Hello Those Reading,

It’s Friday here in Wellington and winter is in full swing. The week has been filled with off and on rain, heavy gusts, and southerlies (like I know what those are, but the locals mention them all the time.)

I had dinner with my NZ Family last night and then played volleyball up at Victoria. These people were better at Volleyball then me, but it was good to play with slightly better people. Also there were only 6 of us so there wasn’t too much of a team aspect. Also this one guy had an amazing vertical. In order to dig his spikes you had to basically be down at the court.

Otherwise I have completed my Phil Project and am turning that in today and then working on my IBUS paper(s) due next Wednesday. That shouldn’t be too terrible as I quite like International Business.

Things have gotten better since the beginning of the week, so that is an improvement. I am going to pick up something to read over the weekend granted that it isn’t too expensive.

I have been thinking a lot about my return to the States and leaving New Zealand. There are lots of things I love about both but I am not sure what it will like being back at home with such a different perspective. I think it will be much better, but I am not sure how it will affect my relationships and perspective. The thing I do know completely is that I don’t think I will ever be the same. But that is a good thing.

I will miss the Wonderful sound of the electric trolley busses going by. The unique outfits that the locals wear. The friendly people at the neighborhood dairy. The ability to walk 10 minutes and be at the waterside. The contentment in the populace. The colour of the houses and roofs. The interesting products, names, and restaurants. Kebabs. But I think I will miss the beauty of New Zealand a lot. The mountains and the sea with the parks and the buildings. It really is gorgeous.

Another thing I have discovered is how much easier expats get along with each other. I think it is because we all share the common bond of being away from home that we are able to interact easier. It has helped me understand why there are places like Chinatown, etc in cities across the globe.

I have also discovered that I use Yah a lot as a beginner word. I gotta stop that.

Anyways I am off to class. 2 hours till the weekend! Woot!

All the best!

-Mathias