Two whole months.

We've been in Australia for two months, can you believe it?!

It seems like just yesterday was our first month, and now we've made it through two months. Wow. Where is time going?

On our month-iversary I started a new ritual. A post full of pictures from the previous month. In honor of month two, here you have it, a picture parade!!

Illy.

Fairy Floss??

I'm pretty sure it's called Cotton Candy, geeze Australia.

Moomba Fireworks.

Train.

It's everywhere!!

Birkenstock feet.

Giant Stein.

Representin' Boise Rock School.

You can tell by the number of pictures that this month was much less eventful. I guess that's what happens when you start school.

Check back soon to see what we're doing this weekend!!

Australian Mexican

Ya know how the U.S. has Taco Bell?

Well, Australia has Taco Bill.

When we first arrived in Melbourne, our driver told us about Taco Bill. He said that, essentially, Taco Bill is a sit-down version of Taco Bell [with better food]. Naturally, being the Taco Bell connoisseurs that we are, visiting Taco Bill became a must [we're not actually Taco Bell connoisseurs, but we do love Mexican food, which Taco Bell is not].

So, last night it happened, we went to Taco Bill.

The night started with chips, salsa, and a strawberry margarita.

This is where you might notice that the chips were served in a bowl the size of a salsa bowl and the salsa was served in a bowl the size of a butter bowl [even though there were six of us!]. And then they were done. [No such thing as a free refill in Australia. Not even on chips in a Mexican restaurant.]

While perusing the menu I came across this:


and this:

Oh really, Bill? Mexican food isn't spicy.
Why don't we ask Mexico how they feel about that statement.

Finally we ordered our comida.

It wasn't amazing.
It wasn't too disgusting either.
Maybe I'm just a little too picky about my Mexican food.

I suppose if it's just like Taco Bell but has better food and a different environment, it's nothing like Taco Bell at all. [It's not anything like American Mexican food either, but we all have our tastes.]

Mediocre food at a high price, but a beuna noche con amigos.

Also, if nothing else, Taco Bill was a beautiful distraction from this:

a night of homework.

Hasta luego.
=)

Yuck.

Being sick in Australia is no fun.

Especially when the medicine you buy may help reduce symptoms because it's an herbal supplement from the supermarket instead of actual medicine that you soon realize only comes from the pharmacy.

Ok, I'm done with run-on sentences.

I'll blame it on the cold.

La La Life

What's that? You're wondering where we've been?


Well, I'll tell you...


The beginning of the week was school.
Yada, yada - boring, boring.

Thursday was St. Patty's Day and green was the theme. [Obviously.]

Tina-Bo-Bina

Alice

Apparently Australians aren't really into St. Pat.
Stores were not decked out in clovers and leprechauns.
In fact it was impossible to find a green shirt, green beads, clover stickers, or anything green. There weren't even swarms of people in green at the places I'm accustomed to seeing them.

When we finally found some green it was exchange students like us or other Uni kids embracing the holiday for green alcohol.

Despite the differences, St. Patrick's Day was definitely fun.
How was your's?

Let's get to the weekend.
First, some back story.

In Boise, Chris and most of his family are in a car club known as the Treasure Valley Model A's. It's also part of MAFCA [Model A Ford Club of America.]
Well, there is also a club in Australia. [MAFSA]
Basically; Chris knows a guy, who knows a guy, who knows a guy that invited us to go on a run here in Victoria.

We got up really early on Saturday to take a tram and three trains to meet the man we know through a trillion degrees of separation.
He didn't show up.
=(

BUT, we were in a pretty cool town [with a beach] that we had never been to.

Even though we got up early to do something we didn't do, it was still fun to be somewhere new.
Also, I'm pretty positive that's not the last time we'll see the man we didn't actually see.

After we came home we were talked into going somewhere for $4 pizza. [$4, not a lot of convincing was needed.]

We met heaps of people from all over the world and stayed up way too late.
After all, we're in Australia. We do what we want, right?

Now it's Sunday and we're back to school in the morning.

I guess I should get going on my homework, huh?

Have a beautiful week!

Moooooomba.

