First Week of Classes

I just finished my first week of classes!

On Mondays I don't have class, so Lynsey, Daveen, and I decided to take a day hike because it was beautiful outside! We went to Mount Cargill, which is a about an hour walk from campus. We hiked on a little trail for a couple hours to get to the top. It is the highest point in Dunedin, so the views were epic! Along the way, there were waterfalls... it was beautiful! The weather has been gorgeous all week- I finally feel like I am in summer! So we hiked to the top and then went to take a different way down. We were walking on the side of a road for over an hour and we realized that we were far from home... and tired, hungy, and sore. So we started hitchhiking (it is common in new zealand). Finally a lady picked us up as she was headed right past campus to the gym. She told me that she had to stop because the three of us looked desperate. haha. It was quite the adventure!

On Tuesday I went to all my classes- well all four of them starting at 8 a.m. It was quite a rude awakening! I've been out of class since the middle of December. haha. All my classes are huge lectures! My biggest class at Butler was about 35 kids and my biggest class here is 205, my smallest is a little over 100. It is crazy! I went to my last class, sport organisation (yes, nz spells it with an s)... and the professor told me that friday lectures were mandatory. We also had mandatory tutorials and papers due at every one. Needless to say, I dropped the class. I am taking 3 classes, 3-4 classes is average. I wanted to pick up another class, adventure education, but the professor told me that I could come to lectures and participate without signing up, so that I don't have to do the papers or exams. sweet deal. I love all of my classes! I am taking a philosophy course about ethics... the class is lively as everyone likes to voice their opinion and fight. I am taking a sport psychology class, which is by far one of my favorite courses! I love it! very interesting, and the professor completed his doctorate at university of illinois- I am also taking exercise prescription, which will be cool at otago because we have labs and use all this fun equipment!

My professors are laid back and fun- I will have a lot of extra time this semester, but it will be great. I never just take time to relax and enjoy life. its quite nice.

Last night, lynsey and I went to a car auction to buy a car for the semester. Imagine two girls going to a car auction alone... knowing nothing about cars. We made friends with an employee who showed us the cars and explained the process. The place asked us if we wanted to test drive. We said, "well we dont know how to drive on the other side of the road, so if you could drive, well just sit in the back". They laughed at us probably wondering why we were buying a car. haha. We bid on a car, but I think it was too low- the owner never called today. bummer- haha but it was quite the experience!

Other than that, I have just been hanging out and running around. Tomorrow IFSA-Butler is taking us on a day trip to bush walk, jet boat, and swim, and then we are going to a rugby game! Deanne and Mom will be here next week and we have an insane road trip planned- which will be stellar! I'm psyched to see them : )

Check out my new pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2072888&id=21105072&l=57438