AussieWhat?

2009-01-22T10:43:00.003+11:00

It has been an uncomfortably-long time since I have updated this blog. Thank you everyone that continually checks this space and I apologize that you have had to read about Sleaze Ball the last few months. :)

I have a lot to update you on, to each which I would like to give much-needed attention and detail.

We need to discuss:
1. My month-long tourist adventure with my younger brother, which included the Great Barrier Reef, 3 zoos, a 4.5 star resort, a magic show, drinking, gambling and brother-bonding.
2. Finishing two-terms at an Australian hospitality school and beginning my summer holidays on the beach.
3. How I am affecting the Australian Starbucks market (in a positive way!).
4. The internet-culture in Australia and why it has been difficult for me to gain access to this blog.
5. The US Inaguration, as witnessed from Down Under.

This will all be explained shortly. Stay tuned, seriously.

Much love from Down Under,
Dan

Long Weekend

2008-10-11T01:25:00.006+11:00

Last Weekend was a long weekend! We had Monday off and I didn't have class on Tuesday so of course it was time to go into the city!

I went to Sleazeball with Ben, Brett, David and others. Sleaze is a fundraiser for New Mardi Gras in Sydney (think Baltimore Gay Pride but much larger, more extravagant and more fun!). The event blew my mind! The performances, lasers and acres of people dancing was amazing (over 6,000+ people)!

I've stolen the following pictures from people on facebook to highlight the awesomeness.

This photo was in SX magazine the following Thursday (Daniel, Me, David, Brett, Fiona; Photo Courtesy - Petez Images):

The Show! (Tora Hymen, Photo Courtesy - Rod Sydney):

The venue (Photo Courtesy - Rod Sydney):

This was afterwards (Brett, Ben, Daniel, Me):

Yup, that's it. :)

Rosh Hashanah on the beach and the magic stick

2008-10-11T01:14:00.004+11:00

There aren't many Jews in Manly... or at least, I can't find them. Supposedly there are some out in the city or closer to Bondi Junction, but that will have to wait for another adventure and another blog.

A few weeks ago, my mother politely reminded me that Rosh Hashanah was approaching and asked me what I was going going to do to honor the holiday. I honestly hadn't given it much thought, but decided that this would be a great time to look back and think deep. Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the High Holidays and is the time we ask forgiveness for our sins. I am unsure if it is a overal religious tradition or something we picked up in Ohio, but on this holiday we throw pieces of bread for each of our sins.

I wanted to do it in Manly!

Sophie decided to join me. After buying a nice large round bread (the closest thing I could find to challah or other similar jewish-type bread), Jess dropped Sophie and I off at Little Manly. Little Manly is a small section of beach on the opposite side of the main surfing beach. I've never been to Little Manly and I thought that it would be nice to go to a quiet spot and practice this tradition. Lucky for us -- today was kids day! Little Manly was swamped with kids building castles and teasing old people, but we decided to go forth and do it.

We walked over the giant rocks to a smaller section of the beach. There, we threw bread into the water while two kids trying to fish with a large stick stared on.... they eventually thought we were crazy and wandered off.

**The best part of the whole experience was afterwards. As Sophie and I sat on the rocks, she pointed out that everytime the tide moved back, the moss and water plants looked like mini-trees and a tiny planet. It was definitely an interesting thing to look at. I'll try to post pictures soon -- I'm not sure how well they'd turn out.**

Oh, and for the magic stick..

As Sophie and I walked back to college, we found a long stick on the ground. I picked it up and decided I was Harry Potter. The rest of the trip back we tried casting spells.

The end! :)

New Term

2008-09-23T23:45:00.004+10:00

So I started my second term this week at ICMS, the college of management in Manly, Australia. The school this time around is more strict: uniforms must be worn to lunch (even if you don't have class that day) and the grading structure has changed. Many students are upset and wondering if they should stay. I believe the college would do well to seek student opinions before making major changes. This is something that Goucher does well with and I believe any college should follow this trend to help make transitions easier.

I ended last term fairly well, considering all of the courses were final year term courses with a lot of group work and reports. I believe this term will be roughly similar but perhaps more engaging/exciting (mainly because of the courses I am taking.

