"Someone else always has to carry on the story" ~J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Rings

Are you still classy if you talk about being classy all the time?

Just lazin' with some lavender... 

Salutations!

I'm aware it's been some time since I've graced you with knowledge of anything exciting in my life. Fear not! I'm not living an awe-inspiring life and keeping it to myself. This past week I:

1. Got sick again, and spent two straight days in bed with lollipops, oranges, and ginger ale.
2. Wrote a paper for my cross cultural communications class.
3. Went back to Mount Vic with Jordan, my flatmate.
4. Made brownies for my friend John.
5. Made Nutella cookies just for fun.
6. Did laundry again.

See? Evidently, the excitement here is absolutely blossoming.

/sarcasm

We get so much rain here that when it's sunny I just soak in as much as possible.

Nevertheless, the international support person here has our backs. This weekend we did some exploring in a town, saw a stonehenge, and took a tour of a winery.

We started out in Greytown. It's a pretty small town, with smatterings of antique shops and sprinkled with sweet cafes and bakeries. I bought a chocolate almond croissant at a French bakery. It was flaky and fabulous.

Cafe called Cahoots. So I'm going into Cahoots!! O.o I'm in cahoots!! heh...

We went on to a chocolate shop where...

I didn't buy anything.

I know. Your heart just skipped. I know. It's pretty surprising, and pretty scary. But the prices scared me even more, which is why I left the chocolate there.

Baby sheep ehmagodddd <3 lamb! =3

Paua shell, lovely, hmm?

We went on to Paua World—a tourist shop. Paua are these pretty shells you sometimes find on the beach. They get harvested to eat, and then they polish the shells to make them into pretty jewelry, and anything else they can think of. It's all made in New Zealand, which is pretty sweet. They also sold straight up shells, but I'm hoping if I make intimate friends with the beaches, which I intend to do, I'll find some shells myself.

Onward to Stonehenge. Our guide was knowledgeable and a superb presenter. I learned so much that I didn't know before—that a stone circle tells time of year, why it echos, and that there are hundreds around the world.

Stonehenge. L to R: Bex, Esha, me, Franzi. Franzi and Esha are my travel buddies for break!

Grapevines! The grass all dies in the summer. Weird, huh?

We finished at the winery. It was called Alana Estate, and we got a tour, as well as some tasting. It's on a hill—they grow the grapes at the top.

You can see two of the levels here: grapes come in at the top, then fall down into the vats for fermentation and squishing and whatnot :/

On the slope is the winery. The process starts at the top, and concludes at the bottom. By doing this, they avoid having to pump the wine, thereby adding oxygen. 

Had a bit of a geek out because they look just like the
wine-making machines in Sims3 :]]

The grapes are squeezed and fermented, and then it flows down into the barrels, where it sits for a while. The barrels are all imported from France, and they can only be used for around five years maximum, because the barrels begin to lose their flavor.

Barrels! They sit in these for at least a few months before getting bottled and sold.

We tried lots of wine. Pinoit Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling (never heard of that before yesterday), Sauvignon Blanc, and a few others. I guess it was good... but not good enough that I bought any! 

They keep a stock of all their wine from past years.... You can't tell but I have one of these:
:O faces on...

Our guide was also really interesting, although we were a bit sad we didn't get to wander among the grapevines at all. They keep sheep in them in the winter so that the grass gets eaten. All the sheep just had lambs, so there were lots of babies running around. It was cute as, and I couldn't contain my excitement.

Ducks in the sheep fields!! Sheep can be seen above farthest right lavender...

“The little lamb is frolicking!” is what I said to incite the teasing of my companions. Apparently MassComm majors should keep their $20 words to themselves...

"Classy" Americans (and one German) after our tasting. 

We discussed several times grabbing a lamb and bringing it home with us to play with. I volunteered my flat for its home. Sadly, no one could be convinced to do the the grabbing, so we returned home empty handed. Nevertheless, overall it was a successful, and relatively fun day.

In the coming weeks: Hobbiton/Matamata, Narnia/Cathedrial Cove, Mount Tongariro/the recently erupted volcano, Lake Taupo/the lake that happens to have an underwater volcano in it, and 90 mile beach/where I'm supposed to boogie board on the dunes. 

I am so pumped for spring break!!!!

Thanks for reading! <3 <3 <3 

xxxxoooxxxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

New Zealand Bucket List

Though I haven't done many exciting things in the last week, I cannot accurately express how stoked I am for future adventures. In fact, I'm pretty certain I've said the words “I'm so stoked” and “I'm so pumped” more than 50 times in the last two days.

Pretty much my feelings at the moment...

