It has been a LONG time, but I am now back in sweet home Chicago. I can say that studying aboard was truly a once in a life time opportunity. You cannot even put a price tag on the unique experiences I under went and the countless new insights, knowledge, and habits I picked up along the way. No, and I mean NO, college student should ever pass up an opportunity to study aboard.
I hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences in Sydney. I REALLY hope that you consider traveling to this amazing place. There is so much more to learn and see.
"If there is a will, there is a way."
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Vivid Festival
A "Festival of Lights, Music, and Ideas"; this festival is simple yet impressive. The festival lasts roughly a month during which they light up the Opera House and Macquarie street with an array of coloured lights and projections. I thought seeing the Opera House was amazing, but Vivid takes it to another level.
The festival also features musical events and lectures about the creativity industry. The "Bienniale" is taking place throughout the city. This art exhibit expands throughout the city and features many works of art about worldly concerns and issues. I found many of the themes were about westernization, immigration, commercialization, and sexuality. The Museum of Contemporary Art in the area known as "the Rocks" had the most impressive pieces. This was a perfect time for the festival as winter starts in Sydney. The weather in similar to Chicago's autumns. I could still go on the beach to get some sun and it's winter!
The festival also features musical events and lectures about the creativity industry. The "Bienniale" is taking place throughout the city. This art exhibit expands throughout the city and features many works of art about worldly concerns and issues. I found many of the themes were about westernization, immigration, commercialization, and sexuality. The Museum of Contemporary Art in the area known as "the Rocks" had the most impressive pieces. This was a perfect time for the festival as winter starts in Sydney. The weather in similar to Chicago's autumns. I could still go on the beach to get some sun and it's winter!
America...the catered to Country
The longer I been here, the more and more I realize how advanced and catered to America is. For instance, Australia is still under going the process of going to broadband internet services and transitioning to HD, while America is already in Digital. Television programming is also different, often programs are catered to American Prime Time television even though prime time in America is early morning in Australia. I've experienced these with the 2010 Olympics and now during the FIFA World Cup matches. The matches going on all throughout the late night and break of dawn. My roommate loves watching the games and actually stays up to catch the 4:30am game. Can you imagine waking up to watch a "Chicago Bears" game at that time?
It is also evident how popular Soccer (aka Football or "Footy")is in foreign countries. People go crazy over it. I visited the International FIFA Fan Festival in Darling Harbour. They literally had giant screens playing the game. The street lights were soccer ball lights. Everyone was having drinks and watching the game; and all this is happening before sunrise.
It is also evident how popular Soccer (aka Football or "Footy")is in foreign countries. People go crazy over it. I visited the International FIFA Fan Festival in Darling Harbour. They literally had giant screens playing the game. The street lights were soccer ball lights. Everyone was having drinks and watching the game; and all this is happening before sunrise.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Australian Television
There are plenty of American influences in Australia television. Although Australia has probably the most diverse selection of television in the world, American programming is seen all the time. My apartment television only has 4 channels so I do not get to see the full extent of Australian programming. Some of the American programming I have seen here include: House, the Good Wife, Bones, CSI: Mami, NCSI, Survivor, the Amazing Race, Desperate House Wives, Glee, Lost, Late Show with David Letterman, and much more. Considering that these are just the basic channels, I can not imagine what the extended basic channels are provided. Now knowing this, I can understand why the world always seems to know about America and why America does not know much about the world. This must be partially because American popular culture is part of Australian television programming. Much like, how the Vietnam war was brought into peoples living rooms via television.
Even in class lectures, America is constantly brought up or used in some statistic. Ironically, I travel around the world to learn about a different country yet I am constantly learning about America. However, it is interesting finding out the different perspective people have of my country. When it comes to world understanding, I feel many Americans are “out of the loop” compared to the Australians and Europeans I have met here. Perhaps this is because American television dominates the airwaves. I feel like if there was a CSI: Paris than I would know more about France just by watching.
Going back to television, Australia does have its own programming too. My favourite is “Talkin’ About My Generation.” It is a game show where the Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y battle in trivia and interactive games. It is quite humourous, but I am not sure if it is a 100% Australian program. It may be an English program. Other Aussie programs include Sea Patrol, Border Security, Master Chef, and Bondi Rescue. I work on Bondi Beach so it is interesting that they can make that into successful programming. It’s really not that exciting of a beach. Border Security is all about the day in the life of working as a customs officer in Australia. It is great watching people trying to smuggle things out or in to Australia. People get really angry when customs checks them out. There are also America shows that Australia made their own version of like: So You Think You Can Dance? Australia, Australian Idol, Deal or No Deal, etc.
Even in class lectures, America is constantly brought up or used in some statistic. Ironically, I travel around the world to learn about a different country yet I am constantly learning about America. However, it is interesting finding out the different perspective people have of my country. When it comes to world understanding, I feel many Americans are “out of the loop” compared to the Australians and Europeans I have met here. Perhaps this is because American television dominates the airwaves. I feel like if there was a CSI: Paris than I would know more about France just by watching.
