New sayings that I now hear all the time are "how ya going?" (as opposed to how's it going), "chilled out," and "cheers."
"Sweet as" = awesome. Apparently “as” can be preceded by some other adjectives as well, like dumb as, slick as, etc. But nothing comes after the as. That's the part I don't get. Sweet as what? Dumb as what?
Some more about "no worries": Aussies say it all the time. I thought it was typically used as "you're welcome," but I have come to learn that it can be used in a load of ways, such as:
"I'm going to the beach" "No worries"
"See ya later" "No worries"
"Would you like a receipt?" "No worries"
Some new fun words:
Dodgy = sketchy (love this word, makes me think of our Mediterranean cruise because our Scottish friends said it)
Chuffed = happy
Rubber = eraser
Forgot to mention these pronunciations before:
Kiama is pronounced Ky-ah-ma.
Bondi beach is Bondai.
I've been saying Wollongong wrong. Its woolen-gong.
The people who talk in lectures are just called lecturers, not professors. (So I have no idea how to begin an email)
I have lost more socks doing laundry here in a month than I've lost in 3 years at Lehigh.
They don't have Netflix. This would be a big deal if I lived here. But not much of an issue for 4 months because there are better things to do.
I'm a big fan of the attire. It's wonderful. Whatever you want to wear is perfectly acceptable. Girls wear such a wide variety of styles, so basically anything goes. Girls don't really wear heels out (woo no heels). Some people dress up to go out but other people wear "thongs" (I have a hard time thinking of flip flops that way) and jean shorts, which is normal too. (Compared to home where you gotta wear a skirt/dress and high heels).
I really apologize for my lack of tense consistency but just roll with me. I've been writing some stuff down as I go along and then adding other stuff in afterwards so it gets all mixed up.
Surf Camp Australia Orientation Trip! (March 20-22)
It was pouring rain (of course) and chilly while we waited for the bus at 9pm on Friday. And the weather was supposed to be cold (high 60s-low 70's), cloudy and rainy all weekend. I was so excited to go surfing though. Finally. I've been waiting for this for 4 years.
It was about a 45 minute ride down the coast to Gerroa, where we will be surfing at Seven Mile Beach. We stayed at this somewhat dodgy trailer park-ish place, but had a cool little surfer-dude camp area. Went right to sleep because we had to be up early for surfing tomorrow.
Up early Saturday morning, and to our first lesson. It was cold and drizzling. And the instructors, Jose and Pascal, said that everything about the conditions were bad; wind direction, tide and waves. Awesome. And I was a little disappointed because they said to only go waist deep in the water. So we had to stand where the waves were breaking and get pounded. It was exhausting. Most of the first lesson was just learning technique, and then went into the water for a bit. Had lunch, and met some French friends! They were really nice and I learned how to play asshole. (New card game to bring back home!) Second surfing session was just as cold, but the waves were breaking farther out so you could catch a wave for more than 2 seconds. I stood up a few times, which was fun but I was still a little disappointed. And tired. Standing in breaking waves all day is exhausting, and makes your feet hurt. Had a yummy BBQ dinner, and played French-rules 'Kings', that was funny. At 10 there is a no-noise rule, so the instructors rounded everyone up and we went to the local bar. Except it wasn't really a bar, it was a "fisherman's club" with families and old people and a little band. (It reminded me of somewhere you'd see in Maryland, kind of like the Granary, for anyone that's experienced that with us.) But everyone was having a blast, there was a giant conga line, and limbo.
Had one lesson Sunday, and a couple people were going out farther past the breaking waves with the instructors. I kind of wanted to, but the waves were really big out there… Then I stood in the breaking waves some more and got tired of that so I was like alright yolo I'm going out. Best decision I made all weekend. First of all, paddling out on the board is so much fun. Way better than standing in the waves holding it by your side. Second of all, I absolutely love paddling over the top of a wave that's just about to break. I went out and sat (finally a chance to relax) and talked with a girl named Josie from my group. I am so glad I followed her out because otherwise I would have been disappointed with my long-anticipated surfing experience. The first wave I got was so sick, I stood up all the way in and didn't spaz out or fall. It was so exhilarating and so much fun I cannot even explain the feeling. (Almost like the feeling of winning a race in crew, only you're not winning, you're just really happy and like damn that was amazing.) When we went back in to the beach, Pascal called Josie and I over and said he was really proud of us and that it makes him so happy as an instructor to see people go out and have fun and kill it like that. (Aww)
Arthur and Lucie, two of my new friends, already bought surfboards. I must buy one. I need to go surfing again.
