Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Well it's about time to update my blog! It's been a busy few weeks since returning from the mid semester break. The week back was an interesting one because I had a big essay due on Australian sport for my Australian Culture class (just got it back and got a Credit). The grading system here is really harsh so every paper I get back from that class is depressing. A Credit is a 65-75. So when you see that grade yeah it's so depressing! But It Actually transfers in American scoring from 80-90 in our system. So it's not really that bad but I don't understand how some students can get such high scores such as a High Distinction (85-100) or even a distinction (75-85). Those must be so hard to come by. I had my friend Kaylee (who is from Minnesota) tell me that in one class out of probably 200+ essays only 6 people got a high distinction. Like WHAT? So the grading here has just been very different and sad when I get my grades back. But I just have to think to myself in American terms of scoring and that it's actually not too bad. The positive of the week was I had a Stats midterm right after the break and I got a High Distinction but it was an online test and relatively easy. It's the final exams I'm nervous for.
The weekend after I got back from break on Friday was I believe Southeast Asian night at the International student center. So it was accompanied by all the Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and a few others. We saw some dancing, a presentation of the countries, and ate lots of food! It was really neat to learn of the different cultures and learn things I never even knew about. Such as the different languages from each country, the different types of foods, and the types of clothing for different occasions. I also went to Brazilian night two weeks later and learned so much about the country. I never knew of the culture or how beautiful the country was or how a majority of the population lives in one state. The country just looked so adventures and I would love to visit one day. I also learned how to dance a little bit Brazilian so that was really fun. I also discovered Brazilians are some of the sexiest dancers you will see. The girls just know how to dance and move their hips as well as the guys. And the food was just WOW! So yummy.
Anyway, that Saturday I did one of the coolest experiences! I kayaked with Dolphins! Now I've kayaked a pretty decent amount in my life but never have I encountered wild dolphins that way. I had earlier in the semester when we swam with the dolphins but even then it was hard to see under water. But above water there were maybe 10-15 just playing and having fun with us. They were everywhere around our kayaks fishing and playing and swimming and jumping. Just so beautiful to witness how free and loving they were. Hands down one of my favorite experiences here in Adelaide.
The following week wasn't too crazy with school work but I began preparing for my presentation in my Australian Culture class worth 15% of my grade. That Friday the Uni had autumn fest which was relatively small so I didn't stay too long. But my friend Kaylee and I decided to go to a dessert café called San Churro. Basically the best Churros I've had. They dip them in melting chocolate sauce and they have sugary goodness all over. They are Spanish churros. I gotta say I actually prefer the Spanish churros to the Mexican mostly because of the chocolate sauce it's just too good. Then we went to the movies called Palace Nova (which serves wine, caviar, and cheese at the theater… crazy! And your popcorn) we went to see Pitch Perfect 2 a whole 2 weeks before it even came out in America. So that was pretty cool! Then we went out for dinner at this amazing burger deluxe place called Grill'd. It was one of the best burger and fries I've ever had in my life. I finished it all and it was huge. I can't even describe it but a picture will be posted of this amazing burger and delicious garlic heaven fries. So that was an amazing Friday night! The rest of the weekend was dedicated to that presentation.
The next week, on Monday I got tickets from Unilodge to go to the movies again and see Avengers 2 which I loved and it was at the same theater! Then I had to complete my presentation so it was off to the library for a semi late night. Funny though the latest I've stayed at the library is 11:30… which would be almost every night or even later back home. So not looking forward to those late nights again. Any who, Wednesday came around and it was time for my presentation. It was on Australian Short stories (of all topics in the Australian world such as Australia the film, Australian books, and sports) my presentation ended up being over an hour long because I was the only one that day. My professor (who doesn't like to be called professor, you call them by their first name so that's different) helped further my presentation along as well to continue discussion among the class. I ended up getting a credit on that too and once again I was disappointed. The end of the week came and Brazilian night was on Friday and that was a blast and cultural experience.
Then Saturday came, and I went on an Adelaide Hills Day trip with Unilodge (my apartment building). We went to a chocolate factory (Melbas, still finishing my white chocolate), a cheese factory (lots of free samples, as cheese here is extremely overpriced), a winery (4 free samples and gorgeous views), a farm (including camels), and Hahndorf (a cute German town with some amazing food selections). It was an amazing day to spend with some amazing friends from my building. The weather was pretty great too that day with fall and the changing leaves.
That night a bunch of friends gathered for one of my friend's 21st birthday. I took the train for the first time outside the city to her beautiful home and we all just had a blast that night. Laughing, talking, and playing games with international students and a few Australians. Just a reminder of the great friends I've made here and who have helped shape this experience for me.
The next week in school for assignments I was back to my usual 2 a week and study time. On Tuesday, I went with Unilodge to Bounce, a place with loads of trampolines everywhere, and if you know me from back home then you know how much I loved it. Trampolines are just one of my happy things and a reminder to myself that muscle memory is kinda like forever. I hope to continue doing flips until I'm old and my joints and bones don't allow it. On Friday, Unilodge had a BBQ full of lots of meat (satay chicken, sausage, some kind of steak, salads, and sodas). Soda is a privilege here (it's expensive) so if you have an opportunity for free ones then it means drink as many as you can and take a few for safe keeping. I miss Texan BBQ though (so mom if you're reading this you know what I want when I get home…and Tex-Mex). Then I went off to Persian night with the International Student Center (where yes I ate again) and learned a lot about the country of Iran. Now I've studied Iran in an architecture class so I knew of a few of the buildings and Mosques. But man is their architecture beautiful! I was just amazed. Another place on the list for one day. Then there was an international student party that night as well that I got VIP passes to (not sure how but I got to skip the line and get a free drink). That was so fun to be surrounded by so many international students and feel like I knew a decent amount of people there. It's fun to go to these events and just run into many people you know and can just have a fun conversation with. I've just met an incredible amount of people here by putting myself out there like I set myself out to do and just being myself. I've never had an experience like this to where I could just go someplace alone and not be afraid of 'what if I don't know anyone then I'll be all alone.' In Adelaide, it's true I feel like I run into people I know all the time and that's just a great feeling. Finally, then on Sunday I went to an Australian Football game with my host family. It was Port Adelaide (one of the local teams) and Richmond (from Melbourne). Australian Football (footy) is a mix of rugby, soccer, and American football. There are 18 players from each team on the field so a whopping 36 at one time. There are 4 quarters each 25 minutes. The clock never stops… not even if someone is injured. In fact, if someone is injured the fans get man and yell at them to get off the field. It's a very brutal sport too players get hurt all the time. They wear no padding and they jump and tackle each other for the ball. The ball is shaped like an American football but a bit longer because they can kick it or pass it (must hit it like a volley ball though). The scoring is the same as American football 6 points if it's kicked between the inner two poles. 1 point if it's kicked between the outer two poles. It is a very intense game. I will be attending another game in 2 weeks with Unilodge of the Adelaide Crows (the city team) and the Hawks (from Tasmania).
This weekend's activities include…. Another pub crawl with all exchange and international students, and a Barossa Valley wine tour (the famous wine region in Australia). So looking forward to another fun weekend and then back to the studying for finals which are about 25 days away now…. Yikes.
- comments