It is the first day in my journey to New Zealand that I have had a spare minute to write some thoughts down! Not much can be said right now because I am going out bowling with some friends in a half hour but I suppose I can write down the basics before I begin to forget!
I am currently curled up in my bed trying to keep warm... fact #1 about NZ: They do not believe in insulation. Therefore, my house is probably just about as cold as it is if I walked out my front door. Hm...something that I will have to get used to. I do like curling up at night though, so I guess we will look at the positives of that situation! They also don't have a central heater in their homes (??) so we are able to buy our own to keep our rooms warm but at the moment I'm feeling rather stingy with my money. So, where does that leave me? Curled up in 3 layers of clothes and a comforter bitching about how cold I am.
Why do I do it? Because I'm a freaking MINNESOTAN, duh. This skin can handle a little cold. It is usually around 55 degrees during the day and at night about 37 or so. I'm still trying to get used to the celsius temperatures... maybe someday I will be able to do it off the top of my head. For now, I rely on my celsius->Farenheit converter on my computer.
I need to get some pictures up of my new house. It's a pretty legit deal I think... the money that I'm spending on rent is a grip less than what I would spend in Duluth, so thats reassuring. I'm living with 6 other people. One of them being a girl that has turned out to be a really close friend in these past few days. My main and most amazing roommate, Denise. She is from Germany and we know how to have a good time. The language barrier is pretty funny sometimes and I'm sure that there will be some great stories to tell about the confusion we experience while talking sometimes. My other 5 roommates have all been living here for some time longer than us. Two girls from India, Richard (hes my favorite so far) from China, Keng is from Thialand and his girlfriend Jasmine all live in the house. Luckily we have two bathrooms and two showers...otherwise Iwould be much more worried! All of them kind of keep to themselves so far so it will be interesting to see how this semester turns out.
Typical day in my house?
-Everyone has their rooms closed and the house is very peaceful and quiet...(other than Denise and myself causing some ruckus every now and then)...and then...MEAL TIME: everyone comes out in herd-like-form and begins to cook and everyone is talking and the house is so lively and smells amazing of their awesome cooking (benihana x LeeAnn Chin x anotherawesomeasiansmell ALL combined. THEN, 30 minutes later...dishes are being cleaned the herd returns to their rooms and all is silent yet again.
Oh but it is all so good so far. Honestly, it has been a little odd being here. I feel really out of my own comfort zone but as the days go on I get more and more comfortable with where I am living. I think it's great to experience something so different. However, I am a little bummed to not be living with any native Kiwi's so that is definitely my main goal for new roommates after this semester. Gain some worldly knowledge and then get cozy with some kiwis? I think- YES.
Well, I really wanted to tell stories of my adventure to get a bike today but there is not much time left for that. Some friends will be here soon to go bowling AND I get to ride in a car... (trust me, it hasn't happened much here).
Until the next time,
-BriDownUnder
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