Hey everyone,
I'm headed to New Zealand in a few minutes!!! AHHH I'm so excited! But this means I won't be posting while I'm there. I hope you all have a great week! I will update when I'm back!!!
Love,
Dani
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sydney Harbour BridgeClimb
Sunday 17 April
Today it was 2 of my closest friends birthdays, so to celebrate they wanted to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and of course I was totally down to go as it was on my list of things to do while I'm here. We decided to do the night climb because it was the cheapest and we thought the city would be so pretty at night.... we were right.
We got to the BridgeClimb building about an hour before our start time and that was good because we got to calm our nerves and look at the all cool souvenirs and pictures of celebrities who climbed as well. Then we went upstairs and were shown a video of people getting ready for the climb and then started ourselves.
This part took way longer than I thought, like 45- 1 hour for all 14 of us to get ready. We started by signing off release forms and were given a breathalizer test. The legal limit is .05 here and if you're over you can't climb the bridge, all of us were fine haha. Then we went to another room where we introduced ourselves and got our jumpsuits. We went to yet another room where there were lockers for our things and changing rooms. Just so you all know you cannot take anything up on the bridge that is not firmly attached to your body. i.e. no dangly earrings, no bracelets, no bobby pins in your hair, and nothing in your pockets. We then put on the lovely grey jumpsuits provided and proceeded to another room to get harnessed up and all of the attachments in place. We were given so much stuff to attach to these suits is was unbelieveable! We had a hat, gloves, the key to your locker, a walkie with headphones so you could hear the leader, and 2 jackets. After this we did a small simulation of climbing the ladders and then we started off.
One of my friends is extremely afraid of heights so we were right up front by the instructor. I was right behind Kirsten (the one who was afraid) and so to keep her mind off her fears the rest of us decided to entertain her. This included singing, dancing, and booty popping (the 2 jackets were right on our butts) all the way up and down the bridge. I'm sure the instructor, and everyone else for that matter, thought we were insane but we had so much fun we didn't even care.
On the way up the bridge we got to see the end of the sunset over towards the mountains which was beautiful. The climb wasn't hard, to start you're on wooden beams, almost like scafolding, and that was a little intimidating for most of us, as we're not too fond of ladders, and it didn't seem like we should be walking on the wood area. But after that once we got to the arch is was super easy and the view was fantastic. We slowly made our way to the top the crossed to the other side of the bridge over the traffic, and proceeded down. The whole thing took probably 2 1/2 hours to walk. There were 1390 stairs and it was a 1.3 miles long walk, but you didn't even notice because the stairs weren't steep, and the view was to great to notice anything else.
I also learned that although the bridge looks like a perfect curve none of the steel beams putting it together are curved. The bridge is made out of 18 meter long beams that are place at slightly different angles which make the curve look perfect. It was really cool to see that up close.
I highly recommend this to anyone coming to Sydney and I plan on coming back and doing it again! It could have been really boring, but with the right people I had the Climb of my life! (Ha corney, but that's their slogan, so I thought I'd throw it in!) Also, next time I want to do the Twilight climb where you get to see day, sunset and night all in one climb! Wouldn't that be something!
Today it was 2 of my closest friends birthdays, so to celebrate they wanted to climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and of course I was totally down to go as it was on my list of things to do while I'm here. We decided to do the night climb because it was the cheapest and we thought the city would be so pretty at night.... we were right.
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| Harry Potter climbed this bridge! =D |
This part took way longer than I thought, like 45- 1 hour for all 14 of us to get ready. We started by signing off release forms and were given a breathalizer test. The legal limit is .05 here and if you're over you can't climb the bridge, all of us were fine haha. Then we went to another room where we introduced ourselves and got our jumpsuits. We went to yet another room where there were lockers for our things and changing rooms. Just so you all know you cannot take anything up on the bridge that is not firmly attached to your body. i.e. no dangly earrings, no bracelets, no bobby pins in your hair, and nothing in your pockets. We then put on the lovely grey jumpsuits provided and proceeded to another room to get harnessed up and all of the attachments in place. We were given so much stuff to attach to these suits is was unbelieveable! We had a hat, gloves, the key to your locker, a walkie with headphones so you could hear the leader, and 2 jackets. After this we did a small simulation of climbing the ladders and then we started off.
 |
| Getting ready to climb! Fabulous jumpsuits! |
One of my friends is extremely afraid of heights so we were right up front by the instructor. I was right behind Kirsten (the one who was afraid) and so to keep her mind off her fears the rest of us decided to entertain her. This included singing, dancing, and booty popping (the 2 jackets were right on our butts) all the way up and down the bridge. I'm sure the instructor, and everyone else for that matter, thought we were insane but we had so much fun we didn't even care.
 |
| Opera House! |
 |
| City! |
On the way up the bridge we got to see the end of the sunset over towards the mountains which was beautiful. The climb wasn't hard, to start you're on wooden beams, almost like scafolding, and that was a little intimidating for most of us, as we're not too fond of ladders, and it didn't seem like we should be walking on the wood area. But after that once we got to the arch is was super easy and the view was fantastic. We slowly made our way to the top the crossed to the other side of the bridge over the traffic, and proceeded down. The whole thing took probably 2 1/2 hours to walk. There were 1390 stairs and it was a 1.3 miles long walk, but you didn't even notice because the stairs weren't steep, and the view was to great to notice anything else.
