Happy Spring Break Everyone!
Seeing as how just about everyone went on spring break to Key West this year, I hope KWSB2K10 was insane, full of successfully completed physical challenges, and awkward run-ins with people you had hoped to avoid. And by the looks of things on fb... all were achieved!
In Aussie news, lots has been going on as usual. Can anyone believe it's the middle of March already?! Where is the time going? Ali and I just booked a trip to Sydney for the first week in April. Can't wait! The weather has been unusual lately, we were nearly washed away by a tsunami resulting from the Earthquake in Chile ... but thankfully, it never came. However, it has been raining heaps here and there has been bad flooding in certain areas. The rain is majorly infringing on my golden tan so it better stop soon before I turn into Snow White. For all the skin cancer conscious out there, don't fret... I wear sunscreen! "There's nothing healthy about a tan!"- Thanks Queensland Government.
Uni has been going alright, but after a 2 month break and being so close to the beach I have found it REALLY hard to get back into school mode. I'm pushing through it and I'm sure I'll manage with all of the nice blokes in my classes ;). In sports news, our touch team has been up against some tough teams and suffered defeat the past two games. Have no fear though, we're making moves to improve our rugby technique. Personally, I plan on scoring one try every game from now on! Watch out NRL!
Lady GaGa countdown... 15 days!
New Observations:
1. New Vocab: umbrella= brolley, sketchy= seedy/dodgy/daro, prezzy= present, esky= cooler, mozzie= mosquito, chokkie= chocolate, good on you(pron: good onya) = good for you/well done, whinge= whine/complain, rent a movie= hire a movie, rubbish= trash, yall= youse
2. Everyone drives really small cars here, no lifted F150's in sight!
3. Walmart isn't taking over the entire world, because here in Australia K-mart is the superstore of choice. However, there is a Cosco that just opened in Victoria.
4. No one knows Jimmy Buffet here! A whole new group of ParrotHeads is about to emerge!
5. In addition to adding the word 'hey' or 'as' on the end of some phrases, some Queenslanders also use the word, 'but'. Ex: "It'll be crowded but." or "That's funny but." This 'but' usage is beyond my understanding so don't ask me why.
*Previous post about riding the "fairy" was meant to say "ferry." No there aren't mythical creatures for transport purposes here. Although sometimes when desperate times call for desperate measures, we do indeed ride kangaroos to uni. Just gotta show em who's boss.
That's all for now!
Until next time,
Your favorite NRL rookie,
E
xx
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
One Month
Goodday mates! My schedule has been full on since my last post. I can't believe that it has seriously been a month since I've been here. Time is going by WAY to fast. Last Friday, Ali, her friend from uni Stacey and I went for a day trip to North Stradbroke Island (Straddie). You can only get to it by fairy and it is absolutely breathtaking. I felt like I could have been straight out of a travel magazine with the cliff top views and perfect surf. One of my favorite places so far!
Not to be totally overshadowed was our next event... Good Vibrations music festival. With big names like The Killers, Kid Cudi, Art vs. Science, Gossip, Basement Jaxx and Armand Van Helden. But wait that's not all ... since the Aussie's have such an affinity for techno/electronic/dance music, obviously Good Vibes couldn't go without vintage techno performances by Salt n Pepa, Naughty by Nature, and Busta Rhymes. I <3> the 90's! I added the link so yall can see more about the set list and listen to some new jams!
http://www.gvf.com.au/Goldcoast/Schedule/
Monday was my first day at uni... boooo. Do I really have to go to school? It's really not that bad I just hate when everyone turns and looks when they hear me talk in class. Oddly enough, it's more common to hear a German, Asian, or British accent than an American one. Like totally omg like no way!
Don't worry too much about me being an outcast though, because Ive made plenty of friends at the Australia zoo! The koala's just couldn't get enough of snuggling in my arms and the roo's flock to me and it wasn't just because I had heaps of food for them. :) The Australia Zoo is where Steve Irwin's massive Crocodile Hunter legacy began just 2 decades ago. It was sad really, thinking that Steve was no longer there to wrestle feisty croc's and come dangerously close to losing limbs... but his spirit lives on with Terri, Bindi and Bob who's faces are posted EVERYWHERE throughout the park along withe Steve's. The zoo was amazing though and along with the koala's and roo's I got to see dingo's, wallaby's, echidna's, croc's, and a Tasmanian devil (which are almost extinct). Animals Rule!
