Keeping up with Katelyn

In less than two weeks, I will be back home in the States.  Bittersweet has never a better word choice to describe it all.  I said goodbye to some people last night who I may never see again, and we all talked about being ready for home, but not ready to leave friends behind.  I just hope I am not sitting next to an army guy like I was on my flight to LA...he was probably thinking...what does she have to cry about?!  haha...needless to say, I held back as many tears as I could.  On a lighter note, some folklores from my travels as of recent:

The Rugby World Cup ended in a heightened fashion.  New Zealand beat France in a very close game (8-7)....such a low score so the game was all about the defense.  The town was bursting in celebration, and apparently the economy has never been better.  It was such a cool experience to have, as I have never been alive for one of MN's sports teams to win something.  And high school state championships do not even compare.  Walking back from town after the game was crazy.  Everyone was driving around waving their flags and honking.  It was just what NZ needed after all the earthquake sadness.  I am glad I can say I was there for it.

Morgan and I went hiking the other day, and managed to completely miss the top to only end up in a quarry.  The trail got kind of messed up because of a recent fire, and we just walked in the wrong direction.  We still saw a decent view and definitely had heaps to laugh about.  Morgan is one of my best friends here and has been a good person to lean on this past week with all that happened with my cousin back home.  She also taught me how to cook a perfect steak when we made dinner together this past week, bless her heart!

On the way up. So pretty :)

Our version of the summit...

I completed 2/4 finals this week also, and my gosh did time go by wayy to fast! I just remember signing up for these papers, and now it is all done.   They both went very well!  It was such a nice day yesterday, that all the students showed up at the last possible moment to take the exam and my supervisor was this cute old lady who was so chatty!  She kept making remarks about people arriving late, then giggling like a little girl.  I felt the need to laugh along with her, as I was sitting in front and her laugh was too endearing not to join in. 

I should have done this ages ago, but my room deserves to be documented.  Here is some pics of my lovely home here...surprised by how clean it looks? ;)

I managed to make my work space a little personable...

Isn't the bedspread so lovely?

Another random story:  Chelsea and I were playing Pictionary one afternoon, and she has to draw 'soul'.  We were watching Harry Potter on TV the night before, and she was explaining to me (since I have not seen any of the films or read the books) how this one spirit can take the soul of the humans.  Weird I know, but I totally remembered it...thanks to her very skillful drawing!  Definitely framing this.

The small guy is Harry Potter haha!

As of right now, I am kind of ready to be home and adjusting to life with the siblings and parents once again!  Guess who can't wait to see you guys soon?!  Me and my pj pants of course! :) :)  

Life is so precious,
And each day is a gift.
So enjoy every minute,
As it were your last to live.

Cherish your loved ones,
Hug them tight,
Share with them your heart,
And your time.

Nothing is forever,
And life goes so fast,
Each minute that passes,
Is one you can’t get back.

When troubles arrive,
And knock you off your feet,
Stand up and smile,
And remember life is too sweet.

Every morning when you wake,
Decide right from the start,
That “Today will be a good day”
And let it all in with an open heart.

Thanks for teaching me that it is possible to live 60 years in 23 years.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all the Anderson family.  I love all of you and am sorry I cannot be there to say a last goodbye before he goes to a better place.  You will be dearly missed Ev!  

Rainy as!

Torrential downpour ALL day yesterday.  It was nice to wake up to the sound of rain, but it got increasingly agonizing as the day went on.  Thank goodness I went to the library the day before and got a stack of books to read.  Spent yesterday afternoon listening to the rain and falling in love with characters, dreaming of life back in the 1700's...then mustered up the bravery to face the 2 km walk to the gym with Morgan to run and gossip (of course!).  My umbrella did not help at all and now leads me to question the existence of cheap umbrellas.  I consistently made a complete fool of myself trying to keep the cheap as thing from turning inside out! Moral of the story: spend the extra whatever to save yourself the frustration! My flat mate Phil had a birthday party too, and most of my complex (4 flats) showed up!  It was an extremely relaxed night, we all just sat and chatted until about midnight.  It is very nice to know that these people don't need to be drinking to have fun.  I realized how far behind I am on the politics of the USA too.  I was talking sports with my friend a few days back, and I claimed that my favorite baseball team was the Texas Rangers.  He then confessed to me last night that he assumed I was Republican because I said that.  So funny!  He was right anyway, and then asked me who I was going to vote for etc.  I honestly knew about 2 candidates and none of their stories/strengths.  I told him once I go home, I will get the low down from my dad!  I really should become a more involved citizen, but I have heaps of time to do so until November 2012!  

