Though all my friends back home are getting ready for spring break, I’m just getting through my second week of classes here at James Cook. And I don’t hate it.
I’ve got better things to do
Most Americans here are studying marine biology or something similar. Who can blame them? This is the most perfect place in the world to expand your knowledge on what lies under the sea. Of course, since I never do anything by the book, I’m studying advertising.
And I’m pretty damn good at it.
People look at me confused when I try to explain to them why I’m here when JCU doesn’t even offer advertising. My simple answer is always, “because I can.” I was in no way going to pass up an opportunity to live in Australia over a little thing like my major. I’m not that easily deterred.
During my stay in the land down unda, I am taking some of my electives. I’ve been told my classes sound like fun, which they definitely are, but they’re still challenging to me since I’m oblivious to the topics I’ve chosen. But that’s the fun of it, right? I picked classes that I knew nothing about so I could actually *gasp* learn something.
Though I would love to continue messing around
Last week marked the start of our classes and the end of our vacation. I’m really proud of myself considering I only got lost about 5 times. This campus is huge. Local Australians would disagree, but though my home school is bigger student wise, it is all located in one little area. This place is the jungle. I love it.
Just a casual stroll through campus
About my classes:
My first class of the week is Tuesday at 12pm (I live a hard life). It is Australian Women’s Studies.
Why am I taking this?
Honestly, all of my other subjects clashed and this one didn’t seem awful. Also it had the word “Australian” in it, so I was pretty much sold. I also took a women’s study class back at home and I got to write a paper on “Mulan” and was ecstatic. I figured this class would give an interesting point of view on the prejudice Australian women are faced with. I honestly thought it would be better here since Australia was one of the first countries to allow women to vote, but I was wrong. Yay! I learned something already.
My next class is also on Tuesday and is broken up into 3 parts that last until 8pm. It is The Haunted Screen: Dark Visions in Cinema.
Why am I taking this?
It’s a class about scary movies. Any more questions? But seriously, I know nothing about scary movies besides the fact that I can never sleep at a place that has a cornfield in the backyard. I enjoy watching scary movies from between my fingers and this class seems to be really interesting. We examine the different types of scary movies and try to explain why people are so interested in them. At least, I think that’s what we’re doing. Regardless, every Tuesday at 6-8pm we get to watch a scary movie. So far we’ve watched two. One was a silent movie to represent German Expressionism and the second one was a French movie to give me a headache. The movies that I’m excited to watch are The Shining, Psycho, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Solid.
On Wednesdays, we wear pink. I mean, I take Photography. It’s my earliest class starting at 9am (seriously, my life is SO hard). I have an hour lecture and then a 2 hour practical from 1-3pm.
Sorry, Mean Girls moment.
Why am I taking this?
In case you haven’t noticed, I love taking pictures. I have no idea how to take a proper picture with a proper camera. So far I’m pretty overwhelmed with all the mechanics of a good camera. I know I am definitely going to come out of this with some sick skills I will proudly show all of you. This actually might be my hardest class. I’m looking forward to getting better.
I have off on Thursdays because I need a break from all this super hard work.
So much work to do.
Fridays I start at 1pm for 3 hour class: Acting for the Camera.
Why am I taking this?
I don’t want to! Don’t make me! This was the absolute last thing I wanted to take here. I’ve successfully avoided all acting classes I’ve been tempted to take for my entire school career. I’ve never done an acting class. Sure, I’ve played the president’s cat, a vice president, a shepherd, and wrote and acted out plays in the 3rd grade, but none of them were very serious. I always wanted to get into acting, my mom tells me all the time that I’m a drama queen, but the thought of having to get up in front of a group and pretend to be someone else is nerve-wracking. Hopefully this will help me get over my fear and will lead me down a better road. Like maybe I’ll be really great at pitching my advertising ideas. Or maybe I’ll be able to play Mrs. Tony Stark in the next Iron Man movie. I’ve got to keep my options open.
Oh, hi.
I still feel like I’m on vacation. The weather is beautiful and I want to go to the beach every day. The worst part? I CAN go to the beach every day. What a distraction.
I can’t take this place seriously.
Oh and I thought having teachers with an Australian accent would get me to focus, but instead I feel like I’m permanently on an Animal Planet show or watching shark week. I can’t focus.
VAS HAPPENIN’
In case you didn’t notice in my last blog, I was wearing a tank top with the words “VAS HAPPENIN’” on it. My best friend Leslie and I made matching shirts with that phrase on it so we could bring them abroad with us.
Cupcaking all over the world
Leslie is currently living it up in Rome and loving life just as much as me. Our plan is to take pictures to show off our adventures while wearing the shirt. Leslie is also keeping a blog!
Here’s the link:
http://thepassportmanuscript.blogspot.com.
(Rated PG13 or possibly R. Regardless, it’s amazing).
Leslie celebrating Carnivale in Venice, Italy!
VAS HAPPENIN’ AMSTERDAM
My woman
A Broad Abroad 