Reading the Book of the World: 10.10

It has been one month and seven days since my last blog post.
To those that have been waiting patiently for more glorious unfoldings: I apologize.
To those that saw this coming: yeah.

Suffice to say that I am very bad of keeping journals of any sort, even ones in cyberspace. For those curious enough to keep up with the blog and the recordings of my antics via Facebook, I am going to compile a slideshow-scrapbook hybrid of sorts.

You've probably been wondering where I've been. What could have kept me from spilling my guts on this well-thought-out blog?? Well, I can only answer that with one word: fire.
I joined Massey's Fire Club during their clubfest at the beginning of the semester, but only after midsemester break did I begin to regularly attend meetings. It is there that I have discovered the best Kiwi experience, because my friends, where there is fire there are nerds, and where there are nerds there are games. It seems like the second half of my semester here has been the real time; before, I was just a tourist. I went out to the bars with the other foreigners, I traveled with them, I stayed on campus mostly. After getting back from South Island, it's been nonstop action.

WARNING: Nerdgasm approaching. Proceed with caution. Nerdspeak translation unavailable at this time. For inquiries, email or Facebook me.

Most accurate picture for Eladrin
Ranger I could find

I have played Dungeons and Dragons. Don't say you didn't see that coming eventually. :P I have a character now, and thanks to some lucky rolls I'm a darned strong one too! 4th edition version, for those interested, and I am an Eladrin Ranger wielding double scimitars. I play with Steven, Rory, Renee, and Ty, and though we haven't played in a couple weeks, I'm definitely taking my character back to the states!

Puerto Rico

I have discovered the addiction that is Puerto Rico. For those unfamiliar, it is a board game that is like a mutation of Settlers of Catan. However, Puerto Rico is to Catan just as a bicycle is to a motorcycle. It's much more complicated and takes a certain level of skill to master. Steven likes it so much that if he goes to Jordan and Rory's house we will end up playing it at some point that night.

I have eaten durian. On Steven's birthday, we all gathered at Jordan and Rory's house for a few rounds of--you guessed it--Puerto Rico. It was just days after the Moon Festival, and Jordan bought mooncakes and durian to share at the party. Durian is a fruit that is exclusive to Asia. It is large and spiny (think a violent-looking pineapple without the green stuff). The flesh inside smells like rotting meat and has the texture of pureed chicken. Some people love it, most hate it. Steven, Liz, Jordan, and Steph couldn't get enough of it. I preferred the mooncakes, myself. I first heard of durian when I read The Camel's Nose for biology last semester. It stuck out in my mind because of it's repulsive smell, and when Jordan first offered it I immediately said no. After a while I gave in and tried it, and it tasted just like I thought it would. The real question is, would I have liked it if I hadn't heard about it beforehand?

I have learned how to spin fire! My early years spent sparring in Alison's backyard with staves came through for me at last. Below are a few pictures from the bonfire on Himitangi beach, where we spent the day surfing and boogie boarding and the evening burning.