Still 01 July 2009

Time: erm…
Still Day 1: Still Journeying

This third flight is so boring that I actually pulled out the “The Scholarship” Preparation Book—you know, the one I was supposed to read before departing—only to learn about all the important things I should have done and didn’t (apparently I was supposed to bring a birth certificate, obtain an international student ID, and equip my parents with emergency phone numbers…sorry, Mom). At least I can check off “Learn the native language.” Over the last few weeks we have Netflixed so many Aussie movies that I can now name at least two of Hugh Jackman’s four adopted children, recite the lyrics of at least one Keith Urban song and describe three movies his wife’s been in (it’s not hard, his wife is Nicole Kidman) and pronounce with confidence words such as Brisbane, Canberra, and Cairns. That last one is thanks to Ian, who just returned from his two weeks of fun in Oz (along with Jeff, Phil, and Happy)..hey did you guys carve your names in every bar like you said you would? I’ll be checking. The Book does not mention something I’ll discover in a few days, namely that I am covered for healthcare in at least three directions—military Tricare, something called Overseas Student Healthcare, and Australian Medicare. Oh yeah, and I’m paying good money for the last two. Anyway, after reading all this, my heart sinking lower and lower (or maybe the plane is descending at last), here’s my favorite line in The Book: “You should be equally as concerned about creating international ties as you are with your Research Project.” Hmmm. No worries!