Vacation is Over?

Felix has peer pressured me into blogging, so here it is.

            The past few weeks I’ve said, even while in the airport, “it still hasn’t hit me yet,” referring to living in Sydney, Australia. But the past couple of nights, it has hit me. I’ve seen some beautiful beaches and spectacular skylines this week while taking a ferry down Sydney Harbour, walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, swimming at Bondi Beach and looking over the city 31 floors from the ground.

            First up was the Bondi Beach walk with the other international students. Once we got off the bus and I saw the ocean all I wanted to do was swim because I haven’t been in the ocean in a year. But I had to wait to get my moment. It didn’t help my patience at all when every single picture taken looked like a postcard and when the water’s perfectly blue and not filled with seaweed. After grabbing some grub and Moo’s Gourmet Burgers and feeling like a rich Californian at the Icebergs Swimming Club I got my chance and it was glorious. Even in this thing Australians call ‘winter’ the water was refreshing and warm enough for me to enjoy. That’s about it for Bondi, but I’m sure I’ll have another go very soon.

            Next up was the ferry ride into (Emma) Watsons Bay where I appropriately had the most British meal of my life. We stopped to get fish and chips and I fancied a warm beverage so I had a cup of tea WITH MILK (Dani and Chi would’ve been so proud). But the views of the Opera House and the Bridge were spectacular, to say the least and I couldn’t believe it’s some peoples commute everyday.

            The next adventure starts off the same, we were lost and didn’t have a plan but we ended up on this rooftop bar next to the Bridge and that too was fantastic (it’s difficult for me to explain these views and the scenery). We then decided to walk across the Bridge and then ended up walking back across the Bridge because we couldn’t catch any sort of transportation.

            Last adventure was to downtown Sydney again to drink and live it up with the Swedish girls. This was the first time I had gone any where without at least one of my roommates but I wasn’t going to pass up an opportunity to hang out with the Swedish girls because I adore them. They don’t know that yet but perhaps they do now! When we arrived to their apartment complex and I see a bunch of marbled floors and walls and I jokingly say to them, “do you guys have the penthouse suite?” And of course they smiled and modestly said it wasn’t but it was on the 31^st floor out of 32 so you tell me! Maybe it just felt like a penthouse to me because I was looking over Sydney like a king and I was the only dude there, like some sort of entitlement. But it was a lovely night of drinking, card games and learning about different cultures and getting to know my other international friends.

            Between barbeques, trivia night, drinking and getting to know new people I’ve been figuring out my class schedule and staying busy with the uni (I promise Dad).  But there are points where I realize this isn’t just a vacation, even when I feel like a tourist. It’s real life and better than any vacation I could have planned. These strangers I met are like family now. We’ve all got to look out for one another. This city is another home.

So here’s to getting lost with the best and finding why we’re meant to be here!

Vegemite, Kangaroo and Footy

I’ve been busy since my arrival here down under. First up was international orientation. There we were informed with basic university information. Later that day we made new animal friends including a koala, a kangaroo (sorry in advance little kanga buddy), some snakes and other reptiles, and numerous farm animals that Felix fell in love with. Then I got a student ID and we explored Parramatta’s beautiful campus. I know this sounds crazy, but I think it is even more breathe taking than Flagstaff’s!

            Next up was Saturday and our first Aussie weekend. Felix and I went to the mall to get clocks, sheets and other various things. We set up a little Grand Central in our living with all of the times back home, under that is an Australian centered world map. Then I tried vegemite for the first time and cringed at the taste while my roomies were documenting the momentous moment. By itself vegemite was terrible, but more bearable when I put butter on it. After that I tried a new native food, kangaroo! We made kanga burgers and they turned out to be pretty good, but I couldn’t really taste for much of a difference between other meats.

