Hip deep

Classes began a few days after I wrote last, explaining the gap between then and now. A few days after that walk, I ran the Sutherland to Surf, an 11km fun-run. 2 weeks later I ran the City2Surf, Sydney's (indeed, the WORLD'S biggest fun run with 80,000 participants). I learned a few things from these races:
1) Capilene, Patagonia's synthetic thermals, are way too warm to run anything over 25 minutes in.
2) Training makes races easier. The inverse is also true.
3) Plastic cups at drink stations are messy and slip hazards.
4) In Australia, kilometres are measured subjectively: they can be any distance between 1/4 to 2 times the actual length they are meant to measure.

With so many lessons learned, I'm totally ready to kick some ass on my next go. I think I might sign up for a 10k that runs around the Olympic park. I reckon that would be kind of cool, plus a bunch of folks from my program are doing it too :)

School has been pretty good- I'm really enjoying my readings, especially for economics. This is shocking considering how much I dreaded class when I took micro and macro back in sophomore year. I think what's interesting about this class is that we're discussing the tricky, sticky political and social issues as well. It's also a bit depressing when I come out of class all excited about the possibility of learning to live within our ecosystemic means, then see some drunk girl on the train with no pants on. True story.

Coast Track

Hello!

We DID go hiking! It was good to go backpacking since I haven't been for ages. I enjoy the simplicity of it the most. What to do? Walk. Look at the birdies. Feel the sunshine (or rain). Plead with the whales to breach. Eat Vegemite sandwiches. Laugh at Tom for dropping tuna in his coffee. Ah, fantastic!

We plodded along what is known as the Coast Walk, spanning the sea cliffs, beaches, littoral rainforest and heath scrub between Bundeena and Otford. The track runs through the Royal National Park, Australia's oldest national park. It's actually the 2nd oldest park in the world after Yellowstone.

There's more pictures up on Facebook, but a few to tantalize you here:

This is just proof that I don't work too hard ALL the time. Also, I'm rubbing in the fact that this is mid-winter.

Gearing

APOLOGIES once again for being such a slacker. Truth be told, I'm not a slacker, just really busy. I always feel like nothing I do is worth writing about since the majority of what I do is uni and work. Still, there are those brief glimpses of memorable goodness every now and again.

Since I last wrote, semester one has ended, finals have come and gone, and semester two has started. I didn't really get a break- I actually missed a few hours of one of my intensive classes in order to sit a final exam from the previous semester! It was fun-filled, studying for two finals whilst reading for short courses after sitting in class from 9 to 5! It's over now, so that's good. Now I've just got two assignments to put together (make that 1.5, I'm about halfway through one of them!) and I'm golden. Between uni and working it's never really geared down. The good news is there isn't much revving-up I need to do to transition into semester two. Is that little bit of optimism too much of a reach?

And because I'm made of steel, I still managed to do some fun stuff on that sweetened-by-scarcity occasional day off. I went out to Mount Piddington with Tom and a friend of his. They did a lot of leading stuff which I'm not good enough for yet, but after they established an anchor I had a go and it was loads of fun. Somehow I felt a little bit better at climbing, even though I hadn't been for ages. Maybe it was the yellow sun breathing life back into withered, over-academed shell.

I went out to a Japanese restaurant with Tom one night, too. Japanese food is so delicious, but doesn't even come close to how good it is in Japan. It sort of made me miss all the good parts of living in Murakami. It's amazing how easily I remember the good parts and forget that not-so-great- like freezing in my apartment, having nothing to do at work, and so on. I guess it's a good thing that I have to work harder to remember the negative things.

Tom and I also ventured out to Moss Vale to celebrate his mom's 60th. The whole clan was there, including some relatives I've never met from Canberra. I still didn't really meet them as it was a bit crazy with kids and food and various sports balls banging into windows. It was crazy but it was fun, and I definitely felt more drained from 2 days of family life than 2 weeks of uni! On the down side, I picked up a lung-busting cold which I'm still not over. I'm thinking 3 weeks of stress followed by 2 days of intense exposure to germ-bombs (aka small children) isn't the best thing to do to one's immune system. PLUS I feel guilty for giving it to everyone else in the house. :(

So here I am, desperately seeking asylum from my assignments and marvelling at my body's attempt to replicate a rainbow with phlegm. It's not all dark and dreary though! Tomorrow I'm going for a walk in the woods, which always makes things better. WOOT! Maybe I'll even take some pictures!

Rainbows!

It's been raining more than usual in Sydney lately. We keep getting hammered by one front or another, right after one another, so that it seems like it's been raining for weeks now. I brought a little piece of Japan with me! The good news is that next week it's supposed to fine up... but the bad news is that I'll be hammering away at my last assignment and preparation for 2 final exams. Go figure!

