Saturday, January 31, 2009

Cities and Scenery

Hey,
So I ended up having a pretty good birthday. I bought myself a really cute birthday dress and went out to dinner at this really yummy vegetarian restaurant called the Dux de Lux. I would recommend it if you're ever in Chirstchurch. Then yesterday we had our first and only test for Anthropology class which was fairly easy. I've also been doing some random gift shopping and bought myself a sweet purse along with a few things for other ppl. I haven't forgot about all of you ppl back home. Then last night we went to the Tamaki Heritage Center and got an interactive show about some very troubling times of Maori history, followed by a traditional hungi (sp?) meal. I'd heard mixed reviews about the food and personally I thought it was just ok. Not bad, but a bit bland. It's prepared by heating rocks in a earth pit and then burying the food for 6 hours.
Then today we drove out to Banks Peninsula and Hinewai reserve. The scenery was AMAZING and beautiful and hopefully later tonight I'll be able to post some pictures on my fliker acount. No promises though. We hiked around and ate lunch and then, disaster struck. I was walking with 3 other girls for our scavenger hunt of different plants when I got that feeling (girls you'll know what I'm talking about) and to make a long story short. I started my period in the middle of a forest. Great timing body. Really, I love you too. Now, I had been to the bathroom not an hour earlier so I know it was in the forest. Anyway, I did the outdoorsy thing and sucked it up and fixed the problem right there in the woods.
After hiking around for another hour we finally got back on the bus and headed out to Akaroa for a bit. I ate yummy fish and chips and HOKEY POKEY ice cream! Then took a nap on the drive back. Now I have to finish my essays for tomorrow and repack.
I probably won't be posting for a week since we'll be traveling in the woods, etc. So I hope all is well with you and talk to you later.
LOVE,
Katie

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

BIRTHDAY!!!

Hey All,
I'm about to go to bed but just wanted to let everyone know that it's my birthday way over here in New Zealand.
Cheers!
Kate

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Quickly

Hey Y'all (yes, I'm traveling with lots of ppl from Georgia so I'm allowed to say y'all)

Anyway, just a short update.
I've been pretty busy with class every morning this week. Yesterday we went to the 2009 World Busker's Festival in the evening. It was soo funny, and there were some amazing clown/mimes, acrobats, and just weird performers. I ate a yummy falafal pita from a Lebanese vendor and then a delicious dark chocolate banana crepe from a french vendor. They have quite a selection of food here in christchurch. Another busy day today but hopefully we'll get to go out and have some fun tonight for my birthday at midnight! Can't believe I'm going to be 21. How did I get so old? (and yes Pete, you're still older : D )
Well, I'm terribly sorry to run but I must get to class.
Cheers,
Kate

Sunday, January 25, 2009

First Day of Class

Unlike all you other unlucky bums ( : D ) today is my first official day of class this semester. This week I start (and finish the inclassroom part of) the Anthropology course I'm taking. Hopefully it will be pretty interesting. We're starting off looking at who were the people that first populated NZ and AU and then getting into some of their culture, etc.
I really Love Christchurch as a city, I is so walkable and there are not really any skyskrapers to get in the way of the sky. Everyone here is very friendly as well. It's almost like the local Kiwi's are always joking and relaxed and wanting to have a good time. Also, I still can't get used to the fact that the sun rises here at like 6:30am and doesn't set until 9:30pm. It makes for very long days. For all you bike ppl out there, Christchurch has lots of bike lanes and racks for everyone. Tons of great Asian food around as well, including Thai, Japanese, Chinese, etc...
There are trees everywhere (since it is the Garden City) and it doesn't smell like a city at all. It's also extremely clean, there's hardly any trash in/on the streets. Of course they drive on the left side of the road which is odd so remember to look RIGHT first before crossing. Also, at most intersections when the cross signal lights up it is a green walking person as opposed to a red walking person and when this happens all traffic stops and you can cross in any direction including diagonal. Pretty sweet.
I also love the accents here, which are different than Aussie accents (check it out on youtube if you want) and I also enjoy all the slang terms. Like an elevator is a lift, candies are called lollies, sandals are jandals, and cherrio is my favorite parting greeting.

