I can haz sleep now?

Happy Mo-Fo New Years Bitches!!!

I so tired.

But alive.

And dirty.

But, richer.

Thanks.

BTW. I'll write more. Now --- I must sleep. For hours. Several hours.

Hope you're all drunk and had an amazing New Year!!!

Avoir!

I'll be offline for about 4 days, give or take. Remember me talking about the Peats Ridge Festival North of Sydney -- yeah. That's where I'll be. Making money, but working. And working really hard.
I'm ready.

It'll be a nice change of pace, I'll come back dirty (o, so smelly), tired, but more importantly, rich. Just remind me not to spend all my money as soon as I get back. Oh, I might be a little more stupid, but the reason why won't be written on this blog. No sir. You'll have to use your imagination for that one.

I miss comments. Why is no one commenting anymore? You guys were all gung-ho at the beginning and now -- NOTHING. Com'on! Make me feel like someone's reading this, even if it's just some random stranger from Singapore. I don't care, I need FANS. ;-)

Off I go!

Happy New Year Everyone! As my uncle says:

"May everything be fine in '09!'

Let us bow our heads...

Well after a night like that, one must be saying to themselves, "it can't get any worse than that! It's all uphill from here!"

Wrong.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Just. Plain. Wrong.

I woke up about 9am, ready to take on another glorious, sunny day in Australia. I had made plans yesterday to "treat" myself to the Museum of Contemporary Art in The Rocks (near the Sydney Harbour).

After getting my ass in gear, I was on my way to Circular Quay, listening to my ipod and rocking out. My lip still hurt and it'd worsen during the night.

But I carried on and was ready to take in some Art.

I hopped off the bus, gathered my things and decided to walk through the train station. At Circular Quay there are a ton of musicians and street performers, which the train/bus/ferry station is known for. I looked up, saw the Museum and decided this would be an opportune time to capture the moment. I stopped near the railing along the Harbour Bay and began to put away my ipod, unload my camera and check my phone all at once.

DISASTROUS COMBINATION.

Take a guess -- which one was it? Oh. No worries, wasn't an important one at all.

JUST. MY. CAMERA.

It jumped right out of my hand, cracked against the concrete and *SPLASH*, right into the lovely Harbour water. You know when people say things happen in slow motion. Yup. That's the same thing that happened here. I gasped, I watched and *plop* it was gone. GONE.

If that camera was waterproof, I would've seriously jumped right in there after it -- not one 2nd thought.

I stood there for about a minute. Looked around to see if anyone else noticed (which, of course, no one did) and walked over to the museum. This is one of those moments you really just need to talk to someone. Especially with someone that you can tell repeatedly how effin' stupid you are.

Yup. I called my mom.

I sat down on the stairs of the museum and cried. Again. This is starting to become a daily ritual. Not a healthy one either.

She calmed me down and before you knew it, I was off, walking along Pitt St to find an electronics store. Sorry, but I really can't go a day without my camera....or at least a camera. Bought myself a new Sony - nothing fancy, just something decent enough to get through my time here in Australia. Which I'm starting to question how long I'll really be here. "Stick it out" says my adventurous, masochistic side. "Get the H outta here" says my brain...and my self-esteem.

And. FYI. I'm glad I didn't jump in after my camera. I walked back to take a picture of my camera's new resting place and saw a sh!tload of jellies swimming around.

That situation could've easily gone from bad to worse in .25 seconds.

I walked back to the museum because by golly -- that's what I came into the city to do damnit!! I was really glad I did too because I saw some really F'd up art. I loved it. Especially this one.

All of the artist's statues lacked heads. It was something else. Very intriguing. That's a picture of a postcard, by the way. I only was able to take 4 pictures on the camera's internal memory stick.

I also really thought this art struck home.

There were four mirrors on the wall -- each were broken in their own way and distorted your reflection differently. It spoke to me -- it helps explain my emotional state right now and all my crazy experiences I've been having since coming to OZ. Sometimes the pieces fit, make sense, other times, I feel like an incomplete puzzle.

