Initial Impressions

Good afternoon!

I edited my contact information in the last post. I thought that you had to dial "00" for an international call, but you actually dial "011" to get out. This is, of course, if you are calling from America. I can't help you if you're calling from another country.

I was a little frustrated that I couldn't think of any impressions when I sat down to type, so last night I kept writing them down. Here goes!

It is a little weird to me to walk around the city, and this is why: I keep seeing the things I have only seen in friends' pictures! For example, the prettiest Burger King in the world. It is in an old bank building. I have passed restaurants on Cuba St I have been told to patronize, and I have been to the museum. I like it!

Kiwis also use A4 size paper. I was talking with someone about it yesterday, and she said that Kiwis think letter size paper doesn't look right. Crazy Americans. I also like how "yield" signs say "Give Way" here. It is a much more friendly way of saying "Stop and let me go first!"

Tim, you were correct. The food here is fairly bad! I am doing my best. Yesterday for lunch I had some yoghurt and lettuce and sprouts in a pita. Yum. I missed brekky this morning, so I am anxiously awaiting lunch. Hopefully it will be enjoyable! I need to remember to keep stealing fruit to bring back to my room ...

One interesting thing - Prince William in here in NZ! I read about him in the paper yesterday. He has a whole schedule thing today, so maybe I will convienently be downtown near the Beehive and Parliament buildings. :) Also, I noticed some other things while reading the paper. Anyone know what "stroppy" means? There was also an article about how the carper industry is suffering here (something close to a Daltonian heart), and a long article about how sheep farmers are breeding better kinds of sheep on the DNA level, and those with normal, "old-fashioned" sheep will suffer. Crazy world where natural animals are "old-fashioned!"

One more thing before I go. I bought some stuff yesterday - without getting lost - and noticed that there are no pennies here. Everything is rounded off. I thought that was interesting. Also, tax is built in to everything, so you pay what it says, no problems.

OK, off to lunch now! Or shortly, anyways. Have a good 4th of July weekend everyone!

Official Contact Information

I have official contact information. I officially exist on this island!

Katie Roan
70103
Mckenzies, Unicomm
235 Willis St
Wellington
New Zealand

I have a land line at: 011-64-4-802 1300 x. 70103.
I have a cell phone at: 011-64-210 795 178.

I love mail! Everyone already knows this, though. I don't have any money on my landline, so I can't call out yet, and it is 49 cents/minute on my cell, no matter which country I am calling. 20 cents/txt. Incoming is all free, though!

I am also registered for classes. I am taking Fundamentals of Geology (MWR 5-6), International Relations and New Zealand (MR 10-11), and Conflict Analysis (MR 11-12). Classes are called "papers" here, which is throwing me off a little. Three is full time, though, so I am set. I have plenty of time to focus on other acitivities!

I am venturing out on my own shortly. I have to purchase a hair dryer, hair spray, cotten balls, and Tylonel. I know vaguely where I am going, but as none of these things can be purchased at the bank or internet cafe, I don't exactly know. But, it is somewhere in the general vicinity of Cuba Street, so I can't get too lost!

Let's see, any initial impressions of New Zealand. I always think of them, but when I finally get to write them down, I forget. I figured out shortcuts to VUW today, so it will take about 7 mins to walk up that large hill. I practiced it today during orientation.

I am going to explore Wellington nightlife tonight. I met a lot of people at registration (mostly Americans, but what can I say, I was at the international registration), and as I am not jet lagged, I feel up to some exploration. I will be sure to update on that area.

Now, it is off to go help the NZ economy (aka, spend the money I brought here). Adios!

The first from NZ

Hello Wellington, I am here!

Yes, that is right, I made it halfway around the world. Well, to be technical, I have gone so far that I am beginning to come around back again, but whatever. It took me 20 hours, 4 hours in transit on the ground, and several helpers to get me and my two carry-ons and three bags to Mckenzies here in Wellington. But I made it, and that is what is important.