Going back to television, Australia does have its own programming too. My favourite is “Talkin’ About My Generation.” It is a game show where the Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y battle in trivia and interactive games. It is quite humourous, but I am not sure if it is a 100% Australian program. It may be an English program. Other Aussie programs include Sea Patrol, Border Security, Master Chef, and Bondi Rescue. I work on Bondi Beach so it is interesting that they can make that into successful programming. It’s really not that exciting of a beach. Border Security is all about the day in the life of working as a customs officer in Australia. It is great watching people trying to smuggle things out or in to Australia. People get really angry when customs checks them out. There are also America shows that Australia made their own version of like: So You Think You Can Dance? Australia, Australian Idol, Deal or No Deal, etc.
The Differences in culture….
•Australians pronounce the letter “H” like heyh and the letter “z” is zed.
•“Taking the piss out of you” means like making fun of you; it’s a good thing.
•Biscuits are cookies
•Favorite is spelled favourite; Behavior is spelled Behaviour; etc
•Lemonade is a Sprite or 7up
•“I reckon” is commonly said
•Fact: the Australian government made a law that force all cigarette companies to have the same black and white packaging. That way no brand stands out or looks appealing. A pack of cigarette cost roughly $30.
•Organization is spelled Organisation; etc.
•Skinny jeans and short jeans are commonly worn by men
•Aussie men (including heterosexuals) own and wear Uggz
•Money Bills vary in size. The smaller the bill the less it is worth. Notes (or coins) vary is size and colour. The smaller the gold note the more it is worth. Gold notes are either $1 or $2. Large silver notes are worth more than small silver notes.
•Pepperoni is know as Cabanossi.
•Raspberry is big in Australia. Usually when you go to a 7-11 store, you can always get cherry or cola slushies. In Australia, you always have raspberry and cola slushies.
( A Mexican Family Dinner; very Australian, but not really )
•“Taking the piss out of you” means like making fun of you; it’s a good thing.
•Biscuits are cookies
•Favorite is spelled favourite; Behavior is spelled Behaviour; etc
•Lemonade is a Sprite or 7up
•“I reckon” is commonly said
•Fact: the Australian government made a law that force all cigarette companies to have the same black and white packaging. That way no brand stands out or looks appealing. A pack of cigarette cost roughly $30.
•Organization is spelled Organisation; etc.
•Skinny jeans and short jeans are commonly worn by men
•Aussie men (including heterosexuals) own and wear Uggz
•Money Bills vary in size. The smaller the bill the less it is worth. Notes (or coins) vary is size and colour. The smaller the gold note the more it is worth. Gold notes are either $1 or $2. Large silver notes are worth more than small silver notes.
•Pepperoni is know as Cabanossi.
•Raspberry is big in Australia. Usually when you go to a 7-11 store, you can always get cherry or cola slushies. In Australia, you always have raspberry and cola slushies.
( A Mexican Family Dinner; very Australian, but not really )
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Drinking Culture
Alright, I haven’t wrote some culture blogs in a while, but now I finally got some time on my hands. I been loaded with papers. Maybe, I’ll blog about them later.
The more and more I am immersed in the Australian culture, the more and more I find out about how significant alcohol here is. I am not saying that Australians are a bunch of drunks. I am merely stated that this culture revolves around drinks, much like America revolves around food. Of course, drinking and driving is not tolerated. I’d say even more so than in America. Every Australian I know that had been drinking, whether it is just a few drinks or a lot, is VERY responsible and never goes behind the wheel. They always ended up getting a cab or had a friend come help them. I like to see this happen in America more. I believe the consequences of drinking and driving in Australia are vastly worse too compared to in America. I am not certain though, but I see tons of advertisements about not drinking and driving.
As I said, Australian is a drinking culture. In America, if a guest comes to your house it is normal to offer them a drink (water, soda, beer, etc.) and a snack (not a meal, but more like cookies or chips). In China, a guest is commonly offered just food (like a meal). In Australia, they commonly offer just a drink (beer or spirit). It is also proper to bring the host of a party a bottle of booze and not just booze for yourself. This is proper manners here that you rarely see at home.
When I went to the Outback, I mentioned we stopped at the “Daly Water’s Pub.” At this pub, you could find money from around the world posted on the ceilings and walls. This tradition of taping or nailing stuff to the walls started off because locals would sometimes forget their wallets when going to the bar. There is not much in the Outback so I’d imagine you have to take a pretty far drive to get to the pub after work for a drink. What would happen if you took that long drive and realized you forgot your wallet after making that long drive? Well, what the locals would do is that when they visited they would tape money to the walls of the bar and write their name of the money. That way, if they ever forgot their wallet again then all they have to do is get their money off the wall so they could have their drinks. The tradition evolved to much more than money at the “Daly Water’s Pub.”
