Shepherds Park, North Shore

View of Greenhithe and The Great Mangrove

Today my flatmate and I went for a walk around Shepherd's Park, which is in the realm of Beach Haven. Boyfriend was at work, flatmate's partner was playing squash, so we had a little girl time. Had my first brush with The Great Mangrove (see: Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin). It was just another reason why I love Auckland so so much--there are these amazing little parks and walking tracks. In the case of Shepherds Park, it's impressively well-planned, backing up onto a retirement home, thus lending great (quiet and vigilant) neighbors. It was obvious that not much mischief gets committed in the reserve. However, some of the paths back around the water show that the respect isn't always upheld beyond the watchful eyes of bored and mindful senior citizens.

"Green-washing"

Along the way, passed a rope swing that my flatmate pointed out. Not really sure what's happened here (don't think NZ has the obesity problems that US has?!) but something is definitely amiss here...

Where are they swinging to? and how did they get up there?

Last, two pictures of the rocks around the water:

Sandstone rock

Right, Jacko, this is the best you get.

Stay tuned for another epic blog post...

Good Week/Bad Weekend

Where did the week go? Lately I find the weeks flying past, while I'm trying to dig my heels in and make things slow down! Had some relatively good inroads with job-finding this week. Made a few meetings with firms, who may or may not be hiring; most firms are on a hiring freeze, but general feedback has been that the Landscape Architects are run off their feet, and extra help must be brought in from other disciplines to cover the work load.

Despite all of this, it wasn't enough to keep me out of scrutiny for not doing enough, as all of the Kiwis in the house (that's everyone except me) have found some fashion of work. Obviously I'm slack. It was suggested that I should relieve my worries about money by taking on work which "I hate and will be unhappy doing". Obviously suggested by the award-winning in-house mental health staff.

I have been really enjoying the time that I have volunteered to causes which I believe it, but I just don't buy into a mental health trade-off.

And all of this has amounted in my eye infection returning, AGAIN. Leading me to believe, it is in fact, stress-induced.

On the up side, our terribly obnoxious neighbors ("The Meatsacks") have moved out. We're unsure whether it was voluntary or an eviction, and a (somewhat dodgy) inspection of the house shows how utterly disgusting they were. There are, what must be bodily fluid stains in random places--a testament to their true commitment to being disgusting animals.

And I've met with a landscape designer who thoroughly complimented my folio. So that's a great thing too! I'm slightly afraid I may have to re-design my work samples that I've been emailing to people, as they are BIG and sort of lose the effect of my folio by being flattened...

Landscape Porn
Oamaru's Oamarustone Buildings




Taken in the Heritage area of Oamaru, on the South side of Itchen Street. This building (Lane's Emulsion) is currently fitted to be a bakery, but closed down at the moment, while the other building in the background is the current Whitestone Trust building. This area is full of history and stunning architecture and definitely worth a visit.

Right...I'm off to pick up a pencil and do a sketch or two.

Today - started off ok; now rainy. In a matter of moments, temperature dropped from "wearing clothes is ok" to "how many blankets have I got?" This is one thing I really do like about Auckland (whereas most people complain). Is it weird that I enjoy carrying a brolly with me everywhere?? I think it's a step up from 90-day-no-rain-dry-LAKES (yes that's right whole LAKES).

Despite my undying love for sleep, I haven't been doing much of it lately. Was up around 7ish this morning, despite going to sleep late-ish. Damn you, conscience. shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!

Finally, your moment of zen:

Landscape Porn
The SuperMario Mushroom (aka Toadstool)

This was taken last year on Lincoln campus for a hypothetical project (more hypothetical than normal) wherein we were asked to design a memorial for something. I chose Seasons; as it has become easier for societies around the world to obtain foods (especially fruit/veg) year-round, we've lost touch with the seasons.

Despite the fact that I've heard they are very poisonous (especially to stock, which are, in essence, NZ's biggest concern), I always have a little chuckle when I see one of these toadstools.

Then the Mario theme plays in my head. Then I cease to function for days on end...

