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Things are becoming more social, the hills are getting "easier" and I'm getting to know Wellington and area better. So life's good. I've been at a standstill for work since Tuesday, so I decided to take the free time to explore. First I took the bus to the suburb of Kilbirnie and bought myself two pairs of jeans--one short, one long--and discovered that I'm down a pant size! My new "exercise regime" seems to be paying off. There I did a huge grocery shop at a cheap store and unfortunately didn't get off the bus at the right location on the way home, so ended up having to climb a giant hill, loaded down with all the groceries. That was the day's low point.
I also went out to another suburb called Seatoun, which seems to be quite beachy and also where the rich folk live. I think Peter Jackson of LOTR fame lives there actually. It was a bit "cold" that day (but thankfully not ice covered) so I didn't swim. Just had a chai latte in a local cafe and read my book.
Yesterday I took the train to Paraparaumu because the name is so fun to say. The hour train ride was great, and the best part was that I could finally frame Wellington in my mind. (I just flew in here and have no idea what the outskirts look like...doesn't feel right.) I went in the water for a whole hour. Ohhhhh, I love being in water.
I finally made some friends of my own outside of the flatmates. The flatmates are great to hang out with too, but I definitely can't rely on them for a social life. Plus that is total oversaturation (especially Caleb, who's office is also around the corner from mine). I've been hanging out with Graham and Jeanette, the couple that I met at the concert (the night I ran into Nicky Chan), and with Wendy, a woman doing her Masters in the department. Today I even merged the two "groups". The four of us went to a Pacifika festival. It was just like the Multicultural Festival in Halifax (except free!), but they just showcased the Pacific Islands (there is a huge Pacific Island population here). The best part was the half watermelon with a mound of chocolate and vanilla ice cream inside. Mmmm. And the drummers from the Cook Islands.
Speaking of drumming, I've decided that Sunday is my new favourite day. First I go to the veggie market (10 min walk from home) which has SUPER cheap veggies, then I head off to my new Brazilian drum class (which I LOVE). I discovered it through the Brazilian professor in the department, who also plays drums. Then off to a free concert in the evening (unfortunately, tomorrow is the last day of this). I will sadly not be going to the market tomorrow, but no need to pity me. It's because I'm off to Brisbane, Australia on Tuesday! I'm going to see Ani on Wednesday. I am SO EXCITED. I'll be back on Sunday and will start a more steady research job on Monday.
It's almost hard to believe I've only been here for two months, but at the same time I cannot believe it has already been two months. How the hell does time run away like that? Probably with all this stuff I'm doing?
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