Pictures from the weekend...

Seaweed:  This is what seaweed looks like in Oz. Seriously. These bushes got caught on my ankle string while surfing. It was gross. The instructors said this only happens once a year. Glad I could experience it. (Ya Right)

This is what the locals called a possum:

I don't believe it's a possum but who knows. What the instructors, and people who work at the camp do, is chase this poor (stupid) animal around - it comes at night to pick from the garage. They sometimes grab it by the tail and throw it - no lie. On Saturday night a worker picked it up and threw it at a bunch of girls - also, no lie. I hid behind a guy and to this day, I hate thinking about.  I went to bed shortly after this started to happen - I hate wild animals at night, especially the brave ones.

And some professional photos:

Surf (boot) camp at SpotX - New South Wales

What a weekend!

So on Thursday night I started to second guess my weekend game plan. We were to leave at 6AM (up at 5AM) on Friday morning. But here I was, Thursday night with a really bad cold (which felt like it was getting worse by the second) & I was still working on my assignment that was due Monday before 5PM. I posted on facebook, “anyone want to go on the surf trip this weekend?”

I had some responses – most were from people from Canada – funny guys. But  I did receive a couple of bites from people in Oz. By midnight I was in bed, asleep. 5 AM came real quick but I pulled it together and hopped on the bus for a 6 hour bus ride. 

After stopping at McDonalds for breakfast (they don’t have BLTs here), and then another stop for a pee break and finally, a stop for booze – we arrived in New South Wales (a State south of Queensland). I looked around and it looked like a trailer park. There were campers, camper vans and the beach (yippy)! We were told to go into the kitchen and eat as we were already 1 hr late from arriving and our surfing lesson was at 2 PM (it was 1 PM). So we ate (really good food –buffet of all kinds of fruits, salads, greens, sandwiches, soups etc.), then got into our bunkers (2 single-bed bunk beds per unit with the smallest washroom in the world), then threw on our bathing suits and off we went to surf school.

Here we were sized up for our wet suits (not as awful as you’d think, except they were kinda damp – nothing is worse than putting on a WET wet suit). And off we went to the Ocean. Here we were put into two groups (our bus load was 50 people), then we were told to do some stretches on the sand and then there was a demonstration (on the sand) of the basics to surfing. 

P.s It’s soooo much easier to surf on the sand than on the water. ;)

The basics:

Get on your board -balance!

Have the top of your foot, reach the bottom of the board. 

When a wave comes, PADDLE with your hands, then rest your hands right besides your arm pits – your thumbs should hit your nipples. 

Then bend your back right knee, pulling that leg up a little, 

then push your upper body up with your arms, while your bent back leg pushes you up. 

Then with the move of your waist you swing your other leg to about half of the length of the board and up you get.

Easy – right?!

NO!

First, if you are weak in the arms – it’ll be super hard.

If you weight more than 100 lbs – it’ll be hard.

If you don’t have balance – it’ll be hard.

If you aren’t motivated – it’ll be super hard.

If it’s raining – it’ll be harder.

So each day – Friday, Saturday and Sunday we had three hours of surfing/lessons. There was a ‘professional’ photographer there each day. 15 shots for $25 – after you sift through over 1000 photos online, you can pick ones you want, and then they’ll email them to you. I still have to do that.

So after lessons on Friday, we got back to get showered and changed and then at 6 PM dinner was served.

I cannot recall what we did between surfing and dinner but I would imagine rest and probably chatted.

The people at SpotX really want you to have fun so they’re always thinking of games to play (that are usually geared towards the people that are visiting – busses filled with Canadian, he’ll look up Canadian trivia). After dinner we had a fire. This was a life-saver as we all couldn’t shake being cold from the water. I think I stayed there for the whole night.

Games we played Friday night:

1)   1) Moose – if you’re caught sitting around the fire with your drink in your right hand, you have to ‘smash it’ – chug it all.

2)   2) Flip Cup – line up two teams – one on either side of the table. Each person has one cup in front of them with a mouth full of beer. Each person has to chug that drink, then place their cup at the edge of the table, and flip it so it stands upside down. Then the next person goes and so on. The first team to finish the row, wins. The losers had to get up on stage and dance – not bad.

3)   3) Suck and blow: Two lines. Lined boy/girl; boy/girl. Take one card from a deck of cards and suck it and then pass it on to the next person in line. The first team to finish, wins.

a.     The trick – Wet your lips and inhale and be sooo close to the next person that you don’t have to move much to pass it.

Saturday we had a wake up call at 8AM (not too bad as I was in bed at 10:30 and asleep by 11:30 – remember, I’m sick haha).