Only in New Zealand

It was a gorgeous Sunday yesterday, so Morgan and I took a walk up the steepest street in the world (apparently).  I have been meaning to walk up to the top for awhile--it is just something you kind of have to do!    Anyway, on our way back we heard a "baaaaa" coming from inside a house!  Since everyone leaves all their doors open on sunny, warm days here, we could see a little lamb walking out of the house.  It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.  Morgan remembers growing up feeding pet lambs at her grandmother's house...so it is not an uncommon thing here which is brilliant!  Here is a video:

After our walk, we made our way to the Octagon (the city center shaped like an octagon)  to watch the semi-final of NZ versus Australia outside with lots of All Black fans.  It was a very good game (AB's won!) and the final is next weekend.  New Zealand vs. France!  I cannot wait :)

Fiordland National Park

So far in my 19 years, this is one of the top 5 prettiest places I have been to! And I only went to a portion of it...geez save some beauty for the rest of the world!!  Located in the south west corner of New Zealand, Fiordland National Park has fiords (valleys carved out by glaciers), wildlife, rivers, creeks, lakes, valleys, mountains, and my heart. hahaha!  I left on Saturday morning with two of my flat mates to Te Anau, which is pretty much the gateway to Milford Sound and the National Park.  Spent the day walking along rocky shores, soaking up the sunshine, swimming in the iciest water for about 4 seconds, hiking around a lake, trying to climb up a river bank and slipping all the way down (on video....it seems as if I cannot escape my clumsiness anywhere!), leaping over fallen logs, and taking pictures.  We camped by Cascade Creek and I only slept for about an hour due to my horrible syndrome called Can't Sleep Anywhere But A Bed.  Normally, I can sleep at least 6 hours camping, but I was a bit more unfortunate this weekend.  I ate my first noodles in a cup for dinner, which lived up to it's expectation: mediocre.  I managed to get out of my  sleeping bag around 6:30 am, and quickly realized I really only got one hour of sleep because I stumbled to the bathroom not so eloquently.  Some pictures of the beginning of Fiordland NP:

Hollyford Valley

Again, with the camera at ground level.

A perfectly clean swamp...eels are supposed to be here but none were sighted.

Gunn Lake--where we hiked.

Beech forest, with some back light. So pretty.

Other side of Gunn Lake. Perfect AM reflection with some fog.

After I had successfully woken up (or got out of my sleeping bag because I was awake most of the night), we ate and drove to catch our 9.15am boat cruise around Milford.  From our camp site, we drove about 30 km.  We had to drive through Homer Tunnel, a dark, skinny 1200 meters!  My aunt Laura told me about this tunnel, and how she was drove through it and got claustrophobic midway into the tunnel.  I remember imagining it, and it was crazy to think that I am living the exact moment she described when driving through it.  Once the tunnel ceased, an amazing Cleddau Valley emerged. On the cruise, there were people from all around the world, most of them visiting for the Rugby World Cup and just taking a quick side trip.  I drank two cups of coffee to wake me up on the boat...but am not sure if it was the caffeine or the views that ultimately made me feel alive again!  Anyway, the cruise lasted for about an hour and a half which seemed more like 15 minutes.  Just stunning!  It was carved by glaciers ages ago and now is the home to seals, dolphins, and penguins!  I unfortunately did not see any dolphins, but had the privilege to witness seals and a couple of penguins playing around a waterfall. I kept circling around and around the boat to make sure I did not miss anything! Sweet as...this is New Zealand.  I cannot believe I am fortunate enough to experience this.  Bless!

Panorama of Milford Sound

Myself at Harrison's Cove

Stirling Falls--the 2nd largest permanent waterfall at Milford

It was simply stunning!

