Slightly shocking

August 28, 2011

Monday I finally Skyped my parents again. Tuesday I saw a six foot long python on my way to class, but it didn’t startle me near as much as the  kookaburra I came face to face with during a jog, or the bird that swooped down and ate a butterfly while I was admiring it. Even though I was able to maintain my composure remarkably well (maybe it had something to do with holding one my first week here?), I decided I no longer feel comfortable cutting across the grass.

Pasta makes perfect.

Wednesday, to my dismay the practical wasn’t available to look over ahead of time, so I had to just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. The tutor must have an obsession with maps, because this week her instructions began, "Many people have lived here for 15, even 20 years and still don’t know the layout of the city, so today we will be labelling and colour-coding a map of Townsville.” Thankfully I sat next to one of the girls I worked with last week and she helped me figure out what to draw where. At some point I hope I can return the favour, although all the practicals are in the computer lab from now on and I have no idea what that entails.

I met up with my partner from my Youth, Identity, and Popular Culture class to work on the project I drew the female model for Thursday for an hour, Friday for two, and Saturday for another two. Because we are focusing on the negative effects photoshop has on people’s body image, we printed out the "ideal” facial features to give our model an attractive but artificial face.  The guy from Ecuador (whose name I sadly still don't know) just happened to be waiting, too, and asked what my plans were for the weekend. No sooner had I told him that I was working hard on homework than Jessica Alba’s face--full page and full colour--shot out of the printer. All I could think to say was, "Well, see you later!” At 4:45 I met Stephanie to take the free bus to the store, but for the second time in three weeks, it never showed up.

We accurately accused our creation of being a fake.

Saturday after our poster was finished, I worked on my environmental science essay. Sunday, as usual, I went to the Farmers’ Market and the store with Holly and Stephanie, then made more gluten free brownies for her floor dinner. I was glad to hear that they were a hit and multiple people asked for the recipe. That night I finally finished the first draft of my essay, so now I "only” have two more to go.

Lesson 17

>Pronunciation: I say hue-juh; Aussies say you-juh

>Vocabulary: I say drinking fountain; Aussies say bubbler