Crikey!

Wow! So, what made me think that I would be able to keep up that promise to write posts more frequently? Sorry for being true to my procrastinating, writing-averted, nature...

Regardless, I still owe y'all the second part of my Easter Break adventure.

Lots of people make 'bucket lists', but I'd wager that not many follow through and accomplish those things they have put on their list. Since I was little and obsessed with the Animal Planet channel, I have wanted to go to Australia Zoo--Steve Irwin's Zoo. Well, this past Easter I was able to check this momentous destination off of my bucket list.

Making a dream a reality! 

Hello, my name is Manna...

Nicole and I met the bus to the zoo at 8:45am and were entertained for the hour trip there with videos of Steve wrestling crocs and lauding his zoo. We were so excited to finally be going, we didn't mind the bus driver's corny jokes or the early hour! We arrived at the gates at 9:45am and got the must-have-touristy-photos, then proceeded through the admissions desk. When I came out the other side, due to a serious break-down in communication (Queenslanders have really strong accents), I found that I'd been given a new name for the day:

Oh well--it's all part of the excitement, right? I'm incognito for the day!

Now, if you ever get the chance to go to Australia Zoo--DO IT! And arrive early. They have all kinds of free shows and activities going on throughout the zoo all day. Also, bring your walking shoes! Nicole and I walked to Africa and back for crying out loud (it was a lot shorter than expected, but it was quite a trek). They do offer free shuttles to different parts of the zoo, but we were young and unencumbered, so we decided to hoof it. So right off the bat, we were greeted with an awesome opportunity to interact with the animals and get some "happy snaps" as they call them (pictures). We really wanted to get a chance to feed the elephants, so we staked out the area and headed for the elephant enclosures.

Can you believe it?! I FED AN ELEPHANT! It was so weird...and very wet; My hand was covered in elephant boogies, but it was so worth it. Now every time I eat sweet potatoes, I'm only gonna be able to think of that trunk grabbing my morsel of potato and leaving behind a wet, sloppy kiss!

The Irwin Family!

Around noon, we headed over to the Crocoseum to get some great seats for the Wildlife Warriors and Croc feeding show. We were really excited because the bus driver tipped us off that the Irwin family would actually be doing this show--it was pretty gnarly!

The zoo was absolutely amazing! I made sure to grab some souvenirs, but I'm sure this will not be an adventure I'll soon forget!

Easter Break Part I

Just overcame my first stint of being sick in a foreign country. I hope that doesn't happen again soon! I spent three days shut up in my dark room underneath my cozy covers--which was nice, but I was about to go stir crazy from lack of human contact!! My flatmate, Jack, made a delicious, wholesome, soup--Tummy Soup, as he calls it. The best cure for flu-like symptoms EVER! And now I'm all better.

(Thank you, Jack)

Now that I'm up and running again (despite a completely whonky sleep schedule), I figured it would be a good time to update everyone about Part I of the Easter Break trip I took with my good friend, Nicole. The first part (and it seemed to be the most bothersome part throughout our whole vacation) was figuring out the transportation system. We took the train from Newcastle to Sydney, only, in a moment of panic, we jumped on the wrong train.

Oops!

Her family friend came and rescued us after we doubled back, and later drove us down to Nicole's farm in central New South Wales. Bogan Gate is a sleepy little...um...town? I guess you could call it a town. I think she said the population is about 200, and I would feel safe betting that only 20 or so actually live in town. Now, for all of my American friends, the word 'Bogan' in Australia is similar to our 'Hillbilly', 'Redneck', or 'Hick'. So, poor Nicole, when she tells people where she's from it's a bit embarrassing for her to say she's from 'Bogan Gate'. Bless her heart! But it is what it is. Actually, the Bogan River runs near there, and there was once a gate that people would have to driver their herds or their carriages through to then get across the river (or so the story goes); so that's where the name of the town comes from.
Anyway, many adventures are to be found when living on a farm (most of them out of doors). I became well acquainted with their pet sheep, Fred; road a beast of a tractor; saw wild kangaroos and wild goats; drove an ATV (a little known favorite past-time of mine); and had a Bogan Gate Easter, complete with lamb chops and oodles of Cadbury Chocolate Eggs!

After our lovely stay in Bogan Gate, we headed up the coast to Noosa Heads. A quaint little, beachy, tourist town on the Sunshine Coast (not to be confused with Gold Coast, which as you'll remember from a previous post, is something entirely different). But that's getting into the second part of our trip...

