A weekly update.  The past week has been basically about school, so I feel I should enlighten you all on what it is like here.  Classes are split up into two sections; lectures and tutorials.  I have two hour lectures then one hour tutorials.  The difference between these two are usually that the lectures are much bigger, where the professor informs the students on information, without interference from his or her audience.  The tutorials are smaller and allow for questions, thought, and debate.  In these sections, classmates will give presentations on the readings for the week.  A paper is usually associated with these presentations, ranging anywhere from 500 words to 3,000 words.  Most of mine are around 2,000, although I do have two that are 3,000.
I'm taking three upper-level histories and one Outdoor Education class, which is extremely interesting.  I definitely notice the difference in professors from Central and Sydney.  Not that all professors at Central are bad, I have had some brilliant professors there, but here all of my professors are brilliant.  Maybe I am lucky, but it seems that they have a complete grasp on their subject and how to convey it to their students.
There is a lot more reading than the U.S. that is expected.  There is no reminding to read this or that, but it should just be done.  So I find myself in the library a bit more than usual, which is a good thing.  All in all, there's more work, but I will be learning much more.
 The campus is gorgeous.  It's pretty big, but not outrageous, a fifteen minute walk probably from end to end.  In the middle there is a huge three story bar, called Manning bar, so in between class you can slip in and grab a couple bevvies.  This must stimulate learning.  At times, walking through the campus, it feels like a jungle, with lush trees and exotic looking shrubs and bushes on either side.  There are ovals and tennis courts all over the place and usually a game being played on them.
I think my favorite part, is walking outside of the quad, which is the oldest and probably the most exceptional building on campus, and taking a look out of the main arch.  It overlooks the city perfectly, with a beautiful skyline of the needle and other skyscrapers of Sydney.  Just under those buildings stretch huge trees, constantly tangled and green, so it is really the best of both worlds.
I watched rugby, NRL, this weekend with my roomate Alex and a few of his mates.  It was a great time and I love the game. It was nice to kick it with some Australians and just joke around.  I learn so much more about Australia through them than any other way.  Also, Alex and his friend Ben took me on a run back into Newtown and Glebe, so I got to see some more of Sydney's suburbs.  The houses are really cool, tightly packed together, but each with their own personality, with varying bright colors and usually lush gardens in front.
It was a good week,  I'll be headed to the Blue Mountains this weekend for a day and probably another local show on Wednesday.  Just finished booking my Outback trip, 3 Day 2 Night hike on the Larapinta Trail (223km, my trip around 50km) and then a convoy down to Uluru.  I'm stoked, its going to be unforgettable.
Cheers

Dog exhibit, Saturday