As you know, [at least you should] we went to MOOMBA yesterday.

Basically, MOOMBA is a four day festival along the river. It has every aspect of a carnival [rides and games], with a ton of music stages, kid's activities, a cultural corner, a thing called Birdman Alley[people try to fly], and a professional water skiing competition. And that was just downtown. Oh yeah, fireworks every night too. There were tons more activities scattered throughout the city. It was super fun. Here are some pictures to prove it.

[Ever wonder what Aussie police look like?]

Australian pride.

Popsicle.

We also got to see an amazing local performer [our Australian housemate is slightly obsessed with this guy]. His name is Illy. I'm not usually into rap, but this guy is awesome. [and local] Check him out!

Today

We're going to Moomba!

Travel, Travel, Travel!

It’s official.

We have the travel bug.

Today we booked a trip to Sydney. We leave on Easter day and will be there for three days. We’re a little more than ecstatic. [Okay, a lot more.]

While we’re here, my personal goal is to visit every state. There are only seven, including the one we live in, so it can’t be that hard, right?

The thing is, I’ve never been in Australia before so I have no idea which cities are the best.

This is where I need YOU.
That’s right blog world, tell me where to go!!!

What I want:
[cause baby you’ve got it]

Someplace reasonably priced.
[Including travel to and from.]

Someplace fun. Basically a place where there are things to do. [Any of the following are acceptable: wandering the city, visiting museums, botanical gardens, etc., going for hikes, seeing wildlife, or whatever else you think means fun.]

The last requirement is that it’s in Australia, of course. [Just thought I’d throw it out there in case you forgot.]

Also, if you haven’t been keeping track; we live in Melbourne, are going to Philip Island next weekend, and just planned a trip to Sydney. So those are kind of out. [Unless you have an idea about something really cool that we probably haven’t done yet.]

Ready to plan my trip??

I thought so!

Thank you!!
[A whole, whole lot.]
=)

Uni...

wasn't that bad.


In fact, I kinda liked it.










We'll see how long that feeling lasts.

Study Abroad = School??

Tonight marks the beginning of our last weekend before school starts.

Yuck.

The last time I attended a class lecture was almost 3 months ago. That's one long break from school.

During break we've managed to form a few bad habits. The worst has definitely been going to bed at 3 or 4 and waking up at noon.

That 8 a.m. lecture Monday morning is going to kick my butt.

We were pretty lazy today, but we're going to make up for it at The Lord Mayor's Student Welcome tomorrow.

We also have a trip to Phillips Island in the works for next weekend. [Don't worry, I'll blog it out. Almost as good as hugging it out.]

Let's get back to the studying bit involved with Study Abroad.

In the U.S. [at BSU in the courses I have taken] there are lectures generally twice a week, weekly or monthly assignments, and sometimes labs.

In Australia [at Deakin in the courses that I am taking] there is a lecture and a tutorial once a week, and 2 essays.

The end.

No exams, no weekly assignments, just those 2 essays.

This freaks me out.

You see, I'm a pretty good test taker. I don't get anxious or stressed, I just say wham - bam - thank you ma'am.

However, I do get anxious and stressed about writing. Especially about writing 8 and 10 page papers. Even more especially when two 8 - 10 page papers are the only things your entire semester grade is based on.

Uh - oh.

Time to breathe.

ahhh. breathing.

Ya know, what the heck. I'm in Australia. I'll make it.

Things will be wonderful.

As soon as my eye stops twitching.

=)

Month-aversary

So as of today [well yesterday, but today in America] we have been in Australia for one month.

To celebrate [or something] I've decided to post a whole bunch of random pictures from the last month. My plan is to do this for every month that we're here.

Let the pictures begin!!!!

[I'll try to make my next post a little less picture-y.]

After our goodbye breakfast.

At the Boise airport.

Airplane food.
Kinda makes me wanna barf.

Almost there!!

These flowers are everywhere.

Our tram stop.

First letter from home!!

The sunburn seen 'round the world.
Ouch.

An Indian coin Chris found on the beach.

Milk from a bowl.
Silly Frenchman.

This is how we pass time on the tram.