New Observations:
1. New Vocab: water fountain= bubbler, braid= plat, weed-wacker= whipper snipper, cookies= biscuits, tylenol= panadol, corndog= dagwood dog, long board= malibu, afternoon = arvo/avo, bangs= fringe, shopping cart=trolley, saturday= satday, while = whilst.
2. Girls here ride for hair extensions. Dislike.
3. For some reason bogan's (refer to previous vocab) think rat tails are fashionable. DoubleDislike.
4. It's illegal to talk on the cell phone whilst driving.
5. It's a $7 footlong at Subway, not $5.
6. Despite the fitting name, I have not yet spotted a Kangaroo petrol station. So there's Kangaroo's in Gainesville, but not in Australia. Weird. Who's the idiot that didn't think that one through?
Until next time,
Your apprentice Croc Hunter,
E
xx (everyone ends their messages here with that)
Not to be totally overshadowed was our next event... Good Vibrations music festival. With big names like The Killers, Kid Cudi, Art vs. Science, Gossip, Basement Jaxx and Armand Van Helden. But wait that's not all ... since the Aussie's have such an affinity for techno/electronic/dance music, obviously Good Vibes couldn't go without vintage techno performances by Salt n Pepa, Naughty by Nature, and Busta Rhymes. I <3> the 90's! I added the link so yall can see more about the set list and listen to some new jams!
http://www.gvf.com.au/Goldcoast/Schedule/
Monday was my first day at uni... boooo. Do I really have to go to school? It's really not that bad I just hate when everyone turns and looks when they hear me talk in class. Oddly enough, it's more common to hear a German, Asian, or British accent than an American one. Like totally omg like no way!
Don't worry too much about me being an outcast though, because Ive made plenty of friends at the Australia zoo! The koala's just couldn't get enough of snuggling in my arms and the roo's flock to me and it wasn't just because I had heaps of food for them. :) The Australia Zoo is where Steve Irwin's massive Crocodile Hunter legacy began just 2 decades ago. It was sad really, thinking that Steve was no longer there to wrestle feisty croc's and come dangerously close to losing limbs... but his spirit lives on with Terri, Bindi and Bob who's faces are posted EVERYWHERE throughout the park along withe Steve's. The zoo was amazing though and along with the koala's and roo's I got to see dingo's, wallaby's, echidna's, croc's, and a Tasmanian devil (which are almost extinct). Animals Rule!
New Observations:
1. New Vocab: water fountain= bubbler, braid= plat, weed-wacker= whipper snipper, cookies= biscuits, tylenol= panadol, corndog= dagwood dog, long board= malibu, afternoon = arvo/avo, bangs= fringe, shopping cart=trolley, saturday= satday, while = whilst.
2. Girls here ride for hair extensions. Dislike.
3. For some reason bogan's (refer to previous vocab) think rat tails are fashionable. DoubleDislike.
4. It's illegal to talk on the cell phone whilst driving.
5. It's a $7 footlong at Subway, not $5.
6. Despite the fitting name, I have not yet spotted a Kangaroo petrol station. So there's Kangaroo's in Gainesville, but not in Australia. Weird. Who's the idiot that didn't think that one through?