Monday March 23
Finishing school at 1:30 is awesome. Went to the beach with Erica but it was so windy, sand was blowing everywhere and was really painful. So I was going to go for a run, but I procrastinated and did nothing which was really stupid because I could've been productive and been able to do something fun tonight. In any case, I still went and played cards with my French friends for an hour. I wish I knew another language.
Wednesday March 24
Brian is one of my best friends here but he drives me nuts. I think he is the most indecisive person I have ever met. We were planning to go to Fiji for study break in June, but he has changed his mind so many times or wanted to go other places instead, or just not go, so I keep being mad at him for ditching me. Now he wants to go to Bali instead. Which I would do because I also want to go to Bali, but now I don't know when I will have time for Fiji! First world problems…
Remember when I said Australia doesn't have Netflix? Apparently we got it on Monday.
Had an enjoyable evening not doing homework with Dave, Alana and Brian. Alana and Brian (and Cara) were in Melbourne for a long weekend, so it feels like I haven't seen them in forever! As per usual, went to the Grand for uni night. And then to the beach after! I love being able to do that. I should really start going to the beach in the morning again… but that requires waking up early.
Thursday March 25
I finished my antibiotics on Tuesday, so right on schedule, I'm sick again. Typical Allie.
<Somewhat irrelevant sidenote> Today, it was announced that Zayn would be leaving One Direction. (He was my future husband). I know no one cares, but it's just sad… for me…and all the silly little tween girls who posted videos of themselves crying about it to social media…. to think back to the 5 happy boys they were when they first started out and when Katie and I met them years ago.
Friday March 26
Beach for a bit with Dave and Brian….and got thrown in the water because I didn't want to go in since it's cold now.
Went to the doctor and got more antibiotics! And then waited 35 minutes for a bus that is supposed to come every 10 minutes… I don't think I've mentioned this yet but there is a free bus that goes all around Wollongong and to Campus East and Uni. It is very convenient for those of us without cars. However, the bus is rarely on schedule and sometimes has these huge random gaps that can be severely detrimental to arriving places on time.
I allowed myself to watch Netflix because I'm sick. It is very unfortunate though because I have to have my computer plugged in to get internet, and the ethernet cable isn't long enough to reach my bed so I had to lay half falling out of bed with my leg sticking out to watch it.
Saturday March 27
All of my friends went surfing, and I sadly stayed back to do homework because I want to get better. However, instead of doing homework, I spent the day making sure Brian didn't die and then going to the hospital with him, because he accidentally ate some peanut kebabs and is deathly allergic to peanuts.
Today was Election Day. You get fined if you don't vote. We should start doing that so people actually vote.
Sunday March 28
I had my own personal live stream of Hanna and Ben's pinning (its a frat thing) back at Lehigh (Thanks An!). And I got to say hi to a bunch of friends who were all there too (and some who weren't). Miss them.
Spent much of the rest of the day trying to figure out my Lehigh classes (which always stresses me out and takes way longer than it should). It was even more stressful in Australia when my professors, advisor and friends (and mother) are asleep when I'm trying to figure stuff out a week in advance (since I will be in New Zealand without internet for registration). I'm still waiting for my mom to wake up and tell me what to do. (I thought I'd be a real person by 21…I'm not.)
Moving on. I've got my 3 days of class this week, all my homework I didn't do this weekend, and then I'm leaving for New Zealand on Thursday morning!!! Brian, Cara, Melissa and Eli are all going too. We're doing a "spring break" trip with a company called Extreme Adventures, so it should be pretty fun. We still call it spring break even though its fall here because 'Murica.
