After getting back from Cairns, I was lucky enough to get 1 full day between trips to laze around. Ry and I decided to share a bag, so I had to fit roughly 10 days of clothing into half a bag! It was a feat, but I managed! On April 8th, we were headed for Darwin in the Northern Territory.
The flight to Darwin was about 4 hours. Ryan and I were the only 2 in our row, so we spread out and found some interesting positions to sleep in. It’s all good, though. We’re professionals at snoozing on eachother after CAP. Anyhow, after we landed, we exited the plane through the rear door and had to actually walk outside around the plane to get to the baggage claim. T’was kind of bizarre. It was VERY humid and I was wearing long sleeves and pants because winter was falling upon Sydney, so it was a bit chilly. Luckily, the weathermen here fail at predicting the forecast, so what was supposed to be a rain filled trip had perhaps 2-3 hours of rainfall the whole time.
The hostile I stayed at was NOMADS - The Cavanagh. I was concerned about how much the room was going to hate me, as it was approaching 2am. Luckily, they didn't mind much. The hostile was not the greatest nor the worst, but it certainly didn't fit the image of a hostile that I had in my head. Not a bad thing, though. There was air conditioning! I don’t even have air conditioning in my flat! The bathroom had a few ants, but they were only in that room. The beds were decent and very clean, and we had a TV (with more than 5 channels!) and a fridge. I slept good.
The next morning I explored Darwin. It is a quite small city, actually. There were 4 main streets, I believe. Our hostile was not too far from the main strip. We discovered a beach front harbour area. There was a little beach, a small wave pool, and a developing waterfront. The whole area seemed quite new, so there was not too much there, but it was still nice. Unfortunately, things close quite early also, so the little museums we stumbled across shut the doors by 5pm at the latest. The pathways around Darwin were rich with history from WWII when the Japanese bombed the city. Think of the movie Australia and you're right on! That night, I went to a bar called The Tap and got a couple of fishbowls. Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like--a fishbowl filled with liquor. Quite a nifty drink indeed, though Ry and I learned the hard way that finishing 2 is a challenge.
The next day I got up early and did a self guided tour of one of the oil storage facilities. It was basically a giant, rusty tunnel. Some interesting facts on the walls, though. The sense of humour Australian's possess is a riot. Then it was off to Crocosaurus Cove, a reptile and crocodile house in Darwin. I walked about and checked out all of the critters and viewed the croc feeding, which was pretty awesome, then it was off to the Cage of Death to get a closer look at the crocs! The cage was a glass container which was lowered into 3 different crocodile pens. Two of the crocs just sat there, but it was still amazing to see them so close. I got to look straight into the mouth of the 3rd largest crocodile in captivity! One of the three crocodiles, Houdini, actually moved about the tank. It was pretty intense.
That night I got "Darwin's best pizza" with the hostile mates, Lawa (who ended up going on the same tour!) and Roseanne. I must say, the pizza was pretty good! Then Ry and I met up with Lauren, a friend from the parklands, and got yet another fishbowl. We called it an early night, as we had to get up before sunrise for our tour.
Oh, and for the record, I did see a Cane Toad. In fact, it was hopping across the road one evening as Ryan and I were walking somewhere (probably for food). We were cheering for it to make it across the road because it ALMOST got hit. We watched and Ry took a picture. It made it across!!! Then, a couple of hours later, as we were walking back…Ryan took another picture of Mr. Cane Toad plastered to the cement. What a world.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Cairns
The first part of my mid-semester break (April 3-18th) consisted of a trip to paradise aka Cairns (pronounced Cahns...get the H sound in there, like when Stewie says whip!)
We left bright and early April 3rd. The morning was off to a rough start when the power in our flat was not working. I figured out how to fix it, but the dryer couldn't be turned on our the whole flat went dark. After a stressful 45 minutes, we were finally in the cab to the airport. We arrived in Cairns and it was pissing down the rain. What a bugger. At least it was quiet warm, so being wet didn't make you cold!
We stayed at the Mantra Esplanade. It was a LOVELY hotel. It was set up a bit different, though. After getting your key card, you found your room number and swiped a card to get into a mini lobby for 2 rooms. On one side was a fabulous suite: kitchen with full fridge, stove, etc as well as a bathroom with washer and dryer, a bedroom, and a living room/dining area and deck! The other room was simply 2 beds next to each other, a bathroom, a deck, and a tv with a couple chairs and a table. Since we were all friends, we shared awesome rooms, though.
The day was spent exploring. The GSE group went and ate together, then Ryan and myself walked around Cairns. The city is very touristy, but I quite liked it. There was a lot to do and the night life was booming. Funny enough, Ryan and I ran into my flatmate, Vegard. He ended up joining us for a "few" beers in Jon's hotel room. We played some pretty fun games and just enjoyed one another's company.
Come morning, it was off to the Great Barrier Reef! But first, Jon organised a chocolate Easter egg hunt for all of us in his room! It was quite fun, considering we're all in uni. The weather was still on and off rain, but I suppose it doesn't matter when you're underwater! We grabbed a quick breakfast then headed to the wharf. It was a 90 minute boat ride to the platform on the reef. The waves were massive, so my tummy did get a little wobbly, though nothing major. I was very excited to do an introductory dive and to my surprise, it was only $169 for 2 dives (30 mins each approximately?) I had saved a bit each time my parents sent me money so that I could be sure to do so, but unfortunately, if you are asthmatic and have used an inhaler within 5 years, a doctor must grant you permission to dive. I was heartbroken, but I still had I still snorkeled and had an awesome time at the reef.
The coral and fish were beautiful. Sometimes the coral was literally arms length away from me on the surface. The fish were so colorful. There was one HUGE fish named Wally. He was a blue groper and reminded me of a dog...only he's a fish. He didn't mind if you swam next to him or pet him, and let me tell you, he was quite soft to the touch! Since I could not dive, myself and Jen did a snorkel excursion outside of the fenced in portion of the reef. We snorkeled along the wall and I got to experience some completely different coral formations compared to that around the platform. We were out there for about 30 minutes. It was amazing.
After a full day at the reef, we headed back to the shore. I took a dip in the Lagoon, which is a giant swimming pool next to the swamp, since you obviously can't swim in the swamp. Afterwards Ryan, Jon, and myself hit up a nice Italian place followed by the casino. It was kind of crazy being inside a casino. I showed my ID and everything. I only lost $10. I won it back and put it right back in. Oops. It is really easy to spend a lot. You lose your money quick! It was a neat experience, though. I would have liked to play 21, but I was on a budget!
We were supposed to go white water rafting the next afternoon, but the massive amounts of rain caused dangerous conditions on the Tully River. Our rafting was cancelled so Jon rented a van and we went on a cable car ride up one of the mountains and saw the river we were supposed to raft on, as well as some awesome waterfalls, trees, spiders, etc. It was very relaxing. Then we continued to the Daintree Rainforest. There were a ton of natural waterfalls due to the excess rain, but at least they were pretty. I saw an emu crossing sign and a BEWARE crocodile sign. Unfortunately, we could not make it to Cape Tribulation, as yet again, the stupid rain ruined it for us. Cooper Creek was flooded so we could not drive across the road. We all decided to try to walk, but the currents were very strong so the van wasn't going to make it.
All and all, I had a great time. I wish the weather would have been nice, but we can't win them all!
Oh, and wetsuits are NOT sexy.
We left bright and early April 3rd. The morning was off to a rough start when the power in our flat was not working. I figured out how to fix it, but the dryer couldn't be turned on our the whole flat went dark. After a stressful 45 minutes, we were finally in the cab to the airport. We arrived in Cairns and it was pissing down the rain. What a bugger. At least it was quiet warm, so being wet didn't make you cold!
We stayed at the Mantra Esplanade. It was a LOVELY hotel. It was set up a bit different, though. After getting your key card, you found your room number and swiped a card to get into a mini lobby for 2 rooms. On one side was a fabulous suite: kitchen with full fridge, stove, etc as well as a bathroom with washer and dryer, a bedroom, and a living room/dining area and deck! The other room was simply 2 beds next to each other, a bathroom, a deck, and a tv with a couple chairs and a table. Since we were all friends, we shared awesome rooms, though.
