Friday, 04 July 2008 @ 8:38pm.
Happy 4th of July in the States!
I’ve been really busy this past week because of the ASAA Conference. I had a wonderful time. Everyone I encountered were professional, kind, and interesting. It was great to see so many scholars working on intellectually stimulating and socially relevant projects. I highly recommend this conference to all of my non-Australian colleagues.
In other news…
…I bought some books at the ASAA conference and am eager to read them. Not sure how I’m going to take my little, but very heavy library back to Michigan. Last year, I used regular post to mail everything to Melbourne and let’s just say that was not a cheap process.
…Thai Airways is frustrating me. They canceled the flight I was scheduled to travel on and I now have to make alternative arrangements to get stateside next month.
…My dog is still growing and now requires the larger (read: more expensive) travel crate. I asked him to temporarily halt his growth, but I don’t think that’s gonna happen. I can’t be upset, though, since he’s too cute.
…I like the following websites:
The World at Night
Buddhist Stories
101 Zen Stories
Buddhanet
…I want to take a vacation, but unless I win the lottery or something, that’s not likely to happen in the near future.
…Connex Melbourne (and the government) has to figure out how to effectively and efficiently improve its public transportation system a.s.a.p. While I’m grateful there is a system in place, which is better than a lot of what I’ve seen in the U.S., there is room for improvement with regards to delays, cancellations, space, and the like. It is not much fun to be cramped in like a can of sardines and then eventually late to catch a tram.
…The housing crisis in Melbourne and its outer suburbs continues to be ridiculous on a number of levels. I have one word: “apartments.” Build apartments to meet the demand and needs of a variety of families and class backgrounds and all will be much, much better.
…I am not sure where I’ve had more tea - Indonesia or Australia; I just know I drink a lot of it. And oh all the little snacks like kue-kue and shortbread biscuits!
