"O WEEK"

This week is orientation week at JCU.  So you go to all the different welcome sessions and theres activities planned throughout the week. Since I am living in the self-catered type of dorms, were a lot different then the normal, huge dorm halls. And have to do a lot less stuff, which I am very happy about. Becauseeeee, us international kids are still being considered a “fresher” since we are new to this school. A lot of the college dorms make the fresher’s were things so everyone knows such as: a crazy hat, baby bibs, bandanas with their names across them, and so on. My hall luckily, does not do anything like that. Or force you to drink or run through halls naked. So I guess I got lucky with that J There’s been barbecues, pool parties, and free pizza at pretty much every meeting you go to. Yesterday, I want on the discovery ride, where the bus drove us all around to the different places around Townsville, which was pretty cool to see. My favorite was going to the top of castle hill. You look one way and you see the whole city and then you look the other way and its just blue ocean. I am looking forward to tomorrow because we are going to the Billabong Sanctuary where I will be able to feed a kangaroo and hold a koala! I will be sure to take a lot of pictures. Then Monday, I start classes! I am curious to see how different they are from back home. So far it seems much more laid back, but their finals are a huge part of the grade. For example, one of my education classes, the final is half my grade. So I have picked up a few new things:

• Dryer sheets do not exist here.
• They only have spray or roll on deodorant.
• I cannot find folders to save my life.
• Finding contact solution here was a mission.
• The most common phrase I hear here is, “No Worries”
• The bus times seem to be different everyday. Don’t depend on them to get home…
• Australians are very nice and helpful, and I am pretty sure they all hate Americans haha
• Bar time goes till 5am here, it’s rough J

This was walking down Flinders Street. That is where a ton of shops are, this area is also known as the city mall. Flinders is also downtown, aka where all the clubs are.

Why the giant spider along the sidewalk is necessary, I am not sure..

Biggest reef aquarium in the world right here!! Have not been to it yet, but i will sometime for sure!

$20 for mascara??!? Spare me.

Love the little gecks everywhere :) They can startle you though haha

Heres our bookstore and the start to our little "student mall" with little cafes and such.

Inside the Rotary International House office/ hangout/ laundry area.

Our kitchen/dining area.

Our lounge.

Kitchen again.

I have not heard the story to why people all throw their shoes onto this tree?? Maybe just to leave something behind here? ha thought i would take a picture though!

I was told by a waitress at Melting Pot to drink Passion Pop, it is pretty good. I prefer the strawberry kind though :)

Julie(Canada), Stacey(Canada), Missy(New York), and Me.

The strand :) My favorite place in town.

You either have to swim in the netted areas, theres two. Or in the rock pool, that the water is filtered into. Because, its stinger season. They will sting you, and you will die. Comforting?

Big rope climbing area on the strand.

I like these trees :)

This sign is right next to the turn off for my housing.