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Published: October 11th 2005
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Kia Ora Katou!- (Hey everyone!)
Long time no blog! My apologies! These past two weeks have been just overwhelming with all my schoolwork coming to a big pile. AGH! But I managed to survive and turn it all in. SO now I have a week until my Finals and then traveling the North Island, then FIJI! It has all flown by SO quickly, can you believe I am done with my classes at Vic, already?
My time at school here has been a great learning experience. For the most part I loved all my classes, (Music in NZ, Maori Society and Culture, Peopling of Polynesia and Literature, Film, Theatre of Aotearoa NZ) My favorite being the latter. In Maori class I learned how to do cultural dances, sing a waiata, do a karanga and help cook at the Marae. In Polynesia I learned about archaeology around the south pacific, which I am especially happy about when I reach Fiji, maybe see some arch. sites? And in Music in NZ I was immersed in tons of native musical groups. Lit. class was awesome- we had three NZ writers visit our lecture class. My favourite was Karlo Mila, a poet. She
is by far incredible! I really enjoyed Maori studies even though it was a tough class, because it opened my eyes to te reo Maori( the language) the cosmogony, the culture, and the reality of NZ as a Pacific Nation, not "little Britain" as much of the Kiwi Population sees it.
I'll give you all a run down on what I have been up to these past few weeks:
Rubbing Elbows with the Wellywood Socialites A few weekends ago, a bunch of us (Helma, Rachel, Ngaire, Chris, Liz Nicole, Christian, Arnes) went to the Birthday party for the SENIOR DIGITAL DIRECTOR of Lord of the Rings, King Kong, and Narnia! CRAZY. Liz apparently knew the DJ and got us the hook up...We hobbed knobbed with the Wellywood crowd on a rooftop penthouse, which over looked the city, for the whole night. Just heaps of fun dancing and getting our photos taken by the hired professional photographer. The theme was "Saki's Playboy Mansion" Check out the pictures here:
Picture #4 Picture #1 Picture #2 Picture #3 Pirate/80's Party and Karaoke Extravaganza The next weekend we all got decked out in Pirate garb mixed with 80's gear and headed to a Pir80's Party.
The fun part was dressing up and running around in our get ups, sadly the party was not as thrilling. SO we all migrated to Flat 3 Wai te ata, and had an impromptu karaoke session before moving our way to the K Bar for a real full on Karaoke night. Rachel and Mark sang Billie Jean! Then we followed Chris and Arnes to Wellington's premier Gay Bar "The Pound" (as in the British currency) for a wild night of dancing and laughing it up with Wellington’s best dressed drag queens. What a wild affair!
Katrina Benefit Concert I was happy to attend the New Orleans benefit concert at Welly's Town Hall last week. I was surprised by the support and embrace Welly was giving NOLA. I got Rachel to tag along too! We were welcomed by the sounds of a Dixie style band on the rooftop, and given strands of Mardi Gras beads to get in the mood of NOLA. There were even vendors that served Jambalaya and Gumbo. NO beignets, sadly. The show was great. Performances ranged from Cajun quintets equipped with accordions, to Jazz Bands, and the Wellington Capital city Gospel Choir. The latter set
Pirates Flashback to the 80's
Hailey, Rachel, and Ngaire and I are sportin some niice garb, wouldnt you say? I especially like the hook. was one of my favorites. Seeing that NZ does not really have a population of African descent- the gospel choir was comprised of mostly Pacific Islanders and Maoris. The show had less of a gospel feel and more of a Pacific flava rather than African or Southern New Orleans . BUT hey it’s NZ and it’s supposed to have its own flava, while supporting New Orleans. I really enjoyed the event and all the help that NZ was giving to such an amazing city. TO end the night, Rachel and I went to the restaurant "The Quarter" - the New Orleans style cafe in town. It was rather odd...not really anything like new Orleans which is to be assumed. but we still had fun celebrating my favourite US city, and the home of my love!
