Category: Australia Life (2005-2006)

So, I feel very accomplished. Today marks my 2-week anniversary of living in Australia and I have completed the following:

– Arrived and went to the Orientation Sessions at school
– Opened my bank account at Commonwealth
– Started Cellphone service
– Looked at about 6 apartments, and found my new home
– Made several new friends
– Registered for courses
– Found potential work as a tutor, and posted ads of English tutoring up

I’m very proud because I feel that I haven’t wasted any time getting set up, and it’s just in time for school to begin next week! I’ll be on a roll!

So, I moved into my new apartment today. It is absolutely amazing. It’s on the top floor of an art deco building and has sweeping views of the city–including the Harbour Bridge and the first part of the Opera House. The apartment is actually two buildings connected by an opaque roof. The bedroom is a great size, it’s very quiet, and opens up to a huge roof deck for barbecues and such. It’s excellent! Anyhow, I should have some pictures of it up soon!

So tonight, I headed out to the Colombian to meet Sherri, a friend from the states who works for STA.. She stayed with me in San Francisco for a weekend before she moved down to Australia. Mike met up with us later and there was a group of about 6 of us.. It was great fun. Mike and I then headed off to my school where they were holding an International Party for all the incoming international students. We met up with Paula, the bassoonist, and a few other people, and we started meeting others left and right. It was such a great mingle party.

Then, they announced LIMBO. They said the prize would be 2 tix on the water in a jetboat, or a huge BAG filled with different chocolate for 2nd prize. Obviously, I started in Limbo for the chocolate, and before I knew it, it was me and about 4 others left. This is when it got personal–they introduced us all, and everyone was cheering. Down to 3, and then, it was just Me and a tiny girl from singapore. Everyone was hilariously cheering me on, cause I had a good foot of height on her.

Anyhow, we kept going, to about 66cm off the ground, and I finally knocked off the pole! Anyhow, it was pretty cool fame, cause then more and more people would say hello and such–that I was amazing! I had a HUGE bag filled with all sorts of chocolate to take home with me for the evening. I say job well done!

So this morning, I headed off early to campus to attend our Orientation Matriculation Ceremony. We were in the Great Hall of the Quadrangle building which is a grand Oxford-looking type collegiate building. From the front lawn, you can see the beautiful Sydney skyline as our playground. It really is an amazing sight.

During the ceremony, I sat next to Paula, a 24-year old from the US who has come here on full scholarship to do research–on what? The art of Basoon. She’s been playing basoon for 12 years and is doing her PhD here at the University of Sydney. So random, but hey, the Australian government seems to support her more than they want to support a young businessman like myself.

Anyhow, there were hundreds of students from different countries, so the MC called out all these countries where we would all stand. Once China was called, maybe 75% of the room stood up–China really is taking over–it’s amazing.

I met several people today, and everyone’s spread out with their housing. So, I’m rethinking my plan of being so close to the university–as my main thought was being close to there for usage of facilities. Unfortunately, graduate students are practically considered as the public, and we have to pay to use the gym facilities each use. Also, internet is limited to 6mb a day, so I feel I’m better off living somewhere where I’m able to have my luxuries of a gym/pool/internet and not have to worry about each time I enter. I hope to find housing soon!

So, I still haven’t found suitable housing yet, but I’m on my way to another viewing right now. I’m finding things all over the place, but one good characteristic that is constant in each viewing, is everyone seems perfectly easy to live with. I have spent countless hours WALKING all over this amazing city, and I can’t believe I haven’t worn a hole in my shoes yet! I’ve looked at places in Zetland, Camperdown, Chippendale, and have appointments in Newtown and Surry Hills tonight. I hope to find something soon, but Tracy and Mike are being very hospitable by giving me a place to sleep each night. Tonight we’re all going rock climbing!

So, now I’m getting all my bearings, and registering with housing services and such, and hopefully a new home will be in the works quite soon! I will be leaving Mike and Traci for a hostel near my school so I can meet others and be closer for orientation and such. So far, I’m loving this place so much! Will update soon. And congratulations to Joann and Tim to their new baby boys!

Today I headed to the University of Sydney to check out the campus and go to the arrival orientation. I arrived early, so I checked out the Student Union, the International Office etc. I got my email account set up, headed back to the lecture hall where my orientation was going to be held. At the orientation, there were about 10 of us. About 3-4 from the US, 2 Germans, 1 French, 1 Israeli and some others.. Orientation was pretty basic, but gave great info on opening bank accounts, obtaining a Tax ID, working here, how to enrol in my courses..oh and that the 911 of AUS is 000. There were mostly grad students which was cool.. 3 of us are in the same faculty, so we’ll see if I have courses with any of them.

After orientation, I met Slava, a cool guy from NY who is on study abroad here. He’s Russian, and rock climbs, so hopefully I have a rock climbing buddy to hang out with. I then attended the housing session, and hopefully I will be able to find some adequate accommodation soon.

Anyhow, after the orientations, I headed to National Australian Bank to enquire about their services for students.. then on to Commonwealth Bank. I opted for Commonwealth and set up my first Australian Bank Account!

I then headed for the mall on Broadway, had a late lunch, and started feeling the effects of jetlag a little. I know I have to keep up until tonight to set me on time, so I’m trying! I then headed over to Pitt street and opened my cell phone account there. So, today, was quite eventful!

Tonight, Mike and Traci are having a couple of friends over for a dinner so that will be great. I’m having a blast seeing Mike and Traci again!

Hello from Sydney Australia! I arrived this morning after a very long flight direct from San Francisco. It actually didn’t seem too long, but I was definitely glad to be on ground again. I got all my baggage (3 HUGE bags, and a backpack) all checked out, and I can’t believe I didn’t get hit up with any custom duty charges for all the equipment I’m bringing in! My new camera, laptop, monitor, etc..

Anyhow, Mike was at the customs exit waiting for me–good thing he’s tall, cause I spotted him quickly! We met quickly and headed for the U of SYD table to pick up my orientation stuff, and headed out the door to Paddington, where I will be staying with Mike and Traci. Traci is a girl we met during our first trip to Australia in December–she sat next to us on the flight home, and we just enjoyed each other’s company so well!

I’m quite tired and will be heading to bed soon, but stay tuned as the next few days will be packed with stories I’m sure!