Sweet, Sweet Saturday

I am having a good Saturday and I had a great Friday. Things are really feeling good for me lately. :)

Last night, Olivia and I were going to go to the footie game at the G (the MCG, the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They like to shorten everything here, then shorten it again…) but we decided to be lazy and just get dinner at Queens and try to convince people to go out with us to Perseverance. Which turned out to be a great idea! We got Ray and Sara J to come with us. They both live on Olivia’s floor, and I really like both of them. We walked to Perseverance, which turned out to be kind of far to walk, but we had a really nice time there. Mostly we sat and chatted and got a couple jugs of beer to share. I had told Monika that I was going to Perseverance, and so she convinced Morgan to come with her and they came a little later. It was nice to just hang out. I had no plans or goals for the night, so there was no pressure to do anything specific.
On Friday night, it’s 90’s night at Perseverance (I think I mentioned that before) so of course we had to dance for a little while. We waited for Monika and Morgan to get there, because they like to dance, and then we pretty much went all out. Well, us Americans did. The Australian version of dancing “all out” is raising their hands above their head for a couple beats. But it was so packed and I was with 3 other American girls, so I didn’t feel quite so weird about dancing the way I like to dance. And there was no room for anyone to just stand and stare at us. It was nice. And they played fun music!

After dancing, Olivia and I went out back for some air, just to sit for a while. The outdoor part in the back is where the smokers hang out, though, but it can be easy to ignore if you’re at a bar. Then this guy approached us, and I wasn’t really sure what he was asking, because it was so loud, but I think he asked where he could buy a light. Or maybe if we need a light. I’m not too sure. But I told him we wouldn’t know where to buy a light (hoping that’s what he was asking) because we are American and don’t know any places around here, and then he went on to ask me all the typical stuff, like what I was doing in Australia, etc, etc. The things you always get asked when you tell people you're American. I was sitting, so he just asked to sit next to me. He explained he was visiting his “mum” (awwww! It was so cute the way he said “mum!”) who lives in Melbourne while his brother and sister were also visiting, but that his siblings brought him to Perseverance and then he lost them, haha.

We talked for a long time. We just talked about school, and differences here and in America, and he told me about New Zealand, which is where he is actually from and lives now, and how I should visit there. He told me to just go wherever I feel, because it’s more of a place to explore than tour or anything like that. He’s studying zoology in a university in New Zealand. He also told me about places to go in Australia, and he kept asking me why I chose Melbourne, because Melbourne certainly doesn’t have the best weather, haha. We also talked about interactions between men and women at bars and clubs, which was really interesting. He was extremely sincere when he told me that he doesn’t like to approach girls on the dancefloor, because usually only skeezballs do that so they can take random women home. He said he likes to talk to a girl and get to know her before asking to buy her a drink. At the time, I couldn’t tell of this was some sort of nice guy speech that he gives girls a lot, but looking back on it now, I think he was being sincere. He was also extremely polite, saying things like, “oh, I’ve been talking this whole time, you tell me what you think now” and things like that. We actually didn’t introduce ourselves until a few minutes into conversation, which was funny. His name was James. We also talked about our last names, because he asked me where I was from originally, meaning before my family came to America, and I told him I was French, and we started talking about last names. His is White, though, so that means almost nothing haha. Wow, now that I write all this out, we talked about so, so much. We must have been talking for a long time. We even talked about indoor heating! Haha, because he lives in New Zealand and I heard that they don’t use indoor heating there. Turns out they don’t. He said it was too expensive, and he just uses blankets if he needs to. I was amazed, haha.

Gradually, throughout our conversation, James put his hand on my knee and leaned in closer to me as we spoke. Then he took my hand. !!! WHAT. That’s not how these things go! I am much more used to guys pulling you in towards them and putting their hand on your booty before they try to drunkenly kiss you! Hand holding???
And that’s when I knew he was a keeper. Hahaha.
But really, James was the most polite, sweetest, easiest-to-talk-to person I had ever met at a bar. And he holds hand! It was crazy. He was also pretty cute. He was tall, he had reddish short hair, with some facial hair sort of forming a beard, but it was pretty short. He had pretty, clear eyes, green or blue, I can’t remember, and he dressed sort of … punk, I guess. That’s sort of the norm here, kind of alternative hip fashion. He was wearing a black leather jacket, which I later found out was really nice to touch. (In a hug, people! Don’t go getting any wrong ideas about me, feeling up his jacket or anything! Hahaha.) James was the first guy I’ve met that I actually considered kissing within meeting him that night. Like, really considering it.

