It's been two weeks now, and I've begun to settle in more and realize that I'm not on vacation. I am starting to find my place at work and figure out what I will be doing for the next 6 months.I have spent a lot of time on field trips with students from schools well inland.We took trips to a sandy beach, a rocky headland, and an estuary with sea birds to study these different ecosystems.I saw my first wallaby and kangaroo.Apparently kangaroos are as common as cattle in the states.Also for the first time, I practiced driving a manual car.To complicate matters, I had to drive on the left side of the road (not to mention the steering wheel and indicators are on opposite sides of the car).Needless to say, it did not go very well.A few upcoming work projects include setting up tanks and a hatchery and beginning to breed angelfish and sea urchins as well as algae.I'll also be in charge of managing a small aquarium downstairs.

I'm still at the hostel and am in no hurry to leave.The people coming through are most interesting and eager to start up a conversation.Most travelers are from Australia, Germany, Japan, or England. Last Friday I shared a room with 3 Englishmen and a French guy.We went into town at night to check out the pub scene.The two pubs (known as hotels) we went to were the most popular in town.They were really alive with people and live bands.One man bought us a round of drinks after talking to us for only a few minutes.When going out to the pub with friends, it is customary to buy each other rounds of drinks (called shouts) and if you neglect your turn to shout, you will not be liked very much.

I read in a guide book that CoffsHarbour won an award for the most livable city in the world for its size.I can definitely see why.There is so much to do if you are willing to explore a little.For example, on Saturday I stumbled upon the CoffsHarbourHeritageMuseum.There is a man working on a model of the ship Bark Endeavor, the ship the James Cook sailed when he discovered Australia.The model will have taken 7 years to complete when he finally finishes sometime next year.The model is incredibly intricate and will sit in the Parliament building in Canberra when it's finished.I stayed for a talk he gave to city council and then talked to some of the locals, who were offering and inviting me to this and that in the usual Australian manner.

Perhaps the least friendly people I have encountered (though still friendly by most standards) were at the fishing club.I arrived just in time to watch the weigh-in for the morning tournament ("comp" as the call it, for "competition" I assume).There were so many different kinds of fish, including yellowfin kingfish, snapper, salmon, flathead, pearl perch, etc.The few people I did talk to said that if I come out to the club on weekends, they would take me out deep-sea fishing.It seems like everybody I talk to has at some point been either a commercial fisherman or a member of the fishing club.

Beginning Saturday night, Mother Nature has reminded us that it is still winter here (though apparently the rainy season is during summer).It has not stopped pouring since then.I have never seen rain and wind like this.We have received 18cm as of this morning and everybody here at the hostel has taken to watching movies in the tv room.

I was able to get out and go "10-pin bowling" last night (no different than regular bowling in the US) with a mate from work and his friends from a Christian Surfers group (oddly enough they have no religious affiliation).I really liked the group and hopefully I can do more stuff with them, like have them take me surfing.One girl is good enough to be sponsored by Billabong and gets all expenses paid trips to Pacific islands like Tahiti.Surfing is such a huge part of the culture here, but only a very fortunate few are able to make a living surfing professionally.

That's all for now.Sorry for the lack of pictures, but I am currently camera shopping and hopefully within the next week or two I will have pictures (underwater too!) to post.Until next time!