New Friends, New Challenges, New Shoes

New Friends
---The last few weeks I have begun to make friends with some of the people in my building, mostly with two German guys named Greg and Boris. They're pretty funny, and I like talking to them. Greg has visited California once and really liked it, so we bonded over that.
---I have been co-leading a small group at church for 18-25 year olds, so I've been meeting a lot of my peers from church. The group is fun so far, and new so we've been trying to keep it casual. I've been leading worship at our meetings, just playing a couple of songs on guitar, which is fun too.
---Last week at church an American guy named Michael was visiting. He's been backpacking across NZ for the last three months, and is planning on returning to the US to travel around in a van, play his guitar, tell people about Jesus, and see what happens. Based on these facts, I decided we would be friends. I also told him that if he makes it to California or Illinois, I know people who can hook him up with a free meal. If he comes your way, help him out!

New Challenges
---It is visa renewal time again, and once again I find myself running around, trying to get things done, and worrying about getting deported (just kidding about that last one). Something always goes wrong, but for now, thankfully, the worst has passed and I should have a new visa in about month.
---My job as a tutor is going really well. I have gotten a little bit of positive feedback from my students, but mostly just I really enjoy it. It's hard to invent new ways to discuss things each week, but so far I feel like I am doing a pretty good job.
---Recently, I find myself in a bit of a spiritual slump. I've been having to learn how to remain faithful even when I don't feel like it, and trust that God is around even when he seems a bit silent. It is a good lesson to learn, even if it is really hard. I have found encouragement from reading the Bible, and from many of you--thanks for praying and supporting!

New Shoes
---I really need a pair. My red converse--my trademark, my lucky shoes--sadly, are falling apart in every possible way.


Sorry there has been a lack of pictures on this blog lately. Unfortunately, my Internet connection is temperamental which makes posting photos a drag.

Oh, and happy April Fool's to you! I have to confess now that I sent some of you a news article I made up about Sufjan Stevens' new album. I hope it made you laugh. If you did not receive it and want to read it, just let me know and I'll email a copy to you. I have to confess, I was pretty proud of the fake song names I came up with.

Later days!

Year of the Rat

Did you know that this year is the Year of the Rat?

I recently got a job at school as a Tutor. I will be working with the freshman level media course. Since it is a class of about 400 students, the Tutors run discussion sessions and help with grading. I haven't had any sessions yet, but this week it all starts.

Also, I have been doing a lot of work on my thesis. I recently met with my adviser so I have a pretty good idea of all the work I have before me. Yikes!

And, at church I have been helping with the kids, as usual, helping with sound/AV occasionally, and soon I will be a part of a small group!

The Year of the Rat is already quite full.

Instead of music, lately I have been listening to This American Life---check it out here: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/Radio_Archive.aspx

Musicals!

People keep asking me what exactly am I studying, and what classes am I taking, and what am I writing my thesis about. So here is the answer, in bulletpoints:

• I am studying Film, TV, and Media. Basically, I watch, study and analyze movies. I do NOT make movies. What I do is WAY easier than making movies...


• I don't have any classes this year! My sole existence as a student revolves around writing my thesis.


• Speaking of my thesis, my topic is about musicals. Specifically, I am writing about new musicals that take a genre characterized by fantasy and try a realistic approach. Um, yeah...

So, here are my two main examples so far:

Once: a charming little Irish movie with really great music.

Dancer in the Dark: a grueling melodrama from director Lars von Trier.

Besides my schoolwork, I am again involved at my church here. I have started helping out again with children's church, and I am going to start getting trained on AV and sound. Also, I will probably start helping out with editing the church magazine, which I am really excited about. I get a strange little high off of proofreading.

