My first week at big school ...

In some ways being a first-year student at MTC is a bit like the first week of primary/high school (depending on which bit of the week we're talking about). But, despite having those recurring feelings of being out-of-place, it's been a great week. (If you want a bit more detail then read on, if you're the "2 minute match hightlights" type of person skip to the bottom.) Here's what's been happening ...

Learning Greek - I'm finding that some things about learning Greek in a big class is better than learning on your own (e.g. pronunciation!). However, the chapters that I've covered in Mounce were all done last week! So, although I found it easy at the start I'm sure it'll get a bit more challenging in this coming week.

Eating - It seems that, as with all good Christian camps, life at MTC and MAC revolves around eating good food. Not that I'm complaining really. A typical day would include breaky, study, morning tea, more study, lunch, more study, arvo tea, more study, tea, more study! I've found it easy, though, to make healthy eating decisions and it's been a great way to meet people - especially the MAC girls and Chappo blokes when they come 'round for arvo tea.

Learning from the Bible - Each morning we've been hearing some reflections on a passage by one of the MTC faculty. In particular, we've been challenged that we're part of a fellowship at MTC with none more superior than another because each of us has been bought with Christ's blood. I think it would be easy in this context to claim superiority because of where we grew up, went to church, the job we had, who we know, our marks and even our ability to grasp Greek. It was good that John Woodhouse "put a word" to that early on - let's pray that we continue to remember it when we're thinking about exam marks!

Newtown life - I've been enjoying Newtown life since moving in as well - albeit a week ago! Despite having King Street (a major road) running right next to college, it's rather peaceful. The people who frequent Newtown aren't in a hurry to get anywhere so the pace is quite relaxed. The streets are lined with second-hand bookshops (have already visited one and purchased The Aeneid by Virgil), coffee shops, second-hand clothes shops and Thai restaurants (yum!). I've also discovered a tea shop that sells the most wonderful variety of teas that anyone could imagine - I'm planning on investing in some Chocolate Chip Chai one day.

Some brief lowlights ...

• Finding out that a lexicon (dictionary) that's recommended we buy costs $300.
• Missing friends from Brisbane.
• Realising that most of the work I've done from Mounce (Greek text book) has already been covered.
• Realising that Greek pronunciation is important (and that I should've listened to Chris and Anthony when they told me so!).

Some brief highlights ...

• Finding out that we don't actually have to buy the $300 lexicon!
• Having good chai at South (a coffee shop on King Street - where else would it be?)
• Seeing familiar faces (David, Gillian, Geoff & Jayne, Mark & Jo, Rach & Tony, Keith B, Linden & Emma, Russ & Joce) and getting to know people at college more.
• Playing in the band at our Orientation House-Party (i.e. camp) - the music rocked!
• Having a Greek New Testament of my very own - generously provided by the Bible Society - and finding out that a Hebrew Old Testament will shortly follow.
• Cinnamon gelato from Ice 'n' Slice (a gelato shop on King Street).
• Having my own student card and, therefore, having access (once again) to cheaper transport, movies, coffee etc.
• The food at MAC (in general) but having Harris Farm yoghurt with fresh fruit for dessert is a particular highlight.