Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Tonight, it hit me...

Well, we know I'm going away
And how I wish, I wish it weren't so
So take this wine and drink with me
Let's delay our misery...

It ain't easy to say goodbye
Darling please don't start to cry
'Cause girl you know I've got to go, oh
And Lord I wish it wasn't so

Save tonight
And fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone


Tonight was a long, but much needed night for me. For the past two days I've been fighting a head cold and against my better judgment had a few drinks last night which made it even worse this morning. So I laid in bed all day drinking water, taking Emergen-C, and sleeping. Then I mustered up the energy to go to my last night of poker at the AB Hotel, because I hadn't said goodbye to Colin and Charnae and the other Glebe locals I've come to know. I had a pretty good feeling I wasn't going to do great, because I just didn't even have the energy, but I lasted until the top 15. I am now the only one of our group of regulars to not get first place at all in the poker tournaments at the AB. (I did however get first at Landsdowne and first at Ivory Lounge, so I don't feel too bad about myself) Well before I left Colin gave me a winners chip and told me to just tell the others that I won, and he asked me to come back to Sydney for his birthday on New Years Eve. I said it's a little soon and not so cheap, but I'd see.

Next stop was Friend In Hand Pub. When we first got here Babs and I went to the Fall Out Boy show. We approached some random people who had I Love NY shirts so we had someone to talk to. Well turns out they were actually Australians. Got to talking to them and they gave us some good places to go and hang out and one guy Scott invited us to go to crab racing with him at Friend in Hand. We went for a few weeks, but then got sucked into poker and never really made it back. Doug had never been and we told him you have to do it once, so I met Doug, Stacy, and Jess there after poker and caught the races which brought back a lot of great memories.

Then it was on to Sidebar. Before there was ever poker or crab racing there was Sidebar. More importantly there was Dan and Dave. About a week after we moved in to Unilodge we had a barbecue for all the new residents. The live entertainment was an acoustic duo named Dan and Dave who rocked. They played a bunch of great American covers that reminded me so much of High School proms and what not. They also played a few Aussie songs that we've come to know and love like "Wish You Well". Well after their set on the roof we all went to Sidebar "Where the World mixes". From that day on we spent about 33% of our nights in Sidebar. Specifically the nights that Dan and Dave played. Matt and Brandon got the hook up early on and were sure to share it with all of us so a good night at Sidebar rarely cost anyone more than $10. Then there were a few weeks where we travelled or went to different bars and somehow we and Sidebar grew apart. Then we had the urge. The urge to go back and hear Bob Sinclair or The Killers and we forced ourselves into going. Well one thing led to another there were comments made and beers thrown and Alex got banned for life by 'Little Randy'. But no one else did and since Alex is away...we went to Sidebar without her. (Did I mention she is slightly in love with Dave?)

Somewhere after the first three chords of Save Tonight, it hit me. This was it. This was the last night we were ever going to see Dan and Dave, this was the last night I was going to play poker with Colin, and that was the last time I was going to get squirt with a hose while watching Hermit Crabs race across a table. It was a truly bittersweet moment because here was the finale of a lot of things and some of my closest friends were missing it. On the walk back from Sidebar it was Stacy, Jess and I talked about how we had come full circle. It was the three of us that left Boston together to fly here 18 weeks ago and it was the three of us saying goodbye to all these things we loved in Sydney.

I don't ever want to feel
Like i did that day
Take me to the place i love
Take me all the way
I don't ever want to feel
Like i did that day
Take me to the place i love
Take me all the way (yeah yeah
)

The feelings I've had here in Sydney are feelings that I never want to forget. I never really want to re-live them either. It's a once in a lifetime experience and I wouldn't have changed a thing. The good times were really good and the bad time made me a stronger person (I hope). Sydney is definitely an awesome city. I don't really feel like I was able to take advantage of everything that I wanted to here. But then again 4 months isnt really all that much time to get to know a city. I've spent almost 3 years in Boston and there's a lot I haven't experienced. You get caught up in the little things, and forget sometimes to look outside of the box.

