Australia in the Eyes of a Midwestern Kid

If you were to combine the City of Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis and Louisville from the perspectives of culture and attractions, you would have Sydney, Australia.

The city is broken up into main suburbs much like home, and its people seem to walk and talk with a certain confidence unknown to the average tourist. The buildings tower over luscious green parks and even the homeless men can be seen enjoying the golden rays of sun on a perfectly perched bench.

However, Sydney is nothing like home. The homeless all tell you to smile, because you are in Australia. The Crows sound like crying babies, and absolutely everyone looks good. I have spent four days soaking in every bit of Australia that I can, and let me tell you, I have yet to see one overweight person!

Don’t expect to even hear a siren during your stay. I was lucky enough to see a fire truck drive through the streets of Sydney, it was then that I realized that was the first siren I heard, and has been the last one as well. BTW, Fire trucks look like a red short bus.

Public transit is very nice so far. The trains are clean, the buses smell fresh, and you seriously do not need to worry about the person sitting next to you. Everyone is very friendly and approachable, and I would not hesitate to talk to someone if boredom was a factor.

Getting used to the road system is very different as well. Of course the driver sits on the opposite side of the vehicle, but they also drive on the other side of the road as well. Gas is called Petrol, and petrol is sold by the liter. 1.57 if that fits your fancy. 4 liters go to a gallon, and a tank can get quite expensive which is why I will not be driving during my duration! Lol

When it comes to Uni, Aussies don’t really stress about schooling the way Americans do. In fact, many Australians don’t see their GPA until after they graduate. In American terms, C’s get degrees. Lol The grading terms are different as well, considering the grading scale in nothing like the A-F system we have. In other words, I wish I had just gone to school here in Sydney. It takes 3 years to graduate, and all you really need is that piece of paper saying you finished your specific program of education.

Many Americans seem to have a hard time accepting the Mexicans who receive free health care, and all the benefits of being American. Well, in Australia, 40% of the population is of another culture, with most being Asian. So Asians are as to Mexicans when it comes to alienating a new country.

I will speak more about my host family as I progress, but right now I am excited to say I am staying with a great family in a neighborhood called Croydon. Croydon is a small village in the outskirts of Sydney, but fairly close to my school which is nice. The family is made up of two little boys, two cats, as well and Mr. and Mrs. Nair who are very kind. Mr. Nair is from Fiji, and Mrs. Nair is from Italy. As you can see, Italian and Seafood will be a very delicious diet J

I will not have as much internet the first few days I am here, so please give me some time to get going. I am still learning public transportation here in Australia, and I will be planning on purchasing a bike here soon too!

If you have any questions about Australia, feel free to ask me! I will be happy to find out the answer for you. I will be sharing my new phone number soon as well when I get that all set up!

Continue to follow on Facebook and Twitter and I will be posting some instagram photos soon!!!

Peace.

PS. Australian internet is terrible!!!!!!!!!

7 Days: Anticipation

Hello World,

7 Days. In 7 days, I will be losing one day of my life. Yes, the 19th of February will not exist as I will be flying into the future and arriving to my new home on the 20th.

Everything I have ever read about Australia is about to come true as I spend the next four months of my life there. I am anxious to learn, and furthermore be immersed into something other than anything else I have ever experienced before. I am probably making this sound a bit more exaggerated than it should be, but to shorten this all up, I am excited.

The past couple weeks have been good to me, and I couldn't be more thankful for the friends and family that have made it that way. But big things are still ahead as I continue to move forward!

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to interview with the Kerry Wood Family Foundation for a summer internship. It actually went pretty well, and I am looking forward to hearing from them soon. Kerry Wood was one of my favorite players on the Cubs, and I am excited to potentially have the opportunity to support his foundation this summer.

Two weeks ago I also took myself to see the Hobbit, which was kind of embarrassing because I was the only person watching the movie. As I was leaving the show, I could see all the teenage security kids pointing and laughing as pushed my way through the spinning door. I hung my head low, and sped out of the parking lot in a hurry. However, I had the last laugh. I hope they enjoyed the peanut butter I put under their car door handles. Sucks to suck lol

Well, I also saw "Mama" with my brother, which was pretty good, and have spent a ton of time playing NBA 2k13, which has quickly become my favorite video game.

My friend Drew and I also invented a new sport. It's called "Jeep Boarding!" It involves a jeep, a plastic snowboard, a tow rope, some snow, and an empty forest preserve. Needless to say it was all fun and games until the forest ranger said it was time to leave :( Pictures can be seen at Mike Bruce Instagram! Feel free to follow for a visual journey through Australia!

Last week, I needed to redeem myself from my lonely experience seeing the Hobbit. So, a few of my buddies and I hit up Hooter's for some wings! I ended the night feeling pretty stupid, because our "slow" waitress completely played us all. Not only did she hang out with us the entire time we ate, but she gave some hope. Numbers and Instagram names were left on our receipts, along with generous tips, and that was the last we heard from her. I still had the last laugh tho. I hope she enjoyed the peanut butter under her door handles lol

The next few days will be pretty busy, because I still have a ton to do. Packing, applying for housing next semester, running for Vice President of PRSSA, house sitting. It's gonna be busy but I'm definitively ready for my next adventure!

If you haven't taken a look at my bucket list you should now! Let me know if there is anything you think I should add!
BUCKET LIST READ ME!

Oh. Bad news. Just found out that 50 % of Koalas have chlamydia. Great. Looks like the Aussies are having the last laugh.

Follow on Twitter FOLLOW ON TWITTER

Love, Mike