More walks through the Garden

Since I have a whole month to study for finals I have had a lot of extra time on my hands. With it being winter, there are few days that are warm and sunny. Yesterday, however was 60 degrees and sunny! We probably never get that in NE in the winter! I took advantage of the day and decided to walk through the other parts of the Wellington Botanical Gardens. Also, the night before my flatmates and I went out for Julien's last days in Wellington. The bar we went to was the same bar where some of the All Black/Hurricane Rugby, players hang out and there was a whole table of them across the bar! It would be like seeing a whole bunch of professional football players at home. Since the bar was not full we could have easily walked up and gotten pictures and probably a drink with them. However, I am shy and did not have my camera with me so all I have is a story to tell.

 This tree was very cool on the inside...I wanted to climb to the top and take pictures but people were staring at me when I walked inside of it.

 This was a nice look out where people could sit and enjoy Wellington's harbour

Last Week of School

This week was seven days of slight panic with a mix of laziness as classes came to a close. I had two essays due which I finished right on time. After my assignments were all handed in I had time to kick back and relax until I have to start studying for my 3 hour exams. One of my friends from CA goes to a maritime school and had the fortune of having her old crew be docked in the Wellington harbour. On the ship was also her school's rugby team who got to play against one of Wellington's rugby teams. It was somewhat comforting to be around so many American's but a culture shock as well. I never noticed how outgoing and boisterous people from the States were until I came here. New Zealander's are much more modest and soft spoken and are never big on showing off. When I was around the Americans they were very loud and screaming and cheering on their team with huge signs. I think it may take me a while to get use to people talking loudly and attention grabbing when I get home :)  Also, this week was the Farewell party for the international students at Victoria University. They gave out free food and drinks and sang us farewell songs. Since all my friends had no assignments due, we went back to our flat and played a huge game of charades which was entertaining and fun. It made me forget about life's troubles for awhile which was nice.

 The stadium where the rugby game was held was on the city's Cricket field

 This was the States team

 The scrum

 Jill's School Boat