And so, while I'm jacked up on coffee with heaps of extra shots, here's what I want to do in New Zealand before I go back home and face reality.

1. I want to pass all my classes. This one is only in because I feel like I should reassure everyone and anyone reading that school is my number one priority here. I intend to pass all of my classes with flying colors (at least a few hues that is).
2. I want to go to Hobbiton. It's on the list of places I'll be going to for Spring Break, which is frighteningly and fantastically soon.

   

   Hobbiton!

   
   
3. I want to meet someone with a motorcycle, so I can ride, in New Zealand, on a motorcycle. Or, worst case scenario, I want to rent a scooter and drive around myself.
4. Also, I just want to drive. On the wrong side of the road, and be competent about it. I also plan on doing this over Spring Break.
5. I want to take pictures of the feet of all of the people I meet and hang out with. I'd like to have more than 100 feet by the time I leave. (Does that sound too high? Too low? Thoughts?)
6. I want to visit Narnia. That is, I want to visit Cathedral Cove, North of Hamilton. In the second Narnia movie, which admittedly I haven't seen (I'll be straight with you. No point in lying.), there's a view of the children and a train going by. While the train passes, they are transported to Narnia, and there's a beautiful view of the ocean. That's here in Cathedral Cove. It's also on the list for Spring Break.

7. 

   Cathedral Cove! Photo isn't mine, obviously.

   7. I want to see a kiwi and a tuatara in person. I won't say in their natural habitat—I'm pretty sure that's near impossible—but in a zoo or a reservation would suffice.

   

   Kiwi!

   
   

   

   Tuatara!

   
   
8. I'd like to be asked for directions somewhere in Welly.
   Actually this already happened. So... check!
9. I want to get a tattoo.
   (Is anyone reading this? Did you catch that?)
10. I'd like to go rafting, and preferably, I'd like the rafting trip to end with me in the water.
11. I want to go swimming, and sun bathe, and swimming. I want to do so much swimming it's insane. I want to swim until I'm pruney, and then I want to keep swimming. I'm certain swimming in New Zealand is much more fulfilling than swimming at home.
12. I want to see blue penguins!

    

    Blue Penguins!

    
    
13. I want to take the ferry to the South Island.
14. Meet someone that sails, and go sailing with them. After all, Welly is known as the windy city. Should be a great place for me to give it a shot!
15. I want to see pretty waterfalls. And I'd especially love if I could go swimming in their pools, but I'm not certain that it'll be possible or allowed everywhere. (I follow all the rules. All the time, everyday.)
16. Walk and drive up and down 90 mile beach. Sort of hoping we can do this over Spring Break, but there are so many things already on our list—and we really want to flexibility of road tripping, so we're not adding on too much. That's okay. I'll go one weekend.



90 Mile Beach!

17. Have something exciting to blog about next time I decide to post. Although I'll be honest. Potiality I find to be the most wonderful, hopeful, beautiful thing in the world.
    The fact that I could do so many things is just spectacular.
    Which is why I AM SO PUMPED FOR LIFE RIGHT NOW.

Happiness is when my feet are in saltwater.
Thanks for reading.

"Go not to the Elves for counsel, for they will say both no and yes." ~J.R.R. Tolkien

hello!! 

This is the pyramid. I get papers here, go through those sliding doors for any academic or other help I need. Plus, I walk through here every day I'm on campus. 

And this is why it's called the pyramid! The roof is pyramid shaped! Aren't they clever...

Today, for your viewing pleasure, I took photos of school. I was struck by its lack of beauty. I seem to be exemplary at choosing schools that have boring buildings and ambiguous architecture. (I'll do a post later on the great things about Massey though!) I have always thought fondly of stone buildings, turrets, and the simple, classic, beautiful look of elderly buildings. Yet the schools I pick seem not to reflect this. Strange. Regardless, I hope you enjoy it. 

This is Esha! She's from Asheville too! And she
is Indian! Whaaaat!!! Sick as!!!

Lists...

For your reading pleasure, lists. Section one is things I miss and will miss from home. Section two is things I'm happy about. Section three is things I've done in the past few days. If you're bored... I apologize. The [x] is at the top right hand corner  :3

Homesickness has set in. Here are things I'm missing, and things I'm not excited about missing in the coming months. It seems ominous to think about my favorite things and that inevitably, they will all be occurring and I won't be there for it. It seems strangely dark.

No big deal, just a high school in the middle
of Massey's campus...

1. Pumpkin donuts from Dunkin Donuts. I wonder if they'll have them when I get back. I can't remember how long they stuck around for, but I'm pretty sad I'm going to miss it.
2. Eggnog lattes from Starbucks, but hopefully I'll be able to get eggnog wherever I am around Christmas. Also, eggnog milkshakes from Cook Out. Pure death, but so tantalizing.

