I decided that today I would catch the bus to the shopping centre and pick up a bike, which turned out to be harder than expected! I learnt many manly-things; and a few womanly-things too!
I caught the bus and had a very manly conversation with the guy next to me about AFL. I actually know nothing about AFL so it was less of a conversation and more of a nod-and-smile-and-occasionally-agree kind of encounter.
Then I went to Kmart and Big W and had many manly conversations about bikes, tyre tread, tyre thickness, optimal materials and braking systems. Then I did a womanly thing, and picked the bike based almost solely on colour.
I also had to ponder many manly questions such as "are adjustable wrenches and adjustable spanners the same thing?" And "what exactly is an Allen Key? How do you spell Allen Key? And where would I find one in this store". Then I got lost and in a manly fashion, didn't ask for directions.
I also had a womanly learning experience while I nodded and smiled politely at the sales lady as she tried to explain to me the importance of the "thread count" in the sheets I was going to buy. I still don't quite understand about it, if anyone knows, feel free to enlighten me!
Then I got home (via taxi because a DIY-bike-in-box is much too big for a bus) and had to draw upon all my new man knowledge for the greatest manly task of the day, building the bike. I read the "warning, in the interests of safety this bike must be assembled by an experienced cycle mechanic" and ignored it. I also ignored, in typical man fashion, the instruction manual.
I did read the pamphlets though, which turned out to have all kinds of important information such as "when riding, a red light means you must stop" and "assembly mechanic available for $16.00" (which was crossed out with a red marker and had "recently quit" written over it. There was also a note that said " IMPORTANT the left pedal goes on the left side and the right pedal goes on the right side!" Which of course is true, but considering the left pedal was already attached to the bike I don't really see how you could put the right pedal anywhere else.
So I tossed them all aside, picked up my Allen Key and Adjustable Wrench (that I decided could indeed be an adjustable spanner) and set to work; and I'm proud to say that 4 hours later I had built a bike. This is made more impressive by the fact that I have owned my car for 2 years now and still have not figured out how to open the bonnet.
I got to take it for a ride then, and quickly I realised that I may have forgotten to tighten a few of the bolts (the handle bars may have fallen off), but never fear because today I was a man and carried my tools in my backpack. So I quickly tightened things up and went for a 2hr ride (must have been going very slowly because the sign said it would only take 45min) to celebrate!
What a good learning day!!
Side Note: yes, I know this post is stereotypical and largely inaccurate. Yes, I do believe in gender equality. No, I don't believe only men know about bikes, tools and building stuff. And No, I don't believe only females know about thread counts (I actually believe no one does).
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
Monday, 25 February 2013
Today I Learnt..... About Accommodation Darwin Style
See I'm living in a commune, which is apparently all the rage here in Darwin. It's considered trendy and "hip", but really, it's where 10+ people live together on a property and take the whole "sharehouse" thing to a new level! For me, this "property" is a rainforest. Not just a little on either, an acre of one. Don't worry, they told me they very rarely find crocodiles near the house, it's just the snakes that I have to watch out for. That was comforting.
This is the view from my room:
I live in a room, adjoined to two others, in a sort of bungalow which looks sort of like those cabins you used to stay in during school camps. Or even just a shed. It probably more looks like a shed:
With no air conditioning, no proper bed, no curtains, no actual windows, no kitchen, no shower and no toilet. Who needs these things anyway!!
See you walk (read: get disorientated and lost) down a rainforest path to an "outside kitchen":
And a little further to the outside "bathroom":
Yes, that's right, there are no curtains, four walls or a real door. Goodbye self consciousness!!
No only that but it also comes with a few extra friends....... frogs in the shower!!!
(I did tell one of the girls about the frogs and she was like "Only 2? How sad! I wonder what happened to the rest of them." Guess its the norm around here)
It does have a pool though:
People come and go every few weeks, and at the moment there are 8 people camping out in sleeping bags on the main house verandah. It certainly isn't boring!! Pretty sure when I come back to Melbourne I will be a converted hippy! Also, my landlord is her own special kind of character. And even that is the understatement of the year. But that is a blog post for another day.
I've decided to embrace this living style; I feel that it will be character building. Or soul destroying. It could go either way. I'm hoping for the former! Plus, I came to Darwin for a change in lifestyle, and boy am I getting it already!!!
