Killed the computer... whoops.

Okay, so I didn't kill my computer, but I did put it into a week-long coma. I accidently deleted the varible folder instead of the log, like I had intended. Now, I am waiting for Apple to ship me some disks so I can reinstall my operating system... At least I'm pretty sure that's what the guy said. Fortunately, he said there's a 99% chance that I haven't lost any data. Until then, I'm surviving by doing all of my work in Uni Hall's beautifully air conditioned computer lab.

There won't be another video blog for 10 days or so due to this minor technological hiccup. But I'll try to make it really awesome to make up for the delay. :)

Let me fill you in on some cultural differences between the US and Aus, because they do exist. The biggest adjustment I've had to make personally is the general lack of precision in Australia. Let me explain - if the Australians tell you a number, you can be sure that they have rounded it optimistically by at least 20%. If they say it's only a five minute walk to the liquor store, you can be sure that it's more like a 30 minute walk. If something costs $15, they'll tell you it's only $7. During the week, the busses run about 5 minutes late and during the weekend, they may run about 5 minutes early. And when I took a taxi this last weekend with my friend, Sharon, the driver estimated that it would only be $15 total. It was $20. I originally found this issue to be incredibly frustrating, and still do to a certain degree. However, now that I know to expect it, I'm more prepared to deal with it.

Another cultural difference that is to be noted is the Australian love for alcohol. Now, people told me of this before I came, but I guess I always passed it off as an exaggeration. They were NOT exaggerating. People here, in general, love to drink. Any amount, any night, anywhere. As an individual with a very low alcohol tolerance who only occassionallly consumes, I have had to get used to people asking me why I don't want to drink, and why I don't want to get drunk. Thankfully, everyone is generally pretty cool with the whole thing. At least they were after "O week"...

"O week," or orientation week was an insane whirlwind of social obligations that involved loads of what we would consider in America to be blatant hazing. Here, there is no Greek system like we have on our University campuses at home. Instead, their dorms, which they call colleges, work like a fraternity system. Our college, Uni Hall, thinks themselves to be better and above George Roberts or John Flynn. And in order to be accepted into Uni Hall social life, you almost have to attend a multitude of drunken events where the "fossils" pressure the "freshers" to skull (or chug) their drinks. Also, during the duration of the week, you must wear a chef hat (or bandana, or bib, or bucket) that displays your name. If you don't follow this rule, the fossils may write your name on your forehead in permanent marker. Lucky for everyone who had to endure the permanent marker, the humidity level in Townsville allowed for easy removal of the marks.

Moving on, the other major adjustment has been in the area of dining halls. At home in the dining halls there are countless options at every meal. Everything is fresh and yummy and there is always desert. You can come and go during most of the day as you please, and if you do get the munchies while it's closed for a main meal, you can go to the take-out and grab pizza or sandwiches there. There is NOTHING like that here. There are 3 meals during the day, each with only one option. You can have a bowl of cereal and toast for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and whatever the dining hall staff slops together for dinner - and I do mean slops. Dinner 9 our of 10 times is awful. They tried to feed us ravioli one night that starving Indonesian children would have turned down. Most of us try to compensate by digging into the covered up cereal while trying not to get caught. Oh, and if you miss a meal - they only allow an hour and a half for each one - you're just SOL.

Just so I don't make this sound all bad, the difference I have enjoyed most is the philosophy of "no worries." I'm a person who typically has their panties in a bunch, or knickers in a knot for my Aussie readers. Things are just laid-back here. This sterotype is one of the major reasons I chose to come to Australia, actually. Knowing myself has a very stresed individual, I wanted to be forced into a society that's more chilled out than myself. Everytime I feel overwhelmed, I just remind myself that I'm in Australia, and that I need to do as the Australians do. It really has helped me take a few deep breaths when I've needed them.

Okay, it's time to get some actual work done. Much more will be revealed in the next blog!