footy

So today I went to an Adelaide Crows vs Brisbane Lions footy match. It was unlike any other sporting event I've gone to. Today was family day (1 of 4 for the season). There were all these activities for little kids such as face painting, bouncy castle jumpy things, vertical tests, and kicking competitions. The stadium itself held maybe 10-12 thousand people, or well that's my guess. The size of the stadium, however, was much smaller than the intensity levels from all of the fans. People of all ages gathered to cheer on their hometown Crows--some people were much more serious than others. Seas of blue, red, and yellow undulated throughout the stadium; anyone sporting purple and gold stuck out like a sore thumb. AFL football is much different than American, gridiron football. Men sprint with an over-pumped pigskin, kicking it or hand-balling it from player to player. They also completely deck each other (with no pads). There are practically no penalties. The point of this running and hitting is to kick the ball through the two tallest poles--that's worth 6 points and is a goal. If the ball is kicked through a small pole and a tall one, it's only 1 point. When I was doing the vertical testing, a man told me that he's been to Tennessee and actually played AFL football in the south. Turns out there are 46 AFL teams in America, some of which just happen to be in Tennessee, Georgia, North and South Carolinas, Florida, and other southern states. I guess you learn something new everyday. After 4 quarters of tackling and running, the game ended with defeat for the Crows. According to the hardcore fans, the team played terrible; to me, I had no clue what was going on so I was still impressed. I'll have to keep up with the Crows when I'm back home, and I'll definitely have to search the American AFL teams.

downtown/beach

Today, while Maddie was working, we went through downtown Adelaide and into a beach town called Gleneg. Adelaide is known for all of its churches. We went down North Terrace, which is where the Parliament building and governor's house is. There was also this massive outdoor mall. It reminded me of Disney world with all of the different shops and walkways. Everywhere you turned there was a little outlet store or a little restaurant. There's even several golden pig statues! It's crazy. At a park down by the river, some man was playing the bagpipes. I thought it was just a Scottish thing but apparently not. Now Gleneg is a different city. It's located right on the beach and there's even a pier (or a jetty in Aussie language). The water is a clear turquoise color that we never see. The only city I can compare it to would be Huntington Beach, California. Parks everywhere, walkways with little surf shops, people running and biking everywhere; it's my idea of paradise.

new vocabulary

Alright so one big thing different here in the land down under is everyday words. For example, trackies means sweatpants, jumper means sweater, and agro means angry. Are there any other words, you may ask. Why yes, indeed there are. Don't call me strange if I say these in daily conversations (I've been around the Aussies too long).

Footy=football (AFL style)
Brekkie=breakfast
Chrissie=Christmas
Prezzies=presents
Vegies=veggies
Aussie=Australian
Chewey=gum
Mozzie=mosquito
Relatives=rellies
Barbeque=barbie
Postman/mail=postie
TV=telly
Roo=kangaroo
Lolly=candy
Chips=french fries
Bathers=swim suits
Cuppa=cup of
Deli=shop
Jumper=sweater/sweatshirt
Trackies=sweatpants
Petrol=gas
Tea=dinner
Mobile=cell phone
Lemonade=sprite
Ta=thanks
Oy=pay attention
Mate=friend
Nong=idiot
Dud=idiot
Ankle biter=capris
Stickybeak=nosy
Agro=angry
Arvo=afternoon
Whinge=complainers
Ranger=ginger
Swagman=hobo
Billabong=drinking hole
Tucker=dinner
Heaps=long time
Ages=long time
Yonks=long time
Cheers=thanks
Dag=loser/idiot/bad dresser

Also, the Aussies like to cut off their phrases. For example, they say "cool as" or "mean as" instead of finishing the metaphor. I actually used jumper and cool as today... on accident. It'll be interesting when I return from ze land down under.

camp

Well I'm back! These past 4 days have been in the Outback with nothing but beautiful sunsets, kangaroos, and tons of sand. This camp was called Camp Tuikilky (extremely hard to pronounce) and we had a bushranger theme. We had 3 gangs: Starlight gang (me and Maddie plus 4 others), Thunderbolt tribe, and Captain Melville's gang. The first day was mainly the bus trip and then a 5K walk to our first campsite. To be honest I did feel kind of awkward around all of the people at first. After 4 days of bonding over filthiness and pain we're all good friends! That first night we slept in a bivvy (aka lots of tarps pulled together) at camp. That was the coldest night. The rest of the nights we were in tents (and much warmer). The second and third days were both 10K walks. My ankles and legs are cut up from random sticks and prickly bushes. On the third night, we watched a movie around the campfires under stars. That was the most relaxed feeling I've had until I came back. The scenery was absolutely beautiful everywhere. Couldn't ask for better days.

second day

Second day of school wasn't much different than the first. History class was just the same as the others; i knew all the material already. The only things I'm learning is cooking (Mom you'll be happy about that.) Tomorrow we leave for camp which is both a good and bad thing. I'm super excited for this! However, 4 days without showering, sleeping outside, and constant hiking doesn't suit well with me. Anyway I'm sure I can handle this. We have so much stuff packed for the camp. TONS of food. Literally. It's crazy, but it'll be amazing. I can't wait to get out there and explore the Outback. Time to work on my photography skills that don't exist!

school

Well today was my first day of school! I felt like the awkward kid who moves to a different school every year. However, the classes were pretty fun. The teachers do tend to keep the material interesting, much like Baylor, so I had a home-like feel. Also in math and biology, I had already learned all the material. Everyone was struggling with basic quadratics or the respiratory system and I just sat there laughing to myself. My bio teacher called me "the smart American" as she asked me to lecture the class on the basic function of diffusion of oxygen in your blood. GENIUS!!! I'm taking a food and hospitality course as well. Mom you'll be proud to know that I successfully made a light dessert with a filling. It was yummy!! In PE we played volleyball, not one of my best sports. PE is the only class that I have with seniors too, so there was that intimidation factor. All of my other classes are for juniors though. Maddie's friends are very similar to mine at home, so that was amazing! I fit in really well; that also made me miss my friends more. Tomorrow is my last day of school for the week because Maddie and I leave for camp on Wednesday! Go outback! This is the only writing I've done in awhile, so I should probably write in that journal. Blogging tomorrow or next week!

freak out!!

maddie and i with daniel and nick

my room