Figuring Things Out

January 11, 2013

I had some of this typed up Wednesday evening, but right around 8 I hit a wall and was very suddenly very tired. I woke up Thursday morning feeling like I had been hit by a train. The initial excitement of being here had worn off and my jet lag had finally caught up. Because of that I didn't do much of anything all day and went to bed at like 6. I woke up this morning feeling LOADS better and since it's supposed to be in the 80s today I think I'll walk to the beach (and maybe catch a bus back since it's like an hour walk). But first I'm going to finish this post while I eat some.

Wednesday wasn't too exciting. I got a little lazy, but I think I'm entitled to that right? I woke up and decided I would explore campus some. I think this campus is gorgeous. I wish I could take better pictures of it, but I'm not a camera guru like my sister and I don't have too nice of a camera. So this is what you get.

This is the archway to get from my apartment to campus. The other side is prettier but there were construction workers eating lunch so I didn't want them staring at me like I was a freak tourist.

I just think this building looks sweet.

I wanted to test the panoramic view function on my camera... If I go to the beach I'll try it on some better scenery.

The Mechanical Engineering Building :)

It's no wonder everyone here seems to be in such good shape. If you can't tell, through that little walkway is MORE steps. We have an "upper" and "lower" campus so there's steps like this everywhere.

So many pretty areas to sit and chill

This is an area outside of a cafe

Okay so this next picture is the only picture of any animals I've been able to get so far, but there's a funny story along with it. So these things are EVERYWHERE. And I've seen them always walking but never actually flying. Anyway, I saw one trying to walk up some steps, and it's long beak caught on the step above causing the bird to trip and faceplant. I've never seen a bird faceplant so I found this hysterical. I hope you are also laughing awkwardly at your computer right now :)

From my research I found it's called an Australian White Ibis.

The Village Green. There's a scoreboard so they must do some sporting events here.

This is an area right outside what I would call the food court. There's always people sitting around. Everything is just so nice and most everything is outside here.

The Quadrangle lawn. Closest to my apartment building.

There was one very exciting moment of the day though...

We all got on the webcam at about 1pm Wednesday my time and 8pm Tuesday their time. It was so nice to see everyone's faces (like I didn't see them only a few days before that). We have a date set for next week to do this again :)

After talking to my family and having some lunch I did a little more shopping/wandering around. Bought some more necessities and had a few VERY exciting discoveries.

FINALLY! A cereal I can eat :)

I can't find normal cheetos. But these are better than nothing.

And of course, being the girl that I am, I was dreading trying to figure out a different shampoo/conditioner to use so when I found my normal stuff I use back home, HUGE weight off my shoulders.

Before I left a lot of people asked me what sort of food they eat here. In grocery stores I've found pretty much the same types of food you can get at any store in America. As far as restaurants go, there's tons of Asian cuisine. They also have quite a few Subways and McDonalds (and I've even seen one KFC) around, and I've seen a few Pub and Grubs. I'm wondering if all the Asian food is perhaps just this area? Once I head into the city I will let you know if there's anything different there.

There's another heat wave coming through this weekend. Now, when I say heat wave, I mean it's supposed to be a high of 93 tomorrow (Saturday). I will probably be going to the beach. Everyone is complaining about how hot it's going to be. I really don't see the problem :) Apparently with this heat wave there's a threat of bush fires? Hmmm, is that the equivalent of forest fires in the US? Well it should be interesting.

Oh! I almost forgot. I did make a facebook status about it but I though I'd put this here as proof...