Cultural Experiences

OK, so I tried to go grocery shopping the other day, and it was one of the more interesting experiences I have had here. I was expecting to find at least half of the brands or items that I wanted as New Zealand is an extremely developed country, but sadly, this was not the case. I couldn't find any exact products! Many things I just randomly picked new brands that I had heard of at some point in time, but that just wasn't always possible. This grocery trip ended in a quick email back home begging for a speedy care package containing some very specific items. At least now I know what I am dealing with, and I will be prepared the next time I visit this New World Metro. One thing I did find, though, that I found intriguing, was Break Apart Skittles. My American body was craving some good old-fashioned refined sugar, and skittles were the perfect option. They come in little packages that are adorable! I love skittles. There is no grape flavor, though, so be warned - you will get blackberry!

I also had an interesting academic experience in that I missed my first lab yesterday. My geology class's first lab was to Te Papa, and I was definately NOT on the bus. I got confused about the meeting time and did not show up to the area at the right time. Hopefully I can make up the lab on my own time (as it is just filling in a worksheet at Te Papa), so it will all work out. This meant, though, that I definately just sat around VUW for three hours waiting for my geology class! This turned out OK, though, because I met A) some new people in my class who I can sit with and 2) some new girls that I recognized from my accommodation. The latter is especially important because I went with them to this Christian worship thing last night, and then we (the girls, myself, and some of their friends) all went out for drinks and dancing. I got in really late last night, so maybe now I will be more on a "student" sleeping schedule. I had been crashing around 10PM and waking up by 8AM, which is completely abnormal for me. This may have remedied that.

Factoid: I am losing my FL tan! The lack of strong sunshine + winter clothing = steadily paling skin for Katie. When I got here, I was dark enough that everyone thought I was Spanish or Greek or something! The dinner lady in the dining hall asked me yesterday if I was Greek and then proceeded to tell me how the origin of my name is Greek. She is a sweet lady who recognized me because I always ask if things are made with milk. :)

I also have learned to use my camera properly and have made my first panoramic picture. It is amazing. The weather was really clear yesterday, but as I had geology all afternoon, I could not enjoy it. It is back to being not so good now. Hopefully it will be lovely again this weekend so I can go up to the top of the city to take pictures!

That's about everything going on here. Now it is back to my room to watch old episode of Days Of Our Lives (yup, it's running here!). The O.C. is still on here, as is Friends. Lovely shows, really. Too bad there's no Alias (or I haven't discovered it yet).