I think that's all for now. I'll leave you with ten songs I have in high rotation right now:

"The General Specific" by Band of Horses

"Click Click Click Click" by Bishop Allen

"Suspcious Character" by The Blood Arm

"The Crane Wife 3" by The Decemberists

"Les Champs-Elysees" by Joe Dassin

"Strangers" by The Kinks

"Second Chance" by Liam Finn

"Sorry Signs on Cash Machines" by Mason Jennings

"Mr. Pitiful" by Matt Costa

"Every Line of A Long Moment" by Roddy Woomble

Summer Vacation

Hello everyone! I have been grossly negligent with my blogging lately, but I have a good excuse. I was on summer vacation! And now since I am not back at school, I figured my first entry should be a classic "What I Did On My Summer Vacation Entry" to sum up the last three months of my life:




First, right after classes were over, I headed down to the bottom of the North Island to spend a few days in Wellington.
Wellington is a beautiful city right on the harbour.





It is known for being the capital of New Zealand, as well as being something of a cultural center. It also holds the nations film industry.
This is a picture of the national museum, Te Papa. I spent a lot of time there...



Ok, after Wellington it was back to the USA. I was back just in time for Thanksgiving in New York City with my family.
This is, of course, Time's Square.


Isaac and Graciana on the Staten Island Ferry.


After the holiday, I spent a few days on my own doing some siteseeing.
This is a view of Manhattan from the Empire State Building.


And, I got to take in a concert! This is me up front to see Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche live in concert. He is one of my favorite artists, so it was a real treat so see him live.

By the way, he did all the music for a nice little movie called Dan in Real Life which stars Steve Carrell.

After that I spent Christmas in the Chicago-area as usual. There was some nice snow there, and good times visiting old friends.
And the rest of my time was spent in the LA/OC area as I was working at Biola with my old financial aid buddies.

Some of my favorite people took me to the airport for a final farewell as I headed back to the other side of the world.

Steve, Kimi, Brynne, Bethany, Mike and Wes

I can't believe how much I crammed into such a short amount of time! It seems a shame to gloss over it, but after all, this is a blog for Kiwi adventures... I promise to bring you updates soon about my life here. Thanks for sticking with me for a second year!

Study Break

Just wanted to take a minute to think about something else besides these essays I've been writing forever. At least it feels like forever...

Here are my top-ten favorite songs today:
"Melt Your Heart" by Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
"You're Learning" by Paul Kelly with Kasey Chambers
"Did I Step On Your Trumpet" by Danielson
"Middle Distance Runner" by Sea Wolf
"Energy" by The Apples in Stereo
"You're a Wolf" by Sea Wolf
"Your Love Alone is Not Enough" by Manic Street Preachers
"Fall on My Knees" by Abigail Washburn
"Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe" by Okkervil River
"Peacebone" by Animal Collective

I have written five songs in New Zealand, plus co-wrote two others. Hopefully you'll get to hear them someday...

Ok, back to work. These essays are due tomorrow at 4pm, and then I am DONE!

A Few More Pictures...

Auckland is known as The City of Sails because of the numerous sailboats in the harbor. Here's one:



What do they actually do at the Department of Doing? When I passed by they were closed, so it did not appear that much was being done at the moment...


More pics from children's church:




September is almost over! This means:
---the start of post-season baseball. Unbelievably, my White Sox are out and the Cubs are in!
---the final rounds of the Rugby World Cup are starting. New Zealand has been dominating all of their opponents! It's fun to watch.
---spring in Auckland!
---my final assignments will be due soon!

I only have a month and a half left here. But before I go I will be trekking down to Wellington to see the sites, jumping off cliffs with my friend Preet, and finishing up my proposal for my MA thesis next year. Lots to be done!

A Few Pictures

Here are some pictures from my daily life in Auckland:


This is a view of the harbor from the ferry.



These are all pictures from children's church.

Here some little guys enjoying snacks during a party we had.


The kids are doing a scavengar hunt here.



I'm planning taking more pictures of normal, everyday stuff in the next couple of weeks. I can't believe I have less than two months left here! But before I can even think of going home I have to write three massive essays, and a proposal for my MA thesis next year. Scary...
Ok, that's all for now!