Exams and World Cup amidst the Cold Canberra Winter
I have been sitting in my room at my desk for uncomfortably long periods since the start of the exam period. My world at the moment consists of my cramped little desk, books and notes, and the occasional trip down to the dining room hall to eat. This (and possibly tiredness and stress) has caused me to notice and be critical of things that I never would have before.
Right now I’m having a power struggle with the dust on my desk. It accumulates gradually in the background whilst you are going about your life until one day you are sitting at your cramped little desk and you notice that there is dust everywhere, centimetres thick. I haven’t succumbed to cleaning it away just yet, but I am observing it carefully. It seems to scrape away at my existence, seemingly declaring that no one is living here. But I am here, I am living and breathing every day at my cramped little desk, even if there is no proof.
As if to exert my existence upon my room, I now leave proof that I am alive: muddy shoes strewn haphazardly on the floor, scrunched up paper in my bin, empty cups of tea, anything that will prove to the room and me that I am here day after day at my cramped desk.
Phew… exams sure do make people act strangely. Why just the other day, I noticed that one of the most unlikely characters has been clenched by the iron grip of world cup fever, which is undoubtedly due to exams. She is a deep, complex, philosophical, introverted arts student with a real talent for understanding the significance of literature, who normally deplores sport and exercise, and yet just the other day I was amused to find that she has been watching the world cup.
While I’m on the world cup, I must talk about Australia’s exciting win over Japan. I’d spent the whole day at my cramped little desk and was studying up until a few minutes before the start of the match. Actually, I did manage to get away from my desk and play soccer for a little bit, which was much needed rest and exercise if such a combination exists. Anyway, I headed to the junior common room (JCR) where the match was being screened. Around 50 fellow residents were crammed around the big TV, with more streaming in by the minute. The match kicked off and the lights were turned off. It was quite amazing, the large group acted almost in unison; grunting, yelling and ‘ohhhh-ing’ simultaneously. Australia was doing quite well until a dreadful decision was made by the referee (who the commentators constantly referred to as the ‘Egyptian referee’ for some reason). Schwarzer, the Australian goal keeper went to catch a routine cross from a Japanese player, but as he did he was knocked off balance by a disgraceful tackle, which would have been better suited to a rugby field. The ball sailed into the open net and the goal was allowed. “That’s a foul!” The large mass of people screamed in unison. The Japanese fans and players on the TV didn’t care, they celebrated the disgraceful goal in an intolerable fashion.
In response Harry Kewell made an amazing run down the right wing and slammed the ball just over the crossbar. After that the Japanese seemed to get worse. Every time an Australian got close to a Japanese player, they would dive melodramatically like a puppet on a string. I know diving is somewhat embedded in modern soccer, but this was beyond ridiculous. Perhaps these were the teachings from their South American coach, for it certainly didn’t come from Japan; honour is so entwined with Japanese culture.
The Australian culture seemed reflected in the crowd in the JCR. Australians don’t like dishonesty and even more they hate whinging, overacting and faking, so understandably the crowd was getting very agitated when the Japanese players dived. But the players showed the Australian fighting spirit and never gave up, relentlessly attacking until finally Cahill scored after a nicely placed throw in. Oh gosh it was amazing. Every one of the 50 or so people jumped high in the air and screamed at the top of their lungs. We bounced, jumped and hugged each other. Apparently the joyous screams could be heard reverberating around the college.
When we all calmed down someone asked me what would happen if we drew, to which I replied, “Historically teams can go through on 4 points. So as long as we beat Croatia we should be fine.” But that was an unnecessary observation, for minutes later Australia struck another fine goal. Then minutes later they put another one in. By this stage we were all beyond ecstatic. Australia had won its first ever world cup match! I found it amazing that a single game of a sport which has largely been out of favour in this country could incite so much passion and joy. Long live the world cup!
I had two exams today, and gee it was cold this morning. Apparently it was negative 5 degrees and it certainly felt like it. The ground and cars were covered by thick white frost. I had to warm my hands up in reading time so that I could write properly when writing time came around. I looked at the forecast, and it seems negative temperatures during the night are here to stay. Brrr…
Oh, before I forget, I discovered the most amazing thing in an ‘Actuary’ magazine (yes they publish an actuarial magazine, pathetic I know…). There is a picture of an actuary in there who looks remarkably like Mr. Bean. People may think I look like Mr. Bean (I don’t see it personally), but this guy is a dead ringer! I aim to meet this guy and take a photo with him, just so I can show it to people who say I look like Mr. Bean. “Look, this guy looks like Mr. Bean, not me!” I’ll say after pulling out the photo and pointing persistently. It will be ever so grand.
I have one more exam to go and then freedom for a few weeks. I can’t wait!
Until next time,
Take care.