Since I last wrote, the semester has started to wrap itself up. I've mainly concentrated on getting assignments finished and submitted, and so far I'm pleased with my results. I've been going to some networking and seminar events to scope things out and practice that sort of stuff, but it's really intimidating. I'm actually really glad I did sorority stuff because it's similar in a lot of ways- putting yourself out there is really scary at first, but it gets easier. I went to a consulting one the other day and their environmental guy pretty much lacked a soul. I don't know if I want to sign up for that. This whole job thing is really stressing me out. I get all panicky and shut off thinking about it so that I don't get all upset, and then I'm back at square one. I don't think I'm doing this right.

Other than worrying about a job and kicking ass (getting an ass-kicking?) at uni, life's pretty good! Tom and I signed up for 2 road races- the 11km/6.875 mi Sutherland to Surf, and the 14km/8.75 mi City to Surf (including the infamous Heartbreak Hill). I'm really excited and have some motivation to run even when I don't really feel like it.

My birthday was last week and everybody was really sweet to me. Warm fuzzies galore! Tom took me out to dinner, then we walked around and took in the Vision lights festival, where they project images and patterns onto some of the landmarks of Sydney, including the Opera House. It was really pretty! Afterwards we got ice cream at the Circular Quay. Aww. I also got lots of cards in the mail which made me feel loved. Eee! :)

Until next time...

Week 11

Week 11 of the semester! We have one more week of classes left, then final exams. I have 3 assignments due on the 24th, one of which I'm totally not ready for (that's GIS), and another due 3 days after. It's been a bit stressful but I managed to space things out properly so I'm not freaking out. At the same time, I HAVE gone into uni nearly every day of the week for the past 2 weeks, and next week is more of the same.

I have to choose my classes for next semester on Monday. I'm a bit unsure because 3 out of 4 of my classes will be short courses, i.e. we meet intensively (9-5) for a period of 1.5-2 weeks, with marks typically being determined by 1 group project and 1wonking huge essay. The assignments are typically due a couple of months after the seminars, which means the class emphasis is more like real-life learning situations. I kind of like it because there's a lot more emphasis on independence and following your own interests along the theme of the course. I also like it because of the comraderie that builds up between a bunch of confused and panicky people as assignments come due. The one drawback is the enormous amount of self-discipline it takes to keep chipping away at something when nobody's even reminding you to do it by their presence once a week. Also, having one bad day (eg being sick or tired) can really impact the rest of the course.

And to stop talking about school, I got a bike! It's a road bike so it takes some getting used to, but I love it! It's so fast and sleek. It's blue. It needs a name. I think on Monday I'll take it to uni, which is a little scary because biking in a city is hard. Then again, so is chemistry and rock climbing and running up sandy hills, but I do all those things okay!

I saw this kayaker going down the river this morning and it made me wnat to go out and do cool stuff. I can't wait to get my weekends back!

Break!

It's already Saturday! Wah, where did my break go?!

My field trip was pretty crazy! It was basically walking transects through the bushland on UNSW's field site in Cowan. It was really pretty because there were cliffs and scenic river lookouts. This was especially true early in the morning as the mist was lifting over the river. 6 hours of bush-bashing later, it was just hot and itchy. Australian scrub is full of aromatic compounds and prickly bits, which makes sense considering how hard plants have to work around here during dry times. It makes it difficult to walk through, though. The trip was still loads of fun, though! I enjoy being outside, regardless of how many plants decide they want a piece of me. Also, when I got back to Central Station, I found the world's most sickly-sweet, chocolatey milkshake EVER. And it was delicious.

After my field trip I had that short course in law on top of my normal load. That was a fun week! I barely remember any of it, except being pretty impressed that so many environmental laws are in place. What's even more impressive is how much wiggle-room is left in the laws by the language they use. My favorite is, "The minister must consider the principles of sustainability when approving...". 'Consider' = what? I can just picture some guy in a suit looking at a development proposal and saying, "Hmm, I have to consider what this will do to the environment. I reckon it'll screw it up pretty bad. Sweet, now I can check off that I've considered the impacts!". The sad part is it happens all the time.

After that it was Easter break! On Good Friday, Tom's sisters and their families came over and we had a delayed birthday party for Tom's nephew. It was hilarious how much cake ended up on faces instead of in tummies. It was also amazing how much chocolate found itself in my hands... I'm actually sick of it!

The next day (I think?) Tom and I scored a spot on a hot air balloon ride. It was SO quiet (except for the burners, which sounded like dull explosions), and despite being 4000 feet up in the air with no sort of restraining device, it was really calming and peaceful.

Later that day we went to the Easter Show, which is a bit like a State Fair. They have something called a Dagwood Dog, which is, as far as I can tell, a more disgusting version of a corn dog. It might just be a corn dog straight up, but the dough looks a little more deep-fried. There were all sorts of alpacas, sheep, horses, goats, cows, pigs, chickens, and geese to gander at too. I think my favorite part of fairs is all the funky chickens.

