2:38 p.m.

Today is Monday which means that in Texas it is Sunday, and I just want to say to all of you hungover college students (or perhaps adults, I'm not judging) that you should get yourself to the nearest breakfast taco place and consume as many as you can. Do it for me, thanks.


Really, I should just open up a breakfast taco stand here, I'd probably make a killing as that is something seriously missing in this town.




My weekend was nothing super exciting to blog about, to be honest it was pretty much a blur of alcohol. I'm paying for it today though and am determined to get my body back in working condition this week by chalking up the vitamins, hitting the gym, and eating nutritiously in general. I did, however, pull myself together enough on Saturday afternoon to head down to Oriental Bay and take a walk along the shore as the sun was setting. That was lovely, there were lots of seagulls and big sail boats coming into port in front of a landscape of mountains, quite picturesque. My ipod added a pretty sweet soundtrack of Cafe Del Mar which accented it brilliantly, so that was time well spent. I really love this city, it's got everything. Besides a taco stand, but I already addressed that.
That's a picture of Oriental Bay. You can tell I didn't take it because of how good it is.





If you're wondering, no, this blog entry has no structure or focus. I just finished my biology test early and I've got an hour to kill. I finally got my student ID today so I guess that makes me officially a real person. Hmmm.




Oh, I know, I will tell you about New Zealand television, you're interested in some of the culture differences, right? We'll start with TV because I'm American.


New Zealand, I guess thanks to their high tax rates, cranks out a LOT of public service announcements. The domestic violence ones are particularly intense/uncomfortable, and make it awkward to carry on a conversation in the room after the screaming and the beating. I realize that these are perhaps effective and a good strategy, but they're really good at bringing me down. Come on people, stop beating each other up so I can enjoy Who Wants to be a Millionaire in peace. I'll see if I can find it for you.



...I can't find it online, but take my word for it, it's depressing.


Speaking of, they say that domestic violence in New Zealand goes up 200% when the All Blacks lose. That's one of those statistics that is hard to react to because it's terribly sad, but so ridiculous that it's hard not to laugh. Don't laugh though, or you're a bad person.




I seem to listen to a disproportionately high level of country music when I'm overseas. Alabama's "Song of the South" has been a favorite lately. It's funny how the stuff you hate becomes nostalgic enough to attract you as time goes by.




I thought that today was going to be a bad day when I woke up because I seriously didn't want to when my alarm went off this morning. And then I had to cram for a biology test which I had forgotten about because I still haven't bought a calendar, and blackboard wasn't letting me on to access the lecture slides, and it was raining. But then blackboard started working and it stopped raining and I did pretty well on my test. So I changed my mind, today is a good day.


Also I have a chicken nuggets date with my roommates tonight. They're actually going to get 12 dollar all you can eat pizza, but I'm not really into pizza at the moment so I'll just get some chicken.


Oh, pizza. The main pizza place here is called Hell's Pizza and their logo is like this devil guy, and all of their pizzas are named after one of the seven deadly sins, which I find to be a very clever marketing strategy.



My favorite, and the most popular, is lust. It's weird though, it doesn't even have pizza sauce on it, it has BARBEQUE sauce. How weird is that? So weird. But surprisingly delicious. Try it at home sometime.




Oh- here's something that annoys me, the sinks here. This is what our sink looks like:


Hot on the left, cold on the right. This is the worst idea I've ever encountered because you have 2 choices, scalding or freezing. There is no "warm" faucet. So when I wash my face I cup my hands and fill them with freezing water and then add a little bit of scalding water in an attempt to get a decent compromise. If I designed sinks I would make faucets with adjustable temperatures. And I'm sure there is some reason behind these annoying sinks, like they're eco friendly or something. I haven't looked into it, but they suck.



Anyway, sorry that this post doesn't have any of my snazzy photography or fun media additives, and that it just consists of my random stream of thoughts, but I'm not on my computer so I don't really have anything more to offer you.


Cheers!

