August 19

Woke up dreading the day, but knowing it was the right thing, I pushed myself to get up on-time. I was so used to not having enough time that I left the house a whole hour early. It ended up being a blessing in disguise because it meant that when I got to the pool, it was less crowded, so I could share a lane with someone I could actually keep pace with. Phew! Feeling better after having gotten my exercise out of the way, I went to the computer lab for a very productive 1.5 hours of researching for my paper. I think I found too many journal articles - a first! I am now in love with both Google Scholar and EndNote, a referencing and citation program. Got a quick lunch, checked out a book from the library, and then off to class. I actually enjoyed the topics in class this week (maybe because they were all guest lectures)! Met with my group for a minute and decided on our presentation topic - Volunteer Tourism. Caught the bus downtown and jumped right on the next bus (everything seemed to be going well today!). Then I studied hard for the rest of the evening, engulfing myself in the world of Dubai Tourism for two of my papers. I made a delicious pasta for Lina and I and then back to studying for another hour or so before bed. Whew! What a day.

August 18

Woke up and made myself the most delicious breakfast sandwich ever: English Muffin, Ham, Tomato, Poached Egg, and Cheese! Yum. I showered and then made some breakfast for Jillian, washed the dishes and decided it was going to be a good day! Bussed to school, in a happy mood and stopped to take some photos by the lake. I met a very curious duck:

And I finally paused to read a bench placed in memory of one "J.J." by a very beautiful tree overlooking the lake:

Class was another guest lecturer, this time a Kiwi who discussed the ROI and Opportunity Cost of hosting an international event, like the Olympics. I thought it was pretty interesting. Anyway, then I headed downtown to go to the bank, buy a Frisbee (!) and shop in the Farmer's Market with Jillian. Home and our internet that was supposed to be fixed today is still slow, so I can't do much research for my papers. Ugh.

August 17

Woke up because Michael was measuring our windows for curtains, yay! And then Jillian made me some breakfast before I rushed off to school. I met my group to discuss our project on the big quad, in the beaming sun! Then, class time. My classmate from Barcelona asked how to say that you don't want to go to class. I told her it was called skipping, and she wanted to know if there was a more slang way of saying it. So I said, it's called playing hooky. She said, "Well I feel like hooking right now!" I had to tell her that sort of thing is illegal, and means a very different thing than what she wanted. Oh well.

Class was a guest lecturer instead of our usual mono-tone professor. The guest speaker talked very fast and kind of shouted at us. She didn't mean to, but it was a little intense. I'm starting to think I'm the one kid in class who raises their hand every time, because I asked two questions today which I'm sure the lecturer hated. 

August 16

Went to class, which was boring. Sometimes I wonder if I'm really in grad school during my Monday and Thursday classes. We talked about what a system is and then got into a group to draw a diagram of a tourism system. It felt a little rudimentary. Then, I ate lunch and browsed the internet for a bit before I went to meet Lina over at a hospital for a class on EndNote. It's a referencing software program that allows you to automatically insert correct citations and list of references according to the style required. Amazing! Bibliographies used to take 1/2 a day, but now, it's all quick! Took us forever to get home because the buses sucked. I did some homework while Lina tried to make tortillas from scratch. They tasted a lot more like pancakes. Haha Oh well. I read and went to bed early.

August 15

On Sunday, we all slept in and then worked for the morning. In the late afternoon, we got out of the house and went to lunch and the grocery store for some other essentials. Then back home and helped Jillian with her paper, cooked a lamb roast, and I started planning for our Thailand trip in November.

August 14

On Saturday, we vowed to wake up early and go to the Farmer's Market. Jillian worked on her paper, and Lina and I went to the Market to buy some fresh fruits and veggies. But first, we discovered our ATM cards weren't working. We ate some breakfast downtown while we waited for the bank to open then asked them why our cards were failing. He explained the accounts to us and we understood, so we moved along to the market in the West End. We bought lots of fresh veggies, then headed home to meet up with Jillian. I had some studying to do, so I holed up in my room for the rest of the day. At one point, Michael invited us to walk to the park with him for a study break, so we played on the swings for a bit. Then Lina went to an Aboriginal Film Festival. We called it an early night and that was that.

Here's a photo of Lina and I on this bicycle thing. Michael told us if we both pedaled hard enough, it would move. This was a lie. Jillian had to push us... 

August 13

On Friday, Jillian started working on her paper and I went to go meet up with Pancakes for a 2nd date. We just ended up walking around downtown and napping on some grass in a park. It was pretty cute. But, I wasn't really feeling it as much this time. Maybe it was all the crude jokes and bigotry that started to get to me. It was alright, but I'm not really looking for much more.

I got home and helped Michael and Lina move our new sofa bed into the guest room. Now we can have guests!!! Then, Lina and I rearranged the room to our liking...

