Hi.
I am still in Australia.
Bye.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Brisbane/Melbourne
Holidays-
So Lindsey & I went to Brisbane for 24 hours. The main point of this trip was to see a Hawthorn Hawks AFL game. Lindsey is a bit obsessed and when she found out their game in Melbourne was on the same day as her father's birthday party, she joked that we should go to Brisbane and I said "Why not?" I need to see other places and she'd never been to Brisbane either, so we decided to go for it. We didn't really do much research about Brisbane, so we weren't quite sure what to do once we got there. We wandered around downtown before meeting her friend for lunch on South Bank. Afterwards we wandered around the shops and then went to the Brisbane Museum before heading back to our hotel to grab dinner before the footy match.
The next morning we flew to Melbourne and went back to her parents house for a few hours before driving to Phillip Island where her grandparents have a house. That night we went to see the fairy penguins which were super cute and then went to bed. In the morning, we woke up in a freezing house and realized we had no hot water, so we left pretty quickly. We stopped at the Koala Reserve where we actually saw a bunch of koalas and the park conveniently had signs under the trees where they were all located, so we didn't even have to look too hard (I went to another koala reserve with my parents when they were here, but there were no koalas to be found).
We also went to Churchill Island, which is an old farmstead, but that wasn't very exciting. We only went because we got 2-for1 3 park passes. They had cute cows and really good scones though.
The next day we went to the Puffing Billy train, had lunch at a really good restaurant in Sassfrass, went to an scenic overlook of Melbourne, and then had tea with her grandparents. Other than that, the rest of the week mostly involved hanging out at her house, shopping, going to a concert, and meeting her friends. It was really good to have a nice relaxing time. Her dad's birthday party ended up getting moved to the day before, so we went to another Hawthorn game which was really fun as I understood the game a lot better than the first time.
Anyway, that's it for now. I need to stop procrastinating
So Lindsey & I went to Brisbane for 24 hours. The main point of this trip was to see a Hawthorn Hawks AFL game. Lindsey is a bit obsessed and when she found out their game in Melbourne was on the same day as her father's birthday party, she joked that we should go to Brisbane and I said "Why not?" I need to see other places and she'd never been to Brisbane either, so we decided to go for it. We didn't really do much research about Brisbane, so we weren't quite sure what to do once we got there. We wandered around downtown before meeting her friend for lunch on South Bank. Afterwards we wandered around the shops and then went to the Brisbane Museum before heading back to our hotel to grab dinner before the footy match.
The next morning we flew to Melbourne and went back to her parents house for a few hours before driving to Phillip Island where her grandparents have a house. That night we went to see the fairy penguins which were super cute and then went to bed. In the morning, we woke up in a freezing house and realized we had no hot water, so we left pretty quickly. We stopped at the Koala Reserve where we actually saw a bunch of koalas and the park conveniently had signs under the trees where they were all located, so we didn't even have to look too hard (I went to another koala reserve with my parents when they were here, but there were no koalas to be found).
We also went to Churchill Island, which is an old farmstead, but that wasn't very exciting. We only went because we got 2-for1 3 park passes. They had cute cows and really good scones though.
The next day we went to the Puffing Billy train, had lunch at a really good restaurant in Sassfrass, went to an scenic overlook of Melbourne, and then had tea with her grandparents. Other than that, the rest of the week mostly involved hanging out at her house, shopping, going to a concert, and meeting her friends. It was really good to have a nice relaxing time. Her dad's birthday party ended up getting moved to the day before, so we went to another Hawthorn game which was really fun as I understood the game a lot better than the first time.
Anyway, that's it for now. I need to stop procrastinating
Friday, May 2, 2008
Studying Abroad- Actually just making me whiter...
I have come to the conclusion, with the help of Stuff White People Like, that studying abroad is not in fact making me a global citizen
, but in fact, making me even whiter than I already am, which is pretty damn white.
Now in addition to wearing scarves with my Threadless t-shirts while standing still at concerts, eating delicious sandwiches, running in my New Balance gym shoes, studying for my arts degree (after completing thegifted program at my primary school) in Minnesota where I don't have a TV but will watch The Daily Show & The Colbert Report in the lounge sometimes or Arrested Development on DVD, listening to my favorite indie bands on my iPod and MacBook, going to Whole Foods every Monday night after volunteering, listening to public radio while drinking coffee, and loving Barack Obama, I can now add the following things to my white repertoire: studying abroad and an interest in Australian Football League.
