Weeks 12-14: Making Memories
- Bryce Bozadjian
- Oct 10, 2017
- 3 min read
Long time no see friends and family!
The past three weeks have been a roller coaster of being sick, taking finals, and now finally being able to relax and plan for my upcoming month in Australia!
I nervously memorized and performed my whakapapa in front of my Maori professor and it went well! I haven't received the mark, but she seemed happy about my efforts, so fingers crossed I did OK. I'm officially done with that class, philosophy, and my online film class! Just have a media kit to complete for my PR class and I'm done with the semester! Hooray!
My hilarious friends Izzy and Isabel hosted a dinosaur-themed party complete with a pin the tail on the T. Rex which was good fun!
Been gyming it the past few weeks but I also just discovered that there is peanut butter Whittakers chocolate and that rocked my world. I finally tried a lemon, lime, and bitters, and loved it! Not quite sure what bitters are still...
The election came and went and National/Bill English is still in charge of the government here.
We sprang forward, while everyone in the States (minus the outcast Arizona) fell back for daylight savings, which was weird. FaceTimed my good friend Lou back in AZ and it was nice to catch up!
My block did a fun end-of-the-semester Christmas with a Kiwi version of a yankee swap and I tried the NZ staple of a chip sandwich, which is made up of chips (fries) and tomato sauce (ketchup). I wasn't a fan haha. A bunch of us also went to House on Monday and got $2 tacos! Our block events are coming to an end, sadly.
I discovered this cute thing they do in primary school here: kids are only allowed to use pencils, but once they don't make heaps of mistakes, they graduate and receive a pen license. Adorbs! Also, they say eraser here like "a razor" like in that Ed Sheeran song. LOL.
Once you turn 20 here it's legal for you to have one drink and then drive! Loco.
We went to House and celebrated Cori's 20th bday with $5 pizza and discounted drinks. We got her flowers and new Vans. 'Twas a fun night!
I got to use a fancy shmancy Canon with a super nice external flash to photograph the MCSA Campaigns After Party! It was hosted in town at an Irish pub called Shenanigans and I had a blast! Unfortunately I didn't make it to the actual campaigns presentations.
There is a mandatory alcohol ban during the next few weeks due to study week and the following two weeks of finals, but they had one night where it was OK to drink called BOCS (an acronym for Bryant Halls, Orchard Park, College Halls, and Student Village, the four on-campus housing locations here). We all dressed up in the theme of "what you wanted to be when you grew up" and were taken to a secret venue where there was dancing and a DJ. It was an awesome night complete with Sal's pizza afterwards! I dressed up like a pirate cuz I've always loved Captain Jack Sparrow and I had already bought the cheap costume for Re-O week and never had the chance to wear it.
OMG – they played the Cotton Eye Joe and no one knew the dance (minus my NH friend Isabel)!
I'm almost done with Legion, watched one episode of Riverdale and nearly died of how cheesy and cliché it was, and binge watched the entire first season of Suits the Saturday after BOCS.
My fellow Americans Brian, Liz, Katie, Justice, Kailana, and I attended the international farewell ceremony at the Gallagher Center for Performing Arts. We (well those who registered) received our certificate of completion, a swag bag, and free food, woo hoo!
These past three weeks have been great bonding time. I didn't adventure much but spent time getting to know people and making good memories. I also catnapped another cat – named it Oscar.
New Slang:
Mufti = a day in school where you don't have to wear your uniform, but you usually have to donate money to something.
Twink = white-out
Yoza = various meanings, but essentially "sick as" and "hey bro"
Doits = the sound two things make when they collide
Hearty = tough as
Plasters = bandaids
Love heart = a drawn heart or anything heart-shaped that is not the organ. Americans call a heart a heart, no matter if it's a doodle or the actual body part.
Paw paw = papaya
Bonnet and boot = hood and trunk
Never Eat Soggy Weet-bix = remember we learned Never Eat Soggy Waffles to learn North East South and West?! This is the Kiwi version.
Next Up: A week to pack my room, move out, say goodbye to everyone, and fly to Australia!
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