St. George Down Under

Blue Mountains, Photog, Study Struggles and Folks

March 4, 2009 at 7:04 am (Uncategorized)

It looks like the Blue Mountains are gonna win the “My Fate is in Your Hands” poll, but it won’t be this weekend. I know I did promise to do what it said, but I found out a few days ago that the famous Sydney Mardi Gras is happening this weekend, on Saturday, and I MUST be there for it. I’ve never been to a Mardi Gras event, and apparently Sydney does it pretty well.

I also haven’t smoked the Cubans, lookin to do that tomorrow nite with Ryan. These past few nights I’ve been attempting to do homework, then kinda taking a break or giving up to edit photos. I don’t want a lot to build up, so I’m trying to get through them.

For those of you who were wondering (if any of you were) there IS a reason why I have so many up-close shots of the sails of the Opera House. For one, I’m trying to get away from Opera House cliches. The main reason, however, is that it is one of my photographic dreams to get published in the photo journal/magazine Lenswork, which is a black and white publication. My vision as of now is to have a portfolio full of Opera House shots, and ONLY Opera House shots. What I would like to do is to have between 8-15 close-up sail shots that are incredible, and each completely different, moving the eyes in different ways, and showing another angle of the Opera House. What I’m trying to convey is the reality that every time you look at the Opera House you see something different. If I can’t get that many good shots of just the full sails, then I’ll supplement it with shots of out-of-focus Opera House, such as the tree in the foreground, bird in the foreground, ship in the foreground, etc.

Wow. Homework is incredibly difficult to do here. Well, maybe if it was typical homework it would be easier, but it’s just reading. And only reading. For instance, I’m trying to get through a chapter of biology (right now we’re at the beginning of life, which, from the biological theories, I find VERY boring. One celled-organisms and such. UGH. I’d rather be in the city, or hang with friends, toss the disc around, EVEN watch freakin Aussie TV, which is funny. (OZ versions of Deal or No Deal, The Biggest Loser, So You Think You Can Dance? and Australia’s Got Talent.)

We’ll see how my battle goes. Oh, back to the Blue Mountains. Looks like Ryan and I will be going up a week from Friday, maybe with our other friend Ryan Ducette from Marquette. (He’s goin to the Australia-Uzbekistan game with us). We’ll stay at a hostel for two nights and chill with the kangaroos. Should be fun!

Another thing, I’m looking for rugby tickets. HAVE to see a game while I’m here!

Seems like I’ve made a legit Aussie friend. I’ve talked about Mona a bit, and on Monday we had lunch together (well, I had lunch. She’s fasting 19 days for her Baha’i religion) which was totally awesome. Just talked for over an hour. It’s kinda a bummer, she has a boyfriend (who’s in Melbourne. And when you say it, say Melbihn..and say it fast!). It’s a bummer in the sense that I don’t think we will be able to hang out for the same extended-type of periods that we would be able to if she was single. But we may go to the zoo on Friday, we’ll see. We’ve been txtin a little bit, she’s been telling me about Baha’i, which is FASCINATING, and kinda invited me to a Baha’i discussion thing.

Lastly, I’m super pumped for my parents to come. It’s not like I’m homesick, but I’m really excited to show them everything here, and to show them my life. Exited to introduce them to Heat, Vasya and Jenya, as well as take them into the city, Royal Botanical Gardens, Opera House, Blue Mountains, show them the school, introduce them to my friends. It’s gonna be a blast! Also, looks like we’re gonna chill in New Zealand for a week. My hope is to get them to guest-blog on here a lil bit!

I know I just said lastly, but here’s it! I’m actually getting into cooking. And I’m not hating washing dishes that much anymore.I’ve just been tired of eating sandwiches, and ONLY sandwiches. And its kinda a challenge, trying to make something that tastses good. A couple days ago I made Australian beef hamburgers, which were incredible. Australian beef is so good. The Russians jokingly mocked me (“You’ve opened up a McDonald’s in our apt!), but whatev, it was great. And tonite I went down to the seafood place at the shopping center and picked up some Aussie seafood medley. Pan fried in with olive oil (thnx Chas!) and added some red onions. Jenya and Heat helped me a little bit, making sure that I didn’t kill myself, but I did most of the work. And I ate it, and didn’t die or get sick, and it was freakin good! Had some soy sauce, mhm!

Aight folks, I’m out!