Getting Down to Business

Before I tell you all about the first few days of classes, let me first tell you about my weekend!

Friday night as I said before was the rugby game. Rugby is amazing, I like it so much more than Football because it is a lot more fast paced.  In football they stop every time someone is tackled and "reset" so to speak. In rugby they just keep going tackle after tackle until there is a foul played.  I somewhat understand the game, but I have a lot more learning to do. Unfortunately the Highlanders lost on Friday, but it was still such a fun game and an interesting atmosphere to experience.  There were so many people dressed up in costumes! I saw chickens, Mario and Luigi, and a unicorn.  And in place of cheerleaders they had people dressed in full-body blue spandex, which is about 100X better!  After the Rugby game Janessa, Juan, Kelley and I went over to Theresa's flat to hang out and dance like fools! Janessa, Juan and I were really tired so we called it a night fairly early. Plus, I had to be ready for my surfing lesson in the morning!

So yes Saturday was Surfing day!! For the 11am lesson we (Arcadianz) had to be at the bus stop at 10:15am, but the bus didn't come until 10:50. So we were a little late for the lesson at St. Clair.  To start off, the wet suits are great for keeping out the cold water, but not so much for comfort.  We had to walk a ways down the beach before the lesson, so my arms got a little sore from carrying the board.  But aside from that surfing was amazing! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Of course my balance isn't the best so I never stood up, but I got fairly good at catching the waves, and even got up onto my knees a few times.  I did take out a few people once, oops! Surfing is exhausting, however, and I needed a little help carrying my board back after the lesson :). When we got back from St. Clair I bought a small pillow that I had my eye on for a couple weeks and then we went to try and get lunch from the international food festival, but that was over by the time we got there. So I went back to my flat to get a late lunch and a well deserved shower and short nap.  Then in the afternoon, we decided to hike up to the top of signal hill.  Signal Hill was an amazing view once we got to the top, which after surfing, was a little harder than I would have liked.  But it was so worth it! Here are some pictures from the hike.

We all then started to watch the last Lord of the Rings movie, but we only got about 1/3 of the way through because we all were so tired!

Sunday was a slow start, but once I finally got up the flatmates and I did a little cleaning.  In the morning I got a text message saying that a spot opened up for the beginner archery class! So I went over to the Link (in the main Library building) and signed up for classes costing $30, which are Friday nights.  Then I went over to K-mart for last minute school supplies such as folders and notebooks! Janessa and I then walked around campus for a little to find the lecture halls our classes would be in. It was a little difficult because a lot of the buildings are closed on Sundays (apart from the Libraries).  After dinner that night we finished watching Return of the King and I got ready for classes the next morning.

Monday classes started out with Neurophysiology.  This lecture class is enormous! I think there is about 200 or more in this class! So much different than Denison and it is something that I am going to have to try and get used to. The girl I sat next to in Neurophys. was so intrigued that I was from America, it was interesting discussing with her some of the main differences between universities.  My Environmental History class was smaller than Neurophys, but still fairly large, but my Music in Western Culture class was more to what I am used to. I will not have my forth (aka 'fourth') paper, sensation and perception until Thursday. Aside from classes today the university had a sort of yard sale where many things that students have left behind were being sold. So I bought a full length mirror for $10. Then Monday night my friends and I went out to the bog, the Irish pup, for trivia night! Because who wants to do homework after the first day? The trivia was a lot of fun, but I didn't know a lot of the answers. Our team- It's Quizness Time- was tied for 10th out of 19 teams.

