Status:

Well, its crunch time here in Windy Welly. I have four assignments to complete this week, its kind of like midterms in the States. I didn't expect it to creep up this fast though! This past Friday I took a break from my studies to go play a quick round of golf and jump into the harbor. While both activities were fun I did play a horrible round of golf and lets just say the water down in the harbor is not the cleanest.

If I have a goal for my time here in New Zealand, it is to stay busy with both school work and activities. I want to try so many new things but it seems my time is sipping away faster and faster. While I am not entirely homesick I am disappointed to be missing so many family affairs and Iowa activities (birthdays, tugfest, formal, golf and of course the eating of good burritos/mexican food) I am loving my time in New Zealand but it will be nice to be home after 5 1/2 months.

Finding my groove while abroad.

Wild Foods Festival in Hokitika.

This past weekend I made another excursion to the beautiful South Island for the Wild Foods Festival on the West Coast. The trip started with a run yes "run" to the Ferry. We were the last to board the boat and we literally got on 5 minutes before it left. We held up 400 people to say the least. Once in Picton we rented a car and started our 5 hour drive to Greymouth where we stayed the first night in a hostel called "Noah's Ark." We had the sheep room.

The Next day (Saturday, March 12th) We drove 40 minutes down to Hokitika for the Festival! The drive down there is parallel with the Tasman Sea and the miles and miles of beach which line the coast. Once at the Festival we (My friends Steve and Jessica) started out journey into the unknown of foodom. Together we tried Kangaroo, HUHU grubs, a Scorpion, goat milk ice cream, snails, moonshine, NZ wine and beer, German bratwurst, lion testicle (doubtful) and a few other goodies. There were other options which we did not divulge into like sheep balls or "mountain oysters," Crickets, worms etc. The rest of the day we spent at the beach and exploring town. Later that night we went back into the festival for some more food and a small town concert. Later in the night we walked the beach which was littered with bonfires as far as the eye could see. The stars were everywhere and the way the smoke drifted over the crashing waves made the whole experience seem unreal.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!
-Love Jon

Past week and upcoming weekend!

Hey Everybody!

This last couple of weeks has been a lot of administrative school stuff so I haven't had much time to write or anything really to write about for awhile.

I am locked in all my classes which is a little unnerving because teachers are already starting to throw all sorts of essays and readings at us. I am thinking about joining a few clubs but I haven't decided which ones yet. I was thinking the hiking club or "tramping club" as the kiwis call it, maybe a student Christian organization and or a international leadership club.

A few days ago my a few guys and myself decided we were going to Australia for part of mid-semester break! The three guys I am going with are all from Penn State but they are nice guys and they play golf  so I guess I can just overlook that little fact. (haha)  We are going for a week and our plan is to fly to Sydney then up to Cairns then home. I am very excited for this journey although I am sure it will take a heavy toll on my bank account I think it will be worth it.

This weekend I am headed back to the South Island for It's annual Wild Foods Festival in Hokitika on the West Coast! Here is the link if you want to see what it's all about and some of the crazy foods I will be ingesting! (http://www.wildfoods.co.nz/index.cfm/1,51,0,0,html)

I will have an update for all of you when I get home on Sunday!

Cheers!