My schedule is as follows:

Mon 10:00am-12:00pm - International Events
Wed 08:00am-10:00am - Business Ethics (Lecture)
Wed 03:00pm-05:00pm - Business Ethics (Tutorial)
Thu 04:00pm-06:00pm - Business Finance
Thu 06:30pm-08:30pm - Strategic Marketing
Fri 10:00am-12:00pm - International Events
Fri 12:00pm-02:00pm - Business Finance
Fri 02:00pm-04:00pm - Strategic Marketing

Basically, Tuesdays are FREE and Fridays are a pain with class from 10am-4pm straight.

I ended term holidays with a huge working week doing a lot of overtime. My paycheck couldn't have come at a better time as I bought school supplies and new shoes!! (both work and life). Don't worry mom, I also bought the essentials: new toothbrush, shampoo, etc.

Other update: I'm seeing Lady Gaga tomorrow night at the Sydney Oxford Art Factory! She sings "Just Dance" and I bought her CD today to prepare for the show. I'm taking Ben for his belated birthday and I'm pretty excited to see it. Tickets were surprisingly cheap and I think it's a small venue which should be good.

Miss everyone at home and still loving what I'm doing here. As I get into my new routine with classes, I'll make sure to post more pictures of my new dorm room and some other fun things I've been doing!

Love ya,
Dan

Proud of Starbucks!

2008-09-16T00:54:00.003+10:00

After I closed the store today, I spent an hour with James setting up the next promotion for Starbucks Australia - Espresso Excellence. After working through the set up and realizing the changes, I have to admit that I am very proud of Starbucks making the proper moves to adapt to a very established coffee culture here.

First off - size. Australians prefer smaller sizes of quality coffee.. unlike the American tradition of ordering everything in large cups. Starting tomorrow, the stores are highlighting the short cup.. which is much smaller than the tall (our small) and its even now available on the menu. We've always had short cups, just never advertised nor encouraged people to purchase them.

Another big step, which I am surpised and delighted is the changing of a key recipe. A "flat white" is a popular drink in Australia with shots of espresso and flat (no foam) milk to the top. Starbucks' adaption to this recipe was similar to an americano-misto.. not fitting the taste profile that customers here are looking for. With the changing of the recipe, Starbucks is making a very strong step into establishing itself into the already very strong coffee-consumer culture.

I'm excited to start this promo tomorrow! I'm wearing my black apron to work to highlight the importance of espresso and to engage with customers over samples of our improved flat white. I'll keep you updated.

Cheers,
Dan

Some other pictures.

2008-09-13T13:22:00.003+10:00

I tried Vegemite for the first time in Melbourne:

It wasn't that good.

Ahh! It's been awhile!

2008-09-13T12:50:00.005+10:00

Update! Update! Update!

I have not been keeping up with this -- I apologize! (or in Australian.. that's apologise).

As living here is becoming second nature and work is routine, its funny to see which words I've started picking up and using everyday. I use "heaps" a lot, "arvo" for afternoon and shorten a lot of my words.. as in "Melben" for Melbourne and "Canbra" for Canberra.

So.. let's see what has happened over the past month..

Starbucks is great! The circular quay store is a major transport hub so we're insanely busy and get a lot of tourists. A lot of Americans come through, asking for drinks I'm used to in the states, but we don't have here.. it's interesting to compare and offer suggestions.

I was a tourist for a week! Last week, Sophie and I went to Melbourne for a week. Every day was packed -- We started off going to TGI Fridays (go figure!) I got excited when I found out they have ranch dressing (most restaurants don't) and the waitress said she's used to people getting excited. I convinced her to try it! After that, we went to the Chill On Ice Bar.. a -5C bar with ice sculptures!

Gabby, Sophie and Me at the Chill On Ice Bar!

We saw Wicked at the Regent Theatre! That was great! We purchased VIP tickets and did the whole experience, green carpet, green drinks and great seats! The show was great, but I told them they need to see it on Broadway as well..

Me and Sophie after seeing Wicked!

