The Pains of Being Named "Cary"

I used to get slightly offended when the barista at Starbucks would write my name “Carrie” on my coffee cup – God forbid if they wrote “Kerry”! But in Australia, apparently my name is Kerry, because to them, that is what my accent is telling them…

…Thus, opening the stage up for the biggest debate of the year: is your name pronounced Cary, or Cary?

To me this is what the question sounds like… but to Australian’s there is a HUGE difference between the name Cary (spelled/pronounced “Carrie”, as in Carrie Bradshaw), and Cary (spelled/pronounced “Kerry”, as in John Kerry). To me, it sounds the same, so I am always torn when trying to answer this question.

According to the postman, my name is Kerry.  But according to my housemates, my name is Carrie. 

I’ve gotten so used to the question that I laugh and let whoever questioning decide what they would like to call me, because at the end of the day – Kerry, Carrie, Cari, Cary, carry – they all sound the same to me!

Now, don’t get me started on the apparent HUGE difference between Harry and hairy… 

1:23:14

At the end of April of this year, I decided to get my exercising act together and set a goal for myself.  The goal in mind was to run the annual City2Surf, which is by far Sydney’s favourite charity run.  The course is a quite hilly 14km (about 8.75 miles) that starts in the heart of the city in Hyde Park and wraps around coastal suburbs ending at Bondi Beach.  Let’s talk more about the course:

Hyde Park >> Up William Street and through the tunnel >> down to Rushcutters Bay >> Up towards Edgecliff into Double Bay >> Down to the marinas of Rose Bay >> Up the monstrous ‘Heartbreak Hill’ >> Slowly leveling out in the outskirts of Vaucluse into Dover Heights >> Finally reaching North Bondi seeing the finish line in the distance >> down the hill to the finish line…

I’ve never ran anything longer than a 5km before, so I was concerned that I would be no match for the annual “fun run”. In front of me were the qualifying starting groups, for those who had always anticipated running the course and didn’t think to only commit on the very last day (yes, true story).  Because I signed up last minute – literally I signed up 20 minutes before admission closed – I was in the later group, accompanied with the other fun runners.  There were many runners like me, running the entire thing at their own pace, but there were also runners dressed in full on costumes. These runners took “fun run” literally and nailed it. Accompanying me on my run was the entire Avengers cast, Lego men and women, Teletubbies, Vikings and more.

I ran the damn thing in 1 hour 23 minutes and 14 seconds. And yes I was damn proud.

Although I couldn’t commit to running the course until the very last day of the sign up, I still did it.  I did it because I wanted to prove to myself that I could, which is the best feeling EVA.

#cornball

STARTING LINE

FINISH LINE

Throw Your Hands In The Air

Many months ago (probably about the time of my last blog post…), I purchased a three-day music festival ticket that seemed like it would be ages away. Well, as you kept refreshing your page to see if I wrote another post, I had a countdown in my calendar to the weekend of July 24^th.  Splendour in the Grass is one of Australia’s most popular music festivals that occur every July. Splendour welcomes all ages, but because the lineup typically lacks a Skillex and/or a One Direction vibe, the dubstep lovers and the teenage groupies typically stay home.

This was probably one of the best festivals I have been to, not only because the setting was in beautiful Byron Bay, but also because the acts I saw were ahhhmazing… City and Colour. Sam Smith. Danny Brown. First Aid Kit. LILY ALLEN. Foster the People. Chvrches. KELIS. Interpol. Foals…. Finally, let’s not forget who I was truly there for… OUTKAST.

Let’s discuss the best moments/sightings/etc. of Splendour in the Grass 2014:

• EVERY FREAKING SONG AND MOMENT DURING OUTKAST. They were amazing and I loved every second of it.
• First Aid Kit’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “One More Cup of Coffee”
• The giant inflatable head of Lionel Richie, which we made the official meet up point for the entire weekend. I also picked his nose.
  
• Sam Smith’s cover of Arctic Monkey’s “Do I Wanna Know”
• Spending a concentrated 45 minutes attempting to make a friendship bracelet in the Arts & Crafts tent
• Grooving to the time lapse show put on by Hot Dub Time Machine
• Kelis proving that her milkshake still brings boys to the yard
• Danny Brown confessing his love for MDMA
• Hitching a ride with a crazy Byron Bay local lady dressed head to toe in glitter and hot pink
  
• Lily Allen being Lily Allen (and for this social media controversy)
• NOT camping outside
• Having an actual bed to sleep on… in an actual house with hot water

There were SOO many more fun, unforgettable moments from Splendour – too many to list! I had such an amazing time with amazing people (shout out Jetstar, Cholo & friends, Little and Ruby) and I honestly cannot wait until next year for Round 2!