I also learned that although the bridge looks like a perfect curve none of the steel beams putting it together are curved. The bridge is made out of 18 meter long beams that are place at slightly different angles which make the curve look perfect. It was really cool to see that up close.
 |
| We climbed all the way to the red light at the top. |
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| Our climb instructor Mike! |
KB's Adventures
For those of you who don't know my sorority does a white elephant gift exchange each year for Christmas. This year we all sat in a circle with a wrapped gift, then passed them around the circle for about a minute. Then whatever was in our lap after that minute, we got to open and keep!
This year I got the perfect gift and it was pure luck that it happened to land in my lap. I received a stuffed Koala backpack!!! You cannot even imagine my excitement at this lovely gift, as I was about to head off to Australia, what could be better than a large koala to carry around on my back? NOTHING! So I affectionately named him King Blue (KB for short) as that is one of our sorority colors and stuck him in my suitcase for the trip.
Now here it the fun part, I've been trying to take him along on trips and outing so I can get pictures of him. He hasn't been too many places yet, but keep checking for updates. Here is a look at our beach day in Manly!
This is my friend Jessica and KB getting ready to lay out on the beach. They both understand the importance of sunscreen in Australia.
KB loves lying out on Shelly Beach!
This is KB chilling out by Manly Beach. He loves to people watch! =D
KB and I strolling Manly Boardwalk! We both love shopping and having the beach so close!
This is KB at the beginning of the Corso which is the center of Manly. It has lots of shops and places to eat and right near the beach! We were getting ready to go get ice cream!
This year I got the perfect gift and it was pure luck that it happened to land in my lap. I received a stuffed Koala backpack!!! You cannot even imagine my excitement at this lovely gift, as I was about to head off to Australia, what could be better than a large koala to carry around on my back? NOTHING! So I affectionately named him King Blue (KB for short) as that is one of our sorority colors and stuck him in my suitcase for the trip.
Now here it the fun part, I've been trying to take him along on trips and outing so I can get pictures of him. He hasn't been too many places yet, but keep checking for updates. Here is a look at our beach day in Manly!
This is KB at the beginning of the Corso which is the center of Manly. It has lots of shops and places to eat and right near the beach! We were getting ready to go get ice cream!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
City Day
Saturday 2 April
Today my friends and I decided we needed a trip into the city seeing as my friend Kirsten and I still hadn't been to the opera house or the botanic gardens. Yep, it took me 2 MONTHS to get to the opera house.
We started our journey on the lovely Manly ferry, and I got seasick of course, and then headed straight over to the opera house. We walked around the whole thing, the part facing the water is all windows. Can you imagine the view? The "sails" of the opera house looke different up close, almost like a reflective material... kind of like what speed limit signs look like up close, but rougher. Soon we made it over the Opera house steps where we took pictures. I'm planning on attending a show before I leave, we're thinking a ballet, so that's when I'll get pictures inside!
After pictures we moved on to the Royal Botanic Gardens, which happen to be right next to the opera house. We wandered around, it was pretty much a park, but there were some gorgeous views of the harbour and some cool structures. The coolest but also slightly creepy part was all the bats! Literally hundreds of them hanging from the trees. And of course not just any trees, but the old creepy looking ones like in Snow White. Yeah, cree-py! We even saw a couple of them fighting. Also, they make the weirdest noise. I took a video and all the background noise is the bats! Check out the video bar to listen.
Today my friends and I decided we needed a trip into the city seeing as my friend Kirsten and I still hadn't been to the opera house or the botanic gardens. Yep, it took me 2 MONTHS to get to the opera house.
 |
| My first time at the Opera House! |
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| This is what the "sails" look like up close. |
After pictures we moved on to the Royal Botanic Gardens, which happen to be right next to the opera house. We wandered around, it was pretty much a park, but there were some gorgeous views of the harbour and some cool structures. The coolest but also slightly creepy part was all the bats! Literally hundreds of them hanging from the trees. And of course not just any trees, but the old creepy looking ones like in Snow White. Yeah, cree-py! We even saw a couple of them fighting. Also, they make the weirdest noise. I took a video and all the background noise is the bats! Check out the video bar to listen.
 |
| All those black balls hanging... BATS! |
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
GDR- Grand Dining Room
Thursday 31 March
ICMS is a hospitality school, this means there is a lot of hands on classes. One of these classes involves working in the Grand Dining Room for 3 weeks, to learn how to serve in a 5 star restaurant. I'm not taking this class, but as an on campus student, I get to eat here for free! They serve lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, you have to be in business attire for lunch and dressed up for dinner also it is a 2 hour affair. I went here for the second time on Thursday and it was even better than the first time.
