Photographs, round 1

I finally bought batteries for my camera, so photos are available for any and all to have a gander!

Most are toolishly of my apartment, but there are some nice ones of things I walk by everyday.

Enjoy!

The Loft

This yoga studio is literally 30 steps from my apartment building and I want to go to classes soooo baaaadly, but the required class for BU kids runs Monday-Thursday evenings, 5-8 pm.

What did I do to deserve such bad karma?

Thankfully, the class ends August 14, so I'm definitely going to yoga after that.

Bibliophile? Me?

So, I finally made my Auckland City Libraries account yesterday.

I discovered the Central City Library a few days ago and went in, but couldn't open an account because I had no proof of address. I finally got my electricity bill (joy), so I finally can prove I'm not just taking a day trip.

On that first day, I immediately fell in love with the library. It's about 12 steps from my school, so that's convenient, and it features three floors of beauty. The entrance floor includes fiction, children's, and other such collections, as well as a cafe, many magazine racks (of course they have Time), and a huge DVD collection. Venture upstairs for nonfiction, including self-help books, cookbooks, language books... etc., a vast CD collection, and SHEET MUSIC FOR BORROW. Also, computers line both floors and internet use is free (though to bring your own laptop and use their wifi is $10 NZD/hour!!! Which is out of control!). The top floor is the reference floor, which is chock-a-block full of Maori collections, local history, genealogy (whakapapa, in Maori) resources, etc. SO COOL. I was gushing to Jane Cain and she told me most good libraries have such a floor, but I haven't experienced it, and I think it's pretty damn cool.

So anyway, I scoped out the building when I first came upon it, so yesterday I went for the sole purpose of utilizing it.

I presented the volunteer with my passport, photo ID and proof of address.

"Are you studying here for a year, then?" He asked, in his Kiwi accent.

"No, only a semester."

"Oh..." he said, in a disheartening way. He asked to see my student visa, so I flipped to that holographic page in my passport.

"January, then?" He asked.

"Uh, yes," I said, even though I'm only here until November.

"That's good; an account just has to be for a six-month minimum." He passed me the paperwork, I filled it out, and he handed me my shiny new library card. I got to choose which design I wanted, the old library building or the Sky Tower. I chose the Sky Tower, so I guess I'm not that irrationally obsessed with libraries.

Thank God my visa extends past the time I leave, and thank God I came in as early as I did in my visit here. I would be lost and weird without the public library.

Then, the librarian gave me a spiel on how to use the resources the library has to offer and I must admit, I'm a little miffed.

For one, they charge a 30c/day overdue fee per overdue material. Perhaps I'm spoiled with my home connections to libraries and that's why I never pay fees, but neither the C/W MARS system nor Durick charge fees for books unless they're lost. But, I can deal with that. I'll just have to return things on time. I don't see that as being too problematic, anyway; I plan to use the library a lot.

But moreover, it's $5/week to borrow DVDs! Isn't the nature of a library that you BORROW things, for FREE? CDs are $2/week, audiobooks are $3 for four weeks, and the What's Hot collection, which includes bestsellers, new material, etc. ranges from $2-$5 to borrow for a week. Hmph.

Also, if you have a librarian renew a book, there's a $1 charge. If you request some material someone has out already, there's a $1 charge. If you request a material from another Auckland City Library, there's a $1 charge.

So, humbug! I'm obviously still going to use their services. But... again I'm feeling nickeled and dimed in this country, and again I'm that much more grateful for everything I take for granted at home.

Something I don't have at home, though, is a huge collection of New Zealand fiction. I borrowed this book yesterday called A Short History of Paradise by Kiwi author Norman Bilbrough, which I chose based entirely on its cover art. That it's about tramping hippies in NZ starting a commune and growing a dope forest is just an added bonus.

A glimpse into my living situation.

So, day six and I still don't have any friends.

This is weird for me. Admittedly, I had a hard time (ahem.) adjusting to SMC; I'm sure my parents talked to you about how I called them crying every day until, like, November. They told a lot of people. Whatever. I adjusted. I love SMC.

I know I will adjust here; I just kind of forgot that I'd have to make new friends.

