First Day Of Classes

Ecology & Conservation and New Zealand Environmental Issues today. I think I will really enjoy the environmental issues class. The instructor hinted that we might take a field trip up to the Te Apiti windfarm -- one of the largest in the southern hemisphere. Awesome! The exams here are worth a ton more than they are the in the U.S. -- in one of my classes, the final is worth 60% of the grade. Despite this, I may still split and take a skiing trip in June in the five days between two of my exams. Definitely an option.

After class I went with Brian Tanis (never Brian, always Brian Tanis) to the beautiful Victoria Esplanade gardens. We walked the track along the river and discussed the inevitable canoe/kayaking trip down it, then wandered through the forst trails (covered in graceful ferns) to the rose garden, which was in 2003 rated among the top five rose gardens in the world for its beauty and diversity. The park also has an aviary replete with parrots of all descriptions, including budgies! They also had a strikingly beautiful albino peacock.

Pictures from the Garden

Part One of the Amusing New Zealand Accent Series:

Here in Aotearoa, the letter Z is pronounced "zed" and the letter W is said "dub." Therefore, Google's URL is "dub-dub-dub dot google dot en zed." Also, swimsuits are referred to as "togs;" sandals, "jandals."

More Orientation and Beach Trip!!

This week has been filled with two orientation programs: the international students' and the first year students'. The highlight of the international student orientation was a trip to see three of the Massey farms (Massey was originally an agricultural campus and still has a strong agricultural/agribusiness focus today). Manawatu is a region based heavily on sheep and dairy farming, but also deer farming. The deer are raised for their venison as well as the velvet on their enormous antlers. We got to see the two dogs work and were introduced to two of the more friendly deer. We finished up the day with a trip to Rosie O'Grady's Irish pub, which was an authentic little place near the city square.

Pictures from Massey Orientation and the pub

Since the majority of the orientation is aimed at first-year college students, the other IFSA-Butler students and our new Swedish friend Lisa took the bus to Paraparaumu Beach, opposite the mysterious-looking Kapiti island. The beach has beautiful dark sand and is scattered with driftwood and shells. The sun shone all day long, tempered by the wind coming in over the water.

Orientation and Moving to Massey

This is my second day at Massey, having been in the IFSA-Butler orientation in Auckland since Sunday. Orientation was an absolute blast. On the first night, we took a hike up the lush green hill from the YMCA Lodge past the cows and pigs, then down to the beach. The air is so clean here.

On Tuesday, we tried rogaining. Rogain, which stands for Rugged Outdoor Group Activity Involving Navigation, consists of finding certain clay tablets that are scattered all over the 100+ acre property in 40 minutes. Each tablet has a unique symbol on it, so you record each symbol and get back to the base within the allotted time. In-tense. The game was followed by various informational briefings, then an amazing kayaking trip. We paddled past a very old shipwreck in the harbor and to the opposite shore, which had a nice beach. The kayak instructors then taught us how to play rugby (with varying success) and we played a few tries of touch rugby. Good muddy fun.

The last day was incredible. We traveled to a Maori marae, or traditional meeting place. The marae includes a meeting house, dining/social hall, church, and impromptu rugby field. The Maori greeted us with the traditional sung ceremony, to which we were to sing back in the Maori language. After the ceremony of greeting and giving thanks, we watched the men dig food from the hangi, an underground pit which is filled with burning wood and food and then covered with dirt for several hours. The food was wonderful and smoky. Afterward, a dance troupe specializing in traditional songs, the haka (war dance), and poi (dances with a grass ball). the energy from the group was unbelievable. To conclude the evening, the village elders told the history of the Maori people in the meeting house.

Pictures from Orientation

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After a short flight to Palmerston North, we arrived here at Massey University. The campus is enormous and very green, with several parks and a small lake. My room has a lovely view of the hills and, yes, a sheep pasture. Classes do not start until the 23rd, so I have a bit of time after the international student orientation to explore the area and maybe even take a day trip down to Wellington. Who knows :)

Los Angeles

I've spent the last three days in L.A. with Martha. The city is immense and sprawling, especially from my vantage point downtown. Martha goes to The Colburn School Conservatory of Music, which is all in one giant building. On Thursday, we went down to the Santa Monica pier (where parts of Iron Man were filmed) and had lunch at a fantastic crepe cafe. Yesterday we went horseback riding in Griffith Park, and today we drove the length of Mulholland Drive (the namesake of David Lynch's film), which provided amazing views of the city. I'm leaving for the airport in a few hours, and will arrive in New Zealand on Monday morning.

Pictures from Los Angeles

Preparing to Depart

I will be departing tomorrow to L.A., then on Saturday to Auckland!

I'm hoping this blog can serve as an efficient chronicle of my semester in New Zealand. I plan to periodically post photos and other paraphernalia as well as record what's going on :)

I am thrilled to be on my way. I'll be in touch.