Things and stuff

This stupid blog won't let me name the entry what I wanted to grr. Here is an update of the last week.

Sunday:- Michelle arrived! We went out for lunch with her parents and her sister Sarah (Sarah is doing a teaching course here.) We went to Petone (pee-tony) which is the town next to Wellington (I think.) After lunch we drove up to Makara (makra) where we could see the south island! We were then dropped off back home in time for the BBQ.

Monday:- The RAs woke us up by setting the fire alarm off at 7am. We then had to do boot camp (a Vic. House tradition) which involved stupid games on Boyd Wilson field and carrying settees and mattresses up and down hills. I was unimpressed. At lunch time we had the civic welcome which is basically all the first year houses sitting in the civic square and yelling stupid chants at each other. In the evening we had vitesse datant aka French night aka speed dating aka human bingo. I won a bag of Jaffas and a little cup for coming in first place ;-) Afterwards I went to the Big Kumara for a couple of pints.

Tuesday:- I managed to finally get enrolled (albeit on a course that doesn't exist) and in the evening we went on a ferry ride around the harbour. In the rain.

Wednesday:- Pretty much dossed about all day and then did Operation Orientation in the evening. Pretty sure we came last but it was fun and we went on the cable car :D I met a girl from BSE :D I've noticed that there's a lot of ex-Brits here ie people who grew up in the UK and then moved to Kiwiland at a later date. People still keep getting confused by my accent. A worrying amount of people think I'm either a Kiwi or a Yank :|

Thursday:- I went to campus coaches at lunch time and then onto the faculty orientation. In the evening we had sexalogical (cross-dressing sex quiz.) I won best dressed boy and got a back massager of dubious shape as my prize.

Friday:- Went to the big play out in the morning (think assault courses, bouncy castle Twister, and human foosball.) Went up to uni in the afternoon to sort out my courses, bought duck wrapping paper for our door and the student notes for my classes (ordered the books off the internet...) In the evening we had the Zombie Ball. I had to leave and come back because stupid country is stupid and doesn't accept my drivers license as ID. The music wasn't my kind of thing, there were $9 bottles of Bulmers, it was due to end at 1am but ended at 11:30pm due to noise control/lack of people. The union bar has only just reopened, apparently it wasn't very popular (something I've noticed from other unis with multiple campuses.)

Saturday:- Went in to town, found a nice shop where I was told to bring my camera and receipt in during the week and they'll talk to Fujifilm for me :) in the evening I went to see 'A Winter's Tale' performed in the botanical gardens with Michelle, Sarah, and Sarah's friend Rachel. I was quite surprised when the actors came on stage to see that my campus coach, Oscar, was in the production.

Sunday: Today has been a fairly chilled day before tomorrow, took the house photo. Asking Lauren if I can apply for an internship with her.

I think that's it...

Just to remind you all...

As I'm sure you're probably aware Christchurch, or ChCh as it's known here, got kicked in the balls whilst it was already on the ground. Obviously, in a country this small, a lot of people have been affected by it and there are people in my halls from the area who have friends and family down there. I'm very lucky as I live on the other island but we do still have earthquakes. If you hear of a quake in Wellington, then panic. In the meantime, if you're feeling generous, please donate some money to rescue & rebuilding efforts. I went shopping earlier and plonked my change into a collection box. I wanted to donate blood but I'm not allowed to.

In other news, things seem to be going ok with the whole room share thing although we've not got a lot in common. Michelle's parents have invited me to visit over Easter so once I know what my timetable is like, I'll start planning what I want to do for the break. I might go down to the south island for a week and then stay with her for a week. Michelle's mum's birthday is the day after mine!

There's probably loads of crap I need to update you on but for now, up there is a picture of me on Monday at the beach party at The Big Kumara. I went with some other people from Vic house and the guy next to me is William. I can report that Isaac's cider ($4.50) is quite nice.

Facebook stalking ;-)

After working my way through the list of recipients on the welcome email who don't have name based addresses, I have finally found my room mate. Unfortunately, all I can see is her profile pic. There are two girls in it, so one of them is her. It's between dark curly hair or dark straight hair. That'll do.

Am feeling a lot better after managing to keep some bread and rice in me. Met some more people today. Hopefully tomorrow will be alright *nervous*

EDIT: Quick perusal of her friends list seems to indicate that she is the girl with the dark straight her. The hoodie with 'Shelly' on it kinda gave it away.

frdhyu

Dear father, this is going to be another 'depressing' post because I'm ill.