The more I feel like I'm ready to go home the scarier it is to realize that I only have three nights left. I'm reaching to hold on to everything I've experienced and remembered it all. I wish the weather was nicer so I could get a few more pictures of my favorite sites. It's been cold and rainy all week, good for them since its been a drought for decades. One city outside of Sydney recorded the most rain in June in 10 years. If it doesn't though, I have the memories. I'm pretty sure they are well engraved in my brain at this point.

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you


Dan and Dave end everyone of their sets with "With or Without You" by U2. It seems a fitting way to end one of my final blogs from Australia. To my the crew here in Sydney. You guys have been my best friends for the past 18 weeks and I can't thank you enough for that. From Sidebar to Pontoon to AB Hotel to Wedges at Landsdowne to Bob's Kebabs. From weekends in the bush on Wilson's Prom or at Star City and Crown. From Cluedo to Creeping and Cap'n to Soco we've created some awesome memories and even stronger friendships. Sometimes it's very hard to live with you all non stop;) but 100% of the time I know I could not live without you. When Sunday comes let's just remember it's not going to be "Goodbye", just a "See You Later".

OZ074L

Friday, June 22, 2007

Done

Junior year complete...one more to go...9 days til home :)

Rihanna feat Jay Z "Umbrella"
No clouds in my storms
Let it rain, I hydroplane in the bank
Coming down with the Dow Jones
When the clouds come we gone, we Rocafella
She fly higher than weather
And G5's are better, You know me,
an anticipation, for precipitation. Stacked chips for the rainy day
Jay, Rain Man is back with little Ms. Sunshine
Rihanna where you at?

[Rihanna:]
You have my heart
And we'll never be worlds apart
May be in magazines
But you'll still be my star
Baby cause in the dark
You can't see shiny cars
And that's when you need me there
With you I'll always share
Because

[Chorus:]
When there's sunshine, we'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh )

These fancy things, will never come in between
You're part of my entity, here for Infinity
When the war has took it's part
When the world has dealt it's cards
If the hand is hard, together we'll mend your heart
Because

[Chorus:]
When there's sunshine, we'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh )

You can run into my arms
It's okay don't be alarmed
Come into me
There's no distance in between our love
So go on and let the rain pour
I'll be all you need and more
Because

[Chorus:]
When there's sunshine, we'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be a friend
Took an oath I'ma stick it out till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we'll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh )

It's raining
Ooh baby it's raining
Baby come into me
Come into me
It's raining
Oh baby it's raining

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Double Deuce

There is something about birthdays that gets me all excited. I don't know what it is. I feel like for most people over the age of 5 it's just another day, but our family has always made a big deal out of it and for the past 21 years I was with my family on my birthday. It just worked out because I'm an early summer baby that I was home or could get home on my birthday. So this year was real strange to nt be with anyone. BUT Nap and Alex and I had a fun time anyways. I told them both that if I couldn't be with my family, they were the people I wanted to be with. Nap had an exam in the morning so we didn't get the day started until 4ish and then we had a few drinks before heading over to the CASINO. The weather was crappy so the attempt to do a pub crawl were scratched and we ended up staying at the casino for a few hours. Always a good time in my book. Win or lose.

From there we went to Baja Cantina a Mexican restaurant for a late dinner. I had the chicken chimichanga which was delicious. We ate ourselves silly. I spent much of the rest of the night complaining that I was 'tuft' and getting the weirdest looks from the other two. We just ended up hanging out and playing cards for the rest of the night here. There were actually cyclone warnings and people were asked not to go outside. There is a reason I like being a summer baby. Most birthdays are spent by the pool, where as here I was in jeans and a sweater. Soon enough I'll be home in the heat again.

This past year has kind of been a big blur. For the first time in a while I spent the entire year devoted to me. I moved home for the summer for the first time since I left for college, I moved to NYC for 4 months and worked for MTV, and then I came here to Australia. I've learned alot about myself and I know I am a different person than the person I was a year ago.

