Pictures

Taken at 7. 7 am that is.



This is at 9 am. The white stuff on the grass is ice. It was iced till 12 noon that day.



My Hostel from outside



My school at 5 pm. Very nice right? Ok part of the school la



This is what its like at 7 pm.



I saw this sign in library. Althoguh, i do not think priests go strike, but the library certainly did.

Moanday

Yet another day.

Today was the first time I ever experience drastic temperature change. This afternoon, it was really warm. I was perspiring on my walk home from the supermarket. Estimate it was about 14 degrees. Phew. Warm.

Now it is midnight and the temperature is near freezing. I am really cold now. Though the heater is on.

So anyway had a terrible day. I went for ECON 324 Econometrics II. And I nearly died. I have absolutely no idea what the professor was talking about and to make matters worse everyone else seemed to know what he was lecturing about. I seriously doubt I can pass, and that is my target. Forget the A’s. A Pass is good enough.

The tutorial for that module in the afternoon was worse. I stayed back like a whole hour and a half just figuring out how to use the program, STATA for calculating regression analysis and other ‘fascinating’ and ‘useful’ manipulations of information. I never knew that for one set of information there can be like a million and one ways to play around with it, to test it, test to see if it is acceptable, test to see if the test was appropriate, test to see if the test could in fact be tested out, test to see if the test result can be tested even more. So anyway I think I am ok in that area, the file seems to be saved, tmr will work on it.

Then now I spent the entire night just working out one tutorial that seemed so easy but was not. Math!!!! Now I have to start on the last one, on property rights.

Seriously, I now know why people do four or three modules a sem. 5 300 modules are killing me. Help. But I have to, else when I come back to Singapore, I will need to do 7 modules and graduate with 1 extra module. NO NO NO.

So anyway I managed to make, Rice risotto with beef. YEY YEY YEY. It was, to my generous allowance, rather palatable. Not that I would pay for that, but hey, I made it. I will eat it.

For those who know me, the kitchen is an alien place for me. like really alien. The evil light thingy that can heat up the food, the funny round metal shaped item that heats up other things. Ha ha ok.

So my one achievement of the day. Muahahahahahahah.

I am so tired. So tired. But must go on.

Sun Day

Ok went for the my very first church service here. It was a church called St John’s Anglican Church. Apparently because they have a large congregation, they have services at a school, St Margaret's School chapel. Which is really a large chapel.

Worship was interesting; they sung mainly hymns that I have never heard. Not to say a bad thing; sometimes Hillsongs and the like tend to make their songs very much mainstream and the act of worship becomes more like a concert. Hymns have a very sombre feeling, so they do have a role to play.

But I must say this, their pastor was really really good. He was not the ‘on-fire’ type preacher you see at a lot of charismatic churches. Hillsongs is one very good example, caught their tv service last week, and he the pastor, Brian Houston is one enigmatic and energetic pastor.

But anyway, today’s speaker was Peter Collier. He was a very laid back, but yet very confident person. He spoke and he made the reading from Ephesians very practical, very real, very day to day living. Excellent speaker. He does not just use life examples, he uses analogies and the really gets the parish interested in knowing what God wants us to.

I think after being away from church for a while, coming back is really like drinking water. Not that I am saying that people around me are draining, they most certainly are not, but there is just something about being in fellowship with others of similar faith that is so refreshing.

So yeah, that was that. Excellent service today. However, I felt that the church was very family orientated and new comers had to either walk up and step forward to talk to people or to simple melt away in the background. So something I had to muster up today. Dunno if I can continue going; it is not near my school.

Oh and just an interesting note. The church’s actual location is a Latimer Square in Christchurch, which sadly is not a nice place to be at night. It is on the corner of Manchester Street, a place where night life is really seedy and well, people hawking services come out at night. A few years back, there was a sad case of a murder, well, of sorts. In 2001, a kiwi beat up a foreigner and left him for dead. The guy was put in jail for two years and then released.

To make things really really exciting, recently there was a case of a politician who was accused of rape, unlawful sexual connection, attempted rape and indecent assault. On young girls, about 12 years old. Lo and behold, he worships at… yup you guessed it. St John’s. How exciting.

Anyway thinking about dinner. Dunno what is should do. Thinking of fried rice (again) and somehow, pie comes into mind. Shudder. O well.

Continuing Halt

Recieved By email:
The University of Canterbury is expecting further industrial action during the next two weeks by academic and general staff covered by collective agreements who belong to the Association of University Staff (AUS), the Public Service Association (PSA) and other combined unions.

