Lantern Parade!

     Yesterday we walked down to the square for a little grocery shopping.  It was nice to get out for a bit.  The walk back up the hill was not all too pleasant though.  It is a killer walking up the hill (more like mountain maybe) to begin with but we were all carrying groceries plus it started to sprinkle.  On the positive side it was nice to get some exercise and the rain helped cool us off.
     When we returned, we went our separate ways to work on whatever we needed to do.  I ended up taking a nap because I was exhausted.  Later we reconvened and caught a bus into town.
     The purpose for our second trip into town was to attend the lantern parade that Lismore puts on every year.  We had no idea what to expect; none of us had ever been to a parade at night.  We walked around for a while looking at the different booths and goods for sale.  Around 5:30, when it was starting to get dark, we found a spot to stand and watch the parade.  It was brilliant.  Lismore Lantern Parade is an appropriate name because that is exactly what it was.  Instead of having big floats or large balloons like we have at our parades, they made these huge lanterns and had them lit up.  The shape of the lanterns varied greatly; anywhere from a person to an animal to a building and so on.  As in our parades there were people walking with signs showing the organization or group that had created the lantern.  It was a sight to see.
     When the parade was over, everyone followed the lanterns down to the lake where there was a fire show including dancing.  Then there was a firework show.  We were not able to see very well from where we were standing so we decided to return to campus.
     Once back we decided it was time to make supper considering it was 9:00 PM.  Garrett and Shaughn graciously offered to make dinner for us.  They made pasta and garlic bread.  It was magnificent and we were all starving so we devoured it and had to make a little more.  We spent the rest of the evening watching "How I Met Your Mother."  At one point we made some hot chocolate out of Milo.  Milo is very popular around here and can be compared to Hershey's Cocoa powder.  Then it was time for bed.
     Today was another lazy day.  Nicole, Emy, and I got up and did the work out insanity again.  It was awfully wonderful if that makes sense at all.  Then we took our homework outside to sit in the sun for a while. Anytime we can soak up the sun, we try to be outside.  The sun has gone behind some clouds and it is getting chilly so we are once again indoors.
     I still have some reading I need to do and then I will have to practice my guitar.  Later we are meeting up at Emy's to make some rice and beans for dinner.
    Tomorrow is the beginning of the second week of classes.  I hope to find more of a routine this week and maybe find my place here.