Afterwards, I hopped a bus to go to Bondi since Melanie and I needed a few supplies for our "camping adventure" happening tomorrow. Little did I know what big ticket items we were in need of -- ugh -- and I ended up carrying around big bags of groceries. I felt like a total tool. However, I will let you know that I am an amazing bargain shopper and I win when it comes to spending very little on items that are usually more expensive.

After that extravaganza, I finally was en route to Coogee. Yay. Home away from home. Well, I hopped another bus and picked the best seat "in the house." Whoops. Wrong again. It started to downpour, which made me happy because I missed walked around in it, however, the bus decided it wanted to take leak. And it wanted to take a leak on my head. That bus, basically, pissed all over me. Some old lady was sitting next to me and kind of just looked and smiled. WTF?! Once the bus came to a stop, I told her to get her ass up so I could move. Jerk. My ass was completely soaked. Everyone just looked at me with a pitiful smile. Way to go me.

So. Let's take a few minutes and mourn the loss of one of my very good friends, Mr. Camera. He was really, really good to me, but I guess his time was up. After purchasing my new camera, I reflected on why bad stuff keeps happening to me. But, perhaps, this is a sign. A sign that I need to let go of what I know, what I remember about how things are supposed to be, and open myself up to new opportunities. New, Australian opportunities. I'm stuck in this, "well, back home..." phase and it's just not working out for me. How about, "Well...here in Australia, they do it this way and that way rocks." Oh boy. I think I have some learning to do.

Anyway. The nice folks at Sony were kind enough to find a few pictures taken with me and my camera. We grew very close over this past year so it was hard to lose one another. Here's a slide show of a few events we attended.

Mr. Camera and I betting on horses at the Randwick Races, Boxing Day, 2008.

Mr. Camera lounging on a beach chair in Anguilla, The Carribbean, January 2008.

Our favorite passtime, napping, Sunday Afternoons, circa 2008.

Meant for each other, December 2008.

In loving memory
Mr. Camera.
Devoted Camera, Devoted Friend.
Thanks for capturing all the good times.

Hard Knock Life

Tonight. Was a very very hard night.

I apologize in advance, I don't want to "alarm" anyone or make them worry about me. But I just need to be frank and honest -- and, more importantly, I need to vent.

My day today started very normal, much like my days here in Australia. Wake up with the sun, contemplate what I really want to do with my day and do it. Today was scheduled as boxing day and we (as in all the housemates) made plans to go to the Randwick Races.

But, that post will have to wait.

Right now, I need to talk about my night. Not my day, but my night.

After the races, Melanie and I came back to our place to veg. She went to the beach to get some sun -- more sun -- and I stayed back and posted my Christmas post and turned into a bum.

I've been gaining weight here and haven't been happy about that at. all. It's caused me to kind of fall back into this depression I had when I woke up one day and realized, "I'm fat."

This is something I've been battling since day one in Australia. The food here is amazing. The exercise -- waking up hill everywhere -- seems sufficient enough and it's not. I'm used to a heavy routine of exercise and cutting out a lot of breads and the good stuff in life...I've been doing the opposite here.

Picture after picture I take of myself I slump more and more into this, "why again?!" attitude. And it's, frankly, starting to kill me.

So. After being a total bum and really thinking about this over and over again, I went for a walk. Not a very strenuous walk, but a walk nonetheless.

After, I walked into our room where I found Melanie dressed up again (as we were earlier) and with a bottle of wine in hand. I laughed, because she looked absolutely ridiculous, and she told me she was off to the Coogee Bay Hotel (CBH) to meet up with the Irish lads we live with. I, of course, was invited. I decided to stay back and do 20 minutes of the 30-day Shred DVD my friend Kelli gave me. I would meet up with her later.

I finished the workout session and wanted to die. I was covered, head-to-toe, with sweat and was proud of myself for getting off my butt and exercising.

I hopped in the shower and put on a dress I would never normally wear. Ever. I found it at a shop here in Sydney for $10 and thought...maybe one day. Turns out every girl here goes to town when it comes to going out. I hate it. I like my jeans and a nice shirt. Gets the boys back home. Why does it have to been so different here?