We have been notified that 14 days of rolling stoppages at most universities in the country, including Canterbury University, will culminate in another one-day strike on 4 August.

It is anticipated that disruption caused by the second one-day strike will be similar to yesterday.

However, anticipating the impact of rolling stoppages, which could happen at any time as of today, is more difficult.

The University will endeavour to inform, if not forewarn, students and staff of any rolling action. -

Ok what? This is ridiclous. More random strikes?

To date, i can guess which lecturers are against the stike. Most of my economics lecturers are probably not interested in the strike. One even rebelled against the protest; a nice lecturer who takes me for two modules.

However, one lecturer made his stance rather clear. His first ten minutes of class ended in the sentence "... due to the Chronic Underfunding of universities by the government." Sigh.

Strikes are an inefficient manner to handle things. This occurs when both parties have insufficient information on the other, and as a result choose to act in a manner that is not a best response function nor a nash equilibrium.

But the question herein, is the method in which the government of Singapore handles this the most EFFICIENT manner? It certainly seems so. But this suggests more of a manner in which the Govt chooses to set the rules of the Game, which is make known the threat values of the employees. By withdrawing the ability for people to strike, effectively employees threat value have gone down considerably. The most they can offer is to quit. Which is not very much.

Is there a more efficient way to reduce transaction costs? Is there a way to share the surplus from the bargaining process fairly?

Photos taken

Ok i am just testing this function on Blogger. Here are some photos i took in christchurch.


My flight was called Pacific Class, Air New Zealand NZ82.


This is a cathedral in Christchurch. Quite Fancy.


My room. The neat side.


My table. The not so neat side.


The lounge.



The kitchen.


The disaster. tried to make fried rice. Became Fried egg with rice. Added too much rice. Had pie that night.


Ok that is all for now. Will blog more.

EXTRA EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

This post is about a nation wide event, (Nation= New Zealand, not Singapore)

"University of Canterbury academic and general staff covered by collective agreements who belong to the Association of University Staff (AUS), the Public Service Association (PSA) and other combined unions have given notice of a nationwide one-day strike on Wednesday 20 July."

That was an email sent out by the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Canterbury. Quite exciting actually. The first Industrial Action i will be in.

My classes are still on though, darn, a ten to twelve class so no problem there. But there will be no HEATING!! Gasp. I will so freeze to death. Why, why oh why!!!!!!!!! That is like going into a freezer. Haiz.

ANyway so far so good. Life has been fun. Well, cept when i cook. Then it kinda is bad. THe cooking i mean. I cannnot cook. Stop laughing.

I am looking forward to the Industrial Action though. It is afterall interesting to see, although i agree with Old man Lee, that strikes should definately be banned, but the price of that is that the Government and the State MUST take the effort to listen to people, which a certain state refuses to to. Well actually it listens but ignores the opinions.

There are many things that are great with SIngapore. We have a working economy, a peaceful, safe haven, competition in many industries. Nice Airline. I think those are our strength. But we do have many weakeness.

One of which is that we do not have a Government that really listens to its people. To them, the people serves the government. Actually, that is not to be. The government is put in place by the people, given all its power by the people, to serve the people. The government is not given the right to abuse that power or to exploit it's 'powerful' position to better it's place. Because we are a one party government, dangerously close to being a one state party, we are really at the mercy of the incumbent. There is no strong opposition to curb their actions. And really why should that be? The government is our government. They are our leaders because we chose them to.

here is where praise must be given to PAP. They have done, to date, a remarkable job of leading Singapore. There is no doubt of it. They took singapore through hurdles like none other. Excellent job. The one reason why opposition cannot rise is simply because the PAP made only smaller, significant but not enough, for a strong opposition to rise. Made worse by the fact that our opposition can only raise problems, not solutions. (given time i am sure we can come out of solutions but with a lesson in half an hour time, not possible) Now that we are this stage, perhaps it is time to address the errors of the system.

We fail to distinguish between state and government. And that is seriously a problem. because the government now has another tool at it's disposal, state instruments to secure its power. State should always be free to act in the interest of the country, but when there is no distinguishment between the two seperate entities, there can be no such action. Every decision made is now a factor of two ideas, one for the best of the country and another for the best of the party. [Decision =F(Country,Party)]

Another problem i feel is apparent in Singapore is simply that our leaders cannot admit mistakes. Take the case of allowing SBS (Now SBS transit) to run the North East line (the mrt line) when the more efficient method would be to allow the incumbent SMRT to operate that. Afterall, they have the experience and the ability. But according to the Government, they wanted competition. Hello? The two lines serve different consumer groups. What competition? that is like saying fork sellers competing against spoon sellers. THE two consumer groups are totally seperate! No cross elasticity of demand there. And when there is the obvious problem of it not working out, the government chooses not to apologise. but gives some half hearted excuse.

