North Wollongong

The last few days I've felt that I've allowed myself to get comfortable and not out of my comfortable zone. In addition I feel that there is so much I could be doing but haven't. Which is why I made it a goal for this weekend to make it to North Wollongong beach and tomorrow the Science Centre and Planetarium.

I was somewhat hesitant of going to N. Wollongong not knowing what to expect. I can now safely say I'm so glad I did. It was beautiful. I realize I say that about everything here... but it was a different kind of beautiful than everything else I've seen.

Laugh, but I seriously got teary eyed as I was making my way around the beach. Coming to the beach was another step forward for me. A realization again to myself just how much I can accomplish on my own. How much I've accomplished so far. How I wasn't imagining this at all but that it was all very much real. I wasn't laying in bed back in Tucson dreaming being near the ocean but actually there.

Part of my "I feel like an adult" experience included treating myself to a very nice lunch. I figure if no one else is going to spoil me I might as well spoil myself. I needed it. Last night I had start feeling a bit sad that my friends weren't here to experience all this with me. Along with the lunch I decided to order wine. A. It was just exhilarating to be in a restaurant and order wine. B. I have concluded that the reason people drink wine with meals and say that wine help bring out the taste in a meal is because wine is so disgusting that after you sip it and then take a bite of your food. Your food taste so absolutely delicious! :)

Again...here are some more amazing pictures!

Hello!

So this video has been giving me troubles for days now! I've tried posting since Wednesday. I hope it works...if it doesn't try the link underneath. Its on YouTube. :)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwMzJDRch6I

I've Always Wanted To...

Last night I realized that I've been doing all these things here that I've always wanted to do but never have. There was this orientation session for Campus East a week ago and the person was telling us that while you are here you should have at least one cultural experience a week. That statement haunted my thoughts for a bit because I was thinking that I wasn't doing that. Than again I think I was thinking to hard about it and not really thinking about everything I have done. So although not all the things I've done, that I've always wanted to do, are exactly "Australian" culture (but my AUST 101 class might argue it is...) they are still amazing experiences nevertheless.

Here is my list:
*Go to Australia!
*Tried Vegemite
*Learned to really enjoy cream in my tea.
*Have my hand read
Which by the way wasn't too impressive since I found out I really do know how to read hands because most of the things he told me I had saw in my own hands or have had someone else tell me before. Which is kind of cool if you think about it because of consistency and accuracy reasons.
*Watch the sunset on the beach
*Dance all night (or close to it...)

On a different note...academic wise I'm having mix emotions. I'm freaking out because the load is heavier than people expressed. But than again I always freak out...Although the load seems harder (or at least the same at UA) I'm finding that I'm enjoying the topics I'm signed up for. I have a Professor for two of my classes which are totally two different topics, one is about the Cold War and the other about Stalin and Hitler. I was so happy to see that I had him for the second class because he's the kind of history teacher I love. He tells history like it is a story. My AUST 101 professor could learn something from him. Maybe if she talked the way he did I wouldn't want to fall asleep. :) However, the reading for the class so far isn't bad. I like my EESC101 Planet Earth class too but I find it hard to stay awake in that class. Mostly because learning about rocks isn't the most stimulating topic. But when he mixes it with how you can look at rocks to figure out how old it is then its pretty cool.

I met with the Black Opal coordinators here. They were so nice and welcoming. They gave me free stuff and told me they would take care of me! If your a Blue Chip student and your reading this I strongly encourage you to start planning to study abroad here at Wollongong. I realize I've only been here for four weeks now but the time so far has been amazing.

Learning My Lesson

I learned today that eating lunch by the duck pond is a big mistake. Being nice and throwing pieces of break is even worse. You'd think I'd learn my lesson already but the pond is so inviting. So are the ducks, but they are also aggressive.

Classes began today and getting up at 7:30am was not fun. Trying to get into the school mode has proven difficult. It is hard to shake off the fact that I have been able to just have fun for the past two weeks. Not to mention not being in school since early December. However, most students here haven't had class since November!

Some things to share...
*Uni has a bar on campus. Yes, a bar where you can buy alcohol!!! How crazy is that?! So far I haven't seen anyone stumble into class drunk. Although it is only the first day...
*Wheelchair accessible bathrooms are hard to come by. Although when you do you find one they are pretty nice.
*Most doors into buildings are not open automatically. However, most doors are usually open or moderately light.
*Two hour lectures are not fun.
*Wheelchair population actually is the same as the UA or at least close to it. The services are quiet similar too. Ironically though the door to the Disability center is not easy to open.
*Over the weekend I found that train station is not that hard for me to get to. But I'm disliking the ramps leading off of the sidewalks, they're so steep and all have lips...its almost as if there might as well not even be a ramp there.
*Apparently I have a accent that my friend Lucy tonight pointed out and said it was cute. I wish I could hear this accent of mine. :)

Corn Syrup, humidity, and everything in between

I received a care package yesterday from my amazing friend Dele. It was the best gift I have ever been given in my life. It was worth the wait. The package also made me the cool kid in the lunchroom, during dinner. I shared my Hershey's chocolate which was a big hit since Hershey isn't sold here.

