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Published: August 5th 2007
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Church
This is the church that I'll be going to while I'm here...it is only 3 blocks away from campus down on Burnwood Ave. It's so pretty on the inside too! The title of this post is something I heard a man on the news say today. Not even sure what he was interviewing someone about as I was in the kitchen making my lunch, but I heard that quote and knew it meant something big to me.
Today, I feel like has been a really good day! I feel like I really got out there and did a lot plus I learned a lot too!
The day started with talking to mom and dad on skype for a little bit. Mom of course asked some of the weirdest questions but then again what are moms for other than to ask questions that make no sense to anyone else?! That's why we love them so much. So, mom, there is your picture of an Australian tree since you wanted to know what they looked like... that and I'm too much of a smartass to tell you!
Then, I headed down to the bank to open up my Australian bank account. All was going well until I realized that I had forgotten my CoE sheet, which basically confirms and shows proof that I am here as an international student. So,
Swin Logo
This is the logo of where I go to school now. I had to walk back to campus (only 3 blocks, so not a big deal) and then walk back up to the bank with my CoE. Well, problem was that once I got back, there were now 2 people in front of me in line, so after an hour of waiting, I finally got to open my account. The guy that helped me open it was super nice and helpful. As we were getting started he said to me, "if there's anything you don't understand, just tell me. I'm sure it can be tough trying to do things like this in a country you're not familiar with." He was really nice and asked me about what I was here to study, why I had chosen Australia and how I was adjusting so far." At one point he said something really cool to me. He asked if I had made any friends yet and I told him that I had gotten to know my roommates a bit but orientation didn't start til Monday so I didn't know too many people yet. And he said, "Well, you can consider me a friend. I live on the theory that complete strangers can be
Casual Fridays
As the sign says...take casual fridays more seriously! friends if you want them to be." I loved that!
After the bank, I came back to the apartment for a while, made some lunch (Dacil, my roommate, did not know what tomato soup was- how crazy is that?!) and watched some TV/Everybody Loves Raymond (I thought about you, Uncle Steve) with Dacil. Then, she went to take a nap, so I decided to do exactly what my mother told me not to do (SORRY, MOM! I love you!) and went on a walk around the neighborhood. That's where a majority of the pictures on this blog took place. As I was walking down Burnwood Ave, I found the church that I had looked up online and fell in love with it. Then, as I kept walking, I just kept seeing all this really cool architecture and just fell in love with the way that Australians have so much glass in all of their buildings. I know that is a really modern look, but I love it! I stopped in a shop called The Works on my way down Burnwood. It kind of reminds me of a fancy version of Bed, Bath & Beyond back at home. It was
First Train Ride
I rode my first train today...boarded at Hawthorn station and got off at the Glenferrie Rd station...I was pretty proud of myself and excited too! fancy and expensive, but I really liked the bath towel I found in there- the softest thing I've ever felt...I might have to go back and buy one tomorrow! As I kept walking, I stumbled upon a really pretty park that we had passed on our way to campus on Thursday, so I decided that I would see what was going on there.
As I walked up closer to the park, I realized there was a real live footy game taking place! So, I found myself a spot on a little bench and began to watch the footy game! You all (my BU friends) think lacrosse is cool? Well, I have found my new favorite sport- footy totally tops lacrosse! Those wimps in lacrosse have pads and helmets on...these guys have nothing but their uniforms on and they are beating the living day lights out of each other! It's so intense! Well, after about 5 minutes of watching, I realize that the home team is the footy club team from my school! So, without even realizing I was supporting Swin- wow, it really just does come so naturally to me! I stayed there for about a half hour watching
Trees for mom
This picture is for my mom because she wanted to know what trees in Australian looked like...they look pretty much like American trees to me! the game as it was starting to get dark and needed to get moving back to campus. But, while at the game, I fell in love with a little boy named Benjamin. He was the cutest little thing on the earth. He was 4 and he has a plastic glove on his hand because he likes to protect himself from the germs (as he told me), but he only wears one on his right hand. He was adorable and told me to take that pic of him. He reminded me of Matthew with that hat and it being so big it hangs over his eyes. He was adorable. And yes, I can hear all of you now...my baby radar still works over here in Australia, have no fear!
As I was leaving the game, I saw the coolest poster yet in Australia! A picture of it is posted below. In the fine print of the poster, which you may not be able to read, it says on some day in August, everyone in the city of Melbourne gets to wear their PJs to work! How cool is that...it's city wide and city mandated?! Anyway....after I left the game and
Atrium
Okay, so this is the front of the entrance into the really cool place that I had in my first blog. I have since learned this place is called the Atrium...it's the spot between the library and the Business and Arts building. I am learning to love the architecture here and their use of glass. started walking back toward campus I stumbled upon the Hawthorn train station! So, I decided to do something even more exciting than this mini adventure ....I decided today would be the first day I road the train here in Melbourne! So, I looked at the map of the train systems, figured out what zone I needed a pass for and then bought my ticket. I waited for the 4:25 train on railway 2 to Belgrave and then road it to the Glenferrie Rd station! It was so much fun and I was proud of myself for doing it on my own without having the help of a local to figure out which zone I needed, what track I needed to get on, etc. It was pretty exciting and I feel much better now that I have a semi-understanding of the railway system here.
I got back to the apartment and was supposed to have a meeting at 5 o'clock but there must have been some mis-communication on Thursday because the meeting was at 2:30 not 5, so they just told the 3 of us (Gioge, Jason, and I....the two guys I met on Thursday in the bus ride from
Architecture
More really cool architecture. This is just some office building I saw on my walk down Burwood Ave, but I thought it looked really cool...as do all the buildings here. airport to campus) to come back for the Monday orientation at 5 pm. So, I came back up here and made myself first semi-American meal in Australia. I thought mom would be proud- I even made some veggies! So, I posted a picture!
Well, tomorrow, I think I may head down to the beach (more train riding!) to get the sand for my brother, Mark. That is the one thing he has requested from me and I would not want to let him down. I may even try to send it to him for his birthday, we'll see! If that doesn't work out, I may head over to Theresa's house for a while over in Glen Iris (another suburb of Melbourne) And then, they have Mass at 5 pm Sunday night at the church I found on Burnwood! Well, until later....good day, mates!
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Meghan
non-member comment
Footy?
What exactly is footy? Is it like rugby or. . . what?