Now these are finals!

I have 5 finals due by next weekend... I have been working on all of them...

The hard thing is they are all essays... and if I add up the necessary word count on all of them I have to do 12,000 words but next sunday... I want to die!  

It would be easier if I was writing an article or a press release... but no I have a 4,000 word paper on whether Marxist theory has a future or not.... im not a political science major... so it takes me a little bit more time to research and understand everything... needless to say im tired... I have had 5 cups of tea today, and I have been constantly studying with a few study breaks in between!  

AHHHHHHH!!!!  

I just cant wait for it to be over!

Elections in Australia!

So today was amazing for me.  I was at work, and I brought up Cnn.com to constantly update the results... and my co workers all got on the bandwagon, and we even had a map where we would put M's and O's on the states won by Obama or Mccain!  It was a ton of fun, and the thrill of watching Obamas numbers go up throughout my shift was alot of fun!  

The best part was when we found out Obama won.  Eduardo the Chilean man I work with picked me up and everyone was so excited!  

The thing that stood out to me today was that the Australians, Chileans, and Brits who were around me at work were all really concerned about the American elections.  Its because what happens in America really does effect the rest of the world!  It was amazing how excited everyone got.  Australia is a big supporter of OBAMA.  

Im excited to come home to a new regime in the American political system!  Change is upon us, and I hope Democrats and Republicans can agree that change is needed.  The country is in a serious economic crisis, and the war needs to be reevaluated.  Im looking forward to see what Obama will do with the government. I am hopeful.  The Amazing number victory that Obama won by is proof enough that America was and is Ready for Change!

On another fun note, I was interveiwed by the Newcastle Herald the big paper for the area!  They even came out to the International House to take pictures of me and the other Americans on campus!  It was alot of fun, and I will probably be in the paper tomorrow!  Maybe even front page!  

Farewell at International House!

So this last Friday was our big Farewell dinner at the International House!  Everyone got all dressed up and we went to the Panthers club in town and had an amazing night of great food, recognition, and dancing!!!  

Below is a picture of  Bernd (Germany), Anna (Austria), me and Steffen (Germany)!  They are 3 of my housemates.  The other 2 didnt go :( 

Here is a picture of my hair!  I did it all by myself and was very proud!  I was going for a fun 60's look with the bright color and the big hair!  I ratted and teased my hair till I had a huge afro then I formed it all into place.  Then I added the green head wrap and lots of hair spray and bobby pins... Success!  I got alot of accomplishments!  I was very proud!!!

My friend Tom dressed up in an awesome teal suit so I figured we matched!  

I had lots of fun dancing that night!  Here is me with Ellen and Laura!

Over all it was a really fun night, and I had a blast getting ready in my very colorful ensemble!  

Upcoming I have about 11,500 words worth of essays due for finals!  Wish me luck and send me any good writing/ concentration tips!  

Graffiti!

So part of the International Houses tradition is that before finals each semester we all get white t shirts, or a white dress in my case, and we go to a club called Fannys, and write on each other, kind of like writing in a year book!  IT was alot of fun.  Next week is Farewell, where we have a special dinner, and everyone dresses up in formal outfits!  It should be a very good night!

Returning Home

Family and friends after much deliberation , many Pro Con lists, and talks with my closest friends and family I have decided I need to come home.  The decision is multidimensional in that it was made for many different reasons.  

If I stayed It would cost me oer $17,000 which would be a large amount of debt for me to pay back in the future and I decided that that amount was just too much on top of the $5,000 I will have to pay back for this semester!  

I also was not going to be able to take my capstone class while abroad because that class is only reserved for full degree students.  This means I would have to push back my graduation which I am not prepared to do!  

The last main reason is that although this was an amazing experience I need to come home.  I need to be close to my parents now that my brother and sister are half a world away it seems!  I will be able to get connected with my church and grow that way as well!  

I do not at all regret my decision, and I dont think I will.  I have loved my time here, and it definitely made a giant impact, but life often leads you on different paths, and now my path has me returning home. I have no doubt that I will return, because I have made some great friendships here, and it will be very hard to leave those people!!  I will get to graduate with my friends, and one of my close friends who I have grown up with through college is the campus president and will actually be speaking at graduation!  

OK so here is where you all can come into play!  JACOBSON FAMILY:  if you are selling a car, or know of anyone selling a car or truck... I am looking.  Kevin took the stick to Memphis, and I will need a car for when I graduate anyway!  I dont have a large budget, but I am looking for something reliable with good gas mileage. 

I can drive stick shift, and actually prefer it, but an automatic wouldent be bad either.  Im not picky!  

My return date looks to be around January 15th.  Plus or minus a few days.  That will give me over a month with Melissa is PNG, and will get me home with enough time to get settled in before school starts!  

The weather is BiPolar!

So this weekend was beautiful!!!  We all would swim and then study by the pool!  We had some fun, and even went to the beach and played some frisbee!  

However today and the last 2 days have been rainy and have gotten exceedingly cold!  

I have been very busy working on Uni work, and a huge assesment that is on Karl Marx and Foucault and is way over my head.... 

Family and Friends look forward to another blog coming soon with important news! 

The finicky weather of Newcastle

Yesterday: Gorgeous blue skys, warm, swimming weather

Today: Cloud riddled sky, rain, slight chill to the air.

Tomorrow: who knows.

The weather is finicky here and cant make up its mind... 

On a happier note... the rain today was warm, so I didnt mind walking home from class in it!  In fact I took my time!  But the sun is also nice!