Sickness & Syracuse

Not much excitement from this past week other than feeling not quite up to par, attending class and awkward tutorials, and going to the best restaurant everrrr. On Monday, Jill and I went to a great restaurant in the city called "Syracuse" aka the best place in the world (never been but we all know I am a true Syracusan). Got a delicious steak and great calamari! Had a few adventures after, which I will not expand on involving McDonalds and other various places (Jill- I won't tell if you don't).





Tuesday... Still sick and had tomato soup all day. Reading. Homework. Class. Boring.

Wednesday... Class all Day! Started to feel better. Ended the day at 7 after my severly awkward Jane Austen tutorial in which no one spoke the entire time and the teacher sat staring at us waiting for responses the WHOLE time. Almost got attacked by a duck. Nature Walk with Jilly in the evening.

Thursday... Lots happened today! Thank goodness, right? Who wants to hear about sore throats and text books any longer? Felt great this day! Did lots of school work during the day and laundry. Had a dinner planned at Northside Church at 6 pm and went with Casey, Niya, and Jill. We had a crazy time trying to find the church after we got off of the tram stop and ended up eating somewhere else. I was really bummed because it was supposed to be a good dinner and I was anxious to check out the church and possibly make some new friends. After dinner, I went grocery shopping and headed back to La Trash. Jill and I watched hilarious YouTube videos with her neighbor Maeve and had a ball. We spent the rest of the night socializing in Tower 9 downstairs and then at the Bald Eagle. Used some of your dance moves Dad :)

Friday... Got up ready and excited for the beach!! Ended up going to breakfast and then on a wild goose chase around campus helping Jill look for her advisor's office which ended in the decision to stay on campus and watch movies all day. You see, Jill and I discovered this amazing secret room (don't tell anyone) in the common room that is called the Roger Joyce lounge. There are tons of couches in there and old videos! I mean videos. Not dvds... So, we headed up there and watched some pretty great classics (Anastasia, The Emperor's New Groove, and Bring it On). Guess we were having a childish afternoon ha After our movie extravaganza, we decided to be something a little more than worthless and headed to the tram stop to find a great spot for dinner. We found the perfect small Thai restaurant and shared some great Pad Thai :) All in all, great Disney movies, pretty good company (ha), and a yummy dinner.

Today... Going to catch up on some emails and reading for school. Have to finish Northanger Abbey and Heart of Darkness by Wednesday! Anyone want to read one for me? Also going to write some letters to some special family back home :) Miss you guys!

Free Fish and Chips at 830 accompanied with a movie and fellowship on the hill outside my dorm. Should be fun!

G'day Mates!

John's Visit- GREAT WEEK

Where do I begin or how do I describe my week? The image above is probably a good indicator. There are no words to describe the amount of fun I had, heaps of laughter, or unforgettable memories (hallmark I know). I experienced Melbourne in a way that I have yet to experience, through the eyes of someone else. I will not fool you into believing that I am some kind of expert tour guide or trip planner because trust me, we (John and I) both ended up walking down some of the same streets more than 9-10 times (It was intentional though John!) and some days did nothing more than having a relaxing dinner and strolling through the city.

Before I begin on the detailing of this week long journey, I will conclude last week's post with updates from the Tower Dress Up Party and Dinner (11/03/10). It was a grand time and we all had fun eating kebabs together and attempting to choreograph a dance (lots of holding hands, turning circles, and awkward hand jives). Aubray and I stunned the crowd with heaven reaching hair (pictures to follow) and some pretty wild outfits. If you can't really decide if we are zebras, cheetas, or leopards, then you probably aren't alone. All in all, we didn't win the dancing competition but sure had a good time attempting zebra walks and taking tons of pictures in which we utilized and overused our "fierce" look.

