My Flat!

Well, it has been an interesting first week in my new flat (apartment). The week started out a little rough when we moved into our apartment and found it a filthy mess! Luckily, we were not responsible to clean it up! After talking to our building manager, a cleaning company was sent the next day! There are five of us in our flat. We each have our own bedroom and we share the kitchen and living area. We have to bathrooms as well. Sarah, one our our flatmates is from South Carolina. She's really great and Mariel and I get along with her really well. Shub and Phil came as a little surprise to us, and after speaking to them we learned that 3 American guys lived here last semester..which would explain the dirtiness. Now I know what you're all thinking.. Shub and Phil sound like boy names. That would be correct. We attempted to move out when we learned that we would be living in the same flat with 2 guys, however by the time we came back from our first orientation weekend, it was too late to move. So, it hasn't been so bad. We actually barely see each other. Mariel and I are sharing food and meals and everyone else kind of does their own thing too. Seems to be an OK system for all of us! So, after a stressful move in week, we are finally organized and are beginning to prepare for classes which start on Monday the 20th, Sunday for all of you reading in the states :)

Here are some pictures of our flat!!


bedroom..

kitchen..


living room/kitchen table

**IKEA made bank furnishing our building**

some highlights/random facts for the week
1. free samples from the starbucks that just so happens to be on my walk to campus :)
2. Indian food. never tried it before. but i loved it. who knew? (mom i know you're shaking your head and laughing right now!! )
3. turning light switches down to turn ON the lights.
4. not getting lost the whole day and had my first "bubble tea"
5. buying all our school supplies from a Japanese dollar store!
6. Kiwi fruit. tastes better here for some reason
7. planning a trip to tour the south island over our mid semester break
8. eggs in new zealand have orange yokes. like ORANGE.
9. fush and chups. i like the chups, not so much the fush! (fish & chips)
10. riding 6 miles along the bays on a bike. don't remember the last time i rode a bike. i'm feeling the after effects!!

this week has mainly been filled with settling in, going to the gym, wandering around the city, trying to get my cell phone unlocked, getting to know new people, figuring out class schedules, and sleeping in. I know what you're thinking, "how can you sleep in when you're only in NZ for 4 months.. well let me tell you that it will be the only week all semester that that will be happening! My schedule starts at 9 everyday but mondays and i have absolutely no classes on Wednesdays! A few other girls from our group don't either so we're hoping to make that a day to take some day trips out to some of the other islands close by!

Mariel and I are going to go to St. Pauls church in the morning. A friend of her family lives down here working in the ministry and that church was highly recommended to us. I'm looking forward to a nice day of relaxation after a fully day of walking the city today! I covet your prayers as I being school this week and adjust to life here :)