Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
1st day of classes
I think I have always managed to make myself seem like a fool the first day of classes. Today was definitely not an exception! Officially, February 22 was the first day of classes. But, I have wonderfully worked out my schedule where I only have classes- Tue, Wed, and Thur. Fridays are absolutely freee!! But there is one draw back to this magnificent schedule. On Tuesdays I have class from 2-8 PM straight. So today was my first day of class on that crazy Tuesday.
I am a junior in College, yet I messed up like a freshman today. This is advice for anyone who decides to go to a new school, and wish to spare themselves the uncomfortable humiliation of stumbling into lecture late.
Mistake #1- Not printing out your course schedule
ADVICE #1- PRINT IT OUT AND GLUE A COPY TO YOUR BODY!
Why didn't I do this? Because I didn't feel like going to the computer lab to print it out. So I didn't. Result: Wandering around the lecture hall trying to find my classES (emphasis on the ES because I looked for all my classes today). On my class list, it has the building number and there is this hall called Manning clark center.
In my arrogance, I thought oh yea I know the building!It's a lecture hall. When I walk in, it's not like wheeler where there is one auditorium - oh noo!! it's 3 auditoriums and 3 theatres. Not remembering what theatre I was supposed to be in, I walked into the first hall and plopped down. Couple minutes before the hour, the professor (lecturer) put up a slide that said computer science. I looked around and ducked out. So I spent the next 10 minutes bobbing my head in and out of all 6 lecture halls. Finally, I resolving to one with Newmedia200 flickering off the projector. My first class in Australia.
I think it's funny how all classes have a pretty similar first day, dishing out the academic policies and the course description. I have to say, the Aussie accents weren't as enticing as they sound...it was a little drag. There before me was a little women with unruly hair, going on about a wiki page. Apparently in this class our main project is a wiki group page and then a couple papers. Doesn't seem that bad. They call their grades "assessments", no Mid-term crap. Just projects and final papers. They also explain papers not by pages, but by words. So I have a few short term paper 800-1000 and a few long ones 2,000 and one really long one 4,0000. That now seems pretty painful because 5 pages is about 2000 so 4,000 is 10 pages (single spaced!) OUCH!
Anyhow, it's the course. So in my media class, we watched a strange video movie using "new" media done in 1929 Russia. Strange first class. After the class, I had no time to run to the library to double check my class location, so I bobbed in a lecture hall and found an open computer to double check again.
The lecture halls are all new and the desks are different, reminds me of the mini-lecture halls in evans. All lectures are recorded =). Anywho, I got to my Democracy in Southeast Asia class a tad late as well. Oh yea, all my class have less than 20 people in them. It's really small courses. So it's really OBVIOUS to walk in late. Great...Anyways, he dragged on about politics and I itched to get to my next lecture across the campus. I picked up a map and drew my destination so I knew where to go. Rushing off, I forgot my map.
ADVICE #2: keep a spare map!
I wandered to the Coombs lecture hall.
I FOUND A LECTURE HALL THAT IS WORSE THAN DWINELLE! I didn't think it was possible, but oh the architectural capability to complicate a building! This little building is probably the most difficult thing to navigate in my life.
It's shaped like a honey comb, with 3 hexagon shaped buildings squished together. The numbering is wrong because it goes from 7,000 to 2,000 to 1,000. I wandered and wandered looking for my lecture. I almost wanted to cry.
Finally, I asked inquiries where the lectures are and he mentioned an extension building. A light went off in my head, OHhhhh yeaaa Coombs extension hall. DAMN IT! So I stumbled into lecture 30 minutes late. I was the best lecture of the day. I'm really excited about my semester. I just have one more class tomorrow morning and then I'm free all week long. No tutorials (section) this week!
absolute glee!
I am a junior in College, yet I messed up like a freshman today. This is advice for anyone who decides to go to a new school, and wish to spare themselves the uncomfortable humiliation of stumbling into lecture late.
Mistake #1- Not printing out your course schedule
ADVICE #1- PRINT IT OUT AND GLUE A COPY TO YOUR BODY!
Why didn't I do this? Because I didn't feel like going to the computer lab to print it out. So I didn't. Result: Wandering around the lecture hall trying to find my classES (emphasis on the ES because I looked for all my classes today). On my class list, it has the building number and there is this hall called Manning clark center.
