College O Week

Orientation...at the College
This week (starting on Sunday for most people, Tuesday for me) is O Week for new members of college. The theme is boot camp... the new members are soldiers while the returning members are Sergeants. Everyone has a t-shirt which is required attire to all activities. The yellow shirts for soldiers and the black for sergeants allow us to get into the activities for free. The activities I've participated in so far are: shopping at the city centre plaza, student services talk, Rydges Resort, late night shopping at the shopping fair, and meals. Here's a summary of them.
1. City Centre Plaza: A small mall with stores like Coles (supermarket) and Target. Here I bought my sheets, pillows, and all the other necessities that I couldn't pack. Expensive trip even though I got a few deals. Only 8 students went though and I bought the most without question.
2. Student Services Talk: A short 15 min talk in the Senior Common Room. It was barely worth the 5 min walk however the information was somewhat useful and whenever I visited them today I got a free backpack. (It's one of the perks of being an international student.) I was about 2 min late to the talk which is how I learned that things actually start closer to on time here than at home. I had trouble opening the door though cause the knobs turn the other way.
3. Rydges Resort: This resort is a 30 min drive away from the college. On the trip there I sat next to some guy who did not talk during the entire trip. It was much longer than the way there but I got to see some of the countryside and beaches around Rockhampton (in Yampoon). Once we arrive everyone went swimming in the pool, lounged around, got drinks for the overagers (drinking age is 18), and explored the beach. The water at the beach was very warm although salty but I loved the sand with the crab holes in it. After the short trip to the beach my friends and I wandered back up to the pool to hang out some more. Even though everyone at college put on sunscreen many of the people still ended up burnt. My face (and arms etc) is both red and more freckly than before which I don't like...I used SPF 85 on it too. By the end of the trip everyone was ready to go back and eat cause lunch had finished before 11:30 and swimming uses up energy. The bus ride back was much quicker as I talked to the guys from near Chicago and my friend about the education systems in our countries.
4. Late Night Shopping: The bus was late for the shopping trip so by the time we arrived we only had an hour to shop. But I used that time wisely to get a cell phone, dishes, things for my room, and money. Lots of fun and more needed things done. I even found some cool markers that clip together so you don't lose the set of them. They will be used to decorate the poster boards for my room.
5. Food: The dining hall is open for about 2 hours for every meal. The meals remind me of high school cafeteria food because they contain one main hot meal, side dishes, a vegetarian option, salad and fruit, drinks, and desert. Rice (usually white) is always present even at breakfast. I love the fruit, primarily the watermelon. Drinks come in multiple flavors that you squirt into your cup then fill with water. In the dining hall there is a large table with every different kind of condiment you could imagine from mustard to honey. Tonight for desert I noticed a red cup of something. I figured it must be ice cream of some sort and red usually means a good flavor. My friends wanted me to try it before they all got one. Turns out it was strawberry mousse, however it was thicker then usual. I wasn't aware that mousse came in flavors other than chocolate but it tasted pretty good. When you are done with your plates you take them to the scullery where you dump your rubbish down a small hole, put your silverware in a pan, and place your dishes on a rotating round thing to be washed. Took some getting used to the differences in eating and meals but I think I've learned it now.

Other quick notes:
-I've learned how to unlock and open my door. The key unlocks to the left while you turn the handle to the right. Very confusing.
-I now know that most of the guys around me haven't moved in yet meaning that they are returning students. That could be why I haven't seen many guys in the hallway. I'm still getting used to sharing a bathroom although no problems have arisen yet.
-Today I register for three of my classes. As usual registering for classes is complicated and I'm not sure which class should be my fourth or if I should just take five. However International Education is willing to do lots for the students which is very helpful. I even got my student id card although it is very boring and has almost no color at all on it.
-Tomorrow is a treasure hunt around college and uni then an army themed celebration at Scholars Inn. I don't think I'm going to dress up though cause army really isn't my style. I'm thinking I should figure out where/what Scholars Inn is first though. Even more free time exists tomorrow and this weekend is completely free which could mean boring if my friends go home like it sounds they might.
-Still working on tracking my iPod...really hope I can get it back from the airline.