WOW. That sums up tonight.
Today I started coaching at the club on campus. They have a good number of kiddos that come to do gymnastics - but I must say, I've got my work cut out for me. The club president, Belinda, is awesome. Such a sweet girl, very outgoing and fun. She wants me to help restructure all of the programs which, at the moment, wont be too difficult with the experience I have, but I am worried I'm getting in over my head. Obviously, school comes first. We'll see how much time I have and if it is worth it.
Belinda invited me to the 'returners' night at the Uni bar. Her and Sophie, another coach said they would be going. I figured it would be a good way to meet people. I'll sum up the night with a few statements, and you put the rest to your imagination...
Hundreds of seriously drunk students
Floors cooovveerreddd and by that i mean absolutely drenched with booz
Boys wearing....Rainbow pants, a yellow toga, lime green tights with a sleevless shirt with bright colored shapes on it, and several other mysterious outfits that they thought looked good, and a girl or 2 with lady bug wings on
A ginormous puddle of water chillin next to the bathrooms
People falling one after another on the slick floor, one bloke in particular who fell, got up, fell again, tried to get up and almost fell again....was he too drunk or were the floors really that slippery?
A huge cluster of kids raving out to the club music that was playing
If I didnt know better, I'd think I was at a rave - where were the drugs??
Yikes, I might also add that while I was walking home from work earlier today a taxi passed me and right as they did a mate opened his door and puked. Gross. Keep in mind, this was at about 7:30. Yea, these Aussies don't mess around when it comes to drinking. Haha
On the bright side, I was introduced to so many people I don't remember anyone's name (and that is not because I am drunk). And I met an American! She is from Washington DC and her name is Becky and she is a 'mature' student too! She has been here for 4 years, but plans on going back to the states after she graduates. She found herself an Aussie love, might I be as lucky?? ;) I think we are going out for coffee soon, we exchanged numbers. Yay!!
Anyway, if I were an undergrad I would be partying it up with the 18year olds right now. Instead, I'll refrain from thinking I look totally sexy in a bright yellow toga and lady bug wings, and I'll just go out and people watch. You are missing out. It really is extremely entertaining! Check back soon.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
"You're an American, aren't Ya?"
"Hello Darling, what are ya after?"
"Can I have a Rum and Coke?"
"[Insert cute smile] You're an American aren't ya?"
"What gave it away?"
"Your hair ;)"
That's part of the conversation from the cute guy at Kings Hotel last night. Yup, I finally ventured out on the town by myself. I actually went to a movie on the lawn thing at school, but when there was only about 20 people there, none of who were my age, I decided to split and walk around downtown to find some real fun!
First, I went to Church Bar. This place was awesome - kind of a mix between getting plastered and worship at the same time. Only kidding. It is named that because it is located on Church street :) But in reality this place is awesome. They have a gorgeous patio outside and had live music last night. The guitarist and singer were amazing! I was totally impressed. There weren't many seats, so I took a seat by an older bloke. And I don't mean that to sound rude - he was seriously about 60. Boy that was interesting. He had some very innovated and difficult questions to ask about the human body and wanted create some 'Dalek', of which I have yet to google. Apparently it is some human brained robot - anyway, this conversation kept going and going into more and more science fiction. At one point when he returned from the bar with another beer, I saw my chance to duck out without him wanting to go to a different bar. Not to worry he wasn't creepy, I just didn't want to bust my mind over that stuff on a relaxing Friday night!
Wandering around, I came to the Kings Hotel. Like I mentioned, totally cute bar tender. And live music too. As soon as I stepped out, I found, what I thought at the moment was Heaven. About 11 mates just standing there dancing and singing outside on the patio. This hotel wasn't very busy, so I went and sat at a table sort of near theirs. The waiter came by and struck up conversation again about why I was here in Bathurst of all places - he didn't have much room to talk as he is from the Snowy Mountains down south, so I quickly refired that question at him. Anyway, eventually one of the mates came up to me and asked me to dance. Holy crap this guy new how to dance. And he was cute! He was shocked at the way I could dance too and went around to everyone on the patio saying, "let me show you how you are really supposed to dance" at which point we would start dancing again. Let me add in that, by dancing, I mean he was twirling me around and dipping me - I have never met anyone that could lead so well. So. much. fun.
Eventually he asked the question..."So where are you from?" Apparently my accent gives it away. Haha. Everyones reaction is always the same. What the hell are you doing in Bathurst? Or How did you end up all the way out here from over there?? Most people say they know where New Mexico is...but I think they are pretending. The rugby guys were leaving and told me to go with them to 'The Ox' which is Bathursts version of a nightclub - let me just say they loooovee their strobe lights, disco balls and lasers. Oh and smokey stuff that comes out over the dance floor. Haha. But boy it was so much fun! We all just danced all night, I met some random girl from Sydney and she saved me from a couple weird bloakes during the night. I do have to say going out around here is different. I'm such a cougar out here compared to back home with all the little 18 year olds in the clubs. Haha! But there is a big mix of people my age out and about too of course.