Tuesday also started with neurophysiology at 9am, so far the lectures have been review of the past classes students are required to take and I feel good knowing it already too (since they almost didn't let me into the class). I then had an hour break to spare before my music class, where I went to the Link and tried to get onto the internet, which failed. I had to go to IT later in the day.  Apparently you have to set up a new location in order to connect to the internet with the wi-fi.  Music class was a wee bit boring, as I am expecting it to be for the rest of the semester (dang art requirements!). I would usually then have the music tutorial for that class, but they don't start until next week.  So I went to the Library for a little and started to read an article for class.  That night my flat planned a complex BBQ in out backyard, because we haven't met everyone in the surrounding complexes. Everyone is so nice and we all talked for a while and then some of us went for a cheap, but absolutely delicious ice cream at Rob Roy Dairy.  

Only one lecture on Wednesday and it doesn't start until noon! Therefore, I slept until 9 and had a bit of a lazy morning.  The lecture I had was Environmental History of New Zealand, and the lecturer we currently have is a little confusing in the way he speaks and delivers the information.  My friend Alexis and I are in the same boat in thinking that, and had to ask him about how to find course material since it was not stated clearly in the first class.  After lecture I went to the Library again to purchase the course reader- a compilation of 'important' articles for the semester, which thankfully isn't too expensive.  In the afternoon my flatmate, Kelsey, Janessa and I went to the gym.  It felt good to be working out again. Then I went back to the flat for a shower and some work.  Then my kiwi host Pre and I watched the latest episodes of PLL, I'm so happy she is just as obsessed with the show as I am.  Oh and by the way my flatmate Ellie has mono....which is called glandular fever here. So here is to hoping that I didn't share a drink with her in the past few weeks!

Thursday: Pretty much the same as the other days of class. However in neurophysiology today for a 1min break during lecture, the professor played a clip from Chicken Run, it was pretty sweet.  I had my first Sensation and Perception class today which went really well! I think I am going to like that class! I went to the Library for a few hours before going back to the flat for dinner. But now it is time for a little more work and for my weekend adventure. 

Tomorrow is Friday and in the morning the Arcadianz are leaving for QUEENSTOWN!! I do have to miss the two lectures I have that day, but I feel like Queenstown is worth it.  On the trip itinerary we have a jet boat ride to some mines, a full day on the Routeburn Track (one of the Great Walks), a gondola ride up to overlook queens town and a luge ride back down.  Many people are then buggy jumping, but I will just be cheering them on! 

This is the latest safety video from Air New Zealand which was filmed on the Routeburn Track where we will be hiking!

Sorry this post is so long! 

Oh O-Week!

This week is Orientation Week or O-Week.  O-week is an interesting experience to say the least.  There are some fun events every night, but they cost money to attend so I have not gone to many.  However to the students the main point of o-week is to go out and drink, EVERY night.  To my mother who checks this blog constantly and other concerned family members, don't worry I have not been drunk.

First, let's recap the highlights of my last few days. Monday, I got up early to get my Otago Student ID, the line was super long and it took about 35 minutes. They really need to get a better registration system going for such a large university. The rest of Monday was pretty chill, and I went over to Janessa, Juan, and Kelley's flat to play some card games that night.

On Tuesday, the O-week event was sports day where the different colleges (aka dorms) and the uni-flats competed.  The sports present were soccer, touch rugby, netball, and volleyball.  Even though I didn't sign up for a sport ahead of time I was still able to grab a Uni-flats t-shirt and play a few games of volleyball, which we dominated!  Then tuesday night we met up with some of Kelley's friends from her school back in the USA and drove over to a place in Dunedin where we could see some glow worms.  Glow worms are awesome, though to some they may just be green glow-in-the-dark dots.

Wednesday was another early start.  We had an international information session with the university.  It was kind of boring for we learned a lot of what they said on the Arcadia orientation and everything else was common sense. After sitting in the lecture hall (which was massive) for 2 hours we went out to check the clubs day, which is like the involvement fair at Denison.  Unfortunately the archery club's beginner sessions were already full, but I am on a waiting list if anyone drops out.  I am going to sign up for the tramping club (hiking), however, and there is also a Relay or Life here so I hope to get a team together. After getting to see all the clubs there, Janessa, Kelley, a new friend Theresa, and I went shopping at thrift stores and K-mart.  I bought 2 cheap shirts, which will hopefully fit in my suitcase coming home for I am sure to accumulate many more things. I must be careful! Wednesday night Janessa, Juan, and I went for a walk around Dunedin so see what the night life was like without actually participating. There was talk, however, about possibly doing some karaoke.