Case in point -- I haven't really met anyone. So, I thought, why not. Put the dress on and see what happens.I hate to say this, but I thought I looked pretty damn good. Definitely not my norm, but good enough to impress someone. Anyone?

I waited in line at the CBH forever, finally got in, walked around to find Melanie surrounded by a group of guys. I literally sighed and thought in my head, 'figures.' I stood around her for a hot minute and after being ignored the entire time, I took off to get a glass of something -- anything to ease myself into the night scene.

After I came back, I found Melanie making out with some guy...classy. Not that I'm any better, but as I said before, 'figures.' I stood around for a bit, danced with some really drunk Asian and was told that the whole crew of guys are Rugby players. I looked her dead in the eye and told her to be careful. She's a bit of a magnet for trouble and these guys were no different. I know they can definitely be aggressive and even more so when alcohol is mixed in.

I got a text message from Pedro, the guy I work with at Barzura, saying he was at Bonit Road Hotel. He told me to come along and since I wasn't interested in CBH or the Rugby Players, I thought why the hell not. Plus -- it's Pedro. More face time with him!

I got a cab, although it took me 400 years to find one, and had a great conversation with the cabbie. He was very polite, told me a few things about his life and Sydney -- then we arrived at Bondi Beach Hotel. I know what you're thinking, but Pedro is at Bondit Road Hotel. Well, he told me to go there and all would be okay. So I call him up -- no answer. I get in line, show the security guy my id -- get a compliment that I'm from Florida, "ooo and so beautiful," -- and I walk inside. Call Pedro again. Text Pedro. No. Answer.

This is when I thought to myself yet again, 'figures.' I just knew this was going to happen. I spent a $20 cab ride to Bondi for what....to walk around a new bar? By myself? What was I supposed to do...sit down with a drink and look awkward? If you know me well enough, I have a hard time not looking awkward sitting by myself drinking. It's pretty pathetic actually.

So. After a long walk around the huge bar, gaming room, hotel, patio, I decided to leave. He did originally tell me he was at Bondit Road Hotel -- maybe it was different.

I walked up the strip and back again with no avail. I still hadn't heard anything from Pedro and it had been 40 minutes. I walked around, thinking I could go into a bar and make small talk, but decided my night was bunked and I might as well go back to Coogee. I hail a cab on the road and run over to his passenger side down.

As I open the door, I decide it would be really smart to slam the door into my face. Oh yes, ask me how I did it and I couldn't tell you, but I thought it'd be a great idea to basically punch myself in the face. Boy, did that freakin hurt. The cab asked me if I was okay and I was already tearing up because of the stupid night I was having. He started to go and I looked down and saw I had definitely pushed my bottom lip into my teeth and was bleeding. He turned on the light, took a look at me, pulled over and got me some tissues. Of course, the meter was still going the whole time this was happening.

The whole ride home, I kept putting pressure on my lip, trying to stop the blood while stifling the tears in my eyes. Eventually the physical pain began to subside, but the emotional pain form the night began to take over.

I told the cab to stop in front of the Palace Hotel and I'd walked the rest of the way. Yet another $20 down the drain.

Who called as soon as the cab pulled over? Pedro. I couldn't even begin to tell you the anger, frustration, hurt, etc. I felt with that phone call. My lip had stopped bleeding, but I felt like the biggest loser in Coogee. I cried the whole walk home. Pathetic, I know, but it's therapeutic I'm told.

And how's my lip? Well, there's a picture below, but I want to warn you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages, scroll down only if you dare. If you are hypersensitive to disorderly redheads living in Australia, leave now! I will not be held responsible for any emotional distress this may cause, any nightmares produced or any Baker Acts induced by the following image. Reader's beware, this may cause damage to your eyes.

What? It freakin hurts.

Thanks, Blogger. I feel better now. I needed to get that off my chest.

Anyone have any tips on how to meet people -- good people -- while I'm here in Australia. Cuz so far, everyone blows.

Christmas and Beyond

Who. the. F. Spends Christmas on the beach?

No. Seriously. Who?
Australians. That's who.

