Unexpected...

Something I learned this week: there is no unexpected ego boost like being offered a job. Perhaps I should explain. I was in my transport engineering class, which (I will not lie, and hope with all my might that my professor never finds this blog) has been unspectacular. We had a quiz, which I bombed--really, I did not do well. Afterwards my professor took me aside and basically said that if I wanted to work in Queensland, I could; he would set it up. I was surprised and grateful, of course, and I suppose it's something to keep in mind, but what it really did was illustrate the difference between JCU and Swarthmore. At Swarthmore, I'm a middle of the pack engineer. Here, I stand out enough that my professor (under orders from his other employer in Cairns, I believe, who apparently instructed him to pick out high-achievers and recruit them) singled me out. That hasn't happened in quite some time, and it's enormously flattering. I kind of feel bad for complaining about his class now, and for not really giving it the effort that I would a Swarthmore class (um, Swarthmore engineering department, please disregard that last sentence, I really want credit for this!). Anyway, I thought it was blog-worthy, if only as a piece of somewhat interesting ego-fluff (and isn't that really what blogs are all about?).

In other news, we weren't able to dive the Yongala last weekend, but we will be traveling to Cairns over the coming weekend. A dive is scheduled, as well as a trip on the Skyrail and the Kuranda Scenic Railway. As of today, I only have three weeks left in Australia. Time's got wings, you know.

Also, what should happen to this blog after I get back? I'll write about New Zealand, for sure (probably a three or four part deal, we're there for two weeks), but then what? I don't really want to neglect it; I like writing about things that happen to me. Suggestions are welcome in the comments!

(Hey, remember in my first post when I said that Natalie would probably post more than me? WRONG. I guess I just love being informative and she doesn't!)