After Wicked, we went to the Crown Casino! I played War.. highest car wins. Sophie, Jess and I sat at the table for awhile as I kept betting higher and higher. I ended up winning $500! It was so crazy! At the end, I just started betting $100 chips -- Sophie kept freaking out! A lot of fun.

I won $500 at the casino. It's all gone now!

We went to the Melbourne Gaol (Jail), which was a bit depressing. Walked through the cells and saw where Ned Kelley was hanged.

At the end of our trip, Sophie and I went to the Edge at Eureka tower.. the tallest building in Melbourne. You go up 68 floors and get into a box that projects out the building (think Willy Wonka). Once the box is outside ,the windows become clear and you can see everywhere, including under your feet! Once I scan the picture you'll see what I mean.

The view from Eureka Skydeck.

Besides all of that, life has been good and busy. Passed all of my classes in my first term! Was more difficult than I thought it would be, but I'm glad that term is over. One more to go at ICMS and then I have a two month break -- my brother is coming to visit! In February I'm going Macquarie on the other side of Sydney.

I'm planning on introducing my Australian friends to American traditions.. mainly Thanksgiving. I'll let you know how that goes.

I think that's it! I'll update again soon.. well, we'll see.. :)

Miss you all,
Dan

A Much Needed Update

2008-08-05T08:27:00.006+10:00

Hey everyone!

The past few weeks have been pretty difficult. Most assessments at my college are based on group projects and they all seemed to be due last week and this week. Thankfully I have one major presentation this Thursday and then I'm in the home stretch!

I've gotten a lot of questions about Starbucks and thank you all for asking! My store did close. This was an incredibly difficult experience, but something that I am glad to be a part of. My store was on Martin Place, the heart of the business district and even our regulars just assumed that our store would remain open. It was announced to us on a Tuesday afternoon meeting that our store would be closing. On Saturday, I was the supervisor that closed the store for the last time. It can be pretty emotionally draining to explain to customers that was our last day.

Here are some images from my store!

If you want to see all of the pictures, you can visit this link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2021757&l=9fc88&id=41401791

Good news! I requested to be transfered and I was offered a position yesterday at the Starbucks in Circular Quay. This is a major public transportation area and the store is incredibly busy. I'm interested in seeing what changes happen in Starbucks Australia under the new management.

I apologize that I haven't sent an update sooner and I will try to do this more often! Also, Leora -- Thank you for bugging my mom about this and continually checking the page! Have fun in Vermont. :)

Talk to you soon,
Dan

Weekend Update 12/7/08

2008-07-12T11:39:00.003+10:00

Hey everyone,

I am really loving Starbucks as I get into the swing of things. I am almost done mastering the different computer system and the many many supervisor steps it takes to close a store (there are so many!).

I still love riding the ferry -- it now feels like a half hour but it's my time to relax before/after work. Next week is going to be insane - with World Youth Day coming up. The city is encouraging everyone to take transportation and to expect some long delays so I don't know how that is going to play out. I am excited to work during that time because it's supposed to be the busiest of the year! (the store even rented an extra fridge and crowd control stands -- sweet!!

Here are some pictures from Circular Quay last night:

In other exciting news -- there is a rumor in Manly that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban will come back to the college to baptise Sunday Rose... hmm.. I'll keep you updated. :)

Miss you all!

Love,
Dan

Oreos are not the same in Australia

2008-07-08T13:39:00.002+10:00

The cookie part is harder and more bland, whereas in America the cookie part can be sweet. There is more cream in the Australian cookies, which still make them enjoyable to eat. Thank you mom, dad and Nicky for sending me some goodies from home!

Life in Australia has been busy but good. I have been out in the city more often with Jess and making new friends. Starbucks is keeping me busy and I have my own shift soon! I'm excited with the wages here. You receive "penalties" on the weekends, which is good for you and bad for the company. Saturdays you get time and a half and Sundays you get double time. My manager was really excited to tell me that I have an eight hour shift on a Sunday coming up!

In the news, World Youth Day is coming up and public transport operators have called a strike on the busiest day! I'm somewhat excited to see what happens, if any chaos strikes.

I hope all is well and I will update more as I can. Love and miss you all!!

Dear Australia,

2008-06-28T16:12:00.001+10:00

Sprite is not lemonade.

