Thought you might enjoy some footage of Wollongong beach.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
A Piece of Wollongong
Once again I have found how fortunate I am that everyone is so nice here. At breakfast I met two other people. One is Vietnamese, his name is Ming. He’s only here for a few more weeks. He is in the Engineering program; the same one Andrew is in. I also met Shasquich (bare in mind that is probably not how her name is spelled but my phonetic spelling of it.) She is Japanese and will be here for the semester as I will be too. Both hadn’t been to the beach yet and as I was giving them directions they offered to take me with them. Afterwards they also took me to a shopping area. Only Woodruffs was open. It is shocking (to me at least) how expensive things are here.
I should note though that only Woodruff was wheelchair accessible. Most of the other shops here have a step to get into. Although I saw a couple restaurants which were easy to get into and the post office looked like it had a ramp. The few pubs we went by had several steps leading up to the entrance and it didn’t look like there were any ramps around.
The sidewalks are quiet bumpy and some of the ramps leading off have a lip. But it isn’t too bad and reminds me of how it is like going from UA to downtown or 4th Ave. I also saw one guy in a wheelchair pushing along down the sidewalk and another in a scooter going up the very step bridge. So for the most part I think I will be alright getting around as long as I continue meeting nice people so willing to help me.
Here are some pictures:
I should note though that only Woodruff was wheelchair accessible. Most of the other shops here have a step to get into. Although I saw a couple restaurants which were easy to get into and the post office looked like it had a ramp. The few pubs we went by had several steps leading up to the entrance and it didn’t look like there were any ramps around.
The sidewalks are quiet bumpy and some of the ramps leading off have a lip. But it isn’t too bad and reminds me of how it is like going from UA to downtown or 4th Ave. I also saw one guy in a wheelchair pushing along down the sidewalk and another in a scooter going up the very step bridge. So for the most part I think I will be alright getting around as long as I continue meeting nice people so willing to help me.
Here are some pictures:
No Worries
So Australia’s laid back feeling I think has rubbed off on me a bit. I got my outlets fixed but unfortunately the wheelchair will still not charge. I called the number I was given of a repair place on Wollongong, the number didn’t work. I emailed them but because it is Saturday I don’t think they are open…I’m keeping my fingers crossed but I’m not allowing it to get the best of me. I feel that even if I can’t get it fixed right away everything will be okay because everyone here is being really helpful. I’m a little annoyed though that it isn’t charging and I never even thought to make sure the chair charged before I left the airport, It moved and that is all that mattered to me at the time. Then again I never thought I would have problems with it charging…oh well. Although I’m calm about the situation now, last night I wasn’t and I have to say the fact that I am calm about it now is a little bit strange feeling for me.
There are a million things swarming in my mind right now that I want to share with you. I’ll probably jump around.
Another reason why I haven’t given my chair much though except when I look at it in the corner of my room or wish I could use it so I could explore…it is because I’ve spent several hours today just trying to get my phone card to work properly so I could call home. I l have learned not to call home when it is raining because it doesn’t work so well. Although I very briefly spoke to my mom yesterday when I arrived I needed to call her again. I really wanted to talk to her last night but because of the time difference I couldn’t. I have learned though whenever I talk to her that is when I get the saddest. I’ll start trying now not to call too often till I am able to feel more at home here. Sending emails to keep her posted is easier because I don’t hear her voice and feel home sick.
I’ve also meant some people who have moved in to Campus East. Everyone really is super nice and friendly. There isn’t many of us here so at lunch today we all gathered around a table to eat. Yes, Dele I finally met a cute Australian too! His name is Alex. He’s doing something in Engineer but Engineering here isn’t the same as it is in the States. From how they talked about it Engineers don’t get as much respect because of how most think Engineers here are drunks and lazy…something like that.