Anyway, like I said I thought I was in heaven before. Until I discovered that they have the equivelent to Rum and Coke on Tap. One of the boys, Wade, asked what I was drinking - so I said rum and coke. He comes back..actually I went with him to the bar - don't worry I'm not going to let some rando's buy me drinks and slip something in them - and the bartender poured my drink out of a tap. I was like ughh gonna have to suck it up and drink it! Well when that sweet sultry drink hit my lips, I was like what the heck is this?? I think, if I read the name correctly, it was called Bundaberg and Cola - I didn't read the name correctly, I just had to google it. Um, can I ask why is this stuff not in the states?? You can get it on tap, in a can or of course, hand mixed. Holy moly these Australia and the rubgy boys stole my heart. They sure loved to dance! Lastly, I have to note that the bars don't close here until poeple leave. Which means I'm definitely not getting a job at a bar because I'd want to kick them out and go home by 2:30. Haha. Pretty cool though, pretty stinkin cool.
Well that about sums up the party night last night. Unfortunately I didn't get any of the numbers of the rugby players to hang out with - but I'm not sure boys and girls are friends like I am friends with the guys back home...well I change that. I'm sure I'll see them around town. And if not, I'll go back and see the cute bartender from Kings Hotel repeatedly. In the meantime I have to get out of bed, shower and act like I actually got hom at a decent hour - not 3:00 in the morning, and like I'm not totally exhausted with a gnarley hangover..because my teacher might be a little worried. Oops.
Gotta love being the new American girl in a small town in Australia <3
"Can I have a Rum and Coke?"
"[Insert cute smile] You're an American aren't ya?"
"What gave it away?"
"Your hair ;)"
That's part of the conversation from the cute guy at Kings Hotel last night. Yup, I finally ventured out on the town by myself. I actually went to a movie on the lawn thing at school, but when there was only about 20 people there, none of who were my age, I decided to split and walk around downtown to find some real fun!
First, I went to Church Bar. This place was awesome - kind of a mix between getting plastered and worship at the same time. Only kidding. It is named that because it is located on Church street :) But in reality this place is awesome. They have a gorgeous patio outside and had live music last night. The guitarist and singer were amazing! I was totally impressed. There weren't many seats, so I took a seat by an older bloke. And I don't mean that to sound rude - he was seriously about 60. Boy that was interesting. He had some very innovated and difficult questions to ask about the human body and wanted create some 'Dalek', of which I have yet to google. Apparently it is some human brained robot - anyway, this conversation kept going and going into more and more science fiction. At one point when he returned from the bar with another beer, I saw my chance to duck out without him wanting to go to a different bar. Not to worry he wasn't creepy, I just didn't want to bust my mind over that stuff on a relaxing Friday night!
Wandering around, I came to the Kings Hotel. Like I mentioned, totally cute bar tender. And live music too. As soon as I stepped out, I found, what I thought at the moment was Heaven. About 11 mates just standing there dancing and singing outside on the patio. This hotel wasn't very busy, so I went and sat at a table sort of near theirs. The waiter came by and struck up conversation again about why I was here in Bathurst of all places - he didn't have much room to talk as he is from the Snowy Mountains down south, so I quickly refired that question at him. Anyway, eventually one of the mates came up to me and asked me to dance. Holy crap this guy new how to dance. And he was cute! He was shocked at the way I could dance too and went around to everyone on the patio saying, "let me show you how you are really supposed to dance" at which point we would start dancing again. Let me add in that, by dancing, I mean he was twirling me around and dipping me - I have never met anyone that could lead so well. So. much. fun.
Eventually he asked the question..."So where are you from?" Apparently my accent gives it away. Haha. Everyones reaction is always the same. What the hell are you doing in Bathurst? Or How did you end up all the way out here from over there?? Most people say they know where New Mexico is...but I think they are pretending. The rugby guys were leaving and told me to go with them to 'The Ox' which is Bathursts version of a nightclub - let me just say they loooovee their strobe lights, disco balls and lasers. Oh and smokey stuff that comes out over the dance floor. Haha. But boy it was so much fun! We all just danced all night, I met some random girl from Sydney and she saved me from a couple weird bloakes during the night. I do have to say going out around here is different. I'm such a cougar out here compared to back home with all the little 18 year olds in the clubs. Haha! But there is a big mix of people my age out and about too of course.
Anyway, like I said I thought I was in heaven before. Until I discovered that they have the equivelent to Rum and Coke on Tap. One of the boys, Wade, asked what I was drinking - so I said rum and coke. He comes back..actually I went with him to the bar - don't worry I'm not going to let some rando's buy me drinks and slip something in them - and the bartender poured my drink out of a tap. I was like ughh gonna have to suck it up and drink it! Well when that sweet sultry drink hit my lips, I was like what the heck is this?? I think, if I read the name correctly, it was called Bundaberg and Cola - I didn't read the name correctly, I just had to google it. Um, can I ask why is this stuff not in the states?? You can get it on tap, in a can or of course, hand mixed. Holy moly these Australia and the rubgy boys stole my heart. They sure loved to dance! Lastly, I have to note that the bars don't close here until poeple leave. Which means I'm definitely not getting a job at a bar because I'd want to kick them out and go home by 2:30. Haha. Pretty cool though, pretty stinkin cool.
Well that about sums up the party night last night. Unfortunately I didn't get any of the numbers of the rugby players to hang out with - but I'm not sure boys and girls are friends like I am friends with the guys back home...well I change that. I'm sure I'll see them around town. And if not, I'll go back and see the cute bartender from Kings Hotel repeatedly. In the meantime I have to get out of bed, shower and act like I actually got hom at a decent hour - not 3:00 in the morning, and like I'm not totally exhausted with a gnarley hangover..because my teacher might be a little worried. Oops.
Gotta love being the new American girl in a small town in Australia <3
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
I Guess Life's Not Meant to be Peachy All the Time, Right?
