I officially have an Australian phone and phone number!! I went a purchased a little Nokia pre-paid phone from the post office today. (Side note, Adam makes fun of the way I pronounce the word Nokia. I don’t understand it because I don’t hear the difference between the way he says it and the way I say it. Who knows, he’s crazy)
Since it is a pre-paid phone I had to do the activation myself so it took me a little while, but I believe I got it to work! Although, I haven’t tested it yet, so hopefully I won’t have to make a correction to this post tomorrow. *Adsy just called the phone and it works!* My new number is 0412868981. Don’t forget the country code (61) for those of you calling outside of Australia. I will still be using Skype as my main form of communication for my family and friends in America, but in case you wanted the new number here it is!
I’m one more step closer to establishing a life here in Australia and it feels good. It really is funny how dependent we are on cell phones, but I’m not going to go into that now. I’m just glad that if I get lost in Sydney I can call Adam to come find me!!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
A chance of rain on Wednesday
I am feeling pretty proud of myself while I sit here and review today’s events. So proud in fact that I have decided to reward myself with a little glass of wine. I was very productive today, and I feel like those days always need a little bit of rewarding. My productive day started with breakfast and a phone call to my dad, I then got ready and hopped on the bus and traveled to UNSW. Good thing the bus stop is just outside of the apartment because it was raining. This brings up another reason for me being so proud of myself, it was raining outside. I was so determined to go up to the University that I didn’t let a little rain ruin my day. P.S. I didn’t have an umbrella either; I might need to get one of those handy contraptions.
The bus ride only took about 15 or 20 minutes which I figure isn’t too bad once classes start. When I got to campus I immediately got lost, even with looking at all of the maps posted around. Eventually I found the building I was looking for and got inside before it really started coming down. I checked in at the International Student Services desk, and they gave me some good information including my own campus map.
After I left the ISS I went and got my student ID card. It is so like me that I would chose a day when it is pouring down rain to go get my picture taken for a card I have to carry around with me for a year and a half. I don’t have a good track record for taking official type pictures. Floating head drivers license anyone?
It was only 12pm by the time I left the student ID card place and I didn’t want to go home yet, plus the rain had abated so I thought I’d get lost a little on campus. I found myself in a food court with a chicken naan wrap in my hand not too long after my walk. As I was sitting eating my lunch I spotted one of my other roomies, Henry. We had that awkward moment when I’m waving to him and he is trying to decide if he knows me and how he knows me. Obviously, we are very close. Henry sat and ate his lunch with me and then took me on a mini tour of campus. He dropped me off at the bookstore where I purchased my new school planner! For those of you that don’t know, I am a huge dork and get really excited about a new planner.
After my exciting purchase I hopped back on the bus for the ride home. When I got home I registered for a bunch of pre-class stuff like campus tours, international assemblies, etc., and I wrote them all down in my new planner! Great day even if I did come home looking like a wet rat!!
The bus ride only took about 15 or 20 minutes which I figure isn’t too bad once classes start. When I got to campus I immediately got lost, even with looking at all of the maps posted around. Eventually I found the building I was looking for and got inside before it really started coming down. I checked in at the International Student Services desk, and they gave me some good information including my own campus map.
After I left the ISS I went and got my student ID card. It is so like me that I would chose a day when it is pouring down rain to go get my picture taken for a card I have to carry around with me for a year and a half. I don’t have a good track record for taking official type pictures. Floating head drivers license anyone?
It was only 12pm by the time I left the student ID card place and I didn’t want to go home yet, plus the rain had abated so I thought I’d get lost a little on campus. I found myself in a food court with a chicken naan wrap in my hand not too long after my walk. As I was sitting eating my lunch I spotted one of my other roomies, Henry. We had that awkward moment when I’m waving to him and he is trying to decide if he knows me and how he knows me. Obviously, we are very close. Henry sat and ate his lunch with me and then took me on a mini tour of campus. He dropped me off at the bookstore where I purchased my new school planner! For those of you that don’t know, I am a huge dork and get really excited about a new planner.
