back to reality...

A two week easter break was a really bad idea...having to go back to Uni and actually do work is 10,000,000,000,000 times harder than it was before we got to travel for two weeks.

Last week I had a lot of homework to get done considering I didn't really get anything done over break. I had a big group project to get done and even though we finished it, 2 of our 7 group members were completely useless but that always happens when group work is involved. Then I was supposed to have a test on Tuesday but my professor got stuck in an elevator on the way to class so it was postponed until Thursday. Pretty entertaining...she was fine but it worked out well for the class. Then on Thursday after I took my test, the entire southern half of the island lost power for over an hour. Apparently they were doing tests at the power plant and someone made a mistake so my class was cancelled that afternoon because there wasn't any light in the lecture halls. I have never really seen a massive power loss before...all the stoplights stopped working and everything.

Anyways, I went and saw a New Zealand made film on Thursday night which was really interesting because there were things I didn't understand that those who have lived here their whole lives would. It was still fun. Then friday night a big group of us went out to the bars to dance and hang out. We usually go out Saturday night but this weekend ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corps) day was happening which is equivalent to our veterans day but they take it much more seriously. For national holidays, the entire country basically shuts down with the exception of mcdonalds and a few gas stations. On Sunday morning, they had an AM memorial service that I went to at 545 in the morning. It was super early but they do it to commemorate the time the first soldiers went away to WWI and it was very moving. One of the generals gave a really good speech and it's so different compared to a speech you'd hear from America. This is a very humble country and even though they are small they are very proud and also very peaceful. They aren't out to conquer the world like the US, they just want to do their own thing in the world and I find that so amazing. It almost makes me embarassed by some of the things our leaders are saying and proclaiming to the world. It was a very cultural moment for me and I really enjoyed it.

On a much different note, I finally recieved the dates and times for my final exams and I will officially be back in Minnesota on June 15th. It's much earlier than I had planned but that's just how the tickets worked out and it's my cheapest option. I am so sad to leave this place and all the incredible people I've met. The rest of my group will be here for another two or three weeks after I leave and the fact that I won't get to be there to say the big goodbyes is really depressing but I have obligations at home unfortunately and the real world is waiting for me.

I don't want to make this entry too depressing so I'll make sure to live up my last 7 weeks here! I think this upcoming weekend I'll be going to some new zealand concerts and such so that should be fun!

I think that's all for now!