Just Look Up

First of all, it is now my mother's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!! She's a pretty great lady and also happens to be the best mom I've ever had. Everyone here always asks me how I learned to be a good cook and the first thing I always say is "I have a really good mum." And it's true! Good job, Mom, and thanks for being so great and trying so hard and being so supportive over the years. I'm sorry I'm not there to wish you happy birthday in person and hug your neck.

Life has been good. It's all been at a nice steady keel and I'm enjoying the stability.

I got to skype my brother today for the first time since I've been here. It was really good to see him. I've missed him more than anyone or anything back home. I also got to meet the new puppy--Cash--and can't wait until I get to meet him in person. It was funny, the first thing my brother said when he saw me was, you're growing a mustache?? Yes. I still am. Yes. It still looks awful. Yes. I am aware. No. There is no sign of me shaving in the near future, even though Teish tells me I need to, every day.

The cook off I was going to have against Alex has been changed to a cooking collaboration (upon her request) and the menu looks something like stuffed chicken breast or escalope of chicken with bacon and mushroom risotto and cheesecake. There will be pictures. I'm pretty sure that my Friday meal of the week for everyone is going to be tacos and I'm always excited about tacos. Yes, Dad, with the fried shells, just how you taught me:)

I've heard back from everyone I was planning to holiday with over Easter and it looks like I'm on my own. I'm actually pretty excited about being on my own, traveling Australia for nearly three weeks. I told Tyler and he said "Wow, talk about character development." I've always admired people who have just lived out of a backpack and hostels without a plan or care in the world. Pretty soon, that's going to be me. Great Barrier Reef, to Sydney Harbor Bridge, to the finest dining in Melbourne. Get excited!

Today I wrote during the day and, after dinner, went into town with Ash for some much needed grocery shopping. I also grabbed a bottle of Sake because tomorrow is "International Night" at Res Tea and the theme is Chinese. I figured you can't have a proper Chinese meal without sake and several of my mates have never tried it and I'm keen to introduce them!

The sky is so clear tonight. Milky Way clear. I took a few minutes, found a quiet spot on campus and just laid in the grass for a while to take it in. It reminded me of one of my favorite memories with my grandpa while we were in Canada and the whole family spent over two hours on our backs taking in the stars. I remember my grandpa, in awe, simply saying "Just look up." I sleep with my blinds open every night and stare into the sky before I'm going to bed. It makes me feel so small, and so significant, thinking that out of the whole expanse of everything out there, I'm here.

I met a guy from Egypt today. He actually lived in my room last year. He's white. He lived in Cairo during the revolution. He was a real cool guy and it reminded me of Courtney and all her stories from living through the revolution.

I talked to my friend in Tasmania today and she remarked how fast time is going by. It is. It's crazy to think about the fact I've been here almost six weeks now. It's blown by, just like everyone said it would.

Black Tar is coming along quite nice. I'm experimenting and doing things in it that I've never done in other work. I'm enjoying it. I'm also enjoying the academic writing I'm having/getting to do. It's sort of comforting that I still enjoy doing critiques and responses and research. It makes me feel like I'm in the right major.

Anyway, that's all for now. You stay classy out there.
~Daniel