Classes are so different here. The professors don't warn us about upcoming assignments or explain them to us, they just post them online and expect us to figure it all out. I also don't have "homework" but I have weekly quizzes for wine studies and pop culture. Other than that, the grades for all of my classes depend on two tests, one presentation, one learning log, and one wine tasting evaluation. It may sound amazing because it's not a lot of weekly work, but that means the assignments have to be ***FLAWLESS. Too bad I literally can't bring myself to believe school has actually started. :(
So I don't think my nose works. Last week we had our first wine studies "Sensory Evaluation" class... People were saying they smelled "buttered toast" or "a hint of lemongrass" but all I smelled was wine. I don't know how in the world I'm going to pass this class. I suppose I just need to go around and sniff a bunch of stuff? I'll keep you posted.
To top off the spell of laziness I've been having, for the past week or so I've been sick. I'm not sure if it's allergies or a difference in the weather, but I've had a pretty bad feeling in my throat/sinuses since being at Bond. My friend Baylee was diagnosed with pneumonia our first week here, and it seems like everyone around me has had some sort of sickness. If you know me, you know I'm a germ freak. So you can imagine how much I've been buggin. Luckily for me, my roommate is a germ freak too. We tried to find Lysol spray to disinfect our dorm, but all we found in Australia was a can of "Eucalyptus Spray" which smells like vapor rub and is extremely poisonous if ingested... But hey, at least it kills germs, right?!
Being sick and so far from home isn't fun when you've got classes to attend, trips to plan, and so much more piling up. Earlier this week I was definitely feeling homesick. Every night I would wake up from dreams about being home with my friends and family. Even though this adventure is only 4 months long, it was starting to feel like forever. Classes were dragging on, the weather had been rainy, and I was overwhelmed with everything I have to do this semester. I wanted to savor my time here and make the most of it, but I was feeling so lonely and stressed out. Then something awesome happened-- After my last tutorial on Wednesday we stepped outside to find a stunning double rainbow stretching across campus. It was magnificent! It was the perfect reminder of God's promises. Even though I'm halfway around the world and wide awake while my family and friends are asleep, I'm not alone. He's got my back-- even in Australia-- and won't ever stop.
Aside from the emotional roller coaster that is studying abroad, I've had some pretty cool experiences this past week. The Bond University Student Association (kind of like SAC at Concordia) put on a week-long event called "Bondstock." It included several events like a launch party, faculty games, and a gala. My friends and I got tickets for the music festival and the secret location party. The music festival was kind of fun... but it was more of a weird concert than anything. We left early to get pizza. :)
The secret location party, though, was one of the most exciting nights of my life! Last Thursday night they put us on buses and didn't tell us a word of what was going to happen. The night was magical-- we hopped on the bus and arrived at a marina where yachts were waiting to take us out on the ocean. There was a dance floor on the yacht and a ton of new friends! Next thing we knew we were pulling up to a private island, complete with tribal fire twirlers, a tiki bar, and a DJ! We were given FREE FRENCH FRIES, food, & drinks all night long. We even saw a wild wallaby hopping around! I'll tell you, there's nothing quite like a private island party with your friends. The only thing that could have made the night better would have been a surprise performance by Beyoncé on the beach. 😊
So I don't think my nose works. Last week we had our first wine studies "Sensory Evaluation" class... People were saying they smelled "buttered toast" or "a hint of lemongrass" but all I smelled was wine. I don't know how in the world I'm going to pass this class. I suppose I just need to go around and sniff a bunch of stuff? I'll keep you posted.
To top off the spell of laziness I've been having, for the past week or so I've been sick. I'm not sure if it's allergies or a difference in the weather, but I've had a pretty bad feeling in my throat/sinuses since being at Bond. My friend Baylee was diagnosed with pneumonia our first week here, and it seems like everyone around me has had some sort of sickness. If you know me, you know I'm a germ freak. So you can imagine how much I've been buggin. Luckily for me, my roommate is a germ freak too. We tried to find Lysol spray to disinfect our dorm, but all we found in Australia was a can of "Eucalyptus Spray" which smells like vapor rub and is extremely poisonous if ingested... But hey, at least it kills germs, right?!
Being sick and so far from home isn't fun when you've got classes to attend, trips to plan, and so much more piling up. Earlier this week I was definitely feeling homesick. Every night I would wake up from dreams about being home with my friends and family. Even though this adventure is only 4 months long, it was starting to feel like forever. Classes were dragging on, the weather had been rainy, and I was overwhelmed with everything I have to do this semester. I wanted to savor my time here and make the most of it, but I was feeling so lonely and stressed out. Then something awesome happened-- After my last tutorial on Wednesday we stepped outside to find a stunning double rainbow stretching across campus. It was magnificent! It was the perfect reminder of God's promises. Even though I'm halfway around the world and wide awake while my family and friends are asleep, I'm not alone. He's got my back-- even in Australia-- and won't ever stop.
Aside from the emotional roller coaster that is studying abroad, I've had some pretty cool experiences this past week. The Bond University Student Association (kind of like SAC at Concordia) put on a week-long event called "Bondstock." It included several events like a launch party, faculty games, and a gala. My friends and I got tickets for the music festival and the secret location party. The music festival was kind of fun... but it was more of a weird concert than anything. We left early to get pizza. :)
The secret location party, though, was one of the most exciting nights of my life! Last Thursday night they put us on buses and didn't tell us a word of what was going to happen. The night was magical-- we hopped on the bus and arrived at a marina where yachts were waiting to take us out on the ocean. There was a dance floor on the yacht and a ton of new friends! Next thing we knew we were pulling up to a private island, complete with tribal fire twirlers, a tiki bar, and a DJ! We were given FREE FRENCH FRIES, food, & drinks all night long. We even saw a wild wallaby hopping around! I'll tell you, there's nothing quite like a private island party with your friends. The only thing that could have made the night better would have been a surprise performance by Beyoncé on the beach. 😊
Well, tomorrow is my first day of classes for this week, and I have a quiz in pop culture and wine studies... I guess should probably go study. 😋
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