I’m HEEEEEEeeeeere
Well, I’m here. I have internet in the apt, so that is freakin awesome. I share the apartment with a Russian couple from Moscow, I didn’t catch his name but her name is Gina, I believe. (i’m not making this up.) Also, there is a Japanese man named Heat that lives here, but he’s in Japan for some kind of conference thing.
The flights were pretty smooth, except during the end of the flight from San Fran to SYD. The last half hour was crazily bumpy and turbulent, thought I was gonna get sick. There was a kid behind me that wasn’t feeling good, so I put in ear plugs, began to meditate (kinda), prayed, and that helped me through it. And yes, Gina, I did walk around, twice, hope you’re happy!
Got into Sydney at 730am local time. I passed the Duty Free shop will all kinds of liquor and stuff, and was SOOO tempted to buy some, just because I could…but didn’t… Went through customs, picked up my bags, then went through quarentine. After 20 minutes or so I found the Macquarie driver, who had about 10 other students, and after waiting for a few more we headed out. I met a guy named Ryan from Chicago, and we talked a bunch waiting for the van as well as in the van. It was really cool to find someone I could talk and chill with, it’s kinda relieving, especially after finding out that I’m in an apt with people of a different age…(the Russian husband is 43). He gave me his email, as neither of our phones worked, and I found him on facebook.
During the ride we talked a bunch with the driver, and he said that Macquarie makes their money from International students, out of the 25,000 students, there are probably 5,000 Aussies, he said. Most of them are Asian. That really bummed me out, I was hoping to meet and become friends with a bunch of Australians, but its looking like it may be a rarity to have Aussies in my classes. No offense to Asians, but if i wanted to go to school with asians I would have gone to Asia (that sounds offensive, still. but you know what i mean.) Ryan’s hooked up to this program called Meet a Mate at Mac or something, where he’s paired with an Australian girl from Macquarie and a European chick. I signed up for it, but was one day past the deadline…I’ll prolly be able to hang out with them.
It’s an incredibly weird feeling to be here, alone. ALONE. The learning curve will be steep, and I will figure out how to get around the city, but right now its just incredibly daunting. Need to take a shower but I don’t have a towel or faceclothe, have to call Macquarie because they didn’t give me a sheet when my orientation is, but I don’t have a phone…ugh, its stressful. I’ll get it figured out soon. I think tonite I’m gonna go to a shopping center that’s about a 15 minute walk from here, and hopefully get all that taken care of. Alright, I’m out!
Oh, also saw on the news that a man got attacked by a shark in the SYD harbor. If I surf, you guys had better think I was hardcore!
P
Jay said,
February 11, 2009 at 6:41 am
Hey Peter, hope you have a blast down there. I totally can relate to feeling alone (though to a lesser extent).. definitely felt that way going to college for the first time.
stgeorgedownunder said,
February 11, 2009 at 6:54 am
thanks man! it is pretty weird here, on a freakin island away from everybody!! haha
Adrienne Yu said,
February 11, 2009 at 7:24 am
Asian hater.
i’ll still miss you though.
have fun and you are def hardcore if you surf…and make it out alive….that is.
Taylor said,
February 11, 2009 at 7:56 am
Haha Peter, I’m so jealous! haha…I will for sure think you’re hardcore if you surf, but maybe stay out of the bay? haha
oh and you better find some beautiful aussies man, you’ll just have to go clubbing or something?
love ya man
Chad said,
February 11, 2009 at 8:10 am
SHRIMP ON THE BARRRBIE YET?
charlie the spanish lover rodriguez said,
February 11, 2009 at 8:14 am
i agree with taylor…clubbin’…do it
Kate said,
February 11, 2009 at 10:10 am
You made it! Congrats. Hope things go well with the new school. How many days do you have to explore til classes start up? GOOD LUCK! miss ya!
Gina :) said,
February 11, 2009 at 11:57 am
yaaaaay for walking around the plane on long flights!
I bet it helped, right? And that Russian, good name….gooooood name haha. Have fun getting settled, I’m sure you will get it all worked out and be comfortable soon. Did you flush a toilet yet? Which way did the water go? ha