Proof That it Does Get Cold

For those of you thinking I am living in a 24/7/365 paradise... 

...Winter does exist here. And it can be cold. So how do we cope? Not well. We purchase an electric blanket that only has two settings (off or stifling), we stay in bed and get fat until the winter passes over and spring/summer blooms into our paradise once again. Please October, will you hurry up?! 

Okay, stop rolling your eyes. I know, it's no "winter vortex". 

Parents Are The Best

Parents are the best. No, I’m not trying to use my blog to publically show my affections for my awesome parents in an attempt to ask for money… I am simply preaching the truth – parents are the best.

My parents came to visit me the other week, and I cannot express how great it was to see them!  They arrived early on a rainy Saturday morning, where I met them at the airport with pretty purple flowers and a big smile on my face.  Although the weather was not ideal, it was still such a happy day because the Plotts were reunited!!! (minus Katy… *sad face*)

The parents stayed in a hotel close to my flat in Bondi, so it was very easy meeting up with them in the mornings when we were in Sydney.  I took them to my favourite Sydney eateries, including Churburger (which dad is still astonished that a milkshake would cost $6… and a burger – without fries – would cost $10…), Hurricanes (yummy ribs joint), Trio (yummy brunch joint) and Icebergs, which is the restaurant/pool club that is located in South Bondi.  I was really excited to take them to Icebergs because it is a local fine-dining establishment, with amazing views of Bondi beach.  They LOVED it!

Because my parents love me so much that they traveled 10,000 miles to visit me, I obviously took off work to spend time with them.  It was a great holiday away from work and away from reality.  Fortunately I got to take the entire week off, but unfortunately that week went by too fast! We fit so much into our quick week vacation that it would be the longest post ever if I described it, so here is the sparknotes:

SATURDAY: Brunch. Rain, rain, rain and more rain. We explored Bondi – in the rain. We took the ferry over to Manly – in the rain. Dad had an episode of almost getting seasick on the ferry back to the city. Mom and I laughed at the Asians using a pole to take epic selfies.

SUNDAY: Bondi to Bronte walk. Yummy fruit salad and banana bread. More rain. The Plotts went to a symphony at the Opera House. I successfully ate my snacks during the performance while Dad was unsuccessful at opening his peanut M&Ms without getting glares from fellow audience members. The Rocks. Plotts (& Bridget) go to Icebergs for dinner; Mom and Dad are in awe as they watch the HUGE waves crashing against the rocks and the side of the Icebergs pool.

MONDAY: The parents force me to show them the Bashful offices, which really wasn’t as bad as expected. Today is also Designated Shopping Day! Dad wishes he was anywhere but Sydney, Australia going store to store with his daughter and wife.  He gets grumpier as the day goes on.  We meet a family friend for dinner at Movida, a restaurant that I have wanted to go to for a while.

TUESDAY: Leave for Whitsunday Islands early in the morning. Our flight is delayed and I am not happy as it is cutting into my planned R&R time in the sun. Finally make it to Whitsundays and we spend the afternoon relaxing and exploring Airlie Beach.

WEDNESDAY: Wake up early for our Whitsundays snorkeling adventure.  We obviously follow the crowd and purchase body suits to protect us from jellyfish. We successfully look like goobers.  Our cruise takes us to two separate snorkel locations where we see bundles of coral, big fish and tiny fish, turtles and clams.  We have a late lunch at Whiteheaven Beach, which is the most majestic beach I have ever been to.  We enjoy dinner and ice cream in Airlie Beach.

THURSDAY: Leave Whitsundays in the afternoon after a morning tan session by the pool. Get back to Sydney in time for a long walk along to coast to Clovelly Beach before heading to Hurricanes for dinner.  Dad puts his bib on because he gets a fine stack of ribs.  We all leave Hurricanes feeling full of protein and starch.

FRIDAY: Wake up early to pick up our rental car and head to Hunter Valley (aka Sydney’s closest wine country). Immediately are delayed due to Easter traffic.  We manage to get to Hunter Valley around 2:00pm, just in time to visit a few vineyards before tastings close for the day. Two tastings in and the Plotts stock up on 6 bottles of wine.  Tipsy Colleen turns into sleepy Colleen.