I am a product of an education system that is generous to those whom the it regards as acceptable and hexes those whom it deems as burdens. Like the matrix, the system weeds out the problem cases too efficiently. SOme problem cases are not dealt well, actually most are not. The well handled ones makes it way to the front page of Straits Times. And this system must be corrected. Somehow.

There will always be problems with a country. No country is perfect. No one is near perfect. Nothing is near perfect. That is why we should never stop trying to improve our problems. DIfferent from progress. Now we have to regress to catch the flaws, and there are many, to patch it all up.

Hopefully, i will not end up like that poor chap who blogged and found himself disgraced. Afterall, blogs are personal opinions. No body listens to them anyway.

I am sure that people will see me as an immature child complaining about issues that i do not understand. That is true. Do not forget also that this child experienced the education system that wanted me to think, and i did. Those were my results. I do not beleive that the ends justify the means, nor do i belief that just because we have some material well being, there will be no need to pick on the small points. What is small to you, is the world to another who has to suffer that point. The people who think our education system is the best is usually those wo succeed. Ask any normal stream student how he feels. Cursed at the age of 10. WHAT UTTER RUBBISH.

Bona fide traveller

Ok brief update.

Spent the most of Friday on a bus. First we went into Christchurch for lunch and for the girls to shop whilst I drooled over the very well modified subarus making their ways nosily down the city streets. And mustangs. And Mitsubshis. And M3ssssssssssssssss.

Anyway then we went to eat Singaporean food at, you guessed it, Kopitiam. Imagine out joy at seeing Char(although here it is Chao) kway teow. Mee Pok. And the all time favourite, Hainanese Chicken Rice. Imagine out indignation at the prices, $7 for one plate of char kway teow. Imagine out horror at the taste (and it was bad). Sigh. When I really really miss Singapore food, I will be forced to eat there again.

Then we got onto the Orbiter. It is this very amazing service that travels around Canterbury. It does not enter the city, but takes you around the outlaying areas. (think the Jurong East to Yishun type of line) And yeah so we sat on it and went around. Saw this huge shopping centre called Eastgate. (their shopping centres are called –Westfield, Eastgate, Northlands. And the less obvious Palms and others which I cannot remember)

So we went in. Nothing much, think it is like Junction 8 or Yishun 10 or even JP type shops. Except with huge super markets. Yup that was our day spent on the buses.

Just last night, we went to this shop, Liquor King. And we were searching for the liquor with the highest alcoholic content. Make a guess how much was it. 40%? 45%? Higher. Way higher.

I saw one that was 79%. Whoaaa… Then 85%. Then the record 89.5% alcohol content. What the hell, might as well buy cheap pure alcohol and drink yourself dead. Both will get yourself killed anyway.

I do not believe it. 89.5%!!!That is like super high, you get drunk on the vapours man. I wonder who buys. My friend who drinks a bit, says it is banned in most countries. In fact here is the first place she has ever seen that. But anyway phew. Bring that to a party and you do not need food. At all. Just pour it into the punch.

Oh well, that is New Zealand for you. The land of sheep and sleep.

Hey

Ok guys. Now in room. It is cold today, but not too cold, according to the weather report, it will be warmer now. However, warmer is relative. It is cold enough that the chocolate I own is hard even in the heated room. No need fridge. Brrr… Fridge is not as cold as this.

Anyway yeah, I think this is one very educational trip. Learning to cook is the hardest thing. So far, I have succeeded in doing spaghetti. And I must say it was ok. Of course, it is possible to be better. Then I tried fried rice last night. But I used too much egg. Became fried egg with rice. Bleah. Din eat that. I ended up with pie.

Tonight I tried rice. And I fried meat. And egg. And I was debating between having one more plate to wash. I decided to dump everything, rice, meat and egg together and eat.

Actually turn out to be not bad. Not too good. But hey, edible. Trying to do fried rice tmr. Or wait till my friend teaches me. I don’t know. Wish Rachel was here. That way I can eat good food. The only good food I have eaten so far is my pie, sandwiches and salad I buy from the shops. Nothing I cook is really good. Except spaghetti, that is not bad.

