My OperaFirst day in Sydney
Saturday, April 15, 2006 10:56:23 AM
I arrived in Sydney in the morning of January 20, 2006 (or should I say 20 January 2006) with Adrian Alcayde. We're both going to take our Masters Degree in the University of New South Wales. Adrian already had a permanent accommodation as he settled that online before we left the Philippines. I had to take a temporary accomodation in a lodge at a monastery near the university. It was an expensive accommodation, at AU$200 per week, no meals, no phone, no bath in my room, no TV and the kitchen is in another building. I was in trouble right away since I only have that much in my pocket and the room has to be paid in advance. No problem though, I thought, because I'll be receiving my Establishment Allowance, once I see my ALO at the uni.
When I got to the International Student Services (ISS) at the uni, I met Jorge who handed me the check for the Establishment Allowance. I head straight to the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) Bank (they have a branch within the uni) to open a bank account and to encash my check. It was horrifying to find my check needs a 3-day clearing period. It was a Friday. That means I won't be having money until Wednesday since Saturday and Sunday does not count.
I finished my bank account application and went to my ALO, Jo Ronalds, hoping she can help me. Great, she was very nice and gave me a AU$250 loan, to be paid in a staggered AU$50 forthnightly. Finally I have some money, but not until 3:00pm. I have to borrow from Adrian to buy lunch at a cafe in the uni. Problem solved, for the moment.
Before I went back to my accommodation that evening, I bought some biscuits for dinner. I don't have the mind to cook. I was exhausted from my trip and my ordeal. I just want to hit the bed. My plan was to come to the uni early in the morning to have breakfast and use a computer at the library to check my email and also to start my enrolment application.
When I got to the International Student Services (ISS) at the uni, I met Jorge who handed me the check for the Establishment Allowance. I head straight to the Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) Bank (they have a branch within the uni) to open a bank account and to encash my check. It was horrifying to find my check needs a 3-day clearing period. It was a Friday. That means I won't be having money until Wednesday since Saturday and Sunday does not count.
I finished my bank account application and went to my ALO, Jo Ronalds, hoping she can help me. Great, she was very nice and gave me a AU$250 loan, to be paid in a staggered AU$50 forthnightly. Finally I have some money, but not until 3:00pm. I have to borrow from Adrian to buy lunch at a cafe in the uni. Problem solved, for the moment.
Before I went back to my accommodation that evening, I bought some biscuits for dinner. I don't have the mind to cook. I was exhausted from my trip and my ordeal. I just want to hit the bed. My plan was to come to the uni early in the morning to have breakfast and use a computer at the library to check my email and also to start my enrolment application.