ALSO, Australians have this tradition of something called a Show Bag. It's basically a plastic bag full of useless crap that you can buy cheaper somewhere else. The showbags are all themed, so you can find one for anyone. I was taken with the candy themes, and also with the Wall-E ones. There were ones for car afficionados, girly mags, surfing, make-up, you name it! I was impressed, but not impressed enough to be duped. The whole carnival atmosphere is something you only need to see once every 5 years or so. It's refreshing, it's exciting, but it's also way over the top.

The rest of the week was a mish-mash of working, studying, going for walks, and relaxing. Tom took me down to Bundeena, which involves a ferry-ride, to walk part of the Coast Walk. It's so pretty! For some reason, watching waves break along cliffs is just hypnotizing. Most of the waves break on rocks strewn out a bit further. We saw a cormorant get caught inside and then look really indignant about it once he came back up. I also spotted a bearded dragon that was really gray, perfectly matching the more sandy soil he dwelt upon. So cool!!

Last night I met a bunch of Tom's friends at a really good Mexican restaurant. I'm so excited to find tasty Mexican food here! It's better than El Agave! Mmm. Tonight I'm going to an AFL game, tomorrow I've got work, and tomorrow night I'm going climbing. Monday classes start up again! Assignments will once again be all I have to talk about :(

Week 4

Has it really been 3 weeks since I wrote last? It seems like time is doing a crazy warp-dance. That's what happens when I get too busy, I start bustin' out the moves.

Lately though, I've just been bustin' out the papers! I had my first assignment due this week and I've got another due this coming Thursday. Also I have a field trip tomorrow through Sunday night, then an intensive class from 9-5 from Monday through Thursday next week. I also have my normal classes from 6-9 after my intensive class. Did I mention that intensive class is in law? Any subject that TV has turned into a soap/drama/comedy (to some people they're all the same) is a subject I don't want to study. If I take this law class, will I turn into the Good Wife? If I had studied medicine, would I have to be a hussy like Meredith Grey? If I studied forensics... ew, I'd never study forensics. I can't even handle an overripe cantaloupe, let alone a bloated stiff. ANYWAY, I'm going to be one sad little pile of goo by the time Good Friday rolls around. Come to think of it, Good Friday won't begin to do April 2nd any justice whatsoever. No, I think FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC Friday is more appropriate. Surviving next week might be the most challenging thing I've done in quite a while. Yes, that includes the "Let's Try!" 44km trudge. I think it even tops doing taxes.

You know what else will be great about next week being over? How much chocolate is going to be on sale after Easter! YES!! It's a bit different the way Easter works here- everyone buys everyone else a big chocolate Easter Egg. I think the Easter Egg replaces the Easter basket. They still do egg hunts though. Interesting. They have those express-tickets-to-diabetes, also known as Cadbury Creme Eggs, here as well. Excellent.

So, tomorrow is a big day- I'm heading up to Cowan for a GIS field trip. We're taking readings that feed into our final project, so it's pretty important that I show up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I'll try and take some photos and things, but we'll see how it goes.

Assuming I survive next week, talk to you later!!

Week 1

The first week of classes has whooshed by and I have so far managed to be somewhat on top of things. YES!

I'll spare you a shake-down on my classes, but rest assured there's loads of readings. One of the shockers is how much more independent this level of study is than undergrad- in one way it's nice because I don't have to do piles of work on things I already understand, but on the flipside I spend a lot of time explaining things I don't instantly grasp to myself. There are also many, many more things that fall into the WTF category.

In addition to that, the classes I'm in are, with the exception of one, completely new territory. The class that is familiar is now being framed in terms of issues and perspectives I've never really thought twice about, so that's a bit of a mind-warp as well. I don't think I've bitten off more than I can chew, but I definitely have my work cut out for me.

Logistics are smoothing themselves out as well, and I've even learned which coffee shops are crap and which sushi stands are best left untouched. I even found a place that sells 山菜おにぎりー　やった！　(mountain vegetable rice balls- hooray!) Ah, the power of food... some things will never change.

Settling In

This past week or so I've been getting all the boring, official stuff sorted out for university, employment, my visa, my bank, and the like. It's all very complicated, but not nearly as complicated as it was in Japan or even the United States. That's a good thing, as I've also been very busy walking around and enjoying the weather and the sights.

It's O-Week, or orientation, at UNSW this week. There's lots of seminars on how to take notes effectively, not get kicked out of university, and attempt to maintain mental health, plus lots of idiot freshmen doing what they do best. I'm not sure how, but the way high school works out in Australia leaves many freshmen at university at the tender age of 17. In the US, most freshmen are 18, and that extra year does seem to make quite a difference.

