Week 14: A few things new

I have good news to report. Karl's team scored this weekend! The final score was 22-6, but this doesn't reflect how exciting the game was. Claire, Carol, and I had to keep moving because each team's offense was playing well. Karl's team was at a distinct disadvantage in terms of numbers. While the other team had 47 players, Karl's team (including him) had 18. Needless to say everyone played both ways. If you were wondering, Karl added inside and outside linebaker duties to his quarterback and coaching responsibilities. I was exhausted just listening to him call plays, designate substitutions, and try to remember defensive plays he's never practiced. We went out to eat after the game.

Well, that's about all the football news we have. There is talk about the New Zealand team, the one that the Australian team is supposed to play in Sydney and Karl coach, pulling out. Too bad we've already bought our plane tickets. If anyone remembers, this is not the first problem we've had with this mid-semester trip. Speaking of mid-semester, I am almost finished with my second of four 10 page papers due by June 16. I love school! On Monday night, we went out to eat with an American couple that is also in my program. Derek asked me what I planned to do with my degree if I don't get a PhD and teach because we aren't trained to do anything. I just laughed at him and said we'll find out. All I know is that after my name they'll be a M.A., M.A.--otherwise known as "mama." Sorry, really bad joke, and no, I'm not pregnant.....yet:)

We really had a fantastic time with Derek and Angela. They're the first Americans we have met, and it was so nice to have a conversation with someone who knows exactly what you're going through. We also swapped tips about great things to do in and around Melbourne, so that's good news for anyone who wants to visit! Hopefully, we'll hang out with them before they leave in June. We also had a wonderful dinner with Darrel and Karen on Friday. They took us out to a Turkish restaurant. My southern bred tastebuds were quite nervous, but the food was soooo good! The company was also very nice. Karl has found a new love: donnar kebabs. It's lamb with European yogurt and tomato sauce. Not my favorite but if it makes him happy. ...

As a Rotary update, I have given six presentations, and Karl and I have been given an abundance of mugs and wine glasses. The Rotarians are so generous and welcoming, and they usually feed us a good free meal! I have two more presentations planned before my trip to Adelaide. (Adelaide is the capital of South Australia, and I'm going for a girls' weekend on June 17--conveniently right after the semester ends.) Last weekend, I met all the other scholars from around the world who are studying in the Melbourne area. There are about 15 of us, and we're planning an international project between each of our host and sponsor clubs. For just $500 AUD ($375 US), a club can sponsor a child, teacher, bus, or classroom for a school in Tanzania in East Africa. It's right outside of Mt. Kilimanjaro, 80 percent of the population has HIV/AIDS, and the primary school was started by an Australian Rotarian. It's such a wonderful project, and we're all very excited by it!

WORD OF THE WEEK!!!!!!

Well, I think all we have left to talk about is our Australian word of the week. Karl and I thought this week should be more of an Australian topic. We've picked sex as our Australian topic because, well, it's their favourite topic--yes, even more than at home, much more even. The act itself is referred to as rooting. Our Canadian friends had a bit of fun with this one because a major brand in Canada is called Roots. Even the teenagers here will openly tell you that if you're going to root someone, you better make sure you have a franger or dinger. That means a rubber for those who need a little more than context clues. I could tell you a few more, but I'm a classy lady, so I'll stop before it gets weird.

Stay tuned for next week's word of the week, and hopefully pictures, too. We've had a few difficulties with the picture posting. Sorry!