This is the view from my room:
I live in a room, adjoined to two others, in a sort of bungalow which looks sort of like those cabins you used to stay in during school camps. Or even just a shed. It probably more looks like a shed:
With no air conditioning, no proper bed, no curtains, no actual windows, no kitchen, no shower and no toilet. Who needs these things anyway!!
See you walk (read: get disorientated and lost) down a rainforest path to an "outside kitchen":
And a little further to the outside "bathroom":
Yes, that's right, there are no curtains, four walls or a real door. Goodbye self consciousness!!
No only that but it also comes with a few extra friends....... frogs in the shower!!!
(I did tell one of the girls about the frogs and she was like "Only 2? How sad! I wonder what happened to the rest of them." Guess its the norm around here)
It does have a pool though:
People come and go every few weeks, and at the moment there are 8 people camping out in sleeping bags on the main house verandah. It certainly isn't boring!! Pretty sure when I come back to Melbourne I will be a converted hippy! Also, my landlord is her own special kind of character. And even that is the understatement of the year. But that is a blog post for another day.
I've decided to embrace this living style; I feel that it will be character building. Or soul destroying. It could go either way. I'm hoping for the former! Plus, I came to Darwin for a change in lifestyle, and boy am I getting it already!!!
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Today I Learnt..... Karma is Real
A few days ago I was standing in line at Max Brennar (A chocolate bar) waiting to order one of their amazing milkshakes. I noticed an elderly lady in front of me pulling out all her coins and dumping them on the counter, she too was ordering a milkshake.
The cashier counted the coins and said "I'm so sorry, you're 50c short" and so I found 50c in my purse and put it on the counter. Now this elderly lady was so appreciative, it was like she never thought anyone would part with 50c. She was so so happy and said "You, young lady, have made my morning". And I smiled, even though I was just giving 50c.
Today, I desperately needed to buy a stamp to post a letter, but there was one slight (actually, large) problem; today is Sunday. Sunday means that all the post offices around me are shut, as well as the newsagents, as well as every store that might sell stamps. But I drove to them all anyway, just in case they were open on this particular Sunday. And when they were all shut I started driving around the supermarkets to see if, by any chance, they sold stamps.
After a trying a million stores this happened:
The cashier (like all the others) said "I'm so sorry, we don't sell stamps" and the lady behind me said "I have a few stamps in my purse" and put one on the counter. Now it was my turn to be so appreciative, I never thought anyone would part with their stamp. I was so so happy and said "Thank You, you have made my morning". And she smiled, even though she was just giving me a stamp.
Karma really is real!!!
The cashier counted the coins and said "I'm so sorry, you're 50c short" and so I found 50c in my purse and put it on the counter. Now this elderly lady was so appreciative, it was like she never thought anyone would part with 50c. She was so so happy and said "You, young lady, have made my morning". And I smiled, even though I was just giving 50c.
Today, I desperately needed to buy a stamp to post a letter, but there was one slight (actually, large) problem; today is Sunday. Sunday means that all the post offices around me are shut, as well as the newsagents, as well as every store that might sell stamps. But I drove to them all anyway, just in case they were open on this particular Sunday. And when they were all shut I started driving around the supermarkets to see if, by any chance, they sold stamps.
After a trying a million stores this happened:
The cashier (like all the others) said "I'm so sorry, we don't sell stamps" and the lady behind me said "I have a few stamps in my purse" and put one on the counter. Now it was my turn to be so appreciative, I never thought anyone would part with their stamp. I was so so happy and said "Thank You, you have made my morning". And she smiled, even though she was just giving me a stamp.
Karma really is real!!!
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Today I Learnt.... About A Craze I Could Actually Do
Today I was taken out to lunch by my friend's parents to an amazing buffet place in Crown, and on the car ride there I was introduced to this new craze called the "Harlem Shake". Basically, if you don't already know what this is, it's the latest craze based on a song where one person does a dance for the first part while everyone is ignoring it and then it cuts to everyone doing it.
Here's an example of one (which may be the original?)
Here's an example of one (which may be the original?)
