Monday was the kick off for classes. They aren't too bad lots and lots of biology but that's what I'm here for. I found out that I will be exercising in one of my labs in order to get hands on experience for the class and to understand everything better. So that means I have to go buy a bunch of workout clothes... ew. Haha I got my bank card on Monday also so that was good for me because I now have money, so on Tuesday I went and bought my first batch of groceries. It was very exciting because I now have my own food!!!
Tuesday was a pretty easy day, classes again but I also had a lab in Vertebrate Biology so I got to dissect a giant Barracouta. It is not the same as a Barracuda, which is found in tropical waters. The Barracouta is the New Zealand species. It was huge and ugly and scary looking, not to mention fresh - frozen so it reeked in the lab. The class size was about 20 - 24 people so just imagine the pleasant smell of 24 thawing barracoutas. Tuesday night was fun it was Quiz Night at the Foundry, which is the bar on campus. My team, the Misfits, came in fourth behind Heather's team who beat us by a half point, all because she got Meg Ryan as the actress in French Kiss. We also celebrated Cameron's birthday Tuesday night into Wednesday morning by playing a bunch of games that were very frustrating until the rules were explained to everyone. But it was a good time.
I only had one class on Wednesday so it was a pretty relaxing day. I had to get my book for my Art class. It was kind of nice cause the book is a collection of readings that the professors put together in one book along with the course outline and qualifications. So you don't have a bunch of books or papers everywhere, they're all in this book that you buy that's called the Reader. Then I had to go to orientation again. That sucked cause it was a repeat of the part I was at, but whatever. I also got my phone back on Wednesday I was super excited cause I can actually get in contact with people now. I have been told that I got the wrong company by a bunch of people but it was cheaper, so I don't care.
Yesterday I had class for most of the day, and Rebecca and I have started a new tradition of tea in between our 10 and noon classes since we have like an hour break in between. It's going to be a fun tradition to keep. After class I took a nice two hour nap that was much needed. I then put my bargain hunting skills to work and bought all my biology books for the price of one them. It's amazing how much the Universities gouge you for books and supplies. Last night we had a party, which was a good time. It started out slow but picked up and then kept moving from flat to flat. It eventually got broken up by the RA's cause people kept calling about noise level. The flat's a mess again but then again I do live with 3 guys, so I'll probably end up cleaning this weekend. One thing I did realize last night was that I keep meeting all these people that are first years and they all act way older than that. Normally, whereever I go I meet people who are older than me, but coming here it's been nothing but younger people it's completely throwing me off.
Today, Friday the 18th, I had one class this morning although it doesn't feel like I did. I went to class and then came back and slept for like 3 hours which was nice. Tonight I'm going to operation friendship. It's a program for International students to get to know Kiwi families and other students, and my friends. It should be a good time then maybe Harry Potter with Heather and some others. Tomorrow, Tom and I are going to the Williowbank Wildlife Reserve for a fun day learning about the Maroi. Then tomorrow night might be a night of clubbing, which will be a lot of fun. Not sure what's going on on Sunday yet but it might just be a relaxing day.
Tom and I are trying to get a group together to go to Wellington in September to see an All - Blacks game (Rugby). It should be a good time especially if we make a weekend out of it. Other adventures have to be deteremined still but shall be soon. I think I might join the tramping club and maybe some other club but I'm gonna need to get boots or have them sent to me.
I posted all my pictures on photobucket so you can go check those out.
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e111/ramgrl07/Kia%20Ora%20New%20Zealand/
Some more words to know:
Jandals - flip flops
Togs - beach wear
Skulling - Chugging
Tramping - hiking
Gone off - expire
Jug - pitcher
Pint - glass of beer
Mug - glass of beer
Oh I posted the wrong address on my email to those who got the email. The correct one is
This one is for letters:
Kaitlin Paker
Flat H66, Room 5
Ilam Apartments
P.O. Box 6362
Christchurch 8442
New Zealand
This one is for packages:
Kaitlin Paker
Flat H66, Room 5
Ilam Apartments
Homestead Lane
Christchurch 8442
New Zealand
Don't ask me why there are two I have no idea I'm sure if you use the first one it won't be a problem.