But, sadly, my night ended abruptly. Olivia had been sitting with Sara J and Ray next to me (she told me later they were just sitting there talking about me and James and the fact that we were holding hands, haha! Losers. Just kidding. I really like those guys.) and they were all about ready to go, and they were talking to a couple other girls we know about leaving, so Olivia told me their plan to leave. I wanted to go with them, because I didn’t really want to find my way back alone because I’ve never done that before. But that would mean saying bye to James. :( I guess it was a good thing, though, since James was only here for the weekend, and I was sure I’d see him again. But I should have got his number! I could have called him when I visit New Zealand and he could have totally showed me around like a local! I am really upset that I didn’t ask for it. He didn’t ask for mine. :( But I told him I was going to leave with them, so he kissed my cheek, told me to have a great time while I’m here, gave me a hug and kissed my cheek again, and then he walked away. Siiiiiiggghhhhh. His leather jacket felt really smooth and cool to touch.

I should have got his number.

I don’t want to end a post on a sad note, so I’ll just say today has been very nice and restful, which is what I need. I had an AWESOME breakfast. They have these little mini pies and quiches, and by pies I mean meat pies, like pot pies back home. I think I had four, haha. They were delish. There was also eggs and bacon and … fried chicken. HAHA I was like, “are you guys for real???”

Oh, and I also tried Vegemite! YUUUUUUUUCK. It tastes like creepy, super strong soy sauce in spread form. It is SO weird. Mom, Dad, you guys have to try it when you come.

So after breakfast, I’ve just been doing some reading and then writing this. I’m going to go see about a bank check for the termination fee for UniLodge, and go get the rest of my stuff from my room there. That’s all I have planned. Oh, and Olivia and I are going to have a Veronica Mars marathon tonight. She got me hoooooked! It’s a really great show, as all my super smart friends whom I should really listen to when they tell me what to watch have told me. So yep, I’m just trying to get my strength back and relax. I don’t know if you can just tell through my writing, but I am really tired. I will post again when I have more news about anything at all, as usual! I love and miss everyone! Wish you guys could come experience this with me. Love love love!!!

Lots and Lots of Things Happening

So why is no one online?!?!?

It is like, late morning on Saturday for me, perfect time to talk to friends and family online. I guess everyone’s out watching movies or going out. :(

I hate this dumb, stupid, dumb cold. :( I can’t taste anything. I just made a salad and a cheese sandwich (yeah, a cheese sandwich. There isn’t even any mayo on it because I don’t have any. Womp womp) and I can’t really taste any of it. I feel so tired all the time and I kind of want to have a day where I just hang out in my room in my sweatpants and watch movies. I don’t have any movies, though… but really, I need an R and R day where I don’t do anything. So I can get over this dumb cold!!! >:(
But onto other interesting things I’m doing.

I had a really fun time last night! Another good one! More Australians in my life! I spent pretty much my whole day with Olivia, which was a little tiring because she’s pretty homesick and needs reassurance throughout the day that she’ll be okay, but it was fun hanging out with her. We got breakfast together, and then went to the Arts Student Centre because she was thinking of switching a class and I had an appointment to enroll. Enrollment was really very easy, and I’m going to take Aboriginal Writing with Olivia and … hmmm one class with Morgan, I can’t remember which one. So here is my schedule! :
Monday: Australian Art lecture at 5:15 pm
Tuesday: Australia and America lecture at 9 am -_-
Wednesday: Contemporary Art lecture at 10 am
Aboriginal Writing lecture at 4:15 pm
Thursday: Contemporary Art tutorial at 9 am -_-
Australia and America tutorial at 12 noon
Aboriginal Writing tutorial at 2:15 pm
And so far nothing on Friday! Yessssss!!!
Sounds good. I haven’t signd up for a tutorial for Australian Art yet, because I think they all filled up, but they usually open more up so I will have to see about that. They’re all lecture classes, so the tutorials are important because you actually go over material and questions in those.

