Shogo's NZ memories

 April 23 rd , Today is the last day of this diary for homework. Actually, I did nothing, but only I went to the supermarket and bought some goods. We have “real” classes start from tomorrow that I’m looking forward them. However, I’m lazy, so I also think it’s somewhat of a hassle. I will write a diary again when I want to write and it will be more than 150 words.

 I got 540 points!

 On April 22 nd , it’s Saturday! I went to the Unipol Gym and did some work out. I always do this every after school. It was hard as usual I mean, I can make it easy and even hard, so I always make it hard for training my body. Although, I got a problem when I went back home. The bus stop where I wanted to go was occupied by some boys. Looks like they were all older than me, taller than me, and louder than me. So, I waited until they leave. After they leave, I got close to the bus stop and sit on a chair, but it was very smelly with the smell of alcohol and other drinks. I had a bad time a little.

 On April 2 nd , we got so tired because we already had over 10 hours on the airplane, so we were sitting in it and did nothing. Of course, the airplane contained some contents, but nothing interested me, and we waited for three or four hours to ride in the next airplane to go to Dunedin after we arrived at Auckland. While we waiting, I bought some food and drink, which was the first time to do shopping in New Zealand. That was like a nervous feeling, but wasn’t a bad experience. I understood how to sell things in New Zealand. After that, it didn’t take so long to reach Dunedin. Anyways, I just want to tell you I got tired, we got tired, so give me a long break.

 On April 26 th , I got Tongan language for the morning class. Also, the other students got different languages that sound difficult. In fact, I wrote Tongan at the very beginning of class because my host family speaks Tongan and I don’t even understand what they talk to each other. I feel nervous about the class because I don’t know what we are going to do with the hour we have left in detail. However, I’m looking forward to being a little bit expert in Tongan to communicate with my host family in Tongan someday.

 On April 21st, we finished preparing for the afternoon's presentation and delivered it in the afternoon. It takes a quite long time because I picked World War I as my theme. For any country, war is a very long history. Army had fought in many places and dead many people in the war. Unfortunately, I'm not that focused, so it took me a really long time to put it together. Today, we finally finished all classes this week. We've delivered 4 presentations and made 1 report in this week which was so busy. I will enjoy myself so much this weekend.

 On April 20th, we visited the museum near the Otago Polytechnic and made prepared for tomorrow's presentation. Everybody said Toitu Museum, but I researched and heard about it from my host father that "Toitu" means a museum in the Maori language, so we were saying "Museum museum." I laughed a lot and had interested in it. In many places, Maori notations are written along with English. I thought learning the Maori language is one of the good options during staying in New Zealand a bit.

On April 19th, we delivered the presentation again. Honestly, it was so bothering to do. This presentation's theme was the differences between Japan and New Zealand. So, we researched it in the morning and made slides. In the afternoon, we delivered it. I think I mentioned it in a previous diary, but we've got some skills for the presentation, so we didn't take so long to finish the class. The next day, we're going to get to the museum. Sounds fun to me, I'm looking forward to visiting there!

 On April 18 th , we had a busy day making one report and presentation. In the morning, we researched the Otago Polytechnic Academic Policy and picked some points to make a report. Each policy is very long and hard to make short and summarize, but eventually, we made it. In the afternoon, we researched famous people or historical things to make the presentation. That was not so difficult job, but the time was a bit short, so it was busy. Finally, we all delivered a presentation and finished today’s all classes. After school, we did work out that was so hard that got muscle pain. Needless to say, I want to be stronger while staying in New Zealand.

 April 17 th was my first-day taking classes at Otago Polytechnic. We did a self-introduction presentation on that day. Honestly, that was easy for us. We had a lot of pictures, some events in my life that are able to talk in front of people, and skills for presentation. I’m pretty sure we are all unique, in both good meaning and bad meaning, so when we deliver presentations, that was so much fun. Next day, we will make a report about Otago Polytechnic’s academic policy. I think it is so many things to write about, but I look forward to it tomorrow.

 On April 15th and 16th, I played some games and had a lot of chats with my Japanese friends. That's it. So, I will make today's blog the summary of this week. I had a lot of fun this week. I visited some places and learned about this city, country, my host family, and how to do something by myself roughly. The class will start tomorrow which makes me feel down, but that will also good opportunity to learn something more for me. So, actually, I'm looking forward to it.

 On April 14 th , I went to the Pak’nSave again, but the way to get there was totally different. Yesterday was by car, but today’s was by walk and bus. It was too far. It took around 20 minutes to go to the nearest bus stop, 15 minutes to arrive at the nearest bus stop of Pak’nSave, and 3 more minutes to walk and finally get there. I understood how cars are important in New Zealand. Also, I learned to map near the house. That was a very good experience for me eventually. Usually, the host family brings me somewhere, but I wanted to know Dunedin’s more, so it was fine.