That's all for now I'll let you know how the weekend goes.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Crazy Days
So Friday was a good day. Tom, one of my flatmates, and I went into Christchurch and pretty much just lost ourselves down there. There was a really small but cute flea market going on. They had some of the usual stuff that we have at a flea market like jewelry but their is made out of bone. Each symbol has a different meaning and I think I'm going to get one the next time I go into town. Their deals were pretty good too, it's all cheaper than buying at the souvenir shops. Tom spent something like $60 NZD (like $40 USD) there and he got a free t-shirt it was funny, his reasoning on it was now he doesn't have to go Christmas shopping. Haha.
We walked around Cathedral Square and went into the church, which was gorgeous. We even climbed the tower, which consisted of 134 stairs most of them were a very small spiral staircase that was kind of scary. But we made it to the top and the last probably 20 steps were these pretty steep stairs that should have just been a couple of ladders. The view from the top was pretty you could see all of downtown. After that we went to Victoria Square where we saw a group punting down the river (it's called a gondola in Italy). It was funny cause one guy had no problem pushing the boat down the river and then there was this other guy who couldn't control the boat at all. We felt bad figured he was probably a new guy.
After that we went in search of the art museum and botanical gardens. We went the wrong way and ended up heading back to the bus depot instead of the gardens. But that was the point of our trip to get lost and see what we find. Well we ended up at the Gardens because we asked a couple of locals which way it was and they were very helpful and pointed us in the right direction. Once we got there we saw some amazing plants. I wish my camera hadn't died because some of these trees are so strange. We actually were inside of a tree! I believe it was a Cyprus tree but, the branches grew to the ground and completely encircled the trunk so it was like a hideaway inside. No one could see you inside it; it was really cool. We then went and searched for the rock garden but didn't end up finding it, but we did find the rose garden but nothing was in bloom since it's winter here, so I'll have to go back in November when it's spring and see if it's prettier then.
When we got back we met up with Heather, Fabian, Clinton, Rebecca, Erica, John, and some others that live in our block. They're amazing people and I've already have some friends. We partied and had a sing-a-long, which was really fun cause we were asking each other questions in song and then you had to answer back in song. The group then got split up cause some of us didn't know where the others went so Heather, Callum and I ended up at a house just across the road from our flats. We met some locals there but they were high schoolers. So not very much fun. I think I got in at like 3 that night. It was a good time.
Yesterday, (Saturday), I got up at 9 and went tramping! It was the first time and it was so difficult cause everything's almost vertical or extremely steep. It was worth it though the views were epic and they looked like they were painted at some points. The higher we got the more breath taking the views became. I still can't believe that I'm here it's incredible. After we finished climbing the mountain, we walked down to Sumner beach, which was probably a good hour, hour-and - half walk from the trail. But along the way we got to see parasailers. It made me want to go, and I think a bunch of us are going to.
Our group of people started out with 6 - 8 people and by the end of the day we had 12 and were calling ourselves the Bearcat tribe. Each one of us has a nickname and I'm black bear due to the fact that I have dark hair. I was skeptical at first but everyone says that Black bears are very cute, so I guess I'll stick with it.
After we got back part of the tribe made West African soup, which was good but really spicy not something I'm a huge fan of. We then began partying again and the group was bigger at the flat but then shrank when we headed for town. Heather, Fabian, Clinton, John, Cameron, Rebecca, and I went to Treehouse were they had karaoke and a mechanical bull. I do have to say watching drunk people try to ride a mechanical bull is pretty damn hilarious. Then we went to Fat Eddie's my favorite bar thus far. I could have stayed there all night if I hadn't been so exhausted from tramping and the night before that.