Until next time,
Your apprentice Croc Hunter,
E
xx (everyone ends their messages here with that)
Monday, February 15, 2010
Week 3
Happy Belated Singles Awareness day! (Go see Valentines Day, it's actually really cute and not too corny)
After a brief hiatus, I'm back to dish my Australian adventures once again. Similar to the US, the Gold Coast has had frequent storms just without the snow. In fact, this is the most rain the Gold Coast has had in 100 years! Rain, rain GO AWAY! I guess it's better than drought and the rain actually cools the weather down a little bit. I can't believe that I've almost been here a month already! Uni starts next week and to be honest, I'm a little nervous. Not just because I'm the Exchange student, but because it's going to be so different from UF Warrington College of Business aka University of TutoringZone/Smokinotes. How will I ever survive without TZ?! I also almost had a heart attack when looking through my syllabi I see that every class has at least one 1000 word paper due. Warrington students just don't write papers. We just take tests. 4 tests and thats it. And if there is a paper, we get Kelberman to help. So this semester should be interesting without my usual resources. Maybe writing my blog will make me a better writer for these papers. Can't wait.
Ali and I joined a touch rugby team, and it's way harder than it looks. Of course I was confused at first thinking you throw the ball forward for a first down to eventually get a touchdown. But in rugby, you have 6 possessions, throw backwards to get a try. We won our first game and our future seems promising despite my gridiron background.
Yesterday was my exchange/international student orientation. It was mostly really boring and informational but I did meet some new people. 4 guys, one from LA, one from Sweden, one from Germany and one from Ireland. And tonight we have a River Boat Cruise on the Brissy River so hopefully I'll meet some new international mates. I promise I won't keep you anxiously awaiting for my next post.
New Observations.
Vocab: highway=motorway, stroller=pram, Sprite=lemonade, lemonade= lemon squash, parking lot=cark park, truck=yute(utility), turn signal=indicator, really drunk=maggered, tired=buggered, British=Pomy, shrimp=prawns, rugby=footy, American football=gridiron
2. How are doing? = How ya going?
3. It'll be ok= She'll be right
4. You can fill up your gas tank at the petrol station before you pay. SO much trust!
5. Rugby and Cricket are HUGE here.
PS. Shoutout to Ani, Brooke, Ariana, and Jackie. You da you da best no matter what.
Until next time,
Your favorite Roo,
E
After a brief hiatus, I'm back to dish my Australian adventures once again. Similar to the US, the Gold Coast has had frequent storms just without the snow. In fact, this is the most rain the Gold Coast has had in 100 years! Rain, rain GO AWAY! I guess it's better than drought and the rain actually cools the weather down a little bit. I can't believe that I've almost been here a month already! Uni starts next week and to be honest, I'm a little nervous. Not just because I'm the Exchange student, but because it's going to be so different from UF Warrington College of Business aka University of TutoringZone/Smokinotes. How will I ever survive without TZ?! I also almost had a heart attack when looking through my syllabi I see that every class has at least one 1000 word paper due. Warrington students just don't write papers. We just take tests. 4 tests and thats it. And if there is a paper, we get Kelberman to help. So this semester should be interesting without my usual resources. Maybe writing my blog will make me a better writer for these papers. Can't wait.
Ali and I joined a touch rugby team, and it's way harder than it looks. Of course I was confused at first thinking you throw the ball forward for a first down to eventually get a touchdown. But in rugby, you have 6 possessions, throw backwards to get a try. We won our first game and our future seems promising despite my gridiron background.
Yesterday was my exchange/international student orientation. It was mostly really boring and informational but I did meet some new people. 4 guys, one from LA, one from Sweden, one from Germany and one from Ireland. And tonight we have a River Boat Cruise on the Brissy River so hopefully I'll meet some new international mates. I promise I won't keep you anxiously awaiting for my next post.
New Observations.
Vocab: highway=motorway, stroller=pram, Sprite=lemonade, lemonade= lemon squash, parking lot=cark park, truck=yute(utility), turn signal=indicator, really drunk=maggered, tired=buggered, British=Pomy, shrimp=prawns, rugby=footy, American football=gridiron
2. How are doing? = How ya going?
3. It'll be ok= She'll be right
4. You can fill up your gas tank at the petrol station before you pay. SO much trust!
5. Rugby and Cricket are HUGE here.
PS. Shoutout to Ani, Brooke, Ariana, and Jackie. You da you da best no matter what.
