So I have lots of catching up to do... Been pretty busy these past 2 weeks with moving in, getting settled, and orientation activities.
Thus far on my journey I have experienced a MULTITUDE of things, some of which include learning to surf, seeing kangaroos, visiting the most famous beach in Australia where lots of surfing movies are filmed, eating lamb brains, killing the biggest spiders in this universe because they were 3 inches from my face in a Boy Scouts cabin, going to the Great Ocean Road, doing some pretty cool but dorky group building activities in which of course I was picked as the guinea pig for the majority of them, getting a nifty new Australian HI TECH phone (aka a 1980 Nokia that isn't even color), experiencing the true city of Melbourne and eating at some of its finest restaurants, shopping at the best mall EVVEERRRR, taking my first ever tram ride and having absolute no idea where to get off or even how to get off for that matter (thank goodness for the Jamaican nice guy beside me. Sure he was thinking what a dumb American), going on an amazing boat cruise for 4 hours and seeing the beautiful skyline and harbor, attending fun events at local pubs and dancing spots, meeting tons of people while at them, playing in the mud and eating gummy worms dipped in mud (yummy I know), and last but not least learning how to live like a homeless person (aka budgeting like a pro).
So I realize that was a lot. I have experienced so much! I feel like I have already been here a month. I have met some people that will be forever friends and seen some of the coolest animals imaginable. The campus here is so beautiful and full of exotic birds and animals. There are kangaroo crossing signs throughout the campus and I woke up this morning to a cockatoo outside my window (looks really pretty but sounds like a bad accident- needless to say not very pleasant to wake up to although very aesthetically pleasing). To expand on a few things from above, I will begin with learning to surf. You may ask "Are you the next Mary Ann Hawkins?" I will answer with "Couldn't be farther from." I did however manage to stand on the board for a split second.. and I mean split second. I ate that like I ordered it for lunch. Overall, it was a great experience and it is my goal to improve my skills before I leave. The environment here is so surfy so of course I want to assimilate as much as possible, even if this means I go out and buy Roxy shirts.
Now to the kangaroos! They are soo amazing and I have learned tons about them. It seems that Australians have lots of knowledge even if it is about random marsupials. I have seen lots and each time is like the first. I am most definitely the little kid freaking out in the candy store. Apparently they are pretty populous here and somewhat like deer in the states (numbers wise). I got offered some at our orientation overnight trip but couldn't possibly imagine eating something that fascinates me so much. So turns out, I was the only one out of the 30 of us that chose not to partake. Feedback was that it tasted like bad steak, very chewy. Still okay with not trying it and while here I want to take pictures of them and possibly touch one instead of digesting them. Also on the search for a zoo where you can hold koalas :)
To the beaches... Wow. Thats all I can say. So beautiful. Each one is like a post card. The water is very pretty and the cliffs are gorgeous. Have been to about 5 beaches so far and the only one that has been unimpressive is St. Kildas, the reason being it is right outside of the city and is packed with teenagers! It is apparently the "cool spot" to go so it is way overcrowded and not very relaxing if you ask me. The majority of the beaches that I have seen have been along the Great Ocean Road. This is a big thing here and apparently like a 5 hour stretch of road that provides some of the best views in the world. I agree that it is very pretty but think that we went on the wrong part. Apparently one of the best beaches is called the 12 Apostles and the pictures are breathtaking. Thats another spot on my list of things to do. A really nice beach that we went to was called Bells Beach, which is the really famous one. It was beautiful and had some killer waves! (how about that for the surfing lingo ha).
The city is fabulous and so much fun! It resembles any other big city I suppose but is really clean and the people are really nice (those both being significant differences!). There are multiple skyscrapers and a river that runs really close called the Yarra River. The boardwalk is really nice and there are great spots to shop and eat (wish I had lots of money....hint hint Mom and Dad ha jk). Jill's dad and sister visited so we got the opportunity to eat at some fabulous restaurants (where I ate the lamb brains). Also, another interesting thing here is the types of food that very popular. Asian food is a HUGE thing here! (makes sense with Aussie's location in the world). There is just such a variety of food whereas America seems to have lots of American food and Mexican food. There is very little Mexican here and from what I have heard the mexican here is terrible and stay away! There is a Taco Bills that is comparable to Taco Bell, a Hungry Jacks that is similar to Burger King, and of course the Double Arches will be nothing other than that. I look forward to trying lots of different things here and becoming a food connoisseur!
The Big Tram. Well, thought I had feared for my life before but never like this. My first tram ride was needless to say a little scary. I didnt know where to put the ticket, where to sit, where to get on, where to stop, how to stop, or even to have a ticket for that matter! Thank goodness the Australian people are so nice and helpful. I got on the tram in the city and took an hour ride back to LaTrobe and befriended a Jamaican guy beside me. Thankfully he was very knowledgeable and told me exactly where to get off and to push the red button or pull the string before my stop. FOOF! Been on the tram several times since then. Pretty much my second home. My biggest fear- to fall asleep and ride it for hours and then get lost. Thankfully, Jill wakes me up if I doze. THANKS JILLY! My most interesting tram story...let's see, there are just really so many. I met a sweet older guy (a few screws loose I believe) named Jordan. He talked my ear off about the Olympics for about 8 stops and then once in the city got off on his stop. He waved me goodbye from outside of the tram and stood there until the tram pulled away waving furiously and jumping up and down. At the next stop, I looked over my shoulder and almost jumped out of my skin! Jordan's hands were pushed up against my window. He had run from one stop to the other to say goodbye to me once again! The next stop... He wasn't there. Good thing-thought I was going to have to change seats.
Toot Toot! The boat left the harbor with about 200 of us (international students) and did not return for another 4 hours. There was a great d.j. and free food and drinks for the entire ride. I had such a great time and met so many amazing people! Invented a few new dance moves and also pulled out some originals. The shopping cart and lawn mower are still in right?
So once we returned from the boat cruise, we started our Orientation Week. The theme is Army and there are lots of active competitions and activities planned for the week. It is now Tuesday and just Day #2 so we will see what is in store for the rest of the week. On Monday we had Porter Challenge (a.k.a a very big Australian man hollering and ordering you around). Did I sign up for the army? I was shocked but it ended up being really fun (after the half mile run, 40 push ups, and 30 sit ups). We played in the mud and literally had to stick our faces in the mud to do push ups. There was no other option either. Trust me there were some girly girls there that were very disturbed but you know what? They were the first in line to put their manicured nails and salon hair in that mud pit. You know why? We feared the consequences. My group also volunteered me to enter the first challenge for our tower. The leaders threw gummy worms into the huge mud pit and we had to find them and then continue to..... wait for it.... eat them. Yes, I had a mud pie with a worm sticking out. No regrets. I had a blast and would do it all over again. Anyone hungry? haha
So thats it for this blog. Had lots to say and lots to update everyone on. See ya soon!
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