Today has been pretty chill, not much going on. I went to the mall to pick up my phone but it wasn't ready, which sucks cause I have no clock and no alarm clock and no way to contact anyone. But hopefully it'll be done tomorrow like they said. I think some of us are gonna go to see Bruno tonight, but we'll see how that pans out. Classes start tomorrow and it's exciting but then it's school. I have 3 classes tomorrow and they're all biology classes but that's what a majority of my classes are. So far I have met so many geologists and engineers. Both of the Brits that I hang out with are geologist and two of my flatmates are engineers. I have yet to meet another biologist but I guess that will have to wait til tomorrow.
That's all I have for this weekend.
We walked around Cathedral Square and went into the church, which was gorgeous. We even climbed the tower, which consisted of 134 stairs most of them were a very small spiral staircase that was kind of scary. But we made it to the top and the last probably 20 steps were these pretty steep stairs that should have just been a couple of ladders. The view from the top was pretty you could see all of downtown. After that we went to Victoria Square where we saw a group punting down the river (it's called a gondola in Italy). It was funny cause one guy had no problem pushing the boat down the river and then there was this other guy who couldn't control the boat at all. We felt bad figured he was probably a new guy.
After that we went in search of the art museum and botanical gardens. We went the wrong way and ended up heading back to the bus depot instead of the gardens. But that was the point of our trip to get lost and see what we find. Well we ended up at the Gardens because we asked a couple of locals which way it was and they were very helpful and pointed us in the right direction. Once we got there we saw some amazing plants. I wish my camera hadn't died because some of these trees are so strange. We actually were inside of a tree! I believe it was a Cyprus tree but, the branches grew to the ground and completely encircled the trunk so it was like a hideaway inside. No one could see you inside it; it was really cool. We then went and searched for the rock garden but didn't end up finding it, but we did find the rose garden but nothing was in bloom since it's winter here, so I'll have to go back in November when it's spring and see if it's prettier then.
When we got back we met up with Heather, Fabian, Clinton, Rebecca, Erica, John, and some others that live in our block. They're amazing people and I've already have some friends. We partied and had a sing-a-long, which was really fun cause we were asking each other questions in song and then you had to answer back in song. The group then got split up cause some of us didn't know where the others went so Heather, Callum and I ended up at a house just across the road from our flats. We met some locals there but they were high schoolers. So not very much fun. I think I got in at like 3 that night. It was a good time.
Yesterday, (Saturday), I got up at 9 and went tramping! It was the first time and it was so difficult cause everything's almost vertical or extremely steep. It was worth it though the views were epic and they looked like they were painted at some points. The higher we got the more breath taking the views became. I still can't believe that I'm here it's incredible. After we finished climbing the mountain, we walked down to Sumner beach, which was probably a good hour, hour-and - half walk from the trail. But along the way we got to see parasailers. It made me want to go, and I think a bunch of us are going to.
Our group of people started out with 6 - 8 people and by the end of the day we had 12 and were calling ourselves the Bearcat tribe. Each one of us has a nickname and I'm black bear due to the fact that I have dark hair. I was skeptical at first but everyone says that Black bears are very cute, so I guess I'll stick with it.
After we got back part of the tribe made West African soup, which was good but really spicy not something I'm a huge fan of. We then began partying again and the group was bigger at the flat but then shrank when we headed for town. Heather, Fabian, Clinton, John, Cameron, Rebecca, and I went to Treehouse were they had karaoke and a mechanical bull. I do have to say watching drunk people try to ride a mechanical bull is pretty damn hilarious. Then we went to Fat Eddie's my favorite bar thus far. I could have stayed there all night if I hadn't been so exhausted from tramping and the night before that.
Today has been pretty chill, not much going on. I went to the mall to pick up my phone but it wasn't ready, which sucks cause I have no clock and no alarm clock and no way to contact anyone. But hopefully it'll be done tomorrow like they said. I think some of us are gonna go to see Bruno tonight, but we'll see how that pans out. Classes start tomorrow and it's exciting but then it's school. I have 3 classes tomorrow and they're all biology classes but that's what a majority of my classes are. So far I have met so many geologists and engineers. Both of the Brits that I hang out with are geologist and two of my flatmates are engineers. I have yet to meet another biologist but I guess that will have to wait til tomorrow.
