Settling Down

Things have gotten in a routine for the time being. I am attending all of my classes (missed my first one this morning) and on the hunt for a job.

I have decided to join the soccer team at St. Mark's and so far it has been a delight. Our first game is on the 29th of August. All throughout the year every sports activity that is won scores points for the college. There are 5 colleges total that compete with each other, our main rival is Aquinas, the college just up the hill. The college at the end of the year that has the most points will win the High Table Cup, sort of like a huge trophy and massive bragging rights. As of now, we are down by eight points with 70+ left to earn this semester so things are looking bright. I am feeling very much like I am at Hogwart's competing in the Triwizard Cup.

If you get a chance, look up netball (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netball). It is a strange sport that is sort of like basketball that is played here. I saw my first game yesterday and it was weird. I don't think I'm a fan of no-contact sports.

Looks like I will be in the states between August 20th and August 27th. What a pain to have to fly back for such a short period, but nevertheless, I am looking forward to it.

Some lingo or phrases I have picked up:

Uni (university)

Heaps (a lot, i.e. Last night was heaps fun)

Bugger (this is versatile, I've stepped in a hole, bugger)

Mucked up (messed up)

Loose (tipsy, I had such a loose night)

Sleazy (tipsy, I was so sleazy last night)

Dodgy

Bogan (sort of like red-neck)

Dinner (lunch)

Tea (dinner)

Brekkie (breakfast)

Barbie (barbecue)

Mate (good friend)

Port-a-loo

When greeted, most people say "How you going?"

Everyone wears Uggs here, EVERYONE.

Ball and Formal Dinners

Ponding: you may be ponded by your peers for the following offences.

1. Ponding is only to occur when one or other of the following College practices or traditions have been violated:
   1. entering the dining hall without footwear
   2. rising from table during Formal Hall before the JCR President, or his/her representative for that evening, has risen
   3. not wearing an academic gown to Formal Hall
   4. wearing baseball caps or other headgear at Formal Hall
   5. team members not turning up for sporting events in which they are due to participate.
   6. to have a mobile phone ring or make any such sound entering or from within the dining hall (excludes members of administration)
   7. showing kneecaps or shoulder caps during Formal Hall
   8. entering the dining hall wearing pyjamas
2. The personal rights of a pondee must be respected. No-one may be ponded without their consent.
3. Pondees must be allowed to remove any items (e.g. clothing, watches, jewellery) before being ponded.
4. No-one may be ponded who has a cold or is in any other way ill or disabled.
5. Pondees must be placed in the water, slowly and carefully, not thrown and not dropped. Care must be taken to ensure they do not hit themselves against the sides of the pond, or any protruding objects.
6. Ponding must not take place if the water appears to be polluted in any way.
7. As a general rule ponding should only take place where ponders and pondee are personal friends.
8. No ponding is to be undertaken by parties under the influence of alcohol.
9. No pondings may take place after 8.00 p.m.
10. A member of the College Club committee or a Senior Resident student must be present at all pondings. If a resident of the College breaches any of the above, the matter may be referred to the Dean, who may then call the Board of Conduct to consider the case. Penalties to apply will be those deemed appropriate by the Board.

    Conclusion

    Ponding is a valuable tool for ensuring the continued respect of College traditions. Whilst it is a novel and often fun form of discipline, the personal rights of individuals must be considered first priority.

    
    

    Formal dinners are Monday through Thursday at 6:25. Robes must be worn at all times during Formal Hall (Harry Potter).

Re-O' Week

Classes began on Monday, I am taking Musics of the World, Marine Ecology, Immunology and Virology and Pop Culture: Passion, Styles and Vibe.

Rode a kangaroo to Uni this week. No big deal.

One thing that I'm crazy about here in Adelaide is the awesome Chinatown. Last week I went to a fabulous dimsum place and then afterwards had bubble tea. No tipping or sales tax here!

This last week has been tumultuous, to say the least. Since I'm new to St. Marks (my residential college), I'm considered a freshman so I have to participate in all of the freshman activities. Monday was Pub Crawl, Tuesday-Christmas in July, Wednesday Freaks and Geeks Quiz Night, tonight was floor night where we went out to a buffet (they are evidently rare here). Re-O'Week ends on Saturday with a black-tie ball. I am feeling like I am in a fraternity.

Victor Harbor

Today we took a trip an hour south to Victor Harbor, a beautiful beach town in South Australia. We took an amazing hour hike along Granite Island, saw penguins and visited the bluffs where whales frequent this time of the year.

Afterwards we drove to an open range wildlife reserve where there were kangaroos, koalas, wallabys, dingos, wombats and other silly looking animals. I saw and fed my first kangaroo in Australia and held a koala. We also saw a crocodile try unsuccessfully to eat a bird. Overall it was a pretty amazing day.

Monday, July 19th

This morning we had orientation with many other international students. There were a large number of Americans but I met a lovely German girl. There are many events held through the orientation week and one of those is a trip to Victor Harbor on Thursday.

This is the time of the year when there are many whales, seals and koala's off of the bluff.

This is the cathedral next to my college. It is a nice landmark that can be seen from anywhere in the city in case I get lost.

Wednesday night is international student pub night where we meet all of the other students that are living at the college (230 of them) and have a good time. It will be intense.

Fun fact: Koala's eat primarily eucalyptus leaves which has phenolic and terpene compounds that are powerful natural disinfectants and can be toxic. Their liver breaks down the toxins and they have huge hindguts in order to absorb as many nutrients as they can. They know what to eat by smelling the phenolic toxins.

Day 2

This is the view from my window above Fiji and associated islands.

I am settled in to St. Mark's College and my first impression is that it is much like Hogwarts.

I have seen a wild possum, parrots, pelican and black swans roaming around. All of the pigeons are even larger.

The weather is freezing here, 50-60F during the afternoon but super cold at night.

So far all of the Australians that I have met have been super friendly and helpful. I look forward to meeting many more when 'holiday' ends in a week.

Adelaide as a city reminds me a little of Indianapolis, but everything is very accessible. There is a beach nearby, many conservation parks with kangaroos, wallaby's and koala's.