After my exciting purchase I hopped back on the bus for the ride home. When I got home I registered for a bunch of pre-class stuff like campus tours, international assemblies, etc., and I wrote them all down in my new planner! Great day even if I did come home looking like a wet rat!!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Reconnaissance Mission #1
Today’s mission included getting out of the apartment, getting some exercise, and more importantly trying to figure out what is around me. The mission was a really a glorified walk. After a lovely breakfast with my other new roomies, and two quick calls to mom and Anna; I put on my walking shoes, grabbed my key, and headed out the door.
Adam told me the beach was about 1.5km down the road, whatever that means. 1Km= .62 miles so roughly a mile to the beach from the apartment. I thought it would be fun to walk to the beach on my first reconnaissance mission. It wasn’t a bad walk either because it was mostly downhill. I passed two women on the way down, one of which corrected my walking. Seeing as Australia is upside down and backwards, not only do you drive on the left side of the road, you also walk on the left side of the sidewalk. So yes, when I was walking this morning I instinctively walked on the right side of the sidewalk until the lady called me out. I didn’t even realize what she was talking about until I had already passed. I just thought she was an old crabby lady who didn’t want to move (and she kind of was, because she wasn’t so nice about it), but I laughed and corrected myself or tried to at least. Throughout my walk I kept finding myself on the right side, just another thing to get used to.
It took me about twenty minutes to get to my beachy destination, and once I got there I found some rocks to walk around on. Some surfers were in the water and I thought I’d take a moment to sit and watch them. I found a nice little rock bench and started looking around. Not too far from my little rocky perch I saw some belongings and thought to myself “oh a surfer must have stowed his stuff there while he is in the water,” then my eyes focused a little more and I saw that a person was sleeping under a blanket with all of those belongings. Yes, of all the places that I could have chosen to sit and watch surfers on my fourth day in Australia, I sit next to a sleeping homeless person. Needless to say I left and continued my walk.
All in all it was a good first reconnaissance mission. I got rained on a little, but it was totally worth it because I saw a full rainbow. Too bad I didn’t have my camera. I learned where to walk on a sidewalk in Australia, and also to look before you sit on any beachside walks. At least the homeless person doesn’t need a machine to make the sound of the ocean to help him sleep!
Adam told me the beach was about 1.5km down the road, whatever that means. 1Km= .62 miles so roughly a mile to the beach from the apartment. I thought it would be fun to walk to the beach on my first reconnaissance mission. It wasn’t a bad walk either because it was mostly downhill. I passed two women on the way down, one of which corrected my walking. Seeing as Australia is upside down and backwards, not only do you drive on the left side of the road, you also walk on the left side of the sidewalk. So yes, when I was walking this morning I instinctively walked on the right side of the sidewalk until the lady called me out. I didn’t even realize what she was talking about until I had already passed. I just thought she was an old crabby lady who didn’t want to move (and she kind of was, because she wasn’t so nice about it), but I laughed and corrected myself or tried to at least. Throughout my walk I kept finding myself on the right side, just another thing to get used to.
It took me about twenty minutes to get to my beachy destination, and once I got there I found some rocks to walk around on. Some surfers were in the water and I thought I’d take a moment to sit and watch them. I found a nice little rock bench and started looking around. Not too far from my little rocky perch I saw some belongings and thought to myself “oh a surfer must have stowed his stuff there while he is in the water,” then my eyes focused a little more and I saw that a person was sleeping under a blanket with all of those belongings. Yes, of all the places that I could have chosen to sit and watch surfers on my fourth day in Australia, I sit next to a sleeping homeless person. Needless to say I left and continued my walk.
All in all it was a good first reconnaissance mission. I got rained on a little, but it was totally worth it because I saw a full rainbow. Too bad I didn’t have my camera. I learned where to walk on a sidewalk in Australia, and also to look before you sit on any beachside walks. At least the homeless person doesn’t need a machine to make the sound of the ocean to help him sleep!
