Countdown to departure: 3 Days! It’s really getting close now and this weekend is all about packing and seeing my family. Since I’ve came home last Sunday it’s been constant quality time with seeing my parents and grandparents, getting lunch with my Aunts and Uncles, and doing some shopping with my cousins. I’ve loved getting this time to say good bye and of course exchange Skype names so that when I leave we can stay in touch. My Mom in particular took rather large steps into the technology world this week. She upgraded to her first Smartphone. It’s kind of adorable to watch her try to figure out how to call and answer her new phone. I think my favorite smartphone moment this week was my Mom, Dad and I were driving back from dinner with my brother, and it was rather dark outside. My Mom was trying to find something in the car and I said “You know you can get a flashlight app now to help you.” So I showed her how to download the flashlight and then she turned it on and she was amazed by how bright and powerful it was. It’s these small moments I know I’m going to miss when I leave for New Zealand. For me it’s not the big going away parties or dinner but the everyday conversations I’ll miss with my family.
As I said earlier this weekend also consists of packing. Here’s what I have so far packed away:
-Clothes (That can be layered)
-Hiking Boots (Tramping boots as they say NZ)
-My camera (If I could pack only one thing it would be this)
-Waterproof Jacket (So needed!)
-Passport, driver’s license, and Student Visa (Hint: Might want to make a few copies)
-Sneakers
-Wool Socks
-Towel
-Swimsuit
-My backpack
-A journal
-My GO flag
-Photographs of my family and friends to hang up
Instead of a NZ Fun Fact this week I have some advice:
Anyone that is interested in going to New Zealand for their abroad experience: When you fly out of the country you first fly to California. Luckily for me I am flying to California when my wonderful room-mate from last semester and friend Sarah. I’m so excited to be sharing this experience with her. For anyone that doesn’t know though Sarah and I are both going to New Zealand but while I’m going to Massey University in Wellington, she will be in Christchurch at Canterbury University. The universities are also on opposite Islands of NZ.
After arriving in CA you have a short 13 hour flight until the arrival in Auckland. On New Zealand Air they have a few strict guidelines for when you fly with them. This includes if you’re bringing hiking or camping gear it needs to be cleaned of any dirt before packing. Also NZ Air allows only one carry-on so if you’re bringing a backpack that would be your carry-on and it has to weigh less than 15 lbs.
As I said earlier this weekend also consists of packing. Here’s what I have so far packed away:
-Clothes (That can be layered)
-Hiking Boots (Tramping boots as they say NZ)
-My camera (If I could pack only one thing it would be this)
-Waterproof Jacket (So needed!)
-Passport, driver’s license, and Student Visa (Hint: Might want to make a few copies)
-Sneakers
-Wool Socks
-Towel
-Swimsuit
-My backpack
-A journal
-My GO flag
-Photographs of my family and friends to hang up
Instead of a NZ Fun Fact this week I have some advice:
Anyone that is interested in going to New Zealand for their abroad experience: When you fly out of the country you first fly to California. Luckily for me I am flying to California when my wonderful room-mate from last semester and friend Sarah. I’m so excited to be sharing this experience with her. For anyone that doesn’t know though Sarah and I are both going to New Zealand but while I’m going to Massey University in Wellington, she will be in Christchurch at Canterbury University. The universities are also on opposite Islands of NZ.
After arriving in CA you have a short 13 hour flight until the arrival in Auckland. On New Zealand Air they have a few strict guidelines for when you fly with them. This includes if you’re bringing hiking or camping gear it needs to be cleaned of any dirt before packing. Also NZ Air allows only one carry-on so if you’re bringing a backpack that would be your carry-on and it has to weigh less than 15 lbs.