New Blog

I have officially moved to Australia and have started a blog for my friends and family so I can keep them updated with my life and events.

If you would like access please email at vfrobish@gmail.com, as it is a private blog.

The blog address is http://adventuresoftorirose.blogspot.com

London Riots

What is the world coming to?

First Norway now this? I hope the violence ends soon. My thoughts are with all of those in London who just want to feel safe again. I hope all of the rioters and looters get caught and pay for what they have done!

Photos of the riots in London:
http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/world/london-riots-spread-as-police-lose-control-20110809-1ijoi.html
http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/world/riot-grips-london-20110807-1ih76.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-09/rioting-in-london/2830298?section=world

8 Days to go

Only eight days left....

This will probably be the most difficult week so far! I am very excited to go home but I do not want to leave Australia.

Things I'm looking forward to at home:
There's a lot but the main things I can think of right now...

• My Family!
• Friends!
• Senior year at U of I!
• My birthday 8 days after I get home! The Big 21!
• Being back in Chambana and campustown!
• The organizations I'm involved in including 1867 Society, Alpha Zeta, ACT,  Pi Phi and AAF... great organizations to be involved in!
• Living in my apartment with my roommate Lauren 
• Every sunday attempting to cook for my friends Cory, Carl and Alfred so I know how to cook my favorite dishes when I'm back in Australia :D... aka Mac and Cheese haha... these are brave men... just ask Terry.
• Also my dad's famous sweet corn!
• SUN!!!! I'm so pale! I've literally gone from winter/rainy weather in the States to winter/rainy weather in Australia....
• Excited to share all the new things I've learned and continue developing my skills!
• American food!!!

Thing I'm going to miss about Australia:
Again there's a lot but the important thing are...

• *<3 Terry <3*
• (even though I'll see him soon after I return... only 4 months apart... that's not long at all)
• Terry's family and friends
• Everyone at The Land and everyone I've met during my internship!
• Driving on the left side of the road
• Driving over the Syndey Harbour Bridge
• Tax included so I know exactly how much I need to pay (Ex. McDonalds ice cream in Aus is $0.50 .... in the US it says $1 on the menu but it's really $1.12)
• News... the news here is so much more informative than back home... I know more about what's going on around the world and in the US than I ever have watching or reading new in the States.
• Not worrying about tipping people
• Winter is more like early American Fall... so it's not that bad...
• The wonderful landscape and evironment when driving or walking around
• The beach .... only went once but I don't have beaches in central Illinois.
• TimTams! =D

Things I wont miss

• Vegimite
• Beetroot (sorry Terry)
• Crazy people on public transporation that always seem to find me

Preserving a copy of every book ever published!

This is amazing! Hats off to this guy!

Internet pioneer's new project - to preserve a copy of every book ever published

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/internet-pioneers-new-project-to-preserve-a-copy-of-every-book-ever-published/story-e6frfro0-1226106431988#ixzz1TpcB1FZM

More on Norway

Just incase anyone is staying up to date on the Norway attack BBC has a lot of video and interviews of survivors and information about the shooter.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14260297

U v A #2

I've been meaning to post this for awhile... there's a few more that I've forgotten to write down.


This one has the aussie terms first then the US term

• Thongs = Sandals but also the underwear
• Entre = Appetizers
• (On a menu in the US it goes Appetizer or starters, Entre, Dessert. In Australia it goes Entre or Starters, Mains, Dessert)
• Chips = Fries
• Pissed = Drunk
• Sunnies = Sun Glasses
• Indicators = Turn Signals
• Chewy = Gum (Chewing Gum… get it?)
• Makkers = McDonalds
• 'Mc' is pronounced MAC in Australia where in the US it's pronounced mick
• Lipton Iced Tea = Iced Tea
• Trolly = Shopping Cart
• Ram = Stroller

I-L-L! I-N-I!

After seeing so many articles about the US I was curious to see what would come up if I searched "Illinois" in the article search at smh.com.au

These are some of the articles that come up!

•  University of Illinois
• http://news.smh.com.au/technology/fastest-supercomputer-will-be-built-at-university-of-illinois-20070809-sdb.html
• http://news.smh.com.au/technology/microsoft-and-intel-join-u-of-calif-and-u-of-illinois-to-push-parallel-computing-20080319-20d0.html
• This is why I use AT&T
• http://news.smh.com.au/technology/illinois-top-court-denies-appeal-in-sprint-case-20080513-2dgu.html
• Oh Boy... Blagojevich made it overseas....
• http://www.smh.com.au/world/exgovernor-guilty-in-plot-to-sell-obamas-senate-seat-20110628-1gnza.html
• Chicago news
• http://www.smh.com.au/world/alibi-undone-after-50-years-ticket-may-solve-murder-mystery-20110705-1h00w.html
• This happened and I didn't even know about it until now!
• http://www.smh.com.au/world/man-shoots-three-after-asking-about-bees-20101006-166yr.html

Norway

There as been so many tragedies this week. The one that I can't seem to stop following is the bomb and shooting in Norway.