"No its not, or else we wouldnt appreciate the peachy times. And we'd be super shallow with lame stories" That's what Mallory said in reply to my half-way rhetorical question above. True story. Had a little bit of a rough day today. Well overall, not really, compared to some others. But its been frustrating and little things have been annoying me. I'm glad Mallory works night shift and I can talk to her all evening and vent. Thanks Lady!
Not to get too in depth about boring stuff, but I'm stuck between a rock and a hard spot with the Honour's Thesis plans for the year. Both myself and the other student like one of the particular questions that our teacher has set up for us to do; but she mentioned it first that she was really interested in it, at which point I figured I better learn to like the other. The hard thing for me is that the topic she is getting to do seems like it is much more attractive, from a proffesional board review perspective; and these projects will either make or break our chances of going straight into the PhD program after this year. So do I sell myself short and go for the less innovative of the two topics? I feel I have no choice. Good news is, I'm determined to make something of the project, so hopefully I can find some good interesting information for my research that might make it slightly more 'cutting edge' like the other. My biggest concern is how they determine who gets 'Honours 2.1' and if the projects are similar, and there is only a certain number of spots available, whose is going to look better. I guess I'll have to figure out a way to be competitive with what I end up getting. I'll keep you updated. If you would rather not listen to be bitch even more for the next paragraph, please don't hesitate to skip onto the one after that :)
Annoyed also today by the fact that I can't watch my guilty pleasure TV shows online over here. Copyright laws apparently don't allow you to watch shows on ABC or the CW unless you IP address is in the US. I had no idea! That is wack! All I wanted was a little taste of home and I got jipped. Lame. Since I am ranting, I'm annoyed that I waited too long to go to the gym and then it got dark outside. This town is super safe, but I'm still slightly afraid of the dark. I know, lame. I'll get over it sometime. The photos that I am attempting to upload to the computer from my phone are taking fooorreeevverrrr. I made a peanut butter and nutella sandwich for dinner thinking that would be delicious...some sort of hazelnut-peanut butter-heaven-in-my-mouth kind of tastiness, and it was rather dry. It ruined the taste of the nutulla all together. I was very disappointed. Lastly, I'm annoyed I don't have a bike yet. That'll make things easier. Okay onto better more important things..
Lets see...In the past few days I have been getting much more involved in everything for school. Contrary to American belief, alcohol can really help out in your studies. That is why we have Rafters, the Uni Bar on campus. Today they held a 'Mature Students' Cheese and Wine gathering. It was good to meet other people who are in the same boat as us - meaning we aren't wearing our floaties like the little freshers we see all around campus. We are the big kids ready to feed the freshers to the sharks when they annoy us...only kidding. But really, there are so many young, ankle-biters, if you would (aussie term for a kid) that it was fun to have our own function! Coach (one of the orientation leaders) is also a 'Mature Student' in the Primary Ed department and he came up to Dawn and myself and talked with us the whole hour about school and places around town and things to do. Boy that mate can talk. But he also has really pretty green eyes, so it wasn't too hard to listen. Or just get lost in them. Haha jokes again. Anyway, that was fun for today.
Tomorrow our 7 day free gym membership expires. What am I to do now? Good thing we recieved a whole ton of other free brochures on Monday. We have enough to get us to different gyms throughout the week - sweet! I guess I may start to have to go to the gym on campus after that which is about a quarter size of the on at UNM, and will be filled with ankle biters for the first 2 months without a doubt. But I'll make the best of what I can. I found a forum for off campus housing today with several people looking for roommates! The prices are very reasonable - only a stretch because I am only allowed to work 20 hrs/week or else I will get kicked out of the country according to my Visa. Ugh. I am determined to make it happen though. As much as I love it here, with free rent for the time being; living with a couple older people not only means I'm the third wheel (again in my life) but also it puts a damper on the social scene if you know what I mean. Especially cuz one of them is my supervisor. I don't want him knowing when I'm out partying all the time. Haha he need only know of me as the wonderful student I really am ;)
We went and met with the lab guy, Jason, today to get an introduction. Everything is so much more secure out here. Definitely a good thing. I guess CSU has had a couple bad instances - not the CSU here, but out in Wagga Wagga. One of them someone accidentaly mixed two chemicals together (I can't remember what they were) and it blew up and he lost an eye and had a bunch of nerve damage in his arm. The other person was moving a thing horses jump over in Equestrian shows, and it fell apart and crushed him...in opposite directions. Yep, he died. No bueno. Those happened a while ago, but ever since, they have tight rules about a lot of things to save their butts. Can't blame them. Jason had some good stories about things he's done for students in the lab...
One time he got approached by two students who were using probes to stimulate the muscle. The probes were the kind that go into the muscle and apparently the students didn't read through the directions all the way before they tested it on him. Long story short, they set the wattage up slowly, and when it wasn't doing much to Jason, went all the way up to 500 watts. It caused his bicep muscle (were the probes were placed) to contract so his arm was flailing up and down until they shut it off a few seconds later. The next day they came back and asked how his arm was doing - that night they read through the manual and 500 watts was the maximum setting for a quadricep muscle, not his biceps. Woops! Good thing they didnt do it on his left arm - his heart would probably be toast!
