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Published: November 3rd 2008
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Hey everyone,
Sorry i haven't updated in so long. There hasn't been that much exciting things going on up until recently.
I last left you guys just after Spring Break. Before i left for Spring Break i had incredible foresight and finished any assignments that were due after spring break. So happy i did that. I ended up needing a week to recover from Spring Break and not having to freak out over assignments was a huge plus.
Unfortunately, most of my friends here did not do that so the past few weeks i have been relaxing while they have been up till 2 in the am working on projects. Since everyone has been working, i have just been taking it easy. Hanging out at the beach a lot and just enjoying Oz.
Last week was the final week of classes. This week we have off to "study" for exams. When i went to my lectures, there were so many extra people. It was all of the students who never came to class but showed up the final day to get tips on the finals. All of the profs commented on how many new faces there were.
Just celebrated Halloween. The holiday is much different here. It is not nearly as popular here as it is in the states. The Student Guild (Student Senate, Student Government, whatever you want to call it) and the Uni set up a party for the night. I was hanging out with some German students before the party and a group of people came by "trick or treating". None of the Germans knew what was going on. Just kind of funny to see some of the differences btwn cultures.
Now i was going to dress up as Waldo, but my friend from home (maletich) stole me idea, and i was forced to come up with something else. Went shopping with friends and came upon a costume shop. I found an awesome brand x superman outfit complete with fake muscles. Only problem is the package said it was for ages 14. I'm not that big of a person so i figured worse-case i had to pull the arms and legs up; no big deal. I was wrong. The costume was a good two feet short. I ended up having to cut it in half just to fit me. I looked ridiculous, and of course loved it. So did everyone else. People kept running up to take pictures with me all night. The really drunk ones thought the fake muscles were actually mine.
Headed out to the Student Guild party and saw some awesome costumes. (i will upload pictures later, my internet is freaking out at the moment). Some of the better ones; a sperm inside a condom, a cow, phantom of the opera, several Jokers, The Mask, and some tribal warriors. There were also many people who didn't really understand the idea of halloween and just showed up in streets. Then there were the really lame people who knew that you were supposed to wear a costume but just put on a pair of devil horns and a red shirt. After the party we headed out to the bar via courtesy coach buses. Upon arrival at the bar, there were only a handfull of people wearing costumes. And by a handful, i mean maybe 12. I looked a little out of place.
Tomorrow is Melbourne Cup. Think Kentucky Derby for Aussies. Everyone is supposed to dress up fancy and head out to the racetrack. And then drink themselves to stupidity. I dont think i will be joining that group. Its getting incredibly hot here (low 90s), i sweat just relaxing in my room in shorts. I can't imagine what my suit would look like after a day in the sun.
Election day is almost upon us (well, more you than me since i already voted). I am still amazed by how many non-american people know whats going on in the election. I know the heads of only a few countries and my friends know the VPs running for an election.
I return to the states in just over 3 weeks. I am excited to come home but i know i am going to miss australia. My friends here keep trying to convince me to stay another semester. A lot of them are very confused when i tell them i will be graduating in May, at the age of 22. I have to explain that the norm in the states is to go to Uni right after high school, and it only takes 4-5 years to graduate. Other countries support taking a year off before heading to Uni.
finally played a game of rugby! granted it was on the beach and not tackle... but still i played. I had just finished playing beach soccer and a group of people playing needed one more player. I didn't tell them i had never played before. Fortunately, i have watched enough rugby on tv to understand the basics. I didn't look like a complete fool, close though.
while i am happy that i cannot watch the lions officially be the worst team in the NFL as of right now, and i am sad i am unable to watch the spartans. lets go green!
Random stuff...
all of my textbooks have American facts and figures.
aussies dont call the last letter of the alphabet "z", they call it "zed"
while cooking kangaroo meat outside one day, several kangaroos were nearby. felt kind of bad when i was eating.
thanks for reading,
malcolm
malcolmcamp@gmail.com
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