Surfboard racks, winter swell, and fish

The last few weeks have been very productive as the semester comes to a close and everyone prepares for exams. The highlight of my productivity has been the creation of custom surfboard racks for the postie bike
.
The rack works really well and allows Tristan and I (we both made them) to check several different local beaches to find the best waves. Parking? These posties can be parked pretty much anywhere!

The winter swell has been hitting Newcastle in a BIG way. The other day I went out with Tristan into the biggest waves I've ever seen in person. I whole heartedly insist that a few of the waves that steam-rolled were double overhead, but no one believes me. Each fall put me in an underwater tumble for ~10seconds, it didn't take many to completely wear me out. I didn't catch any waves that day but being out there was amazing and terrifying at the same time.

Oddly enough I've decided fish isn't so bad. I bought about 10lbs of Basa, some type of catfish, because it was on sale and I've been really enjoying it, who would have guessed?

Birthday on the other side of the world

In a few days I'll have been in Oz for four months, it's unbelievable how much has happened and how many amazing friends I've made! I've decided it's reasonable, or maybe even necessary to celebrate my birthday twice because of the time difference between the land of Oz and America. My birthday pt. 1 was a beautiful day filled with birthday wishes, "shouts" of beer at the pub down the street, and not one, but TWO birthday cakes! After the pub, the night was finished off with burgers and "chips"(french fries), a movie, and ice cream.
It's now the morning of my birthday pt. 2 and I'm not sure I'll be able to top yesterday! We've decided to have a BBQ to celebrate the birthdays (Tristan, Kieren, Abe, and mine) next Saturday, I'll try and take some pictures.

The link on the top right of this page now has new pictures from Abq, Bangkok, Newcastle, and Queensland.

Thank you everyone for all of the birthday wishes and gifts!!! I would never have expected this much celebration so far from home! I'm glad I chose to stay two semesters instead of one, I couldn't imagine having to head home in a month.

Lastly the shaving competition continues, it's hard to say who's winning, in more ways than one it feels like we're both losing? I've given Tristan an ultimatum, I will accept his forfeit without shaving his head if he composes an eloquent letter expressing my superior masculinity and victory in the competition. This letter must be signed by 25 men, framed in dignified fashion, and hung in our living room.
We'll see what route desperation takes