Now to the week of 15/03/10-20/03/10. Only one word can describe it. AMAZING. John arrived that Monday and we headed back to school so he could drop off his luggage. I mean how on earth could one boy need 3 whole bags full of things for just 1 week? John, we have to work on your packing skills... haha I mean I only asked him to bring a few things (think it was a pack of bobby pins and a bottle of aleve that I recall). We headed back into the city for dinner and into Chinatown! We looked everywhere for a great Indian restaurant (John's favorite and something I have yet to experience). We ended up at a great Irish Pub called The Elephant and the Wheelbarrow. Close enough to Indian right? We had a fabulous dinner and then headed to the St. Kilda's to see the sites at night and walk along the beach :)

How should you spend your first full day in Australia? On the beach of course! John and I headed to St. Kilda's for the day in our stylish Pike tops not knowing what the day would bring. We were in for some laughs as the day began with John tripping multiple times on the way to the beach (everyone imagine that for a minute-you know I died on the spot) and me falling into the water as I tried to act all "smooth" walking along the beach. I even got my shorts all wet! After our falls and subsequent laughs, we got a great tan and smoothies (of course I got the better one and John tried to switch) and then headed back on the tram home. We stopped in the city and grabbed a few groceries, walked around in our shirts which got a great deal of attention (picture to follow), and just acted like the goobers that we are before we grabbed our final tram back to Bundoora ("I coming from a BUNDOORA"-just for you John). We hopped back on a tram for dinner that night and went to a fabulous restaurant with great food! Ate outside, had good conversation, and contemplated life. Ended the night with returning to La Trash and watching Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Yes, ladies you would think this night would end with possibly a romantic film but nope... I got Sarah Marshall. Thanks John. heh.

Me Falling in the Water... Of course John caught it on camera.

St. Patty's Day Wednesday!! This day was the most fun of all and began with our trip to our true home... the zoo.

I mean, I thought John fit right in. Was wondering how he got out of his cage. Enough with the jokes (I know everyone is DYING laughing).

The zoo was great and huge! We saw soo many animals from lions, tigers, bears, OH MY!, to kangaroos, koalas, and rhinos. We got some great pictures and had a great lunch :)

After the zoo, we headed back downtown and I had my first Indian experience. John and I, being the spontaneous travelers that we are, decided on a whim to stop at this cute Indian restaurant so he could expose me to a great Indian delicacy known as a samosa. Mom, you have to learn the recipe! It was so wonderful but apparently really hard to make, so may take a few tries (I know you will get it). After our delightful food stop, we headed back to BUNDOORA (for you once again) and got ready for a St. Patrick's Day celebration!!! Everyone was heading to Father Flannagans for some great Irish music and fellowship. We got all dolled up in our dressy outfits and went on our Irish way!

We discovered that Father Flannagan's was packed and we couldn't get in :( John and I didn't let this stop us! We headed down to Brunswick Street to another St. Patrick's get together and went on a great rooftop with a great view, made some great new friends, and had many laughs. Successful St. Patty's day night!

Thursday was a rather relaxing day in the city and we decided to go back to our favorite restaurant spot, The Elephant! We had a great relaxing lunch and stayed and watched some Aussie football and cricket. We went back to school and I showed John the campus. We ended the night with a mini picnic on the picnic tables outside of my residential college in which the 2 of us proved to be sufficient entertainment for each other. Glad John is funny at least:) ha







Friday brought many suprises as we headed off at 8 am to the Queen Victoria Market! We instantly became overwhelmed with all of the selection and the multitudes of offerings! The fruits and veggies building was amazing and had any type fruit/veggie that the mind can fathom! The meat building was even more interesting and they had everything from huge ribs to huge fish on display! After our mouths could water no longer, we decided to head to the general retail buildings. There was so much stuff here to look at too! We managed to stumble across this pretty sweet hoodie that John insisted I try on. Who on earth would actually buy this? I bought John a fluffy stuffed animal koala key chain THAT HE HAS TO ACTUALLY PUT ON HIS KEYS and John bought me a little bug box that I wanted :)After we spent our money wisely on a few other purchases, we headed back to the grocery section to pick up some things for our dinner! We ended up selecting fresh corn, potatoes, mushrooms, onions, chicken rissoles, baby octupus (my choice of course), and mozzarella ham. How delish!

