In Melbourne Now

Okay, so I'm in Melbourne, got in yesterday morning, things are going decently. My visa, obviously, went through without incident. I managed fine with my 3 massive suitcases and have even developed arm muscles that I previous did not have! (Okay, maybe they aren't really "developed" but still, I lifted those suitcases like no one's business.)

So I'm going to do a huge blog entry about my trip to Korea, which was awesome. But right now I'm hungry and not having a cell phone is driving me crazy, so I think I'm going to head into the city to do something about both those problems. (I unlocked my Canadian cell phone, so I'm hoping I can just purchase an Australian SIM card and get a pay-as-you-go dealy going.)

A few things about my time here before I take off:

I figured out where I am, I'm staying in the suburb of Coburg in this tiny student apartment with an insufficient kitchen. I thought my room wasn't being cleaned, so I hope the cleaning people didn't mind the tripping hazards that are my suitcases. It's been...interesting. I'm hoping tonight I won't attempt to give myself a concussion again.

I'm a registered student now! Complete with ID card and horrible ID card photo. Horrible! Okay, so how's this. The administration people at La Trobe are super pleasant! Especially the people at the Research Graduate Office. They made me feel so at home, I know I'll have no problem contacting them about anything I need. Seriously, I could just take these ladies out to lunch they were so lovely.

I'm living on chocolate and peanut butter, neither of which customs had any issue with me having. I promise I will go get some real food! I have to anyways, I'm almost out of chocolate and I don't have anything else to scoop the peanut butter out with.

Apartment hunting is horrible. Mostly I have no idea what I'm doing and I think my life will be a lot easier once I have a phone. I'm dubious about using this hotel phone. I guess I could just use skype, but, it's really weird talking to my computer. (I'm sure Laura's laughing to herself saying that I prefer to talk to my make-up.) So I'm considering the whole roommate option. There's this website that matches people up quite nicely (much better than, say, online dating sites do) and today I messaged someone who I actually have quite a bit in common with and who I think I'd do fine with. Wish me luck! Although, I'd still be homeless until some time in March. So I may end up living in a hotel for a little while. Maybe not this one though, depends how long it takes me to get into the city.

Google maps lied to me! The result? I took a 2 km walk and got to know Melbourne's industrial side. Which oddly contains a lot of flower shops. Did I mention it's 34 degrees out? At least my little coffin-sized room has A/C. Plus, there's a pool...