School is back in session, and I’m already tired. This week, I had a genetics lab on Wednesday, a flowsheet due on Thursday, and a prelab assignment due on Friday. I’m still working at CVOC, but at least the hours are more flexible and manageable than before. I’m also getting so pro at driving a huge van on the small roads of Christchurch, although I still hate having to turn right in this country. WHY ARE CARS SO SCARY HERE?!
It was an eventful week at CVOC as per usual. On Monday there was a very important evening meeting that I had to help set up for. It was quite a successful turnout considering the weather that day—the storm truly had “ominous-Shakespearian-tragedy” vibes. The rest of the week, the main goal was to organize the new container with all of the non-food donations and to clean up the other spaces that we had been using.
In terms of school-stuff, I didn’t have a Biodiversity lab this week—thank goodness—but I did have a 4-hour Genetics lab on Wednesday. And unlike the first one a month ago, I actually knew what I was doing! So THAT’S what flowsheets are for, lol. Then on Thursday, I submitted the two Genetics assignments due, and I actually turned in good work, so yay, winning!
However, things only got really interesting on Friday and Saturday because on Friday evening—after a long day at CVOC—I had to bail a friend out and help him volunteer for another charity, feeding the homeless and sex-worker populations of Christchurch. I dragged my friend Lizzie to help us as well, and we learned so much that night. Like, hard-core, real-life stuff about the city’s past, about the tourism industry, about sex work in New Zealand, etc. It was definitely enlightening, but then I had to pack and wake up early on Saturday because IFSA had an organized trip to Akaroa.
Akaroa is beautiful! It’s a coastal town about an hour south of Christchurch that still has a strong French influence from their earlier colonization. To get to our weekend bach, there was a scenic bush walk with waterfall views and sheep included.
The bach had no wifi or cell service or AC, so we had to old-school it; our group had to build a fire and actually TALK to each other to pass the time, what a concept. Just kidding, the conversation portion of the evening only lasted so long before someone remembered that they had the app Heads Up on their phone, so we spent a ridiculous amount of time playing that game. Suffice to say, we found out that we are truly a competitive group of Americans.
What I’ve learned:
- Prostitution was legalized in New Zealand 16 years ago
- The homeless population significantly decreased after the 2011 earthquake
What I need to learn:
- How to heavy lift and build muscle; I would definitely be the first to die in the Hunger Games
- How to give game clues in a CALM and NICE manner, haha.