Australia 2017 - It's Getting Fun

Everyone that lives, volunteers, or goes to school at any YWAM campus is tasked with a work duty to keep the campus running smoothly. Originally when I arrived I worked in hospitality which meant it was my job to bring coffee, water and snacks to our teachers and guest speakers before class each day, in addition to making a thank you card for guest speakers. For anyone who knows me well and is loved by me, you know that I enjoy making my own cards, so this was perfect for me. Unfortunately, a fellow classmate whose job it was to prepare breakfast for the campus early in the mornings was not up to the task because of some personal medical reasons, so I reluctantly cooperated with the request to switch jobs. Now I have to wake up early, which I loathe, and set out breakfast cereals, clean dishes, and cut up fruit and pastries for morning tea.

Did anyone know you could eat the skin of a kiwi? I did not. But apparently it’s allowed. I usually cut them in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. But in order to blend in a bit better and stop receiving weird looks, I’ve been eating my kiwis, skins and all. Before it was my job to prepare the fruits, I wondered if they had been washed. Noticing the stickers still on, I thought not. But now that I’m in charge I can make sure I don’t contract some weird, Australian, dirty fruit disease. I’ve also discovered that if you use a slice of apple to scoop out the inside of a passionfruit, it’s quite a sour treat.

Our week of learning about Shakespeare, Voice and Accents has been so full that we missed morning tea on Tuesday! A tragedy. In one month of being here, I’ve already grown accustomed to this custom. Plus, I need my sustenance. We were given 3 days to learn several Shakespearean pieces and then perform them for the whole campus. Each of us was to do a soliloquy of our choice, and then do 2 group pieces, one from Much Ado About Nothing and one from Merchant of Venice.

My voice was already spent, partly from coughing due to sickness, and partly because I don’t take care of my voice (you’re supposed to drink a lot of water). I learned that when it comes to speaking with my middle voice (which is quite nasally) and in an American accent, I’m the winner. But using chest voice and an Irish accent is both difficult and hilarious, respectively.

Shakespeare in the “Park” went really well. I was impressed by how well everyone remembered all their lines and delivered convincing performances. I did have a little bit of diarrhea right beforehand though. An annoying side effect of nerves.

I think my computer feels like an Australian now because it’s been autocorrecting my words into unusual spellings. For instance, I wrote “color” and it autocorrected to “colour.” Slow your roll computer, I’m only visiting.

It’s beginning to get quite hot here, and if yesterday’s 100 degree temperature is any indication of what’s to come as we get further into summer, I am doomed! I am currently sitting on my bed with the ceiling fans on blast. We’ve covered our skylight with a dark sheet to block out the sun, and yet I still feel like I’m on fire. The 6 other girls and I moved into a new room in the E block (where I was told all the scariest spiders live). Though I am not thrilled about bugs, I am overjoyed with how well the internet works in this area of campus. I watched a whole episode of Master of None with no pauses for buffering. Heavenly.

I am still swamped with homework, but the filmmaking students are even more busy than us actors. I don’t envy their sleepless nights of editing and storyboarding, or whatever filmmakers do. Lindsey is of them and it was her birthday on the 29th. I wanted to do something special for her, so I made a little birthday sign. Before bed I slammed a cabinet door onto my foot. I am so clumsy lately. I planned to wake up in the middle of the night to tape it to her bed so she would wake up with a surprise. Thankfully I didn’t need my alarm to rouse me as my throbbing foot kept me awake all night anyway. Blah. But Lindsey was happy to see her sign. I also made her an improvisational hat out of ribbons.

Then later in the evening we filmed a CSI style scene. Dead body created by Nate, barbecue sauce as “blood” created by Lindsey, freak out moments created by all the moths in the country.

After filming was finished, Lindsey asked me if I wanted to see cats with her. I thought she meant Cats, the musical. I was just about to say how I’d rather see it in New York, when I realized she meant actual cats. We took a ride with Jay to see the two fluffy cats at the place he’s been house sitting. I had lots of fun forcing Instagram story filters onto their faces.

It was all fun and games until one of the cats scratched my forehead.

Not cool, cat. Not cool.