Until next time,
Your favorite Roo,
E
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Week One Complete
Has it really only been a week? I feel like Ive been here for months already and Ali says I still have hardly seen the Gold Coast! Basically, Ali and I live in Helensvale "the Bush" and Jess who lives in Burleigh Heads (Burleigh) lives on the beach. All of this being just south of Brisbane. Surfers Paradise (Surfers) is bit toursity but has heaps* of cool cafes and is the home of the largest hotel on the coast, Q1. Ali took me from the first beach on the Goldy, Main Beach and then we went South and visited Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Burleigh, Nobby beach, the Aussie Miami beach, Currumbin, and finally Coolangatta. And despite the overcast weather, I STILL managed to get burnt. Go me.
In other news, the Australian Open has finally found its 2010 champions; Congrats to Serena Williams and Roger Federer. (Can anyone beat him?) Can't wait for the next sporting events to begin... the Winter Olympics!
My Observations:
New Vocab: Fort Night= Two Weeks, lolly= candy, romper= jumpsuit, flippy floppies= thongs, katsup = tomato sauce, The letter Z= Zed, A guys girlfriend = Mrs., gas station = pertol station
2. Everything here is accompanied by Sweet Chilli Sauce ( next best thing to Hot Sauce)
3. The internet is capped therefore at the end of the month it is extremely slow...but it's Feb 1st. YES.
4. Everyone hang dries their laundry; driers are last resort.
5. Everyone uses Spray deodorant.
6. Because everything is so expensive here, the dollar menu at Mackas isnt a dollar menu, it's the Value Picks menu where everything is like $3 and under.
7. Alot of sentences are followed by hey or as. Example: "I probably shouldnt wear pants in this heat hey?" or "That person is white as!" (Implying their lack of tan)
Last but certainly not least, LADY GAGA is coming to Brissy March 26th! Round 2 here I come.
Til next time,
Love your favorite Sheila,
E
In other news, the Australian Open has finally found its 2010 champions; Congrats to Serena Williams and Roger Federer. (Can anyone beat him?) Can't wait for the next sporting events to begin... the Winter Olympics!
My Observations:
New Vocab: Fort Night= Two Weeks, lolly= candy, romper= jumpsuit, flippy floppies= thongs, katsup = tomato sauce, The letter Z= Zed, A guys girlfriend = Mrs., gas station = pertol station
2. Everything here is accompanied by Sweet Chilli Sauce ( next best thing to Hot Sauce)
3. The internet is capped therefore at the end of the month it is extremely slow...but it's Feb 1st. YES.
4. Everyone hang dries their laundry; driers are last resort.
5. Everyone uses Spray deodorant.
6. Because everything is so expensive here, the dollar menu at Mackas isnt a dollar menu, it's the Value Picks menu where everything is like $3 and under.
7. Alot of sentences are followed by hey or as. Example: "I probably shouldnt wear pants in this heat hey?" or "That person is white as!" (Implying their lack of tan)
Last but certainly not least, LADY GAGA is coming to Brissy March 26th! Round 2 here I come.
Til next time,
Love your favorite Sheila,
E
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Finally arrived!
After hoppin off the plane at LAX with my jeans and my cardigan, my 14 hour flight to Sydney was a bit longer than anticipated. American Airlines was real smart playing all the movies while everyone was sleeping. The weirdest part about the whole thing... never being present on January 23, 2010. I entirely skipped that whole day. Going through customs was a breeze and my flight to Brizzy was short and sweet; just an hour long. I walked out to Ali and Jess waiting in the terminal... FINALLY REUNITED again!
Day 1. First stop, Yatala for a good ol traditional meat pie with some hot ranga sauce. Delish. After getting settled in at Ali's, we went out to Brizzy to a bar called Normanby with a bunch of her friends.
Day 2. Relax all day in the pool and purchase myself a cell phone wahoo! Thanks Optus Prepaid. Then, out to Coolangatta (Cooly) to Neverland with Jess. Very successful night. The weirdest part is looking out Jess' balcony and seeing mountains to the left and endless beach to my right.
Day 3. AUSTRALIA DAY!!!!!! Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oy Oy OY! Caught a glimpse of the Hurley Burleigh Surf Competition then went to BBQ at Ryans where everyone makes fun of my "accent".