Now on to Thursday.  There was a scenic train ride for the international students. It was very pretty, but I was a bit tired and dosed a little bit. They didn't let us off train at stops until we got to the end to turn around. I got some good pictures though! Later on Thurday, Juan, Janessa, and I went over to a BBQ at Sarah's (friend from arcadia) flat complex, which turned out to be a lot of fun.  After we were there for a while, Juan, Janessa, Sarah, Rory (my plane buddy from LA, Rotorua, and Wellington!), and I went to get a little ice cream from a delicious and cheap place nearby.

I pretended I was on the Hogwarts Express just a little bit. 

The Conductor said something about a Lord of the Rings Scene or was it from the Hobbit?

Today is Friday, and there are preliminary lectures for some papers at the university. I have one a 3pm today for my music paper.  So instead of syllabus day, some papers just start a day early. Later this afternoon there is a Rugby game for O-Week! I am super excited to attend my first rugby game as it is a huge part of New Zealand culture, I just hope I can follow along and understand the rules. The game is not the national team (so not the All Blacks) so it is the Highlanders (Dunedin's team!) vs. the Chiefs (from Hamilton on the North Island). It should be a fun night!

Tomorrow is my surfing lesson, so wish me luck!

Beaches Galore!!

Friday started early for it was time for course registration! The system they have in place here is so much more stressful than at Denison.  You need to wait in ridiculously long lines for each department you're taking a class in, even if you don't know if you get into the course (called papers here).  There was one small mishap while registering. I am taking an Environmental History paper and therefore went to wait in the Environmental Studies line (as the code is ENVI211) but after waiting 20min in that line I was informed that this paper was being approved by the History department. But on the bright side I was able to convince the Physiology department advisor to let me into Neurophysiology!!  The rest of friday was very relaxing.  My kiwi host Pre and I watched some Pretty Little Liars.

Saturday was flatmate bonding day.  We explored Tunnel Beach and Sandfly Bay and then had lunch at St. Clair and saw a surfing competition.  Tunnel beach was amazing, but I liked Sandfly bay a lot better because there were seals! The seals were just lounging on the beach, not caring we were there, and one was trying to cover itself in sand! We had to climb up a huge sand dune to get back to the car, but it was an adventure. Later at night we started to watch the extended versions of Lord of the Rings! We got through one and 1/2.  We did a LOTR drinking game, but half of us (including myself) used water or tea. I had to drink every time Gandalf was being the awesome wizard he is.

Sunday was a slow day, it took me a while to get out of bed. Once I did have breakfast and shower, Juan, Janessa, Kelley, and I caught a bus to the Otago Peninsula and spent a little time in Portobello.  Currently I am over in their flat, and we may continue the LOTR movies. We shall see!

So much Walking.

So after walking around Dunedin for a little while, we got on the bus and rode over to St.Clair beach.  It was very windy and a little cold that day, but it still felt great to take off my shoes and feel the sand between my toes.  The ocean is a little cold, but I feel like it might be a little warmer than the MA beaches. I am excited to have my surfing lesson there next weekend!

After the beach we took the bus back to the octagon (social center of Dunedin) and walked over to the train station. It is one of the older buildings in Dunedin. I have a scenic train ride from here as part of the international orientation next week.

After the train station we walked over to the Cadbury chocolate factory! We did not take a tour yet, but just browsed around the store. there was a 4 for $10 deal so each of us got one piece of chocolate. I got dark chocolate and peppermint. 

