Hey everyone!

Been reading the posts here and thought that it’s really great idea to have this blog.

So like some of you guys in the 12^th grade, I had also been very busy with all the exams and university stuffs. But glad it’s all over now; holidays have started for everyone here; Rene and Andy got 2 weeks longer holidays than usual which makes it 6 weeks of vacation (that is the longest one they have ever got I guess, though mine has been since mid April)

Unlike those of you guys who got to work to earn some savings, most of us here don’t work or take part-time at this age. Sometimes it’s not that we don’t want to, but it’s just how the condition here is. Like now I have more than 3 months of vacation and some of us got damn bored just staying at home doing nothing, we think getting a part time would be a great experience, but well it’s ridiculously hard to find any :L Maybe with hundreds of millions lives and high unemployment rate, there are people who needs the job more than we do. Our live here is pretty spoiled I can say…pfff

Anyway, just to keep it short and get to things that I want to actually share with you guys.. So here I have just returned from BALI and I suddenly remember about our reunion plans! Maybe some of you guys have often heard how beautiful it is and all, but seriously even after dozens of times going there, the island never loses its charm. It has everything, from beaches to mountains, temples to clubs, 6-star Bvlgari hotels to hospitable home stays.

I went there last week which was not the holiday season for Indonesian students, yet the island was jam-packed with foreign tourists mostly Aussies I believe. Made me feel like I was the foreign tourist there lol. Things were absolutely cheap for those living with dollars and euros. We could just sit on the beautiful beaches, or hanging out in the posh bars and clubs along the beach side.

This heavenly tender and juicy pork ribs only costs $9 :D

Or when it gets boring, there are ranges of activities we can do! They have this beach for various water sports..

Or this one for surfers..

When you get enough of beaches, head up to the traditional villages. Ubud (dubbed as Asia’s best city) with its art atmosphere, friendly people, small shops and cafes along the small streets was so lovely.

Oh and sunsets in Bali are always beautiful, it feels so magical. Especially while enjoying this Kechak (monkey chants dance) performance on the edge of this cliff overlooking the sea with its sunset as the background. Mesmerizing!

And I also visited this hotel which is famous for its RockBar! Yes the bar sits on a boulder right on the seaside; afar you can see they also have SPA on the rock. Oh yes and SPAs are everywhere in bali for cheap price and if you’re lucky you can get a very good treatment at very cheap price (around $15 for an hour Balinese massage)

Well it’s already a bit too long I think, the point is this island has everything you could imagine of a paradise and I really hope to see you guys there (doesn’t necessarily have to be the reunion, any of you coming here tell me!) hopefully I can come with you or at least I can tell you what and where to visit..

Cheers!

finally! some sort of technological thing i can keep up to date with

Ok i have no idea if this is going to end up on the right page or on some other random persons thing...i fail at technology. But i havem't spoken to so many of you in an absolute age...and i know its totally my fault, but whenever i get on skype nobody seems to be on (bearing in mind this is after i successfully locked myself out of my own skype...long story). Anyways so yeah, the life of cj is pretty standard Not much happening down here. Britain got stupidly sunny and then guess what happened...it rained. Oh the joys of this country. Am not as organised as leah and have no idea what universities i want to go to...but but but i want to be a lawyer. Reckon i would be good at it? At the moment i seem to be plaguing my time with trying to get a job...nobody wants to hire me! :( its been depressing times, but fingers crossed. Then hopefully i can raise enough money to travel somewhere or other and come see you lot :) I honestly did not think it would be this hard to get a job but apparently i am unemployable aha. SO yeah i never realise dhow dead my life was until i began writing this blog, but i am almost definitely sure that the moment i post this i will remember something or other really important to say to you all.
but i love you all, and miss you all. Ceej xx
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Choosing a University

Hey everyone :)
So my life is like Luke's at the moment... I've been extremely busy in Year 12 with exams, work and choosing a University for next year. In the UK you are only allowed to apply to 5 Universities, which I think is a bit different to the USA (where you can choose as many as you want I think). The Universities in England are cute, they aren't as big as the ones I've seen in the USA and Australia, but many have that old English atmosphere and look, many people have compared Cambridge and Oxford to Hogwarts!


Cambridge University, one of my 5 options.
Anyway, I'm not sure how many of you knew this, but I have been researching into becoming an international student in either America or Australia. I was trying to apply to Colombia, Harvard and Colorado in America, however I am required to sit the American SATs and while I was going to try and do that along with my British A-Levels, I just don't have enough time to do both. In addition, I think I have to complete two subject based SATs which cost a lot of money to sit the exam in the UK.

So......
After about 6 months of researching into Australian Universities (thanks to Luke sending me some prospectuses) I am going to a New Zealand and Australian University Open Day in London tomorrow (Monday 6th June.) This is quite risky as I'll be up there late and I have an exam the next day, but after all this research I really want to go to Melbourne University - it just offers things that the British Universities do not offer. Don't get me wrong, many British Universities are amazing - they are just not for me.

Sorry this has been a long post :) Once I get writing I can't really stop!
I love and miss you all xx

G'day from Oz

Hi there!

I thought that i'd follow the trend - and write  a bit on this blog in order to air my thoughts - and keep people up to date every now and again about what is happening in the always exciting life of Luke.

I've just done a big English unit - and I found this quote - that is probably relevant, it says:

"From here at home, to the ends of the earth, there's a whole world of stories, just waiting to be told.

I hope that everyone will share their stories :)

Anyway

The last few months have been intense, exciting, tiring, and yet - incredibly rewarding. I am in Year 12, the final year of schooling in Australia. This means I have a multitude of assignments, exams and other assessment to complete. I'm currently doing really well so far - so that is great too.

I'm still working at my KFC, it's good fun and fairly good money. I'm saving up for a car, for when I get my licence in September, and of course i'd like to keep travelling.

The travel bug is bringing me this year to Sydney, New Zealand and Malaysia. I'm hoping to meet up with the NZ boys when I go there in a few weeks. 

I also got invited to a wedding in China next year - so I might just make it there - depends on how much money I earn, and how much I spend!

I'm School Captain of my school - and I'm loving the associated responsibilities that come along with that. It sucks up a lot of my time, but it's great being able to do something a bit different - and work with a great bunch of people for the greater good of my school.

Next year, i'm hoping to go to university to study Medicine. Hopefully that will be in Brisbane, but it is very competitive to get into, so I might end up studying interstate. 

I have my formal (sort of like prom I guess) in a few weeks - so that is pretty exciting as well. 

And finally for now - I hope you are all healthy and happy... if ever you're down under, come and say hi.

Cheers from Oz

Luke :-)

Hello All!

Hi everyone,
Hopefully we will be able to keep up with each other more from now on, if you have any tips, tricks, or suggestions then please let me know. My goal is to upload something somewhat lengthy at least once a month - whether that be photos, videos, a life update, or any combination of those. I pray that everyone stays healthy and safe. Now, please join me as I embark on my mission and build this blog.
Your fellow WSIF2010 Alumnus,
Victoria