After our market adventure, we headed off to a bottling tour in which we got to go behind the scenes to see where tons of bottled beverages get bottled and also got a taste test. We got to try some of Australia's finest local drinks. They have a particular soda that is my favorite called Solo. To me, it is a mix between Mountain Dew and Lemonade and pretty great!

John and I look Pretty Official in our Outfits

After the tour, we came back to LaTrobe and made a feast! We turned up the music and put on our aprons! Everything turned out just scrumptous and we had a great time preparing it. As fun as this night was, I was very sad because I knew that this would soon come to an end and that John was leaving tomorrow. The night ended with a great movie after dinner and then John was off to the airport :(

Saturday was a sad day and I watched movies most of the day. Got to talk to John a good bit and found out that he landed back in the U.S! Praise be to God that he made each plane and landed safely. Thanks John for such a good week. I had a great time and will miss you dearly! I will have a few cases of water on hand next time you visit :)

This now leaves me to today 21/03/10... You may wonder why I have not talked much about school? Well guys, its only the 2nd week! Nothing major is going on in my classes at the moment. Just lots of reading and discussion. Pretty interesting. I am looking forward to meeting with the head of the law school this week to discuss some possible options for an internship. Let's all pray that I get good news and that something works out.

Hope everyone enjoyed the pictures! I miss you guys so much! Until next time :)

Crocodile and Emu? Yummy.

So lots has happened to me in this past week:

#0.5 Jill and I had fun in the toy store. See above :)

#1 I finally got feeling back in my lower extremitites.

#2 I got my computer back!

#3 I lived without a computer for exactly 1 week. Pretty impressive if you ask me. Had to learn to get pretty comfortable with my thoughts.

#3.5 Because of a lack of computer, I finished 2 novels this week.

#3.7 Jane Austen is my new favorite author.

#4 I have now attended all of my classes and tutorials.

#5 I had Crocodile, Kangaroo, and Emu for dinner.

Things in my Future:

#6 Tonight I will be dancing in front of hundreds of people.

#7 I will be dressed up in an African Jungle theme. Hopefully no one will recognize me while I am dancing.

#8 John will be here in 4 days! Pretty darn excited.

Things are going great here and I am really starting to love it! Not having a computer for a week (as bratty as it may sound) has really taught me a lot. I have learned to rely on reading more, which is a great thing, and also have had time to really decompress and think about things (life, love, and learning I guess). I am somewhat sad to have it back because now I know I will turn it on and will fall asleep to library movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire (about the best that they had, going to have to appreciate the classics ha) instead of reading by my torch light on my phone (I pretend like its candlelight and I am back in the day). I did however make a promise to myself to at least read for pleasure 3 nights a week instead of surfing the web. Also, without the presence of technology, I find myself praying more which is great and having some time for reflection. These things I am going to try my hardest to continue.


Last night, I went to an authentic Australian bbq with my study abroad group and had the opportunity to have crocodile, kangaroo, and emu. It was delicious and I had a very pleasurable time. The crocodile sadly kinda tasted like chicken. The kangaroo had great flavor! The emu was the leanest of the meat and had great texture (tasted like a steak)! I am part of the 'Down Under' program and there are many more exciting trips/adventures like this one in my future. Next one is a food tasting all throughout the city- pretty excited!

My classes are going great and I find myself really involved and ready to learn here. I am doing extra supplemental reading and contributing in class. I want to get all that I can out of each class and taking the proper procedures (I hope). Looking forward to learning more!

My newest project (and those of you that know me know that there is one constantly in the works) is to find an internship in the city in a law firm. I have emailed lots of people on campus and plan to meet with the head of the law school on the 16th. SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY and everyone please pray that this works out. I would love to travel into the city 2-3 times a week and work in some legal field and attempt to learn/make a difference. Can't wait to get this project started.... Anyone have any connections? Please let me know ha.

Seems like that is all for now. Excited about the dance this evening and dinner. I won't promise to upload pictures of it because there is no telling what I will look like this evening. Guess you will have to wait and see...


Pictures of the Flooding in the City !

