Internet:
Speaking of the Internet, I've had to adjust to adding ".au" to everything... It's not usually required, but still, when you're copying down email addresses and whatnot, it's an interesting thing to note. Go U.S.A., we're the king of the world!
Money spending:
Great news! I discovered that (upon asking others, not sure if this is COMPLETE fact, but it is objective) I am currently living in the cheapest accommodation in Sydney. It's cheaper than any other dorm, apartment, or house, I believe, partly probably because it also pays for 21 meals a week, while other places cost more in general and you'd be paying more in time for shopping, groceries, time for cooking, and bus fares. (And bus fares here are $1+ one way. If you want to go to the outer city, it's like $2.)
The dorm, International House:
So I guess that's something I can be proud of! :D Living here has been great so far also. There are so many planned activities, and since the place isn't huge like UCLA's dorms, people can at least be on a first name basis with everyone in the building. In the dining halls, there are identical large round tables around, and people just come in and fill in a seat. There's less grouping of one party and leaving people out, and you never NEED to find someone to eat with. It's seriously been the best!
Finding a job:
I've been trying to find a job recently. It's quite strange for me to do so, I feel, because I didn't feel like I needed to before I went on this trip. I figured my parents and financial aid have got the costs figured out, and I'll just be thrifty. The place is WAY more expensive than I thought it would be, with dishes normally exceeding $10 a plate, and boba for like $4. (I haven't had boba yet, actually.) Plus, everyone I've met has been thinking about or has found a job. It's tough out there, but easier than finding one in the U.S., I think. It's been so strange finding waitressing and retail jobs here. They ask for my resume, and I present it knowing there's diddly-squat there that shows I can make coffee, wait tables, work a cashier, or maintain inventory.
I did a trial for a super Asian restaurant yesterday. It was called... *drumroll*... Noodles and Dumplings Canteen. XD It's at a nearby mall, and it's not a food court type of section, but it's more of a little restaurant. It's owned by this married couple from China, and they speak straight up Chinese-accented Mandarin. I thought I could understand it, having gotten used to Taiwanese Mandarin during this whole year, but NOPE. My to-be coworker is SO CUTE though.. she's just the most gorgeous little thing. <3 ANYWAY. I will probably not stay there, but it wasn't too bad, I even got to take some lunch home. :D Since I slaved away for them for free for two hours.
Speaking of jobs, I went to Coogee to look for jobs, and it's this beach area where there are a bunch of cafes. I went to this one called Tango and there was this Mexican guy there, adult-aged. I said "Hi, my name is Wendy and I am a UNSW student. I'm looking for some work if you're offering anything?" He was like "Wurzz are you studying?" Sociology? "Wurzz are you studying?!" ... UNSW? "Let's just say... come back in a month." o__O? "Because you don't seem to understand English too well yet. You need to live here more, your English is not too good." ..............
SAY WHAT?! You're the one with the crazy Latino accent, aite. I've never had someone say that to me... Oh well. I swear maybe "wurrzz" was the wrong sound, but he said the EXACT inbetween of the words "where" and "what". >>... I'm not gonna return and try to work for a guy like that. :3
Clubbing:
Clubbing here... is quite interesting. I didn't know clubs could be clear of dirty dancing! Turns out outside of the states, people don't really straight up grind all night. They actually do like little group dances and shake their heads to the beat. There are like fist pumping competitions (jk.) and they only grind after the guy really warms up to her. o_O I'm thinking in America, it's like *taptap* Hi, wanna dance? *grinds* So it's a good adjustment, but the DJs (that I've heard so far) leave in waaayy too many non-beat/transitional moments in there where no one knows how to dance to it? Sound familiar? Anyway....
One night when I was going out with like a group of 10+ people to Sydney's "downtown" area, King's Cross, I was walking out of there with a friend ahead of the pack, and I see this guy-girl couple coming the opposite way of us. We were on opposite sides of the road so we wouldn't knock into each other, obviously, but suddenly the female person scooped up behind me and SLAPPED MY BUTT. I thought she was going to knife me, but nope... I guess I'm lucky? I was like O__O!!! or DDDD8<<<<< either. Or both.
We're famous!
In any case, it's been great to be from San Francisco and UCLA, because I can say both those locations and everybody will have heard of them! So great. As my friend said, I'm lucky because she has to say Mexico for anyone to know, AND she says she also has to say Mexico the non-Mexican way, aka pronouncing the 'x' as 'ex' instead of 'h' (Me-hee-ko). It's also oddly unsettling saying I'm from UCLA though because you get praise, but also... surprise. LOL Am I putting something out there that makes me seem less than I am? I got asked "How did I get in there?" and I'm trying to take it as a compliment or neutral question...x)
More cultural differences:
What's also been different is that they call McDonald's "Mackers", pronounced "Mackas". x) They're like Ooohhh Mickey D's! I'm like no. We don't even call it that. Oh well :) Our local Mackers is only like 10 minutes walk away. :D Open 24 hours too. And they offer a bit of different things. Plus they have that stand-alone cafe next to it. Dear sweet baby Jesus.
Ice breakers:
My dorm put on an ice breakers night, and the turn-out was great! A lot of people brought drinks with them, which made it funner I guess. :) We played games like untangle the group, I like, find the person who, and others.
Being Asian American:
This has been the most eye-opening experience for me in terms of realizing that I am Asian American. Sure, I knew it before, but it's not until you're abroad and there are fobs everywhere that you feel the burning desire to separate yourself from them. It's only because people treat fobs like outsiders here, so I've been obviously avoided because of how I look. Then when I approach them and speak my American English, I so often get "Ooohh, I thought you were Asian." I AM Asian... o_O But nope, I pretty much turned American so fast here. I wonder if the people here were talking to others about me, would they say "You know, Wendy, the--"? The Asian but American girl? Or the American but Asian girl? I asked, and a friend said "I'd say American!... Well that depends I guess, I don't know." It's almost nearly an identity crisis going on now because I don't look like I belong in either the European nor the Asian group. I manage though. :D
GOD WENDY, stop talking, we just want to see pictures! I hate reading! I agree, so here we go~
I've been playing pool SO MUCH. The rec room is always quite festive and it's a great place to meet people!
This is the law building near my dorm. It's so nice and purple! I go on campus to use my internet because the rate for bandwidth at my dorm is so high! T____T How else am I supposed to watch my shows?
We had orientation in this Science theater.
After orientation, the study abroad office organized a nice BBQ for everyone! :D Delicious!
Is that... JENGA?! Why yes it is! Just one of the many activities going on at the O-Week festivities.
Also went to the Coogee beach with friends. Not only wore a two-piece swimsuit for the first time, but I went into THE OCEAN WATERS for the first time! We all know that won't be happening anytime in LA or SF. It was le freezing still...
Have I been super super busy? I guess not quite. Sometimes I'm just chillin' with friends playing guitar and singing in the courtyard! :)
Sorry for the extended novel! I'll try to make more frequent posts, though the posting rate will be super slow now anyway as school has just started today! :D yayz.
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