Like having your brains smashed out by a slice of lemon wrapped round a large gold brick...

Yay, for registration! I was able to successfully register for four out of my five classes for this spring. The one that I was not able to register for was quickly remedied by e-mailing the professor and asking him to allow me in his class. This issue was that the class has a prerequisite of Calculus. However, I took AP Calculus in high school and never took the AP class, and when I took the math placement exam at Albion, they said I should start at Calculus II. With this background, the professors are willing to have me in class without the need to take Calculus at Albion, but the web registration will not allow me. Therefore, every time I register for classes with a Calc prerequisite, I have to be manually registered by the registrar.

This morning was interesting as we had a good-sized storm during the night. I was woken up by it a couple of times. I think this is my first thunder and lightning storm here in Sydney. The best thing was that the morning air was extremely fresh.

I had to go in late to my internship today as my registration was at 9:30am (5:30pm EST). I am normally on the bus to work at that time. When I did arrive, I had a really good and successful day. I seem to have gained a lot of trust as I am working on a website with one other guy and we are working together on the backend design. Moreover, my ideas are used! The only bad thing about this setup is sometimes he thinks of something and wants to change on a page and then comes over and changes it versus telling me what needs to be changed. The same thing happens when I need some help. I do not learn as well when that happens, but I have other ways of learning.

My way home from my internship changed my mood for the not so good. I used the bus ride time to reflect on myself and I found I was not to happy with a few aspects. The major one is that I feel that being away from Albion has derogated some of my academic ability as I find I am not challenged to think and expand as if I am at Albion. I hope that in coming back to Albion I will be able to regain this quickly. I also am planning to challenge myself over break to help bring me closer to full potential.

The night ended on me being pissed off at my roommate. He is always in the room. I need “me time” as that is the time I use to study, gather thoughts, and prevent insanity. When he is always around, I am unable to do this. What really pisses me off is that while I am at work all day, he goes and leaves (He has no internship), but comes back just about the time I get back… If he just shifted his schedule by 2 hours, I would be much happier. Furthermore, he trashes the room and lets his friends trash the room without attempting to clean it up. I just feel like I am fighting a losing battle.

Between the last two things, I feel ready to come back to the states. I know I will miss Australia once I am back, but I need a change. If I were here studying for another semester, I would move. I think if I had my “me time” I would still be really enjoying it here. I am not sure what to do with only 4 weeks left…

How I almost died today:
1. Mental breakdown from lack of personal “me” time
2. Tried to leave Australia