Day 14
I started classes today - they weren't too bad. I am having a realllllly hard time scheduling the one I need to graduate but I am sure I will work it out eventually. I also got offered a "trial" at Cafe 99 (one of the places I put in a resume) for tomorrow. Some of you already read about this but I have decided to go through with making plans for a trip to Western Australia (please see description of trip below). I paid my down payment this morning - so it looks like I'm going. It was absolutely frigid today so I was excited to get back home and into my toasty room. For dinner, the other Americans, new students, and I were invited to attend pre-dinner drinks with the College administration and were seated at the high table for Hall (Hall is held twice a week at dinner - all the students and officials wear black robes [Harry Potter style] and then are served dinner instead of going through a line, it is supposed to promote students to get to know each other better and allows for announcements). After dinner we attended an after-dinner drinks meeting with the officials before heading off to our evening's activities (mine were a shower and bed)
Western Australia has some of the most remote and unspoiled environments Australia has to offer. A trip that is particularly difficult to organize alone, the Melbourne University Outdoors Program offers students the opportunity to venture into some of the most spectacular and contrasting environments of all our trips, offering students a unique experience that they are unlikely to forget.
Run during the Easter and Spring breaks, this ten day camping trip starts and finishes in Perth, Western Australia's capital. Not long out of Perth we encounter the Pinnacled Desert of Nambung National Park, where spectacular limestone pillars punctuate the yellow desert sands. from here we drive to Cape Range national park, with a brief stopover at the Geraldton sand dune system. The next four days are spent swimming amongst the beautiful corals and abundant marine life of the Ningaloo reef. Sightings of Rare loggerhead turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and clownfish are all common occurrences. Students also have the option of heading further out on the reef with on the commercial operators and during the trip have the opportunity of swimming with the incredible whale sharks.
The trip them moves inland, and into the spectacular Karijini National Park of the Pilbara region. The ancient gorge system here is simply stunning, and has to be seen to be believed.
Run during the Easter and Spring breaks, this ten day camping trip starts and finishes in Perth, Western Australia's capital. Not long out of Perth we encounter the Pinnacled Desert of Nambung National Park, where spectacular limestone pillars punctuate the yellow desert sands. from here we drive to Cape Range national park, with a brief stopover at the Geraldton sand dune system. The next four days are spent swimming amongst the beautiful corals and abundant marine life of the Ningaloo reef. Sightings of Rare loggerhead turtles, reef sharks, manta rays, dolphins, and clownfish are all common occurrences. Students also have the option of heading further out on the reef with on the commercial operators and during the trip have the opportunity of swimming with the incredible whale sharks.
The trip them moves inland, and into the spectacular Karijini National Park of the Pilbara region. The ancient gorge system here is simply stunning, and has to be seen to be believed.
Day 15
I had my trial this morning - a bit strange. I think that once I get used to it, it shouldn't be too bad. I need to file for a tax ID number and some other official stuff. I mostly helped keep the kitchen clean and prepared food for catering purposes. (The cafe is housed within the Victorian Archives building so it isn't extremely busy) I also delivered prepared orders to customers and bused tables. All in all I hope my schedule gets fixed so I can set up some hours! I met with the exchange advisor today and still haven't solved the problem - sigh. Hopefully with a bit a research and visiting some faculties tomorrow I can figure this out. My evening was devoted to class searching, plane ticket finding and trying to get through my emails. I took some pictures of the campus for Pam. Enjoy :)
So I apologize for not actually knowing any history about these buildings - i missed the cultural tour. I just picked out pretty ones
There is a lot less green open space on campus then back home - but more vegetation growing up walls and sort of surrounding everything so it still feels green.
A little cafe - there are a lot of these too
This is the clock in the old Quad - most of the older looking buildings are situated around it
Many areas are tiled over like this - there all sorts of little secret spots to eat a packed lunch or read a book between classes (if it ever gets warm)
A pretty ceiling - I know that's lame
This courtyard sort of reminded me of a castle...
More ceiling - Mind there are plenty of modernish boring square buildings about but I figured you'd rather see these. and of course like all major universities - there is construction EVERYWHERE - just like home
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