Now I love this craze, I really do, for so many reasons. Firstly, its the first one I could potentially involve myself in. I mean, I couldn't get into "shuffling" because let's face it, you have to have coordination for that one. I couldn't get into planking because that one required balance, and I couldn't get into DubStep because I still don't know what it is or understand it in any way. But I can get into the Harlem Shake, because if there is one thing I'm good at, it's dancing like an idiot.
In fact, people of all ages can get into it:
The second reason I love it, is that you never know who is going to turn up in the whole group scene, and what they'll be doing, so you're surprised every time:
Thirdly, it's a world wide phenomenon, in fact clubs, groups and even the army are onto it:
And lastly, I love it because it makes me laugh a ridiculous amount. And watching the endless YouTube videos is yet another excellent procrastination tool.
On a side note, The Conservatory at Crown is an amazing place to go for lunch. The food is incredible and they have not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 different types of chocolate fountains. I even maintained the appropriate social etiquette (except for accidently hoarding cutlery from my many courses) that was required of me.... until I walked out with 7 of the giant lollipops I stole for later. So close, but yet so far.
Friday, 22 February 2013
Today I Learnt..... Kids' Parents Hold Grudges
So I have these awesome kids I get to babysit; two adorable 6 year old twin boys and a fiesty 3 year old girl. Last week Friday I picked them up from school for the very first time, and while it was awesome, that day I learnt how to immediately piss off a parent. Once I had finally found my way through their school to their assembly (from where I had to pick them up) I had to start searching through the 200 odd students to find them.
Which I did. Actually they found me. They bounded up to me with huge smiles, introduced me to their friend and told me he was coming with us for a sleep over. Now their mother had told me that there was a friend coming for a sleep over, so I wasn't really surprised. So all of us headed out into the playground ready for the walk home, when I saw the boys' prep teacher. I thought I may just check that I didn't have to sign them out or something like you have to do at kinder.
So I approached the prep teacher, explained who I was (she was lovely by the way, prep teachers are real saints) and who I was taking home. I explained the whole kid sleeping over thing, really just making sure that it was okay for me to take this kid home, and she was like "his mother is actually just there, we should check with her". Meanwhile all the kids are like "Bron, it's fine, we've already checked with his mum!" and "Bron, let's go, we can just ring his mum if we have to check again".
I went with the prep teacher to the boy's mum and the prep teacher goes "Is it okay that Bron takes your kid home, she's the boys' babysitter, and I understand he's going for a sleepover".
And then the mother cracks it.
She turns to her boy and goes "What sleepover? Your dad is waiting for you in the pick up line! You were meant to be at swimming 10min ago" and the boy runs off to his dad. She turns to me and goes "You can't just take children you know!" and then she turns to the prep teacher and goes "I can't believe you would let my kid go home with a stranger". And then she stalked off.
Yes, that's right, I pretty much just stole a child. It turns out the friend coming for a sleepover was a different kid and was being dropped off after dinner. So I felt a bit guilty about that, not as much as I should have considering I almost committed a crime
Anyway,
Today I had an awesome day with the 3 year old girl, fielding all sorts of important questions, such as:
(While she's hungrily eating her lunch) "Bron, why do we have to wee? It's so annoying, I just want to eat my sushi" and then runs off to the toilet.
And "Bron, our pool is blue and the sky is blue. If I can float in the pool, why can't I float in the sky?"
Both excellent questions considering they came from a kid that spent a large amount of time today completely covered in a towel pretending to be an egg.
We went and picked the boys up, just like last week, and it all went smoothly this time. We played on the playground for a while and while they were playing I saw the mother a few metres away from me. She looked at me. And I smiled. And she death-stared me.
Turns out parents don't forgive and forget when you try and steal their child.
Lesson learnt.
Which I did. Actually they found me. They bounded up to me with huge smiles, introduced me to their friend and told me he was coming with us for a sleep over. Now their mother had told me that there was a friend coming for a sleep over, so I wasn't really surprised. So all of us headed out into the playground ready for the walk home, when I saw the boys' prep teacher. I thought I may just check that I didn't have to sign them out or something like you have to do at kinder.
So I approached the prep teacher, explained who I was (she was lovely by the way, prep teachers are real saints) and who I was taking home. I explained the whole kid sleeping over thing, really just making sure that it was okay for me to take this kid home, and she was like "his mother is actually just there, we should check with her". Meanwhile all the kids are like "Bron, it's fine, we've already checked with his mum!" and "Bron, let's go, we can just ring his mum if we have to check again".
