5 weeks of University (and Living!)

After five weeks of uni, I’ve finally decided to get

my blog going again… It stopped because I has less ‘kill time’… I’ve been going flat out, pedal to the floor, non stop. And it’s the only way to go.

I have been very busy – both travelling and with uni work. But far more so with travelling, meeting new people and enjoying the culture that America has to offer.

Some of the highlights have been:

A weekend trip to Durango, Colorado with the Church family. Riding a chair lift even though there was no snow!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1tFtYFrQMc

Driving to Blue Holes, Santa Rosa with the Australians and Carly. Spending a day swimming in crystal clear water that was refreshingly cold was needed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDiVySCACro

I also drove up to the peak of the Sandia range that overlooks the city. Abby and I ate dinner up their... it was so cold - we needed sleeping bags!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYscQUHWUFE

Vegas was a super weekend. We gambled, drunk and enjoyed avicci at encore. The hotels and casinos were incredible. A weekend I won’t forget but a weekend I can’t remember.

Driving to Pacos National park and camping at Jacks Creek. Abby and I went bushing walking, saw horses riding in the trails. We visited Santa Fe and camped close to the ski basin. It was freezing cold and I really need to invest in some proper camping gear.

Driving to White sands with Lucas, Mia and Abby straight after an exam on Thursday night. Getting lost a couple of times at 3am… then being caught by the border patrol as they couldn’t find Lucas in the system. Next time we’re bringing our passports!

We finally made it to the camp site and got a few hours sleep. It was an amazing wake up… the view from the tent so incredible. We had breakfast – I used the camp stove for the first time after lugging it around Europe and usa! It was lots of fun having a camping breakfast.

We headed off to the White Sands Missile Range. We hoped to camp in the area but there was a scheduled missile testing later that night so we couldn’t. We spent half the day playing in the sun, throwing the Frisbee, and sliding on the sliding seat… it was harder than I imagined!

We headed back into town and had an awesome burger from a classical looking usa burger place… it was tasty and felt super stuffed after it… all worth the experience though. The town was rickety, trailer homes were lined up for sale around the place. It was a long town on a strip in the middle of no where. We drove back to the camp site and stayed at the same place. We enjoyed a sunset before watching Yes Man on the laptop. We slept so well that night after such a long day of driving and fun in the sun!

We packed up the next morning and drove back, the tailgating would start early today as we are playing the local rivals… imagine a derby, this is the same! I am feeling confident driving on the roads now… something I really wanted to do – be a competent driver! But LA is coming and that will be the biggest test!

We ended up being thrashed in the football game, and the after parties weren’t as good as previous weeks. I slipped into bed around 1am… I set my alarm for 4am…. It would turn out to be the most amazing morning I’ve had in a long time!

The 40^th International Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta was on and it was a mass extension – meaning everyone was flying (weather permitted). The weather was perfect, and I was given an amazing display of hot air ballooning with close to 500 balloons in different shapes, sizes and colours taking off. I got some great photos, I just wish I had a ‘proper’ camera to capture it with. I am working on the video now…