They had breakfast ready at 8AM and then surfing started at 9:30 until 12. This was exhausting as we were still sore from the night before – and the beds were really uncomfortable there. Off we went. Came back and showered and then we had many hours to kill before the camp fire. Today kinda sucked because it was pouring all day. When you were in the water, it didn’t really matter because you were soaking anyway, but when you were out, and changed into regular clothes, you couldn’t get warm. They did a ‘bottle store’ run and I ran into some shops in town. ;) Then the manager (who was Canadian) was trying to think of games to play, in the rain. So he offered to make a slip and slide but because everyone was already showered and freezing, this didn’t’ go over well. Then he decided to do a trivia night. We played about three rounds. My team won !!  Then they offered a kayaking ride for $5 (regular $10 but everyone was miserable so they said $5). I stayed back. You had to go in either a wet suit – which would have been soaking from the morning session or just in your bathing suit – reminder: it was still pouring, so I passed. I stayed back and hung out with people.

Then we had dinner and then more games:

Saturday night games:

1)   1) Flip Cup

2)   2) Beer Pong

3)   3) Obstacle course – this one was almost forced participation but it ended up being a ton of fun. The Canadian manager set this up. There was a variety of stations:

a.      one had three people who had to get into a wet suit – over their clothes.

b.     There was another station where you placed your head on the top of a golf club and spun around 10 times then tagged the next station

c.      Another station had 4 mats lying on the ground – with 4 girls and 4 guys (the manager said this was the best station – haha). They had to do 10 different sex positions and have a staff member confirm that it was indeed a position, once they met the 10, they tagged the next station in

d.     This station was flip cup – but it was a mix of goon and milk in a wine glass. Then they had to flip their cup and tag my group in

e.     This is where I was – the last station. We had to eat something L  I knew I would lose. Haha once they uncovered it, I knew I was doomed. I am sick so I had no extra saliva and dehydrated after being in the Ocean all day. What it was was a WheataBix Bar SMOOTHERED with Vegemite L  I took one bite and couldn’t do anything with it – sooooo dry. It’s almost like the dare they have in Canada where you cannot swallow more than 6 soda/soup crackers in a minute. A girl won this round.

So kids, I tried vegemite. I really couldn’t tell you what it tasted like because I was under pressure and more concerned about me not chocking.

4)   4) Pass the Orange. Again, line up boy/girl into two lines. You had to pass an orange via your neck from the top of the line to the bottom – without dropping it. If you dropped it, you had to start again (same rules as the card game we played the night before). But we couldn’t use anything limbs – only chest and neck. I found this easier than the card pass game. I think also, I placed myself beside the same people as the night before so I was already forced to be comfortable with them the night before haha

I cannot think of any other games. But then the rest of the night we just sat around and chatted – thankfully outside, they have many picnic tables that are covered so we all just sat around those all night – poured all night.

I think I was in bed by 12:30 this night and again, up at 8AM for 9AM surfing class. We finished at 12 – BUT most of us got out of the water by 10. I think I was out by 10:30 and then just took pictures and got some sun. It was finally sunny and we had to take advantage of it ;)  After, we had lunch at 12. Then we packed up and left by 1PM. Another 6 hour bus ride to Queenland. This time we only stopped once – thankfully.

Overall, surfing is hard but a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. I need a lot more practice - a lot. ;)

The next two weeks are going to be really busy with school work. I had one assignment due today - a three day lesson plan for math taken from a children's book. I did mine off Bunny Money by Rosemary Wells - subtracting Australian Currency.

Thank you Facebook as I was able to use Farmville as my ICT component - basically in Australia they're implementing technology into all their learning experiences ;)

Lets go to the Ex!

http://www.toronto.com/guide/cne

This is what I feel like I'm missing. As crappy (and unsafe) as the Ex is, it's tradition to go every year.
Damn it - it even has a new logo this year HAHA

If I'm ignoring anyone this week it's because it's week 5 of school - assessment time.
Teachers give 1 week for introduction and then 4 weeks for learning. Then the 5th or 6th week is assessment. Heck we were even TAUGHT to do this!
Welcome to the life of a student.

I cannot remember if I posted this, but what's interesting in the country of Australia is that teachers get tested. Once they leave teachers college, and want a full-time job, they have to go through an assessment process to make sure they're up to par with their knowledge.

If I can take away anything from my education, from primary school to high-school, it'll be LEARN YOUR TIMES TABLES!
It's the most important thing you can learn.

