i smell like public transportation.

It has been a low-key week in Wellington, and I am just staying on top of classes and whatnot. Since it is only a trimester, students usually just take 3 classes and go year-round. Well, lovely A&M wants us to be full-time students back at home, which means that I have to take 4 classes here. Since I am essentially in my last year, I have all upper-level courses which, at this point, students only take 2 classes a trimester. Basically what I am trying to say is that I am taking close to 20 hours of coursework. At least I enjoy the classes...

Funny story. Even though English is the primary language here, there are, of course, some words that are spelt differently. For example, organization is spelt 'organisation', color is spelt 'colour', favorite is spelt 'favourite', etc. I was aware of these differences after seeing common words over and over 'misspelled', but also was aware of the fact that I am an international student, and don't have a comprehensive list of all of these. Since it doesn't affect the meaning of a word, I didn't see it as a problem. Wrong decision #1. Apparently it is a problem to my Geology ('rocks don't rock') professor, and it has given me a comical story to tell the rest of my life. Out of a 10-point 'spot quiz', I was describing the mineral properties of rocks, when I casually spelt the word 'color' thinking nothing of it. Wrong decision #2. Getting my quiz back, I discover that not only did I over-study unnecessary stuff the past couple days in anticipation for a quiz, I got a point off for spelling the word 'color' incorrectly! I spent some time thinking if I should talk to her and maybe let her know that she wasn't dealing with a hungover Uni student, rather just a naiive international student. I decided that it would be best to go introduce myself to her after class, and I respectfully proceeded to tell her that I was not aware that the assessment was based off of spelling and asked her why a full point (out of 10!) was taken off for misspelling the world 'color'. Apparently this class is supposed to not only educate me (amongst an entire class of previously educated GEOLOGY majors) about rocks, but also to make sure I (direct quote) "have a grasp of language." I thanked her, bit my tongue, and rushed outside to laugh like I haven't laughed in a long time. You know, I have never forgotten how to spell the word 'severe' because of a spelling bee in 4th grade, and I can guarantee you that I will never misspell the word 'colour' wrong again while I am here. In the meantime, I have to take all of my papers to the computer lab to spellcheck them with their New Zealand English software. Thanks and gig 'em.

More about classes (and I am going to get on a soapbox here, so take a deep breath)...I absolutely LOVE my two education classes. Teachers love to teach here. You would think that that wouldn't be an issue, but I bet you anything that the number one response from teachers on why they chose teaching would be "Oh, it has a good schedule. I have summers off." I promise, if any teacher speaks those words to me...just take my word for it, they wouldn't want to. I spent my first couple semesters at A&M wondering if I was in the right place, leaving class day after day feeling like good teaching was a dying profession and my intelligence was insulted, and I was among the handful who were actually wanting to be good teachers. How can teachers expect other people to have respect for them if they don't respect themselves and see their jobs as one of the most valuable in the entire world? Here the school goes year-round, so those coveted 'summer vacations' are no more (and, might I add, if you are a decent teacher, your summers will be spent preparing for the next year rather than twiddling your thumbs). I have never been in a class that complained when the teacher wanted to let them out of lecture early! I could not have been more proud at any moment to be a teacher when they asked the lecturer to tell us more. There are dynamic, passionate lecturers that rotate around, group discussions, heated debates, and exchange of ideas constantly. I feel like I have learned so much, and I am getting to spend some time in the primary school next door as well. There is such an embrace of Maori culture, differences, etc., and the love to learn is like nothing I have seen. I just want to bottle it up and bring it back with me! This place is truly a 'community of learners' at all levels and I have been so blessed to see a little part of it.

A few other things I have experienced this past week:

1. The wind can be ridiculous here - like up to 'people-blowing-over speeds! Don't ever try and fix your hair. Just forget it. You're going to get the wind-blown look regardless. Oh, and don't even entertain the idea of wearing a dress.

2. There are TWO toilet flushing options here! I have spent the last week looking at the 'ying-yang' looking button on the toilet, and realized that there are 2 flushing options - one is for the 'more intense' bathroom experiences I guess.. I told you New Zealand was 'going green!'

3. I read on the menu a few days ahead that we were having brown rice with dinner. Do you want to know how excited I was? I got to dinner EARLY that night. Brown rice=fried rice. Super. I guess the frying gives it the 'brown' color. Thank goodness I am getting substantial nutrition from my Luna Bar stash and prenatal multi-vitamins (thank you parents!)

4. Colin is coming on Thursdayyy!

5. We have completely finalized our week-ish long trip to the South Island over break. We are going to be flying into Christchurch and road-tripping it from there. This will include a glacier hike, bungee jumping, skiing, hiking, and bunk bedd-ing it in hostels. Wooohoooooo

6. I have not watched any sort of television/movie since I have been here and have not missed it one bit. That time has been allotted to coffee shop touring and mochaccino drinking. And studying.

7. I have come to the realization that public transportation has a smell. It smells like me on Thursdays and Fridays. Nothing a travel-size bottle of febreeze, lysol, and air freshner can't fix! (My perfume shattered during transportation) Maybe I am overreacting a bit, but I am more of a smell person that you would believe, so this does present an issue..

8. Facebook chat hates New Zealand. If you try and facebook chat me and I don't respond, it's not because I am ignoring you, it's because I literally can't. I can see everything you are typing, but when it comes time to respond, my computer flips outt and says that I am not permitted to do that. Do what? Type back? Whatever. Get a Sykpe username or email me. Loves.

9. I feel like a lot of you are taking this 'hill journey' up to the dorm very lightly, so Emma and I are going to record ourselves walking the journey back. I will post it here so you all will finally believe me..

Okay, I am going to proofread my essay in the library. I wouldn't want to take the risk of spelling the word 'colour' wrong. Thank you New Zealand spellcheck...