The Sydney Aquarium

So after long delay, Christian and I finally got a chance to see the Sydney Aquarium. Videos and real post later! Lots of photos, so hopefully click on the title before you read too much!

Jazz Festival

Shockingly, this post is literally a MONTH overdue. whoops!

So in a nice little break for the usual antics, my friends and I decided to check out the Jazz festival in May.

The Last Days

So over the past 2 days, all my roommates have moved out of my apartment. It's strangely quiet, despite the fact that I can now blast my music without worry about disturbing someone.

In some respects - this is the calm before the storm. Everything has culminated in me sitting here, alone typing out this last post before my internet dies. I have a few days left in Sydney, and will spend it with the last two internationals in the city.

I'm going to run over to the library tomorrow at around 9am local time and sit there until I finish posting about the Jazz festival, Cairns, Koala Park and anything else I have left off the blog since exams started. It may or may not culminate in a sentimental, sensitive artist moment. No promises.

You may or may not have also noticed that the layout has been jazzed up a bit since the last time you've been here (JEBUS the last post was over 20 days ago?!?! exam season is pretty dreadful), but that's just so it's not super dry and boring with the black background. See what I do for you guys?

Rick

Final Fish Market Excursion

So for presumably, the last time, I went to the Sydney Fish Market. I've been there about three times now, and as I've mentioned before, is one of the major reasons why I decided to come back to Sydney after a 5-year hiatus. I took Evan, Koki and Jake for their first experience of the Peter's Fish Market platter. We opted to split the 3 person meal between 5 of us (The aforementioned gentlemen + Nicole + me), just because we weren't all super hungry but wanted to try a bit of everything.

champions are made. heroes are born.

So a couple weeks ago, my household was invited to a hot dog eating contest at the International House. For any prospective travellers who are genuinely interested in studying abroad, then I whole-heartedly endorse this place for a spot. Unfortunately, it's super exclusive so unless you come from derka-derka-ga-lam-a-badstan... you better apply early. Otherwise it's great because lots of international and indigenous Australians hang out and live there.

Eat on the Cheap and some news from home.

While it doesn't surprises most people who visit Sydney, this country is pretty damn expensive. Sorry Australia, you guys just need to calm down with your ridiculously strong dollar and ridiculous priced good. In the words of one Jake... "I'm not saying but I'm saying". So, being a poor student who's getting absolutely ruined by your countries recession-proof economy, how do you eat when you want to go out? Well, the Fish Market is fairly pricey, despite being overwhelmed with a mountain of food. But if you just want a reasonable meal out, I almost certainly recommend some shady looking asian restaurant. For lunch or dinner you can do it for almost half (or even a quarter!) of the price of somewhere else. If you want something cheap, always go to the Chinese (or in Australia's case, the Thai/Vietnamese/misc. Asian Minority).

So where do I go?

After being initially overwhelmed by the prices and choices of food in this ridiculous country, I managed to find "my spot". A nice restaurant in Newtown that provides an incredible $6 lunch. Translated back to Canadian it's about $5.50? And it's really good! I imagine Native Australians lose their minds at such incredible prices (minimum wage is $15/hr?), but for me it's something that's incredibly welcome, especially considering prices for other basic ammemnities. Although truthfully, Coles is also fantastic.

And finally, the most disgraceful of meals... The infamous McDonalds Family Meal ($20 of glory)

But, in other news, I think everyone who ends up studying abroad realizes that sometimes (okay, all the time), you end up missing stuff back home. And I'm not just talking about fries smothered in gravy and cheese curds (oh speak to me symphony of gluttony), but major events. While it'll be another 3 months before I see the little bugger, my cousin Alyssa and her husband Brian just had a kid. I guess this means I'm an uncle? In Chinese terms, if you share the same last name and come from the father's side of the family, you might as well be siblings. But this is amazing news, because this little halfsie is going to be a part of the future of the world guys! More incredibly, my great grandmother is now a great GREAT grandmother. 104 years later, she got to see 5 generations! Kah-Ray-Zee. Here's the newest addition to our family, Sir Taran.

Just chillin like a villian.

Since blogspot is super counter intuitive and enjoys punching me in the face everytime I want to do something, unfortunately the picture is at an angle. If you're a certain Brit I know, you'd turn the computer so you could read it. I'm glad I lived in a civilized country that has technology.

Today is fish market day with my amigos, and time for some Abalone sushi! My wallet hates me, but my heart and stomach swoons at the thought.

Best Wishes.

Rick