I love you, but lemonade is yellow.

Sincerely,
Dan

Friends

2008-06-22T22:11:00.002+10:00

I am so unbelievably lucky to have made friends so quickly.

There are currently four study abroads and I feel quite blessed to have found such a great bunch of characters that I honestly spend every day with. I do have the opportunity to branch out and meet new people but having a good, solid group is so awesome.

Since you will probably be hearing about these cool cats often, I think I should give you a quick run down:

Sophie - My first friend in Australia. I was bored during O week and she was an RA watching Grey's in the registration room. Hiding from the activities, we bonded over youtube. The friendship was synced when she said, "you're coming out tonight, right?" Sophie is 8th term and gorgeous. We have Finance together and constantly bond over lunches, computer labs, bar hopping and giggling insanely at Jess/Ollie's place.

Jess - My BFFFL in Australia. We have the exact same sense of humor. She is the youngest of us all but also is the one in charge almost 24/7. She will drive me everywhere and won't let me leave her house until after she cooks dinner. On most nights, I end up crashing with her in her bed (as my feet hang off the edges of mine). We stay up all night laughing, screaming and watching TV episodes of Family Guy on my phone. Equally as gorgeous.

Ollie - Ollie and I are practically Jess's children that she never asked for. He lives with Ollie and we constantly lounge around as Jess kicks us out of the kitchen. If there is ever a picture of Ollie and me, it would either be me chasing him around the house, him chasing me or us smiling at the damage we cause.

Bibiana/Gina - My hot counterparts. Bi and I are usually out drinking champagne or wandering the Corso. She will always walk with me to find someone cute! Gina is my dancing queen and once she gets going, we'll dance for a long time. Smart and fun, we're both working on the Business Planning (BP) project together.

Emma/Julia - My flirtatious counterparts in most classes. The three of us have Globalization together. I'm with Emma in statistics and Julia in Business Planning. We've had some amazing adventures that have taken us through the Sydney and on the ferry. I'm excited to see what else is out there.

I know I've left out people but these are who I've been spending a lot of time with! I'm so excited and anxious to keep exploring and finding new people to meet. Wherever I go though, I know these kids are ready to back me up and help me out. I'm so excited and so lucky to be here! :)

A little late

2008-06-16T22:42:00.002+10:00

Hey everybody - I apologize that there has been a delay in my blogging.

Australia has been great and I am still in that "honeymoon" phase. Granted, I miss my family a lot, it was great to talk to them and see them on Skype. Sheba was there too!

I have been busy, and loving it. I have very enthusiastic friends that are always willing to jump up and go do something. We've discovered bowling Thursdays when I called Jess up and said Soph and I were bored. Bowling for $6 a game, includes shoes and a MEGA order of fries "chips". If you want, there's alcohol, but I loved the Slurpee machine!

Went into the city today -- I really do get excited to go on the ferry. Called Jess at 10am, told her that we were going on an adventure and an hour later, we were on our way to the 11:15 ferry. The swells were huge (does that make sense) so the ferry went in every direction as we held onto each other. Really, it's just an overpriced roller coaster that lands you next to the Opera House.

We went to my Starbucks. I officially start Wednesday! The store is two levels and in such a great area. You walk onto Martin Place and are surrounded by newspaper stands and business suits. Also Prada, Armani and the federal banks.

I've started to think of where I want to travel to while I'm here. Today, Jess and I got it down to: Fiji, the Blue Mountains, Great Barrier Reef, Canberra, Melbourne and Perth. I really need to start working...

Hope all is well and I will talk to you soon. Send me an email so I know everything is well back home! Daniel.Jensen@goucher.edu.

Night.

Long Weekend

2008-06-08T13:32:00.002+10:00

Monday (tomorrow) is the Queen's Birthday -- a public holiday in Australia. Classes are cancelled, Banks are closed, Parties all weekend?

At least this is what I'm told.

Friday night is Icebreaker - the party every term where new and returning students drink and hang out in the campus bar and then go to an after party in the Corso. I see everyone from O Week and meet some of the people my friends have been talking about. We drink Smirnoff Ice with "red". I don't really know what "red" is besides changing the color of the drink.. but it was free!