The day was spent exploring. The GSE group went and ate together, then Ryan and myself walked around Cairns. The city is very touristy, but I quite liked it. There was a lot to do and the night life was booming. Funny enough, Ryan and I ran into my flatmate, Vegard. He ended up joining us for a "few" beers in Jon's hotel room. We played some pretty fun games and just enjoyed one another's company.
Come morning, it was off to the Great Barrier Reef! But first, Jon organised a chocolate Easter egg hunt for all of us in his room! It was quite fun, considering we're all in uni. The weather was still on and off rain, but I suppose it doesn't matter when you're underwater! We grabbed a quick breakfast then headed to the wharf. It was a 90 minute boat ride to the platform on the reef. The waves were massive, so my tummy did get a little wobbly, though nothing major. I was very excited to do an introductory dive and to my surprise, it was only $169 for 2 dives (30 mins each approximately?) I had saved a bit each time my parents sent me money so that I could be sure to do so, but unfortunately, if you are asthmatic and have used an inhaler within 5 years, a doctor must grant you permission to dive. I was heartbroken, but I still had I still snorkeled and had an awesome time at the reef.
The coral and fish were beautiful. Sometimes the coral was literally arms length away from me on the surface. The fish were so colorful. There was one HUGE fish named Wally. He was a blue groper and reminded me of a dog...only he's a fish. He didn't mind if you swam next to him or pet him, and let me tell you, he was quite soft to the touch! Since I could not dive, myself and Jen did a snorkel excursion outside of the fenced in portion of the reef. We snorkeled along the wall and I got to experience some completely different coral formations compared to that around the platform. We were out there for about 30 minutes. It was amazing.
After a full day at the reef, we headed back to the shore. I took a dip in the Lagoon, which is a giant swimming pool next to the swamp, since you obviously can't swim in the swamp. Afterwards Ryan, Jon, and myself hit up a nice Italian place followed by the casino. It was kind of crazy being inside a casino. I showed my ID and everything. I only lost $10. I won it back and put it right back in. Oops. It is really easy to spend a lot. You lose your money quick! It was a neat experience, though. I would have liked to play 21, but I was on a budget!
We were supposed to go white water rafting the next afternoon, but the massive amounts of rain caused dangerous conditions on the Tully River. Our rafting was cancelled so Jon rented a van and we went on a cable car ride up one of the mountains and saw the river we were supposed to raft on, as well as some awesome waterfalls, trees, spiders, etc. It was very relaxing. Then we continued to the Daintree Rainforest. There were a ton of natural waterfalls due to the excess rain, but at least they were pretty. I saw an emu crossing sign and a BEWARE crocodile sign. Unfortunately, we could not make it to Cape Tribulation, as yet again, the stupid rain ruined it for us. Cooper Creek was flooded so we could not drive across the road. We all decided to try to walk, but the currents were very strong so the van wasn't going to make it.
All and all, I had a great time. I wish the weather would have been nice, but we can't win them all!
Oh, and wetsuits are NOT sexy.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Mid-Semester Travels
Mid-Semester break is HERE!
So what am I doing?
Well let me inform you!
Tomorrow at 6:45am, I'll be in a cab on my way to the airport to go to Cairns!
I don't know if the weather will be nice, but I don't want to look and a) get my hopes up, b) be disappointed. Regardless, the weather here is so unpredictable that it wouldn't even matter!
Anyhow, I'll be in Cairns from noon-ish April 3rd through early evening April 6th. We're staying at Mantra Esplanade. It is 4/5 stars and looks pretty nice, so that's good! Our day of arrival is open for us to do whatever we'd like. Sunday we get an early start and head off the the Great Barrier Reef! Apparently you can scuba dive oppose to just snorkel, so if I can afford it and the time frame is workable, I will for sure scuba! However, I was just recently informed that you cannot scuba dive and fly within a certain timeframe, so I'll have to check that out. That evening is free yet again, though Jon mentioned an Easter egg hunt in his hotel room! Then on the 5th, the morning is ours, but the afternoon will be spent White Water Rafting on the Tully River! I've never been, but it looks like heaps of fun! Yet again, the evening is ours. The following day, we can do whatever we wish as long as we catch our flight out, which departs around 5pm. This trip was one of the top things I wanted to do while in Australia, so I'm pretty frick'n stoked. All I need is an underwater camera so that I can get some awesome pictures of the reef.
The Cairns excursion is something I paid for in my program fees to GSE, so everything is proved with the exception of a few meals and anything additional, such as scuba diving or sky diving or any additional tours.
Then I get to enjoy the 7th to relax and pack for my trip to the Northern Territory with Ryan! We are going to be in a tour group of up to 22 other individuals. I look forward to meeting new people. I hope they're as awesome as my Eurotrip buddies!
I depart the evening of the 8th and arrive in Darwin around 1:30am the 9th. Our hostile is right in the city, so it'll be easy to get to and from. We're spending 2 free days in Darwin. We'll probably sleep in the next day, then we'll explore the city. I was told there is some awesome fish feeding thing we can do. The following day, we're going to Crocosaurus Cove where we'll get to see a ton of reptiles and submerse in the "Cage of Death." It's a glass container that submerges in a huuuuuuge saltwater crocodile's waterhole. Craaaaazy. Then our tour starts the following day.
Our tour is 7 days. We start in Darwin and work our way down to Alice Springs. We get to do several little hikes in Darwin. Unfortunately, we do not get to see Kakadu, but we get to go to several smaller sites. I'm sure they're going to be equally as awesome. Oh, and did I mention that we get to camp also?
From Darwin, we'll work our way down to Alice Springs, where we'll see The Olgas, Uluru, Kings Canyon, and more. We get to watch the sun rise and set over Ayers Rock and sleep in Aussie swag under the stars. The outback is one of the best places for astronomers, so I know I'll love it.
Then we have one extra day on our own in Alice Springs and it's back to Sydney.
We return on the Friday before classes commence, so we'll have Saturday and Sunday to sleep and do homework.
And don't worry, I'm going to take a LOT of pictures!
So what am I doing?
Well let me inform you!
Tomorrow at 6:45am, I'll be in a cab on my way to the airport to go to Cairns!
I don't know if the weather will be nice, but I don't want to look and a) get my hopes up, b) be disappointed. Regardless, the weather here is so unpredictable that it wouldn't even matter!
Anyhow, I'll be in Cairns from noon-ish April 3rd through early evening April 6th. We're staying at Mantra Esplanade. It is 4/5 stars and looks pretty nice, so that's good! Our day of arrival is open for us to do whatever we'd like. Sunday we get an early start and head off the the Great Barrier Reef! Apparently you can scuba dive oppose to just snorkel, so if I can afford it and the time frame is workable, I will for sure scuba! However, I was just recently informed that you cannot scuba dive and fly within a certain timeframe, so I'll have to check that out. That evening is free yet again, though Jon mentioned an Easter egg hunt in his hotel room! Then on the 5th, the morning is ours, but the afternoon will be spent White Water Rafting on the Tully River! I've never been, but it looks like heaps of fun! Yet again, the evening is ours. The following day, we can do whatever we wish as long as we catch our flight out, which departs around 5pm. This trip was one of the top things I wanted to do while in Australia, so I'm pretty frick'n stoked. All I need is an underwater camera so that I can get some awesome pictures of the reef.
The Cairns excursion is something I paid for in my program fees to GSE, so everything is proved with the exception of a few meals and anything additional, such as scuba diving or sky diving or any additional tours.
Then I get to enjoy the 7th to relax and pack for my trip to the Northern Territory with Ryan! We are going to be in a tour group of up to 22 other individuals. I look forward to meeting new people. I hope they're as awesome as my Eurotrip buddies!
I depart the evening of the 8th and arrive in Darwin around 1:30am the 9th. Our hostile is right in the city, so it'll be easy to get to and from. We're spending 2 free days in Darwin. We'll probably sleep in the next day, then we'll explore the city. I was told there is some awesome fish feeding thing we can do. The following day, we're going to Crocosaurus Cove where we'll get to see a ton of reptiles and submerse in the "Cage of Death." It's a glass container that submerges in a huuuuuuge saltwater crocodile's waterhole. Craaaaazy. Then our tour starts the following day.
