So I've been in Dunedin for about two weeks now. I've got my I.D card; I've sat my English Diagnostic test; getting on well with the flatties (who are all here now); and until monday, when my course starts, I'm pretty relaxed. The first flat meeting is on Sunday afternoon. That's where we are discussing shopping, cooking, dishes, lounge suite, everything pretty much.

I've been to a couple of churches but I'm still gonna have a good look around. However I do know a few faces and names from the local Salvation Army church which I've attended several functions with, and a couple of people from Nations (a student dominated church on campus. Very big). The people in caversham baptist and caversham community that I know are a little far away to get to every sunday (other side of town) when I don't have a car, so those churches may be quite difficult to attend regularly.

The Diagnostic test I did consisted of 4 parts. Listening to a lecturer on a tape recorder and then answering questions about what he said, Dictating some sentences, Reading a text and answering questions about it's content, and writing an essay based on a controversial issue.
The test was not extremely hard but it was a lot harder than I was told it would be (was told it was like year 7-8 tests). The thing about my sitting the test is that I actually benefit more if I failed. The reason being for this is because as a health science student I am required to take 7 set subjects. I can, however, take an eighth. If I take the eighth subject then the seven subjects at the end of the course with the highest marks are the only marks that count. Therefore people usually choose an eighth subject that they find easy. I haven't taken an eighth subject. If I fail this diagnostic test then I am required to take English as my eighth subject. Because the english paper is not very difficult it will be one of my highest marked papers and therefore I would not be required to do so well in another subject I sit.
In saying that, I haven't tried to fail the diagnostic test, I just excersised the freedom of enjoyment in my essay writing. If I do fail the test then I am required to get atleast 50% in my English throughout the year or I drop out of health science. So it's not the smartest thing to fail the test because you do run the risk of not continuing a career in health sciences.

Anyway, that's all I really have to say at the moment.
Janei,
Rayd

Update from the deep South

Yellow and blue flags fly from lamposts above my head as I walk through the streets toward the University Campus. I walked these streets last night. A new flatmate arrived and her friend lives in a flat a block from where we do. So we visited and then came home via the botanical gardens. So far now, there are five of us at the flat. Keiran, Rob, Thelma, Zoanna and myself.
It's good getting to know them all and their friends. We still have one flat mate yet to arrive though. Uni starts soon. I've already set up my university computer account. It means I can use their internet now. :D

Not much is really happening now until Uni starts so I'm preoccupying myself by familiarising myself with the city layout. (It's not exactly very big or complicated)

My room is all set up and I'm really happy with the size and fitting, etc.

I'm happy to host anyone coming down for a day or two (but it would be a bit harder to host more than probably two people - my room isn't massive)

Anyway, until I've got something to talk about I won't bother updating (probably until uni starts.)

Just thought I would let you all know I'm still alive...
Janei,
Rayd

Update 07

Alright, I've been slack. I deserve more than one slap on the wrist, but atleast I've finally got another update. I realise that this update is going to be quite long so before I write out the going ons and happenings in my life for the last while in detail, I'll write out a quick overview (because I know that for some reason I never was able to fix, some people cannot view my full webpage).

So without further ado, my life...

The new year began at my friend's flat with my school friends on one of our last get togethers before we all split up and go off in our own ways.
6 days later Mark and I set off on a plane to Sydney, Australia for 11 days of shopping and relaxing.
On the 26th January Mark and I were back at the airport again, but this time with Amy, Roanna, Leeanne, Michael, Lydia and Jessica. We were off to Parachute 07 where we spent 4 days in Hamilton in a state of delirium (though Delirious was not present this year).
Youth Group began again with an awesome kickoff Wednesday night.
Thursday I bought Fire Pois.
Tonight I intend to use them.
Saturday I am going to my school friends' Sell-Everything-In-Order-To-Go-To-Aus-To-Live garage sale, as well as going to Jason's new house to do some damage with a hammer or my foot.
My friend from Dunedin is coming up in the weekend so I'll do something with him probably in the evening.
Next Tuesday I think I'm having a going away party (not organising so I'm not sure on details- will keep posted)
On the 10th I am heading down to Dunedin with a trailer and carload of stuff - my stuff- and moving into my new flat in Dunedin.

So that is the outline. It's getting so late that I'm almost thinking I should write this some other time but I know that the task is big enough I will never get around to it, so now that no-one is online to distract me from writing a long due post... here goes.

I've already said all I'm going to say about new year's so I'll just skip on to the next part of my life...
Sydney was full of adventure and excitement. Most importantly though, I got to relax and be free from the busy over-cluttered scheldule my life had become. We (Mark and I) went to the Tennis with our Aunty and Uncle, we travelled by train, ferry, bus, monorail to various places throughout Sydney, visited the Opera House (stood outside/on), met friends, shopped, went to the Olympic park, lay on beaches, climbed rocks, hung out with our Cousins, etc. I think I could find my way all over central Sydney now! One of the highlights was going to Hillsong Church and later on their youthgroup for a night at the beach.

I've just come back from Parachute where I saw bands like Hillsong, Thirdday, Detour180, CallingElijah, Magnify, Spacifix, Dave Dobbyn, Shawn McDonald, and many others. I was kept awake by cups and cups of coffee. It was certainly hard to leave on the monday.

On Tuesday night, Warwick, Rebecca and Jessica S took me out to dinner as a going away goodbye. I enjoyed it.

On Wednesday evening Youth Group went to Corsair Bay and had a BBQ on the beach as a welcome to the start of the year and a new year of youthgroup! (It's saddening that youthgroup will not be a big part of my life this year.) There was a big turn out and it really made something move inside me to see all the people who were going to have so much fun during the year, all the leaders whose faces were lit up from answered prayer, and potential of more growth and more displaying of love into our community and beyond.

Thursday afternoon I bought some firepois so I can learn lots of fire tricks when I go to Dunedin. Then in the evening I went to Jessica Stewart's Birthday party at the Blue Jean Cuisine.

On Saturday Jason is tearing down (or doing something) to his new house that involves demolition. I don't wanna miss breaking stuff. Three of my friends are going to the Gold Coast to live and they need to get rid off most of what they own as they can't take it with them. I think, as I'm going flatting in less than two weeks, that I should see what stuff I can scavenge at decently cheap prices. My brother Josh from Dunedin is heading up this weekend so I wanna go hang out with him some time probably Saturday night.

I think Mum is organising a good bye party for me on Waitangi day (Tuesday) but I'll have to ask her what is happening before I post anymore on this because at present Everyone is talking to me about it informing me that I'm having a party (I knew Mum wanted to organise one because she asked waht day was suitable for me, but I wasn't aware she had it so organised that other people knew all about it) When I find more info I will post!!

So the 10th is the big day that I move. Into my flat of 6. A 6floor flat/apartment-like building. I haven't met all my flatmates yet, but I'm sure there will be many exciting stories about my life with my flatmates that I would be eager to share on my blog in the not so far future. But this likes about all I think I can write at this time where I'm too tired to think of anything witty or interesting to say. SO I'll end it here by saying that if you're up as late as I am reading blogs or writing your own blog, then GO TO BED, God made use tired for a reason!

Blessings to all who read,
Rayd