Thanks for reading my blog! I'll tell you all about my adventures in New Zealand when I return! Oh, and I won't have cell phone service or internet while I'm there…looking forward to that! Its nice to get away from technology for a bit. :)
"Sweet as" = awesome. Apparently “as” can be preceded by some other adjectives as well, like dumb as, slick as, etc. But nothing comes after the as. That's the part I don't get. Sweet as what? Dumb as what?
Some more about "no worries": Aussies say it all the time. I thought it was typically used as "you're welcome," but I have come to learn that it can be used in a load of ways, such as:
"I'm going to the beach" "No worries"
"See ya later" "No worries"
"Would you like a receipt?" "No worries"
Some new fun words:
Dodgy = sketchy (love this word, makes me think of our Mediterranean cruise because our Scottish friends said it)
Chuffed = happy
Rubber = eraser
Forgot to mention these pronunciations before:
Kiama is pronounced Ky-ah-ma.
Bondi beach is Bondai.
I've been saying Wollongong wrong. Its woolen-gong.
The people who talk in lectures are just called lecturers, not professors. (So I have no idea how to begin an email)
I have lost more socks doing laundry here in a month than I've lost in 3 years at Lehigh.
They don't have Netflix. This would be a big deal if I lived here. But not much of an issue for 4 months because there are better things to do.
I'm a big fan of the attire. It's wonderful. Whatever you want to wear is perfectly acceptable. Girls wear such a wide variety of styles, so basically anything goes. Girls don't really wear heels out (woo no heels). Some people dress up to go out but other people wear "thongs" (I have a hard time thinking of flip flops that way) and jean shorts, which is normal too. (Compared to home where you gotta wear a skirt/dress and high heels).
I really apologize for my lack of tense consistency but just roll with me. I've been writing some stuff down as I go along and then adding other stuff in afterwards so it gets all mixed up.
Surf Camp Australia Orientation Trip! (March 20-22)
It was pouring rain (of course) and chilly while we waited for the bus at 9pm on Friday. And the weather was supposed to be cold (high 60s-low 70's), cloudy and rainy all weekend. I was so excited to go surfing though. Finally. I've been waiting for this for 4 years.
It was about a 45 minute ride down the coast to Gerroa, where we will be surfing at Seven Mile Beach. We stayed at this somewhat dodgy trailer park-ish place, but had a cool little surfer-dude camp area. Went right to sleep because we had to be up early for surfing tomorrow.
Up early Saturday morning, and to our first lesson. It was cold and drizzling. And the instructors, Jose and Pascal, said that everything about the conditions were bad; wind direction, tide and waves. Awesome. And I was a little disappointed because they said to only go waist deep in the water. So we had to stand where the waves were breaking and get pounded. It was exhausting. Most of the first lesson was just learning technique, and then went into the water for a bit. Had lunch, and met some French friends! They were really nice and I learned how to play asshole. (New card game to bring back home!) Second surfing session was just as cold, but the waves were breaking farther out so you could catch a wave for more than 2 seconds. I stood up a few times, which was fun but I was still a little disappointed. And tired. Standing in breaking waves all day is exhausting, and makes your feet hurt. Had a yummy BBQ dinner, and played French-rules 'Kings', that was funny. At 10 there is a no-noise rule, so the instructors rounded everyone up and we went to the local bar. Except it wasn't really a bar, it was a "fisherman's club" with families and old people and a little band. (It reminded me of somewhere you'd see in Maryland, kind of like the Granary, for anyone that's experienced that with us.) But everyone was having a blast, there was a giant conga line, and limbo.
Had one lesson Sunday, and a couple people were going out farther past the breaking waves with the instructors. I kind of wanted to, but the waves were really big out there… Then I stood in the breaking waves some more and got tired of that so I was like alright yolo I'm going out. Best decision I made all weekend. First of all, paddling out on the board is so much fun. Way better than standing in the waves holding it by your side. Second of all, I absolutely love paddling over the top of a wave that's just about to break. I went out and sat (finally a chance to relax) and talked with a girl named Josie from my group. I am so glad I followed her out because otherwise I would have been disappointed with my long-anticipated surfing experience. The first wave I got was so sick, I stood up all the way in and didn't spaz out or fall. It was so exhilarating and so much fun I cannot even explain the feeling. (Almost like the feeling of winning a race in crew, only you're not winning, you're just really happy and like damn that was amazing.) When we went back in to the beach, Pascal called Josie and I over and said he was really proud of us and that it makes him so happy as an instructor to see people go out and have fun and kill it like that. (Aww)
Arthur and Lucie, two of my new friends, already bought surfboards. I must buy one. I need to go surfing again.
