1. Package: Filled with 5 bottles of Sunscreen SPF 60 or 85+ this enables me to spend the time needed in the sun. In Australia the highest SPF is 30+ which isn't quite good enough. However, one small problem occurs with reapplying as I learned today. Scuba diving prevented me from applying for a few hours and now I have bright red lower arms. My body also is covered in more freckles than usual. Around the sunscreen though is wonderful easter candy... mostly American candy. I've shared the Reeses peanut butter eggs with friends since Australia doesn't mix chocolate and peanut butter. They love them. The only other thing I've opened are the sweettarts and shared most of the box with my hall. Everything else I'm rationing for the rest of the year. The poptarts should be a big hit as they are written about in the Twilight books (Twilight is still in the theatres here and many people are reading the books). 2. St. Patrick's Day card: Although short and sweet this card arrived just after a whole youth group focused around St. Patrick's day. We watched the Veggie Tale version of the story, talked about America and the freedoms/stupidities, and wore green. Afterwards games were held which enabled the guys to show their strength and stupidity. Very amusing. Noone here knows the story of St. Patricks day and not much is done to celebrate. I heard that the Irish Pub was very full that night though.
3. Letter: A few questions that others may be asking: Transportation especially to church- I am no longer walking to church. I either grab a ride with Vanessa, Kaitlyn, or Owen depending on my planning and which church I want to go to. Walking is pretty safe around the Uni although I wouldn't walk very far into town, especially not on the South Side (If you want to hear the story let me know and I may email it to you). Caring People/Co-ed Living-Everyone I've met seems very nice here. I've become great friends with many of the people in the hallway and often stop to talk to those with their doors open. Sometimes the other girls and I decide to take pictures of those sleeping with their doors open in the middle of the day, but we all get along well. I've adjusted very well to living with both genders which will be a shock when I return home and begin work at Girl Scout Camp. Overall, the hallway has had many fun times: this week included a hall dinner (formal), baseball/soccer/handball (up and down the hall before we learned no balls can be used inside), uno (in the hallway), and dress-up (with hats, motorcycle stuff, and ties). Movies are often part of the weekly plan.
4. I-pod: For anyone who did not know I misplaced my I-pod somewhere around LAX. Anyway I decided it was time to buy a new one so I could listen to it on my wanders around college. It's awesome, I just need a cover for it.
5. Summer Job- I will be working at the Seven Lakes Girl Scouts camps as a resident camp counselor this summer. My job starts the Saturday after I return home (on Wednesday) and goes until Aug 16 (the day before RA training should start). It should be an awesome time although a very busy summer.
Classes:
EPL1: This week we learn where we will be placed in the local schools. Many schools exist and from driving by they seem to include lots of smaller buildings. The class has also decided to break in half and change times, which probably means I won't be able to make the workshop once the placements begin. The bright side though is that everyone should have a seat :)
Science: My first assignment is due next week for this class and I'm working hard at finishing it. Classes often include a bit of a science investigation however much of the time is spent learning how to use the curriculum, essential learnings, syllabus, etc. to plan lessons. This won't translate very well into my work at home since I doubt New York is going to adopt Queensland curriculum before they change it (in the next few years) or ever. But I've made friends with some of the "mature" students in the class and Chris (from Boston who was the first person I met cause he arrived on the same plane I did) in the group.
Arts: This week Arts combined with Health and Physical Education to share information about lesson planning. Although everyone (except Dave from Chicago) is in both classes, it was a long day for me. The breaks between lesson planning and the separate lessons were spent at the International Exchange fair. I know can write the lesson plan needed for my Science class. Every week in art we explore a different media and make something to display in my room. I'm not much of an artist but the pieces are very amusing both to make (when I'm with my friends in the class) and analyze. Soon I will start a papel picado of Sydney Harbor Bridge as part of my Arts Journey.
Outdoor Pursuits: Today was spent in the pool learning all of the necessary components of scuba diving. The 6.5 hours resulted in complete exhaustion (cured by a 2 hour rest) and a bit of sunburn. I am now ready to get into the open water. However the class still has a bit of theory left to watch on video, a homework to go over, and a final to take. Thankfully there is no class this week so a few of my Christian friends (including Owen and Kaitlyn) are going canoeing and camping Thursday night instead. Maybe I'll use some of that time to work on my breathing...slow and deep...annoying. That's all for classes.
Upcoming events: Connexions is a retreat for Student Life this weekend at a national Park in Mt. Tamborine. Although I'm not sure who else is going it'll be nice to get away and connect with other Christians for a weekend. I'm looking forward to it. I suppose now I should go plan the rest of the year (classes, etc.) and remember that I need sleep. Either way brekky is at 8:30 and I'm sure I'll be woken up by a friend for it.
If you have any questions feel free to email them to me (gmail or Fredonia) or better yet facebook is checked much more often than the gmail account. :) I'll try to answer your questions.
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