I figured out why things like soda and chocolate taste different here than in the States. Australia doesn't use corn syrup as much as the U.S.

The weather hasn't been all that great these past few days. The sun at least has been out for the most part, but the humidity has sucked! My skin has darkened so much in just the last couple of days. I need to invest in some sun lotion.

I found my substitute for Starbucks! Even better it at Uni and not to expensive. I found that caramel latte here are what I'm used to being Caramel macchiatos.

I purchased my textbooks for this semester...so far only $90 something. Not bad. I'm excited because the two I have for my history courses look so interesting. I read the introduction for one of them and found it an easy read.

There really isn't anything too exciting to report. I've been having fun and staying up super late! I'm trying to enjoy it all now before classes start on Monday. I'm so not ready for classes. Its been such a long time since I've had to study that I think I might have forgotten...lol.

Until next time...here some more pictures and film:





The Three Musketeers aka Pub buddies and singing buddies
Yo! Yo! Yo! Whats up?!

New Experiences

Each day it seems that I either learn something new or something happens to me that has never happen to me. Which I am sure is true for me back in the States but being in a different country makes those subtle changes in my every day routine even more apparent.

Right now it is kind of a waiting game with my classes. I'm "enrolled" but being "enrolled" is different from being signed up for tutorials which I think is more important than anything. However, each faculty (which is what they call colleges) does it differently and to register for tutorials you have to wait till they open it up. I'm lucky because I get preferred campus registration. Which means I'm more likely to get the tutorial times I want. Nevertheless I'm still worried that for some reason (because the unexpected can always occur) that I won't get into the tutorials I need. Everyone tells me that it shouldn't be difficult but people say a lot of things...

I haven't purchased textbooks yet because I don't want to find out that I cannot get into the tutorial I want and need to drop that class. I hate waiting and I hate doing things at the last minute. I believe in always being prepared. I shouldn't worry to much though because next week I only have lecture no tutorials, seminars, or labs.

I had to wrestle with myself yesterday over weather or not to take 5 classes or not. I decided not. Although that means my senior year at UA will be heavy with 5 classes each semester. Darn. But I figure it is better to do a heavy load at UA where I am used to the pressure and not in Australia where the classes may be more intense than I'm used to it. In addition, I am here to have some fun. If I did 5 classes I would have been in classes 5 days a week, now at least I get Friday's off! :) I hope that will allow me to maybe go to Sydney for a weekend or something.

I spent today tracking down my classes. I also checked out the library which practically has an art museum inside!

I than spent an hour at this cafe on Uni. I was going to buy lunch there until I saw the prices. The cheapest meal was $16! It was much more classy than I though. Instead I just got a coffee, a macchiato. Bad choice, not at all like Starbucks. lol. But I loved just sitting there looking at the green Uni and listening to the birds chirp. I had some nice dining companions; birds. One in particular was quite the pre-Madonna if you ask me. He just strutted right into the place like he owned it. Although refused to get close to anyone. He perched himself on the table and seemed to get fussy when he wasn't served fast enough. Although he didn't mind posing for me for pictures. :)

After there I went to my favorite spot. At which time I was chased by two different types of birds. When I say chase I mean they are pretty fearless and started coming up to me. I had enough fear for the both of us that I quickly moved away. lol. I don't know these birds and who knows if they get feisty. I didn't want to find out. Esp. one who has this beautiful orange beak scared be a bit because his claws I'm pretty sure if he got them on me would break me in half. haha.

Most of the birds though spent there time hiding under the shade as today was quiet hot! It feels like Tucson during the summer, only with a bit of humidity.

There was a picture perfect moment, that if I could have captured it I would have because all the different types of birds that reside here at Uni were just gathered in the same area by a pond hanging out together.

I'm easily impressed with things that are novel to me. I think its kind of a blessing since I can enjoy the small things in life.