I have spent all day today getting all the important stuff done. I have visited the embassy, put all of my stuff in my room (although it is not unpacked), set up a checking account, and walked all over Wellington getting acquainted with my new home. I really like where my dorm is situated. It is close to everything. I have to walk up the hill to get to my classes (and by hill I really mean small mountain), but it's cool. I am just thinking of how I will be in great shape by the end of it!

This is a good weekend for me to be exposed to Wellington because there is a huge rugby match going on. The British Lions (I believe) are playing the All Blacks, and there are a ton of British people here to prove it. There are no more rooms for rent in Wellington, so the British people are staying on a cruise ship docked in the harbor! No joke, I saw it myself.

My first impressions of Wellington are great. I think I am really going to like this city. I can walk everywhere, and it is really not that cold right now. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 50F, I believe. I was fine in my winter coat and my t-shirt, although I have a turtleneck on now.

My host family, the Jacobsons, are wonderful. They are very nice and have already helped me out with so much. They met me at the airport and had two complete sets of bedding, towels, a desk lamp, AND a heater for me. The heater is key because my dorm, as I thought, has no heating. I can't wait to go visit their Rotary club here. I wonder how it is different from mine at home.

I have not met my roommates yet. I know that they are a boy (named David) and a girl (name currently unknown). I think they are home for holiday right now. I am going to try to be unpacked before they come back. This is a daunting task.

That is about it for now. It's a brilliant Wednesday here, so for all you USA-ers, look forward to tomorrow! :)

15 hours and counting!

So, it is actually becoming real now. I am leaving for the airport in roughly 15 hours, which is a crazy small period of time. It seems even smaller because I just started doing laundry and have not packed a single article of clothing yet. I have all of my clothes from the last 10 days of traveling laid out on my bed, so at least I have something to work with.

Part of the reason I have not packed is because I got home today from being at a three-day Ambassadorial Scholar Seminar in Winter Park, FL. It was a reassuring experience, for lack of a better word. There was so much information to take in, but it was all very important, so I tried to pay close attention. I learned so much about my scholarship and The Rotary Foundation in general. So many people have sacrificed so that I can use TRF scholarship money for this trip, and I am forever grateful for this opportunity.

Besides learning the information, I also had the chance to get to know the coolest group of people. I have never been in a room with so many people at the same time who are so motivated to expand their horizons, jump outside their comfort zones, and change the world one step at a time. It inspired me to make my scholarship year the best that I could, especially once I realized that almost all of these people are doing post-graduate work and have already had "real life" experience. They are an incredibly accomplished group of people, and it intimidates me to be included in their rank. I did not think I could ever hope to be as inspiring and accomplished as this group of people, but I will try my best this upcoming year in NZ.

Now, I suppose I need to work on this laundry business and begin working on packing. Who knows, I may be updating throughout the night as a countdown to my flight! Whoo Whoo!

Don't you think the business cards look good? 

It's finally coming together.

With less than four weeks left before my flight, I am starting to feel the stress that must come with leaving the country for a year.

For awhile, I had no housing, no insurance, no flight, and no schedule! I had no Rotary banners, no business cards, and nothing that I needed to move to Wellington for the year. That was absolute craziness, and I felt as if I was running around in circles all the time trying to get everything accomplished.

Now, I have housing. I was accepted into Unicomm housing, which as far as I can tell is either Cumberland, McKenzie, or the Education building in downtown Wellington. A bit of a walk back to the university, but much closer to downtown Wellington - much more fun! There apparently is no central heating (according to a contact, New Zealanders are tough and don't need it!), so I will work on a really really warm blanket and pajamas.

I also got insurance through VUW, so as soon as I receive the receipt, I can fax the information to Rotary International and have my flight purchased and released to me. Sorry guys, I really am leaving the country!

I also ordered Rotary banners and created my business card. I think it looks fabulous! I think everyone should be able to see them, so I am including one.

I have been trying to get some advice from Rotary scholars that I know in New Zealand, but no luck so far. I might just be traveling over there and winging it!

I think that is about it for now. If you have any advice about going to Wellington, send it to me now!

Current Countdown: 26 days!