My heart goes out to the country and all of the survivors, families and friends and anyone affected by this terrible act of violence.

This is the most recent article from SMH with a girl texting her mom during the shooting.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/people-are-dying-here-daughters-texts-to-mother-during-norway-rampage-20110728-1i0tl.html’

 

It is almost unreal to think about what the mother and daughter were going through. It also makes me thankful for the technology we have today that can help in these situations.

 

Though with all of the hacking stories, technology today is also a bit scary.

 

I was watching an interview of one of the locals who helped save some of the students. She said when she was driving up to police officers the 7 students in her car were yelling and screaming telling her not to stop, because the man shooting had disguisedas a police officer.

 

Another article/video discussed the psychological state of the survivor. It talked about the biggest problems they will face are the guilt they will feel and how hard it is going to be to get over that anything can happen at any moment.

 

The great thing about this is how the country and everyone comes together for support. Over 100,000 people participated in a rose march.

 

Again, my heart and thoughts are with those in Norway.

 

As the Aussies say, "Least We Forget"

 

(hope that's in the right context)

Only 3 weeks left

At this point I have really mixed feelings. I am really enjoying what I am doing and this experience has been so great! I also really love Australia and of course enjoy speding time with my boyfriend and his family.

On the other hand I am finding myself getting a little home sick. Things I am missing are my family, friends, certain American foods, random appliances like my parents washing machine and dryer (I have a washing and drying machine to use but it's just not the same) haha and I'm surprisingly really looking forward to my classes and for uni to resume. Oh and the sun... I really need to start coming to Australia during their summer.

Being involved in a lot of organizations at University I am also having to think about things I have to do before I get back and things to do once I am back. This has been harder than I expected because I'm half way across the world and I'm busier here than I thought I would be too.

Email, facebook, and skype have helped a lot keeping in touch with everyone so my home sickness isn't really that bad but it does get to you every now and then... especially when you love mac and cheese and you can't find the right cheese to make it.

St Leonards

Last week I spent time at the Rural Press office in St Leonards. It was once again a great experience!

This office does most of the advertising sales for the Rural Press papers in Australia. They also do other things including research on their readers.

The office
The office is a lot smaller and not as overwhelming as the Pyrmont office. It was only a few blocks from the train station which was also great especially when is was raining. It took less than an hour to get there from Glebe. The people are all very friendly and made me feel very welcome. Even people that I wasn't really working with took time out of their day to chat with me.

Work

• They weren't sure what they had for me at first though I was very lucky and smart for bringing my laptop because they didn't have a available computer for me and I have all the design programs on my computer. This really came in handy when they asked me to design an invitation for a client! =D
• One of the women in the office does the research on the readers of all the papers and one of the things she's been concentrating on is Rural Health. There are a few companies that she wants to present to and have example of their ads in our papers to show them how and why they should advertise in the rural papers. She asked me to create some ad mock ups for her.
• To create ad mock ups I needed to first research the company and get pictures of their product from the internet. Then I created an ad in Photoshop.... after that I used InDesign to layout pages to look like The Land (thank you sub-editing experience at The Land! and Dr. Abrams for making our class learn how to use InDesign!)

I only had four days at this office but it was the best 4 days I've had! I really like designing and using these types of programs! It also gave me some more things to add to my portfolio!

I'll try to post some of my work or add it to my online portfolio! =)

Photos! Finally =)

Beautiful view of the city on my way to work.

Me driving in Australia! On my way to work. This was taken at a red light =)

Office in Richmond. So beautiful! It's up on a hill so it has a beautiful view from the windows too.

Rural Press Printing Press... this building is huge and right across the parking lot (I mean car park)!

And the office has a pool... not for this time of year but would be great during the summer!

Fairfax building in Pyrmont in the city! This is where I have been for a week! 

During lunch near my office. The Harbor Bridge is so close!

Out side the Pyrmont office during lunch. See the Harbor Bridge in the back? =D

iPad

Fairfax Digital has been working on improving their two apps "SMH" and "The Age". They're both big news papers in Australia, SMH (Sydney Morning Herald) is in NSW and "The Age" is in Victoria.

This week I was supposed to start work experience at the Fairfax office in St Leonards but on Friday one of the CEO's came to me with a project and now I am spending one more day at the Fairfax office in Pyrmont.