I also gave away myself on just how American I am. We were all eating when the girl next to me said “Is that a cockroach.” I looked and sure enough it was, right by my chair, I quickly moved away. The girl said they never saw anyone move so fast before. lol. At least I didn’t scream that would have been embarrassing. We all got a good laugh about it.
As I said earlier I don’t feel to worried about my chair not working either because like four times today when I’ve been struggling to get up a hill or open a door usually a person will pop by and open the door or give me a push.
Every time I say thank you for something they say, “No worries” which is equivalent to “No problem” but for some reason it sounds different to me by the way they mean it. Usually in the states people say “No problem” as an automatic respectful response but when people say “No worries” here it is like they are saying, ‘It isn’t a big deal of course I’d help you.’ As if to them it is not only expected but they want to help.
I made it to the beach! It is bit of a walk from campus, although we found a shortcut on the way back. I’d say it is about 15 minutes away. However, I don’t think my power chair even if it was working could make the trip because of all the bumps along the way. Andrew, the guy who is letting me use his account to use the internet took me to see the beach. I also couldn’t go to all the way to the water either because of the sand. Nevertheless, I loved the view which is enough for me. J The water is a bit too violent for my taste.
Walking to the beach was fun because I got to more of Wollongong. You have to see the houses!!! Seriously I’m in love with them. Most of the city is surrounded by mountains, beautiful green mountains. Oh if you can see it! You can’t help but feel happy. Of course I think Andrew thinks I’m a bit odd because the whole way there and back I couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful I thought everything was haha. He’s from Melbourne and to him Wollongong isn’t that great.
I’ve been getting great sleep here too. Although my timing is off. It is 6am here and I got up at 5am and had got to be around 10pm. I’ve been only getting 6 hours but waking up very refreshed. Usually I need more sleep then that to feel refreshed in the states.
Despite all my planning, things I didn’t consider have popped up besides my chair not working. For example, I had though my meals came with the housing fee…it doesn’t. Nevertheless the convenience of having a cafeteria near is good. Right now my meals have been free because there aren’t that many people here. Also, in order to get to campus via the bus they have here you have to buy a bus pass. Which as I was re-reading the material I was given about fees here at the dorm they do mention all of this. L Most of my worries had lied with wheelchair related things. But all of this isn’t the end of the world either. Just remember (and they will tell you this too before you leave) be flexible. Be prepared to be flexible.
So I realized in my last blog I mention the food I’ve eaten here and left it at that. I meant to explain why I mention it. All of the food I’ve eaten here are things I normal eat in the states (that is all they have been offering) BUT the thing is that all those foods taste different here then in the States. For example the chicken looked just cooked but it was spicy. I had pizza here yesterday for lunch. It looked just like a veggi pizza but tasted differently. But mostly because of the cheese they use. It is very fresh so it tastes different; I’d say a bit bitter.
Here are some more pictures:
Friday, February 8, 2008
But as in more interesting things here…
So far everyone is really nice here, like I left a bag in the car and he came right back pretty quick with it. Thank goodness to because it had my iPod. Oh and when the hot water wasn’t working, and I didn’t find out till like 5pm, the person in charge I guess had left and was on her way home…she came right back to fix it!
They do like to shorten words to things. Like the airline attendant called my laptop a lappy and in the bathroom the name for feminine napkins they call it nappys!
There are only a handful of other people here. I’ve only talked to one whose name is Andrew. He is really nice (he’s the one who gave me is account info so I can use the internet whenever). We’ve talked about our different cultures, about UOW, and he taught me the game of cricket here. Although I didn’t get the terminology I do get the basic concept of it. Oh and I thought they played to many ads in America, here they play ads every 5 minutes! Which the first ad they played here, every time it went to ads was a McDonald’s ad!
Before any of you get any idea’s he’s engaged and is only here for two more weeks. And although he is nice, he isn’t my type.
Food I have eaten so far here…spaghetti, chicken & rice.
Soda here is expensive $1.50! So are snacks like chips. I saw a Mars candy bar in the vending machine for $2!
