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Location Date New South Wales 1403650800 Queensland 1403218800 Western Australia 
1403132400 New Zealand 1402095600 Victoria 1395532800 -
Location Date Fremantle
1403132400 Kimberley 1397257200 East Perth 1395187200 Rottnest Island 1394928000 -
Location Date Thu, 19 June 2014 1403172680 Fri, 13 June 2014 1402672116 Fri, 30 May 2014 1401422776 Sun, 04 May 2014 1399220362 Mon, 14 April 2014 1397490885 Sat, 05 April 2014 1396713020 Fri, 07 March 2014
1394204510 Tue, 04 March 2014 1393924298 Sun, 02 March 2014 1393763377 Fri, 28 February 2014 1393579174 Tue, 25 February 2014 1393345939 Fri, 21 February 2014 1392998481 Wed, 19 February 2014 1392828780 Tue, 18 February 2014 1392741545 Mon, 17 February 2014 1392655073 Sun, 16 February 2014 1392564776
I have a new nickname! Most of you know me by Elizabeth but I also go by Boo, EB, Eli, and some names my sisters call me that I probably should't list on the blog. Jasmina my friend from Germany has started calling me Liesl (like from The Sound of Music, my other all time favorite movie!). She also listens to the German radio show which always reminds me of car rides with my Grandma when we used to listen to the German radio show.
I am amazed at how American TV and movie is so dominant here. I think the domestic students and the South African girl have seen more American movies than I have. On Sunday night when you were all watching the Oscars we were watching them here on Monday morning.
Tuesday night we went for a walk on the beach at 1:30AM. On our walk we met some employees from the local breweryrestaurant (Little Creatures) who had just gotten off work and decided to go for a late night swim. They promised the next time we come to the restaurant drinks are on them!
I went to mass on Wednesday for Ash Wednesday and for the rest of the day everywhere I went people were informing me that I had "dirt" on my forehead.
Thursday was my groups day to cook community dinner. We had to stay away from 25 different food allergies but we did it! We made bruschetta for the entree, stuffed shells and salad for the main dish, and had ice cream, sorbet, and whipped cream for dessert.
My classes have been going well so far but I still have no desire to do homework. I am settling in and getting into a routine, which includes going to the beach everyday because I mean how fortunate am I to live one block away from the beach!
Here is a little about my classes:
- The Sacraments: the class has a couple other study abroad students and the rest are all seminarians from a number of different countries
- Social Justice: We have a 40 hour service requirement for this class so I am currently in the process of getting my placement
- Australian History: the lecturer is extremely boring but we get to go on a field-trip to Broome where we will campout in the outback for a week, so while I am sitting in class I just keep reminding myself of the field-trip
- Intro to Scripture: This has an interesting setup; I am taking this class at a 300 level which is considered a "senior" class (in Australia students typically only go to university for three years because they do not take general education courses like we do in the Staters). There are only three of us taking the class at the 300 level and all of the other students are taking it as a 400 and 500 level which are considered graduate levels.
I miss everyone back home!
- comments
Sister Diana It's amazing how you already have nicknames. Do you have nicknames for other students as well? Be careful of the sun, be sure to use sun screen. It is nice that the beach so close and the weather is warm and sunny. Relative to your classes, it must be interesting to be in a class with a lot of seminarians as well as being in a class with graduate level students. I'm sure it is quite a challenge. What type of assignments do you have? Readings, papers, presentations or mostly tests. Are there things you can learn about Australian history through the internet that might make it more interesting? I'll be curious to learn about it from you when you return. Maybe you could try a cooking competition with your dorm similar to what Aunt Pat does. It does sound as if that experience helps to build community. You certainly will have friends from all over the world as a result of this experience. Please know that you are also missed but reading your updates helps to feel connected. I pray for you every day and ask God to watch over you. Take care. Blessings.
Dad Liesl / EB, Grandma would be very pleased. Sounds like your days are very full. And it sounds like you have good friends to share your experiences with you. It difficult but perhaps constructive to try to tie the course work studies and activities to where you are going and what you intend to be. The link may provide more stimulation and interest, particularly to the course that seem a little "slow" for you. Perhaps you could convince Aunt Pat to fly over for a week and cook ALL the meals. Your friends would then never want her to leave. So good to hear that you attended the Ash Wednesday service, regardless of the comments about dirt on your head. Keep your focus, Liesl, and your faith strong.
patricia clarke Hi Boo sounds good!!! Aunt Pat said to be careful in the sun. love you
Sue Barnett Hi Liesl. Love that name, it's beautiful. Well be glad you missed the March snowstorm yesterday, though I think we had our 6th snow day this year! How hot is it where you are? I am wondering what they think of the American tradition of St. Patrick's day. Sounds like you are having such wonderful experiences. Write soon, love reading your blog.
Elizabeth Clarke Thanks Ms. Barnett! It has reached 100 degrees some days but the last couple days have been a little cooler (definitely not as cold as back home). I believe they celebrate St. Patrick's day because Americans do but many of the domestic students have asked why we all love the "public" holiday so much, so we have had to explain that it is actually in honour of a Catholic saint. Hope you are doing well!!!