As to not be outdone by someone from the south, I'll write up a first entry here also.

I'll write about how much I am panicking about fitting an entire 6 months into two suitcases. Anyone that has been in my room at home or at school knows the amount of clothing i have! You all also know that i am immense trouble parting with ANYTHING... would i call myself a pack rat? NO i just understand the value of memories and if i throw something away I might forget it ever existed (okay yes, i see that i have a problem.) But Rome wasn't built in a day (trust me that saying applies right now!)

Back to having to put my life in two suitcases... AHHH!! I think it will be good for me to see that i can live without all the junk in my life and maybe I'll be able to translate that into my life back in America (assuming I ever come back.) But for now I am just making lists and lists of what I absolutely NEED to bring... right now the only thing on the list is Birth Control but more will be added after my birthday party tonight :)

Many of you have also wondered why I am going to New Zealand out of all places and my answer is simple... It is beautiful and they speak English!

I will be at the University of Auckland which is a coastal city, it is one of the biggest cities in New Zealand because despite wanting to experience the beauty of nature in New Zealand I do not think i could live in the middle of nowhere just yet.

The classes I am taking are:

Hobbit 101

Introduction to Elvish

One Ring to Rule them All: Turning Points in Middle-Earth History

HAHA not really, I just feel like I have to get out all of my Middle-Earth jokes now before I leave!

I am really taking:

DRAMA 302

Performance Skills

Classes in stage acting, improvisation, movement, voice and character, taught by professional tutors. Students will present a solo or duo short performance.

So pretty much this class is a combination of all of the classes I take a semester at UArts into one!

MAORI 190

Kapa Haka 1

An introductory course for beginners or others who have only a minimal knowledge of traditional and contemporary Maori performing arts. The course is strongly practical. It will stress the fundamentals of performance and the various social, cultural and political settings that give it meaning.

So pretty much that'll kick ass!

I'm also taking a class on Films and a New Zealand History class that I'm too lazy to look up right now!

So that will be my life, thank you so much for reading and keep coming back I'm sure it'll be fun!

Auckland!

Love,

Marianne!