I've heard a couple of times that "there is no way to happiness, happiness is the way". Well, yes and no. I certainly agree that happiness is a state of being and there is no absolute way to achieve this feeling, but I am certain my way to happiness is here in Australia. Granted, there is no running away from those issues that pain me... I still find myself venting to my journal, or singing along obnoxiously to Maxwell's "Pretty Wings", but every day I learn to smile a little more. I am finally allowing myself to deal - or not deal - with certain things and am better recognizing those situations (and people) that are worth my attention. How ironic, huh? The way to let go of my past was to let go of everything I know.
Speaking of letting go of things I knew, I suppose this now the best time to give you a glimpse of the Aussie lifestyle. Bear with me.
i. Not even on campus for more than 5 minutes, I was asking about food! Of course, some of you aren't surprised but this time I have a valid excuse. I had been flying for the past 2 days (3 days after crossing the international date line). The guy who showed me to my room walked me down to Cafe Bond. I ordered the first thing that crossed my tired eyes - Tuscan Fish Fillet. "Hi, May I have the Tus-can fish fil-lay?" Here was my first lesson. The word is pronounced "fil-lit" here. I couldn't tell if this was some sick joke. Welp, I've ordered all sorts of "fil-lits" now, and it is no joke!
ii. You can actually purchase your trip on the bus here! Imagine that on an MTA bus in midtown manhattan, ha! If you pay with cash, you get a little paper transfer. My second lesson - always losing the paper transfer and having to pay again! It was only $1.70 back to campus, but so what!? The Go-Card is their equivalent to our MetroCard. You can put as little as $20 on the card and get serious rides because it operates much like the D.C. system; It takes money off according to destination. Here, you tap the card once you get on, and again when you get off. If you forget to tap when you get off, you're running up your tab! I forgot the first time but damnit if I ever forget again. Waste not, want not =)
iii. My third lesson showed me how laid back the people are here. Waiting at the bus stop after my first trip to the mall, two men popped the caps off of their beer and sipped away! Right there, on the street! Let's not even mention the young man smoking his joint a couple of paces away. This is all while we're waiting for the bus, mind you. I have heard from a couple of people up to a certain amount of mary-jane is perfectly legal. Well, then.
iv. Enough lessons, bring on the fun facts. The dollar bills here are waterproof and the $1 and $2 are found as coins. My first thought, "what do they toss at the strippers?" Hmm. There are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills too. As for the smaller coins, there are .05, .10, .20, and .50 cent coins...actually cannot remember if I have seen a penny. When you are checking out, the price includes the tax and is often rounded up to the nearest dollar because of how their coins work. If something is $9, it may be $8.15 with .75 tax which will be reflected on the receipt. I have shopped quite a bit since I have been here. There is a science behind it and I have figured it out. *giggles*
v. It was a sunny day on Burleigh Heads beach when I found out there is no Thanksgiving here. I mean, I guess I should have known. After all, I am in another country. But oh, what I wouldn't do for some macaroni & cheese, ham, roasted chicken, sauteed string beans, biscuits and fried ice cream. I don't quite know where fried ice cream comes into play there, but it sounded pretty good. So the fun fact? No Thanksgiving day, or any equivalent. And for Christmas here? They have barbeques because it is the midst of their summer season.
vi. Many of my friends and family were concerned with the accent. Funny thing, I have only met about 3 or 4 Australians. And, when I do encounter an Australian, it is not the accent that is the issue but the lingo. Some of their favorite words:
- Goodonya: Used like "Good for you" or "OK, good"
- Keen: I cringe when I hear this. Used like "I'm down/interested"..."I'm keen to go with you"
- Toilet: Ask for the bathroom here and watch the stares you receive
- Heaps: Oh this one, I no longer cringe. I try to block it out like a terrible life experience. You know the meaning but it is used here in everyday convo. "There are heaps of shops there" or "It is heaps cold in the morning"...please, don't let me type it again.
- Dodey/Stodgey: Sketchy
- Footy: Football. I don't believe they play the same way, though.
- Sunnies: Sunglasses
- Swimmers: Bathing suit
- Lollies: Candy
Just my observations over the past month...
11 more to go.
