I'm here.

G'day mates. (sorry about that, I had to.)



So for the last 5 months or so I've been filling out applications, oddjobbing for money, and frantically getting prepared for my trip to Australia, where I'll be studying until late November.



(I want to send a special shoutout to mom, dad, and the Jendros for making this happen, you guys rock, and I will always oddjob for you.)



It was hectic and weird. The uni (that's what they call it) didn't let me know I even was accepted until a month ago, and International House, where I'm staying, didn't give me a room until about 10 days ago. On top of that I decided to get scuba certified the week before I was to leave. There was nail biting in the Stayton household. But everything eventually worked out and I got on the plane.



After a 3 hour flight from Portland to LAX, I endured a mind-numbing 15 hour flight across the Pacific Ocean to Sydney. In the middle seat. There was warnings in the plane about DVT, a condition in which the low-oxygen climate, general dehydration and prolonged lack of movement causes blood clots to form in your legs, requiring surgery for removal. Fortunately I escaped unscathed.



From there I took the Happy Cabby to Newcastle. I saw the Sydney Opera House; very cool, but smaller than I expected. I did not see koalas on the stoplights, kangaroos boxing citizens, or dingos eating babies, but then, it was only my first day.



Last night I went to a social mixer for the International House, a Rubix Cube party, where you wear all different colors of clothing and trade until you're a solid color. What I didn't expect was a full-on rauceous time with lots of alcohol, dancing, and crazy Aussy drinking rules that apply all the time. And that was before the bars. These people are crazy.



For example: if a guy is chatting up a girl apart from everyone, he takes a "nudey lap" which is exactly what it sounds like. Swearing, pointing, or calling someone by their first name or recognizable nick name results in putting your chin on the floor for 10 seconds. I'll keep you updated with new ones as I come across them.



after the 'cube party we loaded up 3 full city busses with students (sloshing puke and community singing included) and filled a bar downtown. It was awesome.



Tomorrow I'm going on a dolphin-spotting cruise around the harbor, and I will pet a koala and feed a kangaroo, and I'll be watching his every waking move.



Of note: cockatiels sound like screaming monkeys, and the cars here are awesome: Audi A8L TDI? yes. Toyota Landcruiser V8 diesel with a flatbed? Oh yeah. I'll be carrying my camera around and posting pictures soon, and will try to integrate a cool car of the week feature, for your enjoyment (I'm looking at you Christain. Where are my tweets?)



Anyway, Stayton out.