July 4, 2008

Happy Independence Day!!! Today we were suppose to go the rocks for a fieldtrip with our history professor but it was raining really bad so we didn’t get to go. Instead we are going to do it during world youth week because our campus is going to be overrun with Pope and all of his people. So we went to the campus instead and watched Ned Kelley. But before we left for campus we had time to come upstairs and there was a building on fire! I could only see the smoke but it was crazy. Now I have already seen this movie and read a story about Ned Kelley and so needless to say by the end of the movie I fell asleep during the last half hour. Today was also the day we went to the symphony. It was a piece by Mahler and it was really good. We were sitting right behind the orchestra so it was really cool. The conductor was this jolly looking man and he was getting so into it. It was neat to see how he directs the orchestra because I could never understand who he actually wanted to play. And the Opera was really cool. The things they had set up for better sound were really cool. They are the circle looking things in the picture. After the symphony we went to a club called Retro because they were having a 4^th of July party. We could get in for free if we showed our U.S. identification. It was really cool there because on one floor they had 90’s music and the next floor it was 80’s music and on the third floor is usually 70’s music but they were having a private party so we couldn’t go up there. But it was a really good time.

July 3, 2008

So today we were suppose to have our first session with the premier team but basically we got there and the person we were suppose to meet wasn’t to be found and we talked to the coach and he had no idea who we were and so we came back. That was basically all that happened today so nothing to exciting to tell.

July 2, 2008

Today we had our first class for the history of Australia class. It was really interesting and I like my professor. I know I learned a little about the history this past spring for one of my classes but it will be more interesting to see it in person. Tamika and I went to work out today and the gym is really neat. It has two levels and there are a lot of cardio equipment and LOTS of weight lifting equipment. Then we went to the State of Origin game. That was lots of fun. It is a rugby game between Queensland and New South Wales, which are two of the states, and lots of people are into this. I think they said 75,000 were in attendance. There were people all daya wearing their respective jerseys and it reminded me of football season. I had a really good time.

July 1, 2008

We had a quiz today in class. I think it went ok but we will see. We start our history of Australia class tomorrow and I am really excited about that. I think it will be really interesting. We practiced today with the soccer team but it was their 3^rd tier team and the girls were nice and it was really hard for me because they didn’t have anyone there to warm me up and I had to jump into it and that isn’t what I wanted to do. My shoulder is a little sore right now and I am going to be sore for a while I am sure. The team was kind of unorganized so that was really frustrating. I did get frustrated though because I haven’t done any soccer in FOREVER but hopefully it will get better. The super-league team will be back on Thursday I believe and I really want to train with them because maybe there would be more organized goalie training.

June 30, 2008

Today was the first day of class. We have our elective class, mine is kinesiology, on Monday and Tuesday for 4 hours and then our history of Australia class on Wednesday and Thursdays. It wasn’t too bad today but I really had no idea what she was talking about but I think it will be ok or at least I hope. We have a quiz tomorrow and our first test on Monday. YUCK!

We also had our first training session today. It was really good. It was just the soccer players from the group and we had a session with the guy who helped put us with our teams It wasn’t too bad because I thought I was going to struggle a lot more than I did. I know it was only drills but I thought for the most part I could keep up. Tomorrow we are going to meet with our team. We are playing with University of Sydney’s team. So hopefully it goes ok. Because I know that physically I always struggle but then when I actually play I think I can hold my own for the most part. I mean Lindsey Tarpley did shoot on me once so I think I can handle it (She is on the national soccer team for those that don’t know).

So just to talk about the things that are different here or things that I have noticed:

1) They say cheers instead of have a nice day. I try saying it also but I feel weird saying it.

2) Their outlets obviously look different but they have switches on them and I think it is really cool because you can turn it off so it doesn’t waste energy.

3) On the toilets they have two flush buttons- one for pee and one for poo. It apparently saves water but I think it is really funny. And the toilets are deeper so the water sits lower and it’s different.

4) I constantly look the wrong way when crossing the street when I am trying to walk and the sign doesn’t say I can. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE.

That is all I have right now but there will probably be more.

June 29, 2008

So today I woke up and went to Bondi Beach with Steven, Toni, Jordan, Liz, Alex, and Katie. I had a really nice time. Alex is Liz’s boyfriend who is from Sydney and he is really nice. He has showed us around a bit so it is nice to have someone here that knows what to do. We were basically at the beach all day and then I came home to eat and Timur and Derry asked if I wanted to play basketball. So 7 of us went to go look for a court but we didn’t have a ball and needless to say it turned out to be one of the most ridiculous experiences of my life. We were gone for 2 ½ hours walking around University of Sydney’s campus and I was so tired when we got back. I think I went to bed at 9 or 9:30.