surprisingly I chose to sleep in today...missed breakfast but the extra sleep was greatly appreciated! went to lunch at 12:30 with stine, we had spaghetti and salad. Lazed around reading my book (The Andromeda Strain) and getting ready for classes by going over their required reading material. Spoke with Aunt Kris via Skype for a while, which was a pleasant surprise to hear my computer ring. Grafton Hall had its official welcome with a Powhiri, dinner, hall meetings, floor meetings and a quiz night. Met a few new people and discovered that our hall houses 32 different countries, talk about div [View Full Entry]

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breakfast at 830am today, got to sleep a little bit! Stine and I had the hopes of going to an International BBQ, however the weather decided not to cooperate. My new Norwegian friends Kari-ann and Kathryn came along with us as we made the hike into Uni. Arrived in the pouring rain, soaking wet but still unbelievably warm. We found out that the BBQ had been postponed due to the weather...its just rain people! and warm rain at that!! Got the details on when the BBQ would be held instead (March 8th) and headed over to the International Centre for some [View Full Entry]

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guess what...breakfast at 8am! :-) went back to sleep for a few more hours then took the link bus going the wrong direction (intentional!!!) just to see where it could drop me off if I wanted to get out for the day...was quite a nice ride around Auckland. I then got dropped off in front of the Uni where I proceeded to go to the Biology Building to pick up my course guides for Biometry and Ecology. Classes look like they should be interesting, quite a few more field trips than I might be used to for college courses. Went back [View Full Entry]

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Began the day with breakfast at 8am with Stine. Went with Stine to help set up her Student Visa with the international centre...all went well. Parted ways for a bit while I went to a BIOSCI prep lecture in the basement of the library in hopes of better understanding my classes. It was set up entirely for freshman but it was nice to hear that what I have been doing for school seems to be right. Met Stine downtown for lunch at the Ferry Crossing (as I like to call it, reminds me of Lord of the Rings). Ate lunch and [View Full Entry]

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Started the day with breakfast at 8am (see a routine???) consisting of muesli, yogurt and fruit. Went back to sleep for a while then Stine and I went to meet up with Carmen from the Information Fair. Not much to see there so we left and ate lunch at a cafe on campus by the name of Slurp in the main student commons area. Went to a lecture session on Living in Auckland, learned a little bit more about the city and the dos and don'ts of travel. Got on the free bus to go downtown and shop/look around. Bus over [View Full Entry]

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Long day. Began at 8 with breakfast then a quick pace walk to the Marae. All first year students and study abroad/exchange students were present for this traditional Maori greeting/challenge. Followed by a Uni Guide tour of campus and the buildings to locate our lecture halls. Went to a few practical study session meetings, reminders of how to balance between work and play. Ran around and got another book for class and some class lecture notes for my Anthro 102 class.. Also hoped on the free City Bus just to see where it would take me... Went with Stine to get [View Full Entry]

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Started the day off with breakfast at about 8am with my new friend Stine (pronounced stee-nah) and roommate Emma (common pronunciation with the New Zealand accent). Went into the University for Orientation meetings. Got a travel package from one of the sessions and proceeded to book a trip to the Bay of Islands for two days (15, 16 March) one days is strictly sailing around the islands the other is arrival and explore the local village. My travel partner on this adventure will be my new friend Stine :-) she is from Norway, 20 years old and planning to stay for [View Full Entry]

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Woke up at about 9am. Packed my things from Doug and Louise's house and moved in to Grafton Hall (Carlton House number 19 on the second floor) with a tour of the grounds and building. Made one last run to the Warehouse for some dorm room essentials and then proceeded to play tourist :-) Devonport...gorgeous seaside town with tiny shops and quaint cafes. Excellent art galleries and amazing views looking back into the city Northhead...hilltop overlooking the bay and surrounding islands. canons face the bay so that the Japanese couldn't enter the Auckland harbour back in the day [View Full Entry]

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Slept til about 9:45am and woke up with a swollen face from a mosquito bite. Ate delicious breakfast then went for a 'tiki tour' in the car. Went to Muriwai beach with black sands on the Tasman Sea and traveled through the countryside to get there (Kumea and Huapai) Stopped at little Cafe to have lunch called Sand Dunz. Went to the Maritime museum on Quay street downtown and got a bit of history about New Zealand and Auckland. Had dinner with friends Tom and Sheila...what a night! Evening went late/early to 3am [View Full Entry]

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Arrived early at 4:30am. Managed to last the day with no caffeine and stay up until about 9:30pm. Met Doug and Louise and settled in a bit. Went to the University and managed to set up a bank account, get my student ID card, and located my residence hall! Went shopping for the essential elements of my new life and managed to play a little bit (Queen Street, Victoria Park Market and downtown). Had an extremely nice dinner at Doug and Louise's house and fell asleep promptly. [View Full Entry]

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