After a month's worth of observation, I've made an executive decision that there is absolutely no one who trumps America when it comes to competitiveness in sports. Seriously. We are so diehard for these games that we have built shrines to seat 80,000, we plaster the faces of our athlete-superheroes on sides of buildings, we get in fistfights over a single call in our petty intramural game. Some non-Americans come close... and I can vouch for this, being a ref at Murdoch's social basketball league. Yes, there's definitely intensity here also, but I can't say Aussies or any other nationality demonstrate quite the fanaticism of the States.
That said, Australian League Football (AFL) or just "footy" as it's more commonly known, is a massive source of pride and celebration in this country. I have yet to make it to a real match, but even in getting a feel for it on TV you can tell there's a lot of emotion riding high on it. Allegedly, the triumphant team's hometown's bars go absolutely crazy for the night... reminiscent of Wisconsinites and their Packers, hey?? (On a side note, I just heard Favre's back for another year. Shocker.)
Other BIG sports here that we know little of:
-Squash. Played in a racquetball court or something very much like it. Beyond that I have no clue whatsoever.
-Netball. If you could imagine an "Ultimate Basketball," this would be it. Same equipment, different rules. You cannot move when you have the ball, except for a step or two to pass; the court is divided into thirds and there are certain times you can and cannot occupy these; the more professional players have to shoot standing only on one leg... many other bylaws I can't remember. I've heard it is rather frustrating.
-Cricket. Here is all I know about this bizarre sport-- the pitcher must throw the ball with his elbow locked throughout the motion. Yeah, try that one at home. After this, people run bases for some amount of time.... and there are points. Yep!
-Footy. Footy appears to be a cross between rugby, soccer, and American football... The field is oval shaped. The ball is a sort of lopsided football. Play is continuous, like soccer; the goals consist of four posts which create three side-by-side zones. Kicking it through the middle posts is worth 6 points, through the outer posts is worth 1 point. You can run with the ball, shovel pass, or kick it.. and you can tackle freely at any point, EXCEPT for a player who's successfully caught a kicked ball-- they are "safe." Sounds confusing, maybe? If you ever get a chance to watch a game on the tele or something, go for it, its intense!
On the level of amateur sports, I recently received an unofficial invite to play on the Murdoch women's basketball team here. I was stoked!! But don't be too impressed-- basketball is definitely not quite on the same level as collegiate ball in the U.S. I've been to a practice (they're held only weekly) and it feels more like a club team... which is perfect for me :). The girls are extremely nice and we have a coach, an intimidating black guy named Vince, who played for the University of Colorado back in the day. Most importantly, being on the team (and a solid $200) means I get to represent Murdoch at the Uni Games, essentially an annual Australian Olympics that is held in Perth this year. It takes place over the second study break; a 7-day period of competing and cheering during the days, then party party party (with water and veggies trays of course) during the nights. I am already so stoked for this adventure!!! What an awesome opportunity :) :)
Well, some of my friends have revealed a nerdy streak and are currently watching Avatar, the original animated show out in the living room. I should probably join them. First, though, I think I may have to scoop some cookies from my flat... they are Momma Peterson's and despite 10 days' and 18000 miles' travel, they are still delicious!!! Love you Mom :D
The PlatyBus Crew!!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
We all live in a blue Jackaroo, a blue Jackaroo, a blue Jackaroo!
The Jackaroo. Pictured above. Our Gang's collective mode of transportation-- a slightly squashed creeper van-like vehicle that has only two seats but easily seats ten. It is four wheel drive and diesel and a tank and absolutely perfect for our needs, all thanks to its owner Steve. Just last Sunday he and Fiona (another car we teamed up with) hauled us to go beach-hopping all the livelong day! We looked like a genuine traveling hippie band, complete with Aussie flags for curtains and PB & Js packed for lunch. Over a span of 8 hours and 4 different beaches, we soaked up the "winter" sun while kicking around a soccer ball, exploring the coastline, and for myself, taking my first-ever attempt at surfing. And by this I mean my Finnish friend Tommi put forth a truly impressive effort to teach me how to get out to the waves. SO hard, but so fun!! My only legitimate time spent on the board totaled at one ride in on my belly.. but hey, there's many weekends to go!
Let me enlighten you with some real Aussie vocabulary:
"brekky" = breakfast
"hey?" = either, "what?" or, as in, "The weather's probs pretty great out today, hey?"
"mabes" = maybe
"probs" = probably
"totes" = totally
"sausage" = brat
"rubbish bin" = garbage can
"sugarknickers" = my roommate Tom's nickname for any female friends
"uni" = class (whereas "course" = major and "class" means nothing)
"cheers!" = thanks!, good day!, sure!, hi!, see you later!, or basically any and every word you'd like to use it for
"dodgy" = shady
"chewie" = gum
"avo" = afternoon
"no worries!" = no worries!
