In True Scholarly Form

Today in NZed land I not only went to Hobbiton (a "Lord of the Rings" movie set), but went there for a school assigment. The only thing wrong with that statement is that I had to make it on a saturday. That's right - I went on a class field trip on a SATURDAY. I've never felt more like a scholar than I do right now in New Zealand. School on Saturdays? I thought that wasn't allowed!

Along with weekend assignments, I can honestly say that I've never written this many essays in my LIFE. I have written more scholarly essays this semester than during the duration of the rest of my college career. Wow. New Zealand really knows how to pick your brain. Go kiwis! Although my mind is taxed, I am thankful for the challenge.

I only have one and a half more months in this beautiful country and I can honestly say I am going to miss a lot of things; those things mainly being people. Oh man, have I been blessed with some amazing women in my life here. I meet with a group of 4 other women every Thursday for coffee, treats, and bible-talk. The vulnerability, joy, and sincerity I have seen and shared with them is truly beautiful.

Not to mention the great group of characters I join in fun with every weekend to be goofy and crazy! My favorite ;) This weekend we went bowling...in costume (I was chosen to be the cop!) It was glorious, haha! I thought you might enjoy some of the photos!

My next door neighbor is a phenomenal pianist and I just found out that her and the rest of the music students have rehearsals every Friday afternoon, which are free for anyone to sit in on. I went for the first time this week and I will definitely be going back every Friday until class is out! The music school here is ALL modern based - none of that boring Classical stuff they're always teaching kids in school, haha. It's really neat.

Well that's about it for now. I'm going to go pick some feijoas >>>


Love and miss everyone!

Cheers

Nostalgic in New Zealand

That fragile, fleeting thing we like to call time is slipping through my fingers as it tends to do. My head has been filled up with worried thoughts about soon-due assignments and excited planning for when Matt, Kar, and Justine arrive.

I was out to dinner last night (we had Korean food, yum....) and my friend said to me, "We've got pretty cool lives right now, don't we? I would've never thought a year ago that I'd be sitting in New Zealand...eating Korean food...with another American." Haha! Isn't that the truth?

I was so happy he said it too, because it instantly took my anxious thoughts for future happenings and zoned it right back in to the present. Do you ever do this? Get caught up in tomorrow and forget about how fabulous today is? It's good to have people around to catch your thoughts and set them right back to where they're supposed to be.

My friend Erika, who is getting married the week we get back to the U.S. (ooo I'm excited! but eek! stop thinking about the future...) gave me an awesome present before I left: "Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie. If anyone has read this, you will understand why I say it is "awesome." I looked at her like she was a loony bins when she handed it to me, thinking, "What the heck am I going to read a children's book for?" And she just said, "Just read it. You'll be surprised what it means through an adult's eyes." She was right. Here's a sweet little excerpt I will share with you; it's only appropriate, because tomorrow is Mother's Day.

"Mrs. Darling first heard of Peter when she was tidying up her children's minds. It is the nightly custom of every good mother after her children are asleep to rummage in their minds and put things straight for next morning, repacking into their proper places the many articles that have wandered during the day. If you could keep awake (but of course you can't) you would see your own mother doing this, and you would find it very interesting to watch her. It is quite like tidying up drawers. You would see her on her knees, I expect, lingering humorously over some of your contents, wondering where on earth you had picked this thing up, making discoveries sweet and not so sweet, pressing this to her cheek as if it were as nice as a kitten, and hurriedly stowing that out of sight. When you wake in the morning, the naughtinesses and evil passions with which you went to bed have been folded up small and placed at the bottom of your mind, and on the top, beautifully aired, are spread out your prettier thoughts, ready for you to put on."

I would say that is indeed the goal of any good mother.

On a gloomier note, and I mean gloomy quite literally, Hamilton weather is far from agreeable.

The days have been unendingly rainy and cold. Today, to my delight, the sky was shining and blue with one cloud in it. But what do you think that one tiny cloud did? Oh yes, it rained right on my little head. Haha!

I took a trip to a nearby vineyard on a rainy day like this one last week. It is called "Vilagrad" vineyards and owned by 3 brothers, who are 4th generation family owners - very neat to see. They had a vine overhanging the main dining room that was over 100 years old and still growing juicy grapes.

For a steal of $10 NZD's (about $7.50 USD's) we received a ride to the vineyard, a tour, a winetasting, and dinner! You can't beat that. They make a wine there that is unique to the vineyard called Charminer. I bought a couple bottles to share with friends and family as they come visit the country.

I better get back to my essay on St. Augustine. I'll write again soon!

Cheers