On Friday’s they have drinks (alcohol and non alcohol) after school in the social room for the teachers and staff.. We pay, but it’s a nice time to socialize and relax without having to worry about lessons and students. I wonder if they do this in American schools, if not.. I think I’ma start it up wherever I get hired :)
We went out Friday to a local bar called Micham Pub. It was fun, but a more “non classy” place. ;) They wanted to start me at a lower bar before we got to the good stuff, so I’d really appreciate it. I had a lot of fun though.
Saturdayyy.... FOOTY!
It. Was. Awesome.
The team we were barracking (not rooting) for lost, but I still had a great time. My supervising teacher Ken & his wife Chris took me. When we got there Ken took me around the Cricket Club section of the MCG stadium. They play Cricket, Aussie Rules Football (footy), soccer, and other sports there. The MCG (Melbourne Cricket Grand) is where the Olympic Stand was in 2006 (something like that).
After we looked at the Long Bar in the VIP type area, we got meat pies! These are something Australia, or maybe just Melbourne, is knows for. I can’t lie.. They were pretty good!
Other than losing & the really annoying and arrogant Carlton fan behind us, I really enjoyed myself! 
The teams’ biggest fans (I forget what they’re called.. something with the word cheer though) make banners for the team to run through at the beginning of each game. The Tigers’ cheery group always makes theirs with a different quote on each new one. This one says “Life is good when it’s yellow and black.”
The sport is fast paced and really interesting. The players get it fights a bit, a few punches here and there.. They don’t wear padding, can use any part of their body to advance the ball, and the ball can be kicked, punched, or handed to another player. There are different points for each goal, because of the way it is set up. There are 4 poles, 2 tall (on the inside) and 2 short (on the outside of the tall ones); if a player kicks the ball between the tall ones it is 6 points. I can’t remember how many points it is between a short and tall pole though, 3 or 4 maybe. If the ball roles in either area (I think), the team only receives 1 point. During half time, everyone gets out their thermos’s and starts drinking tea! I guess it’s tradition.. I thought it was soo funny, & then after drinking it, I thought it was soo smart & legit.. especially on a day like that!
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Saturday night I went out in Richmond with Jamie and his friends Tess and Kate, and we met his other friend Katie while we were out as well. We went to a pub called Public House, then hopped over to another called The Swan – or as Jamie & his friends like to call it, the Dirty Swan. Hahaha.. It was heaps of fun. They had a band playing music, mostly American music, which is kinda funny because I didn’t know a lot of the words but all the Australians did!
On Sunday, Jamie & I walked around Chapel & Church Street by his new apartment. There is a lot of shopping there. We had souvlaki (& I’m sure I just spelled that wrong).. then it poured at the very convenient time of leaving the eatery hah
... then walked to the Yarra River wich overlooks the City.
There are some things I can’t seem to get used to yet; 1. Looking right before left when crossing the street because traffic drives on the left here, and 2. Having kangaroos & wombats being used as examples of mammals in science books, rather than deer and squirrels.
Vivian and Scotty’s cooking is absolutely wonderful. We had sushi the other night! I ate the raw salmon one.. and liked it!! They are always making the best meals every night; I should start recording everything they cook so when I come home, I can bring the ideas with me.
Oh yeah! I taught my first lesson today!! I guess we'll leave it at that....
Nah, just kidding.. I'll make a separate blog for that one.
More words:
Mackers - McDonald’s
Aluminium - Aluminum
...One last thing... MY PURPLE HAIR WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY FINE! There are teachers, student teachers, & students with colored purple and red hair.. I’m a bit bummed we didn’t keep mine.. sighhh…
A lot of teachers have their noses pierced too.. maybe I’ll do that before I leave to make up for it… you’d like that, right mum?
<3 M
At least you won't have roots! And it can always get purple again. Love you bunches, Mum
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