Cinderella Charming

Neighbors

The neighbor has very heavy footsteps. Like a stampede migrating up the stairs. 

yay

Pieter sent an email saying I did a fantastic job with the first hw. A relief considering how much this class agonizes me. Finally went to a study group for the fancy enzyme class. As far as learning things from other people, I realize that I’m actually not as clueless that I thought I was. There is an international student from England. His accent reminds me of New Zealand. 

Finals- SSI

Ugh. I’m so tired and sleep deprived. I’ve been keeping up with the work very well- much better than in a normal quarter or semester. Yet, I still find myself struggling to cram things in my tired brain. 

St. Benedictine’s Cave

June 21-June 23

June 21, 2011 6:34pm

So I did the Crossing today. It took 7 hours overall for us. The first four hours were probably the worse, the last three weren’t so bad except for the fact that I was already exhausted by then. The most physically enduring part was probably the Devil’s Staircase. My legs were burning and they felt like they were going to fall off. After was the walk/climb/crawl up the Red Crater. It wasn’t as tiring as the Devil’s Staircase but it was definitely the scariest. At least the former had some semblance to a path, this one was just rocks. The rocks were loose and icy. We had to walk along the edge and I can imagine someone getting terrible vertigo. I was almost on my hands and knees at some point because if I tripped, I’d probably roll some thousand meters down.  The Red Crater was beautiful, although the smell of sulfur from the volcano was overpowering. Didn’t think I’d be smelling much of that outside a chemistry lab. The emerald lakes were amazing as well and we got lots of photo opportunities. We travelled along the blue lakes and then along a gorgeous yellow mountainous path. The photos can probably describe the scene a lot better than I can with my sore body and tired mind. It’s only 6:40pm and I’m already sleepy.  Need to wake up at 5am tomorrow to drive back to Auckland as it takes around 5 hours. We were supposed to drive north today but the 12 miles trek was a little enduring. Overall, a wonderful experience that enabled me to see some scenery I wouldn’t be able to other wise.  I’m glad I did it, but I don’t think I would ever do it again. I wouldn’t go back to climb Mt. Doom either. A nice jumping picture in front of it was good enough for me. Tomorrow, back to Auckland and get on a plane the day after.

June 23, 2011 11:03 am

So here I am at the airport for what is going to feel like the longest wait ever. Although I’m sure I’ve waited longer for the flights to and from Sydney. I really wish I had gotten an earlier flight home because I’m going to have to wait for 8 hours before  I can even check in my luggage. Unfortunately, Base Auckland Backpackers make you check out by 10am so that’s why I’m here to early. This really sucks, wait for 8 hours and a 12 hour flight. It’s going to be 20 hours before I even make it back to California. Also, the stingy airport won’t give me free internet. Wellington airport did it so I don’t understand why Auckland, the presumably bigger and richer airport, won’t. Ugh. This is going to be a long 20 hours. So long, it’s going to feel exactly like 20 hours should.

1:42pm

It’s not even two yet…. I don’t know how I’m going to keep myself sane in this place.

2:15pm

I got my suitcase checked in early, thank goodness. Now finally getting lunch and do some more waiting for 5 hours. I see some neighbors from the 519 complex, sitting a little further back. I saw Stacy from 519D earlier while checking in, she’s flying to SF at 5. I hope these girls don’t notice I’m here, I’m bored but don’t want any human interactions. I just checked the internet fee. $10/hr. Seriously?

8:20pm

“Will and Grace” has been keeping me entertained. One more hour until I depart.  13 hours from now before I make it home.  

Tongariro Crossing II

Tongariro Crossing I