O-Week officially ends tonight, kind of sad. We have a formal dinner in a couple of hours at an unknown location; most likely somewhere good, hopefully a place with kangaroo; I still want to try it. Last night our bar on campus opened, called the Uni Bar. Jim Beam was sponsoring it, which to me is pretty cool since I doubt they would ever sponsor an event at my school. They gave away free stuff and I got a pair of sunglasses, a singlet and a hat. It was pretty awesome if you ask me. Tomorrow classes finally start and my nice little 3 month vacation is over. No more partying time to focus on some school work, which sounds good to me. I've actually kind of missed going to class; ironic right? I still need to buy books, which I plan on doing tomorrow they recommended we wait until after out first lecture to see if we actually need a book. I'll buy them any most likely I just like to be prepared and it gives me something to read to help study.
So, I got really sunburned after the day at Gold Coast and I'm finally starting to turn tan. I've pretty much put aloe vera on at least 5 times a day and it has lead to me not peeling; at least not yet. Wet n Wild was also pretty fun yesterday. One thing did suck and that was that a couple of rides were closed. We ate dinner at Little Singapore and it was pretty good for the most part.
We have a formal dinner tonight, so I'll make sure I'll blog about it and classes tomorrow.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Differences
We had a pub crawl yesterday for part of O-Week it was pretty fun like everything here is. I haven't really talked about the differences I've experienced, so I thought I should spend some time doing that. First off, it is a lot like America and I didn't experience a lot of culture shock if any. That might be due to me being extremely independent, maybe it'll hit me later or something.
It's been interesting trying to adjust to the lingo here, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. Oh, and the coins, they have 1 and 2 dollar coins instead of notes; I always have a ton of coins now it's slightly annoying. The bus pass is pretty neat here you get this Go card and you swipe it when you get on and swipe when you get off and are charged for how long you are on it. Now SCSU needs to take a page from the Australia's universities, we have such a garbage orientation it's embarrassing. You do so many fun things here that help everyone get to know each other way more; it's so helpful in meeting new friends and just getting to know your floor better. My Australian university is always renovating and building new buildings to keep the campus up to date and to attract new students. A whole week of orientation is actually a great idea!
I'm excited for classes to start on Monday, I missed this orientation that was during the week so I have to go to it again on Wednesday, o well. I have to run now I'll write again later tonight probably.
It's been interesting trying to adjust to the lingo here, I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. Oh, and the coins, they have 1 and 2 dollar coins instead of notes; I always have a ton of coins now it's slightly annoying. The bus pass is pretty neat here you get this Go card and you swipe it when you get on and swipe when you get off and are charged for how long you are on it. Now SCSU needs to take a page from the Australia's universities, we have such a garbage orientation it's embarrassing. You do so many fun things here that help everyone get to know each other way more; it's so helpful in meeting new friends and just getting to know your floor better. My Australian university is always renovating and building new buildings to keep the campus up to date and to attract new students. A whole week of orientation is actually a great idea!
I'm excited for classes to start on Monday, I missed this orientation that was during the week so I have to go to it again on Wednesday, o well. I have to run now I'll write again later tonight probably.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Scavenger Hunt
Today we did the scavenger hunt, which was designed to get us more acquainted with the city. It was scorching hot out so I was like dying with every step; I'm talking 90 degrees with 100% humidity. We started out on Queens Street which is the big shopping area for Brisbane and eventually made our way to South Bank. We had to do some crazy tasks and stuff like switch t-shirts with a stranger, kiss a stranger, ride a cannon, act like a kangaroo, take a picture of buns in a bakery, and crazy things like that. I was literally trying to stay in any place that was shade or A/C, I mean come on I'm from Minnesota I don't deal with this heat.