****Part II coming soon***

In the mean-time, here's a picture of my friend Fred, a sheep who thinks he's a dog:

Wonder in the World

So it has come to my attention (by several different sources), that I have been neglecting my duty as a world traveler: I apparently have not been posting enough entries. I suppose I can give you that. As I was saying to a good friend of mine, only four blog entries wasn't quite the number I was expecting to have at this time in my stay abroad. I apologize.

However, blogging is not the reason I came to Australia. I came to Australia to experience a new culture; meet new people; and grow lasting friendships. One thing I wasn't counting on experiencing by coming to Australia was a growth in my faith and relationship with God. There are so many things taking an adventure abroad can do for your character, attitude, and relationship with the world. I'm not saying that I've learned everything there is to lean; on the contrary, I know I'll never get to that point and I'm so grateful for that fact (where would the wonder in the world be if everything was known)!

With that said, I shall try to be more faithful in my posting, starting with this one; and I shall make my posts shorter (there you go, Leah), starting with this one.

Thank you Mama for coordinating this!

I would like to take this moment to thank everyone for the beautiful barrage of cards and letters I received for my 21st birthday! Your lovely thoughts and wishes were such a blessing to me. 

The yummy cake my flatmates made for me!

Biscuits, Scones, and Crackers

If you're friends with me on Facebook, you've probably noticed my status about introducing my Australian and New Zealand friends to "American" biscuits. What you may not know is just how difficult it is to try and explain to them what an "American" biscuit is. It's not that I've had the awesome luck of falling into a group of people who just don't eat (that's absurd!), but rather these countries simply do not have biscuits--or at least in the sense of the word "biscuit" Americans have. The closest you can get to an American biscuit here is an English muffin or a scone (pronounced, scon -- the "o" is pronounced in the back of the mouth, almost swallowed, as opposed to being pushed out of the mouth by the tongue). But as you may know, scones are much more dense and muck less flaky. A biscuit here, and in England (and maybe all of Europe for that matter, I'm not sure), is something sweet--like our cookies (however, "chocolate chip cookies" are pretty much the only biscuit here that's called a cookie. Figure that out..). "Biscuit" is kind of their all-purpose word for a small, mostly carbs treat (a "savory biscuit" is a cracker).

Now, this rambling on about biscuits, scones, and crackers has a purpose. Part of that is just an educational venting of frustration; but the driving point is how incredibly complex cultures are and how incredibly complex fitting in to a culture can be.

Some differences are more monumental than others. For example: finding out that baseball is outranked in popularity by cricket (possibly the second most boring sport, next to golf) was quite shocking; learning that Australia's minimum wage is about $15 for people over 18 and that their dollar is stronger than ours was a lesson in economics I wish someone would share with our government; realizing that, technically, the citizens have no choice over who their Prime Minister (similar to our President) will be was a lesson in the value of America's voting system; and discovering that Hershey's chocolate isn't sold here was a little depressing, but good for my waistline.

On the other hand, the little things that occur in daily life can make a difference as well: introducing a friend to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and getting a concerned/confused look because jelly here is actually Jell-o and peanut butter is trumped, in terms of popularity, by Vegemite. Or being told to watch out and not step into that Car-key weed because we don't want it to get into the front yard, when "car-key" is actually "khaki" (here is a website with a similar, but not exact, pronunciation of how Auzies say "khaki": http://www.forvo.com/search/khaki/). I thought we spoke the same language?! My brain is working overtime trying to translate and use context clues during a conversation in order to understand what's going on (and also to slow down the dialogue-- Auzies and Kiwis talk incredibly fast!); but I'm also making adjustments within my own speech patterns to make it easier for them to understand what I'm saying (for example, instead of saying, "Where's the bathroom?", I'll say, "Where's the toilet?" or instead of asking for a jacket, I'll ask for a jumper, etc.). More often than not, however, I end up just having to stop the conversation in order to get clarification on a word, and I've become very practiced in breaking down meanings into their simplest forms. I have a new-found, and profound, respect for those who travel to countries where English is not the official language!

**Good tip to remember for anyone traveling to another country: synonyms are your friends!**

Despite these minor frustrations, I wouldn't change any of the experiences I've had! I've had the awesome opportunity to meld into a culture and feel like I've been a part of it forever. I can freely share my own culture with the friends I've made here without worrying about being ridiculed. I've had the unique pleasure of fleshing through my own culture through the lens of another. I've found that's the best way to understand yourself, examine your goals, and strengthen your beliefs. I've been truly blessed by this trip, and it's only half-way done!

