The Great Lemon Massacre of 2012.

5.26.2012

Saturday.

Today I got up early and went into the city with Erica and Carly. On our way to the train station we saw a bunch of Lemons squashed and in the street. I don’t really know how that happened. But we deemed it the great lemon massacre of 2012.

Went to take a train to Circular Quay only to find that the city circle line had track work being done. So we took a train to central instead where we were able to catch a bus to Circular Quay. We walked around to a view point where you can see the Opera House and the Harbor Bridge in the same shot. It was very pretty. 

After that we walked to the rocks and got breakfast at a really cute café. I got a Spanish omelet and my roommates got much smaller, daintier breakfasts. But that’s okay.

 After that we went to the Rocks Markets and walked around there for a while. We walked back toward Circular Quay and popped into the Museum of Contemporary Art because it was free. We didn’t stay too long. Then we went to Starbucks and I bought a really cute travel mug that says Sydney on it. I’m pretty excited to use it.

We then went to the House of Commerce where we went with Kimberly earlier in the semester. We went to take pictures of the floor, because in the floor there is a model of the entire city of Sydney. I then wanted to take pictures of the ceiling so I had to lay on the floor to get a good shot. Worth it. 

Then I decided that I was going to go home. I went home and took a nap then got ready for church.

When I was going to church, I talked to Sven at the bus stop. Sven is from Germany. I met him a few weeks ago but I didn’t really talk to him all that much. So I got to know him a bit. Ran into Darren from Northern Ireland as well. I got to church and talked to Charlie and Sam who were greeting at the door. Scott Wilson was the speaker at church today.

The after party was a Brazilian BBQ at Leighton’s house. Leighton is one of the leaders who plans all the events. It was really fun. I talked to Charlie, Kenny, Darren, Sam and a guy from Singapore named Alvin. Alvin was really cool. He is going to school for engineering and wants to be a pilot. My friend James was so sweet at the end of the night. He asked me how I was getting home, and when I told him I would just catch a train, he said, “No, you’re coming with me,” and he was able to get us a lift.

We caught a lift from a guy named Marco. Marco is from South Africa. They dropped me off first. Apparently Leighton’s house is rather close to me. Well, it is on my bus route to school anyway. So I knew exactly how to direct Marco on how to get to my house. So that was exciting, to be able to give directions. Oh, and today was Marco’s Birthday. Happy Birthday Marco!

Me Time

5.25.2012

Friday.

Today we had Maori class. Maori is the name of the indigenous people who live on New Zealand. We are going there in a couple weeks. The lady who spoke to us was named Kiri Hata. She taught us about some of their value sets and she also taught us how to do the ceremonial greeting. Their greeting is called the Hongi- which I think literally means exchanging of breath. It is where you press noses with someone and “exchange breath”. We will have to do this when we visit the Maori people. 

After lunch we watched a movie called “Whale Rider” which is really really good! And I really recommend it! It is about a Maori family and community and it is just really good. Watch it okay?

After that I hung around school, posted pictures and blogs, then walked down to the bay that is just near school. There is a very pretty view of the city. 

I then caught a bus home. Megan, Lean and Lindsey were on that bus. At one point a guy swung like a monkey from the bars lining the top of the bus before he got off at his stop. None of us really knew what do to with that one. Ohh Public transportation.

I got home and I really just wanted to have a night in. I ate left over burritos, watched mastercheif and then popped in a DVD of Summer Heights High, a show I haven’t watched since one of the first weeks I was here!

I then watched New Zealand’s Next Top Model. It was actually kind of awkward. Everything was super rushed and very cut and dry. I guess in ANTM they just drag everything on so it was weird to have the whole episode wrap up so quickly.

The Dictator

5.24.2012

Thursday. Today I had class. I had to present the packaging that I have been working on. It went really well and I only have minor modifications I need to make for next week. I then printed my essay and turned that in. Then I went to drawing class.

After drawing class a group of us went out to the movies. We saw The Dictator. 

It was pretty crude and I don’t recommend it to all audiences. It’s from the guy who made Borat, so that should tell you something. That all being said, I thought that it was overall pretty funny.