Cleddau Valley

I 

Again...absolutely beautiful!

 On the way home, we stopped by Mirror Lake, but I think my other reflection picture is more epic.  I got sunburned from the rare 2 days in a row of sun, only a small price to pay!  

Mirror Lake, the wind was slightly blowing.

News around here/home:

 I watched the All Blacks vs. Argentina semifinal game when I got back Sunday night with a couple of my Kiwi friends.  New Zealand is in the quarter finals!!!!  Joining them is Wales, France, and Australia.  Christchurch had another earthquake last night, so crazy! I am so glad that I do not live there...I would constantly be worrying!  They call it Shaky Town, if you don't know why, google "define: earthquake" ;)

Happy Birthday to my Dad and little brother! And congratulations to my sister Bridget for completing 26.2 miles this weekend in Chicago to raise money for diabetes research.  My whole family went to cheer her on, and I thought of you and Brynn often!  I will give you an appropriate hug once I return in one month and 2 days (ahhhh no/yes).  I am excited to see my family and friends in Minnesota, but not so excited to leave my family here. The last week of classes started today, and it does not feel like it at all.  I am already getting sentimental about things...such as this is the last time I might do this, see that person, or see something.  I do not think I will ever come back to Dunedin (unless I meet my soulmate in less than a month hahahahahhahaha just kidding), but I would love to come back to visit my friend in Wellington!  Someday...

Oh and here are some really cute twin babies! I cannot wait until January for some twin babes to be born, God willing! :) :) :) :)

October, Presidents, and Food

Greetings from the island across from down under!  I am in denial that it is October already. One day it was September 20, and the next day it was October 1.  No joke, I sat at my computer staring at the date in disbelief for about 10 minutes thinking it was tricking me!  Ahhh so much to do, so little time! Actually, I only have 2 more things to complete on my mini bucket list here and 40+ days to do so! I am done with classes in less than two weeks, then have about 12 days to explore the island aka road trip, then I come back to Dunedin for 4 final exams, then fly home the day after my last exam :( :( :( Speaking of, I have not booked my flight from LAX to MSP yet because I am going to see how much money I have left to maybe travel California for a bit.

Today, I just found out that one of my classmates who I sit next to in my Understanding Contemporary Media paper is running for president of the student association at Uni. He never spoke of it all this time, then I see his ad in the student magazine here...so random and cool! I feel kind of terrible that I just found out about it, but he is really modest so maybe I didn't talk about myself too much?!!!! I hope that is the case at least! In conclusion, I kinda know a 'famous' person here, and they were telling the truth when they said you never know who you will meet!  Here are more spring fever pictures! 

Found this while exploring with my friend Morgan

On my walk to school. Lucky right?!

Oversized flowers...never seen these before!

Oh and more good news. Surprising news.  I filled out a rugby bracket a while back for the Rugby World Cup, and currently am the leader. Who would have ever thought?!  Kind of, may have made my day :)

 And I am really proud of my slightly improved cooking skills.  I made a stir fry with some chicken, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, and sweet chilli lime sauce for dinner!  AND I cooked rice for the first time.  

My mum would be so proud!

Since food is on the mind, there are some differences in what Kiwis call certain foods.  Raisins are sultanas, Rice Krispies are Rice Bubbles, kumara are sweet potatoes, muesli is granola, prawns are shrimp, biscuits are cookies, jelly is Jell-O (ALWAYS), golden syrup is molasses (I bought it thinking it was maple syrup, and was sadly mistaken),  and mince is beef (ALWAYS)!!!  Also, they don't have any sugar cereals.  And potato chip flavors are chicken, salt and vinegar, and chive...in other words I have not bought them here.  Now that I made you all hungry, go eat and I hope you enjoyed Kiwi Food Culture 101. 

By the way, I DO realize (in NZ it would be realise) the randomness of my blog posts...someone pointed out how sporadic my posts can be...I guess my mind is always spinning haha!

Spring is Here!