Rugby and Road Trips

The second part of my weekend was as lovely as the first part. It began Saturday night when I went to a local pub to watch the All Blacks game with some neighbors.
The All Blacks are New Zealand's rugby team, and they were playing Australia, and it was a VERY big deal. The pub was absolutely packed. That was one of my favorite things I've done, just because there were so many people and everyone was so excited and into it, and even though I didn't really have a clue what was going on it was fun to yell when everyone else yelled. It was like being a part of an important cultural aspect really, and I felt very lucky to be able to be there and enjoying it with so many locals. The All Blacks are known for doing the Haka before each match, which is like a traditional Maori (I'll talk more about Maori later) dance. Anyway, it's badass. And it's really neat because it's completely unique to here and it gets you really fired up for the game because it's so intense and the other team just has to stand there awkwardly as the All Blacks like yell at them and just be really cool. I was glad I wasn't Australia, also because they lost. Here's the HAKA for you.


The next day my friend David and I went on a day road trip up to Palmerston North and I got to see some of the New Zealand countryside for the first time really. Here, I've got photos!
David drives a convertible which was PERFECT because it provided a great open view of the beautiful countryside. Unfortunately, it was very cold so we looked ridiculous bundled up in a convertible. Good thing we still supa' fly.


First stop, Paua museum and factory! This is a shell unique to New Zealand that is popular in jewelry. Ooh Aah.

Then we kept driving along the mountains, the snow capped mountains were breathtaking.
Second stop, Bruce Wildlife Reserve. This was a really fun stop, we went for a walk through this reserve and it was sort of like a mixture between just a mountain and a zoo. It was like pretty trails through the woods and every once in a while there would be a closed in space with native birds, and that was cool because then you got to see them all, like this one...


Also, we saw KIWI BIRDS there! I couldn't take pictures of them, unfortunately, but my they were simply adorable. I think it's so great that they are the national symbol, they're such neat little animals. We saw eels too, they were cool but kind of gross/scary. We should still preserve them though.That's the trail that takes you through the Reserve. Pretty stunning.
The next stop on the journey was the Tui brewery! Remember when I talked about Tui and how it was my first local beer? Well the brewery was a neat little stop in a tiny little town.

Also, they have a cute ad campaign where they make a statement and follow it with "yeah, right." This one seemed picture worthy.

This is an epic picture of a windmill farm that was on top of the mountains in front of us as the clouds rolled over it, it was so beautiful.
Towards the end of the trip the scenery started really taking it up a notch.

There's me trying to get in on some of the pretty.
It was a spectacular weekend, clearly. I know that it ended a few days ago but I haven't been up to much since, mostly school and school. I did, however, join the Amnesty International chapter and we have a big benefit concert coming up in a couple weeks, and I went to a great open mic night to hear some poetry and music. Life is good, isn't it?

Beach Days

This weekend has been an amazing wild ride; I did so much and I have a lot of beautiful photos to share with you, but it's going to take a while to get it all blogged out, so I'll do it in patches.

Saturday was a fantastic day, particularly because the sun came out and I am a big fan. It's been so cloudy and rainy that the sunshine did my spirits a lot of good. Not that I had been down at all, I just missed the sun terribly. So Saturday it was beautiful and I got my fill of vitamin D and was a happy camper. It's funny how happy the most basic of things can make you.

After going to see my friend Peter play basketball all morning, I went on a drive with my friend David to the other side of the bay. We went along the beach and had ice cream and met people and just generally had a lovely Saturday afternoon, here are my favorite photos from the day (remember you can click on any to enlarge it).





I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!

family matters

happy birthday, daddy (and uncle tom!)

love you, miss you, and i can't wait to see you!

School's In!

Everything has been going well lately, moving right along into my second week in New Zealand. i have switched out one of my classes "Culture and International Relations" because, though it sounds enthralling, the whole first lecture was this philosophical talk about how "boundaries are only in your head." Which is fine, but we don't have to talk about that for an hour. Also the professor was Scottish (but not the hot kind) and quiet and very difficult to understand.
So I dropped in on "American Politics" and the first lecture was going over what the 50 states are and why there are 50 stars on the flag, etc. So I signed up for it immediately. This is because:
1. I am admittedly very very lazy.
2. I won't have to worry about doing well in this class and I can spend my time enjoying New Zealand and doing other cultural things and not in the library.
3. It's "Modern American Politics" really so it will be nice to have an update in class about Sotomayor and other such happenings so that I don't fall too much out of the loop from home.
4. It's not on Fridays.

