Classes Have Started But The Fun Hasn't Stopped!

Well folks, although it may not appear so from my continuous Facebook posting of various beaches, I have indeed finally started classes in Australia. It's been a week and a half since courses began, and I'm still getting into the swing of things. Firstly because it's a new university to me and I am learning how things work here, but secondly because I haven't been in class/had to study for three months!

The weekend before last, some friends and I hopped on the bus and went into the city for Sydney's massive Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and celebration. It was quite the experience! Roads are blocked off, bus routes are altered, and thousands of people flock to the city to see the extravagant costumes and floats that make their way down the street, such as the ones pictured below.

I also have found a beautiful Catholic church to go to here, which made me very happy! It's very traditional, with a steeple, columns, and statues, and I am excited to become a part of its parish community!

My friend Madison and I have gone to see two movies so far at the cinema up the road, Last Vegas and Dallas Buyers Club. We like to go to the movies on weeknights- it's a good way to have a relaxing night during the week. Movies come out a lot later here than in America, and same with t.v. shows (which is part of the reason why pirating is so prevalent in Australia, because they want to see things when they are released in America, such as Game of Thrones). Speaking of t.v. shows, I see billboards around the city for Real Housewives of Melbourne and it always makes me laugh....

In other news, I've been adding to my knowledge of Aussie slang. My new Australian friends who are in a Management class of mine taught me a lot of terms after class last week. Crikey, I'm going to be sounding like a natural Aussie soon enough! (Sidenote: When someone says they "have the shits" here, that means they're drunk. My Australian friend shared with me his awkward experience in America when he said he had the shits and someone showed him to the bathroom....)

Furthermore, I've been enriching the Australian, German, Italian, French, Mexican, Spanish (and whatever else!) languages with some good ol' Texan vocabulary. I had said in conversation with my Australian friends that "this ain't my first rodeo" and they just looked at me with blank expressions. I realized the moment it came out of my mouth that they probably aren't familiar with that expression, and so I was honored to explain it to them. Naturally, our conversation progressed on to talking about rodeos and wagon racing, which one of the guys said is "like a country version NASCAR."

I know I tend to get behind on my blogging, but there will be more to come promptly!:)

-Ashley