Day #10

Today's day was busy and definitely my favorite day so far....

So we woke up and left our hostel at 9:30 am (I believe) and left to visit Bondi Beach. 

The beach looked so pretty from our hike. Here are some pics... 

I would love to live close to the beach cause it's just great for some self reflection and mediation :)

So after about two hours we were back on the bus this time to... Macquire University. 

We were quite privileged to assist Shanna (a graduate student) with her research project which I'll tell you more about later...

So when we got to the stop we met her and she took us through a scenic tour down to the cafe where we got a nice lunch. 

            Chicken Stir Fry (yum!!) 

Then we headed through a nice path were we saw these exotic birds..

... and after a few minutes we arrived at the research lab where she is currently working at.

Her research project is pretty cool actually. She has set up voice recording machines in the Toranga Zoo in Sydnee and has recorded the tigers and their vocal sounds. So far she has created, identified and categorized a few vocal sounds. This is important as it will help humans understand the tiger's patterns of communication. Thus improving our relationship with Tigers. So where did we come in? We actually got to sit in and listen to her recordings and we identified and categorized the sounds we heard.

Here we are! I'm the listener and Jess is the recorder...

It was very cool to feel like we were part of sometime so innovating. 

She was so nice that as a thank you she treated us all to some Tim Tam's (big in Aussie) and hot cocoa. 

I think I'll get some and bring it to the US :) 

So apparently even you have hot cocoa and Tim Tams you have to do a Tim Tam Slam (at least that is what Shawn said). 

This is me trying it for the first time...

After we were done, Dr Petersen decided to take us on a ferry ride. It was sooo awesome!!!! Here are some of the pics I took.

                                  This is Jess. She is smart, beautiful, strong and single ;)

And some that Greg took...

Our ferry sailed near the opera house and I think I prefer the night look than the day but what do you think?

Honestly, I just loved the whole experience. 

Afterwards, we were so done that we came straight home and I just laid on Jessica's bed and passed out :) 

There is nothing like resting after a long exhausting day :)

So things I learned

1) I had never heard about the Plant and Wildlife major at BYU. When I was sitting next to my professor in the train I asked him "why is your major important?" He chuckled and said "where to begin?". After talking to him I came to understand that there is a lot us humans don't know about the world we live in. I loved when my professor said "we as humans have a responsibility to care for this world and to secure it for other generations to come." Then It dawned on me. How much do I know or do in regards to saving the world for generations to come?! I am quickly seeing why Heavenly Father wanted me on this trip. Through this study abroad my eyes have been opened to the various species that inhabit New Zealand and Australia (so far). Now the more I learn about them, the more I begin to care for them and desire to protect them. I know I wouldn't feel this gratitude if I had not come on this trip and experienced all of it first hand. So thank you to all those who helped me to come here specially my Stake President! Thank you!!!!

2) An innovative idea is always around the corner waiting to be found! When I was talking to my professor we were discussing topics for my research paper. I mentioned to him how I felt that everything was covered in the environmental science field and he said that was not true. The truth is that even thought there is so much that has been identified there is still so much to be discovered. There are sounds that have yet to be identified. Life patterns to be determined. I'm actually pretty excited for my research project. Dr Petersen, Angie, Greg and I will set up a camera in Cann's during the night, preferably by a water source and record any wild life that may come and their patterns and usage of the water. Then we may either collect data to identify which animals use it or how each animal uses it. So far we have decided that out first day will solemnly be observation and then we will determine what to do after we collect the data! I'm actually super excited and I can't wait to show you guys what I find out.

Until then you will have to wait! 

But I do love you all and miss you oh so very much. 

Be safe,

Your Traveling Soul