The over-achiever, anti-American lifeguard

Day on the beach

Zane surfing

Zane and I on the beach

It was a gorgeous day outside so a big group of us decided to go spend it on the beach. However, we were stopped abruptly by a skinny man with leathery skin. He told us we were not to go swimming any further out than the shoreline because of currents. We all thought, okay that makes sense we will just have a nice beach day. He then saw Zane with his surf board and asked where he was from. When Zane said east coast US, the life guard said, "Oh yeah, that explains it all, you aren't good enough to be here at all." Somewhat unnecessary... So, Zane decided not to go surfing even though plenty of other boys did and the flags indicated the waves were not too rough.

About an hour later, two American boys were swimming on the edge and got pulled out into deeper water. However, they were not struggling and started to swim across and then back to shore. When the lifeguard saw, he ran down the beach put on a pair of flippers and dove into the water (with no board or any device). By the time he got to the boys they were back in shallow water. But, he still found it necessary to march up to us (the first group of Americans he saw) and say "See there, I just had to save these boys who do not know how to swim. If I have to go out and get one of you again I will shut this whole beach down." Even though saving people is his job? I found it irritating because I certainly know how to swim, how to see rips, and was not even in the water at the time. But, we just said alright and went on with our business.

Later, the same crazy man marched up to our group with a jellyfish in his hand and said, "You see this? This is a blue bottle. Do not touch them. This whole part will sting you, and many of you try to play with them and they pop and sting your eyes." When one of our friends asked how he was not getting stung while holding the jellyfish the only reply was, "I've been on this beach for forty years."

Once he spotted another American, who he proceeded to lecture for 30 minutes, Zane took his board out to try the waves. It turned out to be great for him and he got quite a few pretty rides. The lifeguard hasn't said a word to him since...

Pictures of Wollongong

Views from the top of the mountain of my home for the next semester! The pictures cannot even do it justice, so beautiful

Getting there...

So I decided to see how all this works since I have now been sitting in the LA airport since 12:15 and it is now 4:30 LA time, anddd I'm here til 8 pm. awesome. On the way here it was humorous to watch the people change from those flying to Colorado in ski attire, preparing for 14 degree weather, to those traveling with designer sunglasses, high heels, and short dresses to LA, where it is 76 degrees and sunny. I got to fly over the snow covered rocky mts, and red canyons all looking like the grand canyon. Every other one I thought maybe I spotted it. Then to California, where I have never been, looking like a little kid with my face glued to the window to see the never-ending expanse of LA. The airport has been quite an experience... I have now seen 2 harlem globetrotters, a japanese pop singing group, and a buddhist monk... I had to claim my bags after landing, only to find out that I had to walk, lugging everything but the kitchen sink, to in the international terminal (a pretty good ways). Then there was the Algerian man traveling to Montreal who watched the Bachelor over my shoulder at the mobile charging station. I don't think he liked Vienna either. Right this second I am in the background view of a girl who is video chatting her boyfriend, I am tempted to wave. I don't have much else, but hopefully next time I post it will be from a sunny beach town in AUSTRALIA!