It has been a week or two since I have last posted
anything. I can probably count the times that I have had a spare second to
relax by myself on my hand, hence the reason why I have not posted anything. I
have enjoyed my busy schedule though. Life is too exciting and there is too
much to see and experience to be bored sitting in my apartment ;)
Classes:
My classes are very interesting. One of the biggest differences I have found
here at school is that for each class we have an hour of lecture and an hour of
tutorial each week. At Western my
classes are only lectures. The hour of lecture is mainly the professor
lecturing and teaching whereas the tutorial is used as more of a discussion of
the class material/readings/etc. Because I am taking mostly upper division
courses, my classes have no more than 30 people in them (which I prefer). The
biggest difference I have found in the tutorials is how much people talk here!
I don’t know if it is simply my own experience coupled with my major and the
certain people I take classes with at Western, but the students here seem to be
much more lively in the classroom and like to discuss issues/topics much more.
It is a nice change and I enjoy the mind-stimulating environment!
Transportation:
There are a few ways I get around in the country. Train: While many people
complain of the train here because it does not come as frequently as some would
like, it is a great resource that I use multiple times a week. It takes about 5
minutes to walk to the train station that takes me straight to the uni. It can
also take you around the country (I am taking it to Sydney for $4!).
My newest (and most exciting) form of transportation
I have just gotten is a road bike! This, along with many other things has
become the newest love of my life. Haha It is a pink speed racer. How did I get
it, you ask? Well-known around Newcastle there is a man the town calls “Dan,
the bike man.” Dan is an environmental activist and lover or bikes and loves fixing
them up. What he does is sells used bikes to people, the people ride them for
however long they would like and then when they no longer want the bike they
return it to him and he gives you your money back! I was not planning on
getting a bike but when I heard about this deal, I instantly visited this
famous “bike man.” Surprisingly, Newcastle is not a very bike friendly city.
For those of you who have spent any time in Portland and even in Bellingham,
you know how the city advocates for people to ride. It is not like that here.
When I ride I typically have to ride on the side walk because not only is there
no bike lane, cars will often get angry when you are “in their way.” I have
spoken with a few Aussies who say they know who the foreigners are in
Newcastle…they are the ones who ride bikes.
Travel,
travel, travel:
AFL game in Sydney (Australian football league)
Nelson’s Bay/Fingal Bay-Last weekend my friend Eva and I were shown around by an Aussie named Luc. Luc took us to Nelson’s Bay and Fingal bay. Fingal bay is more of a local spot that was absolutely beautiful.
Stockton: My friends Steve (from Canada) and Marcus (from Germany) and I took our bikes on a ferry across the bay to another part of Newcastle called Stockton. Here we spent the day biking around (there was a great bike trail) and lounging at the beach. Here are some pictures...
Extracurricular: I have taken
part in many on campus activities. I am now a part of the mountaineering club
that takes weekend trips kayaking, bushwalking, rock climbing, hiking,
canyoning, etc. This club seems like the perfect thing for me to see more of
the country side, exercise and meet people who enjoy the outdoors. I am going
on my first climbing trip to the Blue Mountains this coming weekend!
Picture above: Seven friends of mine (all international) stayed the night at my place (giant sleepover) and then we all woke up for the sunrise the next morning. The next morning was also "autonomy day" for the university. Basically this is symbolic of the day that Uni of Newcastle became independent from any other university. In other words, an excuse to have an all day party (starting at 7am).
Dancing at the uni (at Bar on the Hill) for autonomy day
Futsol
team:
At the uni I am part of a co-ed futsol team (basically indoor soccer). There
are four male Aussies (all majoring in engineering) and one other American girl
and I playing on the team. The rules are slightly different than U.S indoor but
easy to catch on to. I even scored in our first game!
In the past week I have gone
salsa dancing with my roommate Kate. I walked into the club and instantly knew
I was out of my element. By the end though I learned a few steps and may even
go back haha
Yoga
session:
My roommate Kate has a friend who has been doing yoga lately and invited about
eight people to his apartment to do it there. Let me just say his apartment is
AMAZING. I walked in and was surrounded by candles, sweet aroma, and a perfect
view overlooking the ocean. We practiced yoga, danced, drank tea, wine and were
presented with an amazing full Persian meal. And yes for those of you thinking
it (because I know you are)…It was a total hippy session.
I have been listening to live
music, going to campus events and experiencing some night life as well in
Newcastle. Life is good.
I am as of now actually on the
train going back to Newcastle from Sydney. It was a great weekend spent in the
famous city. I will show pictures next post.
“It’s
a small world after all:” I have met so many people who are somehow connected
to the PNW (Pacific North West). For example…I was biking through campus last
week extremely lost and looking for classes (I am pretty sure I have had lost,
confused, American stamped across my face these past few weeks) when I met
three Americans from Vancouver, WA. What are the chances? I have had these
crazy “small world” occurrences happen all the time.
I hope all is well for everyone back home! Special
shout out to my newest nephew that is on the way: Silas Trigg will be born in
the next couple of day?! Congrats to my brother Jesse, sister-in-law Taisha and
the rest of the family! <3 As for the rest of my nephews and Fallyn (only
weeks old niece) and everyone else, of course I miss you all heaps and heaps!
Remember, if you suddenly win the lottery or want to
treat yourself to a well-deserved vacation you will have a place to stay right
next to the beach, and by that time I will be considered a local and will be
your personal tour guide ;)