Last two nights have been fun. I stayed on campus and hanged out with the kids who aren't old enough to go to the pubs. I kind of had more fun doing that than going to the pubs. No alcohol just good times and laughs. The first night we played cards, I taught some of them how to play Blackjack and Texas Hold 'Em. I'm a great influence aren't I? But that doesn't compare to the show they introduced me to, which is called "Skins." It seriously had sex, drugs, and rock and roll. I was kind of surprised how explicit the show was... Than last night we watched "Across the Universe" amazing movie. If you haven't seen it I say you should. Although you should note you need to be in a thinking mood and keep in mind some things may not make sense at first.

Oh and I hate the alarms here. The last two nights it went off, once it went off twice in one night! It is the most awful noise I have ever heard in my life.

I keep finding more words that Americans and Australians have differences in:

Ketchup is called Tomato sauce
Elevator is called Lift
Fireman are called the Fire Brigade
Levels in a building go from, ground floor to first floor, ect. Although I have found in buildings they make it even more confusing by doing things like Ground floor, A1, first floor ect.

Here are some pictures from my adventures at Uni today: I really can't get enough of Uni!

Bored, Confused, Whatever

Today was Orientation and as I reflect back on it I probably should have gone into it with more of a positive outlook. Instead all I could think about was my Orientation at UA and how horrifying that was. I was expecting this to be the same. It wasn't as overwhelming but it was boring and I felt it was kind of useless. I got some useful info (i.e. handouts) but the stuff they talked about was kind of pointless to me (i.e. Spring Break trips). Although hearing about trips is great, I kind of think they should have made it an option. So instead of registering for classes and getting advising (which shouldn't our education be focused on?) we spent learning about life in Australia.

I was not alone in my confusion either. First, off the leader we had was not at all enthusiastic and really had not much of an idea of what to do. In addition she wasn't really helpful with the advice and I kind of got the feeling that she though all of us were crazy because we were freaking out about how to register. It was fusterating to see others who were having no problem at all.

We got no instructions. One minute we are eating, the next they are taking our picture for our ID, and then throwing us in a computer room to register. No directions. I was like "umm what do I register for? I haven't even seen an adviser yet." The student helper was like, "You haven't seen an adviser yet?"

Ultimately what did I get out of today? Nothing, expect finding out that I need to sign up for classes myself. Fun. I have to wait 24 hours too to do that before my password and user name is activated. I'm worried that all the classes will be filled. I also have to wait for my advisers back in Tucson to get back to me because I want to make sure the classes I take here will count back home.

See the downside of applying early, the course schedule for the semester you plan on going isn't available. I did do a pre-approval form but not much good that did me.

::Sigh:: As you can tell I was a bit flustered today. But once I got back to Campus East, ate, talked to a few people, tried to plot out a general idea of what classes I want, I felt better. I don't feel so stressed right now. I like it. But it is odd to me since I'm used to worrying about everything. But I know right now there really isn't anything I can do so I might as well not worry about it. :) Australia is rubbing off on me. ;)

Like I said before, being flexible is key.

Mexican, French, Swedish, Asian...

When I was coming to Australia I figure that the majority of the people I would meet would be Australian. However, quickly I have learned that Australia really has representation from all kinds of nationalities and I am loving it!

Yesterday I went to the mall here. OMG! I really think I could spend days in it and not only get lost but find myself quiet entertained. I loved it. My Japanese friend, Ming, and my very new friend (that I had just met the night before and had breakfast with) Michael who is from France (he says his name much sexier than just Michael)...went to the mall. While at lunch we realized that we each had gotten something to eat that was very close to our nationality. haha. It was than that I realized how cool it was that I was having lunch and hanging out with such a diverse group.

There was a campus party last night too and there I met more people from different places. I met a guy from Sweden and Javier who is my suite mate is from Mexico City.

Apparently bus loads of Americans have been arriving the past couple of days. I think there are mixed feelings of that. Not really that Australians hate it but Americans come all the time so its kind of normal.

Tomorrow is Orientation. Keep your fingers crossed that I can get my classes I need. I'm nerves about that because they do things different here...

Falling In Love With Uni

I realized today that it has been just a week since I first arrived to Wollongong. Although to me it feels much longer than this. Not in a bad way. Just that so much in just a week has happen to me. I've seen and experienced things that I've only dreamed about doing.

Some of the signs that I've noticed that has made me realize how comfortable I feel here now:

I'm starting to sleep like I do back home.
I'm eating what I normally eat back home. (meaning less)
I'm getting bored like I do back home. However, that boredom I do not think will last much longer as today I got my chair back! Whoot. I was really excited and told everyone I saw that I was getting it back today. haha.

I took it to campus and it did well esp. considering all the inclines there are on campus... but the campus is pretty small.

