The past few days have been so busy and exhausting and yet so lovely. Thursday morning, we left the hostel and traveled to Christian Heritage College (the college I will be attending this semester) for a day of orientation. We attended orientation lectures, played games, and ate good food. Then, in the evening, we were all picked up by our host families and taken to our new homes for the next three and a half months.
My host family is wonderful! My Aussie dad, Martin is originally from Argentina and has traveled all over the world. He's been all over in the states and Europe and is a citizen of America, Argentina, and Australia. He also just informed me that he has been in the Olympics....so, my Aussie dad is a celebrity, no big deal. He's an avid bicyclist, so we just watched the Tour of France together, with him giving me insight to what was going on. My Aussie mom, Linda, is so sweet and nice and caring. My host sister, Madi, is 17 and in her last year of high school. She has proven to be very helpful, giving me assistance in various things and providing helpful information. Carter, my 14 year old host brother, is sweet and shy. He plays cricket and apparently is very good and was in a professional match type thing recently! He also has Celiac so the entire house is gluten free, which is convenient for me. Australia seems to have delicious gluten free foods, much better than any gluten free foods I have had in the states.
Friday was another day of orientation, with games and more lectures, which ended around 3:30 in the afternoon. My host mum drove me home when she got off at 4 (she and Martin both work at the college, and their children attend the school that is affiliated with the church on campus..which is also affiliated with the college). Carter had Cricket training once we got home, so they left, and Martin, Madi, and I went to take Jack, the family dog, on a walk. Jack is adorable and my new best friend. He loves attention and I am all too happy to give it to him. After we got back from the walk, I went to take a short nap before dinner....but ended up sleeping till 9:30. Whoops.
The weather here has been beautiful, in the 70's - 80's, with a slight breeze. Apparently, it's been a bit warm this week for a typical Australian summer in Brisbane and it is supposed to cool off again this weekend. There are birds everywhere here! So many different kinds of birds, all noisy and territorial things. There were two having a horrific screeching match last night outside my bedroom window. My grandma would have liked it here I think, just because of the many birds. They are so interesting and beautiful creatures, although some of them are kinda scary because they are so big and territorial. They say that generally there is a 'honeymoon' stage when you go to another country and so I suppose I must be in that stage, because I am definitely loving everything about this country right now.
Last night, after dinner, I went back down to my room (my room is downstairs, connected to a small sitting area and there is also a bathroom and laundry room down there) and went to go use my bathroom....and there on the floor was a cockroach. Having never had to deal with such a devious creature before, I promptly turned around, and jumped onto my bed. Then I decided to go upstairs and ask Linda what to do. It sounds silly, but I had absolutely no idea how to kill the thing or what to do. Armed with a shoe, she followed me back downstairs, laughing, but by then, Mr. Cockroach had made himself scarce. After she returned upstairs, I went to pick up a piece of toilet paper that was laying on the floor, threw it in the toilet, and low and behold, Mr. Cockroach was attached to it...and fell into the toilet. I must let it be put on record that I did not yell or scream...despite be startled and completely grossed out. He kept scrambling, trying to escape his ceramic baptism and finally was able to get his head and half of his body out of the water.....so I promptly flushed the toilet and away he went down the rapids of toilet city. I was fairly convinced last night that he was going to climb his way out of there while I slept and come for revenge...buuuut, I'm still alive so far.
Today has been a lazy Saturday. I slept in. Had some tea and toast with peanut butter. Linda and Carter have been at Carter's cricket game all day so far. Madi has been in her room, I think. Martin (aka Aussie dad) and I have been watching the tour of France together, as I already mentioned. I was able to talk to my mom on the phone for a little while this morning (Friday evening for her....so weird). I have examined the syllabi for my classes. And now, I am blogging. Not a very productive day, but a nice and restful day. I am excited for what God has in store for me and the rest of us study abroad students this semester. I am amazed by the beautiful creation that Australia is and intrigued by the different cultures found within this country. So thankful for all that the Lord has already shown me in the past few days and I know He will continue to stretch and grow me further in Him through this experience.