Our tour is 7 days. We start in Darwin and work our way down to Alice Springs. We get to do several little hikes in Darwin. Unfortunately, we do not get to see Kakadu, but we get to go to several smaller sites. I'm sure they're going to be equally as awesome. Oh, and did I mention that we get to camp also?
From Darwin, we'll work our way down to Alice Springs, where we'll see The Olgas, Uluru, Kings Canyon, and more. We get to watch the sun rise and set over Ayers Rock and sleep in Aussie swag under the stars. The outback is one of the best places for astronomers, so I know I'll love it.
Then we have one extra day on our own in Alice Springs and it's back to Sydney.
We return on the Friday before classes commence, so we'll have Saturday and Sunday to sleep and do homework.
And don't worry, I'm going to take a LOT of pictures!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
g'day, mate
A lot of people joked around with me asking me if I was going to come home speaking in an Aussie accent. Well, I don't think I'm going to be speaking like an Australian, but I certainly have picked up on some of the lingo.
I was writing an email to my adviser the other day. I was asking her to approve me on claws to that I could register. I noticed that I typed "enrolment" with one L, rather than 2. This happened again when I was typing a paper--I typed organisation with an S instead of a Z. I have also become accustomed to adding the U into words. For example, it is harboUr, coloUr, and flavoUr.
It isn't just my spelling, though. I even catch myself saying some Aussie words! I call my roommates "flatmates" instinctively. I also say "heaps" in the context of "That was HEAPS of fun!" I no longer order fries, but rather I ask for "chips". Potato chips in Oz are actually called crisps. The same applies for peppers. They are called capsicum here, so that is what I call them. Every once in awhile, I even catch myself saying mate! And while I don't do it frequently, I do say "cheers" every once in awhile rather than a tradition US farewell phrase.
There are some phrases that I'm getting pretty used to hearing, so it may be a matter of time before I wind up saying them myself. A common way Aussies greet one another is by saying "how're you going?" I'm pretty sure that'll be the one that gets me next! Coming in second is "dodgy." If something is subpar, the Aussie's will say it's dodgy. Kind of catchy, eh?
However, there are some words that I think it is safe to say that I will never spell/use. The one at the top of my list is "aluminium." Yes, that is aluminum. They spell it with the extra I, and they say it as Al-you-min-E-Yum. Also, cantaloupe is referred to as rockmelon. I felt like an idiot when I asked what it was and she pointed at a chunk of cantaloupe. Oh, and perhaps the most ridiculous one I have encountered (and yes, I actually heard it used!) was "sparrow's fart." This means dawn. If I ever say that I have to be up at sparrow's fart, it is certainly time to come home.
Because I live with a French guy, I also say piss (peace) off. I think that is only because it "piss"es him off, though.
That's all I've got for now, but look out for another update this week with pictures and spring break plans!
Good arvo (afternoon)!
I was writing an email to my adviser the other day. I was asking her to approve me on claws to that I could register. I noticed that I typed "enrolment" with one L, rather than 2. This happened again when I was typing a paper--I typed organisation with an S instead of a Z. I have also become accustomed to adding the U into words. For example, it is harboUr, coloUr, and flavoUr.
It isn't just my spelling, though. I even catch myself saying some Aussie words! I call my roommates "flatmates" instinctively. I also say "heaps" in the context of "That was HEAPS of fun!" I no longer order fries, but rather I ask for "chips". Potato chips in Oz are actually called crisps. The same applies for peppers. They are called capsicum here, so that is what I call them. Every once in awhile, I even catch myself saying mate! And while I don't do it frequently, I do say "cheers" every once in awhile rather than a tradition US farewell phrase.
There are some phrases that I'm getting pretty used to hearing, so it may be a matter of time before I wind up saying them myself. A common way Aussies greet one another is by saying "how're you going?" I'm pretty sure that'll be the one that gets me next! Coming in second is "dodgy." If something is subpar, the Aussie's will say it's dodgy. Kind of catchy, eh?
However, there are some words that I think it is safe to say that I will never spell/use. The one at the top of my list is "aluminium." Yes, that is aluminum. They spell it with the extra I, and they say it as Al-you-min-E-Yum. Also, cantaloupe is referred to as rockmelon. I felt like an idiot when I asked what it was and she pointed at a chunk of cantaloupe. Oh, and perhaps the most ridiculous one I have encountered (and yes, I actually heard it used!) was "sparrow's fart." This means dawn. If I ever say that I have to be up at sparrow's fart, it is certainly time to come home.
Because I live with a French guy, I also say piss (peace) off. I think that is only because it "piss"es him off, though.
That's all I've got for now, but look out for another update this week with pictures and spring break plans!
Good arvo (afternoon)!
Monday, March 15, 2010
What's up?
Just an update on what I've been up to. : )
This past week was a monster. I had so much school work to do and hardly anytime to do it! I had a presentation to work on(and a partner to do it with), an 800 word paper review, 50 pages to read, 3 computer assignments, and and online quiz to take. In addition, it was Vegard and Lilian's birthdays so there was plenty of celebrating to be had!
I baked a cake for my roommates and it was amazing. Charles (that French kid I live with haha) probably ate more of it than even the birthday people! But what can I say...I bake a damn good cake!
Monday was $8 movie monday, so Ryan, Charles, myself, and Vegard saw Alice In Wonderland for Vegard's birthday. It was pretty good. Great soundtrack!
Tuesday I worked on a lot of homework and tried to plan my spring break. I think we've changed our minds about a million times now. But we finally decided! We're going to spend 7 days in the northern territory. A couple days in Darwin hiking and hanging out with the crocs, and then a couple in Alice Springs checking out King's Canyon, the Olgas, and Uluru. I'm pretty stoked, actually. We get to legitimately camp in the outback! We sleep in heavy duty sleeping bags (swag) right under the stars--equipped with a bug net and everything. It's kind of funny because several people I've met want to spend their break lounging on the beaches, hanging out in paradise, etc--but I want to go hiking and camping. Either way, I am incredibly excited!
Wednesday is usually Ranch night, but I honestly don't remember if we went to the Ranch. I am pretty sure we did with Ryan's roommate...who left a very unflattering smell haha.
Thursday was a TOGA PARTY at the Ubar. It was so much fun. We wrapped sheets around ourselves then walked to the bar. There was actually a line to get in. Ryan and I met 2 fellas in line, both locals. They were pretty nice guys. Because it was so crowded, I figured I'd get drinks for me, Ry, and Lil. I fought my way to the counter at the bar just to discover that I could only buy 2 drinks. But the battle to the counter was not easy. I stood sideways so that I could get my hand on the counter and pull myself forward. The guy beside be did the same. He was about a foot taller than me and probably around the same size. He was pressing his body against me, trying to knock me over! Then the guy behind me was cheering for me to get to the bar before the pushy guy! It was crazy. I couldn't even move because it was wall to wall bodies. Then I searched for Ryan for like 30 mins and couldn't find him because there were so many people! I did, however, find to Aussie fellas that I met in line. I sat with them for about 20 mins before I finally found Ryan. I also ran into the bouncer from the Ranch who asked me how Ryan's roommate was--he remembered the nasty smell haha! Then we dashed off to the dancefloor which was lit with blacklights and crowded with people wrapped in sheets. T'was a good night!
Friday was an early start. I had to turn a paper in before we went to the zoo at 9am, so I was up by 7am after going to bed at 3am. Toronga Zoo was awesome. Whoever constructed the layout is absolutely amazing. The whole entire zoo is built into a hill. You take a cable car or bus to the top and work your way down, all while receiving an amazing view of Sydney and the bridge and opera house. Something very interesting I noticed about the zoo was the way animals were caged. The koalas for example, were not in a giant cage. They were hanging out in trees that a walkway was built around. There was no fence between you and the koala. The zoo was very interactive. You could walk into the exhibits with birds, kangaroos, emus, etc. We saw the bird and seal shows. The bird show was breathtaking. I can't even describe how amazing and well trained these birds were. And the seal show was equally as good--full of laughs! They made a joke about the California Sealion saying he laughs like an American, then the seal would do this really annoying laugh sound for EVER. It was funny, and quite American lol. We also watched a spider show. Thank GOD they didn't take any of them out of the containers.
