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I really should be doing some work but I feel like updating my blog is a main priority. So last weekend was pretty low key, Friday night I went to another rugby game (the Hurricanes, the team from Wellington, lost AGAIN) but luckily Lauren wore her lovely yellow and black shirt/wig to show our support. Her friend Joe from England was visiting and he made some AMAZING cheescake..funny because he is a personal trainer and the cake was definitely not non-fat. Saturday afternoon, I went bouldering with the tramping club and ended up doing a few top roping climbs (where you actually tie yourself in)- was good fun! Nice weather until the rain set it in the afternoon, but I really enjoyed the rush of climbing outside. Sat night, me, Martha, Shannon (an American in my res) and Tom, our new best friend who is only 18 but super cool, went to a tramping party at one of the members houses. The theme was wear one colour (gosh I love themed parties, reminds me of Queen's, only this theme was kind of lame) but I failed miserably at finding something. Hard to find the right thing when I barely brought any clothes with me! I miss my wardrobe:( Somehow Andrew (the kid who had the party) turned his bedroom into a rave room, with smoke and strobe lights- these kiwis know how to party! The more I spend time with the trampers, the more I understand how hard it will be to leave NZ. The great thing is that even if I decide to move out of Wellington to work for the summer, I can still participate in the trips..maybe try some ice climbing! Sunday was a relaxing day, but me, Lauren and Martha went on a lovely threesome dinner date to an italian restaurant, then went to see Shopaholic. Great movie!! I love Isla Fisher, mainly because she is engaged to Sacha Baron Cohen and I am super jealous. It is a really fun film and helped to curb my obession with shopping..okay not really but a good laugh if youre up for something light.
This past weekend I went to a corn maze!! Fall in March, very odd. Not only that but it was Halloween theme..yes thats right Liz I experienced TWO halloweens this year! (well sort of) Everything is backwards here! Basically it was one of those mazes where you go after dark, and people dress up and run around with chain saws or pop out of the maze, grabbing your ankles or touching your hair. Not going to lie, I jumped a few times, but luckily I maintained my composure for the most part and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Although it took two hours to drive there and the maze took less than an hour. Oh well, enjoyed the road trip. Then on Saturday we went camping again, but no tramping this time (Thank goodness)..I'm not sure my legs can withstand much more hiking up large hills. I drove with Alan, one of the guys from the club, and then we got lost in the dark, lost mobile service, had to drive around till we got a signal, then managed to get in touch with the others so they could pick us up. Generally when the trampers go camping, they park their cars and then do a mini hike to the campsite. Luckily this time we got picked up in Jeremy's four wheel van (thank goodness because if we had walked one of us would have fallen off the giant cliff on the way since it was hard to see in the dark). It was quite the ride, had to hold on very tight..amazing what four wheel drive can do! Then Alan and I set up our tent (okay, he set it up) and we enjoyed a large bonfire and some socialising. The next day I got to ride Jeremy's motorbike..it was awesome!! Even though I dont know how a clutch works I got the hang of it, hopefully next time I try it I'll be an expert:D Summer is coming to an end, so it was great to get in one final weekend of sunshine. I hate how bi-polar the weather can be..sometimes its freezing cold and other times its beautiful outside! The wind is so powerful, and I am on the top floor, so sometimes my room shakes! I don't know how I am supposed to distinguish between an earthquake and wind!!! Haha guess I'll find out if my building collapses (earthquakes are fairly frequent but extremely mild)
School is still going well except Ive got quite a few assignments to work on. Easter break is coming up fast (April 10th-27th) and Martha and I are planning our road trip. Ive got tons to do before then! Basically, we're renting a car in Wellington and driving up to Auckland, stopping along the way in different towns. Then we are flying from Auckland to Christchuch, renting a car and doing the South Island. Finally we are flying back from Christchurch to Welly on the first day of classes after the break...I fly in at 1130 and have a presentation to do at 3..my plane better not be delayed! So far its just the two of us, but we may have a couple people join us on the South Island. We're borrowing a friends tent to save some money on hostels. Sooo excited to see some more of this country, and Martha is such an incredible person, it will be great traveling with her.
One thing I didn't mention about school..it's weird how no one uses laptops in class. You get the odd person who carries their dell on them, but how am I supposed to play the mac counting game in my lectures when no one brings their computers! People actually pay attention in class...weird. I bring mine every now and then because I take better notes, but I always feel like the odd man out. My geography professor was talking about macs and how "I see some of you have your apple computers, and its so great that due to an increase in imports you were able to purchase them here" The only two people with computers/macs were me and my friend from the States. Too funny.
Now its time for the New Zealand glossary!
Words I have learned:
Rubbish =garbage (same as in england)
Boot = trunk (also same as england)
Gum boot = rain boot/wellys
Chilly bin =cooler
Hostel= residence hall (confuse this with hostel for backpackers)
Kiwi= Fruit, Bird, Person
Not to be referred to as a "kiwi bird"- kiwi automatically means the bird. Which is confusing. If I say "I saw a kiwi" it could be any one of those three. Silly kiwis (see what I mean??)
Bach (not to be confused with Johann Sebastian; pronounced Batch)= summer home/cottage. Generally on the beach or near the ocean. Called a crib on the south island. Amazing
Pakeha= Maori word for white settlers
Capsicum= a pepper; Corgette= zuchinni; Kumara=sweet potato Sounds so classy
Rubber= So...if someone asks you for a rubber, it is NOT what you think it is. This simply means an eraser. So if a guy from New Zealand ever says "Hey, do you have a rubber I can borrow?" you now know it is a very innocent statement. This will also save you some embarassment
Trollied= very, very drunk
Jandals= flip flops. Apparently it means japanase sandals
Jersey= Sweater. I still don't understand why that word sounds so ridiculous to kiwis. Youre called a KIWI. Thats ridic.
Sunnies=sunglasses
Aotearoa= the Maori name for New Zealand
Expressions:
Cheap as! (aka that jersey is cheap as!) and Sweet as...just a statement on its own; Statement: "Im going to the store", Response: "Sweet as"
Eh- also used in Canada but here it is more of a statement on its own; used to replace "what" or "huh"... "Ehhhhh?"
Also, beer/bear is the same word. It is pronounced the same. Therefore if someone says "I really want a beer" I ask them to clarify what type- molson canadian? Kokanee? Grizzly? Polar? ..Seeing as there are no bears here it is possible that a kiwi really just wants what they can't have. A friend of mine wrote on a world map "What is in Canada, eh?" and I responded polar bears. He is now convinced to visit.
Overall, the language is a good mix between American/British, because words like soccer and running shoes are used all the time. Good news, NZ is getting TIVO soon! Always a bit behind...gotta love this country
Okay that is all from me (bet you're all relieved..this is why I need to blog more often) Last week of classes for most of you! Don't have summer plans? Why not book a flight to NZ? There is always room:D
Cheerio darlings!
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