Church and the Beach... Australian days are cool.

Oh my goodness!... today was the best day ever.  I can’t get over how awesome it was.  Holli and I kept saying, “can we just talk about how this was the best day ever?”… and then we wouldJ.  It started at 7am again (harder this morning… I must be getting acclimated).  I woke up to many happy birthday messages on facebook which is so strange as my birthday was over, but I enjoyed that people remembered me and were still celebrating for me in the statesJ.  It was fun (thanks everyone!).   It actually made me really homesick for the first time, though.  I didn’t expect to feel that way.  I met Holli at 8am and we rode the train downtown and then caught the shuttle to the Hillsong Church.  IT WAS INCREDIBLE.  We met a girl at the bus stop named Johanna from Sweden… she was just traveling around… because.  It was awesome!  We got to church and everyone was SO friendly!!!  I couldn’t believe it.  It was like the typical Australian on steroids.  I loved it – so many smiles, happiness, sunshine in one place.  It was great.  We waited in the foyer for a little while and talked to some people that went there and then went and got seats.  It was like being at a concert.  It was SO different from church at home, but really great.  When people worshipped they were practically dancing and just so alive.  It was incredible to watch.  Holli poked me at one point and pointed to her arm… she had goosebumpsJ.  The pastor was incredible too and the message was so relevant and one of my favorite that I’ve ever heard at a church service EVER.  I know I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.  It was such a cool experience.  Also, it was super funny – the accents and different expression are still fun.  After this incredible service, we took the bus back to the train station and made our way to Bondi Beach (pronounced Bond-eye).  I didn’t knowJ.  This is the cutest beach town and actually reminded me of where Mary Kate and Ashley live in Billboard DadJ.  It is really precious.  Lots of beach bums, lots of open air cafes, an awesome beach market at the local public school.  It was great!  We got lunch and sat down on the beach and ate.  It was wasn’t warm or sunny out, but the sand was warm and so was the water.  It was great!  We walked through the market and then I got a coffee.  I noticed this first in Canada, but it’s true here as well – the sizes for their coffees are smaller.  They have 8oz and 12oz, but nothing much bigger.  8oz is actually perfect – who knew?! J.  We then went and walked through some neighborhoods to look at the super cute houses and found this “coastal walk” path that looped around the side of the cliff and was BEAUTIFUL.  It was surreal.  We just stumbled upon it, but it was perfect.  Only downside – spiders.  Granted, they were on their webs, but I’m not exaggerating when I say I saw the biggest spider today of my entire life.  Even Holli, who had just said, “yeah, bugs don’t really freak me out” said, “okay, that’s gross.”  It WAS gross.  I’m kind of bummed that I didn’t get a picture, but I didn’t want it living in my camera.  After this, we took the bus back to the train station.  We passed a bunch of small shops on Bondi Road, one of which was a tanning salon!  SO unnecessary if you ask me.  We took the train back to campus and for part of it sat across from the Australian Dursleys.  I’m not kidding.  Right as we got off the train I said to Holli, “they are the Dursleys” and she said, “oh my gosh!  I was just going to say that!!”  It was pretty hilarious.  There were pink leg warmers, overweight children, fanny packs, gameboys, doting parents and ultimate spoiling involved.  It was crazy.  When we got back, I went to dinner in the dining hall… it was move-in day for all the new students so everyone was eager to introduce themselves.  I ket having to explain that I’m only here for a week and that I’m not going to school here.  They seemed confused – whatever.  The food was normal – steamed vegetables, fish, a pear, YUMJ.  The pears here are SO good.  Holli came over after dinner and instead of going out, we played rummy on my floor for a couple hours.  It was the best… we debriefed the day and talked about the semester we are about to have.  It was the perfect end to a GREAT day.  Very chill, fun, happyJ.  All is all, it has been an incredible day!!  I was feeling homesick this morning, and physically sick (possible fever/cold), but after church and Bondi beach, I feel so much more at peace with Australia and SO excited for more adventures.  Today was exactly what I needed.  I’m so excited to be here and can’t wait for the next four months!!