That night, we celebrated Lil's birthday with a small party in our flat. It was truly one of the most fun nights I've had. We played cards, thumper, flip cup, etc and it wasn't too big. Everyone was having a good time. And then Charles started feeding people. He also thought he was invincible and kept pounding his injured hand on the table. Silly France. He also did a few other things that night, but I won't blog about them. ;)
Anyway, I had a blast, and so did Lil! What a great 21st.
Then Saturday we got up bright and early and dressed to impress for the Royal Randwick Horse Races! Charles told me I looked like I was getting married, so I told him to piss off. Anyway, the races were so much fun. I bet on a couple of horses...and lost. But it was still fun! Then we got rained on, but there was an amazing rainbow so it balanced out. I definitely would like to go again. Then me, Ry, Vegard, Lil and her sister Elda walked to Fox Studios. We intended on going bowling or seeing a comedy show, but turns out that Tuesdays are the cheap days (Tightass Tuesdays) so we'll be back! Instead we ate at a bar--the Fox and Lion. It was good. Then we hopped into a couple of cabs and headed for King's Cross where we found a nice little bar with cheap drinks! We spent awhile there, took a few shots with inappropriate names, then got rained on while trying to get back home! Either way, it was fun.
Then I got up Sunday morning and did homework all day, except for when I went to the shopping center for a break--once with Ry, once with France. I went to bed by midnight, and it was great!
I would add some pics, but the internet is flakey here.
Love from Sydney~!
This past week was a monster. I had so much school work to do and hardly anytime to do it! I had a presentation to work on(and a partner to do it with), an 800 word paper review, 50 pages to read, 3 computer assignments, and and online quiz to take. In addition, it was Vegard and Lilian's birthdays so there was plenty of celebrating to be had!
I baked a cake for my roommates and it was amazing. Charles (that French kid I live with haha) probably ate more of it than even the birthday people! But what can I say...I bake a damn good cake!
Monday was $8 movie monday, so Ryan, Charles, myself, and Vegard saw Alice In Wonderland for Vegard's birthday. It was pretty good. Great soundtrack!
Tuesday I worked on a lot of homework and tried to plan my spring break. I think we've changed our minds about a million times now. But we finally decided! We're going to spend 7 days in the northern territory. A couple days in Darwin hiking and hanging out with the crocs, and then a couple in Alice Springs checking out King's Canyon, the Olgas, and Uluru. I'm pretty stoked, actually. We get to legitimately camp in the outback! We sleep in heavy duty sleeping bags (swag) right under the stars--equipped with a bug net and everything. It's kind of funny because several people I've met want to spend their break lounging on the beaches, hanging out in paradise, etc--but I want to go hiking and camping. Either way, I am incredibly excited!
Wednesday is usually Ranch night, but I honestly don't remember if we went to the Ranch. I am pretty sure we did with Ryan's roommate...who left a very unflattering smell haha.
Thursday was a TOGA PARTY at the Ubar. It was so much fun. We wrapped sheets around ourselves then walked to the bar. There was actually a line to get in. Ryan and I met 2 fellas in line, both locals. They were pretty nice guys. Because it was so crowded, I figured I'd get drinks for me, Ry, and Lil. I fought my way to the counter at the bar just to discover that I could only buy 2 drinks. But the battle to the counter was not easy. I stood sideways so that I could get my hand on the counter and pull myself forward. The guy beside be did the same. He was about a foot taller than me and probably around the same size. He was pressing his body against me, trying to knock me over! Then the guy behind me was cheering for me to get to the bar before the pushy guy! It was crazy. I couldn't even move because it was wall to wall bodies. Then I searched for Ryan for like 30 mins and couldn't find him because there were so many people! I did, however, find to Aussie fellas that I met in line. I sat with them for about 20 mins before I finally found Ryan. I also ran into the bouncer from the Ranch who asked me how Ryan's roommate was--he remembered the nasty smell haha! Then we dashed off to the dancefloor which was lit with blacklights and crowded with people wrapped in sheets. T'was a good night!
Friday was an early start. I had to turn a paper in before we went to the zoo at 9am, so I was up by 7am after going to bed at 3am. Toronga Zoo was awesome. Whoever constructed the layout is absolutely amazing. The whole entire zoo is built into a hill. You take a cable car or bus to the top and work your way down, all while receiving an amazing view of Sydney and the bridge and opera house. Something very interesting I noticed about the zoo was the way animals were caged. The koalas for example, were not in a giant cage. They were hanging out in trees that a walkway was built around. There was no fence between you and the koala. The zoo was very interactive. You could walk into the exhibits with birds, kangaroos, emus, etc. We saw the bird and seal shows. The bird show was breathtaking. I can't even describe how amazing and well trained these birds were. And the seal show was equally as good--full of laughs! They made a joke about the California Sealion saying he laughs like an American, then the seal would do this really annoying laugh sound for EVER. It was funny, and quite American lol. We also watched a spider show. Thank GOD they didn't take any of them out of the containers.
That night, we celebrated Lil's birthday with a small party in our flat. It was truly one of the most fun nights I've had. We played cards, thumper, flip cup, etc and it wasn't too big. Everyone was having a good time. And then Charles started feeding people. He also thought he was invincible and kept pounding his injured hand on the table. Silly France. He also did a few other things that night, but I won't blog about them. ;)
Anyway, I had a blast, and so did Lil! What a great 21st.
Then Saturday we got up bright and early and dressed to impress for the Royal Randwick Horse Races! Charles told me I looked like I was getting married, so I told him to piss off. Anyway, the races were so much fun. I bet on a couple of horses...and lost. But it was still fun! Then we got rained on, but there was an amazing rainbow so it balanced out. I definitely would like to go again. Then me, Ry, Vegard, Lil and her sister Elda walked to Fox Studios. We intended on going bowling or seeing a comedy show, but turns out that Tuesdays are the cheap days (Tightass Tuesdays) so we'll be back! Instead we ate at a bar--the Fox and Lion. It was good. Then we hopped into a couple of cabs and headed for King's Cross where we found a nice little bar with cheap drinks! We spent awhile there, took a few shots with inappropriate names, then got rained on while trying to get back home! Either way, it was fun.
Then I got up Sunday morning and did homework all day, except for when I went to the shopping center for a break--once with Ry, once with France. I went to bed by midnight, and it was great!
I would add some pics, but the internet is flakey here.
Love from Sydney~!
Monday, March 8, 2010
A day in the life...
I haven't really talked too much about what I personally have been up to, so here it is!
I thought it'd be cool to start with my typical week.
***Monday: Wake up around 10, eat, gym by 11, work out til 12, shower, class 1-5, home, homework, dinner w/Ry, $8 movie monday, hang out, sleep
***Tuesday: Dread waking up at 8:30 because I stayed up too late, pass back out until 9:30, realize that I have 30 mins to get ready and make it to a class 15 mins away, occasionally decide that it isn't really a big deal because I watch my lectures online anyway, get up and check blackboard/eat. Class 12-1. Skype. class 5-7, come back and FML because class is hard, dinner, hang out, go to bed early compared to last night
***Wednesday: up at 9, breakfast, gym by 10, work out til 11ish, shower, class 12-2, back to the flat, try to understand my homework, class 6-9, come back, dress for the club, have some cheap boxed wine, walk to the Ranch for HUMP DAY! buy a rum and coke, sit on the patio and engage in deep conversation with various europeans, have a couple more drinks, attempt to dance to techno, come back to the flat around 2am, make food, sleep
***Thursday: wake up whenever, make food, gym if I have time before class, class 2-3, campus for an hour, shopping center, homework, eat dinner, commence the card games, head to the Ubar for an awesome night, sleep.
***Friday: NO CLASS! get up, eat, go downtown or to the beach, something like that.
***Saturday: Same deal as Friday
***Sunday: Lounge around and homework
Aussies party on Wed and Thurs. Fri and Sat they go out. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday...NOTHING happens. They do work. I will learn to do that too, eventually.
And now...some of the things I've done!