One of my most engrained habits is one of list- and graph-making. In addition to "The List of the Lost" (items) and "the Gang Family Tree," we've come up with some "Weekend Excursions Ideas." These include, but are not limited to, a day trip kayaking, snorkeling and biking around Rottnest Island, going kid-like crazy at a totally rad looking arcade in Freo, choreographing a dance routine and performing it for money in the Perth city square, and finding an island with supposed wild kangas in the middle of the Swan River in Perth. Sorry for only adding more anticipation to hear about these endeavors, but be sure I will write about them as soon as they come to fruition!
One more piece of good news on the job front: I officially have a job at a nightclub in Fremantle called The Metropolis. Apparently its a pretttyyy ritzy place and, given that I have no bartending experience whatsoever, I am slightly baffled why I got the job... but no worries! I'm stoked to see my first Australian paycheck. I'm also hoping to get some hours at a restaurant/bar that's only a ten-minute walk from campus. I met a DJ there, Andy, and he was generous enough to talk to his manager about available work. And! In my mass distribution of resumes and application in desperate search for work, I put my name in for this interesting but slightly dodgy-looking Actors/Extras ad. Do I have any experience acting whatsoever? No! Did they call me up the next day? You bet your sugarknickers. I have no idea where this is leading, but as long as its not down a dark ominous path that screams SCAM or worse, I'm willing to give it a shot. Who knows? Maybe I'm about to discover a flair for theater that I never had before!
Time for bed, you keep me up too late! Good night :)
Let me enlighten you with some real Aussie vocabulary:
"brekky" = breakfast
"hey?" = either, "what?" or, as in, "The weather's probs pretty great out today, hey?"
"mabes" = maybe
"probs" = probably
"totes" = totally
"sausage" = brat
"rubbish bin" = garbage can
"sugarknickers" = my roommate Tom's nickname for any female friends
"uni" = class (whereas "course" = major and "class" means nothing)
"cheers!" = thanks!, good day!, sure!, hi!, see you later!, or basically any and every word you'd like to use it for
"dodgy" = shady
"chewie" = gum
"avo" = afternoon
"no worries!" = no worries!
One of my most engrained habits is one of list- and graph-making. In addition to "The List of the Lost" (items) and "the Gang Family Tree," we've come up with some "Weekend Excursions Ideas." These include, but are not limited to, a day trip kayaking, snorkeling and biking around Rottnest Island, going kid-like crazy at a totally rad looking arcade in Freo, choreographing a dance routine and performing it for money in the Perth city square, and finding an island with supposed wild kangas in the middle of the Swan River in Perth. Sorry for only adding more anticipation to hear about these endeavors, but be sure I will write about them as soon as they come to fruition!
One more piece of good news on the job front: I officially have a job at a nightclub in Fremantle called The Metropolis. Apparently its a pretttyyy ritzy place and, given that I have no bartending experience whatsoever, I am slightly baffled why I got the job... but no worries! I'm stoked to see my first Australian paycheck. I'm also hoping to get some hours at a restaurant/bar that's only a ten-minute walk from campus. I met a DJ there, Andy, and he was generous enough to talk to his manager about available work. And! In my mass distribution of resumes and application in desperate search for work, I put my name in for this interesting but slightly dodgy-looking Actors/Extras ad. Do I have any experience acting whatsoever? No! Did they call me up the next day? You bet your sugarknickers. I have no idea where this is leading, but as long as its not down a dark ominous path that screams SCAM or worse, I'm willing to give it a shot. Who knows? Maybe I'm about to discover a flair for theater that I never had before!
Time for bed, you keep me up too late! Good night :)
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Australia ate my electronics...
Less than three weeks in and Australia has already claimed my hair straightener, my MacBook hard drive, and my first Aussie phone. In the first case, it seems the straightener simply could not handle the converted wattage (fyi: American appliances require a different amount of wattage than the rest of the world). A hard drive crash is inevitable for any computer, the unfortunate part is that it had to happen 5 days after I left the country where it was under warranty. And the phone, well... Goon happened.
Have I explained to you yet, exactly, what Goon is? I must, considering it's a major component of Australian culture. Goon is a generic term for any sort of cheap wine, comparable to Franzia back at home. Its many varieties and flavors come in a beautiful shiny silver bag and so far we've found the best deal at four liters for $12.00. Hard alcohol, on the other hand, usually hits around $40 or $50 for .750 liters. Robbery!
To allay the pains of generally hiked prices, I do believe I've landed a job serving at a restaurant called the View. True to its name, its on the second story of a classy building overlooking the Indian Ocean off the western edge of Fremantle. I had my 'trial run,' two hours of work to give the employer an idea of how you'd perform, and I feel it went smoothly. No flung linguini, toppled drinks trays, or tripped customers... it was hectic! But who can say no to $21.00 an hour??
