Break is almost here...

This past weekend was fun filled and then this week was blah, due to all the stuff due before break. Break starts tomorrow (August 21st) at 11 am when I finish with my tutorial for my Exercise and Health class! WOO HOO!!! Two weeks off and it's going to be epic I can just feel it.

Ok now to recount last weekend which was so much fun. Let see Friday was round 2 for operation friendship. The food was delicious again, and we had different courses this time. A few of the same things like the sweet potatoes and chicken, but we had quiche (they're big on quiche down here) this time along with yams. The yams here look like little red worms that get cooked up. Then the amount of desserts we had was quite an eye full. There was this thing called lolli cake, which is cookies crushed up and mixed with candy and then baked (?). Anyways it was delicious, and satisifying. We then moved onto the games, which consisted of Up Chicken Down Chicken (I love this game), round robin ping pong (which got dangerous at some points), and catchphrase. Over all it was a fun and delightful evening, and I can't wait til next month's meeting.





After Operation Friendship, Cole and I did a movie night which was good. We had cheese, crackers, and some wine (cause what's cheese and crackers without wine). We watched Top Gun and a Bee Movie cause Cole hadn't seen either one of them. Saturday was an early morning for I had to get up in order to go TRAMPING!!! It was my first tramping club trip and it was the Bush Ball. It was a disco themed party at a hut on Lake Daniels, but we weren't exactly on the lake. We had to cross the rivers like 10 times which would have been so much more enjoyable if the water wasn't like 32 degrees! The walk was pretty easy and it was really pretty. It sprinkled on and off on the way to the hut but not too bad. Once we got to the hut everyone immediately got into costume and started the dance party. We cooked dinner which consisted of instant mashed potatoes, which were extremely bland, but mixed with the curry veggies that were made it wasn't too bad. The dance party continued until about 3 am. Then things settled down and we got some sleep. At about 9 am someone decided that it was a good time to wake up and leave, so the first group left. Probably around 10 my group left and we decided to take the track around Lake Daniels, which was about an hour and half longer than the track we took in. It was completely worth it though! The lake was stunning! We continued along the track and reached the other side where there was a tiny pier and another hut. We took a break there for a bit and then continued on our way. Along the way we saw little waterfalls, and really cute footbridges, which seemed to be randomly placed but I'm sure they were carefully placed. After walking for about 2 hrs, I was getting antsy about going home. Finally we crossed the river and got to the vans to go home. We stopped by the pie (savory meat) shop but it was closed so we settled for some fish and chips at the local shop.

The final river we crossed in order to go home...



A tree with some warts...



Green winters...



Lake Daniels and the hut we hiked to...



Monday was pretty standard went to class, and then came back and started studying for my exam that was on Tuesday. Tuesday went to yoga at 7 am, came back studied some more, and then went and took my exam. It went well I probably could have used a little more studying time but I didn't blow it.

Yesterday, was a good day I went to class and then I came home and did some research for my essay due tomorrow, and then I cooked dinner for 10 people!!! It came out so well I was excited, and everyone enjoyed it, or at least they said they did! hahaha. I made regular and vegetarian sloppy joes, and hashbrown casserole (made with hashbrown patties). I did get asked to put up the receipe for the casserole, so that must be a good sign. Then I went to the tramping club meeting and had Chris's delicious cheesecake and Mary/Sarah's really good banana cake. I came home and did some research before Cole came over and hung out. We watched top gear, moon tv, and ali g. I'm not a big fan of ali g.

Thursday I got up to went to yoga, walked all the way to the rec center and realized I didn't have my card to get in. So I came home and went back to bed for like a half hour, then got up and got ready to go to class. I then had tea with Rebecca at our usual spot, Cafe 101. After that I came home and messed around on the internet, and then finished my essay for Friday. That night I had dinner at Erica's with the group, and then we're all went to see Psycho Shakespeare, because one of our friends is in it. It was really good and made me miss theater, I wish I had more time so that I could do theater. Anyways the play ended up being about this shrink who talks through the different scenes where Shakespeare characters go mad, but there was a twist! There's always a twist with Shakespeare, the psychologist was actually a patient in the intitution impersonating the doctor. My friend was actually the doctor! It was so good and interesting.

