Well, I always said from the beginning that this wouldn't be a daily thing. Though I so wish I had the patience and discipline to sit down each day and write about the experiences I've had. Every day is truly an adventure here - and I've never been so excited for the next day to come.
I haven't travelled much yet - except for a recent weekend to Sydney with a group of friends, but the overcast weather and general exhaustion after the long trip meant we didn't get to see too much. Though we did end up sitting in the botanical gardens overlooking the Sydney Opera House for a couple hours which was truly beautiful. I've just booked myself on a trip to Alice Springs over Easter; the travel agents were adding far too much commission and I figured I could sort it out myself. I was right. But I did end up messing up on the fully booked train ticket... meaning I'm now due to take a 28 hour bus across the outback... but minor details.
I spend most of my time running late - there never seems to be enough hours in the day, but I'm especially struggling to fit in my friends and family from back home. I love speaking to them - although I do tend to get large spouts of home-sickness each time - but definitely don't contact them as much as I should. I've always been bad at replying to messages - I'm pretty much known for it. But when I'm not running across the mozzie-infested campus for my latest class, or in the gym training for a half marathon, or at the beach learning to surf... or writing my assignments (slightly off time), creating stories (I have yet to complete one) or starting this 'weekly' blog (hello post #4), there literally seems to be no time left to call home.
I'm not as home sick as I thought I would be, perhaps it's because I'm always on the move and I'm so intrigued by the small differences between here and home. Like... the 'green man' on the crossing makes a sound like a squirrel in an electric fence when he appears. (I know that sounds random, but it was my first thought when I heard it in Melbourne and the image has stayed with me ever since). Or how some phrases just don't translate (blagging, on my bill, hoover). Or everyone starting to wear jumpers for 'winter' whilst I'm still running along in a t-shirt and shorts. Or the size of Australia. (That one still gets me. It's so hard to contemplate how big the country is. The UK could fit in New South Wales.. and that's just a state. I vaguely mentioned that I was thinking of driving to Perth over Easter and everyone gave me the weirdest looks... turns out it's a 9 hour flight!
I also feel like I've lost my accent, though everyone assures me I haven't, as I can't hear anyone else's accents anymore. To put it simply, I've entirely adapted to life in Australia. I swear I'll do a proper blog post soon with happenings, feelings, culture shock - the whole shebang. But I've been volunteering at the Newcastle Writing Festival over the weekend so have been getting up extremely early every morning (and have also gone out every night) so I'm completely exhausted right now!
Keira :)