One of the first things I did upon getting here, other than shopping, was attend a bus tour of Sydney. It was quite nice--took us through the heart of the city, as well as around some of the suburbs.
My campus had O-week, so I played a giant version of Jenga and checked out the clubs. I also enjoyed The Hangover on a huge inflatable screen by the lake. Yeah, Macquarie has a lake Marian complete with fountain. The difference? No goose poop, and everything is bigger...even the fountain.
I also went on a cruise on the harbour where I got to mingle and take some pretty sweet pictures of the bridge and opera house.
I frequent the Ranch, which is a bar/club catty corner to my apartment. It is the hot spot to be on Wednesday nights! I also hang at the Ubar every Thursday. It's weird having a bar on campus and being able to drink on campus. Anyway, it's always a lot of fun--good company. They also do events, so last Thursday was PJ night, and this Thurs is toga party! I think 2 weeks ago I went to a concert/party at the Ubar. There were so many people. Ryan and I split up and it took us probably a good 30-40 mins before we ran into each other again. CRAAAAAZY.
I have gone to 3 beaches; Bondi, Manly, and Coogee. Bondi is HUGE and home to a tv series "Bondi Rescue", which showcases the lifeguards saving people...of course. Anyway, it's a very large beach, attractive to tourists and locals. It's usually quite busy, but the surf is pretty epic. Manly is a bit smaller, but still has a good surf. It isn't as crowded with tourists, either. And Coogee, my favorite, is just a small beach visited predominantly by the locals surrounding it. The waves probably aren't the best for surfing, but everything else is made of win. There is an entirely rock area to the North of the beach. It encloses a little gulf of water so you can swim without fighting the waves. You can also climb up the stones and get an amazing view. Love it.
I also attended Sydney's gay and lesbian mardi gras. It was crazy, that's all I can say! Lasted for 2.5 hours and kicked off with "dykes on bikes". We got there probably 4 hours before the start and it was already getting crowded. It was definitely a big deal.
I went to the Powerhouse Museum. They had an 80s exhibit that was pretty sweet. Saw MJs sequin glove. The museum is probably Sydney's version of the museum of science and industry in Chicago.
I went to a rugby game. I understand 3 things: No passing to teammates in front of you, get the ball to the opponents goal, and tackle the shit out of anyone with the ball. It was fun, though. I wish I understood it more. Ooo and I got a meat pie, which is apparently what the Aussies eat at sporting events. That and a nice cold beer. These chaps can certainly drink!
I have wandered around random parts of Sydney on numerous occasions. Usually I have a goal and full intentions of winding up somewhere, but people apparently suck at directions because Ry and I can never find the places they tell us about! Anyway, it's not a bad thing!
I encounter something new every week, so until next time, g'day mates!
I thought it'd be cool to start with my typical week.
***Monday: Wake up around 10, eat, gym by 11, work out til 12, shower, class 1-5, home, homework, dinner w/Ry, $8 movie monday, hang out, sleep
***Tuesday: Dread waking up at 8:30 because I stayed up too late, pass back out until 9:30, realize that I have 30 mins to get ready and make it to a class 15 mins away, occasionally decide that it isn't really a big deal because I watch my lectures online anyway, get up and check blackboard/eat. Class 12-1. Skype. class 5-7, come back and FML because class is hard, dinner, hang out, go to bed early compared to last night
***Wednesday: up at 9, breakfast, gym by 10, work out til 11ish, shower, class 12-2, back to the flat, try to understand my homework, class 6-9, come back, dress for the club, have some cheap boxed wine, walk to the Ranch for HUMP DAY! buy a rum and coke, sit on the patio and engage in deep conversation with various europeans, have a couple more drinks, attempt to dance to techno, come back to the flat around 2am, make food, sleep
***Thursday: wake up whenever, make food, gym if I have time before class, class 2-3, campus for an hour, shopping center, homework, eat dinner, commence the card games, head to the Ubar for an awesome night, sleep.
***Friday: NO CLASS! get up, eat, go downtown or to the beach, something like that.
***Saturday: Same deal as Friday
***Sunday: Lounge around and homework
Aussies party on Wed and Thurs. Fri and Sat they go out. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday...NOTHING happens. They do work. I will learn to do that too, eventually.
And now...some of the things I've done!
One of the first things I did upon getting here, other than shopping, was attend a bus tour of Sydney. It was quite nice--took us through the heart of the city, as well as around some of the suburbs.
My campus had O-week, so I played a giant version of Jenga and checked out the clubs. I also enjoyed The Hangover on a huge inflatable screen by the lake. Yeah, Macquarie has a lake Marian complete with fountain. The difference? No goose poop, and everything is bigger...even the fountain.
I also went on a cruise on the harbour where I got to mingle and take some pretty sweet pictures of the bridge and opera house.
I frequent the Ranch, which is a bar/club catty corner to my apartment. It is the hot spot to be on Wednesday nights! I also hang at the Ubar every Thursday. It's weird having a bar on campus and being able to drink on campus. Anyway, it's always a lot of fun--good company. They also do events, so last Thursday was PJ night, and this Thurs is toga party! I think 2 weeks ago I went to a concert/party at the Ubar. There were so many people. Ryan and I split up and it took us probably a good 30-40 mins before we ran into each other again. CRAAAAAZY.
I have gone to 3 beaches; Bondi, Manly, and Coogee. Bondi is HUGE and home to a tv series "Bondi Rescue", which showcases the lifeguards saving people...of course. Anyway, it's a very large beach, attractive to tourists and locals. It's usually quite busy, but the surf is pretty epic. Manly is a bit smaller, but still has a good surf. It isn't as crowded with tourists, either. And Coogee, my favorite, is just a small beach visited predominantly by the locals surrounding it. The waves probably aren't the best for surfing, but everything else is made of win. There is an entirely rock area to the North of the beach. It encloses a little gulf of water so you can swim without fighting the waves. You can also climb up the stones and get an amazing view. Love it.
I also attended Sydney's gay and lesbian mardi gras. It was crazy, that's all I can say! Lasted for 2.5 hours and kicked off with "dykes on bikes". We got there probably 4 hours before the start and it was already getting crowded. It was definitely a big deal.
I went to the Powerhouse Museum. They had an 80s exhibit that was pretty sweet. Saw MJs sequin glove. The museum is probably Sydney's version of the museum of science and industry in Chicago.
I went to a rugby game. I understand 3 things: No passing to teammates in front of you, get the ball to the opponents goal, and tackle the shit out of anyone with the ball. It was fun, though. I wish I understood it more. Ooo and I got a meat pie, which is apparently what the Aussies eat at sporting events. That and a nice cold beer. These chaps can certainly drink!
I have wandered around random parts of Sydney on numerous occasions. Usually I have a goal and full intentions of winding up somewhere, but people apparently suck at directions because Ry and I can never find the places they tell us about! Anyway, it's not a bad thing!
I encounter something new every week, so until next time, g'day mates!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
It's kind of like home...
The city of Sydney is extremely diverse. There are people from all parts of the world. However, it's not just an influx of people from various parts of the world--Australians themselves are diverse. It still surprises me a bit every time I hear a bunch of Asians talking with Aussie accents. Speaking of, there is a very large Asian influence in Australia. As bad as this is going to sound, Asians in Australia are the equivalent of Mexicans in the US, in both the positive and negative ways.
I’ve noticed that Australians are very environmentally conscious. Recycling and going green isn’t a trend here—it is a way of life. There are recycle bins nearly everywhere, and when there are not, you can usually notice a sign on the garbage bin that states that the garbage company sorts through the “rubbish.” Many buses have panels stating that they are reducing carbon emissions, etc. Even people I have met from various European countries take our environment seriously, and something such as flicking a cigarette butt into the street is heartbreaking to them.
All and all, I find Sydneysiders to be genuinely nice people, interested in making sure everyone is having a good time. However, Jon tells me that Aussies from other cities will agree that Sydney is the rudest city. If I think they’re nice here, I cannot even imagine how they are every where else!