So my classes are

New Zealand Politics

Modern American Politics

Gender and Policy
^^This is a sociology class and I LOVE it. It is by far my favorite class. Right now we're talking about the difference between sex and gender and how much of our gender roles are biological and how much is from socialization. We've also been talking about the intersex population and feminist movements led by men. I raised my hand in class when a Canadian brought up some feminist group of men in her town who are doing programs to discourage violence against women. Which i think is spectacular, but I don't think you can call it a feminist movement really. If the goal of feminism is to empower women, then the movement can't be driven by anyone but women without it negating its own point. It's not a feminist point of view to claim that women need men to protect them from other men, it's just paternalistic. I said that in class, I am THAT girl. Oh well. It's fun. And I sit next to a really cool guy and we talk about Stevie Ray Vaughan and Austin.

Biology of Conservation
^^This class has its pluses and minuses. The plus is that we talk a lot about species native to New Zealand and that can only be found here and I find that endlessly interesting (did you know there is only one kind of poisonous spider in New Zealand? And no snakes). Another plus is that it's a first year class so it's pretty easy and I think I'll do fine in it which is thrilling since it's a biology credit. The minus is that I spend the whole class on the verge of bursting into tears and leave super depressed. We talked about poaching around the world today and saw this video made by the Planet Earth people where they had these evil people who set traps in the rain forest and leopards and monkeys get their paws and hands stuck in them and they either die of infection or they get gangrene and their hands fall off. So there are these chimpanzees in the forest trying to survive with missing hands. Why are people so awful? It just really makes me mad how entitled we all are and how everyone has this egotistic mindset that God made the world FOR man and that everything in it is only in it to serve us. Get over yourself, we're just a small part of it.

Oh, here's a picture of the main road that goes through campus, Kelburn Parade.


On a lighter note, I just want to point out one difference between our cultures which I have found to be delightful. Kiwis commonly use the word "naughty" in its original sense in many of their day to day conversation. It makes me laugh every time because it's so awkwardly adorable. For example, I was having a conversation with the guy next to my in sociology about plagiarism and I told him that I plagiarized an entry into an essay contest when I was in 4th grade (true story) and he was like, "No way, you're a naughty girl."
HOW AWKWARD AND WEIRD IS THAT?! But it's not really because he just means "that's wrong" so it just ends up being so cute.
That's all, and here's a picture of me with my second beer in the country.

Cheers!

FOTC

"Formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo"
If you are unfamiliar with Flight of the Conchords, they are a comedy duo from New Zealand who have become huge in the United States and worldwide with their HBO show. Both Brett and Jemaine are from Wellington and went to Victoria, and 2 nights ago when I was walking downtown on Cuba Street with some friends, Brett passed us!
Here's one of my favorite clips for you to enjoy.

Manholes and Markets

The last couple days have been lovely, getting back into Wellington and settling into somewhat of a routine. I'm blogging from my bed right now, even though it's 4 in the afternoon. One must be proactive in remaining thawed. It is so cold here, like, I am ALWAYS cold. The winds come up from the South (where there is nothing but water and then Antarctica) and are so icy, they just cut through your clothes. Then you go inside and thanks to single paned windows, no insulation, and no central heating, you're just as cold as you were before. Showering is the most comfortable part of my day, but getting out of it in this freezing house is quite miserable. I have a feeling I'll be bitching about the weather for many months to come.

Here's a fun fact, the manhole covers here have pretty designs on them. I took a picture for you at the cost of my pride as all my friends started making fun of me for taking pictures of the ground, so I hope you enjoy it.


