A Quick Hello / Australian Lesson #2

So I haven’t been that good at updating this blog but I must admit that I see this as a good thing because it is proof of my lack of free time to sit at my computer. My days are pretty jam-packed with fun things, or the more recent piles of schoolwork, but either way I have no time to really get lost in my head thinking about the life that moves on back home. I do hate that I’m missing out on participating in the lives of my closest friends, but I am here making my own memories and doing something to make myself a better person/friend/daughter. I love the person that Australia is making me into: More independent, less uptight, and generally more fun. My happiness here is unparalleled by anything in my past, but I can only see this as a platform from which my joy will continue to soar.

I have heaps of work to do this week, but when Easter Break is over I will do a massive post with pictures describing my last few weeks including: beach days, crazy nights, surfcamp, trip to Newcastle, etc…

Getting homework done at the office...

So, just to keep my audiences entertained (I love that you guys actually read this!):


Lessons learned in Australia
• Always ask a second opinion on directions, no matter how sure someone may sound.
• Aussies have no idea how to make coffee…or I haven’t yet cracked the secret code on how to order it. (Flat White? Tall Black? No such thing as Drip.... See what I'm saying!?)
• It’s wayyy harder to make friends with girls than boys. Although, this may not be a culture thing, but more an international rule in all westernized societies. Fact: Girls are territorial. The only girl friends I’ve made who are not international students were introduced to me through the other international students. These girls are the coolest though, so I’m content.
Either way, the only girl friends who really matter are coming to visit me in May! (Coutdown: 41 days)
• I am really ready to finish school. The 3 months of idleness turned my brain and attention span to mush. I would probably do just fine at ASU with this brain capacity, but I’m beginning to worry about how this semester might pan out. USyd > ASU
• Australians, boys and girls alike, know how to dress! My side of town is particularly hip and it has definitely upped my idea of fashion a few notches. It takes a lot to keep up with these hipster kids! Not only do they dress well, but everyone is beautiful too. Hell, everyone could be naked and still look great (although I definitely would not prefer that). But, that already halfway happens at Bondi Beach…mainly because of all the Euro travelers though.
• Aussies love to be healthy and organic but at the same time it is near impossible to find a recycling bin anywhere. Contradictory? A bit self-centered? The eco/recyclable bags have caught on but the reusable water bottles have not. I wonder if it is the same outside of the city? Speaking of water bottles- I left my precious camelback nalgene bottle in the airport not 15 minutes after arriving in Sydney and I purchased another one a week later just to have it stolen. I’m not having much luck with water bottles these days.
•”Sexy” is a descriptive word that seems to be very versatile. I’m not sure if this Australian word usage is one that I’ll bring back with me to the states.



I LOVE:
• Being able to get things accomplished while sitting outside on campus- ie not getting interrupted every 10 minutes
• Having class 3 days a week
• Public transport to school
• Freedom
• The traveler’s mindset
• Discovering new parts of the city almost every time I go out
• The mixing of cultures in Sydney and the ambiguity of “Typical Australian Identity” that it creates
• Living in such a vibrant city
•Being utterly alone

I HATE:
• Sitting in Usyd’s poor excuse for a coffee shop and not ever running into anyone I know. That was the real reason I ever went to crossroads… Coffee is wonderful, but a good conversation is better.
• Not recognizing a single person in the city or on campus(although this seems to be getting a little better with time…)
• Reading Reading Reading
• The way nobody looks into anyone’s eyes. No smiles. No simple “hello” or nods to strangers. This makes me miss Boone more than anything.
• Not knowing shortcuts
• Having to leave no later than 30 minutes before class to arrive on time. I’m used to only needing 10 minutes from Winkler-Adams!
• Being utterly alone


Another Lingo Lesson:
-Jumpers= Jackets or Hoodies, which is the strangest thing to me because Aussies have the tendency to put the “ies” to shorten everything. For example: Footies= Football, Wetties= Wet suit, Rashie= Rash Guard
-Mackers= McDonalds
-Gum Boots= Rain Boots
-“H” is pronounced “heaatch” and “Z” is pronounced “Zed”




Thanks for keeping up with me, guys. I think about you every day!