Oh, yeah. and ME.

Nah, I'd really like to hype it up and make it sound like it was AMAZING, but it wasn't. It was just chill. Relaxed. And okay.

I haven't really connected with people here. My roommate is...my roommate. We get along fine, but we're fairly different, especially when it comes to the types of people we like to hang out with.

The Irish people I live with are nice. But I have such a hard time trying to figure out what they're saying. I realized I'm focusing on translating their words rather than conversing with them. And, unfortunately, they're not that boisterous and obnoxious like I had always heard (and hoped for).

Melanie and I had planned a yummy Christmas morning breakfast complete with French Crepes and Eggs Benedict, but somehow -- our plans fell through and I ended up skyping with my friend Gary from back home. Not gonna lie. That was exactly what I needed. Thanks Gar!

After much deliberation, I decided to go down to the beach by myself and just take in the Aussie sunshine on such a holiday. However, right before I was about to leave, John, the Irish douche, came calling up the stairs that Christmas Dinner was ready.

Oh. I had kind of forgotten about that.

I ended up going downstairs, bringing a bottle of wine and comsuming a SHITLOAD of food. Everything was delicious. From marinated ham to meatballs to kebabs to tuna salad to cole slaw to couscous to steamed rice to chips to soda to wine to bread. IT WAS INSANITY.

I ate a lot.

I would've taken pictures, but, whoops, I locked myself out of my room. Claire, a nice Irish girl I live with, took a ton of pics, so I'll have to steal her camera one day.

Then, after eating too much, we all decided to put on our bathing suits. Seriously, who's brilliant idea was that?

We found a couple of crazy Canadians who had setup, not joking, a couch on the beach with the Canadian flag flying in the wind.

We brought out Christmas Tree and that just made it all the better.

Everyone was drinking wine or beer and we all just took in the sun. I, of course, was perched on a beanbag (oh, did I forgot to mention that?) underneath their umbrella. Finally, it became hot enough to go take a dip. I didn't last long, the water is freezing in the Pacific. Brrrr. But it was still nice to say I hung out at the beach on Christmas.

The guys (Blain on top, Jonas on bottom) were competing to sit on the couch.

Where'd the Mexican hat came from? I have no idea. This is Michael, a German guy I live with and work with at Barzura. Plus. He has the most amazing body. Whoa.

The night was even more chill. Melanie had rented Santa Clause (with Tim Allen) for a $1 -- so we watched that. The Irish group was playing cards that lasted F.O.R.E.V.E.R. It wasn't even a drinking game! Pssh. Who are they?

Anyway. That was my Holiday in OZ. New Years is going to be something else. Not necessarily good or bad, but definitely different. We'll see how that all plays out.

So tell me, how was your Christmas?

Midnight Mass

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Although my blog says this is posted on the 24th of December at 7pm, it's really 11am Christmas Day.

The sun is bright, the birds are...actually, not chirping for once. Sweet. Did I mention that they really do sound like children crying out? No. Seriously. I'm not the first one to think that. It just sounds like a kid screaming. It's really bizarre.

ANYWAY.

Midnight mass. Spending the holidays with the true meaning behind it. My roommate, Melanie and I decided we would attend Midnight Mass. She invited a few blokes we live with and a couple of them were all about it. We were to venture to a Catholic Church up the hill in a town close by to Coogee, called Randwick.

After cooking ourselves dinner, Melanie and I decided we'd splurge on dessert and wine as a celebration for our Christmas away from home. We went to several restaurants here in Coogee looking through all the cases. Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Mousse, Eclairs, Cannola, oh my. It was delectable.

We sat down at a cafe and waited....and waited....and waited for a server. We eventually decided to go into the Bottleshop next door and buy ourselves a whole bottle of wine rather than just a glass for the same price. Then. After much deliberation, we decided to get some carrot cake to go and chillax (haha! I used that word) at the restaurant I work at, Barzura. I knew everybody working, so we wouldn't be charged a corkage fee and could probably get hooked up? Yeah. I didn't get hooked up on food, but that's okay.

I ordered the Bread and Butter pudding with frangelico anglaise sauce and double cream.