Then we discussed going out to Jillian's classmate's barbeque, but by the time we got motivated to go there, it was pretty late. We caught the bus over to Caxton and then another bus to Paddington. All of us were starving, so we took a detour and ate at an Indian place called Punjabi. It was pretty good, but expensive. Then we walked to the friend's place and there wasn't much of a party there. Everyone smoked and I was fading fast. It wasn't my scene at all. So, we caught a cab home.

August 12

Thursday, back to classes, but first I signed up for a doctor's appointment to refill my birth control. They didn't have the same one I've been using, so I'm going on a new one. Hopefully it doesn't make me crazed. I warned the girls. Between the appt and class, I did some research in the library and checked out a book! Class was very boring, so I read my book for most of the time. Thursdays are nice, because I get home before the other two girls, so I have some good study time. I received a package from my friend back in the states and felt pretty darn special. That was about it.

August 11

No classes on Wednesday because of Ekka (a public holiday festival in Brisbane).

As I said in the previous post, this morning started out with me waking up in the shower. I cleaned up my room, slept on Lina's floor and made toast while we recapped the horrors of the night with Michael. Then, around noon, we decided to get on with our day's plans and head to the races. Lina was sick and needed to study, so she stayed in. Jillian and I rushed to get clothes on and we took van out to the racetrack for Ekka. Everyone here dresses up for the races and it was a spectacular fashion show of dresses, shoes and hats!! And all the guys looked pretty spiffy, too. Michael won his first race with I Luv Queenslanduh, but then lost the rest. I was feeling pretty shaky the whole time, so I didn't drink and actually ended up getting sick for a bit. Fun Times. On our way back, I parted from the rest of the crew and took the bus home. Jillian continued on for dinner and more drinks to see the Irish off.

August 10

It was rainy, I was sick and so I went to campus early for a group project meeting. We met in some science building and discussed our project and decided to write about Festivals in Edinburgh. I am very thankful that everyone in my group is so diverse (Mexican, Spanish and Thai) and everyone seems to be a very good student, so I don't think we'll have any slackers. Then, because it was my mom's birthday in the states, I called her and talked her for a while before class. After class, I went downtown in search of a flask and ended up buying some clothes, too. I bought the flask and then realized that I didn't know what time the bus came. If I missed it, I would probably have to wait an hour and I wouldn't be able to afford that and get ready for dinner. Luckily, the bus came 2 minutes after I got to the stop. I went home, showered because I was soaked from the rain, and got ready for the Irish girls' goodbye dinner.

We went to Kings in Chinatown and drank wine that we brought. We played some sort of game to finish all of the wine that was spinning a spoon on the lazy susan. Whoever it landed on had to down their glass of wine. It landed on us several times, so by the time we left, we were feeling pretty good. We went to Jubilee, a bar in the Valley and drank more. This is when things start getting a little hazy for me. I remember talking to a group of guys in tuxes who immediately started making fun of our California accents. I'd had enough of the conversation, so I impolitely pointed out that his fly was down and walked away. Lina laughed in his face and his friends all laughed too. It was the best exit I could've hope for in such a situation. There were other details that I remember less. Suffice to say, I pissed one guy off a lot, left my jacket, and stole an umbrella. Back home, we went into Michael's jacuzzi. I don't remember much after that, just that I woke up in the shower.

I now have a nickname for some of my more aggressive actions of the night, which I will not share, but get teased for just about everyday. I will continue to blame embarrassing things on this said alter-ego for the entirety of my stay down under.

August 9

Back to school on Monday... Ran into my Korean classmate, who I saw at the bars on Friday. Today he said, "Oh, I almost didn't recognize you, you look SOO different! You were soo pretty at the bar. Oh, I mean, you're pretty now, but man, you look soo different!!" He said this MULTIPLE times. Gee, thanks. It's a Monday morning, what do you expect? I'm not gonna get all gussied up for class. We had our class in the computer lab so we could learn from the librarians how to look up books and journal articles. Pretty basic stuff. Then, I did a little research in the library for one of my projects. I took the bus to Paddington and ate some brunch at Sassafras and picked up a package from my mom... Walked back to the house with my giant package!

Here's the card she sent me with my backpack. So cute:

August 8

I made breakfast for everyone on Sunday and then Jillian and I went downtown to buy shoes for the Ekka races on Wednesday. Since the forecast is rain, we needed some cheap heels that would hold up in mud. Then, we walked to the West End for some late lunch/dinner. I tried to get a thickshake from a burger place, but should've gone to the Ice Creamery because I got the same liquid mess that I'd had the previous time. =( So disappointed! We headed back and hung out at home for the rest of the evening.

Here are some photos of our place. You can see that there is still no paint on the walls.