I am still new to the area and have only met a handful of Aussies, but the stereotypes I had of the people here are being emphasized in some senses, completely reevaluated in others. Aside from the lingo and the tan, there are some subtle things that really enhance the Aussie lifestyle. For example, Aussies drive on the left side of the road so naturally, they walk on the left side of the pathways. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but you notice it everywhere you go! The music in clubs is usually techno and the style of dance is a bit different--people just jump around. And I've definitely noticed that men, regardless of their sexual preference, will wear short shorts. There is so much more, but I couldn’t possibly list them all! I will update as it comes to me, though!
The transportation system in Sydney is nice, but it's no Chicago. The trains and buses are very nice. They all seem fairly new, or at least VERY well kept. The trains are actually double decker, which is very interesting to me. I will ride on the upper level before I leave. The buses are fairly cozy, but don't sit in the back or you'll get a headache. The ferry is pretty basic and has a nice indoor seating area, as well as a bar for beverages/snacks. There is outdoor seating as well, but it fills up fast. When the gates open people just pile in. I have yet to experience the monorail or a cab, but I'm sure the day will happen. The system has its fair share of downfalls, though. Most trains run every half hour opposed to every few minutes. Buses seem a bit more frequent, but they are not quite as fast. The city works in zones, so the closer you are to your destination, the cheaper your ticket will be. Also, there are student concession stickers, but study abroad students are not viewed as Australian students by the city, so we will be lucky if we can get one. My hopes are high, though. This would make tickets half priced. My biggest pet peeve about the system though is that while on the train, there is no message declaring which stop you are approaching. It is a pain in the bum to try to read the station signs as you approach.
Shopping is chaos. People are crazy when they’re going down the aisles! They will try to pass you when there is oncoming trolley (shopping cart) traffic, even if you’re walking! And lines…don’t get me started! It seems to be commonplace to have only 1 or 2 employees at the register, even during busy hours. I waited for 15 mins to pay for 3 items, and this happens frequently!
Along with shopping is cost: Things here are pricy! Wine, clothes, and fruit are the cheapest items for purchase--everything else is easily double, if not triple the cost it would be at home. For Aussies, it all balances out. Their minimum wages are double what ours are.
The food is very similar to what we find at home in the sense that there is Asian, Italian, and Mexican foods, etc. BBQs are different. Replace burgers, brats, and hotdogs with sausages and you’ve got it! And typically the sausage is just wrapped in bread, no fancy buns. Food for purchase in the store is quite similar to home, only in smaller portions with different names. Most food does not have preservatives here, which is a blessing and a curse. It tastes better, in my opinion. Candies, or confectioneries as they are called, are very sweet, courtesy of real sugar. Soda is also made with sugar, so think pepsi throw back, only it's coke! Even fast food places, such as McDonalds (Maccas) taste different…and are probably healthier. However, food spoils a wee bit quicker, and considering I find such things rather pricey compared to the states, this is a major negative. Looks like I'll be freezing my bread! Also, portions are significantly smaller than compared to the US. My body is still adjusting to the lesser food intake and the more active lifestyle.
I think that’s all I’ve got for now, so as the Aussies would say, cheers mate!
I’ve noticed that Australians are very environmentally conscious. Recycling and going green isn’t a trend here—it is a way of life. There are recycle bins nearly everywhere, and when there are not, you can usually notice a sign on the garbage bin that states that the garbage company sorts through the “rubbish.” Many buses have panels stating that they are reducing carbon emissions, etc. Even people I have met from various European countries take our environment seriously, and something such as flicking a cigarette butt into the street is heartbreaking to them.
All and all, I find Sydneysiders to be genuinely nice people, interested in making sure everyone is having a good time. However, Jon tells me that Aussies from other cities will agree that Sydney is the rudest city. If I think they’re nice here, I cannot even imagine how they are every where else!
I am still new to the area and have only met a handful of Aussies, but the stereotypes I had of the people here are being emphasized in some senses, completely reevaluated in others. Aside from the lingo and the tan, there are some subtle things that really enhance the Aussie lifestyle. For example, Aussies drive on the left side of the road so naturally, they walk on the left side of the pathways. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but you notice it everywhere you go! The music in clubs is usually techno and the style of dance is a bit different--people just jump around. And I've definitely noticed that men, regardless of their sexual preference, will wear short shorts. There is so much more, but I couldn’t possibly list them all! I will update as it comes to me, though!
The transportation system in Sydney is nice, but it's no Chicago. The trains and buses are very nice. They all seem fairly new, or at least VERY well kept. The trains are actually double decker, which is very interesting to me. I will ride on the upper level before I leave. The buses are fairly cozy, but don't sit in the back or you'll get a headache. The ferry is pretty basic and has a nice indoor seating area, as well as a bar for beverages/snacks. There is outdoor seating as well, but it fills up fast. When the gates open people just pile in. I have yet to experience the monorail or a cab, but I'm sure the day will happen. The system has its fair share of downfalls, though. Most trains run every half hour opposed to every few minutes. Buses seem a bit more frequent, but they are not quite as fast. The city works in zones, so the closer you are to your destination, the cheaper your ticket will be. Also, there are student concession stickers, but study abroad students are not viewed as Australian students by the city, so we will be lucky if we can get one. My hopes are high, though. This would make tickets half priced. My biggest pet peeve about the system though is that while on the train, there is no message declaring which stop you are approaching. It is a pain in the bum to try to read the station signs as you approach.
Shopping is chaos. People are crazy when they’re going down the aisles! They will try to pass you when there is oncoming trolley (shopping cart) traffic, even if you’re walking! And lines…don’t get me started! It seems to be commonplace to have only 1 or 2 employees at the register, even during busy hours. I waited for 15 mins to pay for 3 items, and this happens frequently!
Along with shopping is cost: Things here are pricy! Wine, clothes, and fruit are the cheapest items for purchase--everything else is easily double, if not triple the cost it would be at home. For Aussies, it all balances out. Their minimum wages are double what ours are.
The food is very similar to what we find at home in the sense that there is Asian, Italian, and Mexican foods, etc. BBQs are different. Replace burgers, brats, and hotdogs with sausages and you’ve got it! And typically the sausage is just wrapped in bread, no fancy buns. Food for purchase in the store is quite similar to home, only in smaller portions with different names. Most food does not have preservatives here, which is a blessing and a curse. It tastes better, in my opinion. Candies, or confectioneries as they are called, are very sweet, courtesy of real sugar. Soda is also made with sugar, so think pepsi throw back, only it's coke! Even fast food places, such as McDonalds (Maccas) taste different…and are probably healthier. However, food spoils a wee bit quicker, and considering I find such things rather pricey compared to the states, this is a major negative. Looks like I'll be freezing my bread! Also, portions are significantly smaller than compared to the US. My body is still adjusting to the lesser food intake and the more active lifestyle.
I think that’s all I’ve got for now, so as the Aussies would say, cheers mate!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Macquarie Uni
I am attending Macquarie University. The uni is probably around 35-40000 students, 1/3 of which are international. The campus is about a 15 minute walk from my flat and just the main courtyard and surrounding buildings are SXU's equivalent.
There is not really on-campus housing. There is the village about 15 minutes outside of campus, which is a collection of apartments that houses the majority of students. The parklands, where I stay, houses the rest. We are adjacent to the village, and also about 15 mins from campus. However, we're only 10 away from the shopping center, which has literally everything.
Academics are not as forced as they are in the US. By this I mean that college is not something Aussies feel they must do. Jon, our program mentor, tells us that it is typical for and Aussie to finish college (high school), then travel. They do not necessarily require a university education in order to find themselves in a successful occupation, Jon being a primary example--as he is a self-employed landscaper.
Classes, or units, are a lot more dependent on the student. Typically, you have a lecture or 2 and a tutorial, maybe a practical or a mixed session. Attendance at lectures is not mandatory and all are available to view online, but tutorials are essential and used to aid you in your understanding of course material. Not attending them can result in failure, and deportation for anyone studying on a visa. Professors prefer to be called by their first name and the learning environment is very casual. Busy work is non-existent; most classes consist of a couple of papers, maybe a test...but not so much weekly assignments. It is the students job to keep up with the readings and pass.
Getting a student ID card was utter chaos, as is buying books. Lines are very long and move quite slow. You have to get up early, or stay late to complete such tasks. Speaking of books, many of my classes use extended syllabi and e-reserve. The syllabus is 50+ pages, and e-reserve has articles and chapters from books online. Concession stickers are available for exchange, international, and Australian MQ students, but not for study-abroad students. In the city's eyes, we are not eligible because we are not replacing an Aussie student or living here like a resident. It's a bummer, but what can you do?