SATURDAY: Dad plays golf.  Mom and I go to a super cute café before going on a two-hour pony ride.  In the afternoon, we go on a vineyard tour, hitting three more vineyards and purchasing 18 more bottles of wine. I get to keep four bottles.  We leave Hunter Valley after dinner, and head to the airport hotel where we stay as a family for their final night in Australia.

SUNDAY: Walk the parents across the street and say farewell.  I jump into the taxi queue, and wave goodbye with a tear in my eye. 

Montage of fave pics from the week!

Like I said, it was a wonderful – but super short – week spent with my two favourite people in the whole world.  They are my biggest supporters of my Australian Adventure and I cannot thank them enough for being the best parents a daughter can ask for.  I love them so much and I cannot wait to see them again: if that happens to be in a few months, or even if it is in a few years… They are simply the best. 

This Is My Exercise...

133 Bondi to 188 Oxford Street, Paddington
Distance: 4.0 km
ETA: 51 min

The daily routine (and mental thoughts) while walking to work...

8:05 – 8:10 – When I am supposed to be out the door.

8:11-8:15 – When I actually make it out of the door.

8:15 – Say good morning to George, Anna or the older guy that works downstairs at the flower shop (whomever is unloading the van full of pretty flowers).

8:20 – Wipe my brow as I briskly walk up the dreaded Bondi Rd hill towards Bondi Junction.

8:22 – Pass the fresh bread bakery and contemplate getting a take-away coffee.

8:22 – Don’t get a take-away coffee. You have no money.

8:28 – Hold breathe as I walk by the $2 Asian/Sushi pop up store. The musk of cheap Asian food in the morning is not how I like to start my day.

8:30 – Must be crossing the intersection of Oxford and Newland Street. If not, pick up the pace.

8:32 – Pass by the Bondi Junction Hobo. Do not make eye contact with the Hobo because he may beg for money, or growl – or both.

8:34 – Wonder why the Australians spell “tire” with a “y” (“tyre”) as I pass Bondi Junction Auto Services.

8:40 – Must be at the Oxford Street entrance of Centennial Park. If not, pick up the pace.

8:44 – Try not to get hit by a car at the intersection of Oxford and Moncur (also wonder why Australians don’t believe that pedestrians always have right of way).

8:45 – Creep a look inside the Centennial Hotel, which has been under construction the entire time I have been walking to work from Bondi. Also, wonder what is taking the workers so long to make real progress of the renovation.

8:48 – Pass by the Birkenstock store and do an acknowledging nod to the great shoe company (note: it is a 95% chance I am also wearing Birkenstocks).

8:49 – Glance over at Max Brenners Chocolate Bar and wish I was eating a chocolate waffle.

8:51 – Chuckle as I pass a painting of a Middle Eastern version of James Franco.

8:52-8:56 – Window shop at the boutiques I can’t afford

8:57 – Vow to someday go into Velder-Jones, The Wedding Boutique, and Luomo (all custom wedding boutiques) when I am engaged and looking for a wedding dress.

8:59 – Say good morning to the coffee cart man. Maybe he will give me a free green tea or hot chocolate today... 
9:00 – Walk through the doors of Bashful. Bam.

Mythbusted

In totally random and unrelated news, here is a picture of a dog I stumbled upon that looks EXACTLY like the dude from Mythbusters... 

Mind. Blown.

BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi

A few weekends ago, Bondi celebrated its 10 year anniversary of hosting BOWL-A-RAMA, an international skateboard competition that takes place in the iconic Bondi Bowl.  Professional skaters from all over the world (mainly Aussies, Americans and Brazilians - and few Danish…) gathered in Bondi for a week of skating and festivities. And not to mention, the headliner in attendance that made BOWL-A-RAMA’s 10^th birthday a massive celebration, was the legendary Tony Hawk.