Today I have spent most of the day in bed. I got it together enough to walk up the big fucking hill to enrol. Then I realised I'd left the form behind. The people were pretty much like 'Go home, get some rest, come back on Monday.' They can tell I'm ill because I'm wearing a hoodie in blazing sunshine (yet they can't tell my accent, they all seem very surprised when I tell them I'm an international student :S)

In other news, just got a message from Lauren saying that she'd like to organise my returning thing in Norwich at The Bicycle Shop and what did I make of it?

If the truth be told, I have no idea what I make of it. But she's good at organising things, so it's mighty tempting.

Windows Fran needs a new anti-virus

I can't remember if I mentioned before that I've been feeling like shit since Sunday. Anyway, today Jesse (my senior RA who turned 20 yesterday :O ) pretty much told me I was going to student health services because I look so rough. I survived the walk back up the hill, saw a Canadian, and then got charged $63 for the pleasure of being told that I have a virus and there's nothing they can do for me except tell me to take paracetamol and hide in bed. Gah. When I'm more alive, I'll figure out how I can claim this back on the insurance.

ION, I got my bank card today :D

Today was orientation. I haven't met a single Brit yet, and they don't have many partner unis. I'm the only one from UEA and they're also partnered with Leeds, City, RH, Lancaster, and Surrey. There are lots of other Europeans here (particularly Germans) and a shit load of Americans (who I already want to slap in to the next millenium.)

I really hope I'm less dead by the time Michelle arrives (I've also learned that she is 18) otherwise we may have a problem.

Also, a close friend has just gotten some really bad news in their family. Feel a bit useless being so far away at this time :(

Give it some Welly!

Long time, no blog. Blame Fiji.

There's perhaps one photo from my Hollywood tour because I own the worst camera in the world (I've spied a few shops that look like they may be able to help and if they still can't then it's time to put it in a box and send it back to Fuji - I found the receipt too.)

Fiji was interesting. My arrival in to the country was somewhat unexpected, being escorted by police wasn't what I was planning. Most of you who read this already know what happened. If you don't, then just ask and I will tell. I did however meet a very nice girl named Christina on the flight. She is from Washington state, about an hour and a half from Seattle.

Here's a general rundown of what I did:

Tuesday: Arrived, showered, napped, went for a full body massage.

Wednesday: Went to Southsea Island. Went on a sub-boat-thing, learned to snorkel (where I met Hannah & Jonathan) and got stung by sea-lice (baby jellyfish to normal people), exchanged contacts with Hannah & Jonathan (forgot to say, they're Aussies) over lunch and then went kayaking, which didn't go very well and resulted in me getting very burned and cutting my foot open when the tide slammed the kayak into it. Went home, had an allergic reaction (most likely the mosquito cream. I got bitten a lot.)

Thursday: Went to Robinson Crusoe Island, met Corina (another Aussie), watched the traditional dancing, tried fresh coconut, had a traditional lovo meal (cooked in the ground) and did the pamper package - massage, manicure & pedicure for $60 (or about £20!)

Friday: Went to Port Denarau and met Christina for lunch. After she caught her transfer, I tried to find Hannah & Jonathan (and Paul & Jillian who I didn't know they were with). They weren't in so I left them a note.

Saturday: Went to the temple in Nadi. On the way bumped in to Hannah, Jillian & Paul, had lunch with them and then went to Denarau with them and played volleyball in the pool at their resort.

Sunday: Spent the day at Chedly & Ellen's house (the hostel owners) as nothing was open on Sunday because A) It's a Sunday B) The Monday was a public holiday C) The country was in mourning because the old president had just died. We were going to go up to the mud-hot-springs thing but the weather was too bad so we stayed in and watched films and the USA sevens with their friends and family.

I arrived in NZ yesterday. The flight was fine and Auckland airport is officially my favourite one. My shampoo and shower jelly exploded all over my case. Got to Wellington and found out that I could move in that day so once we got there, I went and explained things to the hostel I was booked in to. I live in a shared room so I should be meeting my room mate, Michelle, on Sunday aka moving day. I've met a few people so far, including my RA Nicole, and they all seem nice. I just hope I can shift my flu-y-ness before Sunday. I hope Michelle is nice.

Today I set up an account with the National Bank, I should hopefully get my card on Friday. I've not paid my fees yet and my cards don't like the chip & pin machines here :S I bought a few bits and bobs (new shower gel, air freshener, a mirror because I couldn't locate where it was, a notepad, some plastic glasses and some lens cleaner.) I can't buy a fresher's pass (or O week as they call it here) because I don't have a Vic. ID and I can't get that until I enrol, which is Friday (grr.) Hopefully I will make it to some stuff, there is a neon toga party which sounds fun. I bought some Zubrowka at the Fiji duty free but I will have to hide it as it's against the rules to have any alcohol in rez during orientation, study, and exam weeks.

