Happy Days...

Day 13: Christchurch, Thursday, 16th July

HI!!! Today’s a good day . I ran this morning, sent a letter, and then talked to the office about changing flats. I don’t like to complain, but if I’m only going to be here for 4 months, I really don’t want to spend it sitting in my room because I’m too disgusted to look at the kitchen. And it’s gotten gross again. I’m such a people pleaser and hate saying anything, and I don’t like being the loner who sits in my room during parties and don’t want to cramp my flatmates’ styles. So, I’ve decided to try to get into a different flat, with hopefully all girls and at least clean, neat people, as well as people that don’t party all the time. First of all, I’m not about to go out and get crunk, and secondly, I’m in NEW ZEALAND! I don’t want to waste my money on alcohol; I want to spend it traveling and buying souvenirs for all you guys back home! So, we’ll see how it goes and if I can move or not; hopefully I’ll know by tomorrow. Other than that, I skyped Kate and Colton today, and it was really good to actually see and hear them. I got to watch them just be goofy and hang out at home, and they were both vying for my attention on the webcam, which was really funny too. It was good to get that sense of home again. After that, I went with my two new friends, Nikki and Jamie, to Count-Down (the grocery store) to grab a few things, and now I’m off to philosophy class. I’ll tell you more about my two new friends later, but I’m really happy I’ve met them, and if they read this, I hope they don’t get freaked out and run the other direction. It’s just that I’ve struggled this week, and then I met them, so it’s not been as bad finding other people my age and who live a very similar lifestyle. Anyways, after class I’ll probably just make some dinner and then head to the library or bookstore to buy a few books before I call it a night. Hopefully I’ll get to go hiking this weekend possibly, so we’ll see. Miss you all! Love you!



Day 12: Christchurch, Wednesday, 15th July

Hey all! Today was a pretty chill day. I went to one class, and then sat in the library on the computer for awhile, messed around with my class schedule again and got it to where I have no class on Fridays and only one class on Monday at 5, so it’s basically like I have a four day weekend EVERY weekend! I’m excited to get to do stuff! I think I’m going to take a bus to Dunedin soon and visit my friends down there. I also want to go to Wellington one weekend, and I want to watch an All Blacks (rugby team) game. We’ll see how travel goes once I get the stupid financial aid figured out. That’s another thing I could use prayer for. The U of I financial aid office sucks and has completely screwed me, and they’re supposed to resubmit my new budget so I get more help, but they haven’t done that yet. It’s all very frustrating and hard to deal with, especially since I’m half-a-world away and trying to figure it out through my mom and e-mail. Plus, I may not need the loan I signed up for, and even if I do, I can’t get it since I’m technically attending a university that doesn’t cooperate or have an agreement with US Bank, which is where my loan’s through. Ah well. Anyways, after chilling in the library, I went back to my flat, at dinner, and then caught a bus to the movie theater. The theaters here are very different. There is a lot more space between rows, so it’s easier to get out and in. Also, there is assigned seating, which is nice too, at least for premieres because you don’t have to worry about getting seats next to each other. Other than that, I thought the movie was ok. Nothing to brag about. I was disappointed personally; they cut a lot of stuff out and added a lot of stuff and I didn’t really appreciate that. Especially with how much danger Harry was actually in, I thought they should have included that and put more emphasis on that. And we didn’t find out about Voldemort’s mother either, like we did in the books. I felt like it would have explained things better about the horcruxes. Plus, the love thing was just a little over-the-top. I guess I just wanted more action…which means the next two films should be AWESOME. Anyways, after that I came home and went to bed. I live an exciting life, I know .



Day 11: Christchurch, Tuesday, 14th July

So, today was a day of ups and downs. I got up balling my eyes out, but sobered up for class. Then, my first class was pretty lame so I’m going to try to switch it, but my second I’m with Peter, one of the guys from Arcadia. So that makes me happy. Both of my morning classes are based on studying Pacific cultures, but since they’re so alike, I’m ok with dropping the first one, since there’s only 4 of us in that class anyways. I also made a friend, Nikki, so I’m excited about that as well. I’m thinking we’ll get along well together; she said she’s not much of a partier either, so that’s already a benefit. She’s in my PACS101 class, and we are going to play volleyball together for Ilam, our apartment complex. I had a break between classes from 1-4, so I skyped Joshua at a more reasonable time for him, and then went to my Art History class again, and a Philosophy class titled “God, Mind, and Freedom.” It’s going to be extremely intense I think, and definitely challenging, but it’s interesting and will stretch the mind. Anyways, all in all it was a good day; definitely better than yesterday. I’m off to make some dinner and then read for awhile before heading to bed. Harry Potter starts tomorrow…get stoked!




Day 10: Christchurch, Monday, 13th July

Today started the first day of classes…and I only had one. It’s an Art History class, titled “Kiwi Icons.” It’s semi-interesting, long-winded though. It only lasts an hour however, so it should be ok. We have a tutorial on Wednesdays where we get to go explore the art museum at the city center, all expenses (transport) paid, so that’s really nice. Um, not much else happened today. I went into the city center to walk around the shops again and found a coat (more ski wear gear) for $99 NZD, although it was originally priced at $569 NZD. So that was a steal. I finished my application and fee for my 18+ card, which is basically my New Zealand form of ID. That way, I don’t have to carry around my passport and risk losing it. I also ate at this little café that’s just starting out; they had a deal for a slice of cake and coffee, so I ate in there, read a little, and then left to walk around the city some more. I went into some of the bigger shops and just tried to get acquainted with the city better. I got lost, sort of, on the way back, but I just went too far north is all. After class I came back home, skyped with Joshua, and then went to bed. However, I was woken up in the night several times by my flatmates. I think I’m going to try to switch flats…not that I completely dislike my flatmates, but they’ve already lived together for a semester and have a set relationship with one another I feel like, and I’m just miserable. Plus, the place is getting gross again, and I refuse to clean it. So hopefully I can get on with some other people a little better…Pray God gives me patience and strength, cause I’m really struggling right now with being here and not knowing anyone or finding anyone that’s remotely like me at all. It’s getting harder for me, not easier, and therefore harder for me to keep a brave face. So please pray for me, and that God will show me what the crap I’m doing here because I don’t have a clue anymore.