   

   Like these because you can fill up yer water bottle!

   
   
3. Trader Joe's. All day, every day. The good, cheap food, the great attitudes of all the people working there, and the constant search for the dog.gg
4. My mom's birthday. I love birthdays, and I love my mom, so I'm a little sad I won't be there for her this year. Guess I'll just have to think of something really fantastic to do this year so she knows how great I think she is.
5. Fall colors in Asheville. That drive from home to school is always one of my favorites, and I'll miss seeing all those mountains and their vibrancy.

   

   Two classes in this classroom, so I better like it?

   
   
6. Thanksgiving, and seeing family. I wonder who will come down South this year. I wonder if this will be the first Thanksgiving that Witsie will spend home in so long and if I'll miss that. I wonder what amazing food he'll be making and I'll be missing out on.
7. The Willy's burrito I get for free on my birthday. Mom and Dad—expect an email. Someone should be using my dedication.
8. Getting to convince my parents that once again, I would like a real tree. Presents I care much less about, but real Christmas trees are pretty much my favorite tradition about Christmas. (That along with “A Christmas Story” and “How the Grinch stole Christmas.”

   

   Here the second floor is B, first is A, etc.

   
   
9. Every discussion my family always has about what to do or where to go for Christmas. I guess maybe we can have it over skype this year. But it isn't really the same.
10. My car. Call me spoiled (you won't be the first one) but I really miss driving my car. I miss getting in and going wherever I want whenever I want. I miss playing the radio really loud, and I miss putting the key in the ignition and knowing that it is beautiful, and mine. I wonder if it'll need an oil change when I'm gone and if Dad will do it. Maybe he'll wait until I come home so that I'll get to do it myself.
11. Atlanta traffic. There just isn't anything like it here. I know it'll be there to welcome me home, and it's a strange thing to miss, but I miss it quite ferociously. When I drive home from school in Asheville, I know that I'm home when the lanes start expanding and breaking off and finally there are eight lanes for you to choose from. I love that so much. I know it's ridiculous. But it's home.

View from the third floor of one of the buildings I've got classes in, lovely clouds today, no?

Now, in a pathetic attempt to cease the tears that inevitably start every time I think about home, I'll write ten things I'm thrilled about today, and in general. Just to make sure we're all clear on how actually stoked I am to be here!

1. Listen live works! Who knew I could listen to American radio online...the interwebs is a great tool. Much less homesick listening to Atlanta radio, and I find strange solace in hearing the traffic jams on I-85.

   

   Bike rack... whaaaat?

   
   
2. I've been planning my spring break with my travel buddy! I'm very excited. We're thinking of traveling around the North Island for a few days, then taking the ferry down to Picton (on the Northern end of the South Island). There we'll embark on climbing Mount Owen. (1,800 meters tall, with a few Lord of the Rings film sites) Probably for a few days. Just talking about it and making plans makes me incredibly excited because I have someone to travel with and hike with, which is fantastic! Sweet as!
3. I had a great time chatting with a completely random guy in my feature writing and freelancing class. His name is Chris. Every time I meet people named Chris, I'm struck by the fact that with his name, and my name, we encompass my full name. (Yeah. Okay. I'm pretty ridiculous.) We had a pretty good time griping about how to complete the assignment, and while doing so, complaining an incredible amount considering the work we got done.

   

   Silly stairs don't lead to anyfing...

   
   
4. Even though I whinge (that's Australian for whine) about how expensive food an stuff here is, I should express gratitude that I am in fact able to eat. (Not much. I picked the right place to come to to lose weight. There's no way I'll come home chubby.) Shout outs to Mom and Dad!
5. At my last birthday, my auntie bought a new journal for me, which I am currently using. Thank goodness, because the last one filled up with spilled words (think of me spilling coffee everywhere, but they're words) so I'm thrilled not to have to pay heaps of money here to buy a new one! Fanks again. Yer da best! :))
6. Can I just say one more time that I'm less than 20 minutes, walking, from the ocean??? Happiness, thy name is saltwater. I wonder if it really is bad for my hair. Or if it really is good for my semi-recent piercings. I'm not certain, but if it is, I think I'll go jump in again. My ears are pansies, and have been yanking at me a bit as of late.