Here are some especially relevant passages:
On my love of Vegemite & Cheese toast:
Study Abroad allows people to leave their current educational institution and spend a semester or a year in Europe or Australia. Though study abroad are offered to other places, these two are the overwhelming favorites.
By attending school in another country, white people are technically living in another country. This is important as it gives them the opportunity to insert that fact into any sentence they please. “When I used to live in [insert country], I would always ride the train to school. The people I’d see were inspiring.”
If you need to make up your own study abroad experience, they all pretty much work the same way. You arrived in Australia not knowing anybody, you went out to the bar the first night and made a lot of friends, you had a short relationship with someone from a foreign country, you didn’t learn anything, and you acquired a taste for something (local food, beer, fruit). This latter point is important because you will need to be able to tell everyone how it is unavailable in your current country.
On my newfound support of the Hawthorn Hawks AFL team:
Though playing the sport is the most common way for white people to become interested in Rugby, a great number of them pick up a taste for the game while studying abroad in Australia or New Zealand. Like soccer, they are given the chance to purchase a scarf of their adopted team, but more importantly they can acquire a Rugby jersey. Unlike a soccer scarf, they can wear this garment all year long which provides for a more reliable trinket that can be used to initiate conversations about their time down under. For extra credit, some white people will declare that they are into Australian Rules Football and not Rugby. If you wish to friend this person, it’s best to ask them about the differences in rules because they will be thrilled to tell you.
This is what I did in Melbourne. I was going to buy a scarf at the game on Sunday but Lindsey told me not to because she is going to give me one as a going away present.
, but in fact, making me even whiter than I already am, which is pretty damn white.Now in addition to wearing scarves with my Threadless t-shirts while standing still at concerts, eating delicious sandwiches, running in my New Balance gym shoes, studying for my arts degree (after completing thegifted program at my primary school) in Minnesota where I don't have a TV but will watch The Daily Show & The Colbert Report in the lounge sometimes or Arrested Development on DVD, listening to my favorite indie bands on my iPod and MacBook, going to Whole Foods every Monday night after volunteering, listening to public radio while drinking coffee, and loving Barack Obama, I can now add the following things to my white repertoire: studying abroad and an interest in Australian Football League.
Here are some especially relevant passages:
On my love of Vegemite & Cheese toast:
Study Abroad allows people to leave their current educational institution and spend a semester or a year in Europe or Australia. Though study abroad are offered to other places, these two are the overwhelming favorites.
By attending school in another country, white people are technically living in another country. This is important as it gives them the opportunity to insert that fact into any sentence they please. “When I used to live in [insert country], I would always ride the train to school. The people I’d see were inspiring.”
If you need to make up your own study abroad experience, they all pretty much work the same way. You arrived in Australia not knowing anybody, you went out to the bar the first night and made a lot of friends, you had a short relationship with someone from a foreign country, you didn’t learn anything, and you acquired a taste for something (local food, beer, fruit). This latter point is important because you will need to be able to tell everyone how it is unavailable in your current country.
On my newfound support of the Hawthorn Hawks AFL team:
Though playing the sport is the most common way for white people to become interested in Rugby, a great number of them pick up a taste for the game while studying abroad in Australia or New Zealand. Like soccer, they are given the chance to purchase a scarf of their adopted team, but more importantly they can acquire a Rugby jersey. Unlike a soccer scarf, they can wear this garment all year long which provides for a more reliable trinket that can be used to initiate conversations about their time down under. For extra credit, some white people will declare that they are into Australian Rules Football and not Rugby. If you wish to friend this person, it’s best to ask them about the differences in rules because they will be thrilled to tell you.
This is what I did in Melbourne. I was going to buy a scarf at the game on Sunday but Lindsey told me not to because she is going to give me one as a going away present.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Holidays
Today was the end of the first week of uni holidays. The plan was to be super productive this first week and then leave for Brisbane with Lindsey tonight. Well, the productivity of this week didn't really happen because I was busy dealing with some shit I'm not going to get into. After taking a couple days to deal, I finally did get things rolling again today, although I am about 1,000 words behind schedule. I left work early, came home, packed, and then Sam drove Lindsey and me to the airport.