Another group asked him to test one of the isokinetic machines we have in the lab for muscle strength testing. He did the whole protocol and they never actually told him what they were doing. Afterwards, he tried walking away and he could barely stand on his leg. Essentially, he found out later, they tore up all the muscles in the knee as part of a rehab protocol to see how long it would take for a person to be able to walk again and put weight on it...hmm that would have been good to know before hand, don't you think?
A different student was conducting research about muscle temperature. They stuck a needle in the subjects and then stuck a thermometer down through the catheter and taped it in the quadricep muscle. The subject had to go and walk around campus with it stuck in there for the test. Jason didn't want to do it until he saw someone else first, so the student did it to himself. After he did okay, Jason did it and he said it was so painful. The little needle inside was flexible so everytime his muscle would contract, he would feel it against the fibers. He didn't, but later 5 of the 6 subjects had vaso-vagal reactions and actually fainted. Whoops.
This one doesn't directly involve Jason, but two students were doing another study where they used probes that go inside the muscle. They had 2 in the quadriceps and the probes had a hook at the end. When they tried to pull it out, it got stuck on a vein. Instead of the probe coming out, blood started gushing out everywhere. Haha yea, that's no good.
Moral of the story? If anyone asks me to be a guinny pig for their research before they get it passed by the Ethics committee and such, I'm going to simply say, "Oh! Jason told me he would love to try that! You should go ask him!"
Last bit about the lab - we totally have a DEXA machine - for testing bone density and such, you can also get fat mass, lean body mass, so on and so forth from these machines. (Yes there is controversy about how accurate they are; but still we are cooler then you back there!) In the US, you aren't allowed to have them in labs like ours because they have radiation, but here if you have a certification you can. Pretty cool (for all you ex phys buffs out there)!
Alright, if you made it through all of that, I commend you. I now have about 10 of 70 pictures downloaded, so I assure you I will post them soon! I love hearing from you guys, tell me whats going on with you in an email or fb message! Love love!
Ps - Extra love out to Maddie today; It's been 1 year since her daddy passed away and I can't imagine how she is handling it. Keep your head up sugar.
Also, lots of prayers out to Michael's family and our friends who are attending the hearing for Robert Sanchez who is up for conditions of release. God will do what's right. Love you all and miss you everyday, Michael. <3
Not to get too in depth about boring stuff, but I'm stuck between a rock and a hard spot with the Honour's Thesis plans for the year. Both myself and the other student like one of the particular questions that our teacher has set up for us to do; but she mentioned it first that she was really interested in it, at which point I figured I better learn to like the other. The hard thing for me is that the topic she is getting to do seems like it is much more attractive, from a proffesional board review perspective; and these projects will either make or break our chances of going straight into the PhD program after this year. So do I sell myself short and go for the less innovative of the two topics? I feel I have no choice. Good news is, I'm determined to make something of the project, so hopefully I can find some good interesting information for my research that might make it slightly more 'cutting edge' like the other. My biggest concern is how they determine who gets 'Honours 2.1' and if the projects are similar, and there is only a certain number of spots available, whose is going to look better. I guess I'll have to figure out a way to be competitive with what I end up getting. I'll keep you updated. If you would rather not listen to be bitch even more for the next paragraph, please don't hesitate to skip onto the one after that :)
Annoyed also today by the fact that I can't watch my guilty pleasure TV shows online over here. Copyright laws apparently don't allow you to watch shows on ABC or the CW unless you IP address is in the US. I had no idea! That is wack! All I wanted was a little taste of home and I got jipped. Lame. Since I am ranting, I'm annoyed that I waited too long to go to the gym and then it got dark outside. This town is super safe, but I'm still slightly afraid of the dark. I know, lame. I'll get over it sometime. The photos that I am attempting to upload to the computer from my phone are taking fooorreeevverrrr. I made a peanut butter and nutella sandwich for dinner thinking that would be delicious...some sort of hazelnut-peanut butter-heaven-in-my-mouth kind of tastiness, and it was rather dry. It ruined the taste of the nutulla all together. I was very disappointed. Lastly, I'm annoyed I don't have a bike yet. That'll make things easier. Okay onto better more important things..
Lets see...In the past few days I have been getting much more involved in everything for school. Contrary to American belief, alcohol can really help out in your studies. That is why we have Rafters, the Uni Bar on campus. Today they held a 'Mature Students' Cheese and Wine gathering. It was good to meet other people who are in the same boat as us - meaning we aren't wearing our floaties like the little freshers we see all around campus. We are the big kids ready to feed the freshers to the sharks when they annoy us...only kidding. But really, there are so many young, ankle-biters, if you would (aussie term for a kid) that it was fun to have our own function! Coach (one of the orientation leaders) is also a 'Mature Student' in the Primary Ed department and he came up to Dawn and myself and talked with us the whole hour about school and places around town and things to do. Boy that mate can talk. But he also has really pretty green eyes, so it wasn't too hard to listen. Or just get lost in them. Haha jokes again. Anyway, that was fun for today.
