Finals? No thanks! I'd rather play in the sand!

Hello hello!
This last week has been an interesting one to say the least. I had to say good-bye/see you later to two of my roommates, my Norwegian friends on campus, the kangaroos and koalas, and tonight to another one of my friends from my study abroad group. Now, I don't leave for Minnesota until Monday morning but the good-byes just keep on rolling in. Anyone know how to make it stop?

Alright so the update for the week! Here we go!
On Monday, my friends Jacqueline, Jeff, Brenna, Emily and I went Scuba diving out at Wavebreak Island. It was about a 15 minute boat ride from Main Beach Marina. It was so much fun! However, since everything I do always comes with some sort of disaster attached to it my scuba experience was a little more interesting than most. To start off the day my friend Jacqueline and I decided that we didn't want to wear matching color flippers so we traded and each of us wore a pink one and a white one. When we got out to the Island my first pair of goggles broke, then we when we were doing the scuba exercises I wasn't in deep enough water and kept on falling everywhere (even fell into a tree, yup I'm talented), and my masked filled with water so I couldn't see. My instructor was also Korean and I could not understand anything she said so she started using sign language. Yup, that was a fail too because I'm illiterate when it comes to sign language. While she was working with the other people in my group I joined another instructor and Emily, Brenna, and Jacqueline. This instructor was Asian, but I could understand her a little better. I eventually got through the exercises and we all began with the dive. As we were crawling along the ocean bottom I began to float up. Now, you would think with all the scuba gear and a 10 lbs weight belt around your waist that you would sink to the bottom. Nope, not in my case. I was still floating. So, while we are crawling along the floor the Korean instructor was pushing me to the bottom so I would stop floating. Later on I started having problems with my ears and I was passed off to an Australian instructor and her and I cruised around the diving area until my ears started acting up again. Then once everyone else was done scuba diving we got a chance to snorkel. This was less problem filled and got to see the fish a little bit more. I got to see some of the fish that were in Finding Nemo, and a bunch of other kinds, including a shark (not a great white or anything massive like that though)!

Hermit Crab

The Marina

 On Tuesday was my Norwegian friends going away party even though they didn't leave until Saturday. I'm going to miss these ladies a lot as they have made my time in Australia more memorable, and hopefully will one day make it out to Norway to see them again!

Sigrid, Elise, Me, Susanne, Frida, and Heidi

TV1 ladies! Frida (aka Elvis), Elise, Mel, Susanne, Birgette, and Heidi

 Also on Tuesday night Ruth, Lacey and I said goodbye to our roommate Natalee.

On Wednesday night some girls from my Study Abroad group rented a puppy from a puppy pet store in Surfer's Paradise (it didn't cost anything as they don't want to leave the puppies in the store over night and they want to socialize them). They got a pugalier (a pug croassed with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He didn't have a name when they picked him up so the girls named him Burleigh. He was adorable and a great reason for  a study break!

Burleigh sleeping

He loved to snuggle

He also loved to play

This week I also finished up the last of my souvenir shopping. It feels so good to be done! However, I am a smart one and got my little brother and little sister the same t-shirt only in different colors. So, Tony and Ashley if you are reading this.... SURPRISE! You two got matching shirts! Just kidding! I got one of you a new shirt so you won't have to have matching shirts. I also picked up come Australian wine and beer for my parents (well the beer is for me too because it is DELICIOUS! Shout out to Burleigh Brewing!)

Wine and beer! Nothing better!

 On Thursday I took my sport coaching final and then came home to help Ruth and Lacey with the big clean of our apartment. Our apartment looked like it first did when we moved in in September, it was very bittersweet.

On Friday after my wine studies final I went to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary with my friend Laura to say goodbye to the Kangaroos and Koalas. I'm going to miss being able to go there and see the animals.

Sleepy Koala.

 Later that night, since it was Lacey's last night in Australia, we went out to eat at Max Brenners. Max Brenners is an extremely delicious chocolate restaurant. It was soooooo good!

My chocolate souffle!

 After Max Brenners we all went to the park by the beach and then down to the beach one last time. This was also very bittersweet. Here are some shots from the park and the beach.

Roomies!

That's all for now.
Later Gators!
<3 Melissa