There are numerous clubs and activities available for students. Many clubs cost a couple of dollars to join, but you reap the benefits--such as free food, friends, and a good time. There is also a gym known as the Sports and Aquatic Center. It costs something like $180 to join, but it gives you access to courts, pools, weights, and classes. There are even some trips organized through the facility.
The campus also has its very own bar, the Ubar. It is the hot spot to be on Thursday nights and has affordable drinks! AMAZING! It's a great environment, although it is still bizarre to me that I can grab a rum and coke between classes.
Behind the Ubar is a huge lake with a fountain. It is like Lake Marian, only it's a real lake and doesn't smell like goose poop.
So how do I feel about MQ? It is honestly everything I'd hoped for. Granted, things are a hell of a lot more difficult to get accomplished, I don't have a meal plan, and I have to get up earlier than I usually would, but it is completely worth it.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Welcome to Sydney
The plane ride was long. I think Ryan and I were done after the 4 hour flight to San Francisco. I am kind of glad neither of us had the time. It made the journey seem a lot less painful. Once we arrived in Sydney and stepped off the plane, you could feel the heat. We found the Macquarie sign and made our way to a van with several other study abroad students from the states
Australian’s drive on the left side of the road and it seems to me that manuals are fairly common as oppose to the US, though we were told that there is a good mix. The trains are a hell of a lot nicer than in Chicago and a lot more user friendly. They are also double decks so they accommodate more. The buses are nice as well, but take a bit longer. We are very fortunate to have a bus stop and train station within walking distance to where we leave.
We live in the Macquarie Parklands. They are sufficient for our needs, but there is no internet and only 5 channels, 2 of which we'll actually watch. The apartments are rather run down with outdated appliances and dishes/pans/etc that other students just left there. We are technically not allowed to hang stuff on the walls, which is lame...and the RAs do check. The apartments don't have internet and purchasing it is expensive, but I'll probably bight the bullet and do so anyway.
I live in a shared room with Lilian. She is AWESOME. We have a ton of fun together. One of my flat mates is Vegard (Vague Nuh). He is Norwegian, and also fun to hang out with. A very clean male, actually. He hangs out with all of us, which is lovely. My other flatmate just moved in yesterday. I can't recall his name, but he is from France. The fellas that live below me are Italian grad students--Jacabo (yah kah bow), Luka, and Andreas, and one Finn who just moved in named Ozzie. We had a little party with them a couple days ago, and with their French friend Vinny. It was so much fun and a great way to break in the semester. They play games a bit different here. I can't wait to play them with friends back home! I had an amazing conversation with Vinny about perceptions French have of Americans. One of the most engaging conversations I have ever had. I also met the GSE people. I really see myself becoming good friends with Lil (TX) and Brandon(NY). We all get together and cook dinner with Ryan. I have tried to put myself outside of my comfort zone and talk to strangers, and it's paying off! We all went to a party at The Ranch, which is a bar/club a block up the street from our apartment. It was...different. Mainly drunk exchange students. We also went on a cruise around the harbour last night. It was very beautiful, and I met and talked with several other individuals. Our GSE buddy is named Jon. He is a true Sydneysider and sort of like our mentor. He is a great deal of fun, always willing to help, and a prime candidate for some good conversations. Anyway, the people here are extremely friendly. When Ry and I were grocery shopping, an Aussie woman had a conversation with us and even gave us some shopping tips.
Things in Australia are very expensive compared to home. Supporting my habits are going to be an exciting challenge. I don't think it's a bad thing, though. Just to add some perspective:
box of cereal = $6-8
mcchicken from Maccas (mcdonalds)= $4
Bottle of Absolute vodka= $40
1 donut=$2
eggs = $5
petrol/gas= $2 a litre
drinks downtown=$8
train = $6.40
and internet costs...well, they are just awful because you pay by how much data you use.
As you can see, cost of living is pricey. However, Aussies make $15 on average for a minimum wage, so the cost balances out for them. Australia doesn't have tax like me do, or tipping. They don't mess around with pennies. They will round up or down to the nearest 10 cents. On the upside, I will be eating healthier and wine is cheap!
The weather here is currently in the mid 70s and it is 2pm. It is usually sunny in Sydney, but occasionally there's some rain/storms. The terrain is very hilly, which is a great change of pace from the flatness that is home. The trees are crazy looking and a lot of them don't have any bark. It ALWAYS smells good outside. The birds are very exotic and make a lot of interesting noises. There are cockroaches that hang out on the sidewalks. No kangaroos or anything like that yet. They say you have to visit the country to see them. That is a bit bizarre to me, but it's the norm. The little houses are filled with so much character and I have yet to see a boring landscape. It is nothing like suburbia. The wealthier families houses are larger and seem to be more futuristic in style. Downtown Sydney is everything I imagined and even more. It is massive. The opera house and harbour bridge are absolutely breathtaking. We did an all encompassing tour of Sydney and learned a bit about the history and places to go. Bondi beach is HUGE and the waves are crazy big. I can't wait to fail miserably at surfing.
I will post more about the culture and my personal experiences in my next blog, but just know that vegemite is an acquired taste, but Aussie's will go craaazy for it.
And just for fun, here are a few terms I've learned since my arrival:
snag = sausage
dick sticker / budgie smuggler = speedo
thongs = flip flops
take the piss = make fun of, joke around
capsicone = a bell pepper
Australian’s drive on the left side of the road and it seems to me that manuals are fairly common as oppose to the US, though we were told that there is a good mix. The trains are a hell of a lot nicer than in Chicago and a lot more user friendly. They are also double decks so they accommodate more. The buses are nice as well, but take a bit longer. We are very fortunate to have a bus stop and train station within walking distance to where we leave.
We live in the Macquarie Parklands. They are sufficient for our needs, but there is no internet and only 5 channels, 2 of which we'll actually watch. The apartments are rather run down with outdated appliances and dishes/pans/etc that other students just left there. We are technically not allowed to hang stuff on the walls, which is lame...and the RAs do check. The apartments don't have internet and purchasing it is expensive, but I'll probably bight the bullet and do so anyway.
I live in a shared room with Lilian. She is AWESOME. We have a ton of fun together. One of my flat mates is Vegard (Vague Nuh). He is Norwegian, and also fun to hang out with. A very clean male, actually. He hangs out with all of us, which is lovely. My other flatmate just moved in yesterday. I can't recall his name, but he is from France. The fellas that live below me are Italian grad students--Jacabo (yah kah bow), Luka, and Andreas, and one Finn who just moved in named Ozzie. We had a little party with them a couple days ago, and with their French friend Vinny. It was so much fun and a great way to break in the semester. They play games a bit different here. I can't wait to play them with friends back home! I had an amazing conversation with Vinny about perceptions French have of Americans. One of the most engaging conversations I have ever had. I also met the GSE people. I really see myself becoming good friends with Lil (TX) and Brandon(NY). We all get together and cook dinner with Ryan. I have tried to put myself outside of my comfort zone and talk to strangers, and it's paying off! We all went to a party at The Ranch, which is a bar/club a block up the street from our apartment. It was...different. Mainly drunk exchange students. We also went on a cruise around the harbour last night. It was very beautiful, and I met and talked with several other individuals. Our GSE buddy is named Jon. He is a true Sydneysider and sort of like our mentor. He is a great deal of fun, always willing to help, and a prime candidate for some good conversations. Anyway, the people here are extremely friendly. When Ry and I were grocery shopping, an Aussie woman had a conversation with us and even gave us some shopping tips.
Things in Australia are very expensive compared to home. Supporting my habits are going to be an exciting challenge. I don't think it's a bad thing, though. Just to add some perspective:
box of cereal = $6-8
mcchicken from Maccas (mcdonalds)= $4
Bottle of Absolute vodka= $40
1 donut=$2
eggs = $5
petrol/gas= $2 a litre
drinks downtown=$8
train = $6.40
and internet costs...well, they are just awful because you pay by how much data you use.