Tomorrow our 7 day free gym membership expires. What am I to do now? Good thing we recieved a whole ton of other free brochures on Monday. We have enough to get us to different gyms throughout the week - sweet! I guess I may start to have to go to the gym on campus after that which is about a quarter size of the on at UNM, and will be filled with ankle biters for the first 2 months without a doubt. But I'll make the best of what I can. I found a forum for off campus housing today with several people looking for roommates! The prices are very reasonable - only a stretch because I am only allowed to work 20 hrs/week or else I will get kicked out of the country according to my Visa. Ugh. I am determined to make it happen though. As much as I love it here, with free rent for the time being; living with a couple older people not only means I'm the third wheel (again in my life) but also it puts a damper on the social scene if you know what I mean. Especially cuz one of them is my supervisor. I don't want him knowing when I'm out partying all the time. Haha he need only know of me as the wonderful student I really am ;)
We went and met with the lab guy, Jason, today to get an introduction. Everything is so much more secure out here. Definitely a good thing. I guess CSU has had a couple bad instances - not the CSU here, but out in Wagga Wagga. One of them someone accidentaly mixed two chemicals together (I can't remember what they were) and it blew up and he lost an eye and had a bunch of nerve damage in his arm. The other person was moving a thing horses jump over in Equestrian shows, and it fell apart and crushed him...in opposite directions. Yep, he died. No bueno. Those happened a while ago, but ever since, they have tight rules about a lot of things to save their butts. Can't blame them. Jason had some good stories about things he's done for students in the lab...
One time he got approached by two students who were using probes to stimulate the muscle. The probes were the kind that go into the muscle and apparently the students didn't read through the directions all the way before they tested it on him. Long story short, they set the wattage up slowly, and when it wasn't doing much to Jason, went all the way up to 500 watts. It caused his bicep muscle (were the probes were placed) to contract so his arm was flailing up and down until they shut it off a few seconds later. The next day they came back and asked how his arm was doing - that night they read through the manual and 500 watts was the maximum setting for a quadricep muscle, not his biceps. Woops! Good thing they didnt do it on his left arm - his heart would probably be toast!
Another group asked him to test one of the isokinetic machines we have in the lab for muscle strength testing. He did the whole protocol and they never actually told him what they were doing. Afterwards, he tried walking away and he could barely stand on his leg. Essentially, he found out later, they tore up all the muscles in the knee as part of a rehab protocol to see how long it would take for a person to be able to walk again and put weight on it...hmm that would have been good to know before hand, don't you think?
A different student was conducting research about muscle temperature. They stuck a needle in the subjects and then stuck a thermometer down through the catheter and taped it in the quadricep muscle. The subject had to go and walk around campus with it stuck in there for the test. Jason didn't want to do it until he saw someone else first, so the student did it to himself. After he did okay, Jason did it and he said it was so painful. The little needle inside was flexible so everytime his muscle would contract, he would feel it against the fibers. He didn't, but later 5 of the 6 subjects had vaso-vagal reactions and actually fainted. Whoops.
This one doesn't directly involve Jason, but two students were doing another study where they used probes that go inside the muscle. They had 2 in the quadriceps and the probes had a hook at the end. When they tried to pull it out, it got stuck on a vein. Instead of the probe coming out, blood started gushing out everywhere. Haha yea, that's no good.
Moral of the story? If anyone asks me to be a guinny pig for their research before they get it passed by the Ethics committee and such, I'm going to simply say, "Oh! Jason told me he would love to try that! You should go ask him!"
Last bit about the lab - we totally have a DEXA machine - for testing bone density and such, you can also get fat mass, lean body mass, so on and so forth from these machines. (Yes there is controversy about how accurate they are; but still we are cooler then you back there!) In the US, you aren't allowed to have them in labs like ours because they have radiation, but here if you have a certification you can. Pretty cool (for all you ex phys buffs out there)!
Alright, if you made it through all of that, I commend you. I now have about 10 of 70 pictures downloaded, so I assure you I will post them soon! I love hearing from you guys, tell me whats going on with you in an email or fb message! Love love!
Ps - Extra love out to Maddie today; It's been 1 year since her daddy passed away and I can't imagine how she is handling it. Keep your head up sugar.
Also, lots of prayers out to Michael's family and our friends who are attending the hearing for Robert Sanchez who is up for conditions of release. God will do what's right. Love you all and miss you everyday, Michael. <3
Monday, February 21, 2011
I forgot to wear sunblock...again.
Yea, the sun sure is different down here. Or maybe its the fact that I have ooober white skin? No, I think its the first of the two. The kids out here wear shirts to swim because it is so intense. I can walk to school (which takes only around 10 minutes) and be pink like a little piggy in no time. I am definitely getting some good color! I have super funny tan lines though. Well right now they are burn lines, but I have all confidence it will turn into a tan eventually, right? I really need to start remembering to put on that sunblock before leaving for the day!
Two nights in a row I slept all the way through without waking up once. I thought I was over the jet lag phase, and then last night I woke up not only once but twice. Once at 1 in the morning and again at 6. After that time I said forget it and started to read some manuscripts.
Thats the benefit of living with your professor - it makes you stay on top of your shit! haha We are meeting tomorrow to prepare for our honours projects this year. Basically in school we have to do a full research project in the matter of 10 months. On top of that, we are also trying to finish up the P31 study that we have been working on for the last year. We are hoping to get it into the 'Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport' that is in October this year!
Yesterday we had orientation for school - it is going on all week long, but as 'Mature' students, we don't really need to attend all the fresher stuff (and by fresher I mean freshman). We went to an International Student welcome meeting yesterday. That was dumb. Then we went to a talk for students living off campus - that was way, way better. We got the ins and outs of things around town - how to live cheaper as a college student, where the good 'hotels' are to go, so on and so forth. Very valuable information for someone like me. Plus all of the O week leaders who were there seemed really cool, so I joined their group to hear about whats goin on and what kind of stuff they are doing.