New Zealand Landscape Porn (quasi-daily edition)

Due to popular demand, I've decided to re-start the blog of my time in NZ. Although when the previous three entries were written, I never dreamed I would be staying on beyond my degree, fortune has seen me finish my Master's degree--which as anyone who has undertaken a graduate degree can attest--has filled up my life until April of this year, and I've decided to attempt to make the most of my Kiwi education by trying to find a job here.

So...bla bla bla. All in all, I've decided to fire this up for the occasional "brain twitch", but more often, as a motivation and receptacle for viewing the world. I will attempt to post pictures I have taken from places that I go. I will start off today with an oldy (but a goody).

During Jan/Feb of 2008, we were asked to design a themed resort on the slopes of Allandale, Banks Peninsula. This was the view from the top of Cooper's Knob, overlooking our site.

Will try to post again tomorrow.

Some recent revelations:

Mrs. Tiggy-winkle lives in the trees next to my flat. I see her waddle home to do her washing and ironing for Cock Robin and Tabby Kitten at night.

Class is eating my soul.

Water goes down the drain clockwise here too. Mythbusters can pay me for that one.

It takes 12-13 minutes on a cloudy day here to sunburn, and days and days to dry clothes.

"Gob-smackingly" is used as an adverb more often than I'd care to count.

I'm still amazed by the lack of censorship of nudity and foul language on TV and radio...to which I give a hearty "GODDAMN!" in salute. (There is actually a radio commercial advertising a DIY-er American Idol-esque show in which the man screams "AAUGH! I'VE GOT POO IN MY EYE...IT STINGS...SHIT!")

They have the greatest commercials ever here...My favorite at the moment is the ice cream commercial defining when "togs" (bathing suits) become "undies." (Answer: when you can no longer see the water--grocery stores, buses, etc) If you've got a quick connection you can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjtdQ9JP7h4 and remember: THEY SHOW THIS ON TV!!....Sweet as.

That's all for now...back to the grindstone...

Saturday, I took the bus into Christchurch with the mission of buying a towel so I could take a shower. Not having a single clue where to go, I decided a nice walk around the city was in order. After going to a few used bookstores, I walked down to Cathedral Square where there were a couple of Kiwi jugglers making quite the fashion statement (sideways mohawks and super-long mullets) and about 10 million seagulls. Then I walked down to the Avon River. I met and chatted with a few Japanese ladies who were trying to feed a duck...they were soooo cute! The weather was fabulous, so I took a few pictures to rub it in.

The Avon River runs through Christchurch, under this bridge with an arch dedicated to the ANZAC soldiers of WW1.

Sunday was spent sleeping all day trying to shake off the cold I've caught. The weather got pretty bad Saturday night, so Sunday was overcast and cold. I spent a lot of time watching television--just like in Japan--and it's amazing how open the culture here is about sex and the human body (this morning the Australian news ran a piece about women's perception of their body topped by models wearing transparent shirts--boobies and all!) There are so many things I've seen and thought, "there's no way they would allow that in the US!!" There's a commercial for deodorant where a woman flashes her breasts at a man in a bus, the yearly Uni publication for students has lists sponsored by the Dining Hall Staff listing "Why Chocolate is better than Sex," (2. "If you love me you'll swallow that" has real meaning with chocolate,) the "Top 5 Condom Slogans,"

(1. Cover your stump before you hump;
2. If you're not going to sack it, go home and whack it
3. The right selection is to protect your erection
4. If you slip between her thighs, condomize
5. If you think she'll sign, cover old one eye)

and "Top 5 Ways to Know You're Trailer Trash."

Monday was the first day of class. There were lots of Commerce (business) students who came to the class trying to get an easy "Pass." The professor was pissed. We had 2 exercises to complete. Our first exercise was drawing words to best portray their meaning without using any pictures. We were given words like, "Fury" "Depression" "Sour" "Joy" "Silence" "Smooth" and "Juicy." This was all pretty easy. Our next exercise was to redesign the packaging for a product of Sticky Tack for putting up posters. This was more difficult (and something I still must finish...although I'm writing this...and watching old old old episodes of Friends..heh.) After class, I caught a ride into Christchurch with one of my classmates to buy our supplies. While we were there another classmate came into the shop and offered to give me a ride back to school. She is a mother of 2 commuting from Dunedin. We went and had dinner at a phenomenal Thai restaurant in Christchurch--MMmm...Tofu Green Curry...ahhh. Then we went to the grocery store in Lincoln, which was good, since I'd gone earlier in the morning to buy some cold medicine at the chemist's (no, Brandon, not "plasters") and bought lots of food to make pasta, but when I got home I realized I hadn't bought any pasta....

