Another week has passed already! Only 6 more days left here in Australia... :( I'm going to write one long post about this whole week as it's already Sunday so it wouldn't make sense to write a different one for the weekend. Monday was Jess and Kate's 16th birthday, so in the morning we drove past their house to pick Kate up for school and say happy birthday to them. Jess suffered Chronic Fatigue in grade 9 and 10 so she couldn't go to school during that period, and even though she's better now she doesn't go to St Hildas anymore. At school I worked on my IB essay in the library (which by the way looks like the photo on the left) and did some other work from back home. Do and I also searched for guided tours to the Great Barrier Reef, because from what we've heard and read about it it seems to be amazing. In the end we found one so we rejoicingly proposed our plan to Bella, after which our excitement was gone again in less than a flash as she reminded us that someone would have to go with us. Right, hadn't thought about that. Since both Nay and Bella's parents had to work we had to wave goodbye to our exciting little plan. Too bad...
On Tuesday we had WSA (Whole School Assembly) again. This time, the principal showed us Youtube movies about robots and a robotized restaurant. It wasn't really clear to me what he was trying to get across but I guess I don't have the right australian humor level or something. I think I was the only one who didn't get it. I do appreciate the fact that he was trying to keep things amusing though, instead of merely talking about the usual boring stuff you expect a principal to talk about.On Wednesday the Year 12's were allowed to play music during lunch break and all the girls danced in the Reeves Courtyard. It was really funny to see how everyone was just being crazy, enjoying themselves and not caring what everyone thought about them. I can't imagine anyone at our school starting to dance when they play music during lunch breaks on Fridays haha. I think this definitely has something to do with the fact that St Hildas is an all-girls school, as it doesn't really matter if you act weird if you're just around girls. I mean, admit it, you wouldn't start dancing like a retard and singing falsly if the hottest guy of the school could be watching you...
We baked pastries in hospitality, but frankly, they were a bit disappointing. I think because the school has to provide ingredients for so many classes they usually don't buy the cheaper quality products, which is okay most of the time but sometimes it is noticeably at the expense of the taste, like this time.
I also had to go to the orthodontist because they said they had to make some adjustments to my retainer, which they eventually didn't end up doing for unknown reasons. So you could basically state that went for nothing. Back home, I went to the supermarket just down the road and bought some chocolate, bananas and strawberries, because I decided to try and make Max Brenners at home. See the photo provided to see the result of this, if I may say so myself, mouth-watering master chef performance. I also did some more school work and started watching the TV series Revenge, which I'm totally obsessed with now. At night, I sat outside again with Hans and Kaia, and we discussed my plans for the following few days: Infinity on Thursday, Vapianos with Bella, Do and Nay on Friday, kayaking and snorkelling on Saturday morning, Jess and Kate's 16th birthday dinner Saturday night and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on Sunday. Pretty busy schedule hey?
Thursday morning Bella had touch as usual, but Kaia offered to bring me to school normal time again. We had Relgion for the third time this week and I'm starting to wonder what the point of these classes are. Obviously to learn about religion, you would think, but so far we've spent all our lessons watching movies. I wouldn't mind earning money like that if I were the Religion teacher... I worked on my IB essay again and was very surprised to find out that I was the only one in my French class (consisting of 17 people) who does skiing or snowboarding! The Aussies are definitely missing out on something if you ask me...
In the afternoon Bella, Do and I took a taxi home because Hans and Kaia both had meetings at work. The traffic was so bad that it took us 40 minutes to get home! (Note that normally it only takes 10-15 minutes). Do and I ate some freshly baked muffins and did some organizing for our Sweet 16 party, which will be in 3 weeks from now. Afterwards Bella went upstairs to do homework and Do and I started walking to Infinity, which is basically a building with numerous different rooms containing all sorts of lights and special mind-meddling effects. Disappointingly, Google Maps had let us down once again, but eventually we got there. Unfortunately you weren't allowed take any pictures, so my vague description and some pictures from the Internet will have to do. There were rooms with all sorts of laser rays, mirrors, giant skippy balls, ropes, floating aircushions, a glow in the dark bridge and many more things which I cannot exactly remember. Some were pretty scary because you had no idea of depth and height, but overall it was an exciting afternoon!
Friday was National Women's Day and since St Hildas is an all-girls school, this was a pretty big thing for them. We could all go to school in our House T-shirts, sports pants and sports shoes, and I have to say it was so comfy not having to wear the hot, long uniform for a change. In Assembly, three teachers gave a speech about the women in their life they admired, and when Mr. Crowe (Head of Year 11) started talking about the admiration he had for his wife he nearly started crying, which everyone found really cute and touching. In the afternoon I did some running on the treadmill in the garage and then took a shower. Then Do came over because we were going out for dinner at Vapiano's (Nay didn't go with us because she was feeling sick). I was very surprised when I first heard they had a Vapiano's on the Gold Coast, because I thought the one in The Hague was the only one that existed. There was a pretty long queue at all the counters to order so we didn't eat our food at the same time. My bruschetta and pasta were delicious though!