Back to my day yesterday, after doing that we went into the city and I finally got a trashcan and laundry hamper! Haha yay. Those are kind of essential. Olivia got a comforter and a couple other things. Then we were going to meet up with Monika and Morgan, who told me they were going to go to Cotton On, which was supposed to be like Forever 21, at 4:30, so Olivia and I were just hangin out around then. The other girl never called or responded to my text, though, so we just went on our own because it’s only 2 blocks away, but the stores were soooo disappointing! Definitely not like Forever 21. They were small stores, and kind of expensive, and all the clothes were SUMMER clothes. Nothing was for cold weather. Maybe girls here are just numb and can’t feel how cold it outside, but really, I can’t go walking around in fifty-degree weather in a crop top and miniskirt with tights. No, tights are not warm. Jeans are warm. Actual pants are warm. Do you understand this, Australian clothing manufacturers? Ugh, it was so annoying. I have yet to find a clothing store where I will actually shop. Monika texted me about an hour later and was like, “we’re heading over now want to come?” and I was like, “already been, and it was pointless.” So that was sad. I’m not sure I understand Australian fashion yet. :(
After that, Olivia and I went back to my room, I got a change of clothes, and then we went to her room on campus at Queen’s College to have dinner there.
OH MY GOSH YOU GUYS.
They have this share drive that you can access on campus, with tons and TONS of movies and tv shows. In Olivia's room I watched an episode of 30 Rock. Yeeeeeeeeee!!!!! The one where Liz Lemon has her high school reunion. But seriously, I need to get access to that shared network so I can download everything to my computer and have it to watch in my room. That would be so great!!! It would bring me a little bit closer to home I think. The internet limit here is such a killer. Like, I haven’t even tried to watch a tv show online, because I am trying to save all my online time for skype. Which means I have almost nothing to do hanging out in my room. And their shared network wasn’t even online, you can just access it! I must get this. NOW.
Ok so I went to dinner with Olivia at her dining hall, which was nice because everyone was still meeting people, and they really like new people, which was good for me. It was taco night, kind of just like at Oxy.
Then after dinner, we were planning on going to Perseverance, a pub, (weird name, I know.) but had some time to hang out with the Australian students downstairs before we left. That was kind of funny. They all sit in their hallway with beer or wine and just talk over each other. They said they do it a lot haha. So we went with a group of them to Perseverance in a “maxi taxi”, a big bus-like taxi that you call ahead to have pick you up.

Perseverance was SO fun. Olivia and I went to find Andrea, who is good friends with Olivia and goes to Oxy, and she was talking to these guys who all play footie together. They were SO FUN. Hahaha I love Australians! They were all very friendly and introduced one another, and they all had nicknames, maybe because they were on a team together, but I kind of think that’s an Australian thing. They like to call each other by their last names or some variation on it. Though there was one guy they called Sauce because he was a redhead and they related that to tomato sauce (ketchup in America) and started calling him Sauce. Haha that was a funny explanation when they gave it to me. There was also Shorey, Porter, Naners (I think… they don’t pronounce the “r” so I’m just guessing), Easy Sleazy (not related to his last name hahaha), and T-W. That’s all I can remember, I think. Anyway, they did this thing where they would take turns buying rounds of beer. Wow, can Australians drink. It was a very continuous stream of beer. And they weren’t falling over each other when I left at 1:45 am. I KNOW, that is so late!! And I have a cold! But they were really awesome to hang out with, and actually bought us drinks to make us stay longer. Well, Shorey did that. Shorey was very cute. He was also the captain of the team. Australians are also really nice in greetings and goodbyes. When we left, they hugged us and gave us kisses on the cheek. So cute! Why don’t we do that in America? I’m going to start doing it.
Olivia and I are actually going to go meet up with those guys again tonight at Pugg’s, another pub. Yay! I really like those guys, they were so nice and it was fun to point out cultural differences to each other and make fun of each other’s accents. I think I might bring Monika and Morgan, I feel like they need to meet more Australian people. And maybe Olivia wanted to bring people too, I don’t know. Probably Andrea.

Anyway, I am hopefully making some really good friends here in Melbourne that I can at least have a good time at a bar with. Now I’ve gotta shower, Olivia and I are going to go see Inception. Wooot! Heard it is really good. I could use a movie. I hope it’s not too much of a mind bender, my mind doesn’t work all that great in the first place right now.
Okay, g’day! I love and miss everyone!!! Hug hug kiss kiss!