Well what a weekend it was. Penn State hosted Notre Dame and the place just went nuts. On Friday we went to the pep rally and it was like a sauna filled with screaming Americans. The coach and team came out after a few songs and then that was about all that had to offer. Having been to two of them now I think I've seen enough. I get it. You're excited and American. I often wonder if my University would have so many activities if our drinking age was so high. No doubt we'd spend the free time trying to get the age back to 18, so that's a lost cause.

After the pep rally I met up with Australians and we headed to a small private birthday party for someone I did not know. It turned out to be pretty good and the people were nice. I suspect I'll see them again in time.

The night pretty much ended with me frustrated that no bar I could find would cover such an early All Black game. Which didn't matter because I couldn't drag my self out of bed for that kick off, rising 3 hours later to read good news.

The Saturday was insane. It was like a massive festival in town, people, music, queues into the Sharkies (beer store - can't buy beer and spirits together in PA) that were close to amusement park standards. I think the problem was compounded by the fact you could really only buy a dozen at a time. Yay America.

If I thought town was insane the stadium was a real eye opener. Parked all around the stadium was a mass of caravans, rv's and big utes/pick ups. Barbecues and open containers as far as the eye can see. Remember kids, football weekend is the only time you're allowed open containers in public. I've been pulled over for it once and they were cool about it because I'm a crazy foreigner of age. But yeah, they normally enforce that rule hard.

Armed with my hiking pack filled with beer I eventually settled in and found out where we were tailgating we mucked around, painted some faces, drank ate, then moved on to another one. Which after losing a game of beer pong reigned supreme for about three rounds, which then led to us finding coverage of the game. PSU won.

Sunday happened. Got supplies for squirrel fishing (line, sinkers and peanuts. I love Walmart)

Then today (Monday) gave blood, nuff said.

Well I've landed, got student ID today which is a step up from yesterdays failed attempt. It has a rather dashing photo with me having a browner face from the summer heat. Very nice. I've Done the sign in, they want immunization records if anyone has them.....yeah, that's you Mum. My list of things to do is scattered around, but I'm sure laundry is on there. I'm wearing my last pair of clean underwear - In case you wonder why this is relevant - The PSU ID does everything. Its like the key to the city, it powers washing machines, feeds you, my new bank account is on there so I'm also able to use it at ATMS. So yesterday, no ID, no laundry = panic.

I'm settled in temporary housing at the moment with an English guy called Daniel. I kind of lost him today as I walked to Walmart as I missed the 3pm tour there. Never again will I walk there. I got there after guessing where it is (required a 180 degree turn in the end) and walking for over an hour. After getting there and playing NBA 08, guitar hero and walking round cluelessly at this 24/7 mega store, I ran into some lady helping English guys with sheets, I jump in line and this random is helping me pick out sheets and covers and telling me what sizes I can get, Motherly things I guess. Next thing I know they offer me a ride home. That's awesome cause I had a few things, but would of bussed it. So they tell me that they just want to check into their hotel on the way. and they invite me to come along to dinner. I agree as I had nothing really planned and we end up spending a lot of time eating dinner, they have there son come down who is a teacher/PhD student and it was a really good time. They even paid for my meal and dropped me outside the hall. Really nice people they were.

All and all I think people love New Zealanders here.

Well for starters my camera arrived. It came in delievered by Andrew which was a quick goodbye as he headed back to work. Shortly afterwards I would be waiting in the heat for Travis after walking a few blocks to make the last big of navagating easier. Then it was a case of kicking back in the park with me, new camera and the luggage.

He took me to his parents house and we went out on the trail on his parents mountain bikes. I was naffed. I guess I'm really unfit, but I think dehydration played a big part as my only refreashments for the day was a Corrs Light and a Root beer. We ordered a deep dish Chicago pizza, so yes I did get that before I left which I'm really glad I got to do, as well as see Travis, however brief it would be. On the way home with the pizza we stopped off at a liqour store and when I presented my passport the guy lost his shit and was saying I'm the most foreign person who came in today. I don't know what he meant by today as his reaction was astonishment, if this happenes every third day I don't really know what to say.

After eating the pizza, which was the best thing ever in case you are wondering, we went to a bar and got some pitchers of Miller Light. Well I'm told it was Miller Light, it tasted like dishwater meetes urine to me. Seeing as he was driving I had to drink the lions share of that nasty beverage and off we headed back to his house to play pinball, pool and old sega sports games such as Madden 95 and NHL 95. Good times. He won Madden I won NHL.

Of course this was all part of the devious nature that is Travis. For he had a bad flight from New York to Chicago, so by trying to get me drunk and stay up late for my 6am wakeup call, I was meant to have a miserable flight too. Yes, he's a tricky one. Of course the flight was fine, I did win the special prize of being selected for extra screening. I was stunned, I expected to have to undress in the name of national security. No, not quite, it was more just a pat down like you get when going into a concert or something. No major. The flight went fine, I wanted to sleep but resisted and it was only the connecting flight that sucked as the air conditioning sounded as loud as a plane window being open. And once I landed, here I was at University Park, PA.