We got 'show bags' with a bunch of flyers in them. There is one for joining a rowing team. Baller! I am so excited about it, I think I am going to go see what its about! I also spoke with the girl about the gymnastics job and I am going to go in and shadow on Monday. She already had me on her roster for work. Sweet! It probably wont be a ton of hours from the sound of it, but she wants someone to help her with structure and planning stuff too, which I can do so that will be a little bit of extra income. There might be some opportunity at the Anytime Fitness too, just doing admin stuff - which I'm not opposed to as it will give me a free gym membership and money money too!
I joined - well actually I haven't yet, but I am going to join (as soon as my debit card comes in the mail, because I have to make a donation) the Bathurst Anytime Fitness Relay for Life Team. For all my Team in Training people out there, I have asked around and it sure doesn't exist here. Hmmmm maybe some thought for the future?? Team in Training in Oz! I'm likin it! Anyway, I figured the Relay for life would be a good way to get involved and meet people! Plus, it's a fundraiser for cancer. How could someone be opposed to that?
Leaving you with some odd thoughts - here is what I saw walking across campus yesterday. Magpies. They are alllll over the place. They are like Australia's version of a crow. Parrots - the bird looked like a parrot anyway but is actually called a Gallah (it took me a while to understand what Dr. Robergs was saying when I asked what they were called - I made him spell it for me because his accent didn't do it right). They are grey with a bright red chest and white on their heads - really pretty, apparently not to the Australians though. I also saw this strange flamingo-ish looking bird (much smaller but walked the same and had longer legs, well not longer than a flamingo, just unproportionally long for its body size). It was black with a bright bright yellow beak. Also, while walking on campus I have a tendency to drift to the right hand side of the path when people are coming my way - that must be an automatic give away that I am an American, dammit. The way we do things over there is really screwing with my head! On a good note, I have almost trained myself to look to the right first everytime I cross the road. It has decreased the number of times I have to check for cars from 17 to about 8; and I am still alive! Haha. Cheers!
Two nights in a row I slept all the way through without waking up once. I thought I was over the jet lag phase, and then last night I woke up not only once but twice. Once at 1 in the morning and again at 6. After that time I said forget it and started to read some manuscripts.
Thats the benefit of living with your professor - it makes you stay on top of your shit! haha We are meeting tomorrow to prepare for our honours projects this year. Basically in school we have to do a full research project in the matter of 10 months. On top of that, we are also trying to finish up the P31 study that we have been working on for the last year. We are hoping to get it into the 'Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport' that is in October this year!
Yesterday we had orientation for school - it is going on all week long, but as 'Mature' students, we don't really need to attend all the fresher stuff (and by fresher I mean freshman). We went to an International Student welcome meeting yesterday. That was dumb. Then we went to a talk for students living off campus - that was way, way better. We got the ins and outs of things around town - how to live cheaper as a college student, where the good 'hotels' are to go, so on and so forth. Very valuable information for someone like me. Plus all of the O week leaders who were there seemed really cool, so I joined their group to hear about whats goin on and what kind of stuff they are doing.
We got 'show bags' with a bunch of flyers in them. There is one for joining a rowing team. Baller! I am so excited about it, I think I am going to go see what its about! I also spoke with the girl about the gymnastics job and I am going to go in and shadow on Monday. She already had me on her roster for work. Sweet! It probably wont be a ton of hours from the sound of it, but she wants someone to help her with structure and planning stuff too, which I can do so that will be a little bit of extra income. There might be some opportunity at the Anytime Fitness too, just doing admin stuff - which I'm not opposed to as it will give me a free gym membership and money money too!
I joined - well actually I haven't yet, but I am going to join (as soon as my debit card comes in the mail, because I have to make a donation) the Bathurst Anytime Fitness Relay for Life Team. For all my Team in Training people out there, I have asked around and it sure doesn't exist here. Hmmmm maybe some thought for the future?? Team in Training in Oz! I'm likin it! Anyway, I figured the Relay for life would be a good way to get involved and meet people! Plus, it's a fundraiser for cancer. How could someone be opposed to that?
Leaving you with some odd thoughts - here is what I saw walking across campus yesterday. Magpies. They are alllll over the place. They are like Australia's version of a crow. Parrots - the bird looked like a parrot anyway but is actually called a Gallah (it took me a while to understand what Dr. Robergs was saying when I asked what they were called - I made him spell it for me because his accent didn't do it right). They are grey with a bright red chest and white on their heads - really pretty, apparently not to the Australians though. I also saw this strange flamingo-ish looking bird (much smaller but walked the same and had longer legs, well not longer than a flamingo, just unproportionally long for its body size). It was black with a bright bright yellow beak. Also, while walking on campus I have a tendency to drift to the right hand side of the path when people are coming my way - that must be an automatic give away that I am an American, dammit. The way we do things over there is really screwing with my head! On a good note, I have almost trained myself to look to the right first everytime I cross the road. It has decreased the number of times I have to check for cars from 17 to about 8; and I am still alive! Haha. Cheers!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Chasing a Roo and Parties Too!
Hellooo out there!
Been just a couple days since I posted but there is a lot that keeps coming up that I forget to mention and think later, "I should have said that". Of course I can't remember half the stuff now, but here's what I have been doing anyway.
I met all of the staff in our Human Movement Department - Frank, the head of the school is wonderful! He is so down to earth and real. The rest of them I met at a party yesterday at one of the staff member, Deb's house. She had a gorgeous home that is about 30 minutes from the heart of Bathurst. If I had normal internet, I would post pictures of her positiviely gorgeous view! It was seriously breathtaking. She is hilarious too so it made for a fun get together, even though I was the 'American' invited solely for that reason, because I am not a staff member at CSU. Haha luckily, we have the connection with Dr. Robergs being a supervisor.