Our Living Room:

Our Kitchen and "Internet Cafe"

Bathroom:

2nd Living area/Room that we never use

August 7

Saturday! We woke up too late for the farmer's market (again), so we made some eggs at home. Then we hung out around the house, catching up on various things. Jillian and I made plans to use our new movie passes to see Inception. We got there with no time to spare and rushed to get snacks and tickets. Whatever website I had researched was wrong, and this chain of theaters did not accept the movie coupons. Oh well. So we got student discount rate and watched the movie. It was pretty good, a little intense and left you with a few questions... It had a suicide theme, which of course made me cry a bit...

Then we tried to go by the grocery store to pick up some necessities for dinner (Lina was making Chicken Adobo), but the Coles closes early on Saturdays! We decided to walk to a nearby convenience store in hopes they would have the ingredients. The closest 7-11 happened to be by the place where my date works and lives, so we walked passed and hoped that we wouldn't run into him... I walk into the 7-11 and he's the first person I see! Fabulous (I've just been crying in the theater and probably look like shit)! It was probably the most awkward encounter I've ever experienced, because neither of us were prepared to see the other. Flustered and unsuccessful in our search for ingredients, we leave the store, and they do, too. Waiting to cross the street, who should walk up but the waitress that served us at the Pancake Manor!! We all marveled at how random it was, and she tried to walk quickly away from the quite obviously awkward situation. I'm not sure what the probability is of this happening, but I have a feeling the chances are pretty slim.. For those of you that have seen Inception, it was a real mindfuck to run into these people, and felt a bit confusing. Were these people real, or did I just walk into a dream with projections of my subconscious?!?

Jillian and I went to the store on the way home and then recounted the story to Lina over some Adobo and Cream Liquor. Thankfully, I recovered with Pancakes, as he is nicknamed in my house, and he invited me to "sit on a bridge and throw rocks"... Ummm, cutest idea ever!! I love the simple things in life. However, it is now 11pm, and I'm pretty tired, so I think the boyish charm will have to wait until another night.

August 6

No classes on Fridays! We all slept in and then Jillian had a breakfast date with a guy she met on the plane on the way over here. Too bad there wasn't as much of a connection off the plane. =( But at least she's getting herself out there and trying new things! =) I made some breakfast and then got ready to go downtown for a pancake lunch date. The pancake house was in an old church, so it was pretty cool actually, and it's open 24/7! I was pleasantly surprised how well the date went, so we'll see where this goes... My expectations are pretty low because I know I'm not looking for anything serious, just having some fun. So it's low pressure. Then I went to the bank to sort out some stuff so I could pay rent online, automatically. Jillian and Lina met up with Ashton at a mall, so I just went home and took a nap, made some dinner.

Here's a photo of the Pancake Manor:

We went out to Caxton Street for the Quest Society Party, which was OK... Met some new people, but nothing too exciting. There was a raffle with some pretty good prizes. Jillian and I won free movie tickets!! Well, when I say we "won" them, I mean in the way we have both won raffles before: the winner gave his prize to us for being so damn deserving! ;-) Anyway, Caxton Street is pretty dead on non-game days. So, once we left the party, we were shocked how empty the bars were. We decided to go to the Valley for a better scene, but when we got there, half the places were empty too! I guess Friday is not a popular night to go out... They still pour the WORST drinks. Lina and I watched in horror as one girl bartender poured half a shot into the glass, and then shook HALF of it out in a shaker, dropped the shaker a few times when trying to twirl it, and then proceeded to fill the rest up with soda. We ordered shots to pour into our drinks and it still wasn't strong enough. I'm getting really tired of this... Instead of getting drunk, the alcohol just makes me tired, so by the end of the night, I'm always in a bad mood and just want to go home. Oh well.

August 5

Jillian made delicious breakfast as usual. We read all over facebook that California overturned Prop 8, the ban against same-sex marriage and were very excited!! So proud to be a Californian today. It's one topic I feel so strongly about. I truly believe that this is like the suffrage and civil rights. 50 years from now, everyone will know it was the right decision and we'll wonder what took so damn long to stop being ignorant!!

Anyway, I bussed to school with Lina early, so I could buy tickets for a party tomorrow night. The event is put on by Quest Society, which was made by exchange students to help international students meet other people and see the sights, with good deals, etc. Hopefully, we will meet some cool people at this thing. Then I went to the computer lab for a hour and headed to class, where I met some new people who happened to be going to this Quest thing, too! Small world. Anyway, I was supposed to go to the post office to pick up a package, but by the time I caught the bus, it was going to be too late, so I just went to the store on the way home, instead. Made some spaghetti and meatballs without my grandma's secret ingredient (because I can't find it in the stores, here!). Had a really great talk with Lina about our lives prior to this adventure. I really want to kick this cold before the weekend!