We got there and tried to check-in at the kiosks, but it wasn't working, so we went to the ticketing counter and had the following conversation:
Ticketing agent: Well, girls, I can tell you why it wasn't working.
Us: Why?
TA: Your flight has already left.
Us: What? How is that possible?
TA: What time was your flight?
Lindsey: 6:35pm
TA: Well, take a look at your watch. What does it say?
Lindsey: 6:45pm...oh shit.
We then burst into laughter and the ticketing agent was very confused. This was in no way my fault, as I never knew when our flight actually was. Lindsey booked the whole thing and had all the tickets, I only asked her what time I needed to be ready to go to the airport. She is the most organized person I know, so it's especially funny that she fucked it up. Even though she knew our flight was at 6:35, somewhere in her head some wire got disconnected and so she had us there in time for a 7:35 flight. The next flight he could book us on was tomorrow at 3:55pm, which would've been pointless since we are only going to be there until Sunday morning. He then agreed to do something dodgy and checked us in for the first flight tomorrow morning, at 6am. He was nice enough to give us those instructions to ensure we wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
Needless to say, our week has gotten off to an interesting start. But after this week, things can only get better.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Yes, I know there is a pink poodle on my head
I did not watch I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. I did something much less cool...this:
...but maybe now I will watch it.
...but maybe now I will watch it.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Alex thinks I should update more, but no one ever leaves comments...
Things that have happened recently:
1) Lindsey and I tried out for the basketball team. At the last session, I made the error of successfully bouncing the ball behind my back during a drill where the coach was guarding me. He then made me play point guard, which is kind of hilarious.
2) I got on the wrong bus on my way home from Parliament and did not realize it for half an hour. I then got off and called my friends, who figured out where I was and then directed me to walk, in heels, to the grocery store which took half an hour. During this time, instead of driving to meet me on the side of the road, they sat in the parking lot and then went to get Maccas* while they waited for me to arrive.
3) I am going to FOUR concerts before I leave. FOUR. Two of them are on consecutive days. CRAZY.
4) To put the above thing in perspective, I already know I'm going to at least five shows within a week of getting back the US and they are all in a row.
5) I bought a box of red hair dye.
*Maccas=McDonald's. And no, I don't know either.
1) Lindsey and I tried out for the basketball team. At the last session, I made the error of successfully bouncing the ball behind my back during a drill where the coach was guarding me. He then made me play point guard, which is kind of hilarious.
2) I got on the wrong bus on my way home from Parliament and did not realize it for half an hour. I then got off and called my friends, who figured out where I was and then directed me to walk, in heels, to the grocery store which took half an hour. During this time, instead of driving to meet me on the side of the road, they sat in the parking lot and then went to get Maccas* while they waited for me to arrive.
3) I am going to FOUR concerts before I leave. FOUR. Two of them are on consecutive days. CRAZY.
4) To put the above thing in perspective, I already know I'm going to at least five shows within a week of getting back the US and they are all in a row.
5) I bought a box of red hair dye.
*Maccas=McDonald's. And no, I don't know either.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
OMGWTFBBQ
Here is an actual email I just recieved:
Good news. We have just received clearance form the ANU's fire safety officer to go ahead with the barbeque as the barbeque is electric (no flame) and it is in an enclosed area. So, sausages are back on the menu. See you there.
There was fear of not being able to have sausages. Thank goodness they worked that out, because no sausages clearly equals DISASTER.
Good news. We have just received clearance form the ANU's fire safety officer to go ahead with the barbeque as the barbeque is electric (no flame) and it is in an enclosed area. So, sausages are back on the menu. See you there.
There was fear of not being able to have sausages. Thank goodness they worked that out, because no sausages clearly equals DISASTER.
89 Days to Go
Nothing too exciting has been happening here in OZ. My parents were here this weekend, which was nice. Other than that, it's been pretty dull. Exciting news though:
1) I just booked my trip for the last week of holidays in April. I'm going to Brisbane to an AFL game and then to Melbourne for the rest of the week with my friend. I'm pretty excited, except for the fact it is only 18 days away and I have SO MUCH TO DO before then.