Yesterday a segment of the Gang and I made a trip to Cottesloe Beach, a little north of Fremantle. At least I think it was Cottesloe... our German friend Guido somehow missed the window to press the 'open door' button to get off the train, so we ended up a ways away. Oh well! According to Brooke's (American buddy) pedometer, we walked a good six miles exploring the stunning, sandy coastline. Fairly mean-looking waves compelled us to try bodysurfing.
Our Gang's other recent activities have been many rounds of H-O-R-S-E, cashing in on free food throughout campus, scooping fresh delicious oranges off nearby trees, holding a massive multi-meat grillout (kangaroo IS delicious!), and going on a wildlife tour in Caversham Park, where we were informed about and privileged to pet heaps of native Australian fauna. Koalas, though quite grumpy-looking, are so blissfully soft you wish you could take one home and have it be your little spoon. The kangaroos there have grown up with human company and are, thus, totally open to rubbing and petting and taking pictures (coming soon) with you. All creatures that are probably as interesting to Australians as deer and squirrels are to Midwesterners, but an excellent experience nonetheless.
Australian class is, so far, very enjoyable. With only one or two classes a day and Fridays off completely, I love the looks of my schedule. This system differs from the U.S. in a few ways. Almost every course ('unit,' here) has a weekly lecture, a tutorial (where we break into smaller groups and have discussion), and/or a lab. Sounds like more on paper, but ends up being much less work. Instead, it is expected that you actually read all recommended material and keep yourself afloat... otherwise you're vegemite toast at the end-of-semester exam. Everyone has much more laidback vibe in class, casually calling out answers and asking questions without reservation. Phones go off and no one cares. Cool!
My good buddy and roommate Sally has sadly left our flat because her post-grad teaching work came to a close. I miss her bubbly company already, but we did fit in a cultural exchange of CDs and puppy chow for vegemite! Haven't decided if that's exactly fair in terms of taste quality... I'll have let you know. My other roomie Vicky always lets me taste what she's cooking -- usually some delicious sort of soup, curry, or stir fry mix. I tell her she must be from Wisconsin at heart because she LOVES cheese more than any Cheesehead I know.
Have I explained to you yet, exactly, what Goon is? I must, considering it's a major component of Australian culture. Goon is a generic term for any sort of cheap wine, comparable to Franzia back at home. Its many varieties and flavors come in a beautiful shiny silver bag and so far we've found the best deal at four liters for $12.00. Hard alcohol, on the other hand, usually hits around $40 or $50 for .750 liters. Robbery!
To allay the pains of generally hiked prices, I do believe I've landed a job serving at a restaurant called the View. True to its name, its on the second story of a classy building overlooking the Indian Ocean off the western edge of Fremantle. I had my 'trial run,' two hours of work to give the employer an idea of how you'd perform, and I feel it went smoothly. No flung linguini, toppled drinks trays, or tripped customers... it was hectic! But who can say no to $21.00 an hour??
Yesterday a segment of the Gang and I made a trip to Cottesloe Beach, a little north of Fremantle. At least I think it was Cottesloe... our German friend Guido somehow missed the window to press the 'open door' button to get off the train, so we ended up a ways away. Oh well! According to Brooke's (American buddy) pedometer, we walked a good six miles exploring the stunning, sandy coastline. Fairly mean-looking waves compelled us to try bodysurfing.
Our Gang's other recent activities have been many rounds of H-O-R-S-E, cashing in on free food throughout campus, scooping fresh delicious oranges off nearby trees, holding a massive multi-meat grillout (kangaroo IS delicious!), and going on a wildlife tour in Caversham Park, where we were informed about and privileged to pet heaps of native Australian fauna. Koalas, though quite grumpy-looking, are so blissfully soft you wish you could take one home and have it be your little spoon. The kangaroos there have grown up with human company and are, thus, totally open to rubbing and petting and taking pictures (coming soon) with you. All creatures that are probably as interesting to Australians as deer and squirrels are to Midwesterners, but an excellent experience nonetheless.
Australian class is, so far, very enjoyable. With only one or two classes a day and Fridays off completely, I love the looks of my schedule. This system differs from the U.S. in a few ways. Almost every course ('unit,' here) has a weekly lecture, a tutorial (where we break into smaller groups and have discussion), and/or a lab. Sounds like more on paper, but ends up being much less work. Instead, it is expected that you actually read all recommended material and keep yourself afloat... otherwise you're vegemite toast at the end-of-semester exam. Everyone has much more laidback vibe in class, casually calling out answers and asking questions without reservation. Phones go off and no one cares. Cool!
My good buddy and roommate Sally has sadly left our flat because her post-grad teaching work came to a close. I miss her bubbly company already, but we did fit in a cultural exchange of CDs and puppy chow for vegemite! Haven't decided if that's exactly fair in terms of taste quality... I'll have let you know. My other roomie Vicky always lets me taste what she's cooking -- usually some delicious sort of soup, curry, or stir fry mix. I tell her she must be from Wisconsin at heart because she LOVES cheese more than any Cheesehead I know.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)