Australian Myths and Realities

It's amazing how quickly two weeks can go by; as of two weeks ago at this time, I was sitting in an airplane flying from Syndey to Perth, and now, I'm writing from my blog in my dorm room.  I'm loving my time that I spend here, and I cannot say that enough, for every once and a while, I become nostalgic and do miss home/Champaign.  It's difficult to find a balance between the two sometimes, and facebook, in a sense, can be a real jerk.  I sign on and see pictures of all the things that are going on at home, or have people writing on my wall about how much they wish I'd be home for Unofficial (UIUC's biggest...holiday...?).  But then again, I realize that I am so far away from home for a reason, and while putting yourself out there in extreme vulnerability can seem impossible at times, it's beyond rewarding.

Back to the reason that I am actually here...classes!  I received my class schedule, and let's just say that this puts my previously easiest semester of college (one where I only took 13 credit hours) to shame.  I am taking 4 classes; 'Australian Culture: Myths and Realities,' (yes...this is a real course...), 'Imagining Australia,' (try not to laugh please!), 'Intro to Marine Science,' and 'Marsupial Biology.'  The times that these classes meet leave me with no classes on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday afternoons.  I guess UWA just wants me to spend more time at the beach?!

One really interesting/different event that occurred during O-Week was called Dragon Boats.  This was where Currie Hall, as well as the other 4 residential colleges all dress up in their respected colors (green and white!!) with body paint, shirts, hats, etc. and head down to the Swan River to compete.  This isn't just your friendly rivalry, this is more accurately war.  Even when we are just sitting on a random bus ride, Currie Hall is chanting songs that, well, degrade the other colleges to no end, and it would just be rude not to sing these songs in front of the other colleges as well, right?!  This is basically what we did down by the river on Wednesday.  It was similar to row boats, that raced 3 at a time.  Currie Hall didn't win, but it was definitely an awesome event.  Let's just say I got pelted in the head too many times with water balloons...

One of my set-mates, Cristina.

Mostly exchange students!

Some other random things that I've noticed and must comment on/people have prompted me to talk about before.

1.  Fosters is not Australian for beer.  I have yet to go to a bar and see Fosters on tap, which is probably a blessing in disguise, as I hear it's quite awful.

2.  Americans are the butt of any and all jokes.  Luckily I have some pretty tough skin thanks to my lovely friends back home that make fun of me for being a girl/blonde/etc...but when you're in a foreign country, the good ol' US of A takes quite the beating.  Maybe if we got rid of the NFL and exchanged baseball for cricket, we may stand a chance...maybe.

3.  Toilets do not flush the other way.  They flush in the same direction as the United States.  Sorry to disappoint with this news.

4.  French fries are called chips.  Chips are called crisps.  Why is this?!

5.  My room last night before I went to bed was 33.5 degrees Celsius.  Oh, that's just no big deal...that's only 92.3 degrees Fahrenheit.  First point to be made here is that the US is the only country to use Fahrenheit (another reason to be picked on).  It's quite the challenge to multiply by 9/5 and add 32 every time I want to figure out what the weather is.  Hooray for math problems!  Second point, Australia is hot...we're talking to the point where walking outside is a challenge in itself.  Even locals are complaining about the heat, and I'm convinced that my body runs colder than the average Australian.  Gotta love when walking outside from your dorm to the dining hall makes you sweat.

6.  Bus drivers are just as mean and angry here as they are at home.  Stories to come later about this...

7.  The term 'cheers' is used for both 'thank you' and 'goodbye.'  And on that note, cheers! :]