2) Howie Day is touring Australia. I literally laughed out loud for like 5 minutes when I found that out. And then I bought my ticket. SO RIDICULOUS. I cannot wait.
OMGWTF 89 days left. This makes me sad/happy/excited/scared*. But also, 91 days to seeing every band ever at Summerfest.
*Sad to leave my friends, happy to see my friends at home, excited for the best Summerfest ever (but mostly This World Fair), scared that there is not enough time to finish my project.
1) I just booked my trip for the last week of holidays in April. I'm going to Brisbane to an AFL game and then to Melbourne for the rest of the week with my friend. I'm pretty excited, except for the fact it is only 18 days away and I have SO MUCH TO DO before then.
2) Howie Day is touring Australia. I literally laughed out loud for like 5 minutes when I found that out. And then I bought my ticket. SO RIDICULOUS. I cannot wait.
OMGWTF 89 days left. This makes me sad/happy/excited/scared*. But also, 91 days to seeing every band ever at Summerfest.
*Sad to leave my friends, happy to see my friends at home, excited for the best Summerfest ever (but mostly This World Fair), scared that there is not enough time to finish my project.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sydney Trip
Here are a few pictures from my trip to Sydney. It was really nice to get out of Canberra and do a bunch of super touristy things. I was only there for like 36 hours, but I managed to do a lot. I went to the Australian Museum, Australian Wildlife World, Sydney Tour, the Opera House, the Botanical Gardens, and saw Wilco. More pictures soon!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
I Can Make Chocolate Cake!
I survived the first day of my internship, in heels too! I didn't actually do much other than meet with the senator I'm working for and discuss the project I'll be doing, get my security pass, and attended a lecture on the American Presidential Race. Everyone in the office was really nice though and I think my project is going to be interesting...at least I hope so, since it will basically consume my life for the next 11 or so weeks.
In other news, today I baked a cake. I tend to get made fun of a lot for not knowing how to cook, like anything, so it was exciting to actually make something successfully and people actually think it was good. I'm going to be making fancy crap before you know it!
Do not go see the movie Vantage Point. It starts out promising, but gets worse and worse and I was cracking up at the end. Dennis Quaid's character was so ridiculous that I wanted the terrorists' evil plot to work out.
I'm going to Sydney on Monday! I swear I will take pictures while I am there. Really.
In other news, today I baked a cake. I tend to get made fun of a lot for not knowing how to cook, like anything, so it was exciting to actually make something successfully and people actually think it was good. I'm going to be making fancy crap before you know it!
Do not go see the movie Vantage Point. It starts out promising, but gets worse and worse and I was cracking up at the end. Dennis Quaid's character was so ridiculous that I wanted the terrorists' evil plot to work out.
I'm going to Sydney on Monday! I swear I will take pictures while I am there. Really.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Dinosaurs!
Today I finally planned my trip to Sydney next week. I decided to leave on Monday afternoon so I have all day Tuesday to hang out in Sydney. I wasn't sure exactly what I would do, but I just found out that a dinosaur exhibit just opened at the Australian Museum, so I think I'll go check that out (I'm still slightly obsessed after my dinosaur class last semester). It is right near where I am staying too. I'm not sure what else I'll do while I'm there, but I'll figure it out. I'm excited to finally see something other than Canberra.
Other than that, nothing much has been going on. I'm glad I decided not to drop my extra class. I only have to read about 15 pages a week and I can skip the lectures if I need to go to Parliament because they record them all and put them online, along with all the notes. I finally start my internship on Thursday. I'm eager to get started because I'm getting bored with nothing much to do.
Other than that, nothing much has been going on. I'm glad I decided not to drop my extra class. I only have to read about 15 pages a week and I can skip the lectures if I need to go to Parliament because they record them all and put them online, along with all the notes. I finally start my internship on Thursday. I'm eager to get started because I'm getting bored with nothing much to do.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Glenn Kotche is Coming to Visit Me
I just sat in the kitchen for like 4 hours eating dinner and drinking wine. It was fabulous. I love having nothing to do. My internship starts a week from Thursday though, so things might become slightly less fabulous then. Or more. Who knows.