One of the things (of many things) the digital office does is run and work on the apps for the iPad. The advertising people create really cool interactive advertisements that show up while you're using the app. Another section of the office works are uploading the stories to the app. The SMH app and The Age app are currently uploaded in the different offices. My job was to look at the stories in each app and see which were the same but had different headlines or had slight differences. Their working on uploading the same stories on both apps but right now it's a bit difficult to do when each office is running their own applications.

So for two days I have got to have my laptop and two iPads in front of me :D I love technology!

I would definitely check out the apps if you have the ability too. I think you can get all the information you need at smh.com.au or theage.com.au 

Lady Gaga video

Here is the video that I helped edit... unfortunately I didn't get to help interview.

This was originally a 10minute interview that was cut down:

http://media.smh.com.au/entertainment/red-carpet/lady-gaga-our-differences-make-us-the-same-2489450.html

I think Lady Gaga is very good at interviews, she actually seems normal with the occasional cooky answers.

Lady Gaga In Australia

I've been getting some work experience at the Fairfax Digital Office in Pyrmont (in Sydney).

Yesterday I was hanging around the video guys who film and edit videos for online. Near the end of the day one of the guys was given a Lady Gaga interview to shorten for online.

I sat and watched as he edited it and even gave some of my input :D It was originally a 10 minute interview and had to be cut down to this 2min 30sec clip! (Watch below)

http://media.smh.com.au/entertainment/red-carpet/lady-gaga-our-differences-make-us-the-same-2489450.html

Also the guy that was editing this video had a picture on his phone of Lady Gaga coming out of her hotel! It was a really clear photo of her on his iPhone. He just happened to be walking by, not knowing what the crowed was for.

My goal for the year, learn Final Cut Pro X... so much cooler than iMovie!

Few Up-Dates

It's been a busy two weeks. I have a few more posts coming up but until then here's a short overview of my last two weeks. =)

Last week of June
- I did a lot of sub-editing which I am enjoying very much
-I went up to Darwin to welcome Terry home from Afghanistan (for those that don't know Terry is my wonderful boyfriend)

Last week
-Same old same old, wrote some stories for online (I will post them up later)
-Helped sub edit some videos
-Moved my stuff down to Picton to stay there

This week
-I'm working at the Fairfax Digital Office this week in Pyrmont! It's been great!
-Monday my head exploded learning about all the different areas of Fairfax digital and trying to grasp my head around how big the company is.
-Today I got to see what the video production people do, I saw two shows filmed and watch (and helped a little) a guy edit a interview to go online of Lady Gaga who is currently in Australia!


I've always been a little worried that I have so many interests and keep trying to figure out what I like or want to do the most. This week I've learned it's better to know and be able to do a lot because you'll end up doing a few jobs in one (which makes it hard for people to break down their job when I ask them 'so what is it that you do exactly').

I'll try to post some picture soon!

More posts to come! =)

Feeling of Success!

Yesterday I had my first ever published article in a newspaper! =) ....  I think I'll frame it!

It's such a great feeling when you see your name with and article that you've written! It helps build your confidence and it's just really exciting!

Here's the online version! I'll try to post the picture of it later!

http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/state/agribusiness-and-general/general/become-a-young-rising-champion/2203861.aspx

2nd Day Driving to work - Tuesday June 21st

Do not worry I am not writing about every single day that I drive. I just had a new experience driving today that I felt I should share.

Today I left at 7:30am since yesterday I was more than 30minutes early leaving at 7am. I got onto the Harbor Bridge fine today and onto the M7 perfectly… I just missed my exit from the M7 and ended up 20 minutes further on the M5 for a 40 minute detour.

There was a lot more traffic this morning and I must have been too busy passing the large trucks that were taking over the road and missed my exit onto Richmond Rd.

I was 20minutes late, so if I would have taken the correct exit I would have been on time. I’ll get it right eventually…

First Time Driving to Work - Monday June 20th

The night before I Google mapped the directions to and from work and wrote them down on an easy to read yet small paper (so I wouldn’t be fiddling around while driving). Thanks to the wonderful Google maps ‘street view’ I was able to see what the different intersections and ramps looked like (which actually really helped!).

GOING TO WORK

I left 30 minutes earlier than I normally would, just in case. I was doing fine getting out of Forest Lodge and I found my way to the Sydney Harbor Bridge. It was pretty easy with the BIG signs and BIG arrows, they're kind of hard to miss. I remember Hailey telling me to stay to the right at all times on my way to the bridge, but I found myself in the left hand lane and was trying to squeeze my way into the right lane but was starting to get a little overwhelmed with all of the cars zooming by.  I finally saw that I missed the turn on to the Harbor Bridge so I kept going and followed a sign to Darling Harbor. I know where Darling Harbor is so I kept going firguring that I could find my way to the bridge from there. Instead of turning towards Darling Harbor I took a chance and followed my guy to the opposite way. I then saw a sign for Glebe, so I knew I could always just start over in Glebe. BUT THEN I saw a nice BIG sign for the bridge and continued on to that. Finally I was back on track making only that one 3-5 minute detour... SUCCESS!