It's funny.
I am hanging around a lot of internationals students - Germans, Chinese, French - who are learning/working on their English. The more I hang around them,  the more I notice that my speech is slowing down.  It's a weird thing.  I started using smaller words, a lot of "hummm". So now I am in the processes of getting my vocabulary back - haha

The Australians are super nice.
A few of us Canadians have misplaced their valuables to only call the company/bar/cab and have the items located, and returned.
The first day my friend arrived she left her iPod in the shuttle bus.  She called and had it returned.
Another friend left her wallet in a cab - filled with all her Ontario ID etc. - she called and the driver drove back to the suburbs (on his day off), and returned the wallet.

Random things like that = awesome!

I leave on Friday at 6 AM (tomorrow morning) for the Surf Trip. It's a 6 hr drive south from here. Which'll mean it'll be freezing. The rain has slowed down a little but it's still miserable out. I won't return until Sunday evening (with a paper due on Monday before 5PM).
Yippy!

Wish me luck!!

New Discoveries

Yesterday was a good day (Sunday).

1) Back breaking news:
After doing some readings (lying), and homework (lying again), we headed to the mall for some errands.
The busses are still on strike except they've agreed to work on a Saturday schedule and on Saturday and Sunday, on a Sunday schedule.  The unfortunate thing, they might not show up as 'scheduled'.  So we ventured out anyway.  Trying to catch a bus back home, it didn't show up.... so we waited and waited.  Eventually we ran into some girls from our program - also Canadian who arrived in January of this year.  One girl, Lindsay is super nice and also in my math course. She let us know that Coles (www.coles.com.au), our cheap grocery store does deliveries for $7!! We break our backs every couple of weeks shoving as much groceries into our backpacks and shoulder bags - so this might really come in handy!

2) Cheap and good food!
Sunday night we went to O'Malleys for cheap dinner and some Karaoke.
Now let me set the stage: We've been to this bar on a weekend before - Friday or Saturday night - and usually it just turns into this whole dance party - which is super fun.  When I walked in on Sunday night, it looked like a completely different bar - there was tables and chairs and families eating dinner HAHA
SO their special was oversized veal schnitzel with fries, salad and either beer or a glass of wine - all for only $10!!!!

Check out the size of the veal:

How crazy is that!! All for $10. The problem is ... they don't let you 'take-away' the food. So you have to share with a friend (even cheaper) or go there on an empty stomach.

3) This morning in lecture I discovered there's such a thing called 'TASK AVOIDANCE DISORDER' - totally not lying.  Google it!

4) The same professor also mentioned that when you're stressed or excited your adrenaline increases which also leads to an increase of cortisol in your brain. So if you're in an argument and you're saying whatever you're saying, you know when you're done and reflecting on the situation, you always say to yourself "oh I wish I said this" or "Why didn't I do/say that".....well that's because the heightened cortisol minimizes your thoughts.

Ta DA! I am learning ;)


(

Cortisol is an important hormone in the body, secreted by the adrenal glands and involved in the following functions and more:

• Proper glucose metabolism
• Regulation of blood pressure
• Insulin release for blood sugar maintanence
• Immune function
• Inflammatory response

Really though - they were talking about this because new academics are trying to push for NO EXAMS in schools.  Reason: they are not a good means to measure a student's knowledge.  Most people just get
 too stressed and anxious about exams and then forget everything they studied for.

I am in a Graduate program and I only have one exam - that silly Math exam.  If you fail it, you have another chance to write it. If you fail it again, then you write again.
The silly thing - if it's the only exam in this program, and you continue to fail it, you cannot graduate from this program.

Eeks!

On another weird note:
I was supposed to go down to Brisbane this past weekend to volunteer for the Ride to Conquer Cancer, Australia but with the bus strike - I decided against it.
As it turns out, the person I was going to meet up with, and travel through the town (the professional photographer of the event), got into a head-on collision on Sunday.  He's ok. But what are the odds.

Also, I've been thinking about my friend in Goderich - her wedding is coming up! But for the past two days, I kept she was on my mind. This morning I woke up and heard that Goderich was up against a tornado. Also scary and very devastating!! Her and her family are good. The city is not.  If you're in the area - please help out!

Up coming events:
The surf trip this weekend!!

Weekend Wrap-up

Weekends start on Thursday for me. Classes end at 6 PM and then we just give'r.
Kidding Mom and Dad.

Thursday night the crew (20+ people) headed to Pig N' Whistle - a British Pub.  This is a pub that has a connection with the University where they organize a shuttle service, to and from the bar - for free!
So we hopped on the 10PM bus - and I was home at midnight. HAHA

Friday about 7 of us girls headed to the beach for the day.  Where there was a random (pirate) ship floating around all day.

