The Mayor sings opera, eggs and togas, my first couch fire and lessons from Hungary

Wow, its been quite a few days...

Ears of Steel!
so I am alive- I'm going to go all medical and whatnot now, its not that interesting so feel free to skip- I went to the health center and I did have an ear infection but by that time it was clearing up so he just gave me antibiotic drops. He also said that my ear drum had caved in a little, which freaked me out initially, but I was assured that this would go back to normal. He thinks that most of my ear issues came from the plane. Its evidently possible with the pressure of the plane, particularly if you have a cold or other sinus problems, for your ear drum to collapse in slightly and have a hard time returning to normal. I don't remember exactly what he said but something to the effect that once this happens it can mess with your Eustachian tube and your inner ear. Liquid can get trapped and bam you have an ear infection. So until my ear drum is totally right I keep having to periodically do that hold your nose and blow thing..weird. I feel much much better though so that's good.


O-WEEK!!!
For Frisbee players think Dis-o, times 10, for an entire week, and you have O-Week Otago style. There is a lot of craziness going on here with the new first years. Most of us international kids are kind of just sitting back observing the young Kiwis in their new habitat. So to give you some examples, yesterday all of the several thousand first years went marching through town down on the main street as tradition goes.Only it got a bit out of hand and they ended up on the news when onlookers (older students) threw eggs and bottles and grosser things i think from the flats above the stores ambushing the already intoxicated first years who then scattered and everything was crazy, shop windows were broken, big mess. I only just heard about it tonight on the news, but it was a big deal.
Another example, there is a bar that has some crazy all day be drunk fest that hundreds of people go to. I woke up this morning before my alarm because people were cheering outside, they had started drinking at oh 6 o'clock in the morning. All around town, close to campus there are people running around in who knows what, togas, no shoes, some guy just had Saran wrap and flip flops on today. Then tonight some of the people who were drunk all day set a couch on fire in the parking lot of our apartment complex. Which was actually pretty cool to watch. The whole atmosphere is intensely ridiculous and totally irresponsible but I must say I do admire their general stamina and creativity. No one seems to have gotten hurt yet so I mean if they want to get pissed and be crazy the week before school then alright~


Germans and Parisians and Kiwis oh my!
Last night I was feeling much better so I decided to partake in the festivities, minus the togas and eggs. Originally going out with my flatmates and neighbors I met up with a German friend of mine and she introduced me to some of her friends. At some point I ended up walking to another party with my neighbor Alex (the boy who can see directly into my window and me into his when the blinds are pulled back--we decided in such circumstances it would be best to become friends), a Parisian named Nicola, my German friend Charlotte and a really funny Kiwi guy, oh and we met an Italian guy briefly. For awhile at the time it seemed funny for us all to speak five different languages to each other which was pretty fun. Other than my closer Italian friends in Italy, it seems easier here to be friends with Europeans than when I was actually in Europe. Of course its because English is the common joining language this time. All in all it was good fun to hang out with them. I feel like American kids are everywhere so its kind of nice to escape that a little. Its almost boring when I introduce myself as another American, maybe I'll start pretending to be Italian...hmm..
Later I met some really cool Kiwi medical students. I talked to one guy for awhile who works in radiology, whether because of the music or the accent I thought he said he worked at a radio station for half the conversation. He found that funny luckily. I think he reminds me of Zach, a good friend of mine from high school. Its interesting how your brain automatically categorizes new people by characteristics of people you already know. I hung out with the Med students and an American girl who's going to be in my improv class the rest of the evening then they walked me home. Its funny here, I didn't really feel weird about spending time with people I had just met because I constantly have been meeting new people. I guess you just have to be in tune with the inner good people/bad people vibes. Not that there are too bad of people here for the most part.


Don't talk to Strangers
I remember before I left my mom caught herself warning me not to talk to strangers and then realized that seeing as how I know no one here everyone would therefore be strangers and I'd eventually be forced to talk to someone...I am feeling better about meeting people now though. I trust my judgement and that's about the best any of us can do in new situations. So many students are around and everyone for the most part wants to just have fun and go to school and make friends. Its exciting to be reminded all the time that every stranger you meet and talk to could actually become a great friend or influence in your life, or not. You never know is the thing, you have to just go with it. The constant meeting of people reminds me of how interconnected we all are. I like that. It makes me feel important and insignificant at the same time.