The doors open at 6:15 and we are shown to our table. Out server takes our drink orders. As on campus students there are a few free drink options which include, fake red and white wines (they're really just juices), orange juice, and water. If we want pop, wine, or cocktails it costs money. We all ordered water and the faux red wine for the table. Our server then takes our first course and main course orders. After this the manager on duty welcomes everyone to the Grand Dining Room at ICMS (there are people from Manly and Sydney area who dine here as well).
After a little while out drinks are brought out. They do a full wine service where the person who ordered the bottle (this was me) does a taste test, and smells the cork to make sure the wine is still good, and what they wanted. Since it was juice I just did the taste test and he proceeded to fill everyone's glass.
Soon we were given our bread course, it comes with butter and is served fresh from the basket by the server. Then we received our first course. There is always an option of soup or salad. Tonight the options were a lentil and chorizo salad or a potato and roasted leek soup. I chose the salad, and it was amazing! The chorizo was so good, and I discovered I quite like lentils. Some of my friends got the soup and said it was delicious as well.
Next came the main course, steak! We were all really excited about this since the food in the cafeteria is usually borderline edible. There was an option of rump steak or chicken, however every single one of us chose the steak. It came with roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes and zucchini. We were all extremely pleased with our choice.
After this our server brought the menus back and we had the option of 2 desserts. A triple chocolate cake or a pear compote with marzipan. We all chose the chocolate cake. It was delicious, but it was exactly like the one served in the cafeteria except it had lots of chocolate sauce on the plate. It was still delicious. I even at half of my friends piece.
After this there was yet another course! The coffee course. We have the option of tea, espresso, or coffee. This time I got a cappuccino. It very good, but I had to put a few packets of sugar in it. However, I will not be getting it again, because at this time, it was already past 8 pm and I was up until 3 am because of it.
Altogether the meal was fantastic! I even have reservations to go back Monday 11 April. The menu changes every 3 weeks, so I will get to have a delicious steak again!
ICMS is a hospitality school, this means there is a lot of hands on classes. One of these classes involves working in the Grand Dining Room for 3 weeks, to learn how to serve in a 5 star restaurant. I'm not taking this class, but as an on campus student, I get to eat here for free! They serve lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, you have to be in business attire for lunch and dressed up for dinner also it is a 2 hour affair. I went here for the second time on Thursday and it was even better than the first time.
The doors open at 6:15 and we are shown to our table. Out server takes our drink orders. As on campus students there are a few free drink options which include, fake red and white wines (they're really just juices), orange juice, and water. If we want pop, wine, or cocktails it costs money. We all ordered water and the faux red wine for the table. Our server then takes our first course and main course orders. After this the manager on duty welcomes everyone to the Grand Dining Room at ICMS (there are people from Manly and Sydney area who dine here as well).
After a little while out drinks are brought out. They do a full wine service where the person who ordered the bottle (this was me) does a taste test, and smells the cork to make sure the wine is still good, and what they wanted. Since it was juice I just did the taste test and he proceeded to fill everyone's glass.
Soon we were given our bread course, it comes with butter and is served fresh from the basket by the server. Then we received our first course. There is always an option of soup or salad. Tonight the options were a lentil and chorizo salad or a potato and roasted leek soup. I chose the salad, and it was amazing! The chorizo was so good, and I discovered I quite like lentils. Some of my friends got the soup and said it was delicious as well.
Next came the main course, steak! We were all really excited about this since the food in the cafeteria is usually borderline edible. There was an option of rump steak or chicken, however every single one of us chose the steak. It came with roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes and zucchini. We were all extremely pleased with our choice.
After this our server brought the menus back and we had the option of 2 desserts. A triple chocolate cake or a pear compote with marzipan. We all chose the chocolate cake. It was delicious, but it was exactly like the one served in the cafeteria except it had lots of chocolate sauce on the plate. It was still delicious. I even at half of my friends piece.
After this there was yet another course! The coffee course. We have the option of tea, espresso, or coffee. This time I got a cappuccino. It very good, but I had to put a few packets of sugar in it. However, I will not be getting it again, because at this time, it was already past 8 pm and I was up until 3 am because of it.
Altogether the meal was fantastic! I even have reservations to go back Monday 11 April. The menu changes every 3 weeks, so I will get to have a delicious steak again!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Comments
Hey Everyone,
I hope you are starting to thaw out up there in the frozen tundra! It is finally April after all. So, the reason for this post is that my comments have not been working for a long time. If you've left a comment in the last month or so, I am sorry but I never received it. I don't know what the deal is, but it seems only people in Australia can post them...? Its weird since they are here as well, and can talk to me in person. Anyways if you know how to fix it any help would be greatly appreciated so just leave a comment.... hahah just kidding, send me an email if you have any suggestions as to how to fix this.
Thanks,
Dani
I hope you are starting to thaw out up there in the frozen tundra! It is finally April after all. So, the reason for this post is that my comments have not been working for a long time. If you've left a comment in the last month or so, I am sorry but I never received it. I don't know what the deal is, but it seems only people in Australia can post them...? Its weird since they are here as well, and can talk to me in person. Anyways if you know how to fix it any help would be greatly appreciated so just leave a comment.... hahah just kidding, send me an email if you have any suggestions as to how to fix this.
Thanks,
Dani
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