4th New Zealand Prep Class

Well, this week was a little boring. My teacher was at a conference so we just did a bunch of administrational stuff. We went over and filled out our visas for the Southern Institute of Technology (which is where we will take classes). We still have to fill out our visas for the country of New Zealand, but since it is about twenty pages long, we have to print it out and do it at home! One of the boys in the class, Chase, went over the options and cost for all of our gear. He is going to try to buy things in groups at wholesale so it will be cheaper for us. We also talked about our camping trip in three weeks, we still don't know where we are going, but I'm trying to put in a plug for Zion’s. The most enjoyable part of class was just learning more names and more about these people I am going with. I am so excited to spend four months with these people, they are all so individual, but so fun at the same time! Stay tuned everyone! (PS: I'm taking the LSAT tomorrow morning, so if any of you feel like praying for me!)

3rd New Zealand Prep Class!!!!

Hello everyone! Class was slightly more subdued yesterday, so not as much to report. We read 'The Anatomy of Peace' for a class assignment so we discussed the book at length. ***Sidenote*** If any of you are looking for a book that will change the way you look at life, and will make you feel like a better person and allow you to see others the same way, then this is a great book to read. It is written by the Arbinger Institution which deals with human behavior studies. Anyway, back to class, after we discussed the book (the point of our reading it being that we are going to be stuck together for four months so we better learn how to get along!), we were given the student handbooks for study abroad programs. I don't know if any of you have ever been to prison or a mental institution, but I'm guessing the number of rules would be about the same for this program! 26 pages of rules!!! (One of the biggest rules: NO, absolutely ZERO dating, sorry for all you hoping I would come back with some hot New Zealander!) Reading all the rules (and having our lives threatened if we did not abide by said rules) took a good portion of the class. For the rest of the time we got into camping groups for our camping trip to the Uintahs in October (I have been oficially designated as 'life saver' also known as first aid girl!). I got some information for equipment that I need, I will try to update my wish list in the next couple of days. Thats it for this week, thank you all for tuning in! Love ya!

Reply to Kathryn's post

Kathryn posted a comment regarding Birthday, Christmas, and graduation presents (feel free to view it, just click the little button that says 1 comment under the post.) In response, all the things I will need will be posted on 'The List' on the left side of my blog, just scroll down. This list is currently extremely premature, but will give you some ideas! Thanks for your comment Kat!

2nd New Zealand Prep Class!!!!

Last night I had my second New Zealand prep class. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! I am sooooooo excited!!!!! First off, we had one of the BYU travel agents come talk to us about airfare and possibilities for island hopping after my program ends and before I come home. My first reaction was, ‘oh crap.’ This is going to be expensive! Luckily I have been saving money since I was about six years old! Still, birthday, x-mas, and graduation presents are still up for grabs! After the travel agent left and we were all in the throws of despair (especially those who don’t have their passports yet, ha ha!), my professor had to go to a meeting, so he told us to get into our groups. For our trip we have separated into groups that will plan what we do there. The groups include, the ‘backpacking’ group, the ‘charity/volunteer’ group, the ‘first three weeks tourism’ group, etc. I am in the ‘we’re in Invercargill, what social and cultural activities should we do?’ group! Here is the list of things we came up with. We will be doing these things on nights and weekends when we aren’t in school.
The List: Go to a professional rugby game, view the ancient art galleries and cathedrals in Dunedin, travel to Stewart Island to view the kiwi birds in their natural habitats on the beach at night, attend a cultural Haka (Maori war dance chanted loudly in a menacing way accompanied by arm actions and foot stamping), Beach bon fire and barbeque, Skydiving, Bungee jumping, cliff repelling, white water rafting, YSA activities with the kids in Christchurch, Gondola rides up the mountain canyons, black water rafting in ancient caves that are filled with millions and millions of glow fish, etc!!!!! Holy Crow, I am so excited! By the time my group was done we were all basically in hysterics and talking over each other and laughing, I already love these people! When my professor finally came back, and said ‘uh oh’ in response to our hysteria, we decided to do more introductions. The introductions were supposed to be one-minute creative expressions of who we are. I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in my life! One girl did an interpretation of a raindrop, one girl wrote a song to the tune of ‘Leaving on a jet plane,’ which was entitled ‘I’m leaving for New Zealand!’ The lyrics were hilarious, and I’ll try to get them, another girl showed her world-class jump roping skills (yeah, she’s been on the View and Good Morning America, and tons of other stuff, all for jump roping!), and so many other things that I was starting to feel extremely inadequate! Don’t worry though, when everyone found out that I love to make movies and will be making a New Zealand movie for while I’m there, I got a standing ovation! These kids I’m going with are amazing, and I am so excited to get to know them better!

*****CHRISTMAS, GRADUATION, AND BIRTHDAY PRESENT UPDATE

If any of you lovely people are looking for Christmas, birthday and graduation present ideas I will have a full list of New Zealand items posted regularly. It will probably change a lot!

My first New Zealand Prep Class

So today I had my very first New Zealand prep class. I have to admit that I was a little nervous at first. My professor, Mark Widmer, kept talking about all of these backpacking trips and all of a sudden there was a red warning light going off in the back of my head! However, as he kept talking about doing all of these things that would normally make me cringe, I realized that this is exactly what I need, why I felt the need to apply in the first place. I have a really good feeling about this guys. I think my Dad is right, I am going to come back a different person. I still don't know very much yet but, I'll tell you what I do know. My program begins January 7th and officially ends April 16th. The first three weeks will be spent traveling and exploring the north island and the northern half of the south island. After the fun touring we will go down to Invercargill, which is on the southern tip of the south island, where we will live. We will be living in twos and threes with local non-member families. We will live 2-5 miles away from our school, the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), and church. Every student will be provided one bicycle for transportation, thats right people, we're going missionary-style here! Mon, tues, and wed we will take classes form local professors at the SIT that are outdoor classes, ie: surfing, sailing, hiking, etc. Thurs and fri we will take classes from our professor, which means we will probably be going on more backpacking trips and visits to Stewart Island rather than sitting in a classroom! Saturdays are our own, but we will usually have a group acitivity, and sundays we will go to church! Next week I will know more about travel itineraries and such. I can't wait!