(p.s if you click on the image, it'll enlarge)

Then at night we were going to a 'Canadian Pow-Wow' where everyone was supposed to dress in Canada gear or plaid.  It was a great night! Then we took this house gathering to the beach where we had a bon-fire and music (three people brought guitars).  It was a blast!  Except I think I was the only one wearing a sweater (or anything) that said CANADA on it. So that was lame.  Most people wore plaid or just had red or white on.  I am shocked at how many Canadians travel without Canada t-shirts, sweaters etc.  I have three t-shirts, 1 hoodie, and my Olympic mittens! GET WITH IT PEOPLE!! ;) Though I think we all have flags on our backpacks.

Saturday we all woke up tired...haha
But we all also signed up for the Eumundi Markets day trip. We had to catch the bus at 8:45 AM to ride 20 minutes to Eumundi. The whole downtown core (approximately three blocks) has been transformed into markets and vendors.   It was really awesome.  I didn't buy anything special.  I only purchased a black leather change purse. Something I wish I brought from home because currently I either carry my normal wallet (containing Canadian things too), or just this card holder and then throw money loosely into my purse - disaster. So I am happy with my purchase. And the fact that inside it says "Made in Australia" is pretty special. The guy said it was made from a Roo.  :s

Though I think I am getting sick. My throat is all sore.
I was just drinking a tea - yup, I actually bought and now drink it - go me!
I also eat onions now.
OH and some cheeses.

Big steps for me.

As for today - it's pouring.  Guess I'll have to hit my textbooks.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGS!! Hope you have a wonderful time in Ontario!!


xoxox!

What I miss... so far

So I came here NOT eating KD (Kraft dinner) and not caring that they don't have it here.... but look what I saw at the store today:

so apparently they DO have it here... if you were interested.   I still wouldn't eat it.

Oh and for those of you who asked if the toilet flushes in the opposite direction - I wouldn't know. Every toilet I've been to, has the 1 flush, 2 flush where everything just gets dropped. Sorry. haha

What I miss:
1) Knowing what to buy at the grocery store. It literally takes me 2 hrs to walk the rows of the grocery store to 'try' things.
2) Q-Tips - be thankful we have them in Canada. They suck here. Or maybe I am just not looking hard enough for them.
3) Canadian prices.

So far though, I think I'm doing good. :)
I'll answer this question again in another month. That's right... I've been here for a month already!! Crazy!!

They drive on the opposite side of the road. Crossing the street is still a challenge.
They also have round abouts every 1 km on the roads. It's random but I guess it gets people to slow down. But when you're driving in one, or waiting to get in it, it's really trippy.
You're on the 'wrong side' with cars coming from all directions.  I should video tape it.


As I sit here in my Red Canada Olympic sweater:

Weekend Wrap up

For me, my weekend starts Thursday night as I don't have classes on Friday - go me!
However this weekend, I had work to do on Friday - we had an assignment due.  By 1 pm, I was done and ready to 'relax' - it helped that the sun was shining :)

My friend, KT and I arranged for our butts to be picked up at 6PM (busses still aren't running - and won't until next Thursday) and off we went to Mooloolaba.
Next stop, PJs for some casual drinks - I've since upgraded from Goon and bought a bottle.  It was awful. Then I met PJs roommates (Irish friends) who bought AWESOME wine for $2.99 a bottle - $16.90 for the CASE!!! The best part - the name! Family members will get this - BOWLER'S Run ;)

Then we headed to another friends place and then O'Malleys (Canadian friends, it's like Grace O'Malleys downtown) an Irish Pub. Except the ages range from 17-70. It's very interesting.

Saturday: I walked myself to the grocery store - I had next to nothing in the fridge and tried to hold off as long as possible (the closest grocery store is very expensive - like A&P in Canada).
Then I played some tennis ... and by played tennis I mean tried to.  Basically we hit a ball around. Then I played some basketball and then made yummy cookies.  Then we made a collaborative pizza (BBQ Sauce, Onions, Chicken) and called it a night.

Sunday: Woke up and watched a movie - My Best Friend's Girl & Black Swan (it was raining and crappy out - it called for a movie day).  Then made pasta salad for tonight's pot luck dinner & cleaned up around my apartment. Nothing exciting.
Oh, I also went for a walk. Our residence is located in the suburbs. I went walking in it and found this man-made-lake. It's really beautiful there. I might got back tomorrow to take some photos. It has all kinds birds, swans, etc. and they come up to you expecting food - sorry guys, things are too expensive to throw away! haha

I've been trying to look for a cover for my Macbook keyboard - That's going to be my mission for today...or the week.