I went with the prep teacher to the boy's mum and the prep teacher goes "Is it okay that Bron takes your kid home, she's the boys' babysitter, and I understand he's going for a sleepover".
And then the mother cracks it.
She turns to her boy and goes "What sleepover? Your dad is waiting for you in the pick up line! You were meant to be at swimming 10min ago" and the boy runs off to his dad. She turns to me and goes "You can't just take children you know!" and then she turns to the prep teacher and goes "I can't believe you would let my kid go home with a stranger". And then she stalked off.
Yes, that's right, I pretty much just stole a child. It turns out the friend coming for a sleepover was a different kid and was being dropped off after dinner. So I felt a bit guilty about that, not as much as I should have considering I almost committed a crime
Anyway,
Today I had an awesome day with the 3 year old girl, fielding all sorts of important questions, such as:
(While she's hungrily eating her lunch) "Bron, why do we have to wee? It's so annoying, I just want to eat my sushi" and then runs off to the toilet.
And "Bron, our pool is blue and the sky is blue. If I can float in the pool, why can't I float in the sky?"
Both excellent questions considering they came from a kid that spent a large amount of time today completely covered in a towel pretending to be an egg.
We went and picked the boys up, just like last week, and it all went smoothly this time. We played on the playground for a while and while they were playing I saw the mother a few metres away from me. She looked at me. And I smiled. And she death-stared me.
Turns out parents don't forgive and forget when you try and steal their child.
Lesson learnt.
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Today I Learnt..... I Have A Problem
I have a problem. Well more of an addiction. Actually no, it's an obsession.
Hi, My name is Bron and I obsessively follow TV Shows I don't even like.
Recently I have fallen prey to My Kitchen Rules, one of the many reality TV shows in which pairs of people cook off against each other and win the right to open their own resturant, some money and of course a reputation and publicity.
Do I like cooking? No
Do I like the contestants? No
Do I like the judges? No
Do I like reality shows? No.
Actually the last one's a lie, I freaking love reality TV. I have no idea why, when I figure it out i'll blog about it.
And yet, when my friend and I arranged to meet up after dinner before I move away, my thought process went something like this:
"Oh no, I'm going to miss MKR. I have to know what happens to these new contestants. I guess I can always download it. No, that's not the same at all. Maybe I'll cancel on my friend. No I shouldn't do that, what would I say. Yes I'll cancel. No I won't. Yes I will. No I won't. What am I doing, I don't even like this show!! But maybe...."
I would love to say that MKR was the only one. But blogs are about the truth, and that would be a lie. There are plenty of TV shows I obsessively follow and love:
Scrubs- yes, even season 9 where they made it about medschool. It was axed. But it was quality
Friends- I balled my eyes out watching the finale the first time I watched it. And the second. Hell, every time I watch it
Dexter- Because he made serial killing okay. Just kidding. But really about liking the show
Big Bang Theory- It teaches me about Star Wars and Star Trek and pretty much every series I should have watched but never have.
And more recently, Elementary - even though it has Lucy Lu in it. And I thought Watson was a guy?
I'm not talking about these ones. I'm talking about: The Block, The Biggest Loser, The X Factor, Australian Idol, American Idol, Australia's got talent, The Voice, Farmer want a Wife, So you think you can dance. The list is endless.
I shudder to think about the possibility I made life choices around these shows.
I'm sure its not healthy. There should be a suport group. I can't be the only one right?!
Hi, My name is Bron and I obsessively follow TV Shows I don't even like.
Recently I have fallen prey to My Kitchen Rules, one of the many reality TV shows in which pairs of people cook off against each other and win the right to open their own resturant, some money and of course a reputation and publicity.
Do I like cooking? No
Do I like the contestants? No
Do I like the judges? No
Do I like reality shows? No.
Actually the last one's a lie, I freaking love reality TV. I have no idea why, when I figure it out i'll blog about it.
And yet, when my friend and I arranged to meet up after dinner before I move away, my thought process went something like this:
"Oh no, I'm going to miss MKR. I have to know what happens to these new contestants. I guess I can always download it. No, that's not the same at all. Maybe I'll cancel on my friend. No I shouldn't do that, what would I say. Yes I'll cancel. No I won't. Yes I will. No I won't. What am I doing, I don't even like this show!! But maybe...."
