A blow to wildlife conservation
Steve Irwin, crazy croc hunter and avid conservationist, died yesterday from a stingray stab to the chest. He got a lot of flak for the things he did, but I’m not ashamed to admit I loved his show. I never made it up to his Australia Zoo while in Australia, and that’s something I now regret. My heart goes out to the people he left behind, especially his wife and two young children. He did so much for Australia and wildlife conservation, raising public awareness worldwide about important environmental issues. He was truly one of a kind and will never be replaced.
My Space
The past two days were entirely my own – the first I’ve had in two weeks. Did I use my time wisely? Not at all. While I could have been proactive and gone out exploring, instead I just relaxed, did a bit of shopping for the apartment and went into work to prepare this week’s lessons. Fun stuff.
It’s just starting to hit me that this is my home now, and not just a vacation. I’m not quite sure what I think about that. I’m trying to hold off on an opinion until after this initial transition phase. I believe wholeheartedly that it’s important to push yourself outside your comfort zone every now and then, but I’m afraid my push has been more like a plunge off a cliff. Don’t get me wrong; I don’t want to be anywhere else right now, but at the same time… I’m not enjoying feeling like a child wherever I go. I can’t speak or read the language. Grocery shopping is largely guesswork, as is operating the appliances in the apartment. (Never have I seen a microwave with so many buttons – all kanji.) Above all, I’m sick of people staring at me wherever I go! I’m not the kind of person who strives to be the center of attention, so it’s all a bit much.
Saturday was the big welcome/farewell party for me and the teacher I’m replacing. Over 70 students showed up. We ate at an “Italian” restaurant and then went to a dance club. I know the students understood when I said I can’t dance, but that didn’t stop them from pushing me out to the middle of the dance floor. Most of the guys danced worse than I did, so it wasn’t so bad. Actually, it wasn’t bad at all, it was fun. Didn’t end up going to bed until 5:00 AM. Ah, it’s almost like I never left college.
Now, for the next batch of pictures. Most are of my apartment. It’s small, but I like it a lot. My bed is western style (fantastic!), and it folds up into the wall if I ever need a little extra room.
Saturday night at the dance party. Myself, two students, and the other foreign teachers at Aeon (Jessie, on the far right, is the one I’m replacing). I vowed never do the victory sign in a photograph… Yeah, that lasted, what, two weeks? Peer pressure!
The view from my balcony.
My humble abode. Small, but comfortable. And it’s tidier now, after taking these pictures, and the walls have a few pieces of flair.
