I don't understand why such a relaxed and laid back environment can make me feel so anxious.

Preschool

Today was my first day at the preschool. I am in a room with 3 year olds for Monday and Tuesday, then I will have some older kids for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The classes are HUGE. There are 20 in each class- two classes in the center- Beth is in the other room. The first thing in the morning was a drummer man who came and drummed for the kids-they also drummed along with their little drums the man provided. He was so charismatic and funny! It was kind of a crazy morning then with this man coming and a lot of support staff involved today. Something that's different from home is how many children have support staff and have the labels labeling them special ed. This normally doesn't happen in US until at least Kindergarten because they say it is so hard to tell when they are special ed or not. So that was interesting how much help these children got! So at 10:30 the children had morning tea. I asked, 'Do the children actually drink tea?' Apparently that is a stupid question because you know, children and hot liquids could be dangerous. So morning tea is just snack time HAH. A lot of them ate hummus for snack-so cute!

Also during the day children were trying to climb trees and teachers were helping them!! This was kind of scary. This would not happen in the states.

Many children also come barefoot and don't wear shoes at all. The center was very open and outdoors- we ate outside, and obviously played a lot outside.

You would think that there would be no problem because they speak English here but it is SO HARD sometimes to understand today. For about 10 minutes I was trying to understand this woman saying beetroot hummus.

Aussie slang:

If you are very drunk you are Maggotted

Mom=Mum

Kylie Monogue=Australian

college=Unie

fags=cigarettes

Byron Bay

Today was the first full day with host momma Julia. She took us to Byron Bay, which is a little touristy place. We went to this lighthouse which is still in use. It was a cool experience. We were at the farthest east point where the sun rises first. The views were spectacular!! Pictures up top. We ate some chips and fish ( I had a salad instead) at a place in Byron Bay and then ate them on the beach. Then me and Beth (my roommate) went to visit the beach a few minutes from our house. We had a great time- I got wetter than expected!! I was trying to get my pic taken on these rocks when the wave went over them and onto me! Also, you may know I love cats. They have two here! Dory and Oprah.

Some things I learned:

The school year is completely different! they have four terms between each are two weeks vacation, and have a summer holiday which is 6 weeks (December through February)

They have funny accents here

Rockmelon= cantaloupe

They drive on the other side of the road

chips=fries

Their cars have the driver seat on the other side of the car!!

Things are very European(obviously due to their history)

Tampons do not come with applicators !!

pubs=bars

Many times they drink at the bars in hotels in town.

Children have to take a test after the end of high school in order to pass high school

Sydney to Ballina

Today I rode on a plane from Sydney to Ballina. I met my host mom, and am currently in the house I will be staying in for the duration of my student teaching here. I got to Australia on Friday at 8:30 ish. I waited anxiously for all the rest of my crew to arrive from L.A. They arrived but their luggage did not. This was annoying for them, but also for me because I had to hear all about it. There is something about complaining that is so fun to do but so un-fun to listen to. I of course mean them no harm in saying this because I would be pissed and venting about it too. I am, however, grateful that this did not happen to me! Traveling alone internationally turned out to be not so bad. Except, in the Toronto airport I had to get off the plane outside instead of on one of those walkways. Then, we were way far away from the actual airport, and I had to pick up my bags from baggage claim and then run to get through security on time. It was hard!! The seats on my Air Canada flights were not comfortable at all! We stayed in a hostel in Sydney last night, and that was OK. We went to bed early (7:30) because everyone else was tired. I was a little tired, but kinda wanted to party it up. It was fine though, and I know we are headed back to Sydney after teaching so that we will have more time to see the town and party it up. Here are a couple pics of Sydney for you to enjoy! We took these while we walked around Darling Harbor.

Tomorrow I am going with my host mom and my roomie Beth to Byron Bay, which is just a little town with shops and the like.

Australia

I am packing up my room/house today. I am so tired of it.. I am taking a break right now. hehe. I leave for Australia on Wednesday, and I am moving out of Menomonie tomorrow. I hope I have everything packed by then!! I'm not too far in packing as of right now. I'm super nervous right now for the flight, the adventure, being in another country altogether.