houseonthemountaintop

9th February Walked to Australian National University with my first friend in Canberra, Christina, an American Biology Phd student who stayed in YHA as well. I was reading the welcome pack from ANU in the dining hall on Sunday and she approached me coz she's enrolling as well & that's how we met. A very cool person who shares the same interest in plants and animals and she's one of the most environmentally-friendly person I've ever met. Checked out Burton & Garran hall ( the place I'll call home for the next 5 months) and was disappointed that I cant check-in earlier than 14th Feb. Met a few nice people during the International Office Welcome Barbie (Aussie slang for Barbecue) and a Malaysian guy, LingYang, staying at YHA and moving in to B&G hall as well. Campus tour around ANU. Checked out Civic Library and city with Lingyang. 10th February Went to campus with Lingyang to use internet in International Office and to meet other International students at the Barbie. Checked out Glebb Park on my own in the late afternoon coz LY was driving me nuts with lots of unkind and chauvinistic comments. 11th February Attempted to enrol but was rejected, exchange students have to wait till 13th Feb. Went to buy pillow and rice cooker in preparation to move into my hall. Explored the Lake Burley Griffin on my own, spent more than 2 hours to cross the bridge and back. Saw many ducks, silver seagulls and black swans. Truly enjoyable experience! 2 Angmoh guys checked in to my female dorm and drank the whole night. Kind of scary, but they are quite nice though very cranky! 12th February International Orientation Day. lots of booth set up and lots of seminars to attend. Very busy day indeed. Welcome lunch @ Karmel Room by International Office and it was my first time watching the Aboriginal Bush Dance. 13th February Finally, officially a student @ Australian National University. Had some trouble with module selection as I need to seek approval from the convenor for taking the Field studies module without its corequisite. Hancock (science) Library tour. 14th February Canberra Bus Tour organised by International Office. Visited the Parliament House, Mount Ainslie and Fyshwick (freshfood) market. By far the BEST day in Canberra. Moved into Burton Garran Hall at last. Met the residents on my floor. ! week of Hall orientation (basically drinking parties) began.