As you can see, cost of living is pricey. However, Aussies make $15 on average for a minimum wage, so the cost balances out for them. Australia doesn't have tax like me do, or tipping. They don't mess around with pennies. They will round up or down to the nearest 10 cents. On the upside, I will be eating healthier and wine is cheap!
The weather here is currently in the mid 70s and it is 2pm. It is usually sunny in Sydney, but occasionally there's some rain/storms. The terrain is very hilly, which is a great change of pace from the flatness that is home. The trees are crazy looking and a lot of them don't have any bark. It ALWAYS smells good outside. The birds are very exotic and make a lot of interesting noises. There are cockroaches that hang out on the sidewalks. No kangaroos or anything like that yet. They say you have to visit the country to see them. That is a bit bizarre to me, but it's the norm. The little houses are filled with so much character and I have yet to see a boring landscape. It is nothing like suburbia. The wealthier families houses are larger and seem to be more futuristic in style. Downtown Sydney is everything I imagined and even more. It is massive. The opera house and harbour bridge are absolutely breathtaking. We did an all encompassing tour of Sydney and learned a bit about the history and places to go. Bondi beach is HUGE and the waves are crazy big. I can't wait to fail miserably at surfing.
I will post more about the culture and my personal experiences in my next blog, but just know that vegemite is an acquired taste, but Aussie's will go craaazy for it.
And just for fun, here are a few terms I've learned since my arrival:
snag = sausage
dick sticker / budgie smuggler = speedo
thongs = flip flops
take the piss = make fun of, joke around
capsicone = a bell pepper
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Departure draws nearer!
I received my orientation packed from GSE last week. Reading through it gets me so excited!
I'll be staying in the Macquarie Parklands. Apparently, they are a bit run down, but sufficient for exchange students. I'm not too picky--I made it through Pacelli Hall...
The apartments are adjacent to campus as well as a 5 min walk to the Mac Center, which is essentially the "college town" with entertainment and shopping. Very convenient! Unfortunately, the apartments do not have internet. I don't know if they are equipped for it or not. Depending on where I'd have to travel to in order to Skype, it may be worth paying for if the apartments are set up.
Anyway, it appears that my roommate is a girl named Lillian from Texas. I've talked to her on facebook a few times, and she seems like a lot of fun. We've already planned a hat shopping day! We will have 2 other roomies (at least I'm pretty sure we will), as the apartment accommodates up to 4. It'd be kind of neat if Ryan lived across the hall. Lillian says she's bad at cooking haha.
Within the packet is a program calendar. GSE organized excursions, as well as cultural events for us. I figure that I'll list what GSE has planned for us here, plus any other dates set!
*Feb 12 DEPART from Chicago!
*Feb 15-18 Welcome/Orientation/Enrollment
*Feb 22 Class starts!
*Feb 26 Coogee Beach BBQ - one of Sydney's most popular destinations for locals & tourists. Beautiful beach, vast choice of lovely cafes/restaurants, & lively nightlife
*March 6 NSW Waratahs vs South African Sharks Rugby Union Match
*March 12 Celebrating Lillian's bday!
*March 13 Royal Randwick Horse Races - Men = Blazer & tie, women = dress & fancy hat
*March 19 Port Stephens - Dolphin Tour & four wheeling over the largest sand dunes on the east coast of Oz
*March 26 Nielsen Park/Bay - Sydney Harbour National Park
*April 2 Classes end, mid-semester break begins!
*April 3-6 Cairns excursion - Great Barrier reef, whitewater rafting
*April 19 Break ends
*April 30 Sydney Opera House tour - I want to actually see an opera there, too...
*May 15 Hunter Valley - known for famous wine exports. Visiting various wineries and cheese/chocolate factories
*May 22 AFL Swans Match - Australian football
*June 7-25 Exams......oh nooo
*June 5 Blue Mountains excursion
*June 10 ICE BAR for Ryan's bdayy!
*June 18 GSE Farewell Dinner :(
*June 26 Depart for the states
Sometime in May, we're going to New Zealand to meet up with Jen, Szafran, and Slouber!
There are like a million and one things I want to see/do while I'm in Australia, but I know I can't afford/don't have time to do all of them! So I figure I'll pick my top three that aren't included above, and do my best to make them happen.
1) Uluru - The true outback!
2) Melbourne
3) Fraser Island
I've been reading a lonely planet: australia book that my professor gave me. I don't think I've ever been more excited about culture shock! I am grateful that GSE organized cultural events because it is very important to me to learn about the place I'm spending the next 4 and a half months at!
I am excited, and equally as nervous. I have everything laid out, I just have to pack it. My shopping is done, aside from a pair of comfortable dress shoes (is that possible?) Just counting down the days until the time of my life, and the plane ride from hell. 11!
I'll be staying in the Macquarie Parklands. Apparently, they are a bit run down, but sufficient for exchange students. I'm not too picky--I made it through Pacelli Hall...
The apartments are adjacent to campus as well as a 5 min walk to the Mac Center, which is essentially the "college town" with entertainment and shopping. Very convenient! Unfortunately, the apartments do not have internet. I don't know if they are equipped for it or not. Depending on where I'd have to travel to in order to Skype, it may be worth paying for if the apartments are set up.
Anyway, it appears that my roommate is a girl named Lillian from Texas. I've talked to her on facebook a few times, and she seems like a lot of fun. We've already planned a hat shopping day! We will have 2 other roomies (at least I'm pretty sure we will), as the apartment accommodates up to 4. It'd be kind of neat if Ryan lived across the hall. Lillian says she's bad at cooking haha.
Within the packet is a program calendar. GSE organized excursions, as well as cultural events for us. I figure that I'll list what GSE has planned for us here, plus any other dates set!
*Feb 12 DEPART from Chicago!
*Feb 15-18 Welcome/Orientation/Enrollment
*Feb 22 Class starts!
*Feb 26 Coogee Beach BBQ - one of Sydney's most popular destinations for locals & tourists. Beautiful beach, vast choice of lovely cafes/restaurants, & lively nightlife
*March 6 NSW Waratahs vs South African Sharks Rugby Union Match
*March 12 Celebrating Lillian's bday!
*March 13 Royal Randwick Horse Races - Men = Blazer & tie, women = dress & fancy hat
*March 19 Port Stephens - Dolphin Tour & four wheeling over the largest sand dunes on the east coast of Oz
*March 26 Nielsen Park/Bay - Sydney Harbour National Park
*April 2 Classes end, mid-semester break begins!
*April 3-6 Cairns excursion - Great Barrier reef, whitewater rafting
*April 19 Break ends
*April 30 Sydney Opera House tour - I want to actually see an opera there, too...
*May 15 Hunter Valley - known for famous wine exports. Visiting various wineries and cheese/chocolate factories
*May 22 AFL Swans Match - Australian football
*June 7-25 Exams......oh nooo
*June 5 Blue Mountains excursion
*June 10 ICE BAR for Ryan's bdayy!
*June 18 GSE Farewell Dinner :(
*June 26 Depart for the states
Sometime in May, we're going to New Zealand to meet up with Jen, Szafran, and Slouber!
There are like a million and one things I want to see/do while I'm in Australia, but I know I can't afford/don't have time to do all of them! So I figure I'll pick my top three that aren't included above, and do my best to make them happen.
1) Uluru - The true outback!
2) Melbourne
3) Fraser Island
I've been reading a lonely planet: australia book that my professor gave me. I don't think I've ever been more excited about culture shock! I am grateful that GSE organized cultural events because it is very important to me to learn about the place I'm spending the next 4 and a half months at!
I am excited, and equally as nervous. I have everything laid out, I just have to pack it. My shopping is done, aside from a pair of comfortable dress shoes (is that possible?) Just counting down the days until the time of my life, and the plane ride from hell. 11!
Monday, January 18, 2010
first's the worst
Last time I had a blog, I was a hormonal teen.
I'm going to attempt to do this regularly, and by that I mean that I shall update whenever I have free time and remember.
Anywho, 25 days until departure. Until then, el vitezei!
I'm going to attempt to do this regularly, and by that I mean that I shall update whenever I have free time and remember.
Anywho, 25 days until departure. Until then, el vitezei!
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