The past few months here in Australia have given me a chance to examine alot of things about myself. Things I recognized or things that were pointed out to me. I've already blogged about them a million times it seems, and now I'm ready to make the next step in the process of being a better me. I'm going to make a concious effort to change the things that I now know that I don't like. That's the hardest part because old habits die hard. Sometimes it feels like I take two steps forward and then one back. This next year I want to just be constantly moving forward.

It's only 10 days now until I go home. It's going to be weird to say goodbye to everyone here. I've been putting together a slide show of pictures from the trip and its hard to describe the time I've had here. It will definitely always be a part of me.

Only one final between me and the summer and being a college senior. Wish me luck
Shawn

**Safe trip to Florida Uncle Joe. Can't wait to have a beer or two with you at the wedding**

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Almost 22...

Well this weekend was an absolute bust. Nothing I wanted to happen happened, but oh well. I'm over it. I'm ready to pack up my things and head back to the states, but I have one more final to do before I fly home. It's been a long and crazy trip and I've enjoyed the majority of it. Hopefully this week will be outrageous. I love my birthday and hopefully I'll get everyone here to love it to. Then Saturday is Alex's birthday as well. Exactly two weeks from right now I'll be enjoying my last meal in Sydney...weird thought. So check out Missy Higgins "Steer". She's an Aussie girl and she's awesome. Love this song, just kind fits right now.
SEE you all soon
Shawn

STEER

Feel it falling off like clothing
Taste it rolling on your tongue
See the lights above you glowing
Oh and breathe them deep into your lungs

It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been pulling at the strings playing puppeteer for kings
And you've had enough

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer

So hold this feeling like a newborn
Of freedom surging through your veins
You have opened up a new door
So bring on the wind, fire and rain

It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been played at a game called remembering your name
And you stuffed it up

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer

'Cos you've been listening for answers
But the city screams and all your dreams go unheard

But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer
Year get out of the box and step into the clear
'Cos now you finally know you can steer

Friday, June 15, 2007

Well I played lots of rummy...

Cairns Australia the resort destination...or not. So this trip has been sub par. Crappy weather was just the beginning of it. Today Nap and I signed up to go Skydiving. Got up early the sun was shining and there was blue skies. Then we get into Cairns to meet the bus and its overcast. By the time we get an hour away to the airport there is a steady mist coming down. They decide to see if it clears up and we chill in their house for about 2 hours before they call it a wash. So we head back into Cairns and grab a bite to eat. Which was also sub par. should have just gone with our first instinct of Subway. So tomorrow I thought I'd just go back to Sydney. Read the signs and get up and leave, but Nap said he'd kick my ass if I came all the way up here and didn't go to the reef. So after checking with the place that does the tour I knew I could do the tour and make it back for my 630 flight. Book the flight. Go to book the reef trip and they are like, you have a flight, you can't scuba then bc you can't scuba and fly within 24 hours of each other. So now I can go to the reef, but I can't scuba, only snorkel. Haven't decided if it'll will be worth it or not. If not I have another day to kill in this hell hole that is Cairns.

Anyways...that's been my weekend to a T. Oh and Nap kicked my ass in Rummy every time.

Can't wait to be home
Shawn

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

What happens when you don't make plans...

There is a reason you should plan things out and not just wake up one saturday morning and decide to fly to the other side of a foreign country. Weather is warm, but not sunny. I didn't get a chance to go on a reef trip today for a couple reasons, and not so sure if the weather is going to hold up for Skydiving tomorrow. Maybe this is a sign that I'm done with Australia and its about time to head back to the states. Maybe this will turn out like Melbourne and things will all work out. At least I'm not renting a car and can't get tons of random speeding tickets this trip.

Oh well...Birthday in 5 days then home in 17.

Shawn

Friday, June 8, 2007

World, Hold On

AHHHHHH...
It's going way to fast. I just woke up to realize that it is now June 9th and we have three weeks left here in Australia and I don't want it to end yet. There are two papers and a final between me and Senior Year of college and that is one of the scariest thoughts. A few weeks ago I was wishing my life away and I just wanted to be done with school and graduate, but I've changed my mind. I'm done with schoolWORK, but I could stay in school for another couple years. Or at least stay here in Australia with the crew. It's going to be weird to go back to everything after having been here for so long. They warned us about culture shock, getting to a different country and having to adjust to the things they do differently than us. They also warned us about reverse culture shock, which I thought was kind of pointless, but now I see it. I have to go back. I have to jump back into everything that I have left and put on the back burner for the past four months and expect to just fit right back in. It's going to be weird, strange, bizarre, and probably challenging. That's why I just want to stay here and just do my thing here, but I get to see everyone again which will be awesome.

