Well, three weeks have flown by, and we survived the “worst storm in New Zealand history.” A cyclone hit the city pretty hard, and the city cancelled most things, including ferries going in and out of the city. However, the international student barbecue was still on. Two of my roommates went on a tramping [hiking] trip, so Vanessa and I suited up for a rainy day in the park. Barbecues are a big part of Kiwi culture, but I doubt they are held “Rain or Shine”… Anyway, the trip ended up being really fun- mainly due to the fact that most of the international students had never seen a sheep before, much less a sheep sheering. The fun didn’t stop there: we watched a cow get milked, made some butter, and spun wool. They ended up cooking everything inside, so we all enjoyed the food without gale force winds. Once we returned to the UniLodge, Vanessa and I planned our spring break! Looks like we will be visiting a historic town in the North Island, doing some sailing, flying to Christchurch, visiting Wellington, and Tonga. No worries- we will still have five days to do homework!
The storm passed, and although the lovely UniLodge was swaying – we didn’t loose power. My roommates returned from tramping in once piece with some great stories to tell and a few bruises.
Classes are going fairly well, but Finance is definitely the problem child of the four. The examples are not as clear as I would like, and people don’t sit by me and my American friend/classmate. The professor even asked people to scoot in, and no one budged. I couldn’t help thinking of my high school basketball days when I wasn’t really played, since I 'wasn't gifted at the art of basketball'… a lot. I did make a friend in my international business class! The Midwestern charm will break down the others though… I just know it.
Speaking of Midwest- I got into a ‘verbal altercation’ with someone who decided to harp on the American potpie. Seriously!?! I grew up on potpies! If they made pot-pie in baby food form, Momma Yonker would have been all over them. Don’t mess. I can make one with my eyes closed- the point is this Kiwi girl was talking to other students about America’s version of a 'Kiwi' meat pie- the pot pie. Sorry lady, but they are very, very different. It wasn’t a big scene or anything, but I had to put my foot down. Since it occurred at the International Student Ethnic Food Night, no one else really understood what she was talking about, since I was the only other American. Each student brought a different dish to represent their country. I brought good old PB, and J [Remember that I don’t have access to on oven, dish, mixing bowl, or cooking sheet]. It was actually a hit, especially after I explained that they can be transformed by cutting of the crust or even into shapes with a cookie- cutter. I can’t pronounce most of the other foods- but I felt the apple pancakes, cheese muffin thinggies, and all items on the dessert table were the best. The PB, and Js weren’t even real due to the fact that the peanut butter here in unsalted and unsugared, and I gagged when I tried it. Also- grape jelly doesn’t exist, but Raspberry jam does. I got a little defensive when people started laughing and taking pictures, but I was the only one representing America- so I had no real competition.
I also had a friend from Christchurch visit during the week and weekend, who I met on our Butler IFSA orientation. She and some friends came to Auckland for the All Blacks game, but we also had a great time hitting the town, hiking the inactive volcano called Rangitoto [it was cancelled in last week’s itinerary due to the rain], and catching up on life. We had a great time, and I can’t wait to visit Christchurch!
The storm passed, and although the lovely UniLodge was swaying – we didn’t loose power. My roommates returned from tramping in once piece with some great stories to tell and a few bruises.
Classes are going fairly well, but Finance is definitely the problem child of the four. The examples are not as clear as I would like, and people don’t sit by me and my American friend/classmate. The professor even asked people to scoot in, and no one budged. I couldn’t help thinking of my high school basketball days when I wasn’t really played, since I 'wasn't gifted at the art of basketball'… a lot. I did make a friend in my international business class! The Midwestern charm will break down the others though… I just know it.
Speaking of Midwest- I got into a ‘verbal altercation’ with someone who decided to harp on the American potpie. Seriously!?! I grew up on potpies! If they made pot-pie in baby food form, Momma Yonker would have been all over them. Don’t mess. I can make one with my eyes closed- the point is this Kiwi girl was talking to other students about America’s version of a 'Kiwi' meat pie- the pot pie. Sorry lady, but they are very, very different. It wasn’t a big scene or anything, but I had to put my foot down. Since it occurred at the International Student Ethnic Food Night, no one else really understood what she was talking about, since I was the only other American. Each student brought a different dish to represent their country. I brought good old PB, and J [Remember that I don’t have access to on oven, dish, mixing bowl, or cooking sheet]. It was actually a hit, especially after I explained that they can be transformed by cutting of the crust or even into shapes with a cookie- cutter. I can’t pronounce most of the other foods- but I felt the apple pancakes, cheese muffin thinggies, and all items on the dessert table were the best. The PB, and Js weren’t even real due to the fact that the peanut butter here in unsalted and unsugared, and I gagged when I tried it. Also- grape jelly doesn’t exist, but Raspberry jam does. I got a little defensive when people started laughing and taking pictures, but I was the only one representing America- so I had no real competition.
I also had a friend from Christchurch visit during the week and weekend, who I met on our Butler IFSA orientation. She and some friends came to Auckland for the All Blacks game, but we also had a great time hitting the town, hiking the inactive volcano called Rangitoto [it was cancelled in last week’s itinerary due to the rain], and catching up on life. We had a great time, and I can’t wait to visit Christchurch!
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