They do like to shorten words to things. Like the airline attendant called my laptop a lappy and in the bathroom the name for feminine napkins they call it nappys!
There are only a handful of other people here. I’ve only talked to one whose name is Andrew. He is really nice (he’s the one who gave me is account info so I can use the internet whenever). We’ve talked about our different cultures, about UOW, and he taught me the game of cricket here. Although I didn’t get the terminology I do get the basic concept of it. Oh and I thought they played to many ads in America, here they play ads every 5 minutes! Which the first ad they played here, every time it went to ads was a McDonald’s ad!
Before any of you get any idea’s he’s engaged and is only here for two more weeks. And although he is nice, he isn’t my type.
Food I have eaten so far here…spaghetti, chicken & rice.
Soda here is expensive $1.50! So are snacks like chips. I saw a Mars candy bar in the vending machine for $2!
The Rollercoaster
I hope your interested in a long post. :)
Well, to begin I am writing this first draft, of my first post from Australia in a magazine I purchased in LA. Yes, I thought I needed to start my blog with that and not “Oh my good I am only less than 3 hours away from Sydney” Although of course by the time I get a chance to post this blog, that will be history.
Oh and as I write like the third draft of this post it is raining outside and it is soothing to hear…
Do keep in mind I did start writing this during a very long flight...and continuing it after not getting any sleep since (the second draft of this post)
It was not until I was on my flight from Tucson to LAX did I realize that this was really happening that I was going to Australia. It was then I started to get nervous and wishing I got off the plane. But it was at that moment that the plane started to take off. I was reminded then how much I love flying. My father used to fly private planes and he took me flying once or twice. At that moment any second thoughts I had vanished.
I then get to LA which was overwhelming but at the same time I was awestruck at the beauty of LA, at least the very small piece of it I saw. Seriously, bright lights, tall buildings... I now want to go back to LA for a real visit.
In order to get to Quantas (and most other flights esp. international) I had to go outside. Don’t worry for those who need it, LAX provides a shuttle service to the different buildings.
If you have ever been there, you might now what I mean. If not, I’ll try to explain it…imagine tall buildings everywhere But not only buildings but imagine a dome (it is located in LAX, it is the main control center) and to go with it, imagine it is dark outside. No stars just the lights from the buildings and the bright colors coming from the dome. Also picture roads, everywhere, some even in the air! In the center the roads that are going in the air are tall poles that light up in bright colors!
Once I got through security, found my Quantas terminal, ate (Burger King which btw was my 3rd hamburger that day...haha and I think LA's Whopper Jr. tasted different from Tucson's) it was while I was waiting at Quantas that I had to fight back tears. I had just gotten off the phone with my mom (second time I had called her too since arriving to LA). Honestly, at that moment if there was an easy option for me to go back home I would have. I was freaking out and was unhappy. But I pulled through, I turned on my iPod (second song my iPod played was "Gardens and Graves" by Ryanhood. That song helped make me feel at ease again about the whole experience).
But all my doubts (for the moment at least) vanished once I got on to the Quantas flight. The plane itself was enormous esp. compared to the United flight! Since I've only flown commercial one other time and that was to Florida I was completely breathless by the sight of it all. As was with the lights I had saw earlier. What really hooked me was the free stuff on my seat i.e. a lanyard and socks, along with a pillow, blanket, headset. As soon as I was in that seat I was happy. The flight didn't feel as long as I thought it would. Quantas fed me well. It had movies I had been meaning to see (although I ended up only seeing one movie completely...lol), TV shows I like, and good music. :) I was happy as a clam
Then I get to Sydney, I had two very nice lady's help me through the whole process. I was nervous my ride would leave because it was taking awhile to get all my things. But my ride was there. I meet three other people going to Wollongong too, but only one girl going to Campus East
Sydney is very beautiful too. It has the same feel as LA does. I was watching something on the plane about Sydney and it showed all these things you can do there so of course now I want to do it all. We'll see how that comes about. I still need to feel settled here.
