Week 1-Airplane Feb 12, 2006 I can't believe how fast time is already flying, I am already headed to begin my semester at University of Newcastle, and I don't even think that I am mentally prepared to begin such a hard semester. I have been learning quite a bit about myself and those around me. Hopes are high that I will be losing a lot of weight sense Australian serving sizes are the amount for a five year old. I also have been noticing a lot of other things. Such as they don't really believe in salad dressing, and an Australian can spot a American from miles away, just by looking at the way we walk. So my appearance doesn't give my citizenship way, by walk does. My friends say that I have a lot of bad luck for an American. I lost my camera temporarily, had my wallet stolen. I was putting on a belt yesterday and it broke, not because it was too tight, but because I touched it. I lost an entire case of CD's and everything seems to be slowly disappearing from my possession, and it isn't from people stealing. My mind is just so forgetful, and I keep leaving things everywhere. I am hoping that I regain my sanity once I get on campus, but chances of that happening are slim. I talked to Australian student of Newcastle before we got on the flight, and he informed us that Newcastle is built on pure wetland, and the "Mozzies" (mosquitoes) are in full supply. This means that my next five months can be miserable, because mosquitoes tend to love my blood type. I already have a few bites from "phantom" mozzies, because none of my other friends have been bitten. So, I am really nervous that I will have to get used to having a arm swollen with bites. We will see if I can take it like a champ or not. I am really hungry right now, but I will have to pay for a seven dollar sandwich for this flight if I want to deplete my hunger. So, I will try to make it to the next airport and buy something there. Other than that, it is time for me to take a nap. God is teaching me a lot about being able to witness. None of the people that I hang out with are Christians, and they make that quite apparent with their "sailor talk." However, I don't have to stand up on a chair and say "Hey, I am a Christian!" I am trying not be super flamboyant with my faith, because this might turn them away. I have been learning that I can have just as much fun with non-Christians than Christians. The thing that I love about Australia is the national mindset. They try to keep everyone on the same level all the time, no matter who you are. They are always welcoming no matter where you are from, and they are friendly with no strings attached. Sometimes I feel like Christians feel like they have to let EVERYONE know they are Christian off-hand, as if God will smite us if we don't. However, God calls us just to live differently and love differently. Being a Christian isn't just having some important title from God. Being a Christian is being able to love those who God loves, and that's everybody, including yourself. Well, I guess that's all the things that I have been learning about myself.