Disappointment Down Under

Today and yesterday have been rather relaxing days compared to our usual busy schedule. Yesterday we went to Fluor Construction and had about a 2 hour presentation on the company and what projects they were working on. It was immediately apparent that this company was very successful as one of the project managers went on with the lecture telling about several of the multi-billion dollar jobs that were currently underway and in the planning stage. Their current job was dealing with a major client, Santos. They were drilling out in the western part of Queensland gathering coalseam gas which is an extremely efficient gas that has a minimal effect on the environment and minimal pollution effects after being burned. The entire presentation was extremely interesting and valuable as we also heard from a environmental engineer and expert. After a bit however, we were all getting antsy since the national championship game between LSU and Bama was going on at that time. Our plans to watch the game fell through however when we heard LSU had lost. I'm glad I am on the other side of the world for it so I don't have to listen to those Bama fans! We left Fluor and went to grab a bite to eat and went back to the apartments to relax for the rest of the night. I got a bit restless sitting around with no internet and absolutely nothing on t.v. so I decided to go on about a 4 mile run along the river walk that wove around with the Brisbane river for about 20 miles. The city at night was beautiful and surprisingly lots of people were out exercising. That seems to be the thing to do in Australia is to exercise. Today hasn't been much different. After having a false alarm meeting at 9 this morning, meaning we didn't do anything, Stuart and I went to the Brisbane State Library in town so we could use the free wi-fi. We are meeting back up with the group in about an hour or so to go look at the bridges around Brisbane and learn some about how they were designed and constructed, so it should be interesting. Then After that I believe we are going to satisfy a few of the girls needs at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary where they can hold a koala and get their pictures taken. Until next time. Cheers!