But like the saying goes, "great things come in small packages" and that is for sure with Uni. I found my spot on campus. It is away from the UniCenter area. It is right next to a small stream and when you look up you can see the water fall in the distance. I spent 45 minutes there today just writing post cards and listening to the water flow down the stream and the duck converse with one another. Every time I looked up I saw green grass, a green mountain, and beautiful diverse green trees. I felt at peace there. I felt like I belong there. I know I will dearly miss it when I go back home. I wish I was better at words to truly express to you the depth of the beauty of it all. I thought to myself, "WoW! this is real, I'm really here. I'm not imagining it or seeing it on TV or in a magazine pretending I'm there, I'm really here." It was a picture perfect.

I also felt very much like a American tourist while on campus today. I had my iPod in, my map out, and my camera snapping pictures away. haha. I was grateful that no one was really around.

Another reason why I'm loving Australia so much is that my skin is so clear. Meaning I have but one pimple on my face! haha. My face isn't all greasy either. It is the first time in years since my face has been this clear. I think my body is enjoying being a little less stress then I normally am.

Here are some more pictures and video: Enjoy!

Australian Boys Dance!

Last night was amazing! To be honest I was nerves because I had never been out to clubs before (as 21 is the legal age back home). But 18 is the legal age here. Yes, people will ask you to drink like a million times but as long as you stick to your convictions you fine. If you don't want to drink, don't. It isn't hard to have fun sober.

A few of the RA's took a taxi with me and split the cost since I can't get on the van's that the bars provide here. I thought that was great of them since the van is free and the taxi isn't.

I felt kind of grown up too last night because only once was my ID checked! But this morning a couple of the RAs told me it probably is because they were being politically correct. It doesn't matter to me it just felt great not to be considered to young.

I basically went bar hoping which isn't hard to do since most of the places are all near each other. The bar's here are pretty nice and I know earlier I said I saw couple near Wooldroff's that were not wheelchair accessible...but the ones closer in town were. I went to three different ones and all of them were wheelchair accessible. Even better was that it doesn't cost to get in! I spent the night dancing away and chatting. I was very impressed how willing Australian boys are to dance! Back in the states you usually have to beg a guy to even think about it but last night there were a few times that it was me and like three other guys dancing!

At the beginning of the night I was thinking how does anyone meet anyone in a bar?! It is so loud and so hard to talk to anyone. Then I figured it out, people meet people because in order to talk to people you have to get really close to them.

Wollongong is very hilly and not just on campus, one of the clubs we went to was father away and there was a few hills we had to get up to get to it. But for the most part if you can find someone to help push (which isn't hard) or if you have a power chair getting around isn't bad.

Could Be Better Could Be Worse

When I woke up this morning, I was apprehensive because I knew I would be trying to get my chair fixed. I was able to get a hold of someone quiet quickly actually. The front desk called for me and within an hour someone came and took the chair. He called an hour ago. Prognosis: apparently in essence I broke the battery charger. Although I knew that I would need a converter to plug it in, my dealer never told me about there being a switch on the battery charger that needs to be changed in different countries. Even the guy said there was no way for me to know. But I am a bit pissed my dealer didn’t tell me even when I had told him I was going to Australia! It looks like it is going to cost over $300 to fix it too. The guy isn’t sure how long it will take either because he says customer service here in Wollongong with Invocare is slow. I figure I’ll wait a few days and if I hear nothing I’ll see if I can get a loaner from them because Orientation is next week and I want to see more of UOW before then.

Which leads me to much brighter news…

I decided I did not want to spend all day sitting in my room. I went to Uni (aka the University) just to the food/stores/post office area. There is no way I could have made it any further than that because there are so many inclines everywhere. It really helps that I’m not shy because when I knew I couldn’t make it up a hill I just asked someone.

I am so glad I decided to go. I cannot even begin to start expressing just how beautiful just the little area I saw. Luckily, I brought my camera to help me show you just how amazing it is! I almost felt like I was in a forest because there is so much green. Green grass and tall green trees. And birds hanging out with humans! Honestly, my first thought looking at it was, “I don’t want to go back home!” lol. I love UA’s campus but it cannot compare to how beautiful UOW is. It is more than just beautiful it is peaceful too (I realize though that part of that peacefulness could be because no one is around…)

I met some more people. Shasquich and I met up at Uni for lunch and she introduced me to two of her friends. One was another Japanese girl and the other Indonesia. I’m really loving how I am meeting all these people. I really didn’t think I was going to have the opportunity to be able to meet so many people from different Asian backgrounds.

Enjoy more pictures:


Some Australian currency:


Can you believe I was this close!
This was the scene I beheld that really did me in...



Australians version of a rooster... I say this because it is loud and it is the sound I usually wake up to in the morning.
Kookaburras