Opera Singing Mayor
This morning I went to orientation and we were serenaded by the Mayor who has a great voice it turns out and is an opera singer. He sang us a welcome song and then we got a lot of new student information. Its exciting to get ready to start things, I've felt like I'm in limbo a bit. I also met some more cool people. I really like this girl from Holland and I had lunch with my Polish friends and some Hungarians that we met. It was really interesting to listen to them compare politics. Evidently there is a lot of trouble in Hungary still. They explained it to me pretty simply I think. After WW2, Hungary's territory was sliced up and divided between other nations. However, Hungarians still live in those places, so does Hungary recognize those people who are still loyal to Hungary? And nationalists want it to be put back together again which probably won't happen, and the police in these Hungarian communities outside the border are the only non-Hungarians so there are problems. The Government is very divided and seem to just contradict each other rather than get anything done. Ha-sound familiar? He said that he actually admires the US government for being able to put away differences to at least a much higher degree than in Hungary and work for the interest of the country. It was interesting. I'd like to visit Budapest.

Hungarian Paris Hilton
Then they told me about all kinds of drinks they have and we talked about the US exporting the worst of our culture so often. I told them I felt bad about Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears being what they knew of America. They actually seemed to understand and made me feel better with stories of the outlandish Hungarian and Polish versions of Paris. I wish I could remember the name. It's Hungarian so I could barely pronounce it much less spell it. The girl did impressions of this Hungarian Paris with big lips an boobs, except this woman is a real "whore" they said and went for $2000 a night. The boys said it could be worth it. The Hungarian girl just made faces and proclaimed that she wouldn't touch this woman with a ten foot pole. The guy was like, "well she's very good looking, just kind of whoreish". Generally It was a great conversation. Both Hungarians are super super tall. I'm not sure if that's something common or what? They were very cool though, even if I do have to look up to see them.


Sorry for the length I know you all are busy. I'll try to be briefer next time. Its kind of funny though. I look at these e-mails differently now. When I was in Italy I felt so removed sometimes from the people and places that I knew. Then coming back home I realized how many people had kept up with me, even just skimming a few e-mails now and again. I had no idea some people were even getting my e-mails. But I of course realize now that even in Italy I wasn't there by myself at all. You were right there with me; and now you are with me again and I can't tell you how much that means to me. There's definitely a comfort in knowing that you care. I hope you all have a wonderful day. Wednesday was pretty good, you'll like it. Maybe you'll meet a cool stranger~

Living in the future and hole in the wall

Living in the Future
I think I'm doing a little better about feeling too excited about being here. I am still getting ahead of myself a bit but I'm letting things go a little better too. I feel this great urgency about everything, planning cool trips and signing up for classes and activities and finding something to do and people to meet every evening. Its all because I feel this time limit that I have. I've done this abroad thing before and I know how fast it goes by. Which I mean theoretically we should have urgency in our lives because we all have an unannounced time limit, but there's a balance you know. Don't think you have all the time in the world then never live, but then again don't be so afraid that you'll miss something that you rush because then you will also never live. Not really at least if you're in such a hurry to check things off a list.
I think a problem is that deep down I really am a planner. I like to know what I'm doing roughly and when and how for the most part. Here I have no clue and that is kind of hard for me. So I need to just stop, and let go of some of these expectations that I have. I've only been here a week. Who knows what amazing people I have yet to meet and places I have yet to see. I need to just be me. I need to be open to the flow of things going on and see where it all takes me. Ha-easier said than done I think. I am doing much better though. I have had a little hep from the weather. Its been raining a lot lately which just kind of makes me want to slow down, hang out inside and take a break. Plus I may have an ear infection? I don't know I'm trying to fix that. I went to the pharmacist and they thought it was sinuses, but I feel like I have swimmers ear so finally I got some medicine for that today, we'll see how it goes, if I'm not getting better soon I'll go to the doctor. I have actually also cheated recently with the planing. I've planed a few things which is making me feel better. For example......