So in the words of my Kiwi friends,
Cherrio and have a great day!
Katie

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Surf's Up

KiaOra!
So, I'm about to go grab some breakfast so this will be quick, but I wanted to let everyone know about my killer day yesterday.
A bunch of us decided to take the bus to Sumner beach yesterday and so I decided to go surfing! Yep, I just went out and took a two hour surf lesson and it rocked!
The waves were perfect for beginners.
I'd like to say that I was wicked good but, instead I'll just say that I had an awesome time. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to go back and rent a wetsuit and board to practice some more.
Today a few of us are going to check out a local Sunday market that has over 300 vendors. Should be pretty cool. This afternoon though our real school begins though so...ick.
Love,
Katie

Thursday, January 22, 2009

CHRISTCHURCH!!!

Hey Everyone,
I made it!!!!!!!!!!!
That alone is reason for excitement. After who knows how long I was traveling I finally made it here. I'm all checked in to my sweet hotel. (Hotel So, check it out: http://hotelso.co.nz/home)
Christchurch seems like a really cool, walkable city and we've already explored Cathedral Square a bit and saw a busker in action. (You'll have to look up and see what a busker is, you all are going to have to learn along with me)
Also, it's so warm here i LOVE it. I'm still settling in and trying to get to know everyone so we'll see how it all works out. I can't wait to start seeing some of the country though!
The plane food wasn't bad and i did sleep on the flight so that's good.
Talk to you all later!
Kate
p.s. Greetings from the FUTURE!!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

One Last Thing

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the new year. I'm so pumped by the inauguration today! I wanted to post one last thing before I left for my trip. (I fly out of Dayton tomorrow morning at 6am!!)
Anyway, I'm not sure when I'll be able to get to a computer over there so I'm going to have my mom comment on this post after I've called her to tell her I've arrived Christchurch, New Zealand. So check back here on Thursday sometime to see her update.
Love,
Katie

p.s. Don't forget the time difference between here and New Zealand. They are 18hrs ahead of Cincinnati/Dayton. So I'll actually be in the future when I get there, i.e. it is 9:20am of Wednesday there right now. Also, email or this blog is the cheapest way to contact me, but if you need to text is cheaper than calling. It's my same phone so same number. However, I do have Skype so if I can get that at an internet cafe then we might be able to set up a time to chat. My skype name is norris.kg
talk to you later!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Anyone else freaking out a bit?

So I'm leaving in two days!
TWO DAYS!
I still have a few things to do before I leave but its creeping up on me.
I'm SOOO excited but I think I'll be better once I'm actually in New Zealand. A bit nervous of course but that's to be expected.
Anyway, just wanted to keep everyone up to date.
If I don't get a chance to post tomorrow, or Tuesday...
I'll be typing to you next from the southern hemisphere, dun dun duhhh!
peace,
Katie

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

One Week Countdown!

Wow.
I can hardly believe that one week from today I will be in San Fransisco traveling on my way to New Zealand!!!!!
There is still so much to do before I leave but I think I'll be ready.
Here is a photo of all my stuff that I'm taking. This is supposed to last me for 10 weeks...How, I don't know, but it'll be an adventure.
And here's my backpack

I'm starting to get very excited. I'm hoping to update as much as possible while I'm away and possibly post photos as well. I think I might get a Fliker or Picasa account and just have a slideshow on this blog. Thoughts?
Also, I do have Skype now so if anyone wants to try and talk to me when I'm at an internet cafe we can work that out.
Finally, to answer all of the questions I've been getting:
Yes, I will see some of the places that they filmed Lord of the Rings, and yes I will take pictures.
No, I do not think I will see Flight of the Conchords when I'm there.
No, when I'm in Australia I will not be able to see Ayers Rock.

In the Maori language,

e noho rā

(bye)
Kate

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Something I Wrote in November

Learning to Love Yellow:
Yesterday, I learned to love yellow. For twenty years I've always been drawn to all of nature's colors except yellow. Now I didn't hate it, I just didn't like or appreciate it. And who would have thought that all it took was onions. Well, onion peels that is. I learned how to use natural dyes to color fabrics and after boiling onion peels and soaking the fabric what should appear, but a beautiful, rich, warm, lovable yellow. The tote bag that now sports this enticing shade of the previously unloved color is a continual reminder: Not only can I learn to love yellow, but I can find a happy moment of each day. So celebrate each day and never contain those incandescently happy smiles.