My First Day

Upon arriving the first day I went to turn on my cellphone expecting to have cellphone service. This was not the case, I had nothing... As I walked with my 120 lbs worth of luggage I searched for the girl, Bek, that offered to meet and pick me up. I scanned my surroundings and she was nowhere in sight. I went to the local pay phone and tried numerous times to make a call, after being unsuccessful I walked around for about another 15 minutes. After realizing I needed change for the phone, I went to exchange my money. Did you know in Australia they don't have one dollar bills, its a coin! After making my call twice I got ahold of Bek and she was outside circling the pick up area waiting for me. Finally settled in the car I was off to Varsity, where I would be living.

During the car ride I learned all of the differences between Australia and the United States. Their steering wheel is on the opposite side of the car (I have gone to the wrong side a few times now) and they drive on the opposite side as well. They abbreviate everything like Uni for University. People don't wear shirts and shoes into most store and wierd things here are really expensive! They don't use one cent pieces here so when you buy something that is A$25.19 they just round up to A$25.20.

When I checked into my apartment, I could tell other people lived here but no one else was here at the time. I was so curious to meet these mystery roommates! I had been informed about a week earlier that they would be: a boy from Australia, a boy from Maldive, and a girl from Thailand.

I began to unpack and get my computer up and running so I could let my family know I was here and safe. My internet required an ethernet cord (ah! had I know i could have saved myself A$25 and brought one from home). In order to get any further in my unpacking I would need to take a trip to the store. After about 20 minutes of wandering around and walking in what I thought was the right direction, a guy on the street told me I was going in the complete opposite direction. I got on the bus and embarked on what I hoped was the right place.

While at the Sunshine Coast Plaza I needed to buy a computer cord, acvitate my phone, sheets, a bedspread and groceries. About A$150 later I finally got what I needed. They had such a limited supply of sheets and bedspreads. I finally ended up getting hot pink sheets with this zebra bedspread because they don't have normal comforters here. (haha pictures to come). When grocery shopping I didn't know it would be so different, they only carry a couple of the brands we have in America. When purchasing shampoo I just picked one and hoped it would be alright.

When I got back to my place around 4:00pm here, 2:00AM in Virginia, I was finally able to set up my phone and internet and call my parents, who were so worried they called the front desk here and a note was waiting on my door to call they back asap. I met one of my roommates, a 22 year old girl from France. This was her first time living in a dorm/apartment style place because in France she lives at home and commutes to school. She seems really nice, we spent most of the night talking and getting to know each other.

Around 8:00pm last inght I decided I was tired and to try and get some sleep, when I went out into the kitchen because I heard a noise. I noticed one of the other bedrooms had a light on so I knocked on the door, when no one answered I scooted back into my room. About 10 minutes later I heard more noise in the kitchen so I proceeded to venture out. This time there was a boy standing there. He introduced himself and told us he was from Japan. He is here studying English and will be leaving at the beginning of August. He said our other roommate was from Australia and left his light on by accident and is at home this weekend in Brisbane. We spoke for a moment then retired to our rooms for the evening.