Also guys thanks so much for the support and the overwhelming number of comments to each blog! You are truly the best! NOTTTTT

Comment and let me know that I am not just writing to clear my head. I know they are a little lengthy and probably quite unbearable to read but you could always print them and skim and then maybe use them as a clean up towel.

Titanic!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday 06/03/2010 I experienced the Titanic. I kid you not. I walked through a car garage in which the water level was above my waist and cars were completely covered beyond their headlights. The city of Melbourne experienced a mini cyclone, as the news stated. This epic day began with Jill and I decidimg to venture to St. Kilda's to the beach for the day to relax and listen to Kenny Chesney while sunbathing with smoothies. As Kenny would say, "No shoes, No shirt, No problems" right? WRONG. We laid on the beach for a total of 20 minutes before we both looked over to each other at the pivotal moment in which we both sadly admitted that it was too cold. We were so bummed because we traveled 1 hour and 30 minutes to rapture in its beautiful sunlight and rolling waves. But... We got up and packed our bags and decided to shop. Why not take some advantage of the area? As we graced the doorstep of store #2, I felt a little tap on my shoulder. I looked around and no one was there. For a moment, I questioned my sanity but then seconds later was confirmed that indeed I was not crazy. It started hailing! Full blown hailing! Jill and I ran to the tram (caught it just in time) and hopped on to get to the city. Once in the city, we knew we had to get on another tram to take us back to Bundoora (where LaTrobe is). Sadly, we did not make it to the city. About 3/4 of a mile from the city, our lovely tram driver announced to us that we, in his words exactly, "are better off walking." The public transportation system was completely shut down due to the storm and all the trams were no longer running. So Jill and I heeded his advice and began our pleasant stroll in the cold and windy rain/hail. As we got closer to the city, we discovered that it was completely flooded (pictures to come). There were ambulances and fire trucks running around everywhere and accidents lined the streets. We determined that we would have to cross the street to get to some form of shelter. As we began to cross, I went in first and stuck my foot in the road and lost my shoe! The water went up to mid calf and I lost it immediately. GREAT. After a moment of recollection, I grabbed Jill and my other shoe and we headed across the street. The water was freezing and I seriously questioned if we would contract hypothermia. Once we FINALLY made it to the other side of the street to Crown Towers, we were kicked out! They turned us right around and kicked us out, and they weren't even polite about it! They sent us to a different exit which ended at a car garage. The water met the front step inside the hotel! It honestly resembled the Titanic and I thought we were heading out to search for an iceberg. Walking through the car park was absolutely miserable and we practically had to swim. There was debris everywhere. You couldn't find your footing at any point so we were constantly falling due to random steps and ramps that popped up for amusement. But 15 minutes after the beginning of our trek, we found dry ground! We headed to the closest hotel we could find and decided to check in. There was no way that people were going to be exiting the city anytime soon. We stayed at the Crown Plaza and it was so nice and relaxing!We hadn't eaten since "breaky" so we decided to go to the restaurant downstairs. This plan immediately came to a crashing halt after we realized that we were in bathing suits and cover-ups and I only had ONE shoe. Instead we ordered delicious room service and ordered movies. It was such a great night and we were so relieved and happy to be warm, dry, and safe!

Now no other story that I have or nothing I attempt to say will merit the reaction or gain the interest as my previous story so I will keep it short. Friday neither Jill nor I had class so we decided to go to a movie. We traveled to Northlands and saw Shutter Island at Hoyt Cinema. It was so good and we walked the rest of the night hand in hand. If you are freaked out easily (John), do not go see this film. You will think about it for days or at least take a strong buddy with you.

Going to get my computer tomorrow hopefully so then I will be able to keep up more. Also have lots of reading for Tuesday so I guess I better get started. See ya!

March 04, This Week Can Only Get Better

MISS YOU GUYS!