How Ya Goin'?

Surprisingly, that typical Australian saying is not asking by which mode of transportation you plan to arrive at a destination, rather it's a greeting. So if someones asks you, "Howyagoin'?" (and yes, it sounds like one word when they say it), you now know how to respond.

So: "Howyagoin', America?"

I'm alive and well, safe in Newcastle. Classes started a couple weeks ago, and the semester is going by so quickly already! Newcastle is a quiet area and the university is set back from the center of town. This distance from town was a little unexpected and, after going to school in the heart of Boston for a few years, took a little bit of getting used to. But enough of that boring stuff!

My time in Cairns was AMAZING! **I do have to make an amendment to my last post, however: I told y'all that my orientation group was spending a day on the Gold Coast and the Great Barrier Reef. Well, this would be a little impossible to do from Cairns because Gold Coast is a city south of Brisbane (about 4-ish hours away by plane). Silly me and my American concept of distance in other countries!**  I found a place to stay my first night at Gilligan's Backpacker's Hotel, where I had my first Australian meal: Bolognese, which is meat sauce and macaroni noodles. Not entirely impressive, but hey, it was free. When I got back to my room (dorm style with eight beds), I slept from 7:30pm to 8:30am--jet lag is a killer! Once the week began it was full of:

White Water Rafting

After working at a Boy Scout camp with a High Adventure program for three years, I had to travel 5,000 miles to have my first white water rafting experience. I must say it's pretty cool! On this particular rapid, one raft before us completely flipped, and in another raft, one girl fell out and broke her arm. We were pretty proud of ourselves for covering it with no problems. In a couple calm areas, we all got out of the raft and floated down the river (one word of caution though, keep your feet up, and beware of sneaky rocks just waiting to come out of nowhere and leave you sitting sore for a couple days afterward). The hardest and most embarrassing part of the trip was trying to get back in the raft. There's really only one way to describe it: bob, bob, bob, tug on the life jacket, face in the tugger's crotch, and laughing hysterically as you try to maintain some dignity while flopping around like a fish in the bottom of the raft.

Aboriginal Dancing

We went to Rainforestation, a nature park in the mountains of Cairns. All week, our orientation leaders told us that if we got the opportunity to volunteer to do things, we shouldn't let them pass. Well, not wanting to let them down, when the dance leader asked for volunteers, my hand shot straight up. Little did I know, I'd be enrolled in a contest to see who could jiggle their thighs the fastest (not really, it was just to do a couple of dance moves, but they were basically what I described). The dances (minus volunteers) that the men did were actually really interesting. Like many native tribes, they used dance and music/song to describe events and happenings (like going on hunts or imitating a snake in the grass).

Kangaroo Petting

This was also at Rainforestation. I got to hold a Koala as well--strange fact, Koala's are not as soft as everyone thinks; their fur is actually really thick and coarse. Kangaroos, on the other hand, are really soft! However, a Kangaroo's meat is really tough, but kind of sweet (I know, I'm a terrible person).

and SCUBA Diving

I finally decided, once we were on the boat and speeding towards the reef, that I'd go ahead and try out the diving. The instructor-- in a sea-faring Aussie brogue--said, "Alrigh' the lotaya, there's gonna be two divin stops on this trip. The costa the firs' one is $70, and the costa the secon' is $45; an you can't do the firs' withou' the secon'." So, after a crash course in "SCUBA Diving 101", I was straped into the ridiculously bulky gear and jumped feet first into the Pacific Ocean. For some reason, I had a really hard time sinking, which in normal circumstances is a good thing; not so much for diving. . .We eventually got it all sorted out--let's call it, underwater problem solving. Apparently, SCUBA diving is all about balance.

Remember how I was so nervous about SCUBA diving and snorkeling in waters known to house sharks? Well, guess what we saw while skimming the ocean floor. That's right, a shark! Granted, it was just a Tawny Nurse Shark, but needless to say, I only did the first dive. I spent the rest of the time snorkeling and I think I liked that better because I could take my time and "lap it up" (another Aussie saying; means to live it up, or take it all in). But for the purposes of the blog, saying, "I went SCUBA diving on the Great Barrier Reef!" just sounds more awesome and adventurous, ay? ("ay"- a common Aussie way of turning a perfectly good statement into a question; not to be confused with "oi!", an awesome way of getting a person's attention; "yeah" may also be used for "ay")

*Does anyone see the awesome surprise in the top of the last photo? That pretty much made my life!*

All in all, I highly recommend Cairns (pronounced "cans"), Queensland as a must-visit-location in Australia. The weather was hot/humid, but gorgeous and the people we so chill and helpful. I'm planning a couple more trips soon, and will have to let you know how they stack up to Cairns. I'm thinking maybe Gold Coast (the real one, this time), Fiji, Sydney, Bali, and/or New Zealand. Any suggestions or tips on traveling to these particular places??

