Bahamas here I come!

Well, it's finally over. Fall semester of third year has wrapped up after a hectic exam break (4 exams in a week....lovely) but I made it through with only slight flu symptoms (which have now caught up to me and I'm battling a full blown flu!) It's off to the Bahamas for me for a week with the fam jam, and then home to prepare myself for Oz!!

But, of course, I wanted to leave a quick update post since I wasn't going to have access to internet for a while. My Oz accommodation is still up in the air - I did apply to an off-campus residence college but I have yet to hear back from them about the status of my application. I also have taken the liberty of looking into a) off-campus rental apartments, where I would rent a place with 2 other international students for 6 months or b) the listings on the UQ website for current UQ students who need someone to rent a room for a couple months. In any case, I'm dealing with the fact that I am not going to be living on campus, and I will have to probably be in charge of my own meals, groceries, internet etc etc if the residence college fails to come through again.

However, all else has seemed to work out, from courses to visas to flights..... I can't really complain. And I know it will be the trip of a lifetime, so I absolutely can't wait!!

With that, I'm off until after I get home from swimming with the rays. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year - thanks for reading!

xoxo Danielle

Danielle = homeless.

Well, last entry was all about whether or not I had screwed myself over with the whole accommodation on campus scenario. Guess what? I DID.

I heard back from International House (finally!) and quelle suprise - I was rejected. Naturally, I contact the other two choices on my list, Union College and Women's College and BOTH ARE COMPLETELY FULL.

So basically, I am not going to be living on campus, unless the other colleges that I madly contacted in a panic get back to me with availabilities. I highly doubt this, but fingers crossed.

As a backup plan, I quickly got together another couple reference letters, an application package and sent it off to Raymont Lodge - an off campus residential college. I should hear back from them in January, and if that doesn't work out, then I will have to look into renting an apartment in Brisbane, making the commute to and from campus and cooking my own meals. Not really what I was looking for, but what can one do?

On the bright side, I have my Visa, and it's all been approved so that's good to go. It was so quick and painless....I wish the accommodation aspect was the same!!!

Exams are coming up, and we got our first dump of snow here, which really makes me look forward to Christmas. I'm going to run and hit those books (since my exam schedule makes me want to cry!) but I will give another update if I hear back from anything.

Thanks for reading!
xoxo Danielle

Am I screwed??

So. Quick update before bed since I am battling more than one infection right now and sleep seems to evade me. Still, I know that I should be in bed and if my nodding head is any indication, perhaps tonight will be a little less restless!

I REGISTERED FOR MY COURSES!!!! Long story short, I basically LIED and put down that my permanent residence in Australia was the International House. I figured, since I haven't heard from them, and I can always update my address once the accommodation side of things is figured out, why not bypass the system and get onto the good stuff? So that's what I did. Sneaky, sneaky, yes indeed.

And my courses are (drum roll please)......

1. Anatomy 1020: Systemic Anatomy for Exchange Students
2. French 3114: Advanced French Language
3. Biology 2-something: Terrestrial Environments
AND
4. Australian Pop Culture. I know, weird final choice but I had to choose another "cultural" course to fulfill study abroad exchange requirements for my certificate, so I thought this was the best option. Better than Australian forestry and predicting clear cutting or something along those lines....

2nd Update: I have successfully applied for my student Visa. It's all done online, and now I have to wait 15 business days before it's approved, but at least it's another check mark off my to-do list! Oh, that and I'm now $540 freaking dollars poorer. Who knew application fees for a Visa were so damn expensive?

3rd and possibly screwy update: I contacted my second choice for residency down under, just in case I don't get into IH (and just making sure I had all the additional requirements completed) and guess what I found out today? THEY ARE COMPLETELY FULL. Meaning, if I don't get into IH, it's down to my third choice, or I AM HOMELESS. Consensus: I am quite possibly screwed. I am literally crossing all appendages in hopes that IH takes me as a resident!!!

On a closing note - I can't believe it's now December, it will be a new decade in less than a month and that means that I am also less than 2 months from leaving Canada for this Australian Adventure!! I AM EXCITED!!

Until more news comes my way,

Danielle ;)