Exploring QUT

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, 

for those who are called according to his purpose."

-Romans 8:28

I’ve been at uni(versity) the past two days for orientation and just exploring QUT (Queensland University of Technology) for the coming semester. There are two campuses: Gardens Point, a 15-minute walk from my apartment, and Kelvin Grove, a 10-minute bus ride from GP. The shuttle bus is free for everyone who has a QUT ID card (I got mine yesterday! My picture looks decent hehe). It’s O-week (O for orientation), and a lot of the clubs had stalls (booths) to advertise. As much as I wanted to have a different uni life from the one I had at SCU, I was still drawn to the music groups, Christian fellowships, and of course Ultimate (Frisbee)! I do, however, want to check out BigLift, a volunteer-based club that goes out to rural areas and help Aussies do work; EcoQUT, a club that promotes eco-friendliness on campus (QUT has only two bins: waste and recycle. No compost. Yet.); and LDI, Leadership Development I[don’t remember]. There’s also the surfer club and rock climbing club, but not sure… And since the legal drinking age here is 18, there are also clubs dedicated to partying: going out to bars, clubs, and pub crawls (idk what this). Strange.

QUT Kelvin Grove

I met people! There was a Malaysian man involved with a Christian group who came and sat with me when he saw me eating my $2 Brazilian BBQ lunch alone. Valentine is a French aerospace engineering student, and the only one from his uni to study abroad at QUT. I also talked to two American girls (Sydney and Sarah), whom I saw again on the library tour this morning. They’re both studying engineering also. Speaking of which, it’s been really hard explaining to people what I study. Sometimes I say Electrical Engineering and Music, and sometimes I say Math because 2/4 of my classes are math (here, they call it Maths with the "s," which is a bit too strange for me). Whatever is more relatable, I guess. Hopefully by the end of this semester I’ll be able to give everyone the same answer or be more comfortable with my uncertainty. 

The library is AMAZING! The one at KG has 6 levels and so many computers, books, and funky furniture. Part of the ceiling is made of books!

Ceiling of Books

The people at the stalls (esp. the Christian ones) are always surprised to see me walking around alone. The ethnic ones always approach me, and I have to explain that I’m from the US (NOT China) but my parents are from Taiwan. It’s also interesting that the first language out of their mouths is often Mandarin and not English… but at least I understand! And then we start talking in Chinglish (Chinese + English) hahaha… These small convos have made me realise how complex my background is. No matter how much I love Taiwanese food, I’m not Taiwanese, but I definitely don’t look (or feel) American. I sound Californian. I think this confirms that I can only find my identity as a child of God; everything else will only make me confused and frustrated.

Below are some highlights (Highs) of the past few days. They are evidence of God’s love. He has also shown me that different is not wrong. These are Strange. For now. 

Highs:

- I found this really pretty beach-like place on my way to uni this morning. It’s really the river, but you can’t really tell from the picture. 

Faux Beach

-  $2 Chicken rice bowl. So yummy! Too bad they’re only selling at this price today. Normally, one bowl is $7. 

- 2 golden kiwis for 35 cents! The inside was actually green, but at this price, it doesn’t matter. 

Chicken Rice Bowl, Kiwi, & Orange

- I found the practice rooms! Now I just have to figure out how to make bookings. Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 here we go~

- There’s an Asian supermarket on the way to the practice room building. They’re selling veggies for 99 cents/kg before 11am. It’s also where I got the kiwis 😃 

- Also really excited for the pickup ultimate (frisbee game tonight). I found the field today and it looked really nice. Yay!

- The violist shortage is universal, apparently. But I’m so glad Jackie also plays, and she’s wiling to lend me her instrument for the semester! I haven’t committed to joining the music ensembles here, but gonna go check out the open rehearsals this coming Sunday.

Strange:

- There are no paper towels in the toilets to dry your hands. I guess Australia is also eco-friendly in this way? But at the same time it's really hard to find water fountains on campus. In place, there are tons of vending machines that sell water bottles for $$$$. 

- The oranges I’ve eaten here have had over 20 seeds each (see above picture). I still love eating them - it’s just slightly inconvenient. Spoiled me.

- I still can’t get over the fact that it’s WINTER and it’s 26° C (almost 80° F). What kind of winter is this? I’m definitely Northern-hemisphere-brainwashed.

- Data quota. I get 20 GB/month at my apartment and 50GB/month at uni, but this is definitely a new concept for me. Free wifi always meant unlimited, but not anymore…

- There was construction going on outside my apartment window at 9PM last night. I guess the 9-5 workday doesn’t apply? Thankfully they finished by 10pm.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog and letting me share my journey with you. Now it’s time for dinner, and ultimate!