With exams coming to an end and the weather getting a lot better (as a matter of fact, it's been really amazing) everyone has been in real cherry moods lately, and I've been making the most of it.
Fireworks at Albert Park
I've been spending a lot of time out and about in the city of Auckland. I've started playing Disc Golf. It's pretty much the same as golf, except instead of playing with golf balls you play with a frisbee. There are actually a bunch of courses around Auckland, and so it's a pretty good way to spend time out doors.
New Zealand's best disc golf player lives in Auckland, and so me and some friends took a random trip to his house. He told us he'd come out and play a game or two or with us sometime.
In addition to the Disc Golf we've had a few barbeque's at Mission Bay and other beaches, and those have been a real good time too.
Last night was Guy Fawkes day. Guy Fawkes day is an unofficial holiday they celebrate here by lighting off fireworks. It has to do with Guy Fawkes, who was a guy who tried to blow up the king back in the 15th or 16th century. If you've seen V for Vendetta than the part in the very start is supposed to be Guy Fawkes. In New York State fireworks are illegal all year round. Here in New Zealand they are legal to buy but only for about 5 days before Guy Fawkes day (which is Nov. 5). So for the last week or so they've had fireworks on sale all over, and people have been setting them off for about a week or so also (which has been real nice).
Me and my friends bought a bunch of fireworks and went to the park to set them off last night (which we were told by the fire department is legal). That was a lot of fun, and there were a ton of other people there setting them off also.
In addition to that my friend from Oswego -- Leah Evans -- invited me to a Halloween/Guy Fawkes party at one of her friends houses which was a lot of fun. I got to meet a whole bunch of kiwis. It was really funny because one of her friends was dressed as an American Tourist for Halloween. Also they had a bunch of Jack-o-lanterns that they made which they showed me, and they wanted to know my opinion of them because it's not really something they do in New Zealand. Through a series of random events (and my ability to easily met people) I actually ended up hanging out with a bunch of people who work at a popular radio station in New Zealand called
The Edge. It was pretty sweet because I got to talk to them for a while about a whole bunch of radio stuff.
I've also figured out what I'm going to be doing after school is out. I'm going to head to the South Island to visit Queenstown and some other areas in the south part of the South Island that I missed the first time. I'll be heading out with my flatmate Micha, and two of my other American friends -- Matt Connolly and Zoe Wagoner. The plan is actually to kind of hitchhike a little bit around, and kind of see where life takes us, but we definitely are heading to the south part. We're going to bring tents. With weather like it has been in the last week or so I have a feeling it'll be an amazing trip.
Here's some pictures:
So we had an 80's theme party...
80's theme party part 2...
Me and Rebecca down at her house in Tauranga
Waterfall in Tauranga
Me and Micha at another theme party at Rebecca's house
We are characters from the movie The Untouchables
Me and Rebecca
I look good in a suit
Matt and Christof at our BBQ
Playing disc golf
More disc golf
Sweet as
Wonderful weather at One Tree Hill
Getting ready to throw
Matt and my disc (which was stuck in the ground after I threw it)
Guy Fawkes!
Sprinklers
Micha sets some off
Boom!
The fun never ends
Me and Niki
Reminds me of the fourth of july
I have one exam on Thursday and them I am finished... hopefully it won't be too hard.
I also got to register for classes back in Oswego, so I'll be set when I get back.
as usual I hope all is well.
Cheers,
Shawn
