Work, Perth, Congress and more
Monday, February 19, 2007
OK, it's been ages since I last updated my blog. This is what happens when I don't have internet connection at home and I don't have a million things to study in a very short period of time before exams. Haha.
Summer holidays have come and gone and I spent my first whole summer here in Adelaide. The plan was to work and earn enough money to supplement my travels in July, Aug and Sept. For those of you who don't know, I'll be leaving Australia on the last day of June, travelling Scandanavia and anywhere else I decide to go in July, having my placement in Hildeshiem, Germany in August and dropping by home in KL for a week in Sept. Am very excited, but also a bit stressed about my finances. It's not easy working to fully support myself, especially with these prospective travels but I suppose it's a matter of looking at the glass half-full and not allowing my mind to whinge about why I am in this situation, when none of my peers are. But that which does not kill you will only make you stronger. And I think it's fun. Really.
And life is pretty lonely nowadays with Mark doing his bit of travelling. It feels like he's been gone ages, but sob sob, it's only been over a week and I shall stop counting the days till his return because .. there will be 3 more lonely Sundays before he's back and that is ages. I thought that I would have a lot of time on my hands to feel sorry for myself, but although I have been pretty busy, I still seem to find myself entertaining thoughts of self-pity and my imagination running loose on why he hasn't smsed in more than 24 hours. And he hasn't!! How could he!! *Drums fingers on desk, staring at phone*.
I suppose, to me, Adelaide, Australia IS Mark. I've known him practically since I arrived and things have only gotten better. We've discovered this city, this state together. We have friends who don't know us other than QuinAndMark. And it's wierd doing somethings without him. Like cooking. And waiting for him to come home after work. (sounds pathetic, but i'm glad i'm not the one working long hours) And flipping to the sports channel. And going to parties.
But Sundays are the worst. It's our only day together, really, since we are both so busy during the week and I work on Saturdays. We always make sure we do something like have a picnic on the beach or go for a long walk or watch a movie or spring clean something. Or have friends over. Or spend time with his parents. Something. Together. Which is why I am so upset about 3 whole Sundays to go. =(
New housemates are keeping me busy and entertained though. We have French Elise and German Siri. It's so nice living with internationals again after the boring months with Aussies. International students are so much more fun cause they are here to meet people and experience new things. Always sucks when they leave, but it beats not having met them at all. On one 40+ degree day, we went to Oriane, Elise's friend's house for a swim in the pool and it turned out to be quite a night! Played around for about an hour, even having a cricket match in the pool. Then dinner, and showers. Before long, someone decided the night was too hot, so all of us went back in the pool. So much for conditioning my hair. Dried off, then the Italian contingent came and created such a ruckus in the pool. I swear they were having a competition of who could displace the most water from the pool. Us girls had a good laugh because they were all wearing Speedos!!! OMG! They will get ABUSED if they went to the beach with them. Nothing attractive about Speedos at all. =P So. We got dragged into the pool for the 3rd time. I got a cramp in my tricep and could taste my dinner a little, so I decided I'd had enough of swimming. Was about midnight, so we'd been swimming intermittently for about 6 hours! Was about to leave when the Germans came. They kinda missed all the fun, and a lot of the Frenchies left to go for another party in Glenelg. It's funny, cause i'd met them through Siri, and now they were at a party with Elise's friends. The exchange students always find each other!
Hmm.. what else. The week before Christmas, we went to Perth for a wedding. Was not cheap to fly there, I still can't believe how far away it is! Very pretty (and rich) city. Also got to meet up with Unc TP and family. Got to spend time with my cute little cousins and it was nice to see them gradually warm up to me. =) If i move there next year, I'll get to baby sit them a little more!
Also, the CONGRESS! One whole week of fun, fun and more fun (Toga Party!!) with late nights, lots of alcohol and educational stuff, when we actually made it to them. The Counselling competition for the Pharmacy Student of the Year competition was very impressive, setting high standards even for experienced pharmacists. The Ball was great too although I somehow ended up seated at a table of ex-NAPSA presidents and other 'famous' pharmacy students. Well, ex-pharmacy students. Yes, it was very intimidating and I felt like I didn't know what to say to them, but they were all pretty nice.
And I shall leave you all with pictures from the Congress. (because it's they're the only ones I have on my flash drive).
We had tickets to watch the Australian Open at the Rod Laver Arena. We left after a few hours to go shopping in the city.
"S" is for SSSSSSSSAPSA!
Toga Party. Took us about an hour to work out ways to wrap a long cloth around a body.
More Toga Shots. I don't think the Victorian OC liked us South Australians a lot, giving us hot, shiny pink. On the other hand, i think we pulled it off pretty well.
Me and Little Thandie from 1st year during quiz night.
Mel looked gorgeous at the ball!
Pete was inconspicuously pulling my dress trying to make me look fat cause I laughed at him running shirtless across the football field ("Ba BOOM Ba BOOM" *makes stomach fat heaving motion*.. hehe..)
Me and my girls. Thanks for the great time at congress!
I think this was the best shot of the night because of what happened as the night went on .......
I shall refrain from putting up videos of her "dancing", throwing up and getting kicked out of the ballroom.
Dave's hat and bowtie were so cute.
*heart* SAPSA!! You guys rock!
