Leaving on a Jetplane...Don't Know When I'll be back again...??

Gallery: I love Boston!

meowfromkate — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 15:48:00 GMT

Boston

Gallery: Sights of New York City

meowfromkate — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 14:55:00 GMT

NYC landmarks

Gallery: Notre Dame, South Bend

meowfromkate — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:06:00 GMT

Debauchery in the Bend

South Bend Slobbishness

meowfromkate — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 19:09:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

Well, you know it's been a while since you've updated your web page when you get an email from your mother stating such! Thanks mum for the memo... where would I be without you, love you!! lol ;-)

So I just spent two weeks in South Bend, Indiana visiting the Notre Dame campus and everyone who spent a semester or two with me at Port Lodge. The town of South Bend is, hmmm how do I put this...very interesting to say the least. It is not one of the most aesthetically pleasing towns I have ever seen but it does have a few good bars including some real SSSHHHHHITTTTY bars too (exhibit a, Club 23!!!).

Obviously this is how I spent most of my time in and around South Bend, drinking by night, recovering by day! To paint an elaborate picture, I arrived on a Sunday evening and headed straight to a bar called Finni's. One of the few bars in the Bend with a dance floor, which I quickly made use of after my 2nd jug (or pitcher as they say in america) of Bud Light. The second evening being a Monday involved my participation in an international keg race! This involves a team of 18 participants from different study abroad semesters all over the world. The aim is to drink a keg of beer in the fastest time(p.s. this is the most disgusting tasting beer I have ever tasted -exhibit b, Natty light). The third night involved a trip to the Mishawalka Brew Co. Much better beer here which made me feel much more at home (Aussie beer is definately missed by my taste buds thats for sure!!). Fourth night, Oyster Bar! The best bar South Bend has to offer, with three levels and a great cosy feel. Fifth night we hit the FEVERRRRR! This is a multi leveled club..the only club SB has to offer, and lucky for us it is pretty decent. Has a Harbourside feel almost. Not as many rooms but bigger more open dance floor which is always good for groovin the night away. Sixth night involved a party at Kim and Katies house whom I was staying with for the frist week. We had a keg on & one of the 7 other flatmates brothers came and played his guitar and sung all night long. Finally by the 7th night my head felt like a dropped pie & I was pretty much dead. Took the night off only to repeat the same bar scene the following week.

So that was my life in the Bend...drinking and recovering, drinking and recovering. It was really nice to catch up with everyone as this has been a long time in the planning to visit Notre Dame and all my friends there. Oh and the best thing was that I saw SNOW FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!! It was so cold in South Bend it was ridiculous!! I am talking negative 7 degrees celcius most nights. BRRRRRRRRRR! Not quite the warm sunny evening freo is offering this time of year! Oh I miss the days of lazing on South Beach working on my tan.

Well take care everyone and think of me freezing in this cold, cold weather. At least I am back on the east coast where it isn't quite snowing conditions, but almost. We had flurries here tonight in Connecticut where I am staying at my friend Cullens beach house. Yeah it sucks to look out over the deck every morning to the beach wishing it was warm enough to play in the waves....BOOOOOOOO!!

Until next time,

All my love,

Kate. xox

P.S. I promise I'll try not to leave it so long next time mum! :-)

Gallery: New York, New York

meowfromkate — Thu, 4 Jan 2007 13:03:00 GMT

The Village, Downtown

Flight from Hell!!

meowfromkate — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 02:20:00 GMT

Well you'll be pleased to know I arrived in New York safe...sound however is another story!! Half way through my flight to LA from Sydney I was struck down with a stomache bug and spent the rest of flight (still a good 6 hours) in the toilet projectile vomiting!! That was bad enough but then arrived in LA only to be met with a two hour long wait in customs. I had a connecting flight to New York at 8am and I was still in the line at 8.30am..luckily so was half the plane so they held up the flight for us...once on the plane the captain came over the speaker to inform his passengers that there would be a further delay because the baggage conveyor that puts the bags in the plane had just broken causing half the luggage to fall off onto the ground!!! Hence when I got to JFK airport my backpack did not make it!! A further hour and a half wait at JFK in between being sent from one end of JFK airport to the other (this airport has it's own train system it's that big!!) to try and locate my luggage, I finally was reunited with my long lost and yet essential item of my trip....WHAT THE HELL IS BACKPACKING WITHOUT A BACKPACK??

Well it's new years eve tomorrow I gotta go to bed and get some sleep in...catch you next year!!

Love Kate xox

Hello Sydney!!

meowfromkate — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 16:15:00 GMT

Well I arrived in Sydney boxing day morning and caught the ferry across to Manly...this was beautiful although didn't waste time spreading out on the seats and catching a few winks..the red eye flight was exhausting and those economy seats aren't made for sleeping that's for sure!!

Well it's been awsome catching up with family here..Nan is looking as good as ever...91+ and she hasn't lost a beat. Still as spritely as ever..chuckling all the time, drinking beer and still has a good witty sense of humour! Lucky for me because the first night I got here I had a few champas red wines with everyone after spending the day at Shelly beach (came back a bit crispy by the way)and ended up falling asleep on the couch with the glass of red wine still in my hand which ended all over Nan's white pants and the red leather sofa...oopsy!! hahaha We had a laugh over it in the end about me being the cousin from hell!! Oh god I am such a clutz!!

Later that night Meaghan and Nathan took me to a pub... started out with more champaign, beer and then ended with Jaeger bombs!! I have a vague memory of attempting to dance on the dance floor...there was more stumbling movements trying to stand up right and stop myself from falling on my face more than any brilliant dance moves!! Anyway the night ended with Meaghan and Nathan finding me sitting outside on the bitumen, phone in one hand, head in the drain throwing my guts up having a bit of a cry...drinking a dialing...sorry Bren, I just really miss you!! :-(

Well did a spot of shopping yesterday, first stop Harvey Norman where Nathan and Meags bought a new couch...this was an experience with the sales assistant from hell!! Nah she was ok she just wouldn't shut up..talking 100 miles an hour..swearing alot..telling us a few too many details about her sexual relations with her bf (yeah, not kidding) and how the "chinky chonks" who own the cafe in the store, suck balls and we shouldn't buy their coffee! It was an interesting afternoon that's for sure...I think she was still coming down from something from the night before...her pupils were a little too big if you know what I mean!

Anyway today I went into Manly and bought some shoes for the trip, organised my travel insurance (finally), started repacking my backpack..it's choca's already and I haven't even left the country. haha.

Anyway leave for New York tomorrow (Friday 29th)...so I will post another update after arriving.

Ciao, Ciao!

Love Kate xox