Day 7 23/07/2009

So I haven't been able to blog as much. I have been really busy!

On Day 4 I went kayaking and skydiving! While kayaking I saw a pod of dolphins. It was really great. There was around 15 of them. Skydiving was amazing! Honestly, the greatest feeling ever. I jumped out from 14,000 feet. Craziness. It was over Rainbow Beach. It was so pretty to see the water and the sand. When I landed on the sand I was a little sad. After 65 seconds of freefalling all I could say was WOW! It was fun to sway back and forth like a bird after the freefall.

That was my last day at the beach and since Monday I have been at a farm. Part of the program I signed up for makes me have one week of training at a farm. Haha. Yeah, me. At a farm. It has actually been pretty nice. I feel like I am getting tougher by the day. On Tuesday we rode horses and fed the animals (hogs, horses, chickens). I rode a horse (I am, well, was TERRIFIED of horses). Luckily with my ability to gab I got in good with the people so they put me on a sweet, well mannered horse. His name is Roney. He was so sweet! He was a bit testy at first. Carol talked me through being the boss and letting him know I was in charge. But now I can walk around the horses and not be afraid. That in itself is a major feat. We also put up panels around bulls (not the ones with the crazy horns). Wednesday was chainsaw work and tractor driving. I am not very good with a chainsaw. I can cut a piece of wood, it just takes me longer than the trained professional. I did okay on the tractor, except for the very end when I stalled it. Whoops! Today was pretty fun. We dug holes to make fences and starting putting in the posts. We also learned how to ride on a motorbike. I did okay with that too. After the motorbike we got to play with the billy goats. They were so cute. I held a triplet named Pearl. Tomorrow we are going to wash bulls. Which sounds like a lot of fun. The people at this farm are so great. We have been having delicious meals every night. I like the farm. It's not the life for me, but it's nice in it's own right. I am glad I had this week here. I like that I am all bruised up and dirty. I feel less dainty. I do work in my big ole California sun glasses and pink or purple work shirt. I haven't worn makeup at all. It turns out there has been girls who worked at this farm trying to doll up. We wake up at 6 am and start work at 7 am. Then we work until our job is done. Which luckily for me my group works fast so we have been getting down around 4:30 or 5 pm.

All apart of the learning experience.

I will be flying out to Alice Springs on Sunday. I got a job over there at a Hotel/Restaurant/Pub. So I will be working there for the next three months. I am glad it is not farm work. But I am also glad that I know I could pull my own weight if I were to be stuck on a farm again. :)