The rest of my time in Hobart was spent visiting friends and eating out. An end of exam party at one friend's house meant trying out Italian food at a nearby restaurant (Just so I didn't have to walk all the way from home!). Another night was filled with movies and Chinese take-out from one of the many restaurants along Sandy Bay. The day after that was spent around town with friends, making last minute university souvenir purchases, having the picnic lunch at Machine (highly recommended!) and then buying all the makings for a salmon dinner. I still had a $25 gift certificate for the Tassal Salmon Shop in Salamanca that expired at the end of the month so Morgane (an American I only recently became friends with) and Sabby and I bought some salmon, gnocchi, spinach and wine and cooked up fancy dinner, including appetizers of smoked salmon on baguette. The day after that we went to a Mexican restaurant in North Hobart called Amigos with a filling Tuesday night special. For $22 we had a choice of appetizers, a large entree and desert!
On Wednesday I had had plans to leave Hobart with Nya and head on to Sydney. However the ash from the eruption in Chile was causing problems for the second time in two weeks. Most flights Tuesday and all flights Wednesday were cancelled. Instead I was able to spend more time with new friends and then take part in "The 12 bars of Christmas"- a celebratory bar hopping experience for those of us missing the Christmas season we associate with the winter season.
Although our trip was delayed I am rather glad I was given another day to meet up with all these international students that I have only really begun to know. I have a feeling one of the saddest parts about staying behind while everyone else leaves is going to be deleting all these numbers of friends I've met from my phone!
Finally on Thursday evening Nya and I were dropped off at the airport by her housemate and caught our flight to Sydney. We're 'couchsurfing' and found a place very close to the centre of town. I'm only here until Monday so I'll give hints and explain what I've done in another post, although as a hint, tonight is the Swedish Midsummer so we'll be celebrating that too!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Freedom comes in the shape of a pizza
Okay, weird title, but for me it was true. Yesterday was my last exam...a painstaking 3 hours. It was actually my environmental chemistry exam which I could have used another day to study for. I had almost finished the entire exam in the first hour so slowed it down for the last quarter but still had a lot of reviewing time left.
Anyway, to celebrate the last of my exams I went to the METZ. Its an odd bar/restaurant in Sandy Bay about 10 minutes from Uni. Its the regular Wednesday night hangout for many students including quite a few international students since they offer "cheap" pizza ($10 each off their classics menu) and beer ($10 a jug) one night a week. I wouldn't plan on eating there any other night as prices are nearly double, but since I rarely eat out it was a nice treat for me! (btw the Mediterranean and Spicy Potato are both very good) Afterwards of course, I went to Saby's house, only minutes away, and some of us watched a chick flick.
Also on the theme of round circular objects there was a lunar eclipse last night...but of course I didn't find out until this morning...darn!
And to finally sum up the round circular object theme post....I should talk about moola! During this past semester I've been keeping an excel file on my expenditures. It helps to know where your money is going and to see how well I've done with the budget I set up before leaving home. I never wanted to rack up a huge bill for this trip abroad since I really value financial freedom...and I believe my parents are just as happy knowing I am not relying on them at all while away.
To be honest, I'm more of a saver than a spender so no, I rarely treat myself to meals out, buying things I don't need or going on many trips. However I still think I've done well without the professional tours, I regularly check out the Coles and Woolworths fliers online, and take advantage of specials and deals(like my pizza night out!).
I worked out my average weekly spending which includes my:
So on a weekly average this works out to about $264 AUS. My food costs come out to about $43 AUS per week. These are obviously Tassie specific too as I noted that when comparing options on the mainland, Tassie was pricier. Food costs also seem to vary a bit and there aren't as many options here to choose from as there would be in a similar sized place on the mainland.
On a side note..the extra costs involved with banking including the fees for depositing travelers cheques, transferring funds via wire transfer...plus the really poor exchange rates are costs I wasn't expecting to be so high.
Anyway, now that I'm "free" I can start planning what to see during my vacation!
