Dear Aragog

My last post seems to have created curiosity regarding the life and times of spiders here. It is currently Winter here so the spiders I have encountered are quite limited in number, however, when I was here last summer, they were in no shortage. A few facts about the pictured spider:

1. Yes, that is a real spider.

2. Yes, it really is that huge (comparative to a fully stretched adult hand.)

3. It is called a huntsman spider

4. Yes, they are quite fast.

5. I think they are nocturnal.

6. They do not die easily.

7. Yes, I am terrified of spiders

8. No, they are not poisonous.

9. James says they are aggressive.

Last winter on my visit (summer here,) at least one of these pictured spiders would venture into James' house through an open window or door during the evening/night time hours. They are too large and fast to just smash with a fly swatter or shoe. So, James would use the following technique to kill them:

Step 1-Spray them with spider spray, until they are moving slow from the chemicals (these spiders do not die from spider spray they are too big.)

Step 2-This option has two possible alternatives depending on the size and resistance to the spray. 1 if spray is actually slowing spider, he would finally smack it with a shoe. 2 if spider is not slowing from spray he would light the aerosol stream on fire to create a spider torch and torch them so they would finally die.

Step 3-Dispose of spider body, usually required dust pan and broom, a kleenex is no match for these creatures.

(All the while I would be hiding on the couch having a mini panic attack, so James' usually had to complete step 4, which was to assure me that the spider was gone and make me calm down as it was just a spider.)

Therefore, I am writing this letter to Aragog, king of the spiders from the Forbidden Forest.

Dear Aragog,

Please grant me protection and immunity from your spider friends. Please, do not let them wander through my open windows. Please, save me the panic attacks of having to follow steps 1-3. In return for this favour I can assure you that no spiders will be smooshed or torched within homes, as they should not be there in the first place. Please, tell your spider friends to mind to their bushes and we will mind to our houses. This agreement will be mutually beneficial. As you can see if your spiders do not wander into my home, I will not have panic attacks and nightmares, and they will be spared a fiery death.

Sincerely,

Lacey Scared of Spiders.

Life at Hogwarts

While many of you might have been under the impression that I have gone to school in Australia at the University of Sydney, I must confess that I have actually escaped to Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.Hogwarts has definitely been exaggerated in the movies, there is no whomping willow, invisible horse carriages, and most unfortunate of all there is no sorting hat. I have been forced to decide my path of study for myself. However, Hogwarts that is cleverly disguised as The University of Sydney does still look just as beautiful as you can see above. Also, the halls of these great building are filled with oil painting of old head masters and beautiful stained glass. I have only been able to capture them still, but I am determined to capture them in motion soon.

Also, much like the forbidden forest surrounding Hogwarts there are many large spiders that frolic about.

I hope that I don't encounter any of these such spiders falling from trees when I am walking back from my classes late in the evening. I do think I may have to become friends with Aragog in return for protection from them.

As my final piece of proof that I am indeed at Hogwarts, not Sydney Uni: everyone dresses in black. It seems a bit taboo to wear anything with color. I think this is just a wizard code of sorts that everyone wears black civilian clothing in order to fit in, yet not alarm the muggles.

I do hope that I get a broomstick flying lesson soon. Well I best be off to Potions, Snape gives the nastiest of looks to those who are late.

A New Day, A New Hemisphere, A New Medium

Have I mentioned that I am writing from the future recently? Well, I probably have, but it still never ceases to amaze me. Let me tell you that tomorrow is a beautiful day full of sunshine and happiness.

I have started this blog as a general forum for everyone to follow the wacky adventures and view of life by me while being in the Southern Hemisphere. Yes, Lindsay, supposedly the water drains the other way here. The moral of the story is that I will try to frequently put up posts and pictures of my life and view of things in Australia as they happen. This will be in addition to the Skyping and emailing, so don't fret individual attention shall not be lost.

I am about to start my second week of school and today I will be going to my Computers as Culture course. I think this course is quite fitting to me, my generation, and the future of my career so I look forward to heading off and learning more.

Well I must go to my class. I hope you are having a wonderful yesterday, and I know you will enjoy tomorrow, (I should know I am already here.)

The Genie

Now that everyone is aware that I am in the future, I have had many requests for predictions. Lindsay wanted to know who won the Bachelor, and Greg wanted to know what the winning lotto numbers were. While I myself would also like to know these things I must clarify that I much like the Genie in Aladdin have restricted powers. He could not produce love, bring back the dead, or grant more wishes. I must admit that my powers are more limited than his, but let us focus on the positive. 1. I am in the future, I mean honestly, how many people do you know in the future. ... OK, so fine fine, there is only one positive and therefore, only one power. But I still think it is quite a unique power. I will be happy any day to tell you how lovely tomorrow is :)