I’m not actually sure what I did all last week at work, haha. I think I was pretty much still working on plots and graphs. Refitting the model and such, a bit of writing. All of which I need to do more of. My knee is doing shockingly VERY well, it’s kind of weird though. Good, but weird that it seems to be healing so well. Like it almost feels ‘normal’ again, after a week…it usually takes 3-4 weeks. Strange? Not complaining though. Hopefully I will be able to ride the bike into work this week and not have to hassle anyone for more rides.
This weekend I went to Moreton Island with a co-worker and we stayed in a villa, it was nice. Right on the beach, woke up to the sound of the waves, good weather. It was fun. We didn’t really do too much, just relaxed and wandered around. A bit of ping pong in which I lost all games for, haha. I have gotten better though! I hope so at least. There were these cool wrecks off the western coast of the island near where the resort/villas were. I think there was something like 5 or 6 ships that ran aground (pictures below). They looked like they were pretty popular for divers and snorkelers.
So I have been trying to wean myself off of tim tams lately. Everyone keep their eye out for them in the States, the last I heard that they are only available at a certain time of year (I think around Christmas?). I’ll have to find out that’s for sure, and teach everyone the tim tam slam. SO GOOD. I’m going to get everyone hooked on them. If I have room in my luggage I’m going to bring back a package (or two). :)
Speaking of luggage, I have no idea when I am going to pack. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is going to be the night before which would be interesting. I should have started a week ago, especially since I’m going to be gone for 3 days this week. I guess I’ll see what happens. I have gotten epically better at packing though, I pack in like 5 minutes for the weekend now…amazing. Haha
It’s interesting talking to people about the differences in Australians vs. Americans, personalities and lifestyles. I always have to think about it a bit because right now the differences seem pretty subtle and I think it depends on the region of either place you are in. Obviously I’ve only seen one small part of Australia, but I think I’ve seen a good portion of the States to have a good idea of that part at least, haha. I also think that I might find differences a little more obvious when I head back to the States, I’ve just been down here for so long it all has pretty much become second nature to me. One thing I was talking about with Shane once that was interesting was the way people act towards each other when you tell them you are doing something cool or got something awesome. For example, when I told him that I got invited to swim in a meet (which sparked this conversation in the first place) he was like ‘oh that’s cool!’ He also said that in normal situations between Aussie’s, friends would be more likely to say ‘why in the hell would you do that, you’re not up for that’. He said that they kind of put each other down before the other person gets over-egotistical or thinks they are better. It was interesting that he said that and it reminded me of a story I read in my Anthro class that was about the same exact thing. A guy was studying a tribe by living with them for a year, participating in hunting, cleaning, preparing. He said that the biggest thing he learned while he was there was within the last few days, around Christmas. He noticed throughout his time that every time they came back with food, people of the tribe never seemed satisfied by what the hunters brought back. It was always ‘this will never feed everyone’ or ‘this meat isn’t fresh’ even though there was always enough food and obviously fresh from the days hunt. So every year people of the tribe get a large bull and share it amongst the people at Christmas. This guy decided that, as a gift for their hospitality, he would buy the biggest bull he could find in the area. Once he brought it in and the meat was distributed he thought everyone would be really happy and find him to be doing a great thing. However, everyone in the tribe kept saying things like ‘could you have found a smaller bull, why would we want to eat this, the meat is dry’ even though there was more than enough food for everyone, the meat was perfect and everyone enjoyed it. Later, upon his confusion, he learned from his closest friend in the tribe that this behaviour is part of their custom so that no one person thinks they are better than the other. In doing so, it keeps everyone at the same level, whether someone may be a better hunter or something, it didn’t matter. This story was one of my favorites from the class, hence the reason I actually remember it, and it was really cool to find out that Australians are slightly the same way. Maybe not quite to the same extent, but yeah, kind of interesting to think about in relation to most Americans, who often take advantage of something that may set them apart or make them better than a counterpart. Interesting to think about which one you would prefer…
Fun fact:
-Australia currently has their first woman Prime Minister but she wasn’t actually elected by vote, the last guy just decided to leave. Apparently an election is to come though.
Pelican! I liked him
Sea star :)
Ship wreck
Sunset
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