Anyway, to celebrate the last of my exams I went to the METZ. Its an odd bar/restaurant in Sandy Bay about 10 minutes from Uni. Its the regular Wednesday night hangout for many students including quite a few international students since they offer "cheap" pizza ($10 each off their classics menu) and beer ($10 a jug) one night a week. I wouldn't plan on eating there any other night as prices are nearly double, but since I rarely eat out it was a nice treat for me! (btw the Mediterranean and Spicy Potato are both very good) Afterwards of course, I went to Saby's house, only minutes away, and some of us watched a chick flick.
Also on the theme of round circular objects there was a lunar eclipse last night...but of course I didn't find out until this morning...darn!
And to finally sum up the round circular object theme post....I should talk about moola! During this past semester I've been keeping an excel file on my expenditures. It helps to know where your money is going and to see how well I've done with the budget I set up before leaving home. I never wanted to rack up a huge bill for this trip abroad since I really value financial freedom...and I believe my parents are just as happy knowing I am not relying on them at all while away.
To be honest, I'm more of a saver than a spender so no, I rarely treat myself to meals out, buying things I don't need or going on many trips. However I still think I've done well without the professional tours, I regularly check out the Coles and Woolworths fliers online, and take advantage of specials and deals(like my pizza night out!).
I worked out my average weekly spending which includes my:
- Housing- I found my place independently so it's cheaper than the university's accommodation and doesn't lock me into a contract like the student unions housing rentals. It also includes internet and electrical (you don't pay for water in Tassie...yet)
- Food- This normally is just groceries but it does include the times I've eaten out or grabbed a coffee somewhere.
- Clothes and Supplies- At the beginning of the year I bought a few extra shirts and more recently a hand mixer and thermos but since my housing came with bedding and towels I don't have a lot of expenses. I have included all my postage costs and cards I've bought under here though.
- Phone- My provider is Optus and they have very cheap rates for international calls and I just top up my balance once a month...although in Tassie Telestra has better coverage (but I don't think there's much difference in Hobart or Launceston)
- Entertainment- Most of what I do is inexpensive but this does include the couple of park fees, tickets to events and my Easter road trip expenses
- Transportation-I originally thought that I'd need to catch the bus more often...but I've been doing a lot more walking...even with all the hills. It does include my upcoming flight to Sydney though (as long as the ash cloud stays out of the way)!
So on a weekly average this works out to about $264 AUS. My food costs come out to about $43 AUS per week. These are obviously Tassie specific too as I noted that when comparing options on the mainland, Tassie was pricier. Food costs also seem to vary a bit and there aren't as many options here to choose from as there would be in a similar sized place on the mainland.
On a side note..the extra costs involved with banking including the fees for depositing travelers cheques, transferring funds via wire transfer...plus the really poor exchange rates are costs I wasn't expecting to be so high.
Anyway, now that I'm "free" I can start planning what to see during my vacation!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
What (not) to pack
I've been unable to settle down to study today as I'd much rather procrastinate! I managed to watch some of the Vancouver Canucks' 3rd game in the finals through skype with my sister....but unfortunately they lost so badly I'd much rather not talk about it!!
I also sent out a request to the Study Abroad Coordinator here in Tasmania to start up another Facebook group for incoming exchange students and those of us staying another semester. Last semester they started a group and I found it very beneficial. Those of us arriving could talk about getting a VISA, finding accommodation, mention arrival dates and plan trips together. I'm not sure if other Universities have something similar but I think it's a great idea! Unfortunately this coming semester positions were changing and the old coordinator was leaving so a group hadn't been created as yet. Anyway my request was heard and I just got word that one is starting up again!
With new students coming, I began thinking of what I would have wanted to bring or not brought had I been given a second chance...so here's a bit of a list
Do not bother to bring:
Good ideas:
I also sent out a request to the Study Abroad Coordinator here in Tasmania to start up another Facebook group for incoming exchange students and those of us staying another semester. Last semester they started a group and I found it very beneficial. Those of us arriving could talk about getting a VISA, finding accommodation, mention arrival dates and plan trips together. I'm not sure if other Universities have something similar but I think it's a great idea! Unfortunately this coming semester positions were changing and the old coordinator was leaving so a group hadn't been created as yet. Anyway my request was heard and I just got word that one is starting up again!
Last semester's Facebook group
With new students coming, I began thinking of what I would have wanted to bring or not brought had I been given a second chance...so here's a bit of a list
Do not bother to bring:
- any binders...even if you have a spare one-they use a 2 ring system here!
