Look at me, I know everything

So apparently I've completely forgotten the whole reason I moved to Australia in the first place -to learn everything there is to know about the Spanish language by becoming a translator. I basically want to become a walking Spanish dictionary, thesaurus and linguaphile. I was having a cup of chai latee at Wholefoods today with my friend Joeline and over a muesli bar we talked about life. I actually felt re-energized and centred afterwards. I'm in grad school because I want to become a translator and since that's what I came here to do, that's what I've got to do. Class was really interesting today. Just watching my lecturer get all excited about possibly the most boring translation area ever (legal translation) was fascinating. I'm going to be expected to specialize in something and become an expert. I really enjoy translating literature and texts to do with development- thanks to Will. If I actually do end up specializing in development then that means that I have a very handy source of information available at my breakfast table- Will.

He's got all of the answers to anything pertaining to the field of development. I sure do love a man with all of the answers, especially one who likes everything I cook. What he is studying is actually quite interesting and I support him 100% in whatever he chooses to do with it. I had forgotten that at the end of next semester I'm supposed to take an exam for NAATI (the National Australian Association for Translation and Interpretation) so that I can become a certified translator!

I'm doing a masters because I wanted to learn everything there is about the Spanish language and I want to join the Peace Corps because I want to change the world (no matter how small that change may be). Having to speak Spanish for 2.25 years while living in a country I've never lived in before will definately get me on my way to becoming a walking dictionary.

I'm back on track. I'm afraid I won't be mentioning my PhD dreams again until next semester- when I have to decide whether I will be doing a minor traslation project and a research project in translation or just a major translation. Choices, choices.

(Did I mention that I love tequila bottles with red hats?)

The Great Ocean Drive

This past weekend was jam-packed with activities. We finally did a bit of travelling. Our friend Keely is visiting and we decided on a whim that we would hire a car and drive on the Great Ocean Road to see the 12 Apostles -something that everyone must see before they die. The Great Ocean Road is dubbed one of the most breath-taking scenic drives in the world and they weren't lying. It did take my breath away. We did a 9-5 drive and it was just fantastic. We saw everything from vibrant green pastures to rain forrest to rock formations. Brilliant. Even though the view is amazing, the winding roads are enough to make even those with the sturdiest of stomachs, a bit queezy. I felt dizzy the whole way there. Even though it was raining when we arrived at the 12 Apostles, it was worth every second of it. It was so mystical and magical.

The last stop we took before driving straight to the Apostles was at Maites Rest at Otways National Park where they had this fabulous little boardwalk that took you into the rainforrest and through fern gullies. I wasn't as amazed by the rainforrest, but it was beautiful nonetheless. When I lived in Panama my house was right next to the jungle, so I've been there and done that. It was still pretty amazing being in a rainforrest in Australia. Australia is basically one of the most amazing countries I've lived in. I can't wait to do some more travelling around Australia when my parents come in December.

Australia is definately a country that should be visited before you die -or you haven't lived.

P+h+D Mode

I haven't yet come to terms about being half-way done with my masters and feeling like I haven't been able to accomplish what I wanted to do. That's mostly because the things I want to accomplish now were not the same things I wanted to accomplish when I arrive just 6 months ago. When I came to Australia my goal was to recieve a formal education in translation so that I could be a proper translator. My goals now are a someone muddled version of the original one. Who knew that the field was so multifaceted and interdisciplinary? Cetainly not me or I would have gotten a masters in linguistics.

I also wanted to get a higher degree in something that would allow me to purchase such luxuries for myself such as food and clothing, that my beloved Art degree would not. Unfortunately a degree in linguistics won't buy me luxuries either, unless somehow I can land a really fabulous job as a terminologist and create dictionaries for Webster and Oxford.

Who knows, I may be able to land a job in Latin America working for Sony Television doing their subitling. (sigh)