Loving the Sydney Life

So as the universe would have it, in the month following my last post I had about 20 conversations about my hair. I think it was a product of switching from my afro to a much “smaller” natural. A bunch of people have wanted to touch it and it’s been increasingly relevant. So while I don’t have entire markets in a stupor, I’ve certainly gotten some looks, questions, and curiosity.

The last few weeks have been very exciting. I finished the semester, taking my last exam on the 8th and I am officially halfway through my Masters program!!! The second semester doesn’t start until the last week of January, so I am chillin/working/applying to PhD programs/partying for the next 2 months. I also have very exciting plans to go up to the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, Melbourne, and explore more of Sydney. To help facilitate some of that exploration, I now have a bunch of Aussie friends!! Thanks to classes, connections, and mutual friends I’ve been spending more and more time with real live Australians. And I gotta tell you, they’re great. I’ve met some really awesome people here and as much as I’m enjoying myself, I just know it’s gonna make leaving that much harder. But I’ve been soaking up and giving way to Aussie culture and have even decided to have a very Australian birthday celebration! We’re going to do a pub crawl in the part of the city known as the Rocks (it’s “Old Sydney”, you know where all the convicts used to hang out). Now anyone who knows me (which is presumably everyone reading this blog) knows that I’m not a big drinker, but if there is anything Aussies do on their birthdays (and most other occasions for that matter), it’s drink. So I figure, when in Rome, right?

Speaking of Aussie culture, every year the city holds a sculpture exhibition on the coast, literally overlooking the water. Last week some friends and I checked it out. It was a gorgeous day and pictures are below.

Now, having updated you on the goings-on of my Sydney-an (Sydney-ite? Sydney-esque?) life, I just want to take a moment to say how happy I am. Something about this whole experience has been wildly uplifting, encouraging, and empowering. I am invigorated by the possibilities of life and all that is to come. I started writing my bucket list yesterday and have committed to writing down 5 things I’m thankful for every day. Even as much as I miss my family and friends; it just serves as a reminder of how much I love them. I know it all sounds amazingly corny, but that’s where I am and I can only hope I stay there. Seriously, life is good.

And now, beautiful pictures of Sydney