Saturday is Matt's 21st Birthday! Matt is a friend of most of my friends at college so I was Sophie's +1. Turning 21 is a BIG deal here! The party was on the second floor of a bar in Sydney. The doors were open to look out over the harbor. Large dance floor, silver and blue balloons, champagne and everyone is dressed up. There is finger food and a movie slide show. Woo!

After the party - we all decide to head to the casino! I'm very excited about this. I sign up to be a member (it's free and they give me $10 so why not?). We play the pokies while waiting for our friend to pick us up and I win $5! I would put in a dollar, and whenever I went over that dollar I would collect on that dollar and keep playing whatever I won. You can tell I was taught safe gambling as a kid! :)

Today is a relax day. I just took a quiz for my Finance course. All of the quizzes/most of the assessments are on Blackboard so you do it at your own pace! I think I'm going to head down to the Corso for lunch. I miss you all and hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

My Starbucks Adventure

2008-06-02T18:47:00.002+10:00

I had an appointment today to meet with the Store Manager at the Neutral Bay Starbucks. I had checked it out the day before so I wasn't too worried about taking the trip by myself.

After a $4, 35 minute bus ride to Neutral Bay, I get to the store and meet with the manager. She's awesome, nice, really friendly -- but is overbooked with partners so she helps me find other stores in the area.

Another $3, 10 minute bus ride to the Starbucks near a huge bus station. It's nice, and in a business area so most people are running around wearing suits (which is matching my school uniform). I meet with the manager, he thinks I'm great, is really excited but says that as much as he wants me - he knows another store needs a supervisor even more.

So a 10 minute walk to Martin Place. Near a war memorial, the store is hidden amongst other top brands (Armani is right next door). Martin Place is the central-Australian business area with the Reserve Bank of Australia and Commonwealth Bank on the same street. I love it!

There can be no flashy iconic-green Starbucks signs because it's within distance of the war memorial, so you can only tell the store by the gold writing above the door and the interior decor. Two small levels, I meet the store manager behind the bar. He tells me my search for a store is over and has me fill out an application to just verify my work history. I'm supposed to receive a call sometime this afternoon with my schedule -- I start right away!

After a roughly 40 minute walk back - I got lost and couldn't find the ferries (which is quite silly because they are the huge ships the float pass the Opera House). I take the ferry home which is only a 15 minute ride. So my long bus ride has now been cut down to a walk from my college to the Wharf (15 mins), a ferry to Circular Quay (15 mins) and a walk to the store (20 mins). Woo-Hoo!

***Coming up soon in Sydney is World Youth Day, which is supposed to bring more people to Sydney than the Olympics. At the two Starbucks I spoke with, they were discussing how the stores were going into 9 man deployment and how someone with US experience would be perfect. Oh no!*** (... I'm really excited though!) :)

Walking to the beach

2008-06-02T11:15:00.002+10:00

How Goucher helped keep my items together

2008-06-02T11:13:00.005+10:00

Manly Beach part 2

2008-06-01T19:21:00.003+10:00

I should share about my Aussie friends here: Sophie, Jessica, Bibiana "B" and Gina. These are the girls that have shown me the most of Manly and have introduced me to a lot down here: teapots, pole dancing (not the same as in the US) and more. Besides being so much fun, they have shown me a lot and it's a blast to try new things with them behind me. I've also been trying to get them to do different things. Besides the Food and Wine Festival this weekend, I'm dragging most of them with me to the Sydney Film Festival next month.

Manly Beach has two major festivals: The Food and Wine Festival which is in conjunction with the Sustainability Festival and the International Jazz Festival which takes place in October. As well, every weekend there is a small market down the Corso with a lot of touristy items, but the bigger festivals get a lot of attention.

This weekend was the Food and Wine Festival and I went both days. First, with Erin (the other American student here), we walked down to Manly and sampled some of the food. For the majority, each plate is $12 and ranges from duck pancakes (which I did NOT try) to grass-fed Angus beef burgers (which I did!). We walked the Corso and ate the food while sitting on the beach watching the surfers and little kids running around. Definitely a Kodak moment.

