freedom

It's still sinking in.  I probably won't be fully aware of it until I land in Christchurch at 6 in the morning, wondering where the fuck I'm supposed to go.  But I might be in mid panic attack, too preoccupied to soak it up.  Or I might just be in explorer mode, too enthralled by it all to care.

As everyone says, as everyone would agree, the "study" part of study abroad has never been so hard.  Thinking back to the late nights I spent watching Youtube videos in Perkins before caving and searching out something to munch on with Alicia... those were my more productive days.

I don't even know what I spend my time doing because I feel like I've barely seen anything in Melbourne (a feeling I knew would surface come time to leave).

I can't do this "studying" shit anymore.

Time to graduate, Amelia.

Braised bok choy and pan-roasted garlic with Nikhail's leftover noodles.  Got so much shit for my plant class... but it was that ridiculous to tell people I was reading about the characteristics of flowers.

No carbs, no concentration, no problem.  Made some quick, pretty dense (no access to yeast) and chewy black sesame steamed buns.  Formulated a steamer out of a pot, the plastic colander, and some paper towels... probably a bad idea to put plastic over steam... but I'm living on bits and pieces here.

I love the MSLE.  Going to miss it for sure.  Hidden behind the Botany building and half surrounded by the Systems Garden, no one knew of this mysterious place I was always hiding out in.  I love the comfy swivel chairs, the large tables, and the perfect lighting.  I love that they have complimentary tea and coffee... and free food on occasion.  "PLEASE help yourself" (don't mind if I do) deli sandwiches while cramming as much glycolysis into my brain as possible.  This, after I awkwardly sat through a presentation about stress in canola because I didn't want to relocate. 

 One had cole slaw and some sort of spicy mustard, the other had pesto, they both had cheese... that's all you need to know.

Joelle understands that studying is hard, too.

How appropriate that freedom coincides with my 200th post.  Cool.