Monday 2 March 2015

Day 61 2015: Look, I don't like a cliche, but...

Day 61: ...some days, that's just the way it goes.

So yes, as predicted yesterday, an early start today for the first class. I woke to the kookaburras and their 4.12am call, handier than an alarm clock really. With an early class, I like to make sure I leave time for unforeseen issues on the highway for example, or being the first day, getting in in time to ensure all the new technology is working. 

It is always an interesting day, the first day of semester. The second-year students are relieved they are no longer first-years, the first-years have that look of anticipation and excitement about 'proper' classes, and a touch of disappointment that all the fun and games on display during Orientation Week last week, aren't actually part of the every day experience...it's time to knuckle down. 

So of course, dear reader, it would be very easy to grab the nearest fauna on campus and make cooing parenthood comparisons between lecturers and their new students with the mother swamphens and their hatchlings...

Keeping your eye out

...so I have. Early this morning, mother swamphen was herding her bubs around, being careful they weren't attacked by the weird human (aka camera-wielding lecturer). 

Kanga, on the other hand, took it all in her stride, been here before, know what it is about, no worries, just keep on keeping on...(aka the second-year student).

Chillax
Then, returning to the car park in the afternoon, it seemed like mother swamphen was still concerned at the end of the day (as a lecturer would be)...

Proceed with caution little ones...
...but the kids had started to make their own way...

Yee-haa, day one done. Yippee, we're off and running!
They'll be OK. And what was the lesson for today: beware of cliches and stereotypes in our study of Japan...hehehe. It'll be OK.



[Camera : Canon EOS 60D, 28-80mm, 7.26am, 7.27pm; 4.50pm, 4.51pm]