The first week

Hey all, 

So instead of writing a heap of emails I thought this would be easier. If you don't care what I'm up to then you need to stop being jealous.

So I was lucky enough to be flying over with Stuart Flinn, so we met in the airport, had a feed with my fam, then casually cruised through customs, to then realise we had about 20 minutes until our plane left. We needed to get to gate 65 - a long way away. So we started to panic a bit and start sprinting, we got called over the loudspeaker along with 5 or so other people, and then the two of us got called again, full name, seat number, over the loudspeaker - one minute later and we wouldn't have been let on the plane. So we found our seats apologised to the people either side of us for being sweaty messes, and as soon as we could, we got some beers to calm the adrenalin - so that was an interesting start to the trip!!

We arrived in LA at 10am on Thursday the 5th, and were picked up by my good friend Glo, who I met on contiki in 08! We then got straight into some sight seeing, heading down to Venice beach - where LMFAO filmes 'sexy and I know it', so that was pretty cool. And we were laughing at the number of 'prescription weed' places, where they basically prescribe weed if you're 'in pain' and by that i mean, if you have a sore finger you can basically get it - one of the blokes who tried to get us to come into his shop was using the catch phrase "Feeling crappy? Let the Doctor make you happy" ! Needless to say we didn't buy anything! And instead sat down for a typical American meal!

We then went to Santa Monica Pier, it's pretty amazing - heaps of movies have scenes there, Ironman, Mr Bean movie, and Forrest Gump - there is even a Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant there! Then that night went out for dinner and then died of tiredness back at Glo's.

Friday we went to Hollywood and did the Walk of Fame and went to Madame Tussauds which was great fun, we then went to Universal Studios City Walk – and got in for free because Glo is a great bullshit artist, and then we went and got cheap drinks from her friend who just got promoted to manager of one of the restaurants. 

Then  that night Flinny and I went to a basketball game - LA Lakers v Golden State Warriors. We then bought Lakers foam pointy hands to get into the spirit of things, and found our seats in the nosebleed section where we feared for our lives if we tried to move from our seats. Lakers won 97-90, and because they won and kept GSW under 100 points, everyone got vouchers for two free tacos!!

We then met up with Glo again to head to shmancy rooftop bar in the city, so we had to get changed in a car park, then headed to "The Standard" - the views were amazing and the Long Island Ice Teas were going down a treat. 

We then went to the fast food place to make use of our taco vouchers and I pulled the accent and got some free curly fries, then just casually walked behind the counter and preteneded to pour drinks and take orders, I then gave the chick a hug and told her she was my favourite fast food server - she loved it haha

Then on Saturday we went to Laguna Beach, had a beer at a rooftop bar overlooking the sun setting on the ocean – was amazing!! and that night travelled back in time in Glo's house where her dad collects and builds Knights and armour so we tried it all on and you can check out some of the pics and her mum is an amazing Harpist - played at Ozzy Osbourns party and Rod Stewarts party!!

               

So I thank Glo for being an amazing tour guide and host and her lovely parents for their wonderful hospitality!!

Then had to get up at 5am sunday morning to get to the airport to then head over to Uni -  Wilmington. Had another close call in the airport but worked out all good and I made it!! Got picked up at the airport, then dropped at my apartment. I’m living off campus where Eben Smith lived last year, so as to avoid sharing a shitty room with a random and dealing with not really being able to drink due to the students who are under21, and the nazi RA’s who report people for drinking underage or just drinking in the vicinity of an underage person!! So my apartment (Wilshire Landing Apartments) is awesome. It’s a 3 share, I get a queen bed, ensuite, and walk in wardrobe!! And currently only one roomy, a top American bloke named Matt.

Eben also put me in touch with a few people, so the first night I went out to a bar with 5 great girls who also live in the apartment complex – Bossin. Haha.

I had two days of orientation at the uni, where I met all the other international students. A great bunch of people, a heap of Aussies (including a great group of 4 mates from Uni of Western Sydney), some poms, sweds and others. The annoying thing is that some of them are under21 so can’t really get on the beers with us – there are some bars that let U21’s in, but they can’t drink still . . so that’s kinda shit

Out at Buffalo Wild Wings sports bar

Nicko, Jimmy and Nath - 3 of the UWS blokes

Rich (USA), Cody(USA), Steve (the 4th UWS bloke)

A heap of the internationals out at Fibbers Bar where they allow the U21's

I’ve had each of my classes so far, and the lecturers/tutors seem pretty good. I’m taking four marketing courses. Everything is so cheap here in comparison, especially the alcohol, so we’ve been out 5/7 nights. Bars with $1 cans of Budweiser, $3.75 coronas and then one place serves long necks in a brown paper bag – all class, I felt like I was in Penrith or something. Oh and, I thought it was only in South Park - but one of my teachers literally says 'mmmkaay' - and averages out to say about 7 a minute - I wish I didn't notice this in my first lesson, now I'm not going to listen to anything he says!

Cameron Hall - The building I have all my classes in - And if you want to see how massive the whole uni is: Campus Map

Went to a college basketball game, we lost though :(, oh and I forgot to mention, Wilmington has big film studios, it’s where One Tree Hill was filmed – they used our Uni’s basketball court for the show and stuff, and Iron Man 3 is about to be filmed here, which is the biggest film they’ve had here.

Other than that. I’m meeting a lot of people – yes, including Americans! – played beer pong, been to a house party and invited to more, and yeah life is good thus far.

Hope all is well in your lives

x

feel free to send me care packages or come and visit!! ;)

4019 Wilshire Boulevard

Unit 307 Bedroom B

Wilmington

North Carolina

28403