The official BOWL-A-RAMA competition took place on Saturday, but the week leading up to the event was filled with smaller promotion events, such as art shows and skate-offs. Fans were able to see Tony Hawk exclusively skate one afternoon, while Beach Burrito – a local Bondi hot spot – dubbed as an art gallery another night. The gallery night at Beach Burrito was the kick off event for the week, and the majority of the young pro skaters were there sipping on tequila and catching up with the folks they met at last years’ BOWL-A-RAMA. I met majority of them, but lacked the expertise in sk8r lingo and overall intelligence of the sport… But they were super awesome guys, and this is their personal shout out in my blog! *HEY*

Anywho, the competition part of BOWL-A-RAMA, which is the very reason all these sk8r bois were in town, was a whirlwind event.  Because BOWL is one of our clients, I volunteered to work the VIP/Family & Friends ticket booth for part of the day – the other part of the day, I got to enjoy having an AAA wristband (Access All Areas, if you were confused and instead thought I was wearing a wristband sporting the American car/towing company).  I was able to literally sit inside the bowl rails as if I was someone of distinguished importance – which according to my parents and loved ones, I am very important, but not necessarily that important to the skater community… Well, this AAA wristband also gave me access to meet the one and only Tony Hawk and fulfill my middle school poser child fantasies. [Come on people (especially the dudes), if you could meet any celeb of your childhood, Tony Hawk would be up towards the top - thanks to the Nintendo 64/Playstation video game "Tony Hawk Pro Skater"]...

BOWL-A-RAMA had three main competitions: the Masters competition, the Pros competition, and the Best Trick competition. The Masters competition included all the older skater dudes (typically 40+) who are/were professional skaters - this group contained Mr. Tony Hawk. The Pros competition included a myriad of young skater dudes, with the youngest being only 14! Any of the contestants could enter themselves in the Best Trick competition, in which an extension of the bowl was mounted to provide the skaters with a "higher trick capacity" (NOTE: this is my personal interpretation and lingo - I actually have little to no knowledge of how to provide much insight into the skater world...). 

So I bet by now you are wondering who won BOWL-A-RAMA Bondi... drum roll... The winner of the Masters competition was TONY HAWK (*shocker*). The winner of the Pros competition was Pedro Barros (AKA arguably the most consistent and best skaters in the world at the moment). And the winner of the Best Trick was Josh Borden. 

I highly HIGHLY suggest checking out the highlight reel of the entire day - just click here. It is an awesome video of an even more awesome day!

Best Salad In Sydney

Okay, okay. I know what you are thinking - "'Best Salad in Sydney'...? Wow what an interesting blog story... Does Cary even eat salads? If so, since when? And again, why does this salad deserve an entire blog post?"

I'll tell you why - because the salads from South Dowling Street Sandwiches are the best in town, and I want everyone to know about it. If there is even the slightest chance of you someday considering to visit me/Sydney, then you must know about this local lunchtime gem. The unnamed sandwich shop, that is recognized by passerbys with only an amateur sketch of a sandwich, is located just a few blocks from Bashful, anddddd I probably go and get a salad from them once or twice a week for lunch. Thus, making it a relevant establishment and worthy of a blog post. 

Lettuce. Rocket. Lentils. Beetroot. Spinach. Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini. Tomato. Green beans. Capsicum (a.k.a. green pepper). Topped with a scoop of potato salad (don't know why, but I don't ask questions) and caramelized carrots (again, I don't know what compelled them to add this, but again, I won't object). Mixed to perfection with the perfect ratio of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  

This, ladies and gentlemen, is a salad. 

BTW...

For those of you I haven't personally told (or for those of you who haven't stalked me on LinkendIn lately)... Bashful has officially hired me full-time as an Account Executive! 

Bring it on, real world.

OMG I, Like, Totally Love Summer

As I mentioned in a previous post, Bondi Beach is swarming with tourists (or as I put it earlier, shoobies) from all over the world.  In the peak of the summer holiday months, one can hear four different languages being spoken in their personal hearing radius while mindlessly lounging on the beach.  From Brazilians to Germans, to Russians and South Africans, Bondi Beach is the most diverse and touristy beach I have ever been to.  When I am in relaxation mode on the beach, I enjoy the mishmash of languages around me, most of which I can’t even make an educated guess of where they are from (although I try).

But there is one language that is so distinct, so very familiar and loud that anyone on the beach would be able to pinpoint the origin.  These tourists tend to travel in big groups, usually being lead around by one or two individuals that claim they “like so totally know where they are going” – these boisterous travelers are The Americans.

