jumping into routine

#FOMO. Fighting FOMO.

Fukushima fish n chips

It's not hump day, but....

An imported delicacy. Sticker shock lives on....

Living in the uni dorms is a trip.  A new community space opened up last evening.  Due to the drinking age being only 18 here, alcohol is frequently a component of university-sponsored events.  I met a fun international group of three in an impromptu game of pool. Due to our collective  lack of skills it was the longest lasting rounds I have a) been a part of and b) ever even heard of.  Obviously a harsh sense of competitiveness can't last 1 hour,  so we really had a blast laughing at ourselves.

I am taking 4 courses- 2 of them relate directly to learning about the Maori (intro to Māori culture and Māori health issues and opportunities), 101statistics,  and molecular genetics.  The latter being outrageously time consuming and nerdy cool. I am literally learning  genetic engineering.

Running plasmid DNA through a gel electrophoresis machine to see how long the fragments are.

Tools of the trade. 

With the integration of technology into the educational landscape I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the busy work that has to be done in front of a screen.  Good old pencil and paper is still probable my favorite.  Although I must admit that gif animation videos can be super helpful too!

Helpful gif illustration of what happens to brains on too much school.

 

The thing I miss most is animals in my life. There is a whacky cat who is for all intensive purposes a dog,  and I have been blessed to hang with that kooky feline at the most perfect moments when I am really missing my furry friends.

Homie named Kitty

Have you ever heard of kapa haka dancing?  Christchurch hosted the festival for this awesome Māori dance from Thursday to saturday, and on Sunday, (today) the competition culminates in a fierce day of the best of the best, dancing to their highest
Ability to win the title for 2015. I took photos and videos but learned that it is not cool, so I will just refer any interested parties to the te matatini competition website.

The skill with which the women coordinate a rhythmic dance  with poi balls was mesmerising. Most of the women and men have very different  roles in the dance. The women had an indomitable spirit of strength and beauty, and the men were truly awe inspiring in the facility with which they moved between warrior violence and welcoming friendly smiles.

Did I mention the food?! Pacifika knows how to eat!

 The sounds the groups dance to for their 45 minute sets are all of their own making. Stomping, shouting, sailing harmonies, and often times one or two acoustic guitars. Some of the softer songs were like the Hawaiian "somewhere over the rainbow" but more robust and symphonic.  Other songs were less melodic but clearly didactic, with a stoey teller moving and speaking while the dancers make motions to animate the stories. It was simply awe inspiring and I am humbled by the communal aspect of this amazingly coordinated journey of dance and song.

Cheers to living and loving,  my friends! Wishing a wealth of health and happiness to you.  I hope today you find a chance to make an art form out of a challeng

 

Stay a while! The Avon river meandering through campus. #notAllWhoWanderAreLost

                   
Ngā mihi mô tô manaakitanga mai.
 -thanks for your kindness-