August 4

Made breakfast with Jillian again, then headed to class where I sat with my group. We discussed the group project for the class for a bit and then I went to the computer labs to try to print out some info, but the computers don't have USB ports! WTF. So, I guess I'll email them to myself. Anyway, then I printed out the loan deferment form for the Financial person and dropped it off there. Came home, studied and researched a little for my group project... That was about it, a pretty uneventful day.

My classes are pretty easy in comparison to Lina's. I'm thankful, but it also makes them a bit boring. Oh well. I wouldn't trade with her, so I guess I shouldn't complain. 

August 3

After coughing throughout the night, I resolved 2 things: 1. No swimming for me and 2. I need medicine! So, I slept in late and made some breakfast for Jillian (poached eggs, like we have everyday). I took the bus to class, and again ended up in the minority section (the people who choose to sit next to me are always the few non-Chinese in the class). Formed a group for the group project with the Barcelona girl and Manuel from Mexico and some chick from Holland! Hopefully they will be smart. Here's a photo of my walk to class:

It's nothing like the walks to class in Santa Cruz through the forest, but it ain't too shabby. The buses were so slow and late because of traffic through the city, but I finally got home. Jillian and I planned to go see Inception, so I ate a snack and we walked to Rosalie. They serve dinner in the theater, how awesome! But it was sold out!! What a bust. So, we walked back and stopped in the local Gourmet food store on the corner to check it out. I walked up and saw a plate of delicious looking sandwiches:

I had to take a double-take... Wait, they're FREE?? I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland... But I just couldn't resist a free dinner! Amazing.

August 2

I was not looking forward to going to school sick today. Mostly because my classmates all come from China, where sick people wear masks. Sitting in a packed lecture hall, coughing was bound to get dirty looks. My bus was late, as usual, then made a wrong turn and had to backtrack. I've never seen a bus driver actually go the wrong way! A little girl sat in front of me (not next to her parents) and got thrown to the other side of the bus during a turn. She kept holding a stick straight up and I was so afraid she was gonna fall again and poke her eye out! I coughed into my hands and the girl sitting 2 rows in front of me stood up and moved to the other side of the bus. Wow. My class is pretty basic and the professor is funny. So hopefully it'll be easy. Then I hurried home so that I could go with Michael and crew to lunch for Lina's birthday! Very nice of everyone to get together for the occasion. Then we did some grocery shopping while we had use of Michael's trunk. We rushed to make cupcakes before Jillian's class and gave Lina her birthday present - a cool purple lamp we had seen in Paddington. Studied/hung out/job searched for the rest of the evening. Hopefully my cold will get better soon, although it's starting to feel worse! =(

August 1

Ate a delicious breakfast at Chey's and walked across the street to the beach for an hour or two. 77 degrees and not a cloud in the sky! I couldn't believe this is the middle of Winter for them!! I am not looking forward to humid summers! We packed up our things, and went to eat lunch at a cafe in downtown Main Beach and discussed how we'd love to live at the beach all the time. It makes me miss my days in Redondo! We headed back on the train to Brissy and made reservations for Lina's birthday dinner at the Asian restaurant in Rosalie that we always see packed. It was pretty decent. The best part was walking there, laughing about stories of the weekend and rockin out to some jams on my ipod. What can I say? Life is good.

July 31

Our original plan to wake up and go to the farmer's market downtown was foiled because we woke up, hungover. Instead, we just made some breakfast and packed up to head down to the Gold Coast. We met Chey and went out for some lunch (sushi), picked up some drinks for later and hung out at her beachside abode for the rest of the afternoon. Here, they sell pre-mixed Rum and Cokes, only next time we will mix our own because they were only 5% alcohol. Anyway, we took a late night walk on the beach after dark. It was beautiful and still pretty warm. Sometimes I just can't believe I'm in Australia. Life felt pretty good with the sand beneath my toes, surf on one side, friends on the other and a blanket of stars above. I felt pretty darn lucky.

We got ready and went out for Lina's birthday. I'm getting very sick of the $10 weak drinks. Last time I checked a Vodka Red Bull was yellow, I don't know why ours was brown. I guess some coke got mixed in, too. Horrible. We ended up running into a guy from Lina's class and all of his friends. One of them mentioned that if my grandfather was an ANZAC, I might be able to get citizenship and reduce my tuition. What a great idea! I looked later, though and I think my parents have to have been citizens, so it might not work. Anyway, Jillian and Chey went back home and Lina and I went to a club which the guys had to pay $20 (each!) for. They played only trance music so we left pretty fast and found Jillian and Chey trying to hail a cab.

Here is a photo of the view from Chey's apartment in Main Beach. Gorgeous!