Day(s?) 1

It's around 6:30 a.m. here in Brisbane. It's around 4:30 p.m. in East Tennessee. Thus, I am awake at around 6:30 a.m. here in Brisbane.

I had no trouble getting here--the travel gave me no problems. I was a little nervous about traveling by myself (for the first time), but everything went smoothly. I am unsure exactly how much I slept on the ride from LA to Brisbane, but it was enough to feel rested.

Karen, my host mum, picked me up from the airport. Her family housed me last year when I stayed here for a month, so we had a nice time catching up on the way back to her home. After a little breakfast, I spent some time settling in my room, unpacking my things. Then Chris, my host brother, and I went into town--he for a suit, I for a cell phone and calling card.

I want to share a word here concerning Ivan Pavlov. This man could not have expected the impact of his theories and the loop through which those theories threw me yesterday. Background information for this story: When I drive in flip flops, I take off my right one out of fear that the footwear will somehow impede my foot from adequate performance. I climbed in the passenger side of Chris's car, which is one the opposite side of the standard American passenger seat. I proceeded to remove my right flip flop and extend my foot, as if I were pressing the brake in order to start the car. I did this just about every time I got in the car yesterday.

I realize that the previous paragraph was mostly irrelevant to this blog, but I wished to share it nonetheless. After we returned home, I activated my cell phone and went for a walk. Somehow, in all of my daydreaming since last summer, I still underestimated how beautiful this place is.

A little later on in the afternoon, I tried to plug in my computer. I struggled to understand the converter for fifteen minutes. I pulled and twisted and even wept a little. Then I realized what was wrong: the zealous salesman at Radio Shack in the States had sold me a converter for Great Britain. Not Australia. So, Chris and I journeyed to the city again in search of a converter.

After returning, we had a lovely dinner at home with the family. I struggled to stay awake throughout the meal. Jet lag was winning the fight. After dinner, I had a small cup of tea and went to bed at eight.

After a HUGE first day, I am ready to settle in and start working. I'm looking forward to a summer filled with great people and great experiences. Let's just hope I can stay awake past eight o'clock from now on...