Need I say more? It. was. orgasmic.

We had a few glasses there (okay, I did) and discussed ex-boyfriends and how crazy the world really is. Then we went back to our place to put up our wine bottles and possibly venture out somewhere else before Church. Yes. This happened all before church.

Thomas, a Slovakian I work with at Barzura (no, not my stalker), called me up asking me to meet him somewhere in Coogee to go get a drink. Sweet -- more alcohol. We went to the Coogee Bay Hotel and had a glass of wine. The conversation was rather difficult, he doesn't really understand English and, I guess, I talk a little too fast for him to understand.

Anyway, afterward, I bought another bottle because they'd be close Christmas Day and, sure enough, I'd want to drink during our Christmas celebrations!

We ended up going back to Barzura, because the guys working told me they'd be hanging around, drinking a bit before they closed up shop. Sure enough, they were all there -- even the boy I have a slight crush on. Shh. Don't tell him.

Yes. He looks gay, but I promise he's not. Mr. Pedro from Chili.

After yet another glass of wine, it was time to go up to the church to listen to Christmas carols sung by the choir and then...midnight mass.

Melanie, John (the Irish guy we can understand), Michael (a German guy I work with at Barzura) and I took a taxi up to Randwick to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
I was really excited because there was a great turn out and the Christmas songs just flowed from the church out into the streets. It was something.

We sat down and sang along with the projector. John was singing pretty loudly, so was I, but that tipped me off that he must be quite a religious guy.

This is going to sound silly, but whenever I went to church with my mom or with friends or family, I'd always scope out the crowd and see if there were any single, cute guys attending mass. Although I'm not a hardcore religious person, I want to raise a family with religious values and to find someone who has those in place, that's a big plus.

I turned to John, making a joke before mass, and told him a secret my mom and I used to do.

When I was younger, I would come up with any excuse in the world to not go to church. And my mom, being the devoted Catholic that she is, would always want to go on Sunday, regardless of being out of town, other obligations, etc. She would try to convince me to go and actually told me, several times, that whenever you visit a new church you get three wishes. Of course, that made going to mass worth it. I repeat. This was when I was younger....just a funny way of looking at things.

After I told John the story, he looks at my blankly and says, "Nah, I'm good. I don't need that."

I was taken aback by that and actually kind of hurt. I told him it didn't have to be a selfish wish, it could be for peace on Earth and he just repeated himself that they don't need that in Ireland.

Wow. He basically just took a tradition that my mom and I have and took a big ol' crap on it.

Thanks, John! Appreciate it!

I was pretty pissed. I'm not going to lie. So, after much contemplation, I decided it was in my best interest to not let the negativity from the situation ruin my midnight mass. So I moved. I just got up, didn't say a word, and stood in the back of the church.

And, don't tell anyone this, I was really moved by the mass. Mostly because I wasn't with family and it was really hard. Really. Really. Hard.

After a inspirational mass, I walked my happy-ass home to Coogee. Alone. It wasn't a bad thing and, of course, being the overly sensitive creature that I am, was what I needed to do.

And then, I met up with a boy named Tristan, who I had met a couple weekends ago because we were both stranded in Central and shared a cab ride home.

Yeah. That's right. His name is Tristan. How hot is that? Brad Pitt from Legends of the Fall anyone? His name wins.

We were sitting on the beach when all these seagulls started freaking out. I'm posting a video, but it's more for the sound than anything else. It was way crazy.

You can hear Tristan in the background with his awesome Australian accent, "Are you going to take a photo? Oh. A video?"

Then me. Making a weird laughing noise at the end. I guess...I was...flirting? If that's what the kids are calling it nowadays.

My night ended with us making out in a children's park up the road from my place. That made up for John's "lack-of-personality" remarks.

So. It's Christmas. It's gorgeous out and I'm ready to make the day out of the beautiful weather.

See ya on the beach!

Moonlight (no, not Twilight)

My adventurous day with Mr. Scotland (aka Andy).