Monday, June 21, 2010
My first Australian post!
Well, I'm in Australia! My trip over here went well enough, apart from the boring six hours I spent hanging out at LAX. The flight to Sydney was long, but fine. I slept a little, and watched a couple of movies. I think the couple sitting next to me thought I was about 10 years old due to my movie choices, Fantastic Mr. Fox and How to Train your Dragon. All of my bags made it, which I of course was very happy about, and I did not have any problems going through customs or immigration. I was very excited and happy to see Adam when he picked me up from the airport. So happy and excited in fact that I completely forgot to check in at the UNSW kiosk to let them know that I had made it! Oops!
Saturday was probably the longest day of my life. After we left the airport we dropped my bags off at the apartment where they are still currently sitting packed, and called my parents to let them know I made it. Then, we met Adam's uncle, aunt, and two cousins for breakfast. We ate outside at a restaurant in an area called Watson's Bay. From where I was sitting I could see the beautiful blue harbor water, boats, and the Harbor bridge, not bad for my first breakfast in Sydney. I should have taken a picture to post on the blog! Anyway, we spent the rest of the day running some errands and trying to get me a little settled into my new life. Adam and I were supposed to have a 'date night', but I fell asleep at 6pm and refused to get up.
Sunday was spent much the same way with running errands and trying to get more and more settled. It feels weird to me that I am not on vacation, but actually living here now. I know its going to take some time to get used to, and one day I'll actually feel like I know whats going on, but I am definitely not there yet. Two things I need to figure out quickly, Celsius temperature and 24 hour time. Is it sad that when I see 17:33 it takes me a second to figure out that its 5:33pm? (and then I still double check myself to make sure that its right?)
Oh what an adventure this is going to be!!
Saturday was probably the longest day of my life. After we left the airport we dropped my bags off at the apartment where they are still currently sitting packed, and called my parents to let them know I made it. Then, we met Adam's uncle, aunt, and two cousins for breakfast. We ate outside at a restaurant in an area called Watson's Bay. From where I was sitting I could see the beautiful blue harbor water, boats, and the Harbor bridge, not bad for my first breakfast in Sydney. I should have taken a picture to post on the blog! Anyway, we spent the rest of the day running some errands and trying to get me a little settled into my new life. Adam and I were supposed to have a 'date night', but I fell asleep at 6pm and refused to get up.
Sunday was spent much the same way with running errands and trying to get more and more settled. It feels weird to me that I am not on vacation, but actually living here now. I know its going to take some time to get used to, and one day I'll actually feel like I know whats going on, but I am definitely not there yet. Two things I need to figure out quickly, Celsius temperature and 24 hour time. Is it sad that when I see 17:33 it takes me a second to figure out that its 5:33pm? (and then I still double check myself to make sure that its right?)
Oh what an adventure this is going to be!!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Today America tomorrow Australia!!
This post will have to be short and sweet as I do not have much time to write it. Today is the day I have been long anticipating. Its the day I leave for Australia. I've got my bags all packed (all three of them) my carry-ons ready, traveling clothes on, etc.
I'm a little nervous for today, because I know its going to be a hard day, both mentally and physically. Physically, because I have so much luggage that I am going to have to deal with. Mentally, because I have to say my final goodbyes. I'm not looking forward to it. My parents have had a lot of time together to prepare, but how can you really be prepared? I know its going to be hard, but it will also be okay. I know that even though they would prefer me not to go so far away, they are happy for me. Knowing this makes it easier for me to leave.
I don't want this post to sound sad, because I'm not. I am still really excited to get over there and see Adam. I start thinking of all the new and different things I am going to be doing over there and I smile, because I am happy. I look forward to talking with everyone, and keeping you all updated. I can't wait to hear what new directions all of your lives take. I say good luck to us all, and Peace, love, Australia!!