Friday was pretty relaxed I turned in my essay, and then went into town with Cole and bought some souvenirs. After that I came back and chilled out for a while, made dinner, and then went and hung out with Cole's friends for awhile. Then we came back and met up with the Toms, they then informed us of a formal party that we could go to, so we went there for a while. Then I came back and went to bed cause I had to get up to go to Dunedin. Which is the next post so keep reading.

Plans for break right now are up in the air. I'm pretty sure that there will be a trip to Dunedin sometime this weekend or week. Then second week is going to be a tramp in Abel Tasman, and a visit to Nelson. That's going to be the whole two weeks, it's crazy! After that things start to get somewhat crazy or maybe it's just the first week back will be.


I will try to keep this posted over the next two weeks but if not I will try to summarize everything when I can.

That's all for now. I will post my pictures on photobucket at some point.

<3

A Couple Weeks have gone by now...

Ok so I'm a slacker and haven't updated in a couple weeks. Well I can say that last week was pretty boring since I had an essay due last Friday. My first actual assignment as a New Zealand student! It was an essay on the signature whistles of bottlenose dolphins. They're pretty cool cause you can tell a dolphin's identity from them. Each dolphin modifies the whistle to themselves. Anyways I'll send you my essay if you really want to know more. I can honestly say that I can't remember what I did last week that is how boring it was. The weekend was pretty good.

Saturday (Aug 1st) I went hiking at South shore, it was really pretty there. We ended up at the beach cause that's where the trail lead us (by us I mean Rachel, Chelsey, Amanda, and I). We ended up meeting up with Ben Reidie and headed to the New Brighton Pier where we hung out for a while and watched the crazy Kiwi surfers try to catch some waves. But the waves weren't big enough to really surf on, and the water has to be freezing at this time of year. Actually I know for a fact that the water is freezing because I collected some shells from the beach and cleaned the off in the estuary that we were at. We saw some black and white birds at the estuary, we thought they were peguins but sadly they turned out to be petrals, a native New Zealand bird. In my frustration, I decided to chase after them and scare them off. At the pier we decided to get some ice cream, and found a local store that sold two scoop cones for $2 NZD which isn't bad at all. I had Jaffa flavor which was orange sherbert and chocolate mixed together kind of like dreamiscle but with chocolate instead. Saturday night was pretty chill, a bunch of us went for fish and chips! It was ok but I think I'll stick to Captain Ben's fries, unless Riccarton Fish Supply has better fish and chips altogether. We shall have to explore that option. Saturday night I hung out at flat 80 with a bunch of people and we had a good time. It started as a quiet night with friends and then turned into a party! Ha isn't that how it always is.

Sunday has somehow become a lazy day where I only do homework and nothing else. It kind of sucks cause I really like going out and exploring, especially since this country is beautiful. I finished my lab report for Monday, and then Sunday night I went and watched the Fifth Element with a group. It was good, and Bruce Willis was his typical self in the movie, what else can really be expected.

Monday through Friday was pretty boring as previously stated because I was doing research for my essay and then writing my essay. Although on Tuesday I did get to dissect a pigeon in lab. That was pretty cool! Birds have a weird internal layout but it makes sense for when they're flying. I did get to see a female pigeon that was full of eggs. The rest of the week was boring and long. I finished my essay and handed it in and then I went shopping on Friday with Rachel. We had an adventure of finding a swim suit considering it's still winter here but it's not like back in the states where the middle of winter hits and all the spring/summer stuff comes out. I found one but it cost me a pretty penny. Friday night I watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail with Ben who fell asleep at the end of the movie. I then had some homemade cookies. I forget what they were called, but you could taste how much butter was in them. I also booked my flight to Wellington for September when I go to the All Blacks game (Rugby).