   

   Smoking gazebo! Just like UNCA<3

   
   
7. My flatmates are all pretty great. I don't know if any of them read this, so I shan't go into great detail, but I was really worried at first. We can all take heart in the fact that we have eased into living together quite well. They could have been so horrid, and I could be hiding in the library like I did many times last semester.
8. On August 18, there is a wine and chocolate tour for the international students. Wine and chocolate? Sounds good to me! Not particularly interested in wine tasting... isn't that typically for pretentious and uppity people? I am however, thrilled for chocolate. Whittakers is the New Zealand brand of chocolate here. It is indeed fab if I do say so myself.
9. Even though I love snow, I'm glad it isn't snowy here. I am barely properly equipped for the cold, and snow would have me truly flabbergasted and blustered. I would not enjoy it, so I'm glad it's maintaining a pretty decent temperature for the time being. I wouldn't mind if it were swimming weather, but I know that's a lot to ask.

   

   Most main entrance that exists... lovely...

   
   
10. There's a surf club here. I haven't heard from them or anything. But the weather has been pretty much junk, so I can't expect that they will be going out in it anytime soon. Furthermore, I haven't seen any waves bigger than... maybe a foot. Are the decent waves are hiding somewhere? A secret surf spot perhaps where the real waves are?
11. I discovered the groupon equivalent of New Zealand! It's pretty much the exact same thing, except they separate the deals by “store” deals, “experience” deals (that's your food, skydiving, etc.), “escapes” (your vacations) and “bottle” (your wine and other drank deals). Pretty thrilled with this event!

Prettiest building here I think. Museum building. Only part of Massey because Massey merged
with Wellington's technical university before.

And finally, ten things I did in the last couple days, just so you can really feel as if you know what's going on in my life.

1. I brushed my teeth, took a shower, braided my hair, shaved my legs, and painted my toenails.

   

   The entrance to the NZ school of music concert hall

   
   
2. I washed heaps and heaps of dishes, and piled stacks of clean dishes upon one another creating a some serious leaning towers of piza. I leave the sink and tell my flatmates to proceed with caution.
3. I went grocery shopping! Here the main grocery store is called New World. What's nice about it is that it has lots of New Zealand brands. Also, most of the food doesn't have high fructose corn syrup. (I wonder if that's contributing to America's heftyness.) The peanut butter I've been eating lists: “peanuts, peanut oil, salt.” And the peanut butter I ate last week listed “peanuts, peanut oil.” And that was the “store” brand! On the downside, lots of things are really expensive. Eggs range from six to eight dollars for a dozen, and more if you get cage free. Milk is more than six dollars for a gallon, which is pretty crazy considering how many cows they have here. Cocoa puffs (or the alike) are seven dollars a box. Oreos are two dollars for one roll (that's one section of cookies. Biscuits.)
   
   

   

   Rebuilding of a war memorial

   
   
4. I mailed postcards. The closest box to me, I think, is around ten blocks away. Every time I go to put letters in, I have to check and double check that I'm putting mine in the right slot.
5. I crossed the street, and looked the wrong way first. I think if anything is a dead giveaway that I don't actually belong here, it's the fact that when I cross the street, I still look left first, and then right. If anyone notices, they'll have me pegged as a tourist for sure.
6. Filled up my water bottle about a thousand times. I am ecstatic that New Zealand water is safe to drink without any filter or anything.
7. I went to class! If you wanted to be reminded that I am actually here for school, here it is. I've been going to class, doing the reading (but not the homework, since there isn't any), and so far, it's been decent. Pretty standard, although there were a smattering of sessions I've enjoyed.

   

   A man and his donkey who carried
   injured soldiers from the front lines

   
   
8. I made my bed. Since I'm only sleeping with a sleeping bag and a few blankets, It gets messed up pretty easily, so I make my bed almost night before I get in it.
9. I ate peanut butter. Been pretty into it since it doesn't have the preservatives it does at home, but even the huge jar I've been buying is $7, so it is in fact a little bit expensive. But it goes with everything, which I love, and it has protein! Which I also love, since meat and eggs here are so expensive!
10. I complained about the weather. To lots of people. There's lots of rain, but it's so cold that the rain just makes it colder. And this time, it isn't predicted to stop by the weekend, which makes me really sad. Suffice to say I've been whining a lot because I miss the sun, and I want it to be warm so I can go swimming all the time every day.

    

    Maori worship sort of houses on campus

    
    
11. I played cards with my flatmates. I think maybe we all have quite a bit of free time, and we've all been playing rounds of gin, kings and... scum, last card (a form of uno I suppose), and others. It's a fun “flatbonding” thing to do, and it's great for after dinner/before dinner/after dessert/anytime really...
    
    
    
    

    

    On the bottom floor is Tussock, the cafe. And on the top floor is MAWSA, the student life
    organization. I guess the equivalent at UNCA would be Underdog Productions.

    Aaaanyways. That's all for today!