The Book Thief

While normal teenagers smuggle clothes and shoes home to hide from their parents, I smuggle books.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is the first book in a while that has affected me this much. This lady on the train kept staring at me while I was trying to contain myself from creating a dramatic scene and end up as a bawling heap of puddle on the filthy floor. I could feel my heart shatter and disintegrate into millions of pieces as if a bomb was thrown at me as well. The story was both tragic and beautiful.

This story is told in the point of view of Death during World War II in Germany. It's so clever and wonderfully written. It's about a girl living with her foster parents who are hiding a Jewish man in their basement. We see this girl bond with these people and her neighbours during that time and as the war escalates, there are more restrictions and dangers placed upon their lives. Having studied Nazi Germany during Modern History in high school really helped me understand the historical context.

One of my friends (COUGH JASON COUGH) has been calling me an ass scratcher and trolling through my phone texting others about how my ass is itchy. I think I know where he got his idea from now. Earlier last week he told me he’s read the book as well and was going to ruin the ending for me. That saukerl. I’ve learnt a lot of German swear words thanks to this book.

Beatus

As corny as this will sound, I honestly do think I have the best group of friends I could ever have and I don’t want any other. It’s the first time in a while that all eleven of us have been together. I have not laughed so much in such a long time till it hurt to breathe.

Highlights of the night:

• Earning my respect through eating seven and a half churros because I was forced to finish it while everyone died.
• Vivienne trying to drink two cups at a time and ended up spilling it on herself. She tried to cover it up by classily dabbing her lips.
• Jenna and her “life changing” stack by nearly falling into the harbour, but managed to save her free drink.
• Desiree’s little speech calling for group hugs and having a sentimental harbour side moment.
• Vivienne teaching me to run like a lady - Flick your hair and gracefully turn your head in the process.
• Elaine asking Vivienne if she’s ever seen her “peenor.”
• Jocelyn losing balance on the train and ended up half falling and half sitting on a stranger.

Solus

Because (look at me start a post with a conjunction) I went to uni today despite it being a weekend, I decided to take my camera out and hoped I wouldn't look like a tourist at my own uni with less people around. Although I still act like one because I don't know over half the buildings that exists at uni. So this is what my typical Monday to Friday consists of:

WOW YOU'RE ALL FASCINATED AND MUST BE IN COMPLETE AWE IF YOU'VE SCROLLED DOWN TO HERE. BUT I ASSURE YOU UNI ISN'T THAT GREAT.

I went to see Vivid after, which is a light show display in Sydney. It's not as fun being a tourist by myself. I felt a bit lonely and preferred the company of my family since it's kind of our thing to go to the city at night.

Coadunatio

Doof doof music that makes you feel an increase in blood pressure in your ears. Colourful flashing lights and smoke machines causing epileptic seizures. Watching teenagers transform from innocent characters out of a Disney movie to high and uncoordinated creatures of the wild in which the effects can be traced back to alcohol.

Yeah, my awkward self doesn't fit into this scene. But it is good to get out of my comfort zone once in a while.

There was a mini grade reunion at a local hall for Andrew, Irada, Jackson, Sharon, Steven and Vivian's costume themed birthdays. I was only there for three brief hours, before things got too crazy, so it was good seeing the sane side of people that I haven't seen in months. It doesn't really feel like we've left school seven months ago, even though a lot has changed and you don't see the people you used to see on a daily basis anymore. Anyway, it was a fun night of pulling tails, stealing wands, chasing balloons and swapping ears!

University

If I had to draw a mind map wtih the word "university" in a big bubble in the middle of the page, minus all the colourful pens and fancy arrows and clouds I used to do in primary school, it'll look like this:

DRAINING. DISAPPOINTING. FRIENDLESS. SHITTYRAIL. PEAK HOURS. MONEY CONSUMING. EXHAUSTING. FLYERS. LONELY BREAKS. MACBOOK PRO. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. LECTURES. BORING. CAMPUS. TIMETABLES. FREE WI-FI. TWITTER. CONFUSING. TECH LOUNGE. SUBWAY. OVER PRICED TEXTBOOKS. BLACKBOARD. EMAILS. SLEEP DEPRIVED. ASSESSMENTS. LOST AND DIRECTIONLESS FIRST YEAR STUDENT.

So yes, I'm that friendless and broke first year student who is an international student magnet and spends too much time updating my status on Twitter during my lonely breaks while being approached by opinionated and (not so) radical uni students handing out flyers (and a Chinese bible in one case) in their attempts of brainwashing us to make a change in this world. It was awkward when I was trying to shove my lab coat in a plastic bag then this guy came up to me to sign a petition to make the government ban the use of plastic bags. I ended up signing it to avoid looking less like an environmentally damaging person than I already did.

Out of the two weeks of uni, I think my fondest memories would be the mini high school "reunion" we had when we all happened to bump into each other, going to the arcade after uni with a few of the group and taking ugly photos and buying the ugliest friendship bracelet ever that costs 20 tickets each and the feeling of walking out of a lecture. Twice. I know it's really rude but words cannot describe how horrible those lectures were. Also, I mustn't forget how Christine stayed back two hours to go home with me and waiting outside my class with an Easy Way. Who needs a boyfriend when you have friends like her?

Something I've learnt: NEVER wear shorts/skirts/dresses on the days you have lab work. It makes you look like you're wearing nothing underneath your lab coat. This guy in my lab group was wearing gym shorts. My other lab partner and I ended up dying of laughter. Thank goodness for another immature person at uni!

I hope I settle in soon and there will be a day where I'll wake up looking forward to uni. Otherwise I'll just threaten the principal (do universities even have principals?) that I'll just drop out and join a Buddhist community because this website told me to. Although I doubt he/she will care. I'm just one tiny drop amongst the ocean.