I have to say Australia (from Sydney to Wollongong) is sooo beautiful. It is green and the houses are sooo cute! The houses have character. I counted like 5 McDonald's that we passed from Sydney to Wollongong. Which reminds me of something humorous in LA. I passed 2 Starbucks's within like feet of each other. Kinda sucked for me because I had sworn off coffee till I got Australia
Honestly, if it wasn't for the accents I almost would think I was still in the states because America business are everywhere. For example, there is KFC, I saw a Sizzler (though of course I personally have never seen on in the states I have heard about it), Blockbuster, and even Budget car dealer which for some reason I had thought was a local Tucson thing...
As for my housing...wheelchair accessibility wise it isn't bad. The room is big enough. However, I do miss my dorm back at UA.
Oh, and the beach isn't next to the dorm although all maps say it is. It is harder to get to than the maps portray it. That was disappointing to find out. Just like the train station on the map looks close but it isn't easy to get to too.
I'm glad I have a week to get settled before orientation starts. I need the time to feel settled. Oh and I made a friend who is letting me use his ID so I can use the internet whenever. Otherwise there really isn't anything to do here, yet!
Monday I will be going to the campus to check it out. Although where you are it is Friday (very early) here it is Friday almost 8pm! (second draft)
Continuation of this blog (third draft…)
The rollercoaster continues. Which btw I am not a fan of rollercoasters…
Last night was hard for me and frustrating. For some reason by power chair will not charge. And it seems none of my outlets work which I don’t understand because my laptop had been working in an outlet so I tried my chair charger there and now that outlet won’t work…all kind of horrors of why it isn’t working ran through my head and continues. My biggest fear is that a. the something did happen to my chair while in transit and it needs to be fixed or b. that the outlets here cannot handle the power my chair needs to charge. Either way it doesn’t look good. By the time I realized the problem it was 10pm. No one around. Instead that was the breaking point and I cried my self to sleep. Mostly because being away from home is really hard. I’m used to knowing my family is just 30 minutes away so I really never had to worry about that. To look at this in a semi-positive perspective, I now know how it feels for other people being away from home, really being away, so I hope that can help me back UA when I meet people who are having a hard time.
I know this blog is meant to encourage people to study abroad. But I also think I should be honest with you. The whole point is for people who want to study abroad, in particular those with disabilities can have a basic understanding of some trials and tribulations you may go through during the process. But also everyone can go through homesickness and many other obstacles that I may come across. Plus most people you talk to about their study abroad experience is after, at which that time they can reflect back positively but can’t really remember the hard times. It is those that a person should be prepared for.
Just remember I can never fully convey the feelings that may come along with difficulties plus people handle problems differently. However, a person who is going to study abroad should remember that there will be difficulties but to never let that stop you. Even though feeling comfortable here is harder than I expected I know that I still have plenty of time for all that. I know that even with my chair difficulties that eventually it will work itself out. Pretty much because I remind myself it is because I have no other choice. Although that may sound negative it gives me strength in the knowledge that some how, some way I will get through this.
Well, to begin I am writing this first draft, of my first post from Australia in a magazine I purchased in LA. Yes, I thought I needed to start my blog with that and not “Oh my good I am only less than 3 hours away from Sydney” Although of course by the time I get a chance to post this blog, that will be history.
Oh and as I write like the third draft of this post it is raining outside and it is soothing to hear…
Do keep in mind I did start writing this during a very long flight...and continuing it after not getting any sleep since (the second draft of this post)
It was not until I was on my flight from Tucson to LAX did I realize that this was really happening that I was going to Australia. It was then I started to get nervous and wishing I got off the plane. But it was at that moment that the plane started to take off. I was reminded then how much I love flying. My father used to fly private planes and he took me flying once or twice. At that moment any second thoughts I had vanished.