 On April 13 th , I went to a supermarket that we call Pak’nSave. When I went there, I saw its policy that “NZ’s lowest food prices”, but I wasn’t there to buy food, unfortunately. My purpose was to buy some goods as I said in yesterday’s diary. I bought tissue boxes, sponges, rubbish bags, an iTunes card, and an energy drink. During the class, we went to the supermarket and buy some goods once, so this was the second time to buy something in New Zealand. One complaint I have is that the host family's house is so-so dirty. That’s why I bought them and I’m going to clean the floor and make things better.

 On April 12 th , unfortunately, I did nothing because I didn’t want to do anything. No more reason same as April 9 th . Tomorrow, I will buy some goods that I want. Sponges, rubbish bags, tissue boxes, an iTunes card, and an energy drink. I still feel like an adventurer buying or eating something outside. As a matter of fact, I’m kind of looking forward to it.

 On April 11 th , I did nothing especially, but I had dinner outside with my host family. The name of the restaurant was Harbourside Grill. This restaurant serves a fish menu mostly because it’s nearby the sea. I don’t know the name of such a place, but that place is connected to the sea, but not called the sea. The food was very delicious, especially the salad. I ate salad a lot because I’ve never eaten salad since I came here. I was like impressed. Maybe I missed the taste of vegetables. My host family always tells me I can have whatever you want, so I will cook something for myself. This will be one of the difficult challenges because I’ve cooked a few times, but I will figure it out.

 On April 10th, we hung out with my friends around Octagon. To elaborate, we did bowling, walked the streets, and window shopping mostly. I learned some about Dunedin through today's fun things. For example, I feel that I have gained a little bit of local knowledge, such as which buses lead to where and which stores are more convenient. It has been over one week since we arrived in Dunedin. I got more knowledge about this city and will get more this year. I'm still learning and will never end. Anyways, I like this city.

 On April 9th, I did nothing. I had nothing to do for one reason. I got my sick worse. So, I couldn't go to the camp area again because I came back to my house yesterday. So, I played games and did muscle training as usual. My friends, planned some things for tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to it.

 On April 8th, I visited the camp in which my host family participated. This camp started on Friday night and finished next Monday. I didn't join there because I had a bit sick. However, I thought I should visit there at least, so I went there. There were lots of Tongans and I couldn't understand their language. They all are Methodist, so they were praying when I arrived. It took so long same as yesterday, so I slept one time while praying. After eating lunch, we played volleyball with them. That moment was the only time that I had fun with them and understood how nice they are. I'm convinced sports are one of the best ways to know each other.

 On April 7th, I went to the church near the host family's house. I was just there to see what they doing usually which means I was just curious about their religion. Honestly, I have no interest in religion, I had no expectations. However, it took three hours to finish all things. I said I didn't expect anything, but that was way too long for me. When I was there, they spoke all words in Tongan. I was so confused and started to sleep twice, but I understood some things. For example, this is one of the religions. They are Methodist and took three hours to pray with songs, read a long bible, and so on. This is a completely different world to me, but I felt interested in this event.

 On April 6th, we went to Dunedin's sightseeing spots in the morning. Each place was so nice and I learned Dunedin's charm points. During this year, I will visit so many places in New Zealand. For example, Penguin Place, Queenstown, and so on. I'm so interested in these places. In the afternoon, we went back to Otago Polytechnic and took a safety lecture about all things in this place. It was a little bit longer to finish up the course and I felt a little bothered about that, but I know how important it was, so I finished it up without slacking off.

On April 5th, we went to St. Clair Beach, which was so beautiful. we ate lunch there and had some fun. For example, running on the beach, running away from the wave. It sounds like a few actions, but that was fun enough for me. In the afternoon, we went to the supermarket we call NW(New World), which was very wide and I got a little lost when I was looking for what I wanted. On that day, I learned a lot about how to live in New Zealand and I will learn more about New Zealand deeply this year. I can't wait!

 On April 4th, we rode an e-bike to get a little trip. We drove around the Otago and we may memorize some places. Also, we went to the white bridge and a little further place from there. That was such beautiful scenery and I had a lot of fun during that time. I want to ride an e-bike and go somewhere again if I had any chance. By the way, I had a little busy yesterday morning because I woke up at 8:30 and needed to leave immediately to go to Otago. I couldn’t have breakfast.

 On April 3 rd , I went to tunnel beach for a walk. It was an exercise for my host family and they invited me to come with them. That was a little bit far, but I have seen the beach a few times, so I wanted to see it. We started to walk and I noticed. It is so steep to walk up or walk down. Yeah, I understood why this so exercises for them. Actually, I didn’t get so tired because I walked from the very begging till the end. I saw an amazing view when we reached tunnel beach. This is just begging. I will go to so many beautiful places during my stay in New Zealand. I can’t wait.