Oh well, got to go. Lots of work. See ya.

I am online!!!!!!!!

Yey yey I HAVE INTERNET IN MY ROOM!!!!!

My past few days blogs

Day 1
"Hey people. Am now in my room in Christchurch New Zealand. It is cold. Well, actually, as cold is really relative, to me it is cold but to the locals, this winter is actually quite warm.

Anyway it has been a long journey. I took off from Changi international airport at about 2020 Singapore time on NZ 82 Singapore to Auckland. Was a nice flight. A bit long, but the leg room was generous though the seat was uncomfortable. Strangely, the meals was rather good. And I have decided that if I ever fly, breakfast will be the egg menu. Whatever the alternative. The movie, some strange movie based on Dirk pitts adventure, books by Clive Cussler.

I am sorry, but I think that author is probably one of the most shallow around. His character is one who makes James Bond seem like a student in secondary school running around catching bullies who hide in toilets and make little girls cry.

Other then that, met a nice couple also staying in Christchurch who were flying home behind me. And the girl who sat beside me was a girl who was going to Hamilton for jockey lessons. A graduate from NUS engineering ( I think it was mechanical) learning about horses. Go figure. The funny thing was, her name was Ming Hui. And she was dressed like a boy, right down to her black beret. But I believed she was a girl. My suspicions were confirmed once she said “My guy friends”. A Tom Boy.

It is interesting to note that only girls, and guys almost never say it, metrosexual or not, girls always say ‘My guy friends’. The guys would be like, ‘Oh I have this friend, and erm, he (she) erm.’ The girls would inevitably say ‘My guy friends’ or just ‘friends’ for girlfriends.

Well, anyway, the flight from Auckland came into turbulence somewhere near our destination point. The descent felt like free fall at some point. You know, the strange feeling you get in your tummy when you are in a roller coaster on the way down. The ride was rather rough around the edges.

At Auckland international, I expected a long queue to clear customs. I was not disappointed. There were only four or five counters to clear one plane with almost 300 plus pax. Luckily, upon seeing our flight, they put into work about seven more staff to speed up the process. So I cleared customs. I proceeded to collect my huge luggage. I then went to declare my food.

New Zealand is one country that is more interested in you bringing food products then if you were bringing in Anthrax. I am sure if I said, ‘Oh I am bringing no food, just anthrax.’ They’d be like ‘Oh ok then, go ahead. Sure you didn’t bring any contaminated clothes or anything?’

By law, you have to declare anything partly natural. That means unless you are wearing fully synthetic clothes, please declare. I think NZ would much prefer if we came nude and they provided the clothes.

But anyway, I cleared the most through inspection of my Maggi Noodles and instant soups ever. Not even the Quality Inspectors at the factories check the food that carefully. After that I rushed over to domestic airport to take my connecting flight. Rather far away.

Boarded NZ 537 Auckland to Christchurch. The plane was simply two rows of three seats each, separated by a narrow aisle. Upon the ever present safety briefing and the usual take off warnings, the stewards serve tea/coffee. Shortly after, they provided candy. Then it was landing time. I actually slept most of the way, not that it was long. The plane was so basic, there wasn’t even a call button. (You just wave I guess, the steward at the rear of the plane would come)

Christchurch. Brrr… went through customs. Rather quickly I admit. I was out. For them, luggage collection is just one carrousel belt outside the immigration area. So you are technically out of the ‘Airport’ part of the airport when you collect your luggage.

After that, was a fairly simple business of finding a cab. Nice chap, who drove me to University Hall down at University of Canterbury. NZD19.60. Not cheap, but then again, different country different rules. I panicked then I realized the office was closed. Then I saw a sign saying “Please dial 6669 for assistance after office hours.” There was a phone there too so hey, I dialled. Someone picked up and came down shortly after. It was a Residential Advisor. She was a nice lady, Heather. Getting her law degree. Before you call her a undergraduate, please note she has a PH.d in Languages. Yes, it is Dr. Heather for you.

Very very friendly lady who helped me get my room, showed me around, even gave me her personal number in case I ever needed help. Actually, up to now, I have not really met a rude New Zealander. So it was rather cool to be so helped.

I called home to tell them I had arrived (called at about 2 plus three NZ time) NZ is four hours ahead of Singapore. Then I went on to call Rachel later, but she was on the phone with my mum (ha ha) and so did not answer my call. But anyway. I stayed in my room wondering what to do, then I remembered Petrina who was already here. I messaged her and arranged for dinner.

