February 25, 2013

Australia, I'm in love

These past few weeks in Australia have seemingly flown right by.  Maybe it was the unexpected summer showers, the surprising sunsets, the bustle of classes, or the ease of settling into one's schedule that made the time pass as it did.  I suspect that the weekend excursions to the Springbrook Rain forest and Moreton Island further aided in the flight of the days.  Springbrook's rain forest seemed untouched and truly cinematic.  Although when I ventured there, it rained unabashedly, I was still able to distinguish the many natural wonders.  I loved seeing the waterfalls, tree canopies, thick vines, lizards and snakes, feeding the birds, exploring the glow worm caves, and scaling the wet rock surfaces of the forest.  Being far away from my university for some reason made me feel more relaxed and like I was exploring something truly magnificent.  Away from the city lights and the constant sounds of cars I was able to breathe some much needed fresh air!
The following weekend though, was much more enjoyable because the rain held off and provided for the most pleasant sunshine.  On Moreton Island (slightly off the Gold Coast and farther north) I camped for two days with my room mate, Amanda.  We were treated to a 4x4 tour that bopped all over the island to the best viewing spots and activities.  Lucky me, was seated in the front seat and had the luxury of viewing everything up close and personal!  I got to learn about Aboriginal dream time stories, snorkel near some ship wrecks, swim with the dolphins, sand board down sand dunes,  hike to the oldest lighthouse in Queensland, cook in a camp, swim in a blue lagoon, and jump over waves in the bluest ocean ever known to man.  I honestly never wanted to leave this island and strongly considered grabbing the nearest provisions and running for the woods.  However, I was struck with reality and the need to return for school on Monday.  ...I took so many photos and videos before leaving because I knew that I'd never be able to accurately or justly explain the beauty of Moreton to the rest of my friends and family.  Australia, I didn't think that I could fall in love with a country, but maybe I was wrong!



February 5, 2013

Two to Tango, One to Salsa...

As the semester starts to gain its momentum, I am pushed into a rhythm of classes, tutorials, lecture readings, and homework.  The library on campus is constantly overwhelmed by students and the hustle and bustle of study groups.  But the studious nature of Bond University is quickly undermined by the impeding background of assorted social events.  Bond has so many clubs, sponsored events, and encouraged school trips that it's difficult to truly be one-track minded.  Last week, I took it upon myself to join the Salsa Club.  This club meets for two hours every Monday night and breaks down the movement patterns of two styles of dance: Rueda and Salsa.  Rueda (for those that do not know) is a dance that originated in Havana, Cuba in the 1950's.  Rueda is very much like salsa except that it is done in pairs.  Truly I had no idea what to expect when I arrived for the first time in the aerobics studio for lessons.  The instructor, rightly fit with the name Javier, excitedly ushered me into the studio and immediately began correcting my form and postures.  I can honestly say that the night of instruction was wasted mostly on my behalf as the rest of the club members were of Spanish descent and familiar to the styles of dance.  So many Spanish words were yelled out loud and I remember only "Si".  At the end of the night, I was invited out to dinner and encouraged to keep practicing the steps that were introduced to me.  The instructor handed out fliers for a dance coming up soon: the Valentine's Salsa Under the Stars event in the city.  I think that attending this event could be largely embarrassing to me and the rest of the salsa-lovers out there in the world, but something is telling me that I should go.  I mean if I already dance as horribly as the blonde girl from Dirty Dancing Havana Nights (the first twenty five minutes of that movie), then it is possible that I will meet a nice Cuban dancer reminiscent of the late Patrick Swayze.  ...Monday nights at Bond University just got slightly less studious and a little more interesting.