I feel EXHAUSTED, wiped out, DEPLETED and slightly crazy. In the past 4 days I have written 4 final exams. However, I don't think it's just the past week contributing to my current state but rather the weeks leading up to these exams. There has been so much pressure, devotion and talk of these exams that I can't even do anything but still think of them. I am beyond sleep deprived and hardly surviving. I am living off caffeine and Taylor Swift songs (this is unfortunately and embarrassingly a true statistic). My body has been trained to think 5am is an acceptable time to wake up (it's NOT) and that 2am is an appropriate bed time (again, NOOOO). I'll be sure to change that REAL QUICKLY this week. I will NOT be setting a single alarm. Instead I am going to work on becoming "me" again.
Here is a list of items I am BEYOND looking forward to checking off the bucket list in the coming weeks:
- going to the grocery store and having more than 15 minutes to gather all possible food supplies for a week
- entering the shopping mall and being able to browse and look for AS LONG AS I WANT
- waking up and deciding to do WHATEVER I want to do that day
- reading a book BY CHOICE
- hitting the beach
- swimming in the ocean
- yoga more than once a week
- RUNNING every day and exploring new paths because WHO CARES if I get lost
- cooking the long list of meals I have pinned on pinterest
- ice cream dates because it is SUMMER and the weather is HOT HOT HOT
- exploring more of Brisbane (this deserves its own additional list):
Let's see how much of that list I can accomplish in two weeks!
On a side note, many of you may know by now but last week, President Barack Obama spoke at UQ. Unfortunately, it was an invite only event and my name didn't make the list. However, he had to drive past my street to get to his speech. Therefore, we were able to camp out on our deck and watch him drive past. It was pretty cool and his speech wasn't too bad either. If you're interested (and have 40 minutes) the link is posted below. A pretty cool milestone for UQ.
Here is a list of items I am BEYOND looking forward to checking off the bucket list in the coming weeks:
- going to the grocery store and having more than 15 minutes to gather all possible food supplies for a week
- entering the shopping mall and being able to browse and look for AS LONG AS I WANT
- waking up and deciding to do WHATEVER I want to do that day
- reading a book BY CHOICE
- hitting the beach
- swimming in the ocean
- yoga more than once a week
- RUNNING every day and exploring new paths because WHO CARES if I get lost
- cooking the long list of meals I have pinned on pinterest
- ice cream dates because it is SUMMER and the weather is HOT HOT HOT
- exploring more of Brisbane (this deserves its own additional list):
- kayaking the river
- stand up paddle-boarding
- kangaroo point rock climbing and repelling
- renting bikes and exploring
- walking the river boardwalk (it just re-opened from the floods)
- checking out the botanic gardens
- saturday morning brunch followed by the West End farmers market for fresh fruit and veggies
Let's see how much of that list I can accomplish in two weeks!
On a side note, many of you may know by now but last week, President Barack Obama spoke at UQ. Unfortunately, it was an invite only event and my name didn't make the list. However, he had to drive past my street to get to his speech. Therefore, we were able to camp out on our deck and watch him drive past. It was pretty cool and his speech wasn't too bad either. If you're interested (and have 40 minutes) the link is posted below. A pretty cool milestone for UQ.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ZPlDSmEj4
Unfortunately, today was filled with not only tears of joy, but also due to goodbyes! It's absolutely crazy that we will all be separated for three whole months. However, I am so happy that everyone in my class has exciting "summer" plans to rejuvenate ourselves. You can find my 28 brilliant mates spread across the world in the next few months -- Australia, Europe, India, Dubai, Fiji, Thailand, New Zealand, the Philippines, the United States and Canada. What exciting stories we will all have when we return in February.
Oh, and to UQ - thanks for the introduction to these ladies (who are officially my Australian family) and for providing me with an extreme amount of knowledge and all... BUT PEACE OUT. I won't be missing you. So until we meet again, LATER.
Oh, and to UQ - thanks for the introduction to these ladies (who are officially my Australian family) and for providing me with an extreme amount of knowledge and all... BUT PEACE OUT. I won't be missing you. So until we meet again, LATER.
So while I am am trying to bring myself back to being "me" I will also be preparing for my run while waiting for my final grades to be released. Let's hope that return ticket I purchased is necessary!!
P.S. Dear Canada, I can hardly hold myself together! I AM SO EXCITED TO COME HOME. While walking out of the exam room (FILLED WITH 600+ PEOPLE) I couldn't help but smile, because it was official, the next time I will turn an alarm on will be to make my flight home to CANADA. So Canada, the countdown is on, see you oh so soon!
P.S. Dear Canada, I can hardly hold myself together! I AM SO EXCITED TO COME HOME. While walking out of the exam room (FILLED WITH 600+ PEOPLE) I couldn't help but smile, because it was official, the next time I will turn an alarm on will be to make my flight home to CANADA. So Canada, the countdown is on, see you oh so soon!