I traveled down by bus. They have this fancy system that tells you how long the bus is going to be. (i.e. what time it will arrive.) Which I tried to use. And it said forty minutes away.

I was rather shocked. Forty minutes to wait for one bleeding bus into town? Argh… So I went to buy a International Calling Card. Rather cheaper to call home then my trusty 91*****3 line.

I tried to call home. Took me several minutes, (actually the forty minutes) to do it. Had to call up the help desk twice before I could be put through to my mom. Spoke to her for a while. Called Rachel here. I miss home.

Then the bus came. Now Singaporeans who complain about our bus fares, try taking a bus from here. It costs NZD 2 to travel from anywhere to anywhere on a bus. That means, it costs S$ 2.40 per trip based on an exchange rate of S$1.20 to NZD 1. Which is rather generous given how the S$ has been moving.

SBS transit wake up. If you think Toa Payoa Interchange is the best, think again. The interchange here has a small camera at the entrance and that tells the driver which bay to go to. The station is air con (natural I mean, not artificially cooled.) and well, that was that. Cool.

So anyway, met Petrina for dinner, saw a lovely church, might go for services next week. It says, ‘Jazz Services on Sundays.’ I am curious to see how people might sing Amazing Grace Jazz version. I am sure that since there is a Techno Version of that, it should be doable.

So that was my first day in NZ. It wasn’t exciting; I have not unpacked as I am not sure if I would be staying in this room yet. But hey, it is a nice room. I will try to post pics.

Miss you guys at home.


Day 2.

Woke up late, was supposed to meet Petrina as she comes over to find her hall, she is staying at Ilam (say I-Lam) village, and well, I was late. Managed to get to her since she called me.

Found the Ilam place she was staying, think it looks older then mine.

Then we headed to Riccarton Road. It is the main thoroughfare of Christchurch that makes it look more town then town. (The business district is in Christchurch; but Riccarton seems more alive). Riccarton is town and Christchurch, is just a tourist destination.

We went to ANZ bank, and I have to call on Citibank (who has horrible service) to learn from them. They were very professional. Upon learning we wanted to open an account they set up an appointment with the personal banker, a very correct gentleman by the name Gordon archer. Much like a butler if I may. He led us through the procedure, although the account is not open till tomorrow, he has set us up for a thrifty account. It was also super cool of him to allow me to get a student account seeing that I was actually a half year student rather then a one year student. So yeah, ANZ has a branch and an ATM on campus.

Anyway, we then went for lunch. BAD!!! Take beef in NZ, never try their ‘Sweet and Sour pork’. Bleah. Miss Singapore.

We walked around whilst Petrina enjoyed being in a mall, it’s a girl thing. Malls make their Life worth Living.

So anyway, now am back in my room again. I have met a few others staying here. I will blog about them, but I want to confirm suspicions first. Not good though…

Ok then, had dinner. I feel that it is having meals that will make me miss Singapore the most. The crowds the people, it is just so lonely here. Hard to make friends whilst eating. And the food sucks. Big time.

Oh well, trying to call Rachel, but impossible. Will try again. Calling family up at 11pm (local time, Singapore time 7pm). See you guys.



8 July

Ok tried to keep updating, but is hard. Have made a few friends, but mostly in Hall, Kieran, Tom, Young and me are the four guys here. Hazel and Emily are the two girls here. Two Americans (the girls), Two Kiwis (Tom and Kieran), One Korean (Young who is always, and I mean always at his girlfriend’s place) and one Singaporean (if you cannot guess who that is, go and jump off or something).

Quite a nice atmosphere, we watch tv every night. Why?
1. No internet.
2. Too cold.
3. No where to go, excepts pubs.
4. Movies too expensive.
5. No internet
6. Too cold
7. Too cold.
8. No internet
9. Did I mentioned no internet?

Yup that why. So many reasons that Samsung is our best friend here.

Anyway have walked around campus for a while, managed to walk to Town (see above for clarification) from here. Rather good exercise. Maybe, will try and run. Although first you sweat then you freeze…

Saw a sign in dining hall. ‘Footwear and Clothing must be worn in the hall’. Right, like I would run out naked in this below 10 degrees and got for dinner. Brrrrrrrrrrr. I think they have their priorities a bit wrong here.