Speaking of letting go of things I knew, I suppose this now the best time to give you a glimpse of the Aussie lifestyle. Bear with me.
i. Not even on campus for more than 5 minutes, I was asking about food! Of course, some of you aren't surprised but this time I have a valid excuse. I had been flying for the past 2 days (3 days after crossing the international date line). The guy who showed me to my room walked me down to Cafe Bond. I ordered the first thing that crossed my tired eyes - Tuscan Fish Fillet. "Hi, May I have the Tus-can fish fil-lay?" Here was my first lesson. The word is pronounced "fil-lit" here. I couldn't tell if this was some sick joke. Welp, I've ordered all sorts of "fil-lits" now, and it is no joke!
ii. You can actually purchase your trip on the bus here! Imagine that on an MTA bus in midtown manhattan, ha! If you pay with cash, you get a little paper transfer. My second lesson - always losing the paper transfer and having to pay again! It was only $1.70 back to campus, but so what!? The Go-Card is their equivalent to our MetroCard. You can put as little as $20 on the card and get serious rides because it operates much like the D.C. system; It takes money off according to destination. Here, you tap the card once you get on, and again when you get off. If you forget to tap when you get off, you're running up your tab! I forgot the first time but damnit if I ever forget again. Waste not, want not =)
iii. My third lesson showed me how laid back the people are here. Waiting at the bus stop after my first trip to the mall, two men popped the caps off of their beer and sipped away! Right there, on the street! Let's not even mention the young man smoking his joint a couple of paces away. This is all while we're waiting for the bus, mind you. I have heard from a couple of people up to a certain amount of mary-jane is perfectly legal. Well, then.
iv. Enough lessons, bring on the fun facts. The dollar bills here are waterproof and the $1 and $2 are found as coins. My first thought, "what do they toss at the strippers?" Hmm. There are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills too. As for the smaller coins, there are .05, .10, .20, and .50 cent coins...actually cannot remember if I have seen a penny. When you are checking out, the price includes the tax and is often rounded up to the nearest dollar because of how their coins work. If something is $9, it may be $8.15 with .75 tax which will be reflected on the receipt. I have shopped quite a bit since I have been here. There is a science behind it and I have figured it out. *giggles*
v. It was a sunny day on Burleigh Heads beach when I found out there is no Thanksgiving here. I mean, I guess I should have known. After all, I am in another country. But oh, what I wouldn't do for some macaroni & cheese, ham, roasted chicken, sauteed string beans, biscuits and fried ice cream. I don't quite know where fried ice cream comes into play there, but it sounded pretty good. So the fun fact? No Thanksgiving day, or any equivalent. And for Christmas here? They have barbeques because it is the midst of their summer season.
vi. Many of my friends and family were concerned with the accent. Funny thing, I have only met about 3 or 4 Australians. And, when I do encounter an Australian, it is not the accent that is the issue but the lingo. Some of their favorite words:
- Goodonya: Used like "Good for you" or "OK, good"
- Keen: I cringe when I hear this. Used like "I'm down/interested"..."I'm keen to go with you"
- Toilet: Ask for the bathroom here and watch the stares you receive
- Heaps: Oh this one, I no longer cringe. I try to block it out like a terrible life experience. You know the meaning but it is used here in everyday convo. "There are heaps of shops there" or "It is heaps cold in the morning"...please, don't let me type it again.
- Dodey/Stodgey: Sketchy
- Footy: Football. I don't believe they play the same way, though.
- Sunnies: Sunglasses
- Swimmers: Bathing suit
- Lollies: Candy
Just my observations over the past month...
11 more to go.
4 comments:
I effin loved reading this blog post! You totally could be a blogger for a travel blog or create one yourself (i.e. Tales of a BK Chick Down Under). I think that's a HOTT name lol. Btw, I'm sure there are some Black folks in Aussie Land that chef it up on Thanksgiving. You just have to find them. Let me know how that search goes. Can't wait to read more...
Aww Spinooti! Thanks for the comment. You never cease to give some great ideas...I am totally scheming on a travel blog now =). I will let you know how Thanksgiving goes. If not, you have to eat well so I can live vicariously through you! Love you much!
you're a joy to read nya (: andddd you missed out the 2 dollar coin! that one really surprised me because we have 2 dollar bills in sg haha. and a few more words i picked up: maccas for McDonalds, chips instead of fries!!! <3
Really!? $2 bills in the States are so rare. We actually hate when we get them because some businesses assume they are counterfeit and do not accept them! I haven't seen Maccas yet.
OH! I just thought of another one. Not really a different word but the spelling drives me up the wall -- "Tyre".
Thanks for reading =)
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