Saturday I went to Hanmer Springs again. But this time it included a hike up to a scenic point. It was really pretty. The hike was about 20 minutes and it was weird cause I ended up in just a T-shirt that the top and I wasn't cold at all. I couldn't believe that it was the middle of winter and I was standing in a t-shirt. I took some pretty pictures, and I wish I could figure out how to get my panoramic pictures to combine in my PC but I haven't, so you'll just have to flip through them. After our hike we spent about two hours in the thermal pools and it was so relaxing. Before we went to the pools we went and had burgers at a local joint. It was so good! Mine had pineapple on it, next time I'm gonna try a Kiwi burger. This thing has so much on it, I don't know how I'm going to eat. Saturday night Gemma and I split a pizza and garlic bread from the pizza place in Ilam, cause they were having a special. It was good but a little small for two people and we got the large. After that we sat around Gemma's flat for a bit and played some games then we went out to town. I had a red russian for the first time, but I didn't like it cause when I looked at the receipe for it, the menu left out the coffee aspect of it. There was too much coffee for me, so I was disappointed. We ended up at Boogie Nights again, and it was a lot of fun! I just need to learn how to swing dance or something and then I'll be set.

Side story from Boogie Nights: One of the bar maids was serving this guy and two girls, and the guy was gonna pay her with a 50 but she either didn't have change for it or didn't want to give him that much change; so she was gonna make him pay in coins. Well he was taking too long to get the correct change, and so in her impatience she threw one of the drinks at the crowd in front of the bar. One of the girls didn't like this so she threw the beer that she was paying for back at the bar maid. Next thing I knew the two girls were running off and security was hustling the guy out the door. I thought for sure that they were gonna break his arms off for the way they were carrying him. Anyways I guess everything got straightened out or something but we left right after that so I really don't know.

Sunday was a good day. I spent the morning hanging out with Cole and making grilled cheese. After he left, I took a nap but I was still tired since I had only got 3 hours of sleep Saturday night (Cole and I watched Edward Scissor Hands). I wrote up my lab report and had dinner. I then went over to Gemma's to hang out and do some laundry. I went to bed after that.

Monday I went to get my YHA membership card, so I can stay in the hostels around New Zealand and Australia for a cheaper rate. After that I went to class and lab. In lab I worked out my left bicep for a bit cause we were doing a lab on EMG. EMG measures how much electricity your body puts out when it is contracting and relaxing. I had to do 3 bicep curls with 5kg (which is like 11 lbs.) it wasn't so bad the first couple times I did it but about the 5th or 6th time they made me do it, I was struggling. After that we did some testing on grip strength and muscle fatigue. It was an interesting lab. Tom bought the tickets for the All Blacks game, so I'm officially going to that =D.

Tuesday was ok, had class all day along with a lab. In lab, I got to look at all kinds of birds and learn about the different characteristics and features and adaptations of each one. Then last night I had planned on going to Quiz Night at the Foundry but I went and saw Coraline in 3D instead. It was good but a very creepy movie. I think the 3D aspect helped in that department. I was scared more in this movie than I have in a scary movie lately. After that I came home and went to bed.

Today was the same old thing but someone decided to turn winter back on. It had been nice lately and then today it was cold and cloudy. I hung out with Anita all day and then went to the library to find the research I need for my essay due next Friday. It's crazy break is in 2 weeks. I am not going to Fiji, instead I'm going to be doing a road trip tour of the South Island. It should be fun we're going to drive south then west and then north and end up in Nelson where some friends live, and spend the last week of break with them. It'll be a good time. I'm also probably going to Australia with Erica in November for a bit since she has free stay there. The family is definitely coming down at the end of November so that is exciting!!! They just have to figure out what they want to do when they get here.

Plans for the rest of the week: Costume shopping and playing poker tomorrow night, Operation friendship round 2 on Friday along with movie night. Saturday and Sunday is Bush Ball with the Tramping Club, it's disco themed so it should be a good time.


This was someone's mailbox...


The beach was littered with shells...


Puppy prints in the sand =D...



From left to right: Rachel, Chelsey and Amanda


Left to right: Ben, me, Rachel, Chelsey, and Amanda





This is George he was super friendly!


I really loved the fact that this boat was just sitting in the middle of the estuary.


More pictures to and from Hanmer Springs...







Ok so if you wanna see all of my pictures go to photobucket.com, search: ramgrl07 and then go to the album Kia Ora New Zealand.

I will try to update more often since I have been "yelled" at for not updating.