September 14-17

G'day from Sydney!
I am combining the past few days because they aren't super exciting (not that all my days are or anything). The day I got in (6 am), I checked into my awesome hostel/hotel that is owned by the YWCA. It is in a perfect location, right by Hyde Park, the Botanical Gardens, in the city centre, and about 2 Ks from the Opera House. I talked/cried to my parents about being alone, but most of the emotion was due to lack of sleep. After their pep talk I walked around my area which is very corporate, but also loads of shopping (and parks)- just very central. Then I actually went to bed at 4pm and slept for about 15 hours. Since then I have just been jogging in the park across the street and walking around the city. The weather is perfect and the scenery is amazing. If there is anywhere that I could be sent alone, this would be it! In fact, I am really enjoying myself and I'm in no hurry to see other parts of Australia.
I have a room to myself, although I'm meant to be sharing it with three other girls (hotel isn't full, I guess). I had a funny experience my first full day, when I had just got back from my jog and this big American guy walks in my room and says he is to be staying there too. Although he was very nice (and we ended up walking around one day together), I talked to the front desk and found out I was in a male dorm room accidently, so I got moved (yeah, I know some people may think: Why did you move??? but, really, I'd prefer a girls room).
Today I woke up really early and joined several thousand people in the Sydney Marathon. It started on the north end of the Harbour Bridge (the city center is on the south side) and I ran about two miles with them across the bridge, and then checked out because I am so out of shape (I was just worried I would have to start walking in the first mile of a marathon-on the bridge-and that wouldn't look good would it?) I walked the 2 or 3 Ks back to my room, showered, and went to Hillsong Church, where I am hoping to get involved. Straight-away when I got there I met the "backpacker ministry" which was composed of two nice foreign girls (Danish and Indonesian, not foreign, as in Australian). Hillsong has two locations, and apparently, city, which is where I went, is the smaller of the two, at least smaller venue-wise. It does have 7 services, but the room it meets in isn't that large. I am hoping to go out to the "hills" sight soon and maybe I can meet some people there. The service was VERY high energy, I had forgotten just how charismatic it was! It was a great day, though (including finding out about the Auburn's victory!!!)