As I soak up the Australian sunrays, I can’t help but eavesdrop on the American tourists, not only because I love eavesdropping and it is undoubtedly one of my favorite beach activities, but also because it is almost impossible to drown them out.  I have overheard Americans on the beach many times this summer, but the most enlightening eavesdropping experience was when I tuned into a very large group of students obviously in Sydney for their study abroad. As they boasted about how jealous their friends back home were of them because they were enjoying summer in Australia while their homies were left fighting the bitterly cold winter, I learned a few things about this group of Americans:

• They use “guy in the black Speedo” and “chick wearing the fedora” as prominent landmarks to define their location on the beach
• The South Park insult, “You’re a towel”, is still a very amusing and crowd-pleasing comeback
• "Literally” does not actually mean “literally”. But they literally said “literally” twenty two times during one conversation
• They miss Chipotle (and REAL Mexican food) as much as I do
• They also have an obsession with Hungry Jacks – more specifically, they are huge fans of Hungry Jack’s limited time summer offer of $1 large frozen Cokes (in which, they reminded me to swing by HJ on the way home…)
• They love Kings Cross. Of course they do - it’s three blocks of filthy nightclubs and cheesy bars, and I bet $100 that majority of these ‘Mericans were under 21 years old and that they are fully embracing the 18+ drinking age
• And, they needed just one more person to commit to climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge to get the bulk discount. I was about to volunteer except 1) I’ve already climbed the Bridge with my parents last time I was in Sydney in 2012, 2) it is a very expensive activity (but totally worth doing if you can make room for it in your budget), and 3) the group would think I was super creepy for wanting to join, while at the same time I would have blown my cover and would have to admit that I was eavesdropping – which would be super awkward...

This group of Americans were loving life on the beach, and I couldn’t help but smile because they reminded me so much of myself when I first lived in Australia back in 2012.  Oh the glory days… Being able to go to the beach (or in my case, the Southbank lagoon in Brisbane) in between classes, talking about how holding a koala was a life-changing experience, and developing lifelong friendships with other adventurous students like you.  Although the group of Americans made me miss the fun times I had when I studied abroad, it also made me realize how much I have grown and how I have successfully immersed myself in the Australian culture.  Obviously I still think holding koalas and lounging with kangaroos is freaking awesome, but I have also learned that there is so much more to life in Australia than Hungry Jacks and overpriced beer. 

Sheep Toilet Cow Toilet

Welcome to Woolloomooloo

Woolloomooloo is a harbourside inner-city, eastern suburb of Sydney and probably has the best, most Australian name of all of the suburbs in the Sydney-area.  Not only is the name awesome, but whoever created the signs that welcome travelers (native and foreign) into the suburb is a creative genius.  If you must know, the name derives from Aboriginal origins, and according to Wikipedia, there are two Indigenous terms/sayings that it is argued Woolloomooloo stems from:

1) Wallamullah - meaning place of plenty 

or 

2) Wallabahmullah - meaning young black kangaroo 

Take your pick. 

I Survived Australia Day

When a person thinks of the word “patriotic”, the country that automatically comes to mind is America – we sing the national anthem at EVERY sporting event, every citizen knows the lyrics of “Proud to be an American” (or you better at least know the chorus...), and we even make our children PLEDGE their ALLEGIANCE to our flag every morning of the working week from kindergarten until they graduate high school.  America bleeds patriotism, and I love that about my country.  Without a doubt, the most patriotic day of the year is Independence Day – we dress in our country’s colors, we tattoo ourselves in American flags and bald eagles, and we drink Budweiser out of limited edition American flag cans as we get drunk on our country’s pride and awesomeness…

Well, Australia also believes in this patriotism, and they also thrive at it.  Although they may not sing their national anthem before EVERY rugby and cricket match, they do know how to celebrate their country’s heritage and independence, and they cram it all in one day. This day is simply called: Australia Day.  On the 26^th of January every year, Australians take out their flag capes and blow up their Australian sandal floatation devices and head to the nearest beach or park to have a BBQ with friends and family. Think 4^th of July celebrations, but instead of slurring the lyrics to “God Bless America”, Australians religiously listen to the national radio station, Triple J, which counts down the “Hottest 100” songs of the past year.  I have never met so many people with the same tradition – no matter if the Aussie was stuck at work, relaxing at home, or partying it up on a yacht in the middle of the Sydney Harbour… they were listening to Triple J and eagerly hoping that their “hot list” would make the national list of popular songs. 

