And so begins the study break...

It has some how reached that time of the school term when classes cease to allow students to cram as much stuff into our little noggins a possible before we have to spew our knowledge forth onto sheets of blank paper in a two hour time limit. Being on the semester system for the first time in my collegiate career has lessened the intensity of academics compared to the constant onslaught on the quarter system. There is a month long examination period here in NZ, and it just so happens that my exams have all fallen in the last possible week. So, what does that mean? It means that I have been enjoying the "break" part of my "study break."

Obviously one does not study abroad to sit in a lecture theater watching power point slides all day. So, I have been actively supplementing my university education with some "cultural immersion" within NZ with some of my extra time.

I took in another (colder!) rugby game.

I participated in my dorm's game of assasin and had to wear my clothes inside out and paint my face like a clown for some of the daily immunities.

I decided that I could definately not just spend my time studying and have been making a very low (and I mean like $10) budget New Zealand zombie movie with some of my kiwi friends (and that is a picture of my first attempt at a fake zombie bite wound).

A couple of friends and I even decided to embark on a random road trip--heading South to the Coromandel Peninsula for some fun beach exploring and cold and damp camping. I even ventured to a near by town to carve my own necklace out of bone.

And while these events have not directly contributed to my university learning as much as reading about enamel hypoplasia might, they have still taught me important lessons. Waking up with wet feet in a sleeping bag = not fun. Walking to classes, sitting in class, and attending discussions with your TA/ tutors in clown make-up = ample fun. Beaches = fun no matter what the season is. When you get a hotdog in NZ, you will get a corn dog unless you specifically ask for an "American hotdog." Found that out at the rugby match.

Anyway, I guess with the time slowly dwindling away, I best get on the studying bandwagon, with copious amounts of study breaks/ zombie scene filming in between!

Finally---My successful journey to Boogie Wonderland: the light up floor disco.

After having my hopes of dancing to disco tracks on top of a light up disco floor dashed by Boogie Wonderland being closed for a private function,  a second adventure was necessary.  This time, I would go the right way--- I hiked around Auckland and amassed an impressive collection of disco paraphernalia, including  a bright pink afro wig from Russia, a package of mini disco balls, a purple and black checkered tie, pink disco glasses, and glow sticks. It was time to boogie.

I managed to recruit other people to join my disco quest. We all dressed up to fully participate in the 1970's experience. It was a bit ironic when we arrived to the disco club playing the hits of 1985. But, it was a disco club with LIGHT UP FLOORS, ie the best invention ever (yes, I think even better than spaceships and meatballs).

On the way there, we passed the Auckland Town Hall, which had a bunch of different patterns projected onto it as part of some celebration.  We also had to stop at mutliple sites along Queen street to flaunt our disco poses.  Drivers honked at our sexy disconess, and they were probably mad that they were not about to experience  discotastic light up floor dancing.  Along the way, we found a very nice office chair on the side of the road....and struck disco poses.

We entered the club to the sounds of fun, and were immediately treated to EPIC disco balls, blinking lights, and of course, THE LIGHT UP DISCO FLOOR! YES!

While we happened to be the youngest ones there, we also happened to be the best dressed. In fact, I think we were the only group of people to fully dress up in disco garb---although there was this one older guy who made an honest attempt with a scarf tied around his head.

We danced and danced, and then danced some more. There was a cool mini light up stage that we took turns on too.

I think I'll let the photos do the rest of the story telling. DISCOTASTIC EPIC FUN.

Well Hello! Back from a great break!

Hello again. Sorry it has been a while, but as my name implies I have been enjoying some travels. I had a break for uni, so I went traveling around the North Island of NZ with my friend Carolyn who I some how convinced to come visit me! Awesome times were had!

First off, while I still had a few last classes to attend before the start of the break and Carolyn still had a bit of jet lag, we didn't venture too far from sights around the Auckland area.  In an evening of class, we sampled some of NZ's finest wine and cheese (that could be purchased for $10) while perched atop the summit of the extinct volcanic crater of Mt. Eden.  Next we took the ferry over to Devonport and enjoyed some good 'ol fish and chips seaside, complete with creepy bird gangs watching our every move.

Once free and clear off classes, we were off---- rented a car to drive to the Lake Taupo area where we would make our base camp in a friend's bach.  After looking at the weather reports for the week, we gathered up the courage to book skydiving over Lake Taupo for the next morning. We had originally booked to jump from 12,000ft, but upon our arrival to the company we were soon convinced to bulk up to jump from 15,000 ft! Wooooo!

After our successful skydives, all of our next pursuits seemed a bit less extreme, but they were still fun.  We drove to Rotorua to take in a sheep shearing show at the agrodome and some geologic wonders at the park outside of town.  The next day we drove (for what seemed like forever) to Waitomo to go check out the glow worm caves. They were pretty cool, and a chance drop into the "shearing Shed" gave us the opportunity to touch some angora rabbits and watch them get sheared as well. Those days were filled with "shear" greatness!

The following day, we explored around Taupo, stopping off at Huka Falls, the Prawn Park, the Volcanic Centre, and a honey place. MMMM.

We also soaked in some hot pools in outside of Turangi. I guess it gave us the ability to identify with lobsters a bit more.

Back in Auckland, we ventured to Otara market, which was really cool and had a lot of Polynesian goods for sale.  On Easter, Carolyn and I ate a celebratory breakfast at a 24 hour Denny's, which was the only thing open in Auckland.  We took a ferry the next day to Rangitoto and hiked to the summit to enjoy the views.

Over the last few days of break (and sadly of Carolyn's visit), we went on explorations of some of the suburbs of Auckland, heading down K Road to Ponsonby to grab a lunch at an incredibley inexpensive Indian food place.  The next day, we took a shuttle to visit the underwater park near Mission Bay, and got to be splashed by feeding sting rays, gaze into the open mouths of doom of giant eels, and journey into an arctic wonderland complete with penguins and a fake orca statue in our fake snowcat vehicle.  That night we continued to be classy by having a fancy dinner in a revolving restuarant at the top of Auckland's Sky Tower, complete with classy cocktails and deserts of course.

All in all, it was a break of never ending fun!

And now, to get back into the grind of academics........too bad they don't offer skydiving as a course!