Today was the nicest day here in Dunedin!  It was 18 degrees Celsius, which I will make you convert to Fahrenheit.  I sat outside my flat soaking in the sun for about 4 hours today, while me and Chelsea kept on making attempts to start our essays that were due tomorrow.  I have been SUCH a slack lately.  Seriously, I have never in my life been such a bad student.  It is hard to go to class when I don't really have an interest in the subject matter (O-Chem, I miss you xoxo).  So, I usually just end up being entertained by my friends here.  Long story short... we did not start our essays until later after we watched Ellen, two cooking shows, ate lunch, drank tea, and discussed the endless love we have for sunshine.  I did end up finishing my essay, my LAST ONE for the semester. It feels so good!  I had to write an essay in every one of my classes here, and I now know that I am inclined to do something in the realm of science/health, where essays are lab reports. 

Some other self-discoveries I have made here:

I am oddly obsessed with ice cubes.  Chelsea makes fun of me because I put an ice cube in almost everything I drink. Tea, soda, water, and juice.  And following my father's suit, I put the newly filled ice cube tray on the bottom so the next person (which is usually me) doesn't spill all the unfrozen H to the O.  I know I can survive without coffee.  I used to drink coffee all the time, and then I came here to expensive coffee land, and I figure my life can do without. It has, and without any withdrawals, thankfully. I love mushrooms and broccoli.  I never cooked either in my life before this experience, and it is so cliché and untrue and I am really trying to find another way to say it, but my life is complete.  My life isn't really complete, but it just expresses mi amor for those vegetables.  Ah, that's enough for now!

So I seem to have forgotten what I was originally going to write about.  It will probably come back to me, when I do not feel like blogging any more!  Such is life in the land of the Kiwi bird...that is why NZ people are called Kiwis by the way.  That is a bird that is only found on Stewart Island, NZ.  I don't think it is pretty/cute by any means.  The Kiwi people are far more attractive! :) 

Regarding my introduction, the weather is lovely because spring has arrived.  We just had daylight savings, and all the trees are in bloom.  Due to personal requests, people have asked me to take some pictures of the campus and so I will show off the Otago campus along with showcasing some epic blooms.  Two birds with one stone.

Cherry blossoms. heart heart

Unofficial center of the campus

The international building

Cool little pathway

Back entrance to the campus

Where I attend lectures...most days ;)

Bridge over the Leith River

Leith River

Kiwi Music

I love finding new music, and what better way to immerse myself into the culture than listen to Kiwi music! Here are some songs from famous NZ bands.

The group Six60 actually originated in Dunedin, and all were students at Otago.  They lived in a flat addressed 660, hence the name of the band!  This song is quite appropriate for all people my age...the lyrics are a good lesson and reminder for me on this journey.  The only thing holding me back from living here is my family, and trust me...it is my dream to have my family relocate here!  Have a listen and I hope you like it as much as I do!

Skiing and a Little Thing Called Bungy Jumping

I am kind of worried that I have may just have lived the best weekend of my life.  It does not feel real at all so I am living the dream?! I have been wanting to go skiing and bungy jumping here ever since I booked my flight back in April or something.  No plans arose to do it until last Wednesday when a total of 4 of us spontaneously decided to go away for the weekend to do both!  I was the solo girl, and got a view into the man's world for a couple of days.  Yes, they do piss whenever and wherever they please in case you wanted verification. :)

We left early on Saturday morning, and drove about 4 hours to Cardrona ski resort near Wanaka and Queenstown, in the heart of the Southern Alps.  The only skiing I have done prior is skiing down a golf course hill and getting pulled behind a snowmobile.  I had to rely on the fact that I can balance, and that my siblings are all able to stay alive while shredding the slopes.  Overall experience was grade A, perfect 10, five star, etc. Aka EPICCCCCCCC!  I crashed about 4 times and had really sore shins from the ski boots, but otherwise I loved everything about the experience...talking to people on the lifts, stopping at the end of the run, laughing/smiling at the beauty of everything, warming up in the lodge, and feeling the rush of not knowing if you will fall or not.  Ah, epic.  The guys offered me good advice too, couldn't ask for better slope mates!