Today we started by going to pick up our course approval forms so we can finalize the papers we are taking.  Tomorrow morning we have to go to certain areas where the departments are to find the advisers of each subject to get approval.  Then after lunch we walked 1.5 miles to Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the WHOLE WORLD! And walked all the way up.  And then walked back to the city to gab an early dinner with some new friends from Juan's school.  We then walked to the botanical gardens again, this time I had my camera! After a while talking there we walked over to a friend's flat and then finally back over to our own flats.  It has been a great, but long couple of days.  Now we are going to have a rom com night with cadbury chocolate for Valentines day! 

Getting Down in Dunedin

Well....I AM FINALLY HERE. I'm in Dunedin. I've moved into my flat.  But it still doesn't feel real! Maybe classes will have to start before it sinks in that I am here for 5 months.  I moved in two days ago, Sunday, and I immediately meet Rasmus (I think that is how you spell it, from Sweden), and he was the only one living here at the moment. Later at night  Ellie (USA), moved in, who was on a different abroad program.  Then the next day Kelsey(USA) moved in. Everyone has been very nice so far.  I have yet to meet my kiwi hosts, but they should be here in a few days.  The flat is amazing, and my room is even better! My room is a pretty good size and has a double bed, and best of all......it has a little balcony!

Sunday night, I went to meet up with the group form Arcadia for dinner and a short tour of the city so we could find the mall and grocery store.  Some friends and I went to the store to get stuff for breakfast and also toiletries. I went over next door to my friend Janessa's flat (no one was home in mine) and talked a little and then I went to bed.

The next day, Monday, was full of walking and exploring.  Janessa and I left our flats at about 9:30am (I still wake up a little too early from jet lag) and headed out to do some errands, which wouldn't take as long if we knew where we were going. We never got lost per se, we always knew how to get back home, we just couldn't find the K-mart we were looking for. I think we know our way around a lot better now because of that. On monday afternoon Arcadia had an info session with the international office and then a tour of campus.  After that I went back to the flat and made my first dinner there. Pasta and broccoli with tomato sauce (so complicated, right?).  After dinner my flatmates all went out, so I went next door to Janessa's flat and met her 2 new flatmates, Juan and Kelley, who just arrived from America.  They seem very nice as well.

Then today, Tuesday, I got up a 7am to get ready for a meeting at the bank at 9am to set up an account.  The account didn't take very long to set up so Janessa and I went to find the post office to send off our 18+ card forms (so we don't need to carry around our passports). Finding the post office was a little difficult and we had to ask a friend from Arcadia who we saw on campus.  We went back to our flats for lunch and then Janessa, Juan, and Kelley and I went out to meet a friend from Arcadia, Colyer, and went to the Botanical Gardens and walked around there for a while. Then we went to a few stores and the Grocery store. I bought some things for dinner tonight  and well....it will be an experiment.

Tomorrow we are going to try to go to the St. Clair beach, if the weather is good enough (it was a little cold today 16C = 40s in F) and if we can figure out the bus system.

P.S. I have not been taking my camera around with me lately for I do not want to be that annoying tourist. But the Botanical Gardens are beautiful and close by so I'll be sure to bring my camera the next time I go.

Let the Adventures Begin: Arcadia Orientation

Kia Ora Everyone! Here is a recap of my first few days in New Zealand (or Aotearoa in the Maori language) on the Arcadia Oreintation.

The Flight to Auckland:

13 hours in the plane, I slept for 2 of them.  The flight wasn’t too bad however, as I was sitting next to two new friends from the same program and there were many movies and television shows to choose from.  I ended up watching Perks of Being a Wallflower, Pitch Perfect, and Brave, as well as a couple episodes of the Big Bang Theory.  We arrived at 7:30am and went on to customs.  Going through customs in New Zealand was not as difficult as I imagined and it went pretty smoothly for me.  However, New Zealand is very particular about things brought into the country, especially produce and a girl in the group forgot about an apple in her backpack and was detained for a short period of time, luckily for her she was not charged the $400 fine.