Day 4. Layed out by the pool in the 95 degree weather and got burnt to a crisp and I was only out there for an HOUR! In desperate need of an aloe bath.
My Observations:
1. New Vocab! Everything is shortened. Brisbane= Brizzy, Coolangatta= Cooly, Thank you= Ta, Air Conditioning = Air Con, College= Uni, McDonalds= Mackas, Sunglasses= Sunnys, Bathing Suit= Togs, Board Shorts= Boardies, Trashy= Bogan, Tank Top= Singlet ( more to come as a learn it all)
2. Hungry Jacks = Burger King
3. Everyone asks me to "say something" and when I say "yall" everyone stops and stares.
4. Everything is really expensive! A tube of mascara at Kmart is $18.50 Australian Dollars. Two mixed drinks at the bar is about the same as mascara. CrAZy.
5. Australians dress extremely trendy. So I'm doing more shopping today to fit the criteria.
Until next time...
Love,
Your favorite Sheila
E
Day 1. First stop, Yatala for a good ol traditional meat pie with some hot ranga sauce. Delish. After getting settled in at Ali's, we went out to Brizzy to a bar called Normanby with a bunch of her friends.
Day 2. Relax all day in the pool and purchase myself a cell phone wahoo! Thanks Optus Prepaid. Then, out to Coolangatta (Cooly) to Neverland with Jess. Very successful night. The weirdest part is looking out Jess' balcony and seeing mountains to the left and endless beach to my right.
Day 3. AUSTRALIA DAY!!!!!! Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oy Oy OY! Caught a glimpse of the Hurley Burleigh Surf Competition then went to BBQ at Ryans where everyone makes fun of my "accent".
Day 4. Layed out by the pool in the 95 degree weather and got burnt to a crisp and I was only out there for an HOUR! In desperate need of an aloe bath.
My Observations:
1. New Vocab! Everything is shortened. Brisbane= Brizzy, Coolangatta= Cooly, Thank you= Ta, Air Conditioning = Air Con, College= Uni, McDonalds= Mackas, Sunglasses= Sunnys, Bathing Suit= Togs, Board Shorts= Boardies, Trashy= Bogan, Tank Top= Singlet ( more to come as a learn it all)
2. Hungry Jacks = Burger King
3. Everyone asks me to "say something" and when I say "yall" everyone stops and stares.
4. Everything is really expensive! A tube of mascara at Kmart is $18.50 Australian Dollars. Two mixed drinks at the bar is about the same as mascara. CrAZy.
5. Australians dress extremely trendy. So I'm doing more shopping today to fit the criteria.
Until next time...
Love,
Your favorite Sheila
E
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Packing for 6 months = Death.
Just a little over 24 hours before I leave and I don't think it's hit me yet.
Today's To-Do List:
1. Clean out car. (Finding lots of old treasures.)
2. Forward my mailing address.
3. PACK
4. Go to target for the essentials.
5. Get a converter cord for my electronics.
6. Pio Pio for my last supper. Sangria Pitchers yes.
I'm so excited to get there... but the traveling part; not so much.
Orlando (5pm Jan 22nd) --> LA (celebrity hunt on my 3 hour layover)
LA --> Sydney
Sydney --> Brisbane (10:35 am Jan 24th)
I arrive just in time for Australia Day January 26th! Can't wait mates!
Just a little over 24 hours before I leave and I don't think it's hit me yet.
Today's To-Do List:
1. Clean out car. (Finding lots of old treasures.)
2. Forward my mailing address.
3. PACK
4. Go to target for the essentials.
5. Get a converter cord for my electronics.
6. Pio Pio for my last supper. Sangria Pitchers yes.
I'm so excited to get there... but the traveling part; not so much.
Orlando (5pm Jan 22nd) --> LA (celebrity hunt on my 3 hour layover)
LA --> Sydney
Sydney --> Brisbane (10:35 am Jan 24th)
I arrive just in time for Australia Day January 26th! Can't wait mates!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
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