Being a typical American, I couldn't help but wander about kangaroo's being around so I had to ask. Deb actually said that 'Skippy' comes around every morning and evening and eats her rose bushes...WHAT?! I was so excited to hear that, I made it a point for us to stick around until dusk. Sure enough, at about 5:30 a cluster of Skippy's came out and about. I'm pretty sure they smelt American blood however, because they didn't come all the way up to her home like she mentioned. We gathered our stuff and went chasing them Roo's. We found several of them but they were scared of us when we tried to walk up to them. Dr. Roberg's assured us that if you rub a kangaroo's chest, it has an instant hypnotizing effect on them and they melt. Isn't that cute? I can't wait to see it happen in real life. On the drive home, we saw a few more but didn't get close enough to them. We were told by other staff at the Uni that Skippy's actually hang around the campus in the evening time. I assure you I will get an up close picture of one of them soon!
For all you car racing feens out there, I forgot to mention that the Mount Panorama Race Way is INSANE. There is no way I could ever even imagine going 100's of miles per hour...I mean kilometers per hour on a track like that! However, once I get a bicylce, that will be one hell of a great work out to start the days with. During the year the track is totally open to the public - talk about another breath-taking view from the top of the track! I bet its beautiful at night with all the 'town lights'...hmm where's an aussie boy to take me up there for some romance, huh? haha
Anywhoo - we are in the middle of O week (orientation) and stole away for a computer lab for a few minutes, its time to get back because there is FREE lunch. And an international student welcome. And a sports talk after; of which I hope to meet Belinda, the gymnastics president who offered me a job. Keep ya updated! Love you all :)
Been just a couple days since I posted but there is a lot that keeps coming up that I forget to mention and think later, "I should have said that". Of course I can't remember half the stuff now, but here's what I have been doing anyway.
I met all of the staff in our Human Movement Department - Frank, the head of the school is wonderful! He is so down to earth and real. The rest of them I met at a party yesterday at one of the staff member, Deb's house. She had a gorgeous home that is about 30 minutes from the heart of Bathurst. If I had normal internet, I would post pictures of her positiviely gorgeous view! It was seriously breathtaking. She is hilarious too so it made for a fun get together, even though I was the 'American' invited solely for that reason, because I am not a staff member at CSU. Haha luckily, we have the connection with Dr. Robergs being a supervisor.
Being a typical American, I couldn't help but wander about kangaroo's being around so I had to ask. Deb actually said that 'Skippy' comes around every morning and evening and eats her rose bushes...WHAT?! I was so excited to hear that, I made it a point for us to stick around until dusk. Sure enough, at about 5:30 a cluster of Skippy's came out and about. I'm pretty sure they smelt American blood however, because they didn't come all the way up to her home like she mentioned. We gathered our stuff and went chasing them Roo's. We found several of them but they were scared of us when we tried to walk up to them. Dr. Roberg's assured us that if you rub a kangaroo's chest, it has an instant hypnotizing effect on them and they melt. Isn't that cute? I can't wait to see it happen in real life. On the drive home, we saw a few more but didn't get close enough to them. We were told by other staff at the Uni that Skippy's actually hang around the campus in the evening time. I assure you I will get an up close picture of one of them soon!
For all you car racing feens out there, I forgot to mention that the Mount Panorama Race Way is INSANE. There is no way I could ever even imagine going 100's of miles per hour...I mean kilometers per hour on a track like that! However, once I get a bicylce, that will be one hell of a great work out to start the days with. During the year the track is totally open to the public - talk about another breath-taking view from the top of the track! I bet its beautiful at night with all the 'town lights'...hmm where's an aussie boy to take me up there for some romance, huh? haha
Anywhoo - we are in the middle of O week (orientation) and stole away for a computer lab for a few minutes, its time to get back because there is FREE lunch. And an international student welcome. And a sports talk after; of which I hope to meet Belinda, the gymnastics president who offered me a job. Keep ya updated! Love you all :)
Friday, February 18, 2011
Alas, I have arrived in the Land Down Unda'
How you goin? A phrase that I hear almost anywhere I go. I love it here. It is green, lush, and beautiful. Especially when the sun is shining. The first day and a half, it rained almost none stop. But that was beautiful too!
The town here in Bathurst is small and quaint. Almost like something out of 1950's America, as Bill Bryson mentions in A Sunburned Country. There is a main park and hundreds of small locally owned shops, many that are jewels I am sure! I will have to venture to them once I have a job and some spending money! With the small town charm, I was delighted to find a Target! Though not exactly the same as the Target from home (they don't have picture kiosks!) which I have a seriously difficult time with because I havent been able to figure out how to print off pictures to send back home. It is also a bit smaller, but still, it will suffice seeing as though it is a Target! There are lots and lots of wonderful clothing boutiques with fabulous clothes for decent prices - yes, it is something like shopper's heaven. But on a smaller scale of course.
The Aussies (pronounce Auzzie - or they will get mad) call your typical everday pub a 'Hotel'. Imagine being the new American in town that is asked out by an Aussie gent (gentleman) to the Hotel on the first date - no that did not happen to me, but should it, I'll refrain from making a joke about how he wants to take me to a hotel haha. They shorten everything, as I did with gent. I say school, they say 'uni' (for university). I say mosquito, they say 'mozzi'. It is much more efficient when you think about it. I can't think of any other words at the moment, but I assure you there are lots!