Today was my first day of school, which went very well. I was planning to be a super nerd and have my friend Liam from New York take a picture of me in my "first day" outfit in front of the school, but I forgot. None the less, here is my school, Victoria University:This is the Hunter building where i had my first class, POLS206: New Zealand Politics. This class has me sort of scared. It's a second level class and I have absolutely no knowledge of the New Zealand political system or background, turns out it's quite complicated. But the professor, Nigel Roberts is incredibly knowledgeable and has been Television New Zealand's election night commentator in past elections and he's friends with Gordon Brown and stuff, so I guess I can trust that he knows what he's talking about. He's British though, so no troubles understanding his accent. Actually, none of the lecturers are very difficult to understand because they're all educated at very high levels and annunciate well. For this class, however, we are required to attend meetings of Parliament (Wellington is the national capitol) rather than attend any outside of class labs, and after a semester long analysis of the New Zealand constitutional structure, our final assignment is to write our own cconstitution for New Zealand. So as long as I can survive this class, it should be interesting. It's actually one of those classes where you have a feeling you're about to learn an insane amount. I hope I retain most of it.
My second class was a Biology Conservation class which was alright, very basic things about biodiversity, but kind of boring. And it's 4 days a week. Sucks.

This is the view out of out window at night, it's simply stunning. I love to turn off all the lights and have some hot tea by the window.


On Saturday night I went to one of David's friends, Lau, birthday parties. It was a party for his 21st which in New Zealand is a huge deal (even though there is absolutely no legal tie to the age). His family had rented a venue and there was an open bar and caterers and everyone dressed up and people made "roast or toast" speeches about him. It was quite a reception. Here are some shots of his friends making fun of him and the finger food.


Then after the official party we went to a pool hall downtown which is completely beautiful called Hotel Bristol. We hung out there for a while and then I headed home about 2. On my way out (completely sober, if you're wondering) my boot gave out and I totally fell on the huge wooden staircase. My body has been hurting since. I have a huge contusion on the left side of my bum (that's a scary word for bruise that I learned) which I had anticipated, but what's odd is that I'm unable to lift my right leg very high off the ground. Putting on socks has become difficult. I may have pulled something, I don't know, I'll get it checked out if it doesn't go away. Luckily, only 2 people saw it and they were very sweet about helping me up, so humiliation was minimal. Which is good because I don't want to tarnish my reputation as a smooth operator. Here are David's lovely friends whom are quickly becoming my own:


Then the next morning I got up early and trekked (through the wind and rain) to the farmers market downtown. That was totally worth it because I got lots of fresh produce and it's all delicious and was so very cheap. Apparently Wellington is the farmer's last stop on a multi town tour for the week so it's the best deals. I got spinach, green beans, apples, oranges, onions, pears, bananas, and garlic. Then I went to the grocery store and stocked up on everything else I need for the week and I feel so much more established now that I'm able to make my own (healthy) meals at home.

Don't ask me what those are because I have no idea. But they were next to radishes so I'm going to guess some type of root?

Speaking of home, let me introduce you to two of my flatmates, Matt (left) and Steven (right) of Virginia.
They're great roommates and we all get along very well. Plus they're here if there's a bug to be killed, etc. Today is Matt's 21st birthday so there should be either a cake in the making or a dinner, I haven't decided which but I ought to do something. Either way there are people coming over tonight to hang out. I'm glad my birthday isn't on the first day of school, how rough.

David's family invited me over for dinner last night and I gratefully accepted, his parents made a lamb roast with delicious vegetables including pumpkin, which was unexpectedly fabulous in a roast, so I took note of that.

His parents live up in one of the suburbs outside of town and it's totally gorgeous. We went to this lookout point near his house and it was so pretty, but difficult to enjoy because of the gale force winds. Observe:



I'll leave you with fauna. I don't know what it is, but I'd name it a dooly. What would you?

Rolllll With the Punches

User tip: You can click any picture to see a HUGE version of it.

On my third night in Wellington I decided (along with some comrades) that a more in depth cultural study was called for, so we hit the bars.
My first beer was called a Tui, named for a native New Zealand bird. This is that moment and my good friend David who is an important character for this blog.
David is a Kiwi attending Victoria University who just finished a year exchange at UT in Austin where we became friends. David has been great and helped me out so much. Showing me around, introducing me to his friends and family, and just being so so nice. I have found Kiwis in general to be delightfully welcoming. It's so easy to feel at home with such warm hospitality.