SHOUT!!!! This is a common term and thing to do when drinking with “mates” (mates are your friends are called). A shout how many locals drink. Pretty much, it’s where one person in your group buys a round of drinks for everyone in the group. Then it is someone else’s turn to do a “shout.” I like this because your not just buying for yourself, but treating others to a drink to. It’s nicer then making everything 50/50. You buy this time, and I’ll buy the next time sounds better than lets split everything 50/50.
When I went to the horse races, Jon Organ, our guide, told me that the horse races were not really about the gambling on horses. It was more about socializing and drinking champagne, wine, and beer.
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(random picture of me jumping off a cliff near Neielson Park)
Australia Day, which is a big holiday here (go figure), is pretty much a day to drink a lot of booze and barbeque. I guess that’s what being the stereotypically Australian is all about?
ANZAC is another reason to go out and drink. ANZAC (Australian New Zealand Army Corps) Day is like the 4th of July except more people go out and drink; mostly the younger generation. It is also a time to play “two-up” which is an old gambling game. This game is otherwise illegal any other day.
There are more examples too. I will write them down as I remember them
Cheers!
The more and more I am immersed in the Australian culture, the more and more I find out about how significant alcohol here is. I am not saying that Australians are a bunch of drunks. I am merely stated that this culture revolves around drinks, much like America revolves around food. Of course, drinking and driving is not tolerated. I’d say even more so than in America. Every Australian I know that had been drinking, whether it is just a few drinks or a lot, is VERY responsible and never goes behind the wheel. They always ended up getting a cab or had a friend come help them. I like to see this happen in America more. I believe the consequences of drinking and driving in Australia are vastly worse too compared to in America. I am not certain though, but I see tons of advertisements about not drinking and driving.
As I said, Australian is a drinking culture. In America, if a guest comes to your house it is normal to offer them a drink (water, soda, beer, etc.) and a snack (not a meal, but more like cookies or chips). In China, a guest is commonly offered just food (like a meal). In Australia, they commonly offer just a drink (beer or spirit). It is also proper to bring the host of a party a bottle of booze and not just booze for yourself. This is proper manners here that you rarely see at home.
When I went to the Outback, I mentioned we stopped at the “Daly Water’s Pub.” At this pub, you could find money from around the world posted on the ceilings and walls. This tradition of taping or nailing stuff to the walls started off because locals would sometimes forget their wallets when going to the bar. There is not much in the Outback so I’d imagine you have to take a pretty far drive to get to the pub after work for a drink. What would happen if you took that long drive and realized you forgot your wallet after making that long drive? Well, what the locals would do is that when they visited they would tape money to the walls of the bar and write their name of the money. That way, if they ever forgot their wallet again then all they have to do is get their money off the wall so they could have their drinks. The tradition evolved to much more than money at the “Daly Water’s Pub.”
SHOUT!!!! This is a common term and thing to do when drinking with “mates” (mates are your friends are called). A shout how many locals drink. Pretty much, it’s where one person in your group buys a round of drinks for everyone in the group. Then it is someone else’s turn to do a “shout.” I like this because your not just buying for yourself, but treating others to a drink to. It’s nicer then making everything 50/50. You buy this time, and I’ll buy the next time sounds better than lets split everything 50/50.
When I went to the horse races, Jon Organ, our guide, told me that the horse races were not really about the gambling on horses. It was more about socializing and drinking champagne, wine, and beer.
.JPG)
(random picture of me jumping off a cliff near Neielson Park)
Australia Day, which is a big holiday here (go figure), is pretty much a day to drink a lot of booze and barbeque. I guess that’s what being the stereotypically Australian is all about?
ANZAC is another reason to go out and drink. ANZAC (Australian New Zealand Army Corps) Day is like the 4th of July except more people go out and drink; mostly the younger generation. It is also a time to play “two-up” which is an old gambling game. This game is otherwise illegal any other day.
There are more examples too. I will write them down as I remember them
Cheers!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Fashion Forward Festival
This weekend I spent my entire time at working at the internship. It was worth it because there was actually heaps of fun work to do. I got to edit a couple runway shows for the “Fashion Forward Festival” at Paddington Town Hall. Paddington is the leading fashion district in Sydney. The festival is about bringing together new and emerging designers and models in Sydney. The festival has amateur models to model designer’s clothes. It’s a sponsored event. DND media, who I work for, was one of the sponsors. I got to hang out with some of the people behind the scenes, which was cool because I felt like a VIP. Later, I got to edit the runway shows, which are being streamed live on the internet now. Click the link below and check out some of my work.
http://www.fashionforwardfestival.com.au/runway-shows.html
I made all this videos. My boss was impressed with my first full & REAL project for the company. The people at the FFF were also were happy and wanted copies. :)
http://www.fashionforwardfestival.com.au/runway-shows.html
I made all this videos. My boss was impressed with my first full & REAL project for the company. The people at the FFF were also were happy and wanted copies. :)
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