Classes and such
Friday we did course approval and I am now signed up for Developmental Psychology, Religions and Globalization (we will study 6 major religions and how each is adjusting and dealing with globalization and changes in the world), and Improvisation in the theater department which should be really fun. While I did want to take something specific to New Zealand while I was here, a lot of things that looked interesting to me either didn't really fit in a good schedule or had lots of prerequisites. So I'm going to double check on an environmental science class, but I don't know. And I'm meeting with the woman I may do psych research with this week so we'll see what happens there. I have also through the recreation center signed up for a pottery class that meets once a week for awhile, and a wine appreciation tour. I'm also thinking of doing a dance class or women's self defense or Gigong- which is kind of like a Chinese health practice or circulating energy in your body, it sounds cool. All of the classes and trips through the school are pretty inexpensive so I feel like I should take advantage of them. I am just trying to make sure I use my money and time wisely. I think having a few things planed and then going from there will make me feel better. I am also considering a cool kayaking trip and once I find some friends who are interested and we have the Internet more regularly, I want to plan a weekend trip to go on a horseback riding trek where we camp and stuff. It would be very awesome, I just need to do some budgeting.

Hole In the Wall
So last night we watched a New Zealand game show where people in these crazy silver suits have to jump through holes in a moving wall. You have to quickly manuver into a position to fit though the hole shape. The wall moves towards them and if they don't go through the hole they get pushed by the wall into a pool. Its kind of amazing. We only get a few channels on our huge tv, mostly American programs. But we will soon get a dvd player for movies.

Spiders
So last night I was the great conquering hero when I captured a big spider that was in Mary's room and put it outside. It was pretty funny. Then I told them that my mascot was a spider and they thought that was horrible, haha. All in all a good adventure. I haven't thought too much about weird New Zealand insects, I'd rather not. Then last night we went out to a bar/dance club which turned out to be really fun. I'm a big dance fan and so are Mary's polish friends and the other people we met so that was cool. It was similar to Italian discotecs but maybe more chill I guess. Most people were my age and no one was particularly sketchy haha. I'll let you know when I do something exciting, right now I'm just still settling in. I hope you all have a nice rest of your weekend. I believe it is almost 9pm there sat. and its almost 3pm sun. for me. Weird...

dobranoc and Kobe Bryant

Port Chalmers
Jenny and I decided to go on a little adventure the other day so we took a bus to Port Chalmers right outside of Dunedin about 15 min. It was a beautiful little drive and the roads reminded me of Costa Rica roads, but these actually existed and were paved. When we got there there wasn't much going on, just a little port town population 3,000ish. Jenny is great to travel with because she is flexible. I really think that is the key travel quality to have. So we checked things out then went on a walk around the cape to the other side along the coast on a little dirt road. We came to a dock with boats dotting the water and it was just so beautiful we decided to take a break. Then we walked more, found a random path up the hill/mountain and went exploring. We eventually meandered back to town for the bus, and we got some hummus (which they apparently really like here because there was about 15 different kinds), bread, and brie and picnicked at the bus stop. Alas, the bus came, we went to get on it, I guess we were slow and it somehow left us! It was weird. Anyway though there was another bus 3 hours later so we just figured things like this are bound to happen and we found a nice park nearby and sat in the grass and just talked. Jenny is reading this book about a crazy prison in La Paz Bolivia where they make cocaine and have basically their own little society going behind the walls. It was really interesting. ( Marching Powder: A true story of friendship, cocaine, and South America's Strangest Jail) It was nice to get to know her more just in general. It was hot one min and chilly the next by the water. I'm learning that weather here can be trickily like that. We ate the entire thing of cheese and got a beer at a local tavern where we were told jokingly not to get too pissed before we got on the bus. Kiwis are funny. It was all in all a good trip. The pictures don't do it justice. Which I've put up on Picasa~

Frogger Crosswalks
I've just been getting myself together more other than that. The cross walks here are the same as in Ireland. They are so funny because I swear they make a noise very similar to the frogger music and that's just ironic. Other than that I haven't noticed much else that's odd. They have switches on all the outlets which is cool. You can just switch the entire power supply of the outlet off when not in use. I think its easier than unplugging things.

