Easter Weekend

Hey Ya'll!

Sorry about not writing in awhile, been kinda behind on the whole computer thingy. I've just been having so much fun! hehe.

First things first-->
Thank you thank you thank you to Aunt Donna for the awesome easter mail! I looooooooooved the card (always so cute and creative) and the candy was DELICIOUS! Ate it all up!
Thank you to Mrs. Keating for the adorable kangaroo washcloth! Soo cute! haha. I laughed as soon as I saw it because that is SO something you would find and send to me! Love you.
Thank you to my Momma for the sheets (ahh love them) and the new memory card. It will definitely be getting used on Spring Break!
Thank you to K. Gawne (she's the best) for the awesome Easter letter! Love you girlie and thank you for always making me smile.

Now. On to what I've been up to.
Stayed in Brizzy this weekend because I leave for Spring Break in Cairns on Tuesday. I've been honestly living at my friends apartment because we all spend every second together and I LOVE it! The girls (Melissa, Kim, Theresa and I) have been running almost everyday now. Mel is training for the Disney Marathon and I'm really considering trying to run the Chicago Marathon in October. We are up to 7 miles now and still going strong. I love it. There is this really pretty path along the river that we run on. It's very relaxing and scenic so I really enjoy it.
The weather has been rather crappy lately (raining a lot) so we decided to go to a movie on Friday. We saw the new ZAC EFRON (he's from HSM for those of you who don't know and he's GORGEOUS) called 17 Again. It was pretty good, I liked HSM better though! The movie theater we saw it in though was HUGE and the seats were so comfy, they reclined and the screen was honestly from one wall to the other. When Zac came up on stage, it was like he was right next to me, I LOVED it. haha.
On Saturday, the weater still wasn't great so we decided to do a brewery tour of the XXXX factory. It's the famous beer here in Brisbane. We had SUCH a great time on this tour. Learned a lot about how to make and store beer and then got to taste all these different kinds. It was fun and just something different for us to do.
Sunday was EASTER! We wanted to do something fun today so we went to the city and just walked around for awhile. Alot of music was being played and there were shows (like Magic and Myme (sp?)) going on so we watched those. We then went to see another movie called Pink Panther 2. HILARIOUS. I would recommend seeing it to anyone. Steve Martin was awesome in it. We then came home and had a really good meal and some chocolates! Yummy! Easter in Brisbane didn't compare at all to that in the States but we made the best of it. I missed you all and thought about you all the whole day.
Oh a few new interesting facts for you all:
Alcopops--> They have these things here called alcopops which are literally served in a can and it's already a mixed alcohol beverage ready to drink. It's crazy. I haven't tried one yet but they are super popular down here. I've seen kids with them and they said they taste good, I dono. (Example--> Rum and Coke already mixed and in can ready to drink for you.)
Classes-->I don't know if I've told you this already but something different that UQ does here compared to U of I is that instead of having a 50 minute class two or three times a week like I'm used to back in the states, I just have a 2 hour class once a week. It's pretty nice because then you are done with that class for the rest of the week and don't have to worry about it. I might mention it to U of I. haha.
Driving--> I thought my mom was a crazy driver. Aussies are PSYCHOS! They drive SO fast down here it' crazy! And I'm still not quite used to them driving on the opposite side of the road! I'm still getting used to having to look right then left as I cross the street. I want to try driving just so I can say I did it. haha.
No Shoes--> Nobody wears shoes down here. Literally people walk around barefoot everywhere and I love it. I go to class somedays without shoes on. Shoes are not required anywhere. Just a fun fact that I really enjoy while being here in Australia.
Schoolies-->This event called "schoolies" is like a HUGE graduation party that lasts 3 weeks for high school graduates. After the high school grads get there "leaving certificate" what we would call a diploma, the Gold Coast (the party hangout) hosts this 3 week party for the grads. It's just like beach parties, BBQs, concerts and shows for 3 weeks. How cool is that?? Really need to recommend that to high schools in the states. haha.
Wicked Campers-->They have these cars or vans called wicked campers down here. It's like a van you travel in/live in as you backpack through the country. They are these crazy colored/artistic vans that people rent to travel in. I love seeing them and I take a picture with any I can find. They are cool and I'm contemplating buying one (haha yah right but I wish).
I'm super excited to leave for Cairns in a few days. I feel like I haven't been traveling in a while and definitely could use something different. I probably won't be on my computer for a few days so until I get back, Love you all!

Cannot wait to share all of my Spring Break experiences with you all!
Love you!!
STAY BEAUTIFUL.

-Manda