Cook Islands?

We had our 1st Australia Meeting on Sunday. One of the questions that was brought up involved the possibly to extend our study abroad time......



At the end of our Australia Study Abroad opportunity we have the option to travel to the Cook Islands.....



We would be on our own....in charge of everything: transportation, lodging, food, entertainment etc. etc.



These islands are not traveled by tourists very often and we might not get the chance to visit these remote islands agian....



10 days on our own? So many decisions to make.....

SCUBA Diving in Phillips Quarry

SCUBA diving is offically over!! All three of us are certified divers!! Over the weekend we completed 4 dives in Phillips Quarry here in Muncie. We had a skills test and skin dive on Sat. morning. On Sunday we completed two recreational dives with our dive master. All three of us were relaxed and had successful dives!



There are all kinds of thing on the bottom of Phillips Quarry. There is a mirror, 5-6 boats, Christmas tree, a big tire that you can swim through, Jet Ski, fake shark, vodka bottles, and Halloween decorations.



Gary McMillan came up Sunday morning and took some pictures of us three in our scuba attire. The pictures are awesome although the video recording could use some work! HA!

Australia in Indiana

Last spring we took a road trip to the Indianapolis Zoo. Who knew Australia could be so close to home?



Scuba is almost over!! One more lecture and pool session, a "Transfer of Knowledge" test, and the Open Dive and Mike, Angie and I are certified divers!!



Homecoming back home in Jay County this weekend! Go Patriots!

Birthday Pictures

These pictures have nothing to do with Australia but I enjoyed my birthday so much that I had to post them!
Scott and Kristyn sent the puppy dog ears and the "Birthday King" and "Birthday King's Friend" crowns. Although a few of my friends thought it was a bit wierd that my aunt and uncle would send me dog ears in the mail, they enjoyed taking these pictures!! The Dairy Queen Oreo Blizzard Icecream Cake was delicious (and devoured within 2 days)! Thanks for everything guys!!



Also, the weekend at home was awesome. Birthday shopping, home cooked meal, party with the grandparents, church, lunch at El Camino, Colts game and homework....who could ask for a better weekend??

Scuba Week #5 + Birthday Weekend

Week 5 of Scuba Diving was eventful in many ways. First, we all had to descend to the bottom of the deep end. When our instructor pointed to us we each, individually, had to remove our scuba gear, pull out the regulator, and swim to him. We signaled we were out of air and he let us get a few breaths. Then we had to swim back to our gear, find the regulator to get a breath, and put everything back on. After a couple tries I completed this excercise and moved on to SCUBA rescue techniques. We learned out to save a diver that was struggling on the surface and a diver that was unconscious on the bottom. A final test for the night involved descending to one side of the deep end with all your scuba gear on, removing your mask, swimming to the other side of the pool, putting your mask back on, and finally clearing your mask of water. All and all, session #5 wasn't bad but I still have a ways to come before I am completly comfortable with scuba gear in the water. Open water dives are approaching in 2 weeks!!!



Finally, we get to the fun stuff!! I'm turning 20 this weekend!! Fall Semester is nearly half way over with midterms in the next couple of weeks!! This means Fall Break, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are getting closer. Australia: Spring 07 will be here before we know it!!