Singing and Songs

For those of you who love music, you should be doubly disappointed you are not in NZ right now. Kiwis love music. Seriously. First, we get four channels: channels 2, 3, and 4, and then a Maori channel. Every time I turn on the TV, channel four is playing music videos. Entire music videos. 

While in Rotorua, Joe, one of the AustraLearn staff carried a guitar everywhere. And in the last informational setting, he even sang us a song. And unlike in the States when a person picks up a guitar and sings, Joe was actually talented. And for the record, I wasn't the only shocked American. 

Of course, Joe's actual musical ability came after our trip to Tamaki Village where everyone, literally, could sing quite well. Incredibly well, actually. Also, on the ride home from Tamaki Village, the bus driver made us sing Karaoke, and while we were singing "She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain," the bus driver stayed in a traffic circle for MAD long. Yes, MAD long.

And then, the icing on the whole entire NZ-singing-cake was when the mayor of Dunedin came to the international students' orientation last Wednesday and welcomed us by singing a song. Extremely well. It turns out he sings opera in his spare time.

As a lover of music, the abundance of tune-age is sweet as, but the pressure to join in is scary on account of my non-exinsistant musical skills.

And now, for my update: 

Today was the first day of classes, and I have already established my self as the slow American. First for being visibly cold during geology lab (which was outside); second for not being able to see that "buy; trip; shoes" didn't mean to buy "trip shoes," but rather to purchase a hand lens, remember the trip that would take place during the next lab, and to wear appropriate shoes; and third for returning to the lab room after leaving to inquire about how I would get to the site of the field trip. I'm not upset about it or anything, because it was bound to happen. 

On a positive note, there are real live Kiwis in my lab group! And also, my friend from AustraLearn, Sara is in my lab. She is keeping her own blog of the trip, and you can check her blog via the link on the left hand side. 

Here's a photo of me and Jenny at the Cadbury Factory for those of you who only want to see pictures (which is legit, because I only look at pictures on blogs myself. Seriously, who reads this junk?)