My favorite seminars are the ones where they give you a few scraps of information, then advertise for the student union the rest of the time. I'm not convinced free toga parties are worth the price of membership. Then again, I would get some coupons for MacDonald's... as they say, life is full of tough choices.

Actual classes start next week, and I'm lined up to start a job the week after that. As far as adventures- I'm going rock climbing tomorrow! Hurray! Climbing last time was pretty good, and so was hiking. We saw quite a few nifty critters, only one of which could have killed us, which is a pretty favorable ratio. I saw an owl in broad daylight, too. I reckon they could do some damage if they wanted to. Did you know that owls' ears are asymmetrical? It helps them locate the origin of sounds better.

Skip Into Summer

I survived my flight! In fact, I almost thrived. Thanks to the goodness that is Advil PM I slept roughly 10 hours on my trans-Pacific flight. Upon waking, if you can call it that, I was zoned out enough that the remaining 4-odd hours slipped by without much discomfort.

Upon arrival the heat and humidity hit me, but I was so happy to be away from snow and cold that I gratefully let it envelop me. I made my way through immigration, baggage claim and customs, but not without a few hitches- first, a sniffer dog named Andy came and sat by my bag, which red-flagged me for getting inspected by a customs officer. Customs in Australia is very strict as there is a big risk of introducing a pest species on plant or animal materials, or even sporting goods. Anyway, I ate some fruit and vegetables that I had brought from home in San Francisco, but Andy the sniffer dog was convinced I still had them in my bag. Bummer. Good thing Andy was cute or I would have been more annoyed at having to wait so long in the inspection line.

Then I got out of the airport, Tom picked me up, and we had a great day at the beach and wandering through the woods to a waterfall. The beach was so pretty- the sky was a perfect shade of blue, there were big fluffy white clouds, the sun was shining, it was hot, and the water was refreshingly brisk. Ah! So nice!

But it's not all warm fuzzies- I got a leech! I didn't even notice until we got back to Tom's house, and by then it was all engorged with my blood. Tom put some salt on the sucker and the it dropped off, but the bleeding lasted forever! Good thing there's anaesthetic mixed in with that anticoagulant... Despite the ickiness of having something small, worm-like and slimy sucking blood out of me, I still thought it was pretty cool. I think my nerdiness has reached a new level.

Tomorrow we're heading out to the Blue Mountains for some more hiking and swimming, and maybe a bit of climbing, too. I'm stoked! After that I'll have to sort out all the things I have to do for uni, so I'm taking this chance to enjoy myself before the grind starts.

And as far as jet lag... so far, so good! I feel sleepy, but I think I'll make it until bedtime tonight. Thanks again, Advil PM!

Snowflakes

Here in my corner of Virginia we received about 20-24 inches of snow. In my house, we've spent most of our time reading, digging out, and drying our socks. We didn't have power for the first half of the day on Saturday, and I'm so glad it wasn't much longer. We have propane heating and a gas stove, but our water pump is electric. One doesn't really appreciate running water until it's been cut off, even if only for a few hours. I sound like such a wimp, but it's true.

At Dulles airport, limited commercial and international flights were going through during the storm, and some traffic was going through today. My airline gave travelers leaving on the dates Feb 3-9 the option to change their flight date for free. I wonder if they'll extend those dates further when the next snowstorm hits us on Tuesday. I've heard predictions for 6 or more inches of snow. I really, really hope I can leave on time... and that I don't get stuck anywhere en route.

Fueling

Oh my goodness, it seems like time has flown by- here I am, approximately 1 week before departure!

Everything came together pretty miraculously about a week or two ago- I got my visa shortly after my medical forms (finally) were completed. Basically all the things that were out of my control came through, which is immensely relieving. Now I just have to hope there isn't a blizzard that keeps my plane from leaving, and then I'll be good to go.

I had my last day at the bookstore today! It was kind of sad, but also a good feeling. I think working in retail is something everyone should do at least once. Maybe people would be more pleasant to each other if they had walked that road before. Or maybe people would remember the crummy parts and insist on spreading their misery? I don't know. I suppose that's a question sort of like the half-full/half-empty glass.

It's been pretty miserable weather lately. We got something like 6 inches of snow on Saturday, and now we're expecting 3-6 more. By the weekend, another storm will hit and take a big, white dump on us for 2-3 days. I'm not excited. I was over snow about 13 months ago. I hate to be a Scrooge about winter, and I do think that snow has a redeeming purity and prettiness, but mostly I just hate being wet, cold, and stuck inside. I also don't like the retarded drivers! It's a little bit terrifying to be behind the wheel and watch people spinning through intersections, fishtailing off the road, and treating their minivans like unimogs. No thank you.