Day What?

After exceeding my bandwidth for the month, I've been less than motivated to continue backtracking. That, and assignments are due this week! Nevertheless, I don't want to become more than two weeks behind. Here are a few days in brief. 

What I Learned on Wednesday, 14 July

4:10pm NZ Time

• If you buy a lot of food for dinner on Sunday with a bunch of friends, doubts of your cooking ability will begin to creep into your head.
• The All Blacks are playing in Wellington on Saturday.
• Steven is obsessed with wine. Insatiably curious, moreof.
• Kiwis aren't too keen to take advantage of the tvs in the common rooms unless the game's on.
• There's only one game, and that's rugby.
• Assignment = essay. Our grades are based on 2-3 'assignments' and a final exam. Still not sure how much to over-achieve on these. 
• People aren’t afraid of bare feet, even in the dining center. 
• Birds live in the dining center. And the library. And Pak’n’Save. 

What I Learned on Thursday, 15 July

11:30am NZ Time

• Weight training room requires a $70 membership.
• Most people are going to Wellington for the rugby game.

What I Learned on Saturday, 17 July

1:25pm NZ Time

• No matter how much I didn't plan for it, I'm going to Wellington.
• People with cars quickly become your best mates.
• The hills in some spots remind me of an old man who got a bad haircut—huge patches of forest have been cleared. 
• Only in NZ can you find pine trees and palm trees within the same 3-km radius.

What I Learned in Wellington

How to Stay at a Hostel

1)      Go to downtown Wellington.

2)      Find the sign that says “Accommodation” in janky painted letters on the side of a building.

3)      Check in.

4)      Go to room.

5)      Realize how much you are not in America.

6)      Lament not bringing a blanket or proper pajamas.

7)      Go to the bathroom. Discover it a floor above you.

8)      Lament not bringing a towel, or washcloth, or jandals.

9)       Realize that it’s just one night.

10)   Enjoy the nightlife!

How to Explore a City

1)      Ask the hostel desk where the good bars/food places are.

2)      Walk around.

3)      Get a little lost.

4)      Find the ocean.

5)      Walk up to a lookout point.

6)      Experience awe. Smile.

7)   Make a special note to take your camera with you next time.

What I Learned on Sunday, 18 July

11:00pm NZ Time

• Plastic pans melt in the oven.
• It takes more than two hours to make dinner for 10 people.
• Everyone's more flexible after they--and you--realize you're a good cook.