- and don't bother with any paper or notebooks with holes punched
- a lot of clothes...not that I did, but it's better to go home with new interesting stuff than old used clothes
- your water repellent jacket-it doesn't really help when it actually rains!
- your boots with a heel..those stairs are killer!
- the banana muffin recipe since you're going to be cutting bananas out of your diet for the time being (unless you can find them cheaper than the going $12/kg)
Good ideas:
- that $10 plug adapter was definitely worth it-its really small so fits easily into sockets unlike those multi-region ones (and even though they said don't use it for your hair dryer it works perfectly fine which is a bonus!)
- should have brought a really good pair of waterproof hiking boots-you're coming to Tasmania after all!
- slippers and a dressing gown/ house coat...keeping warm is excellent! but maybe pack a good pair of winter socks too!
- A light weight waterproof coat and an inexpensive umbrella
- saving recipes onto your computer-less space and easy to access
- a tuque (sorry a "beanie" or "wool cap")and a pair of warm gloves...very useful here in Tassie
Well thats all I can think of for now so looks like I might need to try and do some studying!
Monday, June 6, 2011
BarCelona
Just had my first of 3 exams today, so I have a bit of a break before intense studying resumes!
Although I was busy studying I did make time yesterday to go out with friends to say goodbye to Sam. He's the first of the international students I know, heading back. We met at Salamanca square and decided to try a place called BarCelona. During the nights this place is crazy busy with all the tables, even outside, full. Coming for lunch was a good idea although it was still busy on the bottom floor when we arrived, so they suggested we eat upstairs. The upstairs section is definitely the VIP area during the nights. There were lots of couches with low tables between. It also turned out that no one else came up, so we had the entire area to ourselves.
Lunch was delicious, with my choice actually coming from the 'snack' section...although I'm not sure who would only eat it for a snack!! It was definitely nice to have a break from the studying, and nice to see everyone again as it had been a while since we were all together.
I mentioned that I would recount my ups and downs, and I know for sure that saying goodbye to so many friends is definitely a low point! The semester has gone so quickly and I'm really glad I chose to stay for two semesters. At least now I'll have lots of connections when I get to do some more travelling.
Since I have time during the break, I am planning to go to Sydney with Nya for 5 days before she heads off for the rest of her around-the-world trip with a classmate from Sweden. From there I'm heading to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to visit relatives. It will be a vacation during my vacation (umm I mean school Dad...)! ;) Then it's back to my second semester at UTAS!! Until then, I made a bit of a Hobart 1st Semester Bucket list full of things I still want to do before everyone goes. I'll see how far I get on that list!
Although I was busy studying I did make time yesterday to go out with friends to say goodbye to Sam. He's the first of the international students I know, heading back. We met at Salamanca square and decided to try a place called BarCelona. During the nights this place is crazy busy with all the tables, even outside, full. Coming for lunch was a good idea although it was still busy on the bottom floor when we arrived, so they suggested we eat upstairs. The upstairs section is definitely the VIP area during the nights. There were lots of couches with low tables between. It also turned out that no one else came up, so we had the entire area to ourselves.
Lunch was delicious, with my choice actually coming from the 'snack' section...although I'm not sure who would only eat it for a snack!! It was definitely nice to have a break from the studying, and nice to see everyone again as it had been a while since we were all together.
Fancy seating area in the upstairs VIP loft
Just a snack! My toasted chicken sandwich with fries!!
I mentioned that I would recount my ups and downs, and I know for sure that saying goodbye to so many friends is definitely a low point! The semester has gone so quickly and I'm really glad I chose to stay for two semesters. At least now I'll have lots of connections when I get to do some more travelling.
Since I have time during the break, I am planning to go to Sydney with Nya for 5 days before she heads off for the rest of her around-the-world trip with a classmate from Sweden. From there I'm heading to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to visit relatives. It will be a vacation during my vacation (umm I mean school Dad...)! ;) Then it's back to my second semester at UTAS!! Until then, I made a bit of a Hobart 1st Semester Bucket list full of things I still want to do before everyone goes. I'll see how far I get on that list!
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