Kobe Bryant
So tonight we all went out to this bar/music place where lots of students were. Everyone is getting beers and I'm walking around with a glass of Chardonnay, classy I know. It was a really cool place and later I hung out with my polish roommate Mary and her friends. We went back to her friend's apartment and on our way we stopped by McDonald's for them to get a burger, yes there is a McDonald's right up the road from me. The other American girl and I tried to tell them that McDonald's is actually arguably the worst of America's fast food nation. It was funny. Because most things are funny when its late and you are hanging out with Polish kids in New Zealand. There was a policeman at the McDonald's on account of all the drunk college kids just moving in I guess which was also entertaining. The place was quite busy for it being so late. There were these kiwis there who were obviously some of said drunk college kids and they didn't have shoes on, socks, but not shoes and they were teetering around. One made eye contact with me and said something and I honestly had absolutely no idea what he said. I mean I assume it was English but I really had no idea. He could have been speaking Polish for all I was concerned. So I was like "what?" and he said it again and I still had no idea so I was like "I'm sorry I have no idea what you just said" and he was like "you're American" and I said yes and he said something else and all I got was "do you know Kobe Bryant?", "Uh no sorry, not personally I don't", "well he is my brother!" this guy proclaimed and I was like "well then you obviously know him better than I do if he's your brother". This reply seemed to satisfy him and everyone else couldn't believe I even picked up that much of what he was saying. Oh I can't wait till all the kiwis get here. haha. I love that whole oh you're from some where or other so you must know this person thing. You'd be surprised how many times here I've said I was from Virginia and people are like "oh do you know Tim Smith or someone" and of course I don't that's just silly. Its a big place. A school maybe or even a city. There's a girl here from Kentucky and someone here sincerely asked her if Colonel Sanders was her grandfather. I thought that was great. Oh we have a KFC too, across from McDonals and down the street from the Dominos and Pizza Hut. The bar called the Baaa is right in between.


The person across the window from me moved in too it looks like and I think its a boy. I need to make friends soon so its not awkward that we can see straight into each other's rooms. Maybe we'll make a string and cup telephone. I'll update you. Oh and Mary taught me dobranoc which means goodnight in Polish. Who would of thought I would learn Polish in New Zealand? Life is funny like that.

Baaa..New Zealand

Settling in
So I've now been here about two days, explored, started to settle and it is AWSOME! I keep feeling a little restless though, like I want to get out of town some and explore. There are so many places I want to see and I can't wait to meet more people and make more friends, especially Kiwis but I keep reminding myself that I just got here and I have time. Its not much like my experience in Italy at all for some reason. This place seems to energize me whereas Italy kind of exhausted me. Maybe its a little because I have grown and changed and the place itself obviously -they do speak English.

Flat and Roomates
My flat is great, I wish they did this in Richmond. We have a great main room downstairs and everyone gets their own fairly spacious bedroom and 3 to a bathroom. You could fit more people in here even. Its just a really comfortable and fun way to live. And there are other students all around. I'm slightly jealous of my flatmates on the other side of the flat who have a better view of the road and beyond, but then again it is much louder for them. My window faces another flat and I'm waiting for the people next door to move in so I can make friends and maybe at some point string a telephone up or something. You know with the cups and string. All of my roommates seem cool so far, we're missing one. We actually don't have a Kiwi, but there is a girl from Poland, and her and her friends are pretty cool. Two of the other girls are from Vermont. Molly, across from me, is pretty cool, she reminds me vaguely of Anna Stuart. I have spent some time with Jenny today out walking around. She is from Salt Lake and goes to school in Hawaii. She seems very down to earth and sporty so thats nice. Also upstairs is Mary from Poland and Kendal who is from Vermont. She's pretty cool too I think. She's pretty into environmental stuff and lived in an environmental co-op last year which is cool. I think we probably have things in common. last night kendal and jenny and I were all here so we all made dinner and are hanging out together which is nice. I am feeling like our flat is more homey, then we hung out with some other American students next door.

