Let's get high.

Time has never passed so fast in my life and it’s indeed kinda frightening. All the shopping sprees are more or less completed, and i cannot recall anything else that i need to bring over. Currently, i’m just slowly starting to pack my stuff, like getting all the chargers ready and in place, recovery cd must be there, stationary to be in the pencil case etc.

The accommodation problem was only settled last night due to loads of miscommunication with the University itself, apparently they can take quite some time to reply, and their reply ain’t very constructive and helpful all the time. Hence i’ve learnt something from this experience, if you want something to be done in your own preferences/way, just do it yourself and trust no body (they tend to be disappointing most of the time).

I’m going to be stuck at Highgate Lodge for all the way i guess, some kind of bond i must fulfil in order to get a room there.

Dear Cai

When you arrive during September, it is the wrong time of the year to get the best accommodation, because the majority of students arrive in Feb for semester 1 and early July for semester 2.

My Bradford Lodge hostel ($155 per week) is fully occupied until the end of the year.

My second hostel, called Highgate Lodge has just a few rooms still available.  The rent is $130 per week should you stay for the duration of six months, until your course finishes.  If you come in, and should you vacate earlier than the six months, then the rental rate is higher.  I can only determine what that rental rate will be should this happen.  Therefore, if you accept my offer of accommodation, then you must pledge the period of stay it is required for.  In your reply, please do this.

Please refer below the answers to your questions, in relation to Highgate Lodge:

Criteria

• Shared room/Adjoining room
  ANSWER: THERE ARE NO SHARE ROOMS OR ADJOINING ROOMS AT PRESENT.  IN HIGHGATE LODGE.  AVAILABLE ROOMS ARE SINGLE.
• Preferably private toilets
  ANSWER: NO ROOMS AVAILABLE AT PRESENT WITH PRIVATE TOILETS.
• Comes with all the basic necessities e.g. air condition/bed/table etc
  ANSWER;  YES, ALL ROOMS HAVE THESE, INCLUDING A PRIVATE FRIDGE.
• Preferably provides weekday meals
  ANSWER: NO MEALS AVAILABLE AT HIGHGATE LODGE.  THERE ARE COMMUNAL KITCHENS FOR RESIDENTS TO DO THEIR COOKING.
• Comes with unlimited broadband internet access
  ANSWER: WE PROVIDE INTERNET FREE, BUT LIMITED TO 1.5 GIGS PER MONTH.  IF YOU ARE A BIG USER, REQUIRING UNLIMITED, THEN YOU HAVE TO GET YOUR OWN CONNECTION.
• Laundry area
  ANSWER: THERE AR COIN OPERATE LAUNDRIES.  COST IS $2 PER WASH.
• Must be near the school
  ANSWER: WE ARE LOCATED AT BUS STOP IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS AND IT TAKES AROUND 15 MINUTES TO GET TO THE CITY CENTRE.  IF YOU WANT ACCOMMODATION CLOSER, SAY IN THE CITY PRECINCT, YOU WILL BE PAYING MORE.  YOU WILL HAVE TO FIND THESE OUT YOURSELF BUT, REMEMBER, IF YOU HAVE PLOEDGED TO STAY WITH US FOR THE SIX MONTHS, THEN YOU SHOULD NOT BE MOVING OUT.

Questions

• Pricing for around 6 months, in terms of total price a week.
  ANSWER: FOR HIGHGATE LODGE, AS STATED ABOVE.
• Mode of payment (Does the hostel accept credit cards or purely cash?)
  ANSWER: BOTH – YOUR CHOICE.  IF IT IS CREDIT, THEN THE BANK SUR CHARGES A FEE OF 2.244%
• Will the internet be capable of skype/msn and how fast is the speed?
  ANSWER; ALL I KNOW IS, YES – OTHER RESIDENTS DO THEWSE.
• If the internet is not unlimited, how much will it cost for a month of usage?
  ANSWER; WE CAN’T SELL MORE AS WE ARE NOT ISP’S.  YOU HAVE TO ARRANGE YOUR OWN PRIVATE SERVICE.
• How far is the hostel from the school in terms of distance. We are thinking if transportation fee will be required, or walking will be possible?
  ANSWER: TOO FAR TO WALK. TAKE BUS.  I THINK FARES ARE AROUND $2.20 IF YOU DON’T HAVE A STUDENT CONCESSION CARD, ISSUED BY THE UNI.  WITH CONCESSION IT IS AROUND HALF PRICE.
• If transportation is needed for traveling to the University of Adelaide, how much will it cost for a round trip?
  ANSWER: AS ABOVE
• If meals are not provided, how much will a basic meal cost at the canteen?
  ANSWER: MEALS NOT PROVIDED.  YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR COOKING.
• Is there any advance deposit required? If so, how much must we be pay in advance?
  ANSWER: THERE IS NO TIME FOR YOU TO PAY THE ADVANCE DEPOSIT AS YOU AREE ARRIVING ON 7/9, AND TODAY IS 3/9.  IF YOU CONFIRM YOU WILL ACCEPT THE TERMS OF BOOKING, THEN PAY IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL – THE FIRST TWO WEEKS RENT = $260 AND REFUNDABLE ROOM SECURITY BOND, ALSO $260.

PLEASE ADVISE QUICKLY, AS TIME IS SHORT.  IF YOU WISH TO PROCEED WITH THE BOOKING.  IF SO, THEN EACH PERSON IS TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FORM FOR HIGHGATE LODGE, WHICH YOU WILL FIND IN MY WEB SITE, www.aiv.com.au

I have no idea why they must reply all in caps, signs of racism (screw chinese)?

Just for the hostel/travel/laundry/food, i’m going to spend $9600 SGD already, not taking into account if i need to travel or buy anything. In conclusion, going to Australia can be quite hurtful to the wallet, i mean my daddy’s wallet. Oh well, but i’m going to lead a rather budget lifestyle there so as to be a good boy. Talking to my friends in China ain’t helpful in any sort of way, their hotel room cost $10 a day, and a meal cost less than $1 (A meal in Australia cost around $8 AUD), yes and jealousy is going to kill the cat.

I’m going off to eat lunch now, and soon i’ll be packing my stuff before heading out again to meet up my Sydney the busy man.

P.S Just so you know, the date with you was greattt.