After my walk through the cemetary...nice...I met up with my new pal, Andy. You may remember him from such films as:

"Andy does Dallas",
"Lord of the Kilts"
And if none of those are memorable enough, you must remember, "The Andy Truman Show"

Anyway. We met up in Central and had a lovely day of doing Plan B. What was Plan B, you ask, well -- we still don't know.

I met Andy back at the IEP Christmas Party a few nights ago. We talked about going out, and being the gentlelady that I am, I told him to surprise me. The poor guy had been in Sydney for 3 days and I expected him to know everything to do?! Yes. That's right.

Andy had planned an awesome day in the heart of Sydney and, of course, the plans failed miserably. Not because of poor preparation, because of rain. Yes. We all know and love the rain we've been having off and on lately. It makes no sense. Weather, stick to the plan and get on with it, seriously.

So. After stopping at Woolworth's, the local grocery store here (which I will not mention why that was the first stop, however it involved money and charities...for a specific unnamed reason), we decided to go to the IMAX theatre -- the BIGGEST in the world. IN. THE. WORLD. We bought our tickets for the 4pm showing of, "Fly me to the Moon -- 3-D" Oh yeah. 3-D. Whoo!

Since we had about an hour to kill, we found a lovely place that had happy hour from 3-6pm. People here in Australia are weird and I guess the typical 5-7 just doesn't work for them. $5 pizzas anyone? 1/2 price drinks? Yes, please.

After a few drinks and some grub, we mosied on over to the IMAX where I met a lovely American man with his two children. Did I mention he's a Florida native? Oh, and he graduated from U of F? Go Gators. And he was envious that I was BORN in Gainesville. Kinda creepy, but nice guy.

Right. 3-D. This is what you get. Don't feel jealous.

The movie was cute. It was about flies (yes, like the household fly) who snuck onto the space shuttle and were the first flies to visit the moon. Oh! And the movie kept saying how awesome America is. Hahaha, no lie. Here's a line, "After all, those flies are American flies."

After that, Andy had a Plan C. Or maybe it was originally part of Plan A. No one can be sure. But, boy, did he deliver. Where'd we go?

The Moonlight Cinemas.

How awesome? An outside theatre during the Summer. It was way freakin cool. We watched the Painted Veil -- it was okay, but the whole atmosphere of being outside, watching the big screen, now that was pimp.

Guess what's playing January 30th?

Guess who'll be there.
'Nuff said. That was my Moonlight! Can't wait for another adventure out on the town!

And btw. Merry Christmas Everyone. I'm really trying not to think about it. It hurts me to be away from my family. Love you all -- especially those who actually keep up with this. Did I just hear an echo? Hello? Helllllooo??? Anyone???

That's what I thought.

Update on my life in 3..2..1..

The roller coaster has finally come to a slight lallygag. There are still hills (holy hell are there hills) but things are really smoothing down.

Sunday I worked from 3pm - 9pm and then Monday I worked 9am - 3pm. Monday wasn't the greatest because I'm still not taking tables. I really am not quite sure why that bugs me so much, because I still get paid the same (tips and hourly). I think it just boils down to the fact that I'm just not okay with myself being a "glorified busboy" -- I basically have put my career and ambitions on hold and am living it up as a busser. Awesome.

But hey! I'm only here til February, what's the problem??!? Oh great Blogger, please help me understand that it's easier to be a busser than it is to be a waiter so what's the big deal?

In other news, I went for a much needed walk this morning. I have become the epitome of laziness here and haven't worked out -- at. all. It's no good because my pants are beginning to get pissed. Must. Exercise.

ANYWAY -- as I was on my walk along the coast of Australia (hah, just had to throw that one in there), I came across a cemetery. And I don't know about you guys, but that was freakin weird. For me to be jamming away to my techno work-out music while walking through several people's place of peace. However. I do need to add that these souls have one hell of a view. They "overlook" the cliffs that overlook the ocean. WOWzers. All I could think, besides how morbid I felt, was this would never happen in the States. That's some valuable land and could be sold for billions of dollars. Ah, America. How money-driven you are.

I'll be sure to take a leisurely stroll there again, maybe pay some respects and take a few pictures. I think sunrise would be amazing there.

