Change of Plans

Clarification on my last post:

I want to be here. I love it here in Sydney. I love being at Hillsong. I hope no one got the impression that I don't want to be here, and that's why I'm just so ready to come home for Christmas. That's definitely not true. While (or if you're an Aussie, "Whilst") I am a little worn out from all the stuff we do here, I really do love it, and I still plan to stay at least 2 years, with the possibility of 3. I just will have to feel that one out when it gets closer to making that decision. I am, however, really ready to come home! I think partially because...yes, I am ready for a break...but also just because I know that I'm coming home, so it seems like these past couple weeks have been dragging out, and at the same time, flying by. Makes no sense, I know. I don't know how to describe it. But I am really excited to see the family!

One problem lies within that last sentence, though. I may not be able to see you all on December 5th, as my flight plans have changed. I've never really had this happen before, but I know it can. Sometimes the airlines will just change your flight plans for you. I am looking into this right now to see if there is something that can be done, but basically I won't arrive in Charleston now til 11:54pm on December 5th. Please know that I TOTALLY understand if that's too late for y'all to come to the airport. I am fine with seeing all of you the next day, or even Sunday for family dinner. I will see what I can do to change this flight to an earlier arrival, but if not, I will just see you all sometime that weekend. I'll keep you updated. No worries!

Well, some of you know that I was having really bad allergies the past week or two. My eyes were really bothering me - they were constantly itching. I would sit there sometimes and rub them for like an hour because they itched so badly. Finally I went to the doctor and we concluded that it was pink eye (conjunctivitus). I've never had that before, so I just didn't think about it being an eye infection. Well, I got some antibiotics for my eyes and for my allergies, and they are much better. I still feel like my eyes are really swollen, and a little red, but you can't really tell. I think I'm going to get back into the swing of things tomorrow. I don't think it will be contagious anymore. I'll still continue taking my eyedrops (they said take them from 3-5 days) for the next few days, but I should be fine.

Actually, yesterday I did go out to the city with some friends. I didn't feel at my best, but I really really wanted to go because it was my tutorial class' party to finish off the year, and I really love my class, so I decided to go. It was so much fun! One of the girls in my class made up the whole "surprise" day. We all knew we were going to the city, but we had no idea what we were going to be doing there. We ended up doing our version of The Amazing Race, but we called it The Amazing Tutorial Race. It was awesome! I got to see parts of downtown Sydney I had never seen before. I never realized how many beautiful places there are! We got clues at each destination, and would try to find the next destination. Haha, we looked like crazy foreigners running around Sydney, probably. Each place we went, we had to ask someone to take a picture of our team to prove that we had been there. We split up into two different teams - The Europeans, and The North Americans. Hehe. Well, The Europeans won, but that was only because they ran the whole way! Haha! Also, we had a few set-backs. One of them was that I fell on the concrete and scraped my knees up. Why did I have to go and do something typical of me when we were in a hurry? Ha! :) Oh well, the whole day was fun! Our last destination where we all met up in the city was at the Opera House. We all met on the steps, and they were rehearsing for Australian Idol (you know, like American Idol, except...well, the Australian version). The stage for the finale show was all set up outside of the Opera House, and we got to watch the contestants practice. It was really cool, though I honestly think Australian Idol is really lame...American Idol is much better...can't beat Simon Cowell. Still, it was cool, because it was the finale of the idol show in Australia. They were practicing with their huge crane cameras. The band was all out there, and the contestants were practicing onstage as well. Cool stuff! Anyways, then we went to Bondi Beach to finish off the day. It was SO COLD! But it was alot of fun! I have put some pictures on my slideshow on this page, so check them out!

Love you all! :)

P.S. I haven't talked to my friend who had surgery yet, but as soon as I do, I'll update everyone. Don't forget to keep her in your prayers please!

SEE YOU IN 13 DAYS!!!!