Easter Weekend
"All hail the cute rabbit, Snowball." --South Park Easter Episode
My weekend really began (or seemed to begin) on Thursday, because I had to turn in all four of my midterm essays on Wednesday.
Though I still hadn't recovered from my usual essay-completion process (which involves much caffeine, occasionally nicotine, and usually emotional peril), I went out with Basam on Thursday night. We headed to Lytellton, which is supposed to be hopping on Thursday nights with aspiring acoustic artists in every cafe-- but with it being so close to Easter weekend, places were closing early. So, we cafe hopped, taking turns treating each other to hot chocolate, and talking about life, the universe, and everything. And playing backgammon (well, me learning... but not doing too poorly! :-D). Basam is a different kind of friend-- we're kind of like life coaches to one another. When I got back to my flat, I felt relaxed and focused in a very refreshing way. Hurrah.
Saturday night was time of another outing-- this time to the rugby game v. Western Force! My first live rugby game, how exciting! The Crusaders are one of the best teams, so I got treated to seeing another red-clad-team kick ass, which was groovy. Well, kind of boring towards the end, admitedly. Western Force was supposed to be one of the toughest rivals yet, but we still totally squashed them. Again, I really had to restrain myself. I wanted to stand the whole game. I wanted to yell (all the time!). I wanted to play the Crusaders theme song whenever they scored. But alas, the stands are more subdued and polite than that (especially our section, which was inexplicably crowded with families-- adorable children dressed as Crusaders. Aw!).
Oh, but they've got this great Medieval display going on. The warm-ups go on with a huge sword on the middle off the field. As the game was about to begin, attention was drawn to the "stone" castle on one corner of the field-- flames began to shoot from the torches on either end of the drawbridge (no, I'm not kidding). Then some costumed crusaders ride out on horseback and take a few laps around the field. For glory. :-P Then the players come out. Since this is a rugby game, blood is spilt on the field in no time at all-- in true crusading spirit. :-) Victory is celebrated as it seems to be universally-- with lots of beer. Though these kiwis, man, they make even the band look like lightweights!
Anyway, the game was awesome. On Sunday, though, I really wanted to dye eggs. I'd gotten some eggs, vinegar, and food dye, and decided to call people up and go through with it. Will was one of the first people I called, and his response was kind of hilarious. I asked him if he wanted to come over and dye eggs, he said he'd be over soon, sounded like fun. He was the first one over and was like, "so... what is this 'dying eggs' stuff?" Apparently kiwis do not dye eggs for Easter! I was pretty amused that he came over having no idea what the hell I was talking about. Anyway, between Will and the girls, we produced a little over a dozen beautiful (teehee) eggs. I was so impressed with everyone's patience and creativity! We turned out some really neat ones, spirally, tie-dyed(ish), and even a Ninja Turtle. :-) It made for a very happy Easter, though the lack of peeps in this country was deeply lamented by the Americans. :-P
That night, it was my flat-mate Susie's birthday, and she was having an "ABC" party-- = "Anything But Clothes." I LOVE themed parties! So I grabbed a few old Cantas to make a dress (Canta is the student magazine here, and about the only thing its good for is dress making, it's a painful read, in my humble opinion). I was a bit too stingy with Scotch tape, so the top was... uh... a little fragile. But the skirt looked kind of pleated, and was actually pretty well crafted. As was my hair-fan, which I thought completed the ensemble quite well. :-) I was going on a tramp the next day, so I didn't stay too long, but it was a fun way to seal off the term and greet break.
It was a fantastic weekend. And I couldn't wait for all the excitement to come!
My weekend really began (or seemed to begin) on Thursday, because I had to turn in all four of my midterm essays on Wednesday.
Though I still hadn't recovered from my usual essay-completion process (which involves much caffeine, occasionally nicotine, and usually emotional peril), I went out with Basam on Thursday night. We headed to Lytellton, which is supposed to be hopping on Thursday nights with aspiring acoustic artists in every cafe-- but with it being so close to Easter weekend, places were closing early. So, we cafe hopped, taking turns treating each other to hot chocolate, and talking about life, the universe, and everything. And playing backgammon (well, me learning... but not doing too poorly! :-D). Basam is a different kind of friend-- we're kind of like life coaches to one another. When I got back to my flat, I felt relaxed and focused in a very refreshing way. Hurrah.
Saturday night was time of another outing-- this time to the rugby game v. Western Force! My first live rugby game, how exciting! The Crusaders are one of the best teams, so I got treated to seeing another red-clad-team kick ass, which was groovy. Well, kind of boring towards the end, admitedly. Western Force was supposed to be one of the toughest rivals yet, but we still totally squashed them. Again, I really had to restrain myself. I wanted to stand the whole game. I wanted to yell (all the time!). I wanted to play the Crusaders theme song whenever they scored. But alas, the stands are more subdued and polite than that (especially our section, which was inexplicably crowded with families-- adorable children dressed as Crusaders. Aw!).
Oh, but they've got this great Medieval display going on. The warm-ups go on with a huge sword on the middle off the field. As the game was about to begin, attention was drawn to the "stone" castle on one corner of the field-- flames began to shoot from the torches on either end of the drawbridge (no, I'm not kidding). Then some costumed crusaders ride out on horseback and take a few laps around the field. For glory. :-P Then the players come out. Since this is a rugby game, blood is spilt on the field in no time at all-- in true crusading spirit. :-) Victory is celebrated as it seems to be universally-- with lots of beer. Though these kiwis, man, they make even the band look like lightweights!
Anyway, the game was awesome. On Sunday, though, I really wanted to dye eggs. I'd gotten some eggs, vinegar, and food dye, and decided to call people up and go through with it. Will was one of the first people I called, and his response was kind of hilarious. I asked him if he wanted to come over and dye eggs, he said he'd be over soon, sounded like fun. He was the first one over and was like, "so... what is this 'dying eggs' stuff?" Apparently kiwis do not dye eggs for Easter! I was pretty amused that he came over having no idea what the hell I was talking about. Anyway, between Will and the girls, we produced a little over a dozen beautiful (teehee) eggs. I was so impressed with everyone's patience and creativity! We turned out some really neat ones, spirally, tie-dyed(ish), and even a Ninja Turtle. :-) It made for a very happy Easter, though the lack of peeps in this country was deeply lamented by the Americans. :-P
That night, it was my flat-mate Susie's birthday, and she was having an "ABC" party-- = "Anything But Clothes." I LOVE themed parties! So I grabbed a few old Cantas to make a dress (Canta is the student magazine here, and about the only thing its good for is dress making, it's a painful read, in my humble opinion). I was a bit too stingy with Scotch tape, so the top was... uh... a little fragile. But the skirt looked kind of pleated, and was actually pretty well crafted. As was my hair-fan, which I thought completed the ensemble quite well. :-) I was going on a tramp the next day, so I didn't stay too long, but it was a fun way to seal off the term and greet break.
It was a fantastic weekend. And I couldn't wait for all the excitement to come!