These past few days I've been lazy and preparing myself for the second half of the semester... meanwhile I have to be jealous of everyone I know from the US studying abroad that is heading home now. Wish I was that close to summer!
This weekend I learned a couple interesting things...
1) Elli, Nikki, Jess and I went to see a movie at the cinema at Sunshine Plaza and I was so surprised how spendy movies are! $13 and thats with the student discount. But thats not the only surprising thing from the night... when buying tickets, they ask you where you want to sit! Its all assigned seating. So weird! We got good seats, luckily, and the theater itself was very nice. The concept of assigned seats is interesting and kind of nice actually, we bought our tickets head of time so we could show up after the previews and have great seats instead of wandering through the whole theater looking or getting stuck in the front. The cinema also has candy boxes in the wall, with all kinds of gummies, m&ms and chocolates, and you can take a plastic cup (3 diff. sizes) and fill it with whatever you want from the wall, and thats your movie treat! Genius!
2) The Australian government differs from the US in a few ways. Besides the fact that they have a prime minister, their healthcare procedures and money grants are so different! Everyone has healthcare from the day their born, until they die, through the government. Its universal healthcare. Such a weird thought. They don't have to work to get it but the option of more healthcare is available if people want it through work. The Aussies find it odd that places like the US don't have that for everyone and that some people are denied care. Explaining our process to them is definitely an experience. Not quite sure how I feel about the issue... but seeing how different countries do things is cool.
3) In the US, students get scholarships and grants for higher education right? Well... here scholarships aren't too frequent before uni and instead, the government hands out money to individuals that need it, regardless of if they're going to school or not. Its a free for all! I know a few people that get weekly/fortnightly (every 2 weeks) checks from the government. Its not welfare or anything, they just get it based on their parents income. Interesting thought. But, like the US, some don't get it if their parents make too much, despite if they're paying for everything on their own and have a job. Interesting aspect of government I thought...
Other than that, today is labour day, so I have the day off from classes. Its been a gorgeous few days and I hope to do some homework outside! Still nice enough for this MN girl to get a tan while being productive! Heres some other photos from NZ and Fiji that I got from the other gals and some from my day of celebration. Hope spring is treating you all well!
Cheers!
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Queenstown |
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Last night in Queenstown ~dinner |
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On our Vessel in Milford Sound |
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At the Skyline Restaurant |
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Skyline |
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Mission Accomplished |
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Fiji |
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So tired on my Big day! |
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Julien ~ thought the ugly shirt would look better on him than some girl |
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Birthday Girl |
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Love them <3 |
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