But anyway, tonight I think I might hang out with two my roommates and their friends, for better or worse. I like both of these roommates very much... it's just that we don't have much in common.

Monica goes to Saint Michael's College!? How weird is that, in this city of 1.2 million, that I'd be living with someone from my school of 2,200? Anyway. As evidenced by the fact that I had no idea she'd even be in New Zealand, let alone Auckland, this semester... we're not tight. She's quite nice, though. She's been really helpful. It seems like she's experienced every anxiety I have. She almost transferred home, instead of staying at SMC her freshman year! Though I was homesick, I never actually considered transferring. She all but sent in her deposit to PC, before finally deciding to stay in Vt. She's glad she did. I am too. Like I said, she's quite nice. (Actually, if she transferred to PC, I'd probably still end up meeting her... it's not like I met her at Saint Mike's anyway. But SMC is the far superior school, so I'm glad she stayed.)

Jennifer is a Southern belle, absolutely and unconditionally. She's a sorority girl at "Vandy," and she drinks hard liquor and white wine. (None of my roommates can stand the taste of beer.) She brought 6 more pairs of jeans than I did (I brought one), and more sparkley tops than I could collect from all of my closest friends. She has gotten her nails done twice since she's been here (in her defense, she's been here two weeks longer than I have), and she swooned (literally) when one of her friends commented on how tan she looks.

"That's, like, the biggest compliment anyone can tell me ever!!!" she excitedly drawled.

She's also been tanning twice since she's been here. Which is less often than she's used to going.

That being said, she's very entertaining and I like her very much. We just, you know, don't have a lot in common.

Last night, I was watching The Girls Next Door with Monica and Jennifer, and their friends Cady and Brittany, their best friends (respectively) from school. So, Cady goes to SMC, too. I have even less in common with her, though, in that she's not even nice. I'm pretty sure she hasn't even looked me in the eye, let alone started a conversation with me.

Actually, that's not true. The night Monica introduced us, Cady asked me if I know some guy who goes to Saint Mike's, and I said no, and she said, "Well, he's my boyfriend." Alright then. Noted.

So anyway, The Girls Next Door. Um. Before last night, I had successfully avoided even knowing that show existed. It's so horrific. I think a part of me died in the half hour we were watching it. Conversely, Cady wants to be a Playboy Bunny.

Oh, and also...

As promised:

Relief in the form of the internet, and the kickin'est internship ever.

So, sadly, but perhaps not surprisingly, now that I have the Internet in my apartment, I feel much more at home. I was feeling waves of homesickness and discomfort-- normal for being 8,762 (approximately) miles from home-- but they were amplified by having to spend NZ dollar coins on internet usage, an hour at a time, and very inconveniently.

I finally caved and purchased the Internet service that has a monopoly on my building, and though my debit account and my pride feel violated, I feel so much more at ease. Definitely says something about my generation, no doubt. I'm alright with being a stereotype. I like to feel connected.

I still don't own an iPod, so you can't judge me too much.

Anyway. I had my interview with Satellite Media today; more specifically, their publication Rip it Up. The interview was pretty much a formality; Nikki (the co-general manager of the company) and Karl (Rip it Up's executive editor) mostly talked at me, and Kevin (my program coordinator) was in the room the whole time, much to my chagrin. In that regard, it felt mildly unprofessional. I can definitely manage myself in an interview. (Perhaps you've noticed, but talking about myself is one of my favorite hobbies.) So I would have liked to have been able to talk with them, without Kevin prompting me with things like, "Jackie, tell Nikki what you were telling me about the show at Shadows last night." Alright, Kevin. I was getting to that.

Anyway, I did all that I could to insert my own questions and thoughts, and seem incredibly excited about the opportunity they are essentially handing me (because I am incredibly excited about it). So, I think we'll have a symbiotic relationship.

Though I'm not quite sure exactly what my duties will entail, I know I will be maintaining the music news for the mag's website (!), and I'll probably be reviewing CDs (!!) and shows (!!!). Interns in the past have conducted celebrity interviews (!!!!) and have had multi-page features published (!!!!!). Kevin told me that Rip it Up flew one past intern from the BU group from Boston (because this is after she had left NZ, and their company) to DC to interview Jack Black for a cover story. So... um... I'M FREAKIN' STOKED. Their mentality is pretty much that I'll get as much out of it as I put in (like most things), so if I show initiative I'll get cool stuff to do. Sounds good to me. Sounds sweet as to me.

