End of Semester 101

Today I ended my second semester of grad school. Its bitter sweet because I know I only have one more semester to go. Unlike last semester when I was hard to say goodbye this semester couldn't have come any sooner!! I having wanting a break from school for so long and now I can sit back and relax for the next 4 weeks!! Yippee...This semester challenged me like no other, I only had 3 classes but I also had to write a 10,000 paper as my 4th subject. After taking my only final and turning in my paper today I feel really good about my grades this semester. I look forward to seeing what my grades are in a couple of weeks!! I am heading to Cali for a week to spend more quality time with Kris, Mike, Andrew and Clara. I haven't not seen them in about 9 months, but we do Skype with each other about once a week!! After a week in Cali, I head up to WA to see the rest of the family, I can't wait to see Olivia and Ben. I also hope to get a chance to catch up with some old friend since I missed my high school reunion since I was in Australia. It will only be 2 weeks but I hope to final each and everyday with joy and happiness!! I also can't wait to spend some time with my mom to celebrate her b-day from March as well as Mother's day!! Oh ya since I have been gone, cousins on both sides of my families have had babies so I can't wait to meet them too!!

I plan on enjoying my last day in Australia before embarking on a really long flight from Brisbane to LA, then LA to SAC.

I look forward to my time with my friends and family!! I hope I get a chance to see everyone..

Cheers for now!! See ya next semester...

Theresa

AFL Game #2 Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs

Right before the start of finals I rounded up some friends to go watch another AFL game this time it was the Brisbane Lions vs Western Bulldogs. I went to the game with Christine, Rick, Winston and Hugo. We sat in the same section as last time which went we were right in the action by the goal posts...and of course Favola!! Once again the Lions started off slow, had a horrible second quarter but was able to rebound after halftime...The game saw some interesting things, a Bulldogs fan threw beer on Favola and end up spending time in jail, there were some fights on the field and a Bulldogs player carted off the field, he ended up being ok!! After all that the Lions pretty much shut down the Bulldogs and won the game 101-79!!

Lets hear the mighty roar!! Go Lions...

Cheers,

Theresa

Rugby League game #2 Gold Coast Titans vs Melbourne Storm

I got the chance to attend another NRL game, this time against defending champions the Melbourne Storm. Once again I tried to get my fellow sports management classmates to come but it was last minute. So it ended up being my friend Winston and one of my classmates Kunal. The first game I attended was during the day and this one was at night, I will say I love the night games..the atmosphere was AMAZING!! This time the Titans were without their Captain Scott Prince. After a slow first half the Titans prevailed and defeated the former champs 20-16. So far in my two game I am undefeated!! Go Titans and I can't wait to attend another game after holiday!!

Another Try for the Titans!!

Theresa

First Aussie Rules Football game Brisbane Lions vs West Coast Eagles

The other game played in Australia besides rugby is Aussie Rules Football (AFL). It is a mix of soccer, football, rugby all in one. They play their games in a round stadium with a large goals in the middle of two smaller ones. Unlike Rugby League, AFL is high scoring and a little more fast paces from what I can tell.

Bond Uni offered a student special where for $30 bucks, you got a game ticket, food and drink vouchers and transportation to and from the game. I had heard how fun the games were and I couldn't beat a great deal like this one. I tried to get some friends to go but it just ended up being my friend Emily whom I met last semester. I did get a chance to meet some Aussies and Frenchie who attended the game as well. Like the Titans game I didn't know much about it so after a little explanation I caught one quickly and really got into it. By the end I was singing the clubs song and cheering for my favorite lion in Brendan Fevola. The Lions pulled off the victory 114-82. At the end of the game we got the chance to run around the field at the Gabba and get my picture taken. It was EPIC!!!

Go Lions!!!!!!!!

Theresa

First Rugby League game Gold Coast Titans vs New Zealand Warriors

I finally got a chance to see my first National Rugby League (NRL) game! I mean its not NFL or even NCAA football but once I figured out the rules I really got into it and now as I type this blog I am watching a game on the TV. I went with a former classmate of mine and one if his friends. The local team the Gold Coast Titans play at Skilled Park right next to Robina Town Centre and Robina Rail which is only about a 10 minute bus ride. Also with your game ticket you get free transportation. Maybe the M's, Seahawks and Sounder should take note!! Didn't really know who the players for the Titans were before the game but I quickly found out who my favorite was, the Captain Scott Prince!! The Titans started off slow but in the end they pulled off the victory winning 24-18!! Go Titans...

Theresa

Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rockers

G-Day!! My last blog saw me attend a second tier pro surfing competition not to far where I go to school at in Robina. This surfing competition however is at the top level of the ASP. It is stop number one so I had to make an appearance despite how bad the weather was. I mean when am I going to get the chance to see the world best surfers ever again? The competition took place from Feb 26th - March 10th, this allows for some extra days in case the surf wasn't good enough or if there was a tsunami warning, which did happen. Since you never knew if they were going to surf or not I had to get up at 8am each morning and check the website. If the competition was I would proceed to take an hour long bus ride to go watch the competition. It wasn't ideal but it work out pretty well. I was able to see the surfers I wanted to see and by shear luck I got to see the finals. The finals were Taj Burrow (AUS) vs Jordy Smith (SAF). I really didn't have a preference who won but I will say I cheered on the Aussie! Overall my very first ASP surfing competition was successful. If I had a million dollars I would travel around the world to each stop on the ASP world tour, you can beat sun, sand and hot surfers :)

Good on ya Taj Burrow for winning the 2010 Quiksilver Pro!! See ya next year, maybe.

Happy surfing,

Theresa

Burleigh Pro Surf Competition

There was a local surf competition that I got a chance to go watch (February 17-18). It was sort of a warm up before the first major competition for the ASP (Quiksilver Pro) which I also got a chance to down in Snapper Rocks on the Queensland/New South Wales border.

The competition featured some of the top professionals on the ASP Tour including, Mick Fanning (2x world champ), Kelly Slater (9x world champ) just to name a few. I was really just to see Mick Fanning. Over Christmas break I got a chance to read his book so now I all about following his career and watching him surf! Oh yeah there will be no chance of my going out there and trying to surf! First off, the waves in Australia are out of control and with my luck I would not do so hot, but maybe before I depart Australia I will try.

Well I got a chance to see Mick surf, he didn't end up winning but another local names Taj Burrow took the title. Surfing is what everything little kids does, I even think they do it before they actually can walk, on any given weekend you see heaps of little surfers out there trying to be the next Mick Fanning, I guess when you live by the beach or on the beach that is what you do. Must be nice for sure..

On a back note, the first day I was at the competition (February 17th back in the states) was the same day my cousin Darcie and her husband Scott welcomed her baby boy Brody into the world, my guess is that he will grow tall and play basketball ball just like Michael Jordan (they have the same birthday), of course for The WAZZU Cougs!!

Peace, Love and Surfing!!

Cheers,

Theresa