In my arrogance, I thought oh yea I know the building!It's a lecture hall. When I walk in, it's not like wheeler where there is one auditorium - oh noo!! it's 3 auditoriums and 3 theatres. Not remembering what theatre I was supposed to be in, I walked into the first hall and plopped down. Couple minutes before the hour, the professor (lecturer) put up a slide that said computer science. I looked around and ducked out. So I spent the next 10 minutes bobbing my head in and out of all 6 lecture halls. Finally, I resolving to one with Newmedia200 flickering off the projector. My first class in Australia.
I think it's funny how all classes have a pretty similar first day, dishing out the academic policies and the course description. I have to say, the Aussie accents weren't as enticing as they sound...it was a little drag. There before me was a little women with unruly hair, going on about a wiki page. Apparently in this class our main project is a wiki group page and then a couple papers. Doesn't seem that bad. They call their grades "assessments", no Mid-term crap. Just projects and final papers. They also explain papers not by pages, but by words. So I have a few short term paper 800-1000 and a few long ones 2,000 and one really long one 4,0000. That now seems pretty painful because 5 pages is about 2000 so 4,000 is 10 pages (single spaced!) OUCH!
Anyhow, it's the course. So in my media class, we watched a strange video movie using "new" media done in 1929 Russia. Strange first class. After the class, I had no time to run to the library to double check my class location, so I bobbed in a lecture hall and found an open computer to double check again.
The lecture halls are all new and the desks are different, reminds me of the mini-lecture halls in evans. All lectures are recorded =). Anywho, I got to my Democracy in Southeast Asia class a tad late as well. Oh yea, all my class have less than 20 people in them. It's really small courses. So it's really OBVIOUS to walk in late. Great...Anyways, he dragged on about politics and I itched to get to my next lecture across the campus. I picked up a map and drew my destination so I knew where to go. Rushing off, I forgot my map.
ADVICE #2: keep a spare map!
I wandered to the Coombs lecture hall.
I FOUND A LECTURE HALL THAT IS WORSE THAN DWINELLE! I didn't think it was possible, but oh the architectural capability to complicate a building! This little building is probably the most difficult thing to navigate in my life.
It's shaped like a honey comb, with 3 hexagon shaped buildings squished together. The numbering is wrong because it goes from 7,000 to 2,000 to 1,000. I wandered and wandered looking for my lecture. I almost wanted to cry.
Finally, I asked inquiries where the lectures are and he mentioned an extension building. A light went off in my head, OHhhhh yeaaa Coombs extension hall. DAMN IT! So I stumbled into lecture 30 minutes late. I was the best lecture of the day. I'm really excited about my semester. I just have one more class tomorrow morning and then I'm free all week long. No tutorials (section) this week!
absolute glee!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
feb walkabout
Sorry my readers. I haven't written in a while. My excuse is because 1) I didn't want to waste my uncles bandwidth ( yet I did waste alot watching How I Met Your Mother online )
2) I wasn't feeling the photo uploading crap because it took so long,
3) I'll admit it, I'm just damn lazy.
So there. I decided that it is time to recap my past 2 weeks for you as I sit quietly in my new dorm room for the first time. I have decidedly chosen moments that stand out to me. I will call this my feb 15 day walkabout.
Journey Number 1: I'm in Canberra.
Put it this way: my melodramatic writing on my last post was a result an emotional overload and sheer amusement. My insides were turning, waiting for a chance to explore the land down under. I felt cooped up in my uncle Edo's house. It's not that I did not appreciate my uncle. On the contrary, Auntie Silvia graciously offered me a room and I had a place to stay. My uncle was more than happy to take me around the area. But I felt I wasn't traveling. I was at Telstra Tower for those pictures. It's a huge telecommunication company in the country and it has this tower at the top of Black Mountain. The view is amazing, but there is nothing more to say about it.
So I decided to write something dramatic to describe an intense version of Canberra. Because Canberra is referred to by some as “CAN-BORING”. It is the equivalent of Washington, minus the classical architecture, Obama, Democrats and Republic showdowns and the Washington shenanigans that carry on everyday. Exchange D.C. for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, multi-cultural embassy displays, gigantic roundabouts, and a glaring Australian flag atop a white spire building.
It's a small city, “in between” Melbourne (7 hours by car/ 50 minute flight) and Sydney (3 hours by bus). I like Canberra. I sincerely do. It's just small. I'm more of a city girl, but I think this might work for me. If not, it's a chance to work hard in school. But UNI will be amazing.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
the edge...
I teetered on the edge of my new journey. A land of gold, an unexplored horizon, all glaring at me. I will discover. My flesh and the heavy heart will traverse this continent with a swift tempo of the aboriginal drum. The beats of my soul move beyond the echo of blue.