The slopes

My rental skiis

Nice

Highly recommend

After skiing from 9:30-3:30, we headed down the mountain to Queenstown to find a place to pitch our tent.  The scenery of the whole trip was so beautiful, especially the drive to Q-town.  Queenstown is a very touristy town, and is very upscale.  Veryyyy gorgeous location though!  We ended up checking out a backpackers lodge called Bumbles that had a backyard for tents.  At first, we could not find the backyard and ended up setting up the tent wayyy far away, in a completely different campground.  We ended up carrying the tent down the road, with the joke that we were a 'wide load'...so funny!  Then we checked out the town, ate at the famous Fergberger (best burger I have ever had), and attempted to find a grocery store but failed.  We chilled at the campsite for awhile and discussed life while stargazing only to go back into town to watch Ireland defeat Australia in rugby (such an unreal upset!!!!).  They had this really cool outdoor setup for the game, with a huge flat screen and fire.  The Irish people went a little crazy!  I met some local Dunedin people who also go to Otago, and they somehow convinced me to do four backflips...but I made them spot me.  There was a professional photographer there, and he kept getting the timing wrong so I had to do it again and again.

Queenstown.

Relocating the tent. haha

Fergberger

Our campsite..not exactly rural, but sweet as view.

The peaks look kind of like a crown.

Little fish and chips never hurt anyone..cute shack by the water.

Q-town

Backflippping

The next morning, we woke up and had breakfast by the lake.  We casually strolled into town to make the bus to go bungy jumping.  At this point, I was not feeling particularily scared or nervous, and didn't get scared until we drove up the mountain and saw the bungy hanging in the middle of the valley.  We got weighed in, and harnessed up as soon as we stepped off the bus.  From there, we stepped into this shuttle (which was more like a metal cage) to bring us out to the bungy.  This is where my freaking out majorly started.  Seeing the ground a million miles down was a wake up call to me!  We entered the little 'house' and all you hear is extremely loud dubstep music playing.  It makes the experience way intense, and I jumped around to calm my nerves.  Eight people went before me, because they have different bungy cords for each weight category.  There were 2 other Americans (who just got to NZ 4 hours prior to their jump), 2 Russians, and 2 Chinese, and 4 of us.  As I was watching all the others before me go, I kept thinking I was going to get up there and change my mind.  Complete opposite thing happened.  Time went by reallllyyy slowly and I felt as if I was dreaming, and trust me, I was not on any sort of drug (just high on life, I suppose)!  They hook your harness up to a cable so if you trip, you won't go plummeting to your death without a bungy cord.  Then you sit down in a chair, and chain the bungy cord to you, and put a strap into the ankle harness that you pull once you are upside down to put you upright as they haul you back up.  After that, they tell you to walk the plank.  This is where I shuffled my feet right to the edge...and looked down.  I have never felt so calm.  My mind was completely clear for the first time in my life, and I don't even remember anyone talking.  3,2,1, BUNGY!!!!! I dove off and then after a couple of seconds, I screamed.  Then you are free falling for about 5 seconds, and your mind is just thinking "holy craaaaaaaaaaapppp!"  BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD. I would do it all over again in an instant. And again.  When I got hauled back up, I think I just laughed for about 5 minutes straight in sheer happiness.  Then we all discussed how we are forever changed people, aww bonding!!  Just grand!

The shuttle...with the 'house' in the distance!

Waiting...

On the edge.

CYA! Best best best best ever.

After that, we drove back to Dunedin where I immediately crashed.  No words can describe what a fun weekend it was. I love love love experiencing new things with new people!!!!  Crossed two things off my bucket list! Check and check. Ah, I must be dreaming yo!

Ex-pectations

Walking to the grocery store today in the pouring rain, I contemplated something.  Why do some people treat their lives as a game?  I used to.  I used to expect certain things to happen to me just because I did this or that. I waited for a great outcome, and got outplayed and defeated.  A good friend from a while back is experiencing a rough patch due to too many expectations.  Having no expectations for EVERYTHING is honestly the key to it all because whatever happens will be bloody brilliant!  Then all those inspirational quotes you love to say will be a reality, and not some far off distant fairytale of a life.  Not saying my life is perfect, but everything after quitting the game has been pretty dang good.  So go ahead and start reading the quotes that are now your life.

The beach at sunrise.

Do you get my blog title now? ;)