Domestic Shelly I have been converted to a Baker from scratch by Miss Ngiare Leighton! She has convinced me that instant cakes and pies are just for wimps. She didn’t even know you could bake a cake from a mix in a box. WOW am I just a complete wimp? SO, I have baked two chocolate cakes from scratch in the past 2
Attack of the Tacky's!
Chris, Christian, and I get a little wacky when we are together! weeks. I must say not only is it fun, but it tastes SO good. We decorated the cakes with 'hundreds and thousands' (kiwi slang for sprinkles) and Ngaire placed flowers on top. Masterpiece? , I think so.
I Have also forgotten to mention that I have found a fantastic yoga studio in town. It’s really close to my flat, and it’s got a great student discount. Plus they serve amazing vegetarian feasts at the end of the session. Simply amazing. I even bought a cookbook from them to learn their ways! It is such a comfort to have my yoga in my weekly routine. I am so thankful I came across it (well Ngaire told me about it...so I am thankful I came across my Ngaire!)
This past weekend, the weather cleared up a bit and I spent the day walking around the waterfront and visiting the City Gallery of Art. I had a wonderful time soaking up the Welly sunshine and watching people play at the waterfront. I just love this city!
Yesterday, Christian and I spent the day walking around town and visiting the Wellington City and Sea Museum. We left feeling 'enlightened and
Katrina benefit Concert
Fuzzy photo, but you can see that it is the stage for the NOLA benefit show whichw as held at Town Hall in Wellington full of knowledge about Wellington'. We enjoyed a hot cocoa at Plum of Cuba cafe on Cuba street then headed to Busy Bees Used Bookstore and the Post office to send some letters off!
I have also been writing a lot of poetry and taking tons of photos. I never write poetry, but for some reason Aotearoa inspires me! this country is out of this world (and nearly at the bottom of it too!) My time here has been more than anything I could have ever imagined. I just love everyone I’ve met and everything I’ve gotten to do. What a life experience! NZ is so open, multi cultural, and creative. The energy here is so positive and uplifting. I was feeling sad about returning to the Southern US. where it is the opposite. I know the world is not really made up like the 'Bubble' of the south is. Narrow minds, bible beating, racial slurs, overarching conservative traditions, and claustrophobic perspectives are not the real world. There is so much more important things than judging the 'other' because you know you have it 'all figured out' the answers are not so easily obtained. you have to explore
and live your life, and go through obstacles and back to find what matters to you, the answers are not in one book. or one way of thinking. it’s through experiences. and being challenged. I am not one to judge or talk. but hey, this is my blog. so that’s my voice! I Know that this is just the beginning of many life adventures, so I am excited about taking what I’ve learned here back home with me.
What is to Come Tomorrow I leave for Kapiti Island! Ngaire and I are taking the Train up the coast, and we will tramp on the island for the day. It is only opened for 50 people a day, because it is a conservation site for endangered wildlife. Look for pictures to come! Until then, Cheers and well wishes, Shelly
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Mommy
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Oh How Time Flies!
Well my dear sweet Shelly, As I read the beginning of your unavoidable goodbye to Wellington, your beloved home away from home, I can't help but feel a bit sad...seems just like yesterday when you arrived there, high on anticipation and eager to explore the wonders of the land of the Kiwis. You were so excited. For as long as I can remember, you've declared your strongest desire to visit New Zealand some day. And now you have my dear. In the four short months you've lived in Wellington, you have clearly become one of them, you are an adopted Kiwi now, thanks to their warm hospitality and gracious generosity. I want to thank everyone there for being so welcoming and supportive of you over the course of the semester. Obviously you have made wonderful new friends from all over the world, with whom you have shared such marvelous times. You are truly blessed, Shelly. When it's all said and done, you'll surely know that it's the people who have touched your life who are most dear to you. They are part of who you are now...a priceless souvinir,indeed! May God continue to Bless All Of You as you finish up your studies at the university. Love and SWAK, Mommy