Monday March 23
Finishing school at 1:30 is awesome. Went to the beach with Erica but it was so windy, sand was blowing everywhere and was really painful. So I was going to go for a run, but I procrastinated and did nothing which was really stupid because I could've been productive and been able to do something fun tonight. In any case, I still went and played cards with my French friends for an hour. I wish I knew another language.
Wednesday March 24
Brian is one of my best friends here but he drives me nuts. I think he is the most indecisive person I have ever met. We were planning to go to Fiji for study break in June, but he has changed his mind so many times or wanted to go other places instead, or just not go, so I keep being mad at him for ditching me. Now he wants to go to Bali instead. Which I would do because I also want to go to Bali, but now I don't know when I will have time for Fiji! First world problems…
Remember when I said Australia doesn't have Netflix? Apparently we got it on Monday.
Had an enjoyable evening not doing homework with Dave, Alana and Brian. Alana and Brian (and Cara) were in Melbourne for a long weekend, so it feels like I haven't seen them in forever! As per usual, went to the Grand for uni night. And then to the beach after! I love being able to do that. I should really start going to the beach in the morning again… but that requires waking up early.
Thursday March 25
I finished my antibiotics on Tuesday, so right on schedule, I'm sick again. Typical Allie.
<Somewhat irrelevant sidenote> Today, it was announced that Zayn would be leaving One Direction. (He was my future husband). I know no one cares, but it's just sad… for me…and all the silly little tween girls who posted videos of themselves crying about it to social media…. to think back to the 5 happy boys they were when they first started out and when Katie and I met them years ago.
Friday March 26
Beach for a bit with Dave and Brian….and got thrown in the water because I didn't want to go in since it's cold now.
Went to the doctor and got more antibiotics! And then waited 35 minutes for a bus that is supposed to come every 10 minutes… I don't think I've mentioned this yet but there is a free bus that goes all around Wollongong and to Campus East and Uni. It is very convenient for those of us without cars. However, the bus is rarely on schedule and sometimes has these huge random gaps that can be severely detrimental to arriving places on time.
I allowed myself to watch Netflix because I'm sick. It is very unfortunate though because I have to have my computer plugged in to get internet, and the ethernet cable isn't long enough to reach my bed so I had to lay half falling out of bed with my leg sticking out to watch it.
Saturday March 27
All of my friends went surfing, and I sadly stayed back to do homework because I want to get better. However, instead of doing homework, I spent the day making sure Brian didn't die and then going to the hospital with him, because he accidentally ate some peanut kebabs and is deathly allergic to peanuts.
Today was Election Day. You get fined if you don't vote. We should start doing that so people actually vote.
Sunday March 28
I had my own personal live stream of Hanna and Ben's pinning (its a frat thing) back at Lehigh (Thanks An!). And I got to say hi to a bunch of friends who were all there too (and some who weren't). Miss them.
Spent much of the rest of the day trying to figure out my Lehigh classes (which always stresses me out and takes way longer than it should). It was even more stressful in Australia when my professors, advisor and friends (and mother) are asleep when I'm trying to figure stuff out a week in advance (since I will be in New Zealand without internet for registration). I'm still waiting for my mom to wake up and tell me what to do. (I thought I'd be a real person by 21…I'm not.)
Moving on. I've got my 3 days of class this week, all my homework I didn't do this weekend, and then I'm leaving for New Zealand on Thursday morning!!! Brian, Cara, Melissa and Eli are all going too. We're doing a "spring break" trip with a company called Extreme Adventures, so it should be pretty fun. We still call it spring break even though its fall here because 'Murica.
Thanks for reading my blog! I'll tell you all about my adventures in New Zealand when I return! Oh, and I won't have cell phone service or internet while I'm there…looking forward to that! Its nice to get away from technology for a bit. :)