What have I been up to? I went on the private tour of Parliament and got to go to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate's offices (they weren't there). The whole building is effing gorgeous. I love it. We didn't get to go in the Prime Minister's office, but we did get to see him greet the P.M. of New Zealand because we were randomly walking behind his courtyard when she arrived in the motorcade. I wore my heels. It was painful.
We had an all-day seminar in Parliament on Friday. It was also painful, both because it was boring and long, and because the night before was Mardi Gras night in the B&G bar and three of us may have drank an entire bottle of 'Aldori' which is Aldi(a cheap supermarket)-brand Midori.
Other than that, nothing much is up. My sociology class is going to be a breeze and my Scottish lecturer keeps referencing Radiohead. I'm going to Melbourne during the mid-semester break. Oh, and two weeks from today I will be seeing fucking WILCO in fucking SYDNEY. Yes, my crazy 24-hour concert related trips continue even here. Thank God or else I don't know what I would do.
HELL YES.
What have I been up to? I went on the private tour of Parliament and got to go to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate's offices (they weren't there). The whole building is effing gorgeous. I love it. We didn't get to go in the Prime Minister's office, but we did get to see him greet the P.M. of New Zealand because we were randomly walking behind his courtyard when she arrived in the motorcade. I wore my heels. It was painful.
We had an all-day seminar in Parliament on Friday. It was also painful, both because it was boring and long, and because the night before was Mardi Gras night in the B&G bar and three of us may have drank an entire bottle of 'Aldori' which is Aldi(a cheap supermarket)-brand Midori.
Other than that, nothing much is up. My sociology class is going to be a breeze and my Scottish lecturer keeps referencing Radiohead. I'm going to Melbourne during the mid-semester break. Oh, and two weeks from today I will be seeing fucking WILCO in fucking SYDNEY. Yes, my crazy 24-hour concert related trips continue even here. Thank God or else I don't know what I would do.
HELL YES.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
@(#$& the Internet
The thing that tells me how much internet I have left decided to tell me I used $10 worth of internet in the span of 15 seconds. This is untrue and also probably impossible, but I have to wait until Monday morning when the office opens to get more. So now I'm forced to walk all the way to central block to use the ridiculously slooooooow wireless.
This makes me sad and I don't feel like writing anything else. Except there was a show about photography on at the gym this afternoon and it got me all inspired. I'm excited.
This makes me sad and I don't feel like writing anything else. Except there was a show about photography on at the gym this afternoon and it got me all inspired. I'm excited.
Monday, February 25, 2008
I Can Make Pasta and Chicken!
It's been two weeks since I left Chicago, which is strange because I feel like I've been here forever. Not in a bad way. I'm just used to it. Not that I don't miss home either, because I definitely do, but things here are good.
I do mourn the end of my responsibility free life. From December 21 until today, I basically went wherever I wanted and did whatever I wanted and it was the most fabulous two months of my life. But today was the first day of classes, so the fun has officially come to an end. I have class for my internship on Mondays from 9:30am-12:30pm and have to go into the office two days a week, but that part doesn't start for another two weeks. As of right now, I'm taking another class as well, but I'm thinking about dropping it. I'm pretty sure I will be busy enough between my internship and working on my research report and scheduling that around another class is going to be annoying, but we'll see.
I still have plenty to do before I start my internship. On Wednesday we are having a tour of the private areas of Parliament, on Friday we have an all-day seminar there, and on Monday we are having a seminar with the Syrian ambassador at the embassy and getting free lunch.
Also, I'm learning to cook. Sort of.
I need to take more pictures...
I do mourn the end of my responsibility free life. From December 21 until today, I basically went wherever I wanted and did whatever I wanted and it was the most fabulous two months of my life. But today was the first day of classes, so the fun has officially come to an end. I have class for my internship on Mondays from 9:30am-12:30pm and have to go into the office two days a week, but that part doesn't start for another two weeks. As of right now, I'm taking another class as well, but I'm thinking about dropping it. I'm pretty sure I will be busy enough between my internship and working on my research report and scheduling that around another class is going to be annoying, but we'll see.
