Videos of the Day

In honor of my flying home in about 15 hours, here are two hilarious safety videos that Air New Zealand showed on my flights last weekend.

Song of the Day

Australian summers = music festivals, all day err day. I just might have to come back this December..

Word of the Day

Woop Woop (also, Whoop Whoop): an invented name for an unimportant town, aka the middle of nowhere

"You're going to have to drive through Woop Woop to get to Darwin."

Word of the Day

Hey?

interjection

1. "Right?" similar to the Canadian "Eh?" usually at the end of a sentence.

"You're coming to the pub tonight, hey?"

"I'll see you there, mate."

2. "What?" as in response to an American talking too fast about nothing in particular.

American: "Oh-my-God-so-yesterday-yada-yada-akljwfe.."

Aussie: "Hey?" [What the hell is she talking about?]

Word of the Day

Sweet as:

Origins in New Zealand, most likely circa the late 20th century. Scholars believe the phrase developed as a result of kiwis (New Zealanders) being too chill to finish their sentences.

adj.

1. "I confirm that what you are proposing is good by me."

2. Sweet

3. Cool

4. Awesome

"Hey mate, let's jump off that bridge with only a stretch cord attached to my legs."

"Sweet as."

Note: Don't ask a kiwi, "Sweet as what?"

Quote of the Day

YEAH EASTER BREAK!!!

Word of the Day

SWOTVAC: Study WithOut Teachers VACation, also known as Reading Period, taking place this year on May 27 - June 5.

Or in my case, TTCIOLBTBIHTGHW: Time to Cram in One Last Big Trip Before I Have to Go Home Week.

Picture of the Day

Remember your Flat Friend project in second grade? Mine was named Flat Phoebe (I probably thought Phoebe was spelled "Feebee"). Send Flat Phoebe to friends and family around the world and collect photos of her in cool places.

My cousin Jessica is an elementary school teacher, so in other words, she has a Flat Friend for life. She made the bold move of sending Flat J down under for a few adventures avec moi.

What happens in Australia, stays in Australia,

I wanted to give Flat J a true and memorable Aussie experience: mission accomplished. Flat J now has a fresh set of blue highlights, a delicious ice cream bar, and, of course, an authentic Australian boyfriend. I'm a little jealous.. of the ice cream, of course :)

Words of the Day

Dead horse: tomato sauce, which is Australian for ketchup.

Bullseye: meat pie.

They (the Australians, infamous for tricking gullible Americans) claim "dead horse" (pronounced "dead HAWS") sounds like tomato sauce (pronounced "to-MAH-to saws") and "bullseye" sounds like meat pie..

Well, lollipop sounds like poppycock, so Mr. Candyman, can I get one poppycock please?

Quote of the Day: Say What?

"Get the torch out of the boot. It's next to the esky."

-Fiona, a real Australian

Song of the Day

We belong in the modern era. A six-hour hike feels a lot longer when there is no television, internet, or iPod to distract you. After about minute 45, we start running out of things to say, creating the perfect opportunity to compose a song.

Sung to the tune of the military march chant, "I don't know but I've been told..":

(Note: this is a repeat after me song.)

Mount Cradle is a bitch to climb,

I would fancy a glass of wine,

Not even halfway to the top,

Don't trip your shoe on a rock.

-Lyrics, courtesy Sjors

Picture of the Day

Brighton Beach, Melbourne.

Thought of the Day

As provoked by my Aboriginal Culture class:

What makes aboriginal art "aboriginal"? If I make a dot painting (see below), is that aboriginal art? And if an aboriginal person paints a city landscape, what would you call it?

My first aboriginal (or not) painting. This is the incomplete version, but you can tell it's headed somewhere great.

And that is why I study computer science - everything is either right or wrong, no shades of gray and no endless contemplation using weak words that cannot describe the complexity of the clash of two cultures.

Picture of the Day: Never Have I Ever..

..eaten an avocado this delicious.

Courtesy Stall 43, Queen Vic Market

Picture of the Day

Michaelmas Island by the Great Barrier Reef was unreal.

Quote of the Day: Abbreves

Translate this:
On Chrissie morning, I have brekkie with my rellies before opening my pressies.

Quote of the Day (1 day left)

"Airline travel is hours of boredom interrupted by moments of stark terror."

--Al Boliska

Comic of the Day (3 days left)

Comic of the Day (11 days left)

Picture of the Day (17 days left)

Looks like Australia, right? I think I can see the Great Barrier Reef from here..

I'm not really sure where this picture came from (I found it on my phone) but it doesn't matter, I'm so there.