Finally Settled In

Hello Guys, I am so very sorry that I have not been keeping you updated. It has been a couple of crazy days! The days go buy so slow here, but I guess that is a good thing when you are surrounded by the amazing nature that God has created! Byron Bay is just absolutely amazing!!! The ocean is fantastic, the people are so laid back, and the creatures are one of a kind. Lets see here, I guess I will just try to give you the low down on how things have been going to the best of my ability, a lot has happened.
My trip went well but it was really long, I mean like REALLY long! My stomach was a bit upset about three hours into my five hour layover in Los Angeles and continued on until I got off the plane in Australia. Oh and before I forget, if any of you know Nigel Lythgoe from "So You Think You Can Dance" I sat a few seats away from him in the airport! At about the ten hour mark I was almost out of my seat and on my way to the washroom to throw up, but that didn't happen thankfully. When I got to the airport in Australia I went to pick up my suitcase and hiking backpack at the baggage claim and my hiking backpack ended up not being there :( So we are in rout of trying to find it and it sounds pretty hopeful, but not to worry because I can survive without most of it. When I finally got through customs, two of the YWAM Byron Bay staff members were there to pick us up. They had one of those cool signs that people hold when they are waiting to pick up in a limo, so that made me feel pretty special. So we made our way to Byron Bay and it was so word, I wanted to yell at the guy driving and tell him that he is on the wrong side of the road :) We made it to the base and it is not what I pictured, but it was still very nice. I am staying in a little room with two other girls, Kayla and Marissa. So we are all settled in and have our clothes all laid out in our drawers.
The first day here we had a laid back day because there were people showing up at different times. We had sandwiches and fresh veggies. Mom and Dad you would be so proud, I ate lunch meat Turkey. I decided that it might be all I have to eat so I should try to get comfortable eating it, of course I had a ton of mustard on it. :) But I have been eating so healthy, in the two days that I have been here, but it is great! We just hung out and then had tacos for dinner. My roommates and I went into our room right after dinner to just sit for a second and ended up falling asleep in our jeans at like 6:45, we were very tired.

You might have to zoom in but the koala is in the center of
the screen!

Today was amazing! I got up and had breakfast and played a game of pool and then went and read my bible for a bit. It is so relaxing here and you are literally right smack in the middle of God's country, there is nothing you can do but praise him when you look around you! But after that I went with one of the staff members to go see a koala bear that was hanging in a tree! WOW it was amazing! We came back and had pumpkin soup for lunch and it was pretty good, I also had salad without dressing so I cut up oranges and had natural juice as dressing (see I told you that I was eating healthier) We then loaded up in the van's and headed out to the town of Byron Bay and did a scavenger hunt. We then went to one of the really nice beaches, not that they are not all beautiful. I learned how to surf for the first time!! It was so much fun but it is really hard. Lets just say you have to have really good balance and that is something that I do not have. But I did stand up once and when I did I felt like a true surfer chic :) We then had a cookout at the beach and I had my first piece of kangaroo meat... Yuck!!! Imagine a piece of meat that you have to chew and chew and it never breaks down into smaller pieces and it has a really gamey taste to it. But then again I am really picky when it comes to meat :) I am trying to not be picky, this is very good for me. We then went home and played a couple of rounds of picture telephone. And that brings me to my computer and talking to all of you! Tomorrow I start orientation and at lunch time we are all going hiking to a waterfall. Then Thursday my classes start. I am so excited for classes to start and to learn and soak up all the new and amazing things about God!! I love you all and please remember this would not be possible without you! I love you all!

These are my two roomies, Marissa in Pink and Kayla
in grey!

In his name,
Autumn

This is a true Australian cow pie!