The drive to Richmond is pretty straight foraward. Thanks to Google Maps and Hailey (who previously took the drive with me on Saturday) I knew which signs to look for. Once I got into Richmond I knew my way around and was feeling much better. I stopped at Macca's (McDonalds) to treat myself with a hot chocolate Yummm.

Now to get home...

GOING HOME

The way home was nice and easy, it was the driving at night part that was difficult this time. It was a little more difficult because seeing car lights from the right hand side were throwing me off a bit.

Big Trucks

Even in the US I don’t like driving next to big Semi Trailers or long trucks. On my way home  I was trying to pass one but the cars infront of me weren’t going any faster so I was stuck next to a big semi L I was not happy. Though I was able to keep myself calm and laugh at myself because I was literally talking to myself say “You’re okay, you’re fine… no worries… breath”

STOP!

Don’t you love it when people slam on their breaks in front of you on a busy highway?! I surely don’t! When this happened I could just picture my car slamming into the car in front of me… good thing my breaks work and I avoided this vision.

Accidents Cause Traffic.

It took me 30minutes longer to get home because there was an accident on the ANZAC Bridge. It was stop and go traffic for one lane trying to go off to the right. It didn't help that we had to wait for a stop light…. Welcome to city traffic.

The Apple Bar - Saturday June 18

Today I had time to skype with my wonderful family back in the States. I got to talk with my cousins, aunt and uncle who I rarely see and a few more friends who are enjoying the warm summer in Champaign (I'm a little jealous). It’s great how being away can bring you closer to people.

Hailey and I drove to pick up Terry’s new car =) It’s so ‘Purdy’! I followed her to Richmond so I could see how I will get to work. Then we parked my car at the office and took Terry’s new car to The Apple Bar.

The Apple Bar (which is in the Blue Mountains) is a really cute casual restaurant and bar about 20minutes away from Richmond. They are known for their wood-fire cooked pizza’s. Being an American who loves pizza, and have been craving a good extra cheesy pizza, so I was excited to eat here. The pizza was very cheesy and had a great wood-fire taste to it. We also got garlic bread and salad which we ended up getting to-go boxes for. The menu showed a few apple beers and mixed drinks which I would be excited to go back and try when I didn’t have to drive.

It gets two thumbs up from me. Good place to go if you are ever in the area :)

Coonamble Rodeo and Campdraft - June 12th

This was my first Rodeo and I feel lucky to experience it in Australia. I went to the 2011 Landmark Coonamble Rodeo and Campdraft on one of the three day weekend event. It was so much fun and a great experience. I love the country atmosphere; I love it in the U.S and in Australia. Everyone is just more laid back, having fun and willing to help you out.


I went with Holly, who is the same age as me and started the day before I did, so it was also fun to spend time with her.


I felt very lame walking around, everyone else was riding their horses around… I need to get me a horse… or a pony :D


Americans

• They had the US and Canadian Flag up with the Australian flag :D
• We were talking with a few people and one of them told us we had to talk to this guy that just got back from America. I misheard him and thought he said he’s American. Once I heard him speak I realized what he said, though it was still exciting.
• It took a few people a while to pick up my accent! :P Wonder if I’m starting to sound like an aussie :D

Music

• Country music is the same. I heard a lot of songs that I knew… It's always fun when find similarities to back home.
• Yes the have played 'Party In the USA' here (not at the rodeo.. just in general. To answer a question from one of my friends)

Rodeo Events

• Bull Riding was awesome to watch except when the guys would fall or got hurt.
• I was taking videos of the events, when I rewatched some of the bull riders I reacted with “oooo ouch” like I did when I was there. Some of it was hard to watch.
• There were 8 year olds riding bull (smaller bulls, but still!) Those are some brave kids and parents!
• One guy fell and the bull stepped on his face… there was a lot of blood but he was okay and was later walking around with a bandage over his face with just one eye, his nose and mouth showing.
• Womens barrel racing! This was hard to video tape because I would find myself moving my head to watch rather than the camera! I really enjoyed this one, they were ridding really fast!
• Team roping. It was fun to watch because they make it look so easy. It’s hard enough to ride and control a horse but to use the rope too! That takes skills.
• Campdraft. This is the traditional and one of the oldests events. It is not as exciting and entertaining as the other events but you can tell it still takes a lot of skills and I found it enjoyable to watch.

I have to say again that this was such a great experience! Everyone was helpful and we got some great pictures and videos! I want to go again, for the whole weekend! :)