Signs

There are many interesting signs around Auckland. Many of these I see as I am driving about and, given that I am still not used to the no indicating, just go for it sort of driving they go in for here, I didn't think that taking a photo while negotiating complex junctions was the best way to keep my car intact.

However, yesterday on the way home from the Warehouse (where everyone gets a bargain) I was stopped at lights for an inordinate amount of time - right beside a couple of very interesting signs...
Not only is there a pub named after something rather familiar, if you see in the background there is a black sign with white writing (you'll be able to see it better if you click on the photo). These are dotted all around Auckland, not sure who they are done by, but they are basically written as if God had said them. There is one on the way to campus saying, "I miss the way you used to talk to me when you were young". Some are funny like one about parking spaces. The one above says, "You can talk to me when you're not in trouble as well". If nothing else, they certainly make me think and I hope that they do promote discussion in the future.

We've now had pre-O week when some of the first years come to uni to hear introductory lectures, get tours around and sign up for courses. This is not as big a deal as Freshers Week in UK -that comes more next week when everyone is back for lectures, but there was still opportunity to make contact with a real diversity of students. One of the best bits was the number of people EU had through their coffee and chat in the chapel on the Tuesday - the day when the tours were operating. It was great that they were able to stand out as a bit different from the other clubs in the chapel by serving those around them and there were some individual conversations that were really helpful. Hopefully we'll see some people along at EU from contacts made.
Next week sees the start of actual O Week. Everyone will be back for the start of lectures and all the clubs will be doing their best sales pitch. The main things EU has doing are a 'space' in the main quad where people can sit and chat. They are also planning a picnic on the Wednesday lunchtime - the aim being to get people actually having conversations on campus and to form relationships.
OCF have some great opportunities with the events that the uni run and AUTCF are running a stall next Thursday - they've had some good interest already. So, we'll hopefully see another good group of students who are willing to stand for Jesus on campus in their time at uni...

The final sign I will leave you with is this one of the chapel at Auckland University. There are numbers like this on all the buildings around the university, showing their address. The chapel is where EU hold most of their events and where things are situated for orientation. Don't you think the chapel is for adults only though...? Made me laugh!