I will have uber legs by the time I return home. I live on a hill. To get to uni you go up it, to get to town you go down it. Wellington is very hilly but apart from that, it reminds me a lot of Norwich. I really like it here so far, it feels like home. We'll see how things go over the next little while :)

I forgot to say, according to the inflight magazine, cider is becoming the cool drink in NZ ;-) they also have the BEST money over here. The $10 note has Kate Sheppard on one side and the blue duck on the other :D :D :D

My eyes a camera, my feelings film

It's ok if you don't understand what the title is about because I'm linking you to the explanation. I hope the link is good because I can't check. I'm in the quiet area, see, because one of the girls in my room got into an almighty huff because I was using 'her' socket :S See Fakebook for snarky status on the matter.

I'm in LA. It's not a dirty as people said, although oh my lord, you need to be an expert people dodger to get anywhere. Today I was accosted by beggars (fairly standard on the west coast, it's the weather, see), guys selling tours (I booked myself on one for tomorrow), a bloke selling his EP, a guy dressed as the guy from Scream, people asking me to take their photo for them, and the people from the Church of Scientology. They wanted to know if I wanted a free stress test. I pretended to be deaf and carried on walking. I don't need a stress test, I know I'm stressed, haha.

So far I've wandered up the walk of fame, been to Grauman's Chinese theatre and finally got myself a new handbag. The tour tomorrow is one of those go see the Hollywood sign, see where 'famous' people live, see the shops I can't afford to go into type things. I imagine it'll be cheesy but fun. I should probably try taking the bus tomorrow, the whole hour and a half walk to Hollywood Blvd. is kinda destroying my feet. That and I don't think I've recovered from my last day in San Fran, where I decided to walk to Lombard St. (the winding one) then to Fisherman's Wharf then back again. There's a reason San Fran has lots of trams and things. Anyway, the best way I can describe that walk is to tell you to imagine walking around a crooked house (a la the one in Southend) whilst drunk.

I'm sure there's probably some other crap I should be telling you but I am le tired (it's bloody cold here at night so it takes a while to get to sleep)

The Fran o'clock news

Good evening. Here is a round up of today's news in the land of Fran:

- My camera appears to be working again. The man in the shop blamed the weather (was he secretly English?) and then tried to sell me a new one.

- For $8.75 I got myself a pair of turquoise capri pants, so I at least have something for my first few hours in Fiji. And they come below my knee, so I don't need to wear my sarong with them.

- The housing situation is down to two houses. On the same road. I know which one I prefer but it looks like we could be at a massive loggerheads situation here. We'll see how this pans out. I'm really hoping that somebody snaps up the house I'm not so keen on so that it resolves the situation.

- I've just spent nearly two hours talking to Farah on Skype. She seems nice and whilst I do see her points, I'm not sure if she can see mine. Maybe I don't articulate myself very well, so I shall try to explain things here in the hope that I make more sense. I'm hoping to get hold of one of the parentals in the next few hours to discuss things with them.

House no.1 (the one I want)

- 4 bedrooms

- Has a tennant already there who will be continuing to live there.

- As there is already a tennant, less faffing about with the bills.

- Is let by a lady

- £240/month

- Comes with tv

- Only single-glazed

House no. 2

- 3 bedrooms

- Is let by an agency

- £260/month

- No tv

- Double-glazed

- All bedrooms are doubles

Now, to me it seems obvious why we should have house no.1 The arguments against it go thus:

- Farah doesn't want to live with a guy

- Only single-glazed so will cost more

- Is bigger than house no. 2 so bills will be more

- 3 people = closer knit house.

I appreciate the points being made but here is why I think house no.1 is better

- Rent is less.

- House is bigger

- I've seen pics of it

- I have never known a house of 3 to work peacefully. It often ends up with 2 people being buddy-buddy and the other person being a spare. At UBC I lived on the same floor as nearly 40 people are it was the most harmonious place I've lived because there were more options for hanging out etc.

- The thought of an all-female house terrifies me slightly (I get on better with blokes. That's fairly obvious from the fact that all bar one of my closest friends are blokes.)

- I genuinely don't think that £20 extra/month for a house on the exact same street can be justified by it having double-glazing/less room to heat.

- Inigo used to pay £260-ish for his old room which was including all the bills so I really don't see how it's justified.