I work Monday through Thursday, and I must admit, I could get used to a schedule like this. My internship hasn't been super exciting yet and I haven't really started what I think will be my main project this summer (winter? I don't know what to call it). Also it's chemistry stuff that I don't think most of you care about, but I will tell you all about it eventually, don't worry. For now I will say that sometimes it is frustrating, but it is a learning experience so I am trying to think of it that way. Adjusting to a brand new workplace isn't easy, but the people there make it a lot better. Joe and Kelly are the two guys I work with and they have taught me a lot about New Zealand. Both of them are Kiwis so they are my main source for local info.
Now let me tell you about where I am staying. I am living in student apartments at the University of Canterbury. The flat is actually pretty nice, so most of the people living here are international and/or graduate students. I'm staying in a building used primarily for temporary housing (i.e. not for a semester of school) so it's hard to gauge the rest of the apartments. I have a bedroom to myself and I share a kitchen common area and bathroom with four other people. Between the five of us we make a very interesting group. (I might not spell their names correctly but I think you get the idea)
- Uzma is from Pakistan. She is here for the next two years getting her second Ph.D. From what she has said I think she is a practicing doctor back in Pakistan as well. The food she cooks always smells wonderfully, and she is nice enough to share! While we eat we tell each other about Pakistan and America and laugh about the funny Kiwi things.
- Wei is from Malaysia and she is here getting a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. She is closest to my age I think and we have had some fun together! We went to the Antarctic Center on Sunday and we got to see penguins! and stand in an artificial antarctic storm! and see penguins!
- Simona is from Italy. Simona is here for a couple months doing post doctoral research with civil engineering. She just moved in a few days ago, but she has already had me try Italian coffee. I think I will stick with tea. She also said she would make me Italian pasta so I am looking forward to that. She was a little shocked when she saw the instant noodles I was eating.
- Simona (yes, another Simona) is from Germany. She is also here doing post doc research, but I forget in what exactly. She has been here for some time already so she is the resident expert on New Zealand.
I am getting to know Christchurch pretty well and some friends that are interns in other cities are coming to visit this weekend so I will have plenty of adventures to tell you about!
I have a hard time remembering what I've already posted here and what I have told other people so if you are wondering something, ask! With the time difference I have gotten into the habit of checking things online when I wake up and having notifications make waking up at 7 a.m. a little bit easier. =]
Before I forget, I felt an earthquake last night! It was a 4.2 but it was enough to barely wake me up. I didn't notice much but people today said that it shook things quite a bit. So, yeah, I've officially felt an earthquake in Christchurch.
Have you heard anything about filming for the Hobbit? Your dad said you are taking a train, where to? Have you felt aftershocks?
ReplyDeleteJust full of questions this morning.
I have heard bits and pieces. Apparently, Ian Mckellen was in Christchurch the same time I was, so that's cool. I didn't realize til much later though. I took the train from Christchurch to Greymouth, it's called the TranzAlpine. It took us through the mountains to Arthur's Pass and over to the west coast in 4 hours. I rode over with a couple of my friends and they stayed the night in Greymouth and did some tourist stuff that looked dumb to me and I rode back the same day after seeing almost all of town and buying a really good lunch (Roast chicken and brie crepes with cranberry sauce and salad!) I have felt two small quakes but they only made the bed wiggle. There will probably be more though.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are safe. Scott and I went through Greymouth, but drove to Christchurch from there. It took way more than 4 hours. Amy wants to know how work is going and if you know how to do the graphs on the machine yet? We both love you and miss you. OH. Have you had white fish in anything yet? I'm not sure if it is the right season for them right now.
ReplyDeleteWork is good and I'm starting to get in the groove of things. I still haven't quite figured out the titrator that you're referring to, but I've moved on to doing research for my next project. At first it was very interesting but now I am at the point of needing more knowledge and resources than I have. We will work it out somehow though. I haven't had white fish. It might not be the season, but I generally skip the fish so I haven't been paying too much attention. It is good to hear from you both!
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