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.