The company is real small, and real funky, and also young (in spirit; this is Rip it Up's 31st year of publication).

I start August 12, which is right about the time that they're starting the October/November issue, so I'll get to be a part of everything from pre-production to store display. SERIOUSLY. HOW COOL IS THIS. I AM SO EXCITED. AND I AM SO LUCKY. WHO GETS SUCH COOL INTERNSHIPS, SERIOUSLY.

Alright, I have to go do my homework. Which means, I have to go catch up on four back-issues of Rip it Up. Including one with a cover story about Flight of the Conchords, formerly New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.

Huzzah!

Arrival: Successful

I have landed safely in Auckland! We landed yesterday after the longest, most uncomfortable airport-hopping I have ever experienced. But, in all honesty, I thought it would be worse.

My parents, brother and I arrived at Logan International around 9:30 am, the recommended three hours before my 12:30 flight. Obviously didn't need to be there that early; checking my luggage and going through security was a breeze. (Though, I did have to pay the $50 overweight luggage fee, but I had kind of resolved with myself that I would have to. Actually, my dad paid it, so it was really painless.)

I said goodbye to my family before I went through security, and I only cried a little. Go me!

Waiting in Logan was boring, and the plane arrived late so we boarded late. Still got to my useless connection in Philadelphia on time, though. And I saw a bird in the gate area? That was weird.

In Philly, I met up with some kids also on the BU Internship in Auckland program. Weirdly, I saw them sitting in the gate area in Boston and thought they were on my program; something just gave me that impression. I didn't ask them, though. And then we met in Philly.

They're cool. Did I mention I'm the only non-BU student in my entire 14-person group? I feel a little out-of-place, actually. Oh well.

Anyway, the flight to LA was kind of painful. I had a window seat and I was very cramped. Also, I had gas (because I was so excited/nervous!), so I felt bad for the woman seated next to me, but she didn't complain. Aaand that was an over-share. Anyway, I read and slept.

A few hours into the flight, the pilot said over his pilot-loudspeaker thing, "Aaand if you'll look to your right, you'll see a nice view of the Grand Canyon." He said it very nonchalantly, but I glanced out the window. I was sitting on the right side of the plane.

AND IT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY.

It was absolutely, overwhelmingly massive. The way he said it, I was expecting to see just, like, I don't know. I don't know what I was expecting. But, I saw this gorgeous, sprawling, terracotta-colored canyon... can't even be described in words. I've never seen the Grand Canyon. I've seen it on TV, and in photos, but it's just indescribable. I was very impressed. I took out my camera and took some pictures through the plane window. I'll share them once I load them onto my computer.

Sigh. America is beautiful; I forget that sometimes.

Anyway, we had a 3-hour layover in LA, during which time I called home and Caitlin. My group and I (by that time, we had met up with all but 2 members) sat and shot the breeze, worked on getting to know one another. And I saw a baby with a mohawk. It was fine.

The flight from LA was, um, long. But before we boarded, the airport powers-that-be called me over for "an important message." It turned out that a husband and wife were seated separately on the plane and wanted me to switch seats with them, even though it meant separating me from my group. I conceded, for purely karmic reasons, but it turns out I toootally won. I was moved from a middle seat, where I would have been totally cramped, surrounded by other people and seats, to an aisle seat in an emergency exit row, so I had so much room!! I was also in close proximity to the restrooms, and had room to stand up when my butt fell asleep.

I read for the first leg, until the first meal was served. Mm, plane food. Then I slept for an unknown period of time. When I awoke, I checked out the in-flight entertainment available. There was much to choose from, and I chose to watch Black Sheep, a completely ridiculous New Zealand-made horror/comedy about genetically engineered, carnivorous, evil sheep. It was fantastic.

I slept more, and then we were served breakfast, and landed in rainy Auckland, before the sun rose.

I am typing from a cafe, where I only have 4 minutes left online. Consider this to be continued...