Noteworthy(ish)

"For everything there is a season,

 and a time for every matter under heaven:… 

a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;"

-Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

Being back from the Gold Coast has been emotionally strange. I jokingly say I had PSPD (post-Surfer’s Paradise depression), but I was probably just exhausted from the trip. My family has also been discussing possible times they want to come (can you believe they haven’t decided?!), and every time they propose a new plan, I get really excited about showing them the places I love. And then they decide against it, and I get [I want to say heartbroken but maybe that’s too strong. Bummed? Really sad? I have no vocab...]. Everyone asks if I’m homesick, and I say no. I don’t miss anything about California (sadly and surprisingly) except the people. If you could all just move here, I would not be homesick haha. But that’s unrealistic, so maybe this is what homesickness feels like?

I took my first mini-exam! The units (classes) here don’t have quizzes or midterms; each “homework” assignment (Problem-Solving Task) is worth 10%, and the final exam is worth the remaining 60%. The humanity courses have three essays or group projects each worth 30-40% each. The mini-exam is a 1% bonus if you don’t get full marks on the PSTs, so there’s essentially nothing to lose. Haven’t experienced that exam adrenaline rush in awhile. And I enjoy taking tests? (At least when there’s nothing to lose, which doesn’t really happen anymore…) On school-related notes, things are starting to pick up, but probably still classified as a slow jog. At Santa Clara, you hit the ground running Week 1. I'm seriously questioning my ability to adapt/readjust to life (read: studying) when I get back. 

I also experienced my first fire alarm in Australia. This morning as I was getting ready to go to class, the fire alarm went off. It was quite timely (Thank God) since I was already going, so instead of using the elevator, I climbed nine flights of stairs. It has gone off twice since I’ve been here (at 9am and 5.30am), but I haven’t been in the apartment during those alarms (phew). I’ve heard people complain and joke about the way it sounds, but man it’s so much worse hearing it in person. I can’t imagine waking up to it. 

Today there was Wings Wednesday at a nearby Mexican food restaurant for 25 cents/wing, so I went, thinking I could get however many wings I wanted. But no, they came in packs of 10, and you had to buy a drink. The wings were good, but I’m probably not going back again… #fineprint #poorcustomerservice

Ridiculous as this sounds, but I’m already thinking about souvenirs and goodbye gifts. This is because I bought ribbons at the Cararra markets that remind me of the ocean and I’m trying to figure out how to incorporate them/use them to make stuff. But if you have specific things you want from Australia, let me know! I’m more than happy to bring something back for you (rather than me giving you something you don’t like/want) 😃 .

Also, what do you say to someone with anorexia nervosa? It’s been almost a month, and I still haven’t been able to think of the right words. Maybe that's what’s wrong: I’ve prayed but not seriously enough and googled instead of waiting. Jesus, how would you comfort/encourage her?

And best wishes to everyone who starts classes again today! Enjoy these first few weeks (I finally know how chill semesters are); y’all will do great ^_^ 

And sorry no pictures this time. Nothing can compare to those ocean views *sigh*