settled in sort of

so today is monday and o-day. it was quite like freshman festival at pitt except
way more commercial. they had a red bull tent and a bud table. our welcome packs
were basically an ad for domino's. it is really hot out. i need a hat. i still
have a ridiculous shopping list to attend to but i am going to wait until it is
cooler, probably wake up mad early and shop tomorrow. sort of disappointed with
the lack of student organizations but whatever. tomorrow is scheduling and an
international student welcome dinner. should be good.

my roommate, i think his name is zane (not at all sure) is the only one i've
really seen. he came here with his five best mates from highschool. he reminds
me too much of jj. they all seem nice. bridget is my other flat mate. she was
here last year.

the australearn group has jokingly dubbed this place the concentration camp.
they are quite strict. we have room inspections, chores, fines, and they walk
around telling you to go inside at 10. it is also turning out to be more
expensive then i imagined. you have to pay for everything, internet,
activities, the bus, the gym (which is $190). oh well.

yesterday we took the train to cottesloe beach. it was awesome. very sweet
beach. clear cool water and white sand. not a bad time. i managed to sunburn my
ankles and neck. last night we though of heading out only to find the place we
wanted to get pizza at closed at 8. everything tends to close pretty early
here.

the boys have taken to this place called chicken treat, calling it super
chicken. the aussies say it is really bad fast food. they still want to try it.
and there is this kind of creepy kid from cambridge who has been here years and
who jackie (an australearn girl) was warned about before she got here
(interestingly enough these two guys from malaysia were also warned about him).
he is here doing his phd on how to be truely happy. he is the butt of many
jokes.

i think i'll go check out the laundry. i hope they have change machines though
because change here is like gold. seriously it is. they have gold 1 and 2
dollar coins you have to use for everything.