I still have plenty to do before I start my internship. On Wednesday we are having a tour of the private areas of Parliament, on Friday we have an all-day seminar there, and on Monday we are having a seminar with the Syrian ambassador at the embassy and getting free lunch.
Also, I'm learning to cook. Sort of.
I need to take more pictures...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Kangaroo Sighting
The O-Week schedule for Wednesday said "7-9am Breakfast on Black Mountain" but last night we didn't hear any details about it. It turns out, that is because the details were given to us at 6am when we had a delightful fire drill that required us to stand outside in our pjs in the (relative) cold for half an hour.
So everyone was up and we hiked up the mountain and had breakfast. On the way back down I saw my first kangaroo. I only saw it for a second, but it was exciting.
This afternoon I went to the grocery store and got some food that I will actually have to cook. We'll see how that goes. My friend drove there and I still cannot get used to the whole driving on the opposite side of the road thing. Also, here it is not illegal to listen to your iPod while driving. Kind of scary.
So everyone was up and we hiked up the mountain and had breakfast. On the way back down I saw my first kangaroo. I only saw it for a second, but it was exciting.
This afternoon I went to the grocery store and got some food that I will actually have to cook. We'll see how that goes. My friend drove there and I still cannot get used to the whole driving on the opposite side of the road thing. Also, here it is not illegal to listen to your iPod while driving. Kind of scary.
Monday, February 18, 2008
I Miss 1600grand
This morning a friend and I left our building at 9:20am to enroll in our classes for the semester. It took over 3 hours. According to the information I was given on International Orientation Day, I needed to have with me my passport, my visa, my letter of acceptance, and an up-to-date transcript from my home university. I had my letter of acceptance in my email, but I could not print it out because I can not log onto any of the computers in the labs without my email and password, which you only get once you enroll. An up-to-date transcript from Macalester? Yeah, I don't carry any of those around with me. You have to formally request one and they mail it to you, so that would take awhile. I went to the international office to see if they had a printer I could use, but they did not. Luckily the student working at the front desk was nice enough to let me illegally do it.
Did I end up needing any of these documents? No.
First I had to wait in line for them to print out my enrollment form. Domestic students all had this mailed to them, so they got to skip this part. Next, I had to get my visa checked and they only had one person doing it and it took forever. Then I had to wait in line to enroll and the College of Arts and Social Science of course had the most ridiculously long line. Then I waited in another line, the purpose of which I never figured out, before being sent over to the library where I waited in another long line for a computer where I actually enrolled online, and finally I waited to get my student ID card.
Apparently it is only like this for first-years, but it was terrible. I love you Macalester. Even you , 1600grand. You may be a retarded system, but you only take 5 minutes and I can register from the comfort of my bed.
Did I end up needing any of these documents? No.
First I had to wait in line for them to print out my enrollment form. Domestic students all had this mailed to them, so they got to skip this part. Next, I had to get my visa checked and they only had one person doing it and it took forever. Then I had to wait in line to enroll and the College of Arts and Social Science of course had the most ridiculously long line. Then I waited in another line, the purpose of which I never figured out, before being sent over to the library where I waited in another long line for a computer where I actually enrolled online, and finally I waited to get my student ID card.
Apparently it is only like this for first-years, but it was terrible. I love you Macalester. Even you , 1600grand. You may be a retarded system, but you only take 5 minutes and I can register from the comfort of my bed.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Things I Have Discovered
1) There is a bar in my dorm.
2) Australians really love sausages. Like really love them.
3) I dislike the awkward forced socialization ritual known as orientation. Good thing today was just day 1 of 7.
2) Australians really love sausages. Like really love them.
3) I dislike the awkward forced socialization ritual known as orientation. Good thing today was just day 1 of 7.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
The Birds Here are Very Loud
Today was International Orientation Day. As I surmised, it was minimally useful. It was from 9am-12pm followed by free lunch. I really had to come here FOUR DAYS EARLIER for three hours of information sessions? We couldn't fit those three hours in sometime next week, during the ENTIRE WEEK of orientation? The lunch was decent, but still, not worth being here FOUR DAYS EARLY.