That's all I have for this weekend.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
First couple days.
So I arrived yesterday, July 8th at like 8:30 a.m. in Christchurch. It took about half hour to get through customs and then I waited for about 15 mins for the taxi to pick me up. The plane rides were tough but I slept through the long one (12 hours), so that help but I was still exhausted. I missed half of orientation yesterday but made the second half, which was ok but I have to go to the whole thing all over again next wednesday. I met 3 out of 4 of my flatmates and we hit it off right away which was nice. I live with 3 guys and 1 girl, the guys are from India, Swizterland, and New York and the girl is from New Zealand. So I get to live with at least one Kiwi! We had a party last night and I got to meet a bunch of people from all over, which was awesome. There were some Brits, a couple from Eastern Europe and other places.
The weather here feels more like fall into winter weather than complete winter weather. It's was sunny today but it was weird cause the sun always look like it was setting. Even in the morning it looks like it's setting instead of rising. I have the sunniest room in the flat which is nice cause it'll always be warm during the day.
I have a single room to myself which is nice. I have a closet with a bunch of shelves, a desk, a bed, and two bulletin boards, which hopefully will be full of pictures soon. The flat I live in has two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room.
Today I enrolled and it went smoothly I got all my classes so I have that to look forward to on Monday. I went and got a metro card (a bus card), a sim card for a New Zealand number, but it's not activated yet. I also went shopping and sort of figured out the bus system down here. It was a productive day for the most part. I'm still super tired even though I took an hour nap. I don't know if I'll go out tonight I might just call it an early night and get a good night's sleep. Who knows. Let's see what else can I tell you. I have become a pro at blowing fuses down here. The first time was yesterday when I tired to plug in my powerstrips. Bad idea! The whole flat lost power. Oops! And then this morning I plugged my blow dryer in and blew that up too. So I had to go buy a new one.
I'm pretty much set on going to Fiji for at least a week over Spring Break, even though it's just called break. I have two weeks off and I'm debating what to do with the other week, could go to Austraila, could go visit the soon to be newlyweds in Japan, who knows. Found out that the family's coming down the later part of November. That will be fun, and I should be knowledgable by then of the Islands and where to go.
That's all I have for now.
Some words to know
chilly bin - cooler
sweet as - no way?
Here's some pictures of my room.
The weather here feels more like fall into winter weather than complete winter weather. It's was sunny today but it was weird cause the sun always look like it was setting. Even in the morning it looks like it's setting instead of rising. I have the sunniest room in the flat which is nice cause it'll always be warm during the day.
I have a single room to myself which is nice. I have a closet with a bunch of shelves, a desk, a bed, and two bulletin boards, which hopefully will be full of pictures soon. The flat I live in has two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room.
Today I enrolled and it went smoothly I got all my classes so I have that to look forward to on Monday. I went and got a metro card (a bus card), a sim card for a New Zealand number, but it's not activated yet. I also went shopping and sort of figured out the bus system down here. It was a productive day for the most part. I'm still super tired even though I took an hour nap. I don't know if I'll go out tonight I might just call it an early night and get a good night's sleep. Who knows. Let's see what else can I tell you. I have become a pro at blowing fuses down here. The first time was yesterday when I tired to plug in my powerstrips. Bad idea! The whole flat lost power. Oops! And then this morning I plugged my blow dryer in and blew that up too. So I had to go buy a new one.
I'm pretty much set on going to Fiji for at least a week over Spring Break, even though it's just called break. I have two weeks off and I'm debating what to do with the other week, could go to Austraila, could go visit the soon to be newlyweds in Japan, who knows. Found out that the family's coming down the later part of November. That will be fun, and I should be knowledgable by then of the Islands and where to go.
That's all I have for now.
Some words to know
chilly bin - cooler
sweet as - no way?
Here's some pictures of my room.
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