Oh you're still here?
Hello my friends. I know it has been over a week since I last updated you on what is going on in my life. How you functioned in the interim, I am not sure. I praise you for trudging through life without knowing what has become of me. You exemplify true courage, each and every one of you.
So what has become of me? Let's just say life is fantastic. I saw a Queenland license plate the other day that summed up my experiences recently. You know how an Ontario license plate will have your license plate number and at the bottom it will say something like 'Ontario: Yours to Discover'? Well this license plate had this written at the bottom: 'Relax, it's Queensland.' I couldn't have said it any better myself. The time I have spent here in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia has truly been the epitome of relaxation. The only thing that slightly bothers me is that I still have not found a job yet, and it isn't for lack of trying. But I should stress that this only slightly bothers me.
On my first day of orientation, the international co-ordinator at my university explained the 'W' path that you will follow when you travel to a foreign country for an extended period of time. This is the essence of the 'W': When you first realize you are going to be travelling to a new and exotic country, you are at the first peak of the W. When you travel to the foreign country, you will go down in the first valley of the W for an undetermined amount of time as you adjust to the new culture and the feeling of being away from your loved ones. Then you will hit the middle peak of the W as you become totally acclimated to the new country, meet great friends, and have some great fun. Then you will hit another valley when you head back to your native land and face the daunting task of re-adjusting to your once familiar surroundings. Finally, you hit the last peak of the W when you have fully adjusted back to your country of origin.
As it stands now, I am can say with some confidence I am at the middle peak. Not only have I forged some amazing friendships with other exchange students, but I have also recently begun hanging out with some Australians. And really, that is half the reason I came to Australia. When you are around Aussies, you are totally immersed in the culture and it is quite a fun experience. I won't lie to you, between their crazy accents and my hearing impairment, I only understand about 4.2% of what they are actually saying. But the other 95.8% of the time, I respond with a standard "bugger off, mate" and everyone is satisfied. (I feel I must stress I am only joking about the 4.2%, but it does require concentration on my part to catch everything they say.)
This past Wednesday, I attended the Wilco concert I have been looking forward to for quite a long time. I think I may have mentioned it already. It did not disappoint in one single area. That band is beyond reproach. Their live performance was an otherworldly experience. Every song had so much depth. Every member of the band is so ridiculously talented at their respective instruments, but they don't make convoluted elitist music to show off each of their talents (I'm looking at you, Mars Volta). Instead, Wilco just puts together a solid rhythmic rock and roll song with some amazing rock out solos. Furthermore, the lead singer, Jeff Tweedy, was far more charismatic and engaging between songs than I imagined he would be. They don't take themselves too seriously. The only thing they take seriously is pleasing the fans. Also, the venue they were playing at, the Tivoli, was phenomenal. Basically, the whole concert was an 11 out of 10 in my mind. I hate to get excited for events because it just leaves the door open for disappointment. But this show eclipsed my high expectations and elevated my love for Wilco to a possibly unhealthy level.
Here are a couple links of them performing live. If you don't like them, I guess you are entitled to your opinion. But I would prefer if you didn't read my blog again. Probably don't bother calling me when I get home either. Thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j2k47bXrgs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj18x8zRdOo
And for those who like a good 12 minute rock out, here is the song for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKEUrA_K-30&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpiyxi8GW7k&feature=related
(Seriously, I just watched those links and I got excited about that concert all over again. Screw it, I'm saying it. It was my favourite concert of all time.)
On Thursday, I had a job interview at a ski and snowboard shop about 40 minutes from my house. (A snow shop in Australia? I know it sounds odd. All of their clientele are either travelling to Canada, Europe, or the mountains in New Zealand or south of Australia during the winter.) In order to get the interview, I said that I ski and snowboard regularly in Canada. I don't think I was lying. 'Regularly' is such an ambiguous term, really. I used to ski as a child, although I haven't done it in 4 or 5 years. And I tried snowboarding once, but I called it an early day when I got a concussion. The interview went well, in my mind, but they have eight other people to interview, so we shall see.