After that I decided to go to the mall to buy some stuff I needed. Apparently I think I'm hot shit, because I didn't even bring my map with me into Canberra. After wandering around for like half an hour, I made it. I went to Target and Borders...ooOOOoooo how exotic! Australian Target is totally lame though. Not at all the same. I guess I was feeling all cocky because I found the mall sans assistance, so I decided to take a short cut back to school...only it wasn't actually a shortcut so much as me walking in the opposite direction I should've been. But I made it back to my dorm eventually too, obviously. Take that, map! I don't need you!
I also decided I am better than jet lag. It's going well.
I finally ran into someone else that lives on my floor. I forgot her name, but she was nice. Tomorrow I'm going to a BBQ and tea with traditional Australian foods. Hopefully that will be more exciting than today.
I keep wanting to talk in a British accent. I have no idea why. Also, why isn't Project Runway on YouTube yet? I am bored and want to use up all my prepaid internet to watch it, mmkay thanks.
After that I decided to go to the mall to buy some stuff I needed. Apparently I think I'm hot shit, because I didn't even bring my map with me into Canberra. After wandering around for like half an hour, I made it. I went to Target and Borders...ooOOOoooo how exotic! Australian Target is totally lame though. Not at all the same. I guess I was feeling all cocky because I found the mall sans assistance, so I decided to take a short cut back to school...only it wasn't actually a shortcut so much as me walking in the opposite direction I should've been. But I made it back to my dorm eventually too, obviously. Take that, map! I don't need you!
I also decided I am better than jet lag. It's going well.
I finally ran into someone else that lives on my floor. I forgot her name, but she was nice. Tomorrow I'm going to a BBQ and tea with traditional Australian foods. Hopefully that will be more exciting than today.
I keep wanting to talk in a British accent. I have no idea why. Also, why isn't Project Runway on YouTube yet? I am bored and want to use up all my prepaid internet to watch it, mmkay thanks.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Honest to Blog
Hey dudes. So this is my Australia blog, where I will update you about my life (only the interesting parts) so I don’t have to email all you fuckers individually and say the same thing, because guess what. I have to pay for the Internet. BLASPHEMY! Plus, there will be pictures.
So if you talked to me in the past month or so, you probably experienced some whining about my leaving, specifically regarding the 21-hours-on-a-plane part of the whole thing. I’m pleased to report that it ended up being the best flying experience of my life, mostly thanks to my parents using their miles to upgrade me to business class. During my 5-hour layover in San Francisco, I got to hang out in United’s Red Carpet Club (not to be confused with The Red Carpet in St. Cloud, where I also spent many hours before my last flight from Minneapolis to Chicago. However, that flight was incredibly unplesant as I only got three hours of sleep, was still drunk, and the lady sitting next to me threw up). Here there were millions of comfy leather chairs, free food, free coffee, and free booze. You could definitely tell that I did not belong in such a place as the moment I spied individually wrapped crackers and cheese, I filled my purse with them in hopes to make a meal out of them and save myself approximately $5 on dinner.
Then I got to pre-board on the biggest plane I have ever been on, sit in a comfy chair, and be served delicious food and more free booze. Well, the filet was a bit rare for my taste…but I can’t really complain. I slept for about half of the 15.5 hour flight and spent the rest of the time listening to my iPod, editing photos on my laptop, watching the end of “Lars and the Real Girl”, and playing spider solitaire.
When I got to Sydney, stealing all those cheese and crackers came back to haunt me as I realized in the middle of the customs line that I had checked that I had no food on the form. The lady asked if I had any snacks from the flight and I said yes, a Rice Krispie treat. This was an understatement as I had at least 8 Rice Krispie treats, many granola bars, and the cheese and crackers. She pointed me straight ahead to a giant table where I was sure they were going to open all my belongings, find said food, and send me back to the United States in coach. But no, for some reason I got to skip the part where they opened my bags and entered the country with my illegal individually wrapped cheeses.
Then I flew to Canberra, yadda yadda yadda, I’ll skip the boring stuff. Now I am sitting in my dorm room with everything unpacked. Even though I am here, I still don’t really believe it. I was walking through the kitchen earlier listening to two accented boys talk to each other, which isn’t unusual for me, I go to Mac. All of a sudden I realized “Holy crap, I’m in a different country on the opposite side of the world from everything I know and love.” It’s weird.
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