After living out of a suitcase for two weeks, it's official. I'm still living out of a suitcase. I arrived in Dunedin on Thursday night, greeted by my flooded flat. Of course this hasn't happened to the University flats ever...but there's a first time for everything! So while I'm temporary living with some random Kiwis in a not-so-nice flat, I must admit that the issued paycheck at the end of this hassle will be worth a road trip or two : )

The Otago campus is beautiful...willow trees dot a rambling brook that runs right through the center of things. Dunedin reminds me a bit of Boulder or Madison, though it's exceptionally different. For starters, Dunedin is super hilly. I won't lie - Most runs here have included a bit of walking.
My flat is centrally located, backing up in to a huge park. Behind our flat is the Signal Hills wilderness area and to the left are the Botanic gardens. It's basically suburbia (though some of my friends are really in suburbia, as their flat is practically in a different zip code, a newly finished home complete with its white picket fence). Dunedin is far different from anywhere I've been for another reason- the beach. St. Clair beach is one of the top surfing spots in NZ (so I've heard). Ethnic restaurants and happening beer gardens and bars are on every street corner. And the Octagon hosts an annual market (which we were lucky to head over to on Saturday.) A few of us girls got colored braids in our hair (which definitely satisfied my itch to do something funky).
I'm really glad I went through Australearn...you really recognize so many faces on campus. And the best part of it is, they are friends I can take home with me.
My Kiwi flatmates are super cool, though I haven't had much time to hang out with them, seeing as we were evicted. The first night I arrived they had dinner and Speight's (NZ's "pride of the south" beer) waiting for me. We headed off to the Cook, the happening beer garden, to have them attempt to explain Cricket to me. I can't say I fully grasp the idea, but it was very Kiwi nonetheless to have a go and check out the game.
Signing up for classes (or papers as they call them) was a buzzkill, but I'm not too worried seeing as we already have plans to surf in between study breaks. haha.