On Saturday morning my alarm went off at 6:15 am because Do and I were going on a kayaking and snorkeling trip. We were picked up at a bus stop near my house at 7 am by a guy who introduced himself as Steve, and after picking up some more people we arrived at the location where we'd go into the water. We first got some instructions on how to kayak but Do and I had already done it before so it wasn't too hard for us. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't too great so we didn't get the tan we hoped for while we were out on the water. We first kayaked to Stradbroke Island and guess what... on our way over there I got stung by a jelly fish. At first I didn't see that it was a jelly fish and I saw this weird thing on my arm so I started panicking and eventually it had stung me on my legs as well. There was also some kind of ink all over them. Nasty creatures I can assure you... We'd been promised a lovely breakfast at Stradbroke Island, which turned out to be some milk poured into a mini package of Cocopops, so that was a bit disappointing (euphemism). We then made a walk along the island and had some time to relax at the beach. Do and I fell into conversation with an older lady who lived in Melbourne and had a son who'd also been on an exchange. After a while we kayaked to Wavebreak Island where we did some snorkeling. Unfortunately the water wasn't very clear, so Do and I got out after not too long. Sadly I couldn't take my phone with me in the kayak so I haven't got any photos to show you :(
In the afternoon Bella, Do and I took a taxi home because Hans and Kaia both had meetings at work. The traffic was so bad that it took us 40 minutes to get home! (Note that normally it only takes 10-15 minutes). Do and I ate some freshly baked muffins and did some organizing for our Sweet 16 party, which will be in 3 weeks from now. Afterwards Bella went upstairs to do homework and Do and I started walking to Infinity, which is basically a building with numerous different rooms containing all sorts of lights and special mind-meddling effects. Disappointingly, Google Maps had let us down once again, but eventually we got there. Unfortunately you weren't allowed take any pictures, so my vague description and some pictures from the Internet will have to do. There were rooms with all sorts of laser rays, mirrors, giant skippy balls, ropes, floating aircushions, a glow in the dark bridge and many more things which I cannot exactly remember. Some were pretty scary because you had no idea of depth and height, but overall it was an exciting afternoon!Friday was National Women's Day and since St Hildas is an all-girls school, this was a pretty big thing for them. We could all go to school in our House T-shirts, sports pants and sports shoes, and I have to say it was so comfy not having to wear the hot, long uniform for a change. In Assembly, three teachers gave a speech about the women in their life they admired, and when Mr. Crowe (Head of Year 11) started talking about the admiration he had for his wife he nearly started crying, which everyone found really cute and touching. In the afternoon I did some running on the treadmill in the garage and then took a shower. Then Do came over because we were going out for dinner at Vapiano's (Nay didn't go with us because she was feeling sick). I was very surprised when I first heard they had a Vapiano's on the Gold Coast, because I thought the one in The Hague was the only one that existed. There was a pretty long queue at all the counters to order so we didn't eat our food at the same time. My bruschetta and pasta were delicious though!
On Saturday morning my alarm went off at 6:15 am because Do and I were going on a kayaking and snorkeling trip. We were picked up at a bus stop near my house at 7 am by a guy who introduced himself as Steve, and after picking up some more people we arrived at the location where we'd go into the water. We first got some instructions on how to kayak but Do and I had already done it before so it wasn't too hard for us. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't too great so we didn't get the tan we hoped for while we were out on the water. We first kayaked to Stradbroke Island and guess what... on our way over there I got stung by a jelly fish. At first I didn't see that it was a jelly fish and I saw this weird thing on my arm so I started panicking and eventually it had stung me on my legs as well. There was also some kind of ink all over them. Nasty creatures I can assure you... We'd been promised a lovely breakfast at Stradbroke Island, which turned out to be some milk poured into a mini package of Cocopops, so that was a bit disappointing (euphemism). We then made a walk along the island and had some time to relax at the beach. Do and I fell into conversation with an older lady who lived in Melbourne and had a son who'd also been on an exchange. After a while we kayaked to Wavebreak Island where we did some snorkeling. Unfortunately the water wasn't very clear, so Do and I got out after not too long. Sadly I couldn't take my phone with me in the kayak so I haven't got any photos to show you :(
Back home we both took a shower and went to Pac Fair with Kaia and Bella to buy a present for Jess and Kate, because they gave their real birthday dinner at night. The one at Max Brenners last weekend was just with a few girls, but this time it was at a formal restaurant and they'd also invited the guys who were with us at the farm. After Pac Fair, Do and I had a little nap (remember, we got up at 6:15) and then dressed up for dinner. Bella, Do and I were the last ones to arrive at the restaurant and Do and I were sitting at the end of the table, next to Abby and Tomikah. However, they weren't too talkative and we couldn't really hear the conversation the people at the other end of the table were having so Do and I just ended up talking to each other. After dinner we went over to Jess and Kate's house for a bit and just chilled with everyone. Craig dropped Bella, Do and me home and then Do and I chatted in bed for a while.
Do and I slept in on Sunday and went out for breakfast at a little cafe just down the road. We then caught the bus to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, which took us about 45 mins. We had some vouchers for discount on our tickets so we also decided to add the "Green Challenge" for a few extra dollars. This started at 3 pm so we first spent some time in the park, just looking at some animals including our favorite Aussie friends: the kangaroos! For the Green Challange we had to change into a onesie suit over which we had to put on a harness. This harness had two clips so that you were attached to the course at all times. The entire course took us about 1,5 hours and it was a lot of fun just climbing around, it made me feel like a child again haha. We got home around 5:30 pm and then Do went back to her house. I changed to go out to dinner with Kaia, Craig and Bella. We had lots of little tapas and I really enjoyed it. I just got back from dinner and I'm realizing now that time next week I'll be back in Holland, which is such a strange thought. Better make the best I can of my last week here!
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