Chocolate and Gilmore Girls

So week 3 of New Zealand turned out to be completely different than the second week. Instead of going out every night to streets filled with rowdy Kiwi's, I spent the nights huddled under my blankets watching episodes of Gilmore Girls. It's amazing how many times I can watch that show, it's such a comfort to watch. Anyway, it is just too cold to be productive in my flat, I always end up under the covers, talking myself out of going on a run or going to the library. Why should I go do things when I can stay in my nice warm bed?

However, I need to keep reminding myself that I am in New Zealand and I cannot waste my time in bed. So this weekend I am planning on going to the Chocolate Carnival! Oh yes, I will absolutely get out of bed for chocolate.

Something I feel I must address is the fashion in Dunedin. Girls why are you going to class in such nice outfits? Honestly, you're just making it hard on everyone else who would rather wear warm sweats to class than a skirt and tights. Also the buns on the head? That needs to stop. You look completely bizarre, just put your hair in a normal ponytail! But to get to the point, I refuse to wear dresses or skirts to class until it warms up, so if I look like a slob in my sweats and Ugg boots, it's your fault.

Living with Kiwis

I'm starting a blog. This is awkward. Everyone writes blogs now a days, I feel like such a follower. But I think I get credit for it for my study abroad program, so I actually have a legit reason to write one.

I live in Dunedin, New Zealand now, land of the hobbits and it is beautiful here. At least it was when I was flying over it, and driving through the countryside in an airport shuttle to get to Dunedin. The actual city itself is not so pretty, but I guess its cute, I don't know, they drive on the wrong side of the road and that throws me off. Plus it's extremely cold here! I have no idea what temperature it is cause everything is in degrees C, but it's cold. AND the flat that I'm living in is even colder than outside, I have to wear all my jackets, and socks and tights and gloves just to stay decently warm.

Seriously though enough complaining. I'm in New Zealand! That's so cool! Honestly it doesn't really feel like I'm living in another country. Yes they have different currency and measuring systems—they don't measure food energy in calories they use kilojoules, so basically I can eat whatever I want because calories don't exist here—and they drive on the left hand side of the road and people talk in cute accents, and it's cold, but otherwise it's not much different than living in America.

I've met some people here. I live in a cute flat near the school campus with 4 other girls. 2 are from New Zealand, they're our “kiwihosts”--they call native New Zealander's “kiwis”--and are supposed to help us adjust to New Zealand life, and the other 2 girls are from America. Mainly I've just met other American international students, there are a lot of us. Hopefully I'll be meeting some more kiwis soon.