I would love to say that MKR was the only one. But blogs are about the truth, and that would be a lie. There are plenty of TV shows I obsessively follow and love:
Scrubs- yes, even season 9 where they made it about medschool. It was axed. But it was quality
Friends- I balled my eyes out watching the finale the first time I watched it. And the second. Hell, every time I watch it
Dexter- Because he made serial killing okay. Just kidding. But really about liking the show
Big Bang Theory- It teaches me about Star Wars and Star Trek and pretty much every series I should have watched but never have.
And more recently, Elementary - even though it has Lucy Lu in it. And I thought Watson was a guy?
I'm not talking about these ones. I'm talking about: The Block, The Biggest Loser, The X Factor, Australian Idol, American Idol, Australia's got talent, The Voice, Farmer want a Wife, So you think you can dance. The list is endless.
I shudder to think about the possibility I made life choices around these shows.
I'm sure its not healthy. There should be a suport group. I can't be the only one right?!
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Today I Learnt .... That Orientation is Never Good
Orientation days, especially compulsory ones, are exactly as useful as the "general feedback sessions" we get after an exam where they don't actually go through the exam. Not only did I not learn anything for the majority of the day, I am also now terrified about my year ahead.
Actually I shouldn't say I didn't learn anything, that would be a lie, I actually learnt a lot.
From the head of the management committee I learnt that the university would prefer it if we didn't get arrested.
From the OH&S dude I learnt that nearly every activity is a hazard (seriously, one of my friends had to watch a video on how to walk down the stairs) including typing on a laptop in bed and not sitting up straight when using a microscope.
From our faculty advisor I learnt that her door is always open, unless we have a question, in which case we must first refer to our FAQ section of our handbook.
From the ethics lady I simply learnt that I would hate to be on an ethics committee, oh and also that its my supervisor's job to keep me ethical and hand in forms (I liked that learning point).
From the psychologist I learnt that research is going to steal my soul.
And from past students I learnt that I will have the most stressful year of my life unless I'm proactive and start tasks 3 months before they're due. Judging by my procrastination skills I'm pretty sure I'm in for a stressful year. They did say that when they finished they realised that "it was so much fun" and a "great learning oppurtunity" but I have a feeling they were told to say that.
And that was just the morning session.
Then we had lunch.
And then 4 hours of a library session teaching me how to "write an answerable question" and then "search this question". Not quite sure what I learnt there considering we've done that session every year. I did then learn about EndNote though! If you don't know what EndNote is, download it, it's the most amazing referencing thing I have ever seen. Its actually genius.
Day 1 out of 2 down. Bring on Day 2! I wonder what I'll learn tomorrow?!
Actually I shouldn't say I didn't learn anything, that would be a lie, I actually learnt a lot.
From the head of the management committee I learnt that the university would prefer it if we didn't get arrested.
From the OH&S dude I learnt that nearly every activity is a hazard (seriously, one of my friends had to watch a video on how to walk down the stairs) including typing on a laptop in bed and not sitting up straight when using a microscope.
From our faculty advisor I learnt that her door is always open, unless we have a question, in which case we must first refer to our FAQ section of our handbook.
From the ethics lady I simply learnt that I would hate to be on an ethics committee, oh and also that its my supervisor's job to keep me ethical and hand in forms (I liked that learning point).
From the psychologist I learnt that research is going to steal my soul.
And from past students I learnt that I will have the most stressful year of my life unless I'm proactive and start tasks 3 months before they're due. Judging by my procrastination skills I'm pretty sure I'm in for a stressful year. They did say that when they finished they realised that "it was so much fun" and a "great learning oppurtunity" but I have a feeling they were told to say that.
And that was just the morning session.
Then we had lunch.
And then 4 hours of a library session teaching me how to "write an answerable question" and then "search this question". Not quite sure what I learnt there considering we've done that session every year. I did then learn about EndNote though! If you don't know what EndNote is, download it, it's the most amazing referencing thing I have ever seen. Its actually genius.
Day 1 out of 2 down. Bring on Day 2! I wonder what I'll learn tomorrow?!
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