Some Nibblets for Thought

...Before I forget -- in the photo of downtown Sydney that I posted the other day, I failed to point out that Chris's building, the AMP Building is the tallest one in the shot...he is on the 43rd floor of that building and has some pretty amazing views - hopefully pictures of that coming soon.

I have learned heaps (no one says a lot here, so I figured I should try to cut it out of my vocab) about my new environment. I had orientation with the International Exchange Program (IEP) on Wednesday and was bombarded with info about my new habitat.

• I discovered that we had the floods of '93, and they experienced the brushfires of '94.

http://members.ozemail.com.au/~macinnis@ozemail.com.au/fireweek.htm

• On Wednesday night the George St. Theater hosted the red carpet premier of Australia, although I didn't get a glimpse of Nicole Kidman or Mr. Hugh Jackman they were definitely there- dozens of streets were blocked for the event, just moments away from our place.

• I learned that kcals are not the same as calories...I was working out at a new gym and realized I would have to learn, km, kgs and kcals...I have no idea exactly how far I have been running or how much I have been burning. If anyone has a quick trick to converting kcals to calories...please share.

• I saw on the news that TRL is no longer part of the MTV afternoon line up -- did any one ask Carson Daly if he was okay with that?

• I got a cell phone, but so far all I can figure out is how to dial locally, here in Sydney. I am working on trying to successfully dial back to the states. I will let you know how this progresses.

• I found out that words like organize, utilize and specialize are spelled with with 's's....I am glad I caught that before I sent out the 'ol resume.

•  At orientation I also found out that they offer a Surf Camp - which I certainly plan on attending. They offer 2 day, weekend and 4 day classes...I am planning on going to the 4 day - time permitting of course. http://surfcamp.com.au/

And lastly for today, Chris and I have decided to keep a bar/beer list of things we have tried.

On Monday night we joined his coworkers at The Customs House where we had pints of Stella, and learned that they have a size of drink called a "schmiddie"...it was also our first expereience of chips and mayo, and I'm talking real mayo here....none of that miracle whip stuff. They were delicious.

Tuesday we tried out the Ship Inn - it has a $10 pizza special on Monday and Tuesday nights - 

We got the Acapulco pizza...also known as the Hawaiian. YUM.

On Wednesday there was a social with IEP and we met at the Excelsior Hotel in Darlinghurst for $10 jugs of Carlton Draught and 2 for 1 pizzas.

So far, Ship Inn's pizza is beating out The Excelsior's. 

Word of the day -- Honk. It means it stinks or smells. To use it in a sentence one would say, "That apartment really honks!"