November is here already!

Sydney in the morning. This is probably one of my favorite times in the city because sunrises are amazing to watch and the walk to work is not overcrowded. People are just waking up and shops are busy opening for business. It is quiet and peaceful and you actually have some time to hear you thoughts as you walk past so many landmarks in the city.

Something that you will only see early in the morning (it was about 6:30am) are seagulls on their way to work, but first they must stop to get some grub for the road...

Although my internship keeps me very busy, I do have the weekends free to escape to the mountains or the beach. Most recently I have been visiting Coogee beach, the famous Bondi beach, and Manly beach. Coogee beach is a great place to relax or read a book as well as take a swim in the light blue water! When I was at Bondi beach there were jellyfish spotted in the water from some Irish tourists that were next to me on the beach. That didn't stop us from taking a swim in the water and playing in the waves off the shore! The water here is cold at first but once you are all the way in it feels amazing on a hot day. One thing that I learned, the ozone is very thin over Australia and sunscreen is a MUST! I will never go without again...

(Reading on Coogee Beach)

(Coogee Beach)

Here in Australia sports are a big deal. Especially Rugby. Last month the Rugby World Cup was played in New Zealand. Each game leading up to the finals was a big deal and people get off work early to make their way to the local pub to watch the game. My friends and I went the watch the RWC at Darling Harbor where hundreds of others gathered to cheer on New Zealand as they played versus France. 

After New Zealand won, there was a firework show from the water. Even though Australia lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals, the Aussies still cheer on their rivals (New Zealand) against other countries. Most recently was the Melbourne Cup (yesterday). Not only is it a no-work holiday in Victoria, here in New South Wales schools and businesses take off one hour to go to a pub and watch the race!!! Unheard of! I stayed at work and watched it from there but we did a "just for fun" who would you bet to win the race and I flip flopped between a few but said Dunaden would win because he was predicted third, had a good name, and his jockey switched at the last minute so his odds went down even more! ... He won. I should have put money on him (the betting place was only downstairs from my workplace). Gahhhhh! Oh well, I shall stay poor and not support gambling. 

For Halloween my friends and I went on a cruise boat and I got to see the Opera house at night. It is very beautiful at night, more so than the daytime, that is my personal opinion. 

One of my Italian friends showed us how to make gnocchi and that was a fun experience! The food was yummy and I was very full afterwards! I have been having a lot of fun and will soon be doing a snorkel/dive in the ocean with a DPV (diver propulsion vehicle) on the 13th of November. Hopefully you all are enjoying the holidays in the states! Till next time! :)