Well it looks like three months of summer vacation has finally come to an end. Long as it may seem, I still could have used an extra month or two. Nevertheless, I think I made good use of the time I had. Mango farm stints are always good for money and meeting crazy people. I read some books, and started to read some others. Some ideas were fleshed out, namely the vegetable patch and a website called Supply Project (not done yet!). I managed to fit in a slight amount of adventuretainmnet on top of that and even caught up with my local acquaintances. I did not, however, manage to make it to Temptations Cafe to see Emma for my annual dose of gossip. But that’s not something I really regret.
I wasn’t happy how the weather turned good just before I left for uni, but better late than never. Kimberley felt the same, so we returned one last time to the infamous Churchill Creek. We spent a good deal of time on a Japanese Walk (ie, with camera in hand) because the cities we study in lack natural delights such as our creek. I wish I could photograph smells, because the rainforest smells so nice. In late November I made a promise to photographically document the natural beauty of where I’m from, but unfortunately all I have to offer him at the moment are three mediocre pictures. As always, better photo opportunities were discovered without a camera at hand. Igrar, perhaps it would be easier if you just visited me and took the photos yourself.
I arrived back in Melbourne to be part of the residential O-week team. I can’t think of anything exciting that happened during the week, however I did have a couple of episodes with some female team members who had a heightened sense of self importance. Although she doesn’t know it, one particular individual elevated herself the rank of Stupid Bitch. People I admit to such an exclusive category no longer bother me with their words or actions, for periods of more than two minutes. However, I still maintain an outward sense of civility politeness towards them. This year, I am determined to identify Stupid Bitches where possible so as to reduce the amount of stress caused by them.
In terms of accommodation, I’ve leveled-up to 10th floor. This affords me a view of the city in the distance, all the more appreciated as the campus and its industrial/suburban surroundings do little to inspire or motivate me. I’ve also sourced some plants to put on my window sill, they’re probably the greenest within 20 kilometres. After speaking with a like-minded American, I’ve decided to grow some “erbs” and she’s decided to grow some “herbs”. We’re calling this an inter-cultural experience.
I asked one floor mate if she was from China or Hong Kong. She snapped back with “Hong Kong belongs to China! Why do people always ask as if Hong Kong is separate?”. It seems that Chinese people can be sensitive when it comes to territory, especially when you also consider tensions with places like Taiwan and Tibet. As far as I’m concerned, even though Hong Kong is technically a part of China, people from Hong Kong will readily identify as such, rather than as Chinese. I don’t think the same people identified as British back before the handover, either. What it all boils down to identity, and Hong Kong is both unique and well known case.
Languages spoken by the residents of 10th floor include Greek, Italian, French, German, Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil – not to mention English. Monolinguals are by far the minority. Within walking distance I can find speakers of Persian, Hindi, Russian, Japanese, Urdu, Korean and Indonesian – just off the top of my head. Arising from such rampant multi-lingualism would be a huge variation in thought, which truly amazes me. My neighbour’s name is Pear, which I suspect is a direct translation from her native language. Pear gets easily confused.
Keeping me busy this semester will be units entitled Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Quantum Physics and Symbolic Logic. I’ve half a mind to blog about what I study – not to show you how much of a nerd I am (for that should already be apparent), but rather to help me learn, to answer the question ‘so what do you actually study?’, and to spread ideas. I’ve mentioned previously that because reading a blog is a purely opt-in affair, I am at liberty to write about whatever I want. Talking about maths and physics at the local pub would promptly result in one being labled a big-headed twit, however the blog is the perfect venue to stage such discussions. If it doesn’t interest you, don’t read it – but it’s OK to get intellectual. Sometimes.