After that we got food and played this game called bowls, which is kind of like bocce ball except that the balls are weights an you roll it on this turf stuff; needless to say I wasn't to good at it. The food here is AMAZING though, I don't think I've had a meal where I was displeased. I'm more excited for tomorrow when we have our toga party! I will have to admit it is a little weird having the RA's encouraging us to drink, but hey it's college. We also have a market day tomorrow (I mentioned it earlier). I'm anxious to get free stuff from it so my room won't be so plain. I also did my laundry finally and I have quite a few clothes, but I still want to go shopping. They have a little different style then we do in America so why not try to blend in. I just wish things were so damn expensive, but I'll live.
Tomorrow is the awesome toga party I'll post another update about that and the rest of the festivities later. I'm pretty tired tonight it has been a long day, I mean I was woken up by a megaphone. What is this Van Wilder? Maybe....
After that we got food and played this game called bowls, which is kind of like bocce ball except that the balls are weights an you roll it on this turf stuff; needless to say I wasn't to good at it. The food here is AMAZING though, I don't think I've had a meal where I was displeased. I'm more excited for tomorrow when we have our toga party! I will have to admit it is a little weird having the RA's encouraging us to drink, but hey it's college. We also have a market day tomorrow (I mentioned it earlier). I'm anxious to get free stuff from it so my room won't be so plain. I also did my laundry finally and I have quite a few clothes, but I still want to go shopping. They have a little different style then we do in America so why not try to blend in. I just wish things were so damn expensive, but I'll live.
Tomorrow is the awesome toga party I'll post another update about that and the rest of the festivities later. I'm pretty tired tonight it has been a long day, I mean I was woken up by a megaphone. What is this Van Wilder? Maybe....
Saturday, February 19, 2011
O-Week has started
So, people finally moved in yesterday and it made things so much better. I met a bunch of Aussies, which was exactly what I've been waiting for. It's actually pretty ridiculously hot, so I've bought 2 fans and have them on full bore to try to keep me modestly cool. There is supposed to be a heat wave tomorrow and it'll get up to 40 Celsius, I might die. I also bought an alarm clock and some water.
Funny story, I was shaving the other night and my razor died, so when I went to charge it it got fried. I had a half shaved beard and no shaving cream, tragedy. Luckily Mara brought over some woman shaving cream and I was able to finish the deed. I ended up going to the mall the next day and getting a new electric razor and shaving cream in case something terrible happens again, but I'm hoping for the best.
Besides that we started O-Week yesterday and had a couple activities like tea brunch, BBQ, floor meeting/icebreaker and not to mention speed dating. Today we have to make flags and then are playing capture the flag tonight. Tomorrow we have a scavenger hunt of Brisbane and then laser tag at night; I'm pretty excited for the scavenger hunt it should be quite fun and I get to explore the city more. Then on Tuesday we have a Market Day which is like Main Street at SCSU. Tuesday night is what we are all looking forward to we have a toga party which is the first night that we can drink on campus, it'll be crazy. Wednesday is a pretty chill day nothing to special and on Thursday we are going to the Gold Coast and then have a pub crawl in the afternoon which should be a lot of fun if it's like the last one we did in Cairns. Friday we have Jello wrestling and a eating challenge should be pretty interesting. Saturday we have a water park at the Gold Coast and then the bar on campus opens, which they call the Uni Bar. Sunday is just a hangout day and then we start class on Monday; I can't wait.
Funny story, I was shaving the other night and my razor died, so when I went to charge it it got fried. I had a half shaved beard and no shaving cream, tragedy. Luckily Mara brought over some woman shaving cream and I was able to finish the deed. I ended up going to the mall the next day and getting a new electric razor and shaving cream in case something terrible happens again, but I'm hoping for the best.