After the movie Ella left and the rest of us walked to Star Bar to get food. Of course when we left the theater it was raining. And I didn’t have my rain jacket with me. So that was a bummer. But I still wanted to go out so I trudged on. We walked past Max Brenners. Casey wanted to stop in there so she could buy some chocolate. Finally we got to Starbar and we all got some dinner. I ate a veggieburger because it was the cheapest thing on the menu. We hung out inside for a while because we were avoiding the rain. Eventually we got ourselves to the train station where we caught the train and went home.

Birthdays and "Embarrassing Bodies"

5.23.2012

Wednesday. Today is Tam’s Birthday! A group of us went out to Brekky at this super cute café called Unwritten:

 I don't have any pictures of our group, I have to snag those from Tam. But I do have pictures of my Giant Chai:

  

And my killer Bacon and Eggs:

After that I headed to school to work on my paper. Then I had to break to go to the Gathering. Then I went back to working on my paper. And I finished it! Good thing, it’s due tomorrow. I think mocked up some design assignments for tomorrows class. That took forever…

Finally I went to go home, and found tons of ASC kids waiting for the bus. They were going to go to a chocolate café in Burwood. I just wanted to head home. We waited for the 492 for about an hour. We watched 8 504 buses go past. That was annoying. Finally a 492 came. And we were all very excited to finally be on a bus:

We got off at Westfield shopping cnetre and went to Coles. I bought a few things that I want to send home. Like Tim Tams and Cadbury chocolate.

I finally got home and ate burritos with Braedon. After that we watched Embarrassing Bodies, which is a terrifying show about people who have things that are abnormal about their bodies that they are seeking help for. Do not watch it. It will mess you up. And they show EVERYTHING. I am not kidding. 

EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

After that I went to bed and had horrifying nightmares that what I just saw was happening to me.

Max Brenner: Round II

5.22.2012

Tuesday

We didn’t have Kimberly’s class this morning. So I went into uni around 10. It was nice to sleep in a bit. I had class at 1, then Ad Design after that. After class, a group of us headed into the city to go to Max Brenners. This is the chocolate place that I went to earlier in the semester. But this time we went to the one by Broadway.

It was really fun hanging out and paying way too much for chocolate. We kind of made a scene by taking 29823749832 pictures. But that’s okay. Now I have pictures like this:

 And this:

To help me remember my friends:

 After we were done Richard and I walked to Central Train station. We parted ways and I hopped on a train and headed home.

Is This Really Australia?

5.21.2012

Monday. Today I had photo. Today, we did this thing called Polaroid transfers. It’s where you take a slide, expose the Polaroid film to it, then cut off the chemical part, and press it to a piece of cotton paper. Then you are able to roll the image on. It’s hard to describe, but it’s pretty cool. 

After that I had counseling. Then I went to the design lab and printed some assignments and got them mocked up. After that I headed home to get ready for connect group. Tonight we were having it at Maloney’s which is a pub we had been to before for one of the after parties at Hillsong. Anyway, it wouldn’t be connect group if I didn’t meet a bunch of new people. Connect group consisted of:

Sophia- half Scottish, half Malaysian, Andrew- From Singapore, Caroline- Pilipino but born in Australia, Eileen- Malaysian, Miller- From Hong Kong, Chris- Armenian, Lihn- Vietnamese- Australian, Julliane- Korean, Hong- Korean, Me-American

L to R Julliane, Me, Lihn, Chris, Miller, Eileen, Caroline, Andrew, Sophia, and Hong

After connect group, Hong and Julliane and I were walking toward the train station and then, they said, well the cark is parked over here. Apparently, they drove their moving van to connect group that night. They told me that they were driving me home. I was nervous, because they have been in Australia the same time that I have, and I know that I couldn’t drive here. But then I thought about it, and they have to drive around for a living here, moving furniture. Hong drove and he did very well. I made it home safe and sound. And I didn’t have to take a train!

Lazy Sunday

5.20.2012

Sunday.

Today, I was supposed to go with Carly into the city to get pictures of the opera house and the bridge early in the morning. But, I was tired from yesterday, and I had a lot of work to do. So I ended up sticking around the house and working on my assignments. I actually was able to get quite a bit done, so that was good. I was even able to get a few things done that aren’t do for a few weeks. Yaye for working ahead!

So unfortunately, this post is rather boring. Sorry.