Money
I've been working on decorating and being crafty, and I've been walking a lot, all over, which is tough when you're carrying things from the center of town. I think I've done well though so far. They have pretty much everything we have, and the way we would have it. The exchange rate is still pretty awesome, like 1.90 NZ dollar for every US dollar. Which evens out kind of or becomes just a little less for most things. Everything costs more, but because of the exchange is less. Food is kind of expensive out I guess. And somethings are really inexpensive. I don't know psychologically because on the one hand things cost more initially looking at them and I'm like whoa that's too expensive. But if I think of the exchange rate, its like everything is on a half off sale and it makes you feel like its a great bargain. There was a market the other day that was fun. Lots of crafts and things.

Dunedin
I could easily live here. I feel that already and I never felt that way in Italy. I feel comfortable here and like I fit in almost immediately. Even visiting England and Ireland I felt kind of like an outsider. Its a beautiful little town. The buildings aren't too high so you can see some of the rolling mountains most places. I haven't been to the beach yet but I'm thinking this week sometime. The buildings are old mixed with new. Its well lived in, by college students. But its by no means dirty or unkempt. There are gardens and green playing fields around, and the weather has been about perfect. Its a little cold for summer to me, but in general a great temperature. I had shorts and a sweater on today. There was warmth in the sun and a light breeze to cool you off. Everyone walks and rides bikes around it seems. There's a casual soft sort of feeling to the pace of life, we'll see if that changes when the rest of the students get here. I guess its a bit charlottsvillesque. It also reminds me of a brief time I spent in Boone North Carolina.

The People/food
The people are great so far. They generally smile and have a friendly thing to say. I like the accent a lot. Its not so haughty and proper as British English, but not as distinct maybe and rugged as Australian. I'm still learning the slang. People wear casual things, most anything goes I think. I even saw some people walking around downtown without shoes today. I've actually met some kiwis just walking around in stores. A lot of students work there for the summer. I talked to one girl for 10 min or so. You know how in our stores how people casual ask "how are you" and its pretty acceptable to be like fine and walk away. Small talk to get you to feel comfortable and buy things. Well people here are like "how has your day been so far" and you're like, "well pretty good" and then they keep talking to you, ask you follow up questions. I told some people I just got here and they wanted to know how my trip was and where I was from and how I was liking it, and when I asked they told me where a good place to eat or a good grocery store was. We talked about what they were studying somtimes. Its just kind of funny. Food has been good sofar too. I mean they have american things, I went across the street and got a pizza from pizza hut last night. They also have lots of selections with Indian, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai food here. I've been just trying random things which seems to be working. We had lunch out on the main street in this little sidewalk cafe that was really good today.

I think I'm doing well here so far. Kind of opposite of Italy, rather than feeling like I need to be patient with myself I'm finding that I need to be patient with everything else kind of. Theres so much I want to do, I dont know what to do. I just need to stop worrying that I'm going to miss something and go with whatever opportunities come up I guess. I have lots of places to go still in the city but i put up a few pictures of my explorations so far. http://picasaweb.google.com/melaniebeth.martin have a great day everyone!

leaving on a jet plane

I am here in New Zealand! Kiwi Land! Middle Earth! Narnia!- ok i'm a dork The plane ride wasn't too bad. I'm a little thrown out of wack though about the time. Right now it is about 10:45 in the morning here, Sat. the 14th. It feels like the afternoon though. Let me be the first to wish you happy valentines!

I'll put some pictures up when I get a chance, but so far everything seems pretty good. It was a bit cloudy flying over New Zealand, but from what I saw it was gorgeous. By the way I have learned that Dunedin is pronounced Do-knee(like the body part)-din and its O-ta (like la) -go for Otago. I had those a bit wrong. Everyone has been really nice so far, the university taxi guy that came to get me was funny. He said he had a strong accent because he is from farther south, which it is true- I wasn't quite sure what he was saying most of the time, but I've learned quite well how to pretend like I understand.

My flat is really nice too, and I haven't met anyone yet but I see that a few people have moved in. I think I may go out and explore, he said there was a market somewhere today. So anyway I am here- Thank you all so much for your support and I will keep you updated. Right now I might be stealing Internet I'm not sure how that situation will go in the future. Have a great rest of your Friday~ So far sat. is going well, you'll like it. Melanie

Almost New Zealand time!

I will be leaving for New Zealand very soon and I am so not looking forward to the flight~I watched lord of the rings to get pumped... But I'll let everyone know how I'm doing when I start to settle a little. YAY Nuova Zelanda!