I then get to LA which was overwhelming but at the same time I was awestruck at the beauty of LA, at least the very small piece of it I saw. Seriously, bright lights, tall buildings... I now want to go back to LA for a real visit.
In order to get to Quantas (and most other flights esp. international) I had to go outside. Don’t worry for those who need it, LAX provides a shuttle service to the different buildings.
If you have ever been there, you might now what I mean. If not, I’ll try to explain it…imagine tall buildings everywhere But not only buildings but imagine a dome (it is located in LAX, it is the main control center) and to go with it, imagine it is dark outside. No stars just the lights from the buildings and the bright colors coming from the dome. Also picture roads, everywhere, some even in the air! In the center the roads that are going in the air are tall poles that light up in bright colors!
Once I got through security, found my Quantas terminal, ate (Burger King which btw was my 3rd hamburger that day...haha and I think LA's Whopper Jr. tasted different from Tucson's) it was while I was waiting at Quantas that I had to fight back tears. I had just gotten off the phone with my mom (second time I had called her too since arriving to LA). Honestly, at that moment if there was an easy option for me to go back home I would have. I was freaking out and was unhappy. But I pulled through, I turned on my iPod (second song my iPod played was "Gardens and Graves" by Ryanhood. That song helped make me feel at ease again about the whole experience).
But all my doubts (for the moment at least) vanished once I got on to the Quantas flight. The plane itself was enormous esp. compared to the United flight! Since I've only flown commercial one other time and that was to Florida I was completely breathless by the sight of it all. As was with the lights I had saw earlier. What really hooked me was the free stuff on my seat i.e. a lanyard and socks, along with a pillow, blanket, headset. As soon as I was in that seat I was happy. The flight didn't feel as long as I thought it would. Quantas fed me well. It had movies I had been meaning to see (although I ended up only seeing one movie completely...lol), TV shows I like, and good music. :) I was happy as a clam
Then I get to Sydney, I had two very nice lady's help me through the whole process. I was nervous my ride would leave because it was taking awhile to get all my things. But my ride was there. I meet three other people going to Wollongong too, but only one girl going to Campus East
Sydney is very beautiful too. It has the same feel as LA does. I was watching something on the plane about Sydney and it showed all these things you can do there so of course now I want to do it all. We'll see how that comes about. I still need to feel settled here.
I have to say Australia (from Sydney to Wollongong) is sooo beautiful. It is green and the houses are sooo cute! The houses have character. I counted like 5 McDonald's that we passed from Sydney to Wollongong. Which reminds me of something humorous in LA. I passed 2 Starbucks's within like feet of each other. Kinda sucked for me because I had sworn off coffee till I got Australia
Honestly, if it wasn't for the accents I almost would think I was still in the states because America business are everywhere. For example, there is KFC, I saw a Sizzler (though of course I personally have never seen on in the states I have heard about it), Blockbuster, and even Budget car dealer which for some reason I had thought was a local Tucson thing...
As for my housing...wheelchair accessibility wise it isn't bad. The room is big enough. However, I do miss my dorm back at UA.
Oh, and the beach isn't next to the dorm although all maps say it is. It is harder to get to than the maps portray it. That was disappointing to find out. Just like the train station on the map looks close but it isn't easy to get to too.
I'm glad I have a week to get settled before orientation starts. I need the time to feel settled. Oh and I made a friend who is letting me use his ID so I can use the internet whenever. Otherwise there really isn't anything to do here, yet!