New Zealand has a booze problem. SERIOUS booze problem. We had a meet the head of hall yesterday, and you guessed it, beer and wine were served. University tradition at the end of the term is this event called Undie 500.

First, buy a car for $500 and below. Next, you and your mates drive down this stretch of pubs and get wasted at EVERY single pub there. That means getting drunk at all, not just one, of the pubs. Disgusting. Beer is dirt cheap here. Victoria Bitter costs $7.00. For a pack of six. Back home is about $4 a can. Apparently every end of term (i.e 4 times a year) uni tradition is to get wasted. Every year. Not to mention the student’s own attempts to get alcoholism into their system.

I talked to a few Kiwis and the like, all admit that there is a drinking problem here in NZ and especially here in halls. Getting wasted is really the way to go. First day I came in, I did not see a single bottle of coke/pepsi/ soft drinks in the fridge. Just beer. I was the only chap who bought Coke. And to make matters more

I spoke to Eunice, a very nice Christian lady here on campus. She agrees NZ is a dry place. Very sad. God told me to pray, so guys at home, please pray too. These people only use religion when it involves Rugby in winter or Cricket in Summer. Being a Christian here is actually rather risky. Got to watch what you say. You think Singapore has freedom issues, well, here there are unspoken rules which make Singapore seem freer.

All in all, managed to get enrolled today. They have this fascinating policy that allows you to drop your subject anytime before the start of the fourth term. In fact, they warn us to take easy subjects as they call us “Student Tourist” out here to eat, drink, ski, drink, play, drink, and so on. Oh and occasionally study.

But I will say that the kiwis are I think world class in one issue. (Drinking they are in a league of their own). Service. Never, never in Singapore will I ever get service even half the standards here. And I do not mean in the School only. But here, the average service outshines Singapore’s best. Think of going to Fullerton Hotel and getting that sort of smile, service, help and information as a Standard. Buck up Singapore.

Enrollment today was a breeze, NUS should learn. There were so many students to help out, and it is really friendly. But the one thing that really shocked me was the banking system.

Banks look at us and treat us like partners; we want you to come to us. Singapore banks look at us and see us as customers; that is, you need our service. I think the paying of bank fees is worth it as long as the standards are here. Just imagine, they have personal bankers for anyone who wants to do something other then withdrawal, deposit and buying cheques. And while their website says that they will only allow student who study here for at least a year to apply for their tertiary account, it is not a rule that they really must obey. Mr Gordon Archer bent the rules for me so I DO get a student account.

Once I have internet up and running, I will be applying for an internet account. It pays, drum roll, 6.5% interest a year. That is high, compared to like say, DBS (0.125%) or even pru cash pays only 3-5% a year. Hmm, maybe for my thesis, it will be on the monetary policy of NZ and how they control fluctuations in NZ.

Ok now back from orientation and shopping. Sigh. Think I will have to spend a lot of time in the super market. And in the instant food section. Bought pie, pretty good. Will have to buy salad tomorrow. Need to go to town, think I will go alone. Just wanna walk around alone, unless Emily or Hazel decides to follow. Think Petrina and Esther not coming, and Tom is always studying whilst Kieran’s dad is here. So that means, me and me alone. Sigh.

Oh well, you guys take care. Will blog again whenever I have something to do. Right now, I am writing on Words and just waiting, waiting and waiting to activate my Canterbury card. ARGH!!!! I NEED INTERNET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM ON

HEY HEY! Excitedly screams!!!

I have made it safely to the land where the one ring is!!! NZ.

It is cold, here, and expected to drop more. But i iwll update once i can get my room connection on. So hang in there.

It is finally here

The day is here.

right now, i am feeling very mixed. I do not claim to fully ready, but hey, fortune favours the bold.

Guess everyone who goes on exchange has the same feeling. All mixed up. At the same time, if we really consider the fact that exchange studnets have been coming over and going over, there really should be little to be be uncertain about. Not that we were pilgrims. But anyhow.

Every journey is different, every road is unique. While paths cross, each must still walk the way.

Okie pokes, we are set. I think. Left my carry on bag, this huge backpack my brother lent me. Think i will put one jacket, one sweater, books, stuff like that. I am travelling light, compared to brother byron who brought, what 40+ kg over to NZ. My check in is a mere 25kg (and i was worried my bag would be overweight). Oh well, that why all boys should varry a good supply of 1. White t-shirts and 2. Black t-shirts. Then just wear, blak week, white week. Black week, white week.

Oh well, meeting Nat, old friend from SA primary. May blog about it another time.

See ya