Well, they kicked us out yesterday. Yesterday? No, today's Monday. They kicked us out on Saturday, at 10 am. Gone from College, gone from Uni, on to bigger and better things. As Adam said before leaving for Fiji, "We're actually doing something with our lives!" Yup, he leaves Fiji in not many more days and heads home to Kiette, his gorgeous girlfriend back in Boston, showing up a few days earlier than planned, sporting his suit, carrying flowers, and having an ultra-shaggy hairstyle. He can't wait, and neither can I.

I wake up each morning now to a five-minute walk to the beach. I'm staying in Sylvia's unit at Coogee Beach, and so far it's been perfect. Some friends from Melbourne came into town on Saturday and we made a night of it, starting in North Sydney at a not-too-crowded Commodore, took a taxi to the foot of the Harbour Bridge, wandered across it goofing off and taking pictures, and then taxied again to Coogee, where we boogeyed the night away at the Palace and sat on the beach for awhile. So good.

Today, the water was just shimmering in the morning sun, deep blue in the far reaches of the horizon creeping into torquoise by the shore. And, Coogee on a weekday is virtually empty, so as soon as I finish my errands here in the city for the day, I'll head back and nap on the beach a bit before going to Ben's for dinner.

Meeting the parents for the first time-- yikes! But it'll be so good, because the people who could produce someone like Ben must be amazing. I've heard nothing but amazing things about the McAlpine family, too.

I'm here in a place called Global Gossip, on the block in the city that is literally completely devoted to backpackers. Two bars, two hostels, several convenience stores, and an internet cafe/call center/mailing center. I've checked postal rates to ship some items home. Guess what I've found? Economy Air for 25 kg is $259.95!!! The rates START at $127.95... And SeaMail starts at $79.95. Sheesh! Looks like I'll be getting rid of a few of my little keepsake odds and ends that I wish I could ship back!

On a completely different topic, I head off to New Zealand in less than a week! Can't WAIT to go and be in the wilderness again. And I'm so excited about the itinerary. Here's what I've got:

November 26: Arrive in Christchurch, stay night at hostel with Eva, Andrew
November 27: Catch 7:45 am bus to Fairlie, meet up with Lyn Campbell, farmstay host.
November 27-December 2: Farmstay with Campbells (with Eva, Andrew); they have bikes and fishing poles for us and are looking for a third bike, and there's access to walking treks. We'll be doing farmwork and gardening work and such for them and staying in a cottage and eating meals with the family!!!
December 2: Caroline and Jordanna pick us up in the car and start 3-day adventure; Explore Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook area, stay night near Lake Wanaka
December 3: Drive to Te Anau and explore Doubtful Sound via kayak?
December 4: Kayak Milford Sound, do 1-hour part of Routeborn trek
December 5: Arrive Queenstown in AM, travel up to Glenorchy on Lake Wakatipu to begin Farmstay 2
December 5-December 10: Work as housekeep and childsitter for couple who owns and runs a lodge on the lake. Free access to bikes, kayaks, walking treks, and can catch rides with other helpers going into Queenstown on their time off.
December 11: Bus from Queenstown to Picton, all day
December 12-13: Kayak Abel Tasman park? (hopefully this works out)
December 13: Bus to Christchurch, meet up with Mrs. Moneymaker's cousin
December 13-14: BBQ and stay over at Boyers place NW of Christchurch
December 15: Back to Christchurch, meet up with Tim Osbourne, an Aussie friend
December 15-17: Explore Christchurch area and beyond with Tim
December 18: fly out early AM to Sydney!!

Now it's time to check emails and be on my way to actually DO those errands I spoke of. Miss everyone back home and I'll fill in the missing pieces of my blog eventually!

P.S. Just got an email from Paka Kurbjun about Thanksgiving. I'm happy to assure you all that I'm planning to share the love with some of my Aussie friends, and teach them the ways of Thanksgiving. Ideally, I'll invite some of them over for the evening meal and maybe I can find a turkey somewhere to cook. If not, it'll have to be ham. But I know they have stuffing and if not, I can make it the old fashioned way!! So don't you worry, I'm taking care of that holiday all by myself!! To you all, good luck feeding 28 hungry people all at once!! Love you guys!!