beach and the stars were so bright there. And very different from the Northern hemisphere. There are many more stars (whether because there actually are or just because it's in the middle of the Pacific ocean, I don't know). There was one light that shown on the people dancing and singing, but it shut of before and after each song. Then the people would rearrange and dance. There was a female dance, then a male dance (one man was absolutely LOVING the crowd) He was almost insane the way he danced but it was so enticing and interesting everyone ate him up! Then for the last couple songs the men grabbed two girls from the crowd for each arm and the women two guys. All of us were dancing with the natives and laughing! Wow what a good time when I actually think back on it. Then we had one dance where we all made a train and danced around the people singing. Of course we were all laughing so hard because the end of the train was being whipped and thrown everywhere how could we not?! After the song ended, the natives sang us a good night song and we all hit the sack.
The next night we all experienced Kava. It's a drink made from the Kava root being crushed up (which I tried to do, but was a horrible "crusher")... They said it was kinda like a drug drink where it made you feel kinda drunk but tingly and mellow all around. I CONCUR! It was awesome. Tasted like muddy water aka... nasty, but once you acquired a taste for it, it was great. I think I had about 15 coconut cups full... (3 cups is supposed to do the trick). All night though, we all sat in a circle on the porch on the ocean and Kiti and Sana made us Kava (they put it in a bag and then soak it in cold water... kinda like how you make tea). We just passed the cup around and told stories, listened to Chris Brown WAY too much and had a good time.
A couple of us stayed later to have a stronger batch and that for sure did me in. Especially because I finished the Kava out of the big bowl (very strong)... I remember I couldn't see a thing as I tried to stumble back to my hut. Luckily Jeremy was there to tell me to guide me. We rolled in around 1 am.
My last and favorite experience from Fiji was the walk to the village. This is my last story I sware... We walked up an EXTREMELY steep hill (the islands in Fiji have beautiful beaches then in the middle HIGH peaks and ridges along the island). We walked up and over the ridge and ended up on another beach which we walked for at least a mile on. The sun was sweltering there, but I liked it. They said the native do "the walk" sometimes four times a day. We saw fish, ducks... like lake ducks... pigs, this cute little dog who I fell in love with and children... beautiful children were everywhere. And they're so excited to see new people! They were so friendly and always wanted their pictures taken with digital cameras so they could see them right away. I took some goofy ones with these three kids and then one of the boys wanted his picture with this purple gorgeous flower, so I complied with enthusiasm. I felt like Paparazzi in the village... I couldn't stop snapping photos. On Sunday, Knox (the sweetest man I have ever met in my life) brought a bunch of us to the local church. We didn't have the correct clothing, so he let us into his house and his sister Mary (just about the sweetest woman I have ever met) let about 7 of us girls borrow her dresses. They were beautiful. The church service was indescribable. Although it was conducted in Fijian, it didn't matter. The priest's speech was effortless and it was almost as if he were reciting a beautiful poem, which I guess he was... the choir, which Knox was part of and had a solo in, was so in tune and together I could only imagine what they were singing about. I know it had something to do with Jesus though because they kept saying "Hey-zus". I actually almost started crying as I looked out the window and saw a mother holding her couple month old child and then a little boy ran out of his house to get to the church. Everything in Fiji was so peaceful and full of positive energy. It made me feel great there. We also shopped in the village one day and on the way back to the resort, I tried spear fishing! One of the locals was doing it and I really wanted to try so he let me try a few throws... I sucked but it was fun. The last afternoon Sana and Sela took a bunch of us swimming with wild Manta Rays. The group before us never saw any, so it was kind of kit or miss but not only did we see them, I actually put my hand out and held onto a huge 8 foot across one! It didn't really do much but I also only held on for about 5-10 seconds! Scary!! Then we went to, what Sana and Sela said, was one of the best snorkeling places around. It was... so amazing. I saw a reef shark and and followed it for a bit and on the way back to the island we saw a sea turtle! After we got everything together, we said our thank yous and goodbyes to the locals, they sang to us as we left and we took a ferry to the mainland in Nadi, where we stayed in a 5 star resort with a quite intricate pool design. It was gorgeous, but we had an early flight to Sydney, so we ate, looked around and hit the hay hard that night.
In my opinion... everyone should EXPERIENCE Fiji... because there's no traveling there or seeing there. It's an experience of memories made that will never be forgotten. I told the natives I will return to visit and that I will :) Someday soon hopefully...
Vinaka (Thank You) and Moce (Goodnight/Goodbye).