This past week or so has been nice. Classes ended without much fanfare. We bought Monopoly and played that for a few days before we got sick of it. I enjoy Monopoly, but it's just one of those games that you can get bored with easily. We then got Clue though (Cluedo here) and that has been entertaining to say the least. I have been woken up at 8:45 on multiple occasions to a knock on my door, "Colonel and Scarlet want to play Clue and no one else is awake." We then proceed to play for hours on end. This is no ordinary Clue either. The scenarios we create may as well be rewrites of the scripts for the movie. There are all kinds of relationships between characters and exactly how Mr Green kills Mr Body with the rope is discussed in great detail every time.

Matt's parents are in got in to town at the beginning of the week. I went to lunch with them on Tuesday. I had a pumpkin, sundried tomato burger type thing that was suprisingly delicious. They love pumpkin over here, pumpkin sandwiches, soups, and desserts. Matt and his parents left yesterday to travel a bit up the east coast. I just book my flight to head up to Cairns on Wednesday after I finish my final. Everyone went on Spring Break and I felt left out so I'm going now. It's a lot warmer up there and I'm going to go scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef. I felt it was one of those Australia experiences I needed to do. Matt and his parents will be up there the same time as me so hopefully I'll be able to meet up with him for a couple days and maybe do something crazy...(MOM STOP READING)...like go skydiving. We'll just have to wait and see.

Today's Jason's birthday. Happy Birthday Jas we'll go out for drinks when I get back. My birthday is 10 days away and I can't wait. Jess and Barbara will be in New Zealand (I'm still mad about that girls), but the rest of us are going to go to lunch in the Sydney tower I think, (think Seattle Space Needle) then do a pub crawl from downtown back home hitting our favorite pubs of the trip and maybe find a few new ones.

Well I have to get started on my paper and studying so I don't have to bring work to Cairns. Love and miss you all. 21 Days

SHAWN

Friday, June 1, 2007

The Final Countdown

So here it is June 2. It is unbelievable how quickly the past four months have flown by. Everyone tells you high school flies by, college flies by, and you don’t believe then they do. You’re so caught up in everything that is going on, you don’t see as time slips away. As most of you can tell it’s been an amazing four months so far. I don’t want it to end yet, I want to just pick up everything I have here and transplant it back home and keep going like nothing changed. Except things do change and the people change and the location changes everything. There is something about being on the other side of the world where you kind of put all your worries behind you and you leave a lot of your inhibitions at the door. Things you would never think about doing back home with people you know seem like obvious choices. I’ve made some great choices while I was here and I’m happy about that.

Last night we just hung out in my room. All of us here, just hanging out enjoying a few drinks and playing games. For once I felt like home. I felt genuinely comfortable and if I didn’t know any better I could have been chilling in Gram and Pa’s garage on a nice summer night (which I’m very much looking forward to). I guess that’s what made it a bittersweet night. I realized just how fast things are going to go this next month. Matt’s parents get here on Monday for two weeks. A week from today Barbara and Jess are going to New Zealand for 10 days. Alex and I are trying to plan something while everyone is gone. Maybe just another road trip or something. Then we are all trying to do something after my birthday when everyone is done with finals. We originally had talked about going to Thailand, but it’s the middle of their monsoon season and flights right now are over $1200. Fiji is a little more reasonable around $700 for the flight, but now we are talking about just driving up the Eastern Coast of Australia for a week and stop at beaches and parks along the way. I think this would be the most fun and hopefully will spend the next day or two crunching numbers and working out all the details so we can get something planned.

Can’t wait to see everyone really soon.
Shawn

PS Liz if you are reading this get better soon, miss you.