Today, I met with the international liason, Jenny, to catch up. I met her when I toured the campus in May. We ate lunch and talked about the Uni. In class, we spent the whole time practicing drawing--charcoal, pencil, and ink. After class I went to the library to check out some books (what an overacheiver!), figured out my email problems and came back to the flat. My "RA" dropped by to grab some stuff. She was American, so I asked where she got her undergrad: "GW"...graduated in 2004! She's working on her Ph.D in Tourism. It's a small world, indeed.

Tomorrow, my task is to go to the gym and sign up. NZD$60 for a year...who can beat that??

Til next time...

Hello all!

I'm very sorry about the mass e-mail, but after 24 hours in airports and airplanes, I just can't keep my eyes open for 30 individual emails. I promise all responses to my email will be answered individually. :)

That said, I am now a student in New Zealand! I made it! I've missed flights, I've had sniffer dogs smell my bags, I've woken up thinking my plane was going to crash into a strange island in the middle of the Pacific where no one could find me (like a certain US TV Drama....)... I've sat with snorers, talkers, and the nicest girl in all of NZ whose boyfriend drove me from the airport to the school and after that the two of them helped me move my bags into my room and said, "it's nothing--Southern Hospitality..."......awesome! I smell like 3-day-old airplane food, and I may be coming down with a cold. But....beside all that.......NZ is BEAUTIFUL. The weather here is awesome, everything is green-green-green, except for the southern Alps which are still snowy (white-white-white). The people are so polite and friendly. And the sheep all have golden wool. .....well, the last one may be a lie.

I got in to Christchurch about 5 hours ago and I've been running back and forth trying to get enrolled in my class and everything paid for and taken care of. I have been successful. My class will start Monday afternoon. I am very nervous.

I feel like I'm living in a place where I don't quite speak the language...at least in Japan, I knew I just didn't speak the language at all. The words here fall into 3 different categories. -First is the Many-of-the-things-and-places-in-NZ-I've-read-about,-but-I-have-no-idea-how-to-pronounce category...for example, "bach," which is a rural cottage used for holidays, is pronounced "batch" (not "bock" like the classical composer) and, so I learned today (I've never seen this written in ANY guidebook) it's shortened from "bachelor," as in "bachelor's pad".... There have been at least 10 other words that I've had people repeat or teach me... -The second category is the using-absolutely-different-words category. The best example of this is, one of my flatmates told me I could buy a (essential) phone card at the "dairy" down the road. In NZ they call a convenience store a dairy. -Last there's the I-understand-what-you're-saying-but-it-sounds-all-funny-in-my-brain category. This includes everything else they say.

Anyway, this is just my experience in the last 8 hours. Last night, I left Los Angeles at 8 pm, and this morning I got to Auckland around 645 am. The flight was scheduled to arrive at 6, but due to headwinds, we were delayed. So, I missed my connection from Auckland to Wellington to Christchurch. I had to buy a new ticket (which, fortunately, isn't terribly expensive in NZ) but I was extremely grateful to be able to speak the language here...and that Japan was more organized. In the Auckland airport, they are SUPER careful about customs, and I got to meet Squiggy the beagle as he came to check my bag for illegal fruits/vegetables/hiking boots/mushrooms/seeds...... Only a beagle could make an unpleasant experience great! At the immigration desk, my passport was reading "visitor" even though I had a visa that said, "student"....so that was another delay. By that time, I had definitely missed my flight, so I was slower to take care of the tickets, which was good in a way, since I was told by 3 different people at least 3 different places I needed to go to take care of my problem. But the problem was resolved, and here I am.

I hope that this email has been understandable. I am truly exhausted. I must walk down to Lincoln Township and find something to eat and some shampoo. I can't live smelling like Spinach Fritatta and Chicken tacos.

Happy New Year! and keep in touch!!!