Besides that we started O-Week yesterday and had a couple activities like tea brunch, BBQ, floor meeting/icebreaker and not to mention speed dating. Today we have to make flags and then are playing capture the flag tonight. Tomorrow we have a scavenger hunt of Brisbane and then laser tag at night; I'm pretty excited for the scavenger hunt it should be quite fun and I get to explore the city more. Then on Tuesday we have a Market Day which is like Main Street at SCSU. Tuesday night is what we are all looking forward to we have a toga party which is the first night that we can drink on campus, it'll be crazy. Wednesday is a pretty chill day nothing to special and on Thursday we are going to the Gold Coast and then have a pub crawl in the afternoon which should be a lot of fun if it's like the last one we did in Cairns. Friday we have Jello wrestling and a eating challenge should be pretty interesting. Saturday we have a water park at the Gold Coast and then the bar on campus opens, which they call the Uni Bar. Sunday is just a hangout day and then we start class on Monday; I can't wait.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Finally at Griffith
Sorry for not being able to get on anytime sooner. I've had a hectic week and finally have Internet so I can continue blogging about this unforgettable experience. The question is where do I start, so much has happened in the last week it is unbelievable. I'm absolutely in love with this place everyone is so friendly. The first week I stayed in Cairns, which is really just full of tourists, but fun nonetheless.
The Great Barrier Reef is truly AMAZING!!! That was by far the highlight of my time here. I was able to snorkel and scuba dive it. It is a whole different world down there it is hard to come up with words that actually describe it; just so surreal. I also did some volunteer work planting trees and a local farm/nature preserve. I was also able to see the rainforest and had a duck boat tour which was interesting. Oh yeah we did a party bus/pub crawl deal and it was a great time, I had so much fun. I'll leave out the juicy details since my parents and such and reading this, sorry.
I just got to campus on Thursday, which was Wednesday for you guys. The campus is bigger than SCSU and has a lot of wildlife on it. It's crazy how the animals just roam around and get within a foot of you. I'll take pictures of some when I can and when I see more. My feet are pretty shredded from all the walking I've done in the last week. I'm finally staying in tonight for the first time since I've arrived; we've had some pretty crazy experiences to say the least.
Now about today, I did some shopping got some school supplies, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, Tim Tam, and the other guys got their phones finally. That made things more simple since we are able to just communicate that way instead of setting a time and a place to meet. I'm really enjoying it here and using a night for reflection is probably for the best. I'll leave this one at that talk to you all again tomorrow.
The Great Barrier Reef is truly AMAZING!!! That was by far the highlight of my time here. I was able to snorkel and scuba dive it. It is a whole different world down there it is hard to come up with words that actually describe it; just so surreal. I also did some volunteer work planting trees and a local farm/nature preserve. I was also able to see the rainforest and had a duck boat tour which was interesting. Oh yeah we did a party bus/pub crawl deal and it was a great time, I had so much fun. I'll leave out the juicy details since my parents and such and reading this, sorry.
I just got to campus on Thursday, which was Wednesday for you guys. The campus is bigger than SCSU and has a lot of wildlife on it. It's crazy how the animals just roam around and get within a foot of you. I'll take pictures of some when I can and when I see more. My feet are pretty shredded from all the walking I've done in the last week. I'm finally staying in tonight for the first time since I've arrived; we've had some pretty crazy experiences to say the least.
Now about today, I did some shopping got some school supplies, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, Tim Tam, and the other guys got their phones finally. That made things more simple since we are able to just communicate that way instead of setting a time and a place to meet. I'm really enjoying it here and using a night for reflection is probably for the best. I'll leave this one at that talk to you all again tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Night Before Departure
How do I start my last blog entry from the confines of where I've lived for 20 years? I couldn't tell you; what I can tell you is that up until tonight I wasn't hit with the nervous, anxious, excited, sad bug. The more I think about it the more I yearn to explore. Don't get me wrong I'll miss my family and friends immensely, but I'm ready to explore this wonderful place we call earth.
Today I hung out with Curt, Steph, and Ryan; it was a wonderful time and it'll be weird walking up and not seeing them since I've pretty much lived at Ryan and Curt's place this whole break. Tonight it finally caught up to me, I'm actually leaving. I'm not just a short drive away from home I'm on a completely different continent with complete strangers in a place that is alien to me. To be honest, I've never been more excited in my life; this would normally take people out of their comfort zone, but not with me. I've came to conquer this challenge they call life and I'm taking it by the horns.