Today, I went down once with Jessica and Annabelle and then later with B. Jess, Annabelle and I went to a small cafe just off the Corso which served HUGE steak burgers on about a 1inch-thick piece of toast. Delicious! We then headed up to Starbucks, for me to talk to the manager, and then to Warringah Mall where I was supposed to buy school supplies but ended up just buying pillows. Needless to say, we had quite a crazy adventure and then ended it with a drive-thru at KFC to get a snackbox (a small $3 box of fries and chicken) and then to pick up and drop off B and I at the Corso.

B and I purchased the $5 wine glasses with a neckstrap. Yes, a neckstrap, that you wear as you walk around and try various selections of wine. Each glass of wine is about $5 so you end up not wanting to spend any more money. After that and sampling some more food, we strolled down the Corso for most of the afternoon, going into all of the surf shops and trying on and looking at clothes. We went to Coles to do some shopping (I bought a Brita -- I can't keep spending $2 a bottle on water!). The night finished with me trying a very seedy-looking Subway and walking back in the rain to the college. (After I read that, it seemed a little depressing but was actually quite fun to try!)

I miss everyone at home so much and Nicky, I'm so proud of your graduation! I saw the picture on mom's blog and I couldn't be happier! I love you and am really really proud of you. Mazel tov and save that graduation outfit for when I come home! Love and miss you all!

Night.

Manly Beach

2008-06-01T19:10:00.003+10:00

The name says it all... well, not really!

I have been here for almost a full week and I feel like I have seen a lot of what Manly has to offer. There is a GORGEOUS beach that just goes on that people like to swim and surf in. Granted the weather here is getting colder, a lot of guys just throw on a wet bodysuit and "rashees" (a tight fitting over shirt) and jump into the waves.

Like I did.

Surf Safety is a part of the Teambuilding that happens on the Thursday of orientation. After running through inflatables and tug-of-war, we head to the beach to learn about rips and currents. I'm not sure if the lesson was supposed to scare us because now I just want to ride rips out to sea and float back on the waves...

First off: there are NO rocks on this beach! I love it. Back home, I'm used to rocky beaches where it's difficult to walk into the water without shoes. Here, its 100% dry sand. You walk into the ocean and all you feel is sand. We took bodyboards into the water with the lifeguards and tried to ride the waves. I AM HORRIBLE! It was too funny, a tall guy trying to stay in the middle of a small body board while also trying to turn around as waves came near. The lifeguards just ended up pushing us on most waves. I want to say that I caught a couple of waves but I probably only went about seven feet.

Overall, I loved it and want to keep going down. There is barely anyone on the beach (mainly because it's the beginning of winter), and the water is amazing. If only bodysuits weren't $300...

Day Three

2008-05-28T17:09:00.002+10:00

Orientation has hit a dry spell -- most people either skip a seminar or skip the day all together.

Erin (the other American) and I went to the Manly Corso with some other ICMS kids. Our ride told me to sit in front because I'm tall and they all couldn't stop laughing when I went to the wrong side of the car and opened the door. (The steering wheel is on the right) I'm still learning!

We went to the Manly Corso -- a long strip of shops and pubs and places to go. I had to open a bank account and for fun, Erin and I went to Hungry Jacks which IS Burger King. No seriously... go to their website.. www.hungryjacks.com.au. Most places charge you for ketchup so you have to ask if they have "free" ketchup. Tricky.

The coins are amazing. The higher the denomination, the smaller it is. The 50cent piece is about the size of a large stone. The $2 coin is the size of a nickel. Ahh.

What else.

Last night we went to Shark Bar and I had a teapot. This was a big deal apparently because they took about 15 pictures with my teapot and there may be a facebook photo album dedicated to it, you never know. This is a small ceramic teapot filled with a specific teapot beverage (ie apple cocoa-smash, long island iced tea or the one I had: the gummy bear). You can either pour the teapot into shot glasses or drink from the spout. We need these!

Met some awesome people. Enjoying the gorgeous land. Don't really want to do seminars anymore, but some have useful information. Tonight I'm going to a friend's dance show. She pole dances, but not like in America! Then I'm off to team building and surf safety tomorrow, followed by whatever direction I head into.