Of course, they drive on the opposite side of the street. Among other things, I have found it very challenging not to get run over when I am out for a run. I have to look both ways about 17 times before I am sure there is not a car coming. And then, I come to a round-a-bout, which makes it even more difficult. I have had a few days to get used to their accent; and infact, I think I am beginning to pick up on it a little myself! It is somewhat difficult especially when speaking to native Bathurst-ians (for lack of a better term); as their accents are very heavy. For instance, I was at the bank the other day to set up a bank account - which by the way are amazing because I earn 4.6% interest on a normal savings account! - and the lady was saying '73'; but I heard 7-2-3. Draw out the Seventy; and instead put an O at the end of it and that is how she was saying it - "Sevent-O Three" That doesnt make much sense in writing, but I assure you, it was so confusing!
I found an Ice Cream shop yesterday - It doesn't quite compare to my favorite, Chillz; or Ecco (for gellato); but it was delicious on a hot day! It has been around 25 on a daily basis - and by 25 I mean 80 degrees in your terms :) That is one thing that has also been a challenge - The treadmills are set in Kilometers instead of miles; I have yet to do a time conversion so I know whether I am staying on a good pace for myself. I try to read the nutrition labels at a grocery store, and I feel like I am reading gibberish as they are all in kilojoules energy wise. I have to brush up on those conversions also.
I am meeting with the president of the gymnastics club here in town in Tuesday, and in the mean time have a pool party to go to tomorrow! Yay for summer time! haha :) and I hope to get out to Sydney and to the beach really soon. Jet lag is starting to go away I think; though I wake up at about 3 in the morning absolutely starving! (because that would normally be my breakfast time)
I have a phone that I can call internationally with prepaid minutes, though they go quickly. I can also text but it is expensive for people to text back. Dang it. I can chat though too! and that is free for me and you if you have a gmail account! Woohoo! Needless to say, I am anxious to meet some friends and have people to hang out with down here. I can't wait for school to start! Lots of love sending to my friends and family back home! I'll keep you updated on more Aussie things soon <3
The town here in Bathurst is small and quaint. Almost like something out of 1950's America, as Bill Bryson mentions in A Sunburned Country. There is a main park and hundreds of small locally owned shops, many that are jewels I am sure! I will have to venture to them once I have a job and some spending money! With the small town charm, I was delighted to find a Target! Though not exactly the same as the Target from home (they don't have picture kiosks!) which I have a seriously difficult time with because I havent been able to figure out how to print off pictures to send back home. It is also a bit smaller, but still, it will suffice seeing as though it is a Target! There are lots and lots of wonderful clothing boutiques with fabulous clothes for decent prices - yes, it is something like shopper's heaven. But on a smaller scale of course.
The Aussies (pronounce Auzzie - or they will get mad) call your typical everday pub a 'Hotel'. Imagine being the new American in town that is asked out by an Aussie gent (gentleman) to the Hotel on the first date - no that did not happen to me, but should it, I'll refrain from making a joke about how he wants to take me to a hotel haha. They shorten everything, as I did with gent. I say school, they say 'uni' (for university). I say mosquito, they say 'mozzi'. It is much more efficient when you think about it. I can't think of any other words at the moment, but I assure you there are lots!
Of course, they drive on the opposite side of the street. Among other things, I have found it very challenging not to get run over when I am out for a run. I have to look both ways about 17 times before I am sure there is not a car coming. And then, I come to a round-a-bout, which makes it even more difficult. I have had a few days to get used to their accent; and infact, I think I am beginning to pick up on it a little myself! It is somewhat difficult especially when speaking to native Bathurst-ians (for lack of a better term); as their accents are very heavy. For instance, I was at the bank the other day to set up a bank account - which by the way are amazing because I earn 4.6% interest on a normal savings account! - and the lady was saying '73'; but I heard 7-2-3. Draw out the Seventy; and instead put an O at the end of it and that is how she was saying it - "Sevent-O Three" That doesnt make much sense in writing, but I assure you, it was so confusing!
I found an Ice Cream shop yesterday - It doesn't quite compare to my favorite, Chillz; or Ecco (for gellato); but it was delicious on a hot day! It has been around 25 on a daily basis - and by 25 I mean 80 degrees in your terms :) That is one thing that has also been a challenge - The treadmills are set in Kilometers instead of miles; I have yet to do a time conversion so I know whether I am staying on a good pace for myself. I try to read the nutrition labels at a grocery store, and I feel like I am reading gibberish as they are all in kilojoules energy wise. I have to brush up on those conversions also.
I am meeting with the president of the gymnastics club here in town in Tuesday, and in the mean time have a pool party to go to tomorrow! Yay for summer time! haha :) and I hope to get out to Sydney and to the beach really soon. Jet lag is starting to go away I think; though I wake up at about 3 in the morning absolutely starving! (because that would normally be my breakfast time)
I have a phone that I can call internationally with prepaid minutes, though they go quickly. I can also text but it is expensive for people to text back. Dang it. I can chat though too! and that is free for me and you if you have a gmail account! Woohoo! Needless to say, I am anxious to meet some friends and have people to hang out with down here. I can't wait for school to start! Lots of love sending to my friends and family back home! I'll keep you updated on more Aussie things soon <3
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