I truly believe that it is essential for people to travel to get a better grasp on reality. I'm going into this with a completely open mindset, willing to make the most of every opportunity that I get. I'm literally leaving the state of Minnesota for a solid year and that is finally starting to set in. I mean, I've virtually been in the same location my whole life and ever since I graduated high school I wondered what my life would be like when I got older, well now I get a little taste of the real world. I know to many people that aren't willing to step out of their comfort zones and it's a shame, live a little. The world is far to big to stay in one place your whole life.
Now after sitting here staring at my computer for 5 minutes and not typing I'd have to say this may be the greatest feeling ever......pure bliss. I finally feel like I'm doing something that is life changing; I've worked hard for many years and in 2011 it is really starting to take shape. If someone would of asked me 3 years ago if I think I would be going to Australia and interning for IBM in Washington DC in the same year I would of called you crazy. It is still a littler surreal to me, but here I am the night before I leave for Australia sitting in my basement with my booking confirmation and my acceptance letter from IBM. This might be the moment in time where I sit there and say this is why I did what I did, this is who I want to be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BZlgCIhyXU
Today I hung out with Curt, Steph, and Ryan; it was a wonderful time and it'll be weird walking up and not seeing them since I've pretty much lived at Ryan and Curt's place this whole break. Tonight it finally caught up to me, I'm actually leaving. I'm not just a short drive away from home I'm on a completely different continent with complete strangers in a place that is alien to me. To be honest, I've never been more excited in my life; this would normally take people out of their comfort zone, but not with me. I've came to conquer this challenge they call life and I'm taking it by the horns.
I truly believe that it is essential for people to travel to get a better grasp on reality. I'm going into this with a completely open mindset, willing to make the most of every opportunity that I get. I'm literally leaving the state of Minnesota for a solid year and that is finally starting to set in. I mean, I've virtually been in the same location my whole life and ever since I graduated high school I wondered what my life would be like when I got older, well now I get a little taste of the real world. I know to many people that aren't willing to step out of their comfort zones and it's a shame, live a little. The world is far to big to stay in one place your whole life.
Now after sitting here staring at my computer for 5 minutes and not typing I'd have to say this may be the greatest feeling ever......pure bliss. I finally feel like I'm doing something that is life changing; I've worked hard for many years and in 2011 it is really starting to take shape. If someone would of asked me 3 years ago if I think I would be going to Australia and interning for IBM in Washington DC in the same year I would of called you crazy. It is still a littler surreal to me, but here I am the night before I leave for Australia sitting in my basement with my booking confirmation and my acceptance letter from IBM. This might be the moment in time where I sit there and say this is why I did what I did, this is who I want to be.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BZlgCIhyXU
Saturday, February 5, 2011
5 Days Remaining
The cyclone that was worrying me has passed and everything seems to be fine in Cairns. They did move some of the orientations to Brisbane; the people that arrived between Feb. 4 and Feb. 9 were moved to Brisbane. Luckily I'm arriving after that and get to go to the Great Barrier Reef still, you have no idea how excited I am!
The last couple of days I've been trying to see everyone I possibly can before I leave, which means I've been running around visiting people left and right. I went to a job fair yesterday just to pass time; it was interesting. I did end up getting to see one of my friends who I haven't seen in FOREVER since she was doing an internship abroad (lucky right).
As for packing goes, well I haven't gotten that far, yet. I'm thinking when Monday rolls around I'm going to try to get everything packed and see if my luggage is the right weight and so on. Until then I want to take it easy before I have to start this crazy year I have ahead of me that couldn't make me more excited. I'll be doing plenty of traveling outside and inside of the U.S.A. it'll be an adventure. One thing I have done is I'm trying to get my iPod up to date before I leave; that is one long plane ride/s I have in store for me. It's important to have good music, I might go crazy otherwise. One artist I must recommend to EVERYONE is Israel Cannan. He's from Australia, and I just love his stuff.
I think that is it for now. 5 days and counting my next post will probably be on Wednesday the night before I leave. The anticipation is killing me.
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