Hamilton!

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I'm in Hamilton! Hooray! Things have been going alright - difficult so far. My friend Erin and I are trying to find a place to live still. Sunday and Monday night we stayed in some of the college dorms, but they kicked us out this morning since other people have to move in. So we'll be staying in a hostel until we find a place. It's been stressful looking, but I suppose it could always be worse. At least I have her to look with me. And this is what I wanted to do. I've never had to find a place to live before, and I wanted to become more independent. Definitely got what I asked for!
New Zealand is absolutely beautiful. We got here Thursday, and were doing Orientation until Sunday in Rotorua. Everywhere you look there are rolling green hills and cows and sheep - and - horses! : ) Orientation was great - we did so many cool things! Zorbing, watched a sheep get sheared and a sheepdog at work, spelunking (cave repelling and exploring), and went to a Maori show and feast, or hangi. I honestly couldn't say what my favorite out of all that was. Zorbing was really exciting - Erin and I got in a huge plastic ball with a little bit of warm water at the bottom and rolled down a hill. Haha, sounds crazy doesn't it? I loved it! I wish we could have done it 20 more times. No motion sickness - that's only with the dry Zorbing, where you hold on and roll head over heels. Didn't really want to do that. The people are all great - I still feel like we haven't had that much Kiwi interaction yet. During Orientation we were with other AustraLearn students from the States. Once we find a place to live and classes start things will be different.
Also on hold til we find a place to live - real internet. I'm in the Waikato library right now, we just got everything set up. So I'll be able to use this, but I'll wait to upload pictures until I can use my laptop.
This weekend Erin and I plan on going to beach with people. It's only about 40 minutes away, and i think we'll be able to take a bus there. Hooray! Raglan is a famous surfing beach, with black-sand beaches. Who knows, I might learn how to surf while I'm here!
The biggest differences here - you have to pay for everything!! Internet in the library, no phone in the dorm rooms, no internet in the dorm rooms, cell phones cost per minute instead of getting one huge plan, and everyone uses text messaging a lot more than we do. I thought about getting a cell phone, but i think I'd rather learn how to do without. You also have to pay for services in the Infirmary - I went to get my stitches out this morning (it's healing great, by the way). So different from Furman!!
We're going to look at an apartment now - wish us luck! I promise to have more updates and details soon, sorry this was so general! Pictures later, too.
I'd love to hear from all of you! Tell me about Furman life, the end of Winter Term, spring break, and anything else!
Much love,
Katherine

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Comments

[Amanda M.]

Hey girlie!
Wow! It sounds like you have had a real adventure already! Sounds like so much fun! I pray that ya'll will be able to find a place to live! Don't have too much fun without me! A lot has been going on here, but I will email it to you later! Love ya!

[Merianna Neely]

Katherine! I hope that you are getting some responses from people. It's crazy here as I am sure that you know, but I think people are literally going insane : ) Spring Break is coming up and Noah and I are headed to Wheaton to see his family. 15 degree weather isn't normally what you think about when you think of Spring Break, but you know when Furman's is so early you kinda have to roll with the punches. I am jealous of your beach talk. I hope that you are getting settled in and I am glad that you have Erin with you! Talk to you later! Merianna