Robert Collier once said, "“All of us have bad luck and good luck. The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps right on going - is the man who is there when the good luck comes - and is ready to receive it.” I sure hope this is so because this weeks seems to be one thing after the other. I am currently on a friend's computer to get to you because mine broke (of course). I took it to the computer store and of course they could not guarantee that they could fix it. You may ask what else is going wrong? Well a computer is pretty important this week because I need to sign up for tutorials and register for workshops. Why not go to the library? Well there is never a computer available in the library and you have to wait for about an hour. I guess everyone's computers broke this week. Also, my cell phone is also messing up. Won't send messages half the time or complete calls so please people don't think I am ignoring you. It is the NOKIA. I have only a noodle to my name in the kitchen. The dryer completely ruined my clothes. And I also cannot manage to get my schedule fixed to accomodate each of my classes with their accompanying tutorials. I am starting to think someone has it out for me. BUT....

On the bright side. I am in Australia. Just had a bright moment in the midst of all this darkness, I am fortunate enough to be across the world in an amazing country at a great university. With that said, I think I can manage some mildewy clothes, small lunch, and long lines in the library. Hey who knows, maybe I will make some friends during the wait!


Now to my updates (other than all the negatives). I have great classes. My Jane Austen class is going to be absolutely fabulous and I already have a crush on my teacher. She is australian and so nice and funny. Can't wait to learn all about Jane during this course! We have a workshop this Friday from 10-4:30 which seems like a long time but our professor isn't making it mandatory and also is bringing food and including interactive games. Now that's my kind of workshop! Cant wait.

My other class, Resituating Modernism: Decolonizing Texts (isn't that a mouthful), is also going to be great fun. My teacher is very interesting, from Canada, and super pumped about the subject. There is really nothing better than a teacher being MORE excited about the subject that they are teaching than the student being excited about the clock striking when they get out. Why shouldn't teachers be passionate about their occupations? Anyways, the only kicker for this class is the amount of reading. It is such a LOAD! She warned us in her first few sentences that this class was going to be a challenge and not one just to take for fun (although she asserted it would be!). So I say bring it on. We are studying authors that use modernist techniques from all around the world, not simply the U.S. and England. We are also looking to some women writers, which were often neglected and regarded as inferior. HOW dare they! It's a 2 hour lecture which is a little attention demanding but I suspect that the course material will keep it interesting and the professor lively.

Also, don't know what it is about Australians but they are so laid back. 3 cell phones went off in class and my professor just kept on going. One person ANSWERED! She never once mentioned it and it was clear that it did not bother her. She cursed a few times in her opening and she also opened her lunch! I was thinking, Am I on a different planet? She told us to feel free to do as we please in the class. I just wonder where these boundaries lie.... ha



Now to my most interesting class, Law and Society. This class is going to be great and will improve my critical thinking skills and analytical thinking. There are about 300 people in the class! Coming from Wofford, where average class size is 15, to a class of 300 or more was needless to say a transition. The second lecture I went into the video room to see what it was like and loved it! Because the class is so large, there are two lecture rooms. The first one is where the actual professor is teaching and the second is a similar room with a screen of her video and powerpoints. The video room was much more laid back and I really liked the atmosphere. I think the class will be very interesting because we will be learning about law, what comprises it, how to enforce it, is it even something enforcable etc. She posed an interesting question that I will leave with you: What is law? Pretty hard to put your finger on if you ask me.

Now to more fun things aka non class related ha! Yesterday, I took my computer to the computer store and got to experience a little more of the outskirts of Bundoora. It was really pleasant and quite pretty! Once I got back, Jill and I went to the pool on campus and went for a swim. I even got on the Tarzan rope and swung into the pool! Sure I looked like a monkey but oh well....



Today's plans are to go get groceries (HALLELUJAH) and get school supplies. There is a really nice shopping center called Northland that is a 15 minute bus ride away that has everything under the sun! After our outing, we are planning to come back and make a yummy dinner and then go to the Bald Eagle tonight for an orientation party. Should be fun and I hope there is dancing!

Side note... John comes on the 15th!!!! So excited and if anyone wants to send me something great, he can bring it with him :) We all know thats why I asked him to come anyway haha JK JOHN! Well, that's something to look forward to and I can't wait to show someone else this great city.


Until next time!