Without Fail

Just so you know, everyday of the week, the Retro House wakes up at 1p.m.

Everyday.

1p.m. is prime time for breakfast, morning coffee, and a chat around the kitchen table.

Tomorrow I have an exam at 9a.m.

This is an accident waiting to happen.

Winter into Summer

Have you ever wondered what Winter in Australia looks like?

A little bit like this...

I would be pretty jealous if I weren't here.

Ok, that's probably not true, considering it's Summer at home.

[And, despite the beautiful flowers coming into bloom, it's dang cold!]

Today marks the end of our second to last week of Uni.
That means after next week we're completely done! [Until August.]

Chris and I both have an assignment due on Monday that we'll slave over tomorrow.

On Sunday we are taking a break from school work to celebrate our one year anniversary.

It's completely amazing [and crazy!] that an entire year has already passed by!

Hope you folks in America are enjoying your Summer!!

D?

I just received a graded assignment via the internet.

I opened up my grade to reveal a D.

For a good five minutes I had a panic attack and mentally prepared myself for a low grade in the course. [Obviously it's one of my two classes that transfer directly to a class at BSU.]

But, after I pulled myself back together, I realized that a D in Australia is not a D in America. It's a D for Distinction, equivalent to a B.

All that positive feedback makes a lot more sense.

Phew, I feel better now.

Back to homework. [So I can avoid getting a P for Pass, the real equivalent to an American D.]

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.

=)