David's friend is in a band and we went to catch them at a small venue downtown called "Happy" which was really neat. This whole city seems so cute and trendy. Met some interesting people there and then we all went out together as a group. Here is an awkward no-flash night time semi artsy photo of their show.



So, long story short, the only legal form of identification they'll accept here are New Zealand IDs and Passports. I threw my passport nervously into my purse, and it was taken out of my purse sometime around midnight at a bar called "X-Base" right next to a backpacker hostel.
Nobody turned it in, and so it was all sort of turning into a nightmare because I (thought that I) knew how much of a pain in the ass dealing with that was going to be. So I woke up the next morning, praying it was all a dream, and then made some calls to the bar, the police, the embassy, and the parents (who were super cool and supportive, as always).

Here is an actual photo of me realizing my passport is gone. I don't know who the asshole is who took this, but I'll share it with you.Side note: buffalo plaid is SO in here. Everyone wears it! Way to go, Maggie!

Now, this is where the story starts picking up and important elements fall into place to ensure success.
I (being the genius slash world traveler that I am) had made no copies of my passport. I happened to finish orientation and enrollment at Victoria the previous day, however, where they had made a copy of it to keep in their records.
Our water was shut off because of construction, and so I skipped a shower, grabbed some gum, and headed out at about noon. In the next 2 hours I:
-went to school, cut the huge line of Asians signing up for classes (I don't know why it was Asian day) and got the busy ladies to make a copy of that copy for me.
-had 4 passport photos made (showerless, hair thrown up, and after having been racing across town on foot. oh man, they are sexy).
-filed a police report
-returned to 2 bars we had been at the previous nights to double check
-ducked into an internet cafe and booked 2 tickets to Auckland for an hour later that afternoon (even though the American Embassy is in Wellington, the Consulate is in Auckland, go figure).
-bought and consumed a sandwich
-hopped in a cab to the airport

I had a good conversation with the cab driver from Fiji on the way there about how when you travel you never know what's going to happen and you have to be able to just roll with whatever punches come. He was a wise driver.

I just happened to have another friend named Francesca who is wonderful, and she lives in Auckland. So I skyped her ASAP and arranged to stay with her. I was feeling really good for someone who just potentially had their identity stolen, because I wanted to go to Auckland anyway, I had the week off until school started, and I was really excited to see Francesca and meet her friends.
So I arrive in Auckland andFrancesca takes me out to her pretty house in this insanely beautiful hilly green area (I wish I had pictures of it, but I kept putting it off. I do have this one).
Her mom cooked us dinner and I was thrilled because
1. I was starving and
2. It was my first real Kiwi meal (my father will be happy to hear it was, in fact, lamb).
Here is Francesca excited about the bok choy and wishing I'd stop taking pictures at awkward times.Thumbs up for good home cookin! YES!

I was so thankful to be at her home and sleeping in a warm bed. And whats more is that she has matching pajamas and this awesome pet named Max whom I aptly referred to as "Alien."


Here I am in traditional Maori war clothes after my hunt for the elusive "Target Dog" native to Northern New Zealand. Sort of.

The next morning I took the bus into the city (enjoying the Kenny Rogers they had playing the whole time....?) and spent all morning at the Consulate filling out paperwork and listening to people trying to come to the States be interrogated and then rejected. They even told one guy he wasn't allowed to come ever! That was depressing, and I felt lucky to be American because I can go whenever I want. Which is lucky because I like it.Auckland is really a nice city though. Looks like Seattle sort of if you ask me.

Then I had lunch by the ocean with Stacey who was an exchange student from Auckland in Belgium with me while I was there, and that was wonderful and neat to catch up.

Last night I went out on the town with Francesca and her friends (who were all very hip and stylish) and so that was really fun and once again everyone was completely sweet and welcoming.

All in all, it was a fantastic "lost passport" experience and I am so thankful for Francesca, David, and everyone who helped me make my bad luck into such a terrific weekend.
Cheers.