Day 1: Exploring Auckland

We all checked into the hotel around 9am and were able to shower and call home with our pre-paid cards. Of course a certain mother didn’t answer the phone(s), but I left a message and called again the next morning.  We then went on a walk through the city to a park and a shopping center where people could exchange money and buy some lunch.  After lunch we took a trip to the beach, it was nice and sunny and in the upper 70s! (I’m sure many people are envious of this) We hiked up a hill to get a beautiful view of the Auckland skyline and then went swimming in the ocean (much warmer then the beaches in MA). We went out for a pizza dinner and headed back to the hotel for SLEEP!!!! It was a little before 8pm when we got back to the rooms, I was so tired that I was feeling off balance.  I passed out in my room at 9pm and woke up at 4:30am, that nasty jet lag.  I was excited for another day.

Day 2: SHEEP, KIWI AND HOBBITS OH MY!

Day 2 begun with a journey to Rotorua with a few stops on the way.  The first stop was in Matamata, aka. HOBBITON!! Now unfortunately we did not travel into the actual Shire as it is in an obscure piece of farmland some distance from the town center.  We stopped here for some lunch.  I got a butter chicken meat pie. Meat pies are very common, very good, and very filling. YUM.  Then it was off to a farm show.  Before the show started we were able to go into the nursery.  There were baby sheep, bunnies, pigs, and even an alpaca! And yes, we were able to go and pet them.  Then, the show started and I never knew how many different kinds of sheep there were.  After the farm show we went to a place called Rainbow Springs where we could go and see some wild life.  After the Rainbow Springs (where we temporarily left a student, oops) we checked into the hotel where we would spend two nights.  We had a free night to explore Rotorua to get dinner, I went with a small group to go and buy the cheapest cell phone possible.  Later that night almost the entire group went to the hot springs (Polynesian Spa) to soak and become incredibly wrinkly.  We then called it a night at 11pm.  I am surprised that I am adjusting to the time fairly well.

P.S. All of Rotorua smells like sulfur, but you get used to it.

Day 3: Some Maori Culture

We explored many of the geological wonders of New Zealand today as well as zorbing and some Maori culture.  First was the boiling mud bath and the Lady Knox Geyser (where my camera died right before it erupted) and then we went on a tour through the geothermal wonderland (such a strong sulfur smell).  We went back to the hotel to get some lunch and change into our togs (aka bathing suits) and then went ZORBING! Best thing EVER. There is a zorbing place in Amesbury, MA so my friends at home better get ready for it this summer because we are going!  After zorbing we had to fill out some papers to get an ID card so we don’t have to carry our passports around when we want to go out to bars. And then it was off to the Maori village for a night filled with amazing culture.  I found the most interesting parts of the night were the demonstration of the Haka or war dance and also how they prepare food.  The Maori make their food in the ground, which is naturally heated and add coals to cook.  At dinner there were many options of food cooked in this manner: carrots, potatoes, fish, mussel, chicken and lamb.  And my mother would be pleased to hear that I tried lamb for the first time, it was good but I was not thrilled.  When we got back to the hotel I tried to organize my bag for tomorrow departure and then my friend/roommate for the late couple days, Janessa, went to looks at the stars at the lake across the hotel parking lot.  We then went to the lounge to learn a little rugby. GO ALL BLACKS!! Such a great day.

Tomorrow we are leaving for Dunedin, my home for the next 5 months! We are flying out of Rotorua to Wellington and then Wellington to Dunedin.  I am so excited to meet my flat mates tomorrow, but also a little scared.  They will all be international students from various countries, and I am hoping one will be from France so I can practice speaking French again.  I am also a little scared to start and cook for myself, and maybe even all my flat mates, but I should be fine.  Janessa is in the flat right next door so at least there is a friendly face close by.

Check Facebook soon for more pictures.