New Zealand

flip flop

2008-02-17T02:10:00.000-08:00

alright.. so a whole lot has happened, i got to school and had a really really tough time there. it was in the middle of nowhere and there were no humans and no food and no bedding and i was sad. i know i'm here to study abroad not travel abroad... but i'm also here to live abroad, and i was not comfortable there. so.. after a lot of stress and phone calls and emails i transferred. i'm now down in christchurch! and let me say.. it is unbelievable.. i've been traveling the south island with a couple kids in our purple rental car and i have just seen the most amazing things and met awesome people. tomorrow we have orientation and we get to sign up for classes and what not. me and my sweet Lebanese roommate muhammed are waiting on two more roomates for our flat both of whom we believe are kiwis! so thats exciting. so i'm happy now, and comfortable and having the best time. its amazing how much you learn about yourself in such a short time.. 1.) i apparently despise being alone.. which is funny because on the way here i finished reading Into the Wild, and the characters main conclusion after going into the bush alone was that happiness is not real unless shared.. and it was just funny to feel that same way.. lame i know. 2.) i am the luckiest girl in the world to have the parents and friends that i do. people went above and beyond to help me in a sticky situation and get me back on my feet.. so thank you mommy and daddy!! i just want to hug you. And Dr. Varner.. youuu are the best. thank you for supporting that decision.. i know its tricky with my major, but i pinky swear it is worth it.
So.. now i'm here and im in love with this country and cant wait to see more of it.. which should happen soon cuz me and some buddies found a car for like 400 bucks.. doesnt get much better. so more to come.

Orientation.

2008-02-08T17:51:00.000-08:00

So i'm finally here. I'm sitting in Auckland airport and i just finished orientation .. so i finally get to go down to school. this is the most anxious i've felt so far.. i know i've been here for a couple days but to be real i was on tour buses with 130 american college kids.. and we had a written itinerary for every day. now i'm actually off on my own, i've even had to ask people questions.. big step for me i know. its a weird feeling... i have no idea what to expect or what kind of life i'm about to enter for the next 5 months. ohh but i'm excited. it is absolutely stunning here... the sun sets at 10 pm and its 75 degrees every day. i couldnt really ask for more. we went to a moari performance last night and that was really awesome. i even had to get up and try their dance.. i failed, but it was entertaining. so.. thats that. i'll figure out how to post pictures and then put the link here. word up.

Packing and preparing..

2008-01-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

weiiiiird. so its almost time to go.. about a month left in america. this is my first post because i have zero idea how to work this.. so i'm just guessing and seeing if it work... and when it doesnt, i'll try again. wahoo!