And for now - I signed up for Wine and Cheese downstairs.

G'night!

Arrival

2008-05-27T15:20:00.003+10:00

I'm here!

Some quick fun facts so far:

Room:
- There is a sink in my bedroom.
- From my bedroom window, I overlook the entrance to the college and a good portion of Manly Beach.
- I have to walk through exactly 5 doors to take a shower, through two halls.

Students:
- Out of the 80 new students this term, 30 are from Korea. (There are only 2 Americans)

Misc:
- I signed up for Parasailing.

G'day.

Second Update from Terminal 4

2008-05-25T10:39:00.001+10:00

Rich people have iPhones.

Australian newspapers are oversized.

... i'm not bored.

Terminal 4 Rant

2008-05-25T09:55:00.002+10:00

I am sitting in the American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal Four at the Los Angeles International Airport. I'm not even flying with American Airlines. I feel like we should discuss this.

My morning started with my mom helping me to the check in to make sure my luggage wasn't way over the allotted 70lbs* and to allow her to take any extra items home need be. A beautiful thing happened. At the check-in machine: "Do you want to upgrade to first class for $50?" Hmm. We laughed. The bored attendant lady looked at my bags and said "Sir, there's an extra charge if it's over 50lbs - $50 a bag. Are you in first class because then it's free?" Dilemma: Check into my coach seat and pay $100 for my two bags which were over 50lbs (but thankfully less than 70!!) or pay $50 to upgrade and sit in first class.

So I was in first class for 25 minutes. The flight was only from Baltimore to Philadelphia, but I felt like royalty -- and the guy sitting next to me was some general of the army who had to keep getting off the plane to make sure their "luggage" was OK. SWEET!

After two complimentary sodas, a packet of mixed nuts and not-really-glancing at the general who spilled water on himself and me, we land. One hour later, I board my plane from Philadelphia headed to LAX.

Second flight: Seabiscuit, Mad Money, the opening to the pilot of "Chuck", 5.5 hours of pure boredom and overcoming that awkwardness of who controls the arm rest.

We land in LAX. I have 10 hours before my flight leaves for Sydney. As I pick up my luggage to switch carriers, I notice huge cracks in my suitcase. Great! The suitcase from hell is slowly shedding its outer layer so my pants and Queer As Folk DVDs can fly at will under the third airplane (I tend to imagine things). I grab some tape from the USAirways people and tape up most of the cracks.

I find Terminal 4 and check into my plane. An upgrade is $10,000 -- I think I'll pass. He does give me an exit aisle seat -- woo! I give my luggage to the TSA International Security people. I hear a large crash as my suitcase falls. I can't see if my personal belongings finally decided to break free but he threw it onto the moving platform with ease. We'll see in Sydney.

That's it so far. Now only 6 more hours until I get onto an 18-hour plane ride.

Oh wait! I bought the day-pass to the Admirals Club in Terminal Four where I am currently sitting in the luxury lounge. The cleaning people look at me, but I love it.

G'day.

Uh-Oh

2008-05-13T03:30:00.000+10:00

Never google "Things that will kill you in Australia".

You will be directed to this link:

http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz1955331663d20.html

My First Australian Word

2008-05-04T14:02:00.013+10:00

So in preparation for my big move, I changed my "location" on my online profiles to Australia. My hope was to make some friends before I got there.

Instead, I received this message:
_______________________
Subject: Hi...
Date: May 4, 2008 10:43:15 AM NZST

Hey man hit me up when you get to Sydney. My brother lives at manly, close to the beachfront.
we can hang out and pash in front of all the boring straight people there, ok?
_______________________

Pash? What's pash?

According to Urban Dictionary.com:
An australian slang term for kissing with a tongue. Equavalent to the Brittish 'snog'. Abbreviated from the term 'passionate kiss'.

Delete!

For reference:

Three Weeks Away

2008-05-03T22:48:00.002+10:00

Plane Ticket: 1269.46 $US
Visa: 450$AU
Stupid banking fee for an international visa: 12.80 $US

A blog to share my experiences: Priceless.