A Platywhat?

Sunday, March 3

So it's been a few days since I updated, but nothing too exciting has happened.

I went to the  Taronga Zoo on Friday, but the weather was really bad, so it wasn't much fun. However, I was talking with a girl that attends UNSW, but just got back from an exchange, and she told me that she had a pass to get 4 people in the zoo, and would I like to get in for free? Of course I never say no to a deal, so I took her up on her offer! I'm really glad that I did, because as soon as we got into the zoo, it started to pour, and if I had had to pay $30 for the privilege of walking around a rainy zoo, where most of the animals were hiding from the rain, I would have been very upset.  The weather was supposed to clear up, but didn't, and there was supposed to be an indoor alternative to the zoo, but that didn't happen either.  So overall, the zoo would have been much nicer if the weather was nicer, but at least I didn't have to pay! Probably my favorite thing that I saw was the platypus. (FYI there is no agreed upon plural of platypus).  I had seen kangaroos and wallabies before, but was really excited to see a platypus.  Apparently platypus are nocturnal and have sensitive eyes, because they were in a completely dark enclosure, and you were not allowed to take pictures with a flash.  Because of that, I didn't get any great pictures.  However, seeing them in person was really neat, and the one in the tank was very active (swimming in circles, digging with his beak, and somersaulting).  I will say that they are much smaller than I thought.  From beak to back legs, it was no longer than 18 inches.  

On Saturday I didn't do anything other than Skype my family : )

Today I went to the Hillsong church campus located in Sydney.  Their big church is on the other side of the city, so I technically went to one of their satellite locations.  The service was interesting in a few ways. For the sermon, the pastor of the main church is broadcast onto large screens at the front of the church.  The sermon topic itself was not as challenging as I would have liked.  Also, most Australian people that I have mentioned Hillsong to, only know it as asking for money or donations, and after today, I can understand why they feel that way.  Hillsong also has a number of small groups for people to join, including one for young adults on the UNSW campus, so I am looking forward to getting more information on that.   Overall, the church did a nice job making people feel welcome, and I'll probably go back, but I really am looking forward to visiting other churches too!  

I don't really have anything else planned for today, other than a family dinner to celebrate the birthday (yesterday) of the father of the family that I'm staying with.  

I do have that doomed feeling of the last day of summer, or when a really good weekend is coming to an end, as I start classes tomorrow : ( I know that you all back home have been back for several weeks, and I've been lucky to have been off for so long, but there is still something about going back that feels awful!  

Miss you all lots!

Until later,

Kaitlyn