Oi!

It’s Tuesday here in Wellington and a beautiful sunny day. I think I am going to the beach later!

I had my first tutorial today, it is much like recesatation(sic) back in the states with a group of about 25 people in the room led by a tutor. Otherwise classes continue to be straightforward. However some interesting cultural notes to make are that at Uni, students focus exclusively on one to two majors and don’t take core type courses like we do in the states. Thus most first years take no math or science courses and go straight to classes about philosophy, history, film, etc. As well, once you are over 20 there are no requirements for getting into university.

Another tidbit that is currently being heavily debated is the mandatory joining of the Student Association and the related (required) fees. The NZ parliament is considering a bill that would allow students to choose whether or no they wanted to join the student association and pay the related fees. Personally I think this would be a terrible system as the support network behind student organizations is vital to their success.

It seems odd to say, well not odd really just different, well whatever. For the past week or so I have felt this amazing inner contentment and happiness. I think it comes from personal introspection and thought. But it still a great feeling. It may just be a further development of my growth but it is definitely different than stress and worry. I may expound more on this later as I am having trouble putting my feelings into words.

That being said there isn’t a lot to do in NZ at night that doesn’t involve drinking. I normally spend my evening (after about 8 when it gets dark) either studying for classes, watching movies, talking with my flatmates, reading, or playing Civ. Definitely a departure from the meetings, studying, and volleyball that I am accustomed too.

I hope everyone that is reading this is doing well! From what I read the recession is still putting quite a damper on things in Georgia and the rest of the US. That and well the war, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, trade imbalances, and etc. One thing about the news media in NZ, they don’t get too worked up and make things bigger than they are. But then again they don’t have too many global issues to deal with.

That’s all for now. Off to the flat for lunch (I forgot a spoon for my soup and then I am going to go lie on the beach and read!

Cheers!