Since I'm actually here to study...

I realize that it has been a month since my last post, and for that I am sorry. Not only do I have to try and remember everything, but I have to write a lot all at once…ugh!

Made it half way through midterms (for some reason, my midterm stuff is lasting almost a month), busted up the curve on my BioAnthro test and walked out of a testing room with 500+ people first during my Cell/Molec test- which was super easy. Thank you Dr. April Hill, since much of the test was genetics.

Now for the interesting stuff, or rather, now for all the ridiculous catching up and sleepless nights. I just had a 2 week break from school- the week of April 14 I spent in Rotorua for the University Games (see next blog) but had to miss lectures/lab, the second week was mid-semester break (see next next blog). Needless to say, I have a paper due Friday, a project due next Friday, plus 14 lectures to make up in notes. I’ll be fairly busy for a while, unfortunately not doing anything fun.

The project is in BioAnthro, but it is a forensic analysis and I am really excited. We will receive a human skeleton and have 2 days to put together a report covering everything from sex/age determination to possible cause of death. I know, you’re jealous.

My economics midterm was held the week I was in Rotorua, and could not be written at any other time. It was on a plussage system (25% of my final grade if the mark is higher than that of the final, otherwise it counts for 0%) and now my entire grade is based 100% on the final. Scary.

I have been doing “I Yengar” (spelling?) yoga sessions twice a week with several friends at Clubs and Socs for $3. I’ve really been enjoying it, and the instructor is phenomenal! We call him “Mr. Tenacity” because while we are holding postures he often encourages us with the word “tenacity!” He is an older guy who always wears super short and tight black shorts and a dress shirt. We recently found out his name was Wayne, and were sorely disappointed. Just not as epic. The class is, unfortunately, usually very large and so postures are often held for a very long period of time while he walks around the room. I’ve noticed big improvements in flexibility over the last few months.

Regardless of how much schoolwork and playtime I’ve had, there has been a lot of reading going on. It’s so great to be able to read novels again, since I feel like I haven’t done enough since starting university. I’m on book #14 of my trip! I got a Dunedin Public Library card so I’m cruising through them pretty fast; the most recent is called The Geography of Hope by Chris Turner- a global look at sustainability and current projects that are offering a light at the end of the doomsday-environmentalist tunnel. Very highly recommended for anyone interested in sustainable living (which should be everyone).

I am fully prepared to begin an organic vegetable garden, and look into some solar power when I get back to the states- anyone who wants to help/chat/brainstorm please let me know (more on sustainability in the semester break blog)