            Lastly, was the GWS Giants footy match against the Geelong Cats. I got four free tickets on some twitter promotion for having residency outside the country and it simple and easy process for a great experience. Footy is Australian Rules Football and it is the best ever. When I left I made it a priority to get into Australian sports and the AFL was just the league to do it in. It’s a fast and hectic game, which made it great for watching. The stadium was magnificent and the fans there sure are fanatic about their beloved teams. The game took place at Spotless Stadium in the Sydney Olympic Park and it was cold. It reminded me of Flagstaff and of the high school football days, only this time I had amber fluid (beer). The Giants lost after erasing a 30-point deficit and just fell short of defeat. Despite that, I still bought a jersey and I will probably wear that the most out of anything else I brought.

            All in all, this country and city has treated me well so far. Everything is already starting to go by fast, but here’s to making the best of this upcoming week with my goofball roommates and some new mates!

Jetlag?

What’s the worth possible thing that could happen to someone on a 14 hour plane flight? Yup, explosive diaherrea. But that didn’t happen to me so the flight was fine. After the flight, however, I got to experience the beauty that is customs. After waiting in line for an hour the worker said, “why did you come to Australia to study? America has much better universities.” I chuckled but he was serious. Australians have a sarcastic pride, but not sarcastic. It’s difficult to explain because we all know American’s are damn loud and proud of their pride. With Australians, you can tell they’re proud to live in the “Lucky Country,” but it seems, as they will never admit it. That’s what I’ve noticed so far, other than that they have parks on every block. Anyways, got off the plane at six and I went to meet my airport shuttle bloke (man). I didn’t end up meeting him until 8:30 and I was pretty cranky and pissed that I just missed him.

HOWEVER, it turned out to be the best thing that’s happened on this adventure this far. Because I missed his earlier shuttle I was picked up at the airport along with three other students. Once we got to the Village we were split up into two different rooms. Things in our room made us pretty uncomfortable and all four of us decided to try to live together in a six-bedroom apartment with two other guys who we have yet to meet. It sounds strange but we felt pretty comfortable with each other and we’re all in the same position, knowing nothing about this country. As of now, my three roommates are from Sweden, Canada and the States: Felix, Karen and Alison. I’m the youngest of the four at twenty but I’m pretty convinced we’re all the same. We all like our cleanliness, which wasn’t the case at the room I was in at first. We’re all outgoing and I couldn’t think of any other three people I’d want to get lost with around Parramatta and the rest of this continent. I think because of them things haven’t felt so strange, because we’re all relatively feeling the same way. I haven’t felt the jetlag at all. But here’s to thinking it won’t kick in any second!

            Anyways, if you want some more detail on the move in check out Felix’s blog http://downunder.nu/?p=57, his is much cooler and he’s a fantastic writer. (The Chemistry major has dumbed down my English skills.)

            Right-O you dags, cheers from down undaaaaa!

From Assured to Unsure

The flight is set and everything is coming together. I’m beginning the packing process and the realization is starting to set in. Even though I feel my mind is already integrated into the Australian culture, I have low expectations for the study abroad experience. That’s not to say, however, that I expect to have an okay time. I’ve just learned that expectation may lead to devastation and some of the best things in life are surprises. I know that the worst things in life may also be surprises, but I say that light wouldn’t exist without dark. With a clear mind and low expectations the simple things become great things and the great things become blissful.

            Easier said than done though because I’ve already picked out which sports team I want to root for. In the National Rugby League it’s an easy choice, the hometown Parramatta Eels. The decision comes in the Australian Football League, the NFL of Australia. I’ve limited it to two teams, the Greater Western Sydney Giants or the Sydney Swans, and this will most likely be decided upon my arrival. In addition, there are so many things I want to do while abroad and I’m unsure if I should plan anything or wait until I get there. I would love to go to the Outback, to visit Uluru, to travel to the Gold Coast and The Great Barrier Reef, to travel to Tasmania, Adelaide, Melbourne, and even Hobbiton in New Zealand. Between surfing, whale watching, sporting events and partying, it’s difficult to keep my expectations low. I also have classes to attend and grades to maintain.

            I guess what I’m trying to say is that there are always a million reasons not to do something. “If you want something in life, reach out and grab it.” –Christopher McCandless. Such a simple quote, but so in depth and reassuring. I already admit that I know very little in life, and I’m going to be reassured of how unsure I am.