Monday I will be going to the campus to check it out. Although where you are it is Friday (very early) here it is Friday almost 8pm! (second draft)
Continuation of this blog (third draft…)
The rollercoaster continues. Which btw I am not a fan of rollercoasters…
Last night was hard for me and frustrating. For some reason by power chair will not charge. And it seems none of my outlets work which I don’t understand because my laptop had been working in an outlet so I tried my chair charger there and now that outlet won’t work…all kind of horrors of why it isn’t working ran through my head and continues. My biggest fear is that a. the something did happen to my chair while in transit and it needs to be fixed or b. that the outlets here cannot handle the power my chair needs to charge. Either way it doesn’t look good. By the time I realized the problem it was 10pm. No one around. Instead that was the breaking point and I cried my self to sleep. Mostly because being away from home is really hard. I’m used to knowing my family is just 30 minutes away so I really never had to worry about that. To look at this in a semi-positive perspective, I now know how it feels for other people being away from home, really being away, so I hope that can help me back UA when I meet people who are having a hard time.
I know this blog is meant to encourage people to study abroad. But I also think I should be honest with you. The whole point is for people who want to study abroad, in particular those with disabilities can have a basic understanding of some trials and tribulations you may go through during the process. But also everyone can go through homesickness and many other obstacles that I may come across. Plus most people you talk to about their study abroad experience is after, at which that time they can reflect back positively but can’t really remember the hard times. It is those that a person should be prepared for.
Just remember I can never fully convey the feelings that may come along with difficulties plus people handle problems differently. However, a person who is going to study abroad should remember that there will be difficulties but to never let that stop you. Even though feeling comfortable here is harder than I expected I know that I still have plenty of time for all that. I know that even with my chair difficulties that eventually it will work itself out. Pretty much because I remind myself it is because I have no other choice. Although that may sound negative it gives me strength in the knowledge that some how, some way I will get through this.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Safe Arrival
Just wanted to make a quick post, I'm borrowing a computer so I can't write a long blog, but I am working on one. I have arrived to Australia safely!
Monday, February 4, 2008
"What one woman can do, so can another." Catherine Gaskin
In just two short days I will at last be departing from the United States to Australia. To be completely honest, as Wednesday quickly approaches I get more frighten! I start to worry about everything. A couple of weeks ago I felt very confident. Where did that go? I am sure this is all normal though. I think a little fear is always good.
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed too because I just got an email today from the UOW Study Abroad Office about things I should know before I arrive i.e. orientation. I have the same feeling I did when I started the UA, daunting because there is so much information to know. From learning I need to be aware of when my classes are and how to schedule them just right to finding out that UOW has a set limited usage of internet, i.e. accessing websites like MySpace might be restricted
On the very upside: I have pretty amazing news to share with you. I got a phone call from Quantas the other day; they are not charging me the $106 fee to take my second chair! How fabulous is that! From what I understand the contact person I had spoken to with the Disability Airlines representative, contacted Quantas and sent over the US guidelines about traveling with two chairs, which led Quantas to adopt the same policy as well!!!
Saying goodbye to people I think has been the hardest part of all this. I’m really close to my friends and family. They are the ones who provide me the support I need to make it through each day. They are all very excited for me so that makes this process much easier. Thank you to all of you, my friends and family for all your help!
My next blog will be from Australia!!! Which I hope comes with interesting stories to tell and awesome pictures!
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed too because I just got an email today from the UOW Study Abroad Office about things I should know before I arrive i.e. orientation. I have the same feeling I did when I started the UA, daunting because there is so much information to know. From learning I need to be aware of when my classes are and how to schedule them just right to finding out that UOW has a set limited usage of internet, i.e. accessing websites like MySpace might be restricted
On the very upside: I have pretty amazing news to share with you. I got a phone call from Quantas the other day; they are not charging me the $106 fee to take my second chair! How fabulous is that! From what I understand the contact person I had spoken to with the Disability Airlines representative, contacted Quantas and sent over the US guidelines about traveling with two chairs, which led Quantas to adopt the same policy as well!!!
Saying goodbye to people I think has been the hardest part of all this. I’m really close to my friends and family. They are the ones who provide me the support I need to make it through each day. They are all very excited for me so that makes this process much easier. Thank you to all of you, my friends and family for all your help!
My next blog will be from Australia!!! Which I hope comes with interesting stories to tell and awesome pictures!
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