Terms: Bottle Store - LCBO
Oh and they sell milk in a carton on the grocery shelf. Not in the refrigerator. I bought it like this yesterday. Had to try it. It's a fraction of the price :P

And you aren't in Australia if you don't see a kangaroo a day!

Random thoughts

Today I received an email from a friend describing what a BLOG is - "a BLOG is usually a diary ... which usually connotates DAILY.... get with it girl "


So here we go.......So school is in full force.

We had the math exam last week. An assignment due on Monday and another assignment due on Friday.  Then next week, we have an assignment due on Wednesday - BUSY BUSY!  I think in my undergrad, I had about an assignment a month for every course - NOT here, not here!

The bus service (translink.com.au) randomly strikes here in Australia and so last week we had the bus strike on Monday and Friday.  Then this week, Monday & Tuesday, back Wednesday then off again until Monday.
Who knows what's happening.  But it's getting annoying and frustrating.

So we've all felt like rats caged up at Varsity Apts. - you need a key to get in and out of the complex and you're surrounded by metal fences haha - really it isn't that bad but it's funny to think about it like that.

I am sure you're thinking - "take a cab, Ashley"...WELL....

CABS: They aren't cheap either - well it depends on the time of day you take it.
In Toronto, I believe cabs start at $4. HERE, if you get in a cab before 6PM, the start rate is $2.80.  If you get in a cab before midnight, $4.80. If you get in a cab AFTER midnight, $6.80 (something like that).
INSANE.

Upcoming events:
I also booked a surfing trip at SpotX for the last weekend in August.
http://www.spotxsurf.com/index.php?page=home
It's for the whole weekend and they guarantee that you'll be able to stand up by the end of it - or else you can come back again.
The whole gang is doing it - probably 20+ people that I know so it should be an interesting weekend.

There's also a day trip organized by the University (for International Students): $10 gets you on a bus to Eumundi Markets Trip.  http://www.eumundimarkets.​com.au/
You’ll find original artworks, sculptures, furniture, handmade toys, homewares, and skincare, as well as cutting edge fashion and jewellery by local designers, all guided by our ethos of “we make it, bake it, grow it, sew it”.

If you’re a foodie, you’ll especially love our market …laksa, calamari, thai, paella, quality coffee, chocolate, great cakes, old fashioned lemonade, and more. We have a wealth of fresh produce – including fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly baked breads, locally made cheeses and yoghurts.

And, when you need a break from the shopping, sit back and be entertained by a stellar line-up of performers guaranteed to get you in the groove. There’s plenty of local talent to keep you entertained, with world-music sounds, country tunes or tribal rhythms.

You can also have your palm read or indulge in a vast array of services offered by our many health and wellbeing practitioners.'

Terms: 'Ta' means thank-you
             Check the roll - attendance check

 We watched this clip in our classroom management course - I also posted this on facebook tonight.  This class always shows us clips, demonstrations, pictures, audio of lecturers, comedians and teachers... and they're always hilarious!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OonDPGwAyfQ

Also, in this same class and others, they focus on lesson planning and classroom management on showing youtube clips of SUMMER HEIGHTS HIGH.  If you haven't seen it before, go on youtube and watch some clips. The short ones with Jonah is what we always watch.

Contact me:

Family/Friends in Canada - if you'd like to text or call me: 61426118449

This is my cell phone number and the country code of Australia (61) is already added to the number - so just type in all those numbers and you'll reach me - good if you want to arrange a skype time.  

Thank you Nicole for testing that out with me :)

Also, if you an iPhone (or phone with applications), download TEXTFREEK.

There we can text message for free.

People have been asking about my address:

25/8 Varsity View Court

Room 2

Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia

4556

:)

* Note that I'll be moving in about 3.5 months.  Cheaper rent is down by the beach.  Where I live now is the residence so it's super close to the school but nothing else.  And they charge you for everything!  (i.e. 14 cents a minute to use the phone).

USC Bus Pass

Exciting news (for an international student on a budget)!!

When I attended The University of Western Ontario, included in our tuition was a bus pass. This was excellent.

Here, at The University of the Sunshine Coast, no such luck.
Though they have a student concession card (translink.com.au) that allows student to purchase a card ($5) then load money onto it for easy riding.  Their system is - swipe on when you get on the bus or train, and swipe off when you exit.  As a student, with a concession card, it's 40% off the ride.

I've already been through $20 on my card.  The mall is $1.33 there and back unless you do it in a short period of time then the way back is 'free'.

BUT (and the point to my post), I did an online survey & received a new card (one that doesn't expire until June 2014) that was LOADED WITH $70!!!

This is music to my ears!

Thank you TransLink!