Climbing to the top of the very needle that pin-pointed my new home, catapulted me to an explorer claiming my destination. I floated above the vibrant blue and growing green, stark silver and the hollow black. All Man-made. The Man-made lake and the edifices of silver and gray containing domains of power and the cluster of knowledge.
I soared above the roads that etched out concentric circles and bubbled the land as inhabitable suburbs. Amid the soft feathery clouds and the lush green earth, the green blue water and the bounty of the sun, my mind fluttered. Although we etch out our world, what have we truly made?
My toes curl over the edge of the world. A step into tomorrow, a free fall to my volition.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Journey to Oz
I have to admit I cried. It's no easy feat leaving those you love for a different new place. I had anticipated this day for almost 4 months and the illusion a future became a reality the moment I stepped on that plane. It was real. I was going to Australia. I clung to my cell phone and salvaged the last few minutes of US airtime I could spare saying Good bye. The Good-byes made me laugh and almost cry, but confined spaces and crying do not really work hand in hand.
Comparing the Aussie Passport to the American. Quite a difference.
My flight was a grueling 10 hours from LAX to FIJI. The food was almost sickening and the service was alright. The black hole screen of the mini TV and the malfunctioning light did not help ease my comfort. But, I was okay. I had my handy dandy notebook and I scribbled away in the dim light about the past few joyous days. I twisted and turned in the uncomfortable seat to catch a bit of sleep, but screaming babies and jolts of turbulence made my possible 10 hour beauty rest into a mess of erratic turns and awkward slips in and out of sleep. But, I landed in Fiji. The weather there was musty, resembling the Philippines and the terminal was small. I watched as the airport security guards took pleasure in absolving helpless Australians of their newly purchased duty free items. A couple had bought a really expensive liquor and the guard, poured it out in the trash in front of their faces.
Anyhow, my layover was 4 hours in the hot terminal. I hung out with this Australian I met on the plane in the terminal. I drank a bottle of Fiji water, in Fiji. Yes, I know.
We boarded our plane. And I got to prepare my finals thoughts before really reaching my destination. My nerves started to kick. I had gotten an isle seat. I could only peer through the window, when the Dutch girl would move her head. The first glimpse of land was almost a shock to my system.
Welcome to Sydney, Australia.
First order of business was working the stupid phone. After purchasing a phone card and squandering 10 dollars with the machine, I called my mom. I landed safely in Sydney without any hitch. I finally called my uncle edo to let him know I was there too. I will say the scariest moment after getting out of the terminal is figuring what out what to do next. When I couldn't get the pay phone to work and I needed to look for the bus, my frustration hit a high point. It may seem like a little detail to know where the bus stop is, but believe me, that doubt and uncertainty almost brought me to tears. But, I recovered. Traveling is like a maze. When you hit a dead, you turn back and take another path- find another solution.
There was my first few hours: Pay phone, phone card, coffee, food.
My first Australian Meal: Cappacino and a Mackers (Aussie nick name for mickie d's) Bacon and BBQ sauce cheese burger from the dollar menu.
After figuring out the phone calls, I went outside a plopped down on a bench near the bus stop. I started talking to this amazing Indonesian Masters student from ANU. We ended up sitting together on the three hour bus ride to Canberra. We discussed politics and development studies. She is doing her masters in Public Policy and prior to that majored in forestry. I have studied a lot about Indonesia, but all of it is scattered in my memory bank. I racked my head to remember my readings about Indonesia. What was amazing was the similarities we had in the discussion of policy and disaster relief and implementation. She had worked with the Disaster Coordinating committee post - Indonesian tsunami's. I look forward to working with her in the future. Aside from that the scenery was beautiful. Very open and very raw, with a crystal blue sky. There are endless forests and plains of yellows and greens.
And driving is on the wrong side. Yes I said it. The WRONG side. The drivers seat is on the right and you drive on the other side of the road. As much as I knew that fact going in, it is disturbing! When my uncle was driving, I anticipated different turn and thought he was going the wrong way, when he was going the right way! I was baffled by the difference in turning. It is a lot for the mind to process. Twice, I tried to get on the driver's side of the car already (because it's our passenger side!)All my uncle edo would do is laugh at me! It takes passenger seat driving to a whole new level.
I made it to Canberra.
Comparing the Aussie Passport to the American. Quite a difference.
