Plans on the Table

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The past few days have taken some adjusting. But today when I finished up orientation, I could not help but let out a sigh of relief. It had soon become clear to me that I was not the only one who had noticed the lack of glamour in Palmy. People were tossing out questions like: What is the night life like? Can you walk to campus from the city? Where is the fashion? What is there to do here? All things I had wondered at some point. But what I figure is the people make the place. So, once the students come filling back from break, the city will come to life.

Well as far as plans go for New Zealand, I have a few things on the table. A bunch of us Americans (most of us do not even know each other’s names yet) met up after orientation and it seemed natural enough after only a few minutes to rent a bus next weekend and drive down to Wellington to see the All Blacks play. It is so good to know there are people in this world who know how to be spontaneous. I admit the trip is going to reach a bit into my wallet, but who cares!!! It is the All Blacks playing South Africa and I will be a monkey if I miss this chance to watch some good Rugby.

(Which totally reminds me, I had this awful nightmare a few days ago where these man eating monkeys wiped out the entire world of people and the only human survivor was this little old lady...)

And Plan number two: I have decided to start training for the Half Marathon that will be in Palmerston North on August 17th. I have never run one before and if Dad can do it I know I can too! The only thing is I have to convince myself to part with $40 to run the race, Ouch.

Daynote:
I was walking back from the campus bar earlier tonight, when a girl walking in front of me let out a shriek. I looked up to see some brown creature about the size of a small cat looking at me with eyes wide in startlement -which was reflected just as much on the girls face. The creature (a mini raccoon perhaps?) leapt from its perch on the suspended trashbin and retreated up a tree, blinking at us safely from beneath a canopy of leaves. I asked the person if she was ok. She still had her hand up to her mouth, frozen in a pose of surprise. With a nervous laugh and a New Zealand accent she said ya. I asked her what that animal was, she said possum. We chatted and walked up the steps to the village, then went separate ways. What a weird possum. I do not think I have ever seen one that looked so cuddly. The ones at home look like something dredged up from some evil cave.


(Sorry about the lack of photography. Tomorrow I am supposed to go on a tour of a farm near campus, I will be sure to get some lovely pictures of New Zealand Sheep.)

Well as the Maori say, Po marie (goodnight)

~Tessa

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Photos

New Zealand Possum
Cuddly looking and likes scaring the locals.

Comments

[grace]

i think new zealand sounds interesting.