I'm a little nervous for today, because I know its going to be a hard day, both mentally and physically. Physically, because I have so much luggage that I am going to have to deal with. Mentally, because I have to say my final goodbyes. I'm not looking forward to it. My parents have had a lot of time together to prepare, but how can you really be prepared? I know its going to be hard, but it will also be okay. I know that even though they would prefer me not to go so far away, they are happy for me. Knowing this makes it easier for me to leave.
I don't want this post to sound sad, because I'm not. I am still really excited to get over there and see Adam. I start thinking of all the new and different things I am going to be doing over there and I smile, because I am happy. I look forward to talking with everyone, and keeping you all updated. I can't wait to hear what new directions all of your lives take. I say good luck to us all, and Peace, love, Australia!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
1 day and counting.....
Today is my last full day in America. Wow. So weird to think that in just a few days I will be in Australia without a return ticket home any time soon. I’m spending this last day doing all the things I should have done a few days ago, but didn’t get around to doing. My dad has already gotten on to me about my procrastination, but what can I do but just try to get it all done before 12:30pm tomorrow.
Today’s tasks include; getting my hair done-very important, printing out and making sure I have all of the required documents I need to leave, transferring funds into my Australian bank account, picking up prescriptions, etc. My day also includes trying not to cry when I think about what I am going to miss in America, namely my friends and family, Chik-fil-A, Dos Equis, Mexican martinis have already been mentioned in another post, and all of the things I can’t think of right now but I know I’ll miss.
I know it has been weird saying goodbye to all of you. It still doesn’t seem real yet, or it doesn’t to me. I know once I get over there the realization will hit, and hopefully Adam will do a good job of consoling me. We have had many discussions on this so I believe he is prepared and ready! I am really looking forward to seeing him and actually getting to date him in the real sense. I think he is to.
I have only one more day for the pre-departure posts, and then this blog will become what I intended it for, a tool to keep all of you updated about my life down under. So keep reading, because hopefully the good stuff is soon to come!
Today’s tasks include; getting my hair done-very important, printing out and making sure I have all of the required documents I need to leave, transferring funds into my Australian bank account, picking up prescriptions, etc. My day also includes trying not to cry when I think about what I am going to miss in America, namely my friends and family, Chik-fil-A, Dos Equis, Mexican martinis have already been mentioned in another post, and all of the things I can’t think of right now but I know I’ll miss.
I know it has been weird saying goodbye to all of you. It still doesn’t seem real yet, or it doesn’t to me. I know once I get over there the realization will hit, and hopefully Adam will do a good job of consoling me. We have had many discussions on this so I believe he is prepared and ready! I am really looking forward to seeing him and actually getting to date him in the real sense. I think he is to.
I have only one more day for the pre-departure posts, and then this blog will become what I intended it for, a tool to keep all of you updated about my life down under. So keep reading, because hopefully the good stuff is soon to come!
Monday, June 14, 2010
A much needed pre-departure update!
I have been getting called out lately on how I have not been keeping up with my blog. I am sorry for this. A lot has been happening lately, and frankly, I have not been in the writing mood. Here is a quick update for those of you I do not keep up with on a regular basis of what has been happening in my world.
On May 14th I finished working for the two families that had employed me as a personal assistant/nanny for the past year. It was a bittersweet moment for me as I really got to know these families well, but was excited about starting this new chapter in my life. At some point I’ll have to write more about them, with their permission of course.
I officially moved out of my apartment on May 31st and back into my parent’s house where I am currently sitting typing this post. Got to love being home; good food, heaps of wine, and fun company! Yes, I love hanging out with my parents.
On June 4th 2010, my handsome nephew, Thad was born. I would like to take a moment to take credit for his birth on this day. I had (I say “had” because I gave it to Anna when Thad was born-you’ll see why) a birthday fortune telling book that Jordan Martin gave me for a birthday one year. I was looking through the possible dates that I knew my nephew could be born on when Anna called. She was bored and I started reading her the fortune for the day Thad was scheduled to be induced/born on. It was a crap day (sorry June 7th friends!). Then I read her the fortune for that day (June 4th) and it was 100 times better, so I told her to have him that day. A couple hours later Anna called to say she was in labor, and a couple hours after that Thad Rossmann Ziegler entered this world. So sorry Jordan, but I felt like I had to give Anna the book after that because she deserved it! We got to hang out in San Antonio with Anna and the two Thads for a couple of days, which was awesome. I still cannot comprehend that my sister is a mom now, but I am so happy for she and Thad. What great parents that little boy has!
