Old Zealand?

Greetings from Old Zealand!

brrrrr it is about 4 degrees Celsius here in the lovely city of Dunedin on the very tip of the south island. for all you flat landers back in the states its about 40 degrees so not quiet Burlington brick city but what it lacks in cold NZ makes up for in moisture. that translates to cold damp and cranky. well everything except the cranky, its been all laughs so far as i have already made some great friends from IFSA. its amazing how something so simple as making fun of how girls talk can unite a group of males from around the country. SERIOUSLY LIKE WHERE ARE WE GOING!?

nah but really dood this first week has been a whirlwind of a journey involving a 13 hour flight( i didnt even pee once!), sea kayaking, watching the sunrise twice in two days, staying in a maori village and attending a 30 person co ed sleep over. so many memories its like a memory foam mattress pad out here.

sweet as! (kiwi for awesome) i just found a space heater under my bed, the day is saved.

We spent the majority of today touring the city and then being released to wander around the city to look for such essentials as sheets and cell phones. I not only got a wicked pissah cellular device i also got a friggin awesome fleece tiger blanket which is going to keep my safe and warm.

My room feels a little barren right meow as i dont have too many posters or knick nacks. Im sure that wont last long though as dunners seems to be teaming with little antique shops which are clearly run by gypsies.

Right meow its only me and my kiwi host makalya or maybe makaren? i donno shes a mamumbler. none the less she is nice and the flat is awesome. From my bedroom window I look past a budding tree to see a snow capped hill, a true testament to how diverse the geography of NZ really is.

I want to add a picture to this post but alas i dont feel like uploading a picture right now so ill find you a nice little google image. heres the tattoo Im thinking of getting, either that or just writing NEW ZEALAND on my face. havent decided yet.

oh and heres a link to the haka as perfomed by the NZ rugby side the All Blacks, we learned to do this fierce demonstration while staying with the Maori.

Thats all for now folks

much love from the southern hemi

dont shoplift kids

What is a blog?

Am I a blog?

Have you ever been to a cranberry blog?

When I was younger I used to love blognese and cheese sandwiches.

What do bloggers and loggers have in common?

Is this a blog?

Whatever a blog is I, Matthew Bartlett Stillman, now have one. Take note internet, there's gonna be some changes around here. I started this little internet word trap to document my travels, misadventures and thoughts on life. My main reason however is because in less than a week I will be flying to New Zealand to spend a semester studying at the University of Otago in Dunedin on the South Island. Yup Ill be taking my flannel to the southern hemispheres' recently proclaimed "favorite country", you can even ask the southern hemisphere for your self. Ill be headed there just in time for the start of their winter season. Which is pretty awesome except that I will be missing all the warm fun that accompanies summa time in the northeast. But this is a once in a life time opportunity to live and learn in a foreign country so Ill just have to wait til next July to get my sun burn. I also cant take another week slaving away at Western Turnpike Golf Course where I spend 8 hours a day having my soul broken. WTGC is just one of the many fine establishments that make their home in breathtaking Guilderland, New York. Things that are breathtaking in Guilderloin: the smog from route 20, the scent of Crossgates mall, the amount of police that roam route 20 and last but certainly not least the lack of anything to do.

But in all seriousness Guilderland is a lovely little slice of suburban American. So thats why I love Saint Michael's college in Burlington, VT where I currently hone ma learnin skills. I wont waste my time describing Burlington because Im suppose to be packing right meow, suffice to say its awesome. Sauce Michael's is a great place filled with early classes followed by afternoons at Stowe. It also plays host to many of the finest Jimmys from all over the greater Boston area. Sharing a love of Vineyard vines, The Red Soxes and loudly mispronouncing many words such as sharp, car, pissah and hundreds of others.

These "Jimmys" are a natural occurrence in many parts of New England which is one of the many reasons I have chose to spend a semester aboard. My hope is that I can find the native Jimmys in NZ and learn their ways and habits.

Jimmys aside Ive got high hopes for my time in NZ and I cant wait for my trip to get underway.

The internet is a beautiful place,

we have to take care of it so our kids can enjoy it.

Take only music, post only pictures.

Matt