AND -- the final news story...I have plans. Yes, ladies and gents, I have plans for New Years. Oh no, sorry to disappoint, I will not be viewing the Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks -- although that sounds amazing (Ah-hem, with all the 8 million people that show up for the event). Instead, I'll be working.

WORKING.

But, not the boring "I-hate-my-life" working. The "I'm-at-a-festival-with-a-bunch-of-hippies-getting-high" kind of working. I'll help run a smoothie kiosk at this festival entitled, "Peat's Ridge Festival." It's about an hour outside of Sydney and is exactly how it sounds. Tons of bands, tons of hippies, tons of food, fun and games and yes. I will be camping. I know I always say my limit is 2 days, but this is gonna be 4. However, how many Americans can say they worked an Australian festival for New Years and made almost over....well, let's just say a lot of money for just 4 days.

THAT'S IT!

I'm sure there will be more posts, but I just wanted to give everyone (all 2 people who read this blog) an update on. my. life.

Cheers!

Blue Mountains

Hey There!
This is my post all about the Blue Mountains. Turns out we really could've done a day trip here, but alas, we booked our room and stayed the night. I'm not going to lie, I really am glad we stayed the night. You'll see why later on. But here we go -- Picture Blog Time!

Here we are on the train to the Blue Mountains! Coffee in hand!

Mel on the train with...coffee in hand!

View from the train -- in motion

Village on the hill

Moutains!

Trees!

House on the Hill

Ah. We have arrived at the Blue Mountains -- Mel poses quite well.

I got silly..but not quite the picture I wanted.

Apparently in the Blue Mountains they dance naked.

Oh. Here's the real sign!This is what we travelled across to get to the "other side"

Me on the Skyway!

The glass is transparent as you cross the "canyon"

Waterfall from the skyway

More of the waterfall!

Look! People! Looking!

The sun was in my eyes, but these, ladies and gentlemen, are the Blue Mountains!

Glorious Pictures in 3...2...

Now, you may be asking -- how was the journey to all these beautiful spots?

Well let's start with stairs....And more stairs...
Oh. And more stairs....

YAY! We're here! The Three Sisters!
Closer View.
Me and the ladies!
Then we came to an awesome waterfall...

King of the Waterfall!

This is the amazing railway we got to travel down...it was effin steep.

See?

Although it looks like I'm trying to "pop-a-squat" -- I'm actually drinking this "drinking water" that comes straight from the Mountain. Totally purified.

This was a walkway...that went on forever. Really, to nowhere.

Oh here we go! This is why I was glad we stayed the night. We went walking around looking to stop to eat dinner and ended up at a pub. It was a small pub, only a few people in there, but after deciding whether or not we were going to eat there, I decided, "Damnit. I'm having a drink."
After purchasing a nice, strong beer, we sat down and I immediately engaged a conversation with 2 Australian boys. Say hello to:

HughAnd Luke

Yeah. They turned out to be pretty funny and we just exchanged stories about all of our travels -- especially ones from America. It was a lot of fun. Although, Melanie wasn't drinking (because she hates beer) and started to text....who else?

Me.

Pretty nice shot, eh? Boobs and beers. Nothing like it!

As she was texting me, the boys decided we just HAD to see the Three Sisters at night. Which. No lie. Was amazing.Looks pretty nice, huh? Yeah, my camera wasn't about to take a night shot.

They took us on an adventure down to the actual "rocks" -- it was cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Did I mention that these boys were climbers? Ah, yes. Hugh found a hat that must've blown off someone's head (that sounds wrong) and landed just out of reach.

What does Hugh think? Free hat. So he hops the railing and starts climbing his way down the side to fetch the hat. What's his reward? A free hat. I thought he was going to die.

What's my reward? Looking like an idiot.

We came back the following day with a good story and, in my book, that makes it totally worth it.

For a good time, call 555-1234 and ask for The Blue Mountains.

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I'm posting this for now b/c blogspot has really begun to PISS me off. :-)

These are totally out of order and this post will be updated B.E.F.O.R.E. you know it!

Blue Mountain Pictures