If there's anything in particular y'all want to know about Newcastle or Australia in general, let me know and I'll give you my thoughts/impressions. Until then, have a "G'day!"

Unexpected Fears (pre-departure)

Has anyone ever really noticed just how long January is? Well, I certainly did this year! Maybe it was a combination of getting back into work as a server and dealing with an endless drone of moody guests, or the fact that I kept trying to keep my nerves in check for my trip?

I thought that I was only going to write one post before I left for Australia; but now that February 11th is getting closer and closer, I find myself composing posts in my head of all the things I'm anticipating, dreading, and imagining. I'm quickly finding that traveling to another country far from your homeland brings on certain kinds of fears.

For example, my excursion orientation group (the orientation I have with my study abroad group, different from the orientation I will get with my school) will have a day devoted to the Gold Coast and Great Barrier Reef. Amazing, I know!! It gets better: we have the option to snorkel the reef or SCUBA dive around the reef. There's just one hitch: I'm the person who freaks themselves out in swimming pools thinking that a shark is just behind me. What the heck am I gonna do when I'm out in open water known for having sharks?! Not to mention I've never snorkeled or SCUBA dived (dove? Not sure how that goes grammatically...). I'll have to let you know how that one turns out, but then again, if you don't hear from me again you'll know what happened..

Unexpected fear number two: I found out today that I will not have a place to stay for my first night in Australia. My study abroad program provider said that I needed to arrive in Cairns by noon on February 14th in order to receive airport pickup; pretty simple right? Well, silly me thought they meant that if I arrived at 3:30pm on February 13th (before noon on February 14th) that I would receive airport pick-up. Apparently not. I now have to use my savvy (though non-existent) international traveling skills to figure this one out. Anyone have nice friends or relatives who live in Cairns who wouldn't mind putting up an American college student for the night?

Unexpected fear number three: Packing.
Need I say more? I've probably packed and unpacked my suitcase a hundred times in my head. When it comes to physically opening up the zippers and laying out what I will clothe my life with for the next six months, I have a little trouble. (As you can see, the picture to the right is the progress I've made. I figure, if I cover it up, maybe it won't be as daunting?) I know what's essential (socks, underwear, passport), but everything else? Not so much. Never fear though! One way or another, I will have a packed suitcase, personal item, and carry-on bag by Saturday (Oh God, SATURDAY!!).

If anyone has any suggestions, be it SCUBA/snorkeling tips, packing pointers, or friends in Cairns, feel free to let me know. Until next time, wish me luck!

Pre-Departure Jitters

So here is it: My first ever blog post! 

I'm hoping to make this blog a "vessel of reflection", recounting my experiences as I set out on a journey across the globe. You see, I have decided to embark upon a semester abroad (many thanks to my friend Andrea for convincing me that this was not an opportunity I wanted to skip). 

Where, you may ask, am I going? Well, for my first extended trip out of the US, my destination shall be Newcastle, Australia -- a city on the eastern coast of the continent, about 2.5 hours north of Sydney. I've heard that Newcastle is an artsy city with a rich cultural heritage and relaxed atmosphere. I want to see and experience as much of the area as I can, and it seems I've got plenty to keep me occupied! 

I have so many hopes and expectations, as well as fears and hesitations, about going to Australia. Will the plane actually get me there in one piece? Will I learn to surf? How will I adjust to such a big school (27,000 students)?! What will the classes be like? Who will my friends be? Can you actually hold a koala, or is that just tourist hype? What kinds of music do they have "Down Under"? Will I be able to go to all the places I want? What does the accent actually sound like??

I've heard that Australians are generally friendly people. I hope they are also gracious: I can see myself having many embarrassing moments! I want to learn about their cultures. What do they care about? What makes them mad? What makes them proud? There are going to be many moments of complete awe, and probably a few moments of homesickness, but I'm determined to make the most of my first adventure out in the world!