My flight was a grueling 10 hours from LAX to FIJI. The food was almost sickening and the service was alright. The black hole screen of the mini TV and the malfunctioning light did not help ease my comfort. But, I was okay. I had my handy dandy notebook and I scribbled away in the dim light about the past few joyous days. I twisted and turned in the uncomfortable seat to catch a bit of sleep, but screaming babies and jolts of turbulence made my possible 10 hour beauty rest into a mess of erratic turns and awkward slips in and out of sleep. But, I landed in Fiji. The weather there was musty, resembling the Philippines and the terminal was small. I watched as the airport security guards took pleasure in absolving helpless Australians of their newly purchased duty free items. A couple had bought a really expensive liquor and the guard, poured it out in the trash in front of their faces.
We boarded our plane. And I got to prepare my finals thoughts before really reaching my destination. My nerves started to kick. I had gotten an isle seat. I could only peer through the window, when the Dutch girl would move her head. The first glimpse of land was almost a shock to my system.
Welcome to Sydney, Australia.
First order of business was working the stupid phone. After purchasing a phone card and squandering 10 dollars with the machine, I called my mom. I landed safely in Sydney without any hitch. I finally called my uncle edo to let him know I was there too. I will say the scariest moment after getting out of the terminal is figuring what out what to do next. When I couldn't get the pay phone to work and I needed to look for the bus, my frustration hit a high point. It may seem like a little detail to know where the bus stop is, but believe me, that doubt and uncertainty almost brought me to tears. But, I recovered. Traveling is like a maze. When you hit a dead, you turn back and take another path- find another solution.
There was my first few hours: Pay phone, phone card, coffee, food.
My first Australian Meal: Cappacino and a Mackers (Aussie nick name for mickie d's) Bacon and BBQ sauce cheese burger from the dollar menu.
After figuring out the phone calls, I went outside a plopped down on a bench near the bus stop. I started talking to this amazing Indonesian Masters student from ANU. We ended up sitting together on the three hour bus ride to Canberra. We discussed politics and development studies. She is doing her masters in Public Policy and prior to that majored in forestry. I have studied a lot about Indonesia, but all of it is scattered in my memory bank. I racked my head to remember my readings about Indonesia. What was amazing was the similarities we had in the discussion of policy and disaster relief and implementation. She had worked with the Disaster Coordinating committee post - Indonesian tsunami's. I look forward to working with her in the future. Aside from that the scenery was beautiful. Very open and very raw, with a crystal blue sky. There are endless forests and plains of yellows and greens.
And driving is on the wrong side. Yes I said it. The WRONG side. The drivers seat is on the right and you drive on the other side of the road. As much as I knew that fact going in, it is disturbing! When my uncle was driving, I anticipated different turn and thought he was going the wrong way, when he was going the right way! I was baffled by the difference in turning. It is a lot for the mind to process. Twice, I tried to get on the driver's side of the car already (because it's our passenger side!)All my uncle edo would do is laugh at me! It takes passenger seat driving to a whole new level.
I made it to Canberra.
I had a real meal.
And I spent quality time with my uncle!
Departure
As my kuya says, "Hurricane Michelle touched ground!"
I learned that rolling is conducive to space. Packing is truly a pain. How do you really pack for seven months abroad? I just grabbed my favorite clothes and a range from Summer to Winter.
Then off to the airport I go...
Air Pacific had no "que", instead I went straight to check in and they didn't even x-ray my bags! Straight into the resting point of the terminal 
for happy visitors. The Caballa's! Daddy lito and Auntie V.
My mom gazed in awe at my last American Meal
Snapple and Red Velvet Cake at the airport. Does no justice to red velvet, but you have to end somewhere.
I ended hugging my mom. Thank you Mom for letting me do this. For being my strength and the support I needed, the patience with my packing capabilities and the endless love. Thank you mom, for having the strength, courage, and love to let me go. I love you and I miss you already.
Concerned** about the journey ahead (haha **that face is for sara & joshua!)
I learned that rolling is conducive to space. Packing is truly a pain. How do you really pack for seven months abroad? I just grabbed my favorite clothes and a range from Summer to Winter.
Then off to the airport I go...
for happy visitors. The Caballa's! Daddy lito and Auntie V.
My mom gazed in awe at my last American Meal
Snapple and Red Velvet Cake at the airport. Does no justice to red velvet, but you have to end somewhere.
I ended hugging my mom. Thank you Mom for letting me do this. For being my strength and the support I needed, the patience with my packing capabilities and the endless love. Thank you mom, for having the strength, courage, and love to let me go. I love you and I miss you already.
Concerned** about the journey ahead (haha **that face is for sara & joshua!)
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