You must know this about Triple J: there is no Katy Perry, or Brittany Spears, or Lil Wayne – these artists are all too mainstream for this radio station.  The artists that typically* play on Triple J are independent artists, although it has become more common throughout the years for an overplayed “Top 40” song to slip its way into the Hottest 100.  Beginning late December, Triple J features a countdown to Australia Day, as well as a short list of songs (around 200 songs) by artists that have proven to be popular throughout the past year.  The short list typically gives the browser (me) an idea of what songs to choose for my personal Hot List, which featured A$AP Rocky, Arctic Monkeys, Lorde, Flume, The Wombats and a few others. Although the featured short list typically holds the Top 10 songs of the year, your personal Hot List does not have to have any of the suggested songs - YOU chose who YOU think should be considered the Best Song of the Year.

The countdown started midday on Australia Day with the 100^th song and made its way down to the Top 10 around 8pm. By this time, Australians are typically drunk off of VB – [point of reference: VB is their Budweiser, so for all of you that thought Australians drink Fosters – you are very wrong] – and full from eating sausages with grilled onions and barbecue sauce.  The Top 10 is what everyone has been waiting for the entire day; all anticipating who will make the number one spot of 2013…

… everyone thought it was going to be Royals by Lorde (I ranked Team by Lorde #8 in my hot list) or Get Lucky by Daft Punk (ugh so overplayed)…

…I wanted it to be Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkeys…

…but everyone was stumped when #1 came in and it was Riptide by Vance Joy. Great song – and a great win for a song featuring the ukulele!  

If you want to see the entire Hottest 100 list - click here.

I have celebrated 22 years of American pride, but this year marked my first official Australia Day celebration - and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Australians sure know how to take pride in their wonderful country! They don't say it often (although, I bet you think otherwise), but if they do, they say it on Australia Day - so I'll end on this...

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI! 

Free Fallin' Out Into Nothing

Nevis Bungy - NZ

Some people say that they would more likely subject themselves to jump out of an airplane than strike up the nerve to bungy jump – especially from one of the highest bungy points in the world.  You may or may not know this about me, but I took that leap of faith in 2012 when I visited Queenstown, NZ and jumped 134 meters (440 feet) into a canyon.  It was one of the most intense and awesome activities I have ever done, and when I survived, I was definitely proud to have crossed bungy jumping off of my Bucket List. 

Until this past December, one thrill that I hadn’t yet mastered was skydiving, which had been on my to-do list for some time.  So, when my loving sister came to visit me for Christmas and the New Year, I suggested we jump out of a plane together! Being an adrenaline-seeker like myself, it wasn’t difficult getting Katy on board with the idea [“on board” – get it? Like boarding a plane… Yes, the horrible pun was intended].  We decided we would make the 14,000 feet jump that would land us on the beautiful beaches of Woollongong, a beach town an hour and a half south of Sydney.  Some skydiving places take off and land at airports – boorrrring – we wanted breathtaking views as gravity took control and plunged us back down to land! So when the day came, I put on my old school Charles Barkley jersey, accompanied with my hightop nikes, and I was officially ready to jump out of ANY airplane. If only Eye of the Tiger was blaring as I walked in slo-mo to the tiny airplane before takeoff... 

As someone who has now bungy jumped and skydived, I can finally attest that skydiving is 100% easier to prepare for and to execute the big jump. Granted, this is partly because there is a professional strapped to your back and the reassurance of technology provides a backup plan for the backup plan in case anything happens to your pro-dude or parachute. But it was also the fact that you are falling for a lot longer, and not essentially diving head-first solo into a canyon in The-Middle-of-Nowhere, NZ with just a rope attached to your ankles… 

ANYWAYS it was also so great to do this [potentially] life-threatening activity with my sister – we totally tag-teamed and accomplished an awesome experience together! ALSO, I don’t think there could have been a better accomplice to hysterically laugh at the finished products of our skydive videos… What a great day.

Speaking of the hilarity of our souvenirs, here are just a few photo gems from my first skydiving experience (And yes, it is near impossible not to have your mouth wide open and to not drool while free-falling out of an airplane…):

SHOOBIES INVADE BONDI

Shoobie (SHo͞o-bē)

1. (n); Any person who looks out of place while at the beach. Usually identified by the wearing of black or white tube socks with shorts and flip-flops and/or a severe sunburn.
2. (n); Tourist, particulary one who in the course of his/her activities interferes with the traditional usage of beach areas.
3. (n); Term coined by Otto and Reggie Rocket, Twister, and Sam from Nickelodeon's acclaimed animated series Rocket Power; used to describe the annoying tourists who raid the beaches of Ocean Shores during the summer months. 

Note: The character Sam (nicknamed "The Squid") is crossed off on the account that he is, in fact, a shoobie himself.