Jordan, ‘10

The University of Melbourne is big–or at least has a huge student base.  I’m not sure exactly how many students walk the grounds of this suburban campus, but you would have to multiply Richmond’s campus a few times to equal it.  Therefore, the school has to allocate an entire month to exams and does not hand out exam schedules until nine-ten weeks into the school semester.  This means today for me.  I have a lab final exam (where I’m responsible for proving that I actually know how to do stuff–like using the hanging drop method to examine bacteria motility) on May 27th.  My final class/lecture/tutorial is May 30th.  My final English paper in Victorian Crime Writing–worth 50% of my entire grade–is due June 10th.  My final Australian Wildlife Biology exam (worth 70% of my grade) is on June 13th.  My loving, adventurous parents arrive June 20th to sleep on my floor before our trek up north.   And my mother-load, pull-my-hair-out mongosa Principles of Microbiology and Immunology final takes place on June 26th and is worth 80% of my grade.  Did I mention that I had my midterm on Friday?  This means that I have 25 days of class, and approximately fifty-two days left in beautiful Melbourne.  I’m not counting down or anything (I’ll be sad to leave)–just keeping track.

It’s autumn here too–my favorite season.  The leaves are falling; the air smells crisp and clean; I have to wear a jacket.  This marks the first “Northeastern” autumn I’ve experienced since living in Pennsylvania all those years ago now–god, almost ten years ago actually.  I’m very grateful that after all the things that have been happening in my life lately I can enjoy this time of year with a nostalgic smile.  And in a place where birds dance on the wind like a thousand pieces of tiny white tissue, who could ask for more?  Who couldn’t be grateful? 

I appreciate this place even more since my friends and I discovered Max Brenner–the embodiment of chocolate heaven.  MB is a little chocolate shop located in Melbourne Central and QV–the rival malls on the main street of the city, Swanston St.  Now, some of the stuff is a little pricey, but everything is worth the money.  My particular (and cheap) favorite is called a chocolate lick (I like mine dark, but milk chocolate is available too).  They basically melt a thousand rich chocolate chips and give you a cup and a spoon.  See, they’ve got a good thing going–and it’s only $2.20.  Where are places like these in the states?  I think there’s one in New York City (reminder to go as soon as possible!). 

Follow the bliss of your spring (and I’ll follow my autumn),

Jordan

 I walked past a wedding processional last night and then this morning there were a thousand flower petals on the asphalt.  What beautiful, lonely, forgotten reminders of one day of happiness.

 This is a red flower that keeps catching my attention each morning on my walk to campus.

 This is a tree canopy on Swanston St.  It looks as if the leaves and branches are trying to hail a ride.

If you read my post about the starfish…just count how many there are here in this photo and then multiply that number by 10.   That’s what it was like that day.

Quote of the week:

“Life is full of beauty.  Notice it.  Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.  Smell the rain, and feel the wind.  Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.” - Ashley Smith