After I left San Antonio I went back to Austin for two days to say some last goodbyes. It was a very productive trip. I got to see both families I worked for and most of my friends. My friends were very sweet, and put together a surprise dinner and drinks for me at Trudy’s. Here is one thing I know I am going to miss; Trudy’s Mexican martinis. I really appreciated everyone coming to hang out and drink with me one last time. For some awful reason someone urged me to get up and make a speech, I think I got to “thank you everyone for coming out….” before I started crying and sat down. Nice. I’m going to miss Austin and everyone in it so much. I don’t even want to say anything more, because I might start crying.
My brother flew in this past weekend to see me off. We had a good time of hanging out and whatnot. I totally kicked his behind (have to keep it PG for the kids) in dominos, which I’m sure he really appreciated. I bet he’ll say he let me win, but we all know the truth, that I was on fire that night! Anyway, I’m going to miss him, and I hope he gets the urge to come out and visit me in Australia!
I didn’t do a very good job of keeping this a quick update, but I promise I tried. Everything seems relevant to what has been going on before I leave. I will also promise to keep updating this thing on a regular basis. Maybe since I leave in a few days I will be more inspired to write about pre-departure topics.
On May 14th I finished working for the two families that had employed me as a personal assistant/nanny for the past year. It was a bittersweet moment for me as I really got to know these families well, but was excited about starting this new chapter in my life. At some point I’ll have to write more about them, with their permission of course.
I officially moved out of my apartment on May 31st and back into my parent’s house where I am currently sitting typing this post. Got to love being home; good food, heaps of wine, and fun company! Yes, I love hanging out with my parents.
On June 4th 2010, my handsome nephew, Thad was born. I would like to take a moment to take credit for his birth on this day. I had (I say “had” because I gave it to Anna when Thad was born-you’ll see why) a birthday fortune telling book that Jordan Martin gave me for a birthday one year. I was looking through the possible dates that I knew my nephew could be born on when Anna called. She was bored and I started reading her the fortune for the day Thad was scheduled to be induced/born on. It was a crap day (sorry June 7th friends!). Then I read her the fortune for that day (June 4th) and it was 100 times better, so I told her to have him that day. A couple hours later Anna called to say she was in labor, and a couple hours after that Thad Rossmann Ziegler entered this world. So sorry Jordan, but I felt like I had to give Anna the book after that because she deserved it! We got to hang out in San Antonio with Anna and the two Thads for a couple of days, which was awesome. I still cannot comprehend that my sister is a mom now, but I am so happy for she and Thad. What great parents that little boy has!
After I left San Antonio I went back to Austin for two days to say some last goodbyes. It was a very productive trip. I got to see both families I worked for and most of my friends. My friends were very sweet, and put together a surprise dinner and drinks for me at Trudy’s. Here is one thing I know I am going to miss; Trudy’s Mexican martinis. I really appreciated everyone coming to hang out and drink with me one last time. For some awful reason someone urged me to get up and make a speech, I think I got to “thank you everyone for coming out….” before I started crying and sat down. Nice. I’m going to miss Austin and everyone in it so much. I don’t even want to say anything more, because I might start crying.
My brother flew in this past weekend to see me off. We had a good time of hanging out and whatnot. I totally kicked his behind (have to keep it PG for the kids) in dominos, which I’m sure he really appreciated. I bet he’ll say he let me win, but we all know the truth, that I was on fire that night! Anyway, I’m going to miss him, and I hope he gets the urge to come out and visit me in Australia!
I didn’t do a very good job of keeping this a quick update, but I promise I tried. Everything seems relevant to what has been going on before I leave. I will also promise to keep updating this thing on a regular basis. Maybe since I leave in a few days I will be more inspired to write about pre-departure topics.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Yay for school! (for lack of a better title)
I’m an enrolled student at the University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia! I accepted my offer to study long ago, but I registered for classes yesterday so now I actually have classes to attend when school starts July 19th. I listed the courses and their descriptions below for any person who cares to know what I’m taking in this first semester of postgraduate study. Also, I copied and pasted the descriptions straight from the online handbook. I did not change any wording or spelling. While reading, notice how those crazies spell organization! Good to know that if I get marked off for spelling more than likely I have the excuse of “that’s how we spell it in America!”
Management and Organisation: Systems, Services and Survival
This course examines the management and administrative skills and knowledge required from individuals to take up positions as directors and managers of arts and related organisations. It covers aspects of management and organisational structures in existing institutions both large and small, public and commercial. It includes the establishment of new organisations and the planning and development of systems designed to ensure the delivery of services and the long term survival of arts organisations and institutions, their human and material resources and the ideas and ideals which drive them.
Cultural Property, Ethics and the Law
This course examines the ethical and legal implications of the interactions generated between artists, exhibiting spaces and the viewing/purchasing public in contemporary society. It enables the development of a broader critical perspective on the cultural, legal, political and moral contexts of gallery and museum management. Issues discussed include contracts, copyright, acquisitions and disposal of works, moral rights and censorship, conflict of interest, the responsibilities of trustees.
Organisational Psychology: Managing People in the Workplace
This course provides individuals working in an arts based organisation with competencies relevant to the inter-personal and inter-group skills demanded in the efficient and effective management of organisations. It aims to fulfil the needs of individuals interested in the principles of planning, organisation, communication and evaluation of personnel within an organisation and, as well, the needs of directors and supervisors who wish to develop expertise in essential personnel management aspects of their job within an appropriate theoretical framework.
Visual and Museum Cultures of the Asia-Pacific Region
This course introduces a comparative study of contemporary visual art and museum cultures in the Asia-Pacific region. As arts professionals - curators, administrators, writers, etc - develop relationships with colleagues through the region, an understanding, not only of the visual arts but also of the museum sector, is becoming essential. Case studies of international exhibitions, and related arts programs, will be examined.
Management and Organisation: Systems, Services and Survival
This course examines the management and administrative skills and knowledge required from individuals to take up positions as directors and managers of arts and related organisations. It covers aspects of management and organisational structures in existing institutions both large and small, public and commercial. It includes the establishment of new organisations and the planning and development of systems designed to ensure the delivery of services and the long term survival of arts organisations and institutions, their human and material resources and the ideas and ideals which drive them.
Cultural Property, Ethics and the Law
This course examines the ethical and legal implications of the interactions generated between artists, exhibiting spaces and the viewing/purchasing public in contemporary society. It enables the development of a broader critical perspective on the cultural, legal, political and moral contexts of gallery and museum management. Issues discussed include contracts, copyright, acquisitions and disposal of works, moral rights and censorship, conflict of interest, the responsibilities of trustees.
Organisational Psychology: Managing People in the Workplace
This course provides individuals working in an arts based organisation with competencies relevant to the inter-personal and inter-group skills demanded in the efficient and effective management of organisations. It aims to fulfil the needs of individuals interested in the principles of planning, organisation, communication and evaluation of personnel within an organisation and, as well, the needs of directors and supervisors who wish to develop expertise in essential personnel management aspects of their job within an appropriate theoretical framework.
Visual and Museum Cultures of the Asia-Pacific Region
This course introduces a comparative study of contemporary visual art and museum cultures in the Asia-Pacific region. As arts professionals - curators, administrators, writers, etc - develop relationships with colleagues through the region, an understanding, not only of the visual arts but also of the museum sector, is becoming essential. Case studies of international exhibitions, and related arts programs, will be examined.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)