4.

 

I found Dori!!!! (Sorry, the pictures are crappy)

Big shark.

Happy New Year! By now, everyone reading this has joined us in the new year. How strange to think we were in 2012 for almost a full day before you all back home were. Yesterday (the 31st) was another outstanding day in Sydney. Since it was a weekend, our schedule was a little more relaxed. In the morning we went the Sydney Aquarium. Obviously, it was super interesting and we all enjoyed it very much. But, if we are being honest, it didn’t hold a candle to the Georgia Aquarium. Regardless, it was great. Especially the penguins. Ohhh and the sharks. I mean, who doesn’t love sharks? (As long as they are in a safe glass box where I can easily and securely gawk at them) After our visit to the aquarium, we wandered around for a bit, got an early lunch, stopped by the grocery store and then made our way back to Hogwarts (read: dorms ) to get ready to ring in the new year. Let me say this: Sydney knows how to do New Years Eve right. Think Times Square times a bajillion + a beautiful harbor + gigantic bridge + Sydney Opera House + the friendliest people in the world. There you’ve got a Sydney’s New Years Eve party. It was great. Insane. Packed. PACKED. We finally made a spot on the curb where we spent the next 6 hours (no, that is no typo) hanging out, watching fireworks, and meeting locals. There is something to be said for Australians being the friendliest lot you’ll ever meet. All the Aussies we have met have been kind and generous and warm. You can almost begin to tell the foreigners from the true Aussies just by the way they act towards you. Even the cops are always cheery and helpful (even to the ignorant Americans asking them where they are allowed to have open containers in the street!). I can’t think of anywhere I would have rather wrung in 2012. If last night was any indication, it is going to be an excellent year. Hope you all had an equally successful New Years Eve! War Eagle.

Hanging out on the curb waiting (and waiting..and waiting...) for the fireworks.

Harbor Bridge fireworks. Clearly, this picture doesn't do it any justice. Happy New Year!