I have been sitting in my room at my desk for uncomfortably long periods since the start of the exam period. My world at the moment consists of my cramped little desk, books and notes, and the occasional trip down to the dining room hall to eat. This (and possibly tiredness and stress) has caused me to notice and be critical of things that I never would have before.
Right now I’m having a power struggle with the dust on my desk. It accumulates gradually in the background whilst you are going about your life until one day you are sitting at your cramped little desk and you notice that there is dust everywhere, centimetres thick. I haven’t succumbed to cleaning it away just yet, but I am observing it carefully. It seems to scrape away at my existence, seemingly declaring that no one is living here. But I am here, I am living and breathing every day at my cramped little desk, even if there is no proof.
As if to exert my existence upon my room, I now leave proof that I am alive: muddy shoes strewn haphazardly on the floor, scrunched up paper in my bin, empty cups of tea, anything that will prove to the room and me that I am here day after day at my cramped desk.
Phew… exams sure do make people act strangely. Why just the other day, I noticed that one of the most unlikely characters has been clenched by the iron grip of world cup fever, which is undoubtedly due to exams. She is a deep, complex, philosophical, introverted arts student with a real talent for understanding the significance of literature, who normally deplores sport and exercise, and yet just the other day I was amused to find that she has been watching the world cup.
While I’m on the world cup, I must talk about Australia’s exciting win over Japan. I’d spent the whole day at my cramped little desk and was studying up until a few minutes before the start of the match. Actually, I did manage to get away from my desk and play soccer for a little bit, which was much needed rest and exercise if such a combination exists. Anyway, I headed to the junior common room (JCR) where the match was being screened. Around 50 fellow residents were crammed around the big TV, with more streaming in by the minute. The match kicked off and the lights were turned off. It was quite amazing, the large group acted almost in unison; grunting, yelling and ‘ohhhh-ing’ simultaneously. Australia was doing quite well until a dreadful decision was made by the referee (who the commentators constantly referred to as the ‘Egyptian referee’ for some reason). Schwarzer, the Australian goal keeper went to catch a routine cross from a Japanese player, but as he did he was knocked off balance by a disgraceful tackle, which would have been better suited to a rugby field. The ball sailed into the open net and the goal was allowed. “That’s a foul!” The large mass of people screamed in unison. The Japanese fans and players on the TV didn’t care, they celebrated the disgraceful goal in an intolerable fashion.
In response Harry Kewell made an amazing run down the right wing and slammed the ball just over the crossbar. After that the Japanese seemed to get worse. Every time an Australian got close to a Japanese player, they would dive melodramatically like a puppet on a string. I know diving is somewhat embedded in modern soccer, but this was beyond ridiculous. Perhaps these were the teachings from their South American coach, for it certainly didn’t come from Japan; honour is so entwined with Japanese culture.
The Australian culture seemed reflected in the crowd in the JCR. Australians don’t like dishonesty and even more they hate whinging, overacting and faking, so understandably the crowd was getting very agitated when the Japanese players dived. But the players showed the Australian fighting spirit and never gave up, relentlessly attacking until finally Cahill scored after a nicely placed throw in. Oh gosh it was amazing. Every one of the 50 or so people jumped high in the air and screamed at the top of their lungs. We bounced, jumped and hugged each other. Apparently the joyous screams could be heard reverberating around the college.
When we all calmed down someone asked me what would happen if we drew, to which I replied, “Historically teams can go through on 4 points. So as long as we beat Croatia we should be fine.” But that was an unnecessary observation, for minutes later Australia struck another fine goal. Then minutes later they put another one in. By this stage we were all beyond ecstatic. Australia had won its first ever world cup match! I found it amazing that a single game of a sport which has largely been out of favour in this country could incite so much passion and joy. Long live the world cup!
I had two exams today, and gee it was cold this morning. Apparently it was negative 5 degrees and it certainly felt like it. The ground and cars were covered by thick white frost. I had to warm my hands up in reading time so that I could write properly when writing time came around. I looked at the forecast, and it seems negative temperatures during the night are here to stay. Brrr…
Oh, before I forget, I discovered the most amazing thing in an ‘Actuary’ magazine (yes they publish an actuarial magazine, pathetic I know…). There is a picture of an actuary in there who looks remarkably like Mr. Bean. People may think I look like Mr. Bean (I don’t see it personally), but this guy is a dead ringer! I aim to meet this guy and take a photo with him, just so I can show it to people who say I look like Mr. Bean. “Look, this guy looks like Mr. Bean, not me!” I’ll say after pulling out the photo and pointing persistently. It will be ever so grand.
I have one more exam to go and then freedom for a few weeks. I can’t wait!
Until next time,
Take care.
posted by Travvy at 9:51 PM
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