"Cheers"

10 Facts.

1. English people (& anyone from the UK) are NOT Europeans, and you will only make the mistake of calling them European once. Technicalities like pointing out that the United Kingdom is indeed on the continent Europe mean very little.
2. A lot of girls end all their text messages with “x” or “Xx” and I am not sure why. I think it means STOP, like in a telegram.
3. An iced mocha is a milkshake with a lot of whipped cream and chocolate syrup. Likewise for iced coffee.
4. Bakeries are awesome. America doesn’t have bakeries. Not REAL bakeries.
5. Markets are a really good place to get fruit and veg that is half as expensive and twice as quality as grocery stores. Instead of being somewhat snobby and way overpriced (like American farmer’s markets tend to be) this is just a place for farmers to sell their produce without big grocery store chains hiking prices.
6. I love the train. The best way to feel like you truly know a city is to execute a complicated trip flawlessly via public transportation.
7. On the subject of public transportation, the buses here are intense. The driver sits behind a cage, and there is this little sign posted everywhere (sorry it’s so blurry! the bus driver was giving me a funny look…)
   

   “Spitting is unacceptable on Transperth services. Drivers are now equipped with DNA kits to help with the apprehension of offenders.”

8. Yes, Australia does get cold. And no one has central heating. Or real insulation. Or even those mini space heaters. Beach season is officially over.
9. Although the toilets do not spin the opposite direction, the light switches are backwards. When the switch is up, the light is off, and when the switch is down, the light is on.
10. Talk to strangers! Yes, it is super scary and sometimes they give you funny looks, but a lot of the time you can have a really good conversation, and learn some useful tips. However, be wary of talking to strangers on the train. If they turn out weird, there’s no way to escape from them.

Finally—Life: What’s going on

• My last class is this Wednesday!! It’s unreal that I’m almost done. Then there is a 1 week “study break,” and then 2 weeks allocated for finals.
• I was originally planning on going on a massive road trip up North for study week, but the trip started to get significantly over-budget, and I still have a lot left to due for school (2 essays due a week from Tuesday!!) So I’m staying in Perth, but hopefully taking a few days out to head down South with a few friends.
• Time to start shopping for souvenirs! Who wants a kangaroo scrotum?? (They’re good luck apparently)
• I have decided to skip Melbourne, and spend my last week in Sydney. I leave Perth on June 24^th and then I have 4 full days in Sydney before I fly to LA (does anyone have suggestions on “must-sees”?)
• I am still awful about remembering my camera, and remembering to use it. Before I leave, I want to take some pictures of the beautiful UWA campus, and some cute shots of the fruit & veg markets. Any picture requests??
• Oh! Yesterday, I said “cheers” to the bus driver for the first time ever! It felt a little funny, but I’m so proud. I feel so Australian!
• Next challenge: Use “mate” in a sentence.
• My official Seattle date: July 1st

Here the city skyline taken after a sunset picnic, from the top of the DNA tower at King’s Park.

(Yes, I just realized it might have been a good idea to get a picture of the tower itself…oops)

Like the makeover?? I was procrastinating taking a study break, and decided to switch things up