'Roo Country

Back when this blog was only imaginary, I thought that I would be constantly posting, adding pictures, and reflecting on the subtle nuances of the Australian culture like, every night.  However, now that I'm here and realize how time consuming that would be and how little I really have to say, I think once or twice a week is all I'll be able to manage.

The journey here was horrible.  I thought about writing out an excruciating blow by blow saga of Qantas Flight 12, but ultimately decided to sum things up with: Bomb Threat!  FBI!  26 hour delay!  On the plus side, we ventured out into LA during the 26 hour delay and saw the Dark Knight, and we may have free Qantas flights coming to us at some point.  But that's probably just a wishful rumor.

Before we left, people had mentioned that Australia was going to be expensive.  I was thinking they meant maybe 10-15% more expensive.  However, it's more like 100% more expensive.  In the airport (and this has turned out to be pretty standard) I spent $5 on an 8 oz Americano and an apple only slightly larger than a ping pong ball.  No frankenstein hormones injected into Australian produce, apparently.

I registered for my classes and starting Monday I'm taking Electromagnetic Theory, Signals and Systems, Differential Equations, Robotics, and a Field Research Project.  We found out on Thursday that the Field Research Project for the mechanical and electrical engineers is going to be converting a Lotus Lease sportscar to be purely electric.  We're all really, really excited.  Apparently Lotuses are kind of nice.

So far the food has been good.  It's a lot of really hearty stuff.  For example, for lunch one day this week we had huge slabs of meat loaf wrapped in pastry dough with a side of steak fries.  Kind of heavy, but pretty awesome.  I have a feeling we'll be at home with the food culture here, since Australia just recently passed the US in overall obesity.  Also, I really like vegemite!  It's intensely salty, which is sometimes just what you need on toast in the mornings.  And it's a good source of B vitamins.

Something that's pretty interesting is the university's attitude towards alcohol.  They really embrace it; in fact, there's a university sponsored tavern on campus.  The school-issued weekly planners have a pre-printed message on Fridays that says "Enjoy a drink at the tav!"  Definitely different from Notre Dame.  

I got to hold a baby kangaroo, touch an echidna, and pet a wallaby today!  I'll load pictures ... at some point.  It involves cords and menus and a lot of screwing around.  But they're pretty cute, so I'll try to get to it.  

That's all for now--

Signing Out!