Yesterday, I went to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. (It is ridiculously difficult to remember all the names of cities and beaches because they all sound like a word I may have made up when I was five. Examples are the aforementioned Mooloolaba, Tangalooma, Coolangatta, etc. With that being said, they are really fun to say once you remember them.) I went there with Audrey and Jessie, my French roommate and American friend respectively, and 4 Aussies. It was a sweet beach. The waves were not as big as Surfer's Paradise, but it wasn't as commercialized either. I tried jet-skiing for the first time in my life. I was only on the back, not riding it, but it was still a wicked time. The drive back from the beach was beautiful, as we just drove for miles and miles with nothing but trees on either side of us, with rolling hills in the distance. Australia is a lot like Canada in that there are heavily populated regions, but you can also drive through the country and not see anything but nature on either side of the road.
I couldn't help but think during this drive how perfect life is. After a beautiful day at the beach, driving in the car with great people with great music playing, you can't help but appreciate how amazing life can be. I know it was Good Friday and you are supposed to be practicing your religion and not spending a day at the beach. However, in my mind's eye, appreciating a beautiful beach and the companionship of great people is quite an appropriate way of appreciating God. I may be wrong, I may be right. It's just how I feel.
When I returned home from the beach at 5:30, I had an email from my Aussie friend Scott inviting me to play poker with him and his Aussie mates. I eagerly accepted and by 7 pm I was in the company of 4 Aussies ready to play some poker. It was the first time I have hung out with just Aussies and it was a really fun time. Canadians and Australians just get along together. Our cultures are just so similar that it is impossible not to get along.
I did not win the game. I caught a flush on the flop and someone raised me an exorbitant amount. I raised All-In. He called. He had three of a kind. He caught a fourth on the river. Four of a kind beats the flush. Damn. But I did not even care. I smoked cigars, drank some bourbon, and watched the Broncos game on television. It was a kick-ass time. The Brisbane Broncos were playing Sydney, and one of the guys I was playing poker with was wearing a Sydney jersey instead of a Brisbane jersey. He cheered for Sydney because he did not want to cheer for the Broncos just like everyone else. I identified with this. I cheer for the Senators over the Leafs because, well, they actually have a good team. I also identified with how much he got chirped the whole game. Unlike the Leafs, though, the Broncos ultimately prevailed.
My love affair with rugby is growing, by the way. I am learning the distinctions between the three different leagues that are popular in Australia: League, Union, and Aussie Rules. Next Friday, I am going to attend the Broncos game. I am super pumped about that. The rules are pretty similar to NFL, with three differences that make it (gasp!) better than the NFL. Here are the three main differences. One, you have to touch the ball down in the end zone, not just cross the goal line (this makes it much more interesting, as a player can get drilled before he has the chance to touch the ball down). Two, there is no stoppage after a player is tackled. If he did not fumble when he was tackled, then he simply kicks the ball back to his teammate and play continues. Three, they don't wear equipment. It boggles my mind everytime I see these massive bodies collide at high speed. The only advantage the NFL has over rugby is the potential for amazing downfield throws and catches. But this does not come close to overcoming the advantages that rugby has. Seriously, if you learn the rules of rugby, you will be a fan. Trust me.
I am going to wrap it up. I must once again say that I appreciate you reading this. I know I tend to write a novel each time and I am thankful that you take time out of your day to read this. All three of you. I must give a shout out to Susan, who I know reads regularly. Thank you for being my blog's biggest fan. haha
And although they will not be reading this now, I want to wish my Mama and Rick a fun vacation, as they going golfing in Myrtle Beach for a couple of weeks. Luh ya Ma.
Important Alert: Chris has just booked a flight to Australia for the end of April, the same time Ash comes. That means that as of now, Ash, Sean, and Chris are all coming to visit me in the Land Down Under. I couldn't have expected that when I first came here. That